I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
John 8:12
The Lamplighter
March 2010
Live With Urgency
Share God’s Transforming Power
“It’s a
matter of time, now . . .”
That phrase spoken in hushed tones when death is imminent, moves people
with urgency—calling family and friends, rushing to say final goodbyes.
But for those who die in Christ, death is not goodbye.
When flesh dies, the spirit lives!
And, because we desire that not one person perish without Christ,
we are compelled to live with urgency to share God’s transforming power
with everyone. Some wonder,
“Is it just a matter of time until Christ comes again?”
If we knew for sure that it was indeed “just a matter of time . .
.” how would we—how must we—live?
What’s stopping us from doing that right now?
God has gifted us in unique ways to accomplish the Great Commission.
Your 5,300 North American Mission Board missionaries are
committed to living out their unique call, with urgency, and are
grateful for your partnership.
As the Holy Spirit moves, your missionaries experience daily the
transforming results of God’s power.
Lives are changed.
Communities are changed. As
you reflect on the North American mission field and the amazing work
being done—and the work still needing to be done—join your hearts and
your hands with them as we all pray exceedingly for, give abundantly to,
and serve excitedly in all aspects of North American missions.
—North American
Week of Prayer
for North American Missions
March
7-14, 2010
Annie
Armstrong Easter Offering
Church
Goal:
$2,000
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Cont’d
2010 Vision Theme:
Preparing to meet the Master
by Dan Mohler
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ever before in the history of the church have we had as many reasons for
believing that the rapture of the church is imminent.
Israel is back in the land; the Middle East alliances are lined
up according to Ezekiel; in November the position of “The President of
Europe” was created for the first time and Islam is getting close to
dominating Europe.
It is imperative that we prepare for this pivotal event of our lives.
How do we as a church prepare for the return of the Lord?
We prepare: by confessing our
sins; by surrendering our lives to the Lord; by praying for revival in
this church and the whole country; by outreach into our community; by
Deacon Family Ministry; by teaching through the Bible series; by small
group Bible study in Sunday School and homes and by a personal decision
to seek the Lord.
Titus 2:11-14 NIV
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It
teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live
self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we
wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and
Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all
wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own,
eager to do what is good.
2 Timothy 4:8 NIV
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord,
the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me,
but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Do you know how to walk with a crown on your head?
Better practice.
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Come see The Last Supper Re-enactment
Believe it or not spring is on the way.
The men in our church are coming together to once again perform
The Lord’s Last Supper Re-enactment on Palm Sunday, March 28, 8:30 & 11
am. This special drama moves
us each time we see it. It’s
always amazing how God took just 12 ordinary men to turn the world
upside down. We never know
what impact we have on the community in which we live.
All God asks is for our willingness to go and share God’s love.
The drama team will rehearse the next four weeks
for the production. We still
could use some men willing to fill in @ the last minute in case some of
the disciples get sick or unable to perform.
Please pray for the team.
This year you will see some new faces.
We want to thank them for stepping out to help make this
production a success. Pray
that God will use this drama to speak to hearts.
In Christ’s service,
Patricia Culver,
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Dear church family,
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reetings in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“There is, therefore, now no condemnation to them who are in
Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
That was the theme verse this year for our week of spiritual
renewal. Evangelist Richard
Coss was his usual unusual self.
He challenged all of us who attended.
He spoke to our youth in Sunday School and Youth Group, as well
as our children in TeamKids Club.
Two boys made decisions to trust Christ as their personal Savior.
PTL! Coss also
preached a couple of times during the day at the Cecil County Detention
Center. Twelve men made first time decisions to become Christians!
God is good. One man
was released Wednesday morning from jail and was in church that night
and again Sunday morning.
Jesus is still at work even when life seems to be at its lowest ebb.
Don’t ever give up.
Several of our number over did it shoveling nearly three feet of snow in the
last few weeks. But the
school children all seemed to really enjoy it.
We will see how they feel when they have to go an extra week or
so in June. In February we
had to cancel another Sunday service because of the record breaking
snowfall. But it didn’t
interfere too much with our special meetings.
Kudos to Lib Lewis for organizing several teams to keep our
church and Jesus Loves Me Childcare Center operational during those
weeks. Thanks to Eric
Jackson and Gary Van Voorhis who helped shovel the sidewalks and steps.
A special thanks to Johnny Young and Denny Bonsall who plowed the lots
and cleared our sidewalks with their machinery.
In Christ,
Dr. Stephen D. Hokuf
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Cont’d
March 5 & 6 Photos
NEED TO
CHANGE
YOUR
APPOINTMENT?
Call Olan Mills
@ 1 800 866-2263
Reference Contract #48494
However, if you have a last minute scheduling change on March
5 or 6, please call the church @ 410 287-6247.
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Lifeway’s
Saddle Ridge Ranch
VACATION
July
12—16
Evenings
(exact times forthcoming)
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Editor’s note:
Take a
look at the nursery ministry and its impact on evangelism!
To serve: contact
Joyce BLITHE.
THANK YOU
for Keeping the Nursery
Mama left me in the church nursery.
She said, “You can stay here and play.”
I was very afraid, but you comforted me,
And Mama found Christ that day.
At least once a month in the nursery,
You served God by caring for me
So Mama could attend church and learn to make
Our home everything it should be.
There were those who said, “I’m too busy,”
Or, “I don’t want to miss church today;
I’m too young; I’m too old; I’ve done my part—
The nursery? Please, don’t
ask me to stay.”
But you said, “No, I’m not too busy.
I’m just the right age I know.
I could never do enough for the King that I serve.
When you need me in the nursery I’ll go.”
My life might have been so different
If you had not answered God’s plea
For workers to serve where the need is so great,
To care for little people like me.
Thank you for keeping the nursery.
Mama taught me to follow Christ, too.
Many people had a part, but the most special one
To me will always be YOU.
Thank You for Keeping the Nursery © 1998-2009 by Lois Turley, all rights
reserved. Courtesy “Hope in
a House Divided” at
www.hopeundivided.com/
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Kids come to church & have fun doing it
Hello from Children’s Worship 2010.
It has been a while since you have heard from us;
but, we are alive and well.
The children enjoy coming each week never knowing exactly what will
happen. They will be
challenged to make “Godly Goals” for 2010.
They’ll get to express their creativity by painting a T-shirt.
They will be caught up in reading about Lottie
Moon, a missionary to
Please pray for our children and workers’ team—not only for Sunday mornings;
but pray for the Wednesday night TeamKids for TeamKids Club, as well.
These kids are coming to see how coming to church can be fun.
We’re always looking for new team leaders.
Maybe God has been speaking to you to join us.
We are really thankful for our youth helpers that help out each
week. These extra hands sure
are welcomed.
God bless.
Patricia Culver
and Children’s Worship leaders and workers
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CHECK OUT OUR ONLINE CALENDAR FOR REGULAR SERVICES
AND FORTHCOMING EVENTS.
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