September 6, 2026
September 6, 2026
TEACH THE CHILDREN
When I was in seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, I was a pastor in East Texas. After graduation, I started a church in Reno. One day the East Texas church asked me to come back to preach at its Homecoming Service.
My family and I flew to Dallas where we rented a car. Then we drove to Elkhart, Texas and got a hotel room. That night I wanted to talk to God about the next morning’s service. So, I drove out to the church which was at the end of a Farm-to-Market-Road.
My old church was all lit up. I figured the custodian was there. I wanted to be alone with God, so I remembered a church nearby that housed a Black congregation. I drove to it and parked in front of the little church. I turned the handle of the front door. It was locked, but as I pushed the door, it opened!
I walked inside and rubbed my hand across the back of a pew. It was dust free, so I knew the church was still being used. Then I thought, “The pastor of this church must really love you, Jesus. In this sparsely populated area, he won’t get much of an attendance or fame. He must be the pastor here simply because he loves you.”
Then I began to weep, with great heaves coming up from my chest. I staggered outside and looked at a bright moon shining in a velvet sky, setting the white, wooden church aglow. I wondered why I was crying so passionately. Then I knew.
I realized that all God expected of me was to be totally surrendered to him. I simply must trust him to work everything out (Romans 8:28). I felt sudden, complete peace. The burden of my heart rolled away. I had been under pressure to make my church grow, and now I knew that all God wanted from me was total surrender and total faith.
I was concerned that when I went back to Reno that I would take on the pressure again of growing the church. “How can I keep this feeling of peace?” I asked Jesus. Then I said, “I’ll remember this white moon against a velvet sky, setting aglow a small, wooden church. A simple picture to remind me of a simple truth: totally trust God.
Sunday I’m preaching on “Welcome Home” from Luke 15:11-32. I’ll talk about “Repent,” verses 11-24; and “Accept Other’s Repentance,” verses 25-32. It’s from the greatest short story ever told, the parable of the prodigal son. It’ll help us get ready for Anniversary Sunday, September 20, wherein we’ll invite former attendees to celebrate our church with us. Meanwhile, let’s learn to be totally surrendered to Jesus and have total faith that he’s providing. May you feel the kind of relief that I felt that beautiful night before homecoming!
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
5:15-6 pm - Wednesday Night Dinner
6:00 PM - Youth
6 PM - Young Adults (beginning September 9th) - Room 235
6:00 pm - Awana Starting September 9, 2026
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/vid
Let us know you are interested in serving on the Worship or Tech Teams! Click here, or use the QR code below!
Use the QR code above or click here to register!
Young Adult Wednesday Night Bible Study
Join us Wednesdays
beginning September 9th
6 pm Room 235
Questions? Please see Danny Hur or Ed Stewart or call the church office
(916) 488-1522
Saturday, September 5th, 8 AM
Join us in the Fellowship Hall for a great breakfast, an inspirational devotional, and an encouraging time of prayer and fellowship! Bring other men with you, too!
For questions, contact the church office.
Women's Ministry Prayer Breakfast
Saturday, September 12th, 9am
Fellowship Hall
Join us for a delicious breakfast, encouraging fellowship, inspirational devotional, and consecrated time of prayer!
All ladies and girls (5 and up) welcome!
Questions? Please contact Marilyn Radov or call the church office.
Father & Kids Camping Weekend!
Friday, September 11th - Sunday, September 13th
TBD - More information to follow
To help us plan better, click on the graphic above or use the QR Code below to let us know you are interested in this fun-filled trip.
Be Faithful to the End
Studies in the book of Hebrews
Taught by Dr. Jim Meek
Wednesday
6:15 pm, The Chapel
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
5:15 - 6 pm in the Fellowship Hall.
Suggested donation $6 per Adult and child/youth over 10 years of age / $3 per child under 10
Betty Allen and team will prepare our meal
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 here or use the QR code 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.
September
9/5 - Men's Ministry Prayer Breakfast - 8 am
9/7 - Church Office Closed for Labor Day
9/9 - Awana Begins - 6 pm
9/11-13 - Men's Ministry Father/Son Campout
9/12 - Women's Ministry Prayer Breakfast
9/18 - Senior Adult Potluck and Game Day - Noon-3pm
9/20 - Church Homecoming!
