MAY 3, 2016 RICHLAND HILLS CHRISTIAN CHURCH THE CHURCH VISITOR Lift Up Never Tear Down! Encourage in Love This past Sunday I preached about being an encouragement to one another and how this really can affect the entire church. Our text from Proverbs said the tongue has the power of “Death or Life”. When we purposely, intentionally, and habitually work to encourage one another, it can make all the difference in any organization; but particularly, in the life of the church. It truly makes us see and act differently toward one another once we focus on the positive rather than on the negative. I was encouraged as we left worship on Sunday that many of you picked up the list of new members and new directories (which will be available again this Sunday) with the intent of building relationships with those that have joined us on the journey since I arrived. I hope all of us take the time to get to know one another. The stronger the connection we have with one another, the stronger the church will become. This Sunday we celebrate mothers and all the women who have had an impact on our lives. More encouragement. I hope all of us are getting the picture that one of the primary functions of each member is to lift up other members in their faith. In just a few weeks we will begin summer, and I hope that many blessings await you all as you begin times of vacation and travel. But, don’t forget your family here. As a church moving forward, we have seen attendance average around 120 for this year and I hope this continues through the summer. My hope is that we become a year round church where we constantly focus on God’s work here at Richland Hills and choose to be a part of it everyday of every year. Something to Think About! Why was Jesus trembling in that garden, weeping and full of anguish? We can rest assured that he was not a coward about to face Roman soldiers. Instead he was a Savior about to endure divine wrath. Listen to his words: “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.” The “cup” is not a reference to a wooden cross; it is a reference to divine judgment. It is the cup of God’s wrath. 7 This is what Jesus is recoiling from in the garden. All God’s holy wrath and hatred toward sin and sinners, stored up since the beginning of the world, is about to be poured out on him, and he is sweating blood at the thought ot it. What happened at the Cross was not primarily about nails being thrust into jesus’ hands and feet but about the wrath due your sin and my sin being thrust upon his soul. In that holy moment, all the righteous wrath and justice of God due us came rushing down like a torrent on Christ himself. --From David Platt’s book, Radical Open Hands and Caring Hearts Prayer Ministry Join the prayer group that meets before Sunday School at 8:45 am in the sanctuary. Prayer is of great importance to the life and future of this church - please come and be a part of it!
Transcript
MAY 3, 2016 R I C H L A N D H I L L S C H R I S T I A N C H U R C H
THE CHURCH VIS ITOR
Lift Up Never Tear Down!Encourage in Love
This past Sunday I preached about being an encouragement to one another and how this really can affect the entire church. Our text from Proverbs said the tongue has the power of “Death or Life”. When we purposely, intentionally, and habitually work to encourage one another, it can make all the difference in any organization; but particularly, in the life of the church. It truly makes us see and act differently toward one another once we focus on the positive rather than on the negative. I was encouraged as we left worship on Sunday that many of you picked up the list of new members and new directories (which will be available again this Sunday) with the intent of building relationships with those that have joined us on the journey since I arrived. I hope all of us take the time to get to know one another. The stronger the connection we have with one another, the stronger the church will become. This Sunday we celebrate mothers and all the women who have had an impact on our lives. More encouragement. I hope all of us are getting the picture that one of the primary functions of each member is to lift up other members in their faith. In just a few weeks we will begin summer, and I hope that many blessings await you all as you begin times of vacation and travel. But, don’t forget your family here. As a church moving forward, we have seen attendance average around 120 for this year and I hope this continues through the summer. My hope is that we become a year round church where we constantly focus on God’s work here at Richland Hills and choose to be a part of it everyday of every year.
Something to Think About!Why was Jesus trembling in that garden, weeping and full of anguish? We can rest assured that he was not a coward about to face Roman soldiers. Instead he was a Savior about to endure divine wrath. Listen to his words: “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.” The “cup” is not a reference to a wooden cross; it is a reference to divine judgment. It is the cup of God’s wrath. 7 This is what Jesus is recoiling from in the garden. All God’s holy wrath and hatred toward sin and sinners, stored up since the beginning of the world, is about to be poured out on him, and he is sweating blood at the thought ot it. What happened at the Cross was not primarily about nails being thrust into jesus’ hands and feet but about the wrath due your sin and my sin being thrust upon his soul. In that holy moment, all the righteous wrath and justice of God due us came rushing down like a torrent on Christ himself.
--From David Platt’s book, Radical
Open Hands and Caring Hearts Prayer Ministry
Join the prayer group that meets before Sunday School at 8:45 am in the sanctuary. Prayer is of great importance to the life and future of this church - please come and be a part of it!
CHURCH CALENDAR
05.04 Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal (7:00 pm)05.08 HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! Prayer Ministry (8:45 am) Seekers, Pioneers, Discipleship, Coffee House, Youth SS Classes (9:15 am - 10:10 am) Preschool SS Classes (9:45 am) Morning Worship Service (10:30 am) (Cabinet and Board meetings will be held on Sunday, May 22)05.10 CWF Day Group meeting (10:30 am)05.11 Worship Department Meeting (6:00 pm) Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal (7:00 pm)05.12 City of Richland Hills Senior Lunch Bunch at RHCC (Noon - 2 pm)05.14 DMF Breakfast Meeting (8:30 am)05.15 PENTECOST SUNDAY Prayer Ministry (8:45 am) Seekers, Pioneers, Discipleship, Coffee House, Youth SS Classes (9:15 am - 10:10 am) Preschool SS Classes (9:45 am) Morning Worship Service (10:30 am)
SERVING SCHEDULE05.08.16
Worship CoordinatorPatrice Morrison
Deacons (Mother’s Day Only) (Not available at time of publication)
Third Quarter StatementsYour Third Quarter Financial Statements are now available in the Gathering Area.
We ask that you pick them up on Sunday morning or when you are at the church during the week....this saves postage!
If you have a question on your statement, please give Laura a call at the office and she will help!
Your RHCC Stewardship Team
Please pray for the following:
Tamara Banda, daughter of Fred & Teresa BandaPeggy EdwardsArlene KendallKennedy, 2 year old with rare cancerDuane McGormley, Kevin McGormley’s dadJerry Tyson, friend of Mike VisagePeggy, niece of Jeff StricklinJane SlamaMike ProppeGayle LukeLincoln Mancuso Brenda Ledbetter Veronica WebbAlvarado’s granddaughter, Reagan Betty Stork, Lisa Klaus’ mother
BIRTHDAYS &ANNIVERSARIESFOR THE MONTH
OF MAY
BIRTHDAYS:05/14 Cameron Joyner05/05 Melissa Hall05/16 Trish McGormley05/17 Kim Fulk, Elliott Joyner05/18 Wayne Alumbaugh05/23 Sarah Klaus05/29 Tammy Allbright
ANNIVERSARY:05/01 Monty & Terri Williams05/08 Ralph & Mary Gump05/10 Evan & Shay Lawson05/13 Bill & Iris Woodall05/24 Alan & Linda Baker
Choosing What We Read!
I know many in our congregation are devoted readers. The last few weeks I have been trying to get the point across, in my sermons, of it’s importance. The way we grow in our faith is choosing to be faithful and obedient to God. Reading is one area that we can choose. First, we can choose to start reading or reading more of the Bible. In addition, rather than reading a book that is more secular in nature, you can find a book that will point you in the direction of God. There are many good books easily attainable in the Gathering Area and Pastor Paul has many more selections in the office. Remember, “Seek first the Kingdom of God”.
NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
As mentioned Sunday, the new playground equipment is being installed in the courtyard and we are in need of some strong backs to complete the project. Please contact Terri Williams, Jeff Stricklin, or Pastor Paul if you can help. Make time for God and make time for our kids.
CWF Installation BanquetTuesday, May 24 - 6:30 pm
Please mark Tuesday, May 24, 6:30 pm on your calendars for the CWF Installation Banquet. See Pam Runnels or Norma Hopkins for more information. Tickets will be sold on Sundays for $10 each. DEADLINE for ordering tickets is Sunday, May 15.
CHRISTIAN WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIPMay Schedule:
Tuesday, May 1010:30 am - CWF Day Group Meeting
Tuesday, May 179:30 am - CWF Service Day
6:30 pm - CWF Night Group Meeting
Sunday, May 22CWF Executive Board after church
Tuesday, May 249:30 am - CWF Visitation Day
6:30 pm - CWF Installation Banquet
As an alternative to pop or country music, I inviteyou to check out some of the great ChristianStations here in the DFWmetroplex. They rangefrom contemporary to gospel and there are alsomanyBible studystations aswell. This probably isnotinclusive,butitisastart.
Douglas & Melinda Carden, 871 Dora Street, Bedford, TX 76022, (817) 282-8654, joined our church family on Sunday, May 1.
Helping our YouthAs our Youth Ministry begins to get in full swing, especially as we look toward the fall, we will be looking at ways to raise funds for their activities. One thing that they are already doing is selling sodas at meals and other activities here at the church. You can help to provide even more resources if you will donate a 12 pack of soda, that you pick up at the store when they are on special, as you shop. The youth want to help raise funds for the activities they will be involved in, but we should help them anyway we can.
CHECKIT
OUT!!
Leaders and Communication
In the Parlor, just off the Gathering Area, we have established boxes that contain articles and other communication for the leadership team. Basically, every active ministry of the church has a box. Please check your boxes and find out what information has been placed in those boxes for your benefit. Also, in the meeting room in the office is “The Leaders Board”, which is still missing information from a few of our ministries about plans and future plans so we can help one another. As a leader of a ministry, please take a few minutes and help make both of these more useful.
Paint the Youth Room!!!
Sunday, May 22
After worship service on Sunday, May 22, the youth would gladly welcome volunteers to help paint their youth room. Bring your work clothes and help our youth get started on their new room! If you cannot help, monetary donations will be accepted to help pay for the supplies! Thank you for your support!
--Rachel & Leah
Parents Night Out Thank you to all our volunteers and helpers!
We had so much fun!
YOUTH OUTING AT “MAIN EVENT”
THE YOUTH WENT TO “MAIN EVENT” IN FORT WORTH. THEY ENJOYED BOWLING, LASER TAG, AND ARCADE GAMES.
THESE PICTURES TELL IT ALL - OUR YOUTH AND THEIR LEADERS HAD A GREAT TIME!
NEED Center Needs your Help!
The local N.E.E.D. Center needs the following items to replenish their shelves: toilitries, peanut butter/jelly, oatmeal and cereal. Please donate and bring them to our NEED Box in the Gathering Area! Thank you for your blessings!
What a Privilege to Serve! Throughout the year we have many opportunities to serve the Body in different ways. When the Apostle Paul wrote about the church, he described as many parts that are needed to complete the whole body. All of us are needed in order to fulfill the calling of the church to reach the world for Christ. Now, in addition to being part of the body, we need to recognize the privilege it is to serve. The Bible in fact tells us not to do things out of obligation but rather in the joy that can be found in serving. So lets do our part to fulfill our role as part of the Body and do it with thanks and Joy. Together we can do great things in God’s name.
BINION ELEMENTARYSTAFF LUNCHEON
I have contacted Binion Elementary about our twice a year staff luncheon. I haven’t determined a menu, but before I commit I would like to see who is able to help out.
Please call me or email if you have time May 24-26th to help with lunch. I will also place a signup sheet in the Gathering Area as well.
