Church Blog

Brothers and sisters,

Happy Monday to all.  Even though we have joy always in the Lord, this Monday is not as happy for us as most.  Our beloved sister Peggy Blum went to be with Jesus on Saturday.    We will miss her tremendously.  We will all be short of a hug on Sunday.  However, we know she is happier than she has ever been, living now in the presence of Jesus, the One who gave His life so she might live with Him forever.  She loved Jesus and she is in His presence.  Even as I reminded her of her love for Jesus and His love for her last Thursday evening, she reminded me that no one could love her like Jesus loves her. No one can love any of us like Jesus loves us. Peggy lived and continues to live in His love.  We grieve here but rejoice that she is with Him forever.    We will celebrate her life here at the East Madison building at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, April 3. 

Yesterday, we thought about Jesus’ Last Supper and our continuing celebration of that when we share in the Lord’s Supper.  The Supper symbolizes Jesus giving of His body and shedding His blood so we could be justly forgiven.  We are part of the new covenant that the shed blood of Jesus inaugurated. Every time we take the Supper, we are reminded that we are in Jesus and He is in us.  Each of us is a part of His body and, because of that, we who believe in Jesus are a part of one  another.  Faith in Jesus makes us part of His body and united to one another.

Remember that we will be having a Good Friday service on April 19^th at the East Madison building at 7:00 PM in conjunction with Sovereign Joy Church.  Also remember that we will have our annual Easter Breakfast on Easter Sunday, April 21 at 9:30 AM.   There is a sign-up sheet for the needed food items for the Easter Breakfast in the foyer.

Love being your pastor! 

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church

Sisters and brothers,

Happy Monday to all!  I hope your week has started well.  It is truly nice to see the sun and feel spring arriving.  Yesterday we had a good day of worship.  It was good to have some better weather so we could see some of our wonderful senior saints, who have not been able to be with us because the inclement weather of the last month.  East Madison is blest by these wonderful senior saints!  As we worshipped yesterday, we saw that we should follow Jesus right now without reservation.  We looked at how we should be continually in awe of Him. We examined His power over nature, His power over the forces of evil, and His ability to forgive sin.  No one else has this power and ability except Jesus Christ. Jesus, Son of God and Son of Man, has the right to ask us to follow him now no matter what hardships we might face or whatever cost we may have to pay. Don’t be an emotional follower of Jesus who is caught up in the moment without realizing there will be very difficult times in following Jesus.  Don’t be like the man who thought He could follow Jesus later when it was more convenient and treated Jesus more like a consultant than King! King Jesus bids us to follow Him now without reservation because He is Lord of heaven and earth.

This weeks, “The Call to Courageous Manhood” men’s small group study will again meet Wednesday, March 20^th,  at 6:30 PM at David and Annette Juhlin’s home.   

We will have the Lord’s Supper, Sunday March 31^st, during our morning worship service.

Love being your pastor! 

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church

Brothers and sisters,

Happy Monday to all! It was good to gather yesterday and worship.  Yesterday we thought how the powerful acts of Jesus in Matthew 8 back up His message to us from “The Sermon on the Mount.”  Jesus’ claims to be the criteria by which we will be judged and the very one whom will we stand before in judgment were backed up by His life and powerful miracles.  We saw that no one is beyond the touch of Jesus and no one is beyond the power of Jesus’ Word, so we should not think any person beyond His help.  We also saw that everyone who believes can join Jesus in His mission of extending His Kingdom.   Jesus’ powerful acts reveal He alone is the Savior and Lord whom all should embrace.    

I want to thank all those who teach our Bible studies at every level, from children to adults.  Deanna, Damon, Megan and Jason work hard to teach the Bible to those who attend those studies.  I would encourage you, if you do not attend one of our Bible study classes that happen every Sunday morning at 9:30 AM, to join us. I also want to thank Grace Donaldson for her hard work in providing children’s worship twice a month.   These faithful people serve us quietly and faithfully.  I am grateful to each of you.

This weeks, “The Call to Courageous Manhood” men’s small group study will meet Wednesday, March 13 at 6:30 PM at the church building.  We will meet upstairs in the youth Sunday School room because Emily Juhlin has a concert and David will need to leave a little early.  Join us for this study.  

Love being your pastor! 

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church

Sisters and brothers,

Happy Monday to all!  As we finished the sermon series on “The Sermon on the Mount,” we saw in the conclusion that the Sermon on the Mount  is all about Jesus!  It is not just a sermon on ethical living, but a sermon that asks the question, “Will you believe in and trust your life to the One who preached this sermon, Jesus Christ?”  Jesus, who preached this sermon is the narrow gate we must enter the Kingdom of Heaven through.  We must not be misled by people who preach there are many ways to God.  We must not be misled by those who preach a Jesus other than the one revealed in the Bible.  Also, Jesus is the One who must know us and the One we must know.  Many profess faith in Jesus but do not know Him and whom He does not know.  On Judgment Day, Jesus will publicly profess to some of those who preached great sermons and did supposedly miraculous things in His name that He never knew them!  They did not live for His glory.  They did not truly believe and follow Jesus.  The served in Jesus’ name simply for what was in it for themselves and Jesus never knew them and they never knew Him.  We also saw that Jesus’ words must not simply be heard, but we must put them into practice.  It is not enough to read the Bible and listen to sermons and attend worship service.  When we hear the word of God, we must act upon it by building our lives upon it! If we put into practice Jesus’ words, we will survive whatever storms of life come our way.  If we simply just hear them and not do  them, our lives will be destroyed by the storms of life that come to all.  Our eternal destinies rest on what we believe about and do with Jesus Christ.   The Sermon on the Mount, and in fact, all of the Bible is about Jesus!

I want to challenge our men to be a part of the men’s short-termed small group study, “The Call to Courageous Manhood” that starts this Wednesday evening, March 6^th.  I think this study will help us to be better men of God-better husbands, fathers, sons, and grandfathers.  I am excited about this study.   It will led by David Juhlin and held at David and Annette Juhlin’s home and start at 6:30 PM.  You can contact David or me with any questions about the men’s group.  

Remember to move your clocks an hour forward this Saturday before you go to bed as we begin Daylight Savings Time. (I don’t think we actually save any daylight but simply rearrange our schedules to make it seem like we have more daylight!)

Love being your pastor! 

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church

Brothers and sisters,

Happy Monday to all!  As we celebrated the Lord’s Supper yesterday, we were reminded of the high price paid for us to be saved.  It was the very blood and life of the Son of God that purchased our salvation!  Thank you, Pete and the worship team, for picking such appropriate songs that helped us to focus on this truth.  As we examined Matthew 7:1-12, we thought about seeing others properly.   We learned that we are not to look at others with a harshly critical attitude.  We learned that we are not to look at others with an irresponsible naivete. We are to seek to treat others the way we would want to be treated.  We also looked at the truth that this can only be done as we continually ask and  seek God’s help.  The promise to ask and we will be given, seek and we will find, knock and the door would be open to us was given to us toward the end of the Sermon on the Mount.     Jesus is not talking to us about asking for things.  Jesus is telling us to continually pray for God’s help and power to live out the Sermon on the Mount, to live as His holy people.  Our prayers are not to be focused on things, but on living a life that continually glorifies God!

We will have a Pot Luck luncheon this Sunday, March 3^rd, after worship.   Bring enough to feed your family and a little extra for our guests.

We will begin a men’s short-termed small group study called, “The Call to Courageous Manhood” on Wednesday, March 6^th.  It will led by David Juhlin and held at David and Annette Juhlin’s home.  You can contact David or me with any questions about the men’s group.  

Love being your pastor! 

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church

Sisters and brothers,

Happy Monday to all!  It was great to be together yesterday to worship on a snowy Sunday.   We know many of you could not be here because of the weather and all of us understand that.  We don’t want anyone to take unnecessary chances on the roads when the driving might be unsafe.  However, we want you to know we missed you!  Those who could be here considered the things we should value and give our energies toward from Matthew 6.  We should make sure that we serve God alone and never bow to the idol of money and things.  Then, because we serve God alone, we need to give our energies and resources to seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness.  We need to be careful that we are not robbed of our energies by anxious worry about the future.  Our energies need to be directed toward loving God, walking with and serving Him and His children,  and serving others in Jesus’ name.  Don’t value what is not of eternal value.  Don’t be robbed of effectiveness in living today by anxious concern about tomorrow. Value eternal treasures by seeking above all else the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.

We will observe the Lord’s Supper during our morning worship next Sunday, February 24^th.  Our next Pot Luck luncheon will be after worship on March 3^rd.

We will begin a men’s short-termed small group study called, “The Call to Courageous Manhood” on Wednesday, March 6^th.  It will led by David Juhlin and held at David and Annette Juhlin’s home.  You can contact David or me with any questions about the men’s group.  

I wanted to include this announcement Carla made yesterday during worship about the previously planned women’s small group study: 

“After doing some follow-up on the author of the book, I have some concerns about her beliefs. Therefore, we will not do this study. I’m conflicted as to what to do now. If you have some suggestions, please let me know. I apologize for the late notice.”

Remember to continually pray for each other.

Love being your pastor! 

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church

Brothers and sisters,

Happy Monday to all!  Yesterday we worshipped and thought about how to live out our faith, especially in the spiritual disciplines we practice.  Jesus taught in Matthew 6 that we are to practice spiritual disciplines.  Believers depend on the Holy Spirit, who lives in us, to help us practice them in the right way.  We are to give, pray, fast and every other spiritual discipline we do to the glory of God and not to impress people.  We are to do these things so we will walk closer with God.  If we do these things to impress people, God is not impressed. We are to love Him and live for His glory.   We are to always be careful to live for the glory of God and not the praise of people.

We will begin on Wednesday, March 6 two new small groups. The new ladies group is a study called, “Discerning the Voice of God.” This group will be led by Carla and held at our home. Carla will be sending out an email with more information. Contact her with any questions. The men’s group will be a study called, “The Call to Courageous Manhood.” It will be led by David Juhlin and held at David and Annette Juhlin’s home. You can contact David or me with any questions about the men’s group.

Love being your pastor! 

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church

Sisters and brothers,

Happy Monday to all!  Yesterday we again looked at the Christian manifesto, “The Sermon on the Mount.” In “The Sermon on the Mount,” Jesus calls believers to be different  from others, especially in the way we love our enemies, bless those who curse us and asks God’s very best for them, and forgive those who despitefully use us.  In Matthew 5:17-48, Jesus calls us to a “greater righteousness,” a righteousness the Holy Spirit seek to continually produce in the lives of believers.    This morning I read an article written by my friend Billy Tinsley in his “Reflections Column.”  He shared a story about this “greater righteousness” that I want to share with you.

Twenty years ago, January 23, 1999, Graham Staines, an Australian missionary to India, was burned to death along with his two sons, Philip, age 10, and Timothy, age 6.  Staines was 57.  For 35 years Graham had ministered to lepers in a remote tribal village in India where he established the Mayurbanj Leprosy Home in 1982.  In 1983 he married his wife, Gladys, who joined him in the work. The mob that killed Graham Staines and his sons was apparently a  hardline Hindu organization intent on retribution for the missionary’s effectiveness in converting members of the lower cast to faith in Jesus Christ. 

After the attack, Gladys Staines forgave those who murdered her husband and sons.  She remained in India with their daughter, Esther, and continued their ministry among the lepers.  She stated, “I cannot just leave those people who love and trust us. I have high regard for the people of India and their tolerance.” The government of India awarded Gladys Staines the fourth highest civilian award in 2005,  Padma Sri in recognition for her outstanding contribution to India.  She has been called the best known Christian in India after Mother Theresa.  In 2015 she was awarded the Mother Theresa Memorial Award for Social Justice. 

Their story was recently made into a movie entitle The Least of These and released into theaters on February 1.  It appears the movie will be shown in a limited number of theaters for a limited time. The Executive Producer for the film, Victor Abraham, said the movie “beautifully illustrates the power of love, hope and forgiveness to overcome hate.”

This is an example of the “greater righteousness” to which believers are called and for which we fervently pray God’s Spirit to produce in each of our lives.

I want to thank Cheryl DiFonzo for coordinating the funeral dinner for Barb Holmes’ family and every other person who helped provide and serve this dinner.  I also want to thank Pete, Ron and Annette for leading in the worship at her service.   Thank you all for your wonderful ministry to this family we all love. 

It is not too late to join the second half of the short-term DVD Bible Study, “The Clash of Kingdoms,” which began Sunday.  In the part 2 study, you will continue to follow Paul to Athens and then to Corinth.  Damon and Megan are leading this study for older youth and adults.  This would be a perfect time to join a small group Bible study, especially if you are not currently involved in one.    

We will begin in March two new small groups that meet during the week.  Look for details in the next few emails. 

Love being your pastor! 

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church

Brothers and sisters,

Happy Monday to all!  It was great to be with you yesterday to feel the warmth of God’s family during this cold Wisconsin winter. We began to work our way through “The Sermon on the Mount,” what John Stott called the “Christian Manifesto.”  As the first sermon of Jesus in the New Testament, it was given to show us how to live as followers of Jesus.  The “Sermon on the Mount” is for believers. Only those who have been born again by the Spirit of God and have the Holy Spirit of God living in and empowering them can have the capacity to even try living by the lofty ideals in this sermon.  As followers of Jesus, we need to seek to be “Sermon on the Mount” Christians. The beginning of Jesus’ sermon teaches us to have our character marked by spiritual poverty, mourning for sin, and hungering and thirsting for righteousness. It teaches believers to be gentle, respectful, kind and merciful peacemakers.  We are assured by Jesus that if we are persecuted for Jesus and for righteousness’ sake and not for any lesser reason, we are truly blessed and follow in a great line of others who were so treated.  We are then called to influence our world as the salt of the earth and the light of the world.  We should seek to influence the world for justice and righteousness by being the salt of the world.  As the light of the world reflecting Jesus’ light, we want to point others to see Jesus as the Savior who loves them and who can change their lives.  In this way, believers seek to live as people set apart to glorify God in every part of our lives.

The weekend was also sad for the East Madison family as our sister Barb Holmes was called unexpectedly home to be with Jesus on Saturday. It is hard to say “goodbye” even though as believers we know we will see Barb again when we see her in the presence of our Savior.  We grieve for our loss, but we do not grieve as those who have no hope.  Our hope is in Jesus who died and conquered death for all of us by rising from the dead!  Barb’s memorial service will be at the East Madison building on Saturday, February 2, at 10:00 AM.  We will be providing a dinner following the service for the family and others.

Next Sunday morning, February 3, at 9:30 AM, the second half of the short-term DVD Bible Study, “The Clash of Kingdoms,” will begin.  In the part 2 study, you will continue to follow Paul to Athens and then to Corinth.  Damon and Megan are leading this study for older youth and adults.  This would be a perfect time to join a small group Bible study, especially if you are not currently involved in one.  The study will last approximately five weeks.  You do not have to have participated in the first half to be part of this study.  

Love being your pastor! 

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church

Sisters and brothers,

Happy Monday and happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to all!  Today we remember Martin Luther King, Jr. who lived out His faith in Jesus and fought for justice.  You cannot read Dr. King’s writings or listen to Dr. King’s speeches or sermons without seeing that His faith in Jesus motivated him to live his life to see an end to racism and injustice.  I hope believers will see the example of Dr. King and live with the same willingness to work for justice..  I pray that believers will imitate Dr. King and struggle to see people freed from oppression.  I pray that his courageous faith lived out will help us to be courageous believers in the generation where God has placed us.

We had a wonderful day of worship yesterday.  The worship team led us to think about the great sacrifice Jesus made for us, and Ron Roberts ‘ new song, “Remember When” helped us to think about how that personally applied to each of us.  They truly prepared us for the taking of the Lord’s Supper.  The message from Matthew 4 reminded us that we are not only called to forgiveness and salvation, but we are called to share that forgiveness and salvation with others who desperately need it. We are called to be on mission with Jesus.  We are called to share the same message of those who came before us.  We are often called to proclaim the message in dark and difficult places. (See today’s prayer request for missionaries Marcia and Kasey.)  We are always called to leave all and follow Jesus as we call others to leave all to follow Jesus.  And, we are called to both proclaim and deliver the healing message of the gospel. Yes, we are to be on mission with our Savior!

We will be having a pot luck luncheon this Sunday, January 27^th after worship.  Bring enough to feed your family and a little extra for any guests.  I am looking forward to this time of fellowship with each of you.

On Sunday morning, February 3, at 9:30 AM, the second half of the short-term DVD Bible Study, “The Clash of Kingdoms,” will begin.  In the part 2 study, you will continue to follow Paul to Athens and then to Corinth.  Damon and Megan are leading this study for older youth and adults.  This would be a perfect time to join a small group Bible study, especially if you are not currently involved in one.  The study will last approximately five weeks.  You do not have to have participated in the first half to be part of this study.  

Love being your pastor! 

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church