Spiritual Purposeful Life

MY ELMchurch

ELMchurch offers you a personal life development process.

You will be equipped to make progress as you learn to live the lifestyle of a disciple of Jesus. As you take these developmental steps, you will be taught and shown how to live a purposeful spiritual life. This combination of teaching and experience will turn the purposes into your life practices.

We design these developmental steps so you can fulfill your potential as a disciple of Jesus.
THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE will acquaint you with biblical purposes and their accompanying practices.

WORSHIP: You will learn to make the spiritual disciplines the basis of your daily habits with God and others.

FELLOWSHIP: You will unite with people to love one another and provide mutual encouragement for growth.

MATURITY: You will experience transformation as you grow through the processes of spiritual formation.

MINISTRY: You will discover the ways God can use you to serve others for their benefit.

OUTREACH: You will develop a compassionate heart to reach people you know with the good news about Jesus Christ.

Won’t you make a commitment to take the steps you need for your development? Once you get started, we will be able to celebrate your advancement with you!

PERSONAL LIFE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
ELMchurch	Evangelism Everywhere		Life Together		Maturity in Christ
MEANING:	*Going into the community*		*Gathering as a family*		*Growing as a body*
Based on Biblical Purposes:	Outreach		Fellowship	Worship	Maturity	Ministry
	Local	Global
Taught Through :	Lifestyle Model of Evangelism		Discover ELMchurch	Spiritual Disciplines	Biblical Model of Growth	Network Seminar
Experienced Through :	Ministry Projects Community Events Ministry Group Events	Field Experiences Compassion Projects	Baptism Membership Church Activities	Worship Service Prayer Ministries and Events	Conversion Men’s Ministry Women’s Ministry Sunday Classes	ELMchurch Ministry Teams Group Related Projects
	Small Groups oriented to doing life together in all five purposes
Resulting in a purposeful spiritual life :	Having a compassionate heart to reach people you know with the good news about Jesus Christ		Uniting with people to love one another and provide mutual encouragement for growth	Making the spiritual disciplines the basis of your daily habits with God and others	Experiencing transformation as you grow through the processes of spiritual formation	Discovering the ways God can use you to serve others for their benefit

CURRENT PROGRAM OFFERINGS

EVANGELISM EVERYWHERE

OUTREACH

Lifestyle Model of Evangelism
Learn how to make evangelism a part of your lifestyle, and share your faith naturally and skillfully.
Reference: “Living Proof” entries at Events

Ministry Projects
Get personally involved in a variety of ways to assist local outreach ministries as volunteers through labor, skills, and project teams.
Reference: “News & Updates”

Community Events
Connect with people in our city through community events such as Elmfest, or activities designed to reach out to others. The Community Ministries Team directs these activities.
Reference: “News & Updates” and Events

Ministry Group Events
Your small group can choose to sponsor an outreach activity, work together in a local ministry, or implement a creative outreach idea.
Reference: “News & Updates”

Field Experiences
Be a part of the global advancement of Christ’s work through short-term mission trips. You can experience genuine cross-cultural friendships while contributing to the effectiveness of international partnerships. The International Ministries Team directs these activities.
Reference: “News & Updates” and Events

Compassion Projects
Your contributions will make a difference to those in need. Occasional projects give opportunities to contribute finances or gifts of different kinds to needy peoples and ministries. The Care Team directs these projects.
Reference: “News & Updates”

LIFE TOGETHER

FELLOWSHIP

Discover ELMchurch
Enjoy a conversation with our Pastor as you explore the history, vision and ministry of ELMchurch. You’ll discover how to develop as a disciple of Jesus Christ, and the exciting ways you can become involved in ELMchurch. Our Discover sessions are intended for any new attendees, and anyone considering membership at FBC. View Discover ELMchurch Overview
Reference: “Discover ELMchurch” entries at Events

Baptism
Take the first step of obedience to Jesus Christ as his follower. Learn the meaning of this starting point and all you need to know to prepare for this wonderful day in your walk with God.
Reference: “Baptism Class” entries at Events

Membership
After you attend a Discover ELMchurch session, you can be scheduled for a personal interview with our Membership Committee. A description of expectations for members is found at Membership Covenant under Beliefs.
Reference: "Discover ELMchurch" session entries at Events

Church Activities:
Occasional all-church activities and events keep us close as a multi-generational family. You can enjoy seasonal events such as a summer picnic or camping weekend, or the annual “Harvest Home” in November.
Reference: “News & Updates” and Events

WORSHIP

Spiritual Disciplines
Your greatest potential for growth through grace is discovered through the daily use of spiritual disciplines. Learn to use the corporate and individual means of grace so God can work in your life.
Reference: “Spiritual Disciplines” entries at Events

Worship Service
Our weekly service combines a variety of forms of prayer and praise, along with people’s stories of what God is doing, into a contemporary sound for a blended service. The sermon provides a practical biblical perspective on life so you can live wisely and fully alive in Christ!
Reference: “Worship Service” entries at Events

Prayer
See Prayer under ELM Ministries

Ministries and Events
Occasional services and events are offered to develop our corporate life of prayer. City-wide events are also offered such as the National Day of Prayer on the first Thursday of May.
Reference: “News & Updates” and Events

MATURITY IN CHRIST

MATURITY

Biblical Model of Growth
You’ll learn a helpful way to understand how we can grow toward the goal of being like Christ. Growing up in Him will teach you how to make personal progress in Christ-likeness.
Reference: “Growing Up” entries at Events

Conversion
See New LIfe under Beliefs

Men’s Ministry
For a description of Men's Ministry go to Adults under ELM Ministries
Reference: “Common Journey” entries at Events

Women’s Ministry
For a description of Women's Ministry go to Adults under ELM Ministries
Reference: “Morning Break” and “Evening Edition” entries at Events

Sunday Classes
For a description of Sunday Classes go to Adults under ELM Ministries
Reference: “Sunday School” entiries at Events

MINISTRY

Network Seminar
Description: You have spiritual gifts, passions, and a personal style that God gave you so you can serve others! Discover your place in God’s design for ministry.
Reference: “Network Seminar” entries at Events

ELMchurch Ministry Teams
For a description of "TeamBuilders” go to TeamBuilders under “ELM Teams"

For a description of "Ministry Teams” go to MinistryTeams under “ELM Teams"

Group Related Projects
Your small group can choose to sponsor a special ministry project, volunteer at a local ministry, or creatively serve the needs of others.
Reference: “News & Updates”

CROSS-ELM

CROSS-BIBLICAL PURPOSE

SMALL GROUPS
You can strengthen your commitment to living a purpose-driven life by joining a small group that is “Doing Life Together”. Groups begin with The Purpose-Driven Life and proceed through a group curriculum built on the purpose-driven approach. Groups are formed according to need and interest.
Reference: “News and Updates”

Harvest Home Dinner and Celebration, Nov. 21
You are invited to eat, talk, laugh and celebrate. Then you will enter "The Amazing Place" team competition. You will be enthused by the master plan of the "City Ministry Centre", and be able to give toward the next Building Renewal Steps. Tickets on sale after Sunday Services and at the Church Office thru Sunday November 16th. Adults $7.00, Ages 6-12 $4.00, ages 5 and under Free.

Community Christmas Carol Sing
Sunday, December 14th, 7:00 pm is our Christmas Carol Sing, Elmchurch invites the community to join us in celebrating the season of our Christ's birth in song.

Ladies Christmas Tea
December 6th from 2-4 P.M. Women's Ministry will celebrate with their biennial Christmas Tea. Please plan to join us for a concert in our sanctuary followed by tea and dessert in the Fellowship Hall. It will be a day of inspiration and enjoyment for ladies. Invite your friends and neighbors.

SFC Annual Chicago Day
Trip to Chicago by train. Fun day for Middle School Kids. More details in the near future. Save this date: December 13, 2008.

Common Journey
The "Pink Sheet" for November prayer is available in the foyer. It is also available as a pdf file here on our website. Click on the Forms/Info header, and find it under "Information". By request of SPI and their copyright privilege, printing of this "pink sheet" must be made on pink paper. Pink paper is available by request from the church office.

Common Journey
Men's small group meets every Monday at 6:45 P.M. Group study is THE MANUAL, come with the guys on a journey to be a godly manly man!

Women's Evening Edition
Tuesday Evenings at 7:00-8:50 P.M. Please join us as we experience friendships of grace and truth. You will love the relational environment as we learn the habits of a healthy group. And you will be encouraged to grow through a study by Mary Kassian called Knowing God By Name.

Crew
Is a ELMyouth's small group ministry that is designed to help students connect with each other and adults that truly care about their journey with God. The Middle School and High School will each have their own group. Crew meetings are held on Sunday evenings at 6:00 P.M. at a home. For more information contact the church office.

Men's Basketball
Come play ball with us at 8:30 P.M. on Monday evenings in the Church gym. Common Journey meets at 6:45 P.M. and there is still time for Basketball at 8:30 P.M.

Small Groups
ELM Church is increasing your options for connection. The Home Connections Groups will enable you to gain friends in order to do life together. Contact Pastor Phil to discover how to experience the mutual encouragement of a home group.

New Additions to the Library
Adult fiction books added for your reading pleasure: Between Sundays by Karen Kingsbury; Blink of an Eye by Ted Dekker; Picture Perfect by Debra White Smith; Dying to Kill by Patricia Rushford; and Stranded in Paradise by Lori Copeland. The DVD The Sin Eater has also been added.

KIDZ POWER HOUR
WHO? Kids entering kindergarten through 5th grade. WHAT? A cool ministry for kids to learn about God at their level with their peers. WHERE? Room 302, which is upstairs on the top floor of the church. WHEN? Every Sunday morning, from 10:20 a.m. until the end of the service. WHY? God desires a relationship with kids! We hope to help kids come into this relationship with God and grow in it.

Wondering about your involvement at ELMchurch?
Thinking about your development as a disciple of Jesus Christ? Find helpful info about both purposeful involvement and personal development at MyELMchurch on this site.

Members
Get your new Membership Covenant right on this site. See Beliefs--Membership Covenant for the downloadable file. Print two--one to sign and return to the office, and the other to keep and remind you of the lifestyle of mutual encouragement it describes.