http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=35276

‘SBC Fuge’ opens for Phoenix June 13-15

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=35277

TRUSTEES: Church planting to be focus of new NAMB mission statement

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=35283

Albright, Millican join NAMB in key roles

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=35284

As states debate ‘gay marriage,’ consequences of legalization become clear

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=35285

SWBTS holds final graduation at TX church

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=35280

Korean Council to celebrate 30th anniv.

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=35279

Billy Graham in hospital with pneumonia

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=35278

NEWS BRIEFS: House panel OKs ban on military ‘gay marriages’

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=35282

The first article above is about Fuge camps.  I’m thankful they focused on the Rome of Central and Eastern Europe for the past five years.  Their financial support allowed the ministry to the Roma to reach many for the Lord during this time.  What a great blessing this has been.  As the focus turns to another area, may the ministry to the Roma continue to develop and multiply.  May the work in southern Africa be blessed and increased in the next five years as the focus is no them.

Don’t forget to attend Mug ‘n’ Muffin at FBC, Kentwood tomorrow at 10 A.M. tomorrow.  All girls and ladies, no matter your church connection, are invited to attend.

A lifelong resident of Amite, passed away on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at MorningStar Assisted Living Home in Lakewood, CO. She was born September 22, 1920 in Fluker and was 90 years of age. She was a graduate of Amite High School and Northwestern University (formally Louisiana State Normal College). For many years, she was the Executive Assistant of the Superintendent of Education under J. F. Corkern, Jack Lanier, and Dewitt Sauls and was also a board member of the Tangipahoa Teachers Credit Union. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Amite. A cherished event in her life was the year she was honored and selected by the City of Amite to reign as the Pearl of the Amite Oyster Festival. She is survived by her son-in-law, Ron McCullough, Golden, CO; grandson, William Ashley McCullough, Golden, CO; brother, Dr. John Russell Bond, New Orleans; 3 nephews, Jonathan Scott Bond and Marc Elliot Bond, New Orleans, John Russell Bond, Jr. Encinitas, CA; niece, Hesterlyn Bond Nakamura, San Francisco, CA. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Robert L. Ashley; second husband, Hector Emile Bernadas; daughter, Mary Ashley McCullough; parents, Rufus and Molly Mae Russell Bond; brother, Charles Elliott Bond. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 1p.m. until religious services at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, 2011. Services conducted by Rev. Mike Foster. Interment Amite Cemetery, Amite. In lieu of flowers, you are invited to make a memorial contribution to the First Baptist Church of Amite.

Mrs. Ierma Jean Hagen
(August 23, 1934 – May 11, 2011)

Mrs Ierma Jean Hagen was born on August 23, 1934 and passed away at 2:50 p.m., Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond. She was 76, a native of Crofton, KY and a resident of Kentwood.

Mrs. Jean is survived by her husband, Rev. Richard D. Hagen, Kentwood; 2 sons, Sidney Hagen and wife Diane, Powersville, SC and Timothy H. Hagen, Houston, TX; 5 grandchildren, Rachael Hagen, Ben Hagen, Jeremiah Hagen, Nathaniel Hagen and Ricky Hagen; sister, Maedowney Barnard and husband Herb, Florence, AL.

Preceded in death by her parents, Herman & Hazel Parker Gladdish; sister, Jacquelyn Marcum; brother, Herman Gladdish, Jr.

Arrangements will be added later.

An on-line Guestbook is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N & Hwy 16W next to Hood Automotive and behind Mr. Tom’ Car Wash and Holiday Inn Express.

THE VALUE OF SERMONS

The following story has been around for quite a while, but continues to make a good point.  It is supposed to have begun with a letter to the editor of “The British Weekly.”

“Dear Sir:

I notice that ministers seem to set a great deal of importance on their sermons and spend a great deal of time in preparing them.  I have been attending services quite regularly for the past thirty years and during that time, if I estimate correctly, I have listened to no less than 3,000 sermons, but, to my consternation, I discover I cannot remember a single one of them.  I wonder if a minister’s time might be more profitably spent on something else? Sincerely….”

That letter triggered an avalanche of angry responses for weeks.  Sermons were castigated and defended, but eventually a single letter closed the debate:

“Dear Sir:

I have been married for 30 years, during that time I have eaten 32,580 meals — mostly of my wife’s cooking. Suddenly, I have discovered that I cannot remember the menu of a single meal. And yet, I have received nourishment from every single one of them. I have the distinct impression that without them, I would have starved to death long ago.  Sincerely….”

There is a great deal of wisdom in that letter.  I have heard countless sermons over my lifetime — many were memorable, many more were not.  The truth is, I can’t even remember everything that I have preached (that’s why God created databases)!  But I know that many of the sermons which I heard have made an impact in my life, and I pray that the sermons I deliver do the same for others.

“And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” (1 Cor. 2:4-5)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Have a fantastic Friday as you remember to pray for these needs and for other needs that are not listed here.  Thanks for praying.

Anna Lee