Announcements
IN MEMORY: The flower on the organ is placed in loving memory of JoAnn Manahan by her husband, Griff Manahan, in remembrance of her homegoing on August 9, 2025.
SUPER SIXTIES SPECTACULAR: Mark your calendars! Join us October 30–31 for our first Super Sixties Spectacular with Pastor Howell! Enjoy delicious catered meals, inspiring preaching, special sessions and activities for both ladies and men, and a mystery coach trip on Saturday that includes breakfast and lunch. Pick up a brochure at the Welcome Desk for pricing and registration.
SOUL-WINNER’S CLUB TRAINING: Equipping you to share the gospel! Our next 12-week session kicks off Wednesday, August 26, at 7:00 p.m. downstairs in the Music Room. Register today at the Welcome Desk or online through the church website.
SURE FOUNDATION CLASS: Missed the first class? You can still join! Sign up at the Welcome Desk or on the church website.
NURSERY WORKERS: Additional nursery workers are needed during church services. If you are willing to serve in this ministry, contact Anne-Marie Albaugh at 443-375-2078.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Students needing service hours are encouraged to help! We need volunteers under age 55 for the Super Sixties Spectacular (Oct. 30–31) and volunteers of all ages for the Sportsman Banquet (Nov. 14). Areas of service include setup, cleanup, serving food, helping with crafts, and more. Please see Pastor Howell if you'd like to serve.
From My Heart
In Philippians 4:5, the Apostle Paul said, “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.” That little phrase, “The Lord is at hand,” has been a great source of strength for multitudes of believers. All of us have had our times of trial and difficulty, and many times in the midst of our most trying and difficult times, we wonder, “Where is God?” But according to this amazing little verse, “the Lord is at hand.”
This letter was written to the Philippian believers while the Apostle Paul was under arrest, incarcerated in a Roman prison, and awaiting his most certain soon-coming execution. So, if anybody was having a difficult time, it was Paul. And yet, in verse 4 he says, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” Imagine that? Paul is in prison, is awaiting his execution, which would be happening to him any day now - and yet, he tells these Christians to “Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say, Rejoice.”
So, why would he tell them to rejoice in their trials and heartaches? He would tell them to rejoice for this reason: “The Lord is at hand!” We do not have to be discouraged, disappointed, downtrodden, or depressed because our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, is at hand! Don’t you remember in Hebrews 13:5, we are reminded, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” In other words, it is stated again, “the Lord is at hand.”
The promise is that the Lord Jesus will never leave us and will never forsake us. So, going back to Philippians 4, the Lord is at hand. As best as I can see this great promise, Paul is telling us that the Lord Jesus is at hand in two ways. First, He is always at hand in regard to space. Second, He is always at hand in regard to time. So, when the wily old devil tries to get you down and comes after you in one of his vengeful attacks, stop and realize the Lord is at hand, and that “He will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Whatever space you are occupying, realize the Lord Jesus is in that same space.
The Lord is also at hand, in regard to time. It is such a blessing to realize that the Lord Jesus could step out on the clouds right this very moment and call us home to be with Him for all of eternity. None of us knows when the Lord will come again, but we know He is coming, and the good thing about it is we know His return is at hand! Absolutely nothing stands in the way of His return to call the Church out of this world and up to Heaven. There is nothing Israel must do, or nothing Persia (Iran) must do! And that same thing goes for all the other Middle Eastern nations. The fact of the matter is the Lord is at hand. And that means He is here with you this morning. He said, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matt. 18:20). Let’s welcome the One who “sticketh closer than a brother!”
Pastor Norris