UNDER THE BIG TOP!

All children 4 years old through 5^th grade are invited to join us August 5-8 for the Kid’s School of Worship.  Children will enjoy big top circus entertainment as they discover the heart of worship!  Nightly activities will include worship, games, crafts, and Bible study.  Parents are invited to join us for a special parent’s night Wednesday, August 8, for a hot dog supper and an evening of family fun and worship!

School of Worship Schedule:

• Sunday, August 5 – School of Worship! 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
• Monday, August 6 – School of Worship! 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
• Tuesday, August 7 – School of Worship! 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
• Wednesday, August 8 – Parent’s Night! 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Registration for the School of Worship will begin each evening at 5:45 pm.  Early registration is available Sunday, August 5, in the morning worship services.

Podcast

Click here to listen to any of the messages from our “Names of God” sermon series.

von Atzigen Ministry Anniversary

This Sunday will be the last opportunity to purchase tickets for Pastor Eric and Mindy’s 10 Year Ministry Anniversary Banquet.  The banquet will be held Saturday, August 11, 6:00 pm, at TSTC.  Tickets are $10 per person, and childcare will be available at the church. 

Room to Grow in the 9:00 service!

Our 11:00 service continues to be a packed house as we celebrate together each Sunday morning.  For those of you who may feel a little cramped by the tight seating, there is room for you in the 9:00 service!  Each of our Sunday morning services feature the same dynamic worship, vibrant children’s ministry, and life-giving messages.  As we press forward with our renovation to double our sanctuary seating capacity, we encourage your family to consider giving the early service a try.

On the Radar

• Family Movie Night at EFC on Wednesday, August 15, at 7 pm!  Bring your family and come enjoy some popcorn and a family friendly movie!
• Mother’s Day Out now enrolling for the 2012-13 school year!  For more information, or to register your child, click here.
• Baptism Classes will be available Wednesday, August 15, 6:30 pm, or Sunday, August 19, 10:30 am in the church office conference room.  if you would like to be baptized, please plan to attend one of these classes.  Our next baptism will be held at the city pool, August 22 at 7:00 pm, with a church pool party and ice cream fellowship to follow!
• Fantasy Football Draft Party August 26 at 12:30 pm.  All fantasy footballers are invited to join us after the morning service for a pizza/draft party as we assemble our teams for the 2012-2013 season. 
• Worship Arts Team Auditions will be held Saturday, September 8!  If you are interested in getting involved in the vocal, instrument, media, sound, or art teams, please let Pastor Mindy know at mindy@efcsweetwater.com!

You Heard it at EFC

1. “Father of Lights” by Jesus Culture
2. “Angels” by Brian Johnson
3. “Amazing Love” by the Newsboys
4. “Today and Tomorrow” by Mindy von Atzigen

 Sunday Preview

You are invited to join us this Sunday morning at 9:00 am or 11:00 am as we refocus our hearts toward the coming school year and the exciting endeavors God has placed before us and begin our “Growing Together” sermon series.

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SOAKING

The ladies of EFC will be meeting this Wednesday evening at 7 pm in the church sanctuary for a “Soaking Night of Worship.”  This is going to be a tremendous evening of refreshing in the Lord’s presence, and I encourage all of our women, even our youth girls (grades 6-12), to come be a part!  Childcare will be provided.

Here is a description of what “soaking” is all about and how important it is, straight from our worship pastor:

It happens so easily. Getting caught up in the details of life. Forgetting the One who gives me life. Running about taking care of things. Neglecting to take care of my own heart. Making sure all the relationships in my life are well-watered. Letting the most important relationship grow dry. And the only solution is to stop. Stop the running. Slow the movement. Be still. And breathe Him in.

To read the rest of Pastor Mindy’s thoughts on soaking worship, log on to her latest blog article at www.treasuretheordinary.blogspot.com

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

• National Day of Prayer this Thursday, May 3.  Come to the Sweetwater Prayer Center anytime that day from 7 am – 7 pm, and pray through 7 prayer stations, each with inspiring art from artists / photographers in our church!
• Membership Class this Sunday, May 6, from 4-6 pm, at the church.  Childcare is provided.
• Baptism Service this Sunday, May 6, at 6:30 pm.  If you are interested in being baptized, please attend the baptism class this Sunday, at 10:30 am, in the church offices. 
• Mother’s Day Out now enrolling for the 2012-13 school year!  For more information, or to register your child, click here.

Link

For more information about the National Day of Prayer, log on to their website at www.nationaldayofprayer.org.

You Heard it at EFC

1. “Our God” by Chris Tomlin
2. “One Thing Remains” by Bethel Live
3. “Freedom Reigns” by Jason Upton
4. “Let It Rain” by Michael W. Smith

Sunday Preview

Next Sunday, May 6, Pastor Eric will continue the “Unstuck” sermon series.  Come and bring a friend with you to either the 9:00 AM or 11:00 AM service.  Both services offer the same dynamic worship and vibrant ministry to children.

 

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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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WORSHIP IN THE PARK!

Emmanuel Fellowship Church is excited to host our Sunday morning worship service at Newman Park this Sunday, July 3!  Worship will begin at 11:00 AM at the Little League ball field.  We will follow the service with some fun family games and a picnic at the pavilion at noon.

I hope your family will make plans to join us for this special celebration.  The church will provide the main course and drinks for the picnic, so bring a side dish and come ready to have a blast!

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CELEBRATE THE RESURRECTION!

My heart leaps with excitement as we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior!  This is the day that changed the course of human history forever.  I invite you to celebrate with us this Sunday as we come together as a church family and worship our risen King!

Easter Sunday Worship Times:

• 6:30 a.m. – Community Sunrise Easter Service at the Mustang Bowl
• 9:00 a.m. – Worship Service at Emmanuel Fellowship Church
• 11:00 a.m. – Worship Service at Emmanuel Fellowship Church

That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  — Romans 10:9

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S-T-R-E-T-T-C-C-H-H-H

In the midst of all of the loud music, bright lights, and excitement of yesterday’s worship service and evening concert with The City Harmonic, one testimony brought the entire day’s activities into perspective. 

A young man caught me after the concert and said, “Pastor Eric, this was a breakthrough day for me.”  He then went on to describe the freedom he experienced to lift his hands and celebrate as a worshipper.

“This was a breakthrough day for me.”  Amen. Amen. Amen!

Those are the words a minister lives to hear.  All of the planning, all of the prayer, all of the work is focused toward this one beautiful goal — spiritual breakthrough and growth in the lives of the ones we love.

I believe this young man’s personal observations were an accurate assessment of what we experienced as a church body yesterday.  It was a day of breakthrough as we were stretched in many areas.  From attendance, to sound quality, to lighting effects (I didn’t know our lights could do the things they did!), to the teamwork it took to make it all come together, we were stretched to reach out to new levels of breakthrough. 

As pastor of Emmanuel Fellowship Church, I am blessed and overjoyed by where God has brought us as a congregation, and days like yesterday invite me to dream of where God is taking us as we continue to follow Him in this grand adventure.

As I laid my happy/sleepy head down on my pillow last night, I found myself in agreement with the words of my friend, “This was a breakthrough day for me.”

I pray it was for you as well.

Podcast

“Jesus is Better” part two of the Amazing Love sermon series is now available online.

Links

City Harmonic fans, Peter Lopez is giving away 3 autographed CDs of the EP “Introducing” by The City Harmonic.  Head over to Beauty of the Bible for details.

On the Radar

Supernatural Evangelism class resumes Sunday, April 17, at 6 pm, with a Treasure Hunt.  Yes, you’ll be asked to get out of your comfort zone, but YES, it will be worth it!

Spiritual Freedom Retreat coming April 15-16.  If you have registered to attend, please be at the church Friday evening at 6 pm.

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.

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

Yesterday’s worship service, courtesy of The City Harmonic was a beautiful time of celebration.  Follow the link to keep up with the message, ministry, and music of The City Harmonic.

Sunday Preview

Next Sunday, April 17, is Palm Sunday.  Our children will make a special presentation in the 11:00 am service and we will continue our new sermon series leading up to Easter entitled “Amazing Love.”  Keep reading in the book of Hebrews to prepare your heart for worship each week.

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MEDITATIONS ON HOPE

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.  Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. – Romans 4:16-5:5 (NIV)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13 (NIV)

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. – Colossians 1:27 (NIV)

We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.  We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 (NIV)

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure… – Hebrews 6:19 (NIV)

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Trouble a door of hope. – Hosea 2:15 (NIV)

Podcast

“Hope in the Distance” is now available online.

Links

Are you planning on coming to the Supernatural Evangelism class?  Check out this video to find out why we need to take Jesus OUT INTO the world instead of waiting for the lost to come to us and then find out all the class details in the section below.

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=7P6YGGNX

On the Radar

The City Harmonic live in concert at Emmanuel Fellowship Sunday, April 10, 2011.  Make plans to join us for this amazing day as The City Harmonic leads worship in both of morning services and performs a full concert at 7:00 that evening.  Tickets for the evening show are $5.00 and seating is limited.  Click here to purchase tickets online.

Supernatural Evangelism class this Sunday, April 3, at 6 pm, and again on Sunday, April 17, at 6 pm.  Yes, you’ll be asked to get out of your comfort zone, but YES, it will be worth it!

Spiritual Freedom Retreat coming April 15-16.  If you have not attended one of these before, please pray and ask God if now is the time for you to go!  For more information, check out the church website at www.efcsweetwater.com.

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.

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. “Rain Down” Jesus Culture version
2. “Your Love Never Fails” Jesus Culture version
3. “Healer” Kari Jobe version
4. “How He Loves” by John Mark McMillon

Sunday Preview

Next Sunday, April 3, we will begin our new sermon series leading up to Easter entitled “Amazing Love.”  To prepare for this new study, you can begin reading in the book of Hebrews this week!

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HOME AGAIN

It is always fun to leave for vacation, but I love the joy of coming back home. 

We had a wonderful adventure exploring the Texas coast.  Some of the trip highlights for me were attending Summit Church in Corpus Christi and the dolphin tour we booked through The Dolphin Connection.

Mindy and I and the children were able to relax, play, and enjoy one another.  It was the deep breath before jumping back into the start of a new school year.

As the start of school approaches and church life begins to pick up in pace, I want to take a second to remind you of some important events that are quickly approaching.

• August 5-7 – Youth trip to Rock the Desert
• August 8-11 – Children’s School of Worship
• August 18 – Lifegroups resume
• August 18 – Youth promotion Wednesday (Welcome 6^th graders to the Youth Group!)
• August 22 – Grand Opening of Children’s Ministry Entrance!
• August 15 and August 22 – Discipleship Training: The Fundamentals of Preaching
• August 23 – School Starts (Sweetwater)

Podcast

Click here to listen to Loran Rule’s message “Victory in the Valley of Elah.”

Parents

Check out these resources to connect with our ministry to children and youth.

• Worldchangers – Discussion starters from Sunday’s Kid’s Church lesson.
• RAMP – 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. “Blessed Be Your Name” by Matt Redman
3. “Savior King” by Hillsong
4. “How He Loves” by John Mark McMillan

Sunday Preview

Next Sunday, August 1, we dive into a new sermon series “Experiencing the Spirit.”  Through this series we will explore the power and purpose of the Holy Spirit in our life and how we can walk in daily relationship with Him.

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When the Shepherd’s Away, the Sheep Will Play

While Pastor Eric is away, he graciously asked me to write the Monday Morning Review (a decision he may ultimately regret). But, for now, let’s have some fun.

I hope you enjoy the “When the Shepherd’s Away, the Sheep Will Play” edition of the Monday Morning Review – and on a Monday morning of all things, go figure.

A Word of Thanks

First of all, a quick but profound word of thanks to Drew and Dawn Brown of Prepare International for the encouraging worship and words.

Remember, as Drew so succinctly put it, “the pain of staying the same is worse than the pain of changing.”

Also, be sure to pray for Prepare International’s new “Antioch Project,” which is the raising of mother churches in Europe to raise leaders who will go out and plant other churches, modeled after the 1st Century church at Antioch.

Missions Sunday

This Sunday was Missions Sunday, the third Sunday of every month at Emmanuel Fellowship Church. If you missed, forgot, or if you just feel like being a bigger blessing to someone in need, here are the missions organizations EFC currently supports:

Prepare International – appropriately enough. I hope Drew was able to give everyone a clearer picture of what Prepare International is doing in the world. If you want to be a part, please consider helping out in any way you can.

Tents of Mercy – If you want to participate in what God is doing among believers in Israel, EFC is currently supporting the Katzir Asher (Harvest of Asher) congregation in Akko. Tents of Mercy is a Messianic Jewish organization spreading the gospel in Israel.

World Bible Translation Center – Help translate the Bible into new languages for distribution throughout the world. You can also check out the WBTC weekly blog if you’re into that sort of thing.

Sweet Water for India – Help EFC to provide clean drinking water to people in India. You can provide financial support through EFC.

Sweetwater Prayer Center – Another of our very own community and world outreaches. It’s a great cause with a great vision behind it, but it takes money to keep it up, and it’s a worthwhile mission if ever there was one.

You Heard it at EFC

• Blessed Be Your Name – Matt Redman
• Mighty to Save – Hillsong
• Lord of Lords – Hillsong

• Revelation Song – Kari Jobe

On the Radar

Kids’ School of Worship – A completely new take on VBS. You can learn more or register your children on the EFC website. If you are interested in helping with the Kids’ School of Worship, you can email Pastor Lolo.

Youth – The youth is still meeting on Wednesday evenings at Pastor Eric’s house at 7:00 p.m. There is also a new youth website – EFCYouth.com, be sure to check that out. The EFC youth will be going to Six Flags on August 6, 2009, and if you want to know how you can get a free ticket, you can find it on the EFC youth website.

Night of Worship (NOW) – This month’s NOW will converge with the Kids’ School of Worship for one big church-wide Night of Worship on July 31 at 7:00 p.m. The last two Nights of Worship have been amazing, and incorporating the children’s worship will only make it better. Mark your calendars.

EFC Facebook Group – If you are a facebooker and want to keep up with the goings on of EFC via facebook, please join our EFC Facebook Group. You can upload photos, videos, or just chat with other EFC facebookers.

Links

As if there aren’t enough links already, FYI:

Fresh Focus – For the new faces at EFC, I wanted to let you know that EFC’s very own Writers’ Circle has published a 30 day devotional entitled Fresh Focus. If you need a word of encouragement, a reminder of how good God is, or just a little light vacation reading, you can purchase a hard copy at EFC for $2.00 or read online for free at freshfocus.wordpress.com.

EFC Podcasts – Missed any of the EFC sermons lately? You can listen and download at efcsweetwater.com.

Beauty of the Bible – In the shameless self-promotion department, I invite you to have a peek at my very own Bible blog. Have a look around and learn a little about ancient Hebrew, read a few book reviews, or have fun taking quizzes like How Calvinist Are You? or Which Modern Evangelist/Theologian Are You?

Last Word

I hope you have enjoyed the “When the Shepherd’s Away, the Sheep Will Play” edition of the Monday Morning Review. I think I have the floor for one more week, so if you have any news or info that you want featured in next week’s Monday Morning Review, please email me or leave me a comment below. Have a great week.

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