A Vibrant Church

Janet Chaney and Jeanette Easter were celebrating birthdays, and Jerry and Linda Abercrombie were celebrating their 46th wedding anniversary as we gathered to worship Sunday morning at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Special prayers were requested for Kathy, Betty Walker, Janice Mason, Dale, Junie, John Wayne Spencer and Shirley Newburn. Wayne Johnson opened our service with prayer and shared Brother Mark and Shelley's wedding announcement with us. We will observe the Lord's Supper next Sunday.

Tyrel Lett and Rick Lett served as ushers and collected our tithes and offerings, and Linda led the congregation in the responsive reading "The Love of God" from the book of John. With Becky Johnson at the piano, Karen Gardner led the congregational hymns. We were blessed with special music from Jerry and Linda who sang "Amazing Grace" as Linda shared a devotional about the song and their son, Jeremy, and karen who same the Lord's Prayer.

Brother Mark Hall brought us God's word in the sermon "The Church" with scripture reference from Acts 2:38-47 as he talked about a vibrant church. Brother Mark told us there are three things you need for a vibrant church: faith, fellowship and food. He said we would never hear him complain about good, faith-building teaching, good times shared together and covered dish dinners. "This is a vibrant church they talk about in Acts. The prayers went up, the power came down, the people went out, the prospects came in, the preaching went on and the persecution came. And it was all for one purpose -- people getting saved. Our purpose at Mill Creek Baptist Church is not to have the prettiest church, the largest attendance or the best singers. It is people repenting, being saved and baptized in the name of Jesus. What is it that makes the unsaved come in to church? Lost people don't care about the preaching. It is not the food. Fellowship is the draw. Church should have the kind of fellowship you can't find anywhere else. The definition of Christian fellowship is sharing unity brought about by the Holly Spirit and sharing a bond with other Christians. We are cemented to the Holy Spirit and each other. That's how people know we are real."

Brother Mark read John 13:34-35 about a new commandment as it talks about a Christian fellowship we have with people at church and loving one another. "That's what brings others to church and then they can hear the word, repent and be baptized. Christian fellowship is that brotherly love, bond and unity. One for all and all for one. The number one thing that Satan tries to steal, kill and destroy in a church is our love for one another. Satan tries to separate us from one another when he gets in between two believers. Our draw to church is our fellowship and our love for one another. People don't miss church because they live too far from church; they miss church because they live too far from God. When you stay close to God, you stay close to your brother. God says to love others as He loves you. The best thing we can do to promote our church is to show our love with our brothers and sisters in Christ."

In closing, Brother Mark said there are three crowds in church: those that don't know what's happening, those that wonder what's happening and those that make things happen. "When people love Jesus and each other, a church grows. It is only the love for Jesus and one another that supports a church and creates that electric atmosphere. There is something attractive about a crowd of people that is happy, excited and shares a common bond. Love Jesus, each other and be saved to have joy in your religion. You should be happy always for being saved. When we belong to the family of God, we can enjoy peace, joy and Christian fellowship. We don't know from day to day what will happen to us. Be excited about being saved and knowing where you will go when your number gets called. Church membership doesn't get you in heaven. Jesus gets you into heaven. You join church to say I love these people and join them in serving the Lord and saying I want to be one of those people who make things happen in church, seeing people get baptized, praising God, loving God and one another."

Our hymn of invitation was "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" and Jerry gave the benediction. We invite you to come fellowship with us, hear God's word and share in the love we share for each other and Jesus Christ. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. and worship service at 11 a.m. Mill Creek is located 3 1/2 miles east of Noel just off Highway 90. Just follow the signs. Everyone is welcome.