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1533 HWY 52W, Crossett, AR 71635 PH 870.364.4057 FAX 870.304.2979

SEPTEMBER 2014 Volume 24, Number 9 mobc@theolivechurch.org

ehodge@theolivechurch.org ssasser@theolivechurch.org dtohlen@theolivechurch.org rhodge@csd.k12.ar.us

The

MT. OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH www.theolivechurch.org

Eric page

"Blessed are the poor in spirit…" (Matthew 5:3)

Marriage! Wow. Just the word can bring so many different feelings, emotions, and opinions. Marriage…created by God, blessed by God, and honored by God. But He's God…and we're us. Obviously, God's people are not doing as well with marriage as He'd hoped we would. Statistics tell us that almost as many Christian marriages fail as non-Christian every year. Disturbing, isn't it? Something is wrong somewhere. It's hard to put our finger on an exact reason. Obviously, the born-again are no longer taking the choice & act of marriage seriously enough. But the problem goes even deeper than that, I

think. Is the problem during marriage? Probably not. Who ever said that marriage was some sort of 'solve all' to whatever struggles and issues we have going on in our lives? Is the problem our lack of understanding of marriage from start to finish in marriage? That sometimes can be the problem. But not most of the time. I think the problem is more before marriage. We're not teaching the importance of marriage and God's plan for marriage to our children like we need to. And connected to marriage is the importance of the proper handling of our sexuality. For years as a Minister of Youth…I taught Christian young people the importance of dating, sexuality, and marriage! And I spoke the truth to them straight up! The church is failing if all we are doing with our young people at church is playing games. There are two "training grounds" for our youth and children…and that's at home and church! We must do a better job training our children and youth in preparation for marriage someday. So when the rosy glow of marriage slips and reality sets in a little more, what makes some marriages happy while others slide into misery? Is it luck? Good genes? Hanging tough? Hardly! Marital happiness is built on qualities that Jesus taught. Here are a few… 1. Happy (Blessed) are the poor in spirit. This is the humble…those that rate themselves insignificant. Pride that is self-promoting and always demanding its rights brings misery, while humility, self-denial and considering your mates needs bring happiness. 2. Happy are the meek. The gentle, patient, and kind. Handling your spouse's struggles with kindness, sensitivity and long-suffering is an expression of love that brings healing in our lives & marriage. 3. Happy are the merciful. Sooner or later we will inflict hurt on one another. Hurt, disappointment and anger will rise up, followed by a desire to make them pay. But just as revenge begets revenge, mercy begets mercy. Mercy isn't "letting them get away with it." Treating our spouse mercifully is mutual. It creates a blessed atmosphere. Mercy ends disputes when nothing else works. 4. Happy are the peacemakers. The need to be "right" and "win" only intensifies. In marriage, when one "wins," both lose. Giving up personal victory to be a peacemaker is ultimate victory. We all would be eternally lost if Jesus Christ hadn't willing surrendered His rights for our wrongs. It's called Christ- like surrender and it works really well in marriage! Well, that’s it! Marriage requires that man & woman do things God's way. Period. Simple as that. The only other thing I have to say is, "Try it you just might like it!" Hope to see you at church. God has good things in store for our church. I love each of you. In Him,

From the PastorFrom the PastorFrom the Pastor

Special

Business Meeting

Sunday, September 28 after PM Worship

We will elect Messengers to the Ashley Association Annual Meeting (October 21 at First Baptist Church, Hamburg) and also to the Annual Arkansas Baptist State Convention (October 28-29 at Trinity Baptist Church, Texarkana).

David page

Hey YOUth!

Our NEW schedule for Sunday morning Bible study starts this Sunday, September 7th at 9:15 a.m. The theme is “CONNECTED”. We will study CONNECTED in Christ; in Unity; in Growth; through the Word.

Overtime fellowships are SEPT 14 at the TOHLEN HOME and Sept 28th at POPEYE’s restaurant.

Our Bible Study on Wednesdays is “The Way I’m WIRED; discovering who GOD made ME to be.” This is a 6 week study and we will use Maloree Hollis, Jodie Blankenship, & Thomas Hodge as our small group leaders in these meetings.

MISSION Group studies will begin this September. One of the things that will be discussed is an opportunity to be involved in a ONE DAY MISSION trip to El Dorado, AR, October 3rd.

Youth trips on Fridays will be FOOTBALL GAMES AT CHS and HHS. We have youth playing the game, leading the cheers, as well as in the band playing their instruments! I hope to see you there cheering your team on!

Youth to see the movie “THE IDENTICAL” at the Monroe Mall, Sept 13th, leaving around 2 pm. Here is a brief summary of this film: “The Identical is a redemptive movie about a young man, the son of a preacher, who rejects his father’s desire for him to join the ministry and instead embarks on a career as a rock singer. As he struggles to pursue his dream and rise to stardom, he finds love, pain, success and failure, and ultimately uncovers a hidden family secret that reveals who he really is. It’s a captivating story about a family restored, and a life discovered.”

DT studies will be “THE BASICS…foundations for your faith.” The best coaches, the most effective teachers, and the strongest leaders know this truth: If you want to build something that endures, you have to start with the basics!” This study does this! We will study “SALVATION” 1st week, “BAPTISM” 2nd week, “COMMUNION” 3rd week and the 4th week is “KEEP MOVING FORWARD”.

“SEE YOU AT THE POLE” is Sept 24th at 7am at YOUR flag pole at school. That evening we will go over to the associational youth rally at FBC, Hamburg, to celebrate and worship all the victories Jesus has given us! To our SENIOR ADULTS, here is the list of activities scheduled in SEPTEMBER for the YOUNG AT

HEART!

Sept 2nd , 9am- HOMEBOUND VISITATION

Sept 9th , 6 pm-“MOBC Music nite at the Villa!” Sherri Hendrix singing

Sept 22nd , 10:15 am- ACBA Senior Adult Rally @ Southside Baptist Church, Hamburg (this meeting will be our Monthly meeting!)

Sept 22nd, 3:30 pm- “4th Monday Worship Service @ Stonegate Villa”

Sept 23rd , 2:00 pm- Choir practice in the choir room! (Tuesday) In Christian love,

Sept 13, 2:00 PM- to Monroe to see the movie “Identical”

Sept 14, 7:00 PM- Overtime

Sept 24, 6:00 AM- See You At The Pole!

Sept 24- Saw You At the Pole at FBC Hamburg

Sept 28, 7:00 PM- Overtime Sundays 9:15 AM- Bible Study Sundays 5 PM- DT Wednesdays 6 PM- WNL

South Side Baptist Church, Hamburg

Message

Rubin Weaver Pastor at Antioch Baptist Church

Farmerville, LA

Music Tim Post

Program starts at 10:15 AM Noon Meal Provided

Monday, September 22

Sponsored by the Ashley Baptist Association

A mission for Ashley County church members to pray for our nation’s schools.

Regina/Scott page

For His Kids-

New Class for Children will begin Sept 14 at 5 PM. “Now That I’m A Christian” is a class for children who have been

saved in the past year.

Preschool Committee & Children’s Committee will meet Sunday, Sept 21 at 4:30 PM.

Children to O.B.U. Football Game, Saturday, Sept 20- All children and their parents are invited! Sign up A.S.A.P. so tickets may be ordered. We will see the game AND Sadie!

Children’s Mission Project: “BACKPACKS FOR THE HOMELESS IN NEW ORLEANS” We need mesh backpacks, socks, and small jars of peanut butter.

New Wednesday Night Schedule: 6-6:30 PM Children’s Choir with Bro. Scott and Heather Rial 6:30-7 PM Super Stars Bible Study 7-7:30 PM RAs & GAs

Ministry Spotlight! Thank You to the guys in our Sound Booth. Rusty McCone and Mike Mathews keep us “sounding good” each service and we say Thanks!

Baby Boy Shower

2 pm, Saturday September 27 in the Fellowship Hall

honoring Christy Baker

daughter of Mack & Marlene Weatherly

Everyone Is Invited

born

July 31, 2014 to

Lance & Shannon Mercer Proud Grandparents are

Leah & Tony Hendrix

to our SEPT. Stars! Kaitlin Wright- 9/15 Lainey Tippen- 9/18 Braylon Parrott - 9/25

Calendar page

7 AM See You at the Pole

2 PM Youth to see “The Indentical”

Movie in Monroe

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 6-7 PM Be Transformed Fi 6-7 PM Be Transformed

3 Regular Services

4 5

6

7 Regular Services

7PM Stewardship Committee

7 PM Personnel Committee

8

9 6-7 PM Be Transformed Fitness

10 Regular Services

7PM Stewardship Committee

11 12

13

14 Regular Services

2 PM Nursing Home

7 PM Stewardship Committee

15 Join the

Choir!

16 6-7 PM Be Transformed Fitness

17

Regular Services 7PM Stewardship Committee

18

19

20

21 Regular Services

4 PM Deacons

4:30 PM Preschool/ Children Committee Mtg.

7 PM Stewardship

22 10:15 AM Fall Sr. Adult Rally at Southside Hamburg

23 6-7 PM Be Transformed Fitness

24 Regular Services

7 PM Stewardship

25

26 27 2-4 PM Baby Boy Shower for

Christy Baker in Fellowship

Hall

28 Regular Services

PM Special Business Mtg.

7 PM Stewardship Committee

29

30 6-7 PM Be Transformed Fitness

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR STATE MISSIONS - DIXIE JACKSON

9:00 AM Young at Heart

Homebound Visitation

6 PM MOBC Music at

Stonegate Vi l la

2 PM Young at Heart Choir

Practice

3:30 PM 4th Monday

Worship at Stonegate Villa

Children to OBU

Football Game

7 PM Youth Committee Mtg.

11 AM Young at Heart

Officers and Committee

Meeting

PM Saw You at the Pole at FBC

Hamburg

Back page

Thank you notes have been received from the following and are on the bulletin board:

Leland Barnett Family

Joe E. Hill Family

Betty Johnson Family

THANK YOU

CHURCH STAFF ERIC S. HODGE, Pastor

DAVID TOHLEN, Assoc Pastor, Students

SCOTT SASSER, Min. Music / Worship

REGINA HODGE, Min. Children / Preschool

LEAH HENDRIX, Church Secretary

VICKI SHIRLEY, Financial /Asst. Secretary

MELISSA JONES, Building Supervisor

General Officers

Preschoolers

Children

Youth

Adults

New Members

Visitors

TOTAL

WORSHIP TOTAL

DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING

3

8

12

15

56

8

102

121

n/a

4

12

12

10

61

11

110

116

38

3

14

18

9

75

3

122

164

n/a

4

9

11

13

68

5

110

146

38

3 SUNDAY SCHOOL

10 17 24 31

3

9

11

15

50

5

93

n/a

n/a

VITAL SIGNS/AUG

STEWARDSHIP 9,015.57 6,859.89

18,016.60 6,957.84 6,591.60

Receipts on 8/3 Receipts on 8/10 Receipts on 8/17 Receipts on 8/24 Receipts on 8/31

September Deacon Visitation Bill Rodgers, Scotti Ward

SYMPATHY The staff and church family of Mt. Olive Baptist Church expresses sincere & heart felt sympathy to the following:

Ethan Brantley Family - Travis

Brantley’s grandson

Lois Farmer Family

John C. Jeffers Family - Stacey

Ward’s uncle

Betty Johnson Family

Parnell Jordan Family - Perry

Jordan’s brother, Janel

Harper’s grandfather

Harbison Moffatt Family - John

Moffatt’s father

Jim Woods Family - Don

Woods’ cousin

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VOLUNTEERS

SUNDAY, SEPT. 7

Kid’s Worship Cindy Hamilton, Regina Hodge

SUNDAY, SEPT. 14

Kid’s Worship Regina Hodge, Heather Rial

SUNDAY, SEPT. 21

Kid’s Worship Heather Rial, Benjamin Wilcox

SUNDAY, SEPT. 28

Kid’s Worship Allison Jones, Tonya Cooper