Friends of Faith Baptist of North Chili,
Well, it happened again! We had to cancel our Wednesday night activities for the second week in a row. This time we had almost an inch of ice from the day of freezing rain. The parking lot was a skating rink. We watched a UPS truck come in and start to make a circle to head back out but end up sliding sideways across half of the parking lot before finally coming to a stop. We could picture the bumper cars or demolition derby as people came to church that night – so for the safety and well-being of our people we cancelled.
As a result our deacons are taking some drastic steps – they are sending Janet and me to Florida – to bring back some nice weather. I’m willing to do that (of course) and I think the best chance of accomplishing it will be for me to wait down there until May – I can bring back more nice weather if I do that! Actually we planned a long time ago to make this trip, so it isn’t because I’ve been canceling too many Wednesday night services. We will be gone over Sunday, February 17th (so don’t expect a FaithFriends for that week). Two of our own men, Jim Todd and Dan Noyes, will be preaching in the morning and evening services that day.
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Time for a smile:
A couple in their nineties are both having problems remembering things. During a checkup, the doctor tells them that they’re physically okay, but they might want to start writing things down to help them remember. Later that night, while watching TV, the old man gets up from his chair. ‘Want anything while I’m in the kitchen?’ he asks.
‘Will you get me a bowl of ice cream?’
‘Sure.’
‘Don’t you think you should write it down so you can remember it?’ she asks.
‘No, I can remember it.’
‘Well, I’d like some strawberries on top, too. Maybe you should write it down, so’s not to forget it?’
He says, ‘I can remember that. You want a bowl of ice cream with strawberries.’
‘I’d also like whipped cream. I’m certain you’ll forget that, write it down?’ she asks.
Irritated, he says, ‘I don’t need to write it down, I can remember it! Ice cream with strawberries and whipped cream – I got it, for goodness sake!’
Then he toddles into the kitchen. After about 20 minutes, the old man returns from the kitchen and hands his wife a plate of bacon and eggs.
She stares at the plate for a moment. ‘Where’s my toast?’
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Sunday, February 10, 2008
Family Bible Classes – 9:30am
The auditorium Bible Class is studying I Timothy in a series called, “How To Behave In the House of God.”
Morning Worship Service – 10:45am
The message for this Sunday will be from John 9:35-41. The title of this message is “That The Blind May See!” In thinking about this passage of Scripture it struck me, forcefully, that one of the most difficult tasks Jesus had on earth was convincing people that they were blind. Spiritually, I mean. We will see the stark contrast between one who confessed Jesus (he had been born blind but was healed and could now see, both physically and spiritually) and those who were condemned (because they didn’t know they were blind). It is sobering when we look around at the people with whom we live, work, and neighbor – they would say they live in a “Christian country” and thus are not blind. Sad!
Evening Celebration – 6:00pm
Our evening celebration will continue to develop our understanding of prayer. The message is, “Hallowed Be Your Name.” Our text, Matthew 6:9, tells us: “In this manner, therefore, pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.'” Is that supposed to be a statement of fact “Holy is Your name!”? Or is it a request? Think about that.
We will have our monthly business meeting at 7:20pm after the evening celebration.
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That’s all for this edition of FaithFriends. Pray with me that God’s people will be equipped and encouraged and the lost will hear the good news of the Gospel and trust Christ for their salvation!
Your faithful Minister of the Word,
Pastor Harriman