Wednesday, May 23rd  5-7pm on the front lawn we will haven a VBS kickoff party. Wear your wildest hair style as a show of courage. We will study Daniel and his courage while in Babylon during VBS this summer. (I am contemplating becoming a red head?!?) There will be whacky games and lots of great food for all. You will have a chance to register for all summer children’s activities. Don’t miss out on the fun!

Prayer in the Park had to be moved last minute to the REC. We used social media, texts,  and e-mail to get the word out. The gym AC is not fully functunal yet, so I was wondering if we ought to try and fit the meeting into the worship center. Just in case, we set up a sound system in the gym and set out about 100 chairs. The thinking was that if the group was larger than we could accomodate in the worship center (about 120) then we could move out into the gym. At 6:20 I was still thinking maybe we would be more comfortable in the worship center; there were only about 65 people hanging out at that time. By 6:30 we were well over 100 and more were streaming in. I did not get a final count, but one estimate was over 250.

It was a wonderful night of prayer, and at one point the noise on the gym roof was evidence of a downpour which justified our decision to move the event indoors. Thanks to all who came and participated! We really do have a wonderful Christian community here in Poplarville. I met some new folks that I had not gotten to know and I look forward to building a relationship with them over the next few weeks and months. Our regularly scheduled minister’s meeting is next week on the second Wednesday at the college. We meet at PRCC at 11:30; everybody pays for their own lunch.

One thing that I found out about last night at the meeting is that Triumph has a DVD of the Living Lord’s Supper available. They cost $10 and you can let us know in the office if you would like one, or call Tommy Hart at Triumph to reserve yours.

Wednesday evening May 2nd is our celebration of the National Day of Prayer. All churches are invited to join with us at the City Park in Poplarville for a season of prayer for our community leaders, local schools, and churches. If this country ever gets back on track it will not be because of something that happens in Washington. The Word says, “If My people who are called by My name, will humble themselves, turn from their wicked ways, and pray; then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sins, and heal their land.” (II Chronicles 7:14) Bring your lawn chair and meet at 6:30 pm expecting a blessing. Clergy are asked to arrive by 6 if possible to be placed on the program to lead out in prayer for various entities such as our businesses, our elected officials, police, and firemen, etc.

There will be no Agape cafe, but Sanctuary choir will rehearse following Prayer in the Park.

I want to express my deep appreciation for all who helped make our Jambalaya lunch fund raiser such a huge sucess! Special thanks has to go to Ned Edwards for coming up with the idea in the first place. Several others from the personnel comittee jumped in to offer help and to make the first contributions to this project. I asked Rossie Creel if he knew how to make Jambalaya and he was happy to be our cook. I want to say that without his awesome skills in cajun cooking we would nbot hav e had the fun time we did. It was delicious! Even those who had not planned to attend were drawn to the FLC by the wafting aroma of the Jambalaya. Mary Hinman had the salad and fixin’s ready to go. The French bread was hot and buttery, and the deserts! You really went all out! I had banna pudding, German chocolate cake, and lemon pie!

Now for the report on how you did… Drum roll please… Together we raised just over $10,000!!! That’s right, you really did an awesome job of getting the word out and coming together to rally to the cause. Thank you all for your faithfulness!

If you have not yet had a chance to join this effort don’t worry. We will be continuing to receive gifts to the sanctuary renovation until we determine that we have completed this project. The good news is that our committee can proceed with formulating their plans knowing that they have a basic budget. We will keep you informed every step of the way. Our goal is to provide a safe viewing area from the balcony that will meet current codes, do the paint and repair to the glaring problem areas, and make necessary repairs to the platform. The AC problems in the choir loft are already being repaired. It turns out that one AC duct was not even hooked up!

But to recap; it was a great day, we had to put out more tables and chairs to handle the crowd, we far exceeded our expectations, and we are very glad that we will be able to move ahead with planning the work. Also, I think that those guys who were part of the entertainment need to think about joining the choir!

This Sunday after the morning worship you are invited to come to the FLC for a Free Jambalaya lunch. Donations will be received for the Sanctuary Renovation. We are hoping to raise at least enough to do the much needed repairs in our main worship center. The exterior brick needs to be repointed and sealed. We had thought this could get into the hundereds of thousands of dollars, but we were pleasantly surprised to discover that with new equipment and techniques the project is going to be well with in the range of the possible! We already have two bids in the $4,000 – 5,000 range. The paint and carpet and adjustments to the stage area, and the addition of a glass extension to the railing in the balcony are really things we should have done long ago.

Someone expressed the feeling that you hate to see churches spend extrodianry amounts of money on worship centers when there are so many projects that are going begging which help share the Gospel, or meet pressing human needs. I totally understand that, and it is not a matter of either/or, but we also have to consider the issue of being good stewards of what we have been given. We have an obligation to maintain what we have. The safety issue in the balcony is not something I want to put off any longer. If a child were to fall over that rail I just don’t want to think about what that would do to all of us. And the paint that is flaking and pealing is crying out for attention.

I am so excited about the orchestra ensemble and the wonderful choir. Repairs to the risers and extending the platform will make our space better able to enjoy all these folks using their talants leading us in worship. The way I look at it we are not really loosing space in the congregation; just repositioning members. Once you begin to think of paint and repairs you have to look at repalcing the carpet because it is impossible to match. Plus, the carpet is definitely showing signs of wear.

The really good news is that this Sunday I believe that we will be well on our way to being able to pay totally for this renovation. $20,000 would just about cover the preliminary estimates for the scope of the project we have been discussing. You can have an important part in this project. No gift is too small. What we are looking for is not equal gifts, but equal sacrifice. Pray about what the Lord wants you to do and come enjoy this meal with us. If you can’t be here this Sunday we will be accepting gifts for the next few weeks, or until this need is met. Thank you in advance for your generosity! God bless!

The crowd that attended the showing of Courageous really did enjoy the show. I couldn’t help but notice that not a dry eye came through the doors as we were leaving the worship center. The evening was extra special because Wendy and Alaina worked so hard to have all the food ready. Thanks, too, for Bobby helping grill the hotdogs. Over $380 was donated for the Sanctuary Renovation. Thanks for making it a special evening!

I had the occasion to talk with my daughter about how interesting it is that this movie has been made, and about why it was made, and what possible good will come from it. I noted that over the years since the first of the movies made by Sherwood Church came out they have really gotten better at what they do. Their goal all along was to make family friendly films that have a positive Christian witness and to have fun as a church doing it. I think they are to be commended for sticking to their vision and for improving with each effort. Their art has become more sophisticated; the plot lines are more involved and nuanced; the characters are more complex. Things happened in this one that caught me by surprise. I appreciate that the characters were more and more believable. Some of the church member actors do an incredible job.

I watched some of the behind the scenes footage and was not surprised that this is not your typical Hollywood set. Volunteers do makeup, cosutmes, sets, etc. They are getting more professional, but they still bathe everything in prayer. One aspect that could go under the radar is how intentionally ethnically diverse they are. They have had strong minority characters in each of their last three films, but this one is different. In suburban Atlanta they are modeling a Christianity that sets the standard for race relations in our times. The daily news headlines are filled with charges of racially motivated hate crimes in Florida, and Oklahoma, but in Albany something profoundly different is taking place. If you trace it back it all stems from some deep friendships formed in the trenches amidst some times of testing. A natural disaster flooded out one church and the help that came was really appreciated. The bonds forged in adversity have proved strong.

For my money the Hispanic character steals the show! Not a lot is said about race relations in the movie. My wife says that some things are better caught than taught. I say, “God bless Sherwood Church!” You are doing something important! Personally, I can’t wait to see what they come up with next! Incidentally, our men will have an opportunity to do a Bible Study that grew out of this film project. Be at the meeting May 4th at the REC for details.

Thanks to all who made this Easter a celebration to remember. First, I have to say that I really enjoyed participating in the Living Lord’s Supper at Triumph Missionary Baptist Church. We really had a lot to memorize, but in the end all the stress of rehearsals with Dr. Jones were worth it! And they fed us each time we came together so I think I gained about 5 lbs! Seeing me with brown hair and a scraggily beard made Anna homesick for the good old days!

Good Friday services were really wonderful. Our choir was awesome! Thanks for all the ones who made the extra effort to make the Friday evening service. And thanks to Cross Ties and the choir from Triumph. Great job! Brother Tommy Hart did a marvelous job bringing the word!

Sunday morning the 7am sunrise service was really great this year. God gave us perfect weather and I enjoyed trying to help us put the standard Eaaster greeting of “The Lord is Risen! He is risen indeed!”  into an expression more suited to our way of speaking. We said, “He got up!” To which you responded, “Yeah!” That is certainly not nearly so formal, but I still think it is quite profound.

During the regular 11 am service the choir led in a beautiful series of anthems and the various soloist did and outstanding job! What a joy to have a full house! Of course, for most the day involved time with family, special meals, and perhaps company winding down their Spring Break. At our house we were just the two of us for the first time in 33 years. We actually ate lunch from the drive thru at McDonald’s. But I enjoyed watching the Masters without having to leave in the middle of the playoff and head back to church! I guess it just fit the order of the day when my red neck version of the Easter Greeting was followed by a guy named Bubba winning the whole shebang in our most prestegious golf event! A truly memorable Easter. Thanks for all the volunteers who helped pull together the Community Easter Egg Hunt, who came to the Living Lord’s Supper, or Good Friday Worship, helped fix breakfast, or with the Sunrise, or main services. Thank you all!

The kids worked really hard to get ready for the big musical for Easter. They were here by 8 am for the final rehearsal and enjoyed do-nuts and chocolate milk. The sets were completed and the costumes were donned. Finally, it came down to showtime! What an awesome job by all the singers in the choir. The soloist did amazing!The story was told in a lighthearted, but powerful way. We were reminded that Jesus did not hesitate to venture down here as a stranger in a scary place. His goodness met our hatred and fear head-on and when He died in our place He paid a debt we could never pay. It was a debt He did not owe, but He made the sacrifice so we could be free. Great job children. You really did yourselves proud. Special thanks to Angie Pounds for set design and construction; Hayden for being the main man on handling everything that needed to be man-handled, and to Harley for working the sound and exhibiting great patience and leadership with budding devas and rock stars. As always, Melanie and Julie brought it off without a hitch. Way to go!

This is the week to bring what your group is supposed to bring for Brother’s Keeper by April 1. No foloing! We need your help!

Pre-school  rice and pasta

Children   Dry beans

Youth  Cereal

Young Adult   Canned foods

Adults   Baking goods (Mixes, flour, sugar, etc)

Boxes will be provided in several convienient locations around the church.

Thanks to all the volunteers who helped out on this project. Thanks for a great job sharing the real meaning of Easter and having a lot of fun with families from the community last Saturday. The Lord gave us good weather and lots of participants. To recap: tons of kids finding candy filled eggs, plenty of Kodak moments, lost of stories about Jesus’s death, burial and resurrection. It was awesome! Add on giving out of hotdogs and drinks and you know a good time was had by all!