NEW TESTAMENT CHALLENGE: Online Roadmap

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”  –2 Peter 3:18

Growing churches are made up of growing people.  As God continues to bless and expand the impact of Emmanuel Fellowship, we believe it is essential for us to grow together in  understanding His Word!

You are invited to grow with us through the New Testament Challenge.  Beginning this Easter, we will embark on a journey through the pages of the New Testament.  Our journey will be marked by three points of contact:

• Daily Personal reading
• Weekly Lifegroup discussion
• Sunday morning teaching 

Through this journey, you will have an opportunity to grow in faith and apply God’s Word to your life.

 This Challenge is not for the faint of heart.  It will require dedication and perseverance, but the benefits will far outweigh the cost as we grow together and bring faith to life!

Read each day online at Biblia.com.

 

Week #1: Week of March 24 – Palm Sunday!

Day #00 – Sunday, March 24

• Message: The Challenge of the New Testament (Click to listen.)

Day #00 – Wednesday, March 27

• Lifegroup: Overview

Week #2: Week of March 31 – Easter!

Day #00 – Sunday, March 31

• Message: The Challenge of Radical Love

Day #1 – Monday, April 1

• Read Matthew 1-2, Acts 1-3

Day #2 – Tuesday, April 2

• Read Matthew 3-4, Acts 4-6

Day #3 – Wednesday, April 3

• Lifegroup Discussion
• Read Matthew 5-6, Acts 7-9

Day #4 – Thursday, April 4

• Read Matthew 7-8, Acts 10-12

Day #5 – Friday, April 5

• Read Matthew 9-10, Acts 13-15

 Day #6 – Saturday, April 6

• Read Matthew 11-12, Acts 16-18

Week #3: Week of April 7

Day #7 – Sunday, April 7

• Message: The Challenge of Forgiveness
• Read Matthew 13-14, Acts 19-21

Day #8 – Monday, April 8

• Read Matthew 15-16, Acts 22-24

Day #9 – Tuesday, April 9

• Read Matthew 17-18, Acts 25-27

Day #10 – Wednesday, April 10

• Lifegroup Discussion
• Read Matthew 19-20, Acts 28

Day #11 – Thursday, April 11

• Read Matthew 21-22, Romans 1-3

Day #12 – Friday, April 12

• Read Matthew 23-24, Romans 4-6

Day #13 – Saturday, April 13

• Read Matthew 25-26, Romans 7-9

Week #4: Week of April 14

Day #14 – Sunday, April 14

• Message: The Challenge of Perseverance
• Read Matthew 27-28, Romans 10-12

Day #15 – Monday, April 15

• Read Mark 1-2, Romans 13-15

Day #16 – Tuesday, April 16

• Read Mark 3-4, Romans 16

Day #17 – Wednesday, April 17

• Lifegroup Discussion
• Read Mark 5-6, 1 Corinthians 1-2

Day #18 – Thursday, April 18

• Read Mark 7-8, 1 Corinthians 3-4

Day #19 – Friday, April 19

• Read Mark 9-10, 1 Corinthians 5-7

Day #20 – Saturday, April 20

• Read Mark 11-12, 1 Corinthians 8-10
  

Week #5: Week of April 21

Day #21 – Sunday, April 21

• Message: The Challenge of Servanthood
• Read Mark 13-14, 1 Corinthians 11-13

Day #22 – Monday, April 22

• Read Mark 15-16, 1 Corinthians 14-16

Day #23 – Tuesday, April 23

• Read Luke 1-2, 2 Corinthians 1-3

Day #24 – Wednesday, April 24

• Read Luke 3, 2 Corinthians 4-6

Day #25 – Thursday, April 25

• Read Luke 4, 2 Corinthians 7-9

Day #26 – Friday, April 26

• Read Luke 5, 2 Corinthians 10-11

Day #27 – Saturday, April 27

• Read Luke 6, 2 Corinthians 12-13

Week #6: Week of April 28

Day #28 – Sunday, April 28

• Message: The Challenge of Generosity
• Read Luke 7, Galatians 1-3

Day #29 – Monday, April 29

• Read Luke 8, Galatians 4-6

Day #30 – Tuesday, April 30

• Read Luke 9, Ephesians 1-3

Day #31 – Wednesday, May 1

• Lifegroup Discussion
• Read Luke 10, Ephesians 4-6

Day #32 – Thursday, May 2

• Read Luke 11, Philippians 1-2

Day #33 – Friday, May 3

• Read Luke 12, Philippians 3-4

Day #34 – Saturday, May 4

• Read Luke 13, Colossians 1-2

Week #7: Week of May 5

Day #35 – Sunday, May 5

• Message: The Challenge of Obedience
• Read Luke 14, Colossians 3-4

Day #36 – Monday, May 6

• Read Luke 15, 1 Thessalonians 1-3

Day #37 – Tuesday, May 7

• Read Luke 16, 1 Thessalonians 4-6

Day #38 – Wednesday, May 8

• Lifegroup Discussion
• Read Luke 17, 2 Thessalonians 1-3

Day #39 – Thursday, May 9

• Read Luke 18, 1 Timothy 1-3

Day #40 – Friday, May 10

• Read Luke 19, 1 Timothy 4-6

Day #41 – Saturday, May 11

• Read Luke 20, 2 Timothy 1-2

Week #8: Week of May 12

Day #42 – Sunday, May 12 – Mother’s Day

• Message: The Challenge of Godliness
• Read Luke 21, 2 Timothy 3-4

Day #43 – Monday, May 13

• Read Luke 22, Titus 1-3

Day #44 – Tuesday, May 14

• Read Luke 23, Philemon 1

Day #45 – Wednesday, May 15

• Lifegroup Discussion
• Read Luke 24, Hebrews 1-2

Day #46 – Thursday, May 16

• Read John 1-2, Hebrews 3-4

Day #47 – Friday, May 17

• Read John 3-4, Hebrews 5-7

Day #48 – Saturday, May 18

• Read John 5-6, Hebrews 8-10

Week #9: Week of May 19

Day #49 – Sunday, May 19 – Pentecost

• Message: The Challenge of Eternity
• Read John 7-8, Hebrews 11-13

Day #50 – Monday, May 20

• Read John 9-10, Hebrews 14-16

Day #51 – Tuesday, May 21

• Read John 11-12, James 1-3

Day #52 – Wednesday, May 22

• Lifegroup Fellowship
• Read John 13-14, James 4-5

Day #53 – Thursday, May 23

• Read John 15-16, 1 Peter 1-2

Day #54 – Friday, May 24

• Read John 17-18, 1 Peter 3-5

Day #55 – Saturday, May 25

• Read John 19-20, 2 Peter 1-3

Week #10: Week of May 26

Day #56 – Sunday, May 26

• Message: Challenge Conclusion
• 1 John 1-5

Day #57 – Monday, May 27

• 2 John 1, 3 John 1, Jude 1

Day #58 – Tuesday, May 28

• Revelation 1-4

Day #59 – Wednesday, May 29

• Church-wide Fellowship
• Revelation 5-8

Day #60 – Thursday, May 30

• Revelation 9-12

Day #61 – Friday, May 31

• Revelation 13-16

Day #62 – Saturday, June 1

• Revelation 16-19

Day #63 – Sunday, June 2

• Revelation 20-22

 

Read Full Post »

INTRODUCING: THE NEW TESTAMENT CHALLENGE!

You are invited to grow with us through the New Testament Challenge.  Beginning this Easter, we will embark on a journey through the pages of the New Testament.  Our journey will be marked by three points of contact:

• Daily Personal Reading
• Weekly Lifegroup Discussion
• Sunday Morning teaching

Find out more this Sunday at Emmanuel Fellowship Church of Sweetwater!

Read Full Post »

SPRING BREAK AND A PEP TALK

I pray your Spring Break is filled with joy and some great family time.  Make sure you check the details of church activities over Spring Break, so you can be in the right place at the right time!

• Sunday, March 10 – TIME CHANGE! Don’t forget to set your clocks to Spring Forward!
• Sunday, March 10 – Worship at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM
• Tuesday, March 12 – Celebrate Recovery, 7:00 PM
• Wednesday, March 13 – No church activities
• Friday, March 15 – Church Garage Sale in The Salvage Yard (Missions Fundraiser)
• Saturday, March 16 – Church Garage Sale in The Salvage Yard (Missions Fundraiser)
• Sunday, March 17 – Worship at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM
• Wednesday, March 20 – Faith Factory Open House from 6-7 PM! Grand opening of new children’s room.  Come visit the new space!
• Wednesday, March 20 – Lifegroups, Youth, and Children’s Ministry, 7:00 PM

And as a special Spring Break bonus, check out: A Pep Talk From the Kid President!  Click to watch this fun, humorous, and encouraging video!

 

 

Read Full Post »

THE SCARLET THREAD

Sunday mornings at Emmanuel Fellowship Church

9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

1418 Hailey Street

Sweetwater, Texas

Read Full Post »

BREAKING THROUGH INTO THE NEW

A view of the new through a hole in the old!

Amazing things continue to unfold each week at EFC, and I don’t want your family to miss out on any of the fun.  Please make sure you have the following info on your family calendar.

Sunday, October 28: Our last morning in the old sanctuary.  Join us for worship at 9:00 AM or 11:00 AM.

Sunday, October 28: Light the Night!  An evening of fun for the whole family from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM including games, prizes, hayride, concessions, and a circus performer.  Friendly costumes are welcome.

Monday, October 29: Church work day from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM.  Come anytime in the afternoon or evening for the final demolition of the old sanctuary.

Wednesday, October 31: Lifegroups meet at 7:00 PM.  Kid’s Church will still meet at church from 6:45 PM to 8:45 PM.

Sunday, November 4: EFC will meet for worship at the City Auditorium (400 Locust Street) in one service at 11:00 AM.  Kid’s Church will be available at the church (1418 Hailey) from 10:30 AM to 1:00PM.

Wednesday, November 7: Lifegroups meet at 7:00 PM.  Kid’s Church will still meet at church from 6:45 PM to 8:45 PM.

Sunday, November 11: EFC will meet for worship at the City Auditorium (400 Locust Street) in one service at 11:00 AM.  Kid’s Church will be available at the church (1418 Hailey) from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM.

Wednesday, November 7: Lifegroups meet at 7:00 PM.  Kid’s Church will still meet at church from 6:45 PM to 8:45 PM.

Sunday, November 18: Celebration Sunday in our New Sanctuary at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM!  Plan on bringing a friend and let’s fill up those new seats!

Read Full Post »

BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY!

“Put the fam in the van and get back to church!”

This Sunday, September, 16, we join over 10,000 churches in celebrating Back to Church Sunday.  Make plans to invite your family and friends to reconnect with the Body of Christ as we reprioritize our hearts and homes!

If you have found yourself disconnected or discouraged with the church, we invite you to join us at Emmanuel Fellowship Church in Sweetwater for a refreshing morning of worship and ministry.   Come experience a friendly atmosphere, casual worship environment, and quality children’s ministry in a church designed with the whole family in mind.   

The Sunday morning worship times for Emmanuel Fellowship Church are 9:00 am and 11:00 am.  Both morning services are filled with the same warm fellowship, dynamic worship, and life-giving messages, as well as top-notch children’s ministry and nursery care for children up to 5^th grade.  For more information about the ministry of EFC, log onto the church website at www.efcsweetwater.com. 

Read Full Post »

LIFEGROUPS: 20/20 VISION

I am very excited about the kickoff of our Fall semester of Lifegroups.  As your family gets back into the rhythm of the school year, I pray you will make connecting with a weekly Lifegroup an essential part of your growth plan.

Our vision for Lifegroups comes from Paul’s instruction in Acts 20:20:

You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.  – Acts 20:20

It is our goal as a church family, to help followers of Jesus grow in their faith.  We believe part of a 20/20 vision for your life includes active participation in a weekly worship service AND connecting with a home based Lifegroup.

Most of our Lifegroups meet on Wednesday evenings and allow families an opportunity to send their children to one of our quality age based ministry opportunities, from Worldchangers for our elementary aged children to The Salvage Yard for our middle and high school youth.  A safe and loving nursery is also provided during Lifegroup meetings.  After parents check their children in, they are free to head to a Lifegroup for an evening of worship, Bible study and fellowship.

Below is a list of our Fall 2012 Lifegroups.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read Full Post »

EFC UPDATE

WOW!  We had a phenomenal weekend together!  Mindy and I were so blessed by the anniversary celebration—the banquet, the services, and the phenomenal gift of money for our house to be painted!  We are so grateful to be serving such a wonderful congregation and so thankful for the way you honor us.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

In the midst of all the action, I wanted to make sure you were up to date on some important upcoming events at Emmanuel Fellowship Church, Sweetwater.

• Family Movie Night at EFC this Wednesday, August 15, beginning at 7:00 p.m.  We’ll be serving popcorn and enjoying the family-friendly movie, “Ramona and Beezus.”  To find out more about the movie, visit www.pluggedin.com.  
• Baptism Service scheduled for Wednesday, August 22, at the City Pool, followed by an All-Church Swim Party and Ice Cream Fellowship!  If you would like to be baptized, please plan to attend a baptism class either Wednesday, August 15, at 6:30 p.m. or Sunday, August 19, at 10:30.  Both classes will be held at the church offices.  If you can, when you join us that evening for the baptism service and the swim party, please bring a freezer full of your favorite ice cream recipe!
• SERVOLUTION Saturday!  We officially begin renovation of our expansion project with an all church work day this Saturday, August 18.  You can volunteer for one or both of our work shifts from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  We’ll have lunch available for all of our servolution volunteers.  If you’d like to help with the meal, either by serving or bringing a food item, please email Mindy at mindy@efcsweetwater.com.
• Worship/Arts Team Reception — Find out all you need to know about the upcoming audition process by attending the WAT Reception this Sunday, August 19, at 6:00 p.m.  It’s your chance to enjoy some yummy food and have all your audition questions answered!  Auditions for the vocal, musician, sound, media, and arts teams will be held Saturday, September 8. 
• Church League Softball Game this Tuesday, August 14.  Come cheer for Team EFC as they play against Trinity Baptist Church at 8:00 p.m.  Games will continue on Tuesday evenings through September 25.
• Fantasy Football Draft Party August 26 at 12:30 pm.  All fantasy footballers are invited to join us after the morning service for a pizza/draft party as we assemble our teams for the 2012-2013 season.
• Back to School Blessings – A donation station is available in the church foyer if you would like to donate school supplies to help children in their back to school preparations.

Growth Project Report

Following the challenge by Dr. Sheats on Sunday morning, we saw an additional $25,000 pledged toward our sanctuary expansion project!  We currently have $56,000 pledged toward the renovation.  Our total projected costs are $75,000, which means we are well within reach of our goals!  Thank you for your faith-filled pledges and faithful generosity toward the vision of this project.

Room to Grow in the 9:00 service!

Our 11:00 service continues to be a packed house as we celebrate together each Sunday morning.  For those of you who may feel a little cramped by the tight seating, there is room for you in the 9:00 service!  Each of our Sunday morning services feature the same dynamic worship, vibrant children’s ministry, and life-giving messages.  As we press forward with our renovation to double our sanctuary seating capacity, we encourage your family to consider giving the early service a try.

You Heard it at EFC

1. “Furious” by Jeremy Riddle
2. “Desert Song” by Hillsong
3. “Today and Tomorrow” by Mindy von Atzigen
4. “Jesus Paid It All” arranged by Kristan Stanfill

Sunday Preview

You are invited to join us this Sunday morning at 9:00 am or 11:00 am as we refocus our hearts toward the coming school year and the exciting endeavors God has placed before us and continue our “Growing Together” sermon series.

Read Full Post »

VICTORY SUNDAY!

This Sunday, our church family will take a very special step together as we make our financial pledges toward the 2012 Growth Project.  I am excited to see how God will use each one of us to accomplish this remarkable goal.

The smell of saw dust and the sounds of renovation are nothing new around Emmanuel Fellowship!  Over the past 12 years, our church building has been a steady work in progress, always making room for the unfolding vision God has placed in our hearts to bring life to our city.

Just this week, our sanctuary has experienced a makeover as we have added acoustic tiles to our ceiling grid — which will do wonders for our air conditioning.  And our offices are buzzing with saws as we make room for Pastor Lillian to come on staff after her return from Africa!

But the biggest step is always the next one!  I am confident God has placed it in our hearts to make room for those in our community who need the life we have come to discover at EFC.  And it will take our whole church giving and working together to make this dream a reality.

This Sunday, your family has the opportunity to make a 12 month pledge of how you will support the Growth Project.  This monthly gift will be in addition to your regular tithes and offerings, and every dollar will go directly toward making space for us to continue to bring faith to life for families in West Texas.  

Growth Project Details:

• Estimated Cost: $75,000.00
• New Seating Capacity of Sanctuary: 250
• Addition of restrooms for children and families
• Expanding and connecting our main entrance and Kid’s Space foyer
• Provide quality resources to our church and community through a church bookstore

Read Full Post »

SUMMER SERMON SERIES

Read Full Post »