Lots of Prayer Needed

This week begins with many prayer needs in our church family.  How interesting that yesterday's sermon was on the power of prayer!  Prayer is one of the greatest ministries of the church and when combined with loving actions - brings about great unity and that love that Jesus desires for the church. 

Please be in prayer for:

• Lowell L. - his mother passed away last night
• Lisa L.s grandmother - health problems, in the hospital
• Janet W.'s mother - having health issues - in the hospital *her step dad is still in the hospital, doing better,but has a long ways to go.
• Staten M's parents - having some health problems, needing rest, peace and strength
• Ida D's niece - in critical condition with a mass on her lung - lives in Alaska

There is a lot going on with these needs and upcoming activities.  These are opportunities to be a true part of the church family. 

Welcome, May

Can you believe we about to enter the month of May?  Although time is flying by this year, May is a beautiful month with some very special occasions to savor.  Here is a look at activities going on in May for Antioch.

May 2 - Family Meal - 6:00 PM
May 3 - Children's Camp Workers Meeting - 6:30 PM
May 8 - Associational Mission Trip Meeting
May 12 - Men's "Shoot-Out"  - 2:00 PM
May 13 - Mother's Day Breakfast - 8:30 AM
May 27 - Graduate Recognition

Want To Be Used By God?

What can we do to be used by God? 

1. Perceive the call of God:  God still speaks to His people.  Be sensitive and willing to surrender to His will.

2.  Preach the Christ of God:  As we go, may we show the world Christ in us. We're all sinners - none so good or bad that cannot be saved. God alone does the changing of lives.

3.  Practice the commandments of God:  Daily, in every place make it a habit to 'do the right thing".

"Every Christian is a missionary. Are you a good missionary or a bad missionary?  We influence others for good or bad."

Why Are You Weeping?

Why Are You Weeping?

Then they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." (John 20:13)

Mary Magdalene could vividly remember the day Jesus delivered her from her demonic . She became His devoted follower that day (Luke 8:2). She watched Him heal the sick and teach people about God’s love. Her life was transformed as she experienced the joy of being with Jesus.

Then her world seemed to fall apart! Her Lord was arrested and brutally murdered. The crowds that had shouted “Hosanna!” at the beginning of the week cried “Crucify him!” by week’s end. A final blow came when she went to anoint Jesus’ body at the tomb. She saw that His tomb was empty. Someone had apparently stolen His body. As she sobbed in despair, angels asked the poignant question, “Why are you weeping?” She was standing before an empty tomb! Jesus had risen, just as He had promised! Knowing that Jesus was alive put everything back into perspective, and Mary joyfully raced to share the good news with others.

The Christian life is not always easy. There are joyful moments of walking with Jesus, but there are also times when nothing makes sense and when your world seems to be crumbling. The world will mock your Lord, and you may grow discouraged. At those times, you need to peer into the empty tomb. It is the abandoned tomb that gives you hope, for it symbolizes the life that is yours from your risen Lord. The empty tomb promises that nothing, not even death itself, can defeat the purposes of your Lord. Are you weeping beside an empty tomb?

From Blackaby Ministries Devotional

True Christian Fellowshp

We at Antioch, love to fellowship!!  We love eating together, sharing together and worshipping together!  While fellowship with one another is a crucial part of Christan worship, how much 'spiritual fellowship" do we do? 

In our Experiencing God study, we learned that God is always at work around us.  It is up to us to be aware of where and what He is doing and join Him - not follow our own plan! 

If we are in tune to one another spiritually, there will be opportunities to know when God is at work in a brother or sister's life. 

Donald S. Whitney in  a book called Simplify Your Spiritual Life.  shares some questions that are a natural help in directing you conversations with your brothers and sisters in the faith to the spiritual. This is a handy list to keep in your Bible, planner or purse.

1. How is your (teaching, hospitality, outreach, or whatever) ministry going? What do you enjoy most about it?
2. Where have you seen the Lord at work lately?
3. What's the Lord been teaching you recently?
4. Have you had any evangelistic opportunities lately?
5. Have you had any obvious answers to prayer recently?
6. What have you been reading? How has it impressed you?
7. Where in the Bible have you been reading lately? What impact has it had on you?
8. How can I pray for you?
9. What's the growth point in your life right now?
10. What are you passionate about right now?

As we grow together as a church, may our fellowship deepen in Him as we become aware of His work.

Arrangement Information

There will be a visitation for the family of Terry B.'s sister tomorrow (Friday) night from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at Daniels Funeral Home.  There will not be a service right away, but this will provide an opportunity to share your condolences and your support for the family during this time.

Prayers Needed

Please be in prayer for Terry and Melissa B's family.  Terry's sister Debbie passed away today.  Debbie was recently diagnosed with aggressive cancer and spent her last days surrounded by her loving family.  There are no details yet about arrangements, but you are encouraged to keep this family close in your thoughts and prayers.

Please also be in prayer for some of Felton and Mary Lou's extended family.  They had a five year old child who passed away this week.  This is a heartbreaking time for this family and your prayers are needed.

5th Sunday Night Sing

April 29 will be a 5th Sunday!  That means we will celebrate with a 5th Sunday Night Sing and Testimony Time.

This is always a special time at Antioch where church family is blessed by those sharing a talent, special Scripture or testimony.

Please pray about taking part in this special service.  Remember, we are blessed, to be a blessing!

Class of 2012

On May 27 we will be honoring our graduating Seniors.  There will be a breakfast for the graduates and their families before morning service.  During the worship service, there will be a time to recognize each graduate and their accomplishments. 

If you have a senior this year, please mark the date and be prepared to celebrate!  If you know a senior affiliated with Antioch, please let Bro. Dave know to make sure they are informed about this day.

Church friends and family,  please pray for our graduates and their families!  They are on the verge of critical decisions for their future.  Please pray for the guidance of the Lord to lead them. 

Experiencing God - Through the Work Week

Many times, it is easy to assume God's activity generally occurs at the church.  In reality, throughout Scripture God was continually at work in the marketplace.  Some well known men of the Bible were called to serve while doing their jobs:

 

• Abraham
• Isaac
• Jacob
• Moses
• Elisha
• Amos

 These were ordinary businessmen who were available to God for His work. 

"Church on Sunday provides an opportunity for the saints to be equipped for their mission work throughout the week at their job sites."

May this week find you seeking God for opportunities to share Him through your work week.  May you be equipped from being in God's house to be an example of His love, grace and peace. 

Prayer Request

Please be in prayer for Mike and Elizabeth O's daughter Denise.  Denise's youngest daughter has been suffering with nosebleeds and after a doctor's appointment yesterday, she will be undergoing nasal surgery today in Jacksonville.  Please pray for the surgery to go well and correct the issues she has been having.

In addition to the child's health issues, Denise's husband had a flair up of gallstones this weekend.  Please pray for him and the healing and treatment he will need.  Your love, prayers and support are needed for the entire family today.  

Men's Event

Tomorrow night (Tuesday), there will be an association wide men's meeting.  This meal and meeting will begin at 6:30 PM at Wellborn Baptist.  Our church van is leaving at 6:10PM for anyone wanting to carpool.  All men are encouraged to come!

Good Friday

Good Friday is usually associated with the death of Jesus on the cross.  Seems funny to call it "good" Friday when this seems like a terrible day for His followers.  But...as we know, there is more to the story.  But here is a beautiful thought about the cross:

Darkness falls over the Earth on Good Friday. God's own son goes into the deep darkness, even death, to save us from the dark of our own hearts. While he is walking out this terrible mission his followers seem to do everything they can to show how little we humans deserve the favor.

God is a God of Light: he won't tolerate darkness, and darkness cannot survive in his presence. We who have dark hearts full of sin, should tremble at this fact, but Jesus, who was completely good, took on our sin and stood under the wrath of God. On the cross, he was destroyed and cut off from his Father. It was to have been our fate. This week, in the midst of humanity's own darkest hour, and in the face of his followers' cowardice, selfishness, and laziness, God does not cut us off. In his awesome mercy, he sends his own son into the darkness so that we might live in the light.

May we remember the sacrifice of Good Friday with humbleness and thankfulness.

Prayer Requests

Please be in prayer today for Janet W.'s mother.  As you know her stepfather is in the hospital in very serious condition following a fall.  Her mother has been struggling with poor health for a while.  With the stress of he husband's injury and the trips to the hospital, she is having a difficult time.  She was put in the hospital yesterday for treatment of a possible infection.  Please keep the entire family in your prayers as they go through a very trying time. 

Please also remember Mary Lou R. who is struggling with some intense back issues.  She is in much pain and having trouble getting around.  These families need the love, prayers and support of our church family during these times.

Holy Week

This week is known as "Holy Week" as it is the week before Easter.  There will be several activities going on at Antioch this week.

Remember men and women each have a time dedicated to prayer.  Men meet Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM and ladies meet Wednesday at 9:30 AM.  All are welcome.

Wednesday will be our monthly Family Meal at 6:00 PM.  Please plan to bring a covered dish to share and the family for some great food and fellowship together.  Prayer meeting and youth mission class follow at 7:00 PM.



Saturday will be our Children's Easter Activity.  Meet at the church at 10:00 AM for a great time of fun, games, food and of course a time to hunt Easter eggs!  Lunch will be provided, but we are looking for donations of desserts for the lunch.

Sunday is Easter Sunday and there will be a Sunrise Easter Service at 7:30 AM followed by a light breakfast.  Sunday School and Morning Worship will be at regular time, but there will be no evening service.