April 7, 2023
SEE GOD NOW
April 7, 2024
When I was in seminary in Fort Worth, my wife and I would drive for three hours on Fridays after she got off work. We would stay in a mobile home beside a church where I pastored in East Texas. I would visit people on Saturdays, teach Sunday School and preach on Sunday mornings and Sunday nights, then head back to Fort Worth.
After a few years I started a church south of Reno. One year, the church in East Texas invited me to preach at its reunion. My family and I flew to Dallas, rented a car and drove to a hotel near the church.
Late that night I went for a drive down a country road to pray. I stopped at an African American church in the area. No one was there, but I pushed the door and it opened! I walked in. The lights didn’t come on, but I rubbed the back of a pew to see if there was dust. It was perfectly clean. I realized that the little church was still in use. I thought, “God, you must really love this pastor. His church will not see great growth, because it’s in the middle of nowhere, but he serves here simply because he loves you.”
Then I started crying profusely. I staggered outside, wondering why I was crying. Then I realized that I had been carrying the burden of growing the church in Reno, when I should simply find joy in serving God through his power, like that country pastor. As I cried, the burden of growing the church rolled away! I looked up at a pure, white moon and saw how its rays perfectly lit the church, which was painted white. In the background was a velvet sky. I wanted to remember that simple contrast of light and dark in order to remember the simplicity of trusting Jesus, casting my cares on him, knowing he cares for me. I drove back to the hotel, filled with joy.
I saw God that night. I must always remember to see God in the light of his pure presence.
Sunday I’m preaching on “See God Now” from Ezekiel 1:1-14. We’ll look at “See God in a Strange Land,” verses 1-3; “See Light in the Darkness,” verses 4-9; and “See the Ever-Present Creator,” verses 10-14. The message is about Ezekiel seeing God’s presence while the Jews were in exile in Babylon. When things seem dark and tragic, God is there! Let’s learn to see him and trust him!
Thanks to all who participated in the events of Holy Week! It was a week of Godly light! May God bless you forever for reflecting that light!
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
Wednesday
5:30 pm - Wednesday Night Dinner
6:30 pm Bible Study - Adults
AWANA - Ages 3 y/o - 5th Grade
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
Kids Ministry Work Day
Saturday, April 20th
10 am - 2 pm
Come work with us!
We need help with the following:
- Cleaning out and organizing closets
- Making minor repairs to broken items
- Taking items that are no longer needed to be donated
If you have questions, or want to help, please contact Colleen Ishimaru or call the church office.
Women's Ministry Breakfast
April 13, 2024, 9 am
Fellowship Hall
Join us for breakfast, fellowship, and lots of fun!
Questions? Please contact Mary Rienks or call the church office, (916) 488-1522
Dates: July 15th - 19th
5 - 8 pm
Register NOW! Use the QR Code below, Click here, or on the graphic above to register you and/or your children for VBS 2023!
We need volunteers to assist us in our Tech Booth—Audio and Video. Our Tech/audio/video team supports our worship and creative arts team by managing the sound and video booths. If you are interested in being a part of this team, click here, or you may use the QR code below and let us know your particular interests and skills.
If you have questions, please contact Jason Kell, call, or email the church office, (916) 488-1522, office@elcaminobaptist.org
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
5:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall.
Dinner: $5 per adult, $2 per child under 10
Menu: Holly Hooper and team will be cooking for us
Menu: "Million Dollar Spaghetti", salad, bread, and dessert
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.
April 2024
4/9 - Nominating Committee Meeting 10:30 am
4/9 - Deacons' Meeting 6:30 pm
4/13 - Women's Ministry Breakfast 9 am
4/14 - New Beginnings - New Members/Attenders Seminar 5-7 pm
4/16 - Stewardship Committee Meeting 5:30 pm
4/20 - Kids' Ministry Workday - 10 am - 2 pm
4/20 - Evangelism Ministry Meeting - 11 am
4/23 - Personnel Committee Meeting - 6 pm
4/25 - Decision Point - Youth Evangelism Training - 9 am - 2:30 pm
