If you were not in class today, you missed a great turn out for our first ever Sunrise Service. I was amazed to see that we had a full house and was even more impressed by the amount of food that brought by the class. We should have charged admission fees for the “Blaylock Breakfast Buffet” because we had more food than mouths to possibly eat it all. If you were able to witness our Thanksgiving size smorgasbord, you would be able to understand how the Israelites must have felt each morning when manna covered the ground or when the disciples had leftovers after feeding the five thousand which a few fish and loaves of bread. I know that Gary is grateful for the heart of this class that we are flexible to better meet the needs of this church so thanks to everyone for getting out of bed early and kicking off our new class time schedule with a bang.

I had forgotten how many good cooks this class has…when are we going to have a social again? As much as Gary loves football, how about sometime we do a “Sunday After Service Tailgate Party” where we do tailgating foods? Just a thought…any other suggestions from anyone for a party?

Have you hear Brother James preach lately? I cannot confirm this 100%, but I personally believe that he is getting really excited about the next few months because he has absolutely been on fire the past few weeks [either that or he is off his meds]. Did you know that they are saying that we will be in the new church in October? I think he must be getting excited that he will soon be preaching in anew church home and that he is feeling the load of the transition coming off him so he can get back to what he is best at…preaching.

His message today took us into Revelation 4:1-2 which he referred to as VIP’s — Very Important Passages. Take a moment to read these scriptures so you understand what he meant when he said today that those of us saved in Jesus should be:

* Encouraged — that Heaven is a place…not a state of mind or a feeling…and that is is upward thus the command “come Up here”
* Enlightened - John said “I looked”…he cooperated with God and accepted the invitation to see Heaven…we also must cooperate God and accept His invitations for salvation, direction, whatever…but we must seek Him
* Energized — God is able to take over when we head his direction…all it takes is that first step of faith toward Him

I simply cannot do justice to the sermon today by trying to recreate Brother James heart and passion here on paper. All I can tell you is Brother James is bringing very strong messages of hope and encouragement and if that is what you seek t your point of need right now, I encourage you to get into service and hear God’s voice through our pastor. You will be glad you did!!

And speaking of taking a step of faith towards the Lord, do you still remember the challenge verse for 2006? Have you made it part of your daily walk? If not, I encourage you to recommit it to memory in your heart and try to live it everyday. We all face troubles, trials, and doubts, but our Lord is faithful to see us through if we try to live this verse out:

* Proverbs 3:5-6 — “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight:.

Please keep all of the following prayer needs and requests lifted up for your Sunday School Class Family. Our God does answer our prayers so make sure you take time this week to intercede for your spiritual family. Have a blessed and Spirit filled week!

SPECIAL NOTICES !!!!!! !!!!!!!

* BLAYLOCK BUNCH NOW STARTS AT 8:30 AM
* BREAKFAST LIST?? - We were blessed with a lot of food today and as good as it was, it was simply too much. I know Billy Pearce’s class uses a rotating breakfast list where a couple of people each week are assigned to bring something for the class. Any suggestions on how we could work something similar?

SOCIALS & CHURCH CALENDAR

* Youth Praise and Worship - starts back Wednesday, August 16th at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall for 7-12th graders
* Youth Choir - 5 pm starting August 23rd
* GA’s & RA’s & Mission Friends - 6 pm beginning August 23rd
* Children’s Choir [1st to 5th grades] - 6:30 pm beginning August 23rd
* Pre-School Choir [4 & 5 year olds] - 6:30 pm beginning August 23rd
* Prayer Meeting - 6:30 pm beginning August 23rd
* Ladies Bible Study - Hall of Faith Study/10 week study of Hebrews 11 - Taught by Peggy Butcher beginning Tuesday, September 5th at 9:30 am. All Ladies are invited to come; sign up sheet on Women’s Ministry Bulletin Board
* Brother James speaking and Cheryl Pearce singing at the Mayor’s Quarterly Prayer Luncheon - Friday, September 1st - 11:45 am - Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at 393-6939.

PRAISES [Our God is good....ALL THE TIME!!!!]

* Kelley Benson - her brother Kevin is beginning to show some purposeful movements and is tracking voices with his eyes which are both very positive signs in the recovery process. He is getting much better care at Baptist Desoto Hospital. Still praying that whenever he is ready to be discharged that God will open a bed for at the Kings Daughters Home in Memphis for recovery and rehab. This is one of the best facilities of its kind and though we do not have the final word yet, we are encouraged and praying for an open bed and transfer soon.
* Cathy Chandler - passed algebra!!
* Paul & Susan Palmer - praise that the kids have adjusted to their news schools
* Jerry Barham - God answered a major prayer for their family this past week

HEALTH CARE PRAYER REQUESTS & UPDATES

* Leigh Ann Baker - recovering from having tonsils out this past Thursday.
* Kelley Benson, brother Kevin Gunn - making improvements, but we still pray for more progress and a ultimately a full recovery. We believe in a God of second chances and miracles and that He will bring Kevin back as someone useful to His kingdom, but we also pray that the Lord’s will be done and that He uses what we see as an awful situation to His glory and for His purposes to touch the lives of those that care about Kevin.
* Kelley Benson, Mom & Sister - her Mom, Martha, is in the hospital in severe pain from what appears to be multiple herniated and bulging discs in her back. Pray for comfort and that she will have compassionate & caring doctors who will help with her pain [since she has mostly had uncaring & self righteous doctors who are a pain so far].
* Gary Blaylock - having back pain and is having an Upper GI scope done on the 29th to determine why he is having so much trouble eating and keeping food down. Pray for relief.
* Dee Church - her mother in law is having Gall Bladder surgery on Tuesday.
* Mike Mangialardi - friend, Carl Medlin, is having 4 stints in his heart after losing both his oldest and youngest sons in a short period of time
* Jeff Cain - friend, Kenny Garrison, has inoperable esophagus cancer
* Jeff Cain - friend, Susan Nunn, has a brain tumor

PRAYER NEEDS

* Cathy Chandler - unspoken, just continue to pray for their family.
* Aimee Blaylock - still has not made a decision on job offer, pray for wisdom as she evaluates this opportunity.
* Jerry Barham - still struggling with a job offer with a larger company that has been recruiting him for 2 months but they are ready for his decision now. Pray that Jerry will have wisdom in evaluating this opportunity and that he will recognize and have the courage to act upon what God wants him to do.
*
Paul & Susan Palmer - Jimmy received a threatening phone call from one of his old team mates. Continue to lift their family up…prayer as they go through changes to new schools and the effect that will have on the kids and Paul & Susan
*
Gwen Cain- one of the main employees at her work is quitting and they were already short handed..pray God will bring a good workers there to SBEC so Gwen will have schedule flexibility to be able to go on field trips
*
Dennis Rickard - has applied for a new position at his company but has not heard anything yet.
* Cathy Chandler - please remember Jeri Hunter in your prayer time
* Jeff Cain - a friends teenage son committed suicide
* Bob Benson - prayer for business opportunities. The Lord closed the door with my grill business this past week when my company was let go as the sales agents for Home Depot. I firmly believe that there is a season for everything in life and this season is ended and I look forward to see what new opportunities He has planned next. Pray that my partners and I will will make wise decisions for us and our employees in the short term and that Kelley and I will will be wise stewards of our resources during the time of change. Most of all, pray that through His grace, we will be able to trust Him enough to follow where He leads with hearts that believe he is working things out for our good. Amen and amen!

SPECIAL NEEDS FOR THE CHURCH

* Desoto Hills Set Up Helpers - Please sign up on the bulletin board in the vestibule [between sanctuary & children's SS class stairway]. They are asking for volunteers to be on the list to be called on as needed to help set up the new church.
* FAITH TEAMS - includes Gary Blaylock, Deanna Gray, and Leigh Ann Baker from our class family - prayer that they will make an impact on the community and prayer for ease in the learning process

SALVATION FOR FRIENDS & FAMILY

* Bob Benson - Neel Rideout/business partner
* Kelley Benson - whole family + Bryan Petrich/Brother- in-law
* Paul Palmer - Margaret Ann Ferrez/Sister
* Susan Palmer - too many to narrow to one name
* Aimee Blaylock - too many to narrow to one name
* Gary Blaylock - Mike Mullins/Step Dad
* Leigh Ann Baker - extended family/in laws
* Dewayne Eddington - close friends, family, & co-workers
* Dee Church - Jeff/husband
* Kristi Rikard - Dennis/Brother in Law
* Lori Gilbert - Bud’s family
* Cathy Chandler - Candice & Joey/her sister & brother
* Norma Morreale - Russ & Joanna/Dominick’ s Dad and his girlfriend