MAY 2011
The Greatest Act of Love Romans 5:6-11
What do you think about when you see a depiction of Christ on the cross? Most of us are overwhelmed by the physical and emotional suffering that He endured—the scourging, beating, thorns, nails, mocking, and shame. We are horrified at the cruelty of the Romans and the hard hearts of the Jewish rulers. But during the crucifixion, far more was happening than the eye could see. God was carrying out His plan to rescue mankind, providing everything we need for salvation:
1. Redemption. Jesus paid the full price of the debt we owed for transgression: death. His payment set us free from bondage to sin. 2. Forgiveness. God could now release us from the punishment we deserved. 3. Propitiation. Christ’s payment satisfied the Father by fulfilling His demand for justice while letting Him forgive us. 4. Justification. On the basis of Jesus’ sacrifice, the Lord now declares believers not guilty. Although we will still sin in this earthly life, our standing before God is one of righteousness. This is a legal declaration that can never be reversed. 5. Reconciliation. The sin barrier that separated us from the Father was removed by Christ’s death on our behalf. We’re now God’s children—we have open access to Him and fellowship with Him.
The crucifixion was the only way to rescue lost humanity. If there had been any other way, the cross would have been a grotesque display of divine cruelty. But because so much was at stake, it can truly be called the greatest act of love by both the Father and the Son.
Adapted from in touch with Dr. Charles Stanley
LET’S CELEBRATE!!!
MAY BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
1. Phil & Judy White
4. Judy White
Jane Couture
5. Jon Poling
Rebecca Starkman
7. Don & Nancy Norcross
9. Kendall Adams
12. Shawna Cann
Keirnan Adams
14. Dick & Ruth Warren
18. Betty Knowles Jim & Mary Smith
Brian & Fran Cole
22. JoEllen & Don Truchan
25. Kelly Frick
27 Doris Lambusta
30 Kylie Shea Couture
A NOTE FROM JOE & BETTY KNOWLES
(Received during Lent). Lent has been a very special time with you. In the past we were blessed in the Lenten studies at Paul and Barbar’s home. Your COVENENT is one that Betty and I would like to make as our Lenten commitment also. May our great and wonderful God bless you much.
Our love to all,
Betty and Joe Knowles.
WOMEN’S DINNER OUT
Ladies, please save the date of 6 p.m. 3 May for the annual women’s dinner out. This year we will dine at Island Outpost on the Dunedin Causeway. A sign-up sheet will be posted in the foyer of the sanctuary.
Robbie
THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
For April 2011
For Coffee Hour: Glenna Teets, Rosalie & Jean Longenecker, Bob & Pat Foor,
For Greeters: Jane Coatney, Betty Russell
For Worship Leader: Robbie McIntosh, Larry Longenecker, Jim McIntosh & Rosalie Longenecker.
For Sunday School: Julene Wright Blaber
For Flowers: Larry & Rosalie Longenecker, Vicky Cyphers, Bob & Nola Wilson.
For Opening & Closing: Jim Nelson.
MEETING SCHEDULE
For May 2011
Mon., May 9th 10:30 a.m. – Mission/Outreach Team in the pastor’s office.
Mon., May 9th 6:30 p.m. – Programs & Ministry Team in the church nursery.
Mon., May 9th 6:30 p.m. – Property and Finance Team in the pastor’s office.
Mon., May 16th 6:30 p.m. – Board of Deacons meeting in the church sanctuary.
WELCOME! WELCOME!
Emmanuel Community Church, American Baptist heartily welcomes its newest official members
Janyth Bryant Rosalie Longenecker
Brenda Leway Gene Longenecker
Jean Longenecker & Jean Carrier.
Our prayer is that you will find your membership at Emmanuel spiritually fulfilling and rewarding. We thank you for your commitment to this church and to the work of the Christian church at large.
BOOK CLUB
The Book Club meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 10:30 am. If you like to read, join us for lively discussion and a light lunch. RSVP to the hostess listed below.
May 4 – Host Robbie McIntosh. The book is Wish You Well” by David Baldacci .
June 8 – Host Linda DeMola. The book is “Between Sisters” by Christine Hannah.
September 14 – Host Irene Norcross. The book is “Safe Haven” by Nicholas Sparks.
Ladies, Please note the changes above. Robbie had a conflict with May 11th so we moved the May meeting up a week. This allows Barbara Reeder to attend before she heads back up north. Also we changed books around. “Wish You Well” will be read for May and “Between Sisters” will be read for June. Irene Norcross will host in September.
Linda
MISSION & OUTREACH
First, we want to thank the members and friends of Emmanuel for being so generous with your giving during the last two mission efforts. In February $556.00 was collected for the American Baptist Women’s Love Gift. In March, $800.00 was collected for the America for Christ Offering. In April, the missions and outreach team provided information on the annual “One Great Hour of Sharing” project that is currently underway. In the month of May, mission outreach will focus on the American Baptist Retired Ministers and Missionaries Fund. Your contributions to this mission will go toward the supplemental support of those who have served our denomination in the ministries of missions and pastoral leadership. Offering envelopes will be in this newsletter and in the pews of the sanctuary. Again, thank you for supporting our denomination’s mission efforts through your financial resources and making us the “little church with big hearts doing big things” for Christ.
PROGRAMS & MINISTRY
Thanks to everyone who participated in the various events scheduled by the program and ministry team during Lent and for faithfully meeting the prayer focus outlined each week in the Sunday bulletins during Lent. Please join us for a fun time at Emmanuel’s Church Picnic after the worship service on Sunday 15 May. There will be great food and fellowship right here on the grounds of the church.. This would be a great time to invite friends and neighbors to check us out.
MUSIC MINISTRY
CHOIR NOTES
First, thanks to all for so warmly welcoming me into the role of choir director and a special thanks to Rev. Betty Houghton for helping me to get my bearings in this wonderful assignment. Rev. Houghton is a marvelous song leader and choir director. She will be greatly missed. A little about me, I am originally from Pittsburgh, PA and I am a graduate of Mary Wood University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. Presently, I am the choral director at a local Middle School in Pasco County. I’m engaged to be married in the summer of 2012 and I am in the process of planning the wedding. While I will not fill the void left by Rev. Betty Houghton, I do intend to give you my best and know that you will continue to appreciate the hard work of Emmanuel’s choir members. I look forward to finding music that enriches our worship experience. I am open to your suggestions on ways to that and I would also like to invite you to consider lending us your voice in worship through song and praise. See you Sundays.
Amy
PROPERTY & FINANCE
The property and finance team would like to thank the following individuals for so heartily participating in our Spring church grounds clean-up.
Larry Longenecker Gene Longenecker
Betsy Starkman Keith Burke
Pat Foor John Carter
Chuck DeMola Linda DeMola
Bob Wilson Nola Wilson
Jim Nelson Jon Poling
Hugh Palmer Jim McIntosh
Dick Spong Mary Smith
Through the generous contribution of the late Mrs. Ethel Rapp and her family significant improvements to the church’s memorial garden will be made over the next several weeks. There will also be additional motion sensor lighting placed around the sanctuary and through the generous donation of the Muncy family, lighting over the chancel and pulpit area will be increased.
MUSIC ON THE BEACH
The new season of free concerts has started at Sunset Beach in Tarpon Springs. Come enjoy the fun on Thursday evenings from 7-9 on the dates below.
The park overlooks the gulf and is well known as a place to view beautiful sunsets. Hotdogs and soft drinks will be available to purchase, or you can bring your own food and drinks. There are picnic tables and some shelters, but you should plan to bring lawn chairs and maybe some insect repellant. Also note that the concerts are canceled if there is bad weather.
April 21: Tarpon Springs High School Jazz Ensemble
May 19: De Lei’d Parrots (Parrothead Music)
June 16: The Little Big Show (Acoustic Rock)
July 14: Blackwater Blues (Blues/Rock)
For more information, check on line at www.tarponspringsmusic.com. If you need directions, please see Mary Smith.
SILVER SHARKS AT BRIGHT HOUSE FIELD 2011
For $20 you get:
*A ticket to every (9) Wednesday home game
*Free parking
* Silver Sharks T- shirt
*20% discount at Diamond Outfitters.
*Silver Sharks member throws out 1st pitch
*Monthly prize drawings
Dates: April 20 – 1PM & 27 – 1PM
May 11 – 10:30 AM & 18 – 7PM
June 1 – 7PM & 29 – 12N
July 27 – 12N
August 17 -7PM & 24- 7PM
See Linda DeMola for a registration form Tickets for single games are $5 and $3 for parking.
JUST FOR LAUGHS
After the church service, a pastor told a woman, “I noticed your husband walked out in the middle of my sermon. I hope I didn’t say something that offended him.” “Not at all,” replied the wife. “My husband has been walking in his sleep for years.”