"I Know My Name Is There" was brought to us by our choir; such a beautiful rendition of a beautiful thought.
Prayers were offered for so many in our church family including Sharon Divine, Charlotte Stark, Christina Penn, Brie Rogers, Jodi and Elaine, Oleta Spears Bagby and William Carl Spears. We were delighted to celebrate with Kenneth Armstrong as he was baptized and joined our church family and with Gregory (Greg) Eugene Leake as he took that mighty step accepting our Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior.
Dr. Crawford's message was from Romans 5: 1-8 as he shared with us a son of a father, born to poor Jewish parents, who made a name for himself when he became 30. He became notably famous, to some a hero and to some others a villain, tried, convicted and sentenced to be crucified on a cross. Barabbas, a robber held by the Roman authorities, like Jesus in so many ways; (see Matthew 27:16 and Mark 15:7) a rebel, guilty of murder and insurrection, (see Luke 23:18 and John 18:40).
Christ died for sinners in their stead of even Barabbas. We are reminded there are things we take for granted. We cannot be righteous on our own. Jesus came in the world to be someone we can try to emulate. Many, we are reminded today, are prisoners to liquor, drugs, money, to what people think, to peer pressure, longing to be relieved from their prison, people to whom every day is misery. They need to turn to Jesus. Don't, Dr. Crawford cautioned, check out like Robin Williams, who committed suicide this week. In doing so we would rob God of a good life to be used by Him. If your last plan for your life is to be saved, do whatever God wants you to do. Anything less and you are a rebel and all sin will drive you straight to Hell. We need to believe on Him, not the way the devil believes in Him. One sin sends you to hell and that sin is that you are not saved.
Following this great worship service we enjoyed fellowship in sharing a potluck dinner followed by a very productive business meeting. All are reminded to mark their calendars: AWANA carnival (see Debbie and Wade) is at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 27; AWANA dinner is at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 21. Anyone involved with our kids are encouraged to attend. This includes those who will prepare and provide the meal prior to AWANA on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
This Friday night, Aug. 22, at 6:30 p.m. we will have movie night ("God Is Not Dead"). Remember that AWANA will begin Sept. 3. Transportation is available. Call the church at 417-223-4433 or call 417-223-1070. Go to the church website for more information at www.firstbaptistchurchpineville.com.
Tune in Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. on KURM 100.3 FM for Dr. Crawford's message, speaking the truth in love. Join us on E. 5th Street in Pineville, just off the northeast corner of the square in Pineville.
Religion on 08/21/2014