Greetings to everyone from the Avondale Baptist Church family! We would like to invite you to come and visit us if you are looking for a loving church family. We welcome you to come and worship our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ with us. 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.
We have begun the program "Fit 4 Christ." We will meet on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. We had a good group for the beginning session this past Tuesday evening. It isn't too late to join in with us as we work together to become more healthy for our Lord and Savior.
Karrie Bullard will be in concert Sunday evening, Sept. 23, at 6 p.m. We would love to have everyone who loves good Christian music to come and enjoy the program with us.
Our regular Sunday schedule is coffee fellowship at 9:20 a.m., Sunday school Bible study at 9:45 a.m., worship services at 10:50 a.m. and 6 p.m. We are studying the book of Esther on Sunday evening. Esther is: A Queen for a Season, A Story for a People and A Book for all Times.
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 heard a story from a gentleman that told me that when he was a teen he wanted to ride the church bus to this particular church. He started to get on the bus and the bus driver stopped him and said, “You can’t go to church looking like that.” The bus driver was referring to the teen’s long hair. This gentleman told me that he was a good kid that just happened to have long hair. Needless to say, this gentleman never stepped foot into that church.
My dear Christian friends, our job on this earth, as believers, is to lead people to Christ. We are to be a bridge that leads them to Him and not a barrier. We are all sinners, and church is a place for sinners to find hope in Christ. Jesus is no respecter of persons. Why should we be so judgmental? People are looking for a place where they feel loved, and church should be that place. I John 4:7 says, “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.”
Here are some events that we would like to invite you to come to and enjoy: Wednesday, Oct. 3, at 7 p.m. we will have Lee and Nancy Warren as our special guests. Lee and Nancy are true musicians, and have a great southern Gospel sound. On Oct. 7, Dr. Al Reichman will minister to us during the 6 p.m. service. Dr. Reichman is the Southwest Regional Director of the Chosen People Ministries. He comes from a long line of orthodox rabbis. Since he received Christ as his personal Savior, he has had a great burden for his own people. He will share with us his ministry.
The Children’s Wednesday night Bible study Program: “WISEGUYS” has begun. Wiseguys is an exciting program focused on scripture memory and teaching children Biblical truths in an enjoyable way. The visualized verses, musical choruses, and character building stories are all centered on a different godly character quality each month. We will meet every Wednesday night at 7 p.m. If you are interested in your child being in this program, please call us at 235-2730. We will be meeting in the church’s Education Building.
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
We’re a month into the school year, and all our children’s and youth ministries are in full swing! Worldchangers, the Wednesday evening service for kids ages birth through fifth grade, has launched into a wonderful new curriculum for the Fall semester, and we’re loving watching them learn what a life lived with Jesus is all about. Our youth are also meeting on Wednesday evenings. This coming week, Sept. 26, they will be joining youth across the city for the “Saw You At The Pole Rally” downtown on Oak Street, at 7 p.m. We’re also excited about our new youth discipleship groups for grades 6-12 that are meeting on Sunday evenings at 6 p.m. Our adult lifegroups have also launched for the Fall semester, including a new group for young adults. Find out how you can connect with a lifegroup by logging on to the church website at www.efcsweetwater.com.
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.
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 this Sunday as Pastor Eric von Atzigen continues his sermon series, “Pray Like Jesus: The Lord’s Prayer.”
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 (Sept. 23) for Bible study, beginning at 9:15 a.m., for all age groups, followed by the Sunday morning worship service, led by our Minister of Music, David Woods, beginning at 10:30 a.m. First Baptist Church is located at 213 East Third Street, in Sweetwater, next door to the Post Office, and all are welcome!
This Sunday (Sept. 23) and next Sunday (Sept. 30) are designated "Name Tag" Sundays which will give our guests and ourselves an opportunity to get to know each other better, put names with faces, and make new friends.
Brand new growth groups start this Sunday evening (Sept. 23) at 6 p.m. If you want to strengthen and make your understanding stronger of God's Word, plus grow friendships and have fun, sign up now for one of several groups offered. Sign up sheets are in the foyer and the office.
On Tuesday evening (Sept. 25), FBC will play their last regular game against the Lamar Street Baptist team in the recently formed Co-Ed Softball League of local churches, beginning at 7 p.m., across from the SHS Mustang Bowl. The teams are very talented and exciting to watch — come join the faithful fans.
Coming soon... Mark your calendar (Oct. 14) Rolling Plains Baptist Network Annual Meeting at FBC (Sweetwater) and then (Oct. 31) Family Fall Festival — family fun, games and great food with our community at FBC from 6-8 p.m.
Find us on Facebook and check out our website www.fbcsweetwater.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, “I Am Among You as One Who Serves.” 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 September is Helen Rowlett.
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.
With our Charge Conference approaching in November, the Leadership Committee and the SPRC will meet on Sunday, Oct. 14, at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., respectively.
Through the Homebound Ministry, on Sunday, Oct. 28, decorative fall snack sacks will be available for congregational members to delivery to our homebound.
“Bless This House” ask prayer for the families who loss loved ones in the recent attacks on the United States Embassies in the Middle East, as well as, the families of slain service men and women in the Armed Forces serving in Afghanistan. Pray for God’s Peace in the hotbed of violence that is so rampant in the region.
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.
TRINITY BAPTIST CHURCH
Dedication and Open House for our new Family Life Center is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 21. There will be a dedication worship service in the morning and a community-wide open house in the afternoon. We want the community to see the fruits of our labors over the past year or so. Our theme has been To God Be the Glory, and we hope to be able to use this Family Life Center all to His glory! Continue to watch this space for more information as the time nears.
Better Together, our community Bible study, is in full swing and, we are meeting in our new Family Life Center! Do you know that one of life’s most important things is learning how to love? If we don’t live a life of love, nothing we say, know, believe, give or accomplish will matter. Love is a command (not optional), it is a choice, it is a conduct and it is a commitment. 1 Corinthians 14:1 says that we should go after a life of love as if our lives depended on it — because they do! This past week’s lesson was putting feet to our love and faith. Lots of good ideas were shared and will be put into action. Please pray for these groups as they seek God’s will in how we can best serve and love our fellow man.
The Trinity Family wants you to have a close relationship with our loving 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. Bring the family and join our family this Sunday.
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. — Better Together (adult Bible study), youth Bible study and Children’s M
Wednesdays
6:30 p.m. — Prayer time/Bible study for adults, youth Bible study (7th-12th grades), TeamKID for Children (Preschool through sixth grades).
7:30 p.m. — Adult choir rehearsal.
The ladies’ Bible study, James: Mercy Triumphs, by Beth Moore, is also in full swing. Ladies of all ages enjoy these studies, held each Wednesday at noon, with a second session available at 6 p.m. It’s not too late to join, so come ahead to whichever class best meets your schedule.
This Wednesday, Sept. 26, is See You At the Pole. Youth will be praying at 7 a.m. at the flagpoles on the middle school and high school campuses. Later that day, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., there is a Saw You At the Pole gathering in the 300 block of Oak Street. Trinity’s Praise Team is happy to provide music for the event.
Trinity will also be taking part in the Fields of Faith event to be held at Mustang Bowl on Wednesday, Oct. 10. More information will follow as that time nears. But mark your calendars now for this area-wide youth event. Counselors are needed for anyone making a profession of faith at the event. Contact your church pastor or our church for more information.
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
Transforming ordinary people into passionate followers of Christ through God’s Word, growing them into mature Christians, to be Jesus’ lights in this world and witnesses of the Gospel of Jesus and the Kingdom of God, seeking the lost for the glory of God and His kingdom.
We are a non-judgmental ministry — meaning that the ministry itself is not judgmental. We are not concerned where you have been or where you are at, but where you are going. Everyone needs hope and to feel the love of God’s mercy. Those who falter and are weak are welcome. We will guide all that come, into a direction for peace in their life.
The teachings from the pulpit are deep rightly divided truth as 2 Timothy 2:15 speaks of. You will hear the unadulterated word of God ministered straight from the Bible, introducing deep truths and promises you can stand on, that will never crumble out from underneath you. These truths have discipled many to be followers of Christ as it can do for anybody. Opening up the eyes and ears of these who receive.
Services:
Sunday morning — 10:30 a.m.
Sunday Night — Adult discipleship 6:30 p.m., youth hangout 11-17 year-olds and Children’s Rock night 5-10 year-olds.
Wednesday Night — 6:30 p.m. is teen and tween youth church, pastor led for 11-17 year-olds, children’s classes for 5-10 year-olds and adult Word study for men’s and women’s ministry, disciple led.
Ministries:
T.A.G. and Tween’s — These ministries are for 11 -17 year-olds. They have youth church on Wednesday night. There’s praise and worship performed by them. Then the pastor brings a message of truth to seed in their lives that is in a way that they can understand and comprehend. They also have Sunday night hangout, doing all kinds of things and events with each other in the youth ministry, from movies to playing volleyball at Sonic or cookouts and other things. They get involved with fundraisers to raise money for their events. They have the Reaching Out While Reaching Up ministry that helps people around town. They have The Rock as a place to hang out before and after church time. There is summer camp at Extreme Camps that they have a blast at while deepening their faith.
Children’s Ministry — Wednesday night there are classes set up to put a foundation of God’s word in the children’s life with a fun and enjoyable environment and experience. There is lots of love, guidance and good values seeded into their lives. Sunday night — Fun at The Rock. Those children that come on Wednesday night classes get to come on Sunday night to play at The Rock youth center during regular adult discipleship. Sometimes there are movies, games and snack night. They also get involved in fundraisers and summer camp.
P.U.R.E. Ministry — Ephesians 1:4 Princesses Under Royal Election meets every third Friday of the month. The ministry teaches young ladies their value to God by being a child of the King loved by their Father, coming under a covenant with God to keep their purity until marriage. It is even for those who want to start over.
The Rock youth center is open Saturday night from 6-10 p.m. for sixth, seventh and eighth graders. A Christian atmosphere is presented, but not forced. It is fun for everyone. We have this generation’s Christian music, a 6ft and 3ft half pipe skate ramp, a foam pit, velcro wall jump, pool table, air hockey, foosball, skating, video games, basketball and volleyball area. A snack bar is available with drinks, nachos, frito pies, candy, chips, etc. It is a controlled environment with adult supervision. There is lots of love and a short time of a small seeded truth of God into their lives.
Website — The church now has a website address which entails what is going on inside the church, the ministries of the church and gives you information of The Word of God Church. You can visit the website at www.swwordofGod.com.
Summertime Camp
11-17 year-olds Extreme Camp — an experience that will change their lives, a camp that reaches them at their level, setting the love of God on fire inside of them. It’s a blast!