WELCOMING MS. IRENE!

Pastor Lolo and Ms. Irene

Emmanuel Fellowship Church is excited to announce the addition of a new team member to our staff.  To help meet the needs of continued growth, Irene Escobar is filling the newly formed role of Associate Children’s Pastor.  Irene has been an essential part of our Children’s ministry for the past several years, serving as a classroom teacher and volunteer.  Her faithful service has helped create the new ministry position she will now fill. 

As part of our vision to minister to families in the region, we have now added full children’s ministry to the 9:00 am service.  Children will now have their own worship time and age-based classes for both the 9:00 am and 11:00 am services.  Irene Escobar will oversee ministry for the 9:00 am Kid’s Church service.

“Miss Irene,” as the children call her, is also a current employee at J.P. Cowan, helping to nurture young children.  Before that, she worked for several years at Sweetwater Christian School.  Irene and her husband, Elias, are the parents of seven grown children and have eleven grandchildren.

Quality ministry for our children is a vital part of the ministry of EFC, and serving in children’s ministry is a wonderful way to grow as a follower of Jesus.  If you are interested in working with children, contact Pastor Lorin Lopez for details.

Podcast

Click here to listen to “Dreaming with God” and “Protecting the Dream,” Pastor Mindy’s recent messages from the Create sermon series.  

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 – Community Sunrise Service at 6:30 AM in the Mustang Bowl.
• Sunday, April 8 – Easter Sunday!  We will be in one service at 11:00 AM at the City Auditorium (400 Locust Street).

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. “Furious” Jeremy Riddle version
2. “Nothing But the Blood”
3. “Revelation Song” Kari Jobe version
4. “I Will Exalt” by Amanda Faulk

Sunday Preview

Next Sunday, March 18, Pastor Eric will conclude our Create sermon series with a look at bringing creativity to your sphere of influence.  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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EFC at the City Auditorium this Sunday!

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.

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Pastor Eric’s Thanksgiving Top 11 in 2011

1. I am thankful to raise my children in Sweetwater, the oasis of West-Texas.  A beautiful city, filled with beautiful people.
2. I am thankful for the team I work with every day.  A passionate, energetic, creative, and hard-working crew of Jesus-loving pastors.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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!
10. I am thankful for this year’s harvest: salvations, healings, rededications, restorations, weddings, baptisms, and freedom.  It’s been a good year!
11. 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

1. “You Are Good” Bethel Live version
2. “Our God” by Chris Tomlin and Matt Redmand
3. “I Will Exalt” by Amanda Falk
4. “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.

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ENGAGE!

Sunday mornings at 9:00 and 11:00.

You are invited to join us every Sunday morning in September for the “Engage!” sermon series as we each discover our next step in taking our place in the ministry of Emmanuel Fellowship Church of Sweetwater.

 

 

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Kids’ School of Worship: Jammin’ With Jesus!

Jammin' with Jesus!

Children from 3 years old to 5^th grade are invited to join us for this year’s School of Worship.  Beginning Sunday, July 31, through Wednesday, August 3, from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm each evening, our kids will gather for a radical time of faith-filled fun and exploring the fruit of the Spirit.

We will open every night with a time of worship and a jam session lesson from Pastor Lolo before heading to our fruit stands to reinforce the lesson with other fun-filled activities.

Wednesday evening, parents and adults are invited to join us for a closing service as our children demonstrate what they learned in this year’s school of worship.  We will follow the closing service with an Ice Cream Sunday Party, appropriately outfitted with every fruit topping we can find!

I hope you and your family can join in the fun as we “Jam for Jesus” and discover the fruit of the Spirit together!

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THAT FIRST STEP INTO A FLOODING RIVER

Sometimes black ink on white paper doesn’t do justice to the incredible faith demonstrated by those whose stories are told in the Bible.  It is easy to forget these were real people, in a real place, who had to overcome real fears to walk in obedience to God and fulfill their purpose in their lifetime.

In the book of Joshua chapter three we encounter one of those stories that makes fairy tales seem small and fiction feel tame.  After wandering for forty years in the wilderness, the nation of Israel is now poised to enter their promised land.  One last obstacle separates one million sojourners from setting feet upon their destiny — the Jordan river, in flood stage.

The story that unfolds in Joshua chapter three is one of amazing faith and a demonstration of the power of one step to open a pathway for multitudes to follow.  I believe many of you reading this article may be one faith-filled step from fulfilling God’s purpose for you, your family, your church, and your city.  Here are four keys to taking your first step:

• PREPARE YOUR HEART

“Joshua told the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.’”  Joshua 3:5 (NIV)

• PUT YOUR FEET IN THE WATER

“And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.”  Joshua 3:13 (NIV)

• PROVIDE A PATH FOR OTHERS

“The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.”  Joshua 3:17 (NIV)

• PARTICIPATE IN SOMETHING BIGGER THAN YOU EVER IMAGINED

“…the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho.”  Joshua 3:16 (NIV)

Podcast

Need a little fuel for your faith?  Listen to testimonies of people just like you who dared to “Step Across the Line.”

On the Radar

Spring Forward! Next Sunday, March 13, is the first day of Daylight Saving Time.  Remember to set your clock forward and plan to join us for an amazing morning of worship.

College Student Invasion March 13 and March 16.  Mission teams from Beltway Park Church in Abilene will join us Sunday and Wednesday for special outreach services in Sweetwater.  Email Pastor Eric to join the team.

Youth Trip to Mission Arlington over Spring Break.  Be in prayer for our youth as they participate in apartment outreaches next week!

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.

Links

We have a new blogger among us!  Follow the link to read Lillian Jane “Jay” Neal’s musings about faith and art in her new blog “Drawing in His Presence.”

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. “Jesus Forever” by Anthony Skinner
2. “Consuming Fire” by CFNI
3. “Fire Fall Down” Rita Springer version
4. “Awesome God” by Rich Mullins

Sunday Preview

“Two Worlds Collide” is next week’s message and part 2 of our “City on our Knees” sermon series.  It will examine how to stand strong when our step of faith is met with resistance.

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A HAMMER WITH YOUR NAME ON IT!

I’ve never been short of new ideas.  In fact, Mindy and I joke that about one out of three of my ideas might actually have some potential.  So, I come up with lots of ideas in order to get to that third one faster!

• “Wouldn’t it be great if…”
• “What if we…”
• “Has anyone ever…”
• “Just imagine…”

These are some of the phrases you’ll hear around our house or in a staff meeting at church. 

One time I had the great idea of designing the entire theme of our church around an “Under Construction” concept.  Some of the highlights of this grand thought included giving a pair of gloves embroidered with an EFC logo to all church members.  I thought we could follow that up by placing every family’s name on a hammer and hanging them up in the church as a demonstration of our common purpose to build together.

I know some of you are wondering why we haven’t implemented such an amazing idea already, but, apparently, some ideas don’t play out in the implementation phase as well as they do in the brainstorm phase.  (Which basically means they don’t pass my wife’s décor standards.)

The point behind the hammer and gloves was to communicate the value of each individual to the vision and ministry of Emmanuel Fellowship.  There is work to do around here — and your hands fit the gloves.

As we continue to grow as a congregation and reach out to our community with the message of the gospel, it is my sincere desire that every member of EFC discovers how their unique gifts connect them to the ministry of the Body of Christ.  And, maybe someday, you’ll have a hammer with your name on it!

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.  –1 Peter 4:8-10

 Podcast

Click here to listen to “SERVE,” Pastor Eric’s message from January 23^th. 

On the Radar

Emmanuel Fellowship will be in TWO SERVICES beginning February 6, 2011.  Our Sunday morning worship times will be 9:00 and 11:00. 

Membership Dessert tonight, January 24^th, at 7 pm.  If you are new to EFC or interested in joining, please make plans to come that evening.  We will feed you some yummy things, share the vision of EFC, let you meet all of our staff and elders, and even give you a tour of the building!  Childcare is provided.

Women’s Conference January 28-29!  Our Ladies will taking a weekend road trip to Lubbock for a special time of refreshing at the New Horizons Women’s Retreat at Church on the Rock in Lubbock.  The last day to sign up will be this Sunday, January 23^rd, in the EFC foyer. 

Revelation Bible Study has resumed Tuesdays, 12-1 pm.  Bring your lunch and join in the discussion!

Join us for Prayer!  Friday mornings from 8:00-9:30, we meet together in the Sweetwater Prayer Center.  You are invited to connect with this amazing part of EFC church 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. “Your Love Never Fails” by Jesus Culture
2. “I’ve Found A Love” Jenn Johnson version
3. “All I Need” by Rita Springer
4. “How He Loves” Kim Walker version

Sunday Preview

Join us next Sunday for the “State of the Church Address” as we review 2010 and preview 2011.  Pastor Eric will also preach the final message in the “You Fit” sermon series.

 

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A FEW SURPRISES!

My friends,

God is doing absolutely amazing things among us.  The next few weeks will lead us into some exciting changes that will enable us to accomplish our purpose more effectively in Sweetwater.

You can catch some hints by attending Lifegroup this Wednesday night, and we will be sharing the full details next Sunday morning!

If you weren’t able to be at church yesterday, I strongly encourage you to take time this week to listen to the podcast.  It is a powerful message that will give you fuel to fully engage your piece of the vision of EFC.

Podcast

“CONNECT,” Pastor Eric’s message from January 9^th is now available online. 

On the Radar

Women’s Conference January 28-29!  Our Ladies will taking a weekend road trip to Lubbock for a special time of refreshing at the New Horizons Women’s Retreat at Church on the Rock in Lubbock.  Contact Pastor Mindy for registration and details. 

Revelation Bible Study has resumed Tuesdays, 12-1 pm.  Bring your lunch and join in the discussion!

Join us for Prayer!  Friday mornings from 8:00-9:30, we meet together in the Sweetwater Prayer Center.  You are invited to connect with this amazing part of EFC church 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. “Jesus Forever” by Anthony Skinner
2. “He Reigns” Rita Springer version
3. “Let Heaven Shout” Kristina Mueller version
4. “When I Think About the Lord” Shane & Shane version

Sunday Preview

Next Sunday, January 16, we will continue the new sermon series exploring our individual connections to the vision of Emmanuel Fellowship Church.

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YOU ARE INVITED

An invitation is a powerful thing.

It means you have been accepted and included.  It means there is a place for you in the activity at hand.

I’ve been invited and uninvited to special events.  I’ve been thought of and forgotten.  I vividly remember the long walk home after I was asked to leave an event at a not so gracious hostess’ home one evening in college.

An invitation takes you from being a casual observer to an active participant.  It cuts through every potential barrier and puts you on the inside of the action.

One of Jesus’ greatest frustrations was the exclusive nature of the Jewish faith in his day.  Jesus gave this fiery rebuke to the teachers of the law:

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.”  - Matthew 23:13

But, you have been invited to the party!  The ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus are your invitation to participate in the abundant life.  The only limitations you have are the ones you have placed on yourself.  Nobody has the power to limit who you are in Christ.

My friends, God is doing amazing things among us.  It is an overwhelming joy to be a part of the transformation of lives and healing of the broken.  And you can be a participant, not just a spectator.

I invite you to take your next step in ministry.  I believe God is calling you to join in the work He is doing.  How will you respond to His invitation?    

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”  - 2 Peter 1:3-4

Podcast

“Words from the Upper Room,” Part 2 of The Red Letter Sermon Series is now available online.  Click to listen. 

On the Radar

Join us for a Treasure Hunt Saturday, November 20!  We will meet at the church at 9:00 AM for a brief time of instruction and then head out to share God’s love with our community.  Click for details!

You Are Invited to the vow renewal service of Mark and Terri Golden this Saturday, November 21, at EFC, at 6 pm.

Community Thanksgiving Service this Sunday evening, November 21, at 6:00 at the Sweetwater Municipal Auditorium.

Our Advent Choir is rehearsing for two special Christmas presentations.  If you love to sing, you are invited to join the choir as we celebrate the birth of our King.  Rehearsals begin Sunday, November 21^st, from 4-5 pm.

Revelation Bible Study has resumed Tuesdays, 12-1 pm.  Bring your lunch and join in the discussion!

Join us for Prayer!  Friday mornings from 8:00-9:30, we meet together in the Sweetwater Prayer Center.  You are invited to connect with this amazing part of EFC church 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

Sunday Preview

Next Sunday, November 21, we will conclude The Red Letter Sermon Series with a powerful look at Jesus’ teaching on the end times found in Matthew 22-26.  Come join in this dynamic encounter with the Word of God!

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KIDS’ SPACE IS NOW OPEN!

Parents,

We are excited to announce our new Kids’ Space entrance is now open!  Parents of children ages birth through 5^th grade are welcome to use the Kid’s Space entrance to check your children into their classes each Sunday morning.  The Kids’ Space entrance is located at Suite B of the church, in the space formerly occupied by Today’s Headlines Salon.

A few highlights of the Kids’ Space entrance include:

• Our new computerized check-in system will provide parent and child registration labels.  Parents will use their labels to pick up their children after church to ensure the safety of our children.  The new label system will also allow parents to include special instructions with their children, such as allergy information.
• The Kids’ Space entrance will be open from 9:30 am to 10:15 am each Sunday.  Parents arriving after 10:15 am are invited to enter through the main entrance.  The Kids’ Space door will re-open at the conclusion of the service for families to dismiss through.
• At the conclusion of the service, parents are invited to promptly pick up their children from their classes.  Parents will need their identification label to pick up their children.

 Sunday morning children’s classes:

•         Nursery:  Infants and Crawlers
•         Toddlers:  Walkers – 2 year olds
•         Preschool:  3 – 4 year olds
•         Kid’s Church:  Kindergarten – 1^st grade class and 2^nd – 5^th grade class.

Wednesday Evening children’s classes:

•         Nursery:  Infants and Crawlers
•         Toddlers:  Walkers – 2 year olds
•         Preschool:  3 – 4 year olds
•         World Changers:  Kindergarten – 1^st grade class and 2^nd – 5^th grade class.

We pray you and your children have a wonderful morning of worship and spiritual growth each Sunday at Emmanuel Fellowship Church.  As we continue to grow together as a church family, we hope you discover EFC to be a ministry designed with the family in mind.

Blessings,

Pastor Eric

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