A little boy was out tending his sheep on Sunday morning, when the church bells began to ring. People began walking through the pasture to church, and the little boy decided that since he couldn’t go to church, he would just pray. But what could he say? He had never been taught to pray, didn’t know any prayers, and he wasn’t even sure what prayer was. He just knew he wanted to pray, so he knelt down and began to recite the alphabet. “A, B, C . . .” and so on to Z. About halfway through the prayer an elderly gentleman came by and heard the little boy. “What are you doing?” he asked. The little boy replied, “Please sir, don’t interrupt. I’m praying!” “But why are you praying letters?” asked the man. The boy looked up and said, “I don’t know any prayers. I only know I want God to take care of me and help me take care of my sheep. So I thought if I said all I knew, God would put it together and spell all I want!”
Has your heart been so heavy that there are times you pray and aren’t sure what to say? It is in those times that the Spirit maketh utterances for us. We have the promise from God’s word that we can come boldly before the throne of grace and find help in the time of need. Daniel, in the midst of persecution, opened his window and prayed three times a day. David said, “Seven times a day do I praise thee.” In 1Thessalonians the Apostle Paul reminds us to pray without ceasing. The gospels tell us that if we pray believing, we shall receive. How is your prayer life? Do you pray when you “have to” or “need to” or do you pray daily receiving courage, confidence, and peace? Remember, when the outlook is bad, try the up look because God is looking down!
Vacation Bible School is July 27-31, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Our theme for VBS this year is “The Greatest Gift.” Come and celebrate the greatest gift that was ever given, “Jesus Christ.” We look forward to celebrating Christmas in July! VBS ministers to children starting Kindergarten through completing fifth grade. Please call the church at 235-2730 and let us know that you would like to sign up your child for VBS. We will provide vans to pick up your children, if needed, just let us know.
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 are continuing our “Summer Survival Series.” This sermon series highlights beloved Bible stories and allows us to search the Scriptures for God's word and will for us — even in the midst of triple digit temperatures.
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. (Note: Our youth will not be meeting this week as they are at youth camp. Please be in prayer for them as they pursue everything God has for them there!) Find out more on their facebook page at www.facebook.com/InTheYard.
We would love to have you register your kiddos to attend our “Superkid Academy,” to be held August 3-6, at 6 p.m. for our pre-school and elementary age children. This annual event features in-depth lessons, games, crafts, snacks and much, much more, so you won’t want to miss it! Register online at www.efcsweetwater.com.
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, July 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.
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 July is canned beans. 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.
Christmas in July is the most wonderful time of the year — at least until December! Be a part of Christmas in July at FBC! We extended the donations of Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes to July 30. The remaining Christmas in July Event will be Christmas Service and Fellowship on July 30, at 6 p.m. We will have a very special service on the third floor and follow with a fellowship in the fellowship hall. Each Sunday school class is asked to bring one fun “white elephant” gift for the gift exchange. Whatever gift your class ends up with will be proudly displayed in your classroom until Christmas. This will be a fun time for everyone so please join us.
On Sunday July 27, and August 3, at 6 p.m. Dr. Kelly Pigott will continue his special study on Christian History. We will be meeting on the third floor.
Thursday, July 31, at 6:30 p.m. we will have a family night at the Sweetwater Pool. Our men’s and women’s ministry teams will be serving hot dogs, so come out for a great evening.
The youth will be going to the Family Life Center in Abilene on Friday, Aug. 1, from 7-10 p.m. The cost is $10. Saturday, Aug. 2 will be Day Camp from 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
Sunday August 3 after the worship service we will have first lunch in the fellowship hall. The menu is taco pile on and the cost is $2. Come and support Missions Camp. Following first lunch, we will discuss the new policy manual recommended by the church council.
Church softball is back! The season will be on Tuesday nights from Aug. 12 to Sept. 30. Cost will be $20 per person which will include your shirt and fees. If you are interested, please call the church office with your shirt size and entry fee by Aug. 3.
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 will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 27. Lou Ann Cumbie and Dennis Cumbie will be greeters and Jim Gesin will be the worship assistant for the worship service. During the worship service, noisy offering will be collected. The noisy offering goes to support the missions of the Ministerial Alliance.
Kary Ann’s Clan will meet on Thursday, July 31, at 11:30 a.m. at the TA Truck Stop.
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 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 10:30 a.m.
Pastor Jake’s sermon is entitled, “When Life Seems Unfair...” Scripture reading comes from Genesis 29:15-28. Worship assistants are Lisa Peterson serving as worship leader, Brenda Alexander leads the congregational hymns and plays the keyboard, pianist is Bonnie Walters and greeter is Jo Whitfield.
Only two weeks remain before the dedication of supplies for our school ministry. A list of suggested items to purchase is available at the back of the sanctuary. Please bring your selections to the church for needy students in the second and third grades at East Ridge Elementary on or before the consecration date of Sunday, the 10th of August. Delivery to the school campus will be the following Monday.
The volatile battle of conflicts with the loss of life presently occurring in the Middle East and in Eastern Europe has raised the concern of the world. Bless This House asks prayer for God’s solution in the midst of the destruction and devastation. Pray mankind seeks the “Lord’s Will” in bringing peace to the land and its people.
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)
The Abilene Stake Young Women and Young Men have just concluded a fun and spiritual two-day youth conference at Lake Brownwood Christian Retreat with the theme of Your Amazing Journey to Come unto Christ. On the first day, 75 youth were divided into five teams who participated in an amazing journey to discover five principles that can bring them closer to Christ in their daily lives: prayer, scripture study, temple attendance, worthily partaking of the sacrament, and service. Dinner was followed by Minute to Win It games and a fabulous dance, then a campfire devotional with s'mores and cabin leader chats. The second day began with in-depth study of the five principles discovered in the amazing journey provided by outstanding guest teachers, then wonderful presentations by two recently returned missionaries, Kyle Krause and Casin Hill. Following lunch, the youth enjoyed some fun in the sun at Lake Brownwood, and the conference concluded with a spirit-filled testimony meeting. A great time was had by all! Thank you to all who made the conference possible! Sister Carrie Lunt
We are located at 910 Elm Street in Sweetwater. All visitors are welcome. Our Sunday meetings are 9 a.m. Sacrament; 10 a.m. Sunday School; 11 a.m. Relief Society and Priesthood meetings. For further information, please contact Elder Valgardson and Elder Hughes, the two missionaries serving in this area (phone 1-325-864-2999).
Trinity Baptist Church
Trinity Baptist Church is pleased to offer a special showing of the hit movie God's Not Dead this Sunday evening, July 27, at 6 p.m. in our Family Life Center.
Present-day college freshman and devout Christian, Josh Wheaton (Shane Harper), finds his faith challenged on his first day of Philosophy class by the dogmatic and argumentative Professor Radisson (Kevin Sorbo), a self-proclaimed unbeliever. Radisson begins class by informing students that they will need to disavow, in writing, the existence of God on that first day, or face a failing grade. As other students in the class begin scribbling the words “God Is Dead” on pieces of paper as instructed, Josh finds himself at a crossroads, having to choose between his faith and his future.
Josh offers a nervous refusal, provoking an irate reaction from his smug professor. Radisson assigns him a daunting task: if Josh will not admit that “God Is Dead,” he must prove God’s existence by presenting well-researched, intellectual arguments and evidence over the course of the semester and engage Radisson in a head-to-head debate in front of the class. If Josh fails to convince his classmates of God’s existence, he will fail the course and hinder his lofty academic goals. With almost no one in his corner, Josh wonders if he can really fight for what he believes. Can he actually prove the existence of God? Wouldn’t it just be easier just to write “God Is Dead” and put the whole incident behind him? But Josh simply cannot deny Christ!
God's Not Dead weaves together multiple stories of faith, doubt and disbelief, culminating in a dramatic call to action. The film will educate, entertain and inspire moviegoers to explore what they really believe about God, igniting important conversations and life-changing decisions.
God's Not Dead features a talented cast of actors including Kevin Sorbo, Shane Harper, David A.R. White and Dean Cain, with special appearances by Christian super-band Newsboys and “Duck Dynasty’s” Willie and Korie Robertson.