from the pastor · 4/8/2020  · garden, plenty to eat, spouses, children, work, shelter, and...

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April 8, 2020 Volume 48 Issue 14 From the Pastor A Prayer for Our Church Family Our Heavenly Father, There is none like you! You rule over the galaxies—the sun, moon, stars, and deepest space. Even the little bitty molecules that bring an entire world to its knees obey your commands. Our greatest fears are calmed by your everlasting love. Since the beginning of time, you have cared for your people—a beautiful garden, plenty to eat, spouses, children, work, shelter, and clothing. When our sin and selfishness separated us from You, provision was made. Fig leaves would not cover our shame and You have now clothed us with the righteousness of your only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Forgive us of our sins! You have done so much for us and we are like the lepers healed by Jesus who cried, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us” but did not pause to say, “thanks,” when healed. We don’t think on our salvation, we don’t give you proper gratitude, and our hearts don’t sing songs of salvation. We have lived like the Israelites in the Promised Land. Our prosperity has given way to forgetfulness. It has slipped our minds and hearts that all we have is from your gracious hand. Our houses, vineyards, cisterns, and moneybags have been full. We have even said, “Who is the LORD?” You have shaken every foundation in which we trusted: financial markets, health, sports, education, shopping, travel, and day-to-day leisure. We have not listened to your voice, but now you have our attention. You have come to us in the whirlwind and our ears are open. Speak, Lord! Do not let our hearts be softened and our ears be attentive only to say in weeks to come, “All is well. I’m glad we’re back to normal. I’ll eat, drink, and make merry.” Fill our pews with your saints, never again to habitually forsake Sunday worship. Cause us to order our lives around the weekly Sabbath. Fill our pews with people you seek. Give people in our town a hunger for something outside of themselves. Set eternity in their hearts and give us opportunity to tell them of the glories of resting in Jesus alone for salvation. May many “seek the LORD while he may be found and call on him while he is near.” And yes Lord, keep us safe, healthy, strong, and well-supplied. In the strong and gracious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. 1 EVENTS ALL EVENTS SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. KEEP UP-TO-DATE & FIND HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH: -Visit here for video episodes (1 & 2) of the Psalms of Ascent by Rev. Bryan Crotts. -Visit here for audio episodes (1 & 2) of the Psalms of Ascent by Rev. Bryan Crotts. -Visit Facebook facebook.com/FirstARPBurlington -Visit Instagram www.instagram.com/ firstarpchurch/ -Visit our website firstarpburlington.org -Visit www.sermonaudio.com) (Select First ARP Church, Burlington and Rev. Bryan Crotts) APRIL 12 Easter Sunday 19 The Lord’s Day 26 The Lord’s Day MAY 16 Grace Presbytery Meeting @ First ARP, Burlington A welcoming family of Reformed believers committed to the historic Christian faith and life. 2250 Saddle Club Road. Burlington, NC 27215 • firstarpburlington.org • 336.584.6929 • facebook.com/FirstARPBurlington • @firstarpchurch

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Page 1: From the Pastor · 4/8/2020  · garden, plenty to eat, spouses, children, work, shelter, and clothing. When our sin and selfishness separated us from You, provision was made. Fig

April 8, 2020 Volume 48 Issue 14

From the Pastor A Prayer for Our Church Family

Our Heavenly Father,

There is none like you!

You rule over the galaxies—the sun, moon, stars, and deepest space. Even the little bitty molecules that bring an entire world to its knees obey your commands.

Our greatest fears are calmed by your everlasting love.

Since the beginning of time, you have cared for your people—a beautiful garden, plenty to eat, spouses, children, work, shelter, and clothing.

When our sin and selfishness separated us from You, provision was made. Fig leaves would not cover our shame and You have now clothed us with the righteousness of your only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Forgive us of our sins!

You have done so much for us and we are like the lepers healed by Jesus who cried, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us” but did not pause to say, “thanks,” when healed. We don’t think on our salvation, we don’t give you proper gratitude, and our hearts don’t sing songs of salvation.

We have lived like the Israelites in the Promised Land. Our prosperity has given way to forgetfulness. It has slipped our minds and hearts that all we have is from your gracious hand. Our houses, vineyards, cisterns, and moneybags have been full. We have even said, “Who is the LORD?”

You have shaken every foundation in which we trusted: financial markets, health, sports, education, shopping, travel, and day-to-day leisure.

We have not listened to your voice, but now you have our attention. You have come to us in the whirlwind and our ears are open. Speak, Lord!

Do not let our hearts be softened and our ears be attentive only to say in weeks to come, “All is well. I’m glad we’re back to normal. I’ll eat, drink, and make merry.”

Fill our pews with your saints, never again to habitually forsake Sunday worship. Cause us to order our lives around the weekly Sabbath.

Fill our pews with people you seek. Give people in our town a hunger for something outside of themselves. Set eternity in their hearts and give us opportunity to tell them of the glories of resting in Jesus alone for salvation.

May many “seek the LORD while he may be found and call on him while he is near.”

And yes Lord, keep us safe, healthy, strong, and well-supplied.

In the strong and gracious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

�1

EVENTS

ALL EVENTS SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

KEEP UP-TO-DATE & FIND HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR

SPIRITUAL GROWTH:

-Visit here for video episodes (1 & 2) of the Psalms of Ascent by Rev. Bryan Crotts.

-Visit here for audio episodes (1 & 2) of the Psalms of Ascent by Rev. Bryan Crotts.

-Visit Facebook

facebook.com/FirstARPBurlington

-Visit Instagram

www.instagram.com/firstarpchurch/

-Visit our website

firstarpburlington.org

-Visit www.sermonaudio.com) (Select First ARP Church, Burlington and Rev. Bryan Crotts)

APRIL

12 Easter Sunday

19 The Lord’s Day

26 The Lord’s Day

MAY

16 Grace Presbytery Meeting @ First ARP, Burlington

A welcoming family of Reformed believers committed to the historic Christian faith and life.

2250 Saddle Club Road. Burlington, NC 27215 • firstarpburlington.org • 336.584.6929 • facebook.com/FirstARPBurlington • @firstarpchurch

Page 2: From the Pastor · 4/8/2020  · garden, plenty to eat, spouses, children, work, shelter, and clothing. When our sin and selfishness separated us from You, provision was made. Fig

April 8, 2020 Volume 48 Issue 14

Ben Gregory & Jennifer Canedy are registered with Target and Amazon…

target.com & amazon.com ! They are will be married June 27, 2020.

Start shopping! 🌞 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

JOIN IN PRAYER EACH DAY AT 10 AM FOR THE END OF THE PANDEMIC & NATIONAL & WORLDWIDE REVIVAL!

sermonaudio.com First ARP Church, Burlington

Rev. Bryan Crotts Phone: 336.944.2892 |

[email protected] [email protected] |

�2

BIRTHDAYS

APRIL

14 Stephen Crotts

15 Bill Roy

17 Rachel Pelone

21 Randall Cobb

21 Russ Payne

25 Jean McKinnon

MAY

1 Bill Haynes

4 Connie Bennett

6 Tom McPherson

6 Vicki McPherson

10 Frances Vanderford

11 Andrew Carden

12 Ben Gregory

14 Ian Constable

21 Shirley Boswell

21 Cindy Wright

28 Esther Roy

30 Kathy Isley

ANNIVERSARIES

MAY

14 Fran & Bill Haynes

28 Betty & Ferald Mann

Mail tithes and offerings to First A.R.P.

2250 Saddle Club Rd.

Burlington, NC 27215

STEWARDSHIP SNAPSHOT: Tithes & Offerings 4/5/20 $ 9,731.00 Year To Date 2020 Giving $ 57,158.51

14 Week Average $ 4,082.75 Weekly 2020 Budget Needs $ 4,183.26 Legacy Fund Balance $95,849.53