Dear Brothers and Sisters,Hot weather is on the way! I hope that you are prepared.

Things have been very interesting in Micro over the past two months following the tornado sweeping through our community. I have never seen so many people from out of town coming to help our residents cleanup and recover.

The tornado struck at 3:15 pm on Saturday, April 16th, and by Sunday morning there was literally hundreds of people attacking the piles of debris, sawing up trees and limbs, and cleaning up around neighbors homes. Tarps were spread on roofs with gaping holes; blown-out windows were covered with plywood, and truck loads of debris were hauled out of town. From a distance it seemed that a mighty army of ants had attacked.

The weeks following the tornado, churches rallied to provide help for the victims and support for the workers. The NC Baptist Men, headquartered at the First Baptist Church, were everywhere and very well organized. Pastor Tim Stevens and the First Baptist congregation opened their Fellowship Hall to collect and dispense donated items. Our church provided meals to victims and workers with well over three hundred served twice a day. Most amazingly, much of the food was donated for the meals.

When I was a young coach, I was told many times that “losing (or adversity) builds character.” I’m sure that these were well-meaning friends that wanted me to feel better about my less than stellar won-loss record. I totally disagree with the statement. It is not that adversity (or losing) builds character; but, it sure does show you who has it. In our town, adversity brought out the best in all of us.

Just like the physical storms that we have to deal with on this earth, we must also deal with the storms of life that tear through us emotionally. Our faith in God and ability to persevere again shows our character and more importantly, God’s character through us.

My prayer for you is that you have built your faith and hope on the “Rock…the unshakeable Rock,” of Jesus Christ. If your faith is not in our Lord, or you lack faith of any kind; you are on sinking sand and will be easily uprooted in the storm. My prayers are with every one of you that Jesus will always be your “Rock of Ages.”

In His Service,

Good news you can use……..from Micro O.F.W.B. Church

Summer 2011

Volume 3, Issue 3THE MESSENGER

Page 2 The MessengerThis issue of ‘The Messenger’ is dedicated to all those who suffered loss from the recent tornado that swept through our community. Our town has never seen such devastation as we did on April 16. Many of our friends and neighbors had damaged homes, with some losing everything they owned. But as terrible as that day was, we are so thankful that God spared lives. Things could have been so much worse had it not been for His mercy.

We have also been blessed by the

outpouring of volunteers who swooped in to help restore people’s homes and lives. The immediate response by Micro Volunteer Fire Department and EMS crews made us proud. Our local churches were on the spot, providing food, supplies and clothing for victims of the storm. And who can forget those bright yellow T-shirts worn by the Baptist Men volunteers who came in to town on Sunday morning with chain saws and other tools to help clear debris from yards and streets?

To EVERYONE who helped, we thank you for your generosity. To those who are still trying to get their lives back to normal, please know that we are still praying for you and are here to help you any way we can.

Page 3The MessengerThanks to volunteers of Micro Fire Department, North Carolina Baptist Men, and members of Micro F.W.B.,

Micro Methodist, First Baptist and Waren’s Chapel Church for their tireless support!!

This recipe may seem complicated and time consuming, but it is worth the effort. It makes a large container-full that can be made ahead and served throughout the workweek.

Beyond the Grave Chicken Salad

4 lbs. chicken breasts 2 quarts waterparsley sprigs 1 large onion, quartered1 tsp. seasoned salt 2 chicken bullion cubes

In large pot, bring water and seasoning to boil, add chicken, lower heat and simmer 40 min. Remove from heat. Let chicken cool, then shred and refrigerate. While chicken is cooling, prepare dressing:

1/2 cup bottled Italian salad dressing 1 cup Duke's mayonnaise1 Tbsp. white vinegar 1-1/2 tsp. celery seed2 Tbsp. sugar 1/8 tsp. saltdash paprika

Blend well together. Toss shredded chicken with one cup of dressing and let stand at least one hour to marinate. Then, combine remaining dressing with:

1/2 cup sour cream 1 Tbsp. honey3/4 cup toasted pecans, chopped 1-1/2 cups seedless grapes, halved

Add to chicken and mix well. Add more sour cream and mayonnaise if you’d like to make it creamier.

Store your opened chunks or hoops of cheese in aluminum foil. It will stay fresh longer and not mold!

Use 3-4 layers of damp paper towels or a wet cotton ball to pick up small shards of glass that you can’t see easily.

Before you pour anything sticky into a measuring cup, fill the cup with hot water. Dump out the water, but don’t dry the cup. When you add your ingredient, like peanut butter, it will pop right out!

Page 4 The Messenger

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOLIS JUNE 12 - 16Please bring your kids, grandkids, neighbor’s kids, nieces and nephews to our Vacation Bible School beginning Sunday, June 12 from 6-8:30pm.

Supper will be served every night.

Registration forms are online (www.microfwb.org) or you can register in person.

If you would like to help out in any way, please get in touch with Allyson Flemer, this year’s director.

We had three beautiful little ones recognized at our recent baby dedication service on Mother’s Day.

Doug & Anna Barefoot dedicated their son, Lathan.

Also, Nikki & Adam Davis dedicated their children, Alexis and baby brother John Thomas.

We are blessed to have so many precious little children in our church family….with more babies ON THE WAY!!

Page 5The Messenger

Predicamentsby Charles R. Swindoll

Romans 8

Ah, those predicaments . . . life is full of them. Often they are of our own making. Other times they just seem to happen mysteriously to us. Occasionally, predicaments are comical or borderline crazy. Sometimes they can be irritating and troublesome. But one thing is for sure: Predicaments are unpredictable. And embarrassing. And confusing. And really weird.

Like the time I was leading a Bible study at a church I'd never attended before. Shortly after getting underway, I noticed two people (latecomers) standing at the door, reluctant to join us. The woman was much older than the man, so I paused, looked in their direction, and welcomed them to join our group, saying, "Why don't you and your mother pull up a chair and join us?" Well, you could've heard a pin drop. Too late I realized my mistake. She was his wife! Throughout the first part of the session (which seemed like an eternity), I felt like dead meat, and they glared at me like a couple of circling buzzards. When we took a coffee break, they were out of there.

At times like this, I find a measure of relief in knowing that Scripture records one predicament after another. Can you imagine how Peter felt immediately after he had deliberately denied the Lord for the third time . . . then heard that ominous cock crowing in the distance? Talk about embarrassing.

And what about Daniel, who refused to obey the injunction of King Darius. Though Daniel continued to obey God, he wound up spending the night in a den of lions. Talk about confusing!

And who can forget David's inexplicable actions when he fled from Saul and found himself in enemy territory and "disguised his sanity . . . and acted insanely in their hands, and scribbled on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva run down into his beard" (1 Sam. 21:13). Talk about weird!

I'm comforted when I realize that God is in sovereign control of all of life. He not only knows the times and the seasons; He is also Lord of the unexpected and the unpredictable. Our times and our trials are in His hands. Even when we feel embarrassed or confused or do something really weird.

Whether we're on cloud nine, enjoying His blessings, or caught in the thicket of some tangled predicament, He hasn't let us go. By His grace, He remains "for us" (Rom. 8:31).

Page 6 The MessengerRemember, He is the God of your soaring spirits as well as

your perplexing predicaments.

 

Excerpted from Day by Day with Charles Swindoll, Copyright © 2000 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. (Thomas Nelson Publishers). All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.

After suffering some damage during the tornado, The Richard and Carolyn Hinnant Outreach Center has been repaired and is ready for use! The building will be dedicated during a ceremony on Sunday, June 12 at 4:00pm. Everyone in the community is invited to attend this special event.

The outreach center has its own website that will be used to keep everyone posted of upcoming events and happenings. For more information, visit www.outreach.microfwb.org.

Related to the outreach center………..the newly-formed Micro Area Christian Ministries is actively helping those still in need from the recent storm. Donations of clothing and supplies are still available at the old Micro Rescue building (next to the outreach center). The MACM has their own website as well and they also have a Facebook page. To keep track of upcoming events, go to: www.microacm.org.

FATHER, ARE YOU LISTENING?A father asked his 7-year-old son to say the mealtime prayer. “All right”, the boy said. “Let’s pray”.

When every head was bowed, the boy prayed, “Lord, we thank you for the pancakes we’re going to eat tonight. Amen.”

TRUE CHARITY IS HELPING THOSE YOU HAVE EVERY REASON TO BELIEVE WOULD NOT HELP YOU.

Page 7The Messenger“Jimmy”, his father said, “I think you should know we’re having chicken, not pancakes, tonight.”

“I know,” Jimmy answered. “I just wanted to see if God was paying attention.”

JUNE 19UPCOMING EVENTS & HAPPENIGS

June 6 – 8 Pastor @ Minister’s Conference

June 12 Outreach dedication, 4pm

June 12 – 16 Vacation Bible School

June 19 Father’s Day

June 22 Deacon’s meeting

June 24,25Pictures for church directory

June 30 Pictures for church directory

July 1 – 7 Pastor vacation

July 4 Independence Day

July 18 – 23 Youth @ Cragmont

Aug 22 Pastor’s Council, 7pm

Deacon’s meeting, 8pm

Aug 28 Quarterly Business Meeting,

Don’t forget to make your appointment for pictures

for our NEW church directory! You can sign up

at church or online by going to the church

website!

FreedomEach one of us is born most free And we alone can choose To do what God would have us do, To use what God would use.

Or, we are also free to seek The proud and selfish way — A life where other gods come first To reign and hold full sway.

But when we follow where Christ leads,

Page 8 The Messenger

Micro F.W.B. Church104 US Hwy 301

P.O. Box 247Micro, NC 27555

Phone:919-284-5441919-631-6519(Pastor’s cell)

E-Mail:alwarrick@microfwb.org

cindypeele@microfwb.orglynnyoung@microfwb.org

We’re on the Web!

Visit us at:

www.microfwb.org

Micro Original Free Will Baptist Church

P.O. Box 247

Micro, NC 27555

SERVICE SCHEDULE Sunday School 10:00am Sunday Morning Worship

11:00am Wednesday Bible Study