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Announcements Plus Devotional Aids

Let's Learn a Bible Verse!

Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
--Acts 2:38 (NIV)

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Announcements

Red Cross Blood Drive, July 13

Our next Blood Drive will be on Monday, July 13, 2:30 - 7:00 p.m. You can sign up online at RedCrossBlood.org and enter Sponsor Code "EbenezerMC." You may also call 1-800-733-2767. Bring you Red Cross Donor Card or Photo ID. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are honored first.

We will post more information soon about food that will be available to our donors and workers during this event.

Give blood July 13 to 31 for a Fandango Movie Reward by email to see a movie on us! Visit rcblood.org/July for more information.

Chicken Tips Missions Fundraiser

We will serve up delicious chicken tips with onions and peppers, baked potato with salad bar and beverage with choice of homemade dessert on Saturday, June 27, 4-7:00 p.m. Enjoy this wonderful meal for a donation to our next mission trip to Romania. Eat in or take out. We thank you for your support.

Country Style Steak Fundraiser

REPORT: We raised $1955 with this effort. We thank all those who donated money while enjoying a great meal. May God bless you for your generosity.

On Saturday, May 30th, 4-7:00 p.m., we will be serving up Country Style steak, mashed potatoes, green beans, and roll with your choice of a homemade dessert for a donation to our General Fund. Dine-in and a beverage is included. Take-out is available. We thank you for your support!

 

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Quote to Ponder

"When shame disappears, so do the internal brakes that keep selfish impulses from overwhelming our shared norms that make community possible. Shame isn't about cruelty or humiliation; it's the subtle pressure that nudges people toward responsibility, restraint, and consideration for others. Remove that pressure, and the center of gravity shifts from "we" to "me," and the social fabric dissolves."

 

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For Meditation

"If I were the devil and wanted to undo the Creator's perfect design, the first thing I'd eliminate is shame. Remove shame, and the rest collapses like so many dominoes. Without shame, belief in God becomes optional, then inconvenient, then irrelevant. And once God is dismissed, a vacuum opens that people rush to fill with either their own self‑importance—making themselves the center of the universe—or with the appetites of the ungodly: desire without duty, impulse without restraint, and a steady erosion of any standard that interferes with the latest craving. The Marxist destroyers understand this perfectly. The removal of shame is a primary tool, and it is dissolving the core of Western Civilization before our eyes."

Kenneth Francis.

https://mindmatters.ai/2026/05/understanding-the-atheists-mind/

 

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Mini-Bible Lesson #104: Peace Maker, Peace Giver

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." –Matthew 5:9 (NIV)
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." --John 14:27 (NIV)

In case you haven’t heard because you follow the mainstream media instead of more conservative and alternative news sources, President Trump and his cabinet have brokered at least seven peace deals between warring nations since he has been in office this time around. That is many lives saved, even if the agreements do not hold. The jury is still out on the Israel/Palestine cease-fire for instance. The President is using economic incentives, among other points, to get these nation states to the peace table. Peace leads to more prosperity for the people. War destroys businesses, buildings, and people. Let us pray that these peace treaties hold, and that the President and his team can lead even more warring nations to turn towards peace and away from war. Blessed are the peacemakers!

Yet, we know that peace on earth is unlikely to hold for any length of time without people changing their hearts. That heart change can come only from God through belief in his Son, Jesus Christ. Without peace in everyone’s heart, peace cannot be. We humans have too much lust for power and money and control to be peaceful for long on our own.

Jesus gives us a peace that is not like that the world gives. Jesus settles our hearts in a peace that passes understanding. We can have peace in our hearts when all the world around us is filled with chaos.

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." –Luke 2:10-14 (NIV)

That last line above gives us a hint that the peace promised here is available to all people, but only if they choose to follow the Christ. It is through acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior that a person receives God’s favor because the person is washed clean of all sin. When we are free from sin, we are free from God’s righteous wrath.

So come to the Lord Jesus for salvation and be filled with peace. No longer be afraid or anxious. Let his indwelling Spirit lead you and give you joy, because He is now in control of you as He is of the world.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." – Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Things will continue to fall apart here, but we know whom we have believed in and He will keep us against that day—the end of all history or just the end or our own history in death. That death is the one that leads to a new birth into the presence of our Lord and Savior forever. Praise God for his mercy endures forever!

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Special Resources

The picture below is our new Resource Room with books, dvds, videos, and a TV screen (not shown in photo). Individuals are encouraged to take resources home for Bible study or reading; and classes can use the room to show videos related to their studies. We would appreciate donations of books or dvds, especially for young children for this collection.

 

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Ongoing Collections - Updated - 8/5/2025

CCC & TI Food Pantry Collection - Yearly in April

Throughout the month of April, we will be collecting single serve, microwaveable or ready-to-eat items for students at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute. Suggested items: single serve Ramen Noodles, macaroni and cheese, crackers with cheese or peanut butter, cookies, single serve canned meats, etc.

Oakhill Backpack Ministry

We are beginning to collect single serve, easy to microwave or use food items to send home with needy children, such as, fruit cups, mac and cheese, snacks, noodles, etc. The children will receive a backpack of these items to take home on the weekends, and use for themselves and their families. Put the items in the old fellowship hall. We thank you for helping.

Local Schools Supply Closet

We continue to collect items for our local teachers.This ministry provides items for teachers and their students that they cannot obtain through the regular budget.

They include the following: Clorox wipes, hand sanitizer, hand soap, paper towels, facial tissues, sharpies, dry board markers highlighters, black/blue/red ink pens, colored pencils, glue sticks, composition books and notebook paper (wide and college ruled), crayons, scissors (children's type), index cards, construction paper, pencil sharpeners, sheet protectors, file folders, large and small legal pads, white out, paper clips, staples, pencil pouches, markers, rulers, ring binders, card stock white/assorted, 3 ring note books, large and small pencil top erasers, and post it notes.

South Caldwell Christian Ministries

August is our month to help resupply the SCCM Food Pantry. Canned meats and vegetables, rice and cereral, canned beans, soups, canned fruits, Instant Variety Packs of oatmeal or grits, peanut butter, crackers, and other non-perishable items.

We are collecting non-perishable food and clean used clothing in good condition that will be taken to South Caldwell Christian Ministries. You may leave the items at the church on Sundays or during normal office hours (8:30 to 1:00 p.m., Monday-Friday).

We thank you for helping us to minister to the needs of our community.

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Contact Information: 828-396-2214 or emcdudleyshoals@yahoo.com;
4948 Burns Rd., Granite Falls NC 28630