The Week That Was

 

This past week we experienced one of our best Children’s Summer Music Camps and performances ever. We also enjoyed our Adult Worship Choir’s presentation of the musical, “God Bless America Again” on Sunday morning. In it we were reminded that God desires to bless our land and will do so if we will return to Him (2 Chronicles 7:14). Both of this week’s experiences reminds us of the talents and the gifts with which God has blessed Ashley River Baptist Church. Regarding the music camp, I have witnessed twelve of these in my time here and I am always amazed at what can be accomplished with the attendance of around 100 children and the commitment of some 55 adult musicians, drama specialists, costume designers, publicity workers, set and prop designers, choreographers, registration workers, youth assistants, snack coordinators, sound operators, video staff, first aid workers, security personnel and day care assistants. Add to this the fact that we have the best camp director available in Kathie Planton and you have all the reasons each year we have a successful music camp. When you see this and you know that all of the weeks of preparation and presentation have been prayed over by many of our people of Ashley River, you now know the reason for success. God was honored and children were led to understand more of the love and mercies of our Lord!

To God be the glory!

HS Yarborough

 

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Patio Musicians

 

Our patio musicians have returned. Their music is already blessing our church families as we gather for Bible study and worship each Sunday morning. Give an ear as you pass through the Biblical garden each Sunday morning to the sounds of music that enriches the soul.

 

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The Power of Prayer

 

Linda and I want you to know how very much we continue to appreciate your prayers and encouragement during these days of treatment for cancer. Your faithfulness before the Father in intercessory prayer demonstrates the power of the Christian community at its best. Our prayers go up in gratitude.

 

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Simple words, “Thank you.”

 

Linda and I would like to simply express our gratitude to the many of you who have offered us your encouragement through spoken words, notes or other expressions of love and concern in the last month. For us, this beginning of a new year comes with a deeper sense of the Lord’s presence and His sustaining grace in our lives. Also, for us, we have a greater sense that He is leading us through some deep waters of our faith. He is the Lamb. We are seeking to learn the meaning of becoming through His dwelling, “like Him,” in the spirit of sacrificial living. As you pray for us in the weeks and months ahead, pray that our Lord will be honored by our lives in the midst of the challenges. You are a special people of God and we love you. We will pray for you that you will also find the “joy of the Lord” in the flow of your everyday life! “The service of Jesus, true pleasure afford…” To God be the glory!

                         

H.S. &  Linda Yarborough

 

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My dear Ashley River Friends,

 

Yesterday was an eventful day for the Yarboroughs.  It was at midday that Linda and I found out the diagnosis for some recent medical concerns that had arisen out of my annual physical exam.

 

We had been through several tests and procedures trying to find the reason for my anemia, which was discovered as part of my physical exam.  Finally, we found it.

 

I have been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, stage 1.

 

I will begin chemotherapy treatment immediately and, with good success, I should be able to receive a bone marrow transplant at the end of six to eight months of chemo.

 

This is not the news we had hoped for but it is what we have received.

 

It is my intention to continue serving as your minister of music, attending to my normal duties and workload during this process.  God is already teaching us in this experience and I expect to learn so much more.

 

What I do know is that He will be faithful and He will walk with us through this time of difficulty.  As Henry Blackaby so beautifully stated on learning that his daughter was diagnosed with cancer, “Once I have seen my circumstances in the light of God’s Son dying on the cross for my sins, I cannot doubt God’s love for me.”

 

Please pray that my faith remains strong and my life will bear witness to the goodness of God during these days.

 

I especially would ask you to lift Linda in your prayers during these days.

 

Thank you for loving us and we look forward to the days and months ahead as we serve the Lord together!

 

H. S.