Britton Christian Church

Our web guru has recently upgraded our MP3 audio files so that it is now much easier to listen the sermons on your computer or download them to your favorite MP3 player. Under “Categories” click on MP3’s and you will have access to all 67 of our audio Bible studies. You can either listen to them online by clicking the “Play” button, listen to them in a separate ”pop up window,” or download the file to your computer or MP3 player. We are constantly looking for new ways to make our studies of God’s Word more accessible and portable for you.  

I wanted to get in touch with you to let you know that we have a need at Britton Christian Church that we are praying for the Lord to fill. We recently got news that our organist and her husband are moving to Kansas City. Great news for them as this is a wonderful opportunity for their family, but it leaves a huge hole in our music ministry. In just three weeks we will lose our pianist, who is moving to Enid with her family, and now our organist. I wanted to write you to see if you might know someone who plays piano or organ and might be looking to serve at BCC.

The music that we sing at BCC is a mix of the great hymns and modern-day praise and worship music. It is a great opportunity for someone who has a heart to minister in a multi-cultural setting with people from all walks of life. If you know someone who fits this description then please feel free to email me at bccpreacherman@aol.com or call me at 848-2046.

I spoke with Melissa Shafer this afternoon and Dean made the trip to Dallas and has finished his preliminary tests. His doctors have put him at the top of the transplant list for the next seven days. If a heart is not found at the end of the seven days the insurance company will reevaluate his condition and give him another seven days. I asked Melissa what we can do for them and she said we could send Dean an email of encouragement. Here’s how to do it, simply send an email to medcityGR@lonestarhealth.com and put “For Dean Shafer” in the subject line or you can click on the link and we’ve already done the legwork for you. It’s as simple as that. Your email will make a huge difference to Dean and his family.

My grandmother has been battling for some time now. She’s been battling a mind that faded before her body. At first it was so troubling to my family, but we learned to laugh with her, talk to her imaginary friends with her, and hold her while she held her “baby doll.” Funny how we end life like we started isn’t it?

My grandmother, we’ve always called her “Mammaw,” is 92 years old. Psalm 90 says that “the number of our days, or years, is 70 or 80 if by strength.” She is one stout woman!  She hasn’t recognized her family in some time, but we still recognize her. She doesn’t remember the things we remember, but boy do we treasure the memories the Lord has given us through the years. As difficult as these days are for my family, we are treasuring these last moments that we will get to spend with her in this life.  

I got a phone call from one of my sisters this morning letting me know that the doctors weren’t expecting her to live through the night so I’m sitting here in her hospital room waiting. Waiting for what? Waiting for her to breathe her last breath? Waiting for her to get better? Waiting for some good news from one of the doctors? No, I’m not waiting for any of these things to occur…I just wanted to be with her as she has been with me and my family during our difficult times. I’m not waiting on a doctor or on my grandmother for that matter, but I am waiting on the Lord. I’ve learned through the years that as wonderful as doctors are, they do not hold the power of life and death. I’ve also learned that we cannot “will” ourselves to live when the last grains of sand trickle through the hour glass of our life. What are we to do when those we love come to the end of their days? What are we to do when our last days are in sight? Search for a “better” doctor, a legendary hospital, or a greater will to live? No, we are to wait on the Lord. Psalm 33 encourages us,

⁶ No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. ¹⁷ A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. ¹⁸ But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, ¹⁹ to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. ²⁰ We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. ²¹ In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. ²² May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you. (Psalm 33:16-22 NIV)

My grandmother’s last breath is coming, but until it comes I will sit here at her side tonight and wait for the Lord. When I was a kid I use to dread my last day, the thought of my death, but a friend introduced me to God’s Word, and my Savior, and tonight I know that my, and my grandmother’s, Redeemer lives!  This is the beauty of life…eternal life.

There is no greater joy than to share in the baptism of someone who wants to say to the world, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…” Last Wednesday night (3/22), after choir practice, we had the joy of sharing in the baptism of not one, but three brothers in Christ. We want to welcome JuJuan Cargill, Chris Rhoades, and Tobin Gump to the family.

What a week it’s going to be at BCC!  There are so many great opportunities for us to share in this week and I want to you be aware of all of them as you plan your schedule for the week. Here we go.

* Wednesday, March 22, 4:00-5:30 pm. “Kids Across America” registration will take place in the gym. Be sure to bring your $25 registration fee.

* Saturday, March 25, 8:00 am we will have our “BCC Work Day.”  We have many little jobs that need to be taken care of and our Property Committee would love to have your help. If lots of us show up then we can get all of the projects knocked out in a hurry.

* Sunday, March 26, we will have a Blood Drive. If you haven’t signed-up yet then no worry. You can call the office to find an open slot or drop by the gym on Sunday morning.

* Sunday, March 26, Children’s Church volunteer meeting. Immediately following our second worship service we will have a meeting for all of those who are wanting to help volunteer in our new and improved Children’s Church ministry. We have so many young children involved in Children’s Church and we are praying for the Lord to raise up some parents and adults who will commit to volunteering on a regular basis.

As you can see, things are jumping at BCC! I hope you will take the opportunity to get involved. Have a super week and I’ll see you Sunday.

Please keep the following people in your prayers: Bill Price is in Baptist Hospital. Dean Shafer is having problems with his heart and is in Baptist Hospital. Elizabeth Huff was taken to the emergency room at Mercy Hospital today.

Our Associate Pastor, Lorenzo Dunford, made the announcement today that Easter Sunday will be his last day at BCC. Lorenzo and his family have accepted a new assignment from the Lord in Enid, OK. and I wanted to take the opportunity to say, “Thanks.”  Three years have gone by so fast since Lorenzo and his family first arrived at BCC. We’ve shared so many good times together. We, as a congregation, have been blessed beyond belief.

I can say, with full confidence, that there is nobody at BCC who will miss Lorenzo as much as I will. He has been my confidant and prayer partner, my friend and running buddy, and so much more. I’ve learned a ton just being around Lorenzo and serving alongside of him, but now it is time to say, “Good bye.” 

It is important for all of us at BCC to keep Lorenzo and his family in our prayers as they prepare for their new assignment in Enid. Pray specifically that the Lord will raise up laborers in Enid who will be ready to lay their hands to the plow and not look back. Pray that the Lord will give Lorenzo favor with the community where he will be serving.

It is also important that we as a church pray for the person the Lord is preparing to join our team. I’m so excited to see what this new leader will bring to our team and community. For every Moses there is a Joshua and for every Paul there is a Timothy. Now is the time for us to prepare in prayer for the new leader God is preparing for us. I would encourage you to join me and others each Sunday night at 7:30 pm for our “Sweet Hour of Prayer” so that we can join together in lifting up these requests. Have a super week.