Happy Tuesday, September 4, 2018 church!

Brothers and sisters,

Happy Tuesday to all! I hope the Labor Day holiday was good for all of you. We had a wonderful day Sunday as we worshipped together. Together we took the Lord’s Supper to remind ourselves of the high price Jesus paid so we could be saved from sin. The Lord’ Supper reminds us of the horrible nature of our sin. Our sin is so deadly, destructive, dehumanizing and repulsive that it required the death of the sinless Son of God to atone for it and set us free from sin. But the Supper also reminds us of God’s great love for us in this: “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Also as we looked in Daniel 2, we learned once again that the true and living God forever truly is the Sovereign King and Ruler of the entire universe. We saw how God disturbs kings and kingdoms as He reveals his greatness to them. We saw how we, as God’s servants, have the privilege of witnessing to and honoring the true and living God before a skeptical world. We saw that one day every person will ultimately acknowledge His rule and confess Jesus Christ alone as Lord.

Please be praying for Peggy Blum and her family in the death of her sister Marietta Smith. Mrs. Smith passed away last Thursday. Memorial funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 5, 2018 at 2:00 P.M. at the Picha Funeral Home in Lake Delton. Peggy wanted everyone to know how thankful she is for your prayers.

We will be beginning two new short-term small groups on Wednesday evening, September 19th. Both these studies will take place on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM. On September 19 the ladies will begin the War Room Bible study “featuring five inspiring movie clips and five challenging scriptural lessons adapted from the film.” (It is not necessary to see the film; however, Carla has a copy of the movie for viewing if any of you want to borrow it.) If you haven’t let Carla know of your interest, please let her know you want to be a part of the War Room Bible study so she can order enough books. Also, email or call her if you have questions. The study will be held at 909 Tony Drive, Madison.

The men’s study beginning on September 19th is from the Conquer Series and entitled: The Battle Plan for Purity. It is a discipleship study for men on how to walk with God and triumph over the temptation of pornography. It is said that up to 63% of Christian men struggle with the temptation of internet pornography. This study provides understanding of and help in overcoming those temptations. Even if you might not struggle with the specific temptation of pornography, you will learn some principles about overcoming other kinds of temptation. I encourage every man that can to be part of this study.

We will also begin October 7th a new short-term DVD Bible Study on Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM for older youth and adults called “The Clash of Kingdoms.” In this DVD study facilitated by Damon and Megan Tolhurst you will “discover how Paul communicated the Good News of Christ to Philippi, a Roman colony that worshipped false gods. Can you live the message as Paul did while he encouraged the church in Philippi to consider itself a colony of heaven, not Rome? Consider your citizenship and the message you convey to the world as Ray Vander Laan takes you deeper into the culture of ancient Philippi.”

We will have a Pot Luck luncheon this Sunday, September 9, following our worship service. Please bring enough food for your family and a little extra for our guests.

Love being your pastor!

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church