R o l e s v i l l e B a p t i s t C h u r c h 2 0 3 E. Y o u n g S t. P O B o x 1 8 5 R o l e s v i l l e, N C 2 7 5 7 1 The Reflector April 2017 PASTOR S POINTS by Dr. Randy C. Bridges Dear Church Members, Easter, unfortunately, has become almost as commercial as Christmas. Whereas, the Easter bunny, Easter egg hunts, and various candies are associated with Easter, we have to be careful not to focus on the secular events to the exclusion of the spiritual significance of Easter. Easter has taken on that commercial dimension that may divert our attention from what truly is important. But make no mistake; Easter makes strong theological and philosophical assertions. We are able to see a meaningful life here and eternal life for all believers. Easter should be an optimistic and celebrative day for all Christians. Easter has such an uplifting and hopeful message. The pain and agony of death that Christ experienced did not end there. The followers of Christ felt defeated and disillusioned as Christ went to the cross. On the third day it was all turned around and Christ left the tomb fully alive. In the spring of the year we celebrate a wonderful occasion each year, Easter, the resurrection of Christ. Our church will celebrate this time of the year with a Maundy Thursday service. We will also gather at the church cemetery for an Easter sunrise service. We will have worship at 8:25 and 10:30 as usual on Easter Sunday. Whatever else Easter may mean to you, I certainly hope it is a day that brings life, hope, and a day to experience deep joy. With the upcoming activities offered this month in our church, make sure that you relish this time of year and appreciate the faith we have in Jesus Christ. In His Love, Randy Bridges Inside this issue: Youth 2 Givers of Time & Talents 3 April Calendar 4 Weekly Schedule 4 Special points of interest: Wednesday Night Meals pg 4 Operation Inasmuch pg 4 Jeff s Jots pg 5 Vacation Bible School pg 5 Children 5
Stay in touch with the RBC Children & Youth Ministries Rev. Leah Reed, Minister of Children & Youth office: 919-556-3654 x 23 email: lreed@rolesvillebaptist.org Youth Website: www.rolesvillebaptistyouth.org Church Family, I just wanted to take an opportunity to say thank you, for such an incredible DNOW weekend, March 17-19. This annual in-house retreat is one of the highlights of our year in youth ministry. We fill the weekend with worship, small group Bible studies, lots of fellowship, and then focus our day on Saturday around a service project. This year, we were able to host a Stop Hunger Now meal packaging event, packing 10,125 meals to end hunger across the world. We learned that our meals were going to orphanages and schools in Haiti and Mozambique to feed children that otherwise would not get a regular meal. One small package filled with rice, soy, and dehydrated vegetables would be enough for 6 meals for these children. We are so thankful for all of the financial support that this church family offered, allowing us the opportunity to pack these meals. I am completely beaming with pride and joy over these students, and their hearts for helping others. Our theme for the weekend was Unashamed, and we talked about what it means to be proud of who God created you to be, who Jesus is in your life, and what God may be calling you to do right now. DNOW would not have been possible without the multitude of volunteers that rallied around every aspect of the weekend. Thank you to Lisa Atkinson, for all of your hard work in organizing and cooking each of our meals. Also, thank you to the cooking teams that helped Lisa in the kitchen - Ashley Pulley, Christie Pearce, Hollie & John Willis, Angela & Danny McDaniel, Dana Jones, Logan Pearson, and Mike & Kathy Moss. Each small group stayed in a host home from our congregation for the weekend, and we are so grateful for their hospitality - Todd & Christy Warrick, John & Theresa Matula, Mike & Courtney Selna, Eric & Jennie Gupton, Franz & Stephanie Propst, and Tony & Connie Lawhorn. For each small group, there is a whole host of drivers that take them to and from church for the weekend, a big thank you to - Jane Reeves, Michael & Shannon Moody, Eddie & Mandi Keith, Liz Baker, Cyndi Harrington, Todd & Christy Warrick, Hollie Willis, Matt Britt, and Jerry Pearce. Our college & young adult Bible study leaders lead small groups all weekend and stayed in the host homes with our students, thank you to Trae & Jewel Bremer, Daniel Parker, Andrew Hadley, Kristan Garret, and Kayla Lyon for all your hard work over the weekend! Our beautiful t-shirts were designed by the incredibly talented Ellen Holding, and were printed by Scott & Beverly Pulley! One last heart-felt thank you to Matt Britt, who showed up all weekend to photograph and cut up with our students! I was incredibly proud of the way our students lead worship on Youth Sunday. It is no small thing to stand up in front of your church family for any part of the service, and I know they would appreciate your encouragement and affirmation on their ability to lead well. It takes the entire church to pull this off, and I m overwhelmed with gratitude for each and every one of you. Thank you for giving so much of yourselves to make this an incredible weekend for our students! Grace and peace, DNOW long sleeved t-shirts If you would like to purchase a gray & turquoise DNOW t-shirt, we have sizes ranging from S-XL! They are $15 and can be purchased from Leah in the church office. Kure Beach Spring Retreat: April 7-9 All current 6-12th graders are invited to join us April 79th for our annual Kure Beach Spring Retreat! We stay at the Agape Kure Beach Retreat center, located right on the beach. It's a weekend filled with lots of beach time, devotions, and fellowship. Our theme for the weekend is You are enough. We ll be talking about how easy it is to feel like we are not enough in today s world, but how God reminds us time and time again that we are treasured and valued beyond measure. As always, youth are encouraged to bring friends for this fun-filled weekend! The cost is $100, and sign-up/ money is due Wednesday, March 29th. Important April Dates: 2 - YNL: Lenten Creative Worship 5 - YOM: Cemetery Cleanup 7-9: Kure Beach Spring Retreat 9 - No YNL 12 - Spring Break: No Wednesday night activities 16 - Easter, No YNL 19 - YOM: Kindness Bags 23 - YNL: Keep Talking Psalm 10 26 - YOM: Car Wash 30 - YNL Topic: Habits of Hang Time Psalm 119:9, 11 Leah 2
February 2017 Financial Information Contributions/Disbursements General: $ 41,921.80 Receipts $ 40,988.02 Disbursements Building Fund: $ 9,511.00 Receipts $ - 0 - Disbursements Other Receipts NC Retirement Homes: $965 Backpack Buddies: $275 Memorials Given Bobby Bartholomew Luna Marshall B.W. Neville Mike Neville Mr. & Mrs. Clarence J. Watkins Mr. & Mrs. Joseph P. Watkins Mary J. Watkins We Express Sympathies To the Families of: Polly Hemphill (Beth Broadway s mother) ChurchNet 569-0020 Hours of Operation: Tuesday 9:00-11:30 am Thursday 12:30-3:00 pm Tri-Area Ministry: Peanut Butter Jelly Hours of Operation Monday and Wednesday 9:00 am 12:30 pm N.E.W. Backpack Buddies Needs Single Serve Mac & Cheese 15oz Lg Can Meals (Ex. Pasta Meals, Beef Stew, etc.) Givers of Time & Talents Church members enjoy and appreciate those who honor and remember their loved ones by placing flowers on the Sunday service altar table or by contributing financially to specific needs. Many Sundays are open for scheduling your selection. If you would like to reserve a date, please call Jane Fowler as soon as possible at 556-5911. Thanking you in advance for making our sanctuary more welcoming. Jane Fowler Altar Flowers: 2 Communion 9 OPEN (Floral Committee) 16 OPEN (Floral Committee) 23 OPEN 30 Howard Brown FLC Credenza Flowers: Floral Committee Sanctuary Vestibule Flowers: Floral Committee Morning Glory Greeters/Ushers: Russ Chitwood Tommy Joyner Lynn Averette Nursery Workers 10:30 Worship Service If you would be interested in serving one Sunday, contact Barbara Timmons 919-556-6309 10:30 Worship Service Ushers: Team Leaders: Stacy Pearce Cameron Currin Graham Pearce James Reeves Jordan Reeves Sunday School Greeters: (2) Ruth Pearce (3) LaFon Pearce (4) Marilyn Howard Deacon of the Week: Mar 27 Apr 2 Apr 3 Apr 9 Carlyle Woodlief Vickie Baker Apr 10 Apr 16 Robert W. Jones Apr 17 Apr 23 Becky Keith Apr 24 Apr 30 Tim Lyon 3
April Calendar of Events April Weekly Schedule April 5 Faye Gay Fried Chicken, Corn Pudding, String Beans April 12 No Meal Traditional Schools Spring Break April 19 Terry Pearce Grilled Chicken Sandwiches, Fruit, Chips April 26 Betty Abernethy Fried Chicken, Corn & Butterbeans, Potato Salad 4
June 18-22 5:45-8:00 pm Ages 3 years old - 8th grade We are very excited about our "Have U Seen?" Vacation Bible School this year. VBS is open to children ages 3 through those who have completed 8th grade. Please note preschool age children must be potty trained. This week is promised to be packed full of fun! Have U Seen? is a Scripturedriven and interactive approach to Vacation Bible School that introduces children to the many ways God speaks to all of us. Instead of being driven by a loose theme, Have U Seen? helps children engage Scripture in a way that is holistic and life-changing. Each activity and experience can be used to help children grow in a loving relationship with God as they learn about experiences in Jesus life. Please wear tennis shoes for recreational activities! Also, volunteers are needed to lead each zone, walk different age groups to their zones, someone to decorate, greeters etc. There is a place for everyone all ages to help! Students in grades 9-12 are encouraged to help with VBS! If you have any questions, email Christy Warrick at chwarrick@nc.rr.com or call 919-971-9065. REGISTER EARLY FOR VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL TO GET YOUR T-SHIRT BEFORE VBS STARTS!! Volunteer Signup Register a Student Jeff s Jots I am thankful to our youth for their excellent worship leadership on youth Sunday. Leah and Trae are to be commended for their work in preparing our teenagers. There are a number of special worship events happening this month: April 2 Music Makers Choir sings in both worship services April 9 Palm/Passion Sunday with children waving palms April 13 Maundy Thursday service a moving service of worship commemorating Jesus last days on earth and the institution of communion April 16 Sunrise service at the RBC Cemetery Easter Worship at 8:25 and 10:30 Even though pretty weather can be a temptation, I hope you will make worship attendance a priority. Worship is what strengthens us as the body of Christ and prepares us to be salt and light in our world! Worship informs us as to our place in God s story, while compelling us to tell of our own experiences as beneficiaries of God s unending love, mercy, grace, and compassion. May the grace of God be yours as you prepare to meet the Risen Christ! Blessings, Jeff PASSPORTkids! - July 3-6th Montreat Conference Center, Black Mountain NC All children who have completed 3-6th grade are invited to join us for Passport Kids, this summer in the mountains of NC! This is a 4 day, 3 night camp filled with fun faith building programming and hands on mission education. A $75 non-refundable deposit is due as soon as possible, to save your child s spot on the trip! The total cost is $250 ($175 after the deposit). Contact Leah to sign up! Wednesday Evening Activities for Children Children s Choirs meet from 6:30 until 7:00 pm. Mission Friends, GA s, and RA s meet from 7:05 until 7:45 pm. Please note that Children s Choirs and Children s Mission Groups will not meet on Wednesday, April 12 due to spring break week. These groups will meet on April 5, 19, and 26. 5