We invite you to join us at Avondale Baptist Church. We have Sunday school for all ages every Sunday morning at 9:45 a.m. Our Sunday worship services are at 10:50 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday evening prayer meeting is at 7 p.m. Our Wednesday evening service is an old fashioned prayer meeting where we do nothing but pray for our community, church, nation and world. Avondale Baptist Church meets at 1405 Hoyt Street.
In the absence of a pastor, Bro. Kevin Shipp is our interim pastor. Bro. Kevin preaches Bible-based sermons Sunday morning and Sunday night. Our Sunday school lessons for all ages are Bible-based teaching, praising God for who He is and what He does.
Our church is very active within our community. We participate in BSM at TSTC, nursing home ministry and a meeting place for Girl Scouts. Bro. Kevin would like to extend "thank you" to all workers who helped with painting, mowing, moving dirt, cleaning windows and weeding on Saturday, Aug. 16. What fun and fellowship we had working and planning ways to beautify our grounds. We thank God for the beautiful morning He provided. Our Sunday morning special music will be provided by Amy Teague.
We had a church council meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 19. We will be going to the Sweetwater Healthcare Center at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 26. Please join us if you would like. Girl Scouts will meet at the church on Tuesday evening, Aug. 26, at 6:30 p.m.
Looking forward to the next few months:
• School starts Aug. 25;
• Sept. 1 — Labor Day;
• On Sept. 7 we will have a "kick-off" promoting our special fund for a retaining wall and parking lot pavement. We will have a fundraiser in October.
• BSM — Sept. 15;
• Work Day — Sept. 20;
• Week of Prayer — Sept. 21-27;
• Movie, "Heaven is for Real" — Sept. 27;
• Sunday school high attendance — Sept. 28;
We will start collecting candy now for our annual "Trunk or Treat."
We have coffee and a meet and greet every Sunday morning at 9:20 a.m. Plan on joining us as we strive to present Jesus Christ as a real and living answer for our world today. For more information, call 325-235-5835. If there is no answer, please leave a message and we will get back with you as soon as possible.
Broadway Baptist Church
While living in Kansas, I became acquainted with a preacher here of old named Harvey Springer. He was known as the Cowboy Evangelist, because of his famous horsemanship. He could break, train and ride any horse.
Once during a trying time in his ministry, he looked down from the pulpit and saw his father in the audience. Harvey asked his dad to stand, and he told the church how his dad prayed for him, supported him, stood by him and encouraged him. After church, the elder Springer drove into the country to be alone with God and pray. Somewhere alongside a rural lane he collapsed. A passing motorist found him, but it was too late. Harvey later told his congregation that he was going to work harder than ever for the Lord now, for his dad was watching from the grandstands of heaven. Knowing his father had preceded him, he said, “It makes heaven more precious.”
God won’t always remove our pain. If we live life with no problems, we take our eyes off things that are eternal. Knowing our loved ones are awaiting us in heaven, keeps us focused on the future. Remembering the brevity of life keeps us working for things unseen. Our daily problems and persecutions can deepen our longing for heaven. Think about New Jerusalem today, and anticipate the glories God has prepared for you. It is like the old gospel song my dad use to sing, “Heaven is sounding sweeter all the time.”
Our children’s Bible club — “Wiseguys” starts Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. We will meet in the ed. building. Wiseguys is a fun Bible Club for ages Kindergarten through fifth grade that teaches Biblical character traits that help children gain wisdom through scripture memorization and Biblically applicable stories. If you have any questions about the Bible study or would like for the church van to pick up your child, please call the church at 235-2730.
Broadway Baptist Church is having a special teacher appreciation service for the teachers of Sweetwater and Nolan County on Sept. 7 at 10:30 a.m. We want to send an invite to all teachers in this area and their families. It will be a special service where teachers will be honored and blessed. We will also pray for the teachers, their students and the school year, because we realize and understand what challenges teachers have as they minister and teach the children of this area. We also will have a Southern Gospel singing trio, called Faith’s Journey that will be with us to minister through their music during the morning service and also in a special service at 2 p.m.
Broadway Baptist Church would like to invite you to come and worship with us this Sunday at 710 E. Third Street. Our Life Groups, which are for all ages, start at 10 a.m. Our morning service starts at 10:50 a.m. and our evening service starts at 6 p.m. Our midweek service is on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. (We offer Bible Study for all ages.) Come worship with us and be blessed.
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 sermon series entitled “Sacred Moments.” We would love for you to study the Word of God with us as we talk about finding God in life’s eternal events.
We also want to extend an invitation to our weekly Lifegroup meetings, Wednesdays at 7 p.m. that kick off for the Fall Semester this week. For more information, please contact the church offices at 236-9200.
EFC’s Wednesday evening children’s ministry is also firing back up after a summer break, with children ages six months through fifth grade exploring what it takes to be a “Superkid” in the Kingdom of Heaven! They meet Wednesday evenings from 6:45-8:30 p.m. and are loving their time together in the “Faith Factory!”
The Salvage Yard youth ministry, for grades 6-12, meets Wednesday evenings at 6:45 a.m. for their worship service and for many other various events. Find out more on their facebook page at www.facebook.com/InTheYard.
We also invite you to step into The Growth Central Bookstore when you visit EFC. It’s stocked with Bibles, study aids, 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 again at 12:30-1 p.m.
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 on this Sunday, Aug. 24, 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.
The FBC Heritage Timeline is located on the first floor hall leading to the Welcome Center. You can add special moments and memories during your time here at FBC on the Timeline!
The Missions item to be collected for the month of August is canned fruit. Each month we have collected different items which are being used to restock our pantry which is to be used as a resource for needy families.
Be sure to check out the women’s ministry board for upcoming events like the Beth Moore Simulcast on Sept. 13, and the Shelia Walsh Bible study that will begin on Oct. 6.
Coming Sept. 14, is our cream filled fellowship! This will be a time for the whole church to come together for a fun night of games and fellowship. There may also be some sweet treats to chow down on! Be sure to keep looking for more details in the upcoming weeks!
Church softball is back! The season will be on Tuesday nights from Aug. 12 to Sept. 30.
For in depth information on First Baptist Church Sweetwater, find us on Facebook or at www.fbcsweetwater.org.
First Presbyterian Church
First Presbyterian Church 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.
Sunday school classes for all ages will meet Sunday, Aug. 24, at 9:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall for donuts. Adult class will meet in the fellowship hall and begin a study of Matthew. The children and youth classes will dismiss to their classes upstairs: Pre-K through first grade with teachers Stephanie Wiele and Becky Brock; second through fifth grades with teachers Doug Richards and Keith Brock; sixth through eighth grades with teachers Richard Smola and Jim Gesin; and high school with teachers Mitch Moore and Ruth Ann Campbell.
Doug Richards and Hilary Brennan will be greeters and Caroline Brennan will be the worship assistant for the worship service.
Everyone is invited to the back to school lunch right after worship on Sunday, Aug. 24. Chicken, ham and rolls will be provided. Bring your favorite side dishes.
Kary Ann’s Clan will meet Thursday, Aug. 28, at 11:30 a.m. at Amole’s.
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.
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 church for kids in preschool through third grade. The children stay through our time of praise and then go to their own worship service.
Sweetwater FUMC also has youth activities on Sundays beginning at 6 p.m. with a prayer and praise time that we call Adoratio. Every Tuesday and Wednesday FUMC hosts the Gaylord’s Pantry and a clothes closet from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Please enter through the North (Fourth Street) entrance if you would like to receive God’s blessing through either of these ministries.
News this week: Football season is almost here…and dove hunting season…and autumn will be following by the Christmas season. It seems that our lives are full of seasons. Sometimes those seasons bring joy and others are bittersweet. Come join us this Sunday as we examine the seasons of our lives and how we can live into those seasons in way that is healthy and brings purpose to our lives and glory to God. We will be having brunch during the Sunday school hour this week. Immediately following brunch the kids will be going to their new Sunday school room. Beginning Sept. 3, we will starting Bible studies for men, women and kids. Bring the whole family and enjoy of time of refreshing study of his word with other people who are seeking to find purpose in life. This fall we will be tailgating at each home football game so mark your calendars!
Activities this week:
• Sunday worship at 8:45 a.m. and 10:50 a.m.
• Sunday Adoratio at 6 p.m.
• Sunday Sheep at 6:30 p.m.
• Don’t forget studies for men, women and kids begins on Sept. 3.
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
Our Mission Statement: “To glorify Christ in all that we do by bringing People to Christ and equipping them to serve Christ.”
Sunday services:
* Fellowship at 8:30 a.m.
* Worship at 9 a.m.
* Sunday school at 10:15 a.m.
Pastor Jake Wade will bring the gospel message. Worship assistants are Lisa Peterson serving as liturgist, leading the congregational hymns is music team, Brenda Alexander, Juanita and Daniel Garcia, Melvin Walker and Pastor Jake, pianist is Bonnie Walters and greeter is Jo Whitfield.
Scheduled meetings:
* Staff parish relations committee at 2 p.m. on Aug. 24.
* Administrative council meeting at 3 p.m. on Aug. 24.
Parents, teachers, students and administrative staff are preparing for the beginning of another school year 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 achieve their highest goals. Pray that God strengthen each individual with patience, encouragement, understanding and the dedication in fulfilling their individual commitments.
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. The consecration date will be set in October.
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.
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
(The Mormons)
There will be no Sweetwater meetings on Sunday, Aug. 24, because of Stake Conference.
Elder George M. Keele, an Area Seventy of the Sixth Quorum of the Seventy, will preside at the Abilene Stake Conference to be held Aug. 23 and 24.
The Saturday evening session of Stake Conference starts at 6 p.m. in the Stake Center in Abilene to which everyone is invited. Elder Keele has issued a special invitation to all youth 12 and up, as well as to all young single adults and he said it will be worth your efforts to attend.
The Stake Conference Schedule:
Saturday, Aug. 23, at the Abilene Stake Center
* Priesthood training at 3 p.m.
* Evening session at 6 p.m. for 12 years old and older.
Sunday, Aug. 24
* First session in Abilene 9-11 a.m.
* Second session in San Angelo Southwest Chapel 2-4 p.m. (a repeat of the session in Abilene due to large attendance).