August 24, 2025
LEARN TO GROW BEYOND GRIEF
August 24, 2025
Sheldon Vanauken was born in Indiana and educated at Wabash College, Yale and Oxford. When he was a Junior at Wabash, he met young lady who called herself Davy. They became inseparable lovers. They decided they would share everything and never do anything separately. Life would only be for each other. They even vowed never to have children because giving birth was something only the woman could do, thus something that couldn’t be equally shared with a man!
World War II changed everything. Sheldon joined the Navy and served at Pearl Harbor. With the help of their friend, C.S. Lewis, they embraced Christianity. Davy then fell victim to a mysterious illness and died at the age of 40. She and Sheldon had been married 17 years. He now felt as though there was no reason to live.
He was helped through his grief by amazing letters from Lewis who declared that Davy’s death was a “severe mercy” wherein Sheldon was horribly hurt but would find a way to live by God’s mercy. In fact, his love for Davy had been a selfish love in which they would only live for each other. He had to learn that the right way to live was to serve God and others. Sheldon shared this lesson in the book, “A Severe Mercy.” It’s a tear-jerker!
Sunday I’m preaching on “Learn What’s Right” from Acts 24:1-16. We’ll talk about “Don’t Trust False Witnesses,” verses 1-9; and “Learn God’s Truth,” verses 10-16. This is where Paul is tried by the High Priest and by Governor Felix. Here Paul tries to help Felix learn to do what’s right. Come and help us learn to do what’s right!
Love,
Jim Meek
Join us for Bible Study and Worship Service
Sunday
9 am - Bible Study for all ages
Pastor Jim's Adult Bible Study is live streamed on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/elcaminobaptistchurch/videos
10:30 am - Worship Service
live streamed on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/elcaminobaptistchurch/videos
5:15-6 pm - Wednesday Night Dinner
6:00 pm - Awana Begins September 3rd - Kids Center
6:00 PM - Youth
6:15 pm Bible Study - Adults
Pastor Jim's Wednesday Night Bible Study is live streamed on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/elcaminobaptistchurch/videos
Thursday
10:30 am - Women's Life Group and Prayer - Bldg. 100, Women's Center
Daily Devotionals with
Pastor Jim Meek!
Join us Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 am for an inspiration devotional message from Dr. Jim Meek
Live steamed on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/elcaminobaptistchurch/videos
Nostalgic Swing Concert
Saturday, August 30th, 1 pm
Worship Center
Featuring: Nostalgic Swing
Genre: Pop, Swing, Latin, Jazz
Playing Popular tunes of the 40s—70s
With special guest jazz vocalist
Sponsored by—Every 5th Saturday Afternoon At 1 Concerts
(where it's always free to donate)
The Church Office will be closed, Monday, September 1, 2025 for Labor Day!
Have a fun, safe, and restful holiday!
Click Here or use the QR Code below to register
For the Grandparents:
A Faith-filled Grandparent Day Conference
Saturday, September 6th, 2025, 9am-3:30pm
Jessup University Chapel and Event Center
Sponsored by the Jon Gibson family, we look forward to hosting a powerful day of equipping, encouragement, and inspiration as grandparents gather to step more fully into the sacred calling of grandparenting. Hear from renowned speaker and founder of Legacy Coalition, Larry Fowler. A $15 registration pays for morning coffee, tea, pastries, lunch, and program materials.
Registration and details: Grandparents
ECBC New Family Ambassador Meeting
If you’ve already signed up, or are wanting to sign up, join us on September 7th, in the Kids’ center at noon for a short meeting.
Behold Your King
Studies in Matthew
Taught by Dr. Jim Meek
Wednesday
6:15 pm, Suite E
Pastor Jim's sermon notes are on the YouVersion Bible App under the Live Events.
- In the app, go to "More" then Events
- If you are local to the Sacramento area, you should be able to find the event for El Camino Baptist Church.
Our sermons are recorded and available on our website and our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/elcaminobaptistchurch/videos). You may also request a complementary DVD. Just email or call the church office and give the date of the sermon and your mailing address and we'll get one out to you as soon as possible. Please allow 7-10 business days to receive it. You may also pick it up in the office once you are notified it is ready. Thank you!
Join us for our
Visitation Ministry
Thursdays, 3 pm
Meet in the church office
FALL/WINTER WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNER SIGN-UPS
We need help with our Wednesday Night Dinner for the fall/winter. By volunteering for at least one Wednesday night, we can ensure no one is doing all the work. You would be putting together and leading a team for one or more times this fall/winter.
This entails shopping (the church will pay the bill; see Betty Allen for the budget), preparing a meal for about 60-70 children and adults, and clean up. Betty Allen will meet with you to help you understand the commitment.
If you can help, please click here or use the QR code below.
If you have questions contact Betty Allen or call the church at 916-488-1522 or email us at office@elcaminobaptist.org.
Let’s all share in this valuable and encouraging ministry and fellowship.
5:15 - 6 pm in the Fellowship Hall.
Suggested donation $5 per Adult and child/youth over 10 years of age / $2 per child under 10
Betty Raiford and team will prepare our meal for us
Menu: Shredded beef, pork, or chicken buns, corn on the cob, salad, and watermelon
Questions? Call the church office (916) 488-1522
Directory Update
We want to be sure we can keep in touch with you in order to minister to your needs. Please help us by updating your contact information. Simply click on the link below and complete the Directory Update Form. Thank you!
Have You Lost Something? 
We have lots of items (Bibles, ear buds, keys, and many other things) that have been turned into the office. If you have lost something, please stop by the church office during normal operating hours and check our Lost and Found! You may find your long, lost treasure! Questions? Call the church office, (916) 488-1522.
August
8/24—By-Laws Committee Meeting , 1 pm
8/30—Big Band/Swing Concert, 1 pm
September
9/1 – Church Office Closed – Labor Day
9/3 – Awana Begins! – 6 pm
9/6 – Men’s Ministry Prayer Breakfast – 8 am
9/7 – Missions Committee Meeting – 12 pm
9/7 - ECBC Ambassadors Meeting 12 pm
9/9 – Nominating Committee Meeting – 3 pm
9/9 – Deacons’ Meeting – 6:30 pm
9/12-13 – Youth CSBC Ignition
9/13 – Women’s Ministry Prayer Breakfast – 9 am
9/14 – Homecoming Celebration – 70 years 12 pm
9/16 – Finance Committee Meeting – 5:30 pm
9/20 - Building & Grounds All Church Work Day - 8 am
9/23 – Personnel Committee Meeting – 6 pm
9/26-27 – Youth Lock-In
9/27 – Mision Hispana Yard Sale – 7 am
9/28 – By-Laws Committee Meeting – 1 pm
