What Do Salt and Light Do?

When Christians become salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16), they will have an enormous, immediate impact on the world around them. The world will notice a visible difference.  Here are a few things 'salt' and 'light' do:

Salt

Is a preserver, keeps things from spoiling, adds flavor and seasoning, brings out taste, life and zest.  Is an antiseptic, cleanses and heals, creates thirst. 

Could our world benefit from Christians who preserve holiness, keep spoilage down, help bring healing to broken, wounded hearts, add life, zest and seasoning and by our lifestyle and words create a thirst for a relationship with Jesus? 

Light

Is a source of illumination, dispels darkness.  Reveals, awakens and warns.

Could Christians shine or reflect the light of Christ, dispel darkness and reveal the presence of Christ to a dark world?  Could our light warn of the danger of sin and reveal true forgiveness and love?

Prayer Requests This Week

If you were in church yesterday, you heard a powerful reminder of how a Christian is to be Salt and Light in the world around us.  May we be diligent to live a life reflecting Christ everywhere we go this week!

This week, there are several prayer needs in our church family where we have opportunity to pray for and support one another.

• Elizabeth O. had a challenging week last week with both of her parents in the hospital.  Things are looking better and her mom may be released early in the week.  Please continue to pray for the family.
• Willard H. is facing heart surgery to correct 4 heart blockages next week.
• Margaret T. is awaiting knee surgery, but also dealing with some back problems and much pain.
• Chip C. is facing some health difficulties and needs our prayers for healing and strength.
• Aubrey H. had knee surgery last week and is at home recovering.
• Jason Mc.'s mother is scheduled for surgery today.  Please keep her and the family in your prayers.
• The new Sunday School year begins next week. Please pray for the teachers, students and time that God's Word is shared.

Here is Matthew 5:13 in The Message translation: ""Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage."

Key Leaders Extravaganza

Tuesday (August 31) there will be a Key Leaders Extravaganza at Westwood Baptist Church.  This is a time of training and information for church leaders and workers.  There will be workshops available in these areas:

• Church Clerks
• Pastor/Deacons
• Sunday School Workers and Teachers
• Prayer and Spiritual Awakening Directors
• WMU
• Music
• Youth

 The event will be from 7:00 - 9:00 PM.  Let's get the church year started off right with a renewed heart and renewed mission for our area of ministry.

Fanning Springs Church Picnic

Last Saturday, several came out and enjoyed a great time of fellowship and fun together. Here are a few scenes from the day:

 

Walk 4 Life

Have you every thought about participating in the Walk 4 Life to benefit the Pregnancy Care Center? This year's Walk 4 Life is September 24 beginning at 8:00 AM with registration and the walk beginning at 9:00 AM.  There is a one mile route and a 3 mile route - all at your own pace.

Each year at the walk we see church teams with many participants, matching t-shirts etc.  There is plenty of time for Antioch to come together and make a great team to participate in and benefit our local Pregnancy Care Center!  Together we can be a blessing!!  See Joyce F. if you would like more information or to participate in the walk.

Back To School Today

Our school kids are headed back to school today!  If you are a parent, grandparent or know children around you, your prayers are powerful in the lives of these children.  May we as adults get 'back in training' as the new school year kicks off and make it a diligent practice to pray for our children. 

Here are a few examples:

A Parents' Prayer for Students


Dear Lord,
As my children leave for school,
I pray that You will keep them in your care.
Send Your Spirit to open their minds
to all that is true and beautiful and good.
Help them to see the gifts and talents
You have given them and to use them well.
Help them to grow in knowledge and wisdom.
Help them to be kind to others
and lead others be kind to them.
Give their teachers patience and understanding
and help them teach what is just and true.
Send your angels to guide and guard my children
and to keep them from all harm.
Open their young hearts to Your presence
and enfold them in Your peace and protection.
Hold them in the palm of Your hand
and bring them home safely at day's end.
Amen.

Other things to pray for:
◦Purity: Pray for purity both for our kids and for their future spouses. Their spouses are out there somewhere, growing up as children right now, and what happens in their lives will greatly affect the life of our children down the road.
◦Relationships: Relationships are important. We can pray above all, that our kids will develop strong relationships with the Lord. We can also pray for healthy relationships with their siblings, with friends and of course, their parents.
◦Protection: The world is a dangerous place in many ways. pray for physical, spiritual and emotional protection for each child.
◦Personal weaknesses: Every child has their own struggles, whether it’s lying, angry outbursts, disrespect, or any number of other issues. Pray that God will shape their character and turn their weaknesses to strengths.
◦Thanksgiving: Each child also has unique strengths that are God’s gift to each family. For some it’s charm, for others leadership ability or a sense of humour. Thank God for these special qualities and ask Him to continue to develop these characteristics in our children.

See additional prayers for teachers, students and others

31 Biblical Virtues To Pray For Your Child

Your prayers will pave the way for a good first day at school and a year of increased knowledge, wisdom and understanding from the Lord.  Thanks for caring!

Prayer Request

Please be in prayer for Lynn L. and family as her mother passed away. She has suffered with some heatlh issues recently and after emergency surgery last week, a huge mass was discovered.  The doctor advised no treatment and that it was so serious that she would not survive but a few days.  This was quick and sudden and your prayers for the family would be appreciated.  Details will be passed along with the arrangements as they become available.

Fanning Springs Trip This Saturday

Hope you are planning to attend the Back To School Splash this Saturday at Fanning Springs!  This promises to be a great day of fun and fellowship as we enjoy the last weekend of summer.  The outing will be from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM with lunch around noon.  Come when you can and stay as long as you like. 

The church van will be taken, so if you don't want to drive, please contact Bro. Dave as soon as possible to reserve your seat! 

Directions:

Take Hwy 129 S to Branford, turn Right at the light onto Hwy 27. Drive 1.3 miles, turn Left onto SR 349. Go 24.4 miles. Turn left onto US 19, go 4.3 miles. The boat ramp is on the right before the bridge over the Suwannee River – the park is on the right after you cross the bridge.

A Few More Softball Pictures

Prayer For Teachers

Our school teachers will be going back to work this week.  As they begin a new school year, let's support them with our prayers that they will have a powerful impact on their students this year.  Here is "A Teacher's Prayer":

Help me to be a fine teacher,

to keep peace in the classroom,
peace between my students and myself,
to be kind and gentle
to each and every one of my students.

Help me to be merciful to my students,
to balance mercy and discipline
in the right measure for each student,
to give genuine praise as much as possible,
to give constructive criticism
in a manner that is palatable to my students.

Help me to remain conscientious
enough to keep my lessons always interesting,
to recognize what motivates each of my students,
to accept my student's limitations
and not hold it against them.

Help me not to judge my students too harshly,
to be fair to all,
to be a good role model,
but most of all Lord help me
to show your love to all of my students.
Amen.

Prayer Walk For Schools

Pass the world along from the Suwannee Baptist Association!  The Suwannee County School Superintendent has invited us to pray for our schools again this year. Come join together in God's son with others as we lift our schools to His Son!

• Date: Saturday, August 20, 2011
• Time: 9:00 am Rain or Shine
• Place: Suwannee Association Office, 1747 SW Walker Ave.
• Logistics: Seven Prayer Teams will be assembled and each of the teams will drive to and pray around one school site.

 We will walk the whole school's campus, praying as the Lord leads us. We will be praying for students, staff, maintenance, safety, equipment, curriculum, sports, entertainment, buses, computers, relationships, parents and a world of other things the Lord gives to us. Sometimes He surprises us!

 

Update and Prayer Request

Yesterday we shared of two from our church family underwent surgery.  Praise the Lord JoAnn B. and Cody M. both had successful surgeries.  They are now recovering and still desire your prayers.  JoAnn is still in the hospital, but Cody is recuperating at home.

Also Caroline Mc.'s brother was admitted to the hospital last night.  He was suffering from chest pains and after ruling out heart issues, they are now looking at perhaps some lung issues.  Please pray for him and that there will be a quick and accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Churchwide Picnic

On Saturday August 20, we will enjoy a day at Fanning Spring State Park from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM. There will be fishing, swimming, food and enjoying some great fellowship.  Here's some information about the special outing:

• Entrance Fee: $6.00 per vehicle up to 8 people or $2.00 per person - 5 years and under – FREE
• Please bring sandwiches, chips, snacks and drinks to share. Ice and paper goods will be provided. The large picnic pavilion is reserved for Antioch.
• A boat ramp is available for anyone wishing to go early for boating or fishing – join us at the dock for lunch and swimming. (You will have to pay when you enter the springs).

 Located on the Suwannee River, this inviting source of cool, clear water has attracted people for thousands of years. Visitors enjoy the picnic area, playground and sandy volleyball court. A boardwalk overlooks the spring and river.  See Fanning Springs for more information.

 

 

 

Directions:

Take Hwy 129 S to Branford, turn Right at the light onto Hwy 27. Drive 1.3 miles, turn Left onto SR 349. Go 24.4 miles. Turn left onto US 19, go 4.3 miles. The boat ramp is on the right before the bridge over the Suwannee River – the park is on the right after you cross the bridge.

 

Prayer Requests

Please lift up in prayer today JoAnn B.  She is undergoing some health complications and will be undergoing surgery today.  Please remember JoAnn and her family today.

Also, Cody M. will be having surgery today, removing his tonsils.  Please pray for everything to go smoothly with Cody and his recovery!

Prayer Request

Please pray for Kortney A. (Russell & Lisa L's niece).  She will be undergoing surgery tomorrow  to correct a severe problem she is having with acid reflux from her stomach. Medications have not worked well so they are going to do this surgery in an effort to help her. She needs everyone's prayers in the days ahead because she will probably have a long recovery from this procedure.

A Few More Wedding Photos!!

The Response

http://theresponseusa.com/

Suwannee Dry

We were challenged last Sunday in the message about what God's Word says about alcohol.  As we face a crucial election in our county, we as Christians should be diligent to seek the Lord for His wisdom, guidance and power.  May we be ready to vote our Christian values, not heed to worldly advice, statistics or economic pressure. 

There will be a county wide prayer meeting about the upcoming vote in our county on August 11 (next Thursday) at 7:00 PM at First Baptist Church.  You are encouraged to be in prayer daily for this issue and also gather with our community for a time of prayer.

The next Suwannee Dry meeting is this Thursday night at 7:00 PM at Westside Baptist.  Please stay updated, informed and prayerful as we face this election.  May the Light of the Lord shine within us. 

Softball Play-Off Games

Softball team will play Thursday night at 7:45 PM for the first play off game.  Game outcome will determine other games for the week.  Come out and show your support!!

Do You Know Your Hymns?

DO YOU KNOW YOUR HYMNS?


Dentist's Hymn............................ Crown Him with Many Crowns

Weatherman's Hymn................ There Shall Be Showers of Blessings

Contractor's Hymn........................ The Church's One Foundation

The Tailor's Hymn................................... Holy, Holy, Holy

The Golfer's Hymn.......................There's a Green Hill Far Away

The Politician's Hymn...................... Standing on the Promises!

Optometrist's Hymn..................... Open My Eyes That I Might See

The IRS Agent's Hymn................................. I Surrender All

The Gossip's Hymn..........................................Pass It On

The Electrician's Hymn................................ Send The Light

The Shopper's Hymn................................. Sweet Bye and Bye

The Realtor's Hymn...........I've Got a Mansion Just Over the Hilltop

The Doctor's Hymn................................ The Great Physician