We all know that God loves everybody, but that concept easily becomes clouded with sentimentality and weakened by the fact that there are usually “professional church leaders” present that we think are able to do all the loving that’s needed, which means we don’t have to do as much loving ourselves. That is not what God has in mind for His Bride! The love of God is aimed at the whole world. While that is true, you and I live in the particular corner of that world and God has given us responsibility over it. Our little corner is to be loved by God, and loved through us. This Sunday, May 20, we will consider Ephesians 3: 14-21 again, but from the perspective of the width, the broadness, the openness of the love of God. The message is entitled, “How Wide?”

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Nursery Ministry: We deeply appreciate those who give up their time to worship together in order to take care of our little ones. This Sunday we thank Theo Cooper.

This Week @ Pocasset Baptist Church

Sunday, May 20

• 10:00 A.M. Praise and worship in the Worship Room. Nursery is provided for children to age 4 at 9:45. Children from grades K-6 will be dismissed to J-Force.
• 11:30 A.M. Our Leadership Team will meet for a luncheon meeting in the Fellowship Hall.
• 7:00 P.M. We will lead worship at Cape Cod Senior Residences, 100 Dr. Julius Kelley Lane, Pocasset.

Tuesday, May 22

• 3:30 P.M. We lead worship at Bourne Manor Extended Care facility, 146 Mac Arthur Boulevard, Bourne.
• 7:30 P.M. Men’s Ministry in the Alpha Room is a time of encouragement, prayer and Bible study in the Gospel of Mark, specifically designed for men.

Wednesday, May 23

• 6:30 P.M. The Glory of God on Cape Cod monthly corporate prayer meeting is at Faith Assembly of God 154 Bearses Way, Hyannis.

Thursday, May 24

• 7:30 P.M. Kid Kare is our ministry to the families of Primary Purpose AA. Serving the families htis week are Michael and Dana Pruett and Jonathan Jensen. Thank you for your ministry!

The Blessings of Generosity :: In response to the March 13 fire, our church received an offering to help Calvary Baptist Church in Hyannis during April. This week, a check for $829.00 was sent to help them recover. Also, we just received a letter from A Woman’s Concern thanking you for your contributions that were contained in those baby bottles you filled with loose change this past winter — $265.91! Thank you all!

You can now give to our church directly from our webpage! We have recently established a PayPal account. This means that whether you are travelling, forgot to bring your tithe with you, or you found that although you live elsewhere, God is leading you to support the Lord’s work here — you can give without fear through this secure online method. Check it out!

Many of you signed up to minister in Kid Kare during June, July and August. More help is needed, so please sign up this Sunday and indicate that you’ll be on hand to bless the children. Thank you!

The Lord has provided funds to pay for 50% of our church radio advertising for three months. If the advertisements bear fruit, the anonymous donor may provide 25-50% toward advertising for the next three months. We have decided to purchase radio ads from October through December, allowing us time to raise the money we’ll need initially. The total cost is $400 per week, or $5200 for the quarter. Our donor will reimburse us after we pay each invoice from the station. Please give toward this witnessing opportunity! You can send gifts to our church c/o Radio Fund, PO Box 1080, Pocasset, MA 02559. Thank you!

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How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? — Psalm 13:2

There’s no denying it: even born-again Christians get the blues!

But if there’s one thing the Bible has in spades, it’s encouragement for turning attitudes around and getting through bad circumstances. And there’s nothing like quiet time with God to soothe a troubled spirit.

When we hush our inner complaints so we can listen to God, he will remind us that he’s there and he loves us, and we can feel encouraged even in the worst of circumstances.

So if right now everything looks bleak and hopeless, keep listening for him. You will get there, all bright and shiny from having been through the fire!

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me. — Psalm 13:5-6

In His Precious Name,
Laura

It’s Mother’s Day this Sunday, May 13, 2012. Of all the special days of the year, Mother’s Day may be the one special day that tends to have the greatest emotional impact on us all, especially if Mom is no longer with us. One of the great truths of life is that Christian mothers pray for their families. At some point in our lives we may have discovered that our Mom prayed for us and that she continued to pray for us, no matter how “grown up” we thought we had become. If Mom has passed away, we soon realized we dearly miss those prayers. Perhaps the greatest and most important characteristic of a mother’s prayer life is that it is persistent, persevering through thick and thin. She prayed for us when there was trouble or sickness, and she prayed whether or not we were “good.” Mom prayed and she prayed, and sometimes she prayed for many years before the answer came. Some mothers do not live to see their prayers answered, but our God still listens and He still hears and He still acts. We can certainly learn from Mom’s example.

This Sunday, we will consider Isaiah 64. The strong words and the teaching contained there are for us all, because all of us are called to pray for our families, for our church, and for our communities. As you honor your Mother this weekend, consider imitating the power of her example in the way she prayed for you.

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Nursery Ministry: We deeply appreciate those who give up their time to worship together in order to take care of our little ones. This Sunday we thank Timber Leech.

Next Sunday we’ll have a Coffee Hour after our worship service. Dana Pruett in charge, so if you’d like to help bring something, please contact her. Thank you!

This Week @ Pocasset Baptist Church

Sunday, May 13

• 10:00 A.M. Praise and worship in the Worship Room. Nursery is provided for children to age 4 at 9:45. Children from grades K-6 will be dismissed to J-Force.

Tuesday, May 15

• 7:30 P.M. Men’s Ministry in the Alpha Room is a time of encouragement, prayer and Bible study in the Gospel of Mark, specifically designed for men.

Thursday, May 17

• 7:30 P.M. Kid Kare is our ministry to the families of Primary Purpose AA. Serving the families htis week are Liz de la Cour and Jonathan Jensen. We would sure appreciate another helper on hand! Thank you so much for your ministry!

Sunday, May 20

• 11:30 A.M. The Leadership Team will meet in the Prayer Room and enjoy lunch together.
• 7:00 P.M. We lead worship at Cape Cod Senior Residences.

On Sunday, we will offer an opportunity for you to sign up to help in Kid Kare on Thursday evenings starting at 7:30 P.M. We will be filling the calendar for the months of June, July, and August. This is a ministry that is much needed and therefore we really appreciate your faithfulness!

For Your calendar:
On Wednesday, May 23, from 6:30 – 8:00 P.M., please join us at the monthly Cape-wide Corporate Prayer Meeting at Faith Assembly of God, 154 Bearses Way, Hyannis, sponsored by The Glory of God on Cape Cod.

The Lord has provided funds to pay for 50% of our church radio advertising for three months. If the advertisements bear fruit, the anonymous donor may provide 25-50% toward advertising for the next three months. We have decided to purchase radio ads from October through December, allowing us time to raise the money we’ll need initially. The total cost is $400 per week, or $5200 for the quarter. Our donor will reimburse us after we pay each invoice from the station. Please give toward this witnessing opportunity! You can send gifts to our church c/o Radio Fund, PO Box 1080, Pocasset, MA 02559. Thank you!

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But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell. — Matthew 5:22 (New Living Translation)

There is no denying that verse is very hard to swallow. Just being angry at someone is wrong? Holding a grudge for a real injury is bad? It takes a long time to integrate this verse into the day-to-day, but I can say from experience that it’s not only possible, it is WONDERFULLY FREEING!

You wouldn’t think so, would you? But if someone cuts you off in traffic, isn’t it much more pleasant for you to wave and smile than to get angry and let it affect the rest of your day?

Acting out in anger is poisonous. If someone says something mean, either immediately ask them why they said that, or if that is not an option, take yourself aside and pray. Quick, before you do something toxic in return. Evil begets evil. Love begets love.

Forgiveness is not so much about forgetting as it is about loving. It is purely Christian. Jesus forgave those who reviled him as he died on the cross, out of sheer love. We can certainly do the same to our persecutors, out of love for him.

These are exciting times! I told you recently that the Lord has provided funds to pay for 50% of the cost of advertising on radio for three months. If the advertising bears fruit, there are funds to pay for 25 – 50 % for the following three months. You may think, there’s no way we can afford even that much. If we planned to do it tomorrow, that might be true. But we are going to place the advertisements in the fourth quarter of the year — October through December, to maximize our outreach potential and also to give us time to raise the needed funds.

Radio stations (much like churches) reach different audiences. Some stations primarily reach young people, others appeal more to men, or to older people, or to a female audience. We will need to answer questions, such as: Who is our intended audience? What kind of people are we trying to reach? Those are not just advertising questions. They are important questions for us to ask because they help us to conduct our outreach as a church with understanding and also help us to know how best to direct our advertising dollars.

Radio advertising will cost roughly $400.00 per week for the thirteen weeks of October through December, or roughly $5,200.00. Advertising like this allows us to step into a whole new area, to boldly go where we never gone before — and that is exciting! Starting now, we are receiving gifts toward that $5,200 goal.

We are thrilled at this opportunity the Lord has given and we hope that you are excited, too! Let’s allow Cape Cod to hear about the Safe Harbor God is building right here! Please pray for God to empower our people to give! Your help will mean this powerful witnessing tool can be used. Send your gifts to:

Radio Fund
Post Office Box 1080
Pocasset, MA 02559

This Sunday, May 6, 2012, is Communion Sunday. Our Communion Offering (the small brown envelopes) are used to provide resources for us to help those who struggle in this economy. Speaking of which, I am really pleased to announce that our church generously gave $579.00 toward helping Calvary Baptist Church recover from the fire that burned through their building on March 13. Thank you so much for having compassion and vision for this ministry! Many Cape Cod churches are pitching in and helping as the number of those receiving assistance continues to grow.

We are blessed, and I am excited, to have my coach, Bill Nicoson, the Executive Director of Cornerstone Church Network with us this week. Bill will share an encouraging and challenging word for our church, so don’t miss this! Please give him a warm welcome. Bill will meet with our Leadership Team following the service.

This Sunday we’ll have a Coffee Hour after our worship service. Ruth Leech is taking the point this week, so if you’d like to help bring something, please contact Ruth at 508-548-7853 or email her at psalmlady23@yahoo.com. Thank you!

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Nursery Ministry: We deeply appreciate those who give up their time to worship together in order to take care of our little ones. This Sunday we thank Ruth Leech.

This Week @ Pocasset Baptist Church

Sunday, May 6

• 10:00 A.M. Praise and worship in the Worship Room. Nursery is provided for children to age 4 at 9:45. Children from grades K-6 will be dismissed to J-Force.
• 11:30 A.M. Coffee Hour in Fellowship Hall. Thanks to Ruth Leech for coordinating! The Leadership Team will meet with Bill Nicoson. Our next coffee hour will be on May 20, and will be hosted by Dana Pruett.

Tuesday, May 8

• 7:30 P.M. Men’s Ministry in the Alpha Room is a time of encouragement, prayer and Bible study in the Gospel of Mark, specifically designed for men.

Wednesday, May 9

• 8:15 A.M. We leave PBC for The Glory of God on Cape Cod prayer breakfast in Dennis.
• 3:30 P.M. We lead worship at Bourne Manor Extended Care Facility.

Thursday, May 10

• 7:30 P.M. Kid Kare is our ministry to the families of Primary Purpose AA. Serving the families htis week are Mike and Samantha Mahony, Zoe Janicki, and Jonathan Jensen. Thank you!

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A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones. — Proverbs 17:22

I’m sick as I write this, so not feeling particularly inspired. But it did me good to read that verse! So easy to be whiny and miserable when you’re sick. But God is with me, and that’s enough to cause me to rejoice despite physical discomfort!

How amazing to know that he is always with us, however alone and sick we feel.

In his precious name,
Laura

I was so blessed to hear the testimonies from last Sunday’s service! Knowing God is so gracious, so merciful and kind, is a great encouragement, especially if you’re going through a rough patch in your own life. Anyone who was unable to be here last Sunday can easily access the message online at: http://www.pocassetbaptist.org/audio/04-22-2012.mp3.

The Body of Christ on the Cape was blessed tonight (Wednesday) as we gathered at Mashpee High school, set aside the other pursuits that tempted us, and together sought the Lord. Each of these Glory of God prayer services is different, and this one, hosted by Mashpee Baptist Church, was certainly unique. The service included a powerful time of prayer for the Mashpee church and for Pastor Curtis Frye, who remains in desperate need of a kidney transplant, and closed with two worship songs performed by the church’s drum circle.

All Christians probably think that their own church is just great. I know I do. Whenever I am away, I seriously miss worshiping here. For example, while I was thrilled to know last Sunday went so well, I was totally bummed to have missed it. If you live elsewhere in the world, do you feel that way about your own church, or is it just me? This Sunday, April 29, 2012, we will consider another of the impossible acts that God is more than willing to do on behalf of His children.

It’s not at all a bad thing to love your church. However, the question God would bring before us this weekend is this: If our church is so great, and if the other churches around us are really great also, why is it that our town, our state, and our nation are in the kind of shape that makes us wonder if the Church of Jesus is really doing our job? Why is it that the people who do not know our God able to say with impunity, Where is your God? Give some thought to that question and read John 11, the account of Jesus raising Lazarus, and see if perhaps the Lord might quicken an answer or two from the text. What is God willing to do for His Church?

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Nursery Ministry: We deeply appreciate those who give up their time to worship together in order to take care of our little ones. This Sunday we thank Ruth Leech.

We congratulate Vivian Ellis today as she has begun her term as President of the Upper Cape Chaplaincy and will pray for her as she seeks God’s wisdom for these days.

Children will remain with their families this Sunday, as there will be no J-Force this week. Marian and Kristen Clough are away at a scrap booking conference at Singing Hills Christian Conference Center in New Hampshire for the weekend. If any women would like to take part in this crafting opportunity in the future, the next such weekend is in November. Please speak to Marian for more information.

Next Sunday, May 6, we will enjoy another coffee hour, Ruth Leech will provide for this time. If you can help Ruth, please bless her and us by being in touch with her this week.

This Week @ Pocasset Baptist Church

Tuesday, May 1

• 7:30 P.M. Men’s Ministry in the Alpha Room is a time of encouragement, prayer and Bible study in the Gospel of Mark, specifically designed for men.

Thursday, May 3

• 7:30 P.M. Kid Kare is our ministry to the families of Primary Purpose AA. Serving the families htis week are Bruce and Judy Plante. We could really use one or two more helpers this week. Thank you!

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The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him. — Luke 8:38-39

I was one of the four who gave testimony in church last week. And frankly, I was unwilling!

I would much preferred to have talked about a different experience. But God was very insistent that I talk about something I would have like to never revisit. He kept saying to me, “Someone needs to hear THIS.”

Another voice kept saying, “Don’t be silly. God doesn’t talk to you. You’re being conceited and delusional.” But I felt strongly compelled to go ahead and obey even if it was a delusion, so I — unwillingly — stayed the course. I told myself I would never know who, if anyone, needed to hear about my experience.

God had other ideas. Right away, someone thanked me, telling me it was exactly what was needed, and why. The specificity and immediacy floored me. I was humbled.

Never, EVER listen to that little voice saying God doesn’t speak to you. Believe me, he does. Powerfully.

In his precious name,
Laura

An anonymous donor has offered our church a tremendous opportunity so that, for the first time, we will be able to produce advertisements on Cape Cod radio stations for a three month period of time at a 50% discount. This is a wonderful gift, and over the next couple of weeks, we will discuss how we believe the Lord would have us take advantage of this generous offer. We solicit your prayers as, even with the size of the gift being offered, we will still need to raise a significant amount of money.

This Sunday, I have been asked to share at the Cape Vision Sunday at Mashpee Baptist Church, along with Pastor John Paul Lotz, of Christ Chapel, and Dr. Mamdouh Riad, giving voice to the vision of The Glory of God on Cape Cod. Meanwhile, in our own church, several of our members are preparing to share their personal stories of God’s involvement in their lives. This is going to be so encouraging that the testimonies will also be recorded so those who live at a distance may be able to hear these stories of God’s faithfulness on our website.

Life — no matter who is living it — is a daily and constant struggle. What Jesus said in Matthew 11: 28-30 is so important that it is the theme for this Sunday’s worship service: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Let the life of Jesus minister to you when you come to worship on Sunday — His life as it is lived through people in our own church who are finding that Jesus offers real hope for our lives.

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Nursery Ministry: We deeply appreciate those who give up their time to worship together in order to take care of our little ones. This Sunday we thank Shirley MacLean; next Sunday, April 29, Ruth Leech.

Thank you to everyone who signed up to provide food for our bi-weekly coffee hours! This Sunday, Theo Cooper will provide food, and on May 6, Ruth Leech is on deck.

This Week @ Pocasset Baptist Church

Tuesday, April 24

• 7:30 P.M. Men’s Ministry in the Alpha Room is a time of encouragement, prayer and Bible study in the Gospel of Mark, specifically designed for men.

Wednesday, April 25

• 6:30 P.M. This month’s Glory of God on Cape Cod prayer meeting will be held at Mashpee High School auditorium. There’s lots of parking and lots of seating. Please support Mashpee Baptist Church in this prayer effort. Cape Cod needs your intercession united with other faith-filled believers.

Thursday, April 26

• 7:30 P.M. Kid Kare is our ministry to the families of Primary Purpose AA. Serving the families htis week are Michael and Dana Pruett, Liz de la Cour, and Jonathan Jensen. Thank you!

There are openings to serve in our ministry to the families of Primary Purpose on Thursday nights. Please come and help us!

We will continue to receive offerings to help restore the ministry of Calvary Baptist Church in Hyannis after the March 13 devastating fire. Please give to our Fellowship Fund through the month of April.

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Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. — 1 Peter 3:9

Sometimes people can really get under our skin. Especially people we have to deal with on a long-term basis — say, a co-worker.

It’s easy to take the bait when someone willfully insults or snarls at is. Even if we suppress the anger or hurt, we may find ourselves nursing it so it grows, becoming more bitter and toxic.

But this reaction is not what our faith encourages. And if, rather than reacting in a non-Christian manner, we speak gently and kindly in return, we’ll find the emotions subside and God will bless us with his peace.

In his precious name,
Laura

This week, I’ve been in Sharon, MA, praying and worshiping with ministry leaders from the Greater Boston area. Please don’t think me strange: the opportunity is one that I have treasured since the first annual New England prayer summit in 1991. I find myself energized, encouraged, greatly blessed and fortified for whatever the Lord has in store for us when I return from a summit.

This Sunday is the Sunday after Resurrection Sunday, and it is traditionally one of the poorest attended Sundays around the nation. Why is that? Honestly, I think so much of it stems from simply not being in a real relationship with the Lord. If there was a real relationship, staying home would never be an issue. All that to say this: if your relationship with God is real and vibrant, you will not want to fall prey to the temptation to be somewhere on Sunday morning other than among the Lord’s people in worship.

This week, we are going to consider the implications for our personal and church ministries that we can glean from one of the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus in John 21: 1 – 14, in a message entitled, “153.” Please read the passage and see if you can come up with some of these motivating truths for your own life.

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Nursery Ministry: We deeply appreciate those who give up their time to worship together in order to take care of our little ones. This Sunday we thank Vivian Ellis; next Sunday, April 22, Shirley MacLean.

This Week @ Pocasset Baptist Church

Sunday, April 15

• 7:00 P.M. We lead worship at Cape Cod Senior Residences. Friends, we need your participation in these times of worship. You cannot ask for a friendlier congregation. It’s a wonderful opportunity to love folks for Jesus!

Tuesday, April 17

• 7:30 P.M. Men’s Ministry in the Alpha Room is a time of encouragement, prayer and Bible study in the Gospel of Mark, specifically designed for men.

Thursday, April 19

• 7:30 P.M. Kid Kare is our ministry to the families of Primary Purpose AA. Serving the families this week are Lisa O’Reilly and Jonathan Jensen. We could really use another person or two to be on hand this week — thank you!

Bi-weekly Coffee Hour: Wasn’t that an awesome coffee hour we enjoyed on Resurrection Sunday? many thanks to Christine Vignali and Dianne Good for hosting our first! We’re hoping to have a coffee hour every two weeks, and this Sunday we’ll have a sign up sheet to encourage you to say that you’ll help to host on an upcoming Sunday.

Speaking of signing up, there are openings to serve in our ministry to the families of Primary Purpose on Thursday nights. Please come and help us!

Please come to this month’s Glory of God on Cape Cod regional prayer meeting on Wednesday, April 25, starting at 6:30 P.M. in the Mashpee High School Auditorium.

We will continue to receive offerings to help restore the ministry of Calvary Baptist Church in Hyannis after the March 13 devastating fire. Please give to our Fellowship Fund through the month of April.

Next Sunday, April 22: Testimonies will be shared by folks in our church who have experienced God working in their lives. Don’t miss next Sunday’s very special service! Laura Garner is coordinating. If you’d like to share, please email her at mysterywench@gmail.com.

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But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect… 1 Peter 3:15

This is my “go-to” verse when I find myself wanting to beat someone over the head with the Bible or tell them why they’re wrong and I’m right. Actions speak louder than words, and if we live our lives in a way that reveres Christ, people will be drawn to him through us.

As Christians, if we act in anything other than love and compassion, even (especially!) to people who are unkind to us or oppose our beliefs, we are betraying what we profess to believe. If we judge — including gossiping, backstabbing — we’re betraying what we profess to believe.

In his precious name,
Laura

If you have the time, please plan to attend tomorrow’s Cape Cod Good Friday Service from 1:00 – 2:30 P.M., at Faith Assembly of God, 154 Bearses Way, in Hyannis.

Let’s be clear — on Resurrection Sunday, we are not celebrating the arrival of spring, cute bunnies, or colored eggs — no matter how delightful they may be. We are certainly not involved in a festival dedicated to a pagan fertility goddess named Eostere. No, on this Sunday — and on every Sunday — we celebrate the resurrection from the dead of our Savior and Lord, Jesus. Egg hunts, colorful dresses, and nominal worship attendance may characterize the way people who seek to be religious might observe this most special day in the church calendar. But for us, Resurrection Sunday 2012 is uniquely, simply, and elegantly more praise, more worship, and more of a deepened awareness of the massive display of power exercised by our God when He moved heaven and earth to raise up His Son out of His limitless love for us.

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Invite friends and family members to worship with you this Sunday! We will be blessed to have a coffee hour following worship, hosted by Dianne Good and Christine Vignali. If you’d like to bring some refreshments to share, please contact Dianne at 508.759.0499.

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Nursery Ministry: We deeply appreciate those who give up their time to worship together in order to take care of our little ones. This Sunday we thank Theo Cooper; next Sunday, April 15, Vivian Ellis.

This Week @ Pocasset Baptist Church

Tuesday, April 10

• 7:30 P.M. Men’s Ministry in the Alpha Room is a time of encouragement, prayer and Bible study in the Gospel of Mark, specifically designed for men.

Thursday, April 12

• 7:30 P.M. Kid Kare is our ministry to the families of Primary Purpose AA. Serving the families this week are Dana Pruett, Judy and Bruce Plante, and Jonathan Jensen. Thank you!

Saturday, April 14

• 9:00 A.M. Our Leadership Team will meet in the church office.

Sunday, April 15

• 7:00 P.M. Worship service at Cape Cod Senior Residences.

Pastor Ed will take part in the Greater Boston Prayer Summit this week, a very important and strengthening time for me!

Sunday, April 22 — Testimonies will be given by folks who know God’s been working in their lives. This will be a high point in all our times of worship together. Let Laura Garner know that you’re willing to share a brief word of what God has done for you at mysterywench@gmail.com.

This month’s Glory of God on Cape Cod Regional Prayer Meeting will be held in the Mashpee High School Auditorium! So many people attended the last time Mashpee Baptist hosted the prayer meeting that many could not even get inside the church! So, on Wednesday, April 25 at 6:30 P.M., Mashpee High School will be the venue for this evening of worship and prayer!

We are continuing to receive a special offering to help Calvary Baptist Church restore their ministry to the needy after the fire on March 13. Thank you for your willingness to give!

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For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. — 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

As you may know, I’m gathering people to give brief testimonies at church in a few weeks. I feel God’s urging to find new ways to speak of him, of our faith, of things so mystical and incredible that they are hard to translate into earthly terms.

Giving testimony seems like a scary thing, outside of church. How can we tell what we believe without scaring, confusing, even offending these days? How can we impart this deep, eternal joy in a way that non-believers will understand and see the light?

But much more importantly, how can we NOT tell it?

For me, for many I know, finding Jesus was a life-saving moment. Literally. And as we grow in Christ — a growth spurt that never stops if tended to — we find ourselves compelled by love to share our faith, to save other lives that may be in the grip of the same darkness we once knew.

The power of the Resurrection is with us. Let us not be afraid or shy, but boldly and lovingly tell what we know.

There’s a worship song that contains the lyric: “Everyone needs compassion…” That is surely true, and what we also need is a good challenge from time to time, and some encouragement, as well. If you would appreciate a fresh shot of encouragement and a solid challenge, then this is your Sunday! Please join us on Palm Sunday, April 1, 2012. We will host the Teen Challenge Choir! After they share their testimonies of lives changed by the power of a relationship with Jesus, we will also have the privilege of hosting them for lunch following worship. Please do invite your family and friends to come with you on Sunday, and do plan to stay for lunch. Please be prepared — we will receive a Love Offering for Teen Challenge.

Please note: On April 6, Good Friday, the Evangelical Ministers Fellowship will sponsor a Good Friday Service at Faith Assembly of God, 154 Bearses Way in Hyannis. There will be Christ-focused worship led by a worship band representing a number of churches. Six area pastors will bring messages around the theme of the betrayal, arrest, and trial of Jesus.

Resurrection Sunday: April 8 :: We will enjoy a coffee hour following worship on Resurrection Sunday! Thank you to Christine Vignali and Dianne Good for co-hosting. Please let them know you will bring some goodies to add to the fun.

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Nursery Ministry: We deeply appreciate those who give up their time to worship together in order to take care of our little ones. This Sunday we thank Tim Leech; next Sunday, April 8, Theo Cooper.

This Week @ Pocasset Baptist Church

Tuesday, April 3

• 7:30 P.M. Men’s Ministry in the Alpha Room is a time of encouragement, prayer and Bible study in the Gospel of Mark, specifically designed for men.

Thursday, April 5

• 7:30 P.M. Kid Kare is our ministry to the families of Primary Purpose AA. Serving the families this week are Mike and Samantha Mahony and Zoe Janicki. We would really appreciate at least one more helper. Please indicate your willingness to help on the sign-up sheet. Thank you!

Friday, April 6

• 1:00 P.M. The Evangelical Ministers Fellowship’s Good Friday Service at Faith Assembly, 154 Bearses Way, Hyannis.

Saturday, April 14: Our Leadership Team will meet at 9:00 A.M., in the church office.

During April, we are receiving a special offering to bless the congregation of Calvary Baptist Church in Hyannis, whose building was destroyed in a fire on March 13. Please be generous in your giving and help this church’s ministry to the poor be restored.

Our testimony time will take place during the service on April 22. We are still looking for people interested in sharing a testimony of how their faith was born or strengthened, in a way understandable to non-Christians. Please let Laura know if you’re interested.

Can we talk about some of life’s most difficult moments? I am talking about those random life events that that hit us like a thunderbolt, that seem to come out of left field, that catch us completely by surprise and totally unprepared. These are the events that make us wonder if the God we worship is really the God who is in charge of this planet. This week, we will think a bit about the trial of Jesus. His trial propelled Jesus right to the cross. Events like that, which are not life-changing in a good way, effect us forever. When we wake up and find that the roof has fallen in, how do you handle it? How do you reconcile the horrible and the holy? How do you make sense of what is going on?

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Nursery Ministry: We deeply appreciate those who give up their time to worship together in order to take care of our little ones. This Sunday we thank Ruth Leech; next Sunday, April 1, Tim Leech.

This Week @ Pocasset Baptist Church

Sunday, March 25

• 11:30 A.M. Immediately following worship, we will have our annual meeting in the sanctuary. Please stay and help us conclude our church’s business and adopt the Financial Plan for 2012. Thank you!

Tuesday, March 27

• 3:30 P.M. We lead worship at Bourne Manor Extended Care Facility on MacArthur Blvd.
• 7:30 P.M. Men’s Ministry in the Alpha Room is a time of encouragement, prayer and Bible study in the Gospel of Mark, specifically designed for men.

Wednesday, March 28

• 6:30 P.M. The Glory of God on Cape Cod regional prayer meeting at New Life Christian Center, Main Street in Dennisport.

Thursday, March 29

• 7:30 P.M. Kid Kare is our ministry to the families of Primary Purpose. Kid Kare is our ministry to the families of the Primary Purpose AA meeting. Serving the families this week are Mike and Dana Pruett, Liz de la Cour, and Jonathan Jensen. Thank you!

Friday, March 30 and Saturday, March 31

• 7:00 P.M. Bob Sorge, internationally known teacher on worship, will minister at Living Hope Family Church, 46 Mitchells Way, Hyannis.

Sunday, April 1

• Teen Challenge will minister here at our church. Please invite your friends to enjoy testimonies of lives changed by the power of Jesus Christ. We will host the choir for dinner following the service. This is your chance to meet and get to know these brothers of ours.

We are receiving an offering to bless the congregation of Calvary Baptist Church in Hyannis, whose building was severely damaged by a fire on March 13. Calvary has had a ministry of enormous importance to the poor and homeless population of the Cape. Thank you for your generous giving to help this church get back on its ministry feet!

The EMF Cape Cod Good Friday Service will be held at 1:00 P.M., at Faith Assembly, 154 Bearses Way, Hyannis.

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Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” — Matthew 28:16-20

In this scripture Jesus tells us what we’re supposed to be doing as his followers. Back then, people may not have heard of Jesus, or may have heard of him but not gotten the full story. These days, most people — at least the ones we’re likely to interact with — have heard of Jesus, but may have an odd idea of who he is and what he stands for.

Has the Great Commission changed with the times? Not necessarily. It is still our job to live our lives in a way that glorifies our Savior. If we’re truly following Christ’s example and teachings, that kind of living is still rebellious (in a good way) and flies in the face of conventional “wisdom.” It is our example and the light that shines through us that will lead people to a better understanding of who Jesus is, that will cause them to question us, and that will give us the chance to tell what we believe.

If we have accepted Jesus as the Lord of our lives, we have the authority to spread the good news and help others to find him.

In His Precious Name,

Laura

It was great to hear the excitement in Timber Leech‘s presentation last Sunday as he shared about volunteering with Samaritan’s Purse for five weeks in the Tohoku region around Sendai, Japan. If you missed last Sunday’s service, we have posted Tim’s remarks online so you can hear his message. Go to: http://www.pocassetbaptist.org/audio/leech03112012.mp3, or you can also find the message here: http://www.pocassetbaptist.org/missionaries/timber-leech/.

This Sunday, March 18, 2012, Bob Reali will bring the message from God’s Word. I have been asked to share in the presentation of the vision of The Glory of God on Cape Cod at New Life Christian Center in Dennis Port. You’ll recall that our church had a Cape Vision Sunday a bit more than a month ago. One by one, God is inviting the churches of Cape Cod to enter into the heart of God for this region, to take personally that churches suffer in spiritual bankruptcy while hundreds of thousands live here without hope for eternity.

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Everybody wants to be rich, to win the lottery, or in some way to have a whole lot more than we have right now. We even hear folks use the Bible to justify this materialistic spirituality. Hopefully, it has dawned upon us that God’s intent for our lives is never simply to satisfy our selfish desires. Instead, God’s plan is for us to prosper despite our circumstances. How can we say that? Even in the midst of Babylonian captivity, God called His people to pray for their leaders and to carry on with their daily lives. Bob will show us that the captives had to learn, just as we do: true prosperity is not financial well-being or security, but having a life-foundation that is built on the promises of God. As we approach income tax time, Bob will bring an important message from Jeremiah 29, entitled “Prosperity.”

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Nursery Ministry: We deeply appreciate those who give up their time to worship together in order to take care of our little ones. This Sunday we thank Vivian Ellis; next Sunday, March 25, Ruth Leech.

This Week @ Pocasset Baptist Church

Sunday, March 18

• 7:00 P.M. This evening, we will lead worship at Cape Cod Senior Residences, 100 Dr Julius Kelley Lane, Pocasset.

Tuesday, March 20

• 7:30 P.M. Men’s Ministry in the Alpha Room is a time of encouragement, prayer and Bible study in the Gospel of Mark, specifically designed for men.

Thursday, March 22

• 7:30 P.M. Kid Kare is our ministry to the families of Primary Purpose. Liz de la Cour and Jonathan Jensen are signed up to bless the kids. Another person on hand would prove to be a great help — thank you!

As you know, the Calvary Baptist Church building in Hyannis was lost to a fire on March 13. Calvary has had a great ministry to the homeless and hurting in the community, feeding and clothing them. We will receive a special offering next Sunday, March 25, in an attempt to offer our help in this very difficult time. Thank you — please pray about how the Lord will lead you to give.

Also, next Sunday, March 25, please stay for our Annual Meeting immediately following worship.

The next regional prayer meeting that unites the churches of Cape Cod in seeking God’s manifest presence on the Cape will be held on Wednesday, March 28, from 6:30 – 8:00 P.M., at New Life Christian Center, 486 Main Street, Dennis Port.

The Teen Challenge Choir will be here on April 1 to sing and testify to the life-changing power of Jesus Christ. Please sign up today to help provide food for the delicious dinner we will provide for the men! Also, please invite your friends to join us for worship and dinner.

There are openings in the schedule for our Kid Kare Ministry on Thursday nights. Your participation in this important ministry is needed and appreciated. Thank you!

Got Testimony?: Still searching for a few more brave individuals to present brief personal stories about how YOU found Jesus, had a prayer answered, or other significant spiritual experience intended for people who don’t know God. They will be presented during a service before Easter, if possible. Please email Laura Garner at mysterywench@gmail.com, or call her at 508 759-0335.

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Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. — Matthew 7:1-2

This is a tough one, isn’t it? It’s so easy to get sucked into talking about people behind their backs, or passing snap judgement on them when they have a lapse in manners.

Jesus follows this passage up by saying we should call our own faults to mind and correct them before attacking another’s, and Paul advises us to “speak the truth in love” if there is a need for correction.

There is a difference between having discernment and passing judgement, so we need to be very careful and be sure we’re putting God first when that inner voice starts niggling at us about someone else’s sin or fault.

In His Precious Name,

Laura