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Volume 23 * Issue 1 Spring 2000
Great '99--Even Better 2000 "ONE STEP AT TIME, KNOWING GOD BETTER IN 1999." That was our theme last year, and I thank and praise the Lord for what He did for us. We had more people saved, more baptized, and more resources given than in any of our 22 year history. Our church definitely took a step up, but we can't stop now. We must continue to build on the blessings God gave us, because with those blessings come the responsibility of continued growth. The Bible says, "to whom much is given, much is required." That's why the year 2000 should even be better for Liberty Baptist Church. On the first Sunday of January, I shared with our people the vision or goals I have for the year 2000. I will list them again. As you read this, realize we have a great God and our confidence should be in Him to enable us to reach and see these goals accomplished this year. Pastor Powell's Goals for 2000
By the way, did I tell you about my grandchildren! They are almost a year old now. Return To Top "Mom's Promotion..." Author: Betty Powell Eleven days before Christmas, my dear mom was promoted to Heaven. Even though mom was 84, and in the hospital at the time, we never expected her to leave us. The morning she passed away, my sister and dad talked to all of the doctors and they were pleased with the progress she had made since putting in her pacemaker. Then the phone call came about 9:30, it was an unfamiliar voice who asked if I was Betty Powell. After saying yes, he gave the phone to a familiar voice, my dads. With a broken voice, he told me they had just rushed mom out of the room and were moving her into intensive care. They thought she was having a heart attack. He wanted me to come. I told him I would and as soon as I hung up the phone I tried to call my sister at work and she wasn't there. I made the assumption that she had already gone to the hospital. I called my husband and he said he would be home as soon as possible. About 11:30 we left for Richmond. My thoughts were all about my mom as we made the drive. Thoughts of her dedication to her family, thoughts of what a "home" maker she truly was. And then thoughts of this past summer, when mom was hospitalized and I spent the night with her. (She had suffered from Alzheimer's for a couple of years, and had not been hospitalized since then; I was afraid she would wake up and not know what was going on. Mom's Alzheimer's never digressed to the stage where she did not know us. She slept most of the day and night and almost never spoke unless spoken to.) I assured dad I would sleep in the chair and everything would be fine. That night proved to be one of the sweetest memories I have of mom. You would have to understand how shy my mom was. She didn't talk a whole lot and it was never about herself. That night however, she talked the whole night. Something had clicked in her brain and she had total recall. We laughed about different stories she would tell me. I asked her questions about her and dad before they were married; she would laughingly answer every one of them realizing how even shyer she was in her younger days. She would say, "Wasn't that a silly way to behave?" The conversation went on until about 3:00 a.m. in the morning. It is something I shall always treasure. "Precious memories, how they will linger." When we arrived, at the hospital, they took us to "the room" and I knew things were serious. When we opened the door, it seemed there were a million people in the room. Along with my immediate family were dad's brother and his wife, a hospital chaplain, and three preachers from his church. Dad and I shared hugs and tears. Then we all just sat there, it seemed like days. The doctor came in with the much-dreaded news; mom wasn't going to make it. They were just going to make her comfortable. They told us we could go in and see her. I was so anxious because I had not seen her for a couple of days and I wanted to tell her all those things you want to tell someone when you know it may be the last. When we went into the room, I went straight up to her bedside, bent down and told her that I loved her and that she was a good mom. Then I said something that surprised me, I said, "mom, if you want to go home (meaning Heaven), go ahead. We all said our goodbye to what appeared to be a lifeless body already. Shortly after, they told us she had passed away. They allowed us to see her one more time. When we walked in the room this time, I took my last look at mom and I wanted to sing. I thought to myself, everybody in here would think you are crazy. But the words of "It is well" and "When the roll is called up yonder" kept going through my mind. I was sad for me, but happy for her. She had been promoted! This would be her first promotion, since she didn't graduate from high school or college! Wow! She was going to receive the greatest diploma of all from the King of Kings! This was all as a result of a free gift based on her acceptance of Jesus. She temporarily leaves dad, Pat and me along with our spouses, her five grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, her sister and her church family, Grove Avenue Baptist (of which she had been an active member for 53 years). She will, however be joining those she has missed in her family who have also accepted this gift. She has completed the work she was given to do while she was here. She loved her family; she served her family for as long as she was able. At her promotion ceremony the Master, I am sure said, "Well done, thy good and faithful servant." Most of all, right now, mom would want you to know that you can have a similar promotion, because "Whosoever will...may come." We miss you Mom! And there will be many days to come that tears well up in our eyes as we think of you! See you at our promotion time. Return To Top Cruise Anyone? How would you like to go on a cruise to the Bahamas? Yes, there is one available in January of 2001. It's a Christian cruise that will be relaxing and invigorating. You will be "cruising" with some nationally known Christian speakers and singing groups; among whom are Squire Parsons, The Specks, Greater Vision, Gold City and even our friends Geraldine and Ricky. The dates are January 8-12, 2001. For more information you may call or send an email to the church office to receive a brochure. Return To Top Sunday School News SOULS SAVED AND BAPTIZED, LEADERSHIP BEING TRAINED, AND NEW CLASSES BEGINNING! The Lord is certainly blessing our ministry in GREAT AND MIGHTY ways! We have learned a lot at the beginning of this year of ways to improve our SS Ministry. We have been sharing this info with our leadership team, and we look forward to what the Lord has in store for us for the year 2000. In the months of March and April, a special SS Attendance Promotion will take place. You will want to listen for ALL the details that will be shared concerning it in the upcoming SS class periods and Worship Services. You do not want to miss any of it. Be talking with your SS Leadership about it. Beginning March 5, our Singles Dept. will take on a new look. It will be a post graduate class geared towards those coming out of our EXCITING Teen Dept., and will include ages 18-24. This new class will meet at the 9:15 SS time and will be taught by Bro. Terry Hylton. A New Married Couples Class for ages 18-30 will also be started at the 9:15 SS time to "couple" it together with our Singles Ministry. David and Beth Baxter will be heading this ministry up providing for us a married couples class for those who will not be attending our already in place Married Couples Class for ages 31-Up that meets at 10:50 taught by Paul Jayne! Registration for these three classes will be held on Sunday morning, February 27, at the Welcome Center. Those interested in attending please SIGN UP!!! I truly am looking forward to what the Lord has in store for us this year. Pastor Powell has given to us a goal of having 600 in attendance by the end of the year. As we concentrate on one visitor, one member, one leadership trainee, one class, and one dept. at a time, I believe we will reach it! REMEMBER: It will not happen on Sunday if it doesn't happen in your prayer closet! Let us bathe everything in prayer. If we make much of Jesus, He will make much of us. If we lift up the cross of Christ, He will do all of the drawing of people to Himself. May God richly bless you as you continue to faithfully serve Him! Return To Top Sunday Night Service Change Please make a mental reminder and tell your friends who may visit us on Sunday nights, that beginning on Sunday, March 5, the evening service will begin at 6:30 P.M. Return To Top Devotional Books TODAY devotional books for April, May, June are in. Please visit the Today Devotional section of this website to read each day's devotional online. If you would like to receive one free by mail, call the church office at 757.539.3511. Return To Top |