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Dear EBC Family,
As we draw near to Thanksgiving, this is a wonderful time for us as believers to remind ourselves of all that we have to be thankful for. This past week in my devotions it struck me that the prophet Isaiah calls the gospel message of salvation "good news of happiness" (Isaiah 52:7).
This doesn't deny the fact that our lives may be filled with sorrow. Jesus Himself was "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" (Isaiah 53:3). If you are dealing with sorrow and grief, you are experiencing emotions that Jesus Himself felt. And while grief and sorrow are real experiences that we as believers have and must work through, because of Christ, we do have reason for gratitude that transcends our circumstances. We can have Joy "in the Lord" because the man of sorrows "has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows" (Isaiah 53:4).
J. C. Ryle said, "Faith in Christ is the grand secret of happiness...Death may cut down wife, and children, and friends, until he who once enjoyed them stands entirely alone. But the man who has come to Christ by faith, will still possess something which can never be taken from him."
My prayer for you this morning is that the Lord would help you to fix your mind on the amazing grace that you have received in Christ. Through the gospel, Christ has given to us "an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Peter 1:4-5). Peter encourages us to respond to this good news of happiness by rejoicing "with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls" (1 Peter 1:8-9). Because of our salvation, we as believers ought to be the most thankful people!
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 Timothy 1:12-17
- Song List
- Responsive Reading
- Confession of Sin
- Leader: And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. (Ephesians 2:1-3)
- All: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:8)
- Assurance of Pardon
- Leader: But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved (Ephesians 2:4-5).
- All: 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 3:1a)
Announcements
- 3rd Thursday Prayer – We are gathering for prayer at the church at 11 AM this morning. I hope you will join us if you are able!
- Treasurer Position – We are currently in need of a treasurer. If you have a financial background, and if you are interested, please contact me directly.
- 5th Sunday Fellowship – On Sunday, November 30, we'll be having a time of fellowship during the Sunday School hour in the fellowship hall. I hope that you will join us! Donuts, milk, coffee, chocolate milk, and orange juice will be available.
- Wednesday Nights – We will not be meeting next Wednesday night because of the Thanksgiving holiday. We will next meet on December 3 in the fellowship hall for the Lottie Moon week of prayer.
- 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 Gidley.
- Classical Conversations – The homeschool group, Classical Conversations, meets at our church on Tuesdays from 8:00 AM–3:30 PM.
- Bible Study Fellowship – The women's BSF group meets at our church on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 PM. If you would like to join the current study, visit bsfinternational.org, click "Find a Group," locate the Excell Baptist Church group, and click "Request to Join."
Upcoming Events
- 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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