Thanks to everyone who participated in the Holy Week events this year. Your encouraging comments have  lifted my soul! According to the Christian calendar, we are now in the Easter Season. The cross in front of the church building will remain in place for 50 days with the white drape leading us to Pentecost Sunday when we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit and the sudden growth of the church from about 120 dedicated followers to over 3000 new believers!

Do Baptists really follow the Christian calendar? Perhaps we do not follow it as strictly as our more liturgical brethren, but it does offer great opportunities to remember and reaffirm God's powerful movements in his loving relationship with humanity. The two major holidays are Christmas and Easter and the rest of the church year is built around those two events. When we add Advent to Christmas and Holy Week to Easter, the whole understanding becomes clearer and the opportunities to provide creative worship experiences are inexhaustible! As an added bonus, it also enables us to interact more with our brothers and sisters in other denominations. Denominations have their purposes and the special features of each denomination are part of the plan of God to reach all people with His love. We all agree that "Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God!"

Ὴ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ μετὰ πάντων.

Don't forget the Mother's Day Offering for the Baptist Chidren's Village. Mother's Day is the special emphasis but we give to help Mississippi's Largest Family all year long.

Pastor Randy Rich 

I have been closing my newsletter articles with Greek "sign off" for many years. It is the final verse in the Book of Revelation. Translated, it means "The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all." It is the hope and prayer of my ministry to you!