April 1, 2024 “Serving Sharing Sending”
From the Pastor
In January of 2001, President Bill Clinton left the White House after two four year terms. James Fallows interviewed the former president for The Atlantic Monthly. The title of the article was “Post-President for Life.” In the article, Fallows wrote about what he called “the aftereffects” of the presidency.
Aftereffects are the “now what” that follows anything. Here are some examples. You have finished your degree. Now what? You have finished medical school Now what? You get the job. Now what? Some of your tests came back negative. Now what? You are retired. Now what? Easter is over. Now what?
What are Easter’s aftereffects? The answer is found in our Scripture reading. (Acts 1:1-11) The first Easter aftereffect is a warning from Jesus. The disciples were focused on the restoration of the Kingdom of Israel and the time it would take place. The restoration of the Kingdom of Israel was not in God’s purpose when it came to Jesus’ death. There is only one kingdom. That kingdom is the Kingdom of God.
Our temptation today and everyday is to build our own kingdoms. They may be institutional kingdoms or personal kingdoms. They may be kingdoms of control or kingdoms of might or influence. However, there is only one kingdom, That kingdom is the Kingdom of God. “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by His own authority.”
The second Easter aftereffect is our need of the Holy Spirit. In the Upper Room, Jesus gave the promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit to the believers. That promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. Before his ascension, Jesus promised the believers the gift of power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live Christian lives. The Holy Spirit guides us into all the truth. The Holy Spirit gives us hope and purpose.
The older I become, the more thankful I am for those who have had a good influence on my life: parents, mentors, friends, and a loving church family. At a much higher level, the Holy Spirit works in our lives. Through the Holy Spirit, God mentors us. Through the Holy Spirit, God brings out the best in us. Through the Holy Spirit, God inspires us to be all He made us to be in Jesus.
The third Easter aftereffect is to be a bold witness for Jesus. The believers were to tell the story of Jesus. They were to tell others of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. They were to tell it in the city of Jerusalem. They were to tell it beyond the city. They were to tell it all around the world.
We are to tell the story of Jesus. The story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection is to be on our lips and in our lives. When an opportunity presents itself to us to tell the story, we should be ready. Let us be bold witnesses.
Tim
MELANIE’S MUSIC NOTES
A BELATED THANK YOU TO THE ADBC LADIES who sang in the combined ladies’ choir on WMU Focus Sunday in February. You all sounded beautiful, and I really appreciate the good participation from ADBC and GGCF! Thank you!
Melanie
CHILDREN’S NEWS
Thank you so very much for your Easter candy donations. We had a great assortment of candy, and the children had so much fun gathering the eggs and finding the treats.
As I mentioned in the March article, the children made a leather and bead bracelet to mark the events of the true Easter story. The bracelets were a huge hit! They will be tangible reminders that Jesus loved us so much that he died for our sins, but then He arose and He lives forever more.
I am grateful for our ADBC volunteers. They did an amazing job! Please know that we could not have had this event without their help.
Thank you for your prayers and thank you to those that invited the little ones!
Jeanne
During the month of April we will be collecting items for the Baptist Children’s Homes Food Roundup. This is an opportunity for us to help restock the pantries of the Children’s Homes across North Carolina. A lot of the children who come to BCH have experienced poor nutrition. We can help give them a sense of security by filling the shelves and pantries in their group homes. There will be a container in the foyer for your donations and a list of needed items in the bulletin on April 7. Please make sure food expiration dates are as far off as possible. As well as the items listed, gift cards to Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Food Lion, Lowes, Ingles, and Piggly Wiggly will be very much appreciated. If you choose to donate a gift card, you can give it to Bobbie White.
BABY SHOWER: Please join us for a baby shower honoring Michael and Sarah on Sunday, April 14, 2:00-4:00 P.M. at the fellowship building. They are registered at Target and Amazon. We look forward to seeing you there.
Bobbie
Your donations are due by Sunday, April 28, 2024. Thank you for participating in this ministry. Our church collected $1710 for the Heck-Jones offering in February. Thank you for your generosity.
5 Dot Gregory
9 Kade Jacobs
12 O’Dell Bass
15 Erin Elmore
16 Bob Skillman
Vicky Cross
Riley Warrick
17 Katherine Brigman
24 Casey Curry
25 Mildred Thomas
29 Evie Needham
6 John and Helen Cox (1985)
10 Beth and Charles Salmon (1999)
13 Steve and Robin Borisuk (1991)
16 Truman and Debbie Carroll (1978)
17 Steve and Jen Bass (2004)
17 Jennifer and Josh Needham (2010)
24 Bob and Pam Skillman (1981)
24 Doug and Robynn Smith (1982)
PRAYER CONCERNS
OUR CHURCH FAMILY: Mary Jane Campbell, Doug Smith, Curtis Clark, Louis Keith, Spike Burton, Freeman Wilder, Dianne Patti, Joanne & Holland Gibson, Martha Kaidouh, Lois Jones, Bill Bielby, Becky & Bill Hedspeth, Vicky Cross, Steve & Beverly Mabe, Calvin Clayton, Margaret Gaines, Krystee & Casey Curry, Judy & Dan Israel, Nagra Aftab, Mollie Craver, Nathan Israel, Barbara Fraser
OUR CHURCH FAMILY LOVE AND SYMPATHY: Cam & Meghan (Bittle) Parker & family (Doug Smith), Donna Chappell & family, Melanie Allen & family, Bev Hill & family, Jeff Hockaday & family, Dot Ashcraft’s family, Jeanne Howell & family, Judy Israel & family
OUR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES: Jeff Gibby (Tim Howell), Matthew Clayton (Gail & Calvin Clayton), Gary Mabe (Steve Mabe), Anna Carter (Tim Howell), Robert Stanifer (Tim Howell), Ray & Ann Adcock (Vena Hendricks), Cam and Meghan (Bittle) Parker & family (Doug Smith), Stan & Carolyn Bittle (Doug Smith), Judy Smith (Freeman Wilder), Ricky Hedspeth (Vena Hendricks), Crystal Bielby & family (Bill & Dawn Bielby) James & Jean Adkins’ family (Jeanne Howell), Page Billingsley (Holland Gibson), Lisa DeWitt (Chris DeWitt), Ronald King (Ann King-Hendrix), Kay Hinshaw (Margaret Gaines), Penny Cox (Margaret Gaines), Dickie Moore (Margaret Gaines), Cindy Wilder & family (Freeman Wilder), Tammy Roberson (Doug Smith), Glenda Schanbacher (Dan Israel), Chris & Cyndi Carver (Boyd Miller), Jessie Gardner (Helen Cox), Estelle Battle (Dan Israel), Nick Kaidouh (Martha Kaidouh), Ken Barney (Vena Hendricks), David & Mary Jane Caudle (Lois Jones), Joni Israel (Dan & Judy Israel), Gary Schaffer (Boyd Miller), Bethany Walker & family (Helen Cox), Patty Ricks (Judy Israel), Rhoda Martin (Gil Martin), Matt Watkins (Megan Watkins Kirschmeier)
OUR SHUT-INS AND NURSING HOME RESIDENTS:
Judy Israel, Brighton Gardens, 3101 Duraleigh Road, Room 164,
Raleigh, NC 27612 Phone Number: 919-571-1123
Nelli Pearce, Gabriel Manor Assisted Living, 84 Johnson Road,
Clayton, NC 27520