2012-08-24

Greetings everyone! We are looking forward to this Sunday, Aug. 26. It will be Sunday School High Attendance day. Also, it is Red Shirt Sunday. Everyone wear your red shirt! We will have donuts and coffee for breakfast. Then we will have lunch at the church following the morning worship service. Everyone bring sandwiches and all of the fixings for lunch; chips, dips, desserts, etc. We are expecting a great day with our church family. Come and join us if you can.

We have Sunday school classes for all ages and we have great teachers for all of the classes. We are located at 1405 Hoyt Street.

Our regular Sunday schedule is coffee fellowship at 9:20 a.m., Sunday school Bible study at 9:45 a.m. and worship services at 10:50 a.m. and 6 p.m. We have choir practice at 7 p.m. on Sunday. On Wednesday evening we have On-Mission Groups for all ages at 7 p.m. If you need more information, you can call the church at 325-235-5835.

BROADWAY BAPTIST CHURCH

I once read a sign in the school zone which read: “Drive carefully; there is an acute shortage of teachers!” Although this sign was meant to be funny, it sure does stress how important our teachers are in the training of our children. The Bible says in Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Of course the training of children is the responsibility of their parents, but the parents give teachers the responsibility to help them in training their child in knowledge and wisdom. We cannot underestimate the role the teacher plays.

School starts Monday, and we truly need to be praying for parents, students, teachers, administrators, interns,\ and all employees of SISD. I truly believe teachers are difference makers and we need to show them our support, love and appreciation. As this year begins make a commitment to get to know the teachers and be there for them. They face new challenges each day and with a heart of love they will lead, teach, and build the life of those in their class.

This coming Sunday night during the evening service, Eddie and Joy Kelso will be sharing their testimony and ministry through song and message. For over two years they have been involved in a ministry called: “Know The Truth Prison Ministry”. In these two years, they have seen over 400 inmates come to know Christ. We would like to invite you to come and be blessed by their ministry.

If you don’t have a church home, we would like to welcome you to come and visit us this Sunday. Our Life Groups, which is for all ages, starts at 10 a.m. Our morning service is at 10:50 a.m. and our evening service begins at 6 p.m. Come and let us be a blessing to you as we worship the Lord together.

EMMANUEL FELLOWSHIP CHURCH

The Growth Central Bookstore is open for business and quickly becoming a hub for excellent Christian resources in our community! Stocked with Bibles, study aids, devotionals, marriage and parenting resources, worship music, inspirational gifts, original art, and fiction books — there’s something for everyone! The bookstore is open between Sunday morning services, from 10:30-11 a.m. and 12:30-1 p.m. It is also open on Wednesday evenings from 6-7 p.m.

As the school year approaches, church life begins to increase its pace. Head over to the church website to make sure you are up to date on the latest events. You may also want to swing by the high school softball field on Tuesday evenings and cheer for team EFC as they participate in the Sweetwater Church League Softball games.

The Sunday morning worship times for Emmanuel Fellowship Church are 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Both morning services are filled with the same warm fellowship, dynamic worship and life-giving messages, as well as top-notch children’s ministry and nursery care for children up to fifth grade. We invite you to come and experience the life, love, and joy of Emmanuel Fellowship Church. For more information about the ministry of EFC, log onto the church website at www.efcsweetwater.com.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

First Baptist Church invites you and your family to join us this Sunday morning (Aug. 26) for a pancake/sausage breakfast that will be cooked from 9-9:30 a.m. by the FBC Sunday School Council for everyone enjoying Bible study and fellowship on this "awesome Sunday School Promotion Sunday!" It's going to be a wonderful year — call several friends and make sure they come and enhance our worship experience and our fellowship together! Bible study, beginning at 9:15 a.m., for all age groups, followed by the Sunday morning worship service, which begins at 10:30 a.m., surrounded by beautiful altar flowers in the Sanctuary, provided by Bill and Donna Haley and family in loving memory of Mary Barham. Begin your week with a message from God's Word by our Pastor, Phillip Thomas, a "Call to Worship" video, and a Children's Sermon. First Baptist Church is located at 213 East Third Street, in Sweetwater, next door to the Post Office, and all are welcome!

A Comprehensive Sunday School Technology Conference will be held on Saturday (Sept. 8), and will be facilitated by the Baptist General Convention. Anyone interested is welcome to attend. Contact Tique Hamilton in the church office at 236-6348 for more information.

Also on Sunday (Aug. 26) in The Welcome Center (2-4 p.m.) join us as we prayerfully say farewell (au revoir) to Chris and Tracy King as they respond to God's call to serve in Haiti.

Bible Drill for forth through sixth grade students will begin on Sunday (Sept. 9) at 4:30 p.m. Natile Woodrow is the facilitator for Bible Drill. Attention students! If you are a middle school or high school student, please contact tique@fbcsweetwater.org if you are even remotely interested in Bible Drill or the "Speakers Tournament." Mark your calendar for the return of "Family Movie Night" on Sept. 22, at 6 p.m., hosted by the Children's Department. The movie being shown is "The Rookie."

Co-Ed Church Softball 2012 Sweetwater League has begun at the field across from Mustang Bowl. Bring your family and come support our team!

• Aug. 21, at 8 p.m. (Trinity Baptist Church vs. First Baptist Church).

• Aug. 28, at 8 p.m. (Emmanuel Fellowship vs. First Baptist Church).

• Sept. 4, at 7 p.m. (First Baptist Church vs. Cathaletes).

• Sept. 11, at 8 p.m. (Church of God vs. First Baptist Church).

• Sept. 18, at 7 p.m. (First Baptist Church vs. Fourth and Elm Church of Christ).

• Sept. 25, at 7 p.m. (First Baptist Church vs. Lamar Street Baptist Church).

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Sweetwater First United Methodist Church wants to invite you to join us on Sunday mornings to worship and praise our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The United Methodist Church is open to all persons and is a place where all are welcome and encouraged to “come as you are” with the expectation that by the grace of God you will leave different. The change that a relationship with Christ brings about is a life-changing encounter and we believe that while God accepts us as we are He loves us enough not to leave us in our sins. We believe that Scripture informs all aspects of our lives and should be our rule and authority.

The first service begins at 8:45 a.m. and is built around a traditional model with great hymns of the church. This service uses a more liturgical framework and often employs a wonderful choir.

Immediately following the first service we have Sunday school classes for all ages and stages of life. We invite you to try one of our many opportunities to come together and seek God in small groups that emphasize God’s Word and proclaim His glory.

At 10:50 a.m. we have a second worship service that has a decidedly contemporary flavor and incorporates more of progressive style and pace. This second service also has a children’s time and “Children’s Church” for kids in preschool through second grade.

Sweetwater FUMC also has youth activities on Sunday nights beginning at 6 p.m. Every Tuesday and Wednesday FUMC hosts the Gaylord’s Pantry and a clothes closet. Both of those ministries operate from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Please enter through the North (4th street) entrance if you would like to receive God’s blessing through either of these ministries.

News this week: On Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. all men are invited to a hamburger cook out here at the church. We want to hear your ideas about revitalizing our men’s ministry at FUMC. Come join us for food and fellowship.

This Sunday Pastor Brian will be continuing a series on the privileges we enjoy as members of the church. This week we’ll look at the Privilege of Serving by examining the book of James to get a glimpse of what Christian service looks like.

This Sunday is also Promotion Sunday and all our children and youth will move up to the next class. In the 11:50 a.m. service we will also be recognizing our CDO teachers and praying over students and teachers as new school year begins. Come celebrate with us!

Activities this week:

• Saturday at 6:30 p.m. — Men’s fellowship (Fellowship Hall).

• Sunday at 6 p.m. — Youth fellowship.

Fun activities are offered at different times during the month for fourth through sixth graders (Club 456) and first through third graders (UMKids).

If you have any questions, call Linda at our church office (325-236-6617) or email churchoffice@fumcsweetwater.org. If you need prayer or have the need to contact our pastor, you can call the same number or email him at pastor@fumcsweetwater.org.

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

You are welcome to join us for Sunday school at 9:30 a.m. and worship service at 10:45 a.m., with Pastor Claude bringing the message entitled, “Spirit and Life: The Spirit Gives Life The Flesh Is Useless.” Worship assistants are Lisa Peterson serving as worship leader, Brenda Alexander leads the congregational hymns and plays the keyboard, pianist is Eugenia Hill and our greeter for the month of August is Deena Kirkpatrick. This is “noisy money” Sunday. Remember to bring your coins and/or folding money for the outreach ministry, “No More Malaria.” The ministry has a goal of eradicating malaria in Africa within a five year period, in addition to furnishing bed nets for families, supporting new medical research and assisting hospitals in their ability to provide quality care for malaria patients.

Our school supplies for needy second and third graders at East Ridge Elementary were consecrated last Sunday and delivered to the campus on Monday. We extend our heartfelt thanks to each and everyone who participated.

The outreach ministry that is being emphasized for the next several weeks is “Gateway Family Services.” The center offers its services and ministers to individuals involved in family violence and sexual assault in Scurry, Nolan, Mitchell, Fisher and Kent Counties. We are collecting good used and new suitcases and paper goods, such as toilet paper, Kleenex, paper towels, paper plates and paper cups. Additional items that are needed are towels, wash cloths, laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid, bar soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes. Sunday, Oct. 14, is the consecration date of items collected.

Through the “Homebound Ministry”, on Sunday, Oct. 28, decorative fall snack sacks will be available for congregational members to delivery to our homebound.

Parents, teachers, students and administrative staff are preparing for the beginning of school next week. “Bless This House” is calling upon prayers for all persons involved to give of their utmost with an energetic and optimistic attitude in striving to be the best they can be. Pray that God strengthens each individual with patience, encouragement, understanding and determination to achieve their highest goals.

You are always invited to join us at 1801 Lamar Street, sharing in our vision of making Disciples of Jesus Christ, growing spiritually, fulfilling our God-given gifts, witnessing to others, and ministering to ones in need.

LAMAR STREET BAPTIST CHURCH

Next week, school starts. Please be in prayer for the students, teachers and staff as they embark on another year of school.

Join us! Sunday school begins at 9:30 a.m. for every age group, followed by our 10:40 a.m. service featuring hymns, praise songs, a Children's Sermon and message from the Bible. Come again at 6 p.m. for our Sunday night service.

On Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. we offer Mission Friends, GA's — Girls in Action, and RA's — Royal Ambassadors, youth activities for 7th-12th graders, and Bible study and prayer for adults. For anyone wanting to join the choir on Sunday mornings; choir practice following the service.

Some area churches have put teams together to play co-ed softball. Games are played at the Jerry Collins Softball Fields at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Our Sunday school department will promote students that will be entering first , third, fifth and seventh grades on Sunday, Aug. 26, at the end of class.

September is the month most churches celebrate Texas missions by praying for and giving to state missions. With 12 million unchurched in Texas, our task is formidable. One way to reach out to the lost peoples of Texas and beyond is through the Week of Prayer for Texas Missions and the Mary Hill Davis Offering. The theme this year is “Many Faces. One Hope.” Mary Hill Davis Week of Prayer is Sept. 9-16.

To learn more about Lamar Street Baptist Church, visit us at 513 Lamar, find us on Facebook or call the church at 235-1779.

TRINITY BAPTIST CHURCH

The Trinity Family is blessed to be a part of bringing God’s Word to the Sweetwater area. Our Family Life Center is finally nearing completion and will allow us to be a bigger part of the community. One thing we’ve learned during the building process is that it has taken all of us together to make it happen. In that regard, our church will offer the Rick Warren study, Better Together, beginning on Sept. 9, at 6 p.m. in our new Family Life Center. Better Together is a dynamic small group study that will help us learn how to fulfill God's five purposes for our lives. It includes the biblical support behind each purpose, the ways it applies to us and our circle of influence, and how we can use this knowledge to benefit God's kingdom. From the beginning, God planned for Christians to fulfill His purposes in community with each other in our church families, small groups, and in the world as a whole. Why did God plan it this way? Because we're better together! Childcare is provided during the study. Call the church office at 235-2991 to enroll, or you can go to Sign-Up Central here at the church. For an excerpt from Rick Warren about this study, you can view the following video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLBEuL3MWug.

We want you to have a close relationship with God and your fellow believers, to have that renewal that comes with weekly interaction with other Christians. Our casual, friendly, loving atmosphere is a wonderful place to study His Word together. Our 10:45 a.m. service is a mix of traditional and contemporary, with something for everyone!

Our sanctuary is located at the corner of Hailey and Santa Fe Streets here in Sweetwater. First-time visitors are invited to enter our building through the front (Santa Fe Street side) or from the west parking lot (beside the air conditioner tower). Our regularly scheduled weekly activities are as follows:

Sundays

• 9:30 a.m. — Sunday school (it’s for everyone — all ages!).

• 10:45 a.m. — Morning worship.

• 6 p.m. — Bible studies (adults and youth), Children’s Choirs.

Wednesdays

• 6:30 p.m. — Prayer time/Bible study for adults, youth Bible study (7th-12th grades), TeamKID for Children (Preschool through sixth grades).

Our church requests your prayer support as we seek a new full-time youth minister. Resumes for that position can be sent to search@trinitysweetwater.com.

Lots of activities are going on here at Trinity. Find a place for you and your family and get plugged in!

TeamKID is held each Wednesday evening from 6:30-7:30 p.m. For ages 3-12, TeamKID is a fast-paced Bible-based learning time. Here, the children not only learn Bible verses, but how to apply them to their lives. Activities and snacks are also provided.

Our Sanctuary Choir meets each Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. They have just begun to prepare for our upcoming Christmas Cantata, All is Well, by Michael Barrett and David Angerman. Bro. Chris Hollingsworth, our Music Minister, is excited about the new choral season. He encourages you to come join us, whether you have a trained voice or can only “make a joyful noise”. All are welcome.

Children’s M

Children’s M

Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 12, is our ladies’ Bible study, James: Mercy Triumphs, by Beth Moore. Ladies of all ages enjoy these studies which are held on Wednesdays at noon, with a second session available at 6 p.m. You may choose whichever time best fits your schedule. This study is available to the community — find a friend or co-worker to come with you! What better way to spend your lunch break than fellowshipping with other ladies. You are welcomed to bring a sack lunch if you want, and feel comfortable leaving whenever you need to get back to work. Call the church office to register. Study books are available for $15 each. More information about James: Mercy Triumphs can be found by following this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GmoKDFIt6A.

If you have questions about Trinity, or if you would like accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, please call us at 235-2991 or drop by our offices located at 1503 Crescent Drive. Our office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can also find us on the web at www.trinitysweetwater.com. God bless you!

WORD OF GOD CHURCH

Why with so much prayer going up to God from Christians in the churches for rain to come and to fix the drought is there not enough rain coming?

I know as a pastor I have not asked the people in the ministry to pray for the drought to end but this should not stop the rain.

Just as the Lord told me when I came to Sweetwater seven years ago, He had a vision for this place and that He would bring the rain to kill off the drought and fill Lake Sweetwater up, also bring spiritual rain to stir up the hearts, and also blessings economically.

A year ago, He inspired in me that He was going to bring drought to this land, land wise, spiritual wise and economical wise. He inspired in me not to pray for it to change because He had a purpose for what is going on and that my prayers would be in vain. Are these things happening, only God will be a witness to that.

I am not against praying to God for anything, but I must be inclined to listen to the Lord that leads me. Right or wrong I must stand, He has been faithful to this point to do all that He has established in me. So I will continue to follow His voice.

Is God looking for an awakening in His body in Sweetwater? Is He wanting us to wake up and see something that is being missed?

In the scriptures many times He has sent those to awaken cities and towns by the voice of His people, many times they refused and sometimes they listened. Does God want Sweetwater to be a city on a hill that cannot be hid or a light to the world?

There is a way for the direction of these things to change, but first we must be humble.

Services:

• Sunday morning — 10:30 a.m.

• Sunday night — Adult discipleship at 6:30 p.m., youth hangout for children ages 11-17 years old and Children’s Rock night for children ages 5-10 years old.

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