Layne Smith. God s Groan Over Dallas

Transcription

1 God s Groan Over Dallas Harry, Tim, and I attended a clergy caucus luncheon meeting of the Dallas Area Interfaith. I was stunned to learn that an analysis by the respected Urban Institute concluded that neighborhood inequality is greater in Dallas than anywhere else in the country (see a Dallas Morning News editorial published July 12, 2015). That reminded me that the Apostle Paul was being accused of caring for and loving people not like us. Those people not like us include the vast majority of the population, doesn t it? Think about it. It s far easier to ignore, not like, and think less of others who are different from us. In this case, though, it was the Gentiles you and me. As I once heard Fred Craddock say when speaking of the 9 th chapter of Romans, Paul had heard the groan of God over Rome. Paul understood the care of God for ALL, not just those like you and me! Have you heard the groan of God over Dallas? If so, what have you heard? What have you heard in God s groan that calls you to invest yourself in caring and loving for those who are different from you and me? I m speaking of genuine care, not a paternalistic, oppressive inauthentic care that really is an expression of ones belief that: I m better than you, holier than you, kinder than you, smarter than you, wealthier than you, more educated than you, but I ll lower myself to care for you. George Elliott, in one of her books wrote: McCarthy died today. He would have given his life for people who wouldn t give him the time of day. Jesus heard God s groan over creation and gave his life. Have you heard it? If so, how will you respond? If you haven t heard God s groan over Dallas, what are you willing to do to begin identifying, listening to and for it, and responding redemptively to it? Layne Smith Youth Believing in Change Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Celebrating their New Classrooms. Thursday, September 10, :00 11:00 am 8574 Stults Road Dallas TX RSVP to baptiste@ybcdallas.org or by September 3. The next issues of The Mosaic are scheduled for September 2 & 16, The deadline for submissions will be 5:00 p.m. Tuesday prior to the date of publication.

2 Coming Events Sunday August 23 Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost 9:30 am Donuts, Coffee/Juice Family Hall 9:45 am Christian Education Christian Education Classrooms 9:45 am Sunday Serendipity with Jaime Clark-Soles Family Hall 10:55 am Morning Worship Sanctuary 12:15 pm Meet the Artist, Michael Archer & Poet, Laurie Coker Box-Hawkins Gallery 12:30 pm Transition Team Meeting Library Wednesday August 26 5:30 pm Youth Supper & Study Youth Basement 5:30 pm Family Supper Lasagna, Caesar Salad, Garlic Bread, Sherbet Family Hall 5:30 pm Wacky Wednesday Pool Party Home of Janina Washington 6:15 pm Midweek Service Bible Study with Layne Smith Family Hall 7:15 pm Adult Choir Rehearsal Sanctuary Friday August 28 6:00 pm Youth Movie Night Youth Center Sunday August 30 Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost 9:30 am Donuts, Coffee/Juice Family Hall 9:45 am Christian Education Christian Education Classrooms 10:55 am Morning Worship Installation of Laura Keller, Tim Schaefer & Layne Smith Sanctuary 12:15 pm Youth Lunch after Worship Meet in Youth Center 12:30 pm Transition Team Meeting Library Wednesday September 2 Mosaic 5:30 pm Youth Supper & Study Youth Basement 5:30 pm Family Supper Baked Potato Bar, Salad, Brownies with Ice Cream Family Hall 6:15 pm Children s Choir/Missions Children s Building 6:15 pm Midweek Service Bible Study with Layne Smith Family Hall 7:15 pm Adult Choir Rehearsal Sanctuary The deadline for the order of service, the Midweek, and the Mosaic is Tuesday, 5:00 p.m. prior to publication. Like RLBC on Facebook or Follow RLBC on Twitter Attention Abundant Lifers: Mark your calendars for Friday, Sept. 18, at 2 p.m. when we shall head out en masse (hopefully) to enjoy a matinee production of The ALL NEW 2015 SPECTACULAR SENIOR FOLLIES, at the Eisemann Center in Richardson. This is a musical review featuring song and dance classics from the 1950 s, 60 s and 70 s, performed by, I m told, SENIORS. What an inspiration - and how appropriate! Find more information at: As the result of skillful negotiations we have been able to secure a group (meaning we MUST have at least 10 participants, but can accommodate up to 20) price of $25/person. However, in order for this to work we MUST know of your intention to participate ( or phone Bruce Luedke at: luedkeb@aol.com OR ) by Sept. 1, but preferably sooner. Let's have a good turnout for this first of our fall events. Tell a friend! The Gathering Sunday, September 6, 2015 Sunday, September 6, is designated as the day of the month to bring food items for the North Dallas Shared Ministry. Can t bring contributions on Sunday? Bring them any time and place in the basket in Family Hall or in the Mission Collection Room. There is a great need for disposable diapers for young families. Please add this item to your shopping list.

3 Take a Trip Down Memory Lane The Transition Team already needs your help. Our first focus area is HERITAGE. This means we ll be going down memory lane. Please be thinking about our Top Milestone Moments in Royal Lane Baptist Church History and send them to the Transition Team. You may do this by (transitionteam@royallane.org) or by writing it down and giving it to any of the team members. (See form below.) Send your milestone memories by September 9 as we ll be featuring some of these at the first event on Sunday, September 13th RLBC s New Organ is MOVING IN! August 10, 2015 The first pipes were put in place. August 12, 2015

4 Prayer Requests: John Benton, husband of Laura Benton Jim Bryant, father of Scott Bryant The Family of Sarah Dews on her death Joan and Charles Engelman, friends of Margaret Darden Bobby Greer, father of Jonathan Greer Susie Jaynes, mother of Jan Quesada Jesse & Jeanette Phillips, friends of Mike Jones Reedy Spigner Jr, son of Denise Turnbull s boss, Reedy Spigner Kristine Stine s father Ron Washington Jordan Weilage s aunt, Josephine; friends, Marla Wells; Ann Gant; Ron; Keyvan; Bre a; Darron and grandfather; Charlie and granddaughter, Jordan Please continue to pray for: Amber Bill, niece of Donna Ledgerwood and niece s husband, Seth Bill; Jerome Collins, friend of Mike Hurder; Reed & Mary Sue Hoover, friends of Steve & Martha Box; Thomas Jarvis, brother of Martha Box; Terry & Karen Simmons, Doug Page, brother-in-law of Laurie Page; Jordan Weilage Remember the homebound: Nadine Francis; Lydia Kandol; Faye Laney; Nell Markle; Dorothy Miller; Norman Morris; Libba Studdard Thank you... Did you know... That there are many ways to make a contribution to Royal Lane Baptist Church? Of course, for those who still write checks or prefer cash donations, you can always place your contribution in the offering plate during our worship service on Sunday morning. However, you may also contribute in either of the following ways: Set up an automatic contribution thru your bank or credit union via bill pay. Call Janet Schultz ( , extension 11) in the church office and give her your credit card number and the amount you wish to donate. You can set this up for a specific amount and frequency you wish to make your donation or as a one-time contribution.

5 Deacons of the Week August 23 Joey Belgard [214] Adam Simmons [214] August 30 Jim McLean [972] Bettie Meachum [214] Midweek Service 6:15 p.m. Wednesday August 26 & September 2 in Family Hall Bible Study with Layne Smith Join us for a Fellowship Meal at 5:30 pm. In the Box-Hawkins Gallery Michael Archer July 31 thru September 25 Meet the Artist & Poet, Sunday, August 23 Watercolor, with poetry of Laurie Coker Gallery open by appointment 10-4, weekdays, 10-5 Wednesdays To change mail or preferences for The Mosaic, contact Barbara Merry, , ext. 10 or bmerry@royallane.org. Scriptures of the Week August 23 1 Kings 8:22-30, Psalm 84 Ephesians 6:10-20 John 6:56-69 August 30 Song of Songs 2:8-13 Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9 James 1:17-27 Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, Midweek Menu Wednesday, August 26 Lasagna, Caesar Salad, Garlic Bread, Sherbet Wednesday, September 2 Baked Potato Bar, Salad, Brownies with Ice Cream Happy Birthday! August Brandon Green Doug Washington Shannon Simmons Miranda Grant Robbye Foster Summerlin Northrup Garrett Vickrey Wilson Griffing Tex Quesada Anna Lou Brown Thad Clark-Soles Matthew Maddox Kathy Mizell September Donna Krieger... 1 Jennifer Hammett... 2

6 Royal Lane Baptist Church 6707 Royal Lane Dallas, Texas The Mosaic is published bi-monthly. Royal Lane Baptist Church 6707 Royal Lane Office Hours: Dallas, TX Monday - Friday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Wednesday Midweek: 6:15 pm Office: [214] Sunday School: 9:45 am Fax: [214] Sunday Worship: 10:55 am Rosa Barrientos, Housekeeping Laura Benton, Pianist Michael Hurder, Facilities Manager Laura Keller, Minister to Children Barbara Merry, Administrative Assistant Samuel Quesada, Video Technician Danny Wesley Ray, Organist Tim Schaefer, Minister to Youth Janet Schultz, Administrative Assistant Layne Smith, Intentional Interim Minister Blake Vickrey, Sound Technician Ray Vickrey, Pastor Emeritus Harry Wooten, Minister of Music and Worship