Weekly Reminders

A few years back, between Pastoral assignments, I did a one-year residency in Clinical Pastoral Education at Emory University Hospital. This is a supervised training program for chaplains that combines theological education with hands-on clinical experience. Part of my duties involved pre-op visits. On one occasion, a man with an upcoming surgery had requested a chaplain's visit. I went to see him, and right after introducing myself, the man asked me, “What would you say to God if you died today, and were on the throne of judgment?” To give myself time to think, I said, “I’m not really hear to talk about myself, I’m here to check on you.” “But what would you say?” My mind went to Luke 18, and I quoted, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner." He responded immediately with, “Wrong answer. You have to claim the blood!” “Absolutely,” I said. “But have you ever prayed, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner?’” The man replied, “You’re getting personal, Chaplain, and aren’t you here to pray that my surgery go well?” So I did. Our scripture this week is Luke 18:9-14, where Jesus describes effective and ineffective ways to approach God, and I’m reminded of this patient’s fearful question, if you were to die, what do you say to God?

Blessings,  Pastor John

Church Directory
Thank you all so much for taking the time to get your pictures taken! A church pictorial directory is a great help in getting to know each other, and it can be a real help in praying for each other. Our church photographer will be taking pictures in the Fellowship Hall today, 10:10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and at the Wednesday night supper, November 5, from 5:30 to 6:30. For other times, just call the church office for an appointment.

Soul Sisters
The Sunday night group will not be meeting this Sunday, but will meet again on November 2nd.

Magnolia Estates Chapel Service
This Tuesday at 11 a.m. it is EFMC’s turn to have a Chapel Service at Magnolia Estates!   To help with the service, please contact the church office.

No Chancel Choir
There will be no Chancel Choir rehearsal this Wednesday.

Prayer Team
Would You Like to Be Prayed For?    On the first Sunday each month the Prayer Team will be meeting in the chapel at 10:15 a.m.   We will be praying for those on the prayer list, and for any individuals who would like to receive prayer.

Praises
Let’s celebrate together! If you have a praise report and would like to share the good news, please email it to the church office at office@elbertonfmc.com.

The Fall Festival will be this Wednesday, October 29th, from 6-8 pm. We will have games, food, a cakewalk, a hayride, and trunk or treat. If you would like to donate baked goods for the cakewalk or host a trunk for trunk or treat, please contact Bryce Keely, Youth Director. His email is bryce@elbertonfmc.com. We are especially in need of candy for the game prizes, which can be dropped off in the church office or on Sunday morning.

Thank you all for participating again in Operation Christmas Child. Boxes are still available for pick up; the packing list and shipping label are inside the box. The boxes are due at the church by November 16. A $10 donation is requested to help cover the cost of shipping.

As we prepare to celebrate the Christmas season, we are now accepting orders for the beautiful poinsettias that will decorate our church during Advent. Each poinsettia may be given in honor or in memory of a loved one for $10.

Forms are available at all church entrances and on our website. Please submit all donations by Sunday, November 2nd.

About 673 million people around the world are facing hunger. EFMC is helping in our own way on November 9th by participating in a meal packing event with Rise Against Hunger. We will have a combined worship service at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary, followed by a work session at 11 a.m. in the Crossroads Connection Center, where we will pack meals of rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables, etc. A team from Rise Against Hunger will transport completed packages, which will be combined with other packaged meals and shipped to places in need. The Missions Committee will be providing pizza for workers. Please join us for a meaningful Sunday where people of all ages can make a difference!

Subscribe to weekly emails by clicking the button below.

In 1959 Bill Gaither graduated from Anderson College, Indiana, with a bachelor's degree in English and a minor in Music. He went to work as an English teacher, pursuing music on the side. In 1963 he was asked to play the piano for a revival meeting in the area that featured the preaching of Dr. Dale Oldham. The meeting went well and afterwards Dr. Oldham asked Bill to write a song that included the words, “He touched me.” Gaither, who would later say that “songs are like whispered answers to questions of the heart”, took the words from Oldham as the theme of his first hit song, “He Touched Me.” This song would later be recorded by the Imperials, Elvis Presley, Tennessee Ernie Ford, and, more recently, Steven Curtis Chapman. Bill Gaither might have been writing about the woman that Jesus made whole in Luke 13:10-17.

We are looking at the Luke passage this week and the spiritual wholeness that Jesus wants to bring to us all.

Blessings,
Pastor John