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

 

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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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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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10 QUOTES THAT IMPACTED MY LIFE

Words have power, and thoughts, like seeds, can take root in the heart to alter our perspective or change our behavior altogether.  The following is a list of quotes etched in my memory, and a brief explanation of their significance. 

This is not a collection of the greatest quotes of all time, but quotes that have impacted me, personally, for a lifetime.  It is important that we remember and rehearse the words that have touched our souls.  What words have moved you in your life?  What would your list look like?

“`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe.” – from Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll.  Taught me that words could be fun, that language captures the imagination.

“. . . Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori.” – from Dulce et Decorum Est  by Wildfred Owen.  Taught me that words are powerful, descriptive, moving and memorable.

“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.” –Proverbs 22:1.  Printed on a bookmark someone gave me in church as a child.  Taught me to treasure who I was and respect the impact of character.

“I do” – Mindy von Atzigen.  Taught me that words could be trusted.

“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.”  - J.R.R. Tolkien.  Taught me that a book could take you anywhere.

“I have not yet begun to fight!” – John Paul Jones.  Taught me that words reach further than the sound of our voice.  They can echo through history.

“Failure is not falling down, it is refusing to get back up”  – Pastor Dan Pinto.  Taught me that life is bigger than the present and there is hope on the other side of any disappointment.

“In some way, what we do on a Sunday morning has to make sense to people.”  – Pastor Morris Sheats.  Taught me to lead in such a way that empowered others to be able to follow.

“The pumps don’t work ‘cause the vandals took the handles.” – from Subterranean Homesick Blues by  Bob Dylan.  Taught me that people don’t always have to understand you to be inspired.

“Behold what manner of love the Father has given unto us, that we should be called the sons of God.  And that is what we are.”  1 John 3:1.  Taught me that I was loved and accepted by God.  That I was significant.  That sins could be forgiven.  That brokenness could be healed.  That a prodigal could come home.  That a life could be made new again, and again, and again.

Podcast

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

On the Radar

·         Sixth Grade Orientation Sunday, June 8, at 4:00 PM.  Parents are invited to join as their 6^th graders are introduced to the Salvage Yard Youth Ministry.

·         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.

You Heard it at EFC

1. “Jesus Forever” by Anthony Skinner
2. “Come Away” Jesus Culture version (Click to listen.)
3. “Freedom Reigns” by Jason Upton
4. “You Won’t Relent” by Misty Edwards

 Sunday Preview

This Sunday, July 1, we will continue our Names of God sermon series by exploring the name Jehovah Shalom.

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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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LET’S PRAY TODAY

In honor of the National Day of Prayer, the Nolan County Ministerial Alliance is hosting a 12 hour prayer vigil at the Sweetwater Prayer Center at 1418 Hailey Street.  An opportunity to participate in this prayer event for our community and nation is available any time from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Prayer stations are set up following the 7X7 prayer model providing opportunities to pray for:

• Government
• Education
• Church
• Family
• Media
• Business
• Military

I encourage you to make prayer a priority on this special day and take this opportunity to let your voice impact our culture.  Prayer is a special privilege that allows us to partner with God in advancing His will upon the earth.  I know your prayers will make a difference today!

 

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THE NEXT TWO SUNDAYS

Mindy and I have just returned from a remarkable trip to Tulsa where we were attending Dr. Rutland’s School of Christian Leadership.  I believe with all my heart that growing churches are made up of growing people!  We are taking intentional steps to grow in leadership to keep pace with what God is doing in our church.

I encourage you to be intentional about your personal growth as well.  One key aspect of personal growth is your faithful attendance to our Sunday morning services.  Sunday is a special opportunity for all of us as a family to grow together in a unified direction!

The next two Sundays are some of the most important of the year.  Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday mark the pivotal moment of the Christian faith.  Please make these upcoming Sunday’s a priority as we celebrate the amazing love of our King Jesus and establish momentum together for the remainder of the year.

This Sunday, April 1, we will celebrate Palm Sunday with a special Children’s Choir presentation.  The children will sing in both the 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services.  Parents are encouraged to have their children arrive fifteen minutes before the service in which they will be singing.

Next Sunday, April 8, we are very excited to celebrate Easter together!  We will be in one service at 11:00 a.m. at the City Auditorium (400 Locust St.).  Our theme for this year’s Easter service is “Come Awake.”  We look forward to a dynamic morning of worship as we present the message of the resurrection through art, music, media, and a few creative surprises!

On the Radar: Celebrate the Resurrection with us!

• Sunday, April 1 – Palm Sunday and children’s choir presentation.
• Wednesday, April 4, 7 pm – Ignite Service: View the film, “The Passion of the Christ” (Due to the intense nature of this movie, children’s ministry will be available for this service.)
• Sunday, April 8 – Easter Sunday!  We will be in one service at 11:00 AM at the City Auditorium (400 Locust Street).

 You Heard it at EFC

1. “You Are Good” Bethel Church version
2. “Mighty to Save” by Chris Tomlin
3. “Father of Lights” Jesus Culture version
4. “You Won’t Relent” by Misty Edwards

Sunday Preview

Next Sunday, April 1, is Palm Sunday.  Pastor Eric will be teaching on the importance of the final week of the life of Jesus and how the passion of that week still applies to our lives today.  You are welcome to join us at 9:00 AM or 11:00 AM.  Both services offer the same dynamic worship and vibrant ministry to children.

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IGNITE CREATIVITY!

March is going to be an amazing month around Emmanuel Fellowship Church here in Sweetwater!  Our sermon series is entitled, “Create.”  Our focus this month is developing and releasing the creativity God has breathed into each of us.  We will explore the nature of our creative God, we will learn to guard against those things that steal our creativity, and we will learn how to bring creative expression into our daily sphere of influence.  You don’t want to miss a Sunday as we learn to unwrap the gifts God has placed in each of us!

The series begins tonight with a special Ignite Service.  Make plans to join us this evening at 7:00 for a special night of worship designed to ignite creativity in your heart.

Podcast

Click here to listen to Randy Boyd’s message, ”The Good Seed of the Kingdom”.

On the Radar

• IGNITE: Creativity! On Wednesday, March 7, beginning at 7:00PM.  Join us for an evening of worship and creativity as we celebrate the grace of God through a special presentation.
• THIS SUNDAY, March 11, Emmanuel Fellowship Church will be in one 11:00 AM worship service.  Don’t forget to set your clocks FORWARD an hour and come ready for a vibrant morning of worship.
• EFC will host a Backyard Bible Club over Spring Break at the Spanish Arms Apartments.  You are invited to be part of the team as we reach out to children and their parents with the message of Jesus’ love.  The Backyard Bible Club will run March 12-14 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM each day.

Family Connection

Parents! 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. Click “Parent Connect.”

You Heard it at EFC

1. “Counting on God”
2. “Our God” by Chris Tomlin
3. “Let Heaven Shout” Bethel Live version
4. “One Thing Remains” by Brian Johnson

Sunday Preview

Next Sunday, March 11, we begin our Create sermon series by exploring the creative nature of the God whose image we were created in.  Join us at 11:00 AM (one service only this week!) for a great morning of worship.

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SETTING FINANCIAL GOALS FOR 2012

The beginning of a New Year is a great opportunity to seize the reigns of your family’s finances and develop a vision for your financial future.

King Solomon writes in Proverbs, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18) This quote is exceedingly true regarding our finances.  Without a vision for managing our money, we quickly find ourselves out of control and overwhelmed by debt.

Financial peace in your home can be found through setting goals, establishing a plan, and following through.

SETTING GOALS

What do you want to do with your money this year?  Do you want to be less in debt at the end of 2012 than you are now?  Would you like to be able to take a stress-free trip with your family this summer?  Would you like to begin tithing to your church?

Each year, between Christmas and the New Year, I pull out a piece of paper and begin to dream about how I will manage our money in the New Year.  I start with how much I want to give (15%), and then I look at how much I would like to save (10%).  I also consider the various ways I want to save (IRA, cash, car fund, vacation fund, emergency fund, and other investments).  After I have considered my giving and saving goals, I begin to look at the other areas of my finances.  I consider my current bills and then set goals for managing my car and home loans.

My first financial questions always deal with what I want to accomplish.

ESTABLISHING A PLAN

How are you going to achieve your financial goals this year?

Goals are useless if they do not lead us to action, and the action of financial goals is called a budget.  Through a budget, I consider the resources available to me (my paycheck) in light of the needs around me (my expenses).

I begin my plan by listing the essentials, the things I will not compromise in my finances.  I will not compromise my tithe.  I will not compromise feeding my family and providing a home for them.  From the essentials, I begin to prioritize my way through my other expenses, needs, and desires.  I ask myself questions such as: How much do we need for groceries each month?  What should be our limit on eating out?  What is the average of my electric, gas, and phone bill each month?  What are the areas where I can decrease my spending this year?

FOLLOWING THROUGH

How do I stick with the plan this year?

Even the best plan is of no value if I do not follow through with it.  Two essential keys to accomplishing your plan are training and motivation.

We must all aspire to be life-long learners, and we must recognize there is more we can learn about managing our finances.  There are countless tips, tricks, and methods that have helped families maintain their monthly budget.  If you are going to accomplish more with your finances this year than you did last year, you may need to learn more about managing money than you knew last year.

One great avenue of training is our upcoming Discipleship Training Class on Budgeting.  Through this class, we will help you evaluate your current financial situation, prioritize your spending, and discover tools to help you track your progress.  We believe every family will be able to benefit in some way from these classes.  Make plans to attend both Sundays, January 22 and 29, from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm.

We must also work to maintain our motivation.  Months of financial discipline can be undone by one season of unwise decision making.  Husbands and wives must be working together toward common financial goals, and they must also help one another stay on track.  Motivation is also encouraged through friendships.  Sharing your financial plans with your church Lifegroup and inviting them to pray with you and check up on your progress is a tremendous tool for sticking with a financial plan.

Wednesdays in January and February of 2012, our Lifegroups at Emmanuel Fellowship will go through “The Blessed Life” small group curriculum.  This inspiring teaching series will provide you with excellent training and just the motivation you need to set your family on a strong financial plan for 2012.

Are you ready for a great year?  Are you ready for the tools to make 2012 a great year, and not just a wish that somehow things might get better?

This is your time to connect.  This is your time to get trained.  This is your season to get motivated.  This is your year to get on the track to accomplishing your financial goals.

I look forward to the great things God has in store for your family’s finances this year!

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Eric

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