BlessingsA p r i l 2 0 1 0

A p u b l i c a t i o n o f B y r o m v i l l e B a p t i s t C h u r c h

In This Issue

Sacrament, not sacrifice. p. 2

Easter services. . . . . . . . p. 3

VBS 2010. . . . . . . . . . . . p. 3

Disaster relief. . . . . . . . p. 3

Dolls on mission . . . . . . p. 4

New books in library. . . . p. 4

Are you a Judas?. . . . . p. 5

Turkey Creek Festival. . p. 5

Monthly info. . . . . . . . . . p. 6

News from afar. . . . . . . . p. 7

Pictures from March. . . . p. 7

Egg hunt. . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 8

Page 2

It’s a sacrament,

not a sacrifice

When I was a young boy I was part of a church corpswhich took communion to the shutins andhospitalized. We visited those who were unable tocome to church but still desired to pray and partake ofcommunion. I must have been ten or eleven years ofage when we went to one hospital room that housedan elderly gentleman who was very weak. He wasasleep so we tried to wake him. We couldn’t. Weshook him, we spoke to him, we tapped him on theshoulder, but we couldn’t stir him.

We hated to leave without performing our duty, butwe didn’t know what to do. One of the young guyswith me observed that even though the man wasasleep his mouth was open. Why not? We said. So weprayed over the cracker and stuck a piece on histongue. Then we prayed over the grape juice andpoured it down his mouth.

He never woke up.

Neither do many today. For some communion is asleepy hour in which wafers are eaten and juice isdrunk and the soul never stirs. It wasn’t intended to beas such.

I t w a s i n t e n d e d t o b e a nI-can’t-believe-it’s-me-pinch-me-I’m-dreaminginvitation to sit at God’s table and be served by theKing himself.

When you read Matthew’s account of the Last Supper,one incredible truth surfaces. Jesus is the personbehind it all. It was Jesus who selected the place,designated the time, and set the meal in order. “Thechosen time is near. I will have the Passover with myfollowers at your house.“

And at the Supper, Jesus is not the guest, but the host.“And [Jesus] gave to the disciples.” The subject of theverbs is the message of the event: “he took…heblessed…he broke…he gave….”

And, at the Supper, Jesus is not the served, but theservant. It is Jesus who during the supper put on thegarb of a servant and washed the disciples’ feet.

Jesus is the most active one at the table. Jesus is notportrayed as the one who reclines and receives, but asthe one who stands and gives.

He still does. The Lord’s Supper is a gift to you. TheLord’s Supper is a sacrament, not a sacrifice. Asacrament is a gift from the Lord to his people. Asacrifice is a gift of the people to the Lord. There aresacrificial moments during the Supper. We offer upprayers, confessions, and thanksgivings as sacrifice.But they are sacrifices of thanksgiving as a salvationreceived, not sacrifices of service for a salvationdesired. We don’t say, “Look what I have done.” Weinstead, in awe, watch God and worship what he hasdone.

Often, we think of the Supper as a performance, atime when we are on stage and God is the audience. Aceremony in which we do the work and he does thewatching. That’s not how it was intended. If it was,Jesus would have taken his seat at the table andrelaxed.

That’s not what he did. He, instead, fulfilled his roleas a rabbi by guiding his disciples through thePassover. He fulfilled his role as a servant by washingtheir feet. And he fulfilled his role as a Savior bygranting them forgiveness of sins.

He was in charge. He was on center stage. He was theperson behind and in the moment.

And he still is.

It is the Lord’s table you sit at. It is the Lord’s Supperyou eat. Just as Jesus prayed for disciples, Jesus begsGod for us. When you are called to the table, it mightbe an emissary who gives the letter, but it is Jesuswho wrote it.

It is a Holy invitation. A sacred sacrament beggingyou to leave the chores of life and enter his splendor.

He meets you at the table.

And when bread is broken, Christ breaks it. When thewine is poured, Christ pours it. And when yourburdens are lifted, it is because the King in the apronhas drawn near.

Think about that the next time you go to the table.

–MAX LUCADO

Page 3

Sunrise Service at 7:00 a.m.After worship around the cross on the front lawn, enjoyfellowship and a delicious breakfast in Saliba Hall.

Sunday School at 10:00 a.m. Bible study for all ages.

Worship at 11:00 a.m.The Lord’s Supper will be served.

There will be no evening services.

Vacation Bible School 2010

June 21-25

Mark your calendar for our biggest outreach andevangelistic event of the year. Contact VBS DirectorJill Brannen today to volunteer to help.

Disaster Relief is a ministry-based approach toimpacting people for the Kingdom of God. Our mottoof “Serving Christ in Crisis” has two implications:

(1) We serve Christ to those persons who are thevictims of disaster.

(2) When we minister to persons in need we areserving Christ (Matthew 25:40).

The goal of DisasterRelief is to providesome measure ofnormalcy for thevictims of a disasterevent.

D i s a s t e r R e l i e ffocuses on five areaso f m i n i s t r y :

chaplaincy, child care, clean-up/recovery,communications, and feeding.

Everyone who wants to beinvolved in this ministrymust be "Phase 1" trained. This training will beoffered April 10 atIngleside Baptist Church inMacon. Registration fee is$40 if registered by April 2and $50 after that. There isa registration form on thebulletin board across fromthe nursery.

For more information and to download a registrationform for the training go to www.gabaptist.org.

Page 4

Girls in Action and Women on

Mission team up to make

Dolls on Mission

On April 17 at 10:00 a.m., our Girls in Action (GAs)and the Women on Mission Day Group are teamingup on their first cross generational mission project. They will be making witnessing dolls, also known asDolls on Mission.

The dolls are made of fabric and yarn, and their facesare hand painted. On one side, their eyes are closed,representing a lost person’s spiritual condition. Onthe other side, the eyes are open. A beaded necklaceand a witnessing card with scripture explain the planof salvation. A red heart with a black cross painted onthe chest of each doll shows that once we receiveChrist, He is always there.

Before sending the dolls to a missionary to use in theirministry, there will be a dedication ceremony in whichthe recipients of the dolls will be prayed for.

Lots of new

books in your

church media

library

Fiction:Surrender Bay by Denise HunterSaving Alice by David LewisUnder the Cajun Moon by Mindy Starns ClarkTides of Truth Series by Robert Whitlow

Deeper WaterHigher HopeGreater Love

Chronicles of the Kings Series by Lynn AustinGods and KingsSongs of RedemptionThe Strength of His Hand

Tea with Hezbollah by Ted Dekker, Card MedearisIntervention by Terri BlackstockBreach of Trust by DiAnn MillsBo’s Café by John Lynch, Bill Thrall, Bruce McNicolThe Jesus Chronicles by Tim LaHaye, Jerry Jenkins

Luke’s StoryMark’s StoryJohn’s Story

Left Behind Series for Kids by LaHaye and JenkinsVolumes 2-6

*Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers*A Lineage of Grace by Rivers

Nonfiction:Walk with Jesus by Charles SwindollWalking Wisely by Charles StanleyIn the Grip of Grace by Max LucadoFearless by LucadoControlling the Tongue by R. T.KendallThe Best Questions Ever Asked by Andy StanleyGet Out of That Pit by Beth MooreWhat Southern Women Want to Know About the Truth

by Rhonda RichHow to Reach Your Full Potential for God by Stanley

*New copies of titles previously in library.

Fullington

Glee Clubin concert at BBCApril 25 at 6pm

Light refreshments tofollow in Saliba Hall

Page 5

Judas

If God has called you to be a Martha, then serve!Remind the rest of us that there is evangelism infeeding the poor and there is worship in nursing thesick.

If God has called you to be a Mary, then worship!Remind the rest of us that we don't have to be busy tobe holy. Urge us with your example to put down ourclipboards and megaphones and be quiet in worship.

If God has called you to be a Lazarus, then testify.Remind the rest of us that we, too, have a story to tell.We, too, have neighbors who are lost. We, too, havedied and been resurrected.

Each of us has our place at the table.

Except one. There was one at Martha's house whodidn't find his place. Though he had been near Jesuslonger than any of the others, he was furthest in hisfaith. His name was Judas. He was a thief. WhenMary poured the perfume he feigned spirituality. "Theperfume could have been sold and given to the poor,"he said. But Jesus knew Judas's heart, and Jesusdefended Mary's worship. Years later, John, too, knewJudas's heart, and John explained that Judas was athief (John 12:6). And all these years he had beendipping his hand in the treasury. The reason he wantedthe perfume to be sold and the money put in thetreasury was so that he could get his hands on it.

What a sad ending to a beautiful story. But what anappropriate ending. For in every church there arethose like Martha who take time to serve. There arethose like Mary who take time to worship. There arethose like Lazarus who take time to testify.

And there are those like Judas who take, take, take,and never give in return. Are you a Judas? I ask thequestion carefully, yet honestly. Are you near Christbut far from his heart? Are you at the dinner with asour soul? Are you always criticizing the gifts ofothers yet seldom, if ever, giving your own? Are youbenefiting from the church while never giving to it?Do others give sacrificially while you give miserly?

Are you a Judas?

Do you take, take, take, and never give? If so, you arethe Judas in this story.

If you are a Martha, be strengthened. God sees yourservice.If you are a Mary, be encouraged. God receives yourworship.If you are a Lazarus, be strong. God honors yourconviction.But if you are a Judas, be warned. God sees yourselfishness.

–From Cast of Characters by Max Lucado

VBS Clinic April 15

Houston Baptist Association will provide help to VBSworkers at a VBS Clinic on April 15 at 7:00 p.m. atNorthern Heights Baptist Church in Cordele. Formore information, contact VBS Director Jill Brannen.

Mark your calendar! You don’t want tomiss this year’s

Turkey Creek FestivalMay 1, 2010

Downtown ByromvilleTheme: Circus in the Park

Page 6

Schedule of Volunteers for AprilPlease remember it is up to you to arrange coverage if you are unable to serve on your scheduled day.

Date Flowers Nursery forSunday School

Nursery forMorning Worship

Deacon of theWeek

Ushers

Apr. 4 Open Suzy Grantham

Sharon ThompsonSue Thompson

Floyd Tucker Monta Averill William Preston

Apr. 11 Open Laura Lamberth Jill Brannen Sarah Averill Brannen

Curtis Lamberth Mark Peavy Arthur Roney

Apr. 18 Open Mary KathrynBlankenship

Paula/Mark Smith Jimmy Lockerman Bob LatimerKyle West

Apr. 25 Open Kimberly Godfrey MK Blankenship Katrina West

Arthur Roney Clinton Brannen Ronnie Hatcher

March Sunday School Stats

Senior Adults 9FBIC 11CIA 6VOC 6Young Adults 8Older Youth 66 , 7 & 8 Graders 1th th th

3 , 4 , & 5 Graders 4rd th th

1 & 2 Graders 6st nd

Older Preschoolers 3Younger Preschoolers 6Nursery 1General Officers 3TOTAL 69

Sign up to put flowers in sanctuary.

The signup form is posted on thebulletin board across from the nursery.

Financial $ummary

February receiptsGeneral offerings $13,214.84Special–GAs 770.00Special–Shaelee Norris’ mission trip 828.00Special–Stove 259.00TOTAL 15,071.84

February disbursementsGeneral expenses 8,867.69Shealee’s Mission Trip 3,155.56Lottie Moon Christmas Offering 300.00Local missions and benevolence 221.62Cooperative Pr o g r a m 1,191.22Houston Baptist Association 458.16TOTAL $14,194.25

Congratulationsto

Dr. Bob Latimerfor being this year’s

Star Teacherat

Fullington Academy

Gage Peavy Gillian Peavy

Lane Bowie

Page 7

Monthly feature

News from afar

This month’s News From Afar features thegrandchildren of two former members who grew upin our church, Bob Peavy and Gayle Peavy Bowie.

Bob lives in Douglasville close to his twograndchildren, Gage who is six years old andGillian who is three. Their parents are Lisa andGary Peavy. Many of you will remember Gary, who visited often in Byromville with his grandparentsduring his youth.

Gayle and her husband Mark live in Lagrange, andtheir four year old grandson Lane lives in Valley,Alabama. Lane's parents are Keri and John MarkBowie.

A special thankyou to MarthaP e a v y f o rsubmitting thisinformation. M a r t h a a l s ohappens to beGage, Gillian andLane's grea t -grandmother. Ifyou ask her, shemay have evenmore pictures toshow you. Lotsmore.

Pictured above is Mandy Smith with The Cat in theHat and pictured on the cover is Ronnie Hatcher,both at the Green Eggs and Ham Supper on March17. More pictures below and many more on ourwebsite.

Byromville Baptist Church713 Patterson Street ` POB 126Byromville, GA 31007www.byromvillebaptistchurch.com478-433-2505Pastor: Andy Blankenship

NONPROFITORGANIZATIONPOSTAGE PAIDPERMIT NO. 2

BYROMVILLE GA31007

Blessings is published monthly by Byromville Baptist Church. Send news items and/or comments to Editor Brenda

Lockerman at POB 217, Byromville, GA 31007, email to brendalockerman@windstream.net or call 478-433-2791 .

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Page 8

Easter Egg HuntApril 2 at 6:00 PM

Kids need to bring six hard boiled eggs and six of any other kind ofegg (candy, chalk, bouncing balls, etc.). Hotdogs will be served forsupper. Everyone is invited–not just kids!

Weekly Schedule

SUNDAY

Sunday School. . . . . . 10 AMWorship. . . . . . . . . . . 11 AMChildren’s Choir. . . . . . 5 PMWorship. . . . . . . . . . . . 6 PM

W EDNESDAY

Supper. . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 PMPrayer Meeting. . . . . . . 7 PMYouth Group. . . . . . . . . 7 PMChildren in Action/GAs. 7 PMMission Friends. . . . . . 7 PM

Birthdays

Good Friday6:00pm EasterEgg Hunt

Easter7:00am SunriseService & Breakfast

No evening service

7:00pm VBSClinic, NorthernHeights Church

10:00am WitnessDoll Workshop

5:00pm Women’sBible Study

6:00pmFullington GleeClub Concert

No Housework Day

10:00am Womenon Mission

5:00pm Men &Women’s BibleStudy

5:00pm Men &Women’s BibleStudy

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30

4-2 Jeanna EveridgePenny Langston

4-3 Kris Braddock4-5 Myra Kirksey

Gloria W hite4-7 Martha Peavy

Marsha Taylor4-9 Monta Averill4-11 Jimmy Dorsett

Pam Evans4-12 Beth Roney4-13 Derek Humphries

4-15 Joshua Gathier4-17 Shawn Raper4-18 Christine Harvey4-22 Taylor W illingham4-26 Ken Haag

Judson HumphriesFrank Thompson

4-28 Dennis PhillipsArthur Roney

4-30 Ashley LamberthJohn Murray

5-1 Jimmy Gauthier

5-1 Glynn GranthamThad KitchensMary Lizzie LamberthRoss Stout

5-4 Tommy Bodrey5-7 Jamie Roberts5-8 Cooper Blankenship

Nikki Gaultney

Please pray for these peopleon their birthday.

6:30pm Relay ForLife, Dooly HighSchool, Vienna

April 2010

See Robin Peavy to purchase luminaries ($5/ea) or to make a donation.

April 9, 20106:30pm–12:00am

Dooly County High School

Vienna, GA