Connec ion

The Crest

Connecting people with the Life that counts for eternity!

A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FROM CREST BAPTIST CHURCH, CRESTON, IOWA

VOLUME 25, ISSUE 4 APRIL 2020

Beloved, What a change a month makes! When the President limited our gatherings 10 and under, we began hustling to see how we could con-tinue to have worship services for our entire church, not just those who are homebound or temporari-

ly away from church. We were a little ahead of the learning curve because we have been going live with the sermons for sometime. However, audio distortion kept us from going live with music. We worked hard to get music live after the President’s order and while we had some audio glitches on our first week, we are working to over-come them. Thank you for your pa-tience and participation. We realize that “online church” is less than ideal, but for now I’m so glad we have this option. I espe-cially appreciated the live interac-tion that viewers were able to have through the comment feature on Facebook. If you have not already “liked” and “followed” us, go to www.facebook.com/crestbaptist to enable notifications of when we go live with services. Additionally, we understand

(Continued on page 4)

Hi Church Family, A few weeks ago I got to share a message on the discipline of stew-ardship. It occurs to me that in this time of quarantine, the question of how I’m going to manage the re-sources God has entrusted to me is especially relevant.

Some of us suddenly have an abundance of free time on our hands. Some of us (especially those of us working in healthcare) have had all of our free time taken away. Many are facing a loss of income. The teachings of Jesus are not only for the good times, when every-thing is going smoothly. Jesus him-self didn’t experience too many of those times in His ministry. In fact, he promises, “In this world you will have trouble.” (Jn. 16:33) It’s easy for us to obey when everything’s going well. Hard times are what separate the faithful from the noncommittal. Let’s take ad-vantage of this time of uncertainty, fear and broken schedules to show that we can be trusted with our lit-tle. (Luke 16:10-12) Do you have extra free time? Honor God by devoting some of it to knowing Him better and loving

(Continued on page 4)

Weekly Schedule Sunday: 10:00 a.m. Live Streamed Worship on Facebook (All other activities on site suspended for now) Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. Women’s Bible Study 6:30 p.m. Women’s Bible Study; GriefShare Wednesday: 7:00 am Prayer Meeting 6:30 pm TeamKID, Youth and Adult Bible Studies Thursday: 7:00 pm Light Co at SWCC, Room 155

Small Groups 2

Calendar 3

From the Pastor

(continued)

4

From the Assoc.

Pastor (continued)

4

Sending our

Sympathy

4

Inside this issue:

In April all undesignat-ed mission gifts will support the work of North American Mis-sions of the Southern Baptist Convention.

PAGE 2 VOLUME 25, ISSUE 4

Cancer Support Ministry: We are reaching out to families who are living with cancer. Contact Joe or Gay Lynn Owens at 641-202-5004. This month, Easter cards are being mailed in this time of social distancing.

Additional Classes

Tuesday

Women’s Bible Study: Reve-

lation — This book of Biblical

prophecy provide Christians

with hope and an outline of God’s plans for the future.

(9:00-11:00 a.m. OR 6:30-8:00

p.m., Room 107)

GriefShare—This is a Christ-centered 13-week series for those grieving the death of someone close. Cost is $15 for materials. Contact Brian Cramer, 344-6249. (Room 109, 6:30 p.m.)

Wednesday

Adult Bible Study: The Book of Isaiah — In this study, we will meet not only this outstand-ing prophet, but also some mighty kings and rulers, see the rise and fall of magnificent king-doms, see God’s people chas-tened and then restored. But above all else, we’ll see the Lord

Jesus, God’s “Suffering Servant” as He does the will of God and suffers and dies for the sins of

the world. (Worship Center, 6:30 p.m.)

Thursday

Celebrate Recovery—Contact Amanda Davis, 344-2440 for current details about opportu-nities through this ministry.

THE CONNEC TION

Adult Bible Classes On Sundays

NOTE: All classes are currently on hold as we are under re-strictions for gathering in groups over 10. These are the studies that will resume as soon as we are able.

Sunday Morning (9:00 a.m.)

Holy Vocabulary: Unpacking the Language of Faith — Any communication is dependent on the words we use and how we use them. If my under-standing of certain words is different from your under-standing , communication breaks down between us. This study examines six words and phrases frequently misunder-stood by both Christians and non-Christians, and we will study them in light of how God’s Word uses them. Resurrection: Foundation of Our Faith (begins April 12) — Without the resurrection of Jesus Christ our faith is mean-ingless, leaving us with no hope or power. These truths come out of 1 Corinthians 15, where we also see that the res-urrection of Christ changes everything. Dealing with Messy Rela-tionships (begins April 26) — We were created to live in re-lationship with others, howev-er we have a way of messing them up. This study looks at six traits we can practice that can bring healing and prevent further “messiness.” Senior Adults (Fellowship Hall), Adults (Room 105), Young Adults (Room 102)

Genesis (25-40) — Explore the roots of the gospel as the story of Abraham’s descend-ants unfolds. Sin and broken-ness were present in abun-dance, making the necessity

for transformation clear. Jacob’s story provides an op-portunity to consider your own. Christ makes transfor-mation and redemption avail-able to all who repent and be-lieve. (Room 109)

Never Enough — Jesus talked so much about money be-cause money issues affect all humanity. Because of the overlap between our hearts and our money, God filled Scripture with perspectives and principles about money. He gives us all we need to walk a path of confident stew-ardship. This study by Chris-tian financial planner, Ron Blue, will help you see how money provides a training ground for spiritual growth that will last into eternity. Alone with God (beginning April 19) — The essence of prayer is simply talking to God as you would to a beloved friend. John MacArthur shares how you can discover power and passion that time alone with God can bring (Room 104)

PAGE 3 VOLUME 25, ISSUE 4 THE CONNEC TION

April 2020

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Sunday 9:00 a.m. Bible Study (all ages)10:15 a.m. Worship Service

Tuesday 9:00 a.m. Women’s Bible Study 6:30 p.m. Women’s Bible Study; GriefShare

Wednesday 7:00 a.m. Prayer Meeting 6:30 p.m. TeamKID; Youth and Adult Bible Study

1

Birthday: Brian Mullin

Aniversary: Jim and Becky Mason

2 Birthdays: Henry Jennett; Amber Landers; Cindy Taylor

3 Anniversary: Fred and Donna Taylor

4

Birthday: Paul Johnston

Anniversary: Steve and Patty Marean

5 Birthday: Sherry Cooper

6 7

Birthday: Lauren Purdum

8 9 10 Anniversary: Alan and Doreen Peterson

11

12 Birthday: Brenda Walker

Anniversary: Alan and Jaleyn Dobbs

13

Birthday: Lori Harvey

14

Birthday: Devin VerHelst

15 Birthday: Alan Dobbs

16 17

Birthday: Duane Osmun

18 3:30 p.m. Wedding: David Livingston and Kristy Powers

Birthdays: Ryanne McIntosh; Alan Peterson

19

Birthday: Jodi Paup

20 Birthday: Emma Hanson

21 4:00 p.m. Finance Com-mittee Meeting 6:00 p.m. Church Council

Birthday: Valerie White

22

Birthday: Ruth Sanson

23 Birthday: Chad Aldrich

24

Birthday: Debbie Angelo

25

26 Congregational Meeting (at the end of Worship)

27

28

29 Birthday: Jackie Luther

30 Anniversary: Tim and Jennifer Redd

31

Schedule when activities resume

Crest Baptist Church is… Committed to Christ—Connecting with Each Other— Commissioned to Serve Our Community and World

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mer-

cies and God of all com-fort, who comforts us in all

our affliction…

(2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

how important your small group Bible studies are. We will be working toward con-necting you with others who are in the same study with you. What about Easter? If cur-rent isolation recommenda-tions are extended, we will be looking for other options to still have a gathering while maintaining social distancing. Finally, please let us know if you have any needs during this time. We will do our best to aid you! Don’t despair but be careful and stay prayerful! In Christ’s love,

Chuck

(Continued from page 1)

your neighbor (everyone). Are you suddenly overworked? Honor God in the way you ap-proach your work, your atti-tude towards your boss and coworkers. Through all of our trouble, the important thing to remem-ber is that in John 16, right af-ter Jesus promised that we would encounter trouble in our lives, He provides a prom-ise of hope: “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Neal

Note: Follow @crest_youth on Instagram & Crest Youth on Facebook to stay connected with Pastor Neal & other youth.

(Continued from page 1)

Gert and Gloria Muller follow-ing the death of her uncle, Har-lan Huffaker, on February 29. Tim and Kate Jennett after the death of his grandfather, Ken Jennett on March 20.