Monday Morning Review

THE MARRIAGE COACH

mondaymorningreview — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:06:51 +0000

In 19 years of ministry and hundreds of hours of pastoral counseling, I have repeated a few basic marriage truths countless times. Now, I’m organizing my top 4 keys to a healthy marriage into one dynamic sermon series this February, “The Marriage Coach.”

Friends, I want you to have the marriage you have prayed for, and this series will move you in the right direction. I encourage you to make Sundays in February a priority as you determine to invest in your marriage. Make plans to attend every Sunday. Come prepared to laugh and learn, but, most importantly, come prepared to receive truths that will immediately begin to improve your marriage.

Even if you are not married, this series will be filled with tools to bring life to any relationship. Don’t miss out — every relationship needs coaching!

I believe wounded marriages will find healing, and healthy marriages will grow more vibrant. And I look forward to growing in this process together!

Ready to get to work? Head over to www.themarriagecoach.us for more details, and send the link to some friends. They will be glad you did.

Podcast

“Everyone is Significant,” Pastor Mindy’s message from the “Dance of Grace” sermon series is available online. Click to listen.

On the Radar

Sunday, January 29: Discipleship Training “How to Balance Your Budget” from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Childcare is provided.
Wednesday, February 1: Ignite Prayer for Families! Join us for this evening of worship and encouragement to build, strengthen, and renew family relationships. You will leave with encouragement directly from the heart of the Father!
Friday and Saturday, February 24-25: Marriage Conference featuring Dr. Mark and Alison Rutland at FountainGate Fellowship Church in Abilene. Register today to get the early bird rate!

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

“Nothing but the Blood” by Andy Cherry
“I Will Exalt” by Amanda Faulk
“Our God” Chris Tomlin version
“Be Lifted High” by Brian Johnson

Sunday Preview

This Sunday, January 29, we will conclude our “Dance of Grace” sermon series by exploring the amazing truth for those who are followers of Jesus, “Nothing is Impossible!” Make plans to join us at 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. for a life giving morning of worship, fellowship, and ministry.

Filed under: Family, Marriage Tagged: 79556, Church, Coach, Emmanuel Fellowship, Marriage, Sweetwater, Texas

BALANCING YOUR FAMILY BUDGET

mondaymorningreview — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:55:50 +0000

January is a great time to focus on setting and reviewing your family’s financial goals.

If you have found yourself ready to take some steps in the right direction, or if you have felt financially stuck, we invite you to attend the “Balancing Your Budget” Discipleship Training class and learn to do what Congress can’t!

Financial stress is damaging to marriages and families, and debt is overwhelming households all over our country, but you don’t have to be a victim to financial mis-management. You can learn to handle your money with wisdom, and we would love to help you get started!

Make plans to attend both Sundays, January 22 & 29, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Childcare is provided, and your financial future is waiting.

Podcast

“We Live from Heaven to Earth,” Pastor Eric’s message from the “Dance of Grace” sermon series is available online. Click to listen.

On the Radar

Sunday, January 22 & 29: Discipleship Training “How to Balance Your Budget” Each evening from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Childcare is provided.
Wednesday, February 1: Ignite Families! Join us for this evening of worship and encouragement to build, strengthen, and renew family relationships.
Friday and Saturday, February 24-25: Marriage Conference featuring Dr. Mark and Alison Rutland at FountainGate Fellowship Church in Abilene. Click here to register today to get the early bird rate!

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

“Furious” Jeremy Riddle version
“One Thing Remains” Brian Johnson version
“This Is Our God” Hillsong version
“Fire Fall Down” Rita Springer version

Sunday Preview

Next Sunday, January 22, we continue our “Dance of Grace” sermon series with a look at the Biblical truth, “Everyone is Significant.” Make plans to join us at 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. for a morning of worship and discover how to “know one another after the Spirit.”

Filed under: Emmanuel Fellowship Church, Family, Finances Tagged: Budget, Church, Family, Finances, Sweetwater, Texas

SETTING FINANCIAL GOALS FOR 2012

mondaymorningreview — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 23:04:56 +0000

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

Filed under: Accountability, Finances, Personal Growth Tagged: Budget, Debt, Family, Finances, goals, Peace, Plan, Tithe

A SOCIAL NETWORK CHRISTMAS

mondaymorningreview — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 18:11:22 +0000

The birth of our Savior is a timeless and beautiful story. I was astounded by this retelling of the Nativity through the lens of social networking. May you be blessed as you pause to consider the courageous faith of Joseph and Mary as they took part in the greatest miracle in history, when the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

On the Radar: Holiday Schedule

Saturday, December 24 @ 7:00 pm: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service!
Sunday, December 25: Christmas Day! —-No Church Services—-
Sunday, January 1 @11:00 am: New Year’s Day Service with fellowship meal and football to follow!
Wednesday, January 4: Baptism Service at First Christian Church at 7:00 p.m.

Filed under: Church, Emmanuel Fellowship Church Tagged: Candle, Christmas, Church, Emmanuel, Fellowship, light, Network, Services, Social

EFC at the City Auditorium this Sunday!

mondaymorningreview — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 20:34:19 +0000

Emmanuel Fellowship Church is excited to host our annual Christmas Pageant this Sunday, December 18, at the Sweetwater Municipal Auditorium (400 Locust Street). You are invited to join us at 11:00 a.m. for this special worship service and presentation of “Yesterday, Today, and Forever” by the EFC Children’s Ministry.

On the evening of December 18, we will meet at Camp Boothe Oaks near Lake Trammel for our church-wide Christmas party at 6:00 p.m. Bring the whole family as we celebrate together with a hayride and live Nativity! We will conclude the evening with a warm time of fellowship, snacks and hot chocolate.

Also, mark your calendar for the Christmas Eve candlelight service, Saturday, December 24, at 7:00 p.m. This special Christmas Eve service will take the place of our regular Sunday morning worship. We will not have services on Christmas morning. We invite you to come and experience the life, love, and joy of Emmanuel Fellowship CHurch this Christmas season.

Filed under: Children, Emmanuel Fellowship Church, Family Tagged: Children, Christmas, Church, Emmanuel Fellowship, ministry, Pageant, Party, Sweetwater, Texas

HOW TO HAVE A MEANINGFUL CHRISTMAS

mondaymorningreview — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 22:33:52 +0000

What do you remember about Christmas? No doubt, there are certain gifts or events that stick out as highlights, but the ingrained memories are found in the rhythms Christmas brings to our homes.

In our fast-paced, ever changing, highly disposable culture, we are finding fewer opportunities to establish family traditions. Christmas, however, stands as an anchor, rich in heritage and overflowing with possibilities for every home to establish their unique pattern of memories.

Christmas traditions allow us to maintain a proper perspective on the meaning of this precious season, even in the madness of our holiday shopping and schedules. Christmas traditions allow us to slow down and take a reflective pause, before we clutter our floors with ripped-up wrapping paper and empty boxes. Christmas traditions allow you to give your children more than a gift each year, but a memory–a memory they, in turn, can pass on to their children. Christmas traditions give your home a heritage.

It will be up to your family to determine which traditions you establish in your home, but I recommend you not neglect two basic essentials. I encourage you to ensure that your Christmas traditions are designed to honor the gifts that are given at Christmas time. First, honor the gift of Jesus every Christmas morning. Before a single present is unwrapped, allow time for the Bible to be opened. Read and remember the nativity story each Christmas morning. Second, honor the gifts given to one another every Christmas. Encourage your children to slow down, only allow one gift at a time to be opened, make sure appreciation is expressed to the giver of each gift, and do not allow anyone’s generosity to be lost in the mountains of wrapping paper accumulating in your living room.

The Christmas traditions of the von Atzigen house include:

We always wake up in our own home on Christmas morning. We will travel all throughout the holidays, but Christmas morning is uninterrupted and undistracted. It is our family moment.
Not a creature stirs before 7:00 a.m. This builds anticipation and allows mom and dad to recover from their late night of “some assembly required.” Too many Christmas mornings get lost in early unwrappings and the ensuing crabby sleepiness. And the thundering of the herd as they break into our room at 7:00 has become a beautiful Christmas morning sound, as well!
The Christmas story comes before the gifts. We circle up as a family to read the Christmas story (Luke 2:1-20). We follow the Christmas story by receiving Communion together. We use a slice of bread and sparkling apple cider for our Christmas Communion elements, and we always drink from the finest stemware we have in the house. We follow Communion with a chocolate mint as we remember Psalm 34:8 and “taste and see that the Lord is good!”
Finally, we make our way to the stockings and the gifts. Mommy directs traffic as gifts are opened. We make certain the giver of each gift is recognized and gifts are opened one at a time, as we pause with each present to celebrate the groovy things each person has received.

There are many more traditions you can establish, many more ways of making Christmas morning a worshipful experience. I pray that your home will find a way to give more than great gifts this year — but, to establish great memories for a lifetime.

What about your family? I would love to hear some of the special traditions you have established in your home to make the most of the beauty of Christmas.

Podcast

“Favor is Released,” Pastor Eric’s message from the “When God Comes Near” sermon series is available online. Click to listen.

On the Radar: Holiday Schedule

Sunday, December 18 @ 11:00 am: Christmas Pageant at the City Auditorium
Sunday, December 18 @ 6:00 pm: Church-wide Christmas Party at Camp Boothe Oaks
Saturday, December 24 @ 7:00 pm: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at EFC
Sunday, December 25: Christmas Day! —-No Church Services—-
Sunday, January 1 @11:00 am: New Year’s Day Service with fellowship meal and football to follow!

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

“He Reigns” by the Newsboys
“O Come, Let Us Adore Him” traditional carol
“O Come, O Come Emmanuel” traditional carol

Sunday Preview

Next Sunday, December 18, we will be the City Auditorium for our Christmas Pageant at 11:00 a.m. We will also join together that evening for a very special Church Christmas Party at Camp Boothe Oaks at 6:00 p.m.

Filed under: Children, Family Tagged: Christmas, Family, Memories, Traditions

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!

mondaymorningreview — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:16:11 +0000

Due to the raging success of last year’s dance sensation, and yielding to public demand for an encore presentation, we submit for your Christmas fun and entertainment: The Dancing Elders of Emmanuel Fellowship Church!

Podcast

“Nothing is Impossible,” Pastor Eric’s first message from the “When God Comes Near” sermon series is available online. Click to listen.

On the Radar: Holiday Schedule

Sunday, December 18 @ 11:00 am: Christmas Pageant at the City Auditorium
Sunday, December 18 @ 6:00 pm: Church-wide Christmas Party at Camp Boothe Oaks
Saturday, December 24 @ 7:00 pm: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at EFC
Sunday, December 25: Christmas Day! —-No Church Services—-
Sunday, January 1 @11:00 am: New Year’s Day Service with fellowship meal and football to follow!

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

“Joy to the World”
“What I Want” by The City Harmonic
“Wonderful Maker” by Matt Redman and Chris Tomlin

Sunday Preview

Next Sunday, December 11, we continue our Advent Sermon Series by exploring the favor that is released in those amazing moments “When God Comes Near.”

Filed under: Church, Emmanuel Fellowship Church, Fun Tagged: Dancing, Elders, Emmanuel Fellowship, fun, Sweetwater

WHEN GOD COMES NEAR

mondaymorningreview — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 03:51:50 +0000

Sunday mornings in December at Emmanuel Fellowship Church, Sweetwater!

Christmas is a wonderful season to get the family reconnected with church. If you are looking for a church home or looking to get back on track, you are invited to share in the Christmas joy with us. Each Sunday will hold a vibrant time of worship, special musical presentations, and an inspiring Christmas message. Grab a friend and come join us as we explore how to respond in those amazing moments When God Comes Near!

December Schedule:

Sunday, December 4

9:00 AM – Worship
11:00 AM – Worship

Sunday, December 11

9:00 AM – Worship
11:00 AM – Worship

Sunday, December 18

11:00 AM – Christmas Pageant at City Auditorium
6:00 PM – All Church Christmas Party at Camp Boothe Oaks

Saturday, December 24

7:00 PM – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Sunday, December 24

Christmas Day – No Church Services

Filed under: Church, Emmanuel Fellowship Church Tagged: Christmas, Church, Connect, find, Sweetwater, Texas

IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS!

mondaymorningreview — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 20:36:55 +0000

Christmas is always a special time for families, and our Christmas traditions at Emmanuel Fellowship are a very special time for our church family.

I am very excited about our Christmas celebrations planned for Sunday, December 18. We will be in one service at 11:00 a.m. at the City Auditorium for our Christmas pageant. Then, we will meet at Camp Boothe Oaks (near Lake Trammel) for a memory- making Christmas party for our entire church family.

Parents, I strongly urge you to make sure your children are involved in this year’s Christmas Pageant. This special day of performing on stage and participating in the re-telling of the story of Jesus’ birth in front of their friends and family is an amazing moment in their faith journey. Rehearsals for the pageant begin tonight, Wednesday, November 30, and are scheduled to continue through the month of December. Check with Pastor Lolo to make sure you have the details!

Also, make plans to join in our Christmas Eve Candlelight worship service, Saturday, December 24, at 7:00 p.m. Due to Christmas landing on a Sunday this year, we will not have church services Christmas Day. Our Christmas Eve service will run from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and will provide a beautiful opportunity for families to prepare their hearts for Christmas morning.

As we enter the fast pace of the holiday season, I pray your family finds treasured moments together through our church celebrations. May our holiday events create an overflow of joy and meaningful context to the purpose of Christmas morning!

Podcast

“Failure in Perspective,” Pastor Eric’s message from Sunday morning, will be available online soon. Click to listen to this encouraging message.

On the Radar: Holiday Schedule

Sunday, December 18 @ 11:00 am: Christmas Pageant at the City Auditorium
Sunday, December 18 @ 6:00 pm: Church-wide Christmas Party at Camp Boothe Oaks
Saturday, December 24 @ 7:00 pm: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at EFC
Sunday, December 25: Christmas Day! —-No Church Services—-
Sunday, January 1 @11:00 am: New Year’s Day Service with fellowship meal and football to follow!

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

“O Taste and See” by Brian and Jenn Johnson
“Furious” Bethel Live version
“I Will Exalt” by Amanda Falk
“One Thing Remains” by Chris Tomlin and Matt Redmand

Sunday Preview

Next Sunday, December 4, we begin our Advent Sermon Series by exploring the amazing grace that occurs in moments “When God Comes Near.”

Filed under: Children, Emmanuel Fellowship Church, Family Tagged: Christmas, Church, events, Family, Pageant, Service, Sweetwater

Pastor Eric’s Thanksgiving Top 11 in 2011

mondaymorningreview — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:22:16 +0000

I am thankful to raise my children in Sweetwater, the oasis of West-Texas. A beautiful city, filled with beautiful people.
I am thankful for the team I work with every day. A passionate, energetic, creative, and hard-working crew of Jesus-loving pastors.
I am thankful for men and women who laid down their life to lead the Body of Christ and pioneer a path of revival. Men such as Bill Johnson, pastor of Bethel Church are my modern day heroes.
I am thankful for Nelson Searcy’s book “Fusion,” which has taught me how to love and appreciate the new guests at EFC. It takes courage to walk into a church for the first time, and I want to honor that courage with a warm welcome and great encounter.
I am thankful for every unsung hero and unknown face that loves unselfishly, lives faithfully, and serves unconditionally. These are the saints I look forward to singing with someday in a Heavenly choir.
I am thankful for my spiritual heritage, a legacy of faith of three generations of men loving the church and seeking revival in West-Texas.
I am thankful for my kitchen table. It is so much more than warm food and sweet desserts. It is a place of joyful conversation, heartfelt prayers, and everyday discipleship.
I am thankful for grace. It is as amazing today as it was the first day it pulled me out of darkness and into light.
I am thankful for my wife. She inspires me every day to live fully and freely, to continually press further up and farther in to the grace of God!
I am thankful for this year’s harvest: salvations, healings, rededications, restorations, weddings, baptisms, and freedom. It’s been a good year!
I am thankful for the opportunity to press into next year — and the hope that 2012 will be even more alive, blessed, and fruitful than this year!

Podcast

“Wilderness Fail” by Worship Pastor Mindy von Atzigen is available online. Click to listen to this challenging message.

Links

Pastor Mindy has written more about Famous Failures on her blog, where she is also giving away 3 copies of our cd, “All Things New.” Today is the last day to enter, so head on over to Treasure the Ordinary to register. www.treasuretheordinary.blogspot.com

On the Radar: Holiday Schedule

Sunday, December 18 @ 11:00am: Christmas Pageant at the City Auditorium
Sunday, December 18 @ 6:00pm: Church-wide Christmas Party at Camp Boothe Oaks
Saturday, December 24 @ 7:00pm: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at EFC
Sunday, December 25: Christmas Day! —-No Church Services—-
Sunday, January 1 @11:00am: New Years Day Service with fellowship meal and football to follow!

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

“You Are Good” Bethel Live version
“Our God” by Chris Tomlin and Matt Redmand
“I Will Exalt” by Amanda Falk
“Higher” by Worth Dying For

Sunday Preview

Next Sunday, November 29, we will conclude our Famous Failures sermon series with a look at the life of Paul and the impossibility of measuring success on short term results.

Filed under: Blessing, Emmanuel Fellowship Church Tagged: Church, Life, ministry, Sweetwater, Texas, Thankful, Thanksgiving