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March Newsletter
Robert Louis Stevenson tells of a storm that caught a vessel off a rocky coast
and threatened to drive it and its passengers to certain death on the rocks. In
the midst of the terrifying ordeal, one daring man, contrary to orders, went
topside and braved the danger to make his way to the pilot house. There, he saw
the steerman, confidently at his post and holding the wheel unwaveringly. Inch
by inch, he was slowly turning the ship out to sea once more. The pilot saw the
man watching him and smiled. The brave passenger return below decks and gave
this cheerful assurance: "I have seen the face of the pilot, and he smiled. All
is well."
Often when we are confronted by the difficulties and uncertainties of life, we
fail to remember that the ship is being piloted by the Ancient of Days. It is He
of whom the prophet Jeremiah spoke, “The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:
‘Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;’” (Jeremiah 31:3). It is
precisely because of His everlasting, eternal love that we can be confident He
will be faithful to His many promises for us. Some of these promises are for our
eternity. Jesus said in John 14:1-3, “Let not your heart be troubled; you
believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if
it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I
go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself;
that where I am, there you may be also.” And what will this place be like?
Revelation 21 gives us a glimpse: “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for
the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more
sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven
from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice
from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will
dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and
be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be
no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the
former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I
make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and
faithful.” And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the
Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely
to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his
God and he shall be My son.”
But just as important, some of these promises are concerning this life - the
down and dirty here and now. The Lord has promised that even when we walk
through valleys filled with shadows that seem as dark as death, we have no need
to fear evil or anything else because He is walking with us; wielding His rod
for our protection and His staff for our direction. In this life we can find
rest and peace in those two promises even if there were no others. And if we
place our faith in Him, trusting in His faithfulness, then it will be said of us
as it was said of Abraham in Romans 1:18-22,
“Who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many
nations, according to what was spoken, ‘So shall your descendants be.’ And not
being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he
was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not
waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith,
giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was
also able to perform. And therefore ‘it was accounted to him for
righteousness.’”
In His service,
Ed
MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC
How wonderful! On Sunday, March 11th during the 10:30 a.m. Worship
Service The Fresta Valley Student Choir and Orchestra will fill the sanctuary
with music and song! Then, on Sunday, March 25th - our children’s choir will
present their Easter Cantata. The Adult Easter Cantata will be held on Palm
Sunday, April 1ST. Both Cantatas will be held at 10:30 a.m. We look forward to
seeing you!
AWANA
March is a crazy time in AWANA! The 11th is Crazy Hair Night and the
18th is Crazy Sock and Shoe Night. These are always fun. I hope everyone enjoyed
Movie Night for Families, especially the movie “COURAGEOUS!” As part of our
ministry at Amissville Baptist Church, we hope we can help your family grow
closer to the Lord. If you enjoyed this even, make sure someone knows so we’ll
know if we should do it again.
We’re approaching the end of another AWANA year. Encourage your friends and
families to get their little ones to AWANA. We can accomplish much for The
Kingdom of God when we work to store God’s Word in the hearts of our young.
Recently, I was studying about the Jewish home-life during the period just
before Christ. The man of the house was required to teach his son a trade, the
Jewish traditions, how to be a good husband and father, and to understand
doctrine and memorize the scriptures. The father that neglected these
responsibilities was attributed with teaching his son to be a thief. The child
would lack basic skills that would make him a good citizen, a Godly man and a
Godly father. Where do we stand today? Let’s hope we can say as Joshua did,
“Choose this day...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua
24:15). Come - join us for AWANA, ensure your children have the tools they need
to be successful in life. Also, let us know if you want to help.
Commander Wes
MISSIONS WHATEVER IT TAKES!
Southern Baptist Missionaries are willing and determined to do whatever it
takes to bring people to Jesus. They need our prayers, support and commitment.
There are more than 259 million lost people in North America. Our Annie
Armstrong Offering helps to fulfill the Great Commission. The Annie Armstrong
Easter Offering is a statement by all Baptists around North America that “we” is
stronger than “me.” Together we will make a combined impact far greater than any
of us or our individual churches could do alone. Our goal this year is $2,900.
The Week of Prayer for North American Missions is March 4-11.
Ladies, we are encouraging you to attend a one-day conference in Stafford, VA on
March 10 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. entitled, The Titus 2 Model - Women of all Ages;
Mentoring Women of all Ages. The cost is $30 and includes a continental
breakfast snack, boxed lunch and a devotional booklet.
Are you interested in being a summer missionary? Plans are underway for a
mission trip the week of July 21-28. If you are 15-years old or older and
interested in going - please contact Pastor Taylor, Cheryl Brown, Marsha Holmes
or Rick Nawrocki. You will surely be blessed if you serve in this ministry.
In March, we will collect goodies for Easter Baskets for Vint Hill Transitional
Housing and Fauquier Women’s Shelter. A detailed sign-up sheet is posted on the
bulletin board.
Serving with you in missions,
Cheryl
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
This year’s VBS - Amazing Wonders Aviation - will be held June 25-29! As always,
early registration is appreciated and we need lots of volunteers! If you can
help, please contact the church and/or add your name to the sign-up sheet posted
in the vestibule. Also, please indicate what size VBS T-shirt you want on the
sign-up sheet posted. The cost is $5.00 and the shirts are for teachers, workers
and assistants only. See lives changed as kids tour some of the world’s most
marvelous natural wonders and encounter God like never before. Our Lord is
great, vast in power; His understanding is infinite. Psalm 127:5 (HCSB)
Eva Payne & Deborah Taylor
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