Posts from November 2018
This past Sunday I had the honor of leading our church in worship during the Sunday morning worship service. It is something I have periodically had the opportunity to do when Bro. Mark is away, I’m always grateful and honored when he asks me to do it. I began thinking about things that I do here at Emmanuel and who I ask to fill in for me when I’m gone. Right now we are blessed to have an Interim Pastor…
Notes from Mark
Thank you EBC for your generous and willing spirit. Generous in the way you give up what is comfortable for that which is out of the ordinary. Your willing spirit has been on display in the way so many have pitched in to help in many different ways during this time. You and your work is so greatly appreciated. I believe that what we do has eternal significance and even in these seemingly small ways God notices what you do…
Notes From Mark
Wow! It was different at EBC Sunday! Different location, different look, different feel, sanctuary is EMPTY. It is just different. Yet in our time of worshiping together the Spirit was the same. The praise was the same, for our God does not change. This was a great reminder that no matter our situation that our God is faithful to His Word always. I am so thankful for the help and “will do” attitude that our members have given and displayed…
When you have 4 (I mean 5) kids that are all under 10 you become very familiar with cartoons. One that has been played at our house is Finding Nemo. In the movie Dory sings a little tune, “Keep on Swimming”. This has played throughout my head during times of stress and doubt in my spiritual life. I don’t “sit” well, even on my day off when I know that I need to be at home with my family, I…
As I’ve spent the last 2 days at the BGCO Annual Meeting in Edmond, OK I am so uplifted about the future of our State Convention as well as excited about the focus of fulfillment of the Gospel in and around the state. All week we have been told and directed to Ephesians 3:20-21, “Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us –…
Notes from Mark
I am blessed to be part of this congregation. This past Sunday my heart was blessed by the pure and sincere generosity of our church family. The story in brief – a lady passing through was in need of help. A medical emergency in her family meant an unexpected trip to Louisiana. Someone at Wal-Mart told her to go to Emmanuel and they would help. She had lost her travel cash and needed to get to Baton Rouge, La. A…
#BetterTogether
One thing that always comes up in November is church budget time. It’s a time where our ministry leaders take time to review what happened throughout the past year, thank God for what he has done and begin to pray seeking his vision and mission for the upcoming year. This year as I have looked at the past year, I keep coming back to how amazing our church family is. No matter what ministry, mission or event that I look…
Notes from Mark
If you missed the past 5 days at EBC you missed some wonderful displays of God’s goodness and graciousness. You missed an opportunity to see our church serving together. It has been super. What am I talking about? Well . . . First our Fall Festival. The format and layout changed (that’s nothing new it has changed location and design 5 times in the 9 Fall Festivals I have been a part), but sharing the joy of Christ to our…
I don’t know about you but I think this has been one of the most exciting times recently to be apart of Emmanuel. Over the past few months we have seen God move in and around our midst through the movement of his spirit, his presence and also through our practice of serving him. Not only are we getting to experience God blessing our church with some great facility upgrades he is continuing to challenge our church into being the…
Notes from Mark
It is exciting to be at EBC right now. Continue to lift up our Pastor Search Committee in prayer. They are meeting and working to find the one God has for Emmanuel. If you haven’t heard our sanctuary is undergoing a facelift. Generous people have given to make this possible. At our quarterly business meeting it was approved to level the platform to one height and that it be done by a licensed contractor. Also the carpet is on its…