

Winston Parrish
Pray for Peace in Israel
Rockets, stones, fires, missiles, bombs and death. All of these words have saturated the news for the past week. It’s no secret that the current conflict in Israel is not new. There has been contention and struggle in the Holy City for thousands of years. Jerusalem is the pinnacle of sacredness for Christians and Jews, it is also the third most revered place for Muslims. This entire region is a melting pot of people and problems. For decades US Presidents have tried to broker deals, accords and talks between both sides of the conflict. Many times, even as recently as under President Trump, there seemed to be hope of major fighting and major escalation becoming a thing of the 90s and early 2000s. We now see that isn’t so. As of the time of writing this, we are on the brink of a third intifada, or uprising.
An armed conflict between Arab and Jew, Palestinian and Israeli seems inevitable. It’s a lot to process. The death of Israeli citizens, the unnecessary death of Palestinian children who are left nearby terrorist installations and rocket sites intentionally by Hamas leadership, is maddening and emotionally over- whelming. Israel has the right to live in a safe and secure State and she should defend herself with every tool at her disposal. We must make a concerted effort to pray for peace in Israel and that the loss of life will come to an end, now.
Since 1951 my family has stood with the Jew, God’s chosen people. In the very first book of the Bible, Genesis, it’s clearly laid out for the believer to understand just where God stands on the issue. Christians loving the Jewish people, the Hebrew children, isn’t a political stand. It’s a Biblical stand! The covenant that God made with Abraham wasn’t nullified by the work of Christ, on the contrary, it substantiated the promise that God made to His chosen people! This is an incredible time to be alive! The “fast forward button” is turned on and the finality of Christ return is imminent in the heart of the believer. The conflict in Israel is nothing more than proof that your Bible is real, relevant and that the reward of eternal life in Jesus is our only hope! Keep your heads up and your eyes on the eastern sky! He is coming again!
Pastor Winston
Ministry Corner
AMERICAN HERITAGE GIRLS AHG meeting on Tuesday, May 25 at 6:00 PM in the lower level of the Student Building.
CELEBRATE RECOVERY is a Christ centered 12 step recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, pain, or addiction of any kind. CR meets Thursdays at 6:30 PM in the Chapel of the Student Building.
COLLEGE & CAREER (18-29 years old) Young adults, join us on the first and third Tuesday of each month in the Chapel of the Student Building at 7:00 PM for our Upper Room Service. Tuesday, May 4 at 7:00 PM
GRADUATION SUNDAY Graduation Sunday is Sunday, June 13 at 10:30 AM Service. If you are a senior graduating high school or a college graduate, please call the church office to register.
HOLY LAND TOUR Walk with Jesus! Join Pastor Ralph in the Holy Land to study the Word of God. A group from our church will depart on Tuesday, November 30th for a ten day Teaching Tour in Israel. This trip will be life changing as your Bible becomes a living book. For more information see the display in the lobby or go to ralphsexton.com. This year in Jerusalem!
KIDS KINGDOM Meeting on Sundays at 4:45 PM in the lower level of the Student Building.
LADIES MINISTRY Ladies Bible Study -Tuesdays 6:00 PM in the Sanctuary. New Study beginning Tuesday, May 11th. Teacher-Debbie Browning, “Shopping List-Six Ingredients for Spiritual Growth”
Thursday Evening Bible Study with Miranda Parrish will start back on June 3rd.
MEN’S MINISTRY
Men’s Prayer Breakfast/Property Work Day rescheduled for Saturday, June 19 at 8:00 AM.
STRENGTH FOR LIVING Strength for Living with cancer or any chronic illness, for patients and their caregivers. Pat Johnston is available for any questions or concerns 828-319-7432 or email Pat at pjhnstn247@aol.com.
THRIVE YOUTH Meeting on Sundays at 5:00 PM in the Chapel of the Student Building.
Upcoming Events
Sunday, May 16
• 8:00 AM Early Worship
• 9:30 AM Bible Study Classes
• 10:30 AM Morning Worship
• 3:00 PM Jubilee Choir Practice
• 4:45 PM Kids Kingdom
• 5:00 PM Evening Worship
• 5:00 PM Thrive Youth
Tuesday, May 18
• 6:00 PM Ladies Bible Study
• 7:00 PM Upper Room Service
Wednesday, May 19
• 6:30 PM Midweek Worship
Thursday, May 20
• 6:30 PM Celebrate Recovery
Sunday, May 23
• 8:00 AM Early Worship
• 9:30 AM Bible Study Classes
• 10:30 AM Morning Worship
• 3:00 PM Jubilee Choir Practice
• 4:45 PM Kids Kingdom
• 5:00 PM Evening Worship
• 5:00 PM Thrive Youth
Tuesday, May 25
• 6:00 PM Ladies Bible Study
• 6:00 PM American Heritage Girls Meeting
Wednesday, May 26
• 6:30 PM Midweek Worship
Thursday, May 27
• 6:30 PM Celebrate Recovery
• 6:30 PM Ladies Bible Study
July 28 – August 1,
• 52nd Land of the Sky Jubilee
Giving this Month
1st Week of May $57,523.25
2nd Week of May $52,540.00
Building Fund & Maintenance $172,715.84
Children’s Playground $9,994.35
Missionaries for May
•Randy Bane – Evangelist – tntrbane@juno.com
•Joel Madasu – India – joel@gospelheritageministries.org
•Shawn Manning Family – Latin America- manningfamilyministry@gmail.com
•Tim Lee Ministries – USA www.timlee.org
•Abby Prado – Colombia – pradocr@rcint.net
•Margaret Stringer – Indonesia- info@margaretstringer.com