Celebration Worship, 8:30 & 11:00 am Pastor David

Resonate Worship, 8:30 & 11:00 am Michael Gossett

South Campus, 10:30 am Pastor David via Video Feed

Celebration Worship Notes

LAST SUNDAY we reviewed our vision statement and relaunched LOVE ETX. I’ve never been prouder of our staff and volunteers than I have during the last quarter of 2020. In spite of COVID restrictions, you were able to show God’s Love to East Texas in many creative ways. In case you missed the video from last Sunday, here’s a link to watch it.

THIS SUNDAY MORNING we begin a verse by verse study of 1 John entitled CHRISTIANITY [defined]. By the time John wrote his three epistles, he was an old man. He writes as a father addressing his spiritual children. By the end of the First Century, many heretical beliefs about Jesus had infiltrated the churches, so John wrote to reemphasize the basic beliefs of our faith. Sometimes Christian teaching can become so complicated and deep that it is murky. An old preacher once told me, “Son, just because a river is muddy doesn’t mean it’s deep.” So I’m excited as we dive into the crystal-clear waters of Biblical truth as we revisit the simple basics of our faith.

WILL YOU GIVE YOUR LIFE TO CHRIST TODAY? I know most of you who read this newsletter are members of our church. But there are many who subscribe who aren’t members, and you may not know the Lord. Or, better yet, maybe you are a follower of Jesus, and know someone who needs Jesus. You can forward this newsletter to them.

AS I PREPARED THIS article, I sensed a specific need to share the plan of salvation because someone will read it who needs to hear this simple message. God loves you, and He created you to have a personal relationship with Him. All of us are born with a sinful nature, and our sin separates us from God. Jesus came to show us God’s love and to restore this broken relationship. When He died on the cross, He took the punishment for sin that all of us deserved. And when we place our faith in Jesus, who died and rose again, we receive the gift of eternal life—knowing God. We can’t earn a gift—that’s why it’s called grace. We can only accept it or reject it. No matter what you’ve done in the past, God wants to receive you into His family and you can become His child.

YEARS AGO I HEARD A TOUCHING STORY that illustrates how much God loves us. There was a homeless lady in New York City who attended a preaching service at a Manhattan Rescue Mission. Afterwards in the line to receive soup, she mentioned to the preacher she was now ready to give her life to Jesus. She said, “I never knew until today that my name is in the Bible.” The preacher smiled and said, “What’s your name?” She said, “Edith. My name is Edith. And my name is in the Bible.” The preacher said, “I’m sorry ma’am but you must be mistaken. The name Edith never appears in the Bible.” She said, “Oh yes it does, I heard you read it a few minutes ago!” He opened his Bible and she pointed her finger to Luke 15:2. The preacher had been using the King James Version, and it says, “This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them.” She said, “There it is!” She said, “Jesus receiveth sinners and Edith with them!” And indeed, the good news is Jesus does receive sinners, and Edith, and David, and Jane, and Mary, and John and anyone else who comes to Him!

WHY DON’T YOU PRAY THIS PRAYER now and God will hear you? “Lord, I admit I’m a sinner. I’ll never be good enough to earn a place in Heaven. Right now, I place my trust in Jesus—and what He did on the cross to save me. Jesus, please come in and take control of my life. I ask this in your Name, Jesus. Amen.”

If you prayed that prayer, will you email me at [email protected]? I’d love to send you some great reading material to help you take the next steps as a follower of Jesus.

Our Team is constantly looking for space to launch new Connect Groups. New Groups grow best—chiefly because new leaders begin serving, new people are engaged, and everyone is looking for people to connect with. New Connect Groups are an amazing tool to allow us to fulfill our vision of transforming lives with the truth of Jesus.

The Business Office has an immediate opening for an Administrative Stewardship Director. The position assists the Stewardship Director to administer, oversee and manage all the financial, insurance and payroll operations of the church. View full description

The Business Office has an immediate opening for an HR/Payroll Administrator. The position requires duties as necessary to maintain all payroll records, to process all payrolls and to handle any other payroll related function in the Stewardship Office. View full description

Havynn Mahaffey

GIVING TOOLS