We are excited about the next 2 Sundays (May 20, May 27) for our church body.  Mike and Patti Paschall will be in town and ministering to us as only they can. Much of what you receive inside our walls is a result of their love, direction, and spiritual cover. They are coming in from Georgia and will be joined by their kids and grand kids from Colorado. Son in law Jon Egan (Desperation Band), will be leading worship for us this coming Sunday as an added bonus.

Folks, this is much more than a guest speaker and some entertainment to make Sunday a “good time.” These are the people we trust with ours hearts and the people we seek out so that we can better bring kingdom to those we bump into. Please plan to be here and receive what they have to give away. It should be a powerful time.

Here is the link for Jon’s project–The Desperation Band–for those of you who don’t know anything about him. No, he did not paste himself in the photo twice. He has a twin brother which makes the pic very disturbing and creepy. I’m not even sure which one he is!

Paul

This was posted today on behalf of ECF on Tanner’s Caringbridge site:

At church yesterday, our whole congregation came to the altar where we looked at a picture of Tanner and discussed Tanner’s situation and explained that you all were friends of the Boles family. (So many of us know and love the Boles family!!)   

Tanner’s picture and situation, the Boles’ connection, and our connection to you all in the Body of Christ led us all to a place of intercession,  praise, hope and a unified cry for a healing miracle for Tanner along with peace and sustained strength for your family.  We believe…and we are standing with you all and asking for God to grant Tanner a miracle.  

ECF will continue to pray for Tanner.  We consider it a privilege and an honor to stand with you all as “family”. We referenced several of your Caringbridge posts, and we were moved to know and trust God more because of your example of faith in the face of such a difficult situation.

Philippians 4:6
Emmanuel Christian Fellowship
McGregor, TX

1. Lead them to a real conversion experience and help them become “new creations” in Christ
2. Equip them to do Kingdom, not just entertain them
3. Preach and live the gospel in our homes and with our lives

This got me to thinking.  Isn’t this what we all need?  Not just the youth, but each and every one of us!

And so I found myself pierced.  When is the last time I really helped lead someone to a true conversion and saw them become a New Creation?  When is the last time I honestly helped to equip someone for the tough journey of life, instead of just making them laugh and putting a band-aid over their pain? When is the last time my words…and more importantly, my LIFE preached the gospel to a watching world?

I want to live that kind of life!! Oh…I still want to laugh and engage in small talk and entertain…but I don’t want that to be my modus operandi. There is too much at stake.  I know too many hurting people to live my life superficially.  I know too much Truth to be silent or wishy-washy. The Lord spoke to me today and told me that He made me for more than the status quo.  He got my attention and I am listening!

When I was a little girl I used to play school, house, and office.  My sister and I would pretend to be teachers, moms, and secretaries, and we would create scenarios and role-play for hours.   As I have gotten older, I have had the chance to authentically fill many of these roles.  It has been challenging, rewarding, eye opening, and a blessing to actually BE some of the things that I pretended to be when I was young.

And today, God calls me to quit role-playing and pretending.  He wants me to take HIM to the young and the old, to my family and yours,  to my kids and the kids I teach.   He wants me to be involved in converting, equipping, preaching, and living for His sake…not mine.

So…I  know it will be challenging, rewarding, eye opening, and a blessing to quit “playing church” and start living like the legitimate Christian Jesus has equipped me to be.

See….God wants me to start really BEING some of the things that us Christians pretend to be.

lorna : )

On Sunday, Jimmy preached a word that is the very foundation of our faith walk and our spiritual health and maturity. Everything meaningful in our lives will flow from our understanding and acceptance of this truth; the truth that God is Love. Our realization and understanding of this sets the stage for freedom, healing, value, purpose, vision, and overall kingdom life. I am convinced by the way we live, that we do not have a complete understanding of God’s love for us.

So which image do you see in your understanding of God?  Please take the time to listen to Sunday’s sermon. If you cannot access the podcast let me know. I will get you a CD. It is a MUST for our stepping into 2012 together and experiencing the great things God has in store for us.

Michael Hindes and his wife Kathy will be at ECF on Sunday Dec. 4th to bless and serve our fellowship. Michael and Kathy have become part of our extended family and we are looking forward to what they will bring to us at this point in our journey. Please take time to read Michael’s BIO below and feel free to invite friends to be with us this coming Sunday.

BIO:
Michael and Kathy have been married for more than 30 years and have been blessed with 3 wonderful sons – Nicholas, Jason and Wade. Trained as Nurses, they began their careers in the
Emergency Room and later finished in Home Care . In 1994, they began serving at Life of Faith Fellowship, now Cross Current Church, in Port Huron, Michigan. Michael began as a prophetic teacher, later served as executive pastor and eventually became Senior Pastor of Cross Current Church. He and Kathy served side by side in that role for nearly 7 years.

Michael and Kathy served in leadership at Adventures in Missions from 2008 until October of 2011 where he provided oversight for the World Race, Passport, Ambassador, and Adventures Youth programs.  Now living in Gainesville, GA, they remain passionate about discipleship, leadership development, and church planting.

We are praying about the number and schedule of services during his time here. There is a possibility of two services on Sunday, but we will have that nailed down for sure during the next week or so. Be praying for Michael and what he brings to the table.

paul

This Sunday Oct. 30th, we will have services at the home of Jimmy and Lorna Hering. Weather permitting, we will be on the back porch with a warm fire, good music, great food, and hot coffee.  There will be a bit of worship, probably a word, some prayer, and whatever else God wants to accomplish.

We did this last year and it was awesome so……….   Please bring a breakfast or dessert type dish to add to the pot. Bring warm clothes and a lawn chair. Bring a friend and also get the word to anyone that could possibly show up at ECF and find the building empty.

Please call me with any questions or suggestions.

paul

Jimmy Hering will bring a word on FORGIVENESS. I strongly encourage the body to be there if at all possible. Amomg other things, Jim will talk about the power, peace, and freedom that comes with giving and receiving Forgiveness. Our future, in many ways, depends on our acceptance of this deep truth.

October 15-16

Anthony Chapman from the U.K. will be spending Saturday night and Sunday morning with us and his message is sure to shake up our body in a most wonderful way. Get ready to have you paradigms wrecked before your eyes if you dare. We will share a meal Sat. night before Anthony gets started.

October 23

Lorna Hering has a message burning in her heart and we will greatly benefit by receiving a little wisdom and insight from the more lovely side of creation. Be in prayer for Lorna as she hears from the Lord and prepares to bless us.

October 30

Outdoor Sunday will be held on the back porch of the Herings estate. Food, worship, prayer, and nature will will be mixed together for a guaranteed great morning. More details to come.

November 6

Paul Allison will be in the pulpit on this, his birthday to bring what will surely be a God- inspired message to the body. Paul is a powerful speaker who is both gifted and anointed to preach the good news. Okay, all kidding aside. I just love people and I’m sure the Lord will give me meaningful word by November.

What a great Fall season we have in progress right now. Be in prayer for the body and those bringing the goods over the next month.

We are going to do it up right with a BBQ dinner Saturday night, the 15th. Some of the men will take care of the brisket and sausage and others feel free to bring your favorite side or dessert.  We do not have a time set in stone for Saturday night, but most likely we will begin supper in the 6-6:30pm range and follow up with worship on a full belly and Anthony’s comments. We will have the normal format on Sunday morning with Anthony again bringing the message.

Please begin to pray for our body and for Anthony as he comes to pour out his love and revelation on us. This will be an exciting time for us. And, feel free to bring anyone you feel would benefit from this weekend.

Paul

p.s.  If you want to get a feel for the different kind of guy Anthony is, please check out the website of his fellowship in York. This cat is different, and different is GOOD!

www.rockchurch.org.uk