From the Pastor's Pen...

"A Sharp Contrast At The Cemetery"

      A Ministry of Grace Baptist Church
      Most of you reading this article have made that dreadful trip to a cemetery. It could have been when a beloved family member, close friend or even a slight acquaintance died. We join others sitting or standing around the gravesite and listen respectfully while the minister commits the body to the earth and reads Bible verses about the resurrection.
      After a prayer of committal, the casket is lowered into the ground. We may return later to leave some flowers and stand with heads bowed in memory and respect. This is for our benefits only as our loved one or friend is dead and we know we can never bring that person back.
      When Jesus visited the cemetery in Bethany, it was in sharp contrast. His friend Lazarus had died and, when Jesus got to the tomb, He exercised His power and authority over death. He commanded: "Take away the stone!" in John 11:39. In verse 43, He said, "Lazarus, come forth!" Verse 44 says, "Loose him and let him go."
      We might wish with all our hearts that we could bring a loved one back but if we were to give those same commands, nothing would happen. But Jesus had the ability and power for He is "the resurrection and the life." His power was demonstrated so beautifully when Lazarus, who had been dead for 4 days, came out of the tomb - alive and well!
      One day Jesus will again be "at the cemetery." And when He gives the command, all the dead who believed in Him will "come forth." I Thessalonians 4:16 says it so clearly, "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God, and the DEAD IN CHRIST SHALL RISE FIRST."
      The question that Jesus asked Martha prior to Lazarus being from the dead was, "Believest thou this?" Let that same question sink into your heart for a moment. Do you believe that a carpenter's son is larger than death? Do you truly believe that death is nothing more than an entrance ramp to a new highway, a door that opens to heaven, the dwelling place of God? Jesus' words to Martha were: "I am the resurrection and the life, He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die."
      We who believe in Jesus Christ are able to say to the world, "Because He is risen, because He is alive, we too shall live!"
     
      Pastor Kuns

Pastor Paul's Paragraphs

      "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." II Pet. 3:18a
      I love to see my children grow (Ha! They are not children anymore!) I love to watch them make choices and realize the choices they make indicate their growth and maturity. As a father I find myself very thankful for these two special gifts with which God has blessed Joyce and me. What a joy to see them choosing to love the Lord and desiring to serve Him. No , I do not make any claim to perfection with our kids, but both Joyce and I are ever so thankful for a family that has learned to laugh, listen and love together.
      I love to watch people in the family of God grow, too. I love to witness the transforming power of God's Holy Spirit at work in a life. I am privileged at times to be part in the lives of individuals who struggle and stretch as they apply God's Word to their lives and then reap the benefits of a lifestyle that seeks God. I love to watch as people both heal and grow because of their exposure to God's Word and God's people. That is what we are all about here at Grace: growing together "in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
      One of the new tools we are developing that further helps to accomplish personal and ministry growth is our new M.I.T. (Ministry Involvement Training) program. Your comments and evaluations reflect my own excitement for this program even as we are still in the developing stages. In its present form, M.I.T. reflects three tracks: Personal Growth (Who You Are), Personal Ministry (What You Do) and Biblical Knowledge (What You Know). Each of these three tracks will be expanded to include relevant topics with the goal of "growing together." Watch the bulletin and listen for announcements concerning further details. Our next scheduled M.I.T. is Sunday night, April 25. Child care is provided. Consider this your personal invitation to be there - this is a fantastic opportunity for growth.
      Here are a few of your comments about our first M.I.T. session:
     

"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." II Pet. 3:18a
     
      Pastor Paul

Kids Korner with Pastor Greg

      Questions. Anyone working with children had better be prepared for questions. It is true for parents and children's ministry workers alike. "Why is the sky blue?" "Why is grass green?" "Where do babies come from?" Yikes!
      I have a book in my library entitled, 801 Questions Kids Ask About God (with answers from the Bible), published by Focus on the Family. What a tremendous resource! "Why do we go to church if God is everywhere?" "How do we know God is answering our prayer?" "Why did God make Satan if God knew Satan would make sin?" Yikes!
      Answering questions is a big part of children's ministry. When I look into the Bible at the many questions that have been asked down through the centuries, there is one that has always drawn and kept my attention. It is found in Luke 24:5. When some women came to the tomb where Jesus had been laid following His crucifixion, they were "greatly perplexed" to find that His body was gone. At this point, 2 "men in shining garments asked this question: "Why do you seek the living among the dead?" Wow! What a question! And their follow-up? "He is not here, but is risen!" Hallelujah for the risen Savior, Jesus Christ!
      In I Peter 3:15, the Bible instructs us to "be ready to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear" (KJV). I am reminded and challenged to be READY to give an ANSWER to those who have QUESTIONS about what Jesus has done in my life. What hope do we have? That Jesus is no longer in the grave! He has risen from the dead and He is alive in my life! That is what we celebrate during this Easter season!
      Questions. From the silly to the serious, they are all around us. What answers are we prepared to give? May children and adults alike see the difference the Lord has made in our lives. And when asked the question, may our answer always be...JESUS!
     
      Pastor Greg

Easter Sunday Schedule

Sunday, April 11

9:15 AM - Sunday School classes for all ages

10:30-Noon - Easter service featuring special music, readings and a message from Pastor Kuns

Ladies Break-Away

Freedom Rings
"Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free."
John 8:32

Saturday, May 15, 2004
     8:45 AM - 4:00 PM
Grace Baptist Church

Missionary Visit on Sunday, April 18

Darlene Hull - ABWE Missionary to Peru

Darlene will be speaking to the Ladies Sunday School class, giving a short report in the Morning Service, teaching Children's Church, and then giving a more detailed report in the Evening Service.

Ken & Julie Vaughan - CBM Missionaries to the Ivory Coast

Ken will be speaking to the combined Adult Sunday School classes & bringing the message in the Morning Service. Julie will be teaching the Teen Sunday School class. This will be their last meeting before returning to the Ivory Coast.