From the Pastor’s Heart

Benediction

A
benediction (Latin: bene, well + dicere, to speak) is a short invocation for divine help,
blessing and guidance, usually at the end of worship service. Many Baptist worship
services conclude with a final prayer. But the benediction is something more than a
prayer. The word benediction means to say good thoughts, to pronounce truth, based on the
Principles of God.

With the exception of each first Sunday, when we join hands and sing “Bless be the tie that
binds,” I have given a benediction. I got that from Dr. James Flamming, long time pastor
of the First Baptist Church of Richmond. While I first thought it was theatrical, I realized
that pronouncing a blessing upon each person was in keeping with the spirit of our departure
from worship.

As my family and I are departing this church, it is appropriate to conclude with a benediction:

"The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face
shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up
his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace."
(Numbers 6:24-26.)

Pastor John

From the Special Events Committee

There will be a farewell reception for Pastor John and Kristye, Leah and Eve
on Saturday, May 7 from 2 to 4 pm. Please save the date.

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 Notes from your Director of Christian Ministries

Kid’s Own Worship and Faith Discovery Centers for May

Parents and Guardians – You are invited visit your child’s classroom during Kid’s Own Worship or Faith
Discovery Centers at any time – our wonderful teachers would love for you to come and experience the
joy of learning about Jesus with your child. You might even find that God is calling you to serve in our
Children’s Ministry

Week Bible Memory Verse Bible Point

Story/Scripture (all are NIrV unless otherwise noted)
May 1 Peter Explains And that's not all. We are full of joy even when we suffer. We Jesus Brings Joy
Belief in Jesus know that our suffering gives us the strength to go on. The
1 Peter 1:3-9 strength to go on produces character. Character produces hope.
Romans 5:3-4
May 8 Jesus Returns to “So you must go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them Go Tell Others
Heaven in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. About Jesus
Matt 28:16-20; Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And
Acts 1:1-11 you can be sure that I am always with you, to the very end."
Matthew 28:19-20
May 15 Christians Care for Let us consider how we can stir up one another to love. Let us Encourage One
One Another help one another to do good works. Let us not give up meeting Another
Psalm 23; together. Some are in the habit of doing this. Instead, let us
Acts 2:42-47 cheer each other up with words of hope. Let us do it all the
more as you see the day coming when Christ will return.
Hebrews 10:24-25
May 22 Stephen Forgives But make sure in your hearts that Christ is Lord. Always be Stand Up for
His Accusers as ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you about the Jesus
They Stone Him hope you have. Be ready to give the reason for it. But do it
Acts 6:8-7:60 gently and with respect. 1 Peter 3:15
May 29 Paul Teaches in Don't you know who made everything? Haven't you heard We Can Know
Athens about him? The Lord is the God who lives forever. He created God
Acts 17:16-31 everything on earth. He won't become worn out or get tired. No
one will ever know how great his understanding is. Isaiah 40:28

Bible Studies
Study of the Gospel of Matthew Tuesday evenings at 7:00 pm.
You are welcome to join in at any time – Each week we view a video dramatization of the NIV translation of a chapter of
Matthew and then discuss the scripture presented. For information, contact Carol Seeley or Brian Barnes.

Men’s Bible Study Sunday evenings at 6:00 pm.

Gather with other men to study and discuss scripture together. For information, contact Frank Halbauer.

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 YOUTH NEWS
MOMENTUM NEWS
You will sometimes hear me say to the
Youth “we serve an awesome and mighty
God”. Never has that statement been proven
more than in the last month and even as we
continue to look forward to what God has in
store for this ministry.
The Barbeque Luncheon was a
tremendous success because of your
faithfulness to follow God’s leading and your
love and generosity for the Youth Ministry
and the Youth themselves. We were taken
aback by the total amount of money that was
raised … over $900.00! We cannot thank you
enough for your gift of time by being there
for the luncheon and for your monetary gifts
that will allow the Youth to go to camp this
summer. We hope that you can “visit” the
thank you card the Youth created on the wall
across from the choir room. Thank You!
As we continue our monthly mission
projects we will be conducting a community
food drive on April 23rd that will benefit the
food pantries of Calvin Presbyterian and
Lighthouse Community churches. I want to
draw your attention to Lighthouse
Community Church in particular; they are
helping folks in their community so much
that as I write this article they have no food
on their shelves. We pray that God will bless
this gathering of food in a great way and that
it can be used to affect and change the lives
of those who are in need.
As always, we invite anyone to join us
in our monthly mission projects! May your
days be blessed!
Your Humble Servant In Christ,
Brian Barnes
Mark Your Calendar for the following events
from the Rec Committee:
June 11 Family day at the beach Azalea Style
July 2 Independence Day Celebration 11-4 pm
July 22 Movie on the lawn TBA
October 30 Fall Festival 5-6 PM
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DEACON BEACON
FEELINGS
“Feelings.” That is a title of a very popular
song. It is also something we all have. Hopefully,
there will be more happy feelings than sad ones.
But, be assured, hurt is a part of life. That brings me
to this point: Christ Jesus “has made us
(Christians) Kings and Priests unto God and His
Father (Rev. 1:6). We are members of the royal
priesthood of God. As mutual believers we need to
have love and respect for each other.
We do not honor God if we fail to exercise
our authority as priest of the kingdom. Nor if we fail
to exercise our authority to proclaim His good news
to a lost soul, to labor in His church, to not be
ashamed of our faith. We are always on call to
demonstrate our character when expressing our
thoughts and opinions.
So, it’s important to conduct ourselves in a
Christ-like manner. God’s Holy Word should guide
our principles as we strive to live in and honor
Christ Jesus. God gives unto us “gifts”, some as
evangelists, some as pastors and some as teachers.
(Eph. 4:11) Those fields of service are time
consuming and cannot be taken lightly. Anything
that is allowed to interfere in fulfilling a ministry is
not of God and will eventually fail. We must be
unified in seeking after God’s will and not our own
understanding and desires.
We have mourned for our church and will no
doubt mourn again. But, we should be mourning for
not praying and seeking God’s will and not for
earthly concerns. We don’t need to take time and
think in terms of a “blame game” or “guild trips.”
What we do need is time on our knees. God is not
going to let His church fail. The church will always
thrive when we have respect and love for the Lord
and for each other.
With prayers and supplication to God for His
help, we can then see things function correctly.
Life’s purpose is to worship and honor Him. “To
Him be glory and dominion forever and forever.”
(1 Peter 4:11) My prayer is that you will allow God’s
Agape love to reign in your life.
Now, that’s a HAPPY feeling.
Mike Campbell, Deacon

ON MISSION FOR CHRIST: “unhindered”
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of
witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin
that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the
race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the
author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before
him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at
the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV)
AZALEA ON MISSION
APRIL and MAY
Gifts to the Easter Offering for
Association and Virginia Missions
will be received during April and
May. Our church-wide goal is $4500.00 – with
60% of the total gifts forwarded to the VBMB
for the Alma Hunt Offering for Virginia Missions
and 40% forwarded to NABA to fund MISSION
IMPACT 2011.
MISSION IMPACT 2011 Emphasis:
(based on Acts 1:8)
 Transforming Churches, Transformational
Leadership Conferences (Jerusalem)
 Transforming Hampton Roads; Transformational
Leadership Conferences (Judea)
 Partnering Domestically, Cross Cultural Ministries
(Samaria)
 Partnering Internationally, Child Head-of-
Household Ministry (Ends of the Earth)
Easter Offering Mission gifts to date total $3500.00
APRIL and MAY
To all you good cooks in Azalea, share your good
cooking with others! Send your favorite recipes to be
included in the VIRGINIA BAPTIST COOKBOOK.
You can send as many as you like. Contact Audrey
for more information.
MAY -- LADIES TEA
We will host the annual outreach tea.
Date: Sunday May 22
Time: 2:30 to 4:30
Look for your invitations
one for you and one for a relative or friend.
Join the fellowship,
laughter, goodies and special teas.
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WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN THE NAME OF JESUS?
 Non-perishable food items for the food pantry
 Transportation for Doctor’s appointments, grocery shopping
and other needs are being met
 Baskets of Love are being distributed
 Busy hands are crocheting/knitting prayer shawls
 Sponsoring a child through the Door of Hope in S. Africa
 Collecting funds for Operation Smile
 Donating through a Diaper Bag Ministry to assist work in
Appalachia
 Our Youth are sponsoring a child in Africa
ONGOING MISSIONS AND MINISTRIES:
USED EYEGLASSES FOR LIONS CLUB
CAMPBELL’S PRODUCT LABELS
BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION
COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY
BSU FOOD LION SHARE PROGRAM
BOOK SHARE MINISTRY
Jesus said, “When you have ministered to the least of
these, you have ministered unto me.” (Paraphrased
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From the GEMS
Next Ladies Night Out: September 24!
All ladies of the church are invited to the next GEMS
meeting on May 20 at 6:30 pm. This will be a hands
on project, and anyone who can cut, stuff, sew or tie
a knot is needed. Those of you who have a portable
sewing machine, please bring it with you.
We are still collecting the following items, please
leave them in the Mission Boxes.
Men’s gloves
Sweat pants of all sizes for men and women from
children’s through adult sizes
Sample size toothpaste,
Wash cloths, hand towels
Flat sheets – full size or larger
Large Zip Lock bags
Empty shoe boxes
Empty and clean bottles that Mrs. Buttersworth
syrup and bear bottles that honey comes in.
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VBS AUGUST 2011
Mark your calendar and plan to join
us on Sunday, May 22, at 3:00. This
is when the workers will have an
opportunity to experience VBS the way our children
do. We will be learning the VBS theme song, making
and sampling several snacks, making crafts, playing
games and hearing Bible stories.
If you are planning to help in VBS this year, please
give your t-shirt size to Lynne G. by May 8.
There will be a final VBS meeting on Sunday, July
10. This will be following the 11:00 worship service,
with lunch provided. We will be concentrating on the
VBS scenery and decorations at that time. Please call
the church office or let me know if you plan to attend.