Hi, my name is Melody Merritt, and I am the Director of Women’s Ministry at ABC. You may be asking yourself why am I writing the blog this week and not one of the pastors or staff members? They have graciously asked me to write this week and to share about the Women’s Ministry and an upcoming event in April. I feel inadequate to do this, but I know God has called me to Women’s Ministry and given me a love for the women of this church and community. God loves each of you, men and women. So, men, keep reading even though this is really for the women, and encourage the ladies in your life to be godly women of grace. Women, listen up!
The purpose of the Women’s Ministry is to encourage and equip women to gather, grow and go. This is pursued through Bible studies, mentoring, small groups, More for Moms, Apples of Gold, Treasurekeepers, Godly Gals of Grace, and special events. Women need other women in their lives to encourage them, to listen, and to share life. My heart’s desire is to see every female (from 1 to 100) that comes into the fellowship of ABC to feel welcome, encouraged, and equipped to grow in their relationship with God and the body of Christ.
On April 18th and 19th we will have “The Real Beauty Retreat” at Apex Baptist Church for women and teens. Shari Braendel, a speaker with Proverbs 31 Ministries, will be with us to give a Christian perspective on beauty, fashion, and modesty. This weekend will be a chance for women of all ages to come together and celebrate being women and find out what real beauty is.
Last summer when we began talking about a theme and a speaker for our Spring Fling, I had just heard Shari speak, and her message touched my heart. As I prayed, I felt God saying this was something the women and teens of Apex needed. Modesty has taken a back seat in fashion for years. As Christians, we too often look at the world and go along with what the world dictates. God does have a word for us. We don’t have to go along with the world. We are daughters of the King, and guess what? “The King is enthralled by your beauty.” ( Psalm 45:11). God loves each one of us, and we represent God to the world.
The weekend begins on Friday night with the Modest is Hottest Fashion Show and a What Not to Wear segment for girls and teens focused on the 5 B’s of Modesty. This will be very interactive with audience participation. Moms, you are encouraged to come join your daughters for this night of excitement and hear the heart message that Shari shares with our daughters on modesty. Please encourage your daughters to come and bring their friends.
Saturday morning will be for women from 18 to 100. Shari tells it like it is in a best friend way, sharing practical image and style advice. The day will be uplifting, engaging, and off the wall fun. Shari will talk about body types, clothing styles, color analysis, and give lots of fashion tips in the Girlfriends Guide to Glamour and If Clothes Could Talk workshop segments. She will also share her heart and God’s Word on Real Beauty.
Ladies, you do not want to miss any part of this weekend. Plan now to come and to bring your daughters and their friends on Friday night and your sisters and girlfriends on Saturday. Tickets are $15.00 each, but moms come free on Friday night. Friday night is from 7:00 until 10:00. The doors open at 6:00 and Shari will be doing color analysis at that time. Saturday starts with coffee and muffins at 9:00. Lunch will be served during the day and the workshop ends at 2:00. There will be something for everyone. Don’t be the one left out of the fun when you hear about it on Sunday the 20th and wish you had come. I hope to see each of you there!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Gastrointestinal Gymnastics, Loving God & Anthem
Rick Gutierrez
College/Singles Pastor
As I type this blog I am without the ability to speak. I can’t talk. I have completely lost function in my vocal chords. Pardon the graphic picture, but my current dilemma is due to having stayed up all last night enjoying the thrill and ecstasy of vomiting. Basically, last night’s gastrointestinal gymnastics have rendered my ability to vocally communicate obsolete.
Not being able to talk has made something very clear to me—I have a lot of stuff to say! All day I have wanted to speak but I have been frustrated by the fact that I cannot communicate. Throughout the day, I have been in need to share information, share something funny, ask questions, etc. Truly it has been irritating to not be able to communicate whatever has been on my mind or on my heart.
Here’s the real sad thing…I cannot audibly tell my wife that I love her. I’m sitting on the couch feeling awful and Jamie is taking care of me. The, she looked at me and told me she loved me; and when I tried to respond all that came out was something that sounded like 99 year old chronic smoker trying to catch their breath after a long walk to the mail box.
Love is incomplete unless it is communicated. In order for love to find completion it must be expressed. While I admit that there are many ways to communicate love apart from actually saying it, the fact remains that something is lacking unless it is spoken. Love must be announced. Love must be heard. Whether you are 12 years old with a crush on a girl in class or you are 65 and have been married for 40 years, there is a desire to express the love we have for the other person.
To a large degree this is what is involved in worship. Worship is lavishly expressing to God the affection we have for Him. Worship is telling God we love Him. As a Christian there must be a desire to communicate our heart to God. Psalm 147:1 says, “Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant and praise is becoming.” Is this your confession? Would you agree with the psalmist that it is good to sing praises of adoration to our God? Do you consider it to be pleasant to tell God you love him? Have you ever considered the fact that it is becoming of a Christian to express their affections to God?
There are many ways to verbally express our love to God, but one of the best and most ancient is through corporate song. This is the most important thing that is to take place when we gather on Sunday mornings. We are to lavishly communicate our affection to God when we gather with one another. The bride (the church) must tell the Groom (Christ) that she loves Him. This is good, pleasant and becoming.
An anthem is a symbolic song of praise, devotion and loyalty. It is a piece of sacred music commemorating a grand event. It memorializes something or someone great. As Christians, when we gather we are to worship by singing anthems to God—songs that express who God is to us and that thank Him for all that He has done for us. We have to sing anthems. This is part of what it means to be Christian. We have to verbally communicate our love to God by antheming His name.
Please come to ANTHEM this Sunday (March 16, 2008) at 7:00 PM in the fellowship hall for a time of praise and worship in which we will lovingly lavish our affection and adoration to God. Come to ANTHEM and communicate your love for God.
College/Singles Pastor
As I type this blog I am without the ability to speak. I can’t talk. I have completely lost function in my vocal chords. Pardon the graphic picture, but my current dilemma is due to having stayed up all last night enjoying the thrill and ecstasy of vomiting. Basically, last night’s gastrointestinal gymnastics have rendered my ability to vocally communicate obsolete.
Not being able to talk has made something very clear to me—I have a lot of stuff to say! All day I have wanted to speak but I have been frustrated by the fact that I cannot communicate. Throughout the day, I have been in need to share information, share something funny, ask questions, etc. Truly it has been irritating to not be able to communicate whatever has been on my mind or on my heart.
Here’s the real sad thing…I cannot audibly tell my wife that I love her. I’m sitting on the couch feeling awful and Jamie is taking care of me. The, she looked at me and told me she loved me; and when I tried to respond all that came out was something that sounded like 99 year old chronic smoker trying to catch their breath after a long walk to the mail box.
Love is incomplete unless it is communicated. In order for love to find completion it must be expressed. While I admit that there are many ways to communicate love apart from actually saying it, the fact remains that something is lacking unless it is spoken. Love must be announced. Love must be heard. Whether you are 12 years old with a crush on a girl in class or you are 65 and have been married for 40 years, there is a desire to express the love we have for the other person.
To a large degree this is what is involved in worship. Worship is lavishly expressing to God the affection we have for Him. Worship is telling God we love Him. As a Christian there must be a desire to communicate our heart to God. Psalm 147:1 says, “Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant and praise is becoming.” Is this your confession? Would you agree with the psalmist that it is good to sing praises of adoration to our God? Do you consider it to be pleasant to tell God you love him? Have you ever considered the fact that it is becoming of a Christian to express their affections to God?
There are many ways to verbally express our love to God, but one of the best and most ancient is through corporate song. This is the most important thing that is to take place when we gather on Sunday mornings. We are to lavishly communicate our affection to God when we gather with one another. The bride (the church) must tell the Groom (Christ) that she loves Him. This is good, pleasant and becoming.
An anthem is a symbolic song of praise, devotion and loyalty. It is a piece of sacred music commemorating a grand event. It memorializes something or someone great. As Christians, when we gather we are to worship by singing anthems to God—songs that express who God is to us and that thank Him for all that He has done for us. We have to sing anthems. This is part of what it means to be Christian. We have to verbally communicate our love to God by antheming His name.
Please come to ANTHEM this Sunday (March 16, 2008) at 7:00 PM in the fellowship hall for a time of praise and worship in which we will lovingly lavish our affection and adoration to God. Come to ANTHEM and communicate your love for God.
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