Great Banquet

Description: bread&wine Great Banquet

Madisonville Great Banquet

www.greatbanquet.com

Spring 2015 “To know Jesus as Savior and Lord and make Him known”

Spring Great Banquet Dates:

March 12-15 Men’s Hopkins County Jail GB# 21 Lay Director- Andy Bell

March 26-29 Women’s Muhlenberg County Jail GB #8 Lay Director-Karen Vincent

April 16-19 Men’s #166 Lay Director-J.W. Durst

April 23-26 Men’s Green River Correctional Complex GB #10 Lay Director-David Jones

April 30-May 3 Women’s #167 Lay Director-Tonya Bowman

May 8-9 Women’s Western KY Correctional Complex GB#14 Lay Director- Ann Hofmann

May 14-17 Women’s #168 Lay Director- Brenda DeMoss

READ BELOW FOR TIMES OF EACH TALK, SERVING TIMES, AND AGAPE IDEAS!

Sponsors: Have you been thinking about sponsoring someone on the Great Banquet? Now is the time to ask and Now is the time to ask and have applications completed and turned in. If you have any questions contact Dawn

questions, contact Dawn at First Presbyterian Church 821-6426.

AGAPE PARTY!

Monday April 6 at 7:00 pm -- IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING WORSHIP SERVICE. Join us for the worship service at First Presbyterian Church and then help to prepare “agape” in the gym for the Great Banquet weekends.

POTLUCK ! April 13 at 6:00 pm

Commercial grade kitchen items are needed for kitchen use during the Banquet weekends. If you or your church would like to make a monetary donation towards the purchase of these items please call Dawn at (270) 821-6426.

AROUND THE BANQUET TABLE

Greetings Madisonville Great Banquet Community!

The 2015 Spring Great Banquet season has arrived. The Men’s #166 and Women’s #167 and #168 teams are formed and ready to begin their nine week team meetings in preparation for their weekends. God has chosen these team members to share His love, and minister to our guests during these weekends. Although the Lay Directors may call us to serve on a team, God placed on their hearts the names of the people who He wanted them to call. How special it is to serve our guests and to be a part of their weekends. Whether we’re on a team or serving our guests as members of the Great Banquet Community, the Good Lord blesses us. There is no doubt these weekends are pleasing to Him. We all know that the Holy Spirit makes these weekends work. We are merely being the hands and feet of Christ as we share His love with our guests. So… come Holy Spirit…let the spring season begin!

The Great Banquet has added two new positions to our teams as we try to make each weekend flow better in accordance with God’s Spirit and provide additional support for the Music Leader and the Kitchen crew. A Tech/Rover position has been added to provide assistance to the Music Leader, speakers and Agape. A Kitchen Server Coordinator, under the leadership of the Head Kitchen, will be directing and guiding our men and women who come to serve meals, arranging and decorating tables for each meal and keeping the snack room well stocked. These two new positions worked out well last fall and will continue to be a part of future teams.

If you are not on a team this spring, you can still find many ways to serve our guests during these weekends. You can help setup or take down beds on Wednesday night (before the weekend) and Sunday mornings, hold a candle at the Candlelight on Saturday night, help clean up the church on Sunday afternoon, serve meals, make snacks and salads, write letters to the guests, help agape team members, attend the Closing, and most of all…PRAY! So, come on out and be a part of these weekends and make them special for our guests.

Don’t forget the prison and jail Great Banquets. This ministry now has nine weekends per year. The spring weekends are Men’s Hopkins County Jail GB #21, Women’s Muhlenberg County Jail #8, Men’s Green River Correctional Complex GB #10, and Women’s Western KY Correctional Complex GB #14. The Holy Spirit has no problem getting through the fences and razor wire at these places. These weekends are powerful. If you think you would like to be a part of one of these or any of the future weekends contact Jason Eastwood (270) 452-1313.

I want to thank each of you who faithfully support the Madisonville Great Banquet Ministry. We share a love for these weekends. They truly are special. To the First Presbyterian Church and its members- we thank you so much for allowing us to use your church as our “home” for three days. This has been happening for over 33 years…165 weekends…and counting. WOW, such a tremendous example of Agape Love. We thank the First United Methodist Church for allowing us to use their sanctuary for our Candlelight services. We also thank the First Baptist Church for use of their bus to transport the teams and guests. Finally, thank you to the area churches who allow its members to participate and serve in the Great Banquet ministry each season. The Madisonville Great Banquet is truly blessed by your continued love and support!

As brothers and sisters serving the Lord together on these Great Banquet weekends let’s worship together, fellowship together, disciple together, minister together, and depend upon the power of the Holy Spirit as we serve our God and our guests these weekends.

May God bless you all! De Colores!

Dave Hendrix

Community Lay Director

P.S. Please don’t forget to pray for me.

Dear Banquet Community,

Take a moment or two and reflect on your Great Banquet weekends. How would you answer the question, “What has the Great Banquet meant to you?” While you are pondering that question here are the responses of our most recent lay directors- Chris Dennis, Amy Bell and Jason Eastwood:

It was an honor to be the Lay Director of Great Banquet #164. Father God put a phenomenal team of men together to serve the guests on the weekend. As always, the guests of GB 164 were able to relax and invest a weekend listening to Jesus, watching servants of Christ truly serve and experiencing the authentic love of Christ. The conference room overflowed with the spirit of JOY on multiple occasions. The Great Banquet community showered the guests with unconditional AGAPE love.

The lyrics from our theme describe the experiences of the weekend. “I've tasted and seen of the sweetest of loves, where my heart becomes free and my shame is undone.” We invited the Presence of the Lord and we were able to taste and see the love of Christ; and in return, freedom reigned and shame is undone!!!

Thank you Great Banquet Community for your unwavering support and authentic AGAPE love!!

Chris Dennis

Great Banquet #164 Lay Director

Dear Great Banquet Community,

It was such an honor to be chosen as the Lay Director for Great Banquet #165. I couldn't have made it through without God or my family though. I went through Great Banquet #122 in 2006. I remember praying and hoping for the opportunity to get to serve on a team just once. I just wanted to serve Jesus in any way. Through the years, God has blessed me with serving on many teams and finally with Terry calling me this past January in being a Lay Director for the Women’s in the fall. What a blessing to pray for weeks and months that God would put together and call a special team that he wanted and needed especially for the ladies coming through on this particular weekend.

I was blessed with a great team that loved serving our Jesus in any way, but I was also blessed with wonderful ladies that came through on Thursday with an open mind and an open heart that was receptive to ALL Jesus and our team had to give. We had lots of laughter, joy, tears, prayer, singing, shouting, eating, plus much more. The most important thing we all left with was Hope & FREEDOM in Jesus and He will love us forever. Great Banquet #165 will not be forgotten and the lasting friendships we have all made. I will forever cherish all my memories. I love each and every one of the team and ladies. "Look to the Lord and His Strength; Seek His Face Always." Psalm 105:4

In Christ's Love,

Amy Bell, Lay Director

Great Banquet #165

It was a great opportunity to serve as Lay Director at the Kentucky State Prison. We went in with some unknowns and were somewhat intimidated by the place. However, God was with us and it turned out to be a great weekend. The inmates came in with great anticipation of what the weekend would bring to their lives.

We returned in January and had a reunion with some of the guys. We had a great time. God is doing great things at the Kentucky State Prison. We will be going back for more events in the future.

Jason Eastwood

Check the Madisonville Great Banquet website (www.greatbanquet.com) to see the list of guests who have confirmed. The list is updated weekly to show the latest confirmations

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

PRAYER

Prayer is a key part of the success of each Banquet. Please keep the team and guests in your prayers during each of the Great Banquet weekends. Attend the events throughout each weekend and signup on the 72 hour prayer charts.

PROPERTY

If you can help with bed setup and takedown please contact Eric Brown (270) 821-8799

Make this a sacrificial offering for guests and team! Bed setup is at 6:00 pm on Wednesday prior to each weekend. Bed takedown is at 7:00 am on Sunday morning of each weekend.

CLEAN UP

Clean-up will take place on Sunday afternoons of each weekend beginning at 2:00 pm on Sunday; with many hands this should go very quickly. Call Brianna Sutton (270) 836-0475.

BUS DRIVERS

We are okay for the time being, but if you have a CDL license and desire to drive the bus for one of the weekends give Dawn a call at the First Presbyterian Church (270) 821-6420 or (270) 821-6426.

SNACKS AND SERVERS

If you can bring a snack or help serve a meal at the Banquet, please contact Betty Hendrix (snacks) (270) 824-9749 or Sherry Harvey (servers) (270) 841-8385. Please remember your amazing weekend. Providing snacks and helping to serve are important areas of help. Snacks on Friday are especially needed.

AGAPE

Remember what an important impact the banners had on you when you attended? Make BANNERS for the upcoming Great Banquets. Banners made for previous weekends here in Madisonville have been mailed to other communities, so make new ones! Reunion groups, if you are looking for something special to do make a banner as a group for the upcoming weekends. The Agape Party is held before the weekends of each Banquet season. Call Teresa Lee (270) 977-2148 if you are interested in helping to make agape for the upcoming Banquets.

FREE BOOK TABLE

One of the many blessings at the Great Banquet is the opportunity to sow God’s word into the lives of our guests by offering free Christian literature and media. If you have Bibles, Christian books, CDs, DVDs, or devotions you would like to donate please take them to First Presbyterian Church or call Barry Vaughn (270) 825-4089 .

Lon Lorton- First Presbyterian Church Liaison/Community Spiritual Director 2016-2018

*If you signed up to serve a meal and cannot make it please call Sherry Harvey (270) 841-8385 as soon as possible.

WHEN SERVING ANY OF THE MEALS: Plan to arrive on time, help serve, clean up and setup for next meal. When you arrive wash your hands, grab an apron, ask the kitchen crew where you can be of help, and let the joy of the Lord shine in and on you as you become the hands and feet of Christ!

Talk #3 Ministry of All Believers Lariegus Davis Robbie Saulsberry Barbara Eichholz

Agape Ideas
Quick, easy, and inexpensive agape ideas . . . from The Upper Room Discussion Group . . .
Rainbow mechanical pencils:	Write this down: Jesus Loves You!" or "Jesus has signed your heart with his blood."
Mending kits:	"God fixes everything."
Jigsaw Pieces:	Jigsaw puzzle pieces either hot glued to a pin back or a card (You can put a piece of magnet strip on the back of the card for a fridge magnet.): "God put it all together for you." Or "Puzzled? Talk to God." Or "Don't let Jesus be your missing piece!" or "If life is a puzzle, turn to the Lord." Or "Now I know in part, then I shall know fully. 1 Corinthians 13:12."
Notepad:	Little notebooks or note pads. "Write this down: Jesus Loves You!" He has written your name in the Lambs book of life. Rev 13:8
Small calendars:	(wallet size are good): "I am with you always. Jesus"
Seed packages:	"Grow in Christ."
Life Savers:	"Jesus is the real life saver!" John 3:16
Small rulers:	"Measure your life in Christ." Or "Jesus Rules!"
Emory Board:	Emory board or small piece of sand paper on a card: "Jesus can smooth away all our rough edges!"
Nail:	Nail on a card. "Need an eternal fix? Try John 3:16."
Butterfly anything:	"God changes things." Eph 4:23
Diaper pin:	"God can change even the worst of things."
Maps or compasses:	"Jesus is the way" or "Lost? Talk to God" or "Need directions? Talk to the Father." Or "Lost? Follow the Son." Rom 10:10
Magnifying glass:	"See everything clearly with Christ" or "Let your faith be magnified." Or "If they dusted your Bible for fingerprints, would they find any fresh ones? Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105."
Small bars of soap:	"God can make all things clean."
Emergency rain ponchos:	"When life gives you rain, God gives you rainbows!"
Yo-yos:	"God will be there though all your ups and downs."
Rock:	Write "Jesus is the rock" and draw a cross on the rock.
Duct tape and nail:	Put a small piece of duct tape on a card. Then put a nail through the card as if you were pinning something to it. On card write: "Men fix everything with duct tape. God used his son."
Penny:	Penny hot glued to a card. "Jesus just makes 'cents'"
Runts:	Runts candies in a small bag. "The fruits of the spirit are."
Paper clip chain:	Paper clip chain made of brightly colored paper clips or several brightly colored paper clips hanging on an earring hoop: "Genesis 9:13"
Heart:	Foam heart glued to a card: "Give your heart to Jesus." Or any heart verse.
Candy conversation hearts:	"These go in your tummy. Put Jesus in your heart."
Bears:	Teddy bear stickers or very small (1/2 inch) teddy bears or gummy bears. "God's love bears all."
Erasers:	"Jesus erased all your sins."
Key chain:	"Let Jesus be the key to your life" or "Put God in the driver's seat."
Shoe horns:	"For a perfect fit every time, try Jesus."
Earplugs:	"For all those times when noise is not so joyful."
Atomic fireballs:	"Get fired up for Christ!"
Smiley face anything:	"Smile. God loves you."
Kites:	Small plastic or balsa wood planes or miniature kites: "Fly high with Christ."
Band aid on card:	"Christ heals all."
Pots:	Small jars or pots made from Play Dough and hardened. "Put yourself in the potter's hands."

Golf tees taped to a card:	"Jesus will always fit your needs to a tee!"
Airhead candy:	"Don't be an airhead! Listen to Jesus!"
Kool Aid packages:	"Let Jesus be the cool aid in your life."
Hershey kiss(es):	Hershey kiss(es) on a card: "A good night kiss for you. Sleep in peace as God watches over you" or "An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips." Proverbs 24:26 or with 2 kisses "Angel kisses."
Mint:	A mint taped to a card: "Jesus is 'mint' for you."
Sponge:	Small piece of sponge attached to a card: "Soak up God's love."
Chewy Candy:	Gum, caramel, starburst candy, tootsie roll or other chewy candy: "Choose Jesus" or "Choose this day whom you will serve." Joshua 2:4-15
Now and Later candy:	"Jesus Now and Later."
Q-tip:	Q-tip taped to a card: "Open our ears, Lord. We want to hear Jesus."
Small plastic frogs:	"FROG: Fully relying on God."
Gold Fish crackers:	"Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19
Small back scratchers:	"God always has a hand for you!"
Skittles candies:	"Taste the rainbow of God's love."
Equal package:	"Nothing equals Jesus!"
Picture of a cell phone:	Photocopy picture on paper and color with bright colors: "Call on God. Unlimited free anytime access."
Small packages of tissues:	"God will take your tears and make an ocean."
Gold wrapped chocolate coins:	"His love is more precious than gold."
Corks or fishing bobbers:	God's love is unsinkable.
Small match box-size cars:	"Put God in the driver's seat."
Honey:	Bit of Honey or fast food size honey package: Psalm 19:10
Cream Savers:	You are the cream of the crop. Let Jesus be your Life Savior.
Small pocket size mirrors:	"Let Christ be reflected in you."
Letter openers:	"God opens up a whole new world of possibilities."
Toy watches:	"God has all the time in the world for you." Or "Ecclesiastes 3:1"
Birds:	Small plastic or feather birds (floral section of craft store): "Matthew 10:31"
Toy paratroopers (party favors):	"Let Jesus be your parachute."
Individually wrapped hand wipes:	"Jesus makes all things clean."
Rubber Ducks:	"Life with Christ is just ducky!"
Mini-frisbees or spinning tops:	"I may not always know where I'm going, but the one I'm following does. 'The Lord will guide you always.' Isaiah 58:11"
Whistle:	"Whistle while you work Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. Colossians 3:23."
Milky Way candy bars:	"He had a universe to choose from, but God chose you."
Baseball trinkets:	"No outs. All safe with Christ" or "Hit a home run with Christ."
Mustard seed:	Mustard seed glued to a piece of cardstock: "A little faith goes a long way. Matthew 17:20.

Snickers	Tape or glue a "fun-size" Snickers bar to a note card and put the words, "Hungry for God, Why Wait..."
Thumbodys	Place your thumb onto an inkpad and place on a note card. Draw each thumbprint as a person - be creative! Write "Thumbody Loves You!"
Stick with God	Tape or hot glue a small stick to a note card and write "Stick With God"
Dryer Sheets	Staple a dryer sheet to a note card and write "Cling To Jesus!"
Kleenex	On a travel-size package of Kleenex, write Rev. 21:4 - "God shall wipe every tear from their eyes."
Noisemakers	Attach this message to a noisemaker: Psalm 100:1 - "Make a joyful noise..."
Bag of nuts	On a bag of nuts, write: "Jesus is nuts about you!"
UNO	Write: "DO UNO JESUS?"
Sponge	On a piece of sponge, attach the message: "You made the journey, soak it all in!"
Belly Button Cleaner	On a piece of matchstick, glue a piece of pipe cleaner, rounded. Attach the message: "Just when you think you had everything, a belly button cleaner!" and the verse 2 Cor. 7:1 - "Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."
Pixie Sticks	Attach a Pixie Stick (sugar stick) to a note card and write: "God 'picks' you as His beloved."
Candy Cane	Attach a candy cane to a note card and write "By the stripes, we are healed."
Birthday Candles	Attach a birthday candle to a note card and write "Let your light shine..." - Matthew 5:11
Play Doh	On a small Play Doh container, write Isaiah 64:8 - "We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand."
Prayer Rock	Wrap a small rock in cloth and tie shut. Attach a sheet that says "Jesus 'spoke to them in parables to show that they should keep on praying and never lose heart.'" - Luke 18:1
Stir it up	Attach a plastic spoon to the message "...let us consider how to stir up one another to love and to good work." Hebrews 10:24
Band-Aid	Attach a Band-Aid to a note cards that says "God Heals all Wounds."
Pencil	Attach a pencil to a note card that reads "Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart." Proverbs 7:3 or "You're all 'write' with God!"
Gummy Worms	Throw some gummy worms into a bag and attach the message "Come follow me, Jesus said, and I will make you fishers of men." or "Let Jesus work His way into your heart."
Washers	Attach a metal washer to a note card and write "Jesus will wash away your sins."
Paper Umbrella	Attach a paper umbrella to a note card and write "His love shelters us from the storm."
Rubber Band	On a rubber band, attach the message "Band together for Christ's Sake."
Hawaiian Lei	Attach the message "Jesus Leid down His life for you" to a Lei.
Missing Piece	Attach a puzzle piece to a note card with the message "Jesus is the missing piece."
Paint Brush	Attach the message "Let Jesus be the artist of your soak" to a small paint brush.
Marble-ous	On a notepad, attach a marble and the message"Jesus is Marble-ous!" “Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.” Psalms 98:1
Sugar	Attach a packet of sugar to a note card with the message "Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus!"
Warheads	Attach a sour candy or Warhead to a note card with the message "Don't let your love for the Lord grow sour."

Compass	Attach small gift card to compass that says: "God's direction is always true!"
Sunflower Seeds	Attach card to bag of seeds that says: "You are a seed sewn by God. Grow and bloom where you are planted"
Door Hangers	Print on computer "Resting in the Lord" Do Not Disturb and Walk# our group name
Almond Joy	Put on label or attach small gift tag that says: "The JOY of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10