1 P E T E R 1:3

Living Hope

MAY/JUNE 2018

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CHURCH WIDE CAMP OUT: Thursday, May 24 through Monday, May 28

SUNDAY SCHOOL TRAINING: Tuesday, May 29, 7:00 p.m.

MEN’S BREAKFAST: Saturday, June 2, 7:30 a.m.

CPR TRAINING: Saturday, June 9, times to be an-nounced

TRUSTEE MEETING: Tuesday, June 12, 7:00 p.m.

DEACONS MEETING: Tuesday, June 12, 7:00 p.m.

FAIR MINISTRY AT THE WASHBOARD FESTIVAL: Thurs-day, June 14 through Saturday, June 16

BUILDERS FOR CHRIST MISSION TRIP: Saturday, June 16 through Saturday, June 23

CHILDREN’S SUMMER CAMP: Monday, June 18 through Saturday, June 23

MEN’S BREAKFAST: Saturday, May 5, 7:30 a.m.

BACCALAUREATE SERVICE: Sunday, May 6, 2:00 p.m.

CHURCH WIDE COOKOUT & ICE CREAM SOCIAL: Sunday. May 6, 5:30 p.m.

TRUSTEE MEETING: Tuesday, May 8, 7:00 p.m.

DEACONS MEETING: Tuesday, May 8, 7:00 p.m.

MOTHER/DAUGHTER LUNCHEON: Saturday, May 12, Noon

SENIOR LUNCHEON: Saturday, May 19, Noon

“MEET ISSAC’ LUNCHEON: Sunday, May 20, 12:30 p.m.

FAIR MINISTRY AT THE MOONSHINE FESTIVAL: Thursday, May 24 through Saturday, May 26

salvation, but I would remind you that making disciples begins when you share the gospel and then we must walk hand in hand with the individual to maturity in Christ. Its not just about “winning them to Christ, it’s about training, teaching, loving, and nurturing indi-

viduals in the Word of God. This requires us to be like-wise students of the Word of God. In the next newslet-ter I will share more about the process. I want to chal-lenge you personally in regards to your faithfulness in sharing Christ. When was the last time you simply shared the gospel either in word, or with a gospel tract, or one of the wordless gospel bracelets that the church provides? Are you comfortable with sharing the simple gospel message? In spite of opposition, the Word of God is still quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, and it is powerful enough to break

through the darkness and blindness of those who are dead in trespasses and sin. I am deeply concerned that we haven’t seen more people professing Christ and following in believ-ers baptism, as evidence of their willingness to identify with Christ, in recent weeks and months here at Ebene-zer. I am challenging each of you to pray earnestly that we will see more genuine professions of faith, more baptisms, and more disciples being made, not just great events or exciting things going on in ministry.

Having just returned from mission work in India and Guatemala, I am reminded of the imperative nature of the gospel. It is the gospel and the gospel alone that brings salvation and sets the captives free. For God so loved the world...But God demonstrated

His love toward us….For all have sinned...For whoso-ever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. We are called to make disciples of all crea-tures, we are called to preach the gospel to all na-tions. Whether in Logan, New Lexington, Lancaster, Maxville, or the four corners of the earth we have a massive responsibility. We often think that making disciples

The Gospel and Discipleship: Part I

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_______________________________________ EXCITEMENT WITH REVISED BUILDING PROPOSAL… COMING SOON!

INDIA AND GUATEMALA MISSION TRIPS REPORT

Ebenezer mission teams spent nine days in India in March and eight days in Guatemala in April. Both trips provided many opportunities to share Christ and provided practical ministry support. The trips have also opened up even greater doors of opportunity for future mission ventures. India’s sheer population of 1.4 billion is overwhelming. Our strategic global partner Word of Life Guatemala is expanding its ministry with new opportunities for ministry in several orphanages. Join us Sunday May 20 during our worship services for an exciting Missions Sunday with full reports and incredible stories

of Gods gracious work.

Potentially exciting pro-gress is just around the cor-ner as the church has asked our architect Don Highlander to complete a set of blue prints for the revised floor plan that you see to your right. Once the completed blue prints are in hand, then the Building Committee can proceed to calculate a very clear construction cost These numbers will be presented to the church the first Wednesday of Au-gust. Please be in prayer as we seek to know the right tim-ing to build.

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ALASKA MISSION TRIP PLANNED FOR JULY

A mission opportunity is available for individu-als this summer in Wrangell, Alaska. Carrie Shymanski is the contact for information about the details for ministry. The date for the mission trip is Sunday, July 1

through Saturday, July 7. The plane ticket is ap-proximately $900 - $1,200. The remainder of the cost is for food while in Alaska. The cost of living is high in Alaska. For example, a gallon of milk is $6. What will we be doing? The local church of about 30 people has an enormous amount of work needing done such as painting, cleaning, yard work, etc. Also a pregnancy center called Hannah's Place will need some work such as sorting clothes and possible other work.

When are we going? The set dates are for July 1 through July 7 but you can literally go anytime

summer, though you don’t want to miss the Fourth of July celebration in Wrangell. Carrie will be in Alaska about 6 weeks to help her mother- in-law so anytime she is there would be fine. The dates Carrie will be there are being finalized. You can contact her

for other dates. Other Information: Lodging will be at the church or people's homes. Flight: Fly out of Columbus, and into Wrangell, with many layovers and an overnight in Seattle. You will need a hotel for one night. Can children go? Yes, kids of any age are welcome. Contact Carrie at 740-438-4284 if you have other questions or are interested in going to Alaska. Fund-raising ideas are in place for some individuals already, so if you want to join in, let Carrie know as soon as

possible.

Our church is offering a CPR class Saturday, June 9. There will be a morning session and an after-noon session. Times for the CPR training are being finalized and will be announced in the coming weeks.

This CPR training is available for first time certifica-tion and those needing recertification. The training will last approximately sixty to ninety minutes. While the CPR training focus is for the Children’s Ministry workers, everyone in the church is wel-come to attend. For more details, you can contact Issac Schmelt-zer.

CPR TRAINING SCHEDULED FOR JUNE

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Plans for the Secret Sister reveal party are being final-ized. This fun event will take place in June. In addition to finding out who our secret sisters are, we will be drawing new names. The date will be announced soon and a sign up sheet will be available in the

church foyer in the weeks ahead. In the meantime, remember to let your Secret Sister know that you are praying for her. Let her know that she is special by sending notes, cards, and if possible, small gifts. Secret Sisters is a ministry for all ladies ages 18 and up. If you would like to be a part of the Secret Sister ministry and be an inspiration and encouragement to other ladies in our church, contact Sabrina Modze-lewski.

SECRET SISTERS REVEAL PARTY

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MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE SUNDAY, MAY 27

The monthly Out of The Boat meetings are now meeting at Shape Up, 57 West Hunter Street, Logan instead of the Stage Coach Inn. The next two meetings are Thursday, May 31 and Thursday, June 28. These meetings begin at 6:30 p.m.

In addition to worship, fellowship, and a guest speaker, the men are currently doing a study entitled Act Like A Man.

The Ebenezer Baptist Men’s Ministry offers many opportunities for spiritual growth, Christian service and fel-lowship. We encourage all the men of our church to be involved in Christian service and a Bible study group. One upcoming service project is cutting and stacking firewood for the pastor and his family. Below are a some of the other upcoming Men’s Ministry events. Stay tuned for details about more Christian service projects.

The monthly men’s breakfast takes place the first Satur-day of each month at 7:30 a.m. at the Main Campus. The next dates for the Men’s Breakfast are Saturday, May 5 and Saturday, June 2. In addition to a delicious breakfast, we have a devotion and a time of fellowship. Bring a

friend and join us. There is no cost for the breakfast. For further details, contact Scott Lipker.

MONTHLY MEN’S BREAKFAST

OUT OF THE BOAT MONTHLY MEETINGS

On Memorial Day weekend, we have the privilege of hosting USAF Lt. Gen. Loren Reno (retired). Gen-eral Reno will be speaking in both services here at Ebenezer on Sunday May 27. Donuts and coffee will be served between the

worship services and the Junction City Honor Guard will be presenting the annual 21 gun salute. General Reno will also be the featured guest speaker at the Memorial Day event in Logan at Wor-thington Park. Please invite your families and friends to both of these very special occasions. General Reno currently serves as a faculty member at Cedarville University and a special advisor to the University President.

trouble I (God) shall rescue you and you shall honor Me.” God does not rescue just to be a nice loving God, but to be glorified in it. Lastly, where does the Scrip-ture say, “He simply gives Himself away on the off-chance that one of us might look back at Him and of-

fer ourselves in return?” Did God take a chance? Really? Heaven is filled with crossed fingers wonder-ing if “one of us might look back at Him and offer our-selves in return?” Isaiah 46:10 “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be es-tablished, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’” Think about this verse for a moment. Does that sound like God takes chances? The angel Gabriel told Joseph that Mary would “bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their

sins” (Matthew 1:21). This doesn’t sound like a chance is being taken here. It tells us that God is purposeful and will accomplish what He has planned. The idea that God’s love is reckless is completely foreign to Scripture and to His character. When we do not draw our conclusions about God from Scripture alone we will always be prone to think wrongly of God. If you think I am exaggerating read what God says to Israel in Psalm 50:21, “These things you have done and I kept silence; You thought that I was just like you.”

Read that again. God says, “You thought that I was just like you.” I will ask you the same question that was asked to me “Are you so close to Jesus that you would be able to detect a false statement made about Him?” The popularity of this song should cause us to won-der. Correct thinking about God comes from reading the Scripture through and through and focusing on Him while doing so. Nowhere will we conclude that God’s love is reckless, but the opposite will be discov-ered. There is no question “God is love” (1 John 4:8) and that He demonstrated that love (Romans 5:8), but

it was not and is not reckless. Christianity today nar-rows God down to simply love and nothing more. The Bible has so much more to say about God than just His love. The only way we will discover this is to read His Word and what He declares about Himself. 1https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8308263/bethel-music-cory-asbury-steffany-gretzinger-tori-kelly-christian-gospel-charts 2https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reckless 3https://www.multitracks.com/blog/new-from-cory-asbury-reckless-love/ 6

I was recently involved in a Bible study when the following questioned was asked, “Are you so close to Jesus that you would be able to detect a false statement made about Him?” The lyrics to a popular song were read as an example. The lyrics caused me

to wonder even after I had left the study and arrived home. Bethel Music has become very popular in Christianity within the past few years, especially among young people. They are consistently on Christian radio, and their songs are sung in a vast number of churches in the U.S. and possibly around the world. According to Billboard, “Cory Asbury, of Bethel Music, the musical arm of Bethel Church, scores his first No. 1 on Billboard's Christian Airplay chart (dated April 14), as his debut single ‘Reckless Love’ lifts 2-1, increasing 4 percent to 10 million au-

dience, according to Nielsen Music." The meaning of this song is obvious from the title. However, here is the first line of the chorus, “Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God.” God’s love is reckless? According to Webster reckless means “1: marked by lack of proper caution: careless of consequences 2: irresponsible.” Cory Asbury says, “When I use the phrase, 'the reckless love of God,' I’m not saying that God Himself is reckless. I am, however, saying that the way He loves, is in many

regards, quite so. His love bankrupted heaven for you. His love doesn’t consider Himself first. His love isn’t selfish or self-serving. He doesn’t wonder what He’ll gain or lose by putting Himself out there. He simply gives Himself away on the off-chance that one of us might look back at Him and offer ourselves in return.” We need to ask a few questions. First, where does the Scripture say God’s love “bankrupted heaven for you?” God’s purpose in sal-vation through the cross of Christ was planned be-fore the foundation of the world (Acts 2:23; 4:27, 28;

2 Timothy 1:9; 1 Peter 1:20; Revelation 13:8). God lost nothing! Second, where does the Scripture say, “His love doesn’t consider Himself first? His love isn’t selfish or self-serving?” Actually, Scripture says God is very concerned about His own glory. Enough so, that He will not share it with another (Isaiah 48:11). At the beginning of this same verse in Isaiah God says, “For My own sake, for My own sake, I will act.” That seems pretty clear. Paul says that salvation is “to the praise and glory of His (God’s) grace” (Ephesians 1:6). The same is said in 1:13,16. Look at Psalm 50:15

and notice the order “Call upon Me in the day of

By Tim Coleman

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__________________________________________ “MEET ISSAC”

EVENT PLANNED FOR SUNDAY, MAY 20

SUMMER CAMP AT SCIOTO HILLS

Vacation Bible School is just around the corner! This year’s VBS will be Monday, July 23 through Friday, July 27, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.. This year’s theme is Babylon: Daniel’s Courage in Captivity. We are going to need a lot of help from many volunteers. We will need a decorating crew to help the week prior to Vacation Bible

School. We will spend the entire week before VBS decorating the church. We will also have many acting parts that will need to be filled. We will also need team leaders, kitchen crew, van drivers, actors, secu-rity team, and nursery workers. Look for sign up sheets in the church foyer beginning in June. Contact Tina Smathers to volunteer with VBS. For those wanting to help, remember to complete a background check. Contact Jenny Swope to fill out the form.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL UPDATE

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We are planning to attend summer camp at Scioto Hills Christian Camp & Retreat Center in Wheelersburg, Ohio Monday, June 18 to Saturday, June 23. All children in grades one through four are invited to attend. The price for the camp will be announced soon.

During the week at Scioto Hills, children will participate in Bible study, chapel time featuring music, skits, and teaching, bonfires, an animal barn, crafts, lake activities, climbing walls and will have access to a pool. More information about the camp is available at their website, www.sciotohills.com A sign up sheet is currently located in the church foyer. Deadline to sign up for the summer camp is Sunday, May 13. For further details, contact Issac Schmeltzer.

We’ve set aside a special day to formally introduce Issac Schmeltzer, our Children’s Ministry Director. This event will take place Sunday, May 20, following the second ser-vice, at 12:30 p.m. and will last approximately one hour. We will serve lunch and then afterwards, Issac will give

a report of recent children’s ministry activities and also discuss future plans and goals for the Children’s Ministry. We will have a time where individuals can ask Issac ques-tions about the Children’s Ministry and get to know him better. This is not only an opportunity to get to know Issac, but also learn more about what is going on with our Chil-dren’s Ministry. You don’t have to have children involved in the Chil-dren’s ministry to attend, everyone is invited.

FAITH EVANGELISM TRAINING AND VISITATION

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD HAPPENINGS

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EBC CHURCH FAMILY!

WE SURPASSED OUR GOAL!

26 units of blood were donated at the April 8

blood drive.

NEXT BLOOD DRIVE: SUNDAY, JULY 8

The FAITH ministry is our church’s outreach and evangelism ministry. With an average attendance of over 400, the FAITH ministry is an important asset to help those coming to Ebenezer get connected to a Sunday school class, ministry, or learn about the

Christian faith. The current six week semester of FAITH will con-clude Monday, May 21. Each week, individuals meet for at 5:45 p.m. for a meal. From 6:00 p.m. to 6:45 is evangelistic training. Teams of three then set out and make various visits including evangelistic, minis-try, hospital, nursing home, absentee, and to those individuals and families who have visited our church. Visits are made in Hocking, Perry, and Fair-field counties. Teams then meet back at the church at 8:30 p.m. Anyone wanting to come to the cur-

rent training sessions and make visits is welcome to attend. For the upcoming semester, our study time will continue to focus on how to answer and witness to those involved in the Jehovah Witnesses. When FAITH resumes in September, the focus will be on the Mormon religion. There are several ways to be involved with the FAITH ministry. You can be on a team that makes visits. You can be on the prayer team. You can also

prepare a meal for the teams, or bake cookies for the visits. For those providing meals, we are doing a $20 reimbursement to help with the cost of prepar-ing the meals. Contact Jim Martin for more information about how you can be involved in the FAITH ministry.

The Operation Christmas Child ministry is collecting items for this year’s shoe boxes. Each month, we will have a specific emphasis on certain items.

MAY & JUNE NEW SMALL TOYS McDONALD’S TOYS

SMALL BEANIE BABIES & STUFFED ANIMALS MATCHBOX CARS

WASH CLOTHS BARS OF SOAP OLD T-SHIRTS FOR JUMP ROPES

There are other ways you can contribute to Opera-tion Christmas Child.

Making items such as jump ropes, looming or cro-

cheting hats and balls, sewing draw string bags, making foam animal masks, making maracas, mak-ing simple small wooden cars.

clearance sales for small toys.

cleaning out the toy box at home. We will gladly

accept all like new items.

Picking up a list of needed items, located at the

collection center just inside the front door of the church.

Put together your own Operation Child shoe box.

Complete details are at www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/pack-a-shoe-box. Be sure

to include $9.00 to cover the cost of shipping.

Donating money to help defray the shipping costs

for the shoe boxes our church puts together. Learn more about Operation Christmas Child by con-tacting Lisa Heavener or Carol McCann.

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Text Pastor Steve At 740-603-0182

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Got A

Spiritual

Question?

BUILDERS FOR CHRIST UPDATE

This year’s Builders for Christ mission trip will be from Saturday, June 16 through Sunday, June 24. We are go-ing back to Jacob’s Well Church in Chippewa Falls, Wis-consin. This will be our second trip to Jacob’s Well Church. This will be the third addition to their church. In

2011, we helped with the construction of their second addition to the church. Cost for the week is $410. We will be staying at the Sleep Inn in Eau Claire. This will be an eight night stay from Saturday, June 16 through Sunday, June 24. Cost for the hotel is $310.00 per person. Room rates are based on two persons per room. Three or four per room re-duces the cost of the hotel stay. Most rooms have two queen sized beds. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the work site is $100 per person. Attractions, sightseeing, and extra meals are at an additional cost.

Transportation options will include riding on the church vans, traveling by personal vehicles, or flying. The esti-mated time to arrive in Chippewa Falls is 14 hours. During the week our church is on site, we will be doing framing, electrical, hv/ac, various handyman-type jobs, and working in the kitchen. Construction experience is not a requirement to go on the trip. Anyone age 16 and up is encouraged to participate and see first hand the amount of work that 150 volunteers get accomplished in just five days.

There is still time to sign up for the mission trip. Contact Erwin Wolfe by Tuesday, May 15.

college and serve food and talk with students. They answer questions, and promote the Sunday night IFUEL. We are also doing special events at the college. On March 23, the students took part in a video game tourna-ment. They battled it out in Madden 18 football. The stu-

dents have expressed interest in having more video game tournaments. One vital area of the IFUEL ministry is prayer. We ask that the church family to pray for two specific things: (1) Pray for the students, that they will be greatly affected by the Word of God and that the Lord will be at work in their lives. (2) Pray for wisdom and understanding so that we might be able to know the best ways by which to reach the diverse student body. If you want to learn more about the IFUEL ministry, please contact Pastor Phil Westenbarger.

HOCKING COLLEGE IFUEL MINISTRY NEWS

We continue to serve the students at Hocking College in Nelsonville. Each Sunday beginning at 6:00 p.m., we serve the students a meal, have a time of worship, and a Bible study. We are currently studying the five truths of the Protestant Reformation. We’ve had some great ques-

tions and discussion with this study. Each Thursday Tim Coleman, Christopher Johnson, and Pastor Phil Westenbager go to the Student Center at the

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The Men’s Ministry of Ebenezer Baptist is once again happy to announce the privilege of serving our moth-ers and daughters. All ladies of the church are invited to bring your mother, daughter or that special lady who has blessed your life.

This year’s luncheon will be Saturday, May 12 at 12:00 p.m. at the Main Campus. This event is always filled with fun and laughter. We will also have some great giveaways. Ladies can sign up in the church foyer or call the church at 385-8411 to register.

MOTHER/DAUGHTER LUNCHEON

Come join us for our church wide Memorial Day weekend campout Thursday, May 24 through Mon-day, May 28 in the backyard at the main campus. Bring your campers, RVs, and tents and enjoy a fun filled weekend hanging out around the camp-

fire, roasting hotdogs, making s’mores, fellowship-ping, and much more. Bring everything you would need for a weekend camping trip. You can come and go as needed. This is a very casual weekend of just relaxing and enjoy-ing the outdoors. We often share food at meal times, have movie night and other family activities. Come join the fun! Everyone is invited, even if you are not camping. Feel free to stop by and say “hello”, roast some hot dogs, and visit.

CHURCH WIDE CAMP OUT MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

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Our church library is located in room 104 of the Main Campus, and is available for everyone. We have over 1,000 books, DVDs, and music CDs. The library is open every church service and Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

All items in the library are available for check out. A sign out sheet is located by the CD section for items that are being checked out. The library features various types of books includ-ing reference, Bible study, apologetics, evangelism, leadership, fiction. biography, Christian living, family, men’s women’s, youth, and children. The library also accepts newer, gently used items in line with our church doctrine. For more informa-tion about the library, contact Jim Martin.

CHURCH LIBRARY

Once again this year Ebenezer is sponsoring the annual Baccalaureate event at Logan High School. It is a unique opportunity to present Christ and share purpose with high school seniors, their families, friends and community members.

This year’s guest speaker is Brad Hurtig. As a teen-ager, Brad lost both of his hands in a power press ac-cident. Through his recovery, Brad has a compelling story of tragedy to triumph. He is bold in his procla-mation about Jesus Christ and that apart from Him we have and are nothing. Be sure to come and join us on Sunday May 6 at 2:00 p.m. at the Logan High School Auditorium for this unforgettable event.

LOGAN HIGH SCHOOL BACCALAUREATE

Sunday, May 6 5:30 p.m.

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The next Sunday school teachers training will be Tuesday, May 29 at 7:00 p.m. at the Main Campus. All teachers and assistants are encouraged to attend this training. We will be continuing with our study, Sunday School Mat-ters. There will be a discussion time afterwards. We will also

talk about how everyone’s classes are going. Pizza will be served prior to the teacher training. Contact Robert or Tanna Sigler for further information.

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SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS TRAINING

The Fair Ministry is preparing for a new season of minis-tering to the area’s fairs and festivals. From May to Septem-ber, our church will have a booth at five different events. The first three ministry opportunities happen during the months of May and June.

First up is the New Straitsville Moonshine Festival Thurs-day, May 24 through Saturday, May 26. We’ll be doing face painting, giving away free popcorn, church information, and gospel tracts. Heaven’s Silent Singers will perform. Next is the Relay for Life at the Hocking County fair-grounds Saturday, June 2. We’ll have church information, and gospel tracts available. Heaven’s Silent Singer will per-form as well. Our church booth will then be at the Logan Washboard Festival Thursday, June 14 through Saturday, June 16. We’ll be handing out gospel tracts, church information, making

balloon animals, and doing face painting. Heaven’s Silent singers will perform one evening. Volunteers are needed at each event to help pass out in-formation, make balloon animals, do face painting, and in-teract with those who stop by our booths. Contact Jason Lipp to help out.

Ebenezer has two new small group opportunities in the near future. One is an information meeting about Grief-Share, a 13 week small group experience to help people who have experienced the loss of a family member or friend. This information meeting will be held at Ricci Ar-

thur's home, 861 Wyandotte Avenue, Logan. on Wednes-day, May 9, at 6:00 p.m. If you wish to be a part of this information meeting, please contact Ricci Arthur at 624- 4978, his Facebook page, or you can e-mail him at pastor-ric@aol.com. Also, in the fall, there will be a five week small group experience entitled "Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World" . It is a video-based experience with Max Lucado, a prominent Christian author, and because of the great interest, two different groups are being formed. Nights are still to be decided, but there are only

one or two spaces available in each group. If you would like to be a part of one of these groups, please contact Ricci Arthur. Both of these groups will begin the week after Labor Day. Because of limited space, and the fact that the groups are almost filled, it will be those who con-tact Ricci first.

SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDIES PLANNED

FAIR MINISTRY NEWS

CHURCH COOKOUT & ICE CREAM SOCIAL

visit us at www.ebc1837.com

Ebenezer Baptist Church 6935 Township Road 234 Logan, Ohio 43138

Living Hope 1 P E T E R 1:3

Ebenezer Baptist Church NEWSLETTER