Volume 21 March 2015 Number 3 Week of Prayer for NORTH AMERICAN MISSIONS March 1–8, 2015 and the National Goal: $60 million Church Goal: $1,500 Our North American Mission Board estimates that 3 out of 4 people living in the United States and Canada do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Because or our church’s partnership with NAMB the gospel is being shared in un- der-served and under-reached places, new churches are being started, and people are coming to Christ and growing in Him. Our missionaries are grateful for the support our church gives. 100% of the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering goes to support thousands of missionaries, new churches and engage the lost population of North America. North American Mission Study March 1, 2015 5:30 PM “I am the vine, you are the branches” John 15:5 A Monthly Publication of Live Oak First Baptist Church Phone # 210-656-8200 FAX # 210-656-0848 Web Site: http://www.liveoakfbc.org The Branch NewsLETTER Donald Valenta, Pastor Paul Reavis, Minister of Music & Education Rachel Dorchester, Secretary
Transcript
Volume 21 March 2015 Number 3
Week of Prayer for NORTH AMERICAN MISSIONSMarch 1–8, 2015and the
National Goal: $60 millionChurch Goal: $1,500
Our North American Mission Board esti-mates that 3 out of 4 people living in the United States and Canada do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Because or our church’s partnership with NAMB the gospel is being shared in under-served and under-reached places, new churches are being started, and people are coming to Christ and growing in Him.Our missionaries are grateful for the support our church gives. 100% of the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering goes to support thousands of missionaries, new churches and engage the lost population of North America.
North American Mission StudyMarch 1, 2015 5:30 PM
Linda Bean–Study LeaderFor Adults & Youth
Nursery ProvidedSupper will be during the mission study.
Please bring finger foods.Join us in the fellowship hall and learn more about the North American Mission Board and its Send North America strategy for church planting and evangelism through the United States, Canada and their territories. Missionaries are strategically placed and doing whatever it takes to reach their cities for Christ.Learn the importance of praying for, giving to and encouraging missionaries who are serving through the NAMB in a variety of settings.
“I am the vine, you are the branches” John 15:5
A Monthly Publication of Live Oak First Baptist ChurchPhone # 210-656-8200 FAX # 210-656-0848Web Site: http://www.liveoakfbc.org https://www.facebook.com/LiveOakFirstBaptistChurch
The BranchNewsLETTE
RDonald Valenta, PastorPaul Reavis, Minister of Music &
I came across a statistic that is hard to believe. I read that the average person says 11,000,000 words a year. Imagine the magnitude of that many words. Words are incredibly powerful. They can build up, encourage, and motivate. Words can also tear down, hurt, and cause horrible scars. The Bible reminds us that “death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). Words matter to God and He keeps a record of our words. Jesus said, “but I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment” (Matthew 12:36). Jesus was fully aware of the devastating nature of our words. Our words matter.
The Bible has a lot to say about how we use our words. Here are a few biblical principals about the use of words: 1) Refrain from attack words. Jesus instructs us to “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you” (Matthew 5:44). 2) Refrain from gossip. We need to be careful about the news we share concerning others. Someone said, “There is only one thing as difficult as unscrambling an egg, and that’s unspreading a rumor.” Gossip is destructive and it is subtle. The Bible warns us, “A gossip tells secrets, so don’t hang around with someone who talks too much.” (Proverbs 20:19). “A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends” (Proverbs 16:28). Watch out for gossip. 3) Use clean words. Some words are just not proper to speak. Clean words come from a clean heart. 4) Use truthful words. Jesus said, “Let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and your ‘no’, ‘no’ ” (Matthew 5:37). Let the words that flow from your mouth be truthful. 5) Use edifying words. The Bible says, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers” (Ephesions 4:29). The Bible challenges us to use our words to help people, to build others up, not to tear them down.
Perhaps you’re thinking, I need to make some changes on the way I use my tongue, but how do I do it? Transforming the tongue begins with a change in the heart. This help is available to us. Who can tame the human tongue? Jesus can. Jesus is in the business of transforming lives. Paul reminded us, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Jesus can give us the desire and motivation
to change and the ability to change. Paul commented, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Jesus specializes as a change agent. Let Jesus do His work in your life. Here’s a practical acrostic to help evaluate whether you are about to say something you perhaps shouldn’t. Ask the following questions:
T – is is true?H – is it helpful?I – is it inspiring?N – is it necessary?K – is it kind?
Let’s think before we speak and rely upon God’s help. You will be blessed and others will be blessed.
11 Joe Quilay 21 Gloria Cranford12 Carrie Loyd 21 Danny O’Neil13 Gloria Lavender 21 Mary Aguilar14 Graham Hartness 26 Miranda Dean16 John Glowacz 28 Nell Matthews17 Jackie Carter 31 Douglas Carter
MarchBirthdays
For Our Minister ofMusic and Education
As a teacher, I really liked the month of March because of Spring break! Now I like March because Spring is coming with buds and flowers and windy days and most of the cold snaps are gone. Spring denotes new life among growing things. We can show the same renewal in our attitude and devotion to Christ as our sprits are renewed each day. Simply give your life to Him each morning so He can work through you to accomplish His plan for you.Marguerite and I really appreciate your prayers, cards and kind words as we work through her situation. We value your friendship as we work and worship together here at Live Oak.Lively Oaks, we have the schedule for the rest of 2015, so be sure to get a copy for your bulletin board or fridge. Teachers, work on those absentees. Let them know they are missed. There are a good number of folks who come to worship and are not part of a Sunday School class. Let’s encourage them to come a little earlier to participate in Bible study.
Paul
For ages 50+Join us for our March lunch at Blake’s in McQueeney. Meet at the church to carpool at 11:00 am.
Thursday, 6:30 pmMarch 19th
Fellowship HallJoin us for Bible study, dinner, and fellow-ship with your sisters in Christ. Check in the foyer for the menu and sign up sheet to help with food for the meal. Please call the church office at 656-8200 if you will need free childcare for preschoolers.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Everyone is cordially invited to a Benefit English Tea on April 11 th from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm at Baptist Temple Fellowship Hall, 901 East Drexel Avenue.
There will be an auction to benefit Christian Women’s Job Corp. Tickets are available for $15.00 each. Contact Alice Lee for tickets or more information at 415-7778.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Deacon of the WeekMarch 1 Lalo PeñaMarch 8 Danny O’NeilMarch 15 Mario WardMarch 22 Ken BeanMarch 29 Donnie Cox
