Ava Missionary Baptist Church

City Wide Yard Sale

2011-05-06T15:41:00.000-05:00

Getting ready for Ava City Wide Yard Sale, money raised to go toward trip to Holiday World for youth.

City Wide Yard Sale

2011-05-02T06:23:00.000-05:00

AMBC qwill be participating in the Ava City wide yard sale Saturday May 7th. 8 am till 2 pm. Stuff for sale, hot dogs and baked goods. Proceeds go toward youth trip to Holiday World later this summer. Need help setting up Friday night.

Sunday May 1st 2011

2011-05-01T15:39:00.002-05:00

Great service, fantastic Spirit, stiring testimonies

Sunday May 1st 2011

2011-05-01T06:56:00.000-05:00

Today I get to go to church and I expect a Blessing that is for sure. Will be celebrating the Lords Supper and fellowshiping with God's people.

Easter Sunday 2011

2011-04-24T06:28:00.000-05:00

Water in the basement, a leaking roof, buckets catching water in Sanctuary, but the SON WILL RISE at Ava Missionary Baptist Church!

Childrens Easter Egg Hunt Ava Missionary Baptist

2011-04-23T07:08:00.000-05:00

Children's Easter Egg Hunt Sunday April 24th 2011 approximately 11:00 a.m. Bring your children and worship with us.

In Memory Of Bud Popejoy

2011-04-22T18:05:00.000-05:00

Today another bright star was added to heaven. Bud "Nick" Popejoy passed away, ushered into heaven in the loving arms of his savior Jesus Christ. The Long Black train has reached its final destination. Pray for his family and friends.

Easter At Ava Missionary

2011-04-22T12:31:00.002-05:00

Sunday School 9:30 p.m.
Morning Worship 10:30 p.m.
No Services Sunday Evening.
Scripture Reading’s: Matt. 28:1-7; Mark 16:1-7; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-10
How do we know he lives: 1.we know His presence by His healing grace and His saving power.
2. He is alive because He bows down His ear to hear His children when they pray. 3. Third, the ableness of His mighty power to regenerate, to save, and to deliver, to forgive and to make new men and women out of the worst of sinners can be seen each and every day. 4. He lives and walks in grace and blessing among His churches. Last but not least. He lives in the victory that He has brought us over death

Its Only Been Two Years

2011-04-22T08:53:00.001-05:00

Its time that we started to use this again. Sorry for the long absence

Fellowship Sunday At AMBC

2009-04-26T16:27:00.004-05:00

Sunday Was Fellowship Sunday at AMBC and a great time was had by all.

Our Sunday School Attendance was 26. Does not sound like a bunch to most but to us it was a 100 percent increase over last Sunday. The adult class was exceptional as we looked at Accepting or Rejecting Jesus Christ.

Our morning worship was opened by our youth who did an excellent job with a drama dance that was fantastic. Thank you Barb for all your good work and to the kids who did an outstanding job. Our theme for the morning worship time was simply that WORSHIP! What is and what do we have to do in order to WORSHIP as God wants us to WORSHIP

After morning worship time it was time to gather around the table and enjoy the great food prepared for us. I am sure some got just the right amount to eat, however, there was some of us who may have over done it just a little bit. But the thing to remember all of this was to bring HONOR and PRAISE to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Easter Sunday At Ava Missionary

2009-04-12T16:22:00.005-05:00

What a Day! Were it not for the fact that Jesus Christ conquered death and the grave, none of us would have been in worship services today. Christianity is the faith that claims a living Savior. His disciples come together regularly for Bible study, prayer and worship in order to experience His living presence in their midst. (Matt. 1820)

Christianity is not just good advice; it is good news from the cemetery. It is good news about God for sinners everywhere.

In these last days there is great deception. Everyone wants a free ride but few are willing to do it God’s way. These deceivers travel, picking up anyone wanting a free ride to eternity, delivering them to Satan. Their conscience has died because of the decisions they made along the way.

Eternity is only entered through the death, burial and resurrection of the One who dwelt among us. Jesus Christ. Now is the time to repent and place your trust in Jesus Christ

THIS IS THE DAY DEATH DIED .. THE DAY CHRIST AROSE FROM THE GRAVE!!!

Up from the grave He arose with a mighty triumph over His foes. He arose a victor from the dark domain and He lives forever with His saints to reign. He arose, He arose, Hallelujah Christ Arose!

Brothers and Sisters in Christ I want to tell you that on the day Christ Arose from the Grave, Death for the Christian was defeated once for all. Scripture tells us: “I am He that liveth and was dead; and bdhold I am alive for ever more .. and have the keys of hell and death.” (Rev. 1:18) “And having spoiled principalities and powers, He makes a show of them openly triumphing over them in it. (Col 2:15)

Death is swallowed up in victory, O Death where is thy sting, O grave where is thy victory!!

Death need hold no more terror in your life. For Christ “Tasted of Death” for us, and triumphed over it on that First Easter Morning. That first Easter Morning will forever be known as the DAY DEATH DIED!!!!!!!.

Good Friday 2009

2009-04-10T07:07:00.002-05:00

   It was time for Jesus to be crucified. He had been beaten with fists, had his hair pulled out, He had been flogged to the point of death. He was a mass of bleeding, raw and opened flesh. It is a miracle that He is still able to carry His cross.
   It was the custom that those condemned carry their own method of death. The cross beam, called the "patabulum", was about 100 pounds and carried across the shoulders. Jesus had carried his to the city gate. The soldiers escorting Him picked someone from the crowd of spectators. Verse 21 says,
A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.

1. He Was Silent (So We could Be Heard)
   Jesus was silent for most of His trial. When He did speak He simply turned the answer back to His accusers’ "That is who you say...". When He was beaten he did not give them any cause to do so. When He was ridiculed He did not return the insults or ridicule them.
   The Son of God spoke nothing at His trial because there was nothing more to say. He had spoken God’s truth and they had rejected it. He had revealed the kingdom of God and they rejected it. He had revealed the messiah and they rejected Him. When they nailed Him to the cross He continued to speak words of intercession, forgiveness and compassion, to those and for those who were crucifying Him.
   He remained silent so that we could be heard when we cried out "Lord save me!"

It is time that we no longer remain silent about our Lord: HE IS ALIVE!!

V.B.S. 2009 At Ava Missionary

2009-04-04T07:41:00.003-05:00

G'DAY MATE

It is time that we hop on board the VBS Express for 2009. We will be taking a train ride across the Land Down Under! As kids wind their way through Australia, they will discover the vastness of God’s love, and they will learn that no matter where they are or what they do in life it all comes back to Jesus. This evangelistic Bible School is exactly what Ava Missionary Baptist Church and children of Ava need.

Boomerang Express Scripture: “God’s love was revealed among us in this way God sent His one and only Son into the world so that we might live through Him.” 1 John 4:9

Boomerang Express Motto:

Follow! Worship; Live Through Him!

Boomerang Express Bible Stories

It All Comes Back To Jesus: Follow Him!

(John 1:40-24; Matt. 4:18-22)

It All Comes Back To Jesus: Worship Him!

(Matthew 14:22-33)

It All Comes Back To Jesus: Confess Him!

(Luke 22:31-34)

It All Comes Back to Jesus: Serve Him!

(John 21:1-19)

It All Comes Back To Jesus: Obey Him!

(Acts. 12:1-17)

You can have the best material, the best teachers and the most students, however you will not have success without the prayers and help of the local church. We need your prayers and your assistance in a very urgent way. We need teachers, helpers and prayer partners! Everyone can do something, it just comes down to: DO WE WANT TO

Palm Sunday At AMBC

2009-04-04T07:37:00.003-05:00

Recognizing His Identity.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 21:1-11

On that first Palm Sunday, Jesus surrounded by a great crowd of followers and others, entered Jerusalem as the King in exact fulfillment of prophecy to make a final appeal to His own nation. This was His royal entry, and it caused quite a sensation. Matthew tells us “When He entered Jerusalem, the whole city was shaken, saying, ‘Who is this?” (Matt. 21:10) For over two thousand years this same Jesus has been invading our complacent little Jerusalem’s, causing considerable disturbance, and many have pondering His true identity, asking, “Who is this?”

On the evening of Jesus’ resurrection, He appeared to the disciples behind closed doors. He lingered until they recognized Him. Who is this Man who examines our policies and motives and dealings with one another? “Who is this.” This question was relevant two thousand years ago, and it is relevant now. There is no easy answer.

Un Talent Night March 29th 2009

2009-03-30T06:34:00.004-05:00

Un Talent Night March 30, 2007

"Heaven came down and glory filled my soul" The church was nearly full and the spirit of the Lord was in this house. What a blessing it is to see God's People in God's House having a glorious time. That is what happend at Ava Missionary Baptist Church last night, as Crian Baptist Church and Ava Missionary Baptist Church came together for the first Un Talent Night of 2009. Good music, poetry, a few humerous moments, fellowship and of course food were enjoyed by all. I want to take this time to invite everyone to Easter Sunrise Services at Crain Baptist Church April 12th 2009. Services will begin at 7:00 am with an Easter Breakfast to follow at 7:30 am. The TOMB IS EMPTY and HE LIVES!!!!!!

HERMOSA CONFRENCE

2009-03-28T18:47:00.000-05:00

The word HERMOSA means beautiful! This was absolutely the most beautyful,womens gathering i have ever been to! March 27th we all got together for a wonderful worship time! The LORD was certainly in our presence! We all GOT TO WORSHIP THE SWEET LORD in a way that we will never forget!For the ladies that did not get to come ,i am very sorry,you missed out on alot!You should deffinately make sure you go to the next one! You will be changed in the most AWESOME way ever!!Last night after our meeting we all had ice cream and fellowshipped around the fire place for a while! The LORD truely blesed each woman there!!! March 28th,was day two.What another glorious day! WE ladies were treated like GODS PRINCESSES!We all got care packages with tea cups,literature and sweet treats!We all learned that OUR LORD AND SAVIOR wants us to live like princesses ,because eternally we are his!He wants nothing but the best for his daughters ! Through OUR LORD,we are secure and able to do all things!So to Tammara,Jenna,Angie,Pam and all the staff at Lake Sallateska we thank you for letting GOD use you to speak to our hearts and souls!You are truely GODS messengers!Their was not a woman or young lady at this conference that did not leave a changed woman!
We heard alot of testimonies and praises of OUR LORD AND SAVIORS works through each of us there!We heard of hardships that we can all relate too! We also had a few laughs to go along with the tears of joy and trying times that we shared together!GLORY TO GOD ABOVE FOR HIS WONDERFUL LOVE AND PRESSENCE!
DENISE

2009-03-28T10:21:00.003-05:00

Our Opportunities For Service April 2009

Sunday April 5th 2009: We will celebrate the Lord Supper after the morning worship service.

Sunday April 12th 2009. EASTER SUNDAY

7:00 am. Easter Sunrise Service at Crain Baptist Church.

7:30 am. Easter Breakfast at Crain Baptist Church

9:30 am. Sunday School at AMBC

10:30 am. Morning Worship Service AMBC

11:30 am. Easter Egg Hunt Church Lawn AMBC

There will be no evening services 4/12/2009

Tuesday April 14th 6:30 pm: The Women At The Well will meet here at the church.

Sunday April 19th 2009: Quarterly Business Meeting after morning worship service.

Sunday April 26th 2009: 12:00 pm All Church Fellowship Meal after morning worship service.

Christian Men’s Rally: April 27. Classic Car Display 4:30-7 p.m.; Barbecue Meal 5:30-6:45 p.m.; Worship Celebration 7-9 p.m. featuring Dr. Wendell Lang. First Baptist Church, 401 West Union, Marion. Designed for men and high school students wishing to grow in their Christian faith and fellowship with other Christian men. Meal cost: $6. Offering will be received for the Baptist Foundation Disaster Relief Endowment. Register by April 24 by contacting Alexis Smith at (217) 391-3123 or alexissmith@IBSA.org.

Comming Soon:

LOVE: A six session (depending on how much we get done each meeting) study based on Rick Warren's small group study 40 Days of Love. I hope to begin this small group study sometime after easter. It is exciting and quite revealing.

VBS 2009: "The Boomerang Express" Come join us as we take a train ride across the land down under.

Boomerang Express Scripture: "God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His One and Only Son into the world so that we might live through Him." 1 John 4:9 Holman CSB®

Boomerang Express Motto:Follow! Worship! Live through Him!

Oh What A Day At Ava Missionary Baptist Church

2009-03-23T07:47:00.004-05:00

What a day we had at Ava Missionary Baptist Church! Baptism: Baptism shows the Gospel message that Jesus died for our sins and rose again for our justification. Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8). He arose so that we can be justified. (Romans 4:25)” Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”

Baptism shows that the believer has died to the old life of sin and has been raised to walk in a different life.
The believer is a new creature in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17). The key to living the Christian life is to let Jesus live through you (Gal. 2:20). Baptism shows that the believer will one day live with Christ (v.8). When we are saved, we are guaranteed a home in heaven. (1 Thess. 4:13-17). We rejoice in welcoming Sister Denise Hobbs and Brother Richard Hobbs into the Kingdom of God and the fellowship of Ava Missionary Baptist Church. But that was not all!

On Sunday Evening we were truly blessed by the New Life Drama Team from Cleveland TN. These five young people are fantastic! The message they presented was truly dynamic and moving in every way. They presented the Gospel in such a way that each and everyone in attendance had to feel the Holy Spirit moving in their lives. If God's people would just pay attention to the message they presented REVIVAL would not just be a prayer of God's people but a reality for God's people.

God Is Good

2009-03-20T09:10:00.003-05:00

Finally Spring has Sprung and the Lord is truly blessing us here at Ava Missionary Baptist Church. Our attendance is increasing and the Spirit of the Lord is moving in and upon His people. Our Baptistry has been repaired and tested so this Sunday March 22nd we will be having a baptisimal service. Sister Denise Hobbs and Bro. Richard Hobbs will be baptized in the morning service. thanks to Bro. Rich for the repair and painting of the baptistry!

Sunday evening March 22nd during our Family Ministry Time the New Life Drama Team from Tennessee will be our guests. Services will begin at 6:30 and we will have a time of refreshments after the service.

Easter Sunday also is going to be a great day. Crain Baptist Church has graciously invited us to be a part of their "Sunrise Services" at 7:00 am followed by a fellowship Breakfast at 7:30. Here at Ava we will be having an Easter Egg Hunt for the children after Morning Worship. Eggs full of goodies.

There are several opportunities for service during the last part of March and the month of April.

March 22nd 11:30 am. Baptisimal Service

Sunday March 22nd 6:30 pm. New Life Drama Team

Friday March 27th 7 Sat. Mar. 28 Womens Conference Lake Sallateeska

Sunday March 29th 6:30 pm. Un Talent Night (Finger Food Fellowship to Follow)

Sunday April 5th 11:30 am Celebration of the Lords Supper

Sunday April 12th 7:00 am."Sunrise Service" Crain Baptist Church

Sunday April 12th 7:30 am Sunrise Breakfast Fellowship Crian Baptist Church

Tuesday April 14th "Women At The Well" Meet at 6:30 pm

Sunday April 19th 11:30 am Quarterly Business Meeting

Sunday April 26th 12:01 pm. Quaterly All Church Fellowship Meal

Praise The Lord

2009-02-03T06:53:00.002-06:00

God is Good! Despite the ice, the snow, the cold, and a leak in our baptistry God has truly demonstrated His love, power and provision at Ava Missionary Baptists Church. It is so exciting that I am excited about being excited. What a feeling. I am getting close to a Yahoo Praise The Lord.

Last night Feb. 2nd was a special night for AMBC. We were the host for the 9 Mile Association Executive Board Meeting and what a night it was for us. Our "Women At The Well" provided a great meal and we experienced God's People doing God's Work. How refreshing it was to experience a body of men and women concerned and praying for the needs of all churches in the association. We are truly blessed to be a part of an association that is concerned with supporting the churches of the associaiton not the churches supporting the association. WOW like I said I am excited about being excited.

Women At The Well

2009-01-24T07:50:00.003-06:00

Dear Sisters In Christ:

I want to take this time introduce you to the Women’s Missionary Organization of the Ava Missionary Baptist Church. We have formed this group of women with the expressed desire to reach out to the community of Ava Il., with the Gospel Of Jesus Christ , through our lives and our missionary efforts.

Our goal is to equip adults, youth, children and preschoolers with missions education to become radically involved in the mission of God.

Our Core Values

· We uphold the foundational principles of the priesthood of every believer and the autonomy and uniqueness of each local church in carrying out the Great Commission.

· We embrace the strategic role of prayer and giving for missionaries and missions needs.

· We recognize the role of family in discipleship and missions development.

· We recognize the giftedness of women and girls and accept the responsibility to help them use their gifts in serving Christ.

· We accept the responsibility for nurturing preschoolers, children, youth, and adults in missions.

· We accept the responsibility for developing and equipping missions leaders.

· We accept the biblical mandate to respond to human need with actions modeled by Jesus Christ and with the message of God’s redemptive plan.

· We partner with other Great Commission Christians to lead a lost world to Christ.

· We believe that Jesus Christ, Son of God, gave His life a sacrifice for the salvation of all the people of the world, fulfilling God’s plan for the ages as revealed in the Bible, God’s Holy Word.

Our Vision Statement

WMU challenges Christian believers to understand and be radically involved in the mission of God.

I would like to take this time to invite you to our next meeting which will take place on Feb. 10th 2009 at 6:30 p.m. This meeting will take place in the Educational Building of the Ava Missionary Baptist Church and is open to all women of any age.

Yours In Jesus Christ

Carol Ethington.

Ava Missionary Baptist Church Prayer Chain

2009-01-17T07:29:00.003-06:00

Ava Missionary Baptist Church Prayer Chain

The prayer chain is the spiritual alarm system which communicates and takes prayerful action on the needs of the congregation, community and global needs. This network of people who are committed to prayer take action on behalf of the congregation on Jesus’ words to "ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened," (Matthew 7:7). The importance of the prayer chain is that it faithfully intercedes on behalf of others in need by lifting up specific requests, concerns and emergency

The prayer chain is the life-blood of the congregation! Oftentimes, because this work is behind the scenes, the prayer chain, like our blood, is taken for granted and forgotten. It is not until you have some hurts or needs that you remember and are thankful for the prayer chain. The chain participants can become anemic due to inactivity, lack of spiritual attention, and by coming under spiritual attack. Chains that have been in existence for longer periods of time or are in a congregation that has much transient activity may need new prayer chain participant transfusions.

If the individual you are calling does not answer, leave a message if they have a recorder, then go on to the next family on your list.

To Activate The Prayer Chain Call:

Barb Phoenix. 618-318-3001

AMBC Family

2009-01-17T07:23:00.003-06:00

A Great Family
Acts 18:1-3; Acts 18-19, 24-26

It takes more than great programs to build a great church…we have some great things going on here, but it’s not enough. It takes more than hard workers and sacrificial servants to build a great church. It takes more than offerings…we have been blessed for our size to do as well as we do in tithes-for the local ministry, in missions-for around the world, and in special offerings we receive.It takes more than a great looking Pastor to build a great church and you could always pray that someday you’ll have one! It takes more than talented teachers, and more than dedicated servants to build a great church. It takes great people, great families, and great homes, to really make a great church. We ARE building a church here, but hopefully we are building it by building people, building families, and building our homes…if we do that, then together we will be building a great church as a by-product, and all to the glory of God!

We have a great example of this here in our text in the form of this couple, Aquila and Priscilla. I believe that God Intended For The Christian Life To Be A Family Affair. The Bible teaches that it’s ideal for entire families to love and serve God together.

Sunday January 11th 2009

2009-01-12T09:49:00.002-06:00

What is God asking you to do this year? Does it scare you? Is He asking you to do something that takes faith? He may be asking you to trust Him in your finances. How can we start tithing when the economy is so unstable? Faith. Are you living by faith? Or are you living by fear? God may be leading you to start a new job or go back to school or to start a ministry of some kind. You see all the dangers. You see all the opportunities for failure. You see potential for great pain in your life. It’s risky following God. But God says, “Fear not”. “Trust me’. Whatever it is that God has for you this year – or wherever He is leading you – remember that old adage, “God will never take you where His will can not keep you.”

Indeed Ava Missionalry Baptist Church is looking forward to the Adventure Ahead. At our business meeting the church voted to establish a building committee to investigate the possibilities of adding handicap bathrooms to the front of the church ,upgrading handicap access to our existing bathrooms + access to the sanctuary. Satan is not going to like this at all!!!! Also church officers were elected, a budget for 2009 was presented and approved. And Praise God no one is mad!!!!!

The Holy Spirit moved in a mighty way during our morning worship service. During our time of Praise words of Testimony was heard from several people. OH what a blessing. One in particular, Esther Phoenix, said that Ava Missionary Baptist Church is FAMILY. Oh what a blessing that was to me, so much so I can't get it out of my mind and quite possibly next Sundays Message will be FAMILY. Get Ur Done! Ava MBC.

Victory In Jesus

2009-01-05T16:47:00.003-06:00

Sunday January 4th 2009. We have Victory at Ava Missionary Baptist Church. In the last month we have had: 1.) Rich Hobbs come forward for Baptism and Church Membership 2.) Lavanda Davis come forward to join the church by transfer of letter, 3) And Denise Hobbs came forward for Salvation. Baptism and Church Membership. As a result of God's moving we are going to do something un-usual at Ava Missionary Baptist Church. We are going to have A Baptism-Fellowship after worship services on Jan. 25th. I guess you could say, "We are gonna Dunk them and then Feed them. We just want to seriously say Welcome to Rich, Lavanda, and Denise you all mean so much to our church and we praise God for sending all of you our way. Can't you tell I am about to POP. Watch out Sunday.

In Memory Of Donald M. Cross

2009-01-02T13:57:00.003-06:00

Donald M. Cross, 71 of Ava, passed away at 3:00 a.m. Sunday, December 28th 2008 at his home in Ava, IL.

Donald was born April 17th 1937 in Ava Illinois the son of William M. Cross and Turzie (Crisler) Cross. He married Ann S. Creasy on Nov. 5th 1955, in St. Louis MO. They were married 53 years. He retired from Menard Correctional Center in June of 1994 after 26 years of service. He was a member of Ava Missionary Baptist Church.

Donald leaves his wife Ann; three children, Mitzie McBride of Ava, Donnie Cross of Eldorado, Dee Cross of Carbondale; three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, one brother, Ronald Cross of Ava; many loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, five sisters and one grandson.

Donald M. Cross “He Fought A Good Fight”
2 Timothy 4:6-8

We have gathered here today to pay our final respect to Donald M. Cross, to remember his life and how it touched ours, to share in the hope in which he lived his life and which, for him, has now been realized.
Ann, Mitzie, Donnie, Dee, Ronald, family and friends, I realize at this time there are no human words that can possibly fill the deep void in your hearts today. So in this time of grief and despair let us turn to the words of the Lord.

“For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down .. when we die and leave these bodies .. we will have a home in heaven,, and eternal body made for us by God Himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long for the day when we will put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. For we will not be spirits without bodies, but we will put on new heavenly bodies. Our dying bodies make us groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and have no bodies at all. We want to slip into our new bodies, so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by everlasting life. God Himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee He has given us His Holy Spirit.

So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. That is why we live by believing and not by seeing. Yes we are fully confident and we would rather be away from these bodies, for then we will be at ho with the Lord. So our aim is to please Him always, whether we are here is this body or away from this body. For we all must stand before Christ and be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in our bodies.” (2 Cor. 5:1-10)

Don loved the outdoors, fishing, hunting and was an avid sports fan. He was a carpenter well known for the quality of work he did, one prime example is the home they occupied until his death. He was somewhat like the Apostle Paul and I am reminded of the letter that Paul wrote to young Timothy.

“As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race….”

Paul knew that his life would soon be over as he writes these words to young Timothy, his spiritual son.He knew that perhaps within a matter of days he might be killed for his faith. He says that the time has come for his departure. The word here refers to a loosening of the ropes when taking a tent down or to the release of the lines when a ship leaves the dock. Paul saw himself as gathering his tent for the next stop and as a sailor launching out on a new journey. He knew that his life would not end with His physical death.
Paul compares his life and service to athletics. We see some athletes who go through the motions or those who are in it for the money and don’t give their all. Paul says he gave his all and finished that course that had been set before Him.

        Don could look back over his life and say with Paul that he fought the good fight and finished the race. Like a marathon runner Don kept going no matter how steep the hills, how strong the wind against him, how much his body cried out from exhaustion, no matter how far away the finish line seemed to be. He fought for weeks until 3:00 a.m. last Sunday morning.
     And he kept the faith - he had the belief that God had called him to be His child and servant and he put his trust in Him.
     While he may have wondered at times whether or not he was good enough, He may have strayed from the path, he may have not served as he knew he should have, he came to that point where he knew that through the grace of God displayed on that cross he would be received by God as holy and righteous.
     He believed that she would receive the crown of righteousness that Paul speaks of - the wreath awarded to the victor of the marathon race.
   We need to consider one important thing that I believe Don would want you to know - the crown goes not just to Paul, not just to Don but it goes to all, as Paul ends this passage, who have longed for Christ’s appearing.
     The Crown is not a reward for passing a certain standard of excellence or effort, it is a gift from God to all who believe that Jesus Christ gave His live on the cross and that whoever believes in Him, trusts in Him, will receive eternal life - for that is what the crown represents.
     We thank you God for our Husband, Father, Grandfather, and friend and we thank you for Jesus Christ through whom we share in the glorious hope we have.

Let Us Pray.

Reaching Our Full Potential

2008-12-27T08:56:00.002-06:00

Ava Missionary Baptist Church has grown Spiritually in the year 2008. As we approach 2009 my prayer is that we will make strides in Reaching Our Full Potential. As we come together tomorrow, the last Sunday of 2008, in truth there will be three of us sitting in each seat. There is the person you are today. There is the person you could be for evil, and there is the complete person you could be for God. The question is who will you be in 2009? Who will you be next year? Who will we be when we die? There are two things which can, and sad to say in many cases will , keep us from reaching our full potential. # 1 is INCOMPLETE OBEDIENCE and # 2 is PRIDE!

Christmas Day 2008

2008-12-25T06:33:00.003-06:00

Carolyn and I just want to wish each and everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. And just think of what this picture means to us:

"You too have a destiny and someday ...

someday soon, your destiny will cross with His." !!!!

Christmas For Christ

2008-12-22T10:10:00.005-06:00

Sunday Evening December 21st was a very special night at Ava Missionary Baptist Church. We came together as a Church Family and celebrated Christ's birth. We brought our gifts for Christ and put them under the tree and after a special time of Christmas Hymns the children opened the presents. Our gifts to Christ were: 2, 8 Ft. folding tables for our fellowship and class room areas, two coffe makers, money for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offereing, and about

$150.00 dollars to be applied to additional tables for our fellowship and class room areas. After opening the presents we enjoyed a finger food fellowship, hot cider, sandwiches, chips, dip, and of course all kinds of sweet stuff. Oh what a privilege and blessing it was to not only give gifts unto the Lord but to come togehter as a church family at this very special time of the year. We want to say to one and all Merry Christmas!!!!!!

Sunday Morning 12.21.2008

2008-12-22T07:04:00.003-06:00

The truth of Christmas: it doesn’t really matter what Jesus looked like. The important thing is that he was born. The important thing is that He is God’s Christmas present to the world. The important thing is that He is the king of all kings and the Lord of all Lords! The birth of Jesus Christ is not a made up fantasy. IT HAPPENED!!! IT HAPPENED!!! IT HAPPENED!!!!! Jesus REALLY WAS born into our world! He REALLY DOES want to forgive your sins! He REALLY DOES want to give you eternal life! He REALLY DOES love you!!!” How do I know that? Because John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world, He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life!”

That truth of Christmas was tgruly shown when Rick Hobbs came forward and presented himself as a candidate for baptism and church membership. The church welcomed himwith open arms and a Baptisimal Service will be held in early January 2009.

Christmas Baskets

2008-12-20T11:23:00.010-06:00

The blessings of Thanksgiving overflowed to Christmas on Dec. 21st 2008 as Food Baskets were assembled and distributed to 18 families in the Ava area.

2008-12-18T17:53:00.002-06:00

What does 180 Lbs of Tater's; 36 lbs of white beans; 108 cans of Gree Beans; 108 cans of Corn; 36 cans of Cramberries; 72 cans of Sweet Taters; 54 boxes of Stove Top Stuffin; 36 Packages of Rolls; 36 Loves of Bread; 36 boxes of Brownie Mix; 36 dozen of Eggs;p 18 gallons of Milk; 36 boxes of Margarine; 18 sacks of mixed fruit and 18 sacks of candy + 18 10-12lbs Hams mean? LOVE!!! The combined LOVE of God's People from FOUR different churches, of FOUR different Denominations for 18 families in need around the Ava community. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. My prayer is that this is but just the beginning of a special ministry in the Ava Area.

December and January Opportunities For Service

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Opportunities For Service

December January 2009

Holiday food baskets will be distributed on 20 Dec. 2008. If you know someone who is in need please let me know asap.

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Dec. 21st 2008 6:30 PM. Christmas For

Christ Service. “I have no gift to bring .. That’s fit to give our King.” Sound familiar? “Little Drummer Boy” one of the favorites Christmas Carols. What could I possibly bring Jesus in celebration of this Christmas Season? I am thinking I would like to give Him something unique this year ..something uncommon, something precious to me. Le me ask you this have you ever considered “Time” For many of us the decision to set aside time for Him would be costly, but it should be if it is to be a gift fit for a King.

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We have been invited to join Crain Baptist Church in their Watch Night Service Wednesday Dec. 31st 2008. Service will begin at 8:00 PM. Worship, Fellowship and Prayer. Say good by to 2008 and hello to 2009.

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January 4th....................Celebration of the Lords Supper. January 11th Quarterly Business Meeting.

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Known January Birthday's: January 4th..Allen Cross; January 7th Alisha Cross; January 9th Beth Gearhardt; January 15th Susan Cross and January 23rd Skylar Rogers.

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January 18-20th 2009 Southern Illinois Evangelism and Bible Conference, Immanuel Baptist Church Benton, Sponsored by the Franklin Baptist Association. Sunday Jan 18th service begins at 6:00 pm. Monday and Tuesday Sessions at: 10 am - 1:30 pm and 7:00 pm. Great Preaching and Inspired Music.

Unwrapping The Gift of Faith

2008-12-13T07:55:00.003-06:00

Eleven days until Christmas. Christmas gifts are being bought and wrapped and placed underneath trees all over the world. What is it you will be unwrapping this year?

My prayer is that many will unwrap the gift of faith that the Lord is offering to each of us this season.

For some it is the Saving Faith. In Eph. 2:8-9 we read: "For by grace are you saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift. Not from works, so that no one can boast." The greatest gift to be unwrapped this Christmas is the Gift of Salvation.

For many today my prayer is for Living Faith, a faith that helps you preserve and grow deep in your relationship with the Lord so that you can be complete.

God wants the very best for each and everyone of us, but we must ralize that it will not be found in the world, it is only found in a relatioship with Him that is by faith from the first to the last.

A Prayer For Zimbawe

2008-12-13T07:39:00.003-06:00

Dear Lord, make Ava Missionary Baptist Church one who fives constant praise to You. And let us share the joyous news of Jesus Christ with a world that needs His transformation and His salvation. And Lord during this season in which we celebrate your birth, let us not forget those who who have little at all and those that serve them so willingly our Missionaries.

BINGA, Zimbabwe –– Southern Baptists have brought badly needed relief to an isolated region of Zimbabwe, where a national political impasse – compounded by hyperinflation, a cholera epidemic, and a burgeoning food crisis – have brought the country near the point of collapse.

Zimbabwe’s government declared a national emergency Dec. 4 because of the cholera epidemic, which has spread across the entire country, claiming at least 565 lives, according to news reports. The inflation rate has been estimated at 231 million percent and United Nations food analysts believe the hunger crisis will grow worse in the spring because many families have eaten seeds needed for planting.

People in Zimbabwe are growing more desperate by the day, said Susan Hatfield, who with her husband, Mark, directs work in Sub-Saharan Africa for Baptist Global Response.

“Grocery store shelves are almost completely empty, except for the U.S. dollar stores, accessible by only a very few,” Hatfield said. “People do not want to be paid in cash, but in food, as many are hungry and starving. Many of the schools have closed. The main hospital in the capital, Harare, has closed down. The water has been turned off in most parts of the country, including much of Harare, and I just received word of an anthrax outbreak that has killed several people as well as a growing number of cattle in the Bulawayo area.”

The Gifts Of Jospeh and Mary.

2008-12-06T09:19:00.002-06:00

Matthew 1:18-25. Did you know that Jospeh and Mary have some gifts for us today. The problem is we often do not un-wrap those gifts because we overlook them. On Sunday Dec. 7th and Dec. 14th I hope to unwrap those gifts in your presence.

Decorate The Christmas Tree

2008-12-04T15:41:00.005-06:00

Wednesday evening AVA MBC came together to decorate our Christmas Tree and the Sanctuary and to enjoy some of the cookies left over from Tuesday Night. Thanks to every one who took part. Our Sanctuary looks a little like Christmas. As we prepare for Christmas let us not to forget our Gifts For Christ Service on the 21st of December. A time when we honor our Lord by bringing Him gifts to be used to His glory.

Cookie Exchange

2008-12-04T15:35:00.003-06:00

What does 8 AMBC Women at The Well and a Cookie Exchange mean. I'll tell you what "Women Worshipping" & COOKIES!!!!!! If my math is correct, and you know the possibilities of that, it means 64 dozen cookies. There are 8 families that currently have approximately parts of 8 dozen cookies sitting around someplace. Well except for poor old Wanda I know that some of hers, primarily the chocolate peanut clusters are gone, dissappeared between Tuesday Night and 6:00 pm Wednesday night. Of course all of ours are still in tact!!!!. Praise the Lord for the Women of Ava Missionary Baptist Church.

Sunday Nov. 30th 2008.

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What a day! The last day of November tomorrow is the first day of Winter, and God was at work at Ava Missionary Baptist Church. Our Sunday school lesson was one we all could learn from My Ongoing Mission. How to take steps to repair the brach in your life between worship and witness. The morning worship service was spirit filled to say the least. God truly blessed.

As great as Sunday morning was, Sunday evening as we worshiped with Crain Baptist Church on the 5th Sunday was very special. I was truly blessed by the testimony, singing and prayer of an 89 year old warrior for God. God does special things with special people and he is truly one of those.

Community Thanksgiving Service

2008-11-29T12:19:00.002-06:00

The turkey is history, the Christmas decortions are beginning to light up the landscape, but none of this compares to the services we had on Tuesday Nov. 25th at Crain Baptist Church. It was such a blessing to worship with our brothers and sisters in Christ from other churches. This night was only a glimpse of what God's people can do and experience when they band together. I firmly believe that we (together) can make a difference in our world, a difference that mankind has not seen since the day of Pentecost. God Bless each and everyone.

A night to remember

2008-11-25T23:08:00.002-06:00

Tonight was a night to certainly remember! This is going to be the first year i look at Thanksgiving in a whole new way! I am Thankful for being apart of this church,and for having God in my life! I new the first time i came to this church my life would change! It just took a little while to figure it out.I am so thankful to God for bringing me into this church! You are all loved so much! You are so very dear to my heart! I am thankful to have the honor to have met the Morris family this week! Life has definately got many purposes for each of us! GOD is a wonderful GOD! We all certainly have a purpose for something no matter how great or small! This week has been a heart felt experience from the Morris family to the Thanksgiving service! Have blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!

Denise

November 25th

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Sunday November 23rd 2008

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Words cannot describe our services Sunday. Sunday morning the Sunday School lesson "My Heart Healthy Church" was truly a message from the Lord. What was it about? "Church unity is in danger if believers do not patiently love one another no matter their levels of spiritual maturity." I feel that our whole nation is at risk if WE CHRISTIANS don't learn to get along together. Praise God we have a scheduled service Thanksgiving Service Tuesday evening with three other churches of different denominiatoins!. It is a totally mind boggling when you just stop and consider what God's People Could Do, if they could just get along together! My prayer is that this service will just be the beginning of great things for our local churches.

Sunday Evening was the highlite of the day as the Morris family, missionaries to South Africa were with us. Bob, Susan, Kristie and Shara shared with us their ministry and the people that they work with. It gives us all a better perspective of what they face each and every day on the mission field. Robert their son was not with them because he was flying back to South Africa. Susan and Kristie told us about some of the things they faced as MK (Missionary Kids) and their description of their schooling in South Africa was eye opening. Would you believe that they feel their education in South Africa was better than what they could have recieved in the states. The most difficult transition they had to make when coming back to the states: Learning to drive on the right side of the road. We hope and pray that God will continue to bless them as they complete their furlough here in the states and return to South Africa in late December. Bob, Susan, Kristie and Sarah thank you so much, you have no idea how much you blessed each and every one of us.

Community Thanksgiving Service

2008-11-22T08:27:00.002-06:00

Community Thanksgiving Service Tuesday, November 25th 2008 Crain Baptist Church. Special Music and message by "Bro. Robert "Peck" Boyett of Ava Missionary Baptist Church. A special offering will be taken and will be used to supply Holliday Food Baskets for the needy of our area.

In the spring of 1621, after having landed at Plymouth and survived the first hard winter, the Pilgrims weren’t doing very well. Many people died during the winter. Two Native Americans named Squanto and Samorset, helped the Pilgrims learn how to survive in the new land by showing them farming techniques and by teaching them how to gather certain natural foods from the forest. By the fall things had greatly improved, and the Pilgrims had such an abundance of food that they decided to celebrate with a feast of thanksgiving.

The Pilgrims celebrated by giving thanks to God for his provisions. Today, Thanksgiving appears to be the only time that some people give God thanks; but the Lord wants us to thank Him each and every day of our lives. At all times and in every situation of life, God wants us to do as Paul said in Ephesians 5:20, in which he declared, “Giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Think for a moment. Is our thanksgiving rooted in an overwhelming praise to God for our salvation? Or is our thanks rooted in earthly things? Do we rejoice in the God of our salvation as our strength? The question is really this: If the worst thing we could possibly imagine were to become true for us today, could we say “Yet, I will rejoice in the Lord, I will give thanks to the God of my salvation?”

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Bob and Susan Morris are International Mission Board (Southern Baptist Convention) missionaries to the Xhosa people in South Africa. Bob is from McLeansboro, IL and Susan is from Columbia, SC. Before coming to South Africa in 1989, Bob served as pastor of the Pioneer Drive Baptist Church in Irving, Texas. Their 3 children are Kristie (born in 1986), Sarah (born in 1989), and Robert (born in 1992). Kristie is currently studying in America while Sarah and Robert are in school in South Africa. They served for 13 years in the former homeland of the Xhosa people (Transkei) which was incorporated into the country of South Africa after the fall of apartheid in 1994. During that time, they started the Zanokhanyo Baptist School in the town of Mt. Ayliff. The school is now under local leadership with a student body of about 350 children from preschool to grade 8. Other work focused on starting new churches and training leaders to lead the new churches as well as the existing ones.

In 2003, they moved to Grahamstown where they now reside still working among the Xhosa speaking people. Their main work is to evangelize, begin churches, and train leaders in Grahamstown and the surrounding areas among the Xhosa speaking people. A new church was started in the town of Alexandria in 2005. New work is beginning in the town of Peddie. Work will begin next year in the town of Someset East.

The Xhosa people primarily live in townships, areas of land they were given by the white apartheid government. Apartheid fell in 1994, but the majority of the Xhosa people continue to live in these townships. Many have come from the rural areas to look for jobs and live in “squatter shacks” in these townships. The unemployment rate in Grahamstown is 70%.

Their Web Address is: xhosa.all.peopleteams.org

Bob and Susan Morris

2008-11-19T06:34:00.001-06:00

Don't forget Bob and Susan Morris Foreign Missionaries from McLeansboro, serving in Africa will be with us Sunday Night at 6:30. Finger food fellowship to follow service. An exciting evening is in store for all of us. BE THERE!!!!!!

The Valley of Decision Joshua Ch. 8

2008-11-15T10:22:00.001-06:00

Some Christians get all bent out of shape if their church doesn’t still do everything the way it was done when they were younger. But what is important is not HOW God works, but THAT He works. We want to see Him move and work, Amen? Like Paul said, “To the weak I became weak, in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by all means save sone.” (1 Cor9:22) “We never did it that way before!” That is a rut we need to keep God’s machine out of. He Forgives Sin; He Judges Sin and He LETS US CHOOSE! What's the consequence of the choice we make? See Ya Sunday.

Wednesday Nov. 12th 2008

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2 Samuel 13-15. What a message from God's Word. David saw intrigue, sexual sins, and murder rock his own household, resulting in his isolation from and eventual retreat before Absalom. We are experiencing the same today. Our nation is racked by sexual sins, murder, deceipt you name it, uncertainty is the norm, but you know what God is still in control. Our time of prayer was oh so sweet. The humble, sincere prayers of a few can result in the blessings for many.

Sunday Nov. 9th 2008.

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We had a great day at Ava Missionary Baptist Church Sunday Nov. 9th 2008. Sunday School Attendance: 10; MOrning Worship 30; Family Night Ministry 10. The Lord truly spoke to us Sunday Morning concerning the fact that we must be ready to meet Him every moment of our lives. We know not when the hour, minute, or second He will call us home. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bro. Jim Endsley as he recovers from surgery, and with the Phoenix family over the loss of their loved one.

On Tuesday as I was sitting in front of Penny's at the Carbondale Mall a gentleman came in and sat down in the chair next to me. At first I did not really notice any thing special about him until I noticed the hat he was wearing. It was an American Legion Hat, and I saw the words Ohaha Beach. A World War II veteran who had participated in the landing of the Allied Forces on D-Day. What a privilege it was to shake his hand and thank him for the sacrifice that he and so many other made for the freedoms we hold near and dear. Being a veteran myself, (Viet Nam Era) I remember the day I arrived back in the states from Germany and was greeted by a flag waving anti war hippie. As I look back on it I feel bad about my reaction to his protest, but also praise God for the freedom we have to express our opinions with out fear. God Bless the USA and let us never forget those who paid the price.

AMBC Missionary News

2008-11-06T08:02:00.003-06:00

The Young's News Letter: October 2008

Dobrý den (hello) from the Czech Republic,

The month of October marks a year and a half that we have lived in Czech Republic. We are humbled as we think of how God has provided for us and how He has used us to do His work here. As we approach the Christmas season, I’m sure you will hear a lot about the Lottie Moon Christmas offering.

The simple truth is that we couldn’t be here without your gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas offering.

Those gifts are the means by which we devote ourselves to full-time ministry, providing us with a place to call home, food, medical care — even home school supplies for our children. We want to thank you for faithfully supporting us and other Southern Baptist missionaries all around the world with your generous gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas offering.

This month, our family has been sick ALL month. Praise God we are all starting to feel better! Please pray for all of us to have good health and renewed energy.

It has been a wonderful experience for Mike to start teaching English at the seminary in Pehlrimov this month. Each week, he has the opportunity to teach Czech men who have made many sacrifices to commit their lives to spreading the gospel and starting new churches here in Czech Republic. We praise God for each of these men and, as some of them graduate at the end of this school year, we look forward to helping them with their ministries. In addition, the seminary is offering English lessons to the public in Pehlrimov. Mike has enjoyed teaching these classes as well.

You may be wondering why we are teaching English? It is very important for Czech people to learn English in order to get a good paying job. So, we have found that this is a good way to get to know people and form friendships. It is almost impossible to share religious beliefs with Czech people until you

have first established a trusting relationship. English is one way that we can break through the cold, untrusting walls that people have built around themselves.

Next month, we will be working with the seminary to offer free Czech Bibles and the Bible on CD for Christmas to each person in Pehlrimov. We will be mailing out 6,700 fliers. Anyone who responds to the flier will receive a Bible and CD before Christmas. The Bibles will be personally delivered to their

apartments during the month of December. Please pray for this ministry that many people will respond and that as the Bibles are delivered, many people will have the opportunity to hear about Jesus. Pray that these people will accept Christ as their savior and that they will truly have a reason to celebrate this Christmas.

mikeyoung394@yahoo.com

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Week Of Prayer For Lottie Moon Christmas Offering: Nov. 30 - Dec. 7th 2008

Where Does The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering Go Once It Leaves Your Church. 100% used to support missionaries. 90% used for direct expenses like: Missionaries Salaries, housing, food, children’s education, and benefits.

Do you realize what a Cup Of Coffee Will Do?

If the coffee aisle at the supermarket beckons you every week, you needn’t explain it to Forrest and Becky Bohlen. They’re missionaries living among Venezuela’s Andes Mountains where coffee is king. Gradually, the Bohlens are introducing coffee growers to the King of kings by giving them copies of the New Testament. The books cost about $1 each and are paid for by the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.

Forrest isn’t exactly a coffeeholic, but he’s willing to drink it to build friendships with the people he and Becky meet. They’re mostly hard-working farmers who say they’re Roman Catholic. The truth is that they’ve heard only bits and pieces of the Gospel.

While a full-out Gospel push would be strongly resisted, the people do warm up to it through coffee breaks with them. That, and FUNDASEM, a nonprofit organization started by the Bohlens to help locals improve their farming techniques. The Ag Team designed a special agricultural-looking cover for the New Testaments handed out; more than 10,000 copies were so readily received that the team ordered another 10,000.The classes, the copies and the coffee are drawing people to the Lord. But the Bohlens believe that prayer and Venezuelan nationals trained to grow their own disciples will yield the bigger harvest.

Wednesday Nov. 6th 2008

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What a fantastic night at Ava Missionary Baptist Church. Our adults read from God's Word Psalms 25-29-and 33 about our Dependance on the Lord, The Voice of the Lord, and Praise to the Creator. How great is it to listen as the Lord Speaks to us. We had special prayer for the Phoenix Family, Sister Carol Ethington, Ruth Smith and all of those on our prayer list. Shared our burdens and prayers: What a special time it was. Oh we also found out that Sister Beth Gearhart will be visiting her mother, its her mothers birthday, and that her new teeth are settling in. And guess what she has a deep craving for a HAMBURGER!!!!!.

Sister Carolyn and the youth looked at Daniel in the Lions Den. They may not have had much to say but they were very attenative to the lesson.

Our total attendance was 4 adults and 6 youth plus the Lord.

2008-11-06T07:15:00.003-06:00

I am so thankful to be involved in the "Read the Bible Through" commitment. What a blessing during this uncertain time in our nation. It is a daily reminder that all is in God's hands. I have especially enjoyed the Psalms this week. Praise God for this church activity that helps us to grow in the knowledge of the Word. Wanda

Sunday Nov. 2nd Services

2008-11-04T11:03:00.003-06:00

What a day we had at Ava Missionary Baptist Church. Sunday School Attendance: 13; Morning Worship Time: 30, Family Night Ministry: 6. High School Sunday School class began a project which will hopefully produce a Church Calendar and Directory.

Ladies At The Well will meet Tuesday Nov. 4th in the educational building. Next Sunday Nov. 9th we will once again be looking at an Old Familiar Bible story that has many messages for us today. "The Diary of A Lonely Woman"

Brother Jim Endsley

2008-11-04T10:41:00.002-06:00

Bro. Jim Endsley is at Marshall Browning Hospital, room 121. I visited him this am and he is recovering from surgery and appears to be doing quite well. He will be at Marshall Browning for several more days and then home for an extensive recovery period. He wanted to say hello to everyone and to thank all for their prayers. Talked to Sister Carol and their daughter and they are holding up well and also said to tell everyone hellow and thank you.

Kristy Renee Phoenix

2008-11-04T07:07:00.002-06:00

Ava Missionary Baptist Church extends its deepest sympathy to the family of Kristy Renee Phoenix who passed away sometime Sunday, Nov. 2nd 2008. There are no words that can be expressed by mankind that answer the questions in our hearts today, comfort can only be found in the name of the Lord: "Brothers, I tell you this; flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, and corruption cannon inherit incorruption. Listen I am telling you a mystery: We will not all fall asleep, but we will be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised in corruptible and we will be changed. Because this corruptible must be clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal must be clothed with immortality. Now when this corruptible is clothed with incorruptibility and this mortal is clothed with immortality then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory. Do death where is thy sting? Now the sting of death is sis, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory thorugh our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 15:50-57.

Special Prayer

2008-11-02T07:45:00.001-06:00

Bro. Jim Endsley is currently in Marshall Browning Hospital, Du Quoin, IL. and is scheduled to be operated on Monday Nov.3rd. Please lift him and his family up in your prayers.

Sister Carol Ethington

2008-10-30T07:03:00.003-05:00

Sister Carol Ethington had surgery yesterday morning 10/29/2008 and Praie The Lord the surgery was successful and Sister Carol was in her room recovering at about 11:30 am. She is at Memorial Hospital Carbondale, Room 433 and if all goes well should be able to come home some time Friday. Remember to pray that her recovery will be rapid and for her and her family as she recovers. Remember she has to put up with Calvin! That could be a chore in itself.

Sunday Nov. 2nd Ask The Blilnd Man He Saw It All

2008-10-28T11:12:00.002-05:00

Our scripture reading for Sunday will be: Mark 10:52. Have you ever thought about what it was like to be blind? I never will forget my first trip underground at the Majestic Mine. My grandfather took me and I remember his turning off his bug light. The darkness was so dark you could almost feel it, your eyes are absolutely useless. Was I ever glad when he turned it back on.

“I am blind and it is May,” I saw this sign hanging around the neck of a blind beggar, what a statement! We must realize that there is so much to see, to experience in this lovely world. To be blind physically is not to know the beauty of the sunrise, the beauty of the fall season, or the beauty of our children.

Louise Fletcher Tarkington wrote these words:

I wish there was some wonderful place called the Land of Beginning Again,

Where all of our mistakes and all of our heartaches, and all of our selfish griefs

Could be dropped at the door like a shabby coat, and never put on again.

Sunday Oct. 26th 2008

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What a fantastic day at Ava Missionary Baptist Church. Our Sunday School attendance was 8, down a little but the lesson prepared by Tom McDaniel was great. Our worship attendance was 25+ and praise the Lord we had visitors. Chris Ethington and his family were in attendance, along with Carol Ethington's sisters. Needless to say we could hardly hold Carol in her seat. Talk about answered prayer, there it is. Sister Carol will be going into the hospital Wed. for surgery so keep her in your prayers. Sunday Night Ministry...Sing, Sing, Sing, we did so much that our devotional time was shorter than normal. Make a joyful sond, and we did, or I think we did. Had 10 in attendance.

Don't Forget Fall BAck

2008-10-26T07:23:00.002-05:00

Don't Forget That Its Time To Change Our Clocks!!!!

Daylight Savings Time Ends At 2:00 am Nov. 2nd.

Twins

While twins born at 11:55 p.m. and 12:05 a.m. may have different birthdays, Daylight Saving Time can change birth order -- on paper, anyway. During the time change in the fall, one baby could be born at 1:55 a.m. and the sibling born ten minutes later, at 1:05 a.m. In the spring, there is a gap when no babies are born at all: from 2:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. In November 2007, Laura Cirioli of North Carolina gave birth to Peter at 1:32 a.m. and, 34 minutes later, to Allison. However, because Daylight Saving Time reverted to Standard Time at 2:00 a.m., Allison was born at 1:06 a.m.

An Opportunity For Our Children

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Nine Mile Baptist Association

Children’s Camp 2009

June 28th—July 2nd 2009

Lake Sallateeska, Pinckneyville, IL

For Children who have completed:

Grades 3,4,5,or 6.

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This will be the third year for the Nine Mile Baptist Association’s Children’s Camp. In 2008 a total of 83 children and adults enjoyed a beautiful and safe week at Lake Sallateeska, and 11 campers made decisions for Christ!.

My prayer, and I hope yours also is that we Ava Missionary Baptist Church will send some of our 3rd, 4th,5th and 6th graders to this camp, and hopefully some of our Adults will volunteer to help all they can

Tomorrow Sunday Oct. 26th 2008

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Peck will announce from the pulpit "The Candidate That I Endorse" There are still people who are un-decided as to whom they’re going to vote for on November 4th. So today, I’m going to introduce you to the one person who IS worthy of your confidence. I’m going to introduce you to the One Person who deserves to be elected by every American. I’m going to introduce you to the Leader who I endorse.

The Lord is my resting place

2008-10-23T10:49:00.007-05:00

What A Week

2008-10-23T06:44:00.002-05:00

So far this has been a fantastic week. On Monday and Tuesday Oct. 20th and 21st I was able to attend the Annual Meeting of the Nine Mile Baptist Association and it was truly a blessing. The business sessions were crisp, to the point, and I must say the Lord was truly lifted up in every way possible. After the business sessions we were truly blessed by hearing from missionaries from: Chile, the Phillipeans, and Africa. We pray constantly for our missionaries, however, when you are able to hear, touch and feel them in person it causes the tears to flow, and a deep desire within the heart to do more and more to see to it that they are able to do what they have been called to do. God truly blessed during these sessions.

And Wednesday evening was well it is hard to describe. In our Adult Prayer Meeting we read, out loud to each other in the Book of Psalms. Oh what a blessing it is to hear the Word of God, and then our specific prayer time when God really blessed. So strong was the Spirit and so powerful the prayers that goosebumps covered my arms, and tears filled the eyes of those present. And to top that off, there were 12 young people in attendance along with two leaders. 14, WOW. I know an attendance report of 17 does not seem to be much to SHOUT about but when you consider how low we were to how high we are it is AMAZING what the Lord is doing at Ava Missionary Baptist Church. We cannot wait for Sunday to see what God has in store for us.

Sunday Oct. 19th 2008

2008-10-20T06:31:00.002-05:00

What a Blessed Day at Ava Missionary Baptist Church. We had 31 in our AM Worship Service and the Lord used Eph. 6:10-12 to speak to our hearts concerning Spiritual Warfare. Billy Graham once said, “Much of church warfare is fought be blind-folded soldiers, who cannot see the forces against them, who are buffeted by invisible opponents so they respond by striking at each other.”
Folks, its high time Christians stop sounding retreat and start shouting “charge”! Instead of the devil taking it to us, we should be taking it the devil –that’s the heart of spiritual warfare! Remember, Satan is not invincible, but he is invisible, he’s not a respecter of God’s people, but he has to respect the blood over God’s people! He’s not fearful of the culture’s elite, but he is terrified of Calvary’s eternity! He’s not silent as a lamb around us, but he is speechless at the sound of the Lion of Judah! Satan may not listen to our demands; but let him hear again, “IT IS FINISHED!

Whats Happening At Ava Missionary Baptist

2008-10-18T08:46:00.003-05:00

My name is Zak and here is what is happening at Ava Missionary Baptist Church:

Nine Mile Annual Meeting: Monday Oct. 20th 6:30 p.m. Elm Street Baptist Church Murphysboro, IL.

Tuesday Oct. 21st 6:30 p.m. FBC Nashville, IL. Business sessions 6:30 - 7:00 pm each evening. Putting A Face On Missions 7:00 p.m. each evening.

Saturday November 1st 2008: FALL BACK DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS!!! (UGH)

Tuesday November 4th 2008: 6:30 p.m. AVA Women Meet At The Well.

Tuesday Nov. 24th LET US GIVE THANKS Thanksgiving Service at Crain Baptist Church. Special Music. Message by Rev. Peck Boyett Ava Missionary Baptist Church. 4 Area churches combining in one voice to give PRAISE TO THE LORD!!! Finger Food Fellowship to Follow Service.

Sunday November 30th 2008: UN TALENT NIGHT at Crain Baptist Church. 6:30 p.m. Finger Food Fellowship to Follow Service.

Sunday Oct. 12th 2008

2008-10-13T06:26:00.003-05:00

What a wonderful day at Ava Missionary Baptist Church. Our Sunday School Attendance: 16, Morning Worship Service 25, and Family Night ministry, 9. Shadrach, Mesach, Abdenego. The Bible tells us nothing about their parents, however I would like to congratulate whoever had a hand in raising them. These boys faced the challenge, Romans 12:2: “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is good and pleasing, and perfect will of God.”. They made the right choice: Daniel 3:16-18 “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abedneg replied to the king, ‘Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to give you an answer to that question. If the God we serve exists, then He can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He can rescue us from the power of you, the king. But even if He does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.” And they faced the consequences of their choice: When these three Hebrew children took a stand for the Lord...He didn’t save them from the fire. But He was with them in the fire and He saved them in the fire. Nebuchadnezzar said, “Didn’t we throw three men in the fire? Now I see four.” They came out of the flames smelling like a rose. Not a hair on their head was singed. That would have been a little hard to tell in my case. But because of their choice to their challenge, God was glorified. All of us today can learn from these three young people. We need to face the challenge, make the right choice, and realize we will face the consequences, however knowing that the Lord will be with us.

Area Gospel Singing 10/10/2008

2008-10-11T07:03:00.002-05:00

Ava Missionary Baptist Church experienced a true blessing in that we were allowed to host the area gospel singing last night. The Spirit of God was present as churches of various denominations, and locations came together to praise God through Worship and Song. It is truly a blessing to see Gods People, put aside petty differences, and come together in one accord to Worship the Lord.

Sunday Oct. 5th 2008

2008-10-06T07:54:00.002-05:00

What a wonderful day at Ava Missionary Baptist Church. Spirited Sunday School and in the morning service we celebrated the Lords Supper. After services at Ava I was priviledged to preach the Home Coming Service at the Old Du Quoin Baptist Church. What a wonderful birthday this was for me.

Sunday Sep. 28th 2008

2008-10-03T08:02:00.000-05:00

What a day we had at Ava Missionary Baptist Church! Sunday School attendance 16, Worship Service Attendance 42. What really makes these numbers special is the fact that they are 100% greater than our attendance on the 21st of Sep. God is truly GOOOOD. Praise the Lord.

The fellowship meal! Fantastic! We had between 35-40 people who thorughly enjoyed the fellowship. And truth be known had to take a nap in the afternoon.

2008-09-29T06:38:00.000-05:00

Sunday Sep. 28th was a very special day at Ava Missonary Baptist Church. Our Sunday School continues to grow and attendance at our morning worship service was 40+. Praise the Lord. After services we had our quarterly fellowship meal and over 30 participated. And some interesting pictures were taken. Sunday night we gathered together and the Lord truly blessed us with a time of sharing and study.

Why You Need A Church Family

2008-09-26T14:13:00.000-05:00

This weekend more people will attend church an untold number of people will go to church. The problem is many of them do not have any idea as to WHY they go to church. This Sunday's sermon will be: "Why You Need A Church Family!" The Scripture Lesson will be: Acts 2:42-48.