Memorial Cares Projects

Memorial Cares is a month away. On Sunday, March 7, our congregation will worship as normal. The difference will be what takes place after the service. When we walk out of worship, many will move out into the community to serve others on Sunday afternoon. Memorial Cares is a wonderful opportunity for every member and attender at Memorial to make a difference in someone's life. Begin now praying about how you will be a part of Memorial Cares.

Cedar Bayou Rehabilitation and Healthcare Services Assignment: Volunteers to provide a worship service with music, speaking, and prayer. Post service, volunteers will interact with guests and residents.

City of Baytown Parks Department Assignment: Volunteers to clean-up predetermined park or municipal owned property in an effort to beautify and maintain appearance of property. Project could include but not limited to trash pickup, weeding, pruning, and planting.

City of Baytown Police Department Assignment: Volunteers in coordination with law enforcement to target specific gang and graffiti cleanup throughout the city. Project could include painting, pressure washing, and miscellaneous cleaning.

City of Baytown Health Department Assignment: Volunteers to pick up trash among roadways located within the municipality of Baytown. Project will include bagging and disposing of roadside trash.

Family Ministry Assignment: Volunteers to help cleanup and provide simple repairs for a predetermined family. Project will include small jobs both inside and outside of the home.

Bay Area Homeless Services Assignment: Volunteers to provide a Sunday meal for the residents of the Bay Area Homeless Shelter. In additions, volunteers will coordinate a bath towel and wash cloth drive for residents.

Caring Opportunities Assignment: Volunteers to provide in home visits for individuals who are homebound whether in a private home or center.

I thought that title would catch your attention! I'm excited to announce that in a few weeks we'll offer a special six-week workshop called, "Have a New Kid by Friday" by Dr. Kevin Leman. This class is a video driven model led by a facilitator couple. The workshop will be offered at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings at the Sterling Campus for six weeks. This will allow parents to attend a very practical class while their children are cared for in our nursery, preschool, and children's areas on Sunday morning. We have extended a very special and personal invitation to all of our parents of children involved with our Explorers Preschool, Kids Beach Club, and Upward Basketball.  

Every parent struggles with raising kids. It's not an easy task and often seems overwhelming. This class is for parents of preschool and elementary-age children. Here's a short clip that introduces Dr. Kevin Leman and his study, "Have a New Kid by Friday."

We're having a quick meeting immediately following the Sterling Service (approximately 11:50a) this Sunday (February 7, 2010) for Relay for Life. If you're interested in helping out or serving on our team, I'd love to have you there. This will be a brief 10-15 minute meeting. We'll meet in the front of the Worship Center on the organ side. There is a Team Captain Meeting for Relay next week and we have a couple of decision to make regarding our team prior to the Team Captain Meeting. If you'd like more information about our Relay Team, you can email me directly brad@memorialbaytown.com.  

Here’s a video clip from the Cardboard Testimony at the Sterling Campus. The Hutchison family provided the footage. I watched each sign again while editing and uploading the video. It is moving to witness the many stories of grace share here. You can’t help but walk away from an experience like Sunday without realizing that God is good. Take a moment to watch for yourself what God has done in the lives of people that call Memorial Baptist Church home.

Today was powerful. Both campuses participated in Cardboard Testimonies. If you didn’t get to church, you really missed out. If you were there, you know what I’m talking about. God’s consuming presence was very obvious today. The music, videos, and testimonies were all an incredible statement of God’s grace. God was honored and glorified today in a very significant way. We had great participation as well as a number of decisions. Thank you Lord for an incredible worship experience! 

I want to thank everyone who willingly participated in the Cardboard Testimonies. It was incredibly moving to read each statement and to be reminded again of God’s grace. As a pastor, my heart was stirred as I reflected upon each person’s testimony and the revelation of God’s incredible favor in their particular circumstance. Thank you Joseph for putting the day together!

The truth – God changes lives. This short clip portrays individual stories of grace. What is your story? How has God changed your life? Grace is truly amazing. Watch the various testimonies. Do you identify with one or more? As you watch, this becomes a preview of Sunday and the Cardboard Testimonies at Memorial. I’m looking forward to celebrating God on Sunday – His marvelous, sufficient, and amazing Grace. What is your testimony?

I want to share with you a reply that was posted to my blog this week. It was in response to an old post (April 6, 2009) that doesn’t currently show up on the 45-day blog list. Apparently, the individual replying to my original post discovered it via a Google search for Gladys Pusey. I linked the original post here so that you can read it. What I found most intriguing and encouraging was April’s reply. Read it for yourself: 

“Oh my gosh... I cannot believe I found this memorial. I have always wondered if/when Gladys passed away and found this through a Google search. I met Gladys in March 2009 at Harbor Hospice where I was visiting my grandmother. I arrived in Texas from California after being notified that my grandmother was actively dying. Needless to say, I was devastated. I completely broke down in the hallway of the hospice, and Gladys stopped to comfort me. She offered many kind words about the transition my grandmother was making, and told me she thought perhaps God had allowed her to live a little longer so that she could speak those comforting words to me. Gladys asked if I would mind sitting with her awhile, and I did. She shared with me how she had lost her son but had never lost her faith in God. She shared her mother's strong commitment to Christ, and I told her how my grandmother had the same commitment. She reminded me that the best thing I could do to honor my grandmother was to witness to others about Christ, and at the end of our conversation, she told me that she would see me in heaven. My grandmother passed away later that evening, but I have NEVER forgotten Gladys. Her kind words, her warm spirit - she truly impacted me in a way that was so selfless. I know God sent her to speak those words to me at just the right time, and I do hope to see her in heaven. May God bless those of you who truly knew and loved her.” 

I paused after reading April’s remarks. You never really know how your actions will impact another. I think Gladys was just being Gladys that day. And yet, she made a profound impact on April’s life. Don’t ever doubt your effectiveness or whether God is using you at some particular point in life. Here’s some good advice. Just be yourself, extend God’s grace to others, and let God do the rest.

People struggle with the practice of greatness. The pursuit of greatness and the hope of its achievement are elusive in sense. It’s considered a destination idea rather than a practice by most. I see greatness as a lifestyle practice rather than some sort of position on a pedestal following some great personal success. Here’s my case in point. Let’s take Abraham and his wife. In Genesis 17:15-16, “God also said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. 16 I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her." God describes two blessings for Sarah. The first is that she would be blessed with a son. Secondly, she would be blessed as the mother of nations and that kings of peoples (plural) would come from her. Sarah’s blessing (and greatness) was her opportunity to invest in people who would be greater than her. The practice of greatness would in turn lead to a lineage of even greater achievements by people she would influence through her son. 

People often get caught up in personal achievement and success for self. When in reality, true greatness isn’t about personal achievement, but personal investment into the lives of others. Greatness is measured by our investment into another and not personal achievement. People soon forget champions and medalists, but rarely do they forget the ones who invested into them. 

I’m going to talk about practicing greatness this Sunday at the Sterling Campus (10:45a) and how it is achieved. I hope you’ll join me.

I need your help for something! I’m trying to get a team together for Relay for Life this year. I’d really like to see Memorial Baptist Church represented at Relay this year. Baytown’s Relay is the weekend of April 23-24, 2010. If you’re interested in being a part of Memorial’s team, would you contact me directly brad@memorialbaytown.com or (281) 427-1725 x207 to let me know of your interest and availability. To learn more about Relay for Life, you can visit their site here. We all know someone that has been impacted by cancer. My wife, mother, mother-law, and grandmother have struggled with this disease to varying degrees. It is a battle worth fighting. This is a great opportunity to show our support for our community and represent the family called Memorial Baptist Church.

Way to go Memorial! We exceeded our goal for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions this year!  Our goal this past Christmas was a church-wide goal of $40,000.00.  As of today, you have given $40,654.00!  How great is that!  Thankyou Memorial Baptist Church for your commitment to missions. In a season where churches are doing less and less through international missions, you’ve exceeded the goal and expectation. Memorial remains a missions supporting congregation.

I really can’t wait for Sunday. I’m planning to share a message titled, “God’s Not Done.” You’ll find in Scripture several places where people are ready to give up for any number of reasons. Maybe it’s a past, current day challenge, or a perceived insufficiency. I find it amazing that we give up on ourselves far faster than God ever does. In fact, God doesn’t give up on you. Regardless of where you’ve walk, there’s still hope. Do you know someone who has wandered away and needs to come home? Invite them to be here Sunday. Do you know someone struggling with a particular past or with guilt? Invite them to be here Sunday. Don’t miss an opportunity to expose someone you care about to the grace, forgiveness, salvation, and truth of Christ. God’s not done! I’ll look for you at the Sterling Campus (10:45 a.m.) or at North (9:30 a.m.). 

If you want to get a head start on Sunday, here are a few of the passages I will reference in the message on Sunday: Ezra 10:1-2 (pay close attention to the last portion of the second verse - there is still hope!), 1 Kings 19:9-11 and 19:19, Exodus 14:10-12 and 21-22. Just keep in mind as you read through these passages that when you think there's nothing more that can be done, God’s not done!

Have you heard about the new Card Ministry?  It’s a great group of folks led by Jan Cobb that meet on Wednesday evening after Prayer Meeting. Their objective is to write and send notes of encouragement to members, friends, and family. They’re writing to people in the hospital, convalescing at home or in a facility, homebound, or just someone who might need some encouragement. The Card Ministry is doing a great job letting people know they’re missed, loved, and prayed for. If you’d like more information, please contact Jan or the Church Office.  Also, you can always stop by the Conference Room after Prayer Meeting and check it out first hand. I’m proud ofthis team! 

I didn't get a chance to brag on one of my favorite events that usually falls on the first Saturday evening of the month. Jolanta and I are really enjoying Love Lessons with David and Jacque. I'm so thankful for this couple and their commitment to adding value in marriages. We're fortunate to have these two leading an informal group session with couples each month. Every time we meet I'm impressed by the wisdom God has given David and Jacque and by the humble way in which they share. Love Lessons can make a difference in your marriage relationship. This is a practical and proactive approach to building health in marriage. Don't miss out on the first Saturday in February. It all happens at the North Campus beginning at 7:00 p.m.  

I really like this clip; it is moving. Watch the stories and hear each one sing, "Blessed be the Name of the Lord." Our praise doesn't need to be dictated by our circumstance. In all things, we can praise the Lord. 

It was definitely cold today – a good day, but a cold day. I think the band did a great job at North this morning. The choir and the quartet at Sterling did great, too. Thank you Joan, Jolanta, Bryan, and Kevin for your special. I also need to thank the North Campus Leadership Team for their involvement and work this afternoon at meeting. We had a great meeting and created some great action items. You’ll have to ask Mark about the Community Garden. It sounds like a really cool idea. We all know the heat works well in the loft! I want to thank the folks that turned out for the OM (Operation Multiplication) Meeting. We had an insightful and worthwhile discussion. I’m really looking forward to working with this group. Thank you for your involvement and contribution!

Upward Basketball games began Saturday. It was a great day! Thanks to Alan and everyone else who helped to make the start of our 2010 season a huge success. It's exciting to see the Gym (ROC) filled every Saturday with children and families. You never know the impact Upward might have on a child or their family. God is using this ministry to impact people. Pray throughout the season that children and families will find Christ and draw closer to the Lord through Upward.  If you don't have anything else to do next week, stop by and check out the action.  The season runs through the end of February. 

I’m really wound up about the message this Sunday. I’m delivering a message titled, “Living Like Jesus in Prayer.” There’s a little discussed prayer that Jesus prays in John 17. As you read through and study this prayer, you’ll notice there are basically three people that Jesus prays for. Who are these three people? What exactly does Jesus pray for each of them? How can this influence my own personal prayer life? In Jesus’ prayer, you learn not only who to pray for, but what to pray for regarding each person. This recorded prayer of Jesus by John, demonstrates a pattern by which we too can pray. Come Sunday to learn how you can revolutionize your personal prayer life with purpose.

As I was watching this video of Ken Reynolds leading worship, I listened to the words of the song. Now, I realize this might be categorized as a 7-11 song (for those of you who know what that tag means), but I pondered the repetition:

Lord, God You Reign; I lift up Your Name; You are the great I AM.

My God You Reign; I call on Your Name; You are the great I AM. 

Then this thought hit me. Isn’t this what worship is really all about? It’s acknowledging the Creator and Sustainer of life – our Salvation. We recognize God’s complete rule and authority. We lift up His name. At the name of Jesus, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess – Jesus is Lord! God, You are the great I AM. This was the name God verbalized to Moses to describe Himself to the Israelites. If they questioned Moses, he was to tell them “I AM sent me to you.” 

Worship lifts high praise towards heaven. It recognizes our complete dependence upon our God. God inhabits the praises of His people. In worship, we call upon His name. When you lift up the name of Jesus, others are drawn unto the Savior. Genuine worship is all about God. In it, there is complete surrender to the giver of breath and life. He is my everything and yours, too!

Believe it or not, there’s no such thing as “retirement” in God’s army. There’s no automatic retirement age. You don’t attain a certain age and then put in for retirement benefits with God. If He’s given you breath, He’s given you an assignment to share in His wonderful work. We never get to old to serve. Even if our physical stamina diminishes, His assignment for us doesn’t. God has given you this day. As you thank Him for the gift of these hours, ask Him how you can participate with Him in His Kingdom’s work. Take joy in the privilege to serve. It is most definitely a privilege and honor to serve in the places where God is working. I’m never too big nor too old to serve the One who gives me life, breath, and sustenance. Count it joy to serve. Don’t let anyone discount your contribution because you’re too old! Neither use your age as an excuse to sideline yourself or your contribution to the Kingdom. God wants to utilize you in His work today! 

This is powerful, timeless, and well spoken. I came across a few vintage posts earlier and wanted to share this one with you. Listen to the clarity to which the Gospel is presented. Billy Graham is truly a prince of communicators.

All right, we have the technical issue fixed on the Strategic Plan Update Section of the website. Unfortunately we had a “code” issue linking two pages together earlier. In an attempt to rectify the issue, the Strategic Plan Update Section was inadvertently deleted from the site. To make matters even more challenging, we were unable to restore a previous version to recapture the information. After some work, we were able to rebuild the section to include most of the previous available information. At least for now, the problem has been solved. Visit the page to get additional updates on the Strategic Plan implementation process. 

My apologies to those who read in previously printed publicity the availability of the Strategic Plan Update Section of the website. If you visited the page anytime from December 23 through December 29, you probably found a singular link to an event form. It’s probably not what you expected to find on the Strategic Plan Update Section. The problem is solved and most of the information updated.

Many of you know by now that David Roberson passed away this past weekend. Visitation will be at Crespo and Jirrels Funeral Home on Tuesday evening from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm. The service to honor David will be held in the Chapel at Crespo and Jirrels Funeral Home on Wednesday beginning at 10:00 a.m. 

I have a number of fond memories of David. I remember the stories and conversations. I remember having pie and ice cream at David and Jean’s. I remember the garden and the produce. David had a unique gift of gab with people; he never met a stranger. He loved Jean, his family, Memorial, and people. David had an evident sensitivity toward the Lord these past years. He very much missed being at church and attending his Sunday School Class as his health declined. 

I remember a conversation we had one day about “reputation” and how he valued being a man of his word. If David told you he would do something, it would get done. One’s reputation is important in terms of living a life of character. David stressed the importance of being a man of your word. I’m going to miss David. He was a great guy. I’ll miss his humor and encouraging words.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:4-7

And Mary gave birth to Jesus. This baby was born with a mission for the redemption of man. This baby was born to redeem and reconcile. The Christmas Story (the birth of Christ) is the line to the cross. Without Christmas, there is no cross. Without His birth, there is no sacrifice. Without Jesus, there is no Easter. When you see the manger this Christmas, don’t miss the cross.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, 4in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1-4

What a promise from God. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Christmas is about God sending His very own Son to be a sin offering. His arrival changed everything. I am made righteous by the work of Christ. My relationship with Him is by grace through faith. What I am unable to achieve in the flesh, God did through His Son. As a believer, I have been set free. Looking at the Child this Christmas, be reminded this Child was given for you. The work Jesus did has reconciled you to God.

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. Hebrews 1:1-4

We have several manger scenes in our home. One in particular bears special significance to me. Over a decade ago, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Israel. It was a life changing experience. So much of Scripture has a different vantage point since I’ve walked in places where Jesus supposedly walked. As a souvenir from my journey to Israel, I purchased a manger scene carved from olive wood. It sits as the centerpiece of our kitchen table. Every time our family gathers for an Advent Devotion at the table, my attention turns toward manger scene. The Son of God was born in a stable. The humble entrance by which our Savior takes the scene is so different from what I would have thought. Yet, I’m reminded this Savior is for princes and paupers alike. This Son born to us is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being. God sent His Son by way of a stable to reconcile us to Himself. As you view the manger, remember the child that was born – the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being.

Christmas is a perfect portrait of grace. How amazing is that grace! God’s Son, God’s plan, God’s purpose, and God’s grace is what consumes my thoughts at this time. His grace is so infinite, so undeserving, so undeniable, and so complete. I am so very thankful for His grace. As you ponder Christmas, perhaps you also will sing about His amazing grace.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Colossians 1:15-20

Who is this Child, this one born of a virgin to redeem man? Who is this remarkable Child? Paul gives us a glimpse of the incredible nature of this one born to us. When you look at the Child, what do you see? Do you see an infant who is helpless or do you see God Himself – creator and sustainer of all? Read though this portion of Paul’s letter to the brothers in Colosse. When you see this Child, you see God’s redemption plan in action.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. 19This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." John 3:16-21

Christmas is about the gift of presence. God’s presence with us; He became flesh and dwelt among us. It is God with us. God loved you enough that He sent His Son (giving something of greatest value) that you might have eternal life (the greatest gift). Christmas is the demonstration of God’s love for us through the giving of the ultimate gift. As with any gift given, it must be received. Receiving a gift involves a specific action of receipt. We accept the gift by acknowledging the gift and the giver.

Take some time today to thank God for the incredible gift of life He has given you through His Son. Take some time to ponder the influence of the gift upon your life. Can you see tangible changes in your life since you received His gift? List the noticeable differences? Thank God for the work He had done in your life and for the work He continues to do as well.

Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. 42When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. 43After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you." 49"Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" 50But they did not understand what he was saying to them. 51Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. Luke 2:41-52

At twelve years old, Jesus travels with His family up to Jerusalem. Following the feast, all the relatives journey back towards home. Down the road, they realize Jesus isn’t with them. As with any parent, I’m confident panic and concern consumed their thoughts. It took them three days until they found Him. He was in the temple courts sitting among the teachers. Everyone was amazed at His understanding and responses. Obviously Mary and Joseph mingled around the crowd long enough to hear the reports about Jesus’ behavior. Once again they were reminded of the mission of this Child. He’s doing business in His Father’s house. Did you see Mary’s reaction? She treasured these moments in her heart. She knew something the world was yet to realize. This Child is the Christ.