Welcome to Guthrie Grove on this 1st Sunday in May. What a mighty God we serve; what a privilege to gather freely to praise and worship our Heavenly Father, and His Son our Lord and Savior, Jesus.

Musical Prelude ~
Pianist: Susan Durham

Welcome/Concerns and Celebrations of the Congregation ~

Call to Worship ~
Responsive Reading (Psalm 40:1-3a and 5)
(L) I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.
(C) He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire;
(L) He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
(C) He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.
(L) Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done.
(C) The things you planned for us no one can recount to you;
(L) Were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.
Hymn #546
Count Your Blessings

Invocation ~

We Worship Through Giving ~
Receiving of Tithes and Offerings ~
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Cor. 9:7)

An Offering in Song ~
Chris James and Lynda Grant

We Worship in Song ~
Hymn #298, Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Open Our Eyes
Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus, to reach out and touch Him, and say
that we love Him. Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen, open our eyes, Lord,
we want to see Jesus.

Morning Message ~

Closing Song ~
(To be announced)
Benediction ~

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Looking Ahead...
May 03: brief VBS Meeting w/Sherry Alcumbrack after church for all those interested in helping w/Vacation Bible School), Fundraising Luncheon after church (To benefit the youth), Evening Service at 6 pm
May 07: "Relay For Life" (Easley High School: 7 pm)
May 07: 6:30-8:30 Teen Meeting in Williamston Park's Fireman's Gazebo
May 08: Men's Breakfast/Fellowship (8 am)
May 09: Mother's Day (All women in attendance will be recognized) ("Men, wear your ties on Mother's Day Sunday": Pastor Jim)
May 11: Adelle Chandler Ladies Group meets (All ladies are welcome)
Jun 06: Annual Congregational Business Meeting (Following morning worship)
Jun 06-10: Vacation Bible School at Guthrie Grove
Jun 18: The Hemphill's (Nationally recognized songwriters/musicians)
Jun 20: Father's Day (All men in attendance will be recognized)
Jun 20-25: Carolina Conference Youth Camp near Blowing Rock, NC
Jul 07-10: Gen. Conference at Cornerstone Bible Church, McDonough, GA
Jul 04: Communion Sunday (Morning Worship Service)
Jul 18-23: FUEL (Manchester College, N. Manchester, IN)
Jul 31: Carolina Conference Board meets in Asheville
Aug 01: Homecoming Sunday/Special Meetings w/ Pastor Scott Deane
Aug 29: Carolina Conference meets at Guthrie Grove (3:30)

Prayer Concerns...
Janice Garrett, Ruby Kay, Nellie Palmer, Tracie Scott, Donna Roper, Nancy Weeks, Joan Adams, Margaret Weisner, Teresa/Jackie Smith, Scott Hughes, Chris/Wayne Picklesimer, Allen Skelton, Tootsie/Johnny Lanford, Bernice Gambrell, Louise Durham, Jerry Trotter, Peggy Bohannon, Bill/Loree Pierce, Peaches Melton, Joan McKee, Kathy Martin, Bill Jameson Family, Joan Durham, Joe/Bobbie Pack, Susan Bradley, Alva Huffer, Kim Petromichelis, Peggy Durham, Milton Pack, Becky Cooper (MO), Wilola Stargel, Earl/Margaret Elwell, Jim Mattison, Ann Sawby, Chas. Dantzler, Andrew Madonia, David Martin, Carey Morton, Young An, Jennifer Upton, George Martin, Mabel Campbell, Robbie Jo/Kathy Hood, Carolyn Willett, Norman Chandler, Beth/Robert Browning, Marlane Cooper, Amos Partain Family (Mourning the death of 16 year old great -granddaughter Caitlin Ray), Nancy Clemones (Blood pressure), Holly Durham, Pastor Brent Carpenter, Our silent requests, travelers, the unemployed, Troops, Country & the Peace of Jerusalem

Today's counters: Mike Smith/Wilola Stargel
Tonight's driver: Johnny Lanford

Celebrating birthdays this week are Graysen Pack, Corbin Farr, Daniel Boswell, Cole Davenport, Jodi Davenport, & Mabel Campbell.
On May 8th Jerry and Wilola Stargel will celebrate their wedding anniversary.

Please stay after church today for a delicious meal in the Fellowship Hall (Proceeds to benefit the Youth Program)

Thank you for your consistent & generous giving. A reminder that youth camp time is fast approaching. Guthrie Grove pays ½ of the camp tuition for active youth. Last year, camp costs were around $9,000 (Including transportation).

Over $77,000 has been spent on maintenance/repair projects (Church and parsonage) this year. The current balance owed to the Building Fund from the General Fund is $53,784.36. Please earmark accordingly if you would like to help with any of these expenses.

We will have a team in the May 7 "Relay for Life" at Easley High School. See Cayce Ballard or Lynda Grant for more info; a bake sale is also planned to assist w/raising money for the American Cancer Society.

"Graduate Sunday" will be May 23rd. Recent/upcoming graduates include Rachel Franco, Ian Walters, Marc Naumoff, and Justin Martin. If there are others, please let us know ASAP.

This year's Nominating Committee consists of Chairman Eugene Grant, Amy Lanford, John David Durham, Ashley Hall, Rebecca Dauksas, Dean McCombs, and Bobby Partain. If you are interested in filling an elected church position, please let one of the committee members know.

Justin Martin received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree in commencement ceremonies yesterday, in Athens, GA. Congratulations.

There will be a Baptismal Service on Sunday morning, Jun 6th. Perhaps you also feel that God is calling you to obey this Scriptural command. Speak to a pastor, or another member of the Body.

Special thanks to Lowell and Nancy Holt for the new plants in the large urns that grace the Sanctuary entrance. We appreciate all of our volunteers.

Mark your calendars for a special evening of music/inspiration! Joel and LaBreeska Hemphill will present a concert on Friday evening, Jun 18th at Guthrie Grove. The Hemphill's were at last month's Christian Worker's Seminar. Joel was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame on Oct 11, 2007, and is the author of "To God be the Glory". Along with their children, they have received 8 Dove Awards.

Youth: the Work Program is available to help reduce your cost of Southeast, or National Youth Camp tuition. See Rebecca if you have questions. If any adults would like to employ youth to help out with projects around the house, yard, etc., please let Rebecca know, as well.