SelfStudy Sunday School

Hey Team,

I hope many of us will accept Bro. Rick's challenge to read the various Gospel accounts of the events surrounding the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord this week. Towards that end, may I suggest the following passages:

Matthew 26-28

Mark 14-16

Luke 22-24

John 18-20 (21)

As you might expect, the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) track pretty closely, but there are slight variations in each which are, of course, important. The account in John is also very powerful.

I believe we are going to try to begin reading these accounts tonight, as a family, continuing through Sunday. However you want to do it would be great. This is an exciting time in the life of all Christians, and a great opportunity for us to teach and reinforce with our children the true meaning of Easter.

Hope to see you Sunday!

Press on....

Andrew

Possible Fellowship

Hey Team,

We are thinking about having a Sunday School class fellowship on April 17. The CLC is not available on that date (or any time in the near future), so our only option is the Fellowship Hall. I realize there are not as many things to do in the Fellowship Hall, especially for children.

Although I know some of you are out of town and may not see this email until the end of the week, please let me know at your earliest convenience (be replying to this email) if you would be inclined to participate in a class fellowship on April 17, beginning at 6:00 p.m., in the Fellowship Hall. It would be a potluck. If we have enough interest we will go forward. If not, we will wait until the summer.

Thanks.

Press on.

Andrew

Prayer Requests for April 5, 2009

Prayer Requests

• Continue to remember Kevin & Jennifer Meacham
• Leon Hall-fell and had to be taken to the Emergency Room
• Tim & Marlene's relative that lost his job and is having to postpone an adoption process
• Scott Allison's dad-starting Chemotherapy this week
• Family of the 17 year old boy that was killed in the auto accident in Todd County
• Family of Mr Quarles-shot & killed in his store on Walnut Street
• Tommy Underwood family
• Anna Watson-courage to follow through with her salvation decision
• Family of Bro. John Christian
• Everyone that is traveling over Spring Break

Praises

• Bro. Rick's sister, Robin, was able to go on her cruise
• Andrew & Eva are celebrating their wedding anniversary on April 6th

Fw: Prayer Requests for March 29, 2009

Hey Team,

Below are the prayer requests for this week.

Also, please mark your calendars for April 17. We will have a potluck in fellowship hall (pending approval) that evening beginning at 6:00 p.m. Nothing fancy. Just food and fellowship.

I love (and need to be reminded of) Proverbs 3:3 which says, "Never let truth and kindness leave you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart."

Press on.

Andrew

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Mike Stewart <mikestewart@bellsouth.net>
To: Andrew Self <andrewcself@yahoo.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 8:30:32 PM
Subject: Prayer Requests for March 29, 2009

Prayer Requests

• Judy Flatt-friend of Beth Peck-has cancer, waiting for Jesus to call her home
• Carolyn Grace & family in the death of her mother
• Family of Shane Leneave
• Penny Sigler-having srgery on April 7th
• Kevin, Jennifer, & Gracey Meacham
• Teacher at CCMS-getting her life back together after divorce
• Dr. Andy Anderson-Judy Greene's father
• Doris Talley
• Unspoken request
• Everyone that will be traveling over Spring Break

Praises

• All of the programs that are going on within our church
• Our nursery-that just keeps growing and growing

I hope everyone has a wonderful week and hope to see you in Sunday School.

Mike

S.S.

Hey Team,

Something happened at church this past Sunday that does not happen very often -- but it could: a grown man, with tears in his eyes, publicly professed faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord. Welcome, Troy Moore, to the family of God and to the fellowship of First Baptist Church.

I appreciate Bro. Rick's challenge to us to pray for Troy this week. Indeed, Troy is going through some difficult times in his life right now. As I have tried to do that, it has occurred to me just how seldom we have an experience like this in our church family. But it doesn't have to be that way. Nor should it.

Certainly, we rejoice when a family or an individual moves their or his/her letter to join our church. We need to be and want to be a place where everyone feels loved and welcome; where everyone can join with us in Exalting Jesus as Lord; Equipping our members to serve; and Evangelizing Christian Co. and beyond.

But we also need to be a place and a people who are intentional about bringing people to a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. In Baptist parlance, we need to reach the lost.

So, how did it happen in Troy's case? First, a neighbor (who also recently joined our church) invited him to come to church. When he came, Troy encountered a pastor who genuinely cared about him and who shared messages that were practical and relevant. Others made him feel welcome and shared the love of God though a cup of coffee, or a handshake, or a kind word. Several that I know of, including the one who invited him initially, befriended him, took a genuine interest in him, and began praying for him

Ultimately, Troy was saved by God's grace, through his faith. But God also used a number of people to draw Troy to Him -- perhaps you were one of them.

So, why doesn't this happen more often? I bet we all have a lost neighbor, co-worker, or friend that we could invite to church. When that happens, whether they are invited by us or someone else, we need to be ready to greet, welcome, accept and love them.

Let's continue to pray for Troy. And let's also pray that God will show us who we should invite, and that He will give us the courage to do so.

Press on.

Andrew