Mt. Carmel Baptist Church - THE COURIER March 2015 “ON THE CORNER, REACHING OUT IN ALL DIRECTIONS.” A Word from the Pastor Dear Church Family, Connie and I are expecting our fifth and sixth grandchildren to be born this month. Being a grandparent is great: lots of blessings with very little of the work. Being a parent is great too, but very tiring and very demanding. It seems to be getting more difficult as time goes by. It has never been easy to do “family” right, but it is so much more complicated and challenging now. If ever we needed God’s wisdom, guidance and help, it is now. Clarifying our values, setting our priorities, planning our schedules, growing our relationships and joyfully living our lives requires much prayer, dedication, perseverance and help. Among many things, a church is a family of families, even if some families consist of but one person (singles, widows, widowers, and orphans, for example). Thus, family life in a church, with the increased numbers and diversity of sizes, personalities, backgrounds and opinions, requires much grace, understanding and patience. In short, the Presence of God is required. We need to hear from God, be guided by God, be challenged and encouraged by God, and be changed by God so that we can have healthy relationships with Him and each other in a family setting. Among many other things, God is our Father, Jesus our elder brother, and the Holy Spirit the glue that holds us all together. Our little ones desperately need this: the touch and blessing of our Master. As we search for a new Children’s and Family Minister, keep this much in your thoughts and prayers. But remember that ultimately family requires that each of us values and invests ourselves into one another’s lives. It takes work, hard work, but the reward is more than worth the effort. See you Sunday, - A friend is someone who laughs with you… - A friend helps you through the hard times… - A friend tells you when you’re acting silly… and may encourage you to stay that way - A friend cares… about today and tomorrow. Friend Sunday – March 1, 2015 - is an annual back-to-church event to give you the encouragement you need to invite a friend, neighbor, or co-worker to visit your church. Behold the Lamb A service of remembrance and reflection Sunday, March 29th 6:00pm Sunday, March 8 Lance Sunday, March 8th *12:00pm - All items begin in a Silent Auction *12:45pm - Items with highest silent auction totals proceed to Live Auction 1:00pm - Live Auction Begins COST for LUNCH Adults: $7 Children (12 & Under): $3 Children (Under 3): Free Family Maximum: $25 ADVANCED TICKET INFORMATION *Immediately after the second service in the Sanctuary Lobby *From Debbie Phillips in the church office AUCTION MAIN EVENT Come prepared to bid on a variety of Cakes, Pies, Cupcakes, Brownies & Cookies *Back in 2015: Cash & Carry desserts SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES & INDIVIDUALS Led by our Worship Musicians *Please consider bringing multiple non-refrigerated baked goods to the Auction *All dessert items should be in the Activities Center on Sunday, March 8 no later than 10:45am CHURCH NEWS The Egg Hunt March 1 AtMt.Carmel Friend Sunday 7 Dessert auction set-up Dave & Fran McKinney worship choir rehearsal Saturday, April 4th 10:00 -11:00am 8 Dessert auction One egg hunt Daylight Saving time begins 10:15am 10 Joy club 12 We will be collecting donations of individually wrapped candy starting March 8. Building & Grounds mtg 13 Night club Mt. Carmel’s Goal is $6500 14 All are invited: Totally 80s Mt Carmel’s Ministry Fair 19 Matthew 25 20 Sunday, April 19 6:00pm Youth Game Night 23 Grow Basket Auction 28 Choir rehearsal City gospel 29 Palm Sunday Choir program JOY Club March 10 11:45am Genealogy Who and Why by George Washington YOU ARE APPRECIATED! Sunday, May 3 - Noon VBS - June 15-19 If you volunteer in any way, you are valued! We would like to show our appreciation by inviting you to a Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on Friday, April 17 at 6:30pm Mission Trip to West Virginia July 5 - 10, 2015 Operation Christmas Child Julie Cummins accepted the 5 year award for Mt. Carmel’s participation as a Relay Center from Ohio Administrative Coordinator Marcey Page. Mt. Carmel at a glance: You must RSVP in order to attend. Please call the church office @ 791-7323 no later than April 8. 2010 - 358 Boxes 2011 - 422 Boxes 2012 - 385 Boxes 2013 - 498 Boxes 2014 - 531 Boxes Relay Center - 1629 Relay Center - 1500+ Relay Center - 2143 Relay Center - 2716 Relay Center - 2558 Speaking of Ministry I pray that you are enduring the cold temperatures and the snow. Spring is just a few weeks away! I just had a very encouraging phone call from a young couple who used to be members of Mt. Carmel. The young lady said that they had a great experience in our church during their time with us. She said that they learned from us what a church was supposed to be. They learned how to welcome people and how to be involved in ministry. They also learned the importance of studying and hearing the Word taught and preached. As I listened to her words, I was deeply touched and encouraged by the moving of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He helps us to be the people we need to be to guide and mentor the people that God puts in our path. As we do God’s work here at Mt. Carmel, let’s remember that we are here for a reason and a purpose. God can use us to touch the lives of others, and it can be passed on, as it has been down through the ages. We have many people who come here and are able to be here for only a short time. Our influence and encouragement to them can set them on a path to reach others and to have a lifetime of ministry wherever they go. We have many young people that grow up here and leave to go on to minister in many ways. We are proud of each of them as we see their progress and growth. One young man that grew up at Mt. Carmel is Eric Balmer. He is a Junior at Georgetown College. He is very active in college life, and he is the editor of the college newspaper. Last summer he worked as an intern at a church in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. We are very proud of him as he remains true to his faith and calling. I asked him to write a few words about what it meant to him to grow up at Mt. Carmel. Pray for him as God continues to work in his life. In His Service, Connie The children's and youth ministries at Mt. Carmel impacted me both in my personal spiritual walk, as well as my outlook on ministering to others. I was inspired to love God through loving others. Some of my best memories from youth group was all of the opportunities of service through City Gospel Mission, MFuge, and a variety of other mission oriented outings. Also, I benefited greatly from the fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ, and still to this day have found strength and encouragement from the bonds I've formed with friends I've met at Mt. Carmel. As a college student, I look back on my times in those ministries and am incredibly grateful. The leaders in those ministries taught me how to live a Christian life in today's world, how to treat others with the love of Christ, and how to embrace the person that God made me to be. - Eric Balmer Student Ministry By the time you read this, hopefully, one rather large event will have passed while another is still yet to come. Due to some surprising snow, like many of you on Wednesday, February 18th, I found myself toiling away at home. After venturing out to grab coffee and groceries, I decided to settle in for the day. All of a sudden to my surprise, my rather loud doorbell rang and I sprang to see what was the matter. Wait, it’s not Christmas…yet! Three young boys [picture the 1990’s boy Band, Hanson] asked if they could shovel my driveway. Their only request: pay what seemed ‘fair.’ We haggled on a price (originally $15, but in the end $21) and they proceeded to get to work. Upon completion, I gave them what I thought was ‘fair’ and inquired if anyone else had secured their shoveling services. Excitedly, they said ‘Yes!’ The oldest of the Hanson brothers described an elderly woman who had given them what she thought was ‘fair’ [$150] after they had already agreed upon what seemed to be the very reasonable price of $20; these guys were good, but talk about getting what they did not deserve! Upon reflection, there’s a name for what those boys received and we should all know it well…GRACE! As believers, the ultimate story of grace is Jesus on the cross; God’s free and unmerited favor or what we sometimes refer to as ‘receiving what we do not deserve.’ Be generous and practice grace this month; you’ll be glad you did! Because of the most recent round of snow, the annual Youth Ministry Lunch & Dessert Auction has been postponed until Sunday, March 8. The Dessert Auction team, church staff and many of you believe this new date offers Mt. Carmel the best chance to experience the auction, as you know it, to its fullest. Thank you for supporting Mt. Carmel students and children and we look forward to seeing on the Sunday, March 8th. Have a great month and I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around. In Your Corner, Pat Allen Alice Bergevin Florence Bond Janet & Lonnie Burnett Bernice Farmer Louise Hansen Laverne Hartman Betty Hines Lou McIntosh Joyce Osborne Wanda Tudor Galen & Hilda Woodard The family of Betty Stambaugh Gary & Susan Waits in the death of Gary’s aunt. Tonia Toler and family in the death of her cousin. Phil & Stacy Pike and family in the death of Phil’s sister. Debbie, Jerry, & Tyler Phillips and family in the death of Debbie’s aunt. Betsy Schenck & Don Frye in the death of their sister, Helen Frye. Carolyn Schneider & family in the death of her mother-in -law. John Ellison & family in the death of his sister. Jeff March 1 – Friend Sunday March 8 Lunch & Dessert Auction 4, 11, 18, 25 FUEL / 5:55pm A thank you card was received by: Gene and Val Zackerman Jim Downey The Crumpler Family The Stambaugh Family 29 Shut-In Ministry Lunch & Visit I want to express my appreciation to all of my church family for all the words of affirmation, hugs, and recognition of my 20th anniversary here in the church office. God certainly blessed me when He led me here to serve you and to serve with you. It has been a joy and a privilege. 1, 15, 22, 29 Joyful Sound & Grapple With lots of love, Debbie Phillips 20 Youth Game Night /7:00pm Transforming Lives Through Christ–centered Relationships Mt. Carmel Baptist Church 8645 Kenwood Road Cincinnati, OH 45242 Mtcarmelbaptist.org 513.791.7323 MARCH BIRTHDAYS 1 Jim Buck, Megan Poff 3 Laurie Gruner, Jennifer Harris, Alexis Holdren 4 Norma Helton 6 John Davis, Mike Rhein, Val Zackerman 7 Megan Bobka, Molly Helton 8 Jeff Prince 9 Lily Andrews, Jerry Phillips 10 Elizabeth Banks, Dee Buck, Gene Dunagan, Tyler Sweeney 11 Renee King 12 Rosa Branscum, Jordan Brewer 13 Arnold Foster 14 Carolyn Schneider 15 Ralph Heitmeyer, David Proudfit 16 Paul Proffitt 18 Linda Lewallen 19 Lola Durden, Marcus Rose, Irma Smith 21 Cotton Cobb, James McSwain 22 Jon Ondreka 23 Jean Suit 24 Rebecca Brewer, Buck Hamilton, Pauline Henke 25 Dennis Eaton, Ellen Meece 26 Janet Burnett 27 Alex Strull, Niki Weidner 28 Claudette Easley, Eric Murphy 29 Emily Blomer, Anna Weidner 30 Ken Carpenter, Don Engle, Jeanne Reuscher, Christina Schroeder, Shannon Whitson 31 Mandy Barnes, Brian Grote NIGHT CLUB Friday March 13 6:30pm Matthew 25 Ministries The 3rd Thursday of each month at 10:00am Staff e-mail Contact Julie Cummins Debbie [email protected] GROW Senior Adults Lance [email protected] Greeting Card Ministry The 4th Monday at 3:00pm City Gospel Mission The 4th Saturday of each month at 3:45pm Carpool from the church lot Dulcimer Nursing Home Ministry Every Tuesday evening Contact Vickey Sasser Connie [email protected] Jeff [email protected] Jamie [email protected] Linda [email protected] Cheri [email protected] Susan [email protected]
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