New Week

What a wonderful day Sunday was at Antioch.  We were challenged in the morning message to learn and live out "Four Essentials For Joyful Living" and in the evening service, our hearts were blessed by those who shared a song, a verse or a word of testimony.  It was a beautiful day in the Lord. 

This week there are a few special things going on.  Monday night the men will enjoy a fish fry and some encouragement and fellowship with other men.  This will be in the fellowship hall beginning at 6:00 PM.  Then the Family Meal will be on Wednesday at 6:00 PM.  You are encouraged to bring a covered dish and enjoy some great fellowship before mid week service. 

Some prayer needs to remember this week are:

• Tasha M. has an appointment this week to see about how to treat her knee which has fluid on it.
• Harry S. will have extensive surgery on his mouth and throat on Tuesday.
• Aubrey H. will have surgery on his knee on Wednesday.
• Rufus S. is battling cancer and continues to need our prayers.
• Frances P. is suffering with some health issues and feeling poorly.
• Caroline Mc. has been taking care of her mother who broke her hip.  She is healing well, but now her father took a fall and broke his arm.  Please keep the family in your prayers.

May we be encouraged to share God's love and grace to those we see this week.

5th Sunday Night Sing

Sunday night at 6:00 PM there will be a 5th Sunday Night Sing.  This is always a great time as our church is blessed by those singing, sharing a testimony, talent or favorite Scripture.  Will you be a part?  Each of us is given gifts and talents and as we walk with the Lord, we have a testimony of His faithfulness in our lives.  Will you share?  Will you be a blessing to others?

There will be the monthly Family Meal on Wednesday (February 2), so we will not have refreshments after the sing as we usually do. 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16

Christmas Party–The Gifts!!

During the church Christmas party presents were a fun highlight!  Here are some shots of those choosing and sharing their gift!


Everyone loves presents!! 

Leonard Ravenhill: Why Revival Tarries

This week we are focusing on prayer.  This is an area everyone can benefit from it's increase.  Prayer takes discipline, time, effort etc. and is not an easy practice or spiritual discipline.  But the rewards are worth much more than anything we put in towards it. Here are some powerful and sobering thoughts on prayer from Leonard Ravenhill.  May we with open hearts be willing to sacrifice time to pray and acknowledge the true power in prayer. May we recognize our weakness as a church in the area of prayer and not be discouraged, but be encouraged to pursue this wonderful gift God has given to us.

"No man is greater than his prayer life. The pastor who is not praying is playing; the people who are not praying are straying.  Poverty-stricken as the Church is today in many things, she is most stricken here, in the place of praver. We have many organizers, but few agonizers; many players and payers, few pray-ers; many singers, few clingers; lots of pastors, few wrestlers; many fears, few tears; much fashion, little passion; many interferers, few intercessors; many writers, but few fighters. Failing here, we fail everywhere.

The two prerequisites to successful Christian living are vision and passion, both of which are born in and maintained by prayer. The ministry of preaching is open to few; the ministry of prayer-the highest ministry of all human offices-is open to all.

The secret of praying is praying in secret. A sinning man will stop praying, and a praying man will stop sinning. We are beggared and bankrupt, but not broken, nor even bent.

For more from Leonard Ravenhill see Why Revival Tarries.

Southern Baptist Day of Prayer

CALL FOR SOUTHERN BAPTISTS TO PRAY

Southern Baptists – corporately and individually are asked to participate in a Day of Prayer.

The SBC Day of Prayer is a time of prayer, fasting, and repentance. The goal of this Solemn Assembly is for congregations to "Be still and know that God is God," as a sign of humility and desire to wholeheartedly return to Him. By being still before Him (see Psalm 46:10), we exalt our God and position ourselves to obey the Great Commandment found in Mark 12:29-31 and the Great Commission our Lord gave in Matthew 28:18-20. We have forgotten our first love (Revelation 2:4). We need revival in the SBC. We need God's direction. 

When: January 2011

What: Solemn Assembly - Fasting, Prayer and Repentance

Why: We have forgotten our first love (Revelation 2:4) and need revival in SBC. 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 Commandment found in Mark 12:29-31 and the Great Commission our Lord gave in Matthew 28:18-20.

Our church will be recognizing and participating in this Day of Prayer. Please come back to the blog this week to be challenged and encouraged to pray.

Youth Springing Into Action Project

The youth at Antioch are "Springing Into Action".  They are looking to help some of our widows or older members who need some yard work done or would like new flower bed for spring.  Please see Liz H. if you are interested in our youth doing a project for you!

Couple's Sweetheart Banquet

There will be a special treat for Valentine's Day this year!  Antioch will be hosting a Couples Sweetheart Banquet on Saturday, February 12 from 6:00 - 8:30 PM.  This will be a time of togetherness to celebrate your sweetheart and enjoy a candlelight meal together.  There are some special things planned to celebrate this holiday of love!

This banquet is for adults only, so you are encouraged to line up a babysitter for the evening.  The meal will be provided, but reservations need to be set with Mrs. Wanda P. 

You are also encouraged to share a wedding photo for the banquet.  Please put your name on the back and give it to Mrs. Wanda.  It will be returned following the banquet.  Make plans and reservations to enjoy and celebrate this Valentine's Day!

Arrangements for Mary M.

The arrangements for Mary Mattox have been set.

The viewing will be Wednesday from5:00 - 7:00 PM at Harris Funeral Home
Funeral will be 11:00 AM at Suwannee Station on Thursday.

Your continued thoughts and prayers are appreciated.

Men's Fish Fry

All men and boys are invited and encouraged to join for a Brotherhood Fish Fry and Fellowship which will be held January 31 at 6:00 PM in the church fellowship hall.  Please see Buddy H. for more information.

Prayer Requests

There were a lot of needs shared last night and you are encouraged to be in prayer for each other as we begin a new week.

Please remember:

• Gene B's great-grandson - suffering from illness and has been to the hospital for it twice this week.
• Kay B. will undergo a cancer treatment today. 
• Ida D.'s son in law is suffering with some health problems
• Bessie P.'s granddaughter in law is suffering with a severe ear infection and surgery has been mentioned
• Harry S. will go for a consultation for surgery this week. 
• Cody M. broke his wrist recently and they are trying some treatments before surgery is considered.
• Kathy B.'s son Lee will have an important doctor visit this week regarding his arm.
• Beulah and Mark S. continue to battle illness.
• Georgette R.'s brother in law Mel Mc. is in the hospital and the family needs your prayers.
• Caroline's mother and family continue to need our prayers during this time of recovery.

Many of you know Mary Mattox and we have been lifting her up in prayer.  She passed away today and we share the sorrow of the family, but also rejoice that she is no longer suffering and as a child of God is in the arms of the Lord.  Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers.

How Sanctity of Human Life Sunday Began

In 1983, an organization named Christian Action Council (now known as Care Net), founded with the help of Francis Schaeffer and former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, "asked President Ronald Reagan to create a special day to focus on the intrinsic value of human life." That same year, "President Reagan issued a proclamation establishing a National Sanctity of Human Life Sunday."

Here's a portion of President Reagan's proclamation the following year marking the anniversary of Roe v. Wade as "fitting ... [to] reflect anew" on our responsibility to "care for the lives and freedoms of even the weakest of our fellow human beings."

"Since 1973, however, more than 15 million unborn children have died in legalized abortions -- a tragedy of stunning dimensions that stands in sad contrast to our belief that each life is sacred. These children, over tenfold the number of Americans lost in all our Nation's wars, will never laugh, never sing, never experience the joy of human love; nor will they strive to heal the sick, or feed the poor, or make peace among nations. Abortion has denied them the first and most basic of human rights, and we are infinitely poorer for their loss.

We are poorer not simply for lives not led and for contributions not made, but also for the erosion of our sense of the worth and dignity of every individual. To diminish the value of one category of human life is to diminish us all. Slavery, which treated Blacks as something less than human, to be bought and sold if convenient, cheapened human life and mocked our dedication to the freedom and equality of all men and women. Can we say that abortion -- which treats the unborn as something less than human, to be destroyed if convenient -- will be less corrosive to the values we hold dear?"

This Sunday is National Sanctity of Human Life Day. Please take an opportunity this weekend to consider how God may be calling you to "care for the lives and freedoms of even the weakest of our fellow human beings."

Prayer Requests

There are several prayer requests to share with you this week.  Lots of needs within our church family, lots of ways to be a blessing to others.

• Aubrey H. will undergo a stress test today.  He is also scheduled to have knee surgery in February, but they are running a test to see if he will be able to have the surgery.
• Mark S. has been in the hospital with some health problems, may be released today, but your continued prayers are with him.
• Robert & Beulah S. have been ill and suffering with some health problems.  They are getting better, but need our continued prayers.
• Cody M. has broken his wrist and they are still evaluating the best course of treatment.  Surgery may be an option.
• Harry S. is having some serious health issues and facing surgery for mouth/throat cancer. Please pray for wisdom and guidance as they seek treatment options.
• Caroline's mother is doing a bit better and hopes to be transferred to a care facility to recover soon.  Bro. Dave is trying to get home, but the roads are treacherous.  Please keep them in your prayers.
• Ida D. has had some problems keeping her blood pressure regulated.
• Rex Mc. had a biopsy on some areas this week and is awaiting results.
• Kay B. had a good week and will be having a treatment on Monday. 

Please keep these and others you may be aware of in your thoughts and prayers.

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday

This Sunday is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday which is observed each year.  This is a day when our country recognizes that each person, including every person waiting to be born, has a special place and purpose in this world.  According to God's Word, each person is 'fearfully and wonderfully made' in the image of God. 

This day provides the opportunity to support our local Pregnancy Care Center as we will be receiving an offering for them.  The center is open to minister to those in a crisis pregnancy and offers the hope of salvation along with the blessing of 'choosing life' for the unborn baby. 

May we be mindful of the blessing of human life and be stirred to support those battling to share the sancity of human life.

Church Sign

For a long time now, it has been noticed that the church sign in front of the church is not very effective in drawing attention.  A church sign is often the first impression to newcomers and a token of welcome and interest to those driving by.  A committee was formed to look into this project and after much research, they recently presented their recommendation to the church.

A new church sign which is bigger than our existing one, with brighter colors and bigger letters which are easier to read will cost approximately $8,500.00.  The committee also recommended that a fund be set up to receive donations toward the cost of the sign so that this amount will not be a strain on the regular church budget.  It would be desirable to have the sign up by Homecoming which will be in October.  Donations will be received for the sign up until August 1, and if there is enough interest and support a new sign will be ordered. 

Please be in prayer and consider joining with others to bless the church in this endeavor.

Prayer Request

A few prayer requests to share as we end this week.

• Caroline's mother had a fall and has broken her hip.  They currently are deciding on treatment which will probably be surgery. 
• Georgette's brother in law Mel Mc. has been diagnosed with lung cancer and they are deciding on treatment for him.
• Bridget M. has a respiratory infection and had to spend a few days in the hospital this week.
• Robert and Beulah have been very sick, but are slowly recovering.
• Remember the family of Judy H.  Services will be for family only, but your prayers are appreciated.

Looking forward to gathering on Sunday, may our hearts be prepared to worship Him for all He is and has done.

7 Qualities of Character

"Character is doing the right thing when nobody's looking."  It is more than appearance, it is what is hidden and developed in the heart and then expressed in outward actions.  Godly character begins with our relationship with God. 

Here are 7 Qualities of Character to see developed in our lives this year.  If we practice and let God develop these qualities, our lives will be changed.

1.  Holiness:  Being set apart, separated from the world in our thoughts, words and motives.
2.  A Pure Heart:  we are to approach God with clean hands and a pure heart.
3.  A Contrite Heart:  humble and repentant before God.
4.  The Fear of God:  having a sense of reverence, respect and awe of God.
5.  Faithfulness:  remaining true to the Lord through our trials, hard times as well as the good times.  God is searching for faithful people.  Faithfulness begins in the little things.
6.  Obedience:  a love for God and to obey Him and His commands.  To obey is better than to sacrifice, we show we really love Him, when we obey Him.
7.  Be Servants:  In all we do, we are serving God. 

May we be diligent to pursue and grow in godly character.  It will transform our homes, church and world. 

Homegoing

Many of you may remember Ray and Judy H.  They attended Antioch several years ago and were owners of a local produce stand.  Today we learned that Judy has passed away.  Although they had not attended Antioch in a long while, this would be a great opportunity to reach out in love and minister to the family with Christ's love and compassion.  Please keep the family in prayer.  Arrangement details will be shared as they become available.

Let It Rain..

The forecast for tomorrow (Wednesday) is a bit dreary.  Cool and rainy.  The perfect weather to stay home and cuddled up inside.   But....we need the rain.  We need to have the ground watered to refresh and quench it's parched soil.  The seeds and plants need water to grow and flourish.  Rain is a good thing!

Tomorrow night is also Family Meal at 6:00 PM.  Go ahead and brave the weather to come enjoy a meal with church family.  The fellowship will warm your soul.  Mid week service is a time for spiritual rain...where we can be refreshed in the Lord, through prayer and hearing God's Word, the seeds in our heart can bloom into beautiful plants of the Lord, sharing His beauty.  We need the rain!!  Come on out and let's grow together!  Bring a covered food dish and the family.

SSHHH!! It's A Surprise...

You are invited to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of Felton and Mary Lou R. this Saturday at the church from 2:00 - 4:00 PM.  This celebration will be hosted by their family and all church family and friends are invited.  Please stop by and share you congratulations to them and let them know how much they are loved.  But don't forget...IT"S A SURPRISE!!