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GREETINGS, EVERYONE! (There is a lot here this week, so you may want to scan the bold headings first)
This week, Psalm 43 came up three different times in my personal reading and group sharing. On Monday, Sept. 13, it was one of the Psalms of the day (13, 43, 73, 103, 133). On Wednesday, I read it in preface to our evening prayer time focused on Missouri missions. On Friday, it was part of my regular Bible reading plan. It seems the Lord was bringing it to my attention on purpose! If you will, indulge me to share just a couple of verses from the middle of this brief psalm: "Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God." In the very order of the phrases, the psalmist states that his worship, his joy, and his praise (signified by the "altar of God" and "the lyre") follows and flows from the light and truth which God sends out from Himself. They lead the psalmist into His very dwelling. It is the same for us: God's light and truth (yes, His very word) is the catalyst for praise. Praise is always for something, never without a reason. Some Godly attribute; some truth concerning God's nature and being; some Divine intention, purpose, or action. All of these are found in the pages of Scripture and provide abundant kindling to stoke the fire of our affections and send our praise and worship upward to the very throne room of God! The Valley of Vision prayer concerning "Scriptural Convictions" relates it this way: "I cannot find out thy perfections, but I know thou art good, ready to forgive, plenteous in mercy. Thou hast displayed thy wisdom, power, and goodness in all thy works, and hast revealed thy will in the Scripture of truth. Thou has caused it to be preserved, translated, published, multiplied, so that all men may possess it and find thee in it." As we prepare for corporate worship this week, I pray that we would so individually and personally read God's word, reflect and meditate on it, and inwardly digest it that, when we come to the gathering on the Lord's Day, our hearts would be so full of the truth of God that we cannot but praise and magnify the God of all truth! TOMORROW (SATURDAY, 9/18) Work Day at the Church House! Folks will start arriving at 8 am, and I plan to have donuts and coffee ready for those who come. I cannot promise there will still be donuts at 10, so plan on getting here early. Here is a "punch list" of possible projects for you to work on (more may be added):
THE LORD'S DAY (SUNDAY)
Fighter Verse: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Call to Worship: Psalm 1 OT Reading: Proverbs 31:10-31 NT reading: James 3:13-4:3, 7-8 Prayer of Confession: Psalm 54 Assurance of Pardon: Psalm 55:22 Sermon Texts: 2 Timothy 4:1-15; Matthew 28:18-20; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 Benediction: 2 Corinthians 13:14
MONDAY
WEDNESDAY
Please visit our YouTube Channel to see the edited service video. READ THROUGH THE BIBLE schedule is attached. We are on Week 38. BONUS: Rob Philips, director of the apologetics ministry of the Missouri Baptist Convention, has released a new book, What Every Christian Should Know About Satan: Biblical Names and titles that Reveal his Nature, Activities, and Destiny. Rob has compiled a well-researched, engaging, and hefty (over 400-page!) volume to aid the church in discipleship and defense of the faith. I am ordering 20 of these at the greatly reduced cost of $5 per book (75% off retail). Please let me know and I will reserve your copy (or copies) today. Make checks payable to the church and designate it "Satan book." See you in church! Grace and peace, Pastor Greg
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Greetings, everyone!
Recent crises brought on by the earthquake in Haiti, Hurricane Ida, flooding through the midsouth, and the military pullout of Afghanistan have been foremost in our prayers. You may have a good idea of what relief efforts look like for natural disasters. But if you are like most, you don't have as good an idea on what relief efforts for a man-made disaster such as what is taking place in Afghanistan look like. For this reason, I am linking to an e-mail I received from the International Mission Board and North American Board concerning Send Relief. You will find out what efforts are underway and how you can help. Attached to this e-mail is a page entitled "10 Ways to Pray for Afghan Refugees." Incidentally, our Rheubin South Missouri Missions Offering (MMO) begins promotion tomorrow, and a portion of every dollar given goes to support disaster relief efforts both in Missouri and elsewhere in the US. Our goal for this offering set by our Mission Vision Team is $1500. THE LORD'S DAY is TOMORROW! I'm looking forward to being with you on the Lord's Day tomorrow as we start a new series simply entitled "The Church." Over the next several weeks, we will be looking at the subject of the church under the following headings: 1. What is the Nature of the Church of Jesus Christ? 2. What are the Attributes and Marks of the Church? 3. What Does the Bible Say About Leadership in the Church? 4. What Does the Bible Say About the Membership in the Church? 5. What Does the Bible Say About the Ordinances of the Church? 6. What Does the Bible Say About Discipline in the Church? 7. What is the Warfare of the Church? We'll be singing "O Church, Arise" (Keith & Kristyn Getty; Stuart Townend) across the weeks of this series, so take a few moments to listen to it if you aren't familiar with it. We will gather for Sunday School/Bible Study for All Ages at 9:30 am, followed by corporate worship at 10:40 am in the Sanctuary. Here are the Scriptures we will be reading in the morning service. Please spend a few moments reading and meditating on them. Click on any of the links to read a printable version of all the selected Scriptures. Fighter Verses: 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 Call to Worship: Psalm 146 Old Testament: Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 New Testament: James 2:1-10. (11-13), 14-17 Prayer of Confession: Psalm 86: 1-7 Assurance of Pardon: Psalm 86: 12-13 Sermon Text: Matthew 16:13-20; 18:15-20 Benediction: Numbers 6:24-26 COMING UP
ICYMI: Last Sunday’s Message Saved By Faith Luke 7:36-50 Please visit our YouTube Channel to see the edited service video. READ THROUGH THE BIBLE schedule is attached. We are on Week 36. (That's right, we are 2/3 of the way through 2021). BONUS: Fear is an emotion which may be legitimate or illegitimate, good or bad, depending on the context. Fear is something we all experience, and some more than others. Looking to the Scriptures and wise counsel from Puritans like John Flavel and Richard Baxter, later churchmen like Charles Spurgeon and J.C. Ryle, and contemporary counselors like Ed Welch and David Powlison, the Just Thinking Podcast team Darrel Harrison and Virgil Walker do a deep dive into the subject "Why Are You Afraid?" Don't be daunted by the nearly 3-hour length. It is worth it. I listened to it in big chunks beginning Monday and finishing up Friday. I heartily recommend their podcast in general and this episode in particular. You will be encouraged and likely challenged in your thinking. See you in church! Grace and peace, Pastor Greg TODAY some of our men attended the Biblical Manhood Conference in St. Joseph, and we had an excellent time. OUr small group joined with approximately 170 men from the area to lift up the name of Jesus, hear the word of God proclaimed from the main speaker, Dr. Hershael York, and attend breakout sessions on a variety or topics. What a blessing the day was! it was great to be with some of our men, and I am looking forward to next year
THE LORD'S DAY is TOMORROW! We will gather for Sunday School/Bible Study for All Ages at 9:30 am, followed by corporate worship at 10:40 am in the Sanctuary. COVID Protocols: In light of the number of our members who tested positive for COVID-19 or a variant thereof this week, if you have COVID or are in the COVID exposure quarantine window it is recommended that you stay home for services and join us on Facebook Live even if you feel good. If you do not have access to Facebook Live, you can join us in the parking lot on your car radio at FM 103.1. If you would like particular information on numbers or are concerned with contact screening, please contact the Tri-County Health Department. Here are the Scriptures we will be reading in the morning service. Please spend a few moments reading and meditating on them. Click on any of the links to read a printable version of all the selected Scriptures. Fighter Verse: James 1:12 Call to Worship: Psalm 15 Old Testament: Song of Solomon 2:8-13 New Testament: James 1:17-27 Assurance of Pardon: Psalm 32:1-2 Sermon Text: Luke 7:36-50 Benediction: Numbers 6:24-26 Worship in the Park at 6 pm tomorrow. Children's games and fun begin at 4:30 pm at Bartlett Park, under the water tower. Cookout at 6 pm, followed by devotion and praise at 7 pm. The church will provide burgers, dogs, brats, condiments, drinks, and table service, you bring everything else (sides and desserts). Invite a friend or two, and bring your lawn chairs! COMING UP
ICYMI: Last Sunday’s Message True Godliness According to Jesus, Luke 7:24-35 Please visit our YouTube Channel to see the edited service video. READ THROUGH THE BIBLE schedule is attached. We are on Week 35. BONUS: A book that I recommended during my breakout session at the men's conference this morning is entitled Finding Grace in the Face of Dementia by John Dunlop, MD. This title from Crossway appears to be a valuable resource for folks who are dealing with this important subject in one way or another. I have not read it yet, but it comes highly recommended by Dennis Rainey of Family Life Today and D. A. Carson, professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. I am placing this book in our church library so that it will be available to you. See you in church! Grace and peace, Pastor Greg Greetings, everyone!
TODAY the deacons are sponsoring a water distribution station at the Farmer's Market at Pony Express RV Park, 8 am - noon. We will be sharing the love of Jesus in a tangible way with the patrons and seek to engage them with the Gospel in a winsome way. If you can come out to help at any point during the morning, I encourage you to do so. We will be on the porch of the main building of the park. THE LORD'S DAY is TOMORROW! This Sunday is Disaster Relief Sunday, and we will be recognizing the many volunteers who are involved in disaster relief efforts, both in Missouri and across the country. Some of our church's own DR volunteers will be sharing about DR at the end of the service and highlighting training opportunities coming up. If you would like more information on those opportunities, visit mobaptist.org/dr/dr-training. Here are the Scriptures we will be reading in the morning service. Please spend a few moments reading and meditating on them. Click on any of the links to read a printable version of all the selected Scriptures: Fighter Verses: Psalm 20:6-8 Call to Worship: Psalm 84:1-4 Old Testament Reading: 1 Kings 8:1, 6, 10-11, 22-30, 41-43 New Testament Reading: Ephesians 6:10-20 Assurance of Pardon: Psalm 34:15-22 Sermon Text: Luke 7:24-35 Benediction: Numbers 6:24-26 COMING UP
ICYMI: Last Sunday’s Message "The Scandal of Jesus" Previous Week's Message "Do You Want to See?" Please visit our YouTube Channel to see the edited service video. READ THROUGH THE BIBLE schedule is attached. We are on Week 34. BONUS: On the table in the narthex you will find a couple of resources that you may find helpful. One is an evangelistic tract entitled Life's Ultimate Questions by Voddie Baucham, Jr. This tract takes an apologetics approach to sharing the gospel, and points people to Christ as the answer to all of life's ultimate questions. The other resource is a little card pointing you to a free audio bible app that you can download to your phone entitled Bible.is. This resource has the Bible in over 1300 languages in text, audio, and video. (Thank you to Jerry Scott for providing these helpful resources). See you in church! Grace and peace, Pastor Greg Attachments area Greetings, everyone!
TODAY the MACH IV Men's Ministry meeting has been cancelled due to a number of conflicts. We will pick back up in September, Lord willing. THE LORD'S DAY is TOMORROW! The words of John Newton's hymn are often on my mind as I prepare for the Lord's Day. I encourage you to think on these words: 1 Safely through another week God has brought us on our way; let us now a blessing seek, waiting in his courts today; day of all the week the best, emblem of eternal rest. 2 While we pray for pard'ning grace through the dear Redeemer's name, show thy reconciled face; take away our sin and shame; from our earthly cares set free, may we rest this day in thee. 3 Here we come thy name to praise; let us feel thy presence near; may thy glory meet our eyes while we in thy house appear; here afford us, Lord, a taste of our everlasting feast. 4 May thy gospel's joyful sound conquer sinners, comfort saints; may the fruits of grace abound, bring relief for all complaints; thus may all our Sabbaths prove, 'til we join the church above. Here are the Scriptures for use in the morning service. Please spend a few moments reading and meditating on them. Click on any of the links to read a printable version of all the selected Scriptures: Call to Worship: Psalm 111 Old Testament: 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 New Testament: Ephesians 5:15-21 Assurance of Pardon: Psalm 34:17-18 Sermon Text: Luke 7:18-23 Fighter Verses: Matthew 11:28-30 Benediction: 2 Corinthians 13:14 Tomorrow, we will be singing the hymn "All I Have Is Christ" by Jordan Kauflin. Click on the link to listen and watch a powerful animated video with the song. COMING UP
ICYMI: Last Sunday’s Message will be posted at a later date Please visit our YouTube Channel to see the edited service video. READ THROUGH THE BIBLE schedule is attached. We are on Week 33. BONUS: Many these days are concerned about the COVID-19 vaccines. Earnest Christians come to different conclusions concerning whether one should or should not receive the COVID-19 shot. The majority of Christians very likely consider the answer to that question to be a matter of personal liberty and conviction. But what about the boundaries of governmental authority or employer authority when it comes to this issue? Owen Strachan, former professor at Midwestern Baptist Seminary and founding faculty at Grace Bible Theological Seminary in Conway, AR, weighs in on this subject in his podcast The Antithesis. This episode is entitled "Should You Obey Vaccine Mandates from Your Employer? A Biblical Approach to Governmental Authority". If you are wanting to think through this subject biblically, I recommend you listen to Dr. Strachan. He has done a lot of the heavy lifting already, and you will be enriched by his biblically-based study. You may not agree with all of his conclusions, but I encourage you to engage with his arguments and think deeply and Scripturally about this. See you in church! Grace and peace, Pastor Greg Summer vacation is officially two-thirds over! I just happened to notice that today is July 23, and school begins (at least at Maysville R-1) on August 23. And that means we are closer than ever to what we hope to be a normal year of ministry to students of every age: preschoolers, elementary aged children, and teenagers. After school and evening midweek ministries were virtually absent during the 2020-21 school year, and we hope to reinstate those with a great kickoff right after Labor Day.
TONIGHT! (FRIDAY) Join us on the Independent Farmers' Bank Parking Lot for our second Outdoor Family Movie event of the summer showing "Big Hero 6," an animated feature with a fanciful, futuristic setting and a touching storyline. We'll start gathering anytime after 8:15 pm, fire up the popcorn popper, have freezer pops available to help beat the heat, and start the feature at 8:45 pm or so. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets! TOMORROW I will be attending an all-day preaching workshop in Atchison sponsored by Agros, a teaching and equipping ministry of Joe Bridgeman. Joe grew up in the Amity area and still has family in Maysville and Amity. Joe and his wife, Becca, were formerly missionaries in Scotland and came back to the states a little over a year ago. Joe has a heart for the rural and small town churches, especially to help equip pastors who may be bi-vocational or "second career" and unable to attend seminary. Equipping workshops like these help to fill in a gap for many. I share this to commend Agros to you and to ask you to pray for the fruitfulness of it going forward. THE LORD’S DAY What a great day in the house of the Lord we had last week, and thanks to all those who were visiting with us that day. A banner day! Just a reminder that when you are away from home this summer, either on vacation or on business, make it a point to attend church wherever you are on Sunday morning. If possible, bring back a bulletin signed by the pastor or other church officer. (This fun-loving suggestion is just a way to emphasize the importance of setting aside one day in seven for worship, study, and fellowship with God's people). A translation of a thousand-year-old German hymn focuses our attention on the reason we gather every Lord's Day: Christ is arisen From the grave's dark prison, So let our song exulting rise: Christ with comfort lights our eyes. Alleluia! All our hopes were ended Had Jesus not ascended From the grave triumphantly Our never ending life to be. Alleluia! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! So let our song exulting rise: Christ, our comfort, fills the skies. Alleluia! As you prepare for the Lord's Day and our time of corporate worship, please take a few moments to meditate on the following Scriptures which will frame and inform our worship service. Invest some time in adoring the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, giving Him thanks, confessing sin, and asking that our worship together would be acceptable as we offer it to the Father, through the finished work of Christ the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit : FIGHTER VERSE: Philippians 1:6 CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 145: 10-21 OT READING: 2 Samuel 11:1-15 NT READING: Ephesians 3:14-21 PRAYER OF CONFESSION: Psalm 139:1-6, 23-24 ASSURANCE OF PARDON: 1 John 4:9-10 SERMON TEXT: Luke 7:11-17 BENEDICTION: Numbers 6:24-26 (Missouri Baptist Children's Home birthday offering and Baptist Homes anniversary offering will be received at the conclusion of the morning service). THIS WEEK
Saturday, August 28, Biblical Manhood Conference sponsored in part by our Baptist Association, 8:30-3 pm at Frederick Boulevard Baptist in St. Joseph. Our men have been attending this event since its inception in 2017. Keynote Speaker will be Hershael York, preaching professor at The Southern Baptist theological Seminary, Louisville, KY. You will be blessed by this brother, who is also pastor of Buck Run Baptist Church in the Louisville area. Breakout sessions will be provided by several area pastors, including yours truly. Cost: $20, includes lunch from Chick-Fil-A. Please let me know if you would like to sign up. I will be making our church reservation on July 30, Lord willing. ICYMI Last Sunday’s Message Luke 7:1-10 "A Centurion's Faith Please visit our YouTube Channel to see the edited service video. READ THROUGH THE BIBLE Week 30 of the 5 Day Bible Reading Program. Read through the entire Bible following this plan, or read only the New Testament (in italics). Day One: 2 Kings 7-8; 2 Chronicles 21; Matthew 6 Day Two: 2 Kings 9-10; Psalm 49; Matthew 7 Day Three: 2 Chron. 22-23; 2 Kings 11; Psalm 131; Matthew 8 Day Four: 2 Chron. 24; 2 Kings 12; Psalm 50; Matthew 9 Day Five: Joel; Matthew 10 Visit the website for more up-to-date information! BONUS: You have given financially over and above your regular giving through a couple of special events recently.
See you in church! Grace and peace, Pastor Greg Dixon Greetings, Church Family and Friends!
Another Vacation Bible School is on the books, and we had a great week learning God's Word together! Thank you, Dava Hackett, for leading our VBS. Our theme was "Destination Dig" and our theme verse was Jeremiah 29:13 "You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart." We had 48 children enrolled and 24 or so leaders, helpers, and volunteers. Tomorrow, and the VBS children will be sharing their program at 10:40 am, taking the place of the first 20 minutes or so of the regular worship service. After the program, our regular corporate worship will commence. **At the conclusion of the service, we will give our Grand Oaks youth campers an opportunity to speak and share camp testimonies.** TOMORROW is THE LORD'S DAY and I want to encourage you to read and meditate on the following Scriptures that will shape and inform our corporate worship tomorrow: Call to Worship: Psalm 90:1-2 Old Testament: Isaiah 53:1-10 New Testament: Acts 8:35-39 Assurance of Pardon: Psalm 32:1-2 Sermon Text: Luke 7:1-10 Fighter Verses: Ephesians 6:16-18 Benediction: Numbers 6:24-26 COMING UP:
Please visit our YouTube Channel to see the edited service video. READ THROUGH THE BIBLE Week 29 of the 5 Day Bible Reading Program. Read through the entire Bible following this plan, or read only the New Testament (in italics). Day One: 1 Kings 19-21; 2 Chronicles 17; Psalm 129; Matthew 1 Day Two: 1 Kings 22; 2 Chron. 18; Matthew 2 Day Three: 2 Chron. 19-20; 2 Kings 1; Psalm 20; Matthew 3 Day Four: 2 Kings 2-3; Psalm 48; Matthew 4 Day Five: 2 Kings 4-6; Matthew 5 Visit the website for more up-to-date information! THE LORD'S DAY SCRIPTURES: Please take a few moments to read and meditate on God's Word in preparation for corporate worship tomorrow. FIGHTER VERSES: Ephesians 6:14-15 CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 24 OT READING: 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12-19 NT READING: Ephesians 1:13-14 PRAYER OF CONFESSION: Psalm 85:4-9 ASSURANCE OF PARDON: Psalm 85:1-3 SERMON TEXT: Luke 6:46-49 BENEDICTION: Numbers 6:24-26 BONUS: Some of you have asked me where we get our Scripture readings from the Old and New Testament that we read each Lord's Day. Well, it isn't just random selection. About 95% of the time currently, those readings come from the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL). A "lectionary" is simply a collection of Scripture readings for use on specific days of the year. The RCL is ordered around the so-called "liturgical year" which in turn is based on events from the life and ministry of Jesus and the New Testament Church (Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, Season after Pentecost). Like other lectionaries, the RCL is a three-year reading plan that covers large portions of every book of Scripture in an orderly way. The idea is to hear from all the Scripture writers (under the Holy Spirit's inspiration, of course) and not simply thematic readings. While we as a church generally do not observe the traditional liturgical year as such, we do count it a blessing to be able to read Scripture aloud in the assembly as commanded to Timothy by the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 4:13 "Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching." I am blessed to be able to share this responsibility with our deacons each week, and with others as appropriate. For example, this week we are deviating from the pattern I described by having our children from VBS read portions of Scripture from the week of VBS. If you want to take a look at the lectionary readings in advance, you can find them at this website. Allow me to offer this disclaimer: None of the above should be understood as a blanket endorsement of the RCL. The RCL is not without its problems, and some folks will take exception to its use due for one reason or another. Sometimes I find myself in that category. However, I have found its helpfulness to outweigh those problems, particularly as a selective resource to provide worship services packed with Scriptural material for reflection and application. We may not always use the RCL in the future. I have found continuous readings through books of the Bible also to be a valuable way to hear Scripture read aloud. But for now, we benefit from its use in our worship planning and execution. See you in church! Grace and peace, Pastor Greg Good morning, everyone! I hope you are all well, safe, and dry today. Emphasis on the dry! We have had some heavy rains these past few days, and I know those chances remain in the forecast. Today's update will be in two parts. I will send the remaining part this afternoon. TONIGHT at 7 pm - Join us for PRAYER, PRAISE, and PIE. We'll gather in the sanctuary for prayer and praise with Bro. M. R. Hamilton and his lovely wife, Katie, in preparation for the community-wide revival. We are inviting folks from the churches in the Maysville area to be with us to pray for God's Spirit to have His way in our hearts this week. Bro. M. R. will share a brief introduction to what he plans to preach this week, and Katie will share in a song. Afterward, we will enjoy pie (and other desserts) in the Fellowship Hall. Come on out and be with us this evening. What better way to spend a Saturday night? TOMORROW at 9:30 am - All adult and teen Sunday School classes will meet together in the Sanctuary for a time of teaching from Bro. M.R. This will be a great time to hear the word from our evangelist, especially if you are unable to make the evening services, although we want everyone to come who is able to attend. (Nursery, preschool, and children's classes will meet in regular session). Bro. M. R. will leave around 10:15 am to preach at Hopewell's morning service, and we will invest those remaining minutes in sharing prayer needs and praying for one another prior to morning worship at 10:40. 1:30 pm - All hands on deck to help set up tents, inflatables, and game trailer out at the fairgrounds, back side of the June Conley Building. Weather permitting, we will set up for our community revival services with M.R. & Katie Hamilton. 4:30 pm - FAMILY FUN NIGHT at June Conley Building. Hamburgers and hot dogs for everyone inside the building, inflatables and games for the kids outside. Bro. M.R. will be sharing a message especially for younger families, those with children still at home. 6:00 pm - REVIVAL SERVICE with Bro M.R. and Katie Hamilton under the tents outside June Conley Building, weather permitting. In case of inclement weather, we will meet inside the building. Bro. M.R. will be sharing a series of messages on spiritual warfare from God's word. MONDAY - WEDNESDAY
We use the word "revival" a lot to simply refer to a series of weekday services with an evangelistic thrust. And this is indeed what the community planning team has been praying and planning for. But true revival is a work of God's Spirit in the hearts of God's people. Bro. M.R. Hamilton will preach his heart out, Katie will sing her heart out, but it is up to the Holy Spirit of God to bring new life or renewal to those gathered to listen. Contrary to what the popular early 19th-century evangelist Charles Finney once wrote, revival is not simply a man-made result of the "right use of the appropriate means." True, biblical revival occurs when God's people return to Him in prayer, confession of sin, humble dependence on His sovereign grace, and intercession for the souls of men. While the context was different during the prophet Joel's day (much different due to the temple sacrifice system), the principle remains constant from Joel 2:12-14: 12 “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; 13 and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. 14 Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord your God? Grace and peace to you, Good morning, again, everyone! Here is part two: VBS 2021: DESTINATION DIG is just 2 weeks away! Dates are July 12-16, beginning at 5:30 pm with supper each night. Ending time is approximately 8 pm. Pre-K through completed grade six, with nursery provided for children of workers. Pre-registration forms will be available very soon, so watch this e-mail and listen for announcements at church! **VBS WORKERS' MEETING will be directly after morning worship tomorrow, so if you are helping, please plan to be there! THE LORD'S DAY SCRIPTURES: Please take a few moments to read and meditate on God's Word in preparation for corporate worship tomorrow.FIGHTER VERSES: Ephesians 6:10-11 CALL TO WORSHIP: 1 Peter 1:3-5 OT READING: 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 NT READING: 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 PRAYER OF CONFESSION: Psalm 130 ASSURANCE OF PARDON: Psalm 130:3-4 BENEDICTION: 2 Corinthians 13:14 COMING UP
ICYMI Last Sunday’s Message audio Luke 6:37-42 "Judging Rightly" Please visit our YouTube Channel to see the edited service video. READ THROUGH THE BIBLE Week 26 of the 5 Day Bible Reading Program. Read through the entire Bible following this plan, or read only the New Testament (in italics). Day One: 1 Kings 6; 2 Chronicles 3; 1 Timothy 1 Day Two: 1 Kings 7; 2 Chron. 4; Psalm 44; 1 Timothy 2 Day Three: 1 Kings 8; Psalm 30; 1 Timothy 3 Day Four: 2 Chron. 5-7; Psalm 121; 1 Timothy 4 Day Five: 1 Kings 9; 2 Chr. 8; 1 Timothy 5 Visit the website for more up-to-date information! BONUS: I was encouraged to watch/listen to this interview with Conrad Mbewe, the "Spurgeon of Africa" and pastor of Kabwata Baptist Church in Lusaka, Zambia, where he has served since 1987. Tom Ascol and Jared Longshore interview Conrad on The Sword & Trowel. God is at work through His people through faithful, biblical ministry worldwide. Here is a video devotional from Bro. M.R. Hamilton on how God blots out our transgressions and remembers our sins against us no more. I found it very encouraging, and I trust you will too! See you in church! Grace and peace, Pastor Greg Pastor Greg We made it back from the SBC Annual Meeting! We got home from Nashville in the wee hours Friday morning, and were glad to be back. Eight of us (6 messengers, 2 teenage guests) traveled on Sunday, attended two different conferences on Monday, and spent Tuesday and Wednesday in the business sessions. Thursday morning we checked out of the airBnB, saw a few sights in Nashville, then drove out to Mt. Juliet for lunch at an Italian restaurant recommended to us (the chef grew up in St. Joe, so that was the connection).
I will be preparing a fuller report for our church family on what took place during the convention. The short version is, there was much to rejoice over, some things to be concerned about, and a few "aha" moments. My advice is not to accept uncritically everything you read or hear in the media, left, right, or center. Talk to some people who were "in the room where it happened" and you will probably get a better idea of the grassroots level opinion of things. TOMORROW is THE LORD’S DAY! As we prepare for corporate worship tomorrow, take a look at these lyrics from Eva B. Lloyd from over 50 years ago. Eva was born in Jameson, MO, in 1912, and was a long time member and WMU leader at FBC Maryville until her death in 2006. This hymn, "Come, All Christians, Be Committed," was written in 1966 and found its way into a Baptist Hymnal for the first time in 1975. It has been included in the two successor Baptist Hymnals in 1991 and 2008, as well as a host of others: "Come, all Christians, be committed to the service of the Lord. Make your lives for Him more fitted, tune your hearts in one accord. Come into His courts with gladness, each his sacred vows renew, Turn away from sin and sadness, be transformed with life anew. "Of your time and talents give ye, they are gifts from God above, To be used by Christians freely to proclaim his wondrous love. Come again to serve the Savior, tithes and off'rings with you bring. In your work with Him find favor, and with joy His praises sing. "God's command to love each other is required of ev'ry man. Showing mercy to a brother, mirrors His redemptive plan. In compassion He has given of His love that is divine; On the cross sins were forgiven; joy and peace are fully thine. "Come in praise and adoration, all who on Christ's name believe. Worship Him with consecration, grace and love you will receive. For His grace give Him the glory, for the Spirit and the Word, And repeat the gospel story till all men His name have heard." Meditate on the following Scriptures that will shape and inform our worship tomorrow: Fighter Verses: 1 Peter 1:3-5 Call to Worship: Psalm 9:9-20 Old Testament: 1 Samuel 17:1a, 4-11, 19-23, 32-49 New Testament: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 Prayer of Confession: Psalm 51:1-4 Assurance of Pardon: Psalm 32:1-2 Sermon Text: Luke 6:37-42 Benediction: Numbers 6:24-26 THIS WEEK
ICYMI Last Sunday’s Message audio Please visit our YouTube Channel to see the edited service video. READ THROUGH THE BIBLE Week 25 of the 5 Day Bible Reading Program. Read through the entire Bible following this plan, or read only the New Testament (in italics). Day One: Proverbs 29-31; 1 Thess. 4 Day Two: Song of Sol. 1-3; Psalm 72; 1 Thess. 5 Day Three: Song of Sol. 4-6; 2 Thess. 1 Day Four: Song of Sol. 7-8; Psalm 127; 2 Thess. 2 Day Five: 1 Kings 5; 2 Chr. 2; 2 Thess. 3 Visit the website for more up-to-date information! BONUS: Here is a video with Todd Friel interviewing pastor Mike Stone, who ran as the conservative candidate for SBC president. He did not win, losing to the more moderate candidate Ed Litton by the margin of 522 votes with over 13,000 votes cast. Full disclosure, I voted for Mike Stone on both the first and second ballot because I believe he was the best candidate. That being said, please pray for Ed Litton. He is a good man by the estimate of everyone who knows him. Pray for godly leadership, godly appointments to the committee on nominations (the only officially prescribed duty of the SBC president aside from presiding at the annual meeting), and a godly direction for our convention of churches. Please understand when I say "conservative" and "moderate," these should not be thought of in standard political or theological terms. All of the candidates are biblical inerrantists. How the Bible is applied to specific issues is where these candidates differ. See you in church! Grace and peace, Pastor Greg |
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September 2021
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