News from Shawneetown First Baptist

You had to be there!”  I have one of those for you this week.  It is such a beautiful picture of what worship should be to the believer and how a believer should react to the work of God in the life of another person!

   On Sunday just before Morning Worship began, a gentleman who has been attending worship for several months told me, “I am going to join the church today!”  If you have any understanding about Christian worship, you probably know what a statement like that does to a pastor!  If you do not have any understanding, I will try to explain it as clearly and frankly as possible.  It is like saying “sic ‘em!” to a dog.  In other words, it really gets the adrenaline going!

   The only problem this week was, I was not going to preach!  Associate Pastor Mike Rushing was preaching on this particular Sunday.  And, I did not have the opportunity to get to him to tell him before the service.  Regardless, he did a good job delivering the message from the Word of God!  And, as the worship came to a close, God blessed!

   As Mike closed his message, he asked me to lead the Decision Time.  And, as promised, the man who had spoken to me before the worship stepped right out of the pews and walked to the front and met me at the altar accompanied by one of our church members giving him support.  We knelt at the altar for prayer after he shared with me the summary of his decision.

   When the Decision Time came to a close, I introduced the man who had come forward and told of his decision to become a member of our church family.  The rejoicing in the congregation began!  Now hold on!  Here it comes!  That “You had to be there!” moment that I mentioned at the beginning of this article.

   As I started to present the new member and his decision, I noticed one of our beloved saints of God, Lydia Oxford, begin to move from her seat into the center aisle.  The more I talked the more joyous, excited and anxious Lydia became!  She was not interruptive.  But as I shared with the congregation, I knew that even chains were not going to keep her from getting to the new member.  I asked the congregation to demonstrate their acceptance and greet the new member with a “Hallelujah!”  And that was it!  She could contain herself no longer.  Lydia came down the aisle, gave the man a bear hug and began to praise the Lord and speak words of encouragement in the man’s ear!

   I have described this scenario the best I know how, but as I said, “You had to be there!”  Anyway, I hope you have heard enough to know that this is the kind of joy we, as believers, should express when a person makes a new decision concerning his or her relationship to God.  Our example of how we should react is actually in Heaven:  “I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people who don’t need repentance.” (Luke 15:7)    

   I would like to invite you to a new Bible Study in which our adults will be participating.  We’ve all asked, “Where is God when I need Him?”  When we look around at the pain, loss and hurt in our world, we can’t help but wonder, “God, don’t you see this?  Can’t you do something about this?  Where are you?”  For four Wednesdays, we will be studying “The Verbs of God.”  This Wednesday we will study “The God Who Sees.”  The following two sessions will be “The God Who Listens,” and “The God Who Calls.”  Each Wednesday we will begin at 6:00 p.m. 

   This Sunday evening we will have a 5^th Sunday Singing.  We will begin at 6:00 p.m. and members of our church family will share special Gospel music as well as sharing testimonies and words of praise for our God’s work in our lives.  I invite you to join us. 

   The National Day of Prayer is coming up on Thursday, May 3^rd.  The fact that this is an election year heightens the importance of the Day of Prayer.  This year’s theme is “One Nation Under God.”  And the scripture emphasis is “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord!” (Psalm 33:12).  I am inviting you to an observance of The National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 3^rd, at Noon.  We will meet at the Gazebo in the center of town.  I would love to see you there to join us in prayer for our nation.

   Graduation is also coming up.  First Baptist will once again host our annual Graduate Recognition Day.  The date for this year’s graduate recognition is Sunday, May 6^th.  We will recognize and present a gift to all graduates and their family members present in our Morning Worship at 10:40 a.m.  Then, after the Morning Worship, there will be a luncheon provided for the graduates and their families.  I am praying that several of the graduates—both Jr. High and Sr. High—will take advantage of this offer.

   I would like to invite you to check out our new website for our church.  We want to know your prayer needs. Go to www.shawneetownfirstbaptistchurch.com.  

See you in Sunday School             Bro Jack

--
Bro Jack
I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)

News from Shawneetown First Baptist

This week I would like to focus upon several things that are coming up that I believe to be important to me, to the First Baptist Church and even to many in the community.

   The National Day of Prayer is coming up on Thursday, May 3^rd.  The fact that this is an election year heightens the importance of the Day of Prayer.  This year’s theme is “One Nation Under God.”  And the scripture emphasis is “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord!” (Psalm 33:12).  It is surely time for all believers to come together and take a stand for what is godly and right in the United States of America.  It is time we took an honest look at the direction that our nation has turned and begin to intensely pray for renewal and revival!  This need is not only a national need; but is also a need for our own community and our state.

   That is why I am inviting you to an observance of The National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 3^rd, at Noon.  We will meet at the Gazebo in the center of town.  I would love to see you there to join us in prayer for our nation.

   Another important move for us concerns the Associate Pastor at First Baptist, Michael Rushing.  Our church is helping to sponsor a mission trip for him to Jordan.  Brother Mike will leave on June 21^st and spend 9 days in Jordan.  I am very pleased that Mike is making this trip.  I believe it will be beneficial not only for him, but for our church as well—perhaps even our community as a whole!  This just adds to the emphasis in scripture that our “mission” is the world!  I would ask all believers out there to pray for Mike and for our church as we seek to enlarge our vision!

   Graduation is coming up for many of our students.  First Baptist will once again host our annual Graduate Recognition Day.  The date for this year’s graduate recognition is Sunday, May 6^th.  We will recognize and present a gift to all graduates and their family members present in our Morning Worship at 10:40 a.m.  Brother Mike Rushing will be leading the worship along with assistance from some of our youth.  Then, after the Morning Worship, there will be a luncheon provided for the graduates and their families.  I am praying that several of the graduates—both Jr. High and Sr. High—will take advantage of this offer.

   I would also like to invite you to a new Bible Study in which our adults will be participating.  We’ve all asked, “Where is God when I need Him?”  When we look around at the pain, loss and hurt in our world, we can’t help but wonder, “God, don’t you see this?  Can’t you do something about this?  Where are you?”  In these four sessions, Margaret Feinberg uses fresh insights and Biblical teaching to study four verbs that Scripture uses in connection with God.  When we understand God’s active nature, we realize how God is always active and engaged in our lives.  Even when we can’t see or feel him, God is constantly on the move and working.

   For four Wednesdays, we will be studying “The Verbs of God.”  The four sessions included are:  “The Great I AM,” “The God Who Sees,” “The God Who Listens,” and “The God Who Calls.”  This is a video study followed by group discussion.  Each Wednesday will begin at 6:00 p.m.  You are invited to join us for this interesting and important Bible study.

   Other special dates I hope you will remember are:  5^th Sunday Singing on Sunday, April 29^th, at 6:00 p.m.; Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 13^th; and, it is not too early to begin thinking about our Vacation Bible School which is scheduled for June 25^th through June 30^th.

   I would like to invite you to check out our new website for our church.  We want to know your prayer needs. Go to www.shawneetownfirstbaptistchurch.com.  

--
Bro Jack
I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)

News from Shawneetown First Baptist

 Resurrection Day at First Baptist was a day of celebration, praise, music, fellowship, Bible study, worship, and joy!  It all began early on the Lord’s Day morning with our Sunrise Service.  God made his presence known as we remembered that first Resurrection Day when Jesus made His resurrection known to His followers early in the morning. After the service, we moved to the Family Life Center for a time of fellowship and a Continental Breakfast.

   Sunday School followed at 9:30, but the emphasis was the same:  Resurrection!  We talked about those two disappointed disciples, Cleopas and his friend (or wife), who had their confusion, frustration and disappointment changed to great joy with hearts afire because of the presence of the risen Jesus with them on the Emmaus Road! (Luke 11:13-35).

   At 10:40, we congregated together in the sanctuary to once again worship our risen Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ!  On the agenda for this week’s worship was a cantata by our Church Choir, “Risen to Save.”  I am very grateful to Janice Ditterline, our organist Vickie Vickery, and our pianist Brenda Byassee for putting together and leading this musical presentation.

   And, I am thankful for all the others who participated.  Our Narrator was Don Ahrens.  The 1^st Disciple was Eddie Vickery.  The 2^nd Disciple was Mike Rushing.  Terry Vickery was John.  Marilyn Berry was Mary Magdalene.  And, Derek Stacey was Thomas.  Our Choir consisted of: Alberta Doerr, Allie Austin, Leslie Carney, Brandi Rushing, Millie Hall and Brenda Howard.  Thanks to all these who presented the music and message of Resurrection Day in such a fine manner!

   All in all, the Lord’s Day was wonderful with a large crowd in attendance!  Actually, though it is wonderful that we have a special day set aside once a year to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, we at First Baptist celebrate that resurrection every Lord’s Day!  In fact, the believer realizes that the risen Lord lives in him or her every day of the year in the person of His Holy Spirit.

   How about you?  What is that day to you?  Was it just Easter?  In other words, was it just a holiday symbolized by the Easter bunny, Easter eggs, and special gatherings?  If so, you are missing so much—so much that is not only in the present life, but you are also missing out on that which is eternal!

   In the Sunrise Service, I shared about “Resurrection Remembrances.”  In Luke 24, we read that the women came to Jesus’ tomb “very early in the morning” to bring spices for burial.  But when they arrived, instead of the body of Jesus, they found two men in “dazzling clothes,” who said to them:  “Why are you looking for the living among the dead?”…“He is not here, but He has been resurrected!  Remember how he spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day?’  And they remembered His words.” (Luke 24:5-7).

   I posed some scenarios about what the disciples might have remembered.  First was that horrible moment when Jesus was hanging on the cross and He cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?” (Mark 15:34).  God’s Word says many times that God the Father and Jesus the Son are One.  But as He hanged on that cross, the Father could not look upon Him; not only because it was His Son being cruelly crucified, but also because all the sins of all the world of all the ages were upon Jesus as He hanged there.  The only thing that could separate the Father from His Son was SIN—yours and mine.  If the disciple did not remember that, surely you and I should!

   Second, perhaps some remembered hearing Jesus say before the crowd of executioners:  “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34). Isn’t that awesome?  It surely is something that we should remember!  The Son who willingly took all that sin upon Himself was the sufficient sacrifice to bring forgiveness to us sinners—even that crowd is included!  Actually, in a spiritual sense, you and I were in that crowd!

   Most of all, the words those disciples at the tomb “remembered”—and we should remember and understand as well are:  “The Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day” (Luke 24:7).  Jesus did die on that cross that we might have forgiveness of sin and was raised that we might have eternal life.  So, exchange your Easter eggs and Easter bunny for Eternal Life through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead!     

   On Wednesday, April 18^th, the adults will begin a new 4-session Bible Study.  This will be a video and discussion study.  The title of the study is “Verbs of God” – Seeing God at work in our world!  The first Session is a study titled “The Great I AM”.  We will begin at 6:00 p.m.  I hope you will join us for this good Bible Study!

   I would also like to invite you to check out our new website for our church.  We want to know your prayer needs. Go to www.shawneetownfirstbaptistchurch.com.  

Shawneetown First Baptist Church News

Amazing God!  Priceless Weekend!  A weekend to remember!  It started with our Easter Egg Hunt!  Right!  We had the hunt!  And, the first time we tried!  More than 80 children under 6^th Grade were registered.  Including parents we had over 150 in our Family Life Center.  I’ll share a couple of pictures with you. 

   Barb Vickery and her volunteers did a great job!  Barb began by telling the Resurrection Story to all the kids using the Resurrection Eggs.  It was a great witness not only for the children, but for the parents as well.  Then, everyone lined up for “the hunt.”  Preschool kids covered the yard of our property behind the church while K - 6 scattered all over the property we have leased across the street.  Wow!  Eggs were everywhere!  Over 2000 plastic eggs with candy and prizes inside. 

   Back inside again, more prizes were given for the most eggs, animal eggs, gold eggs, etc.  And the fun ended with a lunch served to all kids and parents.  We were all very thankful that so many came to our hunt!

   On Saturday morning just before the hunt started, I found out that one of the dear saints of our church, Lee Caldwell, had died.  Lee had been a faithful member of Shawneetown First Baptist Church since 1955.  She had taught Sunday School.  Through her life and witness, she had led her own husband, Jim, to the Lord.  And, in her last few years, she found great joy in knowing that her only son, Jimmy Lee, was now teaching Sunday School in a Baptist church in Louisiana.

   Her funeral was the next day, Sunday.  It was a wonderful celebration of her life and going home by family, friends, and sisters and brothers in Christ!  After a prelude by Vickie Vickery, Rick Gill began the service by singing one of Lee’s favorite hymns, “In the Garden.”  After scripture and prayer, Brenda Byassee gave a beautiful eulogy, after which several from in the crowd voiced their love and appreciation for Lee.  Then, just before the message, Eddie Vickery sang the other song Lee had picked out herself, “Because He Lives.”

   Before the funeral, Eddie had come in with a cassette tape of his song.  But, because of a change in the sound system, he could not use the tape.  During the message, I shared an experience that we had during one of our evening worships.  “Because He Lives” had been requested and I chose to sing the first and last stanzas of the song.  After worship, Lee let me know that we should not leave out the 2^nd stanza because of its message.  I never did again.

   After the funeral, we had a meal at the church for family and friends.  Eddie and I were standing in the Family Life Center and he said to me, “I know why I couldn’t use my cassette?”  My question was, “Why is that?”  And Ed said, “The cassette only had two verses of ‘Because He Lives’!  The 2^nd verse was left out.”  You’re right!  God was present!

   God is a personal god!  Through His Spirit, He was guiding me all that day!  For the last week and more, I have been dealing with a cough that is the aftermath of the flu (like many others of you).  But, as I stepped into the pulpit to preach God’s Word in the Morning Worship, no cough!  After worship, I went home to freshen up and prepare for the funeral.  I coughed nearly the entire time.  Then, the funeral began.  You guessed it!  No cough!  Isn’t God good!  And, He is so faithful!  I hope you know Him personally through our crucified and risen Lord, Jesus Christ!

   Sunday is Resurrection Day!  At First Baptist we will begin with a Sunrise Service at 7:00 a.m.  After the Sunrise Service, we will have a continental breakfast.

   At 9:30, we will have our Sunday School.  We have a Bible Study group for every age group.  Come and join us for this study of God’s Word!

   Then, at 10:40 a.m., we will have a special Morning Worship that will present the message of Easter through music and the Word of God. 

   I would like to invite you to join us at First Baptist for all of these events that declare the truth of the most important day in all of history!

   I would also like to invite you to check out our new website for our church.  We want to know your prayer needs. Go to www.shawneetownfirstbaptistchurch.com.