Percey Sledge released the song “When a Man Loves a Woman” in 1987. In the lyrics to this song it states, “When a man loves a woman, Spend his very last dime, Trying to hold on to what he needs, He’d give up all his comfort, Sleep out in the rain, If she said that’s the way it ought to be”. When reading the lyrics its interesting to me when it says “he’d give up all his comfort” and the last line here where it states, “if she said that’s the way it ought to be”

In Genesis 3:17-19 it states, “Then to Adam He said, "Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ’You shall not eat of it’: "Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. 18 Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field. 19 In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground”

The Bible states here that “Because you have heeded to the voice of your wife”. This brings an interesting reflection to the popular song lyric, “He’d give up all his comfort”. Seeing that is just what Adam did, when she said so, he did and return the ground was cursed from that very day. Adam use to enjoy tending to the garden, however following this fall life became much difficult and he gave up all of his comfort.

I believe that if you would study these passages just a little more and a little deeper you would see and agree that what Eve needed the most in the garden during this moment was a husband to be a husband, and to say no. In our Christian lives men have to become the spiritual leaders in the family, this was God’s plan an objective all along. Men need to stand up and do whats best for their family, and make sound decisions in their spiritual walk. You don’t nesscearly have to give up “all your comfort” as Adam did.

Pastor J. W. Pannell III

If you want people to like you, forgive them when they wrong you. Remembering wrongs can break up a friendship.

People desire a connection with others. We are humans and it is natural to need communication with others, companionship, and friends.

Some people enjoy the simple pleasure of bird watching, I enjoy the simple please of people watching. I could sit at the park or mall for hours and just watch people and their interesting interactions with each other. Some people try so hard, when others seem to not try at all for people to like them.

What’s quoted above come from Proverbs 17, and serves as a simple reminder about forgiving others. There is magic or better yet blessing in forgiveness. If we would learn to forgive we tend to draw people to us, and keep lasting relationships. We have to remember, life is short and many things we tend to get upset about are simple compared to life in this world we live in. Failing to forgive can have lasting negative effects on relationships we have in our lives. As Christians we are called to Forgive, “just as we have been forgiven”.

I pray that your day will be filled with blessings, joy and happiness.

Blessings~ Pastor Jonathan Pannell 

Proverbs 17:9 (NKJV)

⁹ He who covers a transgression seeks love,
But he who repeats a matter separates friends.

I read an article recently that shed some light on a thought I wanted to share with you.

Have you ever considered the worth of a Penny?

I remember my great-grandmother always picking up pennies, every time she saw one, she picked it up. When I think about a penny, I often think of the widow and the two mites when I see a penny laying around. To us a penny is the least valuable piece of currency and it is shown because we can see them just sitting on the ground and people walk right over them daily. If a hundred-dollar bill was laying on the ground would you walk past it? What about a five-dollar bill or even a quarter? But, yet the penny is oftentimes over looked for its considerable value.

Think about it this way. All U.S. currency has the words “In God We Trust” printed on it. Even the penny. I treasure anything that bares the name “God” placed upon it. And a penny should even serve as the simplest reminder to each of us as we read the inscription “In God We Trust”. It should remind us to ask ourselves, are we trusting Him? From the largest to the smallest situation, coin, bill or obstacle we face. Are we trusting Him? I want to challenge you from this day forward to never walk by a penny (or any other piece of currency) but when you see it no matter heads or tails, pick it up and ask yourself, am I truly trusting in Him?

Luke 21:1-4 (NKJV)
21 And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, ² and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. ³ So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; ⁴ for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”

Pastor Jonathan Pannell

Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

What a wonderful week this has been following District Assembly 2019 “Limitless”. I know and feel that we serve a Limitless God at ECN, and I am encouraged and excited for what God will be doing at ECN this year!

I want to pray with you each day that together we can work to invite someone new to church and minister to them each and every week. As a pastor, I don’t ever want us to get to the position to where we are just comfortable, or satisfied with what we have. We have a wonderful, and a very blessed church family, however I have a burden for the lost. I know that there are many, many out in our communities that need to hear the gospel of Jesus and I want us to work together to reach as many as we can for Christ. I would like to ask each of you to please help me, reach out and minister to those that you work with, family friends that are “un-churched” and anyone that you come into contact with. Together let’s work to fulfill the mission that Jesus has given us to “GO… and make Christlike disciples” To make a disciple we have to be a disciple.

In being a disciple, each week I want to encourage you in your prayer and study time. Dig a little deeper. Dust off your bibles and study God’s Holy Word. We are a church who loves our loving Heavenly Father, let’s hunger and thirst for His word, and a renewal of His Holy Spirit.

Going to church, is much more than attending each week. We know that attendance is biblically significant as God’s word tells us “not to forsake assembly” however, we must also have a passion to reach others for Christ, and to truly be the body of Christ by being the hands and feet of Jesus. Make it a priority each week to attend ECN faithfully, to give obediently, and to show your children, grandchildren and the world the love you have for our savior.

My prayer this week for our church is that we together will all demonstrate our love for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and that we will all together share a burden for the lost in reach out to others disciplining them, ministering to them, loving them as Christ loved us, and inviting them to attend worship with us.

I would ask you to join with me in prayer, as we the body of Christ work together to lift up the name of Jesus in all that we do, and reach people for the Kingdom of God.

Pastor Jonathan W. Pannell III

In the sermon on the Mount Jesus said this: “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and DOES THEM will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” Matthew 7:24-25

There are many benefits both physically and spiritually involved in being that the Bible calls a “Doer of the Word”. James writes in James 1:22-25, “… be DOERS of the word, and not hearers only - deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but A DOER WHO ACTS, he will be blessed in his doing.” Here in the Bible we are told that by being a “Doer” that we will be blessed in our doing. This is a spiritual blessing to our every move as we serve the Lord carrying out His perfect will. In Matthew 7:24-25 Jesus gave the example and illustration of a wise man who built his house on a rock, and stated that when the “rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house” that it withstood all that came its way and it did “not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” I see this as the physical side, there is a difference between hearing and doing. We can hear the word of the Lord, or even read it and quote it, but do we apply it to our everyday lives. I believe for us to see the spiritual and physical benefits and blessings from God and His Holy Word that we have to apply what we learn, and what we hear. Hearing just simply is not enough.

I want to encourage you to be a doer. Each week as you worship, attend preaching and study your Bible regularly that what God revels to you and apply it to your walk with the Lord. Take what you learn, and use it.

Pastor J. W. Pannell III

Look at Exodus 20:12, ''Honor thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

Again we read Paul's in Ephesians 6:1-4 (NKJV)

¹ Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

² “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise:

³ “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

⁴ And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Mothers...YOU ARE IMPORTANT TO GOD…
BUT, you also HOLD GREAT RESPONSIBILITY!We live in a generation of Children disobeying their parents and we also live in a day and age where children are turning from the church! As a mother, you hold a special gift when you hold your children. When you hold your baby close to your womb, YOU hold the key to molding the next generation! It’s our responsibilities as parents to “TRAIN” up our children. We must teach them, correct them, guide them and show them an example of the individuals that we want to them to grow up to be. Fathers also have a great RESPONSIBILITY TO YOUR WIVES! We find this responsibility in 1 Peter 3:7 (NKJV)

⁷ Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

Parents are given a special gift from God when we are given a chance to bring new life into this world. As we “TRAIN” our children we are building the foundation of a new generation that will grow older and become employees, leaders, preachers, teachers, and much more. We must also reflect a good Godly example that we would want our children to follow. Start now, teach your children about the Lord, His Love for each and ALL of us. Teach and Train them on how to follow the Lord, how to serve HIM and others daily. And the importance on being active in the ministry, supporting the church that the Lord has led your family to, and about how good Gods been to your family. What you teach your children, will one day be shared with your grandchildren and so on.

God Bless you and your family! I pray that your family would grow, be happy and prosperous and you would be close in your walk with the Lord daily.

Blessings,

Pastor Jonathan Pannell

Thankful, worship through song and Praise…

One thing I truly look forward to each week, it being with my church family for the sole purpose of worship. I don’t claim to be the best singer or even good at all. However, I do enjoy lifting my voice for my Savior. Worship in Heaven goes on continually, everyone singing praises to the Lamb that was slain! What a beautiful sight to picture and a day for all Christians to look forward to.

Each week we should all be anxious about worship. We are called to worship and we should give an offering of our praise continually. After all we were created for this purpose, we serve a risen Savior, and recipients of God’s grace what better way is there to show gratitude for our Lord than giving offerings of our Praise to the King of Kings.

Let’s give thanks to God, by raising our voices in assembly singing and shouting praises to our Lord. Enter each week His gates with Thanksgiving in your hearts and walk into His courts with Praise. God is worthy to be praised!

I may not always be my best. But God is always there for me, picking me up when I fail and loving my beyond myself. Giving me another chance when I didn’t even deserve it. And for that I am forever grateful.

Psalm 95:1 (NIV)

1 Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

Ephesians 5:19 (NIV)

19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,

Hebrews 2:12 (NIV)

12 He says,

“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters;
in the assembly I will sing your praises.”

Psalm 22:22 (NIV)

22 I will declare your name to my people;
in the assembly I will praise you.

Psalm 71:23 (NIV)

23 My lips will shout for joy
when I sing praise to you—
I whom you have delivered.

In life it is hard to always say that we are selfless all the time, and that we always but the needs of others before ours.  As true followers of Jesus we should follow by His example, walking in His footsteps as best as possible. That at least should be our goal in our journey with Christ.

God’s desire for us as Christians is to share the examples that Jesus has given each of us. God wants to bless us in the journey of faith, and when we take care of others God will take care of us.

It is up to us to share the story of Jesus. There are many things that we would all like to be doing in place of witnessing to others, or being at church, or helping a brother or sister in Christ in need. But, God has given us a calling to look out for those that do not believe and share the life changing message of Jesus, to worship together, and to take care of our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Recently following hurricane Florence, many in the Carolina’s are without power, water, basic essentials, and some even without a home to return to. There are areas even days following the storm with high flood waters, I have seen pictures of interstates that now look like rivers. These are folks that we can assist in our state.

There are homeless individuals and families in our local community, who benefit from small acts of kindness, and what we may look at as simple items such as a wash rag, soap, tooth paste, clean socks, or a decent meal. Could you imagine the impact we as Christians could have on the homeless community if we all as Christians, untied, and worked together to get our homeless population down, by working to get these individuals back on there feet in life? What an amazing achievement that would be!  

Let’s all work together daily to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Help our brothers and sisters in Christ and those in need around our communities, and more.

Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)

³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:5-11 (NKJV)

⁵ Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, being in the form of God, did not consider it ^[a]robbery to be equal with God, ⁷ but ^[b]made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. ⁹ Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, ¹¹ and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Isn’t it an amazing feeling and thought to know that our God, can speak to us and walk with us no matter where this crazy life may take us at times. You can be on top of the mountain or standing in the midst of the fires of life, and God can be right there with you.

It is important for us to listen for God’s voice in our lives, and to talk to Him on a daily basis. Learn to make a good habit of praying as often as possible as in prayer you can begin to learn the voice of God, and his direction in your life. The Bible says in John 10:27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them…” I love this passage, as it is a reminder that God hears us also when we pray. I want God to know my voice when I come to Him, and I want to know His voice when He comes to me.

As you journey in life, continue to follow God, and talk with Him often. Remember, He is listening.
 

Pastor J. Pannell 

John 10:27-28 (NKJV)

²⁷ My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. ²⁸ And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.

Deuteronomy 5:4 (NKJV)

⁴ The Lord talked with you face to face on the mountain from the midst of the fire.

Genesis 26:5 (NKJV)

⁵ because Abraham obeyed My voice…”

Genesis 3:8 (NKJV)

⁸ And they heard the ^[a]sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the ^[b]cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

Just a simple reminder for us all to pray daily. Please join us as we pray everyday for the names listed on our prayer request list, we post them online so everyone can have access to them easily. Click on the Prayer Tab to review prayer request, also please feel free to add to this list anytime you have a special need. 

Blessings, Pastor

My encouragement for you today, is to ask you to live for today! Don't put off for tomorrow what you can do for today. Life is short! Enjoy every minute of everyday, spend time with your families, call you loved ones and build relationships. We hear all throughout scripture that life is quickly passing and this is something that we all know already and have been told before. I feel as though we often times need to be reminded of this, we let life slip by and waste precious moments, and opportunities to create memories. 
 

From time to time we have regrets in life, don't let this be one of those... Know that your life is vastly passing by, and you are not promised tomorrow. Love your families and make memories that will last for generations to come. 

Blessings on this beautiful day that our Lord has made and Given us Today!

~Pastor Jonathan W. Pannell III 

Proverbs 27:1 (NKJV)

27 Do not boast about tomorrow,
For you do not know what a day may bring forth.

Psalm 144:4 (NKJV)

⁴ Man is like a breath;
His days are like a passing shadow.

1 Peter 1:24 (NKJV)

“All flesh is as grass,
And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass.
The grass withers,
And its flower falls away,

Psalm 102:11(NIV)

¹¹ My days are like the evening shadow;
    I wither away like grass.

Psalm 78:39 (NIV)

³⁹ He remembered that they were but flesh,
    a passing breeze that does not return.

James 4:13-15 (NIV)

¹³ Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” ¹⁴ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. ¹⁵ Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

Job 8:9 (NIV)

⁹ for we were born only yesterday and know nothing,
    and our days on earth are but a shadow.

Job 9:25 (NIV)

²⁵ “My days are swifter than a runner;
    they fly away without a glimpse of joy.

Ecclesiastes 1:4 (NIV)

⁴ Generations come and generations go,
    but the earth remains forever.

The recent tragedy in Los Vegas is absolutely heartbreaking. There are many families who will be impacted for many years due to this senseless  act of evil caused by one man. As an individual took aim and fired upon hundreds of people, taking the lives of many and hundreds of others wounded, an individual who appeared to have no set target and to this day no true motive for his actions shows nothing less that pure evil and heartless intent. Tragedy is a terrible thing no matter the situation, and my heart goes out to the large number of people who lost loved ones during this attack. I pray that you may be able to find peace and comfort in this time of trouble. Always know, no matter if you believe or not, that Jesus Loves you and can bring peace where no peace can be found on this earth. 

I must also say that following this attack our President Donald Trump, gave a public address, turning the attention of this nation to our Heavenly Father during this time of trouble. He is right, and we must cast our cares upon Him. 

Today, I pray for each of the families involved, the large number of people that witnessed this tragic event, the families of those that lost their lives that night, and the many that will be forever affected by this tragedy. Please know that when tragedy comes, and trouble awaits that Jesus, has already come and overcame the world, and also waits for you during this time of struggle to bring you strength, encouragement, and peace. 

Pastor J. W. Pannell III

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
 

John 16:33

[ Praise to God for a Living Hope ] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Peter 1:3 NIV

Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
 

Psalm 20:7

2 Corinthians 2:8-11 (NIV)

⁸ I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. ⁹ Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. ¹⁰ Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, ¹¹ in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

One of the biggest things that sticks out in this passage are the words "Satan might not outwit us". I see that we are living in a world where we are now more than ever being outwitted by Satan. Christians today are forgetting God's expectation of Forgiveness and Love. Satan has been able to fool many people lead them out of God's will for their lives. When you stand the test, stand and "be obedient in everything" no matter what the situation might be, ensure that you will work through it as God would desire for you to.

Good Morning Everyone! 

What an absolutely beautiful day we have been given by our Lord! 

On Saturday October 28th from 6pm-8:30pm we will have our annual Fall Festival, this event the last two years has brought hundreds of visitors to ECN for us to have an opportunity to share Jesus with and we are excited that it is quickly approaching. 

This year we are excited to expand this event by adding our annual Craft Bazaar to this event creating an even bigger and better Fall Festival for everyone. 

Jessica is working on Craft Vendors for the event and we currently have over 20 confirmed. Due to the limited number of spaces available our goal is to only have one vendor of each kind to offer a fair Bazaar for the vendors, a great experience and variety for everyone who attends. 

If you know someone who would like to be a vendor have them contact Jessica Hinton for details. All vendors have to be pre registered with us prior to there arrival. 

Jessica Hinton can be reached by Phone: (803) 242-2998

We will also have Food, games, Trunk-or-Treat, and more along with visitors from the local Fire Department and police department. 

We look forward to you and your family attending this wonderful event. Please let everyone know about it! And be sure to save up a little extra spending money to get some Christmas shopping out of the way! 

The church will be selling the food on this night and all proceeds will go to the ministries of ECN, if you would like to help serve please contact Tricia Duggins. 

We are also still needing more Trunks for Trunk-or-Treat please let me know if you would be willing to decorate your trunk for the children. 

Blessings on this Beautiful Day today!

Pastor 

What a great day it is to be a Child of God, EVERYDAY!

I am so blessed that Jesus loved me enough to give His life for me! Tomorrow morning Ashley and I along with our family will welcome our new addition to the family. Ms. Lila Grace Pannell! We are beyond excited and cannot wait to see her. When I think of her entering this world as a father just as with my two boys I am nervous because we live in a dark world full of hate and violence. However, I know that as a believer in Jesus Christ that God is our protector and our life in the darkness.

I know that my two boys and my little girl will overcome this world with the strength and help of the Son of God! Pray for your children daily. And work without stop at training them in the way of the Lord.

I pray that your day is full of Joy and Blessings beyond measure!

Pastor Jonathan

1 John 5:5 (NIV)
Who is it that overcomes the world?
Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.