Bro. Eric
From Your Pastor’s Heart
August 7, 2016
We are surrounded by a lost world that needs the love of Jesus Christ. Of all the nations, institutions and organizations in the world, the church is the only institution that is specifically entrusted with the responsibility for reaching the world with the gospel message. It is a responsibility that should instill a sense of urgency and commitment in every believer. I recently read a short article that comes close to capturing the sense of urgency in our effort to reach the lost. One winter years ago, a telegraph was received in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania from a town further up on the Allegheny River that a man had become stranded on a floating block of ice. He was floating down the river and calling for help. At that time there were only three bridges in Pittsburg across the river. There was no way by which he could be rescued except by letting down ropes from each of the bridges under which he would pass. If this was not successful, he would be swept into the Ohio River and carried downstream to his certain death. The word went out and volunteers lined each bridge with ropes. He passed under the upper bridge and missed the ropes. At the second bridge he missed the ropes yet again. There was but one more chance to save his life. Both banks of the river were lined with anxious spectators. The bridges were crowded with volunteers, each with a rope, straining to make sure it was low enough to be within reach of the frightened man. As the current swiftly carried him toward the last bridge, all the spectators and volunteers cried out, “Lay hold on the rope!” The man found one of the ropes and held on as the block of ice was swept out from under him. Strong men pulled him up to safety as a shout of thanks roared up from the crowds on both sides of the river. This kind of thanksgiving should be ours every time a lost soul accepts Christ! And this kind of urgency should accompany every aspect of our church’s ministry. I am glad to be your pastor!
Bro. Eric
PRAYER REQUESTS Mike Barnett Rhonda Flaherty Bronwyn Sneed Bro. Jim Brown Ann Goodwin Harper Stephenson Doris Dickey Danny Hudson Judy Wade Marguerite Dorman Michael Samples Nancy Waller Janea Dupree James Skinner Robert Whatley Our Shut-Ins: Mrs. Marie Cochran, Heather Coleman, Mrs. Frances Dougan, Mrs. Janie Evans, Mrs. Carolyn Flow, Travis Godwin, Mrs. Betty Owen, Mrs. Frances Nipper, Mrs. Millie Olds, Mrs. Margie Spears, Sammie Waller & Mrs. Ruth Watkins Bro. Chris & Wendy Lucy & our local ABS Chapter Our Troops & Leaders of our Country Bro. Rocky & Mike Goodwin & EIM Your Pastors & families Bro. David & Shelly Dickson Bro. Tom & Valerie Jopling Bro. Jeremy & Mandy Hambrice Bro. Jason & Tammy Walters The Christians in Nepal The families of George Stewart, Patrick Glover & Robby Rose
ANNOUNCEMENTS **The nominating committee will soon be meeting to prepare a list of recommendations for officers and teachers for the upcoming year. If you are not presently serving in a position and are willing to be available for service, please contact Rick Matthews, Miranda Ainsworth or LaVeda Ward. If you are presently serving and do not wish to continue in your present position, please let them know as well. **There will be a birthday party this afternoon at 2:00 to celebrate Mrs. Frances Nipper’s 97th birthday. It will be at Wentworth Place in the Monroe House. Come if you can because she loves company! No gifts, please. **WMA – tomorrow evening at 6:00 **Next Sunday morning, our new ABS director, Bro. Chris Lucy, will be sharing his vision for the student ministry and preaching the morning message.
Nursery Workers – Haley & Ali Children’s Church Worker – Angela
August 7, 2016
We are surrounded by a lost world that needs the love of Jesus Christ. Of all the nations, institutions and organizations in the world, the church is the only institution that is specifically entrusted with the responsibility for reaching the world with the gospel message. It is a responsibility that should instill a sense of urgency and commitment in every believer. I recently read a short article that comes close to capturing the sense of urgency in our effort to reach the lost. One winter years ago, a telegraph was received in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania from a town further up on the Allegheny River that a man had become stranded on a floating block of ice. He was floating down the river and calling for help. At that time there were only three bridges in Pittsburg across the river. There was no way by which he could be rescued except by letting down ropes from each of the bridges under which he would pass. If this was not successful, he would be swept into the Ohio River and carried downstream to his certain death. The word went out and volunteers lined each bridge with ropes. He passed under the upper bridge and missed the ropes. At the second bridge he missed the ropes yet again. There was but one more chance to save his life. Both banks of the river were lined with anxious spectators. The bridges were crowded with volunteers, each with a rope, straining to make sure it was low enough to be within reach of the frightened man. As the current swiftly carried him toward the last bridge, all the spectators and volunteers cried out, “Lay hold on the rope!” The man found one of the ropes and held on as the block of ice was swept out from under him. Strong men pulled him up to safety as a shout of thanks roared up from the crowds on both sides of the river. This kind of thanksgiving should be ours every time a lost soul accepts Christ! And this kind of urgency should accompany every aspect of our church’s ministry. I am glad to be your pastor!
Bro. Eric
PRAYER REQUESTS Mike Barnett Rhonda Flaherty Bronwyn Sneed Bro. Jim Brown Ann Goodwin Harper Stephenson Doris Dickey Danny Hudson Judy Wade Marguerite Dorman Michael Samples Nancy Waller Janea Dupree James Skinner Robert Whatley Our Shut-Ins: Mrs. Marie Cochran, Heather Coleman, Mrs. Frances Dougan, Mrs. Janie Evans, Mrs. Carolyn Flow, Travis Godwin, Mrs. Betty Owen, Mrs. Frances Nipper, Mrs. Millie Olds, Mrs. Margie Spears, Sammie Waller & Mrs. Ruth Watkins Bro. Chris & Wendy Lucy & our local ABS Chapter Our Troops & Leaders of our Country Bro. Rocky & Mike Goodwin & EIM Your Pastors & families Bro. David & Shelly Dickson Bro. Tom & Valerie Jopling Bro. Jeremy & Mandy Hambrice Bro. Jason & Tammy Walters The Christians in Nepal The families of George Stewart, Patrick Glover & Robby Rose
ANNOUNCEMENTS **The nominating committee will soon be meeting to prepare a list of recommendations for officers and teachers for the upcoming year. If you are not presently serving in a position and are willing to be available for service, please contact Rick Matthews, Miranda Ainsworth or LaVeda Ward. If you are presently serving and do not wish to continue in your present position, please let them know as well. **There will be a birthday party this afternoon at 2:00 to celebrate Mrs. Frances Nipper’s 97th birthday. It will be at Wentworth Place in the Monroe House. Come if you can because she loves company! No gifts, please. **WMA – tomorrow evening at 6:00 **Next Sunday morning, our new ABS director, Bro. Chris Lucy, will be sharing his vision for the student ministry and preaching the morning message.
Nursery Workers – Haley & Ali Children’s Church Worker – Angela
