Water Into Wine — John 2 1-11

I enjoy searching out old books and gleaning truths from them.  Some of the books I have found are “THE CARPENTER’S SON” by Julia Wells Wallace and “GREAT LION OF GOD” by Taylor Caldwell. Most recently I found another book entitled “THEN CAME JESUS” which I have given to our Pastor. These have all been books which have been around for some time. Now I turn to a book of more recent vintage. Kelly Minter has written a book titled “WATER INTO WINE.” You recall Jesus’ first miracle, don’t you?  When at the wedding at Cana he turned large stone jars brim full of water into wine.

Two thousand years ago, Jesus was sitting around with his disciples when he was told about the wedding. Because it was family, he chose to attend the event. And he told the guys around him, “OK, Let’s go.” Food, drink and good companionship were all to be had. A good time was to be enjoyed. And we find ourselves enjoying the tale that begins to unfold before our eyes.

But look again at that wedding tale. We find such things as the blessings of servanthood, the risks of trust and the struggle of faith. It was absolutely amazing to those who obeyed the Master. They carried water to fill the jars, and then they carried wine from the jars to fill the cups of the wedding guests. Today, more than two thousand years later, on a different continent, in another era, as members of a different culture, we still find ourselves carrying water, and encountering miracles. As in days gone by we also question Jesus, and like those of an earlier age find him faithful to the end.

Among other things, the story of the wedding at Cana teaches us obedience. Mary told the servants to do whatever Jesus wanted. They did so with no back talk. When Jesus told them to fill the jars with water the servants might have thought it to be a waste of time but they did it. They obeyed. Scripture tells us that they filled the jars “to the brim.” We aren’t told what the servants thought when they drew the “water” from the jars. I imagine they were pretty amazed. They had to wonder what had taken place. They knew that they had just filled those jars with water. From these huge jars came the finest wine anyone had ever tasted. So good that people exclaimed how good the wine was. But the point here is the servants had obeyed Jesus. And that’s the important thing.

The question asked of you and me isn’t, “Is this water or wine?” but “Are we filling the jars to the brim?” That’s how much is asked of us. When Jesus asks us to walk with him, like a child, we must place our whole trust in him.  We may walk with a limp but if we step out in faith we walk nonetheless. If we leave the end results to God, we will have obeyed and the water will be as wine.

November’s Get-a-Way

TIME TO MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR NOVEMBER WOMEN’S GET AWAY.
Details announced when available

WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN THE NAME OF JESUS?

You continue to provide:

    Non-perishable food items for the food pantry
    Transportation for Doctor’s appointments, grocery shopping and other needs are being met
    Baskets of Love are still bringing joy to the     recipients
    Busy hands are crocheting/knitting prayer shawls
    Sponsoring a child through the Door of Hope in South Africa
    Collecting funds for Operation Smile
    Donating through a Diaper Bag Ministry to assist work in Appalachia
    Our Youth are sponsoring a child in Africa

During the year we have many opportunities to participate in missions and ministry activities. You are never asked to fulfill all the needs, just let God guide you to the ones that touch your heart. If you are unable to do hands on missions, we encourage you to Become a Prayer Warrior: Pray for one another. Encourage one another in the faith.

ON-GOING MISSIONS AND MINISTRIES:
USED EYEGLASSES FOR LIONS CLUB
CAMPBELL’S PRODUCT LABELS
BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION
COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY
BSU FOOD LION SHARE PROGRAM
BOOK SHARE MINISTRY

Jesus said, “When you have ministered to the least of these, you have ministered unto me.” (Paraphrased)

McMillian and Life

In Concert
7:00 p.m.  Saturday, July 11, 2009

How blessed we are to have McMillan and Life returning to Azalea for another concert. Jimmy McMillan has been traveling full time in Southern Gospel Music for the last ten years.  He has been on the main stage at the National Quartet Convention; he has taped several Gaither videos and participated in five Jubilees at Sea cruises.  However, the local church is his favorite place to minister up close and personal where he can see the Lord working in real time.  He is also a prolific song writer and numerous gospel artists have recorded his songs.

Liz McMillan is part of one of the greatest legacies in Southern Gospel.  Her Grandfather – Alden Toney – was one of the founding members of the Toney Brothers in 1955.  She has recorded with numerous inspirational artists and sang on the main stage at the National Quartet Convention.

Josh Arnett is a songwriter and no stranger to Gospel Music having been a part of several regional groups based out of Indiana.  Josh is a native Hoosier and still lives in Ingalls, IN with his wife, Alica, and their four children.

Their primary goal is to share a message of hope, restoration and the unconditional love of Jesus Christ.  They want people to know that no matter who they are; what they’ve done; or where they’ve been – Jesus is waiting with love, compassion and forgiveness.

Bring friends – come to the concert and be blessed.  A love offering will be received for the group.  I ask that you prayerfully consider how much you can give as you remember not only the enormous expenses involved in ministry but also that this is their full time job and  how they provide for their families.

Thank you and may God bless you for supporting the Concert Outreach Ministry.

Liz Carter
Concert Coordinator
757-639-8088

FROM THE GEMS

What have those GEMS been up to?

Their hands have been busy wrapping 100 shoe boxes, collecting and delivering diapers to 93 Teen Moms, putting together gift items for 20 of those young girls who were graduating, helping out with a picnic for them all and holding some of their babies of course. For June the ladies took a break and went out for a nice dinner to socialize, laugh, make new friends, celebrate as they praise God for giving them such an opportunity to share the love of God through missions. And guess what, they will be spending the summer working on several more projects, so be on the look out for those wonderful God loving GEMS!

It’s time to fill those shoe boxes for the children in our local community. Please take a box or two and fill them with lots of items for a child. Be sure to pray for the child who will receive that box from you. You can even include a little note to the child. A list of items to fill them with is available. The filled shoe boxes will need to be returned by Sunday July 26th

While you are out there shopping or cleaning out your child’s toy boxes, why not start putting items to the side for the Angel Tree now.  You can hold onto the items until fall or drop off into the specially marked Mission’s box.  Used items MUST be in clean and in excellent condition. We don’t want to give items that are in need of repair or simply ungiftable.

Don’t forget there is a box located outside the women’s restroom by the Mission box for the collection of:

  • Twin size Flat sheets only (any color)
  • bags of Stuffing or from old pillows
  • Twin size blankets only (any color)
  • Any used flannel: ex shirts, sheets
  • Children sized sweat pants (the larger the better) up to adult small
  • coats, gloves/mittens, hats
  • school supplies

The GEMS meet next on July 28 at 7:00 PM.

————————————————————–

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

How important is our Sunday School?  Surely one measure of how important it is, is given by how deeply Sunday School events imprint themselves on someone’s mind and heart.

Some of my happiest childhood memories are of Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.
I loved hearing and learning the Bible stories.  One year our Sunday School goal was to memorize the first chapter of Psalms.  Although I can no longer repeat it word-for-word, I do remember several of the verses.  Growing up we did not have a car; therefore, we walked to church each Sunday, holding to my dad’s little finger and trying to keep up with his long strides.  We never questioned if we were going to church – it was a given and we loved going.  We were challenged to read our Sunday School lessons and be ready for a lesson quiz.

I remember one particular week that I wanted so much to impress my teacher, Mary Lisle Tucker, that I read my lesson over a dozen times so that I could memorize it and get my gold star.  Yes, wonderful memories of my life in a little country church that is still very active today.

Yes, I can vouch for it – Sunday School is very important, for all ages.  And, Azalea teachers are some of the best!
Richard and Dana

YOUTH – FUGE 2009

The Azalea Youth Group will be leaving for Centrifuge early in the morning of July 13th and returning late in the evening of July 18th.  
We will be traveling to Carson Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee.  
We are very grateful for the support of Azalea in the growth of this ministry and ask for your continued prayers before, during, and after our mission trip.
We hope that you will be able to be in attendance on Sunday, July 26th at the 11:00 am service as the Youth will lead and share their experiences and testimonies with the congregation.  
If you would like to correspond with anyone going to Fuge we ask that you mail your letters or cards no later than July 10th so that they will be received while we are there.  Below is a list of those going to Fuge and the address:

Carson Newman College
ATTENTION: CENTRIFUGE
1646 Russell Avenue
Jefferson City, TN  37760
Azalea Baptist / (Camper’s Name)

Raven Brady        Aaron Dillon
Lauren Dillon        Travis Emerson
Katelynn Fehnel                      Lauren Gardner
Jacob George        Nathan George
Malena Gibson        Shelby Groleau
Wes Hallman        Madisen Jewell
Steven Lemay        Blake McMahon
Ashley Rendon        Monica Rendon
Taylor Sausser        Rebecca Soliday
Latrissia Torres                       Marissa Torres
David Turnbull

Youth Leaders:
Brian Barnes    Tammy Jewell
Archie Parks    Melinda Saunder

McMILLIAM and LIFE

McMillan AND LIFE
In Concert
7:00 p.m.  Saturday, July 11, 2009

How blessed we are to have McMillan and Life returning to Azalea for another concert. Jimmy McMillan has been traveling full time in Southern Gospel Music for the last ten years.  He has been on the main stage at the National Quartet Convention; he has taped several Gaither videos and participated in five Jubilees at Sea cruises.  However, the local church is his favorite place to minister up close and personal where he can see the Lord working in real time.  He is also a prolific song writer and numerous gospel artists have recorded his songs.

Liz McMillan is part of one of the greatest legacies in Southern Gospel.  Her Grandfather – Alden Toney – was one of the founding members of the Toney Brothers in 1955.  She has recorded with numerous inspirational artists and sang on the main stage at the National Quartet Convention.

Josh Arnett is a songwriter and no stranger to Gospel Music having been a part of several regional groups based out of Indiana.  Josh is a native Hoosier and still lives in Ingalls, IN with his wife, Alica, and their four children.

Their primary goal is to share a message of hope, restoration and the unconditional love of Jesus Christ.  They want people to know that no matter who they are; what they’ve done; or where they’ve been – Jesus is waiting with love, compassion and forgiveness.

Bring friends – come to the concert and be blessed.  A love offering will be received for the group.  I ask that you prayerfully consider how much you can give as you remember not only the enormous expenses involved in ministry but also that this is their full time job and  how they provide for their families.

Thank you and may God bless you for supporting the Concert Outreach Ministry.

Liz Carter
Concert Coordinator
757-639-8088

WHY SUNDAY SCHOOL?

WHY SUNDAY SCHOOL?

Why is Sunday School important?  Why do we encourage our children to attend?  Why do we continue to participate in Sunday School?  Because we always have……..

Isn’t it amazing that we should ever find ourselves having to defend the importance of Sunday School.  After all, we can thank Sunday School for giving us pastors, missionaries, teachers; our churches are full of Christians strong in their faith and established in the scriptures.  The real importance of Sunday School is one that has a dynamic ministry to every member of the family.  It is a wonderful program that meets the needs of all family members as no other program in the church.

Here are some reasons why Sunday School is so important:

•    Sunday School provides a basic study of the     scriptures at a level of understanding that     reaches every age group.
•    Sunday School allows an opportunity for its     members to talk and share their needs with     others in similar life situations.
•    Sunday School provides an opportunity for     personal application of the scriptures based     on the age level of the class.
•    Sunday School provides for fellowship and a     sense of belonging for each member of the     class.
•    Sunday School provides a platform for     people to serve the Lord through teaching     and administration.
•    Sunday School is a training ground for     young Christians to be more productive in     their church and gives them the opportunity     to develop their skills and talents for the Lord.

Take time to thank your Sunday School teacher for bringing you the Bible lesson each week.  ABC teachers are the best!

Richard and Dana

Men’s Bible Study

In one more week the Men’s Bible Study group will have completed the Gospel of John. We will have spent about one year studying that great work. Do you think that a bit much? Then consider that we spent seven weeks studying John 3:16. “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who beliieves in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” (Holman Christian Standard Bible) Why do those few words require seven weeks? Would not a few sentences work just as well? Or maybe ten minutes would be sufficient. Let me answer that by quoting John 1:1-5.

“In the begining was the Word: and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the begining. All things were created through Him. In Him was life, and that light was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it.” (HCSB)

After studying those words and those words leading to JOHN 3:16 and with help of video and word prepared by Max Lucado we found that “For God so loved the world…” is expressed in many ways starting with the Book of Genisis and lasting through each following book into the last Chapter of Revelation. Seven weeks, was that enough time? If the truth be told seven times seven may not have enough time.

Upon the conclusion of John the group desires to next study the Letter from James. This will quickly as James has only five chapters in it. But that may not be the whole of it. There is no telling where God’s word will lead us. Join us if you will. We all could stand a little closer to our Lord Jesus. 7-8 pm most Thursday evenings, blessings to you.

Pastor John

What do the Jewish Passover and Jesus’ Last Supper have in common?Stephen Katz, speaking on behalf of Jews for Jesus, will answer that question on Sunday, March 29 at the 11:00 am worship service “Christ in the Passover.”

Using a visual display of traditional accouterments, “Christ in the Passover” will enhance your understanding and appreciation of the Jewish background of the Christian Communion. Ancient and modern Jewish customs are discussed and described with an emphasis on the aspect of redemption which Christ accomplished at Calvary.

A table is set with the traditional Jewish Passover items, including representative foods which are explained, but not eaten as new insights to the Christological significance are provided.

Jews for Jesus has presented this demonstration in over five thousand churches during worship. Some of the most important ekements of Christian doctrine, such as the Trinity, the principle of substitutionary atonement and salvation through a personal relationship with the Messiah, are implied in the Seder (Passover Feast) as observed by Orthodox Jews even today.

Stephen Katz oversees the Jews for Jesus ministry in Israel and also directs the branch in Washington, D.C. Stephen was raised in a traditional Jewish home in the Chicago, Ill. area. After his bar mitzvah and confirmation in a conservative synagogue, he began to wonder about life’s meaning. In college, he wrote a research paper for a Jewish professor on the topic, “Why the Jews at the time of Jesus didn’t think he was the Messiah.” Through his research – which included interviews with two rabbis and two pastors – Katz began to lean in the direction that Jesus might be the Jewish Messiah. Having been raised with a cultural bias against Jesus, he tried to ignore his findings and put the subject behind him. In May of 1975 he felt he had his answer and put his trust in Jesus Christ as the Messiah and his personal Savior.

Stephen Katz ha a master’s degree in social work, and an additional master’s degree in missiology, with a concentration in Jewish studies. He speaks and reads Hebrew.

As we prepare our hearts for Holy Week and Easter, I invite you to this rare opportunity to hear the objective evidence of the Hebrew Bible (what we call the Old Testament) and the New Testament, the evidence of historic Jewish observations as well as personal testimony of one who was transformed by Jesus, that he was who he claimed to be – the Jewish Messiah.

See you at “the Sunday morning place to be”…where Christ is in the Passover!

Pastor John

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