What are You Expecting?A word from Pastor Chris & Lisa

September 2017

Hey Church! September is here, cooler weather is on the way, and the ‘ole red & white is everywhere. Just last week, I asked a new friend what he was expecting for the Cornhuskers’ football season. He immediately rattled off his projection, along with some serious stats. I was impressed. Then I asked him what he was expecting for his life in the last leg of this year. He went all numb-tongue for a moment and then reluctantly replied, “hopefully better than the beginning”.

I believe a lot of people just ride out the year instead of taking it by the horns in order to make it be the best it can be. And believe me, I

understand. It’s simply easier to sit back on your heels and coast for these final months, than it is to press in and make the most of every day. I challenge each of us to finish 2017 strong! And I can’t think of a better way to accomplish that than through prayer & fasting.

I encourage you to dive wholeheartedly into our corporate fast (Sept 7-27), and watch your faith and expectation level climb throughout September. If you expect nothing to happen in this final quarter of the year, then you are guaranteed nothing will happen. But if you fix your eyes on Jesus, invest into your relationship with Him, and dig deep into His word, then you can confidently expect God’s best for your life. Even through disappointments and pain, God can still work wonders on your behalf! So what are you expecting to happen in this last season of 2017? Let’s believe for something greater!

Believing with You, Pastor Chris & Lisa

What are You Saying? A word from Patty Jacobs

Our 9:00 Sunday morning classes kick off on September 10th! Here’s a list of classes we’re offering:

Next StepsLed by Elmon Larson & Ron Stevens

Life TogetherLed by Joe & Keenan Kleymann and Mark & Carla Andersen

Financial PeaceLed by Jan & Juanita Coppock

Spirit Filled LifeLed by John Huffman

“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength...” Isaiah 30:15

When I first saw this scripture, I took it to heart knowing it was a word for me. Sometime later, in a heated moment, I needed to express myself and that verse came to mind but I did not heed the reminder. Of course, after satisfying my need to express myself, I was overcome with guilt. Wondering why didn’t I listen to the Holy Spirit….I went to my bible and read the verse again but I noticed something I had not seen before, it was the remainder of the verse:

“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.”

Why hadn’t I seen it? I repented right then. That chapter in Isaiah goes on to speak of redemption but not until after the consequences are felt. Sometimes our tongue is the biggest obstacle for God being free to move. For example, we know we will not agree with each other on everything and we don’t like something so we murmur and complain, maybe gossip or make snide remarks about something or someone but we don’t even realize it. Instead of being guilty of the above, let’s go talk to God about it and let Him show us how to proceed.

Let’s examine our hearts during this fast, repent when and where we need. May our mouths speak good things to build each other up and not tear each other down. And most importantly let us be a people full or praises to our God! “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Luke 6:45

Wednesday, September 6th First Wednesday is back! Join us for dinner at 6:00pm as we kick off our Fall semester. Children’s classes provided. Click here to sign up!

Wednesday, September 13th

Join us for this church-wide journey of discovering our spiritual gifts. This class will be co-taught by the Huffman’s and the Frith’s on Wednesday nights this Fall. Please make sure you sign up at Connection Point or through the church office!

Special Message September 10th

We will be showing special video message September 10th from John Maxwell! After this message, we’ll kick off a new sermon series called “Not a Fan.” If you can’t join us on Sunday or would like to view a sermon from a previous Sunday, click here for our live stream channel: EF TV

PreService Prayer September 10th

Starting September 10th, we will have preservice prayer from 9:00-9:25 am in the Sanctuary. If you aren’t attending a class, we invite you to come join us!

Bagels and coffee will be served from 9:25 - 9:55 am.

Kids' classes & Volunteer Training

Wednesday night classes resume on September 6th and 9:00 Sunday classes resume September 10th. We will also hold a volunteer training on Sunday, October 22nd after church. This is for all volunteers and anyone interested in serving in the Children’s Ministry. More info to come.

9/1: George & June Stratbucker (64 years)9/6: Justin & Heather Vipond (9 years)

9/8: Ken & Kathleen Armsbury (49 years)9/14: Jeff & Elizabeth Dorau (4 years)9/15: James & Angela Brucks (8 years)9/23: John & Marie Olsen (28 years)

9/25: Roger & Dorothy Masloskie (46 years)9/28: Jerry & Cindy Mailloux (15 years)

9/1: Sue DelSenno9/4: Cal Headley

9/8: Kenedy Hoing9/11: Mazlyn Eulberg

9/14: Arlene Morehouse9/14: Kyle Tucker

9/15: Jan Coppock9/15: Jim Martin

9/16: Natalie Barr9/16: Isaac Molina

9/17: Kevin McNew9/18: Shari Lee

9/19: Frank Binder9/21: Deb Otto

9/24: Luke Andersen9/24: Dan Lidgett9/25: Jim Emary

9/26: Bob Behrens9/27: Levi Maas

9/29: Joan Hunter

AnniversariesBirthdays

We will have corporate prayer times: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 6:15-7:15 am; Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30-7:30 pm; and Saturdays 9:00-10:00 am.

Thank you from the Huffman's: John and Leah Huffman want to thank all of those who helped pack for their move, especially those in their Sunday School class. They also want to thank those who brought meals to them after Leah's surgery. The Huffman's new address is: 2415 No. 148th St., Omaha, NE 68116.