THE SCARLET THREAD

Sunday mornings at Emmanuel Fellowship Church

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

1418 Hailey Street

Sweetwater, Texas

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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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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

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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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SUMMER MOMENTUM

I love Summer.  I love having my children home from school, I love playing in the back yard, I love heading out on vacation, and I love the Summer activities on the church calendar.

In the Summer months, churches typically experience a brief dip in attendance.  This is understandable because of increased family travel while school is out.  But, it is easy for the break in routine to cause families to miss out on church life more than necessary.

I believe the Summer of 2012 is going to be very important for Emmanuel Fellowship Church.  As we are preparing to renovate our sanctuary this Fall and double our seating capacity, it is essential that we maintain great momentum through the Summer months. 

I want to issue a pastoral challenge to our congregation this Summer.  It is my sincere prayer that your family will have wonderful opportunities to travel and play together.  In the midst of the travel and play, I challenge you to make it a priority that every Sunday you are in town, your family will plan to be in church.

As we continue to commit to fellowship and worship, and as we continue to invite our friends and family to join us on Sunday mornings, we will build a Summer Momentum that will carry us into an amazing Fall semester.

I am continually amazed by what God is doing among us to see the lost saved and the broken healed.  It is so much bigger than any one person, it is the result of a church family coming together in love, worship, and service to our King.  And it will continue to grow as we maintain our vision and momentum in these Summer months!

Podcast

Have you missed a service?  Need to remember part of a sermon?  Click here to listen to recent Emmanuel Fellowship Church messages.    

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.
• Treasure Hunt coming Sunday, June 3, 6 pm; join our evangelism team as they head out into our city to let people know they are God’s treasure!
• Kids’ Day Camp coming Tuesday, June 5, for kids ages 5 years – 1^st grade (just completed) to the Aquatic Park in Big Spring; last day to sign up and pay your day camp cost is May 30^th, please see Pastor Lolo for more info!

Links

If you have found yourself needing to renew your vision for a fun family Summer, click here for Pastor Mindy’s Summer fun blog post on Seasonal Goal Posts.

You Heard it at EFC

1. “Deep Cries Out” by Bethel Music
2. “I’ve Found A Love” Jenn Johnson version
3. “Angels” by Brian Johnson
4. “Fire Fall Down” Rita Springer version

Sunday Preview

Next Sunday, May 27, I am very excited to welcome my pastor, Scott Beard, of FountainGate Fellowship in Abilene as our special guest.  Pastor Scott will preach in both the 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services.  If you are in town this weekend, plan to be in church!

 

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YOUTH LED SERVICE

One of the primary goals of Emmanuel Fellowship is to be a church designed with the family in mind.  We have set our focus to develop a ministry that provides vibrant opportunities for the entire family. 

I am very excited about the opportunity our youth will have to lead us in worship this Sunday morning, April 22.  From the Welcome Team, to the Worship Team, and all of the ministries in between, our youth will be leading us in both the 9:00 and 11:00 services and learning just how many details go into a Sunday morning.

This Sunday will be more than a showcase of young faces, it will be a wonderful morning of worship.  Our youth ministry team has worked hard to put together a great service full of artistic expression, powerful worship, and a great message from our youth pastor.  I look forward to seeing you this Sunday as our youth take the lead!

For details of our other family ministry events, check out the “On the Radar” section below.

Podcast

Ready to get Unstuck?  Click here to listen to the first two messages from the Unstuck sermon series.     

On the Radar

• Spiritual Freedom Weekend coming April 27-28.  For more information, or to sign up to attend, click here!
• Baptism Service coming Sunday, May 6, at 6:30 pm.  If you are interested in being baptized, please email Pastor Mindy at mindy@efcsweetwater.com and she will get your more information.
• Mother’s Day Out now enrolling for the 2012-13 school year!  For more information, or to register your child, click here.
• Parents, you can inquire about camp registrations for your children and teens by emailing Pastor Loran (loran@efcsweetwater.com) and Pastor Lolo (lolo@efcsweetwater.com), or calling the church offices at 236-9200.

You Heard it at EFC

1. “Deep Cries Out” by Bethel Live
2. “Father of Lights” by Jesus Culture
3. “I Will Exalt” by Amanda Faulk
4. “One Thing Remains” by Bethel Live

 

Sunday Preview

Next Sunday, April 22, our youth will lead us in worship during both the 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM service.

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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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DON’T DO IT!

 

Podcast

Click here to listen to “Out of Bounds,” Pastor Eric’s message from last Sunday, and catch the entire Marriage Coach sermon series online.   

On the Radar

• Sunday, March 4, from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., we will have a Membership Class at Emmanuel Fellowship Church.  If you are new to EFC and would like to discover more of our history, mission, and vision, you are welcome to join us for this informative and entertaining afternoon.
• 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.
• 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.

Links 

Don’t give up on that family budget just yet! Click here for Dave Ramsey’s 21 Ways to Leap Out of Debt. (I’m working hard on #19!)

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. “See His Love” Kim Walker version
2. “Father of Lights” Kim Walker version
3. “I Will Exalt” by Amanda Faulk
4. “This Is Our God” by Hillsong

Sunday Preview

Next Sunday, March 4, we are excited to host Randy Boyd of Prepare International as our guest speaker in both the 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM service.

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EVER FEEL LIKE YOU ARE DROWNING?

I remember when I was a little boy, momma loaded us up and took us to Mineral Wells to the city pool. It was a major event for this country boy, because, for us, “swimming pool” meant stock tank.

If swimming didn’t include brownish-red water, mud between your toes, and having to avoid cow patties on the way down to the water, then I was just a little out of my element… (click to read the rest of the transcript from Pastor Eric’s message “Nothing is Impossible.”)

Podcast

“Nothing is Impossible,” Pastor Eric’s final message from the “Dance of Grace” sermon series is available online.  Click to listen.

On the Radar

• Friday and Saturday, February 24-25: Marriage Conference featuring Dr. Mark and Alison Rutland at FountainGate Fellowship Church in Abilene.  Register by February 10 to get the early bird rate!
• Identity Weekend: February 17-19.  If you are interested in participating in the weekend of spiritual growth and healing, contact Curtis Ward at curtis@rootsbythestream.com.

Links

Pastor Mindy has begun a marriage-building countdown to Valentine’s Day on her blog, Treasure the Ordinary.  Log on to invest in your spouse!   www.treasuretheordinary.blogspot.com

As a follow up to our Budgeting Class, here are the links Pastor Loran referred to for those of you who want to budget electronically.

• Cell Phone Envelope App
• Budgeting Worksheets and Calenders
•  Easy to Use and Understand Resources

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. “We Cry Out” by Brian Johnson
2. “Your Love is Everything” Chris Quilala version
3. “Healer” Hillsong Version
4. “Our God” by Chris Tomlin

Sunday Preview

This Sunday, February 5, we begin our Marriage Coach Sermon series.  You don’t want to miss a single Sunday of this series as Pastor Eric reveals his top four keys to a healthy marriage.  Whether you are married or single, The Marriage Coach will provide you with tools and resources to strengthen any relationship.  Find out more at www.themarriagecoach.us.

 

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