Sunday Summary

WOW! Yesterday's services were truly God led and God designed. Let me explain what I mean. I am an extremely organized person and like to plan ahead. I usually have my sermon topics /texts lined up a year in advance. For whatever reason, this year, I am moving a week at a time. I've been contuing a series on worship and yesterday's title was, "Worship Defeats the Enemy." Ron's congregational set matched the theme. Heather's solo matched the theme. The teen drama fit hand-in-glove to the theme. I was absolutely overwhelmed to see how God orchestrated that service. I've had a bad cold for the past several days and my voice has been very rough, but it gave me no trouble during the message. After the message... I could hardly talk. God is so good!

We closed the morning service by singing. We sang for approximately ten minutes and just praised and worshipped the name of our Lord. People were at the altar, some knelt in their seats, and others were wiping the tears from their faces. God's Spirit was moving!

There were other good things that happened yesterday, but I'm just going to stop there and encourage you to defeat the enemy by praising the Lord! He is able!

Crisis Pregnancy Centers Opening Soon

Several years ago, I felt God leading our church to begin the process of opening a crisis pregnancy center in Hartsville. We worked with Care-Net to begin the process and God brought a dear nurse alongside to help us. We were moving quickly, until it was time to establish a Board of Directors. Realizing that the center would have to reach people all across our city, I began reaching out to a variety of pastors and community leaders. We hit a wall as people were willing to "help," but didn't want the responsibility of serving on a board.

I knew God wanted us to open a center in Hartsville, but I couldn't understand why He wouldn't provide the people. I didn't understand what God was doing -- until just recently! I believe God was just preparing our hearts for something that was BIGGER than we could have ever imagined. Through a series of circumstances, God brought new pastors into local churches and caused our paths to cross with a wonderful group of people & pastors in the Florence area, who were working on opening a crisis pregnancy center.

NOW... the plans are to open FOUR centers! They will be located in Florence, Hartsville, Darlington, and Lake City. God has provided the Board, a director, doctors, graphics personnel, willing volunteers, facilities in all four locations, and even two ultrasound machines! Now all we need is financial support, but that is no problem for God.

If you are interested in finding out how you can get involved as a volunteer, supporter, etc.; join us for the community interest meeting on Monday, March 30 at 7:00pm at the Florence Library. I hope to see you there!

Sunday Summary - ECS Day

This past Sunday was our annual Emmanuel Christian School day! Since ECS is one of if not the largest ministry of EBC, we like to highlight the school for annually for our church family. Believe it or not, there are some who have attended EBC for decades and still haven't caught the vision for Christian education. So... we're still trying to help them along.

Before you read too much into ECS day, realize that I am committed to ALL quality education that benefits students. People attend our church who are teachers in our public school system and other private schools in our area. I am 100% supportive of them and realize that ECS is not for everyone. In addition, I have served our community in roles as a Board member of a faith based initiative and concerned volunteer that have benefited our public education system. So, I believe in Christian education, but I never criticize teachers or students who are not part of ECS.

ECS day was well attended and our teachers and students made us proud!

• Michael opened the service with a song. He is a finalist for a music scholarship at Liberty University, so pray for him.
• Our elementary choir was amazing and it's no wonder they received such high marks at the SCACS competitions on Friday. Thanks Greta for the work that you put into those children. Great job kids!
• Catherine recognized many of our students who placed the State competitions in music, art, and academic competitions. Angelica won "Best in Show" for her art piece!
• Jimmy recognized the accomplishments of our varsity girls and varsity boys basketball teams. Our boys team served as our ushers!
• Teresa shared a testimony that helped us focus on what Christian education is all about and how God led her to ECS over 20 years ago!
• Heather led the people of God into the presence of God through congregational worship. I was proud for parents to see the spiritual depth of the people teaching their children on a daily basis.
• In addition, these other teachers were part of today's praise team: Paige, Brian, Libby, and Greta.
• Student vocalists included Michael, Bridgette, and Brooke. Brooke is only in 7th grade, but she got a spontaneous standing ovation! Way to go girl!
• Lisa and Kelly... wow! There is no doubt that your song was a divine selection. We didn't talk beforehand, but your song tied in perfectly with my sermon.
• Today's sermon continued with the theme of worship and hopefully helped people to trust God just a little bit more.

Lord, thanks for allowing EBC to be the home of ECS, for allowing me to be part of it, and for giving the vision for ECS to those who have gone before. It is a privilege to partner with parents in the educational process for the children. It is also a privilege to teach academics; but also to prepare students for life and help them to develop a Christian world-view.

Sunday Summary

I've been chastised for not updating my blog, but it's just been extremely busy. I'm encouraged by how many of our church family are beginning to use this as an additional opportunity to hear what is going on weekly at EBC. Last week, one of our members had to travel out of town on business and missed the Sunday services. He commented on how much he missed the services and has never felt this way before... in any church. He said that he called his wife at the time the service usually ends, just so he could hear what God did today.

So, since I've been derelict in my updates, please allow me to give a quick update and bring you up to speed on what happened last week.

• 1 saved, 1 baptized, and 7 new members added to the church.
• Continued series on worship with message entitled, "Worship Requires Your Whole Heart."
• Text was Luke 7 and compared Simon the Pharisee to the woman who poured the ointment on Jesus feet, washed His feet with her tears, and dried them with her hair. WOW! What a reminder that Pharisees simply what Jesus to sit at their table, but real worshippers want to sit at Jesus' feet.
• Karen... Great job with your song! I truly believe it helped people connect with the story.

For all that takes place at EBC... "To God be the glory, GREAT things He has done!"