“Recalculating!” Anyone who has ever used a GPS while driving has heard the word, “recalculating.” As my family traveled through the unfamiliar routes in Florida last week, our GPS had to remind us that we missed our turn or had driven too far and would recalculate and show us what we needed to do to correct our mistake.
Frankly, God has done a lot of “recalculating” in my life. I have gone through times in my life when it dawned on me that I am off course. You might think of times when God spoke to you through some sermon or song or situation or personal time in the Word as if to say, “Change your direction. Go this way instead of that way.”
This has been on my mind for us as a church. Seven years ago, when I arrived to serve as your pastor, I came with a clear vision for EBC. If you have been around here at all, you should be familiar with our mission to make disciples, our objectives of growing deeper and having greater impact, our five commitments (to Scripture, prayer, one another, worship, and outreach) and our 4-E model for ministry (engaging, establishing, equipping & evangelizing).
Are we staying on the right road? Have we made wrong turns? Is there a need for God to recalculate our plans in order to get us to where He wants to take us? We do have a propensity to become distracted. This is true on a personal level and also as a church.
In approaching my seven-year mark, it is cause for celebration and evaluation. I do celebrate the accomplishments. I thank God for the marked growth in you, the team of elders and staff I get to serve with, the healthy environment that is welcoming to newcomers, the joyful spirit present each Sunday, and the reception of God’s Word to your lives.
It is also a time for evaluation. What changes do I need to make to better reflect the vision and desires I believe God wants for us? How has the tyranny of the urgent squeezed out the more important things? Church, whenever we substitute the urgent for the important, it is time to recalculate.
This is why I am so passionate about the upcoming sermon series on the church. This is the reason the call for a church awakening is so critical. I believe that the church in America has fallen asleep to the reality that we live in difficult times. And unlike the early morning alarm, we cannot hit the snooze button. We must wake up to what confronts us. We must wake up to the marvelous opportunity of ministry that lies before us.
The genius of the gospel, the beauty of God’s grace, and the power of God’s Word are able to put us on the right path to reach the destiny God has for us as a church. We can be encouraged for God is able to get us to our destiny. More than that, He is able to do far more than we can even ask. I invite you to pray that God awakens our church to what Jesus is building. Pray that our passion is renewed for what He wants for us. Pray that we embrace the recalculating that puts us on the path to becoming a church that makes disciples who make disciples.
All to His glory and praise, Pastor Brian
Looking Forward
Sermon Direction
Unity! Worth Fighting For!
1 Corinthians 1:1-17
Link to This Sunday Worship Service
Mother’s Day Plant
As you leave the service this Sunday, there will be a plant available for mothers to pick up. Weather permitting, they will be outside by the doors.
Aspire Baby Bottles
Baby bottles will be available for Aspire Women’s Center’s Baby Bottle Blessings fundraiser this Sunday during our worship services. Aspire provides life-affirming pregnancy support services, including pregnancy tests and ultrasounds for pregnancy confirmation, for women in our communities experiencing unplanned pregnancies.
Pie Social for the EFCA Meeting
We are looking for a handful of volunteers to bring a pie. If you would like to, please email the office at office@ebclaconia.com.
The Five Benefits of Joining the EFCA With Sam Huggard
Sam Huggard, District Superintendent of the Evangelical Free Church of America, will be joining us for a special informational night on Sunday, May 15, 2022 at 6pm in the Fellowship Hall. Sam will present and unpack the five benefits of joining the EFCA. Pie will be served. For a preview of the five benefits, please check out this resource: https://
Couple’s Breakfast
Mark your calendar for a couple’s breakfast on Saturday, May 21st.
Kingdom Marriage Series
Do you desire to tap into the power of God as you seek God’s perspective and purpose for your marriage? Kingdom Marriage is a 6 week video series you won’t want to miss. It begins on May 22nd at 9:00 AM in the fellowship hall.
Baby/Child Dedication
There will be a baby/child dedication on May 22nd. If you are interested in hearing more on this, attend the informational meeting on May 15 at 10:15 (between services) in the fellowship hall.
Local Outreach Opportunity
The local outreach team is sponsoring a spring cleanup day this June. This is a way to serve your unbelieving neighbor, friend, family member. Two ways you can help: 1. Pass on the name of someone you have contacted who could use some practical help. 2. Show the love of Christ through service by participating in the spring cleanup day in June (date to be determined). Stop by the ministry counter for more information or to sign up.
On Goal soccer Camp is Coming Soon!
We are excited to share that registration is LIVE for On Goal Soccer Camp! Camp Dates: June 28th – July 2nd at Leavitt Park, Laconia. Campers entering K-9th grade this fall are eligible to register. Register your child today to secure their spot. Camp is already filling up! Register at: https://www.ongoal.org/
Financial assistance is available, please email ongoal@ebclaconia.com