Have you noticed that “being busy” is a badge of honor? When asked, “how is it going?” a reply of, “busy” is a satisfying response. I am not against busy. I have often answered in that same way. But the deeper question is, “Am I busy about the right things, the best things?” No doubt Jesus was busy. And no doubt He was called to the best things!
I am reminded of the time when Jesus was visiting Martha in her home. For all of us type A personalities, this scene can bug us a little. We can relate more to Martha than her sister Mary who chose to sit at Jesus’ feet while Martha was running around preparing the meal. Let’s face it, if we had Jesus over dinner we would want to put on the best spread possible. At some point, Mary abandoned helping Martha in the food preparations to sit and listen to Jesus. Jesus says, “Martha, Martha, you are bothered and upset about getting all the food dishes ready, but Mary got the best dish,” (my translation). Martha chose a good thing. Mary chose what was better. Every day we are faced with choosing the good, the better or the best. In our busyness, are we busy about the best things? In all the demands of life, are we choosing time with our Savior?
Busy is on my mind because tis the season, right? School activities are in full swing. There is apple picking, Pumpkinfest, leaf peeping, one last trip to that hot spot before it closes for the winter, chores around the house, and church events to attend. I cannot choose what is best for you for I have a hard time getting it right for myself. But I can assure you of this; as your pastor my heart’s desire is to put before you what I believe is best for EBC. Also, my greatest desire for all of us here is that we choose knowing Christ more deeply as the one thing that is needed over everything else. I hope that the spread of events we provide push you toward becoming a fully committed follower of Christ, who lives out the gospel and shares this gospel!
Let me highlight a couple of those events. If you have started visiting EBC within the last two years or know someone who has that you can invite, there is a Welcome Luncheon this Sunday following the second service. The meal is provided. This is a great opportunity to engage people in the life of the church by connecting with others from EBC.
We are holding our third annual Trunk or Treat on October 31 from 5:00-8:00 in the gym parking lot. This is a great opportunity for our church neighbors to meet EBC familes and share in a fun night that we sponsor. Go online to get some ideas of how to decorate your car and show up that Wednesday night. We need your help for food, candy, and other practical needs to make this a successful night (sign up at ministry counter).
In the busyness of our Sunday mornings, many of you are making a point to make our visitors feel welcomed. There are lots of new faces as our attendance has been averaging 240 since switching to two services. That is up 40 or so people from the months prior to that change. Most of the growth has taken place in the second service. In an attempt to grow the first service, we will be changing the times of the two services. Beginning November 11, our first service will begin at 9:00 and second service will begin at 10:45. There will still be at least a half hour in between for mingling, and hopefully by slightly shortening the time in between, there will be more opportunity to run into those attending the other service.
Serving an awesome Savior,
Pastor Brian
Looking Forward
Sermon Direction
“The Sealed Ones” Revelation 7Last Sunday’s Sermon
CEF Children’s Workers Conference
Come enjoy workshops on Sharing the Gospel with Young Children, Discipline, Ministering to Special Needs Children and More!
This Saturday October 13th9am-2pm at EBC.
Conference Fee $25 Price includes lunch and all workshop supplies.
For more info go to www.facebook.com/cefnh.org/ or call 603-369-4566
ELMM
The next meeting of the Military Ministry (ELMM) will be
Saturday October 13th@ 0800.
This months meeting will meet at the EBC Gymnasium.
Veterans, retirees, active duty military, men, women and all denominations are welcome. Please come join us in fellowship, prayer and discussion of our common bond of those who serve.
(Please note this is a personal ministry and not an EBC church ministry
Newcomers Luncheon
If you are new to EBC in the past two years, you are cordially invited to our Welcome Luncheon for new attenders THIS Sunday, October 14.This will be a great opportunity to meet and connect with other newcomers and members of the EBC family. The luncheon will be held after the second service, approximately 11:45. We hope to see you there. Please follow this link to RSVP via Facebook or you can email the office.
EBC Kids Date Change
The “EBC Kids Volunteer Training and Brunch” that was schedule for October 20th has been rescheduled for Saturday, December 1st, from 9:30-11:30am. All EBC Kids volunteers, please make this change in your calendar.
Help Wanted
EBC is currently looking for a part time janitorial / general maintenance person to complement our existing janitor. This will be a paid position. Duties to include cleaning and general maintenance of the EBC facility, mowing & trimming of lawns, some snow shoveling, sanding & salting and other duties as the need arises. Candidate must be a self-starter and be able to work with a minimum amount of direction. This position will report directly the Facilities Trustee but must be able to take direction from the Pastors and administration people. For more information contact Bill Wixson at 603-524-8580 or email buildings@ebclaconia.com.
Help Needed
Karen Doyen is looking for someone temporarily to be a companion to a young blind woman in Franklin. This is a paid position and the hours are Mon – Fri 9am-1pm for about 6 weeks. Please call Karen at 320-1838 for more details.
Trunk or Treat
We will be hosting our 3rdannual Trunk or Treat!
October 31stfrom 5pm-8pm, bring your kids by the gym parking lot for some extra fun! This is a great way to get to know our church neighbors and them us.
We would like to have our parking lot full of decorated trunks for a safe place for kids to enjoy the evening. If you would like to participate and decorate your car trunk you can sign up this Sunday. There are also other ways you can help make this night special by donating cider, candy, or making a soup or chili for our participating families to have for dinner that night. Other items needed are fire pits, lighting and portable generators.
Signup this Sunday at the Ministry Counter and see Laura Hollenbeck with any questions.
Love INC
Annual Christmas Wreath Fundraiser November 17th.
Order yours today! Call 366-1525.
NEW December Christmas Blessing Project. Will provide Christmas gifts to 25 children from their 2018 clients. You can sponsor a local child for $100 per child. Clients will contribute $10 per child and will attend a Christmas Gospel program. A trained Love INC volunteer will shop with them for their children’s gifts.
TREC Art Contest
Trajectory REC’s Monday Night Basketball Program is having an art contest! They are looking for artists, designers, those with a creative flair to come up with the new TREC logo to be featured on all TREC Basketball materials including shirts!
The winning designer will receive a $100 GC to Olympia Sports!
Please see Justin Whitman for the details of the contest: jkwhitman119@gmail.com.
Clothing Donations Needed
Belknap county Dept. of Corrections is asking for clothing donations for both male and female inmates for when they are released from custody as well as for inmates who have job interviews through the Work Release Program.
Donations will be collected now until the end of October.
Please see Lisa Bauman. A box will be located by the coat closet where you can leave your donations each week.
Suggested items are: Coats and jackets, winter hats, scarves and gloves, winter boots, blue jeans, sneakers and shoes (W sizes 5-10 and M sizes 9-13), socks, white polo shirts, pants and dress pants, button down dress shirts, blouses, sweaters, blazers.