The Pastor's Corner

Greetings! Spring has arrived and if you doubt it look me in the eye and tell me you haven’t seen that nice green hue of pollen clinging to cars and anything else that isn’t under cover. The earth is once again blooming as can be seen from the flowers and shrubs that mark the completion of our landscaping project around the church. Thanks again to all who have had a hand in that project.

Have you seen the movie the Passion of the Christ yet? It continues to draw crowds and is creating some excellent opportunities to witness to nonbelievers. I am excited that it is now showing in several countries where missionaries have been hampered from spreading the gospel but the movie is being shown in it’s entirety and the lost are asking questions! Pray for those in the fields.

Our radio ministry is still on the air and I am hearing lots of positive feedback. God’s Word must be spoken and this is one more avenue for it to reach beyond the walls of the church. Pray that it will reach those who need to hear.

Several from our church and the churches of the Piedmont Association were at the C-21 session at Calvary Baptist in April. C-21 is a shortened version of century 21 with the emphasis being on our churches growing and serving in the 21st century. Much good information was shared and we were reminded of the work we have at hand. Pray for our churches.

We have a new Sunday morning study class started for the 20- thirty something group. A new teacher is in place and we look forward to the work God will do there. Pray for our new class as well as those that are already working.

-Pastor Carl

May Challenge

May has been named High Attendance Month. The attendance in Worship service will be counted each Sunday…with the number of guys and gals noted. At the end of the month which ever had the most is the winner. So, if there are more guys in worship the first 4 Sundays in May then the ladies provide supper on the 31st. If there are more ladies then the men provide supper on the 31st.

WMU News

As we consider the future of our church and of missions we must surely realize that that future is in our youth, children , and babies:

**The Coed youth, grades 6th-12th are an active part of our fellowship, meeting often, softball, working in VBS , music and teaching.

**The 1st – 5th graders are learning about “BIG” church. How wonderful it would be to have a Childrens ‘ Church for them during our Sunday morning worship time.

**The Mission Friends, who are toddlers – kindergarten, have a different leader each week (4 week turnover) for their time together during worship time. They have preplanned materials and activities.

**And then there are the babies! How wonderful to hold and love a baby!

We have need of volunteers in all of these areas. Are you interested working with Youth or in leading Childrens’ Church? Can you dedicate yourself to one Sunday a month for the Mission Friends? Or would you rather sign up for one Sunday a Quarter to cuddle babies? Men and women pray about how you can be a part of impacting our future and theirs.

Baptist Men

The Baptist men are in the process of reorganizing. They held their first meeting on Tuesday, April 20th here at the church. With 12 in attendance they are off to a wonderful start. It was said that the Holy Sprit could be felt among this group as they cooked their supper, had warm fellowship and planning time and then during their awesome study time.

Their next meeting will be Tuesday, May 18th at 7PM. Each of you men, wanting to grow in Christ and have a fun time doing it are invited to come on out!

Coed Youth On Missions

The Coed Youth Group were in charge of the worship service the last Sunday in March. Mike Arthur and Clinton Mays spoke on the day’s theme of Time is Short so Tell Others About Jesus. Special music was presented by the youth choir, performing the song “Lonely in Heaven” written and composed by Mike Arthur. Kudos to all the youth for their well-planned program.

The Impact VA youth mission team is gearing up for their trip to Wise, VA. A fundraiser will be held to help with trip expenses on Sat. May 22nd in the form of a night of good music here at the church.

Put that date on your calendar, come and support the mission team.

Applause for...

*Mr. Tony Prince. He has asked Jesus Christ to be his Lord and Saviour. He will be baptized Sunday evening at 6:30, April 25. Baptism service will be followed by a covered dish meal and our praise and worship service.

*Erin Hughes on her May 8th marriage to Rick Proctor.

*Cindy Boots on her marriage to Tim Williams , May 29th.

Support One of Our Troops:

Eric A. Krech is stationed on dute in Iraq. He needs our encouragement. Send him a note, a long letter, a box of goodies…any of these would brighten his day.

PFC Krech Eric A.

3/11 LBTY 1st. PLT

Uic 41650

FPD AP 96426-1650

Put these Dates on Your Calendar:

*Prayer Meeting--Wednesday nights 7 pm--A praying church is a growing church. Come pray with us.

*Choir--Wednesdays at 7:30 PM..The more the merrier!

*Church Council--First Tuesday of each month.. All committee chairpersons & officers to attend. 7:30 P.M.

*Every Sunday 7:00 PM Covered Dish; 8:00 Evening Activities as planned.

*First Saturday of each month church members may use the thrift shop grounds for a yard sale.

*Mission Group Meetings 3rd Sundays 7 pm, covered dish & at 8 pm the mission groups will meet

*Praise & Worship Services on fourth Sundays at 7PM is hotdog supper and program at 8 PM

*May 4 Church Council 7:30

*May 11 PBA, WMU meets at Shipman 10AM

*May 16 Deacon’s Meeting 8:00 AM

*May 17 Open House at Ministry Center 9-7

*May 17 PBA Exec. Comm meets at 7:30 Ministry Center.

*May 18 Avis Dempsey group meeting at Ridgecrest 6:30 PM

*May 22 Gospel Sing 7PM/fundraiser for youth mission trip.

*May 23-29 Week of Prayer for Associational Missions. All offerings will go for summer camp scholarships.

WAMV 1420...

on your radio AM dial is the place to tune to on your way to church Sunday mornings at 9:30.

Now don’t miss church just to listen to Pastor Carl on the radio…but if you can’t make it to your worship service, then tune right in.

The Website

Emmanuel Baptist Church is on the world wide web! Our church site, maintained by Kelly Copes is found at www.ebcopendoor.org

To view past issues of The Open Door, CLICK HERE