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The Bell AveNews
“Celebrating 40 years of God’s Faithfulness”
March 25, 2008
Volume 36, Issue 3
From your Pastor’s Heart
Beloved, what a glorious Easter Sunday we had this past week-- it was just full of blessings! First, it’s always good for us to focus on the resurrection of Jesus because the same power that raised Him from the dead is the same power that Paul says is working in you and me (Ephesians 3:16; Philippians 2:13). The resurrection also means that Jesus has given us the opportunity for a new life in Him. But, with that new life comes new responsibilities and the power to accomplish them. Think about it. Not much happened with the disciples until after the resurrection. After that and with the power of the Holy Spirit, they literally turned their world upside down for Jesus! The same goes for us, too. Not much will ever happen for the kingdom until we are experiencing the resurrection in our own lives and walking in the fullness and the power of the Spirit. Each of us has a responsibility to do just that. After all, “we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)
A second blessing of this Easter was our church’s Kid’s Easter Celebration and the premiere ministry of our new clown ministry, called Koinonia Klowns for Christ. I don’t know who had more fun, the kids or the clowns, but I do know God was pleased. We had well over 120 kids and parents participate! They all had such fun, and even got to hear the real story of Easter being told through the use of the resurrection eggs, and the skits and songs of our clowns. Pray for all those who heard the gospel and have yet to respond. Thanks to all of you who helped with eggs, monetary donations, and your time. May the Lord bless you for it.
Another blessing for me this Easter was our Sunday morning service. It was sure a great time for all the families in attendance. The Lord also blessed us with beautiful music from the choir as they sang, From the Cross to a Crown and just by moving in ways that only He can. I shared about Easter being the Jubilee the Bible prophesied about, but how we must embrace and receive the promise in order to experience the freedom He promised. Praise the Lord--He still promises freedom for ALL who will receive it!
Finally, the greatest blessing was to see the excitement and joy as we celebrated of Easter as a church family. God has truly blessed us and is helping us to be a blessing to others, too.
Blessings to you all,
Bro. Danny
Angela’s Korner
Family Lunch Day
Sunday, April 27th at Noon
Fellowship Hall
Families are asked to bring a lunch for their family
(Or pick up something through the drive through )
after morning services and bring it into fellowship
Hall for fellowship with other families! A good time is promised to everyone - some very special guests
will be there
VBS 2008
JUNE 23rd-27th
Howdy Partners!
Cactus Canyon is the theme this year and we are rootin’, tootin’ and raring to go. Call Amanda Holcomb at 373-5720
(home) or 683-3092 (cell) if you can help!
Mission Possible 200+
God continues to bless our Sunday School! We had seven new members enrolled in February. With four new members enrolled, the Adult 3 class wins the Mission Possible: 200+ competition for February. Congratulations to the Adult 3 class! The growth in our Sunday School has been great and with this growth there will eventually be the need to start new classes. There are not any definite needs at this time, but I would like to start looking to the future and be as prepared as possible for the need for new classes. So if you feel that God is leading you to be a teacher, please contact Keith LaRue. We are still looking for someone to serve as Adult 4 Department Director, so if you are interested please get in touch with Keith also. Our next joint Sunday School workers meeting will be on April 16th at 5:45pm.
These are exciting times in our Sunday School, so if you have not been a part of our Sunday School, I invite you to come join us Sunday mornings at 9:45 am and see what God is doing – we have a place for you!
February Sunday School Statistics:
Avg. Attendance – 87
High Attendance – 102 on the 10th
New Members – 7
Contacts – 45
Enrollment (March 16th) – 180
Student Stuff by Blake
Dear Bell,
Happy Easter!!
The students are headin’ back to school from Easter break, but the celebration of our Risen Savior continues!
On Wednesday (19th) eight students, Thomas, Valerie and I had some Spring Break fun! We played basketball at Coulter Road Baptist
R.A.D.Center, ate lunch at McDonalds and played Disc-golf at Thompson Park! In every place the students exemplified 1Timothy 4:12! Thank you to Bob and Beverly Hibbs for allowing us to use their vehicle during the day.
On April 11th the students will be going to High Plains Baptist Encampment for a Student Retreat. Please be in prayer for this retreat, the students, sponsors and leaders. Details about the retreat will be coming in the bulletin and in the mail.
And to all of you Senior Saints, come April 25th to Diamond Set for a special program from the youth!
Celebrate the Risen Savior 24/7!
<>< Blake
Coming Soon…
Youth Garage Sale
June 7th
Start cleaning out your closets and
cabinets-We need your stuff! We’ll even pick it up!
Music Notes from Craig
Dear Bell,
I am so excited about the things going on here at Bell. We have seen new people coming to join us. We are really seeing the Lord make a difference in some lives in our midst and we are seeing some great opportunities to expand that circle of influence that we are trying to minister to. Our choir has grown and the Children’s Choir is starting to get very exciting. It is not without its costs though. Sometimes it feels like we are running around in circles trying to keep up. We have new people to meet and get to know and new ministries to support and under gird. Whew! I am getting tired just writing about it all.
I just wanted to remind us of two things. One is that the devil –is going to be in the business of discouraging us as hard as he can, so don’t lose heart. Second, we need to be sure to support each other and lift each other up in our prayers. Please pray for your staff and your pastor; we always need it. Pray for each other. If we are sensitive to follow right on the Lord’s steps and not stray from His will, then I know that He will get all the Glory and Honor due to His Name!
Seek His Face,
Craig
A Merry Heart
You Know You are in a Red-neck Church if…
People ask when they learn that Jesus fed the 5000, whether the two fish were bass or catfish, and what bait was used to catch ‘em.
When the Pastor says, “I’d like to ask Bubba to help take up the offering,” five guys and two women stand up.
Opening day of deer season is recognized as an official church holiday.
The choir is known as the “OK Chorale.”
The Pastor and his wife drive matching pickup trucks.
“Thou shall not covet” applies to huntin’ dogs, too.
The offering plates are hubcaps from a ‘56 Chevy.
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