James reminds us that life is nothing more than a vapor, here one minute and gone the next. We make big plans, talk of big activities, and schedule a lot of appointments only to realize that those appointments are “tentative.” The plans we make are only temporary and for the most part uncertain. Life is very unpredictable, and little is sure. It has been said that the best laid plans of mice and men are never for certain.
There are some things we can be sure of in this life: First, we can be sure that God loves us and desires to have a relationship with us. That is why He gave His only begotten Son. Second, we can be sure that just as we are born we will die. Death is a reality and something we all will face, but it doesn’t have to be faced with fear. For those who are in Christ, death is nothing more than a stepping stone into eternal bliss. Third, we can be sure that if we ask Christ, he will save us and give us eternal life. Have you trusted Him?
In our time, some wake up wondering what they will face: health problems, financial difficulties, and/ or family disappointments. These are definitely uncertain times, but you can be sure of God’s love, mercy, and grace, just trust His unseen hand.
If you don’t have a church home, we, at Broadway Baptist Church, 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.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
First Baptist Church invites you and your family to join us on this Sunday, Sept. 8, for Bible study, beginning at 9:15 a.m. for all ages, followed by the Sunday morning service, which begins at 10:30 a.m. First Baptist Church is located at 213 East Third Street, next door to the Post Office. We warmly greet you. Your presence will enhance our worship experience and our fellowship together.
Koinonia coffee is held at The Welcome Center before Bible study each Sunday morning. Coffee is the perfect complement to meeting old friends and new. It is an invitation to sit and talk for a while, to share stories, to get to know one another better. You are invited to join friends each Sunday morning as we all share a warm cup of Koinonia Coffee.
There are many opportunities for service. If you have not received a church participation form, please pick one up in the church office. As members of the Body of Christ at First Baptist Church, we are all called to serve in one way or another. We have many areas of service available to you. Children’s Church facilitators are always welcome. Choir rehearsal continues on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Please join us!
Each month, the Missions Closet will ask for a new item of the month. The item will help keep the food pantry stocked to better serve our community. The item needed for the month of September will be canned green beans. Please put donations in the box outside the Missions Closet.
Please stop by the foyer after worship service and pick up a bookmark designated for a particular student. You can put it in your Bible and pray for that student this year.
Bible Drill begins on Sept. 8. Seventh through ninth graders need to meet at 4:30 p.m. at the back door of the church. Third through sixth graders need to meet at 6 p.m. in Room 206.
Sunday, Sept. 8, at 6 p.m., every committee will meet together to select a chairperson and go over the duties of the committee. Bring a soup, sandwich or dessert to share.
Wednesday, Sept. 11, the Baptist Foundation of Texas will share with the church at 6 p.m. Please join us to hear what they have to share with us.
To every teacher and worker we say thank you! We want to say it in a very tangible way with our Appreciation Fiesta on Sept. 15 at 6 p.m. Teachers and workers, please plan on being here as we celebrate you. We will join together on the third floor for a time of food and fellowship and to recognize our teachers and workers.
National Back to Church Sunday began as a movement to invite everyone in America back to church by empowering and motivating church members to invite their family and friends to come with them to a special service hosted by the local church. This is an open invitation to all members and visitors to join us on Sept. 15. Please plan on being here Sunday, Sept. 15 as we hope to have all of our members here.
Twenty times in the New Testament, Jesus issued a compelling and challenging invitation to follow Him. He’s not interested in mere fans or enthusiastic admirers. He wants completely committed followers. Growth Groups this fall over the book “not a fan” by Kyle Idleman will be led by our Deacons. Sign up today for this wonderful study that begins Sept. 22.
We will have a guest speaker on Sept. 22. Dr. Albert Reyes, President and CEO of Buckner International will be preaching during the worship service at 10:30 am.
For in depth information on First Baptist Church Sweetwater, find us on Facebook or at www.fbcsweetwater.org.
EMMANUEL FELLOWSHIP CHURCH
We invite you to join us this Sunday at Emmanuel Fellowship Church. Our Sunday morning services are at 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.
This week, we will continue our September sermon series, which is a deep look at our glorious King Jesus through the book of Colossians. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to grow closer to your Lord, so come join us as we study His words together.
Lifegroups have begun for the fall semester. For more information about the many Lifegroup options that are available, please log on to our church website at www.efcsweetwater.com. Our children’s and youth ministry is in full swing again for the fall as well and are meeting on Wednesday evenings at 6:45 p.m.
We also invite you to step into The Growth Central Bookstore when you visit EFC. It’s 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.
For more information about the ministry of EFC, log onto the church website at www.efcsweetwater.com.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
First Presbyterian Church of Sweetwater welcomes all to join us for worship. Our church is a warm and loving church, and we want you to feel comfortable and at liberty to call on us for anything you need pastorally. We would love to have you be our guest.
All Sunday school classes will meet at 9:30 a.m., on Sunday, Sept. 8, and will continue the study of The Story. Buck Cason and Keith Brock are greeters. Jack Aycock will be worship assistant.
Youth Nights will begin this Sunday, Sept. 8, from 6-7 p.m. Marina Wilcox will be meeting with all high school and middle school kids. Lou Ann Cumbie will meet with the first through fifth graders (IBK – In Between Kids).
All committees will meet Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 5:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Everyone is invited to join a committee. The committees are: Christian Education, Congregational Care, Mission and Outreach, Property and Worship.
The Plarning group will meet Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 1 p.m. The group is making plastic mats for the homeless. Each week some are folding bags, some are cutting bags and others are actually making balls of “plarn” (plastic yard) to be crocheted into mats.
The mission of First Presbyterian Church is to make disciples for Jesus Christ by being an oasis of God’s love. Worship services are each Sunday at 10:45 a.m. We are located at the corner of 14th Street and McCaulley, across from the high school. Find out more information about our ministry by calling 235-5491 or visit the church’s website www.fpcsweetwater.org.
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Our Church’s Mission Statement: “To glorify Christ in all that we do by bringing People to Christ and equipping them to serve Christ.”
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, “The Cost of Discipleship: The Road of Persecution.” 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 September is Mary Walker.
Evangelism committee meets Monday, Sept. 9, @ 6:30 p.m., in the friendship Sunday school classroom. Following coordinators reporting on their respective outreach ministries, decorative snack sacks will be compiled for the West Texas Children’s Advocacy Center.
Oct. 20 is the consecration date for our next community outreach ministry, 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, paper goods (toilet paper, Kleenex, paper towels, paper plates, and paper cups), laundry detergent, dishwasher liquid, bar soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, bath towels and wash cloths. Bring your selected articles to church on or before the 20th and they will be placed in the appropriate location.
“Bless This House” is calling upon prayer for all students, their families, teachers and administrative staff as they begin the new school year. Pray that each one gives his or her utmost with an energetic and optimistic attitude. May God give them patience, encouragement, understanding and determination in performing at their highest capabilities in attaining their 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
We invite you to join us Sunday at 9:30 a.m. for Sunday school, followed by our 10:40 a.m. service including children sermon, hymnals and praise songs, and Bro. Clay will bring a message from the Bible. Our evening service starts at 6 p.m.
On Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m., we offer “Soldiers for Christ” for children in first through sixth led by Donna Lanfrey; activities for preschool age led by Jessica Parks; youth activities for 7th-12th graders led by Carolyn Mullican; and Bible study and prayer for adults led by Bro. Clay.
We are excited to be celebrating our 100th year. The celebration is set for Sunday, Oct. 13. We are gathering church photos to be displayed on this special day, there is a box in the office and foyer or can be given to Linda Kite, please put name on back so they can be returned.
To learn more about Lamar Street Baptist Church, visit us at 513 Lamar, find us on Facebook or call the church at 235-1779 and leave a message and someone will return your call.
SWEETWATER AGLOW
The Aglow International Sweetwater Community Lighthouse meeting will be held on Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express, located at 300 SE Georgia Ave.
The Sweetwater Aglow team would like to invite you to a time of worship and praise led by Dallas McFaul. Song specials will be by the Aglow Youth.
The guest speakers will be the Aglow team, sharing with you a word, testimony or scripture. Anyone who would like to share a word or give a testimony is invited to do so.
Come join us as we fellowship with the Lord and each other.
Revelation 12:11 — “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.”