Darlene Mitchell was celebrating a birthday, and Mr. and Mrs. Tim McCain were celebrating their wedding anniversary, as we gathered to worship Sunday morning at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Doug Cory greeted the congregation, reminding us how beautiful the redbud and dogwood trees are as they begin to bloom. Special prayers were requested for Tom Collingsworth, Jeanette Easter, Judy Johnson, Susan's friend, the Tarwater family and Skip.
In announcements, the ladies were reminded to wear their Easter bonnets next Sunday, and there will be an Easter Egg hunt for the kids immediately after the morning service. Remember to bring your baskets.
Barbara Cory and Brother Mark Hall expressed thanks to the congregation for their kindness, prayers and concerns. Special thanks to Brother Mark and Shelley for hosting the Widow/Widowers lunch after the morning service. Everyone enjoyed it. We will be participating in the Southwest City Old Timer's Day parade with our float, "Mill Creek Mayberry Revival."
Linda Abercrombie shared the devotional, "Jesus in Distressing Disguise," and read Roman 8:9-11 about life in the spirit.
Tyrel Lett asked God's blessing upon the offertory, and he and Rick Lett served as ushers. With Susan Cory at the piano, Karen Stroud sang the congregational hymns, "Redeemed" and "How Great Thou Art."
We were blessed to have Jeff Hicks from the Missouri Baptist Children's Home with us. He shared an inspiring message from James 1:19 on the marks of a faithful man and about being a doer and a giver. He read James 3:25-26 about actively doing God's work and genuine imitation so we will be like Him. "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." Jeff asked, "What is God asking you to do? Speak like God speaks and act to others as God's reflection."
Jeff shared the history of the Missouri Baptist Children's Home by telling us that in 1882, the Lord called Anna Thompson to act on homeless children's needs. She and others started quilting and in 1886, she opened the first Children's Home with 12 beds. Today there are 13,900 children in Missouri who are in foster care. More than 68,000 incidents of child abuse involving 102,000 children are reported. These are the vulnerable and at-risk children because of bad choices made by mothers and fathers involving use of drugs and alcohol. The Missouri Baptist Children's Home has been an instrument of hope and restoration for children, families and youth for 130 years.
Jeff told us, "We, as Christians, need to look in the mirror to see what we need to change in our spiritual self for good and the glory of God. We need to become a listener and a doer and get involved with the vulnerable and at-risk children. God places Christ as the only hope for restored lives for thousands of children."
As the service closed, Bobby Bryan gave the benediction.
All are invited to worship with us on Easter Sunday and share in the joy and praise of remembering what our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ did for us on the cross. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. and worship at 11 a.m. Bible teachings are held every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Bible study at 6 p.m. every Wednesday.
All services are held at Cove Mission of Hope Church, located at 53 MO-59, southwest of Lanagan -- the church on top of the hill with a steeple reaching toward the heavens.
Religion on 04/18/2019