Maryann McCaine was celebrating a birthday, and Doug and Susan Cory were celebrating their anniversary as the congregation gathered to worship Sunday morning at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Doug opened the service with prayer, and special prayers were requested for Daniel, the Loren Garren family, Kaitlyn, Janet and Renae, Laney, Alesia, and travel prayers.
We recognized our Pastor, Brother Mark Hall, for pastor appreciation Sunday and presented him with a basket of cards that included our thoughts and thanks. Mark and Shelley expressed thanks for the pastor-appreciation gifts. The church business meeting was held at 6 p.m.
"Feeling Edgy" was the devotional that Linda Abercrombie shared as she read 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Linda told us that it is not happy people that are grateful, but it's grateful people that are happy. Problems cut away at our peace. Instead, feel fortunate for what people have been blessed with including food and shelter.
Wayne Holly and Jerry Abercrombie served as offertory ushers and Susan Cory and Karen Gardner led the congregation in singing hymns of praise including, "Victory in Jesus" and "At The Cross." We had special music blessings from Jerry and Linda, who sang, "The Unclouded Day."
Brother Mark began Sunday's message by reading the 23rd Psalm and opened by thanking the Lord for being thine shepherd. Brother Mark talked about King David, who wrote the scripture and what it means to have a shepherd and how everyone can have one. "We have a shepherd. Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:28-30, 'Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.'"
Brother Mark said, "We are overstressed, overwhelmed and wrought about circumstances, past and pending events. All anyone can do is make decisions, but God determines the outcomes. Like a job interview -- everyone can prepare all they want, but there is no control over the outcome." Brother Mark gave us a scripture handout from Psalm 23 that said, "I have a shepherd. I make decisions. I don't control outcomes. God may let me cry a little now to protect me from crying a lot later."
Brother Mark told us to read 1 Samuel 8 this next week, as it talks about Israel having no king and how David became the King. "The Lord gave them a King, not because they wanted one but because He wanted them to have one. When the Lord can't teach you with instruction, He will teach you with experience. Saul was the first King, but he had a sin worse than bad morals -- he was arrogant. God hates arrogance. Saul thought his decisions could manipulate outcomes." Brother Mark talked about Saul going to war with the Amalekites. God clearly tells him what to do through Samuel. Instead, Saul keeps some cattle and takes a hostage. Saul says they did what the Lord told thee, but instead he twisted it into what they wanted. Saul was gone as King."
Brother Mark read 1 Samuel 16:1 as it talks about Samuel being stressed over Saul. "Samuel was crying over an outcome he couldn't control. That is carrying 'God weight.' Only God can carry 'God weight.' We can't stand up under the weight and pressure. God is the only one who can carry the weight on His shoulders and control the outcome. It's better if He does, anyway."
As the Lord sends Samuel down to appoint a new King, he is sent to Jesse. 1 Samuel says, "But the Lord said to Samuel. "Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." Brother Mark said that as Samuel looks at Jesse's sons for a new king, he looks at the last one and anoints David. "What did David do to sell himself? Nothing. God determines the outcomes."
Brother Mark referred to 1 Samuel 16:14-23, which tells of Saul anointing David. He told us that when it came time for David to fight Goliath, David didn't see him as a giant, because Goliath had no shepherd. David did. His shepherd was the Lord. "Everyone carries burdens and worries about so much, it's hard not to be down. Relax. There is a shepherd. Be grateful you have a shepherd. Remember, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want."
Where does your hope come from if you don't have a shepherd? Having a shepherd and not using it is like forking hay to put it up instead of using a hay baler. Take advantage of the fact, that people have a shepherd. That is the benefit package of a believer. Don't carry "God's weight." Let the Good Shepherd carry it. He determines the outcome. God is the only one that can carry "God's weight." Remember what He tells us, "My yoke is easy and my burden is light."
The hymn of invitation was "He Was There All the Time," and Jerry gave the benediction.
Everyone is welcome to come worship at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. and morning service at 11 a.m. Mill Creek Baptist Church is located 3½ miles east of Noel or 8½ miles west of I49, just off Highway 90, on Upper Mill Creek Road.
Religion on 10/17/2019