In our February meeting we will be discussing Graham Cookes' Establishing a Kingdom Culture. In this session we will discuss Identity - the key to transformation. Pleas join us at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 11, at the Holiday Inn Express for a time of praise and worship as we fellowship in the Lord.
Broadway Baptist Church
We have all seen the cartoon of a man walking down the street and slipping on a banana peel. It is really funny, unless you are the man. I heard someone say the other day that if you follow Christ there won’t be any banana peels to slip on. Uh – wrong! Even Christ said, “...in this world you shall have tribulation . . .” Following Christ doesn’t reduce, eliminate or remove life’s uncertainties or problems, but it does give God an opportunity to “show-off” for His children. Have you ever thought of this: “Without problems there could be no miracles?” Sometimes the unexpected problem becomes a miracle moment for God. Of course we want everything to go as planned, no glitches, no banana peels, no passing out at the altar, but life isn’t like that and to be honest, if it were it sure would be boring. So the next time you have a problem, don’t tell God how big your problem is. Tell your problem how big your God is. Have faith, follow Christ, and let Him handle your problems, after all He is a miracle performing God!
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.
Broadway Baptist Church is pleased to offer a preventive health event. Life Line Screening, a leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings, will host their affordable, non-invasive and painless health screenings on Feb. 26/2014. For more information on this see the Community calendar in the Sweetwater Reporter and/or call 1-888-653-6441 or visit www.lifelinescreening.com/community-partners.
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 launching our February sermon series, “Family Matters.” Come join us, and let’s look at what matters to family!
We also want to extend an invitation to our weekly Lifegroup meetings, Wednesdays at 7 p.m. For more information, please contact the church offices at 236-9200. Or, you may be interested in a class that is currently running on Wednesday evenings — “Starting Point” is a six week course that focuses on what it means to be a disciple of Christ. It’s a great place to start in walking with Jesus, and it meets in the church Sanctuary at 7 p.m.
EFC’s Wednesday evening children’s ministry is in full swing for the Spring semester, with children ages six months through fifth grade exploring what kind of love we should have in our hearts as followers of Jesus! 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 Wednesdays at 6:45 p.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, Feb. 9, 2014 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 February is canned meat. 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.
Worship choir rehearsals are Wednesdays at 7 p.m. All are invited to join us as the Easter Presentation is prepared. Help will be needed with drama, sets, costumes, sound and lighting. You will certainly be able to find a ministry that you can perform. Ash Wednesday service will be March 5. The Easter presentation will be April 12 and 13. Good Friday service will be April 18.
KidX continues on Wednesday nights at 6 p.m. This is a very special time for children in Kindergarten through sixth grade to begin understanding and developing a relationship with Jesus Christ. Please consider helping with this very rewarding and fulfilling ministry.
Our quarterly Business Conference will be Feb. 12, at 6 p.m. on the third floor. The agenda will include the financial report, committee reports and a report from our Transition Team.
Growth groups will begin on Feb. 16. We will meet on the third floor at 6 p.m. for the introduction. Sign-ups are still available in the sanctuary foyer or at the church office. We will be doing a Max Lucado study covering the book of Acts. Please join us for a time of Biblical teaching and Christian fellowship.
Children and Youth Sunday School teachers will meet Sunday, Feb. 16, after worship on the third floor for a leadership meeting. Sunday school council will meet Monday, Feb. 17, at 6 p.m. in Room 101.
Sunday March 2, will be “Shoeless Sunday.” Our goal this year is to collect 150 pairs of shoes for the Buckner Shoe drive.
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, Feb. 9, and will continue the study of The Story. Little Ones and IBKs will be meeting at 10:10 a.m. for choir practice. They will be singing during worship. Alan Carmichael will be worship assistant. Linda Rasco and Mike Briggs will be greeters.
Little Ones will meet with Lou Ann Cumbie and MS and HS will meet with Marina Wilcox Sunday Feb. 9, from 5-6 p.m.
All committees will meet Wednesday, Feb. 12, 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 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: This Sunday pastor Brian will be preaching from John 15 asking how does the service we offer in faith bring joy to God? Also, we are kicking off a new young adult class! Ami Houston will be leading a class of 20s and 30s so come and join them for fellowship and feasting on God’s word. Sunday night will also be the first OT survey class led by Pastor Brian. It’s not too late to join.
Activities this week:
• Sunday worship at 8:45 a.m. and 10:50 a.m.
• Sunday at 6 p.m. — Adoratio and SHEEP.
• Sunday at 6:45 p.m. — OT Survey class begins.
• Monday at 5:30 p.m. — Young women’s Bible study — childcare provided
• Wednesday at 10 a.m. — Morning Bible study.
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.”
Sunday school begins at 9:30 a.m. and worship service at 10:45 a.m., with Pastor Claude bringing the message entitled, “You are the Light of the World: Keeping God’s Commandments.” Worship assistants are Lisa Peterson serving as worship leader, Brenda Alexander leads the congregational hymns and plays the keyboard, pianist is Eugenia Hill and the greeter for the month of February is Jo Whitfill. We will be observing the Sacrament of Holy Communion this Sunday. It is a time of rededication and commitment to following and serving Jesus Christ. Remember to bring your rail offering that is applied to our shared ministries as directed through the United Methodist Church in the Northwest Texas Conference.
This Sunday Valentine’s Day remembrance sacks will be available to deliver to our homebound. Please bring your treats, snacks or other Valentine’s Day memorabilia when you come to morning worship.
Evangelism committee meets Monday, Feb. 10, at 6:30 p.m., in the Friendship Sunday School Classroom. Following coordinators reporting upon their respective outreach ministries, decorative snack sacks will be compiled for delivery to West Texas Children’s Advocacy Center.
On Sunday, Feb. 16, our District Superintendent, Rev. Derrell Patterson and his lovely wife, Sandy, will be joining us for morning worship. Immediately following worship service, a covered dish meal will be shared in the fellowship hall.
We are in the midst of the flu season. “Bless This House” calls upon prayer for individuals that are suffering with the illness. Several have loss their lives and others are extremely ill. Pray not only the sick will have a complete recovery, but also for ones who are ministering to their needs.
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
A Proclamation to the World
The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.
All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.
In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.
The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.
We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.
Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.
The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.
We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.
We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.
A handout on how to use the church website, LDS.org., and the Mormon Channel is available. There are multiple sources of information free to the public: scriptures in print and audio, Bible videos, full-length videos, keyboard and conducting course, Gospel principles for families, uplifting conversations, inspirational quotes, a program on provident living, the genealogy website familysearch.org, and many other useful programs. If you would like a copy of the handout, please call the phone number below.