FROM THE DESK OF CHARLES ANDERSON We had a good day here at Laurel Avenue last Sunday, even though we had a number of members absent. We did have several visitors with us, though. I hope you were able to meet them and give them your own personal welcome to the family here. As Will Rogers said, “You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.” So, let me encourage you to do your part to make sure someone’s first impression of Laurel Avenue is a good one, of welcome and friendliness. This Sunday, April 21, is our Congregational Barbecue. We will meet in the fellowship hall following our Sunday morning worship for a time of food, fellowship and fun. The pulled pork will be provided (and I can attest to the fact that it will be delicious!). We’ve asked everyone, if possible, to bring side dishes and desserts to complete the meal. If you forgot, or were unaware of it, don’t worry. We always have plenty of food. Just bring yourself and join us. RIGHTEOUSNESS: The pursuit of righteousness can seem confusing until someone explains it as clearly as John Stott did. He wrote, “We are simply to run from evil as we run from danger, and to run after goodness as we run after success. That is, we have to give our mind, time and energy to both flight and pursuit.” HOW COMMITTED TO CHRIST ARE WE? Have you ever thought about the level of your devotion and personal commitment to Christ and His Word? Consider the following example from the world of football. The coldest game in the history of Arrowhead Stadium took place on January 13, 2024. The Kansas City Chiefs hosted the Miami Dolphins in the wild-card playoff game with a temperature of minus 4-degrees and a wind-chill of minus 27. Patrick Mahomes’ helmet famously broke as the frozen plastic cracked on a hard tackle. Such commitment from players is expected but the month of March revealed something new. Research Medical Center reported that some of the people attending that game are now having fingers and toes amputated due to frostbite. The hospital noted that more surgeries were expected as the “injuries evolve.” The commitment of football fans to risk amputations in support of their team should challenge every Christian to evaluate our level of commitment to Christ and His Kingdom. As the author of the book of Kings wrote, “And may your hearts be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as you are doing now.” (1 Kings 8:61, NIRV).