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Dear EBC Family,
Sunday morning worship is the highlight of my week, every week. There is nothing I look forward to more than being with God's people, singing God's praises, and hearing God's Word. My prayer is that each Sunday you will come with the same sense of anticipation to meet with the living God and His people. As you prepare your heart for worship this Sunday, I want to encourage you with these words from Psalm 95:7-8: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts."
Here, the Psalmist warns us about a possible response that we might have to God's Word when we hear it. We will either have soft hearts that are eager to receive God's Word so that we might respond with faith and obedience, or we will have hard hearts that don't allow God's Word to penetrate us. John MacArthur has often said, "The same sun that melts the wax hardens the clay." Which response best describes you when you hear God's Word? Will our hearts be softened or hardened by God's Word?
As the Psalmist says, determine "today" that you will not harden your heart when you "hear His voice." I'm praying that God will make us all like the good soil from the parable of the sower so that when the Word of God is sown into our hearts, we will bear fruit a hundredfold.
Sunday Worship Guide
Sunday morning worship is a Saturday night decision! One of the best ways to get the most out of our time together in corporate worship is to come prepared, going to bed early on Saturday night, and by reviewing the sermon text, our song list, and our responsive readings. To help you prepare for Sunday worship, I've provided each element of our worship below for your review prior to Sunday.
- Sermon Text – Psalm 78:1-8
- Song List
- Responsive Reading
- Confession of Sin
- Leader: "But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants." (Luke 15:17-19)
- All: Faithful Father, like the prodigal son, we have strayed and failed to trust Your care. Forgive us!
- Assurance of Pardon
- Leader: “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” (1 John 3:1)
- All: Father, You have forgiven our sins and adopted us as sons and daughters. Thank You, Lord, for Your great mercy and grace!
Announcements
- 5th Sunday Fellowship – We will have a 5th Sunday Fellowship this Sunday during the Sunday School hour (9-9:45 AM) in the fellowship hall. I hope you will take advantage of this wonderful (and easy) opportunity to grow closer in friendship with one another. Coffee and donuts will be provided!
- Larry & Adella Moving - Larry and Adella Smith will be moving to Fieldstone this Saturday. If you have a truck and are able to help, you can meet them at their house at 9 AM. Their address is 337 Chase Drive.
- My Schedule Change - I just wanted to let you all know that I have made a slight change to my weekly work schedule. The girls recently started school for the first time, so I am changing my schedule so that my off day is the same as theirs. Going forward, my normal days at the office will be Monday-Friday.
- Wednesday Nights – Next week we will begin a new study on the Ten Commandments. We will be looking at Exodus 20:1-3.
- Evangelism Training Event –– Adam Moma, who spoke once at our church, is hosting a Gospel Conversations Training event tomorrow night, August 29, from 6-8:30 PM at 445 Warfield Blvd, Clarksville, TN. You may sign up HERE.
- Trail Life/AHG Movie Night - Trail Life & AHG will be having a movie night on September 12 from 6-9 PM. Everyone at our church has been invited to attend. If you would like to attend, please contact Thomas or Michelle Gidley so that they can register you.
- Theology for Breakfast – This is a men's discipleship group that meets on the 1st & 3rd Fridays of the month at 6:30 AM at The Coffee House South. We spend time sharing our struggles and prayer needs with one another, and then we spend the rest of our time discussing a book that we are reading together. If you are interested in joining, please let me know.
- Trail Life/American Heritage Girls – Trail Life and AHG meet at the church each Thursday night at 6:30 PM. If you are interested in serving as mentor/volunteer, please contact Tom or Michelle Ridley.
- Classical Conversations – The homeschool group, Classical Conversations, has begun meeting at our church. They will be consistently meeting at our church on Tuesdays from 8:00 AM–3:30 PM beginning in September.
- Bible Study Fellowship – The women's BSF group meets at our church on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 PM. Their next study will begin in September. If you would like to join the fall study, visit bsfinternational.org, click "Find a Group," locate the Excell Baptist Church group, and click "Request to Join."
Upcoming Events
- August 31 – 5th Sunday Fellowship during the Sunday School hour (9:00 AM)
- September 12 – Trail Life/AHG Movie Night
- October 24 – Lottie Moon Chili Cook Off & Missions Auction
- November 30 – 5th Sunday Fellowship during the Sunday School hour (9:00 AM)
- December 5 – International Missions Meal
- December 14 – Holiday Meal
In Christ,
Hunter Hanson
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