Anniversary Celebrations

In July we had two anniversary celebrations in our church. Jr. and Shirley W. celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a celebration hosted by their children. Sam and Kathy C. celebrated their 40th anniversary with a service renewing their wedding vows and a reception afterward. Our church is blessed to have these special couples who lead by example in commitment, faithfulness, integrity and love in marriage. As we celebrated these anniversaries we are reminded of the blessings of marriage and are thankful for their examples of the love and dedication it takes in the marriage relationship. We rejoice with these couples for God's blessings of love and family and we want so share our love and appreciate for them.

Pictures are not yet available from Jr. and Shirley's reception - we are working on that and hope to get them soon. Here are a few scenes from Sam and Kathy's special day.

Verse of the Day

Prayer Requests This Week

Sunday services at church were a great time of inspiration and encouragement. The mission team shared in both services and blessed the church with their testimony of the mission and what God did in their hearts. Our prayer is the work that God has began, will continue and grow and that fruit may abound in our church for God's glory.

One of the most powerful things as a church family we can do is pray. Prayer is vital for the church, leaders, ministries and people. It is a hope that this blog will encourage us to pray and support each other as a church family. Some prayer requests mentioned in last night's service are as follows:

Sharline B. is recovering from accident
Lisa K.'s daughter and son in law (Allison and Neil) are on a mission trip this week in Honduras. Your prayers are appreciated for them and their mission team.
Aubrey H. is recovering from knee surgery
Sam C.'s uncle passed away and your prayers for the family are appreciated
Please keep the family of Marvin M. in your prayers as the services will be conducted today and tomorrow.
Nominating Committee work - please keep this committee in your prayers as they connect open opportunities for ministry with willing workers. Please also remain in prayer for your ministry in the church and be open to the leading of the Lord. There are opportunities available in every area in our church.

Remember - Prayer Changes Things!

Arrangements For Marvin M.

The arrangements have been set for Marvin M. The viewing will be Monday from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at Daniels Funeral Home. The funeral will be Tuesday at 3:00 PM at our church. Our church will be feeding the family at 1:30 PM. Ladies, your donations of food and help are always appreciated and minister greatly to the family.

Homegoing of Marvin M.

Our church family will be missing one of the godly examples and foundations of Antioch. Marvin M. went to be with the Lord this afternoon (Friday). We rejoice in the fact the Marvin is no longer suffering in his body, but celebrating in the arms of Jesus. Our hearts are sorrowful in the loss of Marvin, but we hold dear fond memories of him through the years in our church. He was a fine man filled with godliness and integrity and he let the love of the Lord shine through him always.

Please keep his wife and family in your thoughts and prayers. Details will be shared here as they become available.

40th Anniversary Celebration

Sam & Kathy C. will be celebrating their 40th Wedding Anniversary on Saturday. Beginning at 4:00 PM a special service will be held where they will be renewing their vows in front of family and friends. A time of fellowship will follow in the fellowship hall. Church family is invited to celebrate this special day with Sam and Kathy. Your presence is the only requested gift.

Word Filled Wednesday

More Camp Photos!

You were ready to see some more of the camp photos right??? Well, here are some more shots of the week of fun:

Remember In Prayer...

A praying church is a church that thrives. It is a church that is headed in God's direction. We are blessed at Antioch with many prayer warriors and their prayers and commitment are deeply appreciated and needed.

There are some things as a church we need to be praying about as a church. A new church year is starting and that is the time for many places of service to be filled. Our Nominating Committee works diligently each year connecting willing workers with ministry opportunities. Please begin to pray for this committee and the work they do. Please also pray and ask the Lord where your part at Antioch is and where He would like you to serve. Each year there are many places where workers are needed. This year there is a need for a Sunday School director, Sunday School teachers and workers, nursery workers and many other places that need help.

What a blessing it would be and how fruitful would the ministries of our church be if each one sought the Lord and followed His leading. Please pray!
Also the mission team is still in West Virgina ministering and you are encouraged to keep them in your prayers this week. They will return home on Friday.

Remember the Mission Team

Tomorrow (Friday) morning, six members of Antioch will join approximately 40 others from churches in our area to form the association wide mission team. This mission team will leave at 5:00 AM to travel to West Virginia for a week of ministry and mission work. The preparations have been made and the team is ready to go. The greatest ministry of the church family through the week is to undergird this team with prayer. Please pray for safe travels and for the work that the team will be doing upon arrival. Please also pray for the hearts of the people in the area will be open and receptive to the work of the Lord. May God's blessings be upon all that is done.

Funny For the Day

Prayer Request

Saturday night Lisa L.'s grandmother passed away. She had been suffering much, so the family is thankful that she is now peaceful, but they are sorrowful for the loss of their loved one. Please keep the family in your prayers, The viewing will be tonight in Georgia and the funeral tomorrow. Thank you for thinking of Lisa and the family and showing love and support to her during this time.

More Camp Pictures

Here are some more pictures of Camp Sonrise. There were lots of things to do like:

Play ping-pong EAT!
Hang out together with friends
Get ready for meals
Game room
Catch a quick break

Our kitchen workers were fantastic
They worked diligently to get the kids fed - no easy task!
Thank you to each one who attended camp and helped out. All this fun could not be had if it were not for camp workers!

Outrigger Island

This week our church was transformed into Outrigger Island. Visitors to Outrigger Island enjoyed a great meal each night, loads of fun, games, singing and most importantly learned that God is real and we can trust in Him and His unshakable truth. A great week of Vacation Bible School finished last night, but on Sunday night at 6:00 - the kids are eager to share what they have learned during Family Night.

Here are a few scenes from the week. (lots more pictures coming later!)

Sermon Recap

Last Sunday was a great church day at Antioch. There was good attendance, excitement about the upcoming week of Vacation Bible School and lots of good fellowship.

The pastor continued the series about What A Real Christian Looks Like and shared a very encouraging message.

The sermon was based on Ephesians 4:7-10 and highlighted some great points:

Every Christian can change.
Christ's giving and grace is unmerited. There is nothing we can do or have done to deserve God's grace.

True Christians are changed from the inside out, just as the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly.

We are designed with God to soar as an eagle.

If we fail or struggle with sin, we need to remind ourselves that God is not finished with us yet, we are a continued work in Him.

Jesus secured our life change.

We need to act on God's truth - Romans 6:1-4

We need to divert sin's path just as water is diverted by damming up the path it treads. By doing this, we alter its rutted path and overcome its intended destination.

As Christians we grow as we meditate on God's Word. Let's reflect on what we have heard this week and keep God's Word close to our heart - it is the path to change and blessing! Have a blessed week.

July 4th Celebration

Friday July 4th a fantastic celebration was held at Antioch. A great time was had by all who attended. There was games, prizes, fun, food, fellowship and fireworks! Sam and Kathy C. headed up and organized the activities with lots of help from the church family. The effort of each one involved is deeply appreciated. Thanks for your time and dedication to make this event a success!

Let the Good Times Roll...

The girls of Cabin 6:

Cabin 6 consisted of 8 girl campers, 2 junior counselors (who were fantastic!) and 6 adult counselors. This cabin rocked - literally! This group was comprised of girls and ladies young, older, quiet, loud, neat, messy and everything in between. But, for a week, they blended together and created a time of memories, bonds of love and loads of fun. These girls were well behaved, respectful and a joy to be around. Fun for the girls was a main goal and a few of their counselors (not naming names, but their names started with "L") led the pack! This cabin may be known best for the late night laughter and fun which echoed through the campground! But, if they ever need a morning wake-up call...they know where to go! Here are a few shots of the girl's week at camp:

There was a lot of swimming:

Putt-Putt Golfing

Cabin Time

The fearless counselors:

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School begins Sunday night at 6:00.

The theme this year is Outriggers Island where we will be living God's unshakable truth!

All kids are grades Kindergarten - 5th Grade are invited. Sunday through Thursday nights (July 6-11) will begin with a dinner at 6:00 followed by Worship Rally at 6:30 and fun activities and learning until 9:00 PM.

Adults are also welcome, we can use lots of volunteers! Please be in prayer for this ministry to reach many with God's Word.

Sermon Notes

Last Sunday we heard a message about "What Are We Becoming". We learned that there is a change which occurs from the inside out in Christ.
Metamorphosis is a familiar word describing the transformation of a caterpillar to a butterfly. Breaking down the word - Morphis means form or nature - the true, real nature of who we are - from the inside which reflects to the outside.
Meta -- means a change inside or reworking from the inside out.

This is what Christ does in the life of a Christan, changes us from the inside to reflect Christ likeness in our actions and attitudes which reflect on the outside.

4 Attitudes to let Jesus live through us:
Based on Ephesians 4:2-6

1. Lowliness or humility: This attitude is evident when things don't go our way and we realize that it is ok and put what is good for others above our own wants:
2. Gentleness - power under control. We "could" be abrasive or rude, but choose to show gentleness and love.
3. Patience: long tempered - a long fuse (not a short fuse!). This is an outgrowth of humility and gentleness. Patience is a result of how we respond to situations which are hectic, troublesome people etc. We are encouraged in God's Word to be "quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath."
4. Bearing with one another: this attitude bears or puts up with others with love. Remember, love bears all things.

Each of these attitudes involve people. Being with people and facing challenging circumstances forms character. We learn from each other and can grow in love with one another.
These attitudes should mark our lives as followers of Christ.

Let's practice these attitudes by asking God to transform our insides or heart to reflect His attitudes through us!

Antioch's Fishermen

As it was mentioned before, at Camp Sonrise, quite a few of our guys got up early to "wet a worm". Here are some pictures of the early morning fun!