Dr. Jim Butler — Pastor May 2014

“As the shepherd’s staff was a tool of service, so are we who serve with Jesus.”

We Honor Our Mothers May 11 The one thing we all have in common is. . . .we all have mothers.

Some of our mothers have passed on, while others still have their

mothers with them. Mothers come in all shapes, sizes, ages and

abilities. Those who had the joy of having a godly mother are, of all

people, most blessed.

Our LaBelle family will be honoring our mothers on Sunday,

May 11, during the morning worship. The best way to show your

love and appreciation to your

mother is to join her for worship here at LaBelle on Mother’s

Day. If your mother has passed, the best way to honor her

memory is by being in God’s house.

While we love and will recognize all of our mothers on

Mother’s Day. There will be special recognition of two mothers:

The mother with the youngest child present for worship.

The mother with the oldest child present for worship.

Each of these mothers will be given a gift certificate to an area

restaurant. Moms we love you!

May 18 Is Graduate Recognition Day On Sunday, May 18, our LaBelle family will honor all of our

graduates in our morning worship. Some may be graduating from

high school, while others will be graduating from college, trade

school or other specialized training schools. Jamie will lead the part

of our worship where we recognize all of our graduates. The church

has a gift for you. We also want to pray for you as you begin the

next phase of your life. Please contact Jamie at (901) 834-9896 if

you are a graduate and will be present on May 18. We would like to

have two pictures to share with our people. One, a graduation

picture, and the other, a picture of you as a child. The pictures need to be turned in no later than

Wednesday, May 7.

The Shepherd’s Staff Page 2

As I write this article it dawned on me that we have only 7 more Sundays in our present church. Do you know how quickly 7 Sundays fly by? June 22 will be here before you can turn around. Before we

move there are several key things I need to say to you. . . .

First, I want ALL of you to move with us. When we moved Trinity Baptist out of Whitehaven to Southaven, several people did not go with us. They said it was “too far for them to travel.” Some have already said that to me this time. It will break my heart. . . .if anyone does not cross the Jordan and enter the promised land with us. It is only 5 miles! There are no churches like LaBelle for you to go to. Why would you want to miss the blessing? We love you, and

need you. Come go with us.

Second, we need your help. We expect large crowds (especially in the first few weeks.) We must plan for these crowds. We need plenty of ushers, greeters, teachers, huggers, and smiling faces. When new families come to visit our church, I need every one of us to make them feel welcomed. Do not assume someone else will help them. You shake their hand, take them to the Welcome

Center, help them find their Sunday School class.

Third, get ready for a little confusion and a lot of excitement. My experience has been that when a new church (or business) opens, there are lots of people who want to come and “check it out.” Not all of those people will return the next week. However, many of them will if they felt good about their first experience. So, let’s make

them feel so blessed they will want to return again and again.

A WORD FROM. . .

OUR PASTOR

Bro. Jim Gives Building Update In our business meeting Bro. Jim gave an update on our construction progress and cost. Here are some dates to put on your calendar: June 22nd—Our first Sunday in the new building. We will not be publicizing this date, because we wanted to have a Sunday where we learn how to turn on the lights, work the sound system, and find the restrooms before the crowds show up. This day is kind of like our “dress rehearsal” day. We do plan to have Sunday School and worship there if the building is completed enough to use. June 29th—Dedication Day! We have invited special guests to join us for this first “official” service in our new building. We will be recognizing guests, making special presentations, and recognitions on this day. Again we will not be inviting the Olive Branch community at large to this service. However, we do pray we will have our first baptism(s) on this day. Sunday School and worship will be held at the new site. July 6th—Our God and Country Celebration. This will be the Grand Opening date for our new church home. This is the date we will tell the Olive Branch community we are moving. We expect a large crowd, maybe an overflowing crowd, on this day. Our choir will present patriotic music, the Worship Center will be decorated in red, white, and blue, we will salute our veterans, and Bro. Jim will present a special message. Spread the word and invite your friends. This is the day we pray all of those who have said, “I’m going to come, when you all get moved to your new church” show up!

Women’s Ministry Events Announced Spring Women’s Bible Study—This new 11 week Beth Moore study is entitled “To Live Is Christ.” It is a study of the life and ministry of Paul. Along the way you will get to know the “Apostle to the Gentiles” in a new way. More than any other person, Paul provides us an example of sold-out servanthood. He understood what it means to die daily, crucified with Christ. As a result, Paul shows us how to live fully as a bond slave to Christ. Classes begin Wednesday, May 7, at 9:30am. The women will meet in room 102. The cost is $16. A sign-up sheet is in the foyer. Women’s Ministry Brunch—On Saturday, May 24 our ladies and guests are invited to the “Fill My Cup” women’s lunch. They will begin at 10am. Tickets go on sale next week for $5. This is a wonderful way to make connections with our ladies.

Lewisburg Breakfast and Lunch A teacher is one of the most underpaid,

underappreciated professions in our country. I am

thankful that LaBelle Haven has adopted

Lewisburg Schools to minister to the

administration, teachers and staff. We want the

teachers and staff to know that we as a church

appreciate all they do in educating the children of

the Olive Branch community. During Teacher

Appreciation Week, we will be serving the middle

school breakfast on Friday, May 9 and the high

school lunch on Monday, 12. If you would like to

go assist in serving and greeting, please contact

Bro. Phil at 901-362-2273.

Sunday School Breaks 300 It seems just a few months ago we were rejoicing that we had hit the 200 mark in Sunday School. We can now say we have hit the 300

mark in Sunday School. On Sunday, April 13, we had 301 people attend Sunday School. God continues to bless His church we know as LaBelle Haven Baptist Church. I want to take this opportunity to thank all our teachers and Sunday School workers for making this dream a reality. I know that you guys do a great job of calling, writing and contacting those in your class every week. I look forward to the day that I can share that we had 500 in Sunday School. I know that is not going to be too far in the distant future. Let’s continue to minister and meet the needs of those in our classes. So many in our church are hurting and need and uplifting word of encouragement. Keep up the GREAT WORK!!

Promotion Sunday is July 6 One of my favorite times of the year is summer. The kids are out of school and are moving on to the next grade. So, when they move on to the next grade in school, they also move on to the

next grade in Sunday School. While our adults cringe at the thoughts of getting older and promoting to the next level, our kids love growing up and moving on. God has blessed us with a wonderful group of young people, and I know our teachers do not look forward to seeing them move on, but time stands still for no one. Promotion Sunday is a necessary function of Sunday School. July 6 has been set aside as the day we promote the preschool, children and youth departments. As the day gets closer, Sydney will be providing our teachers with a copy of their new class rolls so that you will have an opportunity to call and write those who are moving up to your class. Once again, there is no official promotion in the adult departments. However, if you would like to try out one of the other classes, please do so. Thank God that we have children and youth to promote! God is so good to us!

FROM REV. PHIL ANDERSON, ASST. PASTOR & MINISTER OF EDUCATION

The Shepherd’s Staff Page 3

MEMORIALS & HONORARIUMS

A donation was given to The Building Fund: In memory of: Era Anderson (Jean Cain’s mother) By: Harry Bowden’s Alpha & Omega Class In memory of: Bobby Rooker By: Charles & Juanita Rast A donation was given to The Choir Robe Fund: In honor of: Joyce Baker By: The LaBelle Haven Choir In memory of: Daura Hale (LaVonya Palmer’s sister) By: The LaBelle Haven Choir

Dear Church Family,

The children’s choir leaders would like to say thank you to

everyone who helped them collect old newspapers for their

project. We couldn’t have completed the project without your

help. Please keep us in your prayers as we are preparing now for

our next musical in May.

ADDITIONS: Doyle & Emily Chandler

4223 Davis Grove Olive Branch, MS 38654

(662) 890-4665 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Christian Dorsey 4974 Barrington Cv. Memphis, TN 38125

(901) 753-7662

Gerald & Gladys Ehrhardt & Jason Kisner

6455 Yorkshire Rd. Horn Lake, MS 38637

Ehrhardt: (662) 393-3158 Kisner: (901) 212-6148

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Joshua Kisner 6959 Ranch Hill Cv.

Walls, MS 38680 (901) 351-6025

Donald, Karen & Nathan Beach

13095 Coldwater Dr. Olive Branch, MS 38654

(662) 893-2283 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Patti Watson 1700 Brentwood Trace Southaven, MS 38671

(901) 359-0927

CHURCH DIRECTORY. . . . If your information has changed or will change, please take a moment and call the church office at (901) 362-2273 and let us know so we can update our records.

Our Deepest Sympathy: Dr. Butler, and his wife Lawanda, would like to extend our church’s sympathy to: the family & friends of Bobby Rooker, to Becky & Bobby Cureton & Jack & Jackie Burrus & families on the loss of their sister-in-law, Cindy Burrus, to Ed & Jo Sneed & Edith Taylor & families on the loss of their niece, Barbara Gardner, to Barbra & Harland East & family on the loss of her father, Delon Moore and to LaVonya & Ron Palmer & family on the loss of her sister, Daura Hale.

Youth News By Jamie & Jennie Mullen

May is here and that means the busy season has begun. Saturday, May 10th, is the Olive Branch Mayfest and we will have a booth. This is a perfect opportunity to tell the community about our new building and that we love them. We will be passing out information and inviting people to join us when we move. Our favorite time of year is camp season. May 28th through June 1st we will be taking our youth to Lookout Mountain, GA at Covenant College for Student Life Camp. Please be in prayer that God will move in the lives of our students and break down any walls keeping them from getting closer to Him.

Next Church-Wide Outreach ~ Tuesday, May 27th Light Meal at 5:30pm, Visitation 6:00 - 7:30pm

Come join us as we go out to visit those who have visited us. We will meet at 5:30pm to eat a light dinner, then we will go out at 6:00pm. We will meet back at the church at 7:30pm for a report/praise time and dessert. We need everyone who can to participate in this outreach event. Let’s share the excitement of LHBC!

Children’s Corner By: Debbie Johnson, Children’s Director

V.B.S. V.B.S. is the week of July21st thru 25th. This summer we are using the Gospel Light Bible School material and it looks so fun. The theme is a Jesus Every day. Right now I only have a few grades ready with directors. I need so many more people to sign up. This will be our first chance to make a good impression on the families around our new church. If you have already told me you would work or have just not told me yet please remember I am old and my memory is short so please go by my office or by the nursery and sign up on the list provided. Thanks in advance I am looking for a Bazillion Kiddos and I really need your HELP!!!!!

Pre-K and Mother’s Day Out Pre-K and Mother’s Day Out registration is in full swing! Pre-K will start August 11th and Mother’s Day Out will start September 8th. Please help spread the word. Right now for members, or family of our members, I am offering half off the registration fee. That is only until May 31st!! Anyone can request a packet to be mailed to them or can go online at www.labellehaven.org. The Pre-K program will be a 3 or 5 day program and MDO will be Tuesday and Thursday. We can’t wait to see God move and grow these ministries here at LaBelle Haven.

Music Ministry

By: Rev. Ken Washburn, Minister of Music & Sr. Adults

How abundantly the Lord is continuing to bless our Music

Ministry! One of the highest attended services on record for our

church was April 13th when our Choir presented Jesus, Messiah.

What a blessing from the Lord!

Preparations are underway for our Patriotic

presentation which will be presented July 6th in our

new building. This is the perfect time to join the

choir as we prepare to celebrate not only

Independence Day but also the first public service in our new

home. Please make plans to join us for this very special day of

worship.

Our J.O.Y. Choir (Just Older Youth) is open to

anyone and we would love to have you join the fun

each Thursday at 10:00AM. Each month we are now

visiting a local Assisted Living or Nursing Home to sing and visit

with the residents. We also are known to frequent local eateries

(especially if they have soft-serve ice cream).

Our J.O.Y Choir will go to Ellendale

Baptist Church on May 6th to sing in the

Associational Tune Share. Come join us!

Our next Senior Adult Luncheon (the last in this building) will

be on Thursday, May 29th, and our guest will be Scott Phillips,

Mayor of Olive Branch. Please join us for this special event.

Senior Adult Tune Share

The Shepherd’s Staff Newsletter LaBelle Haven Baptist Church

6825 E. Holmes Rd.

Memphis, TN 38141

CHURCH STAFF:

Sr. Pastor

Dr. Jim Butler

Assistant Pastor/Minister of Ed

Rev. Phil Anderson

Minister of Music & Sr. Adults

Rev. Ken Washburn

Children’s Director

Debbie Johnson

Minister of Youth

Jamie Mullen

E-Mail:

labellehaven@bellsouth.net

Web:

www.labellehaven.org

LaBelle Haven Baptist Church Calendar of Events for . . .

1 10-11:30a JOY Choir

2

3 Sr. High Fellowship at

Cedar Hill Farms

4 Youth Sausage & Biscuit

Breakfast Sunday

3p New Building Prayer

Service & Walk-Thru

5

6 8:30a Sr. Adult Tune Share

& Lunch at Ellendale

7

9:30a Women’s Bible Study

5:30p Supper

6:30p Revelation Study

Youth Bible Study

Children’s Choirs

7:30p Adult Choir

8 No JOY Choir Prtc

9

10 9a-5p Olive Branch

Mayfest

11 Mother’s Day

12 6:30p Deacon’s Meeting

13 14 9:30a Women’s Bible Study

5:30p Supper

6:30p Revelation Study

Youth Bible Study

Children’s Choirs

7:30p Adult Choir

15 10a JOY Choir to Sing at

Hermitage Gardens

Nursing Home in

Southaven, MS

16 17 5:30-8:00p Security

Team Dinner & Mtg at

Catfish Country in

Hernando, MS

18 Graduate Recognition

1:30p Stewardship Mtg

NO Union Mission Today

19

20

21

9:30a Women’s Bible Study

5:30p Supper

6:30p Revelation Study

Youth Bible Study

Children’s Choirs

7:30p Adult Choir

22 10:00-11:30a JOY Choir

23

24 10a Women’s Brunch in

Gym

25

26 Memorial Day Holiday

27 5:30p Church-Wide

Visitation

28 9:30a Women’s Bible Study

5:30p Supper

6:30p Revelation Study

Youth Bible Study

Children’s Choirs

7:30p Adult Choir

29 11:30a Sr. Adult Pot-Luck

Lunch in Gym: Guest

Speaker: Mayor Scott

Phillips

30 31

FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

Youth Student Life Conference at Covenant College May 28—June 1