The Weekly Epistle 9/23/20

“Nothing so needs reforming as other people’s habits.”  Mark Twain once again has a way of touching on a nerve.  The habits of others are glaring.  Yet when it comes to my own habits, my vision is poor.  I can spot the annoying habits of others quite easily yet ignore my own.
 
Habits!  Just as there are repeated practices we wish to break, there are also good habits to be cultivated.  It has been said, “Motivation is what gets you started.  Habit is what keeps you going.”  
 
I heard recently that one of the challenges facing the church at this time is that people have gotten out of the habit of going to church.  This is why the book of Hebrews encourages us, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another” (Hebrews 10:25).  
 
I realize that for health reasons some are not able to attend in person and that it pains them not to be here on Sunday mornings.  I respect that!  But I would be amiss and do an injustice to you if I didn’t urge you to consider if the habit of being away is being formed in your life.  And I miss you!  I miss seeing you!  
 
As we begin our series on I John this Sunday on being real, we will touch on the critical aspect of fellowship.  We grow in community.  As John Piper puts it, “Sanctification is a community project.”  Community is a value here at EBC and that is why we speak of community groups, not small groups.  There is intentionality in the name.  It is in smaller groups that community is established, and it is in community we grow.  I hope you have signed up for a community group that begins this coming week.  It is not too late to sign up.  Stop by at the kiosk this Sunday or contact Tim Whitman at tawhitman@liberty.edu
 
Coffee time will begin again this Sunday between services upstairs in the worship center from 10:00-10:20. EBC kids will start up on October 4 during the first service only (when nursery is also offered).  After checking in your child at the kiosk, go immediately downstairs to room 102.  At this time, we will not dismiss the kids during the service, but they will attend EBC kids for the entire hour.  
 
Men, don’t forget about signing up for the breakfast which will be held outdoors at Andy Whitman’s house on October 3 @ 7:00am.  I remind you as well of the solemn assembly to take place this Saturday at Opechee from 2-4.  This event is part of the 10-day community wide prayer initiative that several Bible-believing churches have come together to sponsor.  Day seven prayer time will be held tomorrow night at 6:00 pm in the EBC gym parking lot.  
 
One last event to put on your radar is the Networking Spiritual Gifts seminar that will take place on two Saturday mornings in November (11/7 & 11/14).  Sign ups will begin next Sunday.  Networking is committed to putting the right people in the right places of service to the building of God’s Kingdom.  
 
Partnering with you in serving Him,

Pastor Brian