Urgent Prayer Request

Please be in prayer for Janet W.'s brother.  He collapsed Friday night at a ball field, stopped breathing for a few moments, was revived and taken to hospital by ambulance.  Once at the hospital, he had a heart attack and was life flighted to Gainesville.  The hospital advised the family to go be with him as he is in very critical condition.  Please pray for him and the entire family. 

Prayer Requests and Updates

Here is an update on some from our church family we have held close in our thoughts and prayers.

• Kay B. is home recuperating from surgery.  Please pray for a smooth recovery and wisdom for further treatment.
• Mark S. is home from the hospital recovering.
• Liz H.'s father was diagnosed with lung cancer.  He will undergo surgery today.  Please pray for him, his family and the doctors as they plan a course of treatment.
• Betty G.'s sister passed away earlier this week.  Please pray for her and the family for comfort and strength during this time.

The love, care and support of one another is one way God's love is manifested in our lives and church!

Be A Prepared Voter

Election Day is just a few days away!  What an urgent time this is for voters.  You are encouraged to do research on the candidates and vote with wisdom.  Please be much in prayer for the Lord's guidance and leading for your voter choices.

Here are a few links that show where our local candidates stand on some issues:

Christian Coalition

United Christians of Florida

Christian Family Coalition

Iron Sharpens Iron

Several of our men attended an Iron Sharpens Iron conference last weekend.  They were encouraged and equipped to face the challenges of life and strive to be a man of God in the home, church and community.  Here are some scenes from the conference.

 

Prayer Requests

You are encouraged to be in prayer for some in our church family this week.

• Kay  B. will undergo surgery for breast cancer today (Tuesday).
• Caroline's parents are battling illness and facing important decisions.
• Liz H.' father is in the hospital with lung problems.
• Little Bridget is released from the hospital for a few days, but chemo treatments will continue.
• Family Fall Festival this Saturday

Be blessed and reach out to be a blessing!

Hometown Parade

Recently the Homecoming Parade was held and several of our church family was involved in it and watched and enjoyed from the sidelines. 

The Cheering Section:

Ty passing out candy:

Jimmy with the football team:

Abigail leading her group:

 

Josh and the Junior Class:
 

Dale and Caleb with their football teams:
 

Did someone say CANDY?
 

What a great day of fun and hometown  pride!

Prayer and Updates

Here are a few prayer requests to share.

 

• Mark S. is in the hospital being treated for dehydration following a virus.
• David S. who is Robert and Beulah S.' nephew underwent surgery for his feeding tube.
• Scott H.'s mother underwent heart surgery and is now recovering.
• Little Bridget is back in the hospital, had chemo treatments yesterday and they are hoping for higher blood count levels.

Please continue to lift one another up in prayer!

Ladies Fellowship

Calling All Ladies!

Mark your calendars for November 12.  A special time of fellowship will be held at the church just for the ladies.  Details are being planned and this will be an overnight gathering.  Watch the bulletin and blog for more details!

Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child provides the opportunity to share the Good News with children around the world at Christmas time by simply packing a shoebox.  This is a fun, easy and effective way to minister and bless. 

Here are some simple instructions:

1. . SHOE BOX

Use an empty shoe box (standard size, please) or a small plastic container. You can wrap the box (lid separately), but wrapping is not required. Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift.

2. BOY OR GIRL?

Determine whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl, and the child’s age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Use the appropriate boy/girl label. Mark the correct age category on the label, and tape the label to the top of your box.

3. FILL WITH GIFTS

Fill the box with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child.  *See below for gift suggestions.

4. INCLUDE YOUR DONATION

Please donate $7 or more for each shoe box you prepare to help cover shipping and other project costs. You can write a check to Samaritan’s Purse (note “OCC” on memo line) and place it in an envelope on top of the gift items inside your box. If you or your family are preparing more than one shoe box, please make one combined donation.

5. DROP OFF

Place a rubber band around each closed shoe box and drop off at the Collection Center nearest you during our collection week November 15 - 22. *Bring your shoebox to church November 21.  There will be a special time of prayer and they will be dropped off the next day.

GIFT IDEAS

TOYS

small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch A Sketch®, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky®, etc.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.

HYGIENE ITEMS

toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.

OTHER

Hard candy and lollipops (please double bag all candy), mints, gum, T-shirts, socks, ball caps; sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries)

A PERSONAL NOTE

In a separate envelope, you may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. (If you include your name and address, the child may write back.)

DO NOT INCLUDE:

Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snowglobes or glass containers; aerosol cans

40 Day Prayer Vigiil

The prayer focus for this week is for National Renewal.  Some key prayer points to pray each day are:

Rejection of Immorality
God must reveal the wickedness of sin before many people will reject immorality.

Embrace of Biblical Values
National renewal will only occur when the people choose morality.

Families Strengthened
The family is the foundational social unit of healthy societies.

Communities at Peace
Communities that work together can resolve the most stubborn problems.

Return to Civic Morality
Public morality reinforces personal morality and brings honor to any culture.

Sanctity of Human Life
When a nation values life it brings glory to the Creator of life and instills honor in its culture.

God's Design for Marriage
Marriage between one man and one woman is the foundation to healthy families and communities.

Religious Liberty for All
The freedom to worship God according to the dictates of one's conscience is an indispensable value of true liberty.

Bible Trivia

How about a little Tuesday Triva???

First question.
How many cattle did Pharaoh dream about?

Second question.
Whom does God resist and to whom does He give grace?

Third question.
In the Christian armor, what is the breastplate?

Forth question.
How many Assyrians were slain near Jerusalem?

Fifth question.
Who said, "Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou has laid him"?

Sixth question.
To whom did Elijah say it would not rain until he said so?





ANSWERS:


#1. 14, Genesis 41:1-4

#2. He resists the proud and gives grace to the humble, James 4:6
#3. Righteousness, Ephesians 6:14
#4. 185,000, 2 Kings 19:35
#5. Mary Magdalene, John 20:15
#6. Ahab, 1 Kings 17:1

Prayer Requests

Happy Monday!  It's a beautiful new week with new opportunities and new challenges.  But may we remember that God already knows and is able to handle anything that we may face this week!

There were several prayer requests lifted up Sunday night to share.  Please hold each one up this week and ask God how you can be a blessing and support to them.

• Beulah S.'s niece will begin chemo treatments this week.
• Nancy P. has a co worker who is battling Lupus and a brain tumor.
• Kaye B. was diagnosed with cancer and will undergo surgery in a few weeks.
• Caroline's mother is suffering with pneumonia and both of her parents and her family will be making some decisions soon on the  best way to care for them.  Please pray for wisdom and guidance during this critical time.
• Tina S. had eye surgery last week which went well.  She will have surgery on the other eye this week.
• Bridget M. had a rough weekend with chemo treatments, low blood counts and some surgery to drain a lymph node.  Please keep her and the family in your prayers.

May you be blessed and be a blessing to others this week!

Thought For Today

Three Things

Prayer Requests

There are a few prayer needs to share today.  Please keep these in your thoughts and prayers today.

• Tina S. is having eye surgery today.
• Don G. (a new member) is having surgery on his foot today.
• Aubrey H. has broken his ankle and the doctors are deciding on how to treat it.
• Scott H.'s mom will undergo heart valve replacement soon.
• Liz H.'s mother and father are both experiencing some health problems.
• Bridget (great-granddaughter of Felton and Mary Lou R.) is undergoing treatment for leukemia.

Thank you for lifting one another up and being an encouragement to others.  May Christ's love flow from our hearts into the lives of those in our family, church and community.

Church Library

Our church is blessed to enjoy a functioning, fully equipped library.  There are numerous resources available for reading enjoyment, study, encouragement and Christian inspiration.  

The library is currently updating some books and literature.  If you have any books for any age - children, teens, families, adults, you would be willing to donate, please stop by and bring them.

The church library is open Sunday morning at 9:30 AM and Sunday evening at 5:45 PM.  Stop by for a visit and leave encouraged and equipped! 

40/40 Prayer For the Week

The Prayer focus for this week is for Revival Among Church Leadership.  Please be in prayer this week the following:

Deacons
Effective deacon ministry must be Spirit-empowered.

Ministry Leaders
Spirit-empowered leadership of the churches' ministries in crucial for effective outreach.

Ministry Teams
Spirit-empowered teams of Christians can shake communities and nations.

Conviction of Sin
Only God can convict people of sin and of their need for Him.

Conversions
When God pours out His Spirit a renewed understanding of righteousness results.

Saved to be Spirit-filled
The nation is in desperate need of Christians empowered by God's Spirit.

National Thirst for God
Nations can change in an instant when people begin to thirst for God.

Renewed Search for God
The Spirit must reveal people's emptiness before they search for God.

You Are Invited

You are cordially invited to attend the wedding of Elisha P. (daughter of James and Debbie P.) on October 16 beginning at 1:30 PM at O'Leno State Park.  Please contact Debbie for more information or directions.

Congratulations and best wishes for a lifetime of happiness to the couple. 

159th Homecoming

Remember tomorrow (Sunday) is Antioch's 159th Homecoming.  Special guests will be the singing group Delivered and the message will be brought by former pastor Rev. Hugh Dampier. 

Service will begin at 9:45 AM with Delivered ministering in song.  Morning worship will begin at 11:00 AM.  Following the morning service, lunch will be served in the fellowship hall.  Church family is encouraged to bring a covered food dish to share with our guests.

Arrangements

The arrangements have been set for Joe R.'s father.  The viewing will be tomorrow (Thursday) from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at Daniels.  The funeral will be Friday at 11:00 AM at Clayland Baptist.

If you are interested in preparing food, Antioch will be providing the food for dinner tomorrow night.  You are encouraged to drop your food off at Joe R.'s brother's house (please call Bro. Dave for directions) anytime during the afternoon.

Thank you for your continued prayers, love and support for this family.

Bowling Trip

The children and youth enjoyed a recent trip to the bowling alley.  Here they are ‘in action’.

 

Prayer Needs

Our deepest condolences are extended to Joe R. and family in the passing of his father early this morning.  Arrangements will be shared as they become available.  Please keep the family close in your heart and prayers today.

Aubrey H. has broken an ankle in a fall and we are lifting him up for a smooth recovery.

Little Bridget the 21 month old with leukemia got some good test results.  There is no cancer in her brain according to tests.  She continues to undergo chemo treatment and will have three more in the next week and possibly get to come home after those.  Please keep Bridget and her family in your prayers.

Prayer For Church Revival

Our church is involved in a 40 Day prayer focus.  Last week we shared about personal revival.  This week the prayer focus if for church revival. Some key points of prayer for this week are as follows:

Pray...
For Your Church
A God honoring local church is the key to spiritually healthy Christians and effective ministry.

God's Revived People to Register to Vote
Voting is an indispensable part of responsible Christian citizenship.

Churches In Your City
Every community needs churches that are Spirit-empowered.

Churches In Your State
Spirit-empowered churches across the state can change the state and influence the nation.

Churches In the Nation
A national revival in the churches will change the course of the nation and touch the world.

Church Friends Who Need a Touch From God
People all around us are in need of God's spiritual touch and encouragement.

Pastors
A church will not rise any higher spiritually than its leadership.

Other Staff
The church staff is under spiritual attack and must be covered in prayer.

Iron Sharpens Iron - 2010

"As Iron Sharpens Iron, so one man sharpens another."  Proverbs 17:27

Attention Men!  We will be attending the Iron Sharpens Iron Men's Conference on October 23.  You are encouraged to sign up and join us.  This one day conference is for men of all ages; beginning with men age 13 and older.  Brotherhood will be covering the cost for this conference.  Please sign up as soon as possible!

Some of the seminars include relevant topics such as:

• 10 Things That God Looks for in Every Man... Especially YOU!
• ABSOLUTELY Essential for Strong Families: Family Bible Studies Made Easy
• Accountability: The Missing Link
• All Things Work Together for Good … Why Can’t We?
• Courageous Christianity
• Finishing Strong!
• God Believes in You and He Can Not Be Wrong
• Hope for a Fractured World

and many others.

Please see Buddy H. for more information.

Prayer Requests For This Week

It's a beautiful new week!  Fall weather is here which makes everything seem crisp and fresh!  As we embrace this new week, may we be mindful to keep those in our church family close to our hearts in prayer.

Some requests shared last nigh include:

• 
  
  Nancy B.'s daughter and granddaughter had to go to the hospital for treatment of a virus.  They are home recovering.
• 
  
  Ida D's son was severely burned and has undergone skin grafts.  The stress of the treatments is difficult for him and he is still in the hosptial struggling with the physical and mental effects of this accident. 
• 
  
  Felton and Mary Lou R.'s great granddaughter who is 21 months old, will resume chemo treatments for leukemia this week.
• 
  
  Rufus S. who is battling cancer, has came down with shingles.  Please keep him in your prayers.

October is here and filled with some great opportunities for our church.  Although it is the first Wednesday this week, there will be NO Family Meal this month due to preparations for Homecoming.  Important dates this month are:

• October 10 ~ Homecoming
• October 23 ~ Iron Sharpens Iron Conference
• October 30 ~ Family Fall Festival

Fall blessings to you!

40/40 Prayer Vigil

The 40/40 Prayer Vigil is an encouragement to pray for spiritual revival and national renewal.  Our nation is in need of both.  Christians must become engaged in the battle for our nation's soul.  But, until Christians experience revival in our own lives, this will be a difficult task.

40/40 is a time of dedicated prayer for 40 days.  Booklets were passed out last week for the first week.  The highlights will be shared here and then you can jump in next week with the prayer guide. 

This week prayer keys were:

A Thirst For God:
Revival begins when Christians long for a closer walk with God.

A Longing For His Word:
God's Word is an indispensable part of genuine, lasting revival.

Self-Examination:
Christians must see their sinfulness the way God sees it.

Examine Relationships:
Christians must seek to restore healthy relationships.

Concern For the Lost:
Christians should be genuinely, deeply burdened for lost souls.

Repentance:
Revival begins when Christians repent of their sin and embrace holiness.

May we reflect on these keys and seek the Lord to do a work in our hearts, church and nation.