I recently spent some time with my family in NY City. It really is a city that never sleeps. The streets are jammed with cars, taxi cabs, and more cars and taxi cabs moving from one lane to the next, honking their horns for the driver in front of them to move- after all, the light turned green a milli-second ago. And the people! It never ceases to amaze me of the number of people walking from block to block. I see all this and wonder, “Where are they all going?”
“When Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). That’s it! These are sheep without a shepherd (although I really don’t know their spiritual condition). But it is a good picture for me. Where are they all going? The Lord continues to keep me around lost people in the community to see how lost they are. They are like sheep without a shepherd and having no real direction for their lives. “Oh, Lord, keep me filled with compassion. May my heart continue to go out to them!”
We gather to go! That is what the 4-E model for our ministry here at EBC is all about. A disciple of Jesus Christ is both a growing Christian and a going Christian. Going may mean leaving where you are and evangelizing people of another culture, but it is simply being active and intentional in our evangelizing efforts as we go about our daily lives. That awesome responsibility falls upon each one of us in the church.
Pray for those from EBC who are physically going on a short-term missions’ trip in July. Steve Forbes, Becky Kneuer, Ethan and Victoria Brown will be heading to Honduras on July 20to assist with a church building project, conduct a VBS program and show Christ’s love in tangible ways among the people of Tocoa, Colon. If you would like to financially support this team, then write “Missions Door” in the memo of your check or with a note attached and put in the offering plate by the end of this month.
Locally, there are two outreach efforts planned for this summer. In mid-August, there will be a neighborhood block party at the church for this community. More details to come as to how you can help but, praying for our church neighbors is a great place to start.
On-Goal Soccer Camp is coming up in June. Many people are working behind the scenes right now to make this happen. Your help is needed. You will hear about your role in this in the weeks to come. Scholarship requests keep coming in and we don’t want to turn anyone away because of finances. Will you prayerfully consider giving to scholarships so that children and their families can be exposed to Christ’s love and the truth of salvation? Mark gifts, “On-Goal.”
One last thing, in the hopes of better establishing and equipping His church in the Word of God, Sunday mornings is a prime time to offer Bible studies. There is one class offered presently, “The Mystery of the Holy Spirit,” beginning this Sunday @ 9:00 in room 102 (downstairs of church). My desire is that this might be expanded to offer more than one class each Sunday, if God wills!
Praise God for the moving of the Holy Spirit at EBC and may His transforming power turn hearts toward Him!
Blessings,
Pastor Brian
Looking Forward
Sermon Direction
“Everything Made New”
Revelation 21:1-8
Last Sunday’s Sermon
New Sermon Series
Coming this summer
“Through It All”
Beginning June 2, our sermon series will travel with Moses to see how God is with us through all the seasons of life.
Child Dedication
There will be three families dedicating their children this Sunday during second service
Mystery of the Holy Spirit Bible Study
Many wonder, “I have Jesus, why do I need the Holy Spirit?”
Beginning May 12 at 9am, this class will not only study the Holy Spirit, but look at the difference He makes in our lives.
Mission Trip to Honduras
July 20, four people from EBC will be heading to Honduras on a short term missions trip (Becky Kneuer, Steve Forbes, Ethan Brown and Victoria Brown). They will join Rick Odess, an EBC supported missionary, as they assist with a church building project and minister to the people of Tocoa, Colon. Please pray for their ministry and for their safety. If you are interested in supporting themfinancially, please write “Missions Door” in the memo of your check and put in the offering plate by May 26, or reach out to a member of the Global Outreach Team.
Lakes Region Vineyard Church Food Pantry
The LR Vineyard Food Bank is in need of personal care and personal items for their food bank. We will be collecting items to help supply the need.
Items can be placed in the box located by the Ministry Counter on Sunday May 12 and 19.
Toothpaste * Toothbrushes * Toilet paper * Shampoo * Conditioner * Bar soap
Liquid Dish soap * Laundry soap * Deodorant * Feminine Hygiene Items
Wipes * Child diapers all sizes * Adult diapers all sizes * Socks all sizes
On Goal Soccer Camp
Jun 25-29
Register today at www.ongoal.org
- K-1st 9am-Noon $145
- 2nd-9th 9am-9pm $165
Register before May 26 for early registration discount, family discounts and Laconia resident discounts also available.
Visit www.laconiachurch.com/ongoal to volunteer or donate to the scholarship fund.
Meals Needed for On Goal Soccer Camp coaches
It looks as though Spring has finally arrived. The snow has melted, and the field at Leavitt Park will soon be ready. This year we have approximately 15 coaches traveling to Laconia. They combine their passion for soccer with their love for Jesus Christ in this amazing ministry.
As a church community we are asked to pray for, house and feed these young disciples.
We have two online meal train sign-ups available. One for lunch and one for dinner. If you are interested in signing up to provide a meal, please click this link.
Scroll down to the bottom and click “Volunteer” button and fill out the form. Betsy Weller, the On Goal Coaches Meals Coordinator, will follow up with you!
We will also have information and sign ups after both services on May 19.
Franklin Graham
Decision America
Franklin Graham (president of Samaritan’s Purse) is conducting a Decision Northeast tour and he will be speaking in Manchester, NH Thursday, May 23 @ 7:30pm in Gill Stadium. Please be in prayer for this entire tour which includes Franklin Graham speaking in six major cities in the Northeast in the last two weeks of May. Also, please seek the LORD about whether He would have you be attending one of the events (and invite family and friends!). We desperately need God to bring revival to our land — and particularly our state and the others in the Northeast. It is a very needy place and only God can change hearts and lives, and society as a whole. For more information, please visit: https://northeast.billygraham.org/event/manchester/.