RICHMOND —
“Woman,” he said, “Why are your crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener she said, “Sir, if you carried Him away, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in aramaie, “Rabboni (which means teacher).”(John 20:15)
The sound of a familiar voice is powerful medicine. I doubt if any of us have experienced the feeling Mary Magdalene had when she heard the familiar voice of Jesus in the garden of his burial! This was not their first encounter. Jesus had spoken important words to her in the past. Mary first heard the Lord speak the word of conversation. Luke records that seven demons had come out of Mary Magdalene. This woman, possessed by evil, had lived a life of torment and suffering. Traditions says she was a prostitute. It is significant that Mary was the first person to see the risen Lord. She had one of the most dramatic conversion experiences. God is telling us something here about resurrection and conversion. Without Christ’s resurrection there can be no conversion. Paul told the Corinthians, “If Christ has not been raised; your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” (1 Cor.15:17).
The power of sin nailed Jesus to the cross; the power of God raised him. That same power continues to work, if you will repent of sin and trust Jesus. His power will change you today. Amen.
We greet you today with life love and peace in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who is the author and finisher of our faith.
Thought for the week
The stone was not rolled away from the tomb so Jesus could get out, but so we could see he was raised from the dead.
NAACP meeting
The Richmond/Madison County Branch of the NAACP meets the first Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. in First Baptist Church, 302 Francis Street, Richmond. No registration fees.
Homecoming/anniversary
Mark your calendars! The Tates Creek Baptist Church is celebrating 225 years of spreading the gospel. The church, located at 1255 Boonesborough Rd., will have a homecoming anniversary celebration Sunday with Sunday school at 10 a.m. and worship service at 11 a.m., followed by a potluck meal and an afternoon service at 2 p.m. Everyone is invited. Dr. Jerry Huffman is Pastor.
Money
Most people don’t understand it, and all people want it. Come out to our Bible study and learn about money and giving. Since we have begun the study, we have seen God move already. One of our students already has been blessed with their school tuition paid in full with more money left over for books. Another was blessed when a real estate deal came through that would not move for months. We believe this is just the start. Do you need God to move in your life or your prayers answered? Come out and join us while we are still in this study. Bible study starts promptly at 7 p.m. Greater Faith Ministries is located at 201 Aquaduct Dr. A-1, Richmond, Ky. 40475. For more information, call 893-3321.
New church
The Old Regular Baptist Church of Jesus Christ with the Indian Bottom Association is establishing a new church in Richmond. We are meeting the first Sunday of every month at the Best Western Holiday Plaza, exit 87 on the Eastern Bypass. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call Elder H. B. Reedy Jr. at 1-859-333-7138. And service time is 9:30 a.m.
Why are so many people sick?
Sin is not the answer! If you want to know the answer, come to Grace Evangelism Ministries of Kentucky, every Sunday at 2:30 p.m. We share the answer. We are located at 373 N. Estill Ave., Richmond Ky.
Special note
To all churches and civic organizations: To place your church or civic activity in this column, please send all information at least one week in advance via the U.S Postal Service. The new address is: Church & Community Focus, 246 Sunset Ave., Richmond, KY 40475. E-mailed announcements should be sent to: tpollary@roadrunner.com and all announcements must be received by 6 p.m. on the Tuesday of the week you wish you announcement to appear in the newspaper.
Until next week
May the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus stay fresh in your minds until we meet again.
Religion
The Sound of a familiar voice
- Religion
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Jesus is our companion
I am a companion of all them that fear Thee, and of them that keep Thy precepts.
— Psalms 119:63 -
National Day of Prayer
“There is hope for America,” the Rev. Kenny Davis, pastor of the Bethel Baptist Church in Berea, said as he addressed a crowd of more than 200 at noon Thursday in front of the Madison County Courthouse.
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National Day of Prayer observance, noon Thursday at courthouse
Madison County residents will be joining people across the nation Thursday when they gather at noon in front of the courthouse, 101 W. Main St., Richmond, to observe the 62nd National Day of Prayer.
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McTeggart Irish Dancers of Lexington present Ceili at Church of Our Saviour
The Kentucky McTeggart Irish Dancers of Lexington will host a ceili at the Episcopal Church of Our Saviour from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 3
The event is interactive, participatory and geared for all ages and experience levels. -
He is full of grace and mercy
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, for by grace ye are saved.
He hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus so that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
— Ephesians 2:4-7 -
We are complete in Him, Who is one with the Father
If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
—John 14:7-10 -
‘Entangled Lives’ to be presented Saturday at Berea College
The African-American Genealogy Group of Kentucky and the Carter G. Woodson Center for Interracial Education will present “Entangled Lives: A Conversation between Descendants of ‘Master’ and ‘Enslaved’” at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Carter G. Woodson Center in the Berea College Alumni Building.
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Lexington Band, All the Little Pieces, to perform at Church of Our Saviour
The Second Sunday concert on Sunday, April 14, at 2 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of Our Saviour will features the Lexington band All the Little Pieces.
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A prepared place filled with mansions for prepared people
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
— John 14:2-4 -
He Rose With Saving Power
The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain and be raised the third day.
– Luke 9:22 - More Religion Headlines
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