1533 HWY 52W, Crossett, AR 71635 PH 870.364.4057 FAX 870.304.2979

JULY 2018 Volume 28, Number 7

ehodge@theolivechurch.org regina.hodge@crossettschools.org scott.sasser@crossettschools.org wlafoon@theolivechurch.org

The

MT. OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH www.theolivechurch.org

mobc@theolivechurch.org

"Do not quench the Spirit." (1 Thessalonians 5:19)

For those who take a visit to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, there is a masterpiece called " The Wind." The painting shows a storm moving through a wooded area. Tall, thin trees lean to the left. Bushes thrash in the same direction. In an even more powerful sense, the Holy Spirit is able to sway believers in the direction of God's goodness and truth. If we go along with the spirit, we can expect to become more

courageous and more loving. We will also become more discerning about how to handle our desires (2 Timothy 1:7). But in some situations, however, the Spirit nudges us toward spiritual growth and change, but there's no one home! We're simply not listening to the Spirit. We're not paying attention. And there are also times when we know God's Spirit is speaking to us but we answer Him with a huge resounding "NO." Continually stonewalling this conviction is what Scripture calls "quenching the Spirit" (1 Thess.5:19). Over time, things we once considered wrong appear not to be quite as bad. And I believe that's what's happening today. It's not simply that sin is becoming more prevalent or powerful, it's that God's people aren't listening to the Holy Spirit as they once did. And remember…everyone is going to listen to someone, right? If we're not listening to the Holy Spirit of God, then who are we listening to? The answer to the question might hurt a little bit. We're not just God's people. We are supposed to be God's HOLY SPIRIT-FILLED people. Folks who LISTEN to the Holy Spirit, TRUST the Holy Spirit, and FOLLOW the Holy Spirit. Columnist Sheila Graham had a compelling interview with Ruby Bridges Hall sometime back. Maybe that name doesn't strike a bell. It will for some of you as she describes what Ruby went through as a child. Ruby looked like a typical first-grader. With a big bow in her hair and lunch box in hand, she climbed the steps of William Frantz Elementary School for the first day of school. But little else was typical about that day in November 1960. Though she wasn't aware of it, Ruby had been chosen to be the first African-American child to integrate this particular New Orleans grade school. Every day on her way to school, escorted by armed federal marshals, she braved angry whites shouting at her as she entered an empty classroom. White parents had moved their children to other schools. Ruby did not realize until later, when a little boy told her why he couldn't play with her, that she was the reason for all the commotion. In her interview Sheila Graham noted that even in this stressful situation of having mobs scream at her, little Ruby prayed every day, before and after school, for those who were verbally abusing her. Ruby Bridges Hall explained it this way: " One thing my mother always said to me was that when she couldn't be with me, if I was ever afraid, I should say my prayers. Even at night, if I would wake up from a nightmare and want to get up and go to her room, she would immediately ask, 'Did you say your prayers?' That's where that came from and it sort of stuck with me." Ruby's mother wanted her to know that no matter the situation she was never alone. She was connected. To be connected is to have power. It's called the HOLY SPIRIT. It is to have an eternal presence in your life. It is to know someone is with you and cares about you. Would you join with me committing anew to being Spirit-Filled people each and every day? With God's Spirit we will never be alone. I want to worship in a church where the Holy Spirit of God fills our church and fills each of us. The only question is…when God speaks and nudges you, will there be anybody home? God hopes so and so do I. I love each of you in the Lord! In HIM,

From the PastorFrom the PastorFrom the Pastor

Sunday, July 8

Morning Worship

The

Lord’s

Supper

For His Kids-

Thank YOU! to everyone who taught, helped, donated

to, and attended our VBS “GAME ON” this year! Our

MVP Award goes to Mrs. Betty Willis for 39 years of

serving in our VBS! Thank you Betty!

Mega Fun Day-Thursday, July 5. Leave MOBC at

8:45 AM. Movie in ElDorado- The Lego Ninjago

Movie! Lunch at Larry’s Pizza. Splash Pad (bring sun

screen, towel, and bathing suit). Cost is $10

CentriKid Share Service is Sunday, July 8, 6 PM.

Children’s Camp at Beech Springs- July 9-12. Remember our

campers and leaders in prayer.

Picnic In The Park- July 29 after

AM Worship. Bring a sack lunch

and fishing gear! Drinks are

provided.

Back to School BASH to

Pinnacle Mountain, August 24-25.

Information Meeting will be held

Sunday, July 29, 5:30 PM.

please check the

church kitchen for

dishes you may

have left behind or forgotten. Thanks!

Monthly Meeting Potlucks are dismissed for the summer. We plan to resume in September.

COME JOIN US Sundays 9:15 AM- Prayer Breakfast 10:25 AM- Worship 5 PM- Bible Study 6 PM- Discipleship Training

Wednesdays 6 PM-8 PM Staying SALTY!

Camp Hosanna Teen Camp is July 23-28. Call Bro. Wes for details. 870-500-1632 or 870-500-1631

No drinks are allowed in open containers in the FOB!!!

Church Mutual Invites You To Attend

this live event ...............................................

...............................................

July 26, 8:30 AM - 12:15 PM St. James United Methodist Church

321 Pleasant Valley Dr. Little Rock, AR

This eye-opening seminar, led by experts

from Firestorm and ALICE, shows you how to spot the warning signs before a violent

incident occurs and how to keep our people safe if faced with an armed intruder.

We are in need of more nursery volunteers! If you would enjoy helping with our babies, please call the church office. Thank you!

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31

4:30 PM Finance Committee

Services Dismissed

Regular Services

CentriKid Camp- Timbercreek

5 PM 5th Sunday

Singing & Potluck

3:30 PM 4th Monday Worship at Stonegate

Regular Services

Regular Services

Regular Services

ACBA Children’s Camp @ Beech Springs for 3rd-6th Grade

Regular Services

Regular Services

Camp Hosanna Youth Summer Camp at Mammoth Springs

Regular Services

4:30 PM Finance Committee

4:30 PM Finance Committee

4:30 PM Finance Committee

4:30 PM Finance Committee

10:25 AM The Lord’s Supper

4:00 PM Nominating Com.

6:00 PM CentriKid Share Time

4:00 PM Deacons Meeting 5:30 PM- Movie “God Is Not Dead”

8:45 AM Kids

MEGA FUN DAY

12:00 PM Kids Picnic in the Park

OFFICE CLOSED

STEWARDSHIP 6,093.90

7,257.00

6,429.70

4,416.40

Receipts on 6/3

Receipts on 6/10

Receipts on 6/17

Receipts on 6/24

VOLUNTEERS

SUNDAY, JULY 1

NURSERY Cindy Hamilton

SUNDAY, JULY 8

NURSERY Anita Wilcox

SUNDAY, JULY 15

NURSERY Tina Maxwell

SUNDAY, JULY 22

NURSERY Helen Stagg

SUNDAY, JULY 29

NURSERY Page Grissom

ERIC S. HODGE, Pastor

SCOTT SASSER, Min. Music / Worship REGINA HODGE, Min. Children / Preschool WESLEY LAFOON, Min. to Students

LEAH HENDRIX, Church Secretary

MELINDA FERGUSON, Fin./Asst. Secretary

MELISSA JONES, Building Supervisor

CHURCH STAFF

SYMPATHY

July Deacon Visitation William Courson and Don Wilcox

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Return S

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The staff & church family of Mt. Olive Baptist Church expresses sincere & heart felt sympathy to the following:

Rev. Bill Brown’s Family Former Mt. Olive Pastor

Rev. W. M. Smith’s Family

Shirley Smith’s nephew

Jim Craig Family

Johnny Mack Johnson’s Family Ellon Johnson’s husband

Ethel Newton’s Family

Grandmother of Tina Sims

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

By Baptism Braylon Parrott

Grant Tankersley

VITAL SIGNS/JUNE

General Officers Preschoolers Children Youth Adults New Members Visitors TOTAL DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING

5 8

16 9

55 0 4

97

25

3

5 6

14 8

48 0 0

81

—

17

5 7

13 6

61 0 4

94

26

24 ENR SUNDAY

5 10 32 41

201

289

5 5 9 8

55 0 2

84

—

10