Commit everything you do to the Lord; trust Him; and He will help you. Psalm 37:5 (NLT)

If you’ve visited the National Aeronautic and Space Administration’s Johnson Space Center in Houston–the training base and home to our nation’s astronauts and the site of Mission Control Center, where a talented cadre of flight controllers support the work of our men and women in space–you were probably dazzled to sit in the historic Mission Operations Control Room from which NASA led Gemini and Apollo missions, including the momentous first lunar landing mission as well as early space shuttle missions. Did your memory retrieve echoes of televised communication between Houston and space beamed from that very room–the thrill of it all?

Who is your Mission Control Commander? On the brink of Canaan, Moses reminded his wilderness flock of God’s providence through the years, emphasizing that His loving decrees merit enthusiastic loyalty and trust. Summing up, Moses counseled: 

“Look, I now teach you these decrees and regulations just as the Lord my God commanded me,
so that you may obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy.
Obey them completely, and you will display your wisdom and intelligence among the surrounding nations.
When they hear all these decrees, they will exclaim,
‘How wise and prudent are the people of this great nation!’
For what great nation has a god as near to them as the Lord our God is near to us whenever we call on Him?
And what great nation has decrees and regulations as righteous and fair
as this body of instructions that I am giving you today? 
But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen.
Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live!
And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.
Never forget the day when you stood before the Lord your God at Mount Sinai.” Deuteronomy 4:5-10

“Wisdom is not what you know about the world but how well you know God. Human reasoning will not make you wise. It may even lead you to reject the ways of God (1 Cor. 1:18-25). God’s purpose in creating a nation for Himself was to demonstrate His wisdom to the world through the obedience of His people (Zechariah 8:23). As the Israelites followed God, He would bless them, and the wisdom of obeying God would be evident to all.” (Henry and Richard Blackaby, “Experiencing God,” p. 92)

This Sabbath

In response to your survey questions, Pastor James Winegardner continues his sermon series exploring “What the Bible says about . . .” for our 9:00 and 11:30 Sanctuary worship services. Our Keene Worship Choir and Bell Choir, directed by Juanita Browder, with Johnson and Lerie Dellosa at the piano and organ, will rouse our hearts to glorify God. Michelle Rico will tell the children’s story, and Sipho Ndebele will offer congregational prayer. Pastor Rick Weaver will make the offering appeal, which will support Keene Church Ministries and Operations. Pastor Michael Gibson will baptize Brianna Morris during second service. Steve Bradley will serve as Deacon in Charge.

Young Adults, Student Pastor Hazel Marroquin will introduce our Spring evangelistic series at The Middle Service with Elevate in the Fellowship Hall at 10:00! Bring your friends! You’ll love this Spring highlight, complete with amazing music, social time, and breakfast snacks!

General church fellowship potluck is in our Fellowship Hall today after second service. Bring lots of salads, veggies, dessert, and love!

The Southwestern Chapter of the Adventist Theological Society invites you to a lecture by Ángel Rodríguez, former director of the Biblical Research Institute today, discussing “Last Generation and Christian Perfectionism,” Mabee Center, 4:00 PM.

“Masterpiece,” a class similar to “Painting with a Twist,” is brought to you today at 4:30 in the Annex! If possible, bring your own 11×14 canvas.

The Visitation Committee will meet Sabbath afternoon at 5:00 at 217 Mistletoe Lane, Keene. It is important that we have some new people to visit as some that have been doing it for several years are needing a rest. Please, please consider joining us for visiting the many shut-ins that are members of our church but are unable to physically attend our services.

Come to Game Night this evening at 7:45 the Annex. Bring your favorite games and snacks for a fun evening, sponsored by the Social Committee. Pathfinder Bible Experience representatives will sell food to raise money to transport our PBE winning teams to the North American Division event in Rockford, Illinois, on April 27!

Spring evangelistic series

Join the Journey – Evangelistic Series launches this morning in Elevate and continues nightly April 7-10 in the Fellowship Hall at 7:00  Our Student Pastor Hazel Marroquin, soon to graduate from Southwestern Adventist University, will present the messages. Bring a friend to share your vibrant life in Jesus!
 

Our church

A memorial service for Elizabeth Aldava, wife of Manuel Aldava and sister of Zoila Barroso, will be at Rosser Funeral Home tomorrow at 2:00 PM, with visitation beginning at 1:00 PM. She is survived by her children Albert Aldava, Daniel Aldava, and Nancy King.

Breakfast Club – Women’s Ministry invites you to mingle at our monthly Breakfast Club at 8:30 AM Monday, April 8, at Olivia’s Restaurant in Keene. Drop in, buy your own breakfast, and get acquainted with other ladies!

Wednesday night Bible study – Can we trust the Bible? In the film “Fragments of Truth,” Craig Evans faces skeptics head-on, traveling the globe to track down the most ancient New Testament manuscripts. James Winegardner brings the movie to our Chapel at 7:00 PM. Come and see!  

We will have a short business meeting on Wednesday, April 10 at 8:00 at the Chapel. We will start shortly after Wednesday night Bible study.

Exercise class for seniors meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00 PM in the Annex starting April 15. Anyone can attend!

Postum with a Pastor! Stop by Mountain Coffee in Keene on April 18, 4:00 PM, enjoy a cup of Postum or another drink, and visit with James Winegardner! Rick Weaver will be there on May 2, and Mary Ellen Winegardner on May 16!

Needed for Vacation Bible School – Here are some items we are looking for to decorate for VBS. These items can be donated or simply borrowed if marked appropriately to be returned. We need white and solid colored sheets, large blankets, greenery, vines, baskets. Items can be dropped off at Sabbath School room ages 0-2b.

Resurrection Pageant needs donations of water, individual drinks and packaged snacks. Please bring to the church office.

Pathfinder Bible Experience teams have qualified to attend the North American Division event in Rockford, Illinois, on April 27! To bring our 12 PBE members and select Pathfinder Staff members will cost approximately $3,500 for travel, food, and lodging. Please consider donating; and specify this donation apart from general Pathfinders donations.
 

Our schools

Keene Adventist Elementary School

• KAES broke ground for the new gymnasium last Sunday! We’re excited! Thank you for your continuing support!

Southwestern Adventist University

• The Southwestern Chapter of the Adventist Theological Societyinvites you to a lecture by Ángel Rodríguez, former director of the Biblical Research Institute today, discussing “Last Generation and Christian Perfectionism,” Mabee Center, 4:00 PM.
• It’s Homecoming at Southwestern Adventist University! Please join us for our annual potluck on Sabbath, April 13, at 1:30 PM in the Leike-Pultar Gymnasium, hosted by Bugger and Karen Putnam. If possible, bring a dish to pass round. All are welcome!

Small groups

Kayaking,April 7, May 5 at 10:00 AM. sharriss59@yahoo.com.

Grief recovery – April 9, 7:30 PM, Room 106. soniavergel@yahoo.com.

Bible by Design, April 13, 2:30 PM, Gathering Place Room 106.

Dutch oven cooking – April 14, 3:30 PM, Chisholm Trail Academy.

Vegan 101 cooking April 14, 4:00 PM, 300 S. Mockingbird Lane, Keene. Preregister at lilycabansag@gmail.com,
 

Our community

Holy Week services, sponsored by Cleburne Christian Business Club, will be held April 15-19, 6:45 – 8:00 AM, Cleburne Conference Center, 1501 W. Henderson Street. Celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior.

You are cordially invited to a 90th birthday celebration for Stanley Elmendorf on Sunday, April 21, from 3:00-5:00 PM (comments at 3:30), at the Hopps Museum. (Cards only please.) If you are unable to attend, you may send a card to Stan at P.O. Box 92, Keene, Texas 76059.

The Gospel Four of Arlington will bring a concert to our Chapel on Saturday night, April 27, at 7:30. Grateful to be covered by Jesus’ cleansing blood, this all-male quartet loves to sing of Him, for Him, and to Him!

Beyond a cooking class – Come learn how to improve your Cardiovascular System on Sunday, April 28 at 3:30-5:30 PM at InterrWellness Retreat Center 3701 CR 316C, Cleburne, TX.  Limited Space! For more information call Sharla at  817-909-9053. 

Ruth Stilwell’s 106^th birthday is May 1! Let’s shower her with cards! Mail your congratulations c/o Keene Church, 114 S. Fairview, Keene 76059.
 

Our finances

FY 2018/2019 MinistriesandOperations budget: $767,808.00
Donations Needed by April 30, 2019 – $639,840.00
Donations Received through March 31, 2019 – $564,562.21
Amount still needed this month – $ 75,277.79
Sanctuary HVAC (air conditioning) total cost – $550,000.00
Sanctuary HVAC project donations received through March 31 – $306,749.48
Amount still needed – $243,250.52
KAES gymnasium project total cost target (phase 1) – $750,000.00
Southwestern Union Conference Support – $ 75,000.00
Texas Conference Support – $150,000.00
Keene Church donations received through March 31, 2019 – $235,333.44
KAES direct donations – $315,120.79
Today: Church Budget; Next week: Southwestern Adventist University

In conclusion

“God gives you the same opportunity [as He gave the Israelites] to base your life on His wisdom. When unbelievers make important decisions, they must rely on their own knowledge and understanding. You, as a Christian, have access to God’s wisdom. God’s Spirit is within you to guide you (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit will open your eyes to the truth of the Scriptures so that you can see things from God’s perspective. Only God knows the future, so only He can accurately lead you to make correct decisions today. . . . Your family will be blessed because you make wise decisions. Your friends will have a wise counselor to come to for help. Your obedient life will demonstrate the wisdom of allowing the Holy Spirit to be your Guide” (ibid)

Let God’s wisdom, shining through your obedience, light others’ pathway to Jesus, Forever Family!

Your Keene Church Pastors
 God of our fathers, whose almighty hand
Leads forth in beauty all the starry band
Of shining worlds in splendor through the skies,
Our grateful songs before Thy throne arise.

Thy love divine hath led us in the past,
In this free land by Thee our lot is cast;
Be Thou our ruler, guardian, guide and stay,
Thy Word our law, Thy paths our chosen way.

From war’s alarms, from deadly pestilence,
Be Thy strong arm our ever sure defense;
Thy true religion in our hearts increase,
Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.

Refresh Thy people on their toilsome way,
Lead us from night to never-ending day;
Fill all our lives with love and grace divine,
And glory, laud, and praise be ever Thine.

(Daniel C. Roberts)