July 27, 2025
August 1, 2025Dear EBC Family,
I'm having some trouble emailing you through Planning Center today, so I'm emailing you through our old system, Breeze. I hope everyone is still able to receive the email!
I want to share one of my favorite biblical stories with you today—the account of two very different sisters in Luke 10:38-42. When Jesus enters the house and begins to teach, Mary is seen at Jesus’ feet “listening to his teaching.” However, Martha is given quite the opposite portrayal. Martha is one who has a much more active personality. She takes the initiative to welcome Jesus into their home, and she is very busy with preparations to honor their special guest.
As is often the case with those who have different personalities, tensions quickly emerge. Martha's frustration boils over as she sees Mary sitting while she is working alone. She also expresses frustration with Jesus for not telling Mary to help her (v. 40). Martha is convinced that Jesus will take her side, so she asks Jesus to correct Mary by redirecting Mary toward more "productive" activity.
On the surface, it appears that Martha's frustration is justified, doesn't it? She is the one who is working hard to honor Jesus. However, Jesus catches us off guard with his reply: “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her" (vv. 41-42).
Martha was serving Jesus, yes, but at the expense of listening to His Word. In somewhat surprising fashion, Jesus sides with Mary because she prioritized alone time with Him above all else. Jesus says, “one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion” (v. 42). Listening to Jesus is a deliberate choice that we must all make. Before we serve Jesus, we must intentionally take the time to listen to what He has to say to us.
Martha's well-intentioned service had become “distracted serving” (v. 40), driven more by worry than worship. The very busyness meant to honor Jesus was actually preventing her from receiving what He wanted to share with her. How often do we find ourselves in Martha’s shoes—serving Jesus at the expense of listening to Him?
Jesus isn’t calling us to abandon service. Rather, He’s inviting us to prioritize a relationship with Him through His Word. When we choose the good portion first, our service becomes an overflow of relationship rather than a substitute for it. Our churches, ministries, and good works can become sources of anxiety rather than expressions of love when we lose sight of the “one thing necessary.”
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 - 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
Song List
O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFMAlhxnJrE&list=RDvFMAlhxnJrE&start_radio=1)
All My Ways are Known to You (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44mVzqGeS-Q&list=RD44mVzqGeS-Q&start_radio=1)
Jesus Strong and Kind (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5Y8s-Sz_ac&list=RDT5Y8s-Sz_ac&start_radio=1)
Hallelujah What a Savior (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmRqYietSQ8&list=RDNmRqYietSQ8&start_radio=1&t=66s)
Speak O Lord (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH1Wn4fTiBs&list=RDaH1Wn4fTiBs&start_radio=1)
Responsive Reading
Confession of Sin
Leader: “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” (Romans 15:1-2)
All: “Father, we so often live only for ourselves while we ignore the needs of others. Forgive us!”
Assurance of Pardon
Leader: “For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, ‘The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” (Romans 15:3)
All: “We thank you, Jesus, for not pleasing yourself. Thank you for laying down your life so that our sins can be forgiven!”
Announcements
Wednesday Nights - Next Wednesday we will have our fellowship meal and business meeting. I hope you will join us!
Membership Class - I will be teaching a membership class on the first three Sundays of August (August 3, 10, & 17) during the Sunday school hour in the first classroom on the right down the upstairs hallway. During this time, Thomas Gidley will be teaching the adult Sunday School class.
Men's Breakfast - Our next Men's breakfast will be on August 9 at 8 AM.
Trail Life/American Heritage Girls - Trail Life and American Heritage Girls will be having an open house tonight at 6:30 PM. They will begin meeting at the church again on a weekly basis beginning on August 14.
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)
October 24 - Chili Cook Off & Missions Offering
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