I'VE BEEN REFLECTING ON THE WEEK.  WHAT A BUSY, BLESSED WEEK, WE HAVE HAD.  THE WEEK BEGAN WITH EASTER - THAT BLESSED DAY THAT WE CELEBRATE THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD, JESUS CHRIST.  WE HAD A GREAT SERVICE OF PRAISE AND COMPLETED THE CELEBRATION REMEMBERING WHAT HE DID FOR US AT CALVARY BY SHARING COMMUNION TOGETHER.  IT WAS BLESSED AND THE PRAISE WAS OVERWHELMING.  THE ONE SONG THAT WE SUNG HAS STUCK IN MY HEAD FOR WEEKS BEFORE AND THIS WEEK SINCE...WHEN WE WATCHED "THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST" ON THURSDAY NIGHT, IT WAS HUMBLING TO THINK OF HOW HE LAID HIS LIFE DOWN FOR YOU AND ME - NO ONE TOOK IT - HE CHOSE TO DO THE WILL OF HIS FATHER.

AND THEN, FRIDAY NIGHT...SHENANDOAH VALLEY SERVING SISTERS WAS HELD AT THE RAY OF HOPE PENTECOSTAL HOLINESS CHURCH IN HARRISONBURG.  I HAD THE HONOR OF SPEAKING TO A GROUP OF ABOUT 73 LADIES.  GOD GAVE ME AN ANOINTED WORD FROM JEREMIAH 18:1-6 ABOUT GOING DOWN TO THE POTTER'S HOUSE.  AS I STUDIED THE WORD, I REALIZED THAT THE LORD HAS A SPECIAL POSITION FOR EACH OF US - HE MAKES US, WE ARE MARRED BY SIN, AND THEN HE MAKES US AGAIN, WE ARE REBORN!!! AND THEN HE USES EACH OF US AS HE SEES FIT!  SEE, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO PEOPLE SAY YOU ARE, IT JUST MATTERS WHAT THE POTTER CALLS YOU...WHAT HE DECIDES TO USE YOU FOR.  IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW MARRED OR BROKEN YOU ARE, HE DOESN'T THROW THE CLAY AWAY!  I AM SO GLAD! HE WOULD HAVE THROWN ME AWAY A LONG TIME AGO...INSTEAD, HE HAS DRAWN ME CLOSER TO HIM THROUGH THE TRYING TIMES.  AND WHEN I AM SO OVERWHELMED AND FEEL LIKE I AM GOING IN CIRCLES, I MUST REJOICE, THAT I MAY BE SPINNING AROUND AND AROUND, BUT I AM STILL ON THE WHEEL AND HIS HANDS ARE STILL ON ME!   REJOICE AND BE GLAD!  IF YOU HAVEN'T ATTENDED THESE LADIES' GATHERINGS, LET ME ENCOURAGE YOU TO GET INVOLVED.  THEY ARE A BLESSING!  THE NEXT ONE IS AT THE LILY OF THE VALLEY CHURCH AND THEY ARE USUALLY ON THE LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH.  IF YOU WANT MORE DETAILS, LET ME KNOW. MY EMAIL IS pastorbarbhensley@yahoo.com.

We just had a wonderful leadership meeting, Saturday, February 19.  Our goal was to plan most of our events for this year so that those who attend URC can mark their calendars and be prepared.  I will be posting all of those events in my next blog.

Just wanted to remind all the men that there is a Men's Prayer Breakfast at Stanley New Hope Church on Saturday, March 5 at 8:00 A.M.  Please call Glendon (810-2030) IF YOU want to go with them. 

Shenandoah Valley Serving Sisters met at URC on Friday, February 25.  What a glorious time we had.  Lots of food and fellowship, but the ministry of Olivia Shifflett, Hollie Lahocki, and Pat Dean were the "icing on the cake"!  There were around 60 ladies in attendance and I believe all were blessed!  I received a few messages by FB that great reports were floating around!  Praise the Lord!

We will begin candymaking for the Easter season on Tuesday evening, March 1, at 5:30 P.M.  If you would like to help, WE NEED YOU! We will be making eggs every Tuesday and Thursday evening up to Easter week.  If you can't be there at 5:30 P.M., come whenever you can!  Some may come and have to leave early, so you can fill in the gaps!

Don't forget our Spring Revival will begin on Sunday, March 20 at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.  It will go through Wednesday night, March 23.  Monday thru Wednesday nights will be at 7 P.M.  Bro. Rodney Locklear and his wife, Rebecca, will be with us and I am expecting this revival to be a great "spring forward" for us!  Be praying about it!

If you haven't noticed, we have an automated Prayer Chain and contact system.  It is a blessing so that all will be getting the messages at the same time.  If you have not given us your contact info, please do so.  Call Glenda at the church, or Pastor Barb at 746-0624.

Until next time, may God be with you,

Pastor Barbara

THIS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2010 IS A SPECIAL DAY…. IN MANY WAYS
NATIONAL BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY – IF YOU ARE IN REGULAR ATTENDANCE AND/OR A MEMBER, GREAT! WE ARE SO GLAD THAT YOU ARE FAITHFUL TO THE WORK OF THE UPPER ROOM CHURCH!
IF, BY CHANCE, YOU HAVE NOT BEEN IN ATTENDANCE FOR A WHILE – WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU COME BACK TO CHURCH THIS SUNDAY AND BE WITH US!!!
WE HAVE A NUMBER OF THINGS GOING ON:
WE ARE HAVING SPECIAL SINGERS, THE PROMISED LAND QUARTET, MINISTERING FOR OUR REGULAR MORNING SERVICE AT 10 A.M. THERE IS NO NIGHT SERVICE OR FAMILY EVENT NIGHT!
WE WILL BE CELEBRATING ALL GRANDPARENTS – BECAUSE IT IS GRANDPARENTS DAY!!! ALL IN ATTENDANCE WILL BE HONORED. YOU MAY NOT ATTEND REGULARLY, BUT WOULD LIKE TO SURPRISE SOME SPECIAL GRANDPARENTS BY BEING THERE THIS SUNDAY!
A REAL BONUS IS…DINNER ON THE GROUNDS…WE WILL BE CELEBRATING PASTOR BARBARA’S 56TH BIRTHDAY WITH A CARD SHOWER AND DINNER. WHAT A GREAT TIME OF FELLOWSHIP ALONG WITH EXCELLENT FOOD! IF YOU DON’T NORMALLY ATTEND, COME JOIN US AND BE OUR GUEST!
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2010, BEGINNING AT 7 A.M. WE WILL BE HAVING A FALL CELEBRATION DAY WITH YARD SALES, FOOD ALL DAY, BLUEGRASS/COUNTRY GOSPEL MUSIC BEGINNING AT 4 P.M. – UNTIL!
OCTOBER 3-6, 2010 – (Sun. – Wed.) FALL REVIVAL WITH REVS. KIRK AND JANELLE WADE IS SCHEDULED!
OCTOBER 16-17, 2010 – FALL FESTIVAL IN DOWNTOWN ELKTON – WE HAVE A BOOTH AND WILL BE SERVING COFFEE AND SELLING WHOLE BAKE SALE ITEMS (NOT INDIVIDUAL ITEMS). WE WILL BE NEEDING HELP WITH THE BOOTH AND ALSO WITH SALE ITEMS.
OCTOBER 24, 2010 – PASTOR APPRECIATION DAY WITH DINNER AND SPECIAL SPEAKER, REV. SETH CAIN FROM GREER, SC. HE IS PASTOR’S SON AND YOU WILL ENJOY HIS TIMELY MESSAGE. NO NIGHT SERVICE
NOVEMBER 7, 2010 – WE WILL BE HAVING A MISSIONS SERVICE WITH REV. ROB CRIGGER. PLEASE GIVE CONSIDERATION TO GIVING A DAY’S WAGES TO THE CAUSE OF LEADING OTHERS TO CHRIST!
NOVEMBER 20, 2010 – OUR NEXT COMMUNITY MEAL FOR THOSE IN ANY KIND OF NEED, EVEN LONELY!
UPPER ROOM CHURCH- P. O. BOX 6, ELKTON, VA 22827, (540)298-8000, www.elktonchurch.com

We have a couple of events in the near future - one is an ongoing event - our Wednesday night Bible studies - 7 P.M.  We are going to be diving full forced into the book study, "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan.  Check out the website for it - www.crazylovebook.com.  What an awesome study to ignite crazy love within each of us for the Saviour.  You are invited.  We meet in the church annex - have snacks and casual atmosphere.  Starting  August 11 with a vengeance!!!  Every Wed. night!

Also, Saturday night, August 14 - that great group, "Pairs and Spares" will be meeting again at 7 P.M. for their study of "Soul Cravings" by Erwin McManus.  If you are 20-ish to 40-ish, I challenge you to come.   Couples, singles, etc.  Childcare provided.  

September 12 - Sunday 10 a.m. - Some of our favorite folks, Promised Land Quartet, will be ministering in song.  Come on out and enjoy!

In addition, just know that each and every Sunday, we are meeting together (assembling ourselves together) to worship God, share Good News, hear hard truth from the Word, and love one another - beginning at 10 a.m.  You are welcome!  

Yesterday, I started my Bible Study at Journey's Crossing, adult home in Elkton, VA.  We had about 11 residents to attend and they were so hungry and special.  One of the residents played the piano and helped me lead some old hymns.  It was precious!  Got to see Sis. Lola Tappy, one of our own.  She was elated.  I spoke on "True Riches".  We had a wonderful time and then ended with praying for a very ill resident.  Thanks, Lord, for one more opportunity to pour into people's lives!!

The Easter play was a great success - why?  because it touched the lives of many.  We ran out of the traditional communion cups, but just like Jesus, He had impressed  on me to take grapes...so when the grape juice ran out, some took a grape instead.  Where God guides, He provides!!!  We had such an overwhelming response to our Risen Lord!

My grandson, Silas, was recently saying his blessing - "Jesus, thank you for this wonderful food and thank you for rising from the tomb!"  Oh, my goodness!  How precious!  We have sooo much to be thankful for!

And now, as we are approaching the time...

Our "Great Reawakening" with Dr. Ron Phillips, and his wife, Paulette, will be Monday through Wednesday, April 19-21!  We are expecting the community churches to rally and be blessed during this great series of services.  Each night services will start at 7:00 P.M.  Wednesday, the 21st will be a special day with a continental breakfast for Pastors and spouses, leaders, etc. from 9-10 A.M. followed by a special session with Dr. Phillips at 10 A.M.  That afternoon, we will have a Blissful Afternoon Tea with Paulette Phillips at 2:30 P.M.  All ladies are invited but we MUST have an RSVP by April 15!  We will be blessed by Paulette while enjoying tea, sweets, and sandwiches together!  

On Monday night, we will be blessed with the special singing of Rev. Kirk Wade, Tuesday with Restoration from Solid Rock Church, Wednesday with Rev. Doug Gochenour.  In addition, during the Wednesday morning Pastors and spouses, leaders, etc. session at 10 A.M., Rev. Tony Bates will be sharing special music.  He blessed us so last year!  

PLEASE MAKE THIS SERIES OF SERVICES YOUR AGENDA!  YOU WILL BE BLESSED BEYOND MEASURE, I PROMISE!  AND YES, I AM SHOUTING!! IT IS SOMETHING TO SHOUT ABOUT!

In Christ - Pastor Barb

April begins tomorrow.  We are starting off with beautiful days - no "April fool" either!! (If Jesus tarries) We have a jam-packed month.  This Friday, Good Friday, at noon we will have our annual via de la rosa, spelled a number of ways.  This is in appreciation of and to remember the walk to Calvary that our Lord made with much pain and agony.  Bro. Ronnie Shifflett will portray Jesus and others will follow along as scoffers as well as followers. 

Easter Sunday, at 10 A.M. we will have our Easter drama, "It is Finished", directed by Hollie Lahocki.  The play speaks for itself and will be filled with some wonderful, special music.  We will conclude with communion.  Easter Sunday night - no service! 

Our Angel Food Ministries host site activities are going well.  Orders online must be in by April 12, onsite orders by Friday, April 9.  If you have not participated, but would like to, just call me at 746-0624 or Glenda Breeden, 820-6586!

On Tuesday, April 13, I will start my new Bible Study at Journey's Crossing Assisted Living.  I am excited!!

Our "Great Reawakening" with Dr. Ron Phillips, and his wife, Paulette, will be Monday through Wednesday, April 19-21!  We are expecting the community churches to rally and be blessed during this great series of services.  Each night services will start at 7:00 P.M.  Wednesday, the 21st will be a special day with a continental breakfast for Pastors and spouses, leaders, etc. from 9-10 A.M. followed by a special session with Dr. Phillips at 10 A.M.  That afternoon, we will have a Blissful Afternoon Tea with Paulette Phillips at 2:30 P.M.  All ladies are invited but we MUST have an RSVP by April 15!  We will be blessed by Paulette while enjoying tea, sweets, and sandwiches together! 

On Sunday, April 25, we will celebrate Glendon's birthday, (Pastor's husband, by the way).   No night service.

So, no Sunday night services at all this coming month of April - but we have lots planned!

And don't forget...every Wednesday night, Faith Cafe Bible Study.  We are studying "Forgiveness...the real "F" word", a great study by Ed Young!  Come join us at 7:00 P.M!

Blessings on each of you,

Pastor Barb

We were not able to have service for the first two Sundays of this month...however, I am planning to have church Sunday, Lord willing, and am excited.  Hope to see you at 10 A.M. sharp!!!  Lamar Harrison, RN from Augusta Health and a member of Upper Room Church, will be sharing heart health with us.  I will follow with a loving message!

We also had to postpone our Valentine's Dinner at the Mennonite Farm on Mt. Clinton Pike.  We will be rescheduling and will let you know asap! 

We also have had to postpone our leadership meeting but will be setting a new date as soon as we can see some clear weather ahead!

Don't forget to save the date for our upcoming revival in April 19-22 with Ron Phillips of Abba's House.  We are very excited and you don't want to plan to be anywhere else but here!  And we need your help too, to make it successful!

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, so that we can be called His children..."  I am so glad I am His!

"Love covers a multitude of sin..."     "the greatest of these is love"...   "love never fails..." 

Remember, February is love month!  Love on someone today...especially someone who is not so lovable! 

Crazy in love with the Saviour,

Pastor Barb