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Volume 55, No. 5 May 2017
Features
Birthdays: Page 7
Calendar: Page 6
Children’s Spotlight: Page 3
Extended Session
Schedule: Page 7
G412: Page 4
On a Different Note: Page 2
Pastor’s Pen: Page 5
Quarterly Business Meeting
Minutes: Pages 10 & 11
Senior Singles: Page 8
VBS News: Page 9
If you wish to submit news,
Newsletter Deadline:
May 19th
SOFTBALL GAMES BEGIN THIS MONTHSOFTBALL GAMES BEGIN THIS MONTH Despite all of the rain that we have continued to have, our softball teams have still managed to sneak in a few practices in an attempt to shake off the rust from last year. The teams are looking really good this year and I am ex‐cited for the season to start. We once again will be having 3 teams this year
(One men’s and two coed teams) so it will be a busy summer for softball ministry. The season is scheduled to kick off on Tuesday night, May 2nd, for the men and Thursday night, May 4th, for coed. As soon as we have league schedules they will be posted on the bulletin board in the back of the church and also be listed each week in the bulletin. We love having people come out and cheer us on, so if you are not doing anything on these nights, I encourage you to come watch us play. It’s like I always say, we might not always have the best teams in the league, but there is no denying that we always have the best fans!! We look forward to seeing everyone at the ballpark. ~ Coach John
Rachel House Baby Bottle Drive
We are two weeks away from the start of our Baby Bottle Drive for Rachel House that will run until Father’s Day. We have a total of 75 bottles being delivered and they will be here in two
weeks, on Mother’s Day, so please prayerfully consider how much you are able to donate to help this very important organization!
Claycomo Baptist Church - “Holding Forth the Word of Life”
Do or Do Not ‐ There is No Try Warning: This is not the most eloquent piece of writing that I’ve done, nor is it one that has my usual quips, quotes, or attempts at humor. This comes straight from a place of personal conviction that isn’t comfortable. Part of being a Biblical community, as Pastor Scott has been preaching on, is sharing the truth in love regardless of how painful, so here we go.
A command is not an optional thing. It’s much like you might think of an order in the military. The expecta‐tion is that it will be carried out to the letter. I find it very interesting that in Scripture we find many com‐mands and not many suggestions. What I’ve realized lately is that we, myself included, don’t seem to take them nearly as seriously as a soldier takes his orders. This is, and should be, a significant concern to us all and, frankly, we need to repent. The Bible says:
If you love me, you will keep my commandments. – John 14:15
This begs the question, “Do I love God?” If so, there is one way to show it. John doesn’t say that we should try to keep His commandments. He says that if we love Him, we WILL keep His commandments. Yet as I look around at my life I see a lot of trying, with vari‐ous levels of effort, but not a lot of making sure I’m doing. This painfully doesn’t leave a lot of wiggle‐room in the answer to “Do I love God?” And as con‐victing as that was to me, Scripture doesn’t stop there. The Bible also says:
And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. – 1 John 2:3‐5
Ouch. I know His commandments. I do not keep them all. Ergo…I’m a liar. My human nature immediately wants to kick in and defend myself in many ways, but the truth is that if I were on trial, I would be found guilty. That is inescapable. Now, there is good news. If I repent of this, God is faithful and just to forgive me and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Hallelujah! But I must remember that after that moment, I need to be about the business of keeping His commandments, not trying to. I am thankful that Jesus was gracious enough to boil His commands down to just two (for those of us without eidetic memories).
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and [love] your neighbor as yourself. – Luke 10:27
I do believe it’s time we move past trying and get on with doing His commands.
In Christ Alone, Jamie
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GOD FORGIVESGOD FORGIVES----DO WE?DO WE?
"He will turn again; He will have compassion upon us; he will sub‐due our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea." (Micah 7:19)
Have you ever wondered if God has really forgiven you of your sin after you've confessed it to Him, and asked His forgiveness? Do you fear there's a possibility that He'll hold your sin against you in the future? Or when others have asked for forgiveness, do we give it freely or hold it over them?
Read the verse above again. God compares His forgiveness of our sins as if He has thrown them "into the depths of the sea."
I looked up some facts about the deepest part of the sea that are very interesting:
♦ The deepest point of the Pacific Ocean is called the "Mariana Trench."
♦ Its depth is 36,089 ft. (nearly 7 miles!) ♦ The lowest part of the Mariana Trench is called the
"Challenger Deep." It’s 11,034 meters (36,201 ft) deep. ♦ Mt. Everest could fit into the Challenger Deep and its peak
still be covered by over a mile and a quarter of ocean.
Just think what that means! The deepest part of the sea could com‐pletely cover Mt. Everest! Now, with that thought in mind, read Micah 7:19 once more. God is giving us a wonderful illustration to show us that our sins are forgiven for all eternity.
We read in Jeremiah 31:34b, "For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." You will never have to wonder again whether your confessed sin will be forgiven by God. He has "cast all your sin into the depths of the sea."
Spend some time today in prayer thanking God for His assur‐ance that your sins are forgiven. Another good verse to memo‐rize would be 1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all un‐righteousness."
So if God is willing to remember them no more, shouldn't we follow that example and forgive completely? Teach your chil‐dren about God’s mercy and grace because that is what God extends to us daily.
I am so thankful that even though I do not deserve it, when I truly ask and seek repentance, He gives freely!! God forgives our sins and puts them far away from Him! In Him Alone, Rhonda Gordon CBC Children’s Director
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GGENERATIONENERATION 412 412 May Update
This past month has been great in continuing to get to know everyone. The youth have been continuing their study through the book of John on Wednesday nights which has been great. On Sunday mornings John has been gra‐cious enough to continue to teach. He has been awesome and such a blessing to me and Dani by helping out.
The youth had a game night last month which went really well and all the kids who came had a good time playing board games and hanging out together. A couple of the youth along with me and Dani also went to see the movie “The Case for Christ” in thea‐ters which was a really great movie.
Gen 412 also helped hide Easter eggs for our egg hunt at the church. They all had fun trying to find
places that were more challenging but with the amount of eggs it got to be difficult. They also had fun embarrassing Dani in front of everyone there by singing happy birthday to her (I loved every sec‐ond of that).
Coming up we will be doing our spaghetti fundraiser on May 7th to raise money for camps and trips this summer. We would all greatly appre‐ciate everyone's support in that! Above all we just want to give glory to God in all that we do as a part of Generation 412.
In Christ, Austin, Dani, and Gen412
Willing recipients Willing recipients A young graduate longed for a certain sports car and knew his dad could afford it. So on the big day, he was infuri‐ated to receive instead a leather‐bound, embossed Bible. He threw it down and left for good.
Years later, after his father died, the son entered his father’s study with sorrow and regret. Sorting through be‐longings, he found the gift and this highlighted verse: “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11, ESV). Suddenly something dropped from the back of the Bible: a key with a tag from the dealer of the car he’d wanted long ago. On the tag was his graduation date and the words “Paid in Full.”
How often we miss out on God’s generous gifts because they come “packaged” differently than we expect! At graduation — and throughout life — may we be open to every gift God bestows on us with a Father’s deep love.
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for re‐buking, for correcting, for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).
This verse, 2 Timothy 3:16, is so encouraging to me. As a fellow follower of Jesus Christ, let me suggest that all of us certainly believe this to be true. Our salvation depends on it. Our growth as a Christ follower depends on it. Our assurance of what lies ahead depends on it. Our confidence for living every day in this world depends on it. We owe our lives to the very God who created everything and has chosen to reveal himself to us through Scripture. This high value we place on the Bible is why I preach the way I do. Getting into the word of God to discover what God has said and learning to treasure that truth and live that truth is the greatest privilege and responsi‐bility we have. I believe this to be my responsibility—to encourage and exemplify these facts through pro‐claiming God’s word from our pulpit. I enjoy faithfully preaching and faithful preachers so much that I was greatly honored by the invite from a friend of mine to join with him and a team of pastors to help lead the Pastors’ Conference before the SBC Annual Meeting in Phoenix in June. The vision for the conference has captivated me since we set out devel‐oping the plan—get twelve pastors from typical Southern Baptist churches to preach verse‐by‐verse through a book of the Bible. We landed on the Book of Philippians with the conference theme of “Above Every Name” (yes, I did ‘borrow’ this title for my Easter sermon this year! Just couldn’t help myself), a theme to be a challenge and encouragement to the pastors, wives, and other messengers who will attend this year. I am looking forward to hearing from these men as they proclaim God’s timeless truth. I have also been quite encouraged to see the opportunity the Pastors’ Conference team has already had to make a positive impact in our convention of churches. The team has been able to gather support to help schol‐
arship in the neighborhood of 40‐50 pastors to attend the conference and con‐vention meeting this summer. Many of these pastors will do so for the first time in their ministries. Both large and small church ministries are partnering together involving themselves in this conference. Just recently I also read that the Na‐tional African American Fellowship (NAAF), a group of pastors of African‐American SBC related churches, has suspended their usual meeting during the time surrounding the SBC Annual Meeting to be able to participate in the Pas‐tors’ Conference as well as a crusade which will be taking place on the weekend leading into the week of the annual meeting. Praise God! This is very, very, very exciting and encouraging!
In the words of the eminent theologian, Inigo Montoya: “Let me explain…No there is too much. Let me sum up.” I rejoice greatly at the work of God through His word in the many, many ways our lives are impacted by His truth and our opportunity to minister by His word individually and in various cooperative ways. Certainly, what God has said is true: “so my word that comes from my mouth will not return to me empty, but it will ac‐complish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do,” (Isaiah 55:11) and “Therefore, my dear broth‐ers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your la‐bor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). By Grace Alone,
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Extended Session Schedule
Date Combined Toddlers & Preschool April 30 Jimmy, Jennifer A. & Chory
May 7 Delbert, David & Kylia May 14 Amanda, Candy & Jessica May 21 Lori, Brenda & Kiarra May 28 Jimmy, Marie & Isabel June 4 Gail, Anita & Jillian June 11 VBS Sunday ‐ All Ages in Sanctuary June 18 Cheryl H., Cheryl F. & Chory June 25 Delbert, Jennifer A. & Kylia
Please call/text Brenda (816‐305‐1408) or Gail (816‐223‐7931) if you are unable to serve as scheduled. Thank you!
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Elsie Ford is collecting Best Choice UPC labels to help sup‐port her cousin, in Florida, who is with Campus Crusade. Please save and bring only the UPC portion of the label to
Elsie (see sample at right). Thank you so much!
InIn‐‐CARNATIONCARNATION The official flower of Mother's Day is the carnation, the favorite flower of the mom of the holiday's founder, Anna Jarvis. Over time, the custom arose of wearing a white carnation on Mother's Day if your mother has died and a red one if she's living. In fact, many carnation colors have special meanings. Pink carries the richest Christian symbolism. According to legend, carnations first appeared on earth as Mary wept while watching Jesus carry his cross. Where her tears fell, there appeared pink carnations, symbolizing a mother’s undying love. According to one theory, the English word for carnation comes from carnis, Latin for flesh. From the same root comes incarnation, God’s coming to earth in flesh. Thus, carnations remind us of our loving mothers as well as our loving Savior.
May 1 ‐ Deril Gray May 25 ‐ Lois Beary Joey Lenfers May 28 ‐ Will Winquist May 5 ‐ Elora Smith May 30 ‐ Jack Delay May 18 ‐ Stacy Nickell Judy Dockery May 20 ‐ Tracy Nelson Ryan Foltz May 21 ‐ Anita Bross May 31 ‐ Shirley Scoville
The birth of Mother's Day
Anna M. Jarvis (1864‐1948) loved her mother dearly. It was Miss Jarvis who first suggested a national day to honor all mothers. At a memorial service for her mother on May 10, 1908, Anna gave a carnation, her mother’s favorite flower, to each person in attendance. Within a few years, the idea to honor mothers gained popularity, and Mother’s Day was soon observed annually in many large cities of the United States.
On May 9, 1914, by an act of congress, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sun‐day of May as Mother’s Day. He established the day as a time for “public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country.” By then, it had become customary to wear white carnations in honor of departed mothers and red carnations to honor the living. The custom con‐tinues to this day.
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CBC Senior Singles Meeting this month!
This month’s meeting is at noon on May 18th
@ Pizza Ranch N. Oak & Vivion.
Car pool will leave the church @ 11:30 so if you need a ride, someone will more than likely have room for you!
Regular meetings are the 3rd Thursday of the month at 12:00 noon from February through October.
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VBS Is Next Month!VBS Is Next Month! June 5thJune 5th--9th9th
What about You? Is Scripture your bedrock base in every area it teaches? Or are you easily swayed by the opinions of men? Does Scripture reign supreme in forming the foundation of your thinking in all areas? Or do you delight in airing your own opinions?
As we focus on the bedrock base of God's Word today, let's be sure we're pointing kids toward the Bible and not toward ourselves. God has magnified His Word above everything (Psalm 138:2), and who are we to usurp that position?
David understood the unique position occupied by the Word of God. Let's meditate with him on the im‐portance of the Bible:
"Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.
Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.
I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.
I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word.
I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me.
How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way."
‐ Psalms 119:97‐104
Please remember to turn in the needed supplies if you took a slip off of the foyer bulletin board. Thank you for your support and for praying for all aspects of VBS this year!
Amanda Eichler VBS Director
Business Meeting Minutes First Quarter 2017
April 9, 2017 Scott Gordon, moderator, called the business meeting for the first quarter of 2017 to order. A motion to approve the minutes of the January 22, 2017 business meeting and the February 19, 2017 special business meeting was made by Jim Myers, and Mark Foltz seconded. The motion was approved. Bud Woodside gave the Sunday School report. We averaged 94 people in Sunday School each week. We had 57 visitors. The highest attended Sunday was March 19 with 108 people in attendance. Jamie Cartledge gave the Worship Team report. At the beginning of this quarter, the music depart‐ment continued working with the children’s department on the children’s musical, Parablelooza. It was presented on March 19th and was a huge success. The kids did an amazing job and we couldn’t have accomplished it without Becky, Rhonda and all of the adult volunteers. The choir has spent much of this quarter focused on special music for Palm Sunday and the upcoming Easter service. Jamie thanked the worship team for adapting quickly this morning and learning the choir special in less than a day. There was a shipping mishap that left us with no music track for the choir, but the musicians did a fantastic job of learning and helping present “Mercy Tree” this morning. Austin Reser gave the Youth report. The youth went to Winter Jam, participated in a game night and a movie outing. The Valentine Banquet raised $1,000. Upcoming events include the spaghetti din‐ner, summer camps and additional fundraisers. The youth are studying the book of John on Wednesday evenings and Lifeway’s Bible Study for Life on Sunday’s. Austin thanked John Davis for all of his help and support. Roy Dockery made a motion to approve these reports, Becky Cartledge seconded the motion. The motion was approved. Mark Foltz gave the treasurer’s report. For the quarter, both the receipts and expense were less than the budgeted amounts. Cheryl Hylton, representing the Fellowship Team, reported that Easter Breakfast will be on April 16th in the new building. She thanked everyone who has helped to prepare for the breakfast. The fellowship dinner on April 23rd will be in the new building. The May and June birthdays will be cele‐brated on June 25th. Jimmy Hylton, representing the Properties Team, gave an update on the progress of the new build‐ing. He also said that sod will be laid soon and the driveway repaired with concrete. Brenda Parscale made a motion to approve these reports, and Roy Dockery seconded the motion. The motion was approved. Old Business: There was no old business.
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New Business: Jamie Cartledge, representing the Ministry Leadership Team made a motion that Claycomo Baptist Church license Austin Reser to the Gospel Ministry. The motion was approved. Austin Reser, representing the Ministry Leadership Team, made a motion that Jamie Cartledge, Rhonda Gordon and Scott Gordon, and anyone else who would be willing to be nominated, up to our allowed limit, be elected as messengers to the 2017 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meet‐ing held in Phoenix, Arizona on June 13 and 14, 2017. The motion was approved. Judy Dockery made a motion to adjourn. Jimmy Hylton seconded. The motion was approved. Cheryl Foltz Church Clerk
ATTENTION EVERYONE!
If you or someone you know would like to attend Sunday School and Morning Worship Service but cannot or do not
drive, we are running a church van route and would be happy to include you!
Please call the office and let us know you would like a ride and we will add you to the list and give you an approximate pick‐up time. Of course, return home time depends on how long it takes to round everyone up and hit the road!
Memorial Day Memorial Day
Over the years, Memorial Day has become a big holiday weekend. It’s now the unofficial start of summer, rather than a day of tribute to the departed it was originally meant to be.
Even if we plan fun events for Memorial Day weekend, it’s important to stop long enough to bow our heads and pay respect to our departed loved ones — especially those who fell in battle while helping preserve America’s liberties.
Let us take time to make the pilgrimage to various cemeteries and pause long enough to say, “Thank you, Father, for these special lives, for sacrifices made and for friendships we have shared.”
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of Claycomo Baptist Church 312 East Longfellow
Kansas City, MO 64119-1729
Ministers: All members of Claycomo Baptist Church
Senior Pastor Scott Gordon Worship Pastor Jamie Cartledge Youth Pastor Austin Reser
Phone: 816-452-5761 Church E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: www.claybapt.org
… “Holding Forth the Word of Life.”
Return Service Requested...
FYI ...
DateSunday School Attendance
Total OfferingBudget Offering
Weekly Requirements
Over/Under Budget
March 26 91 $6,421.00 $4,499.00 $3,988.00 $511.00
April 2 98 $3,635.47 $3,416.47 $3,988.00 ‐$571.53
April 9 95 $3,961.25 $3,433.11 $3,988.00 ‐$554.89
April 16 124 $7,367.00 $3,447.00 $3,988.00 ‐$541.00
April 23 84 $3,451.00 $3,001.00 $3,988.00 ‐$987.00
Averages 98 $4,967.14 $3,559.32 $3,988.00 ‐$428.68