Thursday, September 2, 2010

Email:  First Baptist Church of Salem, Indiana

Pastor's Perspective

Communion is one of the most important blessings that God has given to man with the exception of Christ himself. It is sad that most preachers will intimidate and so frighten their congregations that they are afraid to partake, for fear of damnation of their souls. He gets you to examine yourself to see if you have any unrepentant sins and are "Holy" enough to partake. This "fear" factor will cause most people to turn off on the whole idea of communion. The truth of the matter is when these so called "men of God" have you examine yourself and your worthiness he actually makes you partake unworthily because your focus has been moved from Christ to yourself, and none of us are worthy to partake outside of the covering of Christ.
The passage they quote is 1 Corinthians, 11:27; "Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord". That sounds pretty scary to me. However the preacher doesn't tell you that the word is not "unworthy", it is "unworthily". Unworthily is an adverb. Adverbs modify the actions not the actors. Paul went on to clarify his statement by stating that they were "not discerning the Lords body". You see he was writing to the Corinthians, who were having their "Agape" or "Love Feast". They were eating, drinking and even getting drunk. The rich were parading around their riches and the poor were shamed at their poverty. They then tacked on Communion at the end, with the people so drunk they couldn't discern the Lord's body or without any serious concern for the meaning behind it. Their manner of partaking was wrong.
God knows the hearts of men, that it is a wicked thing. We can do no good apart from Christ. When we take communion, it should be a joyous occasion, full of Grace and Peace, with our minds and hearts on one thing. Christ and him crucified. If our focus is on Christ at the Communion Table, which is where it should be, there needs to be no fear or intimidation at this table.
Why are there two elements at the Table of the Lord? If sin were the only problem that God is providing for, then only the wine is necessary, because of Christ's shedding of blood and through that alone are we cleansed of sin. But the Bible says that his body was broken for our infirmities, and by his stripes are we healed. The bread aspect of the Communion relates to God's ready provision of healing. He has provided a way for us to claim the promise of healing, physically, mentally, and spiritually, through this Table of the Lord. We all need to be partaking on a regular basis as a proof of our faithfulness to Christ and to do what he has asked us to do "when ye come together". When anyone needs healing from God, a few should get together and by uniting in faith and in the communion, God's healing powers can be released.
This Sunday, we will be taking a look at one of the elements used in Communion. Our scripture focus will be Acts 2:22-24 as we “Remember the Bread”.

In His Service, Steve

Sunday Morning Worship Service, September 5, 10:30 AM (EDT)
Communion Service
Scripture: Acts 2:22-24  Message: Remember the Bread

Persons Responsible for Duties this Week
(As always, if you cannot fulfill your responsibility, arrange for a substitute or call the person in charge.)
Deacon of the Week – Aaron Callaway (883.9359)[Darwin Gilliatt – 883-2088]
Nursery – Shari & Rachel Dalton
Youth Worship Participant – Melanie Adair
Children's Message – Cynthia Phillips
Children’s Church – Chelsey Brewer
ABY Snacks – Kathleen Sarver

The Fire will meet at its regular time from 6:00 to 7:30 PM this Sunday, September 5.

Hot Spot
Reminder! We are collecting children’s school items for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes!
Drop them off at the "The Hot Spot" in the overflow.

At the Quarterly Business Meeting on September 19, the Board of Trustees plans to make a motion that the congregation approve the sale of the large parsonage at 207 East Mulberry Street (northeast corner of College Avenue and Mulberry Street). This idea has been discussed and endorsed by the Council. The motion will recommend that the sale not be based on timeframe, but instead on when an acceptable selling price can be reached. The motion will address how the congregation will ultimately approve the selling price. It will also outline what process will be followed if the parsonage is being rented at the time of sale. Please ponder and pray about this important piece of church business. It will be up to the congregation to decide if selling the parsonage is the proper thing to do. If you have questions or feel you need a particular piece of information to consider this issue, please contact Board of Trustee Chairperson Marvin Hattabaugh, or Moderator Larry Dalton.

Additions to the Church Library for September
Home to Heather Creek Series (continued)
Sunflower Serenade by Tricia Goyer
Second Chances by Leslie Gould
Prayers and Promises by Robert Elmer
Giving Thanks by Kristin Eckhardt
All the above were donated by Monica House. Thanks, Monica!

A BIG THANK goes to librarian Barbara Branaman and assistant Elfriede Brown who have served in the church library for the past two years. Both are resigning from the Church Library Staff. We appreciate your service Barbara and Elfriede!



Birthdays:  August 26 – September 8
August
30 Sharon Albertson

September
4 Evan Gorman
Paula Wathen
5 Judy Matthews
8 Whitney Richardson

Note: If you are aware of any changes to our birthday list, contact the church office.

No meetings scheduled this week!

Quarterly Reports are due by this Sunday, September 5, so they can be made available on Sunday, September 12, for the Quarterly Business Meeting on Sunday, September 19, following the morning worship service.

Church Chuckle
The Diet Club will meet Thursday night at 7:30. Please use the large double door at the side entrance.

Secret Place Is Here!
This quarterly magazine for September is available at the church entrances free of charge.

Bell Tower Repair Donations
are still being received. Be sure to mark your check, envelope, etc. clearly.

Bridal Shower for Kayla Spurgeon
Sunday, September 12, 2 PM
Salem Senior Center
(See announcement on bulletin board.)

If you would like to volunteer
to work in the church library,
contact Steve or the church office.

The Well is returning Wednesday, September 15, meeting each Wednesday thru October 20. The meal will begin at 5:30 PM and end at 6:10 when the class begins. The session (for both youth and adults) concludes at 7 PM when Chancel Choir Rehearsals are scheduled to begin. Donations of $3 per person or $7 per family for the meal would be appreciated. A nursery will be provided.


Did You Know . . .
The Nominating Committee is beginning work on the slate of Officers, Board & Committee Members for 2011. If you would like to serve as a chairperson or board or committee member, please contact Nominating Committee chairperson Tammy Worley as soon as possible.


If you have a prayer request that our Intercessors could pray for, please list it here PRAYER REQUEST

Ongoing Opportunities to Help
Bright Hope Shoe Collection
(Place shoes in box at High Street door.)
Eyeglasses & Hearing Aids Collection
(Place in marked box in ed wing)
Used Printer Cartridges (not Epson)
(Place in marked boxes in foyer or ed wing.)

The Washington County Food Bank always accepts donations of food or money. You may take donations directly to the Food Bank (side door of old jail on Poplar Street) or the church.