Of course, we know the story, that Saul was intent on killing David, and Jonathan did instruct David to flee for his life. Thus Jonathan and David would never again see one another. They loved each other so much, but life was driving them apart.

1 Samuel 20:41-42 records the emotional scene:

And as soon as the boy had gone, David rose from beside the stone heap and fell on his face to the ground and bowed three times. And they kissed one another and wept with one another, David weeping the most. Then Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, because  we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, ’The Lord shall be between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.’” And he rose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city.

As most of the church knows by now, I gave my resignation to Grace Baptist Church yesterday. For us too, life is driving us apart, and it’s time for goodbyes. The last seven years, along with all it’s friendships, triumphs, and challenges, have been a blessing from the Lord. You have allowed me and my family to become one of you. Our lives have become entangled in your lives. We will miss you dearly, but our friendships will endure.

Please keep us in your prayers as we will always remember Grace in ours. Sunday, May 27 will be our last Sunday. There will be tears, but we know that the Lord will be between me and you wherever we go.

We love you, and may God always grant the grace and peace of Jesus to Grace Baptist Church and to your lives.

-Acts 1:8 (ESV)

Romans 6:4-5 says…

We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

By faith in Christ, His death is our death, death to sin, death to the slavery of self-centeredness, death to the pride of legalism. But as faith unites us with Him in His death, so also does faith unite us with Christ in His resurrection, a resurrection empowered by the glory of the Father. That same power that raised Christ Jesus empowers us. The result is a newness of life, a Christ-centered life, a life of love, joy, and peace.

At Grace Baptist Church, it is our desire to walk in this promised newness of life. I don’t always feel new, and sometimes I don’t even feel alive, but I do know this, Jesus died for me and has been exalted by the Father. Now, my life is His life. I’ve given it to Him, but even greater, His life is my life, the newness of life.

Are you experiencing the newness of life promised by God to those who are “baptized into His death”? I hope so, and we at Grace Baptist Church want to do whatever needs to be done to help you to walk daily in this newness of life. That’s why your friends have been inviting you. They’re not judging you. They want you to have what we’ve discovered in Jesus Christ.

We hope that you will join us as the church gathers to renew her life in Christ, each Sunday at 11:00 a.m. and through small group Bible studies meeting on Sundays at 9:45 a.m. and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.

We also want to invite you to a few special activities we have planned for this season:

• Wednesday, March 28, 6:30-9:00 p.m. Messiah in the Passover led by Michelle Beadle. Come join us for a full meal and the celebration of Jesus Christ in the Passover feast. You can help by providing a Kosher dish. Contact Anne Badeaux at 284-0844.
• Good Friday Service, April 6, 7:00 p.m.
• Easter Sunday Service, April 8, 11:00 a.m. with a special “Flowering of the Cross” event for our children.

Matthew 22:37-40 (ESV)

Please join us for a Valentine’s luncheon benefing the DJ Scharfenstein College Scholarship Fund, the scholarship fund recently created by the church to benefit our graduating seniors who are going on to college. There is a suggested donation of $10 per adult and $5 per child.

He refused to believe it. After all, he had been a pastor for 20 years, but as he looked at 1 John 3:9–No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God–the Holy Spirit spoke to Hal’s heart telling him that he needed to be saved. You see, Hal had a deep, dark secret, a double life. Concurrent with his 20 years of ministry and 12 years of marriage to his wonderful wife Lisa, Hal had been involved in homosexuality.

Shortly after the Lord revealed his need to be born again, Hal gave his heart and life to Jesus Christ, but now what was he to do? He knew he needed to confess to his wife and start the healing that the Lord wanted to give them, but would she forgive him?

That was 12 years ago. Now, Hal and Lisa Selby are serving the Lord through Refuge 461 Ministries.

Refuge 461 is a Christian discipleship ministry providing biblically based help and encouragement for those individuals, couples, and parents whose lives are impacted by homosexuality. This is done through individual support, weekly Life Transformation Groups, and by helping churches respond redemptively to those impacted by homosexuality.

Come and hear Hal and Lisa’s story of redemption as they share with us how God heals those who are impacted by sexual brokeness through Jesus Christ.

Sunday, January 29

• 9:45 a.m. Hal and Lisa will share along with a question and answer session.
• 11:00 a.m. Hal will preach in our worship service.

Please come ready for God to speak to you about how we as Christians can minsiter God’s mercy and truth to those who struggle with this issue.

For more information about Refuge 461 Ministries go to www.refuge461.org and check out the their great testamony at http://www.refuge461.org/content/media.

On Saturday, December 17, over 20 church members gathered to assemble and delivered 31 turkeys with “fixin’s” to families in need. It was a great time of cooperation and giving. Many of our new members and our youth were there in strong numbers, and one of our newest members Anne Badeaux did a great job working with Sam’s and purchasing the groceries. Thank you to all who gave money and time.

During the entire month of December we collected the Lottie Moon Offering for International Missions. Joanne Hilton, Shannon Dale, and Anne Badeaux gave excellent talks that ranged from Lottie Moon to dear missionary friends overseas today to sewing machines and even Tim Tebow! Thank you to all who gave to the mission offering. We raised $435, all of which goes to the gospel spreading and church planting work of our 5,000 missionaries of the International Mission Board, SBC.

Grace reminds me of what Paul said about the Macedonians who gave at a time when it was difficult to give:

They gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

(2 Corinthians 8:5, ESV)

Keep giving yourself to the Lord, Grace Church, and your giving will continue to overflow as it impacts our world.

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV)

We’re excited to come together with our church family on Christmas Day for a great time of Scripture reading, carol singing, and fellowship. All are invited to come celebrate the Prince of Peace with us.

Reminder: There will be no Sunday School on Christmas Day, just the worship service at 11:00.

Also, all of our Wednesday night programs are suspended until January 4th.

Merry Christmas, everybody!

One of our former church members has sent us a very generous donation, and we’re using it to give away turkeys to families that could use some extra help this Chrismas season.

We need volunteers to come to the fellowship hall at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday. We’ll assemble gift baskets, each containing a turkey  and other items, then we’ll go deliever them in our vehicles. Anne Badeaux is directing the effort. You can contact her or me if you need more information. If you know of a family that could use a turkey, please send me their information at Charlie@GraceForNewOrleans.com.

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

-John 13:35 (ESV)

Many of our church family have gotten to know our newest members, two very special ladies Anne Badeaux and Darrian Shelby. If not, I’d like to introduce them to you here.

After much thought and prayer, Darrian gave her heart to the Lord Jesus Christ this summer, and I had the privilege of baptizing her a few weeks ago. She is a senior in high school and has been attending our church with her grandmother Jackie for about two years now. I had the pleasure of getting to know Darrian last November as she went with our youth to the Youth Evangelism Celebration. She seems to be a fun person, but someone who’s very serious about her future.

Anne has been life long friends with another new member Dreux Summers. Dreux actually credits Anne with leading him to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Anne came to us ready to serve and has already been elected to the Women’s Ministry Leadership Team. She also has experience in women’s prison ministry.

Take some time to get to know Anne and Darrian and let them know how much they mean to our church family.