But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.   Romans 5:8

 Worship Services

    8:25 a.m., 9:40 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. - Sanctuary

  11:00 a.m. - Journey, The Loft

  11:00 a.m. - Hispanic Service, Chapel

  Bible Study

    8:25 a.m. & 9:40 a.m. 

On March 15, Raymond and Allyson Lyrene arrived in Fort Collins, Colorado, for a six-week mission project to assist Kelly and Brandi Parrish in their efforts to plant a new church. The new church, Living Rock Church, is meeting in the Parrishes’ home. Living Rock is being established with the assistance of the North American Mission Board. The front range of the Rocky Mountains is one of the target areas for church planting since it is densely populated with mostly unchurched people. Fort Collins is a high-tech college town that is rapidly growing. There are hundreds of housing units under construction, but there are only a few small churches to meet the spiritual needs of the community.

The Lyrenes’ work, at the direction of the Parrishes, includes assisting with services, Bible study groups, outreach events, special Easter season services, and prayer walks. In addition to these duties, early this week they are helping collect food and clothing for use at the downtown rescue mission. This is the first mission project for this new church. Please pray for the Parrish family and for the Timnath community where the church ministers.

Pray that the Holy Spirit will work among the people in a mighty way. Pray for God to call out more workers for Living Rock Church as the church grows. "The fields are ripe unto harvest" could not be more true than in Fort Collins. The beauty of creation is very evident here, but people fail to recognize the Creator.

If you are interested in serving in a similar fashion in Colorado or Maine, please contact Ben Hale at bhale@dawsonchurch.org.

Kids Connection is Dawson’s ministry to provide clothes, books, and toys to children whose families otherwise are not able to provide them.  This volunteer run ministry serves about 3,000 children each year, but we want to serve even more.  Please consider volunteering so that we can meet more needs in our community.  Also, donations are always needed and you can bring items to Kids Connection at 32 Greensprings Highway on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. or to the North Parking Lot on Wednesday evenings. 

Saturday, May 3, 6:00 a.m.– 6:00 p.m., Coy, Alabama

Volunteers are needed to help with clothing ministry, food service, art projects, teaching, and field day  activities.  This is a great opportunity for families to serve together.   (It is recommended that children volunteers be 3rd graders or older).  Please contact David and Denise Bivin at dbivin@charter.net for more information.

The booklet entitled What On Earth Am I Here For answers life’s three most important questions: The question of existence..."Why am I alive?" The question of significance..."Does my life really matter?" The question of purpose..."What on earth am I here for?" These are questions that everyone considers at some point. On Sunday, April 20, and Sunday, April 27, these booklets will be available in the Sanctuary Foyer. If you or a friend are looking for the answers to these questions, please pick up one and share. (One per person, please.)

At the age of 21, Josephina was destitute. She was the oldest of six orphaned children and married to a drunkard named Moses, a man who rarely came home to their little house in Akot, South Sudan. But when he did come home, he beat her. Josephina had a toddler to take care of and another child on the way. She needed help.

Living Water Community Transformation (LWCT), Dawson’s ministry partner in Akot, recognized her plight. LWCT, a non-profit organization, aims to develop Akot into a self-sustaining, spiritually and physically healthy town. Each month, staff members focus on assisting specific families. In April 2013, they chose Josephina. Women from LWCT came to her home with food and goats to help Josephina feed her small family. Eventually, the women adopted her as a friend, offering encouragement during life’s difficulties. As soon as Josephina gave birth to her baby, LWCT hired her as a cook for one of its two schools in Akot. She prepares dishes of rice, beans, maize, and lentils for roughly 400 children each day. Baptist Global Response funded these lunches through gifts to the Southern Baptist World Hunger Fund. Because of these lunches, students no longer suffer the symptoms of malnutrition which include bloated bellies and sores that won’t heal. And because of this job, Josephina can provide for her family.

God used LWCT’s demonstration of love to produce another miracle. It changed Moses. When Moses saw the kindness the LWCT women showed his wife, his heart softened. He felt convicted of his drunken and violent lifestyle, and he repented. Moses changed so much that he cleared a piece of his land underneath an Abyei tree, and fashioned enough benches for 50 people to sit. He built a church.

Tuesday, April 29, 6:30 p.m., 255 North

Some days life can feel like a giant pressure cooker.  The easy response is to just open whatever valve will release the pressure, but too often those valves release the pent-up steam of sin, frustration, harsh words, and inappropriate actions.  Pressure Points, a 4-week study on the book of James, will show us how to keep those pressures from ruining our lives and hurting those around us regarding these 6 pressure points: trials, temptations, partiality, words, conflict, and retaliation. Workbook ($5)  

Many individuals and families are in a debt crisis and many others are at risk of falling into the debt trap.  This class will teach you how to avoid debt and how to get out of debt.  Classes meet on Wednesdays, April 30 and May 7, at 6:15 p.m. in Room 256 North.

On Easter Sunday, April 20, Highland/Manhattan (the street that runs between the Sanctuary and the North Building) will be used for one-way traffic only. Traffic will flow from west to east (Evergreen to Dale Avenue) to ease congestion and ensure the safety of larger crowds.

Monday-Friday, June 2-6, 9:00 a.m.-Noon

KidLife Week is an exciting week of fun and learning! Children participate in Bible stories, crafts, recreation, snacks, and praise time. The KidLife theme this year is "God’s Forever Promises!" Children 4 years old (by September 1, 2014) through grade 5 (completed) are invited to attend. Invite your friends now to be a part of KidLife Week at Dawson! Many volunteers are needed to help with KidLife Week. Please contact Brooke Gibson (Preschool) or Danielle Bell (Children) to find out how you can get involved. Online registration begins May 1 at www.dawsonchurch.org/KidLife. Come and be a part of this unforgettable ministry at Dawson!

The Nominating Team has distributed information to Dawson members requesting input as they begin the process of nominating Deacons, Church Officers, and Standing Team Members for 2015. Names of people to be considered for these positions should be submitted to the Church Office by Sunday, May 4. You may submit names by emailing your nominations to nominate@dawsonchurch.org, completing your forms by hand and either returning them to the Church Office or dropping them in the offering plate during one of the Sunday morning worship services, or visiting the church’s website. To vote online...

1. Go to www.dawsonchurch.org/nominate

2. Click the link “Nominate Now,” and read the description.

3. Click the link “2015 Leadership Positions” to bring up the online form.

4. In the form, type the names you wish to suggest for the various positions (you do not have to submit names for all positions).

5. When finished, click “send,” and your suggestions will be emailed to the Church Office.

The National Day of Prayer is Thursday, May 1. We invite and encourage everyone to participate! The theme this year is ONE VOICE, UNITED IN PRAYER. Psalm 55:17 says, "Evening, morning, and noon I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice." We will meet in the Chapel at 7:00 a.m., noon, and 6:00 p.m. as we unite in corporate prayer, small group prayer, and prayer stations to pray specifically for our leaders. Please feel free to come and go as needed. (Snacks and bottled water will be available.)

Together we place faith and prayers in the unfailing character of our Creator, who is sovereign over all governments, authorities, and men "so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."  Romans 15:6

Sunday, May 4, 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., Homewood Park

Bring a blanket, an appetite, and a few bucks, and join us at the Homewood Park Amphitheater for a special presentation of The StoryTellin’ Man by Dawson’s 1st through 5th grade Children’s Choirs. The "Cantina on Wheels" Food Truck will be on site for you to purchase dinner, so please come hungry and be ready for a blessing!

Monday, April 21, 9:30 a.m., Social Hall

Becky Vaughn will review America the Beautiful by Ben Carson at The Round Table Book Review on Monday, April 21, 2014. Refreshments and fellowship will begin at 9:30 a.m., and the program will begin at 10:00 a.m. in the Social Hall. Please feel free to bring a friend!

Sunday, April 27, 12:30 p.m., Fellowship Hall

We will be hosting a Business Innovator Luncheon on Sunday, April 27 at 12:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.  Dale Partridge is a serial entrepreneur and Founder of Sevenly.org, a 40+ person socially conscious e-commerce company based in Los Angeles, California.

Each week Sevenly partners with one qualified nonprofit, and donates $7 from every product sold to support that charity’s cause. Since its launch in June 2011, Mashable, the Los Angeles Times, and Forbes have named Sevenly one of the fastest growing social good start-ups in the country. In less than two years, Sevenly has given over $2.8 million in $7 donations to charities across the globe. 

Bill Stevens will be leading our time with Dale.  Lunch is free, but please RSVP to mbowens@dawsonchurch.org.

Wednesday, April 30, 4:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Social Hall

"My son required so many transfusions when he was sick with Leukemia. I don't know what we would have done without blood donors like you. Reagan is now a sophomore at Auburn. I plan to give at Dawson's Blood Drive. Will you join me?" ~ Stephen Keith

Wednesday, May 7, 3:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Social Hall

Free screening is provided by Dr. Julie Harper; Rebecca Edwards, CRNP; and Jennifer Hewitt, PA from Dermatology and Skin Care Center of Birmingham. Appointments are required. Please call 871-7324 to make your appointment.

Thursday, May 8, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Fellowship Hall

Many people know someone who has been affected by Alzheimer’s Disease. Not only does it impact the person suffering from it, but it can also affect their relationships with their loved ones. You are invited to attend this informative program that will cover two topics: "My Parent Has Alzheimer’s Disease – What Are My Chances?" and "Communication Do’s And Don’ts When Someone Has Dementia." Our guest speakers will be Carla Mason, Certified Genetic Counselor and Miller Piggot, Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama. Box lunches will be provided. Reservations are required by May 6. Please call the Church Office at 871-7324 to make your reservation.

Tuesday, May 20, 11:00 a.m., LaGrange, GA

Experience the Explorations In Antiquity Center, a museum of daily life in Biblical times, with us in LaGrange, GA, on Tuesday, May 20, 2014. The tour includes full scale archaeological replicas from antiquity, a time tunnel, life of the village, Passover celebration, biblical meal, life of the farmer, life of the shepherd, and more. Please see the brochures posted on the bulletin boards on the 1st and 2nd Floors in the West Building. Note: There will be walking on uneven ground that can be managed with a cane or walker.

The price per person is $55 and includes a sack lunch at departure (11:00 a.m.), coach transportation, admission, guide, and a Passover and Hebrew meal. To reserve your spot, please pre-pay the full amount and complete a brief form at the Church Office. The deadline to reserve or cancel is May 7.  This event is open to Dawson members of any age.

Saturday, June 7-Saturday, June 14

Summertime is almost here; don't forget to sign up for Beach Breakaway! Start your summer off right with a week of worship, fellowship, and relaxation in Destin, FL with the Dawson Student Ministry. Our theme this year is "Glory Revealed." Come hear great speaking from David Nasser and music by Attaboy. Registration is underway, so please visit our Dawson website or Facebook groups for more information. Middle Schoolers can register at www.dawsonchurch.org/middleschool and High Schoolers can register at www.dawsonchurch.org/highschool.

Read "Fenton's Friday Five" for observations and insights about being faithful at www.dawsonchurch.org/fridayfive.

Cynthia and Don Asbeck in the death of Don’s sister

Emily and Justin Palmore and family in the death of Emily’s grandfather

James Flack

Scott & Deanne Guthrie

Sunday sermons, by Dr. Gary Fenton, are available on CD in the Marketplace (located in the Foyer) immediately following the 11:00 a.m. service ($4 each). 

Dawson’s 11:00 a.m. Sunday Worship Service is broadcast (one week delayed) on CBS 42, Sundays at 10:00 a.m.