Ramblings--20090505

CHBC Ramblings

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

First up...
We are in the process of moving this week and had a good start yesterday. Our new address is 2236 Chrysler Court, Atlanta, GA 30345. I will be taking various days or half days of vacation in the next week or two as we transfer our stuff from one house to the other, but the church office can get in touch with me most any time. Because of that, I won’t ramble as much today!
Thanks for all the good wishes on the house!

This Past Sunday
We looked at the story of Job to see what we could learn about assisting others in times of tragedy and loss.

Here’s the outline:

What to do to show sympathy and comfort:
* Weep along with them (Job 2.12)

* Don't be afraid of silence (Job 2.13)

* Empathize when you can, sharing God’s comfort (2 Corinthians 1.3-7)
(Warning: be careful of saying, “I know how you feel.”)
* Sympathize when you can’t empathize (Job 2.11)

* Deal carefully with questions of “Why?”

* SUMMARY: Listen, and speak with care

What NOT to do:
* Don’t overreact to mixed emotions expressed

* Don’t turn general principles into absolutes

* Don’t absolve clear sin

* And please be careful in saying, “It was God’s will.”
You may think that some of those points might need further explanation. If you missed hearing the message and would like to hear it all, you can call the office to request a free CD or go to www.clairmonthills.org and listen to the sermon online or download it. (Most sermons of the past year or two are there.)

Also, His Kids presented their spring worship concert for us on Sunday night, and it was wonderful! We are thankful for Laura Brown and her helpers, who include Mary Warren and Melissa Tolentino. It was great to see a dozen children praising God through song.

This Sunday
It’s Mother’s Day! Please come with your whole family as we honor our earthly mothers and worship our Heavenly Father.

We will also have the honor of taking part in a Parent/Child Dedication for Aaron and Kristy Kuglin and their son Caleb. You won’t want to miss this special time of blessing.
I will deliver a FAMILY SERIES starting this Sunday and ending on Father’s Day (June 21). I hope it will be an encouragement to us in this vital part of life.

By the way, no services Sunday evening because of Mother’s Day. Enjoy the day with your families!

Upcoming
The VISION BANQUET is coming soon--Sunday night, May 17, at 5:30. As far as the meal, It will be “pot luck,” so prepare your favorite dishes to bring with you, and I think you will enjoy the time.

What is the VISION BANQUET all about? I have been here for almost five years now, and we have made some significant strides. We have added families. We have started new Sunday School classes. We have established new teams and committees. We have updated our facilities. Where do we go from here? What does God have for us in the days ahead? Not only will I share some from my heart, but every person in the church will have an opportunity to share hopes and dreams for the future--and other input--both by briefly sharing an idea during the banquet and/or by completing a response sheet that will be available both during Sunday School on May 17 and at the Vision Banquet itself that evening. Let’s dream together!

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL will have a different look this year: Sunday through Wednesday EVENING, May 31-June 3. And classes will not only be offered for children but for YOUTH and ADULTS as well! More next week.

That’s it for today...
Let’s remember to pray for those in need. And don’t forget to invite someone to worship with us this week or in the weeks ahead. God bless!

Fred O. Pitts, Pastor

Clairmont Hills Baptist Church

1995 Clairmont Road

Decatur, GA 30033

404.634.6231 Office

404.634.6062 Fax

www.clairmonthills.org