From Jena:
This week we're remembering Caleb's story, found in
Numbers 13. When he was faced with a challenge, he
trusted in God's power and stepped forward, unlike
most of the Israelites.
When faced with a challenge, I often think too much
about myself, and too little about God. Can I
accomplish the task alone? When the answer is "no," I
need to remember that God is greater than my
insufficiencies.
When has God taken you past your perceived limitations
to accomplish His work? Or is God calling you right
now into a situation that requires you to trust Him,
and step out in faith? Let us hear your stories!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Sunday, April 20th
From Paula:
This week, Bruce will be telling the story of Rahab from the book of Joshua. We will be focusing on choosing sides and keeping promises. One of my favorite verses has always been Joshua 24:15. A lot of my faith has been formed by making a choice for God and sticking with it. I don't always walk it out perfectly, but I never walk away. I have made my choice about who I will serve and I intend to stick by it. My faith definitely has its peaks and valleys, but I always have the ability to choose who I will serve.
Can you remember a time when you've had to make a choice for God? Was there a risk involved? How did you stick to your choice even when it was difficult?
I'm looking forward to worshiping with you all on Sunday and celebrating the choice to live faithful lives!
This week, Bruce will be telling the story of Rahab from the book of Joshua. We will be focusing on choosing sides and keeping promises. One of my favorite verses has always been Joshua 24:15. A lot of my faith has been formed by making a choice for God and sticking with it. I don't always walk it out perfectly, but I never walk away. I have made my choice about who I will serve and I intend to stick by it. My faith definitely has its peaks and valleys, but I always have the ability to choose who I will serve.
Can you remember a time when you've had to make a choice for God? Was there a risk involved? How did you stick to your choice even when it was difficult?
I'm looking forward to worshiping with you all on Sunday and celebrating the choice to live faithful lives!
Friday, April 4, 2008
Sunday, April 6th
From Shelley:
This Sunday, Bruce will be focusing on the story of Esther, and how she
allowed God to use her and her unique situation to augment his work and
plan. Don't you love it when God lets us see how he placed us in just the
right time and place to do something good -- to make a difference? Those
in the world may call it a coincidence. I call it God!
I'm just now reminded of a time in my life a few years ago. One evening,
I stopped for gas on my way home and saw a woman re-fueling next to me.
She looked very familiar and we struck up a conversation. I don't
remember her exact story now, but her loneliness and sadness were quite
evident. Somehow, I just felt moved to invite her home to dinner (we were
having leftovers, no less!) She accepted, followed me home, and we had a
lovely time of sharing and fellowship. I praised God later for prodding
me to talk to this stranger and share what I had with her (not waiting for
the "right" time or a special dinner, as is my usual mode of operation).
What a life lesson!
Well, I've shared my story; I would love to hear yours. I'll bet you can
remember an incident where God used a "chance" encounter or circumstance
in your life to bless others. Won't you share?
This Sunday, Bruce will be focusing on the story of Esther, and how she
allowed God to use her and her unique situation to augment his work and
plan. Don't you love it when God lets us see how he placed us in just the
right time and place to do something good -- to make a difference? Those
in the world may call it a coincidence. I call it God!
I'm just now reminded of a time in my life a few years ago. One evening,
I stopped for gas on my way home and saw a woman re-fueling next to me.
She looked very familiar and we struck up a conversation. I don't
remember her exact story now, but her loneliness and sadness were quite
evident. Somehow, I just felt moved to invite her home to dinner (we were
having leftovers, no less!) She accepted, followed me home, and we had a
lovely time of sharing and fellowship. I praised God later for prodding
me to talk to this stranger and share what I had with her (not waiting for
the "right" time or a special dinner, as is my usual mode of operation).
What a life lesson!
Well, I've shared my story; I would love to hear yours. I'll bet you can
remember an incident where God used a "chance" encounter or circumstance
in your life to bless others. Won't you share?
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Good Friday Services
We encourage you to attend a Good Friday service as part of your Easter celebrations this year. The following is a list of some of the area congregations who will be offering a Good Friday service:
Wabash Presbyterian Church
3/21 7:00 PM Good Friday Service
18325 SE 384th
Auburn (253) 939-1330
Trinity Lutheran Church
3/21 7:00 PM Good Friday Service
1535 Washington Ave.
Enumclaw (360) 825-6561
Calvary Presbyterian
3/21 7-9 PM Good Friday Individual Reflection Time
1725 Porter St.
Enumclaw (360) 825-3820
We'll see you at 9:30 Sunday morning at ECC for a time of joyful celebration! Keep in mind that there will be no class on Easter Sunday, and we will have an extended worship time together.
Wabash Presbyterian Church
3/21 7:00 PM Good Friday Service
18325 SE 384th
Auburn (253) 939-1330
Trinity Lutheran Church
3/21 7:00 PM Good Friday Service
1535 Washington Ave.
Enumclaw (360) 825-6561
Calvary Presbyterian
3/21 7-9 PM Good Friday Individual Reflection Time
1725 Porter St.
Enumclaw (360) 825-3820
We'll see you at 9:30 Sunday morning at ECC for a time of joyful celebration! Keep in mind that there will be no class on Easter Sunday, and we will have an extended worship time together.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Sunday, March 16th
This week Bruce will conclude our recent series, "What Kind of Church?" This Sunday we will consider how we can each contribute to the life of the ECC family, helping us become the kind of church God wants us to be. In Ephesians 3:21-22, Paul writes this prayer:
I pray that Christ Jesus and the church will forever bring praise to God. His power at work in us can do far more than we dare ask or imagine. Amen.
What are you "daring to ask or imagine" for ECC? How will you -- your passions, your gifts -- fit into the picture?
for the worship ministry,
Robyn
I pray that Christ Jesus and the church will forever bring praise to God. His power at work in us can do far more than we dare ask or imagine. Amen.
What are you "daring to ask or imagine" for ECC? How will you -- your passions, your gifts -- fit into the picture?
for the worship ministry,
Robyn
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Sunday, March 9th
From Eric Pritchard:
This week we are continuing our examination of the Church and what God intends for us to be as a body. Ephesians 2: 8-10 states “God saved you by His special favor when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
I grew up in a church family that seemed to understand the New Covenant as if it were given in the same format and with the same purpose as the Old. It was very hard to understand grace while trying to earn it. It was not until I accepted God’s mercy as a “free” gift that I began to respond with a gratitude that is far more motivating than fear of hell.
When I ask you “What do you believe God wants ECC to be?” I don’t mean “What do you want to experience on Sunday mornings?” or “What kind of facilities does God want us to enjoy?” I mean what kind of good things do you think He prepared for us to do?
This week we are continuing our examination of the Church and what God intends for us to be as a body. Ephesians 2: 8-10 states “God saved you by His special favor when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
I grew up in a church family that seemed to understand the New Covenant as if it were given in the same format and with the same purpose as the Old. It was very hard to understand grace while trying to earn it. It was not until I accepted God’s mercy as a “free” gift that I began to respond with a gratitude that is far more motivating than fear of hell.
When I ask you “What do you believe God wants ECC to be?” I don’t mean “What do you want to experience on Sunday mornings?” or “What kind of facilities does God want us to enjoy?” I mean what kind of good things do you think He prepared for us to do?
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Sunday, February 24th
From Paula:
This week, as we continue in our series called "What Kind of Church?," the title of the sermon will be "Are you growing spiritually?" We will be looking at 2nd Peter 1:2-11 which reads:
"Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
How much responsibility do you think we have for our personal spiritual growth? According to this passage, it seems to me that there is a lot of effort expected from us in order to live the kind of life God desires for us to live.
Are there any particular spiritual disciplines that have been helpful to you on your journey of spiritual growth so far? How do you exercise your spirit? Or, what are some spiritual disciplines you haven't tried before, but would like to? Something that you have done before but need to re-introduce into your daily life?
This week, as we continue in our series called "What Kind of Church?," the title of the sermon will be "Are you growing spiritually?" We will be looking at 2nd Peter 1:2-11 which reads:
"Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
How much responsibility do you think we have for our personal spiritual growth? According to this passage, it seems to me that there is a lot of effort expected from us in order to live the kind of life God desires for us to live.
Are there any particular spiritual disciplines that have been helpful to you on your journey of spiritual growth so far? How do you exercise your spirit? Or, what are some spiritual disciplines you haven't tried before, but would like to? Something that you have done before but need to re-introduce into your daily life?
Friday, February 15, 2008
Sunday, February 17th
Sometimes I find it difficult to answer the question: "What would Jesus do?" Too often I find myself looking for some specific example of Jesus' actions that I can use to convince myself that being proud, self centered, or rude is really my best course of action at the time. Jesus got angry. Jesus put those who were wrong in their place. But Jesus was also perfect. Even in his anger he did not sin, and he never took it upon himself to humble those who were already down.
So for me the challenge is to stop trying to prove my point, and start pointing to God.
"...even Christ didn't please himself..."
-Romans 15:3
Even the Son of the Most High, who was there "in the beginning," did not look to please himself. His aim was always to serve his father, and to serve his body, the church. This should also be our aim.
So how do you do that? How do you put yourself third, behind God and everyone else? Would you say you are "at peace" with Christ and his church?
Looking forward to Sunday,
John
So for me the challenge is to stop trying to prove my point, and start pointing to God.
"...even Christ didn't please himself..."
-Romans 15:3
Even the Son of the Most High, who was there "in the beginning," did not look to please himself. His aim was always to serve his father, and to serve his body, the church. This should also be our aim.
So how do you do that? How do you put yourself third, behind God and everyone else? Would you say you are "at peace" with Christ and his church?
Looking forward to Sunday,
John
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Sunday, February 10th
This coming Sunday, we will be focusing on God's heart for the lost, and His compassion for all people. The main scripture will be Luke chapter 15, which includes the stories of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. I would suggest that everyone read the chapter sometime this week, to help prepare for a focused worship time on Sunday morning.
My question for our church family to think about and discuss is this: who are the lost? And what do you think about the idea that there may be degrees of "lostness"? I have often struggled with the related concept of degrees of sin… you know the way that we humans like to add a convenient layer of relativity to the concept of sin. One illustration would be the different ways we might think of a liar versus a murderer, or a jealous person versus a lesbian.
What are your thoughts? This is a great place to share!
On behalf of the Worship Team,
Jena Akers
My question for our church family to think about and discuss is this: who are the lost? And what do you think about the idea that there may be degrees of "lostness"? I have often struggled with the related concept of degrees of sin… you know the way that we humans like to add a convenient layer of relativity to the concept of sin. One illustration would be the different ways we might think of a liar versus a murderer, or a jealous person versus a lesbian.
What are your thoughts? This is a great place to share!
On behalf of the Worship Team,
Jena Akers
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