Avg. 2009/2010 Last Week

73/70 Sunday School 74

116/113 Assembly 116

40/42 Wednesday 51

$3227/$3016

Contribution(~ $3650 meets our

Expenses & Commitments)

$2,351

718 (386) Web visitors—total (unique)

“Psalms, Hymns, & Spiritual Songs” Murray Davis(“PB” designates our Praise Book)

Welcome Kevin Bibbee

In The Name Of The Lord 247

There’s Just Something About That Name 222

Fairest Lord Jesus 288

Prayer Steve Killian

Jesus Is Lord 180

I Stand Amazed 147

Communion Cole Hull

Offering) More Precious Than Silver 273

Sing Hallelujah To The Lord 242

“To Be or Not to Be ... Mercy Me!”

Matthew 53-12 Kevin Bibbee

Amazing Grace 129

In Moments Like These 239

Prayer Murray Davis

Pass Communion & Collection:Randy Pannell, Brian Rucker, Scott Stephenson, Bryan Steelman

...to the Nursery Ty Stephenson

Megan/Morgan 9:30 Sabina & Keith Fox

10:30 Jennifer & Tori SteelmanNext week: Tyler & Kristen Killian ][ Tracie & Foyle Perkins

Sunday School 9:30 A.M.; Assembly 10:30; Wed. 7:00 P.M.Pantry: 1st & 3rd Tuesdays 4:30-7:00

1218 Fairgrove Church, Road Hickory 28602www.hickorychurch.org

Kevin Bibbee, EvangelistOffice: 464 4983 Cell: 228-1641

Office Hours: 9 A.M.–3 P.M.Monday through Thursday.

Wireless receivers for hearing impaired are available in the mail room – ask a greeter

“...let him call the elders of the church…” James 514

Jim Valentine 328-6446 Ron Henry 256-8437 Steve Killian 256-9142 Keith Fox 322-2121 Bob Belville 221-0356

9:30 Sunday classesAdults: auditorium Kevin BibbeeAdult ”Millennial Singles” (19-29) DVD & discussions, light

breakfast: house annex Ken Wright

Grades 7–12: education wing Nancy Posey

Grades 4–6: education wing Bryan & Jennifer Steelman

Grades 2&3: education wing James Stanley

Ages 4–6: education wing Kamy (& Kaylin) Bibbee

Ages 2&3: education wing Susan Singleton, Patsy Yoder

Birth thru age 2 education wing Kay Matthews

we care for our special needs children at both hours

MMMAYAYAY 16, 201016, 201016, 2010

8

“Blessed are the Merciful”

Matthew 57

Tyndale Bible Dictionary

MERCY A divine quality by which God faithfully

keeps his promises and maintains his covenant

relationship with his chosen people despite their

unworthiness and unfaithfulness (Dt 30:1–6; Is 14:1;

Ez 39:25–29; Rom 9:15–16, 23; 11:32; Eph 2:4).

The biblical meaning of mercy is exceedingly rich and

complex, as evidenced by the fact that several

Hebrew and Greek words were used to express the

concept. Consequently, there are many synonyms

employed in translation to express the dimensions of

meaning involved, such as “kindness,”

“lovingkindness,” “goodness,” “grace,” “favor,” “pity,”

“compassion,” and “steadfast love.” Prominent in the

concept of mercy is the compassionate disposition to

forgive offenders or adversaries and to help or spare

them in their sorry plight.

Theological Significance. At the heart of the

concept of mercy is the love of God, which is freely

manifested in his gracious saving acts on behalf of

those to whom he has pledged himself in covenant

relationship. In the Old Testament it was his chosen

people Israel whom he elected to be his own and to

whom he showed mercy (Ex 33:19; Is 54:10; 63:9).

God persistently puts up with his disobedient and

wayward people and continuously seeks them out to

draw them back to himself. The psalmist describes

God as a father who pities his children who revere and

trust him (Ps 103:13). Hosea pictures God as a loving

father who looks down from heaven with a yearning

heart of compassion upon his rebellious and wayward

people (Hos 11; cf. Jer 31:20). He also regards Israel

as an unfaithful and adulterous wife whom God loves

as a faithful husband in spite of her apostate and

sinful condition (Hos 1–3; cf. Is 54:4–8). Isaiah

depicts God as a mother who has compassion on the

son of her womb (Is 49:15). These pictures reveal

God’s mercy in rich and different ways. Other

dimensions include forgiveness and restoration to

favor (2 Kgs 13:23; Is 54:8; Jl 2:18–32; Mi 7:18–20),

and deliverance from distress and perils (Neh 9:19–

21; Pss 40:11–17; 69:16–36; 79:8–9; Is 49:10).

challenge last week. We suppose the stiff muscles are well recovered by nowand another date this summer is under consideration.

Greetings from Malibu: several good friends offolks here, who love HCoC, and pray for this churchasked to be remembered to you: Rick Janelle,Kent Massey, Dennis Conner, Johnny Melton,Chris & Mary Lou Hutson… And we spoke toseveral folks you know through their books:Edward Fudge, Tom Olbricht, JohnMark Hicks, Bobby Valentine, Lynn& Caroline Anderson. And we shareda lot of time singing with Keith and

Sharon Lancaster.

The elders and all ministry leaders and spouses will meet after assembly

Sunday today for a planning meeting and a covered dish luncheon.

Teachers are needed for the Summer quarter. If you would like to help, pleasecontact Bryan Steelman.

HCoC Pantry Ministry report. The statistics for April: atleast 68 families, (220 individuals, 74 children.)were helped with over a ton of food! But Sabina wantsto make sure we emphasize that behind, and “above”,the increasing numbers are precious children of God, each with a need for aSavior. There are older people and large families unable to find work, peoplewho are so very thankful to have this help. So we’re praising God for makingit possible for us to be involved in His mercy. Kevin Bibbee is the leadshopper at Second Harvest this week: Tuesday @ 10:30.

Walkin’ Roll--- we'd love to have lots of people come cheer for our specialkids as they play baseball/T-ball at Crawdad Stadium!It's free… and it will be lots of fun! Saturday, May 22, 9:30A.M. The “Rockies” and the “Braves” will beplaying! Megan and Morgan play for the Rockies RobSingleton is their coach! Come cheer for Megan andMorgan and all the special kids as they play on the bigfield!

"Kids Connection - Lead the Way to Jesus!" Be praying about a plannedvisit by the youth group from St Paul MN. This group, predominatelyHmong, will be here June 25-27. We anticipate a great experience for allinvolved! We want to help the Bibbees show their Minnesota friends somelocal culture. IOW, we’re headed to Sims BBQ that Saturday night!

A special Teen Leadership Camp is scheduled for Aug 1-7 at CBC,Mocksville. Cole Hull for details.

About 20 semi-athletic folks took the 17 mile Virginia Creeper Trail

All In the Family...

The Hickory Churchloves to have

Visitors!Tony & Joyce Wright

There are cards in the back of the pews.

Please encourage visitors to fill one out!

And use the cards also for prayer requests, address

changes, email addresses, etc.

Happy Birthday this week:Next Sunday 23rd Danielle Burkhalter

Happy AnniversaryMonday 17th Kevin & Nancy Boggs

Wednesday 19th Denny & Schell Rice (26th)

Saturday 22nd Dennis & Gayle Jaschob

All In the Family… (continued from p.2)

2 7

Tulsa and Pepperdine are history for

2010, though there are DVDs and

CDs, but there are two more quality

Bible lectureships still available:

June 30—July 2 Nashville: Summer Celebration with Acafest—

Lipscomb University http://summercelebration.lipscomb.edu/

Sep. 19-22 Abilene TX: ACU 93rd annual Bible Summit

Our “shut-ins” are not out of mind or our prayers:

Georgia Adcox – has not been completelyshut in lately, it is great to see her Sundaymornings.

Bill & Debbie Barnes – resident managersof Pinecrest, are on duty on Sundays buttake advantage of any opportunity to bein contact and an encouragement to us.

Kathleen KirbyRobert RutanBonnie Wiggins – is attending Gulf Coast

Church of Christ while working in Florida.She keeps up with us through e-mail andour web site and looks forward to visitinghere soon.

Friends remain in our prayers

(consult our archived bulletins atwww.hickorychurch.org for details):

“Anna” & Nick † “Marshall” † “Megan” friendof Judith Jacumin † “Rusty” needs a kidney †“Squeaky” † Danielle Abee † Anita Agnew †Casey Allen † John Alwran † Lynn Anderson †David & Sherry Ard † Bob Barker † JamesBelcher † Chuck Bibbee † Madeline Blau †Michael Boggs † Mary Bolch † Eric & CarrieBowen † Evelyn Brown † Jennifer Brown †Paul Brown † Eloise & Jerry Burton † FrancesCannon † Jane Cannon † Jones Carr † BartClements † Karen Cloninger † Leslie Colson †Terre (Mrs. Dennis) Conner † Marsha Cooper† Mary Nell Covalinski † Allie Croft † TonyaCroy † Albert Dennie † Kevin Dill † TinaDuncan † Ruby Ferrell † Hugh Fields † MarieForrester † Tammy Fox † Ernestine Gibson †Audra Gibson † Patsy Green † Marla Greer †Jennifer Heavener † Elizabeth Herman †Diana Hinds † Susan Hunnicutt † KimJacumin † Ken Jernigan † Glenda Johnson †Deidre Keller † Sam Kenyon † Serenity

Lawrence † Adam Lewis † George Lindberg †Tracy Linton † Robert Link † Zora Marley † TheMatthews needs to sell their house † KellyCrump McDaniel † Marsha McNeely † CherylMiller † Paul Moody † Mary Jane Patton †Catherine Peake † James Michael Pearman †Ashlyn Pope † Martha Plott † Clarence Posey †Judy Price † Howard Rainwater † Daniel Reid †Shane Richardson & Derick Sweet, US Marines †June Robinson † Charlotte Rogers † BrighamSapp † Sue Sexton † Mary Sexton’s son † RogerShanks † Rose Mary Shepherd † Luke WesleySigmon † Joel & Michelle Smith † Steve Smith †Tony Smith † Nate Steele † Jim Teague & family† Joyce Thompson † Merle Townsend † NancyTucker † Jim Valentine † Isaac Walker † JackWarner † Ben Watson † Diane White † MelissaJohnson-White † Faye Jean Wiggins † EdWilfong † Danny Willis † Helen & Phyllis Winters† Joyce Wright

God bless those serving in distant lands:

Robert & Regina Lewis – Chemitz, Germany.Robert is scheduled by-pass surgery June 16.

Craig, Teresa & Anna Phillips – Mumbai,India. Craig’s dad, Ernie, is not doing well.

Yens Nima – Ilo, Peru.

(Post your prayer requests or downloadour current prayer list @www.hickorychurch.org or use the backof a visitor card. Requests in writing

are very helpful. The bulletin editor has a poor

memory and is spelling challenged!)

...pray for one another, so that you maybe healed. The prayer of the righteous ispowerful and effective. James 5 16

We’re thanking God:Eadie Hopkins, Charlie Ferrell, and Jack

Matthews are making good progressrecuperating from surgeries and treatments.

Jerry Burton – is doing pretty well recuperatingfrom his fall. He expects to resume normalactivities before the end of May.

Mary Ann Delsman is being blessed with morehours and a second job!

Nick Wolber, the son of our (Sabina & Keith)friends' Anna & Peter in NY, continues torecuperate. He's due to receive 11 monthlyanti-cancer vaccines created specifically forhim from the cells of the cancerous tumorthat was removed from his chest. Pleasepray that these experimental vaccines will dowhat they are designed to do.

Keith Fox’s cousins in middle Tennessee whowere on our prayer list, had their baby,Presley June, just before the flooding hit.TYL

Anita Wilfong – is feeling much better.

Wednesday’s POW is about prayer!Lucille Brookshire – Margo Hull’s grandmother

(89) is in WFUBMC with congestive heartfailure.

Paulette Perkins – Foyle’s step mother hasbeen diagnosed with Immunodeficiency.

Ellis Coats – Nancy Posey is thanking God herdad’s tests indicate no blockage in his heartarteries.

Nancy Posey – is praying for Danna (39) whois suffering from brain cancer, and WarrenNewberry (33) who is in critical conditionafter a motorcycle accident.

Gayle Jaschob - surgery in Florida this weekwent well. TYL

Kevin Boggs – is thanking God! His uncle inFort Worth is doing great, and a companyin Claremont is expanding with plans tohire 500!

Stephanie Howard – is praying for fullstrength after an upper GI procedure.

Special physical concerns this week:Grayson Burton – more cleft palate surgery

May 25 at WFUBMC, Winston Salem.Gwen Smith – friend of Harriett Stephenson

has been diagnosed with breast cancer, inOklahoma.

Ernie Phillips – Craig’s dad is in very seriouscondition.

Jeannine Howard – seeks prayers as shebattles chronic bronchitis.

Cathy Hall – is still having difficulty with herknee. It is not healing and she is allergic topart of the apparatus.

Megan and Morgan Bibbee have been ill,Megan with strep throat for at least the 3rd

time.Ellen Miller – recuperating from back

surgery.Sparkle Lipford – knee surgery @ Frye May

26th to repair torn MCL & ACL

Not all our prayers are about our health!:

Prayers are urged on behalf of our family andfriends affected by the weak economy. Ourarea has over 15% unemployment.

Sparkle Lipford – prayers are requested forsafety for an upcoming group trip

Cynthia Lipford – to make wise decisions inher life and to be an example for herfamily.

Jay Robinson needs a job.Joe Hall will be taking his 46 cadets on their

summer encampment to Fayetteville Statein June. Pray for their safety!

James Michael Pearman – God to providehis needs when release from Correctionalfacility in July. Michael will be needingcivilian cloths. He’s a big man: pants: 46W34L; shirt: 2XL/3XL “tall”; shoes: 14D.36

(Our sermon texts from the NRSV – Be a good Beroean, Acts 1711, and look them up in your own Bible)

Matthew 53 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you

falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way

they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

1Thessalonians 514 And we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be

patient with all of them.

Colossians 313 Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the

Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

1 John 317 How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need

and yet refuses help?

18 Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.

Luke 633 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the

same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners

lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting

nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to

the ungrateful and the wicked.

4 5

To Be or Not To Be

Matthew 53-12

“Mercy Me!”

The first four blessings are from attitudes that deal with .

The second four blessing are from attitudes that deal with .

The Greek noun ἔλεος (eleos) in Matt. 57 usually translated “mercy” means:

K___ to the m___ , coupled with d___ to r .

Markers that you are merciful:

If I am merciful, I will be p with those who are p .

1Thessalonians 514

If I am merciful, I will f those who have f .

Colossians 313

If I am a merciful person, I will h those who are h .

1 John 317-18

If I am merciful, I will show g to my e .

Luke 633, 35

Motivations to BE merciful:

1. Because !

2. Because !

3. Because !

“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the least… you did .”