Be Careful

“Look carefully then how you walk,
not as unwise but as wise…”
Ephesians 5:15

Since the first automobile, I am confident that every teenage driver has heard the warning words “be careful” from loving and concerned parents. We all know that there are grave dangers associated with driving. As a loving spiritual father, Paul encourages the saints of Ephesus to be careful in their walking or living of life.

“Look carefully” is not a call to fearful living but to faithful living. We are to walk carefully and prayerfully because there are some things that are hard to recover:

1. The stone after the throw! We are to be careful of the judgments we make. It is best to suspend judgment and to show mercy and patience with others. Lord, help us hold our rocks.

2. The word after it’s said! We are to be careful what we say. Words can cause wounds and wedges. They can slice the spirits of those we sling them at. Lord, help us hold our tongues.

3. The occasion after the loss! We are to be prayerful about divine opportunities that come our way. Often we fail to see open doors to be difference makers! Lord, help us be at the right places at the right times.

4. The time after it’s gone! We are to be prayerful and careful how we use the gift of time. Paul says wise walking includes “making the best use of the time.” No matter what we are doing in our days it is wise to remember that love makes the difference. “Count as lost each day not spent loving God!” (Brother Lawrence).

For a Wiser Walk,

Sunday - Pray for a deeper understanding of what Jesus did on the cross for you.

Monday - Praise God for the work He has done in your life recently.

Tuesday - Pray for provision for those in our church family who are in need.

Wednesday - Pray for Tim and Mary Weekly and the youth as they meet tonight.

Thursday - Praise God for His healing work in your life - physically, emotionally or spiritually.

Friday - Pray for opportunities to serve others.

Saturday - Pray for a heart ready to worship tomorrow.

Weekly Need: $5,171
Last Week's Giving: $3,542
Over/Under: -$1,629

Actual Weekly Giving Average: $4,236
YTD Weekly Average Over/Under Need: -$935
YTD Total Over/Under Need: -$10,287

All contributions given to The Orchard Church will be used exclusively for charitable purposes in accordance with laws governing a tax-exempt organization organized under state law provisions and that of the Internal Revenue Code. In keeping with the foregoing commitment, we reserve the right to distribute all funds contributed to the area of greatest need.

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for a full Calendar of Events

Men's Fraternity

Men's Fraternity will meet on Saturday, March 20 at 6:45 a.m. for a time of prayer, fellowship and study. Hope that all the "Mighty Men of God" will be present.

New Children's Outreach

The Children's Ministry will begin a new outreach ministry at the Williamson Medical Center ICU Waiting Room soon. We will be placing snacks in the waiting room for the family members of those who are hospitalized in the ICU. We are asking that each child bring a box of snacks (individually wrapped) each week as their offering - Little Debbies, Snack Crackers, Nuts, Cookies etc. Each package will be identified as a gift from The Orchard Church Children's Ministry. Children, let's reach out to those in need.

Service Opportunity

On the afternoon of March 28 you are invited to travel to Hendersonville for dinner and the sharing of the items that we collected for the homeless at Christmas. We will eat dinner and fellowship with the homeless that evening. Each person who plans to go is asked to contact Tim and Carol Whitey so we will know how many people will be going and you are asked to bring two covered dishes to share. We will leave the church parking lot at 4:00 p.m.

Spiritual Gifts

Don't miss the Spiritual Gifts study and Q&A on Sunday at 9:30 a.m.

Musical Rehearsal

Children and Youth involved in the musical will be practicing each week for 30 minutes following the worship service. Please help your children to get to the rehearsal quickly.

Friendly?

Do you have a smiling face, warm heart and hand? If so, would you like to serve on the ministry team as Greeters/hosts? If so, please contact: Charlie & Wilma Carter, 931-486-0419 or 423-322-4564.

Grand Sweep Reading Schedule
March 22 - 28: 1 Chronicles 19 - 2 Chronicles 9
March 29 - April 4: Break (Catch Up) Resurrection Sunday

Dates at a Glance

Mark your calendars for the following events:

Mar 20 - Men's Fraternity
Mar 26-29 - King Outreach Project
Mar 28 - Homeless Outreach