Click here to view the embedded video.

Volunteers Needed for YARD SALE
Over 200 volunteers are needed the week of the sale! Volunteer signups will be in the lobby on March 21 & 28, and also in Community Groups March 14. If you miss those sign-up opportunities, contact Joan Whiteside at jwhiteside@fefc.com or 470.2820 x107

Choosing to keep the Sabbath holy unto the Lord presses directly against the full force of our cultural addictions to consumption, competition, and production. Making the choice to commit to Sabbath rest will not, therefore, be easy. In fact, it will be impossible apart from His grace experienced in His Word, His Spirit, and His Body.

To assist you, your family, your small group and/or community group in exploring the practical steps of choosing to keep the Sabbath holy unto the Lord, I have listed below several key resources I examined in preparation for today’s sermon.

(Please note: I am not supporting every component of these books nor necessarily the author’s references to other sources in terms of a full theological endorsement. However, I believe that each of these can prove helpful for your journey to Sabbath rest. Specifically, however, I do endorse Buchanan and we have used this book for our staff and in our missions ministry in Southeast Asia with pastors and their wives.)

The Rest of God
by Mark Buchanan

Keeping the Sabbath Wholly: Ceasing, Resting, Embracing, Feasting
by Marva Dawn

Sabbath: Restoring the Sacred Rhythm of Rest
by Wayne Muller

Rest: Experiencing God’s Peace in a Restless World
by Siang-Yang Tab

On the Journey to Sabbath Rest,

Rick Dunn

*The (number) indicated beside each volunteer opportunity is the number of volunteers needed. To volunteer, please contact the name listed. In return, you will be contacted with additional information needed for your position.

Children

• Opportunities for Palm Sunday and Easter
• (5) Greeters/Security Team Members – 9:30am & 11am
• (10) Lead Teachers- 9:30am & 11am
• (10) Lead Teacher Assistants- 9:30 & 11am
• More Info: Find detailed job descriptions at children.fefc.com
• Training: All Children Volunteers need to report to the Children’s Welcome Window promptly at 9am and 10:40am for SafeKids Training. All children workers need to attend a safekids training. To find out the dates and times of the next three training dates, visit children.fefc.com
• Contact: Wendy Stafford, 865.470.9800 x109, wstafford@fefc.com

Parking

• (10) Parking Team For Easter Sunday – direct traffic in and out of the lot from 9-9:30am, 10:45-11:15am, and at the end of third service.
• Contact: Steve Luper, 865.470.9800 x110, sluper@fefc.com

Stage/technical

• (5-6) Stage Team – to assist in preparing lights, stage, sound, props, etc. on Tuesday, 3/30 9am-6pm, Wednesday, 3/31 9am-6pm, or Thursday 4/1 9am-6pm. You can serve in any combination of hours.
• Contact: Scott Bradford, 865.470.9800 x125, sbradford@fefc.com

Greeters

• (10-15) Greeters For Easter Sunday – to occupy the main entrances, welcome centers, and provide general information to our guests. Serve 1, 2, or 3 services… your choice.
• Contact: Emily Greer, 865.470.9800 x108, egreer@fefc.com

Ushers

• (10) Ushers for Three Services on Easter – Greet, help seat, and give directions to our guests. Serve 1, 2, or 3 services… your choice.
• (5) Ushers for Good Friday service – Greet, help seat, and give directions to our guests.
• Contact: April Cyr, 865.470.9800 x143, acyr@fefc.com

Hospitality

• (3-4) Easter Breakfast Prep for Worship Team: 7am-8am
• (3-4) Easter Breakfast Clean Up: 9am-11am
• Contact: April Cyr 865.470.9800 x143, acyr@fefc.com

The Heart and Art of the Sabbath

Exodus 20:8

Rick Dunn

1. Approval by a member of our pastoral staff is required
2. Submit a Bulletin Announcement Request
3. The deadline is Wednesday at noon.

Come To Me, Rest You Will Find

Hebrews 4:1-10

Greg Pinkner

I have also been thinking a lot about seasons in my life. My youngest son just turned 13, my oldest “child” is about to turn 20, and my wife is about to turn . . .well, my wife is as beautiful as ever during this season of our lives.

In the midst of our individual seasonal changes we are also joining together in a new season of life as a church. As a result of this new Season to Engage a lot of congregational change has begun to occur. Formerly passive participants are becoming active partners in the mission of our congregation. Individuals, who just months ago were living casual, nonchalant spiritual lives, find themselves in the midst of a ‘holy disruption.’ Status quo has become an endangered species at Fellowship.

Partnering together in our Season to Engage calls all of us out of spiritual passivity, resistance, and complacency. In my own journey, the Spirit of God has lovingly exposed selfishness and rebellion in my heart. His motive? Not to shame me or punish me or  even “fix” me—but to disrupt my immature life patterns and change me by His grace into His image. As a result of His “holy disruption,” I am in learning more of what it means to live in relationship to a Father who has graciously chosen me and now passionately pursues me as His adopted son.

I have much more to share on my ongoing journey. I will touch on some of this in my teaching next week,  “The Heart and Art of the Sabbath”. For now, let me just say that unlike the winter of 2010, I am not wanting to rush this season—there is way too much yet to be explored and enjoyed. Please join me on that journey if you have not already.

Rick
Lead Pastor

1. Approval by a member of our pastoral staff is required
2. Email your announcement request to mmcnally@fefc.com
3. The deadline is Wednesday at noon.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Lest We Be Hardened

Greg Pinkner

Hebrews 3:6-9

• Strengthen Our Core: As a congregation, are we regularly or periodically involved in activities that reach the lost, needy, or hurting in our community and around the world?

• Extend Our Reach: As a congregation, are we meeting our objective of serving 500 local kids/youth at risk and 1,000 international orphans?

• Demographics: These questions will help us spot trends in responses using information such as season of life, length of time at FEFC, etc. Thank you for taking this survey.

1. Approval by a member of our pastoral staff is required
2. Email your announcement request to mmcnally@fefc.com
3. The deadline is Wednesday at noon.

Counted More Worthy

Greg Pinkner

Hebrews 3:1-6

1. Approval by a member of our pastoral staff is required
2. Email your announcement request to mmcnally@fefc.com
3. The deadline is Wednesday at noon.

Love came down.
Light entered darkness.
Life conquered death.

Hearts engage.
Chains break.
Grace reigns.

Life replaces death.
Light repels darkness.
Love reaches out.

God “so loved the world”. Therefore, “He gave”. He offered Himself on behalf of the world. God relocated Himself, taking on the humility of human flesh and the despair of human death. In Christ, He relocated His Grace and Truth through His Presence and Glory.

God still “so loves.” He therefore continues to give. At present, He relocates Himself in the world through Christ’s Body, the Church. Paul described His movement in this way:

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.                    II Corinthians 5:18-20

FEFC Missions is our response to Christ’s ongoing ministry of reconciliation, the relocation of His Grace and Truth.  Through His Presence and Glory in our lives He offers Himself to the world. Why did He offer Himself on behalf of the world in Christ? Because of love. Why does He offer Himself to the world through Christ in us? Because of love.

FEFC Missions is saying yes to love coming down and reaching out. Love is on the move. Are you?

On the Journey – Rick

Click here to view the embedded video.

“Inspirational!” “Motivational!” These comments summarized the feedback we received in response to last week’s Engage video. Jon Rysewyk’s story moved our hearts and expanded our vision for God at work in the lives of at-risk youth in our community.

This week’s Engage story takes us one step further. Theresa Nixon shares about her relationship with an at-risk youth in our community, Xavier. In Sunday’s video we will see the strengthening of her faith, and we will experience the impact of this relationship. Once again our hearts will be moved. Once again our vision will be expanded. This week, however, we are called to personal response.

While most of us will never be the principal of an urban high school like Jon Rysewyk, ALL OF US can follow in Theresa’s footsteps. In fact, to fulfill the vision of our Season to Engage, MOST OF US will have to make that choice. As you prepare for Sunday, follow the example of Jon and Theresa by asking the Father, “What do you want me to do?” in response to the needs of the at-risk youth in our community.

Missions Week

Rick Dunn

Making Room in Your Life for Disciple Making
Launching Years: 9:15am, Room 601/602
Cheers: 11am, Room 604

Forming Spiritual Friendships Where You Work
SAMS and Image Bearers: 9:15am, Room 603/604
Mosaic: 11am, Room 603

Understanding & Challenging the World View of Unbelievers
Just Yoked: 9:15am, Room 605
College Life: 9:15am, Room 605
Soul Purpose: 11am, Room 606

Church Planting: How You Can Be a Part of God’s Most Effective Means for Reaching our Neighbors/World
4BOW: 9:15am, Room 606
2B1: 11am, Modular
The Gathering: 11am, Modular

Raising Kids With a Heart for Missions
CYC: 9:15am, Modular
Parents of Teens: 11am, Room 601/602
NBTween: 11am, Room 601/602

Giving Your Faith Away: Having Effective Conversations about Your Relationship with Christ
Close Encounters: 9:15am, Prayer Chapel
Kingdom Builders: 11am, Prayer Chapel

1. Approval by a member of our pastoral staff is required
2. Email your announcement request to mmcnally@fefc.com
3. The deadline is Wednesday at noon.

Friday, February 5

Missions Celebration Dinner
Dinner will be held in the lobby on Friday, February 5 at 6:30pm. It will be a special menu of “Southern Cooking”. Entertainment provided by elementary and middle school student dancers from Lonsdale. Tickets $10 for adults and $5 for K-5th grade children. Childcare by reservation only. Tickets limited to first 300 people.  You can purchase tickets at the church main office through 5pm Thursday, or you can email us with your reservation at jwhiteside@fefc.com

24 Hour Prayer/Draw Near
Our 24hr prayer will begin immediately after the Missions’ Dinner in the High School room. Student Ministries will lead worship and prayer from 8:00-10:00pm, followed by Draw Near and prayer for the nations from 10:00pm-6:00am. Men’s/Community Groups will lead prayer times all day, beginning at 6am. A complete schedule for the event is available at missions.fefc.com.  You do not have to make reservations to attend any of the 24 hours of prayer!

Sunday, February 7

Community Groups – TODAY, our Community Groups are built around the theme “Making Missions Personal – How to Live the Life of a Missionary Right Where You Work, Study, Eat, and Sleep.” Below you will find a list of our community groups, times and the topics that will be presented. We invite and encourage you to attend one of these workshops even if you are not currently attending a Community Group. No reservation is required!

Making Room in Your Life for Disciple Making
Launching Years: 9:15am, Room 601/602
Cheers: 11am, Room 604

Forming Spiritual Friendships Where You Work
SAMS and Image Bearers: 9:15am, Room 603/604
Mosaic: 11am, Room 603

Understanding & Challenging the World View of Unbelievers
Just Yoked: 9:15am, Room 605
College Life: 9:15am, Room 605
Soul Purpose: 11am, Room 606

Church Planting: How You Can Be a Part of God’s Most Effective Means for Reaching our Neighbors/World
4BOW: 9:15am, Room 606
2B1: 11am, Modular
The Gathering: 11am, Modular

Raising Kids With a Heart for Missions
CYC: 9:15am, Modular
Parents of Teens: 11am, Room 601/602
NBTween: 11am, Room 601/602

Giving Your Faith Away: Having Effective Conversations about Your Relationship with Christ
Close Encounters: 9:15am, Prayer Chapel
Kingdom Builders: 11am, Prayer Chapel

Lobby
The lobby will be filled with the following information to help you engage with the work our church is doing in Missions.  Please feel free to visit before or after either service!

Tables representing each ministry we are in relationship with both locally and globally to help you connect with an international orphan or a local child/teen at risk.

Tables representing most of the countries and missionaries our body is serving through. Learn more about how you can support these missions’ efforts.

Tables (south an of the lobby in front of the black wall) that contains information and applications for all our short term trips.

S.E. Asia Pastor’s Wives Benefit Luncheon

Our Pastor’s Wives will host a Lunch (Mexican food!) immediately after 2nd Service in the 600 room. Proceeds will go to the S.E. Asia Underground Pastor’s wives. Lunch will be available to eat on site or takeout. Adults $6, children 10 and under $5; maximum $25/family.

Missions Week

Rick Dunn

1. Approval by a member of our pastoral staff is required
2. Email your announcement request to mmcnally@fefc.com
3. The deadline is Wednesday at noon.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Wrath of God Satisfied

Greg Pinkner

Hebrews 2:17

1. Approval by a member of our pastoral staff is required
2. Email your announcement request to mmcnally@fefc.com
3. The deadline is Wednesday at noon.

Our first response is to send money to our denomination’s relief efforts which are being organized and led through ministries already in-country. FEFC has committed to send at least $6,000 to Reach Global, the missions arm of the EV Free church, this week.  Because of your giving, part of the money has already been sent. Our denomination told us that money is most effective right now in helping to meet the most critical needs.  If you would like to donate towards this effort, please write your check out to FEFC and put Haiti in the memo section.

The second way we desire to respond is to partner with the other ways the EV Free Church will be helping.  To learn about these opportunities and to become involved in any way God leads you, visit www.efca.org/reachglobal/ and click on the Haiti Story.

The third way we desire to respond is through any Haiti-based ministries our body is currently a part of.

ProVision     haitireliefblog.blogspot.com
EFCA            www.efca.org/reachglobal

If you have an organization you think might qualify, please email at jwinters@fefc.com the organization and contact information we might need along with your contact information and we will look into it immediately.  Efforts we feel would be good to share with our congregation will be published in the bulletin.

If you missed last Sunday, you can obtain your copy of the Personal Engagement Planner at each entrance to the worship center or download the planner at engage.fefc.com. We also have coaching available by request for questions and to assist you in completing the planner. Contact us at engage@fefc.com if you have additional questions.

The Great Reversal – Part 3

Rick Dunn

Hebrews 2:5-18

1. Approval by a member of our pastoral staff is required
2. Email your announcement request to mmcnally@fefc.com
3. The deadline is Wednesday at noon.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Great Reversal – Part 2

Rick Dunn

Hebrews 2:5-18

1. Approval by a member of our pastoral staff is required
2. Email your announcement request to mmcnally@fefc.com
3. The deadline is Wednesday at noon.

The Great Reversal

Rick Dunn

Hebrews 2:5-18

1. Approval by a member of our pastoral staff is required
2. Email your announcement request to mmcnally@fefc.com
3. The deadline is Wednesday at noon.

That’s Why There’s Grace

Rick Dunn

Jonah

1. Approval by a member of our pastoral staff is required
2. Email your announcement request to mmcnally@fefc.com
3. The deadline is Wednesday at noon.

A Father’s Message

Rick Dunn

Isaiah 9:6-7
Ephesians 1

1. Approval by a member of our pastoral staff is required
2. Email your announcement request to mmcnally@fefc.com
3. The deadline is Wednesday at noon.

His Name Shall Be Called

Greg Pinkner

Isaiah 9:6

However, these “hopes” were all forms of “conditional” hope. Many unknowable conditional factors could have caused things to go either way. I hoped and I hoped some more — but I did not know the ultimate outcome of any of these situations.

There exists, however, another form of hope: “unconditional” hope. This hope does not rest on unknowable conditional factors. An outcome has been predetermined. We can hope and hope and hope more, knowing the ultimate outcome with absolute confidence. The promises of Isaiah 9:6-7 express such an unconditional hope. The promises are rooted in the power and the purposes of “the zeal of the Lord of hosts”. Last week I quoted Alexander McClaren’s definition of zeal: “love stirred to action by opposition.” We hope in salvation, life, love, grace, truth, eternal security, joy, peace, and all the good gifts that are ours in Christ. We do so because His zeal has promised and delivered the gift of the Son to us.

Much of cultural American Christmas centers around the conditional hopes of a better world and nicer things and happier times. This Christmas, may we center ourselves on the unconditional hope that is certain in Christ. May we face all of our places of conditional hope (health, relationships, finances, vocational goals) with the unconditional hope that in all things we have been promised to know and receive Christ, the one given unto us by the Father’s love.

On The Journey,
Rick Dunn
Lead Pastor

1. Approval by a member of our pastoral staff is required
2. Email your announcement request to mmcnally@fefc.com
3. The deadline is Wednesday at noon.

Unto Us… A Child is Born, A Son is Given

Rick Dunn

Isaiah 9:6-7

1. Approval by a member of our pastoral staff is required
2. Email your announcement request to mmcnally@fefc.com
3. The deadline is Wednesday at noon.

We have a special request for December 6: there are 80 tags left for 3 inner city schools we are in relationship with. We really need those tags to be taken because those gifts are due back next Sunday.

Please remember, if you selected a yellow mitten, blue angel, or blue Christmas tree tag those gifts are due back next Sunday, December 13. All other gifts are due December 20. Thank you for your generosity.