HERE’S WHAT’S NEW
Emory Baptist Church eNewsletter
Pastor's Pen
Bro. Richard Piles, Pastor
As we look toward May, it will be a busy month with many recognitions.
First, I invite you to join us on Thursday, May 7, at 12 PM for the National Day of Prayer. This is a community-wide event that we will be hosting and gathering with other area churches to pray and seek God’s face.
On May 10, we’ll recognize and honor our Mothers on Mother’s Day. I’m thankful for my mom and the mother of my daughters! We will also take the Lord’s Supper on this day.
On May 17, we will recognize this year’s high school graduates, and one of them is my youngest daughter. Later that day, EBC will be hosting the 2026 graduates of RHS and their families for baccalaureate at 2 PM.
On Wednesday, May 20, Sonbeam Day School will have their End of the Year Program and spring graduation. Start time is 6:30 PM in the Sanctuary.
On May 24, we will remember our military men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives on Memorial Day Weekend.
Finally, as we get closer to completing our FLC, we will be without our Fellowship Hall from May 18-June 30. It will be under renovation. All events normally in there will be rescheduled or relocated to another place.
God bless you, and I am grateful to be your pastor!
Choir Corner with Chris
Bro. Chris Henderson, Minister of Music and Senior Adults
I cannot believe we’re already in the month of May! This year has sped past and shows no sign of slowing down.
Speaking of speeding past, Tucker is growing like a weed. He’s begun to be very interested in his hands and recently began rolling over! He loves singing with his mommy, talking with me, and smiling at everyone he meets. We thank you so much for all of your prayers and love you’ve shown our precious little boy!
In the month of May, you can expect to hear from both the Celebration Choir and KidzPraize. The Celebration Choir will be singing “He Arose Hallelujah” on May 3rd and “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” on Memorial Day.
If you haven’t already, make sure you sign up to go to Hilltop University and East Texas Baptist University! This is a one-day Senior Adult conference that will include preaching from Dr. David Hardage, music from Mark Bishop, storytelling from Dr. Shellie O’Neal, as well as other worship and discipleship opportunities throughout the day. Tickets are $30 a person, and you can sign up on the bulletin board in the foyer. I know it will be a great time for all who attend.
Student Ministry Spot
Ronnie Witt, Minister of Youth & Education
My living room looks like a UPS hub with lots of boxes from lots of places for lots of different things. We’ve got gifts for graduates who will be recognized on Sunday, May 17. We’ve got VBS stuff for our week June 8-12. But mostly we have boxes of decorations for Caleb and Jenna’s upcoming wedding on Saturday, May 16. That is coming up fast.
Thank you to all who have supported and encouraged Caleb and Jenna through wedding gifts and words of encouragement. He and Jenna regularly attend their own church in Commerce, so they’re not around here very often. But, I’m encouraged they have found a church to serve at together as they begin their life as newlyweds.
Right on the heels of the wedding, we begin renovation of the fellowship hall, so Vacation Bible School will look a little different this year. We will utilize the children’s building, the worship center building, and the Memorial Hall building. We appreciate the classes in those buildings sharing your space with us that week. The hospitality room will be in the Bride’s Room. We will have sign ups to bring food for VBS workers at the end of May. We won’t have access to stoves or ovens, so crockpot snacks, finger foods, or sweet treats would be easy for the hospitality ladies to set up. Sign up sheets will be in your Sunday School classes at the end of May.
If you have not signed up to help with VBS, there’s still room and still time. Just talk to me or send me an email. VBS registration opens up May 1, so get kids registered as soon as possible and help us plan for VBS.
Also, it’s well past time to sign up for Camp Zephyr. Go to emorybaptist.org/YouthCamp and start the sign up process. Students need to be registered with Zephyr BEFORE May 24th.
Cecily Kirby, Director of Preschool Ministries
Sonbeam Day School
Memory Verse:
I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4
Bible Story:
Jesus Calms the Storm
Nursery Rhyme:
I’m a Little Sunshine
Family Bible Question:
Who was the strongest man who ever lived?
Hint: Judges 14:6
Important Dates:
May 5th: Pancakes with Parents
May 4th-8th: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 20th: Spring Program & Graduation
May 21st: Last Day of School/Fun Day
Please continue to pray for our ministry, staff, students, and their families.
Nursery Rhymes
May is a wonderful time to celebrate God’s creation, flowers, and spring. Here are a few simple, short poems that are perfect for preschoolers.
God’s Garden in May
(Tune: The Farmer Plants the Seeds)
God sends the warm sunshine,
God sends the soft rain,
To make the little flowers grow,
And fill the world with gain!
Thank you, God, for May!
Little Bee Song
Buzz, buzz, little bee,
Flying high in May,
Showing us God’s wonderful
Bright and sunny day.
Thank you for the flowers!
Little Seeds
Little seeds in the ground,
(curl up small)
Rain comes down, no sound.
(wiggle fingers down)
Sun comes out to play,
(make a circle with arms)
It’s a beautiful May!
(wave arms)
Remind children that the flowers, animals, and warm weather are gifts from God. Focus on thanking God for the changing seasons.