February 2013

THE OPEN DOOR

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Cor. 13:13

AGAPE

The Greatest Valentine

By Pastor Sam Brooks

Greetings in the wonderful name of our Lord Jesus. February is upon us and with it comes thoughts of Valentines Day. I hope you are all preparing to attend our Valentines Banquet honoring our full-time volunteers. It will be February 15 @ 6:30 pm. We will have great food, fellowship, and a good time as we honor all those who make our fellowship a success by giving so generously of their time and energy. We encourage you to invite your special valentine and join us for a delightful evening, courtesy of The Open Door. Reservations are required, though, as we need to know how many for which to

prepare. Call 337-981-6438 or email mhernandez@opendoorla.org. We usually think of love when we speak of Valentines Day. Most of us have at one time or another given or received a valentine from somebody. We usually keep the best one for that really special somebody. We hope he or she appreciates our expression of love and secretly wish that the love will be returned. Many of us, however, have been crushed when our affections are not returned or acknowledged. We are told in scripture of Gods great love for us. He

has sent us, as it were, a valentine, a special invitation telling us of His love. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. Whoever believes in Him will never perish but will have eternal life. (Jn 3:16) Come unto me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Mt 11:28) What joy to be able to give us something that we could never earn or gain on our own. As we grew up, perhaps we observed that there were those who did not receive as many valentines as others. It seems that there were those who everybody wanted to have

THE OPEN DOOR February 2013

as a valentine and yet, others looked on with disappointment as they were passed over and not picked to be somebodys special valentine. Many were left with feelings of rejection or inadequacy because of a simple paper valentine that didnt arrive. The glory of it all is that Gods invitation goes out to everyone. Whoever includes you, me, and all who would believe. His invitation is not just on one day of the year. Its every day, in all the world, through all the ages; God gave His Son that whoever believes may have eternal life. What a wonderful message! What a wonderful gift! What a wonderful invitation! Believe. Receive. Trust. Come. Of all the invitations one could receive, there is none greater than the invitation to come to Him, all of us who are weary and heavy laden with sin, confusion, doubt, despair. He promises rest relief for the weary soul. Yet, there are those who still have not heard, who still have not recognized that they have received the valentine card of their life. The invitation that heals all their sin, all their rejection, all their hurts has been sent, with their name on it, and yet they do not know. We will gather on Friday, February 15th for a Valentines Banquet. The invitation has gone out to all within our fellowship. Yet there will be those who do not hear. They will miss an evening of joy and fellowship. But more importantly, there are those who still have not heard of the greatest expression of love, the greatest invitation given to mankind. God has sent forth His love, fully expressed by Jesus Christ. Yet there are those who have not heard. What if we told somebody of that great gift and invitation before we celebrate Valentines Day. It would be better news than receiving any paper valentine from any person, ever! Think on it. Blessings! - Pastor Sam Brooks

We are told in scripture of Gods great love for us. He has sent us, as it were, a valentine, a special invitation telling us of His love.

Join us for The Open Doors 2013 Valentines Banquet as we honor our full-time volunteers and celebrate the love of Christ. It will be a wonderful evening with dinner and dessert on Friday, the 15th day of February at half past six in the evening. It will be a night to remember.

Please RSVP: mhernandez@opendoorla.org or at 981.6438.

THE OPEN DOOR February 2013

Amazing Love
By Paul Doherty

I had a request to talk about love, and I ran across this song while downloading music on my new device. I miss singing this song in large groups but I feel this wraps it all up. 1. And can it be that I should gain An interest in the Savior's blood? Died He for me who caused His pain! For me who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be That Thou, my God, should die for me? Chorus:Amazing love! How can it be That Thou, my God, should die for me! Amazing love! How can it be That Thou, my God, should die for me! 2. He left His Father's throne above, So free, so innite His grace! Emptied Himself of all but love, And bled for Adam's helpless race. 'Tis mercy all, immense and free, For O my God, it found out me! 3. Long my imprisoned spirit lay, Fast bound in sin and nature's night; Thine eye diffused a quickening ray; I woke, the dungeon amed with light; My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee. 4. No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him, is mine; Alive in Him, my living Head, And clothed in righteousness divine, Bold I approach the eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ my own. Amen and Amen

Get Connected! Connect Classes- a place to meet others, grow in the Truth and be challenged to live it out. Sundays 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Co-ed Connect led by Tom & Chris Riggs Mens Connect led by John Vice Womens Connect I led by Joann Buckley Womens Connect II led by Dianna Vice Youth Connect led by Stuart Amidon Connect Classes also offered for children of all ages.

THE OPEN DOOR FEBRUARY 2013

February 7-14 National Marriage Week USA Lets pray for the strengthening of godly marriages across America today. As Chuck Colson says in his 2-minute warning on marriage, Marriage and intact families are good not only for individuals involved but for society as a whole...When it comes to strengthening families, failure is not an option. Encourage someone today in their marriage and seek God for direction in your own.

Royal Ambassadors Spring Campout

Friday, March 8th - Saturday March 9th Palmetto State Park Cost: $10 Men are needed to chaperone our Royal Ambassadors on the camping trip. There will be shing and canoeing.This a great opportunity to mentor young boys and develop relationships with them, getting to know them as individuals. Whether you are a dad or grandfather wanting to join your son or grandson or you just want an opportunity to serve, you can sign up on the bulletin board in the back of church and the RA leaders, Jonathon Dupuis or Bart Hidalgo, will contact you with details. *Royal Ambassadors is our ministry to boys, grades 1st-6th.

THE OPEN DOOR February 2013

Opportunities (op-por-tu-ni-ties)
1.a good chance for advancement 2.a favorable juncture of circumstances.

May we see and utilize all opportunities for the Gospel.

Packages are still being sent to Afghanistan to our military. They are in need of baby wipes at this time. If you are able to give during the month of February, it would be greatly appreciated.They have sent The Open Door a letter as well as a Certicate of Appreciation for our support of the soldiers of Task Force Eagle Assault during Operation Enduring Freedom XII. They state that our efforts and prayers greatly increased the morale of the soldiers enabling them to complete their mission. So, thank you for making this ministry possible. Please keep them in your prayers and your thoughts.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

Jesus Wells by Gospel for Asia are often located near GFA churches or Bible colleges and provide hundreds of opportunities for missionaries to share the love of Jesus with the villagers who come for clean water. A well can be provided for a community for $1000.00. One hundred percent of the donations will go to Jesus Wells on the mission eld. Read on to see what Rebecca Beasley is doing to purchase a Jesus Well.

MY GFA activate my faith

Please buy a mile for $2.

God's instructed me to build I drink water like a FISH. (I get and maintain this temple of His that from my momma.) I'm (my body), and this never too far away from my accountability makes it SO "zebra cup." I can't imagine not MUCH MORE EXCITING. :) having clean water so easily accessible to me. We're Please sponsor me to run for blessed, y'all. their water. This year (2013), with the Lord's permission, I'm going to cover by foot (preferably run) 500 hundred miles to raise money for a well in Asia. 2 bucks gets you a mile and a smile. :) To support Rebecca, go to: www.mygfa.org/beasknees/

REBECCA BEASLEY

The Glory Story

"Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples." - I Chronicles 16:24 M-Jam is a missions celebration for children, grades 1-6, to meet missionaries, worship, and to participate in mission activities. Program personality Maegan Bruce, For HIS Kidz, will use visual arts, ventriloquism, puppetry, sign language and praise and worship to present the Gospel. Fee is $20.00 which includes snack and lunch. M-Jam check-in begins at 9 a.m. and sessions run from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 9, 2013 in Guinn Auditorium on the campus of Louisiana College
*Contact Laura Daigle at 230-4143 by Wednesday, February 20th to register your child. Please plan on attending with them. For those attending, there will be a very brief meeting on Sunday, March 3rd immediately following Connect. Thanks.

THE OPEN DOOR February 2013

Save The Date! The Open Door Ladies Retreat March 15th -16th Tall Timbers Conference Center Mary Beth Maifeld, Director of YWAM- Juarez, will be speaking on Expectations. Join us for a time of relaxation and rejuvenation.

February Anniversaries & Birthdays:

Mr. & Mrs. Will Mills Feb. 25

Shelby Landry Feb. 5 Seth Bridges Feb. 7 Grant Landry Feb. 7 Chris Landry Feb. 7 Juliette Mills Feb. 7 Preslyn Bridges Feb. 8 Israel Watson Feb. 12 Seth Burch Feb. 14 Gary Thomas Feb. 15 Andrew Todd Feb. 15 Jill Pierce Feb. 17 Maria Grady Feb. 20 Camryn Landry Feb. 25 Eva Sonnier Feb. 25 Matthew Buckley Feb. 26 Elsie Fontenot Feb. 26 Trudi Alfandre Feb. 28 Gabriel Holloway Feb. 28

Get Fit! A low-impact exercise class that starts off slow, gradually moving from sitting exercises to standing.
Beginning February 5th on Tuesday and Friday evenings from 6:00 to 7:15. Led by Becky King. Contact Joann Buckley for more details.

revolving around the Passover dinner. The food is an important symbolic element of Passover. To learn more A representative of Jews for Jesus will about a Passover seder, the foods that are eaten and their symbolisms, join be joining us at The Open Door on us for this very special night. We look Wednesday, March 13th, to share forward to learning more about this with us what takes place during a Passover Seder. You may ask, what is Jewish celebration. a Seder? A Passover seder is a service held at home as part of the Passover celebration. It is always observed on the rst night of Passover, and in some homes on the second night as well. Participants use a book called the Haggadah to lead the service. Haggadah means the telling, in Hebrew, and it contains instructions for the seder, blessings and the Passover story. The word sederactually means order in Hebrew. The name comes from the fact that there are many different parts to the ritual service, all

A Passover Seder Wednesday, March 13th

THE OPEN DOOR February 2013

Friday, March 22 Fundraising Dessert Evening

Join others for a special evening of delicious desserts, fellowship, and a presentation about the Rancho Los Amigos New Childrens Home and Property Development Project. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. and the presentation starts promptly at 7:00 p.m. at East Bayou Baptist Church. To volunteer, to host a table, or for more information email Mary Beth Maifeld at rla@ywamepj.org.

Want to know more about the outreaches that The Open Door supports? Click on these links to learn about some of them.

Ranchos Los Amigos in Juarez, Mexico: http://ywamepj.org/rla-overview.php Alaska Missions and Retreats: http://akmissions.webs.com Living Springs Faith Ministries: http://www.livingspringfaithministries.org Gospel for Asia: http://www.gfa.org Louisiana Baptist Convention: http://www.lbc.org Evangeline Baptist Association: http://www.ebalaf.com

Cinderellas Closet Bring gently used Prom dresses to The Open Door for girls who are unable to afford one. Contact Lerri Cockrell for more information.

Membership Classes Starting Soon...

THE OPEN DOOR February 2013

Membership Classes Begin February 17th During CONNECTSundays at 11:00 a.m.

Come and see what we are all about. Youll learn about our Mission Statement and Philosophy, our core values, and the holy sacraments. Have you ever wondered what the New Testament says about giving? the doctrinal positions of the church? what is required for one to be a member of a church? or why one should become a member of a church? These things and more are covered in our membership class. Sign up today by calling the church ofce at 981-6438 or sending an email to info@opendoorla.org to be a part of this informative class led by Pastor Sam Brooks.

Thanks for subscribing to The Open Door Enews! Have a wonderful week!
Pastor Sam Brooks Elders: Tom Buckley John Vice Paul Doherty