August 3, 2025
LEARN LIKE A CHILD
August 3, 2025
One of my favorite movies is “Neverending Story.” It’s about a boy named Bastian who is running from bullies. He hides in a bookstore where he discovers a book about a young warrior named Atreyu who’s told by the Childlike Empress to defeat The Nothing, an evil force that is destroying Fantasia. Atreyu’s horse dies in the Swamp of Sadness, but Atreyu presses on. Finally, the young reader, Bastian, is able to become part of the story and is able to save Fantasia.
Fantasia represents imagination. The Nothing is what philosophers call nihilism, the belief that life has no meaning and therefore has no basis for morality. The reader, Bastian, is asked to help overcome a belief in nothingness, making his way heroically through the swamp of sadness.
Our world is sinking beneath a feeling of nihilism.
If life has no meaning, then there is no reason to be moral. Nihilism preaches that there is no absolute truth. If that is so, then there is no God.
We must fight against the feelings of nothingness, that life has no meaning. We must learn about the absolute beauty and truth in life. We must learn about God and his will for our lives. We must learn like children who are often ready to grow and learn.
Sunday I’m preaching on “Learn Like a Child” from Mark 9. We’ll talk about “Be Humble,” verses 33-35; “Receive Jesus,” verses 36-37; and “Don’t Be a Hindrance,” verses 38-42. The passage comes directly from the words of Jesus, the Creator and our personal Savior who loved us so much that he crucified our sins so we could be united with a holy God forever. Please come and help us learn from such a Savior!
By the way, Sunday the Children’s Choir will sing, so come and support our children!
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 - Kids' Summer Choir - 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
Women’s Ministry Saturday Coffee
August 9th, 9 am
Fellowship Hall
Join us for coffee, a continental breakfast, fellowship, and prayer.
Questions? Contact Mary Rienks, (916) 995-7178
or the church office (916) 488-1522
Join us on Sunday, August 10th during worship as we celebrate the Lord's Supper
Nostalgic Swing Concert
Saturday, August 3oth, 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)
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
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.
If you have any questions, you may contact Betty Allen, or call/email the church office, (916) 488-1522, office@elcaminobaptist.org
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
Grace House Ministries will prepare our meal for us
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
8/3—Kids’ Summer Choir Performance during Worship
8/3—Promotion Sunday for Kids / Little Kids’
8/3—Missions Committee Meeting, 12 pm
8/6—Awana District Meeting
8/9—Women’s Ministry Saturday Coffee, 9 am
8/10—Lord’s Supper during Worship
8/12—Nominating Committee Meeting, 3 pm
8/12—Deacons’ Meeting, 6:30 pm
8/13—Awana Leaders’ Meeting
8/17—Kids’ on Sunday Teachers’ Meeting—noon
8/19—Finance Committee Meeting—5:30 pm
8/20—Awana Leaders’ Meeting
8/24—By-Laws Committee Meeting , 1 pm
8/26—Personnel Committee Meeting, 6 pm
8/30—Big Band/Swing Concert, 1 pm
