NOTES FROM OUR PASTOR,  Dr. Ted Williams

Why I Believe In Sunday School  This is a follow up to my sermon a few weeks ago just as a reminder of the importance of this learning opportunity.

Sunday School has been a part of my life from the very beginning.
My sister reminds me many times of having to sit in the Sunday School classroom with me because I would not stay by myself but eventually I became accustomed to it. I’m confident most of you have had positive experiences with this very important part of our church experience.

So why is Sunday School important and why do I strongly encourage people to be involved in our Sunday School Program?

1. Training in Biblical principles and doctrine.

Deuteronomy 11:18-19 “You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontals on your forehead.” “You shall teach them to your sons, talking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up.” NASB

One of the reasons we are not more effective in our community and in our world is our lack of true Biblical understanding. We have become a nation of Biblical illiteracy. Our whole public school institution was begun in order to train people to read the Bible and how it should be applied to their lives. We cannot however, depend on government institutions to teach our children Biblical principles. Sunday School is a vehicle, both for young and not so young to learn how to apply God’s Word to their lives.

2. Intentional Evangelism

Matthew 28:19a"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations. NASB

I love Josh Hunt’s idea about inviting people to Sunday School. He says that people want to be with their friends and if their friends are in Sunday School they will want to be there with them. However, if you are not in Sunday School you are missing a wonderful opportunity for evangelism. Remember “faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17)  Statistics tell us that 90% of those saved will be saved before the age of 18. We need to take advantage of this opportunity now before it’s too late. Parents, your children are more inclined to attend Sunday School if you bring them and stay for Sunday School and worship. Please plan to be in Sunday School this Sunday.

       3.  Wholesome Fellowship

Acts 2:42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. NASB

I was riding by a new church and noticed there were always a great number of cars in the parking lot. I began to inquire as to the reason the lot was always full and it seemed like people were there all the time. That’s probably a bit of an exaggeration but the point is those people love church and they love each other.

1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. NASB Charlene and I base most of our activity around the church. We really do not take part in much activity that is not in some way church connected. Some may say we need to get a life when I make that statement but I believe it is a commandment of Christ that we abide with Him and that we abide together. That doesn’t mean we live together in the same house but it does mean this: God wants us to be together unless we are truly evangelizing the lost.  The word continually in the Acts passage is important. “To be steadfastly attentive unto, to give unremitting care to” (Stongs’s Concordance and Dictionary of Greek and Hebrew Words) Sunday School is a way we can give continual attention to each other’s needs, desires, and cares. That is what fellowship is all about.

I realize this is not an exhaustive list of the benefits of Sunday School. Perhaps you could share with the readers of this newsletter testimony of why you believe in Sunday School. Please call Cathie or myself and we will include your Sunday School testimony in next month’s edition. In the meantime come to Sunday School. There are very few “good” excuses for not attending. We have classes for everyone and a staff of wonderful teachers. Please feel free to call me if you have any questions or you need a recommendation on a class that would be good for you. We even have new classes for both men and women. Please call the office for information, times and location.

Blessings,

Pastor Ted

June 6---8:30 a.m. SUNDAY WORSHIP will return to the pavilion. Until then, we will continue to meet in the sanctuary. 

SUNDAY SCHOOL—EVERY SUNDAY AT  9:50 A.M. Classes for all ages----an important time of Bible Study and opportunity to meet others in our church family!

SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE TIME—Join others for a cup of coffee or juice, at 9:30a.m. This time provides an eye opener and time for people, from both worship services, to get to know each other.

From the Fellowship Committee

Thank you! Thank you, Thank you!!! The fellowship committee would like to extend our appreciation to everyone that has supplied breakfast foods for the morning socials. It has come to our attention that with the elaborate faire comes an extended set up and clean up. We enjoy the fellowship time  but realize that spending time in God’s Word is most important. With this in mind, we would like to go back to more of a simplistic continental faire of juice, coffee, fruit, cheese and crackers and pastries. There will be a sign up sheet on the flower cooler in the kitchen. If you sign up to provide something you will also be cleaning up the leftovers and straightening the kitchen. We suggest that you team with a partner for this endeavor. Fellowship time should last about 15 minutes so that everyone can attend Sunday School and be on time. If no one signs up on a given Sunday the fellowship committee will provide only juice and coffee. If you are interested in providing fellowship food there will be a guideline next to the sign- up sheet in the kitchen. Remember, if you Bring it--you Clean it and to KISS it and Keep It Super Simple. Thanks again.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUPPER--May 9, 6 p.m.  Homemade meatloaf!

We will receive our MBC RELIEF OFFERING the first Sunday of each month. Prayerfully, consider God's calling for contributing to this ministry. The funds are ministered, through the deacons and pastor, to those in our community who have needs beyond their resources. We coordinate, with other community resources, in an effort to be good stewards of the funds. Someone will be in the church foyer to receive this offering. Our Women's Missionary Union also placed a basket in the foyer for food to be donated to the Louisa Food Pantry. Thank you for your generosity in sharing God's blessings to you, with others.

WANTED

A few people who would faithfully snap photos at MBC events.  This is an easy and fun job.  Simply catch those great moments, download them to a CD and give them to Barbara Morris, chairperson of the MBC History Committee.  We would like to get some people who would regularly help with this and could, among themselves, schedule a person to be at events.  In years to come, we will continue to enjoy those memories made with our church family.

The MBC NOMINATING COMMITTEE is seeking persons to serve as Sunday School Director and Assistant Director.  (Excerpt from the MBC Bylaws):  They shall administer the work of the Sunday School and carry out the Christian Education Program.  The Director shall serve on the Outreach Committee. 

If you are interested, and hear the Lord leading you to answer this call, contact Janice Franklin or any other members of the Nominating Committee for more details

VIRGINIA BAPTIST SCHOLARSHIP FUND  Students who are members of Virginia Baptist Churches can apply for scholarships to colleges and Virginia Baptist Schools.  Persons of any age may apply.  Go to

www.vbmb.org/services/scholarship/Achievement.cf   to download an application and apply.

If you know of service projects MBC youth might do, please contact Cathy Dunn, Dana Cherry or Ann Braxton. No job is too small!

MBC Vacation Bible School

            June 18-22    6-8:45 p.m.   

            Commencement 11 a.m., Sunday June 24, with a picnic to follow

NEW HYMNALS—Would you like to make a donation?  At our March MBC Business Meeting, we voted to receive donations towards the purchase of new hymnals for worship.  Our present hymnals are quite worn and newer ones would include favorite “old” hymns as well as many of the praise and worship songs we now project on the screen.  We need to purchase about 150 hymnals.  If enough people are willing to donate them, we could purchase them this summer.  The price is $13.99.  If your hymnal is donated in memory or honor of someone, please include a note with your donation, to be included on a list.  Please find envelopes in the pews.  We hope to receive enough funds to purchase the hymnals by July.  Doris Lanham is able to answer questions about this project.

WMU MISSIONS OPPORTUNITIES

Patterns and Wool

We still have a lot of yarn and patterns for various items (hats, ski bands, preemie and infant hats, etc.). 

If you have knitted or crocheted items for the Seaman's Institute, please contact Mary Wills as soon as possible.  The items will be shipped before Thanksgiving.  If you are interested in participating in this ministry in the future, we will provide you with yarn, patterns and training if you would like.

GOSHEN MISSION OFFERING   WEEK OF PRAYER    MAY 20-27, 2012

Our goal is $750.00.  The offering will go to; 25% Construction Trailer, 15% RITE Scholarships, and 60% Rural Love. Please be in prayer regarding your support of this offering.

GOSHEN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION We are a part of The Goshen Baptist Association and The

Goshen Association is about Missions! A construction team led by the Orange Baptist Church just returned. They had a 17 year old member of the Latino Church Plant go with them as an interpreter. Plans are being made for more trips to Panama. One will be in October for pastors and then in January for construction projects. The Louisa Baptist Church is sponsoring a trip to Romania this summer to help with VBS at the Ruth School working with Brittany Garton. Some members at Louisa Church are also sponsoring a trip to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in South Dakota in August to do construction. Then there is the team from Mechanicsville who will go to Honduras in July to teach VBS. The Goshen Association is going to support for 5 years, a native missionary in Moldova. He will work as a Church Planter in that country.

EVENT TO SUPPORT MBC MISSIONS PROJECTS

SUNDAY--MAY 27     GOSPEL SING UNDER THE MBC PAVILION

THIS IS A CHANGE IN THE DATE!!! 

DINNER INCLUDED

A Love Offering will be received to support MBC Missions Projects

BLUE RIDGE SHORES BAPTIST CHURCH REVIVAL   May 7-9, 2012     7:00pm

Guest Speaker: Billy Collins

Special Music: Carolynn Phillips and Sunnyside, Berea Baptist Choir, Mt. Gilliam Baptist Choir, and Pastor Steve

CALLING ALL GARDNERS! Plant an extra row of produce to share with the Louisa Community Cupboard.  Take produce to the office on Chalk Level Road. Phone number is 540-967-3577.

BACKGROUND CHECKS for all who work with our children and youth—If you serve in our nursery, Sunday School, VBS, Monday night programs or assist with children and youth activities—please see Cathie Harlan for assistance in completing a background check form.  It takes less than 5 minutes.  All information is confidential and secure.  Results are accessed only by Pastor Ted and C. Dunn.  This is a required step per the MBC Child Protection Policy for ALL persons who work with children and youth.  Thank you for helping us complete this process.

HISTORY COMMITTEE—Please find disposable cameras in the cabinet of the copy room. The MBC History Committee appreciates your help in documenting MBC events and memories.  Cameras and index cards are in zip lock bags...  Please write, on the card--the event, the date and the people photographed.  If you have paper or CD copies of photos, please give them to Barbara Morris.  We want to record our history and great times at MBC!  See the WANT AD in this newsletter.

PRAY FOR THE GYPSY MISSIONS PROJECT

   Brittany Garton, from Gordonsville, Virginia, a missionary, in Romania, ministering to the gypsy population.  She left in early June of 2011 and would greatly appreciate your monetary donation and your prayers.  Please find Gypsy Mission Project envelopes in our church foyer, along with a sign-up sheet to receive emails.

SANCTUARY COMMITTEE

 If you would like to order flowers for the alter to honor a special person or occasion, sign up on the chart in the church foyer.  Flowers can be ordered from the florist, or you may talk with Virginia Clem about donating cut flowers from the florist or your own garden for her to arrange.

MBC WOMEN'S MISSIONARY UNION

   Women are invited to join us on the 3^rd Thursday of each month, 2 p.m., at the church.  We spend time learning about missions and opportunities to participate in mission’s activities.

Double Duty WMU Group-Ladies who are unable to attend the WMU daytime meetings but want to be involved in missions.  Contact Sherri Brown for more information about projects

MBC PRAYER CHAINS   Please be diligent in passing prayer requests on to the next person on our prayer chains.  At times the process seems to work perfectly but other times not quite as well.  Remember, if you cannot reach the next person, leave a message and go on to the next person on the chain.  Thank you for your participation in this ministry.  Contact Mary Wills if you have questions or want to be a part of a prayer chain.

DON REID ANNUAL FISH FRY      May 5, 2012                       5:00pm

Calling all Men----We need you to grab your fishing poles and catch some fish! The MBC Men will be responsible for providing the fish!

The MBC Ladies will be responsible for adding the side dishes!

MBC LIBRARY COMMITTEE      

BOOK OF THE MONTH      READY TO WED----TALES FROM GRACE CHAPEL INN

By  Melody Carlson

When Belle Bannister, a real Georgia peach, checks into Grace Chapel Inn on a mission to find a husband in Acorn Hill, the Howard sisters go between disbelief and awe. Belle sets off to plan her wedding, trusting God to supply the groom, and teaches them all an unlikely lesson about faith.

Meanwhile, Jane gets a letter from her ex-husband, announcing that he is coming to visit. What could Justin want after all this time? Does he want to rekindle their romance? As Alice and Louise prepare for the possibility that Jane will leave Grace Chapel Inn, Jane is reminded how forgiveness can make all things new.

Once you visit the charming village of Acorn Hill, tucked away in rural Pennsylvania, you'll never want to leave. Please check out all the different books in the Tales From Grace Chapel Inn Series. There is not an order to these books, just check anyone of them out and fall in

love with the small hometown and three sisters that have come back together to rekindle old memories, rediscover the bonds of sisterhood, revel in the blessings of friendship and meet many fascinating guests along the way.

 Melody Carlson has worn many hats; those of preschool teacher, youth counselor, political activist, senior editor. But most of all, she loves to write. In the past eight years, she has published more than ninety books for children, teens and adults. She has sales totaling more than two million copies and with many titles appearing on the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association Best Sellers List. Several of her books have been finalists for and winners of various writing awards, including the Gold Medallion and the Rita Award. She has two grown sons and lives in central Oregon with her husband and her beloved chocolate Labrador retriever. She and her husband enjoy skiing, hiking, gardening, camping and biking in the beautiful Cascade Mountains.

Find this, and other great books, in our MBC Library----check it out!!!!!

No library card needed!  Just love for reading!

CONSIDER CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY OR HONORING SOMEONE WITH THE DONATION OF A BOOK TO OUR MBC LIBRARY!!  See Barbara Morris for suggested titles to donate.  An inscription, including the person and event you are celebrating will be included inside the book.  Imagine opening a book that has been given in honor or celebration of you or someone you love!!

 THE COOK 'S CORNER  Carrot Soufflé—Peggy Mathwin

Recently, we celebrated the life and witness of Peggy Mathwin, at her memorial service.  Many of her family members and friends spoke of her love for the Lord, her faithful prayer life, her words of wisdom and witness of Jesus Christ to them.  Here is a tribute, Paul's brother's wife gave:

I’m Judy. John’s wife and Mom’s daughter.

I’m a retired teacher. Perhaps because of that background, I often look at other folks through the prism of how they teach and what I can learn from them. Mom was one of my very best and most effective teachers.

Math - never spend more than you have. In fact, spend far less. Save wisely, give generously, plan for your future.

History - Don’t forget. Acknowledge how your own personal history has affected you, listen to other viewpoints, and hold fast to your ideas.

Literature - read the good stuff - books that matter, ideas that broaden

Philosophy - Mom didn’t read the great philosophers. She had her own philosophy that can be condensed fairly simply - Be thoughtful and wise. Try not to judge others. Acknowledge that life is complicated. Of course Mom’s philosophy also included the belief that we don’t always have to let the facts stand in our way. We all do that sometimes, don’t we?

Home Arts - Try new recipes, don’t be a lazy cook, have meals be a way of bringing folks together, Two of Mom’s lessons never took however - make wonderful desserts and save recipes (She had 100s)

Physical Education - value health and accept your limitations.

Interpersonal Skills - Easy lessons here - Be considerate, smile often, hug babies, show appreciation, acknowledge kindness, be warm and inviting, love lots of people, and keep your heart open always

Religion - Mom’s faith was an integral part of who she was. As in every other discipline, she showed me how to live - not by her words, but by her actions. Be true, be loving, be kind, live a life of purpose, do good things.

Parenting - Mom raised two boys and, for the last 42+ years me also. She taught me the importance of family, to honor our parents, to value the wisdom of others, to be generous with time and unselfish in thought. Perhaps one of the most important parenting lessons Mom taught is that we love our children without conditions and that the “imports” - the ones that marry in - are truly our children in every important way. As a result, I hate the word Daughter in law and rarely use it. I‘m blessed with 3 daughters in addition to our sons.

Marriage - Anyone who had the privilege of knowing Mom and Dad together couldn’t help but be changed by the lessons they taught. Mom and Dad were different in many outward ways - Mom was reserved, Dad was not. Mom was a worrier, Dad was an optimist. Mom said and did funny things, Dad couldn’t tell a joke and didn’t get many either. Dad was tireless, Mom shepherded her energies, Dad never revisited a decision, Mom thought and rethought and rethought. That’s only part of the picture. Here’s Mom’s important lessons - have your husband be your best friend, rely on each other’s strengths, accept guidance, put your marriage ahead of yourself, honor your word, respect your differences, champion each other in all things, love fiercely and unconditionally.

I know it would please Mom to learn that I will continue to be her student. She was a blessing in my life.

Mom was 92 when she died and like the grandmother in “A Tree Grows In Brooklyn”, was surrounded by her family when she passed. These are Francie’s grandmother’s words but I believe Mom could have said the same thing - “I am old now and I feel that this is my last time of sickness. I wait for death with the courage I gained from living. I will not speak falsely and say to you do not grieve for me when I go. I have loved my children and tried to be a good mother and it is right that my children grieve for me. But let your grief be gentle and brief and let resignation creep into it. Know that I shall be happy.”

Please thank the congregation again for the love and support you gave Mom. Also please thank the crew who provided such a bountiful meal after the memorial service.

CARROT SOUFFLE

Mix Together -

10 carrots - cooked and mashed

1c milk

1c bread crumbs

3 eggs

1/4 c melted butter

1 grated onion

Grease pan and bake at 375 degrees for 30-45 minutes

HYMN STORY   Nearer My God to Thee

This hymn was written by two sisters. Sarah Flower Adams wrote the words and her sister, Eliza Flower, wrote the music. Together they wrote a number of hymns, but this is the only one still in common use today. Sarah (the author of the words) enjoyed a successful career on the stage playing Lady Macbeth in Shakespearean drama, but retired from the stage due to health problems. Not long thereafter, her sister, Eliza, came down with tuberculosis. Sarah, determined to nurse her, came down with the disease as well, and both died at a relatively young age. However, this hymn acknowledges the possibility of suffering but refuses to allow it to have the last word.

The things that the hymn mentions (a cross, darkness, grief) tend to be difficulties. Sometimes when life is good we tend to forget that we need God. It is the difficult times that reinforce our deep need for God's grace –– that do, indeed, bring us nearer to God.

            This hymn was sung at the end of the 1936 movie San Francisco, which was nominated for several Academy Awards and played by the Titanic Ship's orchestra, in the 1997 movie, Titanic.

            Another story is related to the death of American President William McKinley, assassinated in 1901.  Dr. Mann, the attending physician, reported that among McKinney’s last words were, “Nearer My God, to Thee,e'en though it be a cross', has been my constant prayer.”  On the afternoon of September 13, 1901, after five minutes of silence across the nation, bands in Union and Madison Squares in New York City played the hymn in honor of the fallen President.  Again, the hymn was played, as the body of assassinated President James Garfield was interred at Lakeview Cemetery in Ohio.

–– Copyright 2006, Richard Niell Donovan

MAY  BIRTHDAYS                                                           

3     Sarah Brown                                                  

7     Victoria Dutton                                               

19   Ramona Raynor   

26   Kristin Brown         

29   Robert Norton

6     Frank Kenealy

9     Ashley Harlan

24   Sandra Bolt

27   Brianna Mack

ANNIVERSARIES

3    Kevin & Chris Dulaney

28  Lisa & Mike Shuler

MBC WEBSITE  www.mechbaptist.org

The Communications Committee is happy to say that our church website is accessible!!!  Church information and news are available on the site.  Links to the Goshen Baptist Association, Virginia Baptist Mission Board and other valuable resources are found there too.  Please provide feedback to Barbara Harris, chairperson of the committee, if you have ideas for improving our service to you and others.

Jerry Rogers will be helping to update our MBC Website.

Please email and/or call him with events and meetings you want posted on the MBC Website. This is an important source of communication and outreach for our church. In response to Jerry’s generous time in maintaining it, we can support his work by providing information in a timely and accurate manner. Please be sure to send this information as far ahead, as possible and be accurate so that others can plan with the help of our calendar as it is posted on the website.

MONTHLY DEADLINE FOR INFORMATION TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE MBC NEWSLETTER

is the 2^nd Sunday of the month.  Written information may be emailed to mecbap2@hughes.net   or

Marylin Riggan, Publications Coordinator (mlmorrow_992000@yahoo.com). Paper copies may be left on Cathie Harlan’s desk.  This will give our church office time to print the newsletter for distribution in the last week of each month.

MBC Mission

To equip every member of our church to lovingly and effectively reach our community and world for Christ

MBC VISION

To love one another in times of joy, grief and temptation;  sharing everywhere the Christian faith, expressed in Holy Scripture, and making this faith evident in our individual lives through the discipline of the Holy Spirit