Newsletter April 27th

GREETINGS FROM BARBEE’S GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH

What a joy it was Sunday to have Anden Hartsell come forward publicly announcing that he had accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Anden is the son of Grant and Erin Hartsell. Pray for Anden as he begins his walk with the Lord. Live a Godly example before him.
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Thanks to the large crew of men who gathered at the church early to prepare our delicious Easter Breakfast. We appreciate each of you and your ministry to our church.
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Thanks, also, to Wes Barbee for setting up the Sound System on the porch Sunday for our Sunrise Service. It made it so much easier for those gathered on the front lawn to hear.
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My house has a small Sun Porch on the back of the house. I was sitting there late Saturday evening waiting for my little doggie to come in from an outside walk. A thought passed through my mind, “This time tomorrow, Easter will be over”. Immediately, the Holy Spirit said to me, “That thought is foolish, ignorant, and just plain wrong”. It didn’t take but a moment of meditation to realize that the Holy Spirit was 100% correct.

Sure, if your idea of Easter is bunnies, eggs, and candy, it will be over quickly. However, if you truly understand Easter as the celebration of life, the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Easter is never over. The true Christian, a real follower of Jesus, recognizes that Jesus is alive and celebrates it every day of the week, and celebrates it every day he/she lives. Then, when earthly life is over, we continue to honor and celebrate our Living Lord for all eternity. John, in Revelation 1:17, 18 [TPT] records what he heard when he met the Living Jesus, “I am the Beginning and the End, the Living One. I was dead, but now look—I am alive forever and ever”. Anyone of you want to put a number of years on “forever and ever”?  As we read through the Book of Revelation we see angels and the redeemed humans of all ages, worshiping Jesus. EVERY DAY IS EASTER!
The song writer expressed it so clearly:
“I serve a Risen Savior, He’s in the world today. I know that He is living whatever men may say;
I see His Hand of mercy, I hear His Voice of cheer, and just the time I need Him, He’s always near.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me, along life’s narrow way
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives, He lives within my heart”.

Easter over?? Not a chance, if you believe in Jesus. Every day you are aware of His presence. Some days you may be more aware of Him than other days, but He is always with you. Good days, and “not so good days”, Jesus is with the Believer. Do what you wish. As for myself, I have decided that for me, Easter will be more than just one day of the year. I plan to celebrate my Living Lord from now until the end of Eternity. I invite you to join me in an eternal Easter.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. $995–Final total for Annie Armstrong Offering for Home Missions
5. Children’s Homes Food Drive–Food and paper products must be at the church by April 27. Monetary gifts will be received through Mother’s Day
6. April 27–Quarterly Church Conference
7. April 27–5:00 pm Youth and Children meet 
                 5:30–Adult Church Training
8. June 20 and 21–Vacation Bible School

JESUS LIVES!!!!

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church