Published: July 10, 2009 10:30 pm      

The gospel for Jesus Christ is for everybody

“For so hath the Lord commanded us, Saying, I have set thee to be a light to the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for Salvation unto the ends of the earth.” (Acts: 13:47)

Sometimes we resist change because change is uncomfortable. Sometimes we resist change because it threatens our area of influence. I suspect this was the problem of the Jews in our passage this week. Their power was threatened. The status quo was shaken.

“Who cares that people are coming to a saving knowledge of Jesus. Their sitting in my pew!” I have seen this over and over again in many churches. As new people come into a church they earn positions of leadership. The “old guard” gets threatened and they begin to resist.

We must always seek to be open to the moving of God’s Holy Spirit. As the Spirit moves, so must we. If that involves change so be it. 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

“Men have always found it easy to be governed. What is hard is for them to govern themselves.”



Upward Bound Ministries

Starting July 1, Upward Bound Ministries Inc. will launch a new branch of our ministry in order to provide our community with a service to publicize and promote the local church: Upward Bound Ministries (UBM)-Video Outreach.

UBM Video Outreach mission is to assist the local and rural churches with an opportunity to inform the public of the services, introduce their pastor and ministries available at the church. Many churches and non-profit organizations today feel overwhelmed with the expense of video equipment needed to expose their organizations and services. Proper, effective and timely communications within your local and rural community is essential if you are going to be able to reach the un-churched population.

For more information, call Darnell Hill, executive director and founder, Upward Bound Ministries Inc., at 986-1650 or 358-5908.



Tabernacle of Refuge

Tabernacle of Refuge and Transformation located at 507 Broaddus Ave. will have a gospel singing on Sunday at 5 p.m. The special guest singers will be Don Lee and the Gospel Diamonds of Lexington. Everyone is invited to come and worship with us. Elder Brenda Todd is the host pastor.



Hymn Sing

Today at 7 p.m., Clarksville Baptist Church located at 2063 Berea Road, will present its monthly hymn sing. Special singers will be Soldiers of Christ and the Beckerville Travelers. Everyone is welcome.



Fish fry

The Hocker Smith-Hocker Yates Family Reunion will host a big fish fry on Saturday, July 18, beginning at 11 a.m. at the Masonic Lodge Hall on Francis Street. Come out and enjoy fish dinners with all the trimmings.



Ice Cream Auction

The Red House United Methodist Church will host its annual Ice Cream Social and Silent Auction on Saturday, July 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. There will be lots of homemade ice cream and a silent auction.

Everyone is invited. Donations for the building fund will be appreciated.



Homecoming/Rally

On Sunday, July 19, Pleasant Green Predestinarian Baptist Church, located at 377 College Hill Rd., Waco, will celebrate its annual Homecoming/Rally Day. The special guest at 11:30 a.m. will be Elder Michael McPherson, and the choir and congregation from the Sweet Leaf Primitive Baptist Church in Louisville. Dinner will be served. Deacon Eric Garrett is the chairperson and Elder John Settles is the host pastor.



Fellowship Day

New Liberty Baptist Church, Bobtown, will observe fellowship day on Sunday, July 19, at 11 a.m. The special guest will be Pastor Mitch Brown, and the congregation of Pleasant Run Baptist Church, Bureye. Dinner will be served. Everyone is welcome. The host pastor is Alfonso Kenny.



Fundraising yard sale

The Red House United Methodist Church will conduct a fundraising yard sale on Friday, Aug. 7 and Saturday, Aug. 8. The sale will be conducted on Clay Drive in Richmond from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days.



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 via the U.S. Postal Service. The new address is: Church & Community Focus, 246 Sunset Ave., Richmond, KY 40475. E-mailed announcements should be sent to: tpollary@roadrunner.com and all e-mailed announcements must be received by 6 p.m. on the Tuesday of the week you wish your announcement to appear in the newspaper.



Until next week

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