Emmanuel Christian Fellowship – McGregor, TX

To watch the video referenced in Paul’s 2/20/2011 sermon, please go to this link:

http://www.iamsecond.com/brian-welch/

We will have group prayer time on Wednesday (2/23/11) night at 7:30. All are invited to join in. There will be a time of soaking, then we’ll come together to pray over whatever God puts on your heart.

Paul

We will have two honored guests with us Sunday at ECF. Actually the term guest falls short because they are truly family. Mike and Patti Paschall will be with us this Sunday the 13th and Mike will be bringing the message, word, preaching, or whatever you want to call it.

Mike and Patti began their relationship with ECF several years ago and have since been called into a far reaching global ministry. They see us as part of their inheritance, and most of the feel and flavor of Emmanuel Christian Fellowship today is a result of their Love, Prayer, Teaching, and Sacrifice over the past few years. They remain eternally connected to our body.

So what will you get on Sunday with Pastor Mike? (I say Pastor Mike to goad him because he actually despises religious titles)  There is absolutely no telling. He is unpredictable in his approach to ministry and teaching. What you WILL receive is truth, love, and direction from a couple that have publicly and privately served the Lord for most of their adult lives.

I am very excited about this Sunday in our church. Please be praying for Mike and Patti this week. Pray that Sunday will be different somehow. That the “wind” will blow. That there will be a break-though like never before. Just pray that God will have His way.

Peace and Love,

paul…..

p.s.  This has totally been a “hook” to try and get you in the building on Sunday. No shame here!

We will have corporate prayer this Wed. (2/9/2011) at 7:30pm. All are invited to attend. In case of poor weather, we will move it to Thursday night. An email will be sent out in that event.

UPDATE: Prayer time has been rescheduled for Thursday due to the bad weather.

We will gather for a time of sitting with the Lord followed by Corporate Prayer this Wednesday (2/2/11) at 7:30pm. With much to pray about, this serves as a great time to come together in agreement for those who are in need. It is also an opportunity to receive prayer for any personal needs you might have.

If you are listening to the podcast of the 1-9-2011 Sermon, the video clip that prompted the sermon is available here:

Please note: it will skip to the correct scene once you click Play.

For those of you that might have missed the play–or just want to see it again–we have uploaded it to YouTube.  Enjoy!

You can view it full-size here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viRz1Lh9b64

ECF will be having a shortened service on Sunday the Dec. 26th.  We will mainly worship and pray. If you are in town, feel welcome to come and join in. We will not be having kids church that morning.

Paul

On Sunday December, 19th at 6pm, the kids of ECF would like to invite you to a Christmas play. It has been a joy watching them fellowship together on this project and it is truly a gift they have received and wish to give away. Please come early to get a good seat. We will have some refreshments after and some time to visit with one another.

Wow, that sounded most proper and churchy…..   I still got it!

Paul

It’s amazing how God will sometimes speak to us in our dreams. He has a way of really getting our attention. The following is a great example:

I am a dreamer…Literally!  I dream almost every night.  Sometimes I cannot remember my dreams when I wake up, and sometimes I can.  Sometimes there is nothing to my dreams…and sometimes my dreams are straight from God.  I had one such  “wake up” call this week.

As most of you know, I am a teacher. I love it! Teaching is so much more than a job to me.  It is a ministry, a calling, and a privilege.  It is not always easy to teach junior high students.  There are hormones, drama, and many other issues to face on a daily basis, but I can honestly say that God has placed a love for these children in my heart.  All 91 of them!!

I must also admit that on occasion I can get really upset.  It can be frustrating to teach a lesson to kids who are goofing off and not paying attention.  I must admit that I have even lost my temper on occasion on a student or two.   Being a teacher, I know that I have the right to get upset and expect appropriate behavior in my classroom. There is no doubt about that!!  BUT…God reminded me in a dream this week that I do not have the right to be mean…EVER!!!

Here is the dream: I was teaching a classroom full of rowdy kids.  I was trying to explain a lesson to them, and they were just not listening.  There was one little boy in the back that I could not recognize and who seemed to be talking excessively.  He was unfamiliar to me, and his talking was really annoying me.  He seemed to be trying to figure something out, but I was trying to TEACH.  I started walking toward him and before I could make out who he was, I “went off” on him.  I was really letting him have it for interrupting my classroom.  In the dream, when I spoke to him I was mean and degrading.  As I walked toward him, I realized it was my son, Rhett and he was crying from my inglorious tirade on him. My heart sank and I raced to him to try and undo the damage! He explained through tears that he was lost and needed help finding the right classroom, and he had been asking the people around him for help.

I woke up. My heart ached.  I became acutely aware that I must treat every single child in my classroom like they are my own.  I do have the right to correct and address behavior issues, but I do not have the right to humiliate or shame any child.  And many students today really are lost and looking around them for someone who will help. They are all somebody’s sons or daughters.  Better yet…they are all Children of the King!! And they must always be treated accordingly!!

I was so moved and thankful for the dream and the gentle reminder from My Heavenly Father of how precious children are and how much they need love and guidance!  We all need reminders like this.  Each and every human is worthy of being treated respectfully.  I will remember this dream the next time my patience is tested..which will probably be at least once today!  ; )

lorna