Church guide

Here it is. This is our biggest problem. We have become apathetic to sin. . We are not broken. We do not weep. We do not care. . Sin has a hold of us in such a way that we have accepted it. And we have become casual with it. . It is because we have looked at what the world has to offer and have found it more appealing than The Holy God. We have forgotten the magnitude of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on the Cross. . And the worst part? Those who walk in the world and the flesh claim to be followers of Christ all while continuing to walk in their sin. They believe that they can serve both God and flesh. They couldn’t be further from the truth. . The Church has sat on the sidelines and watched this happen. . May God have mercy on us!

Arrangements for Mrs Betty Young— visitation 2 PM Sunday June 2 at Hickory Grove and the funeral at 3 PM

We mourn the passing of our church pianist and long time member, Mrs Betty Young. Remember her family and our church in the days to come. She was so faithful to serve her church.

Hey y'all, the menu for Sunday is Grilled Chicken, potato salad, baked beans, and bread. Plates will be $10.00 each. We are doing this for the kids to be able to go to CentriKid. Please let me know ASAP if you want a plate. I am buying food and need to know how much to buy. They can be picked up right after church Sunday morning in the kitchen of the church.

Join us on April 14 for our Palm Sunday Service!

Bowling fun

Alright Hickory Grove, are you ready? I’m looking for the Holy Spirit to take us on an amazing journey! God calls us out of our comfort zone often, but we are too afraid of change to follow him. I say we go for it! So get ready for the ride of your lives!

We are planing our bowling trip. Which date works for the majority? March 16th, 23rd or 30th

To the one who overcomes. . We have been going through the letters to the churches in Asia Minor in the book of Revelations and let me tell you... It’s hitting us where it hurts! . We saw how easy it was to get in the routine of “Church” and forget what really is important. Jesus called it forgetting your first love. When you fall prey to this, it can lead to compromise and sin. . The churches in Asia Minor were guilty of this, and they had fallen so far into sin that it seemed they were too far gone. That God wouldn’t save them. . That couldn’t be further from the truth. Isaiah wrote that the LORD’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save, neither is his ear heavy, that it cannot heat. Jesus spoke to those who had fallen and said, “to those who overcome.” . When we overcome, Jesus said: “I will grant to eat of the tree of life. I will give a white stone and white garments. I will never blot your name out of the book of Life!” . It doesn’t matter how bad or how sinful you think you are. Your past does not keep you from God. You can overcome! With God, all things are possible! The way is simple. Repent and place your faith in Christ. And you will overcome!

Dear church family. We want to say Thank you for the love shown to Brittany's family during the passing of her grandmother. That same love was shown them during the passing of her granddad a few months ago. It is so awesome to belong to a "family" that shares God's love to families of our members. Thank you again for all that has been done for Trent, Brittany and Brittany's family. Love Larry & Julie Singley

Arrangements for Mr Pete Cochran, Mrs Cyndle’s granddad are Visitation at 9:30 and funeral at 11:00 at Denham Baptist Church Monday

Church is hard. Church is hard for the person walking through the doors, afraid of judgement. Church is hard for the pastor’s family, under the microscope of an entire body. Church is hard for the prodigal soul returning home, broken and battered by the world. Church is hard for the girl who looks like she has it all together, but doesn’t. Church is hard for the couple who fought the entire ride to service. Church is hard for the single mom, surrounded by couples holding hands, and seemingly perfect families. Church is hard for the widow and widower with no invitation to lunch after service. Church is hard for the deacon with an estranged child. Church is hard for the person singing worship songs, overwhelmed by the weight of the lyrics. Church is hard for the man insecure in his role as a leader. Church is hard for the wife who longs to be led by a righteous man. Church is hard for the nursery volunteer who desperately longs for a baby to love. Church is hard for the single woman and single man, praying God brings them a mate. Church is hard for the teenage girl, wearing a scarlet letter, ashamed of her mistakes. Church is hard for the sinners. Church is hard for me. It’s hard because on the outside it all looks shiny and perfect. Sunday best in behavior and dress. However, underneath those layers, you find a body of imperfect people, carnal souls, selfish motives. But, here is the beauty of church— Church isn’t a building, mentality, or expectation. Church is a body. Church is a group of sinners, saved by grace, living in fellowship as saints. Church is a body of believers bound as brothers and sisters by an eternal love. Church is a holy ground where sinners stand as equals before the Throne of Grace. Church is a refuge for broken hearts and a training ground for mighty warriors. Church is a converging of confrontation and invitation. Where sin is confronted and hearts are invited to seek restoration. Church is a lesson in faith and trust. Church is a bearer of burdens and a giver of hope. Church is a family. A family coming together, setting aside differences, forgetting past mistakes, rejoicing in the smallest of victories. Church, the body, and the circle of sinners-turned-saints, is where He resides, and if we ask, He is faithful to come. So even on the hard days at church— The days when I am at odds with a friend, When I’ve fought with my husband because we’re late once again. When I’ve walked in bearing burdens heavier than my heart can handle, yet masking the pain with a smile on my face. When I’ve worn a scarlet letter, under the microscope. When I’ve longed for a baby to hold, or fought tears as the lyrics were sung. When I’ve walked back in, afraid and broken, after walking away. I’ll remember, He has never failed to meet me there. Hickory Grove Baptist Church invites you to come join us every Sunday morning at 10 am, Sunday night at 6 pm and Wednesday night at 7 pm.

Remember Mrs Cyndle and her family in prayer with the passing of her granddad.

Praise the Lord for the message that was delivered through Bro. Kevin this morning. It was a message each one of us needed to hear and accept as a challenge to change for the new year. Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Matthew 7:1-2. Dear Lord, I ask your blessing on Hickory Grove and each member. I pray this is the beginning of a renewed dedication to You. I pray you bind Satan from our thoughts and hearts. Help each one of us as we sincerely seek Your guidance to cleanse our hearts so that we can be a useful vessel for You. I praise You and give You all the glory for what you are about to do at Hickory Grove. Amen As we begin now, let us lift each other up.; Stop gossip when it gets to us; Forgive and let it go; don’t let jealously rule our judgement and our tongues. Pray and read His word daily. I accept the challenge, do you?

Does it seem like the sky is just falling around you? That nothing ever seems to go right? . Well here is some good news! We serve a mighty God! A God who has made the blind see, the lame walk, and the dead rise! . . Now, he does not do these things for your own personal pleasure or benefit. He does it for His Glory! . . He makes a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert so that glory would be brought to His name among the world! . So, when you find yourself in times of trouble, look up! Praise God and glorify His name!

Our preacher wears a hard hat for fireworks shows

Our men’s choir

Our Pastor's precious daughters

Our Pastor's daughters

Sister Juliet Fernandez

Bro Jose and Sister Juliet Fernandez