Worship Hours

Sunday Schedule:

9:45 A.M. Sunday School

11:00 A.M. Morning Worship



Summer Schedule:

8:45 A.M. Sunday School

10:00 A.M Morning Worship



A Word Of Invitation

Welcome! We are glad to have you here. We pray God's blessings upon you. May you find inspiration on this site. We are faithful, joyful followers of Jesus Christ and members of American Baptist Churches USA. We also hope, if you are in the area, you will come worship with us on Sunday. You are most welcome!





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Saturday, August 28, 2010

Weekly Bible Verse: Luke 14:1-14

Luke 14: On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely. 2Just then, in front of him, there was a man who had dropsy. 3And Jesus asked the lawyers and Pharisees, “Is it lawful to cure people on the sabbath, or not?” 4But they were silent. So Jesus took him and healed him, and sent him away. 5Then he said to them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that has fallen into a well, will you not immediately pull it out on a sabbath day?” 6And they could not reply to this.


7When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. 8“When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; 9and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, ‘Give this person your place,’ and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. 10But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. 11For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” 12He said also to the one who had invited him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. 13But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Prayers for Those Who Suffer in Asia and Russia

Our prayers go out to all who are currently suffering from floods in Asia and fires in Russia. We stand with you in your grief and struggle.

Psalm 23:4: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for You art with me; Your rod and Your staff they comfort me.

We pray that the assurance of protection the prophet Isaiah wrote to Israel will also be yours. May God go with you in this difficult time.

Isaiah 43:2: 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Fellowship After Each Service!

Let's Get Together...


REFRESHMENTS & FELLOWSHIP

After the Church Service in the Lower Level
Starting September 5...
Come spend time together, and enjoy some light refreshments after the service.
Nothing formal, just a good time to catch up with each other.
If you like it, we'll do it regularly.
See you there.

It's The MAIN Thing...our RELATIONSHIPS

Marriage Seminar Coming!

Remember…The MAIN Thing?

I’m sure you do.

It’s Relationships, and it’s what we offer in a variety of ways here at ECBC. One of the new ways is going to be a multi-week seminar titled

MARRIAGE:

Built to Last

Living Intentionally & Loving Biblically

This is a seminar developed by Chip Ingram, and will be led by Jay VanHorn over a six week period on Tuesday evenings. It will be starting in early Oct., so keep your Tuesday evenings open. It will open to the public, and you are encouraged to invite friends and neighbors. The cost is FREE; you will simply need to register so we have enough materials available.

You will be hearing more about this upcoming event.

Explaining "Meeting of the Minds"

In Case You Were Wondering Why…

“Meeting Of The Minds”

This is going to be a time of listening to each of you as we gather for small group interaction. After having a meal together as a large group, we will break up into small groups and meet in separate rooms. Nobody will need to talk over another group, and each group will have the freedom to discuss whatever is relevant to the questions presented. We don’t want to tell you the questions ahead of time – freshness is best – just know that they are short and focused.

Don’t worry; we don’t plan to make you sorry you came. What we do want is to have the most variety we can get from all of the great minds at ECBC. You know you have something to say, and we want you to say it. This is specifically targeted at 2011, so, don’t fear, no long range planning and thinking about where we’ll be years from now. Even so, thinking about just next year really could be a great place to develop good things for the future. This can also be a wonderful tool for our new pastor, whenever that happens.

It’s also important to know that nobody is going to be asked to do anything other than contribute thoughts and ideas. Whatever ideas the groups come up with will be prioritized by each group, and then each groups’ information will be further refined during the recap at the end of the meeting. Then the results will go to Church Council. Everyone on Council is smart enough to know that we can’t think of everything and know all that is needed, and we need you to be involved in the process.

Intrigued? Please plan to come. We really want you join in this special time of sharing and fellowship for our church.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Weekly Bible Verse: Luke 13:10-17: Flexibility Is Key!

Luke 13: 10Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. 11And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. 12When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” 13When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. 14But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.” 15But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? 16And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?” 17When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Upcoming Meeting for Congregation

Exciting things are happening at ECBC. We are looking for your input ... soon!

"MEETING OF THE MINDS"

Good things happen when great minds get together - and yours is needed!

When: Wed., Sept. 15, 2010 from 6 to 8pm

Where: ECBC lower level

Why: To have great input about future planning for ECBC in 2011

What's Going to Happen?

6 -6:30 Light supper (provided,) Dessert (you will bring)

6:30 -8 Input sessions and recap

We need your mind to join with everyone else's so we get the

"best of the best".

Plan to attend. Let us know by emailing the church directly at secretary@extonbaptist.org.

This meeting has also been announced on the ECBC Facebook Group.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Annual Yard and Craft Sales

Annual ECBC Community Yard and Craft Sale

to Benefit Sue Hegarty’s Ministry in Cuba

Saturday September 18 8:00-Noon

(September 25 - Rain Date)

Spaces available for rent if you have things to sell. Contact the church office for information! We look forward to seeing church members and the community at this popular event.



Monday, August 16, 2010

Wednesday Night Fellowship to Extend All Year!

The summer Wednesday night fellowship with food and games has proven so successful that it has been determined to continue this Wednesday night get together all year 'round. Members of the church and members of the community alike are invited to join us at the church at 6 p.m. year round for fellowship, fun, and good food. It is a community get together well worth participating in. Your presence will enrich the experience.

See you soon!

Friday, August 13, 2010

Weekly Bible Verse: Isaiah 5:1-7


Isaiah 5: 1Let me sing for my beloved my love-song concerning his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. 2He dug it and cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines; he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it; he expected it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes. 3And now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and people of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. 4What more was there to do for my vineyard that I have not done in it? When I expected it to yield grapes, why did it yield wild grapes? 5And now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard. I will remove its hedge, and it shall be devoured; I will break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down. 6I will make it a waste; it shall not be pruned or hoed, and it shall be overgrown with briers and thorns; I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. 7For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the people of Judah are his pleasant planting; he expected justice, but saw bloodshed; righteousness, but heard a cry!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

There Are 25 Things that Everyone Needs!

In Dr. Seuss' story about the Lorax, who speaks for the trees, there was a character called the "Onceler" who manufactured "Thneeds" that "everyone needs." Well, nobody needs thneeds, or half the other stuff we all collect around ourselves. However, authors Harold G. Koenig and Andrew J. Weaver, in the book Counseling Troubled Older Adults, came up with a list (pp. 231-232) of 25 psychological and spiritual needs of older adults. I contend these are 25 psychological and spiritual needs of everyone. What do you think?

  1. a need for meaning and purpose
  2. a need for a sense of usefulness
  3. a need for vision
  4. a need for hope
  5. a need for support in coping with loss and change
  6. a need to adapt to increasing dependency (okay, maybe everybody doesn't need this one ... yet)
  7. a need to transcend difficult circumstances
  8. a need for personal dignity
  9. a need to express feelings
  10. a need to be thankful
  11. a need for continuity with the past
  12. a need to accept and prepare for death and dying
  13. a need to be certain that God exists
  14. a need to believe that God is on their side
  15. a need to experience God's presence
  16. a need to experience God's unconditional love
  17. a need to pray alone, with others, and for others
  18. a need to read and be inspired by Scripture
  19. a need to worship God, individually and corporately
  20. a need to love and serve God
  21. a need for fellowship with others [including play]
  22. a need to love and serve others
  23. a need to confess and be forgiven
  24. a need to forgive others
  25. a need to cope with the death of loved ones
It's a good list. Which parts do you have covered? Which parts do you need to work on? What would you add to the list?

God bless you on your journey!

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Weekly Bible Verse: Psalm 33: Praise God with Joy

Psalm 33: 1Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous. Praise befits the upright.


2Praise the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings.

3Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.

4For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.

5He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.

6By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all their host by the breath of his mouth.

7He gathered the waters of the sea as in a bottle; he put the deeps in storehouses.

8Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.

9For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.

10The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples.

11The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

12Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage.

13The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all humankind.

14From where he sits enthroned he watches all the inhabitants of the earth—

15he who fashions the hearts of them all, and observes all their deeds.

16A king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.

17The war horse is a vain hope for victory, and by its great might it cannot save.

18Truly the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,

19to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.

20Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and shield.

21Our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.

22Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.

Purpose to Life

Have you ever wondered about your purpose in life? Have you ever asked yourself, "Why am I here?" Haven't we all. Matthew 22: 37, 39 provides us with a very useful answer to this troubling question. When the Sadducee lawyer asked Jesus which was the greatest commandment, Jesus replied that there were two: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. ... You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Everything else hangs on these two commandments. Any time that you feel your life is without meaning, prove your love for God by loving your neighbor as yourself. Reach out to someone and help them in some small way. It doesn't have to be a heroic effort. Our lives are vastly improved by the small things people do for us on a daily basis, especially by the small, unexpected kindnesses others bless us with that buoy us through our often long and trying days.

If you are still pondering what it means to love your neighbor as yourself, try the article C.S. Lewis Explains Love Your Neighbor as Yourself...: http://jsbrookspresents.blogspot.com/2010/03/cs-lewis-explains-love-your-neighbor-as.html

If you're skeptical I can personally testify that this works. I have seen lives transformed by those who have decided to live out these two seemingly simple commandments. Drop by ECBC sometime and I'll gladly tell you all about it.

VBS Review and Planning Meeting for Next Year

Pastor Jay and the VBS team leader would like to meet with everyone who helped with VBS on Sunday August 29 after church downstairs at the church to discuss what went well and what we could improve for next year.

We all learned:
  • 6:30-8:00 is enough time
  • 20 minutes for each activity is enough
I'm sure you have more ideas!

Thank you in advance.

For next year's VBS we will be doing heroes and heroines of the Bible with the acronym F.R.O.G. (Fully Rely On God)