Vol.9, Issue 5 Nuthin’ But Grace May2015

First Baptist Church of Madison, North Carolina

This last month I’ve been putting together a list of all the regular church duties that are attended to by members of this congregation. Far from an irksome chore it turned out to be a delight as I saw all the ways you are volunteering your time in God’s service. Some of you are doing so many things your names appear time and again. I appreciate you all and all you are doing in Jesus’ name for our church and community.

The Missional Church is built upon the idea of shared leadership. There are no side-line spectators in that kind of church. We work together as a team committed to the single idea that God loves everyone and he has called each one of us to have a meaningful role in his kingdom work. We are a people convinced that God’s grace is powerful and transformative and our greatest joy is found in sharing it with others.

In a day and time when church attendance patterns are changing discouragement is easy. Let Easter Sunday remind us that there are many more who belong to the church than we see each week, yet a relationship with God and the Body of Christ (His Church) remains important for all. What can we do to make our Christian walks more meaningful, so we won’t fall into the error of thinking that we don’t count for much in God’s unfolding plan?

The answer is not found in a slavish drudgery to religious practice, but involvement in his kingdom work. And there is much work to be done. God has gifted all of us in ways that are unique and needed. Perhaps you can mentor a child, pack a back pack for the hungry, help a youth experience a retreat, paint a wall or trim a bush to keep the house of fellowship attractive and safe, or something else that you love and is an important way to share the good news of God’s love?

Being the church is so much more than coming to meetings. Did you know MOST members cannot make it every Sunday? The faithfulness we display is in staying connected and sharing in the work of the Gospel in our own way is God’s mark on our lives. And whether you are here every week or only when you can I’m your pastor and love you and think you are a wonderful contribution to God’s family.

Grace,

Chuck

Ththe mountaintops and ignore the trained guides and their work on getting us there and the personal discipline necessary to make the journeys.

Don’t forget Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 10th.

And Jan’s Seminary Graduation is May 16th.

The Board of Trustees, Faculty and Graduating Class

Of

Hood Theological Seminary

Are pleased to announce

Graduation Exercises

Saturday, May sixteenth, Two thousand fifteen

Worship and Holy Communion Service eight-fifteen o’clock in the morning

On the Seminary Grounds

Commencement

Ten-thirty o’clock in the morning

On the Seminary Grounds

1810 Lutheran Synod Drive

Salisbury, North Carolina

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH NON PROFIT ORG.

P.O. Box 209 PERMIT # 45

MADISON, NC 27025 MADISON, NC 27025

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED