Located in Fellowship Hall.

05/06/07 p.m.: Authentic Christian Ministry, from Acts 17:1-9.

Excuse me just a minute as I catch my breath…okay, what a week. I appreciate those of you who noticed we were gone last week. More than that I appreciate the fact that you prayed for our meeting. Things went well. It was a four day family reunion. I know that it was a blessing for us and I trust it was an encouragement for the church. It was great to see folks we hadn’t seen in years. I went with one of the deacons to visit some of the older members who are now in nursing homes. One was a lady for whom I’d preached her husband’s funeral and helped her through some difficult days with a grandchild. She is now well into her 90s. Her eyesight is failing and her hearing is not good. When the deacon said, “Do you remember this guy? He used to be your pastor.” She looked at me a minute and said, “I saw you once. Then I got sick!” I said, “I’ve had that affect on a lot of people.”

As much as I enjoyed our time in Ponca it was good to be home Sunday! The music was great, the fellowship was wonderful and the message was adequate. We did exceed our Easter Offering goal as of Sunday morning. Thank you for your faithfulness in giving. Don’t forget that Sunday, Mother’s Day, is the Mother’s Day Offering for Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children and Baptist Retirement Village. If you do not find a Mother’s Day Offering envelop in the pew, just mark “Mother’s Day Offering” on one of the regular envelops.

I look forward to worshiping with you this coming Lord’s Day.

Rod

Details are forthcoming.

05/13/07 p.m.: Our Righteous, Gracious, Sovereign Lord, from the book of Obadiah.

May 14-16. See Ed Roseborough for details

There are two things I need to talk with you about.  One is our Vacation Bible School coming up June 24-28 with “Family Night” on the 29th.  We are doing some things differently this year.  For one thing we are doing an evening Bible School and for another we are starting on Sunday night.  In addition we are bringing Carbondale Baptist in with us and possibly one other church (I’m waiting to hear back from the pastor).  The potential exists for a larger number of kids and the need for more workers than normal.  In addition the family night will require extra workers.  I know that Stacy Narrin is doing a good job in coordinating but she needs your help.  If you are available and haven’t told her that you want to help please let her know this week.  This is a great opportunity to move beyond our walls out into the community.  I hope you’ll join us!

The other thing is our youth mission trip to Arizona.  Last year we rented vans, pulled a trailer and had to stop along the way.  We thought it better to charter a bus and travel straight through.  That means greater safety but more expense.  The problem is we budgeted before this decision was made.  Therefore we must come up with an additional $4,900.  I’m asking that you prayerful consider giving a special offering toward this expense.  The Lord has been gracious and we are in good shape financially but we will have the mission trip and Bible School back to back.  In fact, the kids will not be home until late Sunday afternoon with Bible School being that evening.  Will you give and help make it possible for our young people to serve Christ and minister to children in the Phoenix area?  For the next few week proceeds from our Wednesday evening meals, above cost, will be given to this special project.  I hope that you will prayerfully consider how you may help.  I’ll see you Sunday.

Rod

05/20/07 p.m.: Maintaining Faith in the Face of Faithlessness, from the book of Jude.

Every now and then I find myself wondering if it might not be a good idea to find a cave somewhere and move in! At least I think I understand the monastic mindset. That mindset that says, “Things are getting bad and we need to separate ourselves from the godless world that surrounds us.” But then it is a bit hard to serve as salt and light in the world when we retreat into our own ghetto. Our culture is growing more pagan with each passing day. Biblical standards are, at best ignored, but most often mocked and ridiculed. I certainly understand the temptation to withdraw into our “holy huddle” and lick our wounds but we are not afforded that luxury. We are called to “take on” our culture. We are called to “contend for the faith.” The truth of the Gospel, the message of salvation is worth fighting for. But we can contend without being contentious.

We do not have to live with a scowl. We do not have to go about our day with a chip on our shoulder and an attitude that says, “I dare you.” But we must speak the truth in love. We must stand for righteousness and morality. And we must do so because the stakes are high. The souls of men and women, boys and girls hang in the balance. If we loose the Gospel - we loose everything. We must remain ever vigilant in our guarding the precious Gospel entrusted to our care. While we individually have a duty to contend, we are to contend as one. We together as the body of Christ are to safeguard the Gospel. We must also understand part of our contending is our strengthening and encouraging one another. That’s just something to think about as move toward this coming Lord’s Day.

Rod

05/23/07 wed.: What is the Church?