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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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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THE LOVE TRANSLATOR!

Our conversations on love the past 3 weeks through The Marriage Coach sermon series have taught us that communication is an essential aspect of a healthy relationship.  Sometimes it feels like husbands and wives are literally speaking different languages.  I came across this great video that just might save us all from the frustration of being misunderstood.  Click to watch an infomercial about the manslator, a universal translator for men and women!

And make plans to join us this Sunday for our final week of The Marriage Coach as we discuss loving our marriages enough to protect them.

 

Podcast

“Unnecessary Roughness,” Pastor Mindy’s message from last week, is available online.  Click the title to learn more about maintaining a culture of Love and Respect in your home.

On the Radar

• Friday and Saturday, February 24-25: Marriage Conference featuring Dr. Mark and Alison Rutland at FountainGate Fellowship Church in Abilene.
• 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.  Childcare will be provided.

Links

Ignite a love spark in your marriage.  Visit Pastor Mindy’s blog Treasure the Ordinary and click “love spark” in the archive section to find out how!

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. “He Reigns” by the Newsboys.
2. “Furious” by Jeremy Riddle
3. “All I Need” by Rita Springer
4. “How Marvelous” Chris Tomlin version

Sunday Preview

This Sunday, February 26, we will conclude our Marriage Coach sermon series by determining to love our marriages enough to protect them.  Make plans to join us as we culminate this amazing series with a powerful challenge from God’s word!

 

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THE MARRIAGE COACH CONTINUES

Sundays in February at Emmanuel Fellowship.

Response to The Marriage Coach sermon series has exceeded our expectations.  Each Sunday, we are thrilled to share life-giving marriage principles and overjoyed to hear testimonies of their applications.

This Sunday, February 18, Pastor Mindy will lead us on an examination of Ephesians 5 and introduce an essential foundation to healthy marriages.  Join us at 9:00 or 11:00 and learn how to keep “unnecessary roughness” out of your marriage by breaking the crazy cycle!

Podcast

Click here to access the first two messages in the The Marriage Coach sermon series. 

On the Radar

• Friday and Saturday, February 24-25: Marriage Conference featuring Dr. Mark and Alison Rutland at FountainGate Fellowship Church in Abilene.
• 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.

Links

Pastor Mindy recently completed a marriage-building countdown to Valentine’s Day on her blog, Treasure the Ordinary.  It is filled with life-giving marriage tips.  Log on to invest in your spouse!   www.treasuretheordinary.blogspot.com

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. “Father of Lights” by Jesus Culture
2. “Consuming Fire” by CFNI
3. “Be Lifted High” by Brian Johnson

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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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THE MARRIAGE COACH

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!

Links

Our Budgeting Class is off to a great start.  As promised, here are two follow-up links to Dave Ramsey.

• Click here for Dave’s talk on being Weird With Your Money.
• Click here for an Online Budget Calculator.

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. “Nothing but the Blood” by Andy Cherry
2. “I Will Exalt” by Amanda Faulk
3. “Our God” Chris Tomlin version
4. “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.

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STAGES OF MARRIAGE

A recap of the stages of marriage from last night’s Sweetheart Banquet.  It is important to know where you are at, but, more importantly, to know how to move forward.

“I still think she’s hot!”

Understanding how to keep the sweet in your sweetheart relationship:

The Honeymoon Stage:

• A sweet time of enjoying being together
• Easy to focus on what is good about the other person
• Endorphins are released in the brain during this stage that create a feeling of being “high on love;” these endorphins last around 3 years from the onset of a new relationship
• Very important to be honest during this stage and establish good communication skills

The “What Was I Thinking?” Stage:

• Reality and disillusionment set in as we realize our spouse is not the perfect specimen we had convinced ourselves they were in the honeymoon stage
• Other person’s negative habits and behavior patterns become uncomfortably clear
• Very important to learn about problem solving, conflict management, and better communication during this stage

The Challenge Stage:

• Life crises factor into this stage, causing the relationship to have to grow in order to accommodate hardships
• One temptation during this stage is for one or both of the spouses to reflect back on past relationships with other people (often ones that remained shallow and untested), creating unrest and sometimes unfaithfulness
• Very important to focus on improving the relationship and keeping open communication during this stage, as well as focusing on the good points of the relationship

The Crossroads Stage:

• This stage comes at a point in the spouses’ lives where they are each asking themselves, “What do I do at this stage of my life?” and the answer to that question must involve the family unit as a whole
• A big temptation during this stage is to try to force the other person to be different, instead of working to change your self
• Very important to stay emotionally engaged with your spouse during this stage and to resist withdrawing

The Rebirth Stage:

• The art of compromise has been learned by this stage, making conflicts last for short amounts of time and without intense emotional backlash
• People who reach this stage are willing to give each other the benefit of the doubt
• Couples learn to re-appreciate and re-love each other at this stage, making time together sweet

Marriage Links

• Why Marriage Matters
• Online Focus on the Family Marriage Resources 
• You Paid How Much For That?  (Financial Planning for Married Couples) 
• Love and Respect Ministries

Podcast

Click here for the latest Family Foundation podcast!

On the Radar

Emmanuel Fellowship is now in TWO SERVICES.  Our Sunday morning worship times are 9:00 and 11:00.  A pre-school nursery only is available during the 9:00 service, and full children’s ministry is offered in the 11:00 service.

Sermon Series – Each Sunday, during the month of February, we will be looking at different aspects of healthy Family Foundations.  From marriage to parenting to grandparenting, there’s something for everyone.

Youth Led Service – Our youth are going to get in on the action by blessing us with leading every aspect of our Sunday morning services on Sunday, February 20^th.  You won’t want to miss this special time.

Kingdom Principles for Raising Children Seminar – All parents are invited to attend our parenting seminar, Sunday, February 27 at 6 pm and Monday, February 28 at 7 pm.  Session 1 will cover how to discipline effectively and speak your child’s love language.  Session 2 will cover how to impart Godly principles into your child’s life.

Family Connection

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

You Heard it at EFC

Been trying to remember one of those awesome songs we sang?  Here is our worship list from yesterday for those of you who just absolutely need a copy for yourself.  You can usually find them for purchase on itunes.com.

1. “Beautiful One” by Tim Hughes
2. “Your Love is Everything” Jesus Culture version
3. “Fire Fall Down” Rita Springer version
4. “You’ll Come” by Hillsong

Sunday Preview

Join us next Sunday as we continue our Family Foundations Series with a Youth Led Service!

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National Marriage Week

Yep!  It really is “National Marriage Week!”  Bet you didn’t even know that one existed!  But, the week of February 7-14 is set aside in our nation to invest in the fundamental building block of healthy families—good marriages.

Although there’s plenty of research that shows marriage does indeed help people become healthy, wealthy, and wise (see
http://www.nationalmarriageweekusa.org/Marriage-Provides-Better-Health.htm
for the statistics), by far the best case to be made for marriage is that it was God’s idea.  His ideas are quite unlike mine.  While I might have a good idea every so often (my wife says usually 1 out of 3), ALL of His ideas are good.  Every single one.  He never misses.  And if marriage was dreamed up in the heart of God, you can rest assured that it not only CAN work, but can work BEAUTIFULLY.

This week, I encourage you to check out the following resources to invest in your own marriage.  If you’re not married yourself, then pray for the marriages of the people in your life and consider sharing the info with them.  We need healthy marriages in our church family and in our city.  Let’s do what it takes to see them built!

Marriage Links

• Why Marriage Matters
• Online Focus on the Family Marriage Resources
• You Paid How Much For That?  (Financial Planning for Married Couples)
• Love and Respect Ministries

Podcast

“What Snuck In Through the Garden Door,” Pastor Eric’s message from February 2^nd, will be available online soon!

On the Radar

Emmanuel Fellowship is now in TWO SERVICES. Our Sunday morning worship times are 9:00 and 11:00.  A pre-school nursery only is available during the 9:00 service, and full children’s ministry is offered in the 11:00 service.

Night of Worship – After being postponed last week due to weather, we’re starting Family Foundations month off with a bang this Wednesday, February 9th, with an object lesson, fun activities, and of course, food!  Parents, make sure you’re ready to party with your kids this week and come join us.

Sermon Series – Each Sunday, during the month of February, we will be looking at different aspects of healthy Family Foundations.  From marriage to parenting to grandparenting, there’s something for everyone.

Valentine’s Couple Dessert – We’re going to have an evening to remember at the church this Sunday, February 13^th, at 7 pm.  Join us as we learn how to “Keep the Sweet in Sweethearts.”  Tickets are $5 per couple and are on sale now in the church foyer!  Childcare will be provided.

Youth Led Service – Our youth are going to get in on the action by blessing us with leading every aspect of our Sunday morning services on Sunday, February 20^th.  You won’t want to miss this special time.

Kingdom Principles for Raising Children Seminar – All parents are invited to attend our parenting seminar, Sunday, February 27 at 6 pm and Monday, February 28 at 7 pm. Session 1 will cover how to discipline effectively and speak your child’s love language.  Session 2 will cover how to impart Godly principles into your child’s life.

Family Connection

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

You Heard it at EFC

Been trying to remember one of those awesome songs we sang?  Here is our worship list from yesterday for those of you who just absolutely need a copy for yourself.  You can usually find them for purchase on itunes.com.

1. “Blessed Be The Name” by Matt Redmand
2. “Mighty to Save” by Chris Tomlin and Matt Redmand
3. “Fire Fall Down” by Hillsong

(This song is our theme song for the month as we pray for God to come and fix the broken places in our families.  Take a listen to it.)

Sunday Preview

Join us next Sunday as we continue our Family Foundations Series!

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THE SINGLE YEARS

Most everyone dreams of “happy ever after,” but not many know how you get there.  As Pastor Mindy shared in yesterday’s message, a good marriage begins in the “single” years—those years before you meet your spouse.  While it’s not true that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks (everyone can learn to be more like Jesus), it is true that marriages would be healthier if men and women learned a few lessons beforehand and avoided the painful pitfalls of dating that can lead to wounded hearts and lost purity.

For more (and very practical) insights into how to live as a fulfilled, Godly, single person, check out this transcript of a sermon preached at the Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas, by Paul Matthias.  His humorous approach will bless you, encourage you, and challenge you!

Podcast

Did you miss yesterday’s message?  Do you want to share it with a friend?  You can find Pastor Mindy’s message from yesterday on the church web site.  Click to listen.

MESSAGE WILL BE AVAILABLE TUESDAY AFTERNOON.

Links

For a book on how to date while guarding your purity, check out Boy Meets Girl by Josh Harris.

For a great guide to protecting your marriage, check out Jerry Jenkins book entitled Hedges: Loving Your Marriage Enough to Protect It.  This book has 10 boundaries that need to be in place in every marriage in order to make sure it is “affair proof.”  A great, helpful read! 

On the Radar

“Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage” continues this Sunday, Feb. 28, at 6 pm.  Make sure all the married couples you care about know they are invited!

“Laugh Your Way” Bonus Night — Monday, March 1, we are adding an extra evening to hear Mark Gungor share the big “yo mamma” session as he reveals The #1 Key to Incredible Sex.  We’ll get started at 7:00 pm.  I don’t think you want to miss this one

Revelation Bible study this Tuesday from 12:00 – 1:00 pm in my office.  Everyone is welcome to join in, just bring your Bible and a lunch box.  Keep up with the progress at The Watchman’s Gaze.

Lifegroups continue this Wednesday, along with our mid-week age-based ministries.  For more info, log on to our church website at www.efcsweetwater.com.

Our Nursery is taking applications for a consistent Sunday morning Nursery Worker.  If you or anyone you know are interested in filling this position, please contact the church office at 325-236-9200.

Family Connection

Parents, be sure to check out the Worldchangers website.  We align our Bible curriculum from the nursery all the way up to our youth.  Access the Family Connection page on the website to bring you children’s Bible lesson home to the kitchen table. 

We also have all the info you need about RAMP, our youth ministry for grades 6-12, at www.efcyouth.com, including the details about our upcoming youth mission trip and summer camp!

You Heard it at EFC

Been trying to remember one of those awesome songs we sang?  Here is our worship list from yesterday, for those of you who just absolutely need a copy for yourself.  You can usually find them for purchase on itunes.com.

1. “Friend of God”
2. “I Surrender” by Kim Walker
3. “God, You’re Beautiful” by Anthony Skinner
4. “Shout Unto God” by Hillsong United

Sunday Preview

Ever wondered why all those “begats” are in the Bible?  Ever been confused by who was the son of who was the son of who?  Those little details send us a very big message.  Join us Next Sunday, February 28, 2010, as we continue our sermon series “Here is Love.”

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