Church Blog

Sisters and brothers,

Happy Monday to all! Next Sunday we will switch back to the normal Sunday School at 9:30 AM and 10:45 AM worship time in September.

Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.

Carla and I wanted to thank you for the wonderful reception you had for us yesterday. The remembrance clock, the cash gifts, and the wonderful card was such a blessing. The clock and the card from you with all your remembrances will be cherished for years to come.

When Carla and I accepted the call to pastor East Madison Baptist Church more than eleven and one half years ago, we did not know that pastoring you would be one of the most fulfilling ministries of our lives. After serving the Minnesota/Wisconsin Baptist Convention as a Church Planting Catalyst and Director of Missions for almost 12 years, I was ready to move back to pastoring a local church. I honestly tell you that becoming your pastor rejuvenated me. You have been so good to us, and I thank God for leading us to be your pastor. We pray for you what Paul prayed for the Ephesian believers in Ephesians 1:18-19a, “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”  May Almighty God pour out His richest blessing upon you of increasingly knowing Him better and better. 

May God continue to bless His children at East Madison Baptist Church as they continue to take the good news of Jesus to the ends of the earth.

I have genuinely loved being your pastor! Thank you for this privilege.

We love you all,

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church

Brothers and sisters,

Happy Monday to all! It was a privilege to see Kareem as the lead for the first time on our worship team yesterday. Seeing his giftedness and ability to lead out was such a blessing. Great job Kareem! We thank God for our worship team and the people who not only lead us in worship week by week but bring new people onto that team and train them up to be used by God as His servants. I was truly blessed.

In the message from 1 Timothy 1, we learned that we need be careful and not spend time on speculation and theories. We need to major on loving God, loving each other as believers, and loving the world that Jesus came to save. We are not to get sidetracked by the trivial. We are not to be led astray by false teachings and speculations. God’s goal for believers is not foremost intellectual advancement. We can fill our minds with knowledge, but are we being made more like Jesus? God’s goal for us is be conformed to the image, the likeness of Christ in our character, and have His kind of love fill us and flow through us to others. God’s goal for us is to live a life of sincere and informed love and not for us to be ivory-tower theologians.

Next Sunday is our last Sunday to flip our schedule. We will meet for worship during our normal Sunday School time at 9:30 AM and Sunday School will take place at 10:45 AM. We will switch back to the normal Sunday School at 9:30 AM and 10:45 AM worship time in September.

Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.

Love being your pastor!

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church

Sisters and brothers,

Happy Monday to all! Yesterday was a wonderful time of worship as we remembered and adored our great God and Savior. From the passages in Mark and John we considered loving God supremely, loving fellow believers as Jesus has loved us, and loving our neighbors as ourselves. Being a Christian is not about keeping a list of rules, regulations, and religious practices. Christianity in its bottom line can be boiled down to one word: relationships. Christianity is about God initiating a relationship with us by reconciling the world to Himself through Christ Jesus. Christianity is about those believing in Jesus having an intimate and growing relationship with Almighty God through Jesus Christ that brings glory to God. Then because we have been made right with God through faith in Jesus, it is having an intimate, growing, and loving relationships with others who have trusted Jesus and are part of His family. Finally, because we have an intimate relationship with God through Jesus Christ and with His children by loving them, we want others outside of Jesus to be saved so they could know Him and become part of His wonderful family.

Remember for the rest of August, on August 23 and 30, we will meet for worship during our normal Sunday School time at 9:30 AM and Sunday School will take place at 10:45 AM. We intend to switch back to the normal Sunday School at 9:30 AM and 10:45 AM worship time again in September.

We will have a potluck luncheon after Sunday School this Sunday. Bring enough food for your family and a little extra for any guest we night have.

Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.

Love being your pastor!

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church

Brothers and sisters.

Happy Monday to all! In Genesis 45, as Joseph revealed himself to his brothers, we again recognized that God is in control and His purposes will prevail. Even though Joseph’s brothers had wronged him and sold him as a slave in Egypt, God’s purposes were to get Joseph to Egypt to use him to save many lives and preserve Jacob’s family through whom the world’s Redeemer and Savior would be born. God was working in this situation to bring about His purposes.  “History is His story.” I know that is an old cliché but believe it is one of the truest ever said. Is someone pulling the strings to bring their plans and purposes to completion? Yes! Almighty God is working to bring restoration and redemption to fallen humanity and His created world. Derik Kidner reminds us that God’s will, not man’s, is the controlling reality of life! God is in control. We believe that His children will not be forsaken, as Twila Paris sings. Understanding God’s sovereign control enables believers to truly forgive evil done to them. Understanding God’s sovereign control helps us see His working to bless us through human officials and governments. Understanding God’s sovereign control opens our eyes to see many miracles through the ordinary events of life. God works His redemptive purposes even through the sinful and evil actions of people.

We will observe the Lord’ Supper during our morning worship next Sunday, August 16. Remember for the rest of August, on August 16, 23 and 30, we will meet for worship during our normal Sunday School time at 9:30 AM. Next Sunday August 16, during our normal 10:45 AM worship time we will meet in the sanctuary to continue to discuss some important issues facing East Madison Baptist Church. If we need more time, we can continue the discussions through August 23 and 30. If not, we will just have our regular Sunday School classes at that time. We intend to switch back to the normal Sunday School at 9:30 AM and 10:45 AM worship time again in September.

Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.

Love being your pastor!

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church

Sisters and brothers,

Happy Monday to all! As we look at Genesis 44, we saw that Joseph’s brothers, who wrongfully sold him into slavery 20 years previously, had become different men who regretted their evil against Joseph and had been changed by the power of God. People can change! We believe the person filled with hatred and violence can become a person filled with love and peace. We believe that God has the power to change any life and anyone can be changed. What a person was does not determine what he or she is today and what he or she will be tomorrow. Those who experience God’s grace and power can be changed from hateful, uncaring, and unforgiving people  to loving, caring, and forgiving people. What seems impossible with men is possible with God. God uses the tests of life, the consequences of sin, the emotional toll of regret, the march of time, and every other circumstance to change people. With those who believe, God Spirit continually works in their lives to make them more like Jesus. If you have not believed, life’s struggles point you to a need for forgiveness and life found in Jesus Christ and the need to be changed. If you have not yet received Jesus, believe in Him as Savior and Lord and be changed. He will change you. 2 Corinthians 5:17 reveals, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” God changes selfish and hateful people into people who exhibit the selfless character of Christ Jesus.

For the rest of August, on August 9, 16, 23 and 30, we will meet for worship during our normal Sunday School time at 9:30 AM. Then during our normal 10:45 AM worship time we will meet in the sanctuary to discuss some important issues facing East Madison Baptist Church. We are currently planning two discussion sessions, on August 9 and 16. If we need more time, we can continue the discussions through August 23 and 30. If not, we will just have our regular Sunday School classes at that time. We intend to switch back to the normal Sunday School at 9:30 AM and 10:45 AM worship time again in September.

Yesterday, I announced my retirement effective September 30, 2026. My last Sunday preaching will be August 30. As I told our church family yesterday, it has been one of the great privileges of my life to serve our Lord Jesus along with you as your pastor for almost twelve years. Carla and I love you all. We will pray for our East Madison family, and we ask you to pray for us during this transition.

Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.

Love being your pastor!

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church

Brothers and sisters,         

From the Church Council:

       Last Tuesday, the church council met and expressed interest in getting all the East Madison Baptist Church body together to talk through several important issues related to the church building, Pastor Bob’s retirement, the search for an interim and/or permanent new pastor, etc. We wanted a time where everyone could be here to participate without having to make a special trip. Since we are usually all here on Sundays for our worship service at 10:45, that seemed like a good time for this. So, beginning Sunday August 9 and continuing through the rest of August, we will be switching our worship and Sunday School times to allow our members and regular attenders time together to have these discussions. 

       This coming Sunday, August 2, we will meet for Sunday School and our worship service at the normal times. But on August 9, 16, 23 and 30, we will meet for worship during our normal Sunday School time at 9:30 AM, and then during our normal 10:45 worship time we will meet in the sanctuary to discuss these issues together. We are currently planning two discussion sessions, on August 9 and 16. If we need more time, we can continue the discussions through August 23 and 30. If not, we will just have our regular Sunday School classes at that time. We intend to switch back to the normal 9:30 Sunday School and 10:45 Worship time again in September.
       Pete Pokrandt on behalf of the EMBC Church Council

Happy Monday to all! Yesterday we worshipped and contemplated the massive love of God for sinful people like us. We looked at Luke 7 when Jesus was a guest in the home of Simon the Pharisee, who was checking Jesus out. An immoral woman came and stood behind Jesus as he was reclining and eating. She began to weep profusely as she stood, wetting Jesus’ feet with her tears. Then she wiped Jesus’ feet with her hair, kissed Jesus’ feet repeatedly, and anointed His feet with costly ointment. Jesus responded with acceptance. We saw that sinful people felt welcomed around Jesus. Simon, however judged both the woman and Jesus without really even looking at either of them. We asked ourselves, “Who are like we today?” Are we the religious and respectable Simon who does not think he needs forgiveness? Jesus is at the table with us, and we are inspecting Him to see if He matches up to our expectations. We do not need to examine Jesus. We need to examine ourselves! Jesus has already examined all of us and all of us are sinners who need forgiveness. Or are we the sinful woman? We know we are sinners and are not trying to excuse ourselves. Jesus knows all things, He knows us, and we can approach Him in our sinfulness with our need for forgiveness.  We as sinners, as outcasts, can approach Him with our sin and he will tenderly, graciously, lovingly receive us as we come to Him realizing our sinfulness and turning from our sin to Him. Jesus has absorbed our debt of sin in Himself. Jesus did this when He died on the cross in our place. There is no sin we have committed that He will not forgive if we come to Him. Jesus is near at us today and inviting us to Himself! Jesus will not reject or reproach but will lovingly accept and forgive. Chris Rice sang this: “Weak and wounded sinner, Lost and left to die, O, raise your head, for love is passing by. Come to Jesus, Come to Jesus, Come to Jesus, and live!” I pray all of us will come to Jesus today and live.

Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.

Love being your pastor!

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church

Sisters and brothers,         

Happy early Monday to all! We worshipped today and remembered Jesus and His sacrifices for us as we sang and took His Supper. His body was broken and His blood was shed so we could be redeemed. We looked at the second trip to Egypt by Joseph’s brothers to buy food. Jacob after refusing at first, was forced by circumstances to send Benjamin to Egypt with his brothers. God put him in the place where he had no other options. Sometimes that happens to us. There will be exceedingly difficult circumstances forced upon us. These circumstances are meant for our good. If you have not yet come to Christ for forgiveness and life, the circumstances are meant to point you to the Christ as your Savior and Lord and receive His life. If you are a believer, you can know that God works through all the circumstances of life to conform us to the character and image of Christ and use us to glorify Himself and further His Kingdom. God will not waste one difficulty in life but will use them to conform us to Christ image and to fulfill His purposes through us. God uses the tests and circumstances of life to refine us and conform us to the image of Christ.

There will be a potluck luncheon after our worship gathering next Sunday, July 19. Bring enough food for yourself, family, and a little extra for any guest.

Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.

Love being your pastor!

Brothers and sisters,         

Happy Monday to all! In the worship songs and the preaching of God’s Word, we contemplated God’s mysterious workings. As we looked at Genesis 42 and Joseph’s first meeting with his brothers since they had sold him into slavery, we saw how God mysteriously works to deliver His people from death to accomplish His redemptive purposes. We saw how God guides His unaware children to fulfill His purposes and live. We saw how God elevates His servants to power and gives them wisdom to provide life to His people. We recognized that God test His people to purify them and bring them to repentance. We learned that God’s people often will not see God’s life-giving purposes amid the tests. What we, from a human perspective, think might destroy us as God’s people is used by God to save and rescue His people and allow the spread the gospel around the world. God works through crisis and weakness to show His great power.  His Kingdom does not expand through the sword but often through the suffering of His children as they follow their Savior, whose suffering and death brought us forgiveness and life. God provides life to His children in the midst of death.

We will observe the Lord’s Supper in our morning worship gathering next Sunday, July 12.

We will have a quarterly business meeting after our worship gathering next Sunday, July 12. Please be praying about the important items of business with which we will be dealing.

Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.

Love being your pastor!

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church

Sisters and brothers,         

Happy Monday to all! As we worshipped yesterday, we praised our Redeemer God and Risen King who reigns forever and ever. We looked at the elevation of Joseph from prison to the second highest ruler in Egypt in Genesis 41. From Genesis to Revelation that Bible teaches us that God seeks to save and rescue us from our sins and make us His own dear children. Just as God worked through Joseph to save many lives during the famine that took place in Egypt and the Middle East, God works through His children today to rescue and save lives and bring about His redemptive purposes for the world. God sent His only begotten son Jesus not to condemn the world but to save the world. God’s purpose is to save and rescue lives. His warnings in His Word given in love cause us to fear and see our need for rescue. Then eternal life revealed in God’s word through Jesus points us to our Rescuer. God calls believers as His servants who alone can understand and interpret God’s revelation to the world. God gives us understanding of what He is doing. We see the deliverance and elevation of God’s children to save and rescue lives. God works through His people to rescue and provide life to others.

Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.

Love being your pastor!

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church

Brothers and sisters,         

Happy Monday to all! On Father’s Day yesterday we praised our great and perfect heavenly Father, and we thought about the importance of fathers. The importance of fathers, and especially a godly father, in someone’s life cannot be overestimated. Our culture downplays the need for a dad’s involvement in the lives of children. But no matter what lunacy our culture embraces, God’s creation order and His Word, the Bible, teach that a child is truly handicapped when Dad, for whatever reason, is not around. We looked at Scriptures that told us the importance of fatherhood. Do we want to be the dad, mom, or person God’s wants you to be?  Be f-faithful.  Be a-available.  Be t-a tough and tender teacher. Be h-hopelessly in love with your spouse.  Be e-emotionally involved with your children and those close to you. And finally, be r-repentant, seeking forgiveness for your sins from God and others, seeking grace and mercy to override your mistakes. There is no greater calling upon your life than to raise your children to walk with Jesus.

Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.

Love being your pastor!

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church