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

JULY 2017 Volume 27, Number 7

ehodge@theolivechurch.org regina.hodge@crossettschools.org scott.sasser@crossettschools.org wlafoon@theolivechurch.org

The

MT. OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH www.theolivechurch.org

mobc@theolivechurch.org

"Then Joshua… secretly sent two spies from Shittim…" (Joshua 2:1) (Joshua 2:1, 6, 8-15; 6:22-23) We all know that Faith is crucial to the Christian life. You could call it a 'requirement' from the first step of our salvation. In the above and following passages, Joshua shows his faith by leading Israel

into the Promised Land. Faith requires a whole bunch of, well, FAITH! Choosing to live a life of faith can be a challenge at times. But I've learned that faith isn't always 100% blind. Yes, there will be times when we won't know every detail of everything God asks of us in His Will. At the same time, God doesn't call us to be stupid, unwise, naïve, or blind. Joshua was a man of faith. Yet, he still sends two spies to 'look over the land' in vs. 1. Many believe that faith is God simply doing His part. I certainly believe that. But isn't there more? Remember "Faith without works is dead" (James 2:14-26)? God does His part and we do our part. Even if faith isn't blind...it's still faith! Faith is knowing that God works in all things in our lives. We are told this truth in Romans 8:28 that God is working in all things for our good. As God's people, do we believe that right now God is working in ways we may not even know or understand? In vs. 6, Rahab had flax stacked on her rooftop. Flax on rooftops seemed to be just a normal process of life for Rahab. But that same flax was used to hide God's men on her rooftop. That seems a small thing. Still, have faith that God will use all things in your life for your good and His Will. Faith in God brings respect. Many of the 'not-yet-saved' of this world will laugh at Faith in God. And they'll laugh at your faith in God. They'll roll their eyes at you during normal times of life. But when life starts falling apart folks begin to seek faith in God...and they will respect your faith in God. Read the respect Rahab had in vs. 8-15. Faith in God brings rewards. Joshua 6 tells us that Jericho was destroyed by God's severe judgment. And before that, Rahab and her parents and brother were brought out of the city and allowed to live just outside Israel's camp. She was rewarded for her faithfulness. And you and I will be also. I don't know what the rewards will be exactly, but they will be there. Wherever you are reading this, stop and take a minute and just look out at the world around you. Do you know what will be required to go and walk out there in the world? Faith. Faith in God in Jesus Christ. Faith in His Word…that God will do exactly what He says He'll do. Will you still have faith in God when you can't see, don't know why, can't see how, or can't figure out where? I hope! Because the fact is, we really have no other options except to live in faith. May God continue to bless each of us and our church. And I hope you'll have faith enough to come to church this Sunday and worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! I hope to see you then. In HIM,

From the PastorFrom the PastorFrom the Pastor

Sunday, July 9

Morning Worship

The

Lord’s

Supper

to our JULY Stars! Megan Wilcox - 7/14 Trinity Brown - 7/29

For His Kids-

Summer MOVIE CLUBHOUSE @ the Mall! July 11: Theater shows old movies for kids $1. Leave

church @ 9 AM and return 2:30 PM. Movie “The Iron

Giant”

Animal Crackers Sunday! July 16- How about a pet contest or a parade of your

favorite stuffed animals? Maybe a live petting zoo or pet

show? Flock to church with your live pet or stuffed pet

for a Sunday of fun! Watch for more

details.

Back to School Family BASH! Silver Dollar City. Sign up now if

interested. Information will be

discussed Sunday, July 30.

We are in need of more nursery volunteers! If you would enjoy helping with our babies, please call the church office or sign up in the foyer. Thank you!

please check the

church kitchen for

dishes you may

have left behind or forgotten. Thanks!

Monthly Visitation with our Homebound

Monday, July 3, 9 AM

Monthly Meeting Potlucks are dismissed for the summer. We plan to resume in September.

COME JOIN US Sundays 9:15 AM- Prayer Breakfast 10:25 AM- Worship 5 PM- Bible Study 6 PM- Discipleship Training

Wednesdays 5 PM-8 PM Staying SALTY!

-Swim & Scripture! Wednesday, July 5 at 1001 Elm St. 5PM - 9 PM. -Camp Hosanna Summer Camp is July 17-22 in Mammoth Spring, AR. A Deposit of $50 is due ASAP! Total is $95. Sign up NOW! See Bro. Wesley for more information. -A Flock of Flamingos has been sighted on multiple occasions migrating toward the Crossett area! If you would like to purchase insurance to protect your property from this flock, see Bro. Wes. If you’ve fallen victim to these wilder birds, call Bro. Wes for removal of the pest!

migrating toward the Crossett area! See Bro. Wesley for removal or to purchase insurance for protection!

Let’s remember the following CentriKid campers and leaders in our prayers as they are in Mississippi for a week of growing closer to each other & growing closer to the Lord: Mykayla Bell, Ally Kate Jones, Leah Weaver, Bryce Bailey, Jacob Chain, Evan Rial. Leaders are Eric Hodge, Gina Dodd, & Joan Chain.

CENTRIKID SHARE TIME SUNDAY JULY 9, 6 PM

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30 31

Regular Services

9 Am Young@Heart Homebound Ministry

4:30 PM Finance Committee

4:30 PM Finance Committee

4:30 PM Finance Committee

CentriKid Campers Return

Regular Services

Regular Services 3:30 PM

4th Monday

Worship at

Stonegate

Regular Services

Regular Services

Regular Services

Regular Services

-Office Closed-

4:30 PM Finance Committee

Grade 3-6 ACBA CHILDREN’S CAMP @ BEECH SPRINGS 10-13

Youth Lock-In 8pm to 9am

Camp Hosanna Youth Summer Camp 17-22

The Lord’s Supper

5th Sunday 5 PM Potluck 6 PM Singing

5-9 PM Youth Swim & Scripture

KidsAnimal Crackers Sunday

9 AM Kids Movie Clubhouse

VOLUNTEERS

SUNDAY, JULY 2

NURSERY Tina Maxwell

SUNDAY, JULY 9

NURSERY Corky Pennington

SUNDAY, JULY 16

NURSERY Paige Grissom

SUNDAY, JULY 23

NURSERY Anita Wilcox

SUNDAY JULY 30

NURSERY Carol Baugnet

THANK YOU

CHURCH STAFF ERIC S. HODGE, Pastor

SCOTT SASSER, Min. Music / Worship REGINA HODGE, Min. Children / Preschool WESLEY LAFOON, Min. to Students

LEAH HENDRIX, Church Secretary

MELINDA FERGUSON, Fin./Asst. Secretary

4 11 18 25 ENR SUNDAY SCHOOL

General Officers Preschoolers Children Youth Adults New Members Visitors TOTAL DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING

6 7

13 7

50 0 1

83

22

4 6

11 11 47 0 2

79

25

5 7

17 7

46 0 2

82

0

6 8

14 7

49 0 3

84

24

6 11 39 39

208

304

VITAL SIGNS/MAY

SYMPATHY

July Deacon Visitation Larry Land and Mike Shirley

Mt. O

live Bap

tist Ch

urch

1533 H

wy 52 W

C

rossett, A

R 71635

TH

E M

ES

SE

NG

ER

- PR

INT

ED

MO

NT

HLY

Return S

ervice Requested

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

Bonnie Jones’s Family

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

Evelyn Jordan CHS Project Graduation

NEW MEMBER By Baptism

Amelia LaFoon

10,898.00

4,826.00

4,600.25

3,789.62

Receipts on 6/4

Receipts on 6/11

Receipts on 6/18

Receipts on 6/25

STEWARDSHIP