After a week of much needed rain, we gathered to worship on a fall-like morning Sunday at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Mildred Sharp and Gracie Allison were celebrating birthdays. Special prayers were requested for Taylor McKee and the Ruddick family and David Collingsworth gave praise and thanks for the prayers and acts of kindness. The Jeremy Abercrombie Memorial Poker Run was announced as well as recipes needed for the Noel Women's Club cookbook. Our song service was led by Becky Johnson and Karen Gardner and Wayne Johnson and Gene Gardner served as offertory ushers. We enjoyed special music from Bob Obenshain and Karen. Janet Chaney read a couple of wonderful stories about "Grace" and the price Jesus paid for us.
The text for Bro. Mark Hall's message was taken from Matthew 25:1-13, "The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins" about the importance of being ready. As Bro. Mark retold the story of the ten ladies preparing for a wedding, he talked about Jesus speaking to us in the parable-an earthly story with a spiritual lesson that represents how we are to be ready for Jesus.
Bro. Mark talked about the story and the things that the 10 virgins had in common as they prepared for the wedding. "First, all 10 were members of the same bridal party, but just being a member of a church doesn't get you in to Heaven. Second, they were all good and moral girls, but just being good doesn't get you into Heaven. Third, they all had a lamp which symbolized their profession of faith. But, did they repent and their life show the spirit oil-the Holy Spirit? We need the oil in our lamp to shine like we need the spirit in our faith to shine. Fourth, all had the same purpose for being there -- to meet the bridegroom like we are to meet Jesus. You better be ready especially if you know you better be ready, if you know the scripture. Fifth, all 10 virgins looked alike on the outside. Do you just assume that all your friends, family and neighbors know Jesus and are ready? And lastly, all 10 virgins had the same expectation of getting in to the wedding. All expected to get in. Just like people who go to church and do church work and are a part of the group but never repent."
In closing, Bro. Mark asked, "Are you ready? Are you like one of the five bridesmaids with the oil for their lamp or one of the five needing oil for their lamp. Be careful, the door will shut on you while you are getting ready just like it did on the five bridesmaids who weren't ready and went to get oil for their lamp." Matthew 25:13 says, "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming." Bro. Mark asked, "How do you get ready? Do you know the Holy Spirit is in you? The Holy Spirit bears witness with your spirit."
Our hymn of invitation was, "Will Jesus Find Us Watching" and Rick Lett gave the benediction. We invite you to worship with us on Sunday mornings at 11 a.m. as Bro. Mark Hall brings us God's word. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. Everyone is always welcome.
Aug. 30
We welcomed a full house and many visitors as we celebrated 110 years of worshipping our Lord and Savior at Mill Creek Baptist Church on Sunday for our annual homecoming.
Gene Gardner opened our service with prayer and Susan Albertson was celebrating a birthday and Gene and Loretta Mitchell were celebrating their anniversary. Special prayers of concern and healing were requested for Renae Sherman, Becky and Wayne Johnson, the Keith and Armstrong families and Virgil Winchester.
Tyrel Lett asked God's blessing and he and Mitchell Lett served as ushers and collected our offertory with music from Becky Johnson. We were led in song by Karen Gardner. Wonderful special music for our morning and afternoon service was provided by the Goulds.
Bro. Mark Hall began his sermon with scripture from Matthew 18:11-12 about the parable of the lost sheep. As he reminisced about being lost from his family when he was young on a shopping trip, he reminded us that one word can inspire fear and dread. "No words are so bad as the word 'lost' in the spiritual world -- without hope and God in the world. Like a lost child. Who finds who? It is no great sin to be lost. A child just wanders off, but they are still lost."
Isaiah 53:6 says, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Bro. Mark said, "I can tell you about Jesus and love you, but I can't save you. Only Jesus can do that when you are lost. Just going to church doesn't save you. Baptism won't save you. Only Jesus can save you from being lost. You are never lost at home, only in a strange place."
Luke 16:9 talks about "an everlasting home." Bro. Mark continued by telling us that we are strangers in a strange world which is not our home, we are just passing through just like the song says. "When we are lost, we call out for the one who can save us. We can't get home on our own." He referred to Romans 10:13, "For 'whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." "You must realize you are lost first to be saved. Too many are lost because they don't realize they are lost and wandering. Jesus says, it's OK, I've got you. "
In closing, Bro. Mark asked, "Do you know that you are saved? If not, you're probably lost. Jesus doesn't save you and leave you wandering. Have you confessed in public? The purpose of an invitation is to give you an opportunity to do so." Matthew 10:32-22 says, "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven." Bro. Mark reminded us that, "The grace of God saves you. You can call on Jesus anywhere to save you. No one but Him can."
Romans 10:9 says, "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in you heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
Our hymn of invitation was "Lord, I'm Coming Home" and Tom Sharp gave the benediction. We then gathered in the fellowship hall for a wonderful lunch followed by more singing and hymns of praise from the Goulds and the reading of our church history.
We invite you to worship with us as we begin our 111th year at Mill Creek Baptist Church. You will receive a blessing as Bro. Mark Hall brings us God's word each Sunday in a way that you won't forget and can apply to your daily life. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. and worship service at 11 a.m. Mill Creek is located 3.5 miles east of Noel just off Highway 90 on Upper Mill Creek Road. Just follow the signs. Everyone is always welcome.
Religion on 09/11/2014