April 13-19, 2012 Volume 5 – Issue 44
A Word from Our Pastor:
The Underestimated Gospel
One of the highlights of the year for me, and I think that Drew would say the same, is the opportunity we have to go to a church or pastor’s conference. It is a time to meet up with old friends, make new friends, listen to great preaching, and when others from the church come with us like this year, it is an opportunity to hang out and encourage one another.
The theme of the conference this year was “The Underestimated Gospel.” One of the preachers, Thabiti Anyabwile who pastors in the Caribbean Islands, challenged us with this in way that has stuck with me. He related a story of how he was in a conference in the Middle East, and an evangelist was giving a talk to the pastors gathered on being better evangelists themselves. He asked why they thought they didn’t share the gospel more. They gave the typical answers: fear of offending, fear of doing it wrong, carelessness, and etc. The evangelist said that he thought one of the major obstacles that prevents us from sharing the gospel is that we do not have enough confidence in its power to actually work.
This is convicting to me because I think it is true. We believe the gospel, and we know the gospel has saved us. But do we really have the confidence that the gospel is able to save anyone? Do we really feel that when we speak to someone of the death of Jesus for sinners and of his glorious resurrection, that we are speaking with the power of God? Do we believe that the gospel can actually blow away unbelief like so much chaff in the wind? I think we want to believe that, but often our confidence wavers. We feel that the unbelief of others is too hard to break, and that the story of a resurrected King is too wild for modern folks to take seriously.
But we should not be this way. After all, the gospel was sufficient to break your excuses and mine, and it was able to change us and overcome all our doubts. As I was exhorted this week, so I now exhort you: Do not underestimate the power of the gospel. It is the very power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes. Speak the truth of the gospel. Put God to the test, and let’s see who what He will do.
Trusting in the Gospel,
Bro. Brad
Announcements:
· Saturday, April 14th, we will be watching the kids at the church as a fundraiser for the Senior Trip. If you a night off from watch your children, the youth will do it, we just ask that you make a donation to the senior trip - $20 recommended.
· A new Hospice sign up has been posted on the ladies’ ministry bulletin board. Please sign up and support this outreach!
· The April ladies’ fellowship will be Tuesday, April 17 at Jennifer Dixon’s home.
· The movie October Baby will be coming to Boaz April 13. Advance ticket vouchers may be purchased at the Real Life Crisis Pregnancy Center for $7
· Next Nursing Home Ministry is April 28th
· Ashley Ham’s tea, will be on April 29th
· You are invited to the Ladies Bible Study on 1 & 2 Thessalonians on Thursdays at 9:30am at Lisa Spence’s house.
· Wednesday Night Study: We are reading through a book called “Bloodlines” that deals with race and racism on Wednesday nights. It isn’t too late to get a book, and it is never too late to join the discussion.
· The next book for the Ladies’ Book Club is Made to Crave by Lisa Terkheurst. The meeting will be some time in April.
Praise/Prayer Requests:
· Pray for Bro. Brad’s grandmother, Ruth Mashburn, as she recovers from open heart surgery.
· Pray for Jim Parker’s great-niece. Nece is not doing very well after surgery. They may have to take her off of life support today, so please pray for the family and for Nece.
· Pray for Ruth Thompson, Wanda Parker’s mother, who is in the beginning stages of congestive heart failure. Pray for her husband, Dalton, as he cares for her. Pray for Wanda and Jim as they are helping care for both of them as well
· Thank the Lord that the Congress and the President has reprimanded Iran for its treatment of Pastor Nadarkhani who has been condemned by the High Court of Iran to death for being a Christian. Pray that continuing international pressure will lead to his release.
· Pray for Gloria Childress’ brother, James Pierce, who has a host of health problems.
· We’ve learned this morning that Mrs. Maxine Dye has passed away. Pray for Maxine’s family, Randy, Marsha, and Griff, as they out of town at the Mayo Clinic getting care for Griff.
Missions:
M.U.D. Ministries:
If you are interested in supporting M.U.D. Ministries, please contact Eric Hixon at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
If you are interested in going to Nicaragua this year, please contact Brad or Eric. There will be a trip in the summer for those who are interested.
Volunteers for this week:
Sunday Morning Childcare:
Bed Babies through 2’s – Kathy Coy, Leigh Ellen, and Steve Hellums
3’s and 4’s – Regina and Taylor Gregg
Sunday Morning Food:
Amber Knight
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New Covenant Baptist Church – www.DiscoverNewCovenant.com 104 W. Alabama Avenue, Suite A - Albertville, AL 35950 256-849-2454
the very image of Almighty God. We exist to adore Him, and to spread the knowledge of His greatness to the ends of the earth.
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