Does anyone have any ideas for games at the Memorial Day Picnic on Monday? So far, it has been suggested to have ping pong. If anyone has croquet, that would be fun. I also thought water balloons for the kids might be fun. We have a basketball goal, too. I think we should try to rig up a volleyball net, also. So, what do you think? Leave a comment if you have an idea or like any of these.
Monday is a family picnic at the church, so make plans now to come before you commit to any other plans. It is a bring your own picnic meal with games and activities for the whole family. Have a great day!
Have you ever noticed that it is much easier to do a task when you have people doing it with you? Not just the mere fact of more workers doing more work, but the emotional boost it is to feel like you’re a part of a team. Besides the uplifing working environment teamwork provides, it seems that two can do more work together than separately. Someone once named this idea synergy.
I just want to say as pastor that I much appreciate all those that help around the church. When I see people working together or I get a chance to work with my brothers and sisters in Christ, it makes me feel great to be a part of the MRBC team. So, I encourage you. Don’t just get involved–get involved together. Families and friends can serve the Lord together and have a great time doing it. “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9)
What we believe is very important, it is what makes us distinctive. We do not yet have a belief statement on our website home page, but I thought I should post it here for now. Many people shy away from terms like ‘denomination’ or ‘fundamentals’ because of supposed negative connotations. Yet, in other contexts these terms are readily accepted (i.e. the “fundamentals” of basketball or the “denomination” of a dollar bill). We cannot become phobic of terminology such that we give up on our doctrinal distinctives. The Bible says it this way, “Beloved, I …exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 3) In a day of breaking down the walls of doctrine, we should be proud of what we stand for when we are standing for the truth.
The past couple of days have been marked by some sweet fellowship among the people of McKee Road Baptist Church.
Friday night at the men’s shotgun shootout, the men didn’t break any records for the most clay pigeons hit, but how great it was just to be doing it together. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1) By the way, Chris Pulley won first, Steve Crownover took second, and Rick Thingstad was third (Steve and Rick went to a shootout).
Saturday was the Mother-Daughter-Friend Luncheon. I (pastor) had an opportunity to get a glimpse of their fellowship also. They were having a great time laughing and talking and sharing life experiences with each other.
Church is about being who you really are before God and others. Church family is about being who you really are with other Christians who understand. Too many people feel like they have to put on a show for others when in reality they ought to feel like they can be themselves. Fellowship in a godly environemnt allows us to have good fun without any regrets.
I hope you will take the opportunity to be a part of one of the next fellowship activities (Memorial Day Picnic, Men and Boys Campout, etc.). Get to know God’s people because the fellowship is sweet!
Coming soon! Make plans now!
May 24–God and Country Sunday
May 25–Memorial Day Picnic at Church
June 12-13–Men & Boys Campout
June 14–Promotion Sunday
June 21–Father’s Day
(Camp has been moved to August.)
Don’t forget that the men are having the annual shotgun shootout today! Call the church for more details.
And tomorrow is the Mother-Daughter-Friend Luncheon. That’s all for now…
Today, Rich went to be with our Saviour. As his eyes, closed here they opened in Heaven. The Bible says, “…to be absent from the body…[is] to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8) So, he woke up in Heaven today.
But as I sit here at the end of the day here, I know his first day in Heaven has not ended. Speaking of Heaven Scripture says, “And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof… And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.” (Revelation 21:23, 25) There is no night, just one eternal day–living in the light of the Lamb.
Night is not the only thing that Rich will see no more of…”And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Revelation 21:4) We will miss Rich, for sure. But we know that he will be waiting for us there in that wonderful place. And, by the way, we will get there the same day as he did.
Today, at the graduation of West Coast Baptist College, 178 young adults graduated after having prepared for full-time ministry. Among those graduates was Jeremy Picker, one of our own. Along with Jeremy’s desire to serve God, his character and work ethic have earned him CHP officer of the year for the Antelope Valley Region. Congratulations, Jeremy on a good job in both!
After a great message from Pastor Paul Chappell about making a difference, it was awesome to see the launching of so many into the ministry. I say all of this because our church financially supports the college monthly and these laborers are a product of that investment.
Tonight in the service, the West Coast Baptist College Harvest Quartet sang praises to God. What a blessing! It is a blessing to see these young people with a heart to serve God!
For all those who were there, Breanna is fine. She was released from the hospital not long after she arrived. I praise God for this family’s sweet spirit even in trials. Their good attitude is an encouragement to me as pastor. Keep it up!
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry. 1 Timothy 1:12 Tomorrow, marks a very special day in the life of McKee Road Baptist Church–a day when one of our own completes his ministry training and launches out into his public ministry. Jeremy Picker, a CHP officer, came to our church in search of a new church home. Immediately, he felt that MRBC was the place where God had put him. Soon after, he got involved with weekly soul-winning (outreach, Proverbs 11:30) and taught in the church. Within months, God had called him into the full-time ministry. Two months later, he enrolled in West Coast Baptist College with a desire to do whatever God wanted him to do. It soon became evident that God was leading him to pastor.
When God is looking to use someone, He isn’t looking for a rebel. He isn’t looking for a maverick who has decided to do things his “own way.” He looks for someone who is being faithful to the Word of God. You may say, “How can someone fulfill so great a responsibility?” Well, the answer is in the same verse–God enables him. With God’s calling comes God’s enablement. Where God guides He provides.
Jeremy Picker is a faithful man. I know God will enable him to do great ministry in the days to come. We are proud of you, Brother Picker, and looking forward to co-laboring in the ministry!