Easter 2007

A little late on this one, because we DID have a Maundy Thursday service last night. But here is the Easter Sunday schedule, and I hope to see you there!

Sunrise Service (Held in Sanctuary due to weather) 6:30am
Breakfast afterward in the Fellowship Hall

Early Worship & Children's Church 8:30
Sunday School 9:45
Worship 11:00

NO EVENING WORSHIP ON EASTER

Wild Game and Tame Supper

Don't forget about our 13th Annual Wild Game and Tame Supper coming up THIS SATURDAY at 6:30 in the Family Life Center!!!

Church-wide Visitation STARTING SOON!

Beginning on Monday, March 5th, we will reinstitute our church-wide visitation, and YOU ARE INVITED! On the first and third Monday of every month, we will gather and visit those who visit our church. If this is something you feel led to do, be there on Mar. 5 at 6:45 in the Fellowship Hall.

Missional or Maintenance?

Which will it be? Are we a missional church, or are we just maintaining the status quo? Another way to ask this question is this: Are we focused on ourselves (internally) OR are we focused on our community and world (externally)? Where do you suppose Christ wants us to focus?

One of the great traps Satan sets for churches is the maintenance trap. When we get so caught up in what is going on internally, focused on the color of the carpet more than the lost and dying outside the walls of the church, our focus is EXACTLY where Satan wants it. If we are too worried about the technical details, we are missing the big picture of the kingdom of God. Now, the technical details ARE important, but sometimes we think we need to deal with them instead of allowing God to do His job. This is dangerous . . . God does not need us to do His job. He needs us to do OUR JOBS.

How can we help this problem? First, decide in YOUR HEART which YOU will be and be true to it. And, honestly, you need to ask God what He desires for you. This is not a decision we should make . . . Again, allow God to do His job. He will not lead you astray. Second, stand up for Him and His will. When the time is right, He will let you know.

Back to Regular Schedule in February

Yes, our combined Sunday School and Worship month is almost OVER! Don't forget about our regular schedule, beginning in February:

Early Worship & Children's Church 8:30am
Donuts & Coffee in the Fellowship Hall 9:30am
Sunday School 9:45am
Worship 11:00am

Evening Worship 6:00pm

A matter of Vision

I have been often asked and even sometimes criticized for not communicating "My Vision" for Ebenezer Baptist Church. I know that without vision, people perish. I know vision is key in moving people toward a goal, and if we have no goal we will move along aimlessly . . . If you aim at nothing, you will hit it EVERY TIME.

However, I have a little trouble with the idea that I need to communicate MY VISION. I am imperfect . . . I make mistakes. For years I have worked at trying to remove myself from this process and give it totally to God. I still believe that is the right thing to do. This might seem like a game of semantics, but God clearly has put something out there for us and every church. Why reinvent the wheel??

Therefore, I choose to communicate what I believe to be God's Vision for Ebenezer. If you have been in morning worship the last two weeks, how could you have missed it?? And, if you were not there, cheer up . . . I have ONE more sermon to complete the concept!

In a nutshell, I believe God's vision for Ebenezer to be:

1. That EACH ONE OF US Loves God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. With everything that we are.

2. That EACH ONE OF US Loves our neighbor as much as we love ourself. And who is our neighbor?? ANYONE on this planet (I guess we will cross the planetary bridge if it ever becomes necessary).

3. That EACH ONE OF US Obeys God and Serves Him.

Is that simple enough?? Then, let's do it!!

229 Years STRONG

I would not say Ebenezer is an OLD church. True, we have been around for 229 years . . . But Ebenezer is a strong church with several things in our favor. I could list physical attributes of the church, location, makeup, etc., but I am convinced that ONE thing is directly responsible for that strength: OBEYING GOD. We make mistakes like everyone else and are not absolutely perfect, but when we obey God, He blesses us. When we are good stewards of what He gives us, He gives us more (and more resposibility). The Strength of Ebenezer is in our relationship with God . . . I pray we NEVER forsake that strength, because if we do, we cease to be a church.