volume 60, issue 3 the pastor’s desk march 2016...

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Volume 60, Issue 3

March 2016 THE PASTOR’S DESK

Pittsboro Passion Play March 25 7:00 p.m.

March 26 3:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

Northwood

High School Auditorium

“He is not here. He has risen!”

Luke 24:6

Easter Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m.

Northwood High School Auditorium

THE SPIRAL - “KEEPING THE PEOPLE INFORMED”

FROM THE YOUTH PASTOR

Caswell is just around the corner with deposits

being due on the 29th of March. Caswell dates

for 2016 are July 25th through the 30th with

$100.00 deposit due by the 30th of March. The

2016 camp theme is “every...one, thing, day,

where: living your life on mission,” based on 1

Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen people, a royal

priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special

possession, that you may declare the praises of

Him who called you out of darkness into His

wonderful light.” This camp is limited to 36

spots, so reserve today! Sign-ups for

chaperones have been filled and the chaperones

are Jeff and Debra Magee, Jimmy Davis and

Christina Wight. This year’s speaker will be

Wes Hamilton, lead pastor at Hulen Street

Church in Fort

Worth, Texas.

Total cost for

this year’s trip

is $275.00

minus any

fundraising

money

collected. Also we will be lodging in Ginko,

which is the best rooms in Caswell.

Our first fundraiser for Caswell will be on the

16th of April and will happen in the fellowship

hall of the

church. We

will be

having a

Church-wide

Yard Sale...so

start looking

around for

stuff that you have outgrown or that you could

part with and donate them to the church

anytime during the week of April 11th.

Tampa Mission Trip promises to be a life

changing experience. July 11-17 or 18. Youth

will be doing minor construction as well as a

daily

backyard

Bible club.

Youth will

be sharing

the gospel

and

hopefully

with our

acts of service, be leading people to Christ!

Cost for this event will be $279.00 trip +

$99.00 Disney World + $40.00 hotel and

roughly $100.00 for food and spending cash.

Interested youth will need to send out letters

asking for support as well as participating in

our May fundraiser. A $50.00 deposit is due

March 31. Also we need one more male and

female chaperone.

In Christ,

Jon Pister


Life Group News

LIFE Group, a Blessing

In this season of my life, I am busy. Which sometimes equates to tired. And on occasion, grumpy. We host a LIFE group on Wednesday nights and Wednesday’s are busy. Which means I can be tired...and grumpy. And more than once I’ve thought to myself, “I really

just want to put on my PJs and watch a movie tonight.” And then the doorbell rings. And for the next 15 minutes our house fills up with smiles, laughter, hugs, and love. Real love. Love from other brothers and sisters in Christ. And we eat together. We pray together. We laugh together. We cry together. We read God’s word. We challenge each other. We share perspectives and life experiences. We learn from each other. And two hours later our house is back to the four of us winding down for the day. Tired, but happy. In this season of my life, I am blessed. And I am reminded of it every Wednesday night. If you are not involved in a LIFE group, please don’t waste any more time. Start enjoying God’s blessings now. Sign up on the PBC website or visit the information table at the back of the sanctuary this Sunday. Blessings, Jennifer Cashion


March 25, 2016 7:00 p.m.

March 26, 2016

3:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

Northwood High School

Auditorium

“He is not here. He has risen!”

Luke 24:6

No words could ever express our appreciation

for the love and support you have shown to us

during Dad’s stay in the assisted living facility,

the skilled care facility and at his passing.

Thank you so much for all the calls, cards, food,

visits, hugs and prayers. We are so blessed to

have such a caring and loving church family.

Ken, Cindy and Haynes Family

Pittsboro Passion Play

FREE ADMISSION Call 910-231-1560 for more information


I wrote this “letter” almost four years ago to the

day. My prayers have continued that someone at PBC will feel the call to this most rewarding and fun ministry. This call to service is being reprinted in the hopes that God will speak to one of you. If you feel a “tugging on your heart,” please do not ignore it. Looking for a Ministry?

A few weeks ago, I came across some old friends that I had not seen for three years. I

admit that I felt a bit guilty, as the end of our

relationships had seemingly been abrupt. But

seeing them brought back a flood of memories

that made me laugh and reminded me of the joy they had given me. They were quite a

diverse group with names like Skip, Sallie, and

Fuzzball.

About fourteen years ago, God put a tugging

on my heart to start a puppet team. I resisted

because I knew absolutely nothing about puppetry, but excuses like that are

meaningless in God’s eyes. After some

procrastination on my part, The No Strings Attached puppet team came into being. The

team existed over nine years, and with God’s

grace there were always folks

willing to take the

leap to learn

puppetry and give

their time and

talent to commit to God’s service.

Through skits

and songs, the

puppets would

entertain during the morning worship services. Our message was what Tripp refers to as a

“sticky statement,” about God’s love or how to

treat others, and other Biblical lessons. The

target audience was the children, but

invariably adults would tell the team members

that the messages were meaningful to them as well.

My heart would be over-flowing every time I

saw the team perform. I was amazed how our

talented puppeteers could give these inanimate

objects expression and personalities. I was merely the director (telling others what to do)

and am not gifted with the abilities of

coordination and skill required of a puppeteer.

After nine years of directing No Strings Attached, I knew it was time for me to stop. I

was experiencing a few trials in my life and my

enthusiasm was waning. In 2009, we gave our last performance. The stage was dismantled.

The costumes, props, and puppets were placed

in boxes.

A few weeks

ago, Brenna Fassinger,

asked if I

would talk

with her

American

Heritage Girls troop about

puppetry. I

agreed. I dug around in the church storage

closet, pulled the boxes out and opened the

lids. There they were, looking up at me with faces in blue, orange, and green. I confess I

had to choke back the tears.

With the lure of gas money to travel the fifteen

miles from Carolina’s campus, Kristin, my

daughter and former No Stings Attached

member, assisted me with the presentation by performing a couple of songs. As I watched,

that familiar bubble of joy welled-up in me -

such sweet puppets that bring sweet smiles to

children’s faces and adult faces, too. They are

tools of ministry, needing to be utilized. The

call has not come back to me, but maybe you are looking for a ministry.

During the time we were a team, our church

family generously gave so that we have a large

collection of professional grade puppets along

with CDs, scripts, and the basics to re-start the ministry. Most everything is in place - a

few items apparently have been used

elsewhere in the church, but can easily be

restored. We were good stewards of our

ministry tools and kept diligent care of our

puppets. My fear is that like vacant houses, without use, they will deteriorate.

I ask that all church members pray that our

puppet ministry be re-vitalized. As evidenced

by me, prior experience is not required. I am

willing, however, to convey what I have learned to get the team started. There are a few

requirements: commitment and joy at seeing

children smile. If you are interested, please

talk to me, Kathy Shaffer. God has a ministry

waiting for you. You may also talk

to Jennifer Cashion,

our Children’s

and Preschool Minister.

4 Jon Pister

5 Caroline Fiel

Rhonda Myers

6 Bob Lawler

Tripp and Amy Harmon ♥

7 Raymond & Renata Morgan ♥

8 Mel & Donna Harmon ♥

10 Barbara Lawler

Jenna Smith

11 Celia Parker

12 Trevor Pister

14 Mary Elizabeth Adams

16 Laura Kriegh

17 Billy Lewis Griffin

Danielle Kriegh

Owen Powers

19 Jimmy & Susie Griffin ♥

20 Madalene Adams

21 Ethan Lambert

22 Polly Flynt

23 Mason Ridge

Ron & Jen Gunter ♥

25 Kim Hubbard

Sergey Pister

Cameron Fowler

26 Eric Runyan

27 Lindsay Sanders

29 Percy Crutchfield

Jeff Christian

Alex Christian

31 T. J. Oldham



USHERS

Percy Crutchfield, Chuck Devinney,

Luke Fowler, Bill Griffin

GREETERS

JoLynn Perry, Lynn McCarthy, Geraldine Howard

SUNDAY NURSERY

March 6 Roderick and Katherine Parker, Karl Shaffer, Rebecca Ridge

March 13 Amy Harmon, Karlie Wiggins, Todd and Jenice Walton

March 20 Jennifer Davis, Nickie Runyan, Theresa Adams, Mary Adams

March 27 Easter

SUNDAY CHILDREN’S CHURCH

Bible Story Teller Small Group Leaders

March 6 Barb Daniel Jaime and Bert Magee

March 13 Carole Sanders Chad and Jill Lambert

March 20 Jo Lynn Perry Devin and Rebecca Ridge

March 27 Easter


VBS Butterfly Prayers - The Parents

This is the ninth month that you Prayer Warriors have been praying for those sweet children who attended PBC’s Vacation Bible School last June. We are confident that God is raining down His blessings on them. May we implore you to also pray for their parents? Some of those children may come from Christian homes where the mom and dad are guiding them in the Lord’s way. Some of

their parents however, may not be Christ followers. Lift all of these parents in prayer: for Christians, to give them wisdom and understanding; for the non-Christians, that their hearts will open to the beckoning of the Holy Spirit. It may very well be that they saw a difference in their child after attending VBS. This could be the spark that will change their lives. And He said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3

A Point in Time - Historical Tidbits about PBC

After the old church building was torn down in 1948, a n e w s a n c t u a r y a n d educational plant was built at a cost of approximately $80,000. The first service in the “new” sanctuary, which is the same one in use today, was held March 13, 1949.


God Works In Ways We Cannot See

By Vickie Highlund

This week I learned how God was answering my prayers...when I did not

realize my prayers were being answered.

My son, Chad, always calls me as he travels to work, and the other day he

said he had an amazing story to tell me. Chad is an elevator mechanic, and

each mechanic has an apprentice working with them. Chad’s apprentice’s

name is Kevin. Kevin was recently married, and he and his wife live in

her grandparents’ guest house, so they can save money to buy their own

house. The guys were talking with him about it, and someone asked him

how her grandparents made their money, since they could afford to own a

home with a guest house. Kevin said his wife’s grandparents owned

Amalia’s Restaurant in San Francisco.

Chad immediately stopped what he was doing and said, “Are you saying you are Lou Amalia’s

son-in-law?” Kevin replies “Yes. Do you know Lou?” Chad told him that he and Lou became

friends when they were both at MPI (a rehab

center) and later relapsed together, went to jail

together, talked about wanting to see their kids

together, etc. They eventually drifted apart.

Chad said he didn’t make a conscious decision

that he wouldn’t be friends with Lou but

somehow he knew he needed to get away from

him even though Lou was a great guy. It was

just too easy to do drugs with Lou since he

always had plenty of money. I believe God was guiding Chad’s mind and protecting him in

answer to my prayers even though Chad was not aware at the time.

Now Chad is living for the Lord, but Lou’s story had a very sad ending. As the conversation

continued, Chad asked Kevin how Lou was doing since he had not talked with him for about 8

years. Kevin said, “Lou over dosed five years ago, and his

mother found him dead in a condo they had bought for him in

Palm Springs where they had sent him for rehab.” Chad said

to me, “Mom, if it wasn’t for the Lord that could have been

me.” Chad was also amazed to find out that Kevin had

worked as an EMT on the 5th floor of MPI Rehab Center years

before, at the same time that Chad and Lou (his future father-in-law) were at MPI.

Kevin said he couldn’t wait to tell his wife and her grandparents that the “Chad” he had been

telling them about from work was a friend of Lou’s. He had told them he was working for a

guy who had been an addict but had turned his life around. Chad and I chatted about how

amazing it was that God brought him and Kevin together at work and how God works in our

lives in ways we cannot see at the moment.

I thought about his story off and on all day that day, and kept thanking God over and over for

protecting Chad, guarding his mind, guiding his way and working in his life so he didn’t end up

in the condo with Lou. I thought of the years, with tears flooding my eyes, that I had pleaded

with God to save my son and to keep him safe and alive, but saw

no evidence of my prayers being answered. And now, all these

years later I hear this story and realize how God honored my

prayers and kept His promises to me.


When times are difficult and you are blinded by tears, I encourage

you to read God’s promises in His Word, believe them, and hold on

to them even when you don’t see any action from God. He is

working out His plan for you and that person that you love so much.

During my quiet time one morning when I was so burdened for

Chad, the Lord gave me the words to the poem below. The amazing

thing is that God gave me these words around the same time as the

story above was unfolding! He is an awesome God!

Wait and be still

My Lord said to me

Though storms rage around you

One day you will see

Wait and be still

I’m watching from above

I know and see all these things

You’re covered with my love

Wait and be still

I see each tear that falls

I catch them in my hands

And hear you when you call.

Wait and be still

Though there’s nothing you can see

Just trust and obey

And keep your eyes on me

Wait and be still

When you’re blinded by tears

I will calm the storm within you

And take away your fears

Wait and be still

There is nothing I can’t do

I know what’s best and know the time

And I have a plan for you

Wait and be still

When the tunnel shows no light

I am there in your darkness

Take my hand and hold on tight

Wait and be still

My promises are true

Though they tarry, wait for them

And I will get you through

Check It Out News from the Pearle Johnson Memorial Library

Sunday Library Schedule 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

A great time to leisurely look at our books

10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Didn’t get up in time for Sunday School but too early for

the worship service? Stop by the library.

There are still some CDs and DVDs of the 2014 Worship Services available. One of those sermons from two years ago may be what you need to hear today. You will

find them on the table outside the library door. Take one or two then step inside and check out a book. At the end of March, the discs will become recycling material. For those of you who have been saying, “I wanted to check out one of those books I read about in the Spiral,” or “I have been meaning to come in to see what you have in there.” Next Sunday is the Sunday you can make those words a reality. Your PBC

Librarians await your visit. Easter is the most important day in Christianity. These Pittsboro Baptist Church Library books may give you more insight into what Easter means to your faith.

Six Hours One Friday - Living in the Power of the Cross by Max Lucado Does life feel futile? “Doesn’t have to.” Do some of your failures seem fatal? “They aren’t.” And your death. Does the grave appear to be the final stop? According to Christ, your death is just the start of the something great. There is a truth greater than all the losses and sorrows of life. And it can be discovered in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Six Hours One Friday, Max Lucado delves into the meaning of Jesus’ last hours on the cross. Through His death, your life has purpose and meaning. You are forgiven and loved by a Savior who died for you. And an empty tomb proclaims that death does not have the final word. Peace where there should be pain. Confidence in the midst of crisis. Hope defying despair. “Does death have the last word?” I can see Jesus wink as he gives the answer, “Not on your life.” (copied from

goodreads.com)


9-9:30a.m. 10-10:30a.m.

March 6 Judy Beaver Judy Beaver

March 13 Cindy Springle Sheila Holland

March 20 Kathy Shaffer Kathy Shaffer

March 27 Easter Easter

March Library Schedule

The Radical Cross - Living the Passion of Christ by A.W. Tozer “The cross of Christ demands from each of us identification. It is of no use to us unless we make it our own and enter

into his death and resurrection.” A.W. Tozer The Radical Cross is a powerful compilation of A.W. Tozer’s inspired impression on the cross of Christ. Arranged thematically, this thought-provoking book discusses The Radical Cross and its promises, its price, its purpose, its pain, its provisions and its paradox. It is a book that will challenge you to make the cross your own and to live the passion of Christ. (copied from

goodreads.com)

What Was God Doing on the Cross? by Alistair McGrath A book that brings to life the story of the cross and the resurrection—and impresses upon us the almost unbelievable truth that God allowed himself to be executed for our sake. McGrath challenges us to think and speak about the cross with freshness, directness, and vitality. (copied from

goodreads.com Serving Him, Kathy Shaffer


volume 60, issue 3 the pastor’s desk march 2016...

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