For years we have heard preachers say, "Your life is the only Bible some people will ever read.” That is such a true statement even today. You are either a helper or a hindrance, when it comes to reaching the world for Christ. Why? Because, like Big Brother, the world is watching your “Sunday-go-to-church” behavior and wondering how it compares to your behavior the rest of the week. I remember a song that asked the question, “Can they see Jesus in you?” In Matthew 5:16 we are reminded that we are to let our light so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven. Does your Sunday behavior match your Monday through Saturday behavior? When what you do from day to day matches what you say that you believe about the Lord Jesus Christ, then the people that you are around see that you really know God. Jesus said in John 13:35, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
Our church is offering an alternative to taking your kids out Trick or Treating. This alternative is Treatsville. Treatsville will be held Thursday evening on Oct. 31, from 6-8 p.m. in the gym and the gym parking lot. Here are some of the events you and your child can enjoy: face painting, trunk or treat, dessert walk and multiple games.
If you don’t have a church home, we would love to have you worship with us at Broadway Baptist Church where God is changing homes one heart at a time. 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
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 be celebrating our church’s 15th Anniversary with special guest Pastor Scott Beard of FountainGate Fellowship of Abilene. We will also have a time of looking forward as we honor those who helped establish the foundation of Emmanuel Fellowship. Join us for a wonderful service and a sweet surprise!
Lifegroups are available throughout the week for small group Bible study, worship and prayer. For more information about the many Lifegroup options that are available, please log on to our church website at www.efcsweetwater.com.
EFC’s Wednesday evening children’s ministry is in full-swing, with children ages six months through fifth grade exploring what living life with Jesus really looks like! They meet Wednesdays from 6:45-8:30 p.m. and are loving their time together in the “Faith Factory!” This coming Wednesday, Oct. 30, our whole church will be coming together to host our annual “Light the Night” event! Join us from 6-8 p.m. as we enjoy games, prizes, candy, concessions, jumpy castles and a good ol’ fashioned pie eating contest! Friendly costumes are welcome.
The Salvage Yard youth ministry, for grades 6-12, meets Wednesdays at 6:45 p.m. for their worship service and again on Sundays at 6 p.m. for small group discipleship. This Saturday evening is Kids’ Night Out! The youth ministry will be hosting a fun evening for kids, ages four years through fifth grade. Cost is $15 per child and includes dinner, fun activities and a family friendly movie. Call the church offices at 236-9200 to register.
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 BAPTIST CHURCH
First Baptist Church invites you and your family to join us on this Sunday, Oct. 27, 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 October will be boxed stuffing. Please put donations in the box outside the Missions Closet.
KidX continues on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. to engage children in the Kingdom of God. It is not too late to be a part of this vital ministry. Call the church office to volunteer!
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 continue over the book “not a fan” by Kyle Idleman, led by our Deacons. There is still time for you to join a group!
There will be a Youth Trip to Six Flags on Oct. 26. Tickets are $35 each. Call the church office to reserve your tickets. On Oct. 27, immediately following the morning service, the second and third graders will leave for the Abilene Zoo. Each person will need a sack lunch and $5. We will return by 5 p.m.
Fall Festival will be on Oct. 30. Please call the church office to volunteer your help. Candy donations are also needed. Place your donations in the box by the church office or in the Sanctuary foyer.
Operation Christmas Child boxes are in! After worship, pick one up, fill it with toys, clothes and candy as explained in the directions and return it by Nov. 17. Samaritan’s Purse will put the Gospel in the box and carry it overseas to give a child a Christmas gift! Our church goal is 100 boxes!
This year, we are asking Sunday school classes to fill 20 “baskets” to be given to families as a gift for Thanksgiving. We will have a list of items to include, but you can include much more! Talk with your Sunday school class and figure how many baskets your class can fill, then let a Missions Committee member or staff member know.
The quarterly church conference will be Nov. 13. We will meet to look at the budget for 2013, Committee on Committees member nominations and a recommendation for Deacon Emeritus. All agenda items must be into the office by Oct. 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 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, Oct. 27, and will continue the study of The Story. There are Sunday school classes for all ages
This Sunday we will be using a contemporary service to praise God. Philip Brock, Stephanie Wiele, Alex Wiele and Alan Carmichael will be leading worship. Greeters are Richard Gesin and Keith Brock.
During the worship service, the Reverse and Noisy offerings will be collected. The Reverse Offering goes to support the Nolan County Food Pantry and the Noisy Offering goes to support the missions of the Ministerial Alliance.
All youth and their families will meet Sunday night, Oct. 27, at 5:30 p.m. at the Whitteker’s house for a Halloween cookout (hotdogs and smores), Jack-o-lantern judging, and Halloween fun! Bring your jack-o-lantern!
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: Pastor Brian will be continuing a series on what it means to live your life in “High Definition.” This week we will dig into the second chapter of Philippians and explore what living a Humble Life looks like. We hope you’ll come join us at 5:30 p.m. for Trunk or Treat on Thursday, Oct. 31.
Activities this week:
Sunday worship at 8:45 a.m. and 10:50 a.m.
Sunday at 5 p.m. Prayer 101 (for third through eighth graders).
Sunday at 6:30 p.m. — “Secrets of the Secret Place.”
Wednesday at 10 a.m. — Morning Bible study.
Thursday at 5:30 p.m. — Trunk or Treat (west parking lot).
Saturday, Nov. 2, at 8 am — Men’s ministry breakfast (TA truck stop).
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 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, “Oh Lord have Mercy on Me a Sinner.” Worship assistants are Betty Merrell 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 October is Lela Hatter. This is “noisy money” Sunday. Remember to bring your coins and/or folding money for the outreach ministry, “No More Malaria.” In addition to the goal of eradicating malaria in Africa, the ministry furnished bed nets for families, supports new medical research and assists hospitals in their ability to provide quality care for malaria patients.
Highland Heights thanks the community for supporting our fall rummage and bake sale last weekend. Your purchases of merchandise and baked goods are greatly appreciated.
Wednesday, Oct. 30, our “Church Charge Conference” will be held in the church fellowship hall.
Evangelism committee meets at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 11, in the Friendship Sunday School Classroom. Following coordinators reporting upon their respective outreach ministries, decorative snack bags will be compiled for West Texas Children’s Advocacy Center.
Bless This House is calling upon prayer for all persons who are ministered to through Gateway Family Services. Pray our contribution that was consecrated on the 20th of October will be helpful to ones who have suffered through physical and verbal abuse, sexual assault and other forms of violence. Pray for the Lord’s guidance as personnel provide the care of service to the victims in their process of healing and recovering from traumatic experiences.
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 children activities for first through sixth graders; activities for preschool age; youth activities for 7th-12th graders; and Bible study and prayer for adults led by Bro. Clay. We have started practicing for our Christmas special, come join us for choir after the service on Wednesdays.
We will be hosting a Truck or Treat in the church parking lot on Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6-8 p.m. Bring the kids, meet our church family and enjoy some treats.
To learn more about Lamar Street Baptist Church, visit us at 513 Lamar, find us on Facebook, check us out at www.lamarstreetbaptist.com, or call the church at 235-1779 and leave a message and someone will return your call.
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
Inspirational Message
• “Because of Jesus Christ the world has changed, the divine Atonement has been made, the price of sin has been paid, and the fearful spectacle of death yields to the light of truth and the assurance of resurrection. Though the years roll by, His birth, His ministry, His legacy continue to guide the destiny of all who follow Him as He so invitingly urged.”—Thomas S. Monson,
• “God’s light is real. It is available to all! It gives life to all things. It has the power to soften the sting of the deepest wound. It can be a healing balm for the loneliness and sickness of our souls.”—Dieter F. Uchtdorf
• “Without the Atonement of Jesus Christ, life would be a dead-end road without hope or future. With the Atonement, life is an ennobling, inspiring journey of growth and development that leads to eternal life in the presence of our Heavenly Father.” —Dieter F. Uchtdorf,
• We cannot always see the end from the beginning. We trust in the Lord and wait upon Him, knowing that in His own time and His own way, He will bring about His miracles.” —Neil L. Andersen
• “Good leaders, like good parents, take action because of love. When they act in love, the Spirit will guide them and help them understand that each person requires unique care to help them gain the joy of life lived in the Lord’s way.” —Russell M. Nelson,
Calendar:
Oct. 27 — Sunday church services at 9 a.m. Visitors welcome; Genealogy class at 1 p.m.
Oct. 28 — Family home evening.
Oct. 29 — Institute class at 6:30 p.m., studying the New Testament.
Oct. 30 — Halloween party at 6:30 p.m.