from the heart

    “Arms Around the City” is a vision of what we believe God is asking us to do. Think with me on some of the things we’ve been addressing in this series.  Having a heart for the city is the first one.  Jesus saw the people and was “moved with compassion” because they were like sheep without a shepherd.  Putting our hands to the need around us is the second.  Wherever and whoever we are, God wants to use us right where we are, just like the young boy with the 5 loaves and 2 fish.  Wow, can God ever take something small and use it in a great way.  Then, God wants to use our conviction in our city – the conviction to right wrongs, and to help fix the broken people.  My prayer is that God is beginning to give YOU a vision of what it means to be the church outside the walls! 
    I believe I am beginning to see things around me with “new eyes.”  At least, I hope and pray that I am – because I am part of the church that represents Jesus Christ and that means being less like “me” and more like “Him.”  That’s when I know I’m on the right track – and that’s true for all of us.  What a journey to be on!
    Thanks again for your generous contributions of food.  We are now feeding close to 1000 people a month through 6 Stones Mission Network, and word is getting around!  Keep praying and giving!

    “Arms Around the City” is a vision of what we believe God is asking us to do. He is doing something special – and part of that is learning to love our city.  Whatever city you call your own, we’re praying for the Lord to give us the same love, same burden and passion for the city that HE had for the cities.  Love for your city translates into ministry TO the city – the church placing her “arms around the city” that God has placed us in.  Imagine how transforming that would be – for the church to have her “…arms around the city!” 
    A major part of what God has called us to do, as the church, is to “show compassion” for our city.  That compassion takes many forms, from feeding hungry people to helping people find jobs in a tough job market.  It consists of meeting people where they are at their point of need – and remembering the ultimate need we all have is to know Jesus Christ.  There is another aspect of showing compassion that is critical – and that is in the area of justice.  Helping bring about justice is helping “right wrongs.” Some of what happens in our cities is just wrong – morally, ethically and legally.  For Christians to be SALT and LIGHT, we must stand up for moral/ethical justice, and refuse to be silent when there are victims that need to be rescued.
    While this justice is expressed in many ways, one way is through addressing teenage pregnancy and preserving life.  Mid-Cities Pregnancy Centers have saved tens of thousands of babies, but they’ve also counseled many grief-stricken young  women who already aborted their child.  We have also begun reaching out to teenage mothers of preschoolers (Teen Mops)  and see an expanding ministry there.  Let me ask a penetrating question:  “What conviction do you have for our cities? What wrong do you see that needs to be made right?”  Our conviction can help put our arms around the city!    

Arms Around the City

   “Arms Around the City” is more than a message series. It is a vision of what we believe God is asking us to do. He is doing something special among us and a big part of that is learning to love our city. Whatever city you call your own, we’re praying for the Lord to give us the same love, same burden and passion for the city that HE had for the cities of His day. Love for your city translates into ministry TO the city – the church placing her “arms around the city” that God has placed us in. Imagine how transforming that would be – for the church to have her “…arms around the city!”
   In our quest to do this, another term becomes the strategy by which every person has a part. “Miracle Moments” are those opportunities when you can talk to someone in your school, workplace or neighborhood about your church or about Jesus Christ. It is something everyone can do – and should do! We place our arms around the city by being prepared to take advantage of every miracle moment that unfolds. You see, when God gives you the opportunity to speak about Jesus (or to invite people to come hear about Him) you have this amazing treasure of Christ that you can share with them. You can never do anything better for a person than to share with them about the Lord, because HE is their answer. That’s always the case, so be ready!
   This past September, we challenged our church to look for 100,000 “miracle moments” and to date, we’ve had nearly 50,000 reported. Do you think God has blessed those miracle moments? There’s no question, He has! Can we finish the month of September strong and shoot for another 100,000 next year? Why not? This treasure is too precious to keep under wraps. Put your arms around the city!

    Last weekend was just a tremendous weekend for First Euless and the community. Through your faithful giving and serving, and with the encouragement to pursue the vision of impacting our community, 6Stones Mission Network brought together 14 churches, hundreds of volunteers and thousands of people from the community for our Backpack Give-away. What a joy to see so many of your smiling faces and your heart of ministry. And then, Sunday – what an amazing day as we saw 107 people be baptized after saying, “Jesus is my Lord, and I am not ashamed!”  Still more decisions were made after our services. Our entire church and staff worked together with God both outside and inside these walls. God is just at work around us, and we’re joining Him!
    Today, I plan to begin a new message series – “Arms Around the City.” God is doing something special among us and a big part of that is learning to love our city. Whatever city you call your own, we’re praying for the Lord to give us the same love, same burden and passion for the city that HE had for the cities of His day. Love for your city translates into ministry TO the city – the church placing her “arms around the city” that God has placed us in. Imagine how transforming that would be for the church to have her “…arms around the city!”

     This is “I Am Not Ashamed” Sunday! Our services will focus on baptism – and we’ll be baptizing throughout the message. I want us to celebrate what baptism really is – a public recognition of the transformation that Jesus Christ brings!  Since baptism in the Bible is always by immersion after a person has professed faith in Christ, if you’re a follower of Christ that has not been baptized – this day is for you!  Today, you too can make a decision to be unashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ!
    Next week, I’ll be beginning a new message series – “Arms Around the City.”  God is doing something special among us and a big part of that is learning to love our city.  Whatever city you call your own, we’re praying for the Lord to give us the same love, same burden and passion for the city that HE had for the cities of His day.  Love for your city translates into ministry TO the city – the church placing her “arms around the city” that God has placed us in.  Imagine how transforming that would be for the church to have her “…arms around the city!”

I am Not Ashamed

Next week, our “I Am Not Ashamed” Sunday will be unique. Our services will focus on baptism – and we’ll be baptizing during the message. Don’t miss it! I want us to celebrate what baptism really is – a public recognition of the transformation that Jesus Christ brings! Since baptism is in the Bible is always by immersion after a person has professed faith in Christ, if you’re a follower of Christ that has not been baptized – this day is for you!

From the Heart

Welcome to worship this weekend! If you are a guest, I’d love to meet you today. Whether you are here visiting family and friends or are looking for a church home, let me invite you to visit with me in our Guest Reception Center after either the 9:15 or 10:45 am service. After the service, exit our central worship center doors and cross the lobby to the Guest Reception Center. We will be glad to answer any questions you have about our church and we’ll give you a special gift to take home.
    In recent weeks, an increasing number of people have met at the altar for prayer asking God to move in our lives and nation.  I want to encourage this time of prayer at any point of our service and especially at the end during the invitation.  We’ll be encouraging you more and more to seek God, to ask Him to do great things, to ask Him to send revival and to prompt us to surrender everything to Him!  Beginning next week, we’ll also have additional prayer partners available, along with our staff, to pray for any needs and decisions you may have.  Feel free to come and pray.
    The First Euless Personnel Committee, working in conjunction with our Sr. Pastor and staff, has invited Jeremy Lucarelli to come in view of call as our full-time Minister of University and Young Single Adults. Jeremy and his wife Becky have spoken to both our University students and Young Singles and met with the leadership of both areas.   On Saturday, August 8 Jeremy will meet with our deacons and then be present for a “Meet and Greet” time for the entire church family from 9:00-10:00 am in the Small Chapel.   On Sunday, August 9 our church will have a special called business meeting for the exclusive purpose of calling Jeremy Lucarelli as our Minister of University and Young Single Adults.

10,000 Blessings,

John Meador

Make a difference!

Next week, July 19, we’ll be encouraging our entire church to give generously – above and beyond your normal tithes and offerings – to both Budget and Miracle offerings.   Summer is often a challenging time financially for a church, and ours experiences that as well.  However, First Euless has had a remarkable summer in ministry.  We’re seeing God do outstanding things – especially here in our own backyard. Because we have been given effectiveness, we want to make sure we’re operating fully in ministry – holding nothing back.  Your giving counts toward this end – it really does - and I challenge you to come ready to give generously and sacrificially for the glory of God!

This coming week our Student Ministry and all our students in Jr. High and High School head off to camp.  Over 1500 kids will be in the camp when you count those from other churches.  We’re taking a great group and this church has made it possible for us to invite many unchurched kids from the area to go with us.  With your financial support leading the way, let's let our “desperation praying” surround the camp this week and ask God to bring dozens – even hundreds of kids to faith in Christ.  This is what it is all about!

    Jon Moore will be preaching in our services this Sunday in my absence. The first thing that comes to my mind when describing Jon is to say, “I wish I’d known he and his wife sooner.” Jon has been a tremendous encouragement to me and is a great preacher who challenges us to walk by faith – trusting God. You can be sure he’ll have a word from the Lord today. Jon traveled for several years with Manley Beasley and God has used Jon because of a number of reasons. I’m thrilled you get to hear him this Sunday. I’ll be preaching in Phoenix, Arizona (at my father’s church) and then be back next Sunday.
    Again, you’ve amazed me as a church. The “Helping Our Troops” people who were with us last Sunday were amazed at how generous and how willing you were to support the troops by sending Bibles, cards and agreeing to pray for them. You’ll never know what it means to the troops to get something in the mail from you – but you’ve done a great thing in the name of Christ. Keep praying for our troops and keep praying for America!
    As the summer continues to unfold, I’m excited about how First Euless is wrapping her arms around our city. Through ministry, reaching out, Euless Revitalization and the New Hope Center – along with Apartment Life and Beach Clubs, we are working together to touch the whole community for Christ. That’s really what we need to be doing – and what few churches do to make a difference in their city. I’m so grateful God is giving us a chance to do just that.

Desperation

“Desperation” is the name of our final series in the book of James. In light of all the trials, temptations and troubling behavior that James says is taking place in the church of that day, what is the best response? Prayer! “Desperation” is a series that calls us to pray with tenacity, intensity and certainty.  While those may not be words that characterize your prayer life, they should be! This passage will point the way in praying with desperation while promising the results that come from that kind of praying. Get desperate about God!
    Next week is Father’s Day! I’ve got a special challenge to all families for next Sunday. Why don’t you (in addition to all the other things you do for Dad on that day) bring trunk loads of groceries so that we can feed the many hurting families in our area? You’d be amazed at how many families are in need because of the economy and some of them are fatherless families. On March 8, we filled Campus West storehouse with food. We need to do it again. Hundreds of families are now finding that our church’s 6Stones Mission Network is able to provide food and clothing – and God is blessing. Over the last ten days prior to this writing, we saw more than 15 people accept Christ through this ministry. It is time to re-stock and Dad would love nothing better than to see those groceries go to families in need.
    Vacation Bible School begins this Monday!  This is a vital time of reaching families, friends, and acquaintances for Christ. Let’s not miss the opportunities before us in the days ahead!