IT’S FAMILY TIME!

We are very excited to introduce our emphasis for the month of February—Family Foundations!  Families are the building blocks of every community, and we want to see them healthy and whole.  To that end, we will be imparting into the families of our church all month through the Sunday morning messages (now in BOTH services!), the upcoming Night of Worship, and other special events.

Please make sure your family doesn’t miss any of the events below.  We want YOUR family to grow this month with love, joy, and peace abounding in your home.  For more information, check out the EFC Website!

Night of Worship – We’re starting Family Foundations month off with a bang this Wednesday, February 2^nd, at 7 pm.  After a time of worship with all ages, we will have Family Night, complete with an object lesson, fun activities, and of course, food!  Parents, make sure you’re ready to party with your kids this week and come join us.

Sermon Series – Each Sunday, during the month of February, we will be looking at different aspects of healthy Family Foundations.  From marriage to parenting to grandparenting, there’s something for everyone.

Valentine’s Couple Dessert – We’re going to have an evening to remember at the church on Sunday, February 13^th, at 7 pm.  Join us as we learn how to “Keep the Sweet in Sweethearts.”  Tickets are $5 per couple and are on sale now in the church foyer!  Childcare will be provided.

Youth Led Service – Our youth are going to get in on the action by blessing us with leading every aspect of our Sunday morning services on Sunday, February 20^th.  You won’t want to miss this special time.

Kingdom Principles for Raising Children Seminar – All parents are invited to attend our parenting seminar, Sunday, February 27 at 6 pm and Monday, February 28 at 7 pm.  Session 1 will cover how to discipline effectively and speak your child’s love language.  Session 2 will cover how to impart Godly principles into your child’s life.

Links

As we focus on our families, it’s not too late to get some good New Year’s Resolutions going to help!  Click for more details!  

Follow this link to read of copy of Pastor Eric’s “Thank You” letter accompanying the 2010 year end giving statements.

Podcast

“GO,” Pastor Mindy’s message from January 30^th will be available online soon!

On the Radar

Emmanuel Fellowship will be in TWO SERVICES beginning this Sunday, February 6, 2011.  Our Sunday morning worship times will be 9:00 and 11:00.  A pre-school nursery only will be available during the 9:00 service, and full children’s ministry will be offered in the 11:00 service.

Revelation Bible Study has resumed Tuesdays, 12-1 pm.  Bring your lunch and join in the discussion!

Join us for Prayer!  Friday mornings from 8:00-9:30, we meet together in the Sweetwater Prayer Center.  You are invited to connect with this amazing part of EFC church life.

Family Connection

Check out these resources to connect with our ministry to children and youth.

• Worldchangers – Discussion starters from Sunday’s Kids’ Church lesson.
• The Salvage Yard – Youth Ministry Website

You Heard it at EFC

Been trying to remember one of those awesome songs we sang?  Here is our worship list from yesterday for those of you who just absolutely need a copy for yourself.  You can usually find them for purchase on itunes.com.

• “Counting on God” by Desperation Band (You may have to enable popups to view.)

• “Dessert Song” by Hillsong
• “Consuming Fire” by Christ for the Nations
• “Jesus Paid It All”

Sunday Preview

Join us next Sunday at 9:00 or 11:00 for the beginning of our Family Foundations Series!

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THANK YOU FOR A REMARKABLE 2010

The following letter was included with Giving Statements for 2010

Dear Church Family and Friends,

A precious Christmas song we are all familiar with asks the simple question, “Do you see what I see?”  Through the course of the song, the message of the birth of Jesus passes from the night wind, to a little lamb, to a child, to a king, and finally to the people everywhere.

As we reflect upon 2010 and set our hearts toward an adventurous 2011, it is my sincere prayer that each of you can see what I see!  God has done great things among us, and our hearts are overflowing with joy.  In 2010, we welcomed Loran and Tiffany Rule as our Youth Pastors and renovated our building to accommodate our vibrant and growing youth and children’s ministry.  Through the year we have marveled at the steady increase in attendance and financial stewardship each Sunday.

Do you see what I see?  The lost are being saved, the broken are being healed, and families are being restored.  The beauty of grace and the power of God’s Kingdom are occurring among us.  And the best is yet to come!

As we continue into 2011, we have discovered the addition of a second Sunday morning service to be the only viable option for managing our current growth.  Beginning February 6, 2011, our Sunday morning service times will be 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM.  The addition of the second service requires us to stretch in areas of service and administration, but it is a stretch we must embrace if we are to see our city, our neighbors reached with the saving message of Jesus Christ.

Enclosed, you will find your 2010 year end giving statement.  It is our record of your financial contributions to Emmanuel Fellowship Church and the organizations we support.  All contributions to Emmanuel Fellowship are tax deductable. 

I want to personally thank you for your generosity to the mission and vision of EFC and your obedience to our Lord through your tithes and offerings.  As a tithing pastor of a tithing church, I am intimately aware challenges we all face in giving.  I am also aware of the overwhelming spiritual benefits of honoring God with your finances.  I know firsthand the simple truth that you never have to be afraid to do what is right.

I pray God’s richest blessings upon you and your home in 2011.  May the seed you have sown break forth into a harvest of righteousness both now and in the age to come.  I pray that in all things you will prosper and be in good health, even as your soul prospers.  I pray you will see what I see, even more, may you see what God sees for you, for us, and for our city!

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Eric

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A HAMMER WITH YOUR NAME ON IT!

I’ve never been short of new ideas.  In fact, Mindy and I joke that about one out of three of my ideas might actually have some potential.  So, I come up with lots of ideas in order to get to that third one faster!

• “Wouldn’t it be great if…”
• “What if we…”
• “Has anyone ever…”
• “Just imagine…”

These are some of the phrases you’ll hear around our house or in a staff meeting at church. 

One time I had the great idea of designing the entire theme of our church around an “Under Construction” concept.  Some of the highlights of this grand thought included giving a pair of gloves embroidered with an EFC logo to all church members.  I thought we could follow that up by placing every family’s name on a hammer and hanging them up in the church as a demonstration of our common purpose to build together.

I know some of you are wondering why we haven’t implemented such an amazing idea already, but, apparently, some ideas don’t play out in the implementation phase as well as they do in the brainstorm phase.  (Which basically means they don’t pass my wife’s décor standards.)

The point behind the hammer and gloves was to communicate the value of each individual to the vision and ministry of Emmanuel Fellowship.  There is work to do around here — and your hands fit the gloves.

As we continue to grow as a congregation and reach out to our community with the message of the gospel, it is my sincere desire that every member of EFC discovers how their unique gifts connect them to the ministry of the Body of Christ.  And, maybe someday, you’ll have a hammer with your name on it!

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.  –1 Peter 4:8-10

 Podcast

Click here to listen to “SERVE,” Pastor Eric’s message from January 23^th. 

On the Radar

Emmanuel Fellowship will be in TWO SERVICES beginning February 6, 2011.  Our Sunday morning worship times will be 9:00 and 11:00. 

Membership Dessert tonight, January 24^th, at 7 pm.  If you are new to EFC or interested in joining, please make plans to come that evening.  We will feed you some yummy things, share the vision of EFC, let you meet all of our staff and elders, and even give you a tour of the building!  Childcare is provided.

Women’s Conference January 28-29!  Our Ladies will taking a weekend road trip to Lubbock for a special time of refreshing at the New Horizons Women’s Retreat at Church on the Rock in Lubbock.  The last day to sign up will be this Sunday, January 23^rd, in the EFC foyer. 

Revelation Bible Study has resumed Tuesdays, 12-1 pm.  Bring your lunch and join in the discussion!

Join us for Prayer!  Friday mornings from 8:00-9:30, we meet together in the Sweetwater Prayer Center.  You are invited to connect with this amazing part of EFC church life.

Family Connection

Check out these resources to connect with our ministry to children and youth.

• Worldchangers – Discussion starters from Sunday’s Kids’ Church lesson.
• The Salvage Yard – Youth Ministry Website

You Heard it at EFC

Been trying to remember one of those awesome songs we sang?  Here is our worship list from yesterday for those of you who just absolutely need a copy for yourself.  You can usually find them for purchase on itunes.com.

1. “Your Love Never Fails” by Jesus Culture
2. “I’ve Found A Love” Jenn Johnson version
3. “All I Need” by Rita Springer
4. “How He Loves” Kim Walker version

Sunday Preview

Join us next Sunday for the “State of the Church Address” as we review 2010 and preview 2011.  Pastor Eric will also preach the final message in the “You Fit” sermon series.

 

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HAVE YOU HERD?

Emmanuel Fellowship Church is adding a second Sunday morning service!

Moving to two services will provide us with the space needed to continue to grow as a congregation.  It will also allow our volunteers to serve more effectively each Sunday morning and provide them with options for attending and serving each weekend.

We will offer two Sunday morning services beginning February 6.  The new Sunday morning schedule will be as follows:

• Early Service: 9:00 – 10:30 – Preschool nursery available.
• Late Service: 11:00 – 12:30 – Elementary Kids Church and Nursery available.

We are excited about the life and ministry that is occurring among us and desire to make room for continued opportunities to see the lost saved, the broken healed, and families made strong.

Podcast

Click here to listen to “GROW,” Pastor Eric’s message from January 16^th. 

Links

I hope you enjoyed Sunday’s message on what NOT to do to grow.  I came across this hilarious video on what NOT to do in Lifegroup that I thougth you would get a kick out of.  Click HERE to watch a humorous video full of “killer” community tips from the skit guys. And then get plugged in to a Lifegroup.

On the Radar

Membership Dessert coming next Monday, January 24^th, at 7 pm.  If you are new to EFC or interested in joining, please make plans to come that evening.  We will feed you some yummy things, share the vision of EFC, let you meet all of our staff and elders, and even give you a tour of the building!  Childcare is provided.

Women’s Conference January 28-29!  Our Ladies will taking a weekend road trip to Lubbock for a special time of refreshing at the New Horizons Women’s Retreat at Church on the Rock in Lubbock.  The last day to sign up will be this Sunday, January 23^rd, in the EFC foyer. 

Revelation Bible Study has resumed Tuesdays, 12-1 pm.  Bring your lunch and join in the discussion!

Join us for Prayer!  Friday mornings from 8:00-9:30, we meet together in the Sweetwater Prayer Center.  You are invited to connect with this amazing part of EFC church life.

Family Connection

Check out these resources to connect with our ministry to children and youth.

• Worldchangers – Discussion starters from Sunday’s Kids’ Church lesson.
• The Salvage Yard – Youth Ministry Website

You Heard it at EFC

Been trying to remember one of those awesome songs we sang?  Here is our worship list from yesterday for those of you who just absolutely need a copy for yourself.  You can usually find them for purchase on itunes.com.

1. “Rain Down” Jesus Culture version
2. “I Asked You For Life” by Kim Walker
3. “The More I Seek You” Kari Jobe version
4. “How He Loves” Kim Walker version

As promised, here is a link to the best song on the radio.  “You Are More,” by Tenth Avenue North.

Sunday Preview

Next Sunday, January 23, we will continue our New Year sermon series exploring our individual connections to the vision of Emmanuel Fellowship Church.

 

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A FEW SURPRISES!

My friends,

God is doing absolutely amazing things among us.  The next few weeks will lead us into some exciting changes that will enable us to accomplish our purpose more effectively in Sweetwater.

You can catch some hints by attending Lifegroup this Wednesday night, and we will be sharing the full details next Sunday morning!

If you weren’t able to be at church yesterday, I strongly encourage you to take time this week to listen to the podcast.  It is a powerful message that will give you fuel to fully engage your piece of the vision of EFC.

Podcast

“CONNECT,” Pastor Eric’s message from January 9^th is now available online. 

On the Radar

Women’s Conference January 28-29!  Our Ladies will taking a weekend road trip to Lubbock for a special time of refreshing at the New Horizons Women’s Retreat at Church on the Rock in Lubbock.  Contact Pastor Mindy for registration and details. 

Revelation Bible Study has resumed Tuesdays, 12-1 pm.  Bring your lunch and join in the discussion!

Join us for Prayer!  Friday mornings from 8:00-9:30, we meet together in the Sweetwater Prayer Center.  You are invited to connect with this amazing part of EFC church life.

Family Connection

Check out these resources to connect with our ministry to children and youth.

• Worldchangers – Discussion starters from Sunday’s Kids’ Church lesson.
• The Salvage Yard – Youth Ministry Website

You Heard it at EFC

Been trying to remember one of those awesome songs we sang?  Here is our worship list from yesterday for those of you who just absolutely need a copy for yourself.  You can usually find them for purchase on itunes.com.

1. “Jesus Forever” by Anthony Skinner
2. “He Reigns” Rita Springer version
3. “Let Heaven Shout” Kristina Mueller version
4. “When I Think About the Lord” Shane & Shane version

Sunday Preview

Next Sunday, January 16, we will continue the new sermon series exploring our individual connections to the vision of Emmanuel Fellowship Church.

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YOU FIT!

There is a place for you at Emmanuel Fellowship Church, a purpose in the plan of God you were uniquely designed to fill.  When you CONNECT with the Body of Christ, the pieces come together to demonstrate the bigger picture of the amazing grace of God. 

 You have been in search of a fresh start — a renewed sense of purpose.  You have been wanting 2011 to be about something different.  I believe you are the something that makes the difference.  As you GROW this year with your church family, you will discover the satisfaction of living life on purpose.

All of our attempts at self fulfillment fall short of the promises they make.  We were made to live for a fulfillment beyond our own self.  Our gifts, our talents, and our dreams all find greater meaning when they are given to SERVE a cause greater, to paint a greater picture.

As a follower of Jesus Christ living in dynamic relationship with other believers, we experience the deep joy of living each day to GO into our world and demonstrate the goodness of God.

I invite you to join us for worship this Sunday at 10:00 A.M. as we celebrate the love of God together and discover how YOU FIT  in the vision of Emmanuel Fellowship Church.

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A NEW YEAR BLESSING

May the morning sun stir you from the bed.
May the winds of March move you on the road.
May the rains of April renew your strength.
May the flowers of May captivate your sight.
May summer heat inflame your zeal.
May autumn color stimulate your dreams.
May the silver moon make you wiser yet.
May you never be with yourself content.
May grace and peace keep you young,
Full of life and laughter and a glorious song.

Edited and adapted from A Blessing for Challenge by Fr. Andrew Greeley

Podcast

“Vision for 2011,” will be available Tuesday, January 2. 

On the Radar

Night of Worship this Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM!

Revelation Bible Study has resumed Tuesdays, 12-1 pm.  Bring your lunch and join in the discussion!

Join us for Prayer!  Friday mornings from 8:00-9:30, we meet together in the Sweetwater Prayer Center.  You are invited to connect with this amazing part of EFC church life.

Family Connection

Check out these resources to connect with our ministry to children and youth.

• Worldchangers – Discussion starters from Sunday’s Kids’ Church lesson.
• The Salvage Yard – Youth Ministry Website

You Heard it at EFC

Been trying to remember one of those awesome songs we sang?  Here is our worship list from yesterday for those of you who just absolutely need a copy for yourself.  You can usually find them for purchase on itunes.com.

1. “See His Love”
2. “Everlasting God”
3. “Freedom Reigns”
4. “You Won’t Relent”

Sunday Preview

Next Sunday, January 9, we dive into our new sermon series exploring our individual connections to the vision of Emmanuel Fellowship Church.

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2010 in Review

The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Wow.

Crunchy numbers

The average container ship can carry about 4,500 containers. This blog was viewed about 16,000 times in 2010. If each view were a shipping container, your blog would have filled about 4 fully loaded ships.

In 2010, there were 68 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 133 posts. There were 54 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 101mb. That’s about 1 pictures per week.

The busiest day of the year was June 9th with 141 views. The most popular post that day was It’s Time for the Kids’ School of Worship.

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were networkedblogs.com, mail.yahoo.com, beautyofthebible.com, facebook.com, and mail.live.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for spaghetti, little girl, prayer, colossae map, and father.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

1

It’s Time for the Kids’ School of Worship July 2009
2 comments

2

APOSTOLIC PRAYERS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT October 2009
1 comment

3

KITCHEN TABLE DISCIPLESHIP October 2009
11 comments

4

TOP 10 BIBLE VERSES ABOUT THE FATHER March 2010
1 comment

5

THE STORY OF ONESIMUS October 2009
7 comments

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