Emmanuel Baptist Church

On Our Way Up!

harrietb — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 18:00:12 +0000

In 2013, God has called us to a higher level of holiness and deeper level of discipleship. Therefore, I’m inviting you to reflect on and respond to God’s invitation to us through Paul:

Examine yourselves to see whether you are living in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you?–unless, indeed, you fail to meet the test. I hope you will not find out that we have not failed. (2 Corinthians 13:5-6, NRSV)

So, let’s us resolve to:

1. Step Up Your Financial Sacrifice: See Guidelines for Giving Posted in the Bulletin

2. Grow Up in Your Relationship with God: See New Small and Bible Study Group Opportunities, which will be facilitated by the Deacons & Ministers)

3. Show Up To Serve: Ample opportunities for you to experience fulfillment and make a difference in the name of Jesus Christ: See Here 2 Help Postings

Through the Senior Staff, the Servant-Leaders, and I God is giving you the chance to do what you long to experience in 2013: to do and be better in 2013 than 2012. I believe you can and will. However, it’s up to you to follow the steps I have outlined if you wish join Jesus , who is ever on His way up (see Mark 9:1-8; Acts 1:6-11).

Prayerfully and Hopefully,

Pastor Trufant

Strong Finish

harrietb — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 22:19:27 +0000

“Strong Finish”! That’s one of tracks–if I’m not mistaken, the title track–on my brother and gospel artist Jonathan Nelson’s (list his website) upcoming cd, which will be released in the Spring of 2013. I reference the cd’s title, which is a provocative word order, because it is the word of encouragement and admonishment I have reserved for those for whom I pray feverently and with whom I partner faithfully: EBC.

The last 12 months, like the previous 24, have been very challenging and grueling. That’s been true for me, as I have grappled with some things, personal and pastoral. However, I know it to be an accurate reflection of the experience of many members and frequent guest of EBC. Equally important, it’s been true of our city, nation, and the global community in light of unpredictable weather, political uprising, and financial markets.

Some of this, to be sure, is merely a matter of non negotiable fact, which must be accepted and adjusted to. These matters, to be sure, are beyond are control. Other parts, however, are within your control and mine: How will answer the questions of personal meaning and public well-being these prevailing realties evoke? Or, what can you still do which are within reach, even if there are other things well beyond your control? I’m glad you asked (lol)! My answer: Finish 2012 Strong! Map out and move on things about which you’ve been stuck, afraid, yet to which you’ve not been given divine relief nor release. God may yet be offering you an opportunity to grow through the ordeals and the obstacles which may have intimidated and de-energized you–thus far, yet no more.

So, it’s the final quarter and fourth down, with the clocking ticking down the final seconds. Your down by one (1) point. However, the Spirit whispers, “You can still win, despite the fact you may have squander time or struggled through the first three quarters of the contest. God wants to give you the victory by backing and blocking for you, but you must be willing to focus, follow, and finish with every thing you’ve got and He gives. Begin 2013 with renewed determination and momentum, by heeding the Spirit of God’s call to complete 2012 with a “Strong Finish!”–Pastor Trufant

What is your next big thing?

admin — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 11:31:52 +0000

I hope you had an awesome Easter and a life-transforming Lent. If not, I did. So, don’t hate (lol)! More than ever before, I sense that my investment of carving out additional concentrated time to listen to and learn from Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit, has paid off and will pay off for some time to come. I engaged in spiritual exercises, personal and corporate, which may seem a waste of time when weighed on the scales of the world yet are of both earthly and eternal benefit when measured with common metrics of spiritual growth. In short, I’m glad I gave more time to speak into my life and shape me for the rest of my life.

Irrespective of how wonderful and powerful your lent was or wasn’t, it’s over. Now, the natural question is: “So, what do I/we do next?” No more reading and reflecting on Purpose Driven Life. Still, I will continue my personal daily devotional practices, which has been my habit for many years. Equally important, EBC, the people I’m privileged to serve and lead, will continue small group meetings, bible studies, weekly worship, sharing our faith, serving the needs of others in the name of Jesus Christ–locally, nationally, and globally, and giving generously and regularly to kingdom causes. In short, we will continue with the everyday business of enjoying and expressing Jesus Christ in life-enriching and life-empowering ways. That’s what we do!

Still, I have this nagging sense that there ought to be something extraordinary which follows Lent. After all, Lent was such a rich and rewarding time which for our church, my family, and me. I want to maintain the spiritual momentum. Therefore, we need to figure out: What’s the next thing we should do to keep us moving upwards and onwards? Recently, the Holy Spirit prompted to review and reflect on the gospels (see Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, and John 21) the Acts 1. From what I can discern, my expectations are off and should be altered. In every gospel story which describes the aftermath of the Crucifixion and Resurrection, the writers show us that the disciples simply spent time with Jesus and each other–and, we can safely surmise, their family and friends, too. Nothing extraordinary! Just the regular, daily rounds and relationships! How anticlimactic! The disciples rode a wild roller coaster ride leading up to and through Holy Week, then they simply waited patiently and expectantly in the line of standard experience for the next mighty move of God. Yep, that’s all! So, let’s follow their lead. Let’s not try to do anything, but rather be teachable and reachable by God in our daily rounds, which is where we will continue to grow up and go on in Christ by simply being invested in community (See John 15). So, for awhile, I’m taking a sabbath from striving to grow. How about you? Can you merely relax in your relationship with Jesus, without seeking to please him but rather just enjoying being with him, both alone and in community?

Welcome to the EBC Lenten Listening Party!

admin — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 18:05:08 +0000

I’m not sure whether you started listening on Ash Wednesday or since then. However, you should know you are not only welcomed, but you were expected. God has reserved a place for you to draw closer, listen attentively, and then act accordingly. The question is whether or not you will put on your spiritual headset and hear God speak through and to your life, advise you on how to deal effectively with wounds from your past and present, and call you to adjust your life to God’s agenda.

Although you may not have asked, I anticipated you asking a question about how you can make this Lenten Listening Party work for you. So, here are my tips, which I hope will prove helpful as you struggle “to get your grow on”:

1. Let yourself be lead. Your resistance may be strong at first. However, surrender control to Christ because victory is to be found in your willingness to be weak and meek before him (see I Peter 5:6-7).

2. Listen to God speak to you on the other side of silence. Explore the wilderness within you and expect to wrestle with your doubts, destiny, and the demonic (see Luke 4:1-14). Heed God’s word of truth, irrespective of how unpleasant or difficult, so that you can be freed (see John 8:32).

3. Look for God to send you angels to minister to you. Expect God to meet you at your point of need, resourcing you with an ample supply of healing and hope, joy and peace, love and mercy. As you look more and more to God, you will discover that Philippians 4:19 is a promissory check you can cash with God at any time.

Whether you know it or not, it’s still not to late to join Jesus on this awesome journey to further spiritual discovery and development. You can be who and what God created you to be if you are willing to start now. In fact, amend your normal schedule and include some of the spiritual practices of reading and reflecting on the Purpose Driven Life, exploring and applying God’s word in bite-size pieces to your everyday experience, and thereby heightening your awareness of and responsiveness to Christ in every area of your life, personally and professionally. Equally important, take advantage of some of the structured spiritual growth events which God has made available to you at EBC’s website (http://www.ebcconnects.org/Lenten2012). If you do so, you will have partnered with God to experience the power of the Holy Spirit reshaping and renewing your life so you can live the life God has for you on purpose with purpose.

May you keep going and growing as you participate in EBC’s Lenten Listening Party. You heard! Peace!

–Pastor Trufant

Movie Night: The Adjustment Bureau starring Matt Damon

admin — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 16:25:34 +0000

Join the 20/30 Something Ministry & YLE (Youth Leaders of Emmanuel) as they host a screening and discussion on the topics of human freedom and God-given destiny presented in the film. (Friday March 30th @7:30PM in the Sanctuary)

TinyMCE post

admin — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 13:36:39 +0000

Greetings Family & Friends,

Welcome to DDI Winter 2012!

Of the many wonderful things happening with DDI, here are a few highlights we are especially excited to share with you.

· Life Lab Miniseries:New short-term studies ranging in length from four to seven sessions. Life Labs are designed to help you gain biblical perspective on how to manage and master the day-to-day issues of life.

· DDI Certificate Programs:(Previewed Winter 2010) These programs offer participants a comprehensive, in-depth study of the bible and related topics. (Look for Theology, and Church History beginning Fall 2012).

Still to Come . . .

· DDI On-Line:Now moving to the next level, with the introduction of an all new e-learning platform, participants can fulfill their commitment to personal Christian growth wherever they wish by taking part in live classes via the web.

Also coming soon…

· Independent Study. Get your grow on whenever you wish by taking courses in our DDI Library of electives.

Now that you know what DDI is doing, it’s time for you to get your grow on!

In Christ Service,

Leslie L. Smith-Wright
Rev. Leslie L. Smith-Wright
Assoc. Pastor Discipleship Development

For inquiries, contact the DDI Office via e-mail or phone:

Lsmith-wright@ebc-ny.org (718) 622-1107, ext. 20

Look for the Youth Basketball Tournament

admin — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 14:58:06 +0000

PAST EVENTS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=FHVU3fKhsjI

Wednesday, February 22th, 2012 @ 7:30PM
EBC’s season of purpose begins with our Ash Wednesday Service. Our guest preacher for the evening is Dr. Ralph Douglas West, Senior Pastor of The Church Without Walls, Houston, TX.

Friday, February 24th, 2012 @ 7:30PM
EBC will be celebrating Black History Month with a presentation from the Sacred Arts Ministry (SAM), entitled The Legacy of EBC: 50 Years. Be enlightened as we rediscover and explore the heritage of this great ministry through song, dance and performance.

Saturday, February 25th, 2012 @ 8:00AM
A Day of Service: volunteers will assist several of our community based organizations. For a listing of service projects, please click here.

Sunday, February 26th, 2012 @ 8AM, 10AM & 12:15PM
African Diaspora Sunday: Rev. Brenda Harewood, Executive Director of the Lott Carey Convention’s Pastoral Excellence Program, will be our guest preacher at all 3 services. Come dressed for the occasion wearing attire that reflects your family’s place of origin or the worship service you will be attending.

8:00AM Service: Southern States
10:00AM Service: Caribbean
12:15PM Service: African

Making Good Relationships

admin — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:42:01 +0000

Invest the time to be schooled and tooled on how to make your good relationships better. There will be workshops for Singles, the recently Re-Singled, Newly Married, Working Couples with Kids, & Empty Nesters.

Post 3

admin — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:40:09 +0000

ey another year has past and this year brought many new plugins for WordPress that have made my job easier and added improved functionality to my client websites. Here’s a list of the top WordPress plugins I started using this year. (See my Bells & Whistles page for complete recommended plugin list).

Backup Buddy – Premium plugin that makes a number of tedious jobs easier. Tasks such as backing up and moving website from one server to another are a snap now. Totally worth the price.
Digg Digg – Display counts for popular social butons like Digg, LinkedIn, Google +1, Facebook, Twitter, and more.
Event Espresso – This premium plugin for WordPress allows you to turn your existing blog or website into a fully featured event management website.
HelpDen Free Live Support Chat HelpDen is a simple and scalable Live Support system that can be added to your website in minutes.
MCE Table Buttons – Adds table editing buttons to a new, third row in the WordPress WYSIWYG editor.
Premise – Makes building landing pages a snap!
SimpleMap Store Locator SimpleMap is an easy-to-use international store locator plugin that uses Google Maps to display information directly on your WordPress site.
Staff Directory – Staff Directory is deigned to keep track of your list of staff members for easy display on your site.
WP-Download Manager – Adds a simple download manager to your WordPress blog. This is a great tool to track the number of times your .pdf’s are downloaded.
WP-Print – Displays a printable

Norman’s Post

admin — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 19:27:08 +0000

This is the best packaged pasta in the world, gluten-free or not! But let’s show not tell: Specimen A: I am not gluten free, in fact, I crave gluten. I am that annoying person who has to have gluten at every meal, who claims that xanthan gum gives her a stomach ache, who snorts vital wheat gluten flour. Specimen B: My boyfriend won’t ever touch my healthy whole wheat pasta. No matter how creamy and dreamy the sauce, he always insists that the pasta tastes “wheaty.” But we both adore Ancient Harvest Quinoa Pasta! Especially the linguine. There’s something about it that actually tastes like homemade al dente semolina pasta. It’s got a really great bite and the taste is neutral enough not to have a 70s healthfood after taste, but also flavorful enough that it does add something delicious to the meal. I can’t recommend this stuff enough!