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A Word From the Pastor

Jesus: Friend to Sinners

Our passage for this Sunday is John 7:53-8:12. This is the familiar story of the woman who was caught in adultery and brought to Jesus. The scribes and Pharisees were searching for a reason to kill Jesus and they thought this may be their opportunity. Please take time to read and pray through this story this week and pay close attention to the love and grace that Christ demonstrated to this woman. Also, spend some time reflecting on the command in verse 11. Jesus has not set us free and delivered us so that we can remain in sin. He set us free to live a life of worship and exaltation. Are you living that out in your life?

Deacon Nominations

It is time once again for the church body to nominate deacons for the upcoming church year. The Deacon Body is charged with the responsibility to minister to the physical and spiritual needs of the church body extending to our Saints at Home and Saints in Care. The function of the Deacon Body is to give leadership for the spiritual development of the members through personal example and deed.

As you think through the nominating process, please read through the qualifications listed in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. But let these also first be tested: then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be the husband of one wife, ruling their children and their houses well. For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

The deadline for nominations is Sunday, July 5^th. You can submit your nominations in writing, by email (info@frontstreet.org) or by calling the church office (704) 872-7623. Each nominee will be screened by the deacon leadership. After much prayer and examination, the deacon leadership will present a list of candidates to be voted on at the Family Business Meeting, August 9^th.

For His Glory,

Pastor Tim

Your Malaysia Mission Team:

Nathan Bost, Jacob Bradley, Pamela Farnsworth, Kaleb Gooden, Jason Hudson, Charles Kincaid, Kenny Lamm, Dale and Diane McLelland, Kevin Reigle, Terrie Ross, Lana Smith, Tim Stutts and Doris Swaim.

Upcoming 24-Day Asia Missions Trip Will Involve Four Countries and
Ministry to the Persecuted Church

Opportunity to Help Financially

The worship team from Front Street Baptist Church in Statesville, NC has been invited to make a return visit to Malaysia this summer to work with the Christians in that country by providing training opportunities, outreach events, worship leading, and times of fellowship. In addition, the team has been invited to work with the Singapore Baptist Convention in training worship leaders and offering an outreach event as the team spends three days in their country. The team will also work in Cambodia and a relatively unreached Muslim country in Southeast Asia (name withheld for security purposes). This country will host outreach events and worship leadership training, while Cambodia will hold worship leader training conferences for many churches.

The trip itinerary is quite ambitious with little rest time for the team. Our worship team will equip and encourage church leaders in the four countries through offering one and two-day worship conferences in seven different locations. They will lead Sunday morning worship services in four churches. In Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia, they will train and rehearse an estimated 100-voice choir to prepare for a Choral Worship Festival with orchestra that will be a major outreach event. Our instrumentalists, augmented with local musicians, will make up the orchestra. The team will also hold several evangelistic outreach concerts in various areas, utilizing music, drama, video, and congregational involvement. The churches they will work with are quite varied. They will be involved with the largest Christian churches in Malaysia, will work with a group of churches (Baptist and other denominations coming together) in a few areas. In Cambodia, the teaching and materials will all be translated into Khmer. The fourth country will hold a concert, worship leadership training events, and times of fellowship.

Malaysia is located on the other side of the world-twelve hours ahead of us in time. The team will travel about 30 hours each way. The country is in Southeast Asia near Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, etc. Over 21 million people live in Malaysia. Over 90% have yet to hear the wonderful news of Jesus in that country. It is a Muslim nation. 55% of the population are Malays - considered Muslim at birth. Laws forbid evangelization of Malays. 28% of the nation is Chinese; they are Buddhists, Taoists, animists, ancestor worshipers, and combinations of all of these. It is in the Chinese population that Christianity is getting a footing. 9% of Malaysia are Indian - Hindu, and 7% are tribal - animistic. There are over 200 people groups in Malaysia. As you can see, Malaysia is quite a mix of peoples and religions with most people speaking English as a primary or secondary language.

Over 4 million people live in Singapore.The main island, only 26 miles long and 14 miles wide , is 3.5 times size of Washington, DC. There is no state religion. Singapore is a very affluent society, people tend to put trust in technology and material things. 77% of Singapore is Chinese. Christianity is gaining ground among the Chinese people, with almost 60% of the country claiming to be Christian.

Our team's entry into the fourth country will be a challenge. Islamic Shari'a law in the country supersedes civil law and it regulates all of life. The national constitution states, "The religion of <name removed> shall be the Muslim religion." Life is difficult for Christians there. Some have lost their jobs without any notice. Christians seeking opportunities for higher education must leave the country to access universities. Evangelism is strictly forbidden and some local Christians have been arrested and detained for planning outreach to the population. Christian based (expatriate) schools must give instruction in Islam to all students and are not allowed to teach Christianity. Recently a foreign English teacher simply prayed for blessings on a Malay family during the Eid al-Fitr celebrations (at the end of Ramadan) was given 48 hours to leave the country. A number of Malays in the country have believed over the years, but the very strict, conservative Islamic environment there is hardly conducive to any Muslim-background believer being open about their commitment. Indonesian Christian broadcasting is easily heard and understood there. Christian literature for personal purposes (not resale or distribution quantities) can be carried in from neighboring countries. It is not possible to buy Bibles or Christian books in the country. Two recognized churches exist. Both are closely watched by police. Our team will have opportunity to encourage our persecuted brothers and sisters and provide training and resources for their worship teams. About 11% of the population is Christian.

Most of the team will also travel to Cambodia to work with our New Tribes Missions missionaries, Kit & Avery Putrakul. While there, several members of the team will hold worship leader conferences for people from the provinces and urban areas. The small, but growing, Christian community constitutes approximately two percent of the population.

The cost of the trip is great-but the rewards are high. The cost of the trip is about $2,600 per team member. In addition, we would like to help offset the cost of some of the print material the team will use there, such as choral music, teaching notes, publicity, etc. Many of the people of Malaysia and Cambodia cannot afford even the modest cost per person of materials used in the various events. Altogether, the trip will cost around $36,000 We are trusting that God will provide the funds that are needed through the generosity of many people. The majority of the funds are given through the sacrificial giving of the trip participants themselves. Any contribution that you will make can help offset ministry costs incurred.

If you would like to take part in this mission trip by making a contribution, you may make a tax deductible gift to the Asia Missions Trip Fund by making out a check payable to Front Street Baptist Church noting the "Asia Missions Trip" and mail it to Front Street Baptist Church, 1403 West Front Street, Statesville, NC 28677. You may designate your gift for the expenses of a particular member of our team, if you wish, but do not write the person's name anywhere on your check. Please speak with Kenny Lamm for specific needs.

Your Help is Needed!

We need two Front Street nursery volunteers on May 31 at Beulah Baptist Church for the Community Revival Preview. Each church involved is asked to provide volunteers. Please contact Karen Shea if you can help.

Thanks!

Fall Jubilee

We are planning a trip to Gatlinburg, TN on September 28 - 30, 2009 for the Fall Jubilee. If you are interested in going, please pick up a brochure in the Fellowship Hall. An $80.00 deposit is due by May 20th. We will leave the church at 8:00 a.m.

Battery Operated Tea Light Candles Needed!

We are well under way getting ready for VBS and need LOTS of these tea lights. If you would be willing to donate, it would be greatly appreciated! They can be found at the Dollar Store, 2 per pack, for $1.00. Please bring your donation to Karen Shea.

Thank you!

Join Us for the 2009 Mission Trip to Charleston, WV

WHEN: July 3-10 (We will leave Statesville mid-day on Friday, July 3^rd and leave Charleston in the morning on Friday, July 10^th)

WHO: Families, Youth, Singles, College Students . . . Anyone Young or Old!

WHERE: West Charleston Baptist Church in Charleston, WV

WHAT: We'll be working with Norman and Debbie Cannada and West Charleston Baptist Church to help with VBS and do Servant Evangelism. The trip will be an opportunity to minister to lots of children and families in Charleston and to partner with other ongoing ministries of West Charleston Baptist Church. Join us and be part of what God is doing in Charleston, WV!

We'll be sleeping at another local church (air mattresses and sleeping bags). Hotel accommodations may be arranged if necessary.

COST: $115 per person

For more information or to sign up, please contact Monica Morrison at mon4385@hotmail.com or 704-437-0256.

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS OPPORTUNITY

Mission Trip to Work with Russian Orphans

WHO: Families, singles, young, old - ANYONE!!

WHAT: INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS OPPORTUNITY - ministering to Russian orphans in the United States at a family camp.

WHERE: BETHLEHEM CAMP, BONIFAY, FL - through Hearts of Love Ministry at a camp in the panhandle of Florida.

WHEN: JULY 18 - JULY 25, 2009 - We'll leave Statesville Saturday, 7/18 and return to Statesville Saturday, 7/25.

COST: $20 per person per day + travel/fuel expenses.

We have the opportunity to minister to Russian orphans at a beautiful family camp in Bonifay, Florida. Hearts of Love Ministry is hoping to have 15-20 orphans coming to the U.S. from Russia for the month of July. We can be a part of this ministry for this week in July. We will eat with them, worship with them, play with them, and most of all love them. Each day we will lead VBS type activities for a few hours. We will have an opportunity to learn some of the Russian language while the orphans will be learning some English. The children will receive medical and dental checkups while in the U.S.

FOR INFO: Contact Debbie Lang by email at jetsnhooves@hotmail.com or by phone at 704-876-4919 if you would like to be a part of this ministry or if you have questions.

IS GOD CALLING YOU??!!

High 5!

July 13-17

9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Daily

This summer, High 5! will be for five straight days. We will be on mission every day during this week, with many opportunities for our 3rd-6th grade kids to minister to our community, the elderly, and possibly internationally. We hope to prepare a few special things for the Russian orphans that our church members can take to Florida on their mission trip. Please sign your child up for this awesome time of missions for kids.

Email karen@frontstreet.org to sign your kids up!

Attention 2009 Graduates!

Please share the names of students graduating from high school, college, or other educational institutions. Our church would like to recognize this significant step in their lives and pray for them as they continue life's journey. Please submit your information by May 24. Click here or on the cap to be connected to the form.

Desks Needed!

The Hispanic Mission is in need of office desks for Continuing Education needs. If you have one you would like to donate, please contact the church office at (704) 872-7623.

Thank you!

News and Announcements

Do you have news and announcements for Sunday Morning? If so, please send them to: news@frontstreet.org or call the church office by Thursday morning of that week. We will insert your announcement into our slide show presentation before the service begins. Please be sure to include any clipart or photos.

A Note About This Newsletter

For optimal viewing of this newsletter, please set your email program to view in HTML, not "plain text". If you do not see pictures in this publication, you are viewing it in plain text. The newsletter looks much better in HTML.

Softball Schedule:

Friday, May 22, 2009

Front Street vs. New Salem

Friday, May 29, 2009

Front Street vs. South River Baptist

Super Summer Evenings at Front Street!

Plan Ahead and Mark Your Calendars Now So You Don't Miss Out On the Fun and Fellowship!

Sunday Evenings:

June 7 Family Music Night with Ice Cream Social

June 14 Family Movie Night

June 21 Father's Day

(No Event Tonight)

June 28 No Evening Services

July 5 Annual Family Picnic

(Location TBA)

July 12 Dominican Republic Missions Report

July 19 No Evening Services

July 26 Worship With the Youth at the Kick-Off of Their

Home Mission Trip

August 2 Youth Home Mission Trip Report with Dessert!

August 9 Annual Family Business Meeting in the Sanctuary

August 16 Community Revival at Beulah Baptist Church

August 23 No Evening Services

August 30 Back to School Bash at N.B. Mills School

(Time TBA)

All Sunday Evening events begin at 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday Evenings:

6:30 - 7:45 p.m. Celebration Choir Rehearsal;
CiA for Children K-5th Grade; Youth Group; and
Small Group Bible Study

******************************************************************

Vacation Bible School: June 22-26, 6:00 - 8:45 p.m. each evening

Community Revival at Beulah Baptist Church:
August 16-20, 7:00 p.m. each evening.

Church Calendar

Cross Connection Youth Ministry

NEXT WEEK:

Wednesday, May 20: Youth Group, Meet in the Youth Room, 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 24: Youth Group, Meet in the Youth Room for P.L.A.C.E. - Week #5,
6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 27: Youth Group, Meet in the Youth Room, 6:30 p.m.

Attention!

If you have a used sofa or ping-pong table that you would like to donate to the Youth Room, please email Pastor Jeremy at jeremy@frontstreet.org.

May is:
S.Y.B.A. Food Pantry

Collection Month

This month we are collecting non-perishable food (especially canned meats) for the Associational Food Pantry. Please drop off your donations at the Global Missions Collection Site in the Educational Building.

Thank you for your commitment to missions!

June 22 - 26
Ages 3 - 6th Grade

Vacation Bible School 2009

You don't want to miss this!

****************************************

There is a bulletin board in the Educational Building for those who wish to sign up to help with VBS.

Also, there will be a training session luncheon on May 31 following the Worship Celebration for all who plan to help with VBS. Please sign up and plan to come to this meeting!

Click here to register online.

New in the Front Street Library!

(Juvenile) MANDIE AND THE LONG GOODBYE by Lois Gladys Leppard

THE 36-HOUR DAY: A Family Guide to Caring for People with Alzheimer's Disease, and other Dementias and Memory

by Nancy L. Mace, MA and Peter V. Rabins, MD

THE LOVE DARE by Stephen and Alex Kendrick

MARRIAGE UNDER FIRE by Dr. James Dobson

LIFE MANAGEMENT FOR BUSY WOMEN: Living Our God's Plan with Passion and Purpose by Elizabeth George

RESCUED BY THE CROSS by Ken Freeman

TALES OUT OF SCHOOL: Why 200 Teachers Say My Students Are My Best Teachers compiled by Robert A. Rohm, PHD

TOUGH LOVE, TENDER MERCIES by Lisa Harper

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON? By Dr. David Jeremiah

(DVD) THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES: HOW TO EXPRESS HEARTFELT COMMITMENT TO YOUR MATE

Be Sure to Check Us Out!

How to Become Part of the Front Street Family

First, we would like to thank you for your interest in Front Street. Before becoming a member, we feel that you should truly understand our heart and vision before you join our church family, and the new member's class is designed to help you have a clear understanding of your new church family.

Please note that you are not required to join Front Street after attending the New Member's Class. In fact, you will not be pressured in any way to join. We want to encourage you to continue to seek God's will on whether He desires for you to plant your life here with us.

The new member's class is a four week class, held during the Sunday School hour. The next class will be held in August. Those dates for the adult class or for the children's class are August 9, 16, 23 and 30. To sign up for the adult class (which includes youth), or to sign your child up for the children's class, please contact the church office at (704) 872-7623 or email Pastor Tim at tim@frontstreet.org.

Prayer Requests

Thank you all for praying each week for our prayer requests. Please take the time to review the list below, pray for the requests on it and advise the church office via e-mail at info@frontstreet.org if a request should be removed or if a request should be added.

Prayer Requests:

Pray for the safety of our men and women serving in the military and the families of those serving.

For Our Church:

Renewal and Awakening and for God's Vision and Direction.

For Church Members:

Karrigan Gooden.

Visit Karrigan's Web Page

Holland Blohm.

Visit Holland's Web Page

Laura Bowles.

Visit Laura's Web Page

Chuck Howell, diagnosed with cancer.

Sandy Boyer, serious health concerns.

Dorothy Nesbit, recovering from surgery.

Robert Nesbit, health concerns.

Leah Taylor, serious health concerns.

Ed McLelland, recovering from a stroke.

Pauline Campbell.

Danny Johnson, recovering from back surgery.

Carolyn White, injuries from an automobile accident.

Margaret McGhee, health concerns.

Ida Beasley.

Mike Owens.

Justin Holt.

Bobbie James.

Visit Bobbie's Web Page

James Parker, health concerns.

Donald Martin, health concerns.

Hazel Estes, health concerns.

Carole Leischner, lung cancer.

Remember all of our Saints in Care and Saints at Home.

For Our Missionaries:

Norman & Debbie Cannada (NAMB - Charleston, WV)

Kit, Avery & Lucas Putrakul (New Tribes - Cambodia)

Rodney & Beth Love (Hearts of Love - International)

For Friends and Family of Church Members:

Preston Loyd, friend of several church members, recovering from an accident.

Visit Preston's Web Page

Hannah Privette, niece of Bill Baity, Jr. and Melynn Cairo, serious health concerns.
Leland Sloan, friend of Eddie Walker, serious health concerns.

Larry Matheny, son of Cloyce and Kitty Matheny, serious health concerns.

John Vairo, Chris Weiss' father.

Joey Bradley, brother of Michelle Miller, serious health concerns.

Alice Wiggins, Donna Johnson's mother, diagnosed with cancer.

Earl Bolen, Brenda Gardner's father, very serious health issues.

Lorene Johnson, Dorothy Nesbit's aunt, serious health concerns.

Angel Food Ministry

Orders for June 2009 will be taken until Monday, June 15, 2009 and distributed on Saturday, June 20 from 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.

For more information about this ministry or to see this month's menu, please visit the ministry website:

www.AngelFoodMinistries.com

Birthdays

May 23 Carol Leischner, Jason Jones, Adam Stephenson

May 24 Donna Harris, Patrick Frye

May 25 Lindell Blevins, James Lambert, Barry Morrow, Sammy Waugh, Madison Cairo, Wendy Lamberth

May 26 Tim Harris, Daphne Davis

May 27 Thelma Brown, Floyd Harpe, Austin Cook, Bobbie Northern, Bina McHargue, Rhonda Waugh

May 28 Pauline Campbell, Tim Stutts, Beth Charles, Mike Deal, Starr Sampsel, Georgia Medina

May 29 Lawrence Lapish, Elsie Lippard, Emily Crater, David Fox, Jacqueline Rosby

Request from the Church Office

If you or a family member are hospitalized, please contact the church office at (704) 872-7623 or by emailing info@frontstreet.org to let us know.

Family Concerns and Celebrations

IN THE HOSPITAL:

Iredell Memorial Hospital:

Wayne Riddle (room #231)

Sandy Boyer (CCU)

Davis Community Hospital:

Samuel Mitcham-Gemes (room #212)

THANK YOU!

I would like to thank Pastor Tim and Benny and Libby Elledge for sitting with my family during my sister's final hours. Also, thank you, church family, for your prayers, phone calls and cards.

Thank you,

Ralph and Pauline Campbell

SYMPATHY:

We extend Christian love and sympathy to the family of Alma Sisk in their bereavement; and to

Betty Minton in the death of her sister, Nancy Mitchell.

CALENDAR

TUESDAY, MAY 19

No Senior Adult Choir Rehearsal

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20

6:00 - 6:30 p.m. Library Open

6:30 - 7:45 p.m. Celebration Choir Rehearsal

6:30 - 7:45 p.m. Missions and Music for Children K-6th Grade;

Youth Group, Meet in the Youth Room; Wednesday

Night Small Group Studies

7:55 p.m. Instrumentalist Rehearsal

FRIDAY, MAY 22

7:00 a.m. Men's Prayer Breakfast at Friendly Family Restaurant

6:30 p.m. Celebrate Recovery

SUNDAY, MAY 24 Graduate Information Due Today!

8:30 - 9:00 a.m. Library Open

9:00 a.m. Sunday School

9:00 - 10:15 a.m. New Members Class - Week #4

9:30 a.m. Sunday School at Mision
Bautista Hispana

10:30 a.m. Worship Celebration at Front Street Baptist Church

10:35 a.m. Worship Service at Mision
Bautista Hispana

5:30 p.m. Youth Group Meet in the Youth Room for P.L.A.C.E.

Week #5

No Other Evening Services

MONDAY, MAY 25

Memorial Day - Office Closed!

TUESDAY, MAY 26

10:00 a.m. Senior Adult Choir Rehearsal

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27

6:00 - 6:30 p.m. Library Open

6:30 - 7:45 p.m. Celebration Choir Rehearsal

6:30 - 7:45 p.m. Missions and Music for Children K-6th Grade;

Youth Group, Meet in the Youth Room; Wednesday

Night Small Group Studies

7:55 p.m. Instrumentalist Rehearsal

FRIDAY, MAY 29

7:00 a.m. Men's Prayer Breakfast at Friendly Family Restaurant

6:30 p.m. Celebrate Recovery

Service Schedule

Welcoming Committee: M/M Marshall Ross (SE Choir), M/M Mark Sampsel

(SW Choir), M/M Mickey Sharpe (NE Front), M/M Donald Shea (NW Front)

NURSERY SCHEDULE - Sunday Morning Worship, May 24:

BABIES: Cindy Rhyne, Barbara Wilson and Kathy Cook
ONE YEAR OLDS: Rhonda Adams and Karissa Lerch
TWO YEAR OLDS: Todd and Elizabeth Munday
THREE YEAR OLDS: Abby Rhyne and Tess Sigmon

NURSERY - OTHER SERVICES:

EVENING SERVICES, May 24
(5:30 p.m.): No Services

WEDNESDAY SERVICE, May 27 (6:30 p.m.): Audra Harris, Tori Harwell and Alyssa Hall

PRAYER SANCTUARY - Sunday Morning Worship, May 24: Barbara Morrison

SUNDAY MORNING WELCOME CENTER:
8:45 - 9:15 a.m.: Ralph Campbell

10:00 - 10:30 a.m. One in the Spirit Sunday School Class, John and Beverly Wright

LIBRARY SCHEDULE:
Sunday: 8:30-9:00 a.m.: Roxanne Marquess Sunday Evening will resume this fall.
Wednesday: 6:00-6:30 p.m.: Barbara Morrison, Linda Meadors and Marcia Miller

DEACONS/PARKING LOT:
Saturday, May 23: Matt Sharpe (704-799-0983) Hospital Visitation Saturday, Parking Lot Patrol Sunday PM

John Wright, Sunday Night Parking Lot Assistant

Sunday, May 24: Lindell Blevins (704-876-1308) Hospital Visitation Sunday,

Parking Lot Patrol Sunday AM

Dale Holmes, Sunday Morning Parking Lot Assistant

USHERS FOR MAY:

AM: Brent Austin, John Rhyne, Junior Morton, Mickey Sharpe, Tim Sigmon, Keith Somers and David Stegall
PM: Gary Holland, Mickey McCollum, David Hare, Donald Shea, Matt Sharpe and Ralph Campbell

A LOOK AT THE RECORD


May 10 / 17, 2009:

Worship Attendance.............433 / 351

Sunday School.........................................	268 / 253
Enrollment.................................................	668
Members Present.....................................	246 / 235
New Members..........................................	0 / 0
Visitors......................................................	22 / 18
Total Contacts.........................................	10 / 3

Tithes and Offerings:

Total Tithes and Offerings....................	$33,687.46 / $11,209.30
Budget Offering Required......................	$15,308.04
Budget Offering Received......................	$ 15,032.21 / $10,480.30
Designated Offerings..............................	$17,462.00 / $409.00
Other Receipts Received........................	$1,193.25 / $320.00
Budget Needs to Date............................	$566,397.48
Budget Gifts to Date...............................	$539,961.17

Building Fund Totals..............................	$17,363.00


Annie Armstrong Offering Goal...........	$5,000.00
Annie Armstrong Offering Received...	$5,704.91