Second Avenue Baptist Church

                                                                                       April 3, 2007                          Volume XXIV  Issue 7               

He is Alive

It is an amazing thing we believe.  As Christians we hold that Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God, born of a virgin named Mary.  We teach that he roamed around first century Palestine talking about something he called the “Kingdom of God”, which included radical ideas like loving one’s enemy, carrying the load of one’s oppressor and actually turning the other cheek when assaulted, even forgiving one’s attacker.  Furthermore, we accept that he performed miracles like giving sight to the blind, helping the crippled to walk, feeding five thousand plus people with five loaves of bread and two fish, walking on water and even calling back people from the dead.  And we proclaim with passion how the powers that were had enough of him, convicted him in a sham trial and put him to death on a Roman cross from which he was taken by friends and buried in a borrowed tomb.  This we believe and it is all quite incredible, but it isn’t the amazing part.

The even more miraculous part is that we believe that same Jesus was brought back to life by the power of God and that he appeared to his disciples and ascended into heaven where he lives today at the right hand of God.  We believe that the tomb is empty and celebrate the event we call the resurrection this coming Sunday known as Easter.  As remarkable as that is, it still

isn’t the truly amazing part.

The most amazing thing about all of it is that the living Jesus is alive in us.  Because the tomb is empty, we can be filled with the same presence of Christ that once walked the earth.  Because Christ left heaven at all and has now returned, we can have a relationship to God that is real now through Christ who prays for us at the right hand of the Father in Heaven.  You see the amazing thing is that the same Jesus who had the power to walk without blame through our human existence, who exhibited that power through miracles, who died in our place and was resurrected through the power of God, resides through the presence of the Holy Spirit in the heart of every person who believes and follows Him.  The amazing thing is not just that Jesus came back to life that first Easter morning, but that He lives on this Easter and is alive to, in and through us.  That is why we celebrate each and every Sunday.  The resurrection is certainly a historical event, but not one that is in the past.  It is a current, everyday reality for all who believe.

So, join us in the celebration this Sunday.  He is alive!  How amazing is that?

Blessings,

Monty

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Worship Ministry

The Experiencing God Service was well received by all.  We believe we had between 800-1000 people in attendance.  The choirs sang well and had a good time rehearsing and presenting the music.  A special thanks to all who were involved.  Please be in prayer for those who made decisions for the Lord and as they find their way in His will.

Our ensemble updates are as follows:

The Children’s Choir is busily preparing a presentation to be given in May.

The Youth Choir sang in a nursing facility last month and enjoyed the ministry of reaching and touching people’s lives for Christ. That experience will be repeated in late April and in May.  They will also sing for worship services and during Family 2 Family.

The Chancel Choir is preparing the Tenebrae and Easter Services this week.  We hope you can attend all the events of this Holy Week.

The Joyful Singers will sing during the Good Friday service and lead a service on

April 26 in an area nursing facility.

The Bell Choir will be playing during our Easter service.

The Instrumental Ensemble will continue to rehearse and play through the month of May.

Join one of our ensembles this week. You’ll receive more than you give.

Steve

Special Called Church Conference

Wednesday, April 11
There will be a Special Called Church Conference on Wednesday, April 11 at 6:15 PM in the Chapel. The purpose of the conference will be to vote on a recommendation from the Trustees relating to the master site plan for our church campus and to hear an update on the assemblage process.

From the Prayer Support Team

Members of the SABC Prayer Support Team for the Second Century Campaign are meeting each Sunday morning at the Narthex Prayer Room, just prior to morning worship. Some will be going to the altar to pray at various times during worship. You are invited to join them.

Mission Miami: We Need You!!!!!

Our Mission Trip to Miami is now less than three months away.  So far, we have about 15 people who have committed or expressed interest in going.  We need twice that number to get the job done.  We need to take a team of 30 to cover the day camp as well as provide a small construction crew.  If you have been waiting to sign up, please wait no longer and let us know soon of your plans.  We will partner with Touching Miami with Love Ministries in the Overtown area of Miami.  The dates of the trip are Saturday, June 23 through Saturday, June 30.  The team will be involved in multiple projects while there.  The main project will be a day camp in a city park for about 200 children.  There will also be a weeklong construction project as well as a Sunday morning worship service for the homeless community and other ministries at night. The cost for participants will be $150 per person ($500 maximum per family) with a $50 deposit to hold your spot.  Sign up on the bulletin board just outside the fellowship hall or by calling the church office.

Upcoming Children’s Ministry Events 2007:

Community Wide Egg Hunt, April 7 from 10:00 - Noon

Registration begins at 9:30 AM in the Chapel.

For children birth through grade five.

Meet in the church parking lot.

Parent’s Night Out - Friday, April 13 from 6:00 - 9:30 PM at SABC

Vacation Bible School June 11-15,  Kick-off Carnival on June 10

Children’s Camp 2007 - July 16-20 Teen Valley Ranch in Plumtree, North Carolina

For children who have finished second grade through grade five.

Youth Rally/After Prom Event Friday, April 28

Join us from 8:00 PM-12:30 AM. High Flight Society in concert at 11:00 PM!

“Let’s Pray for One Another” Plans Announced

The Prayer Support Team of the Second Century Campaign has planned two “Let’s Pray for One Another” events. April 15, we’ll start a “Please Pray for Me This Week” focus. Silicone bracelets will be distributed to everyone attending Sunday school and the services, with the suggestion that you immediately “trade” your bracelet with someone else, asking him or her to “Please Pray for Me This Week.” Wearing the bracelet will serve to remind you to pray for that person. The next week, we’ll all exchange bracelets again, with the same request.

You might want to keep a small notepad handy, asking each person to record his/her name and any special prayer needs.

In addition, April 22 will offer an opportunity to come as families and individuals to the Chapel to pray for each other and for requests from about 4:00 PM until about 7:30 PM, (except for the 6:00-7:00 PM Family 2 Family service.) There will be lists of every member of the church family. We hope that prayer will be offered for each one.

Prayer requests for use at the Chapel during that time are now being gathered. Use the forms you’ll find at Wednesday suppers, write “F or April 22” on any sheet of paper or the Prayer Cards you’ll find in the pews, or submit your personal prayer requests email prayer@sabcrome.com. Your requests don’t have to be signed unless you wish.

You may ask things like, “Pray for my grandchildren to know the Lord,” “My neighbor who needs a job,” “My friend who has terrible problems,” “Me, as I ask the Lord what He would do through me to accomplish His purpose in my church,” “My husband who isn’t a Christian,” “My sister who has cancer,” and many more.

As our church family members come to pray for just a few moments or longer on April 22, we’ll pick up the lists and/or prayer requests and spend some time bringing them before the Lord.

Wes Ellis

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Minutes from 1931 and 1932

4-31 Matter was brought up about indifference of some of the deacons. Some had not attended a meeting in over a year. It was recommended to appoint a committee to deal with this problem. The following regulations were established:

• Any deacon who missed three consecutive meetings would be placed on inactive list. To be placed on active list again, he must attend three consecutive meetings.
• Number of deacons be increased from 12 to 18.

6-31 Donald Ragsdale was elected Choir Director.

10-31 Donald Ragsdale resigned as Choir Director.

1932

February 14, 1932 - At the morning hour, and before the preaching service Brother H. F. Joyner, who had been pastor 16-1/2 years, tendered his resignation as pastor of the Maple Street Baptist Church effective on that date.

August 3, 1932 - Rev. J. W. Southerland was called as part time pastor to Maple Street Baptist Church. He accepted the call and preached the first sermon the first Sunday in August. He was a very good pastor and was well liked. Later, he was called to full time pastor and served until July 1, 1936.

Homebound Members

April 1:

Lavonia McLarty

April 8:

Frank & Dorothea Parker

Sympathy

The Congregation and Staff would like to express sincere Christian sympathy to the family and friends of Mrs. Inez Floyd.

The Congregation and Staff would like to express sincere Christian sympathy to Joy Rickman in the death of her cousin.

New Members

By letter:

Storey Thompson

Family Deacon: Joe Spota

Giving for the Week of 3/25/07

Budget Goal to Date   $155,580.

Budget Gift to Date       117,200.

Weekly Budget Goal       12,958.

Weekly Budget Gifts       10,601.

Total Gifts to Date       $130,357.

Attendance for 3/25/07

Sunday School           184

Morning Worship         225

Giving for the Week of 4/01/07

Budget Goal to Date   $168,538.

Budget Gift to Date       127,625.

Weekly Budget Goal       12,958.

Weekly Budget Gifts       10,425.

Total Gifts to Date       $141,177.

Attendance for 4/1/07

Sunday School           190

Morning Worship         235

Easter Missions Offering as of 4/01/07                      

$2,531.00

Weekly Schedule

Sunday, April 8

Easter

9:00 am Women’s Prayer Time

9:00 am Instrumental Ensemble

9:45 am Sunday School

11:00 am Morning Worship

No Evening Worship

Tuesday, April 10

4:00 pm Meals and More

7:00 pm Second Century Leadership Team Check #3

Wednesday, April 11

5:15 pm Family Night Supper

5:30 pm Personnel Committee

5:30 pm Trustees Committee

6:00 pm Prayer Time—Fellowship Hall

6:00 pm Preschool Choir      

6:00 pm Children’s Choir                                                        

6:15 pm Called Church Conference—Chapel

6:15 pm The Foundry—Youth

6:15 pm Illuminate—College/Career

6:30 pm Chancel Bell Choir

6:45 pm Children’s Mission Groups

7:00 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal

Thursday, April 12

7:00 am Men’s Prayer Breakfast

11:00 am Fun and Fellowship Council meeting

Friday, April 13

9:30 am Ladies Bible Study

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MINISTERIAL and WORSHIP STAFF

Rev. Monty Stallins, Senior Pastor

Mr. Steve Grayson, Minister of Worship

Rev. Charlie Mayberry, Minister to Families

Mrs. Ann Hicks, Organist

Mrs. Annette Herrington, Church Accompanist

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SUPPORT STAFF

Mrs. Lisa West, Ministry Assistant                                             

Mrs. Mary Beth Musick, Administrative Assistant/ Financial Secretary

Mr. Phil Langston, Custodian

Mrs. Amy Jones, Custodian

Mrs. Dean Money, Family Night Hostess

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