MARRIAGE COACH: February Workout Schedule

All through the month of February we are working to strengthen marriages and families.  Make sure you are on track with these great opportunities to bring health to your home!

• Marriage Coach Sermon Series: Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM.  Dive deeper at www.themarriagecoach.us!
• Membership Class: Sunday, February 10, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.  A vibrant church connection is a key ingredient to a healthy family.  You are invited to discover how your family can connect with the ministry and vision of EFC!
• Valentine Banquet: Wednesday, February 13.  Enjoy an evening of laughter, fun, and fine dining at the Annual EFC Valentine Banquet.  Seating is limited, tickets are on sale in the church foyer while supplies last!
• “Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage” DVD Seminar: Sunday evening February 17 & 24, at 6:00 PM.  Mark Gungor will have you rolling on the floor laughing as he equips couples with the tools necessary to engage in life-giving conversations and strengthen marriages. 
• Family Skate Night: Friday, February 15.  The big yellow bus will depart from EFC at 5:00 PM, as we head to the First Baptist Church of Abilene’s Family Life Center for an evening of bowling and skating.  The cost of $10 per family covers transportation, pizza, and all the family fun you can handle!

Podcast

Each week of January’s “Bringing Faith to Life” sermon series is now available online!  Click here to listen.

Video Intro

What does Sunday morning like around your house?  Click here to catch the video introduction from the February 3, Marriage Coach message.

You Heard it at EFC

1. “Your Love Never Fails” by Bethel Music
2. “I’ve Found A Love” Jenn Johnson version
3. “Draw Near” by Matt Stinton
4. “One Thing Remains” by Bethel Music

Sunday Preview

Next Sunday, February 10, we continue the Marriage Coach with a look at the impact of healthy finances on healthy families.  Our youth, grades 6-12, will continue to meet in the Salvage Yard for both services during the Marriage Coach Series, and quality children’s ministry is available every Sunday morning in both the 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM services.

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REAL TALK FOR REAL MARRIAGES

The Marriage Coach: Real Talk for Real Marriages

Sundays in February at Emmanuel Fellowship Church, Sweetwater

Services at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM

Get the details at www.themarriagecoach.us

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EXPERIENCE THE NATIVITY

As I sat with my family Monday night in an Emmaus community meeting at First Presbyterian Church, I was amazed again by the theological beauty of Christmas songs.  We sang of the incarnate deity, born that we might experience a second birth. 

Christmas places the love of God on display for the whole world to see.

I invite you to join us Wednesday evening, December 19, at 7:00 pm for our annual Christmas Party and Live Nativity.  We will meet this year at the Lake Sweetwater Campground.  Hot chocolate and warm fellowship will be available, as well as a hay ride, which will lead us through the highlights of the Christmas story. 

Bundle up, bring a snack, and experience the beauty of Christmas with your church family!

On the Radar

• 2013 Pathways for Pilgrims Calendars for Sale in the church bookstore.  These beautiful calendars have been published by the artists of EFC and are filled with original art.  All proceeds support EFC mission trips!
• All Things New – New Year’s Celebration for all students grades 6-12.  Our youth will bring in 2013 with a an incredible electronic dance party with guest DJ, Alejandro Cesar.

Sunday Preview

This Sunday, December 23, is the last Sunday before Christmas.  We will continue our Scarlet Thread sermon series with a look at the teenage girl who received the message that she would be the mother of the Messiah. 

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IT’S TIME TO LIGHT THE NIGHT!

Emmanuel Fellowship Church in Sweetwater will host their annual Light the Night fall festival this Sunday, October 28, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.  You are invited to join us for an evening of fun for the whole family.  This friendly and safe alternative to Halloween will feature games and prizes in the main church building as well as outside activities including air castles, hay rides, and a tight rope circus performance. 

All of the activities for the evening are free.  A concession stand will also be available for those who would like to purchase a meal.

Emmanuel Fellowship Church is located at 1418 Hailey Street in Sweetwater, Texas.  Light the Night is always a packed event with hundreds of children and their parents enjoying the evening.  Make plans to arrive early so your children can enjoy all Light the Night has to offer.  Follow the signs to our Kid’s Space entrance where you will receive your welcome bag and free tickets for all of the fun activities.

We look forward to Lighting the Night with you!

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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!

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THE ROAD TO RECOVERY

No one makes it through life without facing obstacles.  And wrestling with our hurts, habits, and hang-ups can leave us lonely and confused as we make our way through the journey.

But, God offers hope!

Sundays in October and November, we will explore the journey of hope and healing through our “Road to Recovery” sermon series.  Through this series, we will study and apply the Biblical principles of “Celebrate Recovery,” established by John Baker and Rick Warren of Saddleback Church.

We all need recovery, and no matter what the problem, the steps to recovery are the same. The steps on the road to recovering are:

• October 7: The First Step To Freedom
• October 14:  Where To Get Help When You Hurt
• October 21: Letting Go
• October 28: Coming Clean
• November 4: Making Changes
• November 11: Repairing Relationships
• November 18: Maintaining Momentum
• November 25: Recycling My Pain

You are invited to walk this journey with us as we discover the healing choices that can set us free from our past and position us to embrace God’s future for our lives!

I have seen what they do, but I will heal them anyway!  I will lead them. I will comfort those who mourn, bringing words of praise to their lips.  May they have abundant peace, both near and far,” says the Lord, who heals them.  –Isaiah 57:18-19

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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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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UNDER THE BIG TOP!

All children 4 years old through 5^th grade are invited to join us August 5-8 for the Kid’s School of Worship.  Children will enjoy big top circus entertainment as they discover the heart of worship!  Nightly activities will include worship, games, crafts, and Bible study.  Parents are invited to join us for a special parent’s night Wednesday, August 8, for a hot dog supper and an evening of family fun and worship!

School of Worship Schedule:

• Sunday, August 5 – School of Worship! 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
• Monday, August 6 – School of Worship! 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
• Tuesday, August 7 – School of Worship! 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
• Wednesday, August 8 – Parent’s Night! 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Registration for the School of Worship will begin each evening at 5:45 pm.  Early registration is available Sunday, August 5, in the morning worship services.

Podcast

Click here to listen to any of the messages from our “Names of God” sermon series.

von Atzigen Ministry Anniversary

This Sunday will be the last opportunity to purchase tickets for Pastor Eric and Mindy’s 10 Year Ministry Anniversary Banquet.  The banquet will be held Saturday, August 11, 6:00 pm, at TSTC.  Tickets are $10 per person, and childcare will be available at the church. 

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.

On the Radar

• Family Movie Night at EFC on Wednesday, August 15, at 7 pm!  Bring your family and come enjoy some popcorn and a family friendly movie!
• Mother’s Day Out now enrolling for the 2012-13 school year!  For more information, or to register your child, click here.
• Baptism Classes will be available Wednesday, August 15, 6:30 pm, or Sunday, August 19, 10:30 am in the church office conference room.  if you would like to be baptized, please plan to attend one of these classes.  Our next baptism will be held at the city pool, August 22 at 7:00 pm, with a church pool party and ice cream fellowship to follow!
• 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. 
• Worship Arts Team Auditions will be held Saturday, September 8!  If you are interested in getting involved in the vocal, instrument, media, sound, or art teams, please let Pastor Mindy know at mindy@efcsweetwater.com!

You Heard it at EFC

1. “Father of Lights” by Jesus Culture
2. “Angels” by Brian Johnson
3. “Amazing Love” by the Newsboys
4. “Today and Tomorrow” by Mindy von Atzigen

 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 begin our “Growing Together” sermon series.

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12 BIBLE VERSES FOR FATHER’S DAY

In honor of all of our Daddies, I have compiled a list of the top 12 Bible verses for Father’s Day.  If you are a Dad, or if you ever had a dad, I pray these verses will be a source of encouragement for you this week!

1. Genesis 18:19 – “For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.”(NIV)
2. Exodus 20:12 – “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.”(NIV)
3. Deuteronomy 6:6-9 – “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”(NIV)
4. Joshua 24:15 – “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”(NIV)
5. Psalm 103:13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; (NIV)
6. Psalms 127:3-5 – “Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.”(NIV)
7. Proverbs 3:11-12 My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke,because the LORD disciplines those he loves,as a father the son he delights in.(NIV)
8. Proverbs 14:26 – “Whoever fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.”(NIV)
9. Proverbs 23:24 The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him. (NIV)
10. Malachi 4:6 He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse. (NIV)
11. Ephesians 6:1-2 – “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise”(NIV)
12. Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (NIV)

May your Father’s Day and every day be filled with delight and honor in your family!

Podcast

Click here to listen to “Jehovah Jireh,” Pastor Mindy’s message from last Sunday.    

On the Radar

·         3^rd Annual Youth vs Adults Softball Game tonight at Newman Park.  Hotdogs will be served at 6:30 pm.  Game starts at 7:00 pm!

·         Mother’s Day Out now enrolling for the 2012-13 school year!  For more information, or to register your child, click here.

·         Next Membership Class: Sunday, July 22, from 4:00pm-6:00pm in the church sanctuary.  Childcare will be provided.

Links

Looking for Bible verses about God as our Father?  Click here for the Top 10 Bible Verses About Our Heavenly Father.

You Heard it at EFC

1. “You Are Good” by Brian Johnson
2. “Higher” by Worthy Dying For
3. “This is Our God” by Hillsong
4. “I Will Exalt” by Amanda Faulk

Sunday Preview

This Sunday, June 17, is Father’s Day!  Round up the family for a special day of worship and celebration before you fire up the grill for Dad!

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THE UNSTUCK DELUXE!

Our journey together since Easter has been phenomenal.  Every area of church life seems to be experiencing an Unstuck Adventure!  This Sunday we conclude our Unstuck Sermon Series by exploring how to get Unstuck in your Future.  I hope you will be able to join us for a dynamic morning of worship and ministry!

If you have missed any of the Unstuck Sermon Series, here is the Unstuck deluxe list of dates and topics.  Click to listen.

• April 8, 2012 – Unstuck in your Faith (Easter Sunday)
• April 15, 2012 – Unstuck in your Feelings
• April 22, 2012 – Unstuck in your Friendships (Youth Led Sunday)
• April 29, 2012 – Unstuck in your career Field
• May 6, 2012 – Unstuck in the Fight
• May 13, 2012 – Unstuck in your Family (Mother’s Day)
• May 20, 2012 – Unstuck in your Future!

Get Unstuck with us this Sunday, at Emmanuel Fellowship Church (1418 Hailey Street) in Sweetwater at 9:00AM or 11:00AM. 

On the Radar

·         Mother’s Day Out now enrolling for the 2012-13 school year!  For more information, or to register your child, click here.

·         Senior Recognition Sunday – We are excited to recognize our graduating Seniors in this Sunday’s worship service.

·         Lifegroup Parties – Only two weeks of lifegroup left until the Summer break.  Our end of semester parties are scheduled for next Wednesday, May 30.  Children’s ministry will be provided at the church.

 

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