Published: May 16, 2008 10:38 pm      

Put God to the test with your giving

“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse ... and try me ... says the Lord. If I will not open the windows of Heaven ... Pour out for you such blessing and rebuke the devourer for your sakes.” (Malachi 3:10-11 NIV)

God says that by disobeying him in the tithe, we rob him of the privilege of pouring our great and overflowing blessings. He calls for renewed giving with these promises. First there will be “food” or resources for God’s work. Second, he says those who give will be placed in a position to receive great, overflowing blessings. Our obedience releases his faithfulness! You will experience the windows of heaven opening with blessings you will not be able to receive or contain!

Third, God says that he will “rebuke the devourer” for your sakes. He will cause every blessing that has your name on it to be directed to you and Satan himself cannot stop it. Do not be afraid to try God with your giving; he is God and he will stand the test every time. Amen.

We greet you today with life, love and peace in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who is the author and finisher of our faith.

Thought for the week

“The next time you put a dollar in the offering plate, ask yourself, what if God gave to us the way we give to him!”

Angel Food Ministries

Waco Church of The Nazarene, 3921 New Irvine Road, a distribution point for Angel Food Ministries, will be taking orders for this month’s menu today from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and Sunday from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Pickup will be on Saturday, May 31, from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. This month’s menu consists of beef filet, chicken filets, pork steaks, Salisbury steak, burritos, chicken, pizza, vegetables, canned corn, canned green beans, fresh onions, pears, canned milk, breakfast cereal, muffin mix, bean soup mix, a dozen eggs and a dessert item. Cost of the basic menu is $30. In addition to the basic menu, four specials are being offered at an additional cost. Payment can be made with cash, check, money order or food stamps (EBT). Angel Food partners with churches and community organizations throughout the country to help distribute food to those in need. Visit the Angel Food Ministries Web site at: www.angelfoodministries.com. For more information, call LeeAnn Cole at 1-859-369-7632.

‘Men on the Move’

At 6 p.m. today, the Women’s Fellowship of First Baptist Church, corner of Francis and Collins streets, will present the “Men on the Move” Fashion Show at the June Morning Hall, 206 Ashland Ave., directly behind the Big Hill Avenue branch of Chase Bank. Ticket price is $10, and refreshments and door prizes will be provided. The models will be members of the First Baptist Men’s Fellowship. The host pastor is Dr. Robert R. Blythe.

Concord to visit RPBC

At 3 p.m. Sunday, Elder Anthony Phelps and the Concord Predestinarian Baptist Church will worship with the Richmond Predestinarian Baptist Church. Dinner will be served. Everyone is invited to attend. Elder Raymond Walker is the host pastor.

Church centennial

The Red House United Methodist Church will celebrate its 100th anniversary Sunday. Former pastors have been invited to return for the occasion and special music at the 10:45 a.m. worship service will be provided by Chris Woodyard, husband of former Pastor Marsha Woodyard. After a noon potluck luncheon, Bonnie Russell, former church historian, will present a program about the history of the church. The church was formed when the Providence congregation on Lexington Road was merged with the Pace’s Chapel congregation on Peacock Road, Russell said. Land for the church was purchased in 1903, and the building, which still stands, was dedicated on the first Sunday in May 1908. In the early 1950s, eight Sunday school classrooms were added to the building and a parsonage was constructed next to the church for $9,000. The church previously owned a parsonage in Richmond. After it was sold for $7,650, church members made and sold sorghum to pay the difference, Russell said. The current pastor, Sam Knox, and the congregation invite you to attend this special 100th anniversary.

Ordination services

The Peytontown Baptist Church will host ordination services at 6 p.m. Sunday for Associate Minister Howard Miller for the Pastorage of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church of Kirksville. Everyone is invited. Clifford Campbell is the host pastor.

‘Walking With Jesus’

New deliverance ministry starting for addictive behavior such as: alcohol, drugs, porno, food, etc. At 7 p.m. on Mondays, beginning May 19, all are invited! Come as you are to 107 Broaddus Ave. (Tabernacle of Refuge and Transformation). Minister Sylvia Williams and staff will head this anointed ministry. Walking with Jesus will make the difference and bring the deliverance you have desired — one step at a time! The host pastor is Elder Brenda Todd.

Talley Trio in concert

The Talley Trio will be in concert at Red House Baptist Church at 7 p.m. Friday, May 23. Roger, Debra and Lauren Talley are a musical family devoted to God and each other. While their roots are in Southern gospel music, the east Tennessee family has developed a unique, progressive sound that combines Southern gospel with praise and worship, hymns and other styles. Their number one hit, “His Life for Mine,” received the 2006 Southern Gospel Music Guild’s Harmony Honor for Song of the Year. Admission is free. A “love” offering will be taken. Red House Baptist Church is located at 2301 Red House Road (KY 388), north of Richmond.

Fish fry

The Men and Women’s Fellowship of St. Paul A.M.E. Church will be having a Memorial Day fish fry at the church on Francis Street starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 24. There will be fish and chicken dinners with your choice of baked beans, cole slaw or potato salad, along with a soda. Sandwiches also will be sold separately with an extra charge for the soda. The host pastor is William Hale.

Baptismal Day

On Sunday, May 25, the Richmond Predestinarian Baptist Church will host its annual Baptismal Day. The special guests at 3:30 p.m. will be Elder John Settles, choirs and congregation of the Pleasant Green Predestinarian Baptist Church of Waco. Dinner will be served. The Pleasant Green Youth Choir also will be singing. Everyone is invited. Elder Raymond Walker is the host pastor.

Church convention

Peytontown Baptist Church will celebrate its annual church convention on Sunday, May 25. The 3:30 p.m. afternoon guests will be Pastor Charles Edmond, choir and congregation of the Consolidated Baptist Church of Hazard. Dinner will be served and everyone is invited. Clifford Campbell is the host pastor.

Upward Bound Ministries

Upward Bound Ministries will conduct its 2nd Annual Pig Roast, Bikers Ride, Barbque competition and cake/pie baking competition fund raiser at the Church on the Rock, US 25, between Richmond and Berea. The United Bikers Against Drugs Association (UBAD) is sponsoring this fundraising event to support the important substance abuse work Upward Bound provides. Guest speakers will be Robertson Ward, MD and Patty Ward, Project REACH director. The Bike Ride will begin at noon, with a $15 registration for the driver, and $5 for riders; the Pig Roast Rally Dinner will begin at 4 p.m., and cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children younger than 12. There are many door prises, including gas cards, dinners and more; and a silent auction, including a car and many other great items. For details, call 358-5908 or 986-1650 or e-mail: darnell.hill@upwardboundmininstries.org.

Until next week

May the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus stay fresh in your minds until we meet again.

Special note

To all churches and civic organizations: To place your church or civic activity in this column, please send all information at least one week in advance to: Church & Community Focus, P.O. Box 603, Richmond, KY 40476. Announcements not received one week in advance will not appear in that week’s column. The e-mail address is: communityfocus@roadrunner.com.