Verse For the Day

 

 

 

As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God.

Psalms 42:1

Funny For the Day

5th Sunday Night Sing

Remember the 5th Sunday Night Sing this Sunday (January 31) at 6:00 PM.  This is always a blessed time together as a church as gifts, talents and testimonies are shared and a time of great fellowship follows.  Please make plans to be there Sunday night and also please prepare a finger food or dessert to share following the sing.

If you are interested in sharing, please see Dianne M. 

Prayer Update

Here is a quick update on some of our church family we have been praying for.

Michele T. had successful surgery on her lung and should be at home recovering.

Mike M. has suffered with kidney stones for several days now and is seeking treatment for them.  Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Sweet Hour of Prayer

Sweet Hour of Prayer is a pamplet which is a spiritual preparation guide for personal prayer and awakening.   It can be printed off as a booklet with places to write specific prayer requests etc. and will bles and enrich your devotional time.

Scriptual Soap For Confession Of Sin

A pure heart is a good beginning to seek the Lord in prayer.  Scriptural Soap For Confession of Sin is like a starter to cleanse the heart.  This publication is adapted from Prayer 101:  What Every Intercessor Needs To Know and highlights areas such as:

• Thought Life
• Judgemental Attitude
• Jealousy and Self Ambition
• Pride
• Speech
• Forgiveness
• and others.

Click HERE to read this powerful resource filled with God's Word for a renewed heart.

Preparations For Day of Prayer

Who: Southern Baptists – corporately and individually

When: January 31, 2010 (an all-through-the-day observance)

What: Day of Fasting, Prayer and Repentance

Why: We have forgotten our first love (Revelation 2:4) and need revival in SBC. There are many decisions being made including: the GCRT, GPS, Across North America, search committees for three SBC agencies, etc. We need God’s direction.

Objective: The goal is for all of us to “Be still and know that God is God,” as a sign of our humility and desire to wholeheartedly return to Him. By our being still before Him (see Psalm 46:10), we exalt our God and position ourselves to obey the Great Commission our Lord commanded in Matthew 28:18-20.

In preparation for the Day of Prayer, resources will be shared through the week, please check back and let's prepare our hearts for the Day of Prayer and also to make everyday a day of prayer.

Day of Prayer - January 31

Southern Baptist Convention President Johnny Hunt has suggested eight steps churches can take to prepare for the January 31 day of prayer, fasting and repentance for the SBC.

The goal is for the day or prayer is "for all of us to 'Be still and know that God is God' as a sign of our humility and desire to wholeheartedly return to Him," Hunt said. "By our being still before Him (see Psalm 46:10), we exalt our God and position ourselves to obey the Great Commission our Lord commanded in Matthew 28:18-20."

In a Dec. 9 Baptist Press column calling for the day of prayer, Hunt listed five specific concerns churches and individuals could focus on:

-- A spirit of repentance to fall on churches corporately and personally for individuals, and for genuine revival of first love for Jesus. (See Matthew 4:17; Revelation 2:4.)
-- A great spiritual awakening across our land so that the lost will be drawn to a

personal relationship with Jesus. (See John 6:44; Romans 1:19; 2 Corinthians 2:14.)

-- A sweet spirit of reconciliation among any Southern Baptists who are at odds with each other, or other works of God. Love for one another in the body of Christ to grow and blossom. (See Proverbs 28:13; 1 Corinthians 13:25-27; John 13:34-35.)

-- Wisdom for the members of the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force as they prepare their report in February. (See Jeremiah 33:3; James 1:5.)

-- Guidance for the search committees for presidents of the Executive Committee, the International Mission Board and the North American Mission Board. (See Prov. 3:5-6, 13, 15:22, 27:17; Acts 1:21-26.)

Prayer Request and Updates

Please be in prayer for Margie H. and her family in the loss of her brother. There will be a memorial service later this week in the area down south where he lived. Please keep the family in your prayers.

There are some updates to previous prayer requests:

Michelle T. is in the hospital with a collapsed lung. She will undergo surgery tomorrow (Thursday) morning. Please keep her close in your prayers.

Kathy F's sister we shared about had surgery this week and it was successful. She still is future treatment for liver cancer and your prayers for her recovery and continued treatment are appreciated.

GriefShare Workshop

GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone.
GriefShare seminars and support groups are led by people who understand what you are going through and want to help. You’ll gain access to valuable GriefShare resources to help you recover from your loss and look forward to rebuilding your life.

Our church will hold a GriefShare training workshop January 30 beginning at 9:00 AM. For more information about this ministry visit GriefShare. Please see Bro. Dave for more information or if you are interested in attending. The deadline for registering is January 25.

Florida Baptist Assistance In Haiti

Here are a few headlines from the Florida Baptist Convention on the assistance provided in Haiti:

Missionaries Survived:

Seven native Haitian missionaries serving as employees of the Florida Baptist Convention have survived the earthquake and are believed to be assessing damage within their churches and communities. “These men have been trained in disaster relief by the Florida Baptist Convention,” said John Sullivan, executive director-treasurer. “They know their country, their people and have experience responding in the aftermath of hurricanes. We are grateful to God that they are safe and are there to minister to the Haitian people.”

Assessment Team Preparing To Arrive In Haiti:

A Florida Baptist Convention assessment team is expected to travel to Port-au-Prince Monday, Jan. 18, to determine how Florida Baptists can meet needs and provide assistance to the residents of the earthquake-damaged city. The team also expects to learn the condition of the Convention-owned mission house and the safety of employees who serve as missions leaders and mission house staff.

Emergency Assistance:

The Convention, working in cooperation with Baptist Global Response and other Southern Baptist Convention agencies, is planning to establish feeding sites in and around Port-au-Prince, offer medical personnel and supplies, help those hurting in the churches and assist local Baptist churches get back on their feet. The Convention has received assurances of financial support, equipment and medical resources from across the SBC as well as 40,000 volunteers who are ready to be mobilized

Contributions Information:

Financial contributions are being taken to secure food and humanitarian assistance. Florida Baptists and their churches can contribute directly to the Florida Baptist Convention. Every dollar donated will be used to purchase food and to provide humanitarian resources. All administrative costs are being underwritten by the Cooperative Program and Maguire State Mission Offering. Checks can be made payable and sent to the Florida Baptist Convention at 1230 Hendricks Ave., Jacksonville, Fl 32207, designated disaster relief.

Prayer Request

Please be in prayer for Kathy F.'s sister who lives in Chicago. Her name is Carolyn and she has recently been diagnosed with liver cancer. She has undergone treatment for this and is on a waiting list for a liver transplant. In addition to these struggles, she has to undergo a triple bypass tomorrow (Tuesday) morning. Please lift her up for the many health issues she has going on and for wisdom for the doctors and surgeons as they work to treat her.

Prayer Request

Many of you are aware of the prayer request shared about Michelle T. You are encouraged to keep Michelle in your prayers as she is in the hospital suffering from a collapsed lung. Please pray for Michelle, her family and wisdom for treatment for this condition.

Benefits Of Grace

Amazing Grace! Marvelous Grace! Grace freely given to all who believe.

Benefits of Grace:

1. We are saved by grace.
2. We are forgiven by grace.
3. We are sustained by grace.
4. We are healed by grace.
5. We are liberated by grace.
6. We are given talents and abilities by grace.
7. We are used by grace.
8. We are kept by grace.
9. We are transformed by grace.
10. We are motivated by grace.

How can we say thanks for God's grace?

• By making our lives count.
• By becoming a generous person.
• By sharing the good news of grace.

I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, 5 that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, I Corinthians 1:4,5

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday - January 17

What is National Sanctity of Human Life Sunday?

Twenty-seven years ago, the Christian Action Council Education and Ministries Fund, which is today known as Care Net, asked President Ronald Reagan to create a special day to focus on the intrinsic value of human life and the fundamental right to life, as recognized by the American Founding Fathers. In 1983, President Reagan issued a proclamation establishing a National Sanctity of Human Life Sunday.

The National Sanctity of Human Life Sunday is held on the Sunday in January that falls closest to the day on which the Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton decisions were handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court on January 22, 1973.

This important day also provides an opportunity for pregnancy centers to share about the work they do to bring life-affirming resources to their communities and to empower women and men to choose life for their unborn children.

Our church is participating by giving the opportunity for you to give a special offering to our local Pregnancy Crisis Center. Baby bottles will be passed around during the morning service, and you are encouraged to donate and help support this ministry in the work they do to choose life.

Guidelines For Christian Living

Christianity is a lifelong journey of drawing nearer to God and as we grow closer to Him, we become Christ-like in our actions and attitudes.

Billy Graham shares 10 Guidelines For Christian Living which can be used to assist us as we grow in the Lord.

1. Read the Bible daily. The spiritual life needs food and nourishment.

2. Learn to Pray. Prayer combined with Bible study makes for a healthy Christian life.

3. Rely on the Holy Spirit. Christ dwells in Christians through the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to take over and guide our lives.

4. Attend Church Regularly. Christianity is a religion of fellowship. The visible church is a place where we gather to worship God, learn from His Word and fellowship with other Christians.

5. Be A Witnessing Christian.

6. Let Us Love. Let love be the ruling principle of your life.

7. Be an Obedient Christian. Let Christ have first place in all the choices of you life.

8. Learn How To Meet Temptation. Temptation is natural and of itself is not sin. It is yielding to temptation that is sin.

9. Be A Wholesome Christian. May we strive to be chivalrous, courteous, clean of body, pure of mind, poised and gracious. Our lives and appearance should commend the gospel and make it attractive to others.

10. Live Above Your Circumstances. God made you as you are. He placed you where you are. The best place for you to serve and glorify Him is where you are. Learn to live graciously within your circumstances, realizing the Lord Himself is with you.

Real Men's Event 2010

Our Brotherhood ministry is planning to attend a Real Men's Event on February 27 at Skeeter Ranch. This is a local event and The purpose of the Real Men's Day is to provide men an opportunity to be encouraged by enjoying God's great creation together in a God-honoring way and to endeavor to reach those who only know of our Great God by his creation, the great outdoors.

General Admission is $20 for adults and
$15 for guys 13 and under (must be at least 5 years old).
This includes:

• Pulled BBQ Pork and Hotdog Lunch,
• Plus Golf: Closest to the pin / Longest Drive
• Archery
• Turkey Shoot
• Baseball Fast Throw
• Greased Pig
• 30ft. Rock Climbing Wall
• Target Shoot

Special Guest at Real Men's Event:

Pastor Johnny Hunt
First Baptist Woodstock, GA
President of the
Southern Baptist Convention

Click here for a welcome from Dr. Hunt.

Visit Real Men's Event for more information and go ahead and mark your calendars!

What Is Spiritual Growth?

Spiritual growth can be defined as:

• How much closer we are to God.
• How much character has been changed by God's power.
• How much "quality" not "quantity" of change is there?

God grows us in the grace and knowledge of Him. Some ways to grow spiritually are:

To Put Off the Old:
We don't grow by trying to do better. We don't grow by keeping stringent rules.
Christianity is a relationship with Jesus - not strictly following rules and regulations.

Put On the New:
We don't have to achieve on our own. We are created by God and we simply accept or put on His righteousness. II Corinthians 5:17 " Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
We don't have to hold on to new life - it won't slip away - we are eternally secure in Christ.

We Are To Have Our Minds Renewed:
God wants to change the way we think so we can see things through Christ's eyes. The more we see things through God's eyes, the more we are changed into His likeness. Romans 12:2 "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

*Why Does Change and Growth Take So Long?
Growth is a process that points to eternity. It takes time, but God's changes in us are eternal and will affect us for eternity.

*Where Does It Start?
By trusting God to accomplish His will in us.
Philippians 1:6 "being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;:

Easter Cantata

The adult choir is beginning practice for a powerful Easter presentation - Rise Again. This is a musical presentation filled with praise and worship to our Living Savior.

If you are interested in being a part of this worship celebration, the choir practices each Sunday night at 7:00 PM - following the evening service. You are welcome to come and participate! Please see Sis. Dianne M. for additional information.

5th Sunday Night Sing

January 31 in the evening service will be a 5th Sunday Night Sing. Please begin to pray and prepare to share during this special time of fellowship and sharing. Individuals, groups, classes and families are all welcome and encouraged to participate in sharing a song, talent or testimony. Please see Sis. Dianne if you would like to share.

Camp Sonrise 2010

Today is a perfect day to dream about Camp Sonrise! Imagine a hot summer day, a beautiful lake to swim in, evenings full of put-put golf and paddle boats. Listen to the sounds of children singing, playing and laughing! Think of the fun they are having. But also think of the opportunity to invest into the lives of these children, to pour into their hearts God's Word and His love. What a fantastic ministry! Here are the details for Camp Sonrise 2010.

• Camp Sonrise 2010 will be June 21-24, 2010 at Yogi Bear Campground.



• Camp is for children completing 2 grade through 6th grade.



• The cost will be $70.00 per child, $15.00 per adult counselor & $35. 00 Junior Counselor.



• Camp Registration deadline is May 30, 2010



• Adult/Camper Ratio: minimum 1 adult to 6 campers/maximum 1 adult to 3 campers
  
  Antioch will need several male and female adult counselors. Please begin to pray and ask the Lord if this is His will for you. If you are interested in helping out this summer, please see Bro. Dave.
  Camp planning meeting is scheduled for January 26 at Antioch at 6:30 PM.
  

A New Year, A New Week

Quote for the day:

Great opportunities to help others seldom come,

but small ones surround us every day.

As we begin the first week of the new year, here are some prayer needs to share and upcoming announcements.

Prayer:

Ida D. has been struggling with illness.

Rex M. has also battled sickness this week and needs our prayers.

Jason Mc. is still recovering from surgery.

Anita B.'s grandfather passed away and her family will be traveling for the funeral.

Family Meal:

Wednesday night will be the Family Meal and Prayer. At 6:00 PM we will gather in the fellowship hall for a meal together. Please bring a covered dish to share and enjoy some great food and fellowship. Following the meal there are activities for all ages.

Happy New Year!