Published: October 23, 2009 05:44 pm      

God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things

“Then Peter said, silver and gold have I none; but such as I have given me thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” (Acts 3:6)

John and Peter were going to the temple to prey. It was the time for prayer, and these Apostles were simply doing what Jesus’ disciples were supposed to be doing. They were going to pray. For them, it was just an ordinary day.

There was a man who had been crippled from birth. He was carried to the gate called “Beautiful” every day. Begging was his job and he was going to do what he did every day. For him it was just an ordinary day. The crippled man did not wake up that morning and tell his family, “Today is the day I will be able to walk,” if it was just an ordinary day for him.

This passage teaches us that God breaks in on the ordinary. Too often, we want God to do something great in our midst when we are not even willing to do something ordinary for him. Peter and John were simply doing the right thing in an ordinary fashion and God used them for a miracle. Peter took the man by the right hand and lifted him up and immediately the man was able to walk.

Even ordinary people living out an ordinary day can do great things when God breaks in. Amen.

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

Thought for the week

“There is no fool so great, a fool as a fool as a knowing fool, but we know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.”



Chili luncheon and auction

On Saturday, Oct. 31 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Betty Miller Community Center 325 Estill Ave., there will be a big chili luncheon and silent auction. For $5, all you can eat homemade chili will be available complete with peanut butter and jelly sandwich, homemade dessert and drinks. Tickets can be purchased at the door before the luncheon or by calling 623-4564. Chili to go, and carry out services, is available. A silent auction and drawing for country ham will be conducted. Proceeds benefit the New Liberty Homeless Shelter 123 Pine St.



No services Sunday

There will be no services Sunday at the Pleasant Green Predestinarian Baptist Church in Waco. The pastor, choir and congregation will travel to Louisville to be in service all day at the Sweetleaf Primitive Baptist Church. Elder Settles and members will leave the CVS parking lot on Sunday at 8:30 a.m.



Bible study

Which virgin are you, the foolish or the wise? Greater Faith Ministries is having a bible study on the 10 virgins, Matthew 25: 1-13. The study started on Oct. 20 and will try to end it on Nov. 24. There still is time to join; it is a very interesting study. Learn who the foolish were and who the wise were. This is an informal Bible study and all are welcome. It begins at 7 p.m. at 201 Aquaduct Dr. A-1 Richmond. For directions or for prayer, call 624-9823 or 893-3321.



New church

The Old Regular Baptist Church of Jesus Christ with the Indian Bottom Association is establishing a new church in Richmond. The church is meeting the first Sunday of every month at 9:30 a.m. at the Best Western Holiday Plaza, exit 87 on the Eastern Bypass. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call Elder H. B. Reedy Jr. at 859-333-7138.



Big barbecue

The Men and Women’s Fellowship of the St. Paul AME Church will sponsor a big barbecue today from noon until 4 p.m. This barbecue will feature all the trimmings. Proceeds will benefit the fifth annual Christmas Gala. It will be conduced at the church on Francis Street. For free delivery, call the church at 625-0041. The host pastor is William Hale.



Men and Women’s Day

Peytontown Baptist Church will observe Men and Women’s Day on Sunday. Special guests at 3:30 p.m. will be Pastor Floyd Ballew and the choir and congregation from Mt. Nebo Baptist Church. Everyone is invited. Dinner will be served. Deacon Calvin Mitchell and Sis. Bernice Campbell are chairpersons. The host pastor is Clifford Campbell.



Fresh Fire Conference

Church on the Rock, 1049 Richmond Rd., Berea, will be having its annual Fresh Fire Conference through Wednesday. On Sunday at 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. services, Bro. Glen Wilson will be preaching. Monday will feature Adam Crabb and The Crabb Family Revival at 7 p.m. They will lead praise and worship and testify about what God has done for them. On Tuesday at 7 p.m., Pastor Tommy Bates from Independence will be bringing the message. On Wednesday at 7 p.m., evangelist Pastor Perry Stone will be preaching. For more information, call the church for details at 986-1899.



Pastor anniversary

On Sunday, Nov. 1, Concord Predestinarian Baptist Church will observe the pastoral anniversary of Elder Anthony W. Phelps. Special guests at 11:30 a.m. will be Minister Chris Simpson of First Baptist Church of Bonneville. Special guests at 3 p.m. will be Elder James McPherson and the Stoneypoint Predestinarian Baptist Church of Danville. Dinner will be served.



Bishop election

The consecration of Bishop-Elect Ronald L. Ross Sr. will be Sunday, Nov. 1 at 5 p.m. at the Salvation Army Church, located at 1675 Irvine Road in Richmond.



Freedom Fund Banquet

The Richmond-Madison County Chapter of the NAACP will have its annual Freedom Fund Banquet on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 6 p.m. The banquet will be at the Betty Miller Center located at 325 North Estill Avenue. The theme is “Bold Dreams, Big Victories” with featured speaker Kristi Runyon, a WTVQ 36 news reporter. Tickets are $25 per person and are available from NAACP Members or call 624-2045.



Gospel singing

Family Worship Center, 1319 Linden St. in Richmond, will host a gospel singing on Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. Guest singer is Earnest Carter and the Blue Grass Hymn Trip with Mary Reedy. Other singers also will participate. There will be food following the singing. For details, call 1-859-585-5788 or 369-7761. Pastor Ike Sams welcomes everyone.



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.