Some Scary Words For the Week

Commitment and Transformation

Some words that put a little bit of fear in Christians!!!  We heard a powerful message Sunday morning from Romans 12:1-2.

Whatever happened to commitment in our churches?  

• You will find more empty pews than filled ones on a typical Sunday. 
• Out of the church membership roll - only 50% of members attend.
• A decision and a commitment are different.  Many church decisions are made, but not all end up in commitment.
• There is no such thing as partial commitment to God.
• True commitment cannot be taken back.

Transformation:

Speaks of an inner change that is seen by outward actions. 

Not something that we can do ourselves, but what God alone can do through us.

Instead of being conformed to the world around us and squeezed into it's mold, may we be transformed by the Lord and renewing our minds in Him.

Verse For the Day

Need Some Fun Workers!!

We still need some volunteers for the Family Fall Festival!  This is a great time to come out and enjoy a great time of fun and fellowship with the church family.  Can you help:

• Use your vehicle for Trunk or Treat
• Help with the game booths
• Make a cake for the Cake Walk
• Bring Candy???  We need ALOT and need it to the church by Wednesday please!
• Bring a dessert for the meal

It takes lots of help to put on a great fall festival and there is something for everyone!!

New Week - Blessings and Prayer Requests

Sunday's Bible text was taken from Psalms 1:

 

Blessed is the man

Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,

Nor stands in the path of sinners,

Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

 He shall be like a tree

Planted by the rivers of water,

That brings forth its fruit in its season,

Whose leaf also shall not wither;

And whatever he does shall prosper.  

The ungodly are not so,

But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.

Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,

Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.  

For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,

But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

 

We were reminded about our choices, blessings, judgement, diligence, obedience and prayer.  The sermon was filled with encouragement to live a life pleasing to the Lord and to enjoy His blessings. 

May we ponder on these verses this week and seek to be all God has called us to be.  May we spend time and lift one another up in prayer and minister with love to each other.  Here are some requests that have been shared:

 

• Latains S's sister - Virginia has a granddaughter who will undergo her 2nd brain surgery tomorrow.
• Felton and Mary Lou's daughter Lori is in the hospital and granddaughter Bridget is facing some serious oral surgery.
• Jimmy S. spent a few days in the hospital last week and is undergoing some testing.
• Bill D.' brother will have surgery this week and we have been asked to pray for his salvation.
• Janet W.'s mother will have serious surgery in November.  She is still struggling with weakness and health issues.  Please pray for her to gain the needed strength for surgery and  for this surgery to correct the issues she has been struggling with for a long time.
• Margaret T. is at home recovering from knee surgery.
• Fall Festival- may this go well and be an opportunity for outreach for our church.

There Is A Purpose In This All...

What looks a bit like a meaningless mess right now, may

— if you wait surrendered

— give a glimpse into who He is

and how He’s making even this mess to shape you into the image of Christ.

The Power of Prayer and Praise

Many of you noticed and/or heard the announcement that Sis. Dianne Mc. is no longer our church music director.  Dianne has been music director for 5 years, living out the verse laid upon her heart "As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."  Our music program and choir has grown and has been a great blessing to many through Dianne's leadership and using her gift for the service of the Lord.  Well done, Dianne, we love and appreciate you!

Joe R. has been filling in to direct the music, but shared Sunday that our church needs to be in prayer for the right person to fill this ministry position.  Will you pray as a church for the Lord to bring someone to this position?  That a heart filled with praise will step up and overflow with God's grace and love to our Lord and the church?   Will you be sensitive to the Lord's call for service in all areas?  Our church needs YOU!

How To Kill Your Church

Some drastic humor!! 

HOW TO KILL YOUR CHURCH

Don't come.

If you do come, come late.

When you come, come with a grouch.

At every service ask yourself,"What do I get out of this?"

Visit other churches about half of the time to show your pastor that you are not tied down to him. There is nothing like independence.

Sit pretty well back and never sing. If you have to sing, sing out of tune and behind everybody else.

Never pay in advance, especially for religion. Wait until you get your money's worth, and then wait a bit longer.

Never encourage the preacher; if you like a sermon, keep mum about it. Many a preacher has been ruined by flattery. Don't let his blood be on your head.

It is good to tell your preacher's failings to any stranger that may happen in; they might be a long time finding them out.

Of course, you can't be expected to get new members for the church with such a Pastor as he is.

If there happens to be a few zealous workers in the church, make a tremendous protest against the church's being run by a clique.

If your church unfortunately happens to be harmonious, call it apathy or indefference or lack of zeal, or anything under the sun except what it is.

Of course to bring LIFE to your church...do the opposite!

Iron Sharpens Iron

For a couple of years our men have attended the annual Iron Sharpens Iron conference.  Men and boys have been challenged, encouraged and equipped through this event.  Saturday, October 23, this conference will be in Ocala and a group of our men will be attending. 

The conference features a time of gathering the men together for a time of worship, followed by an exhortative keynote message.  Men will have the opportunity to choose from several workshops to attend.  Some include:

• 5 Hidden Dangers Facing You and Your Family Right Now
• Finishing Strong!
• Knights of the 21st Century
• Raising Masculine Sons and Feminine Daughters
• Man Up: The Tools You Need For After The Conference
• Unlimited Partnership: An Abundant Marriage
• What Will Your Legacy Be?
• And many others designed for every stage and season of a man's life.

For a complete conference line up - see Iron Sharpens Iron.

Men, be encouraged to take this time to dedicate a day to drawing closer to the Lord and being equipped to be God's man in the home, church and community.  

  

Prayer Requests

Here are a few prayer needs around the church family:

 

• Liz H. is recovering well from surgery.
• Roy L. is still undergoing cancer treatments.
• Margaret T. is at home recovering from knee surgery.
• Robert S. is struggling with some back pain.
• Hazel H. had a procedure done this week and is at home recovering.
• Caroline's father is undergoing testing, please pray for wisdom for the doctors to be able to find and treat his health issues.
• Bessie P's grandson Mitchell, was kicked by a horse and needs healing for a back injury.

Please keep these in prayer and be mindful of how to show love and support to them!

Family Fall Festival

We will celebrate the Autumn season with a Family Fall Festival on October 29 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM.  Mark the date and plan to bring the family for a great time of fall fun!!

Some activities will include:

• Games
• Prizes
• Bounce House
• Popcorn
• Hay Ride
• Chili & Hot Dog Supper
• Cake Walk
• Trunk or Treat
• Fun and more Fun

Plan to bring the family out for a great time!   We will also need lots of help from the church family.  We are looking for volunteers to use your vehicle for Trunk or Treat, to bake cakes, to assist with the game booths and of course to bring CANDY!!!  We hope you and your family will be a part of this fun activity!

 

The Thanksgiving Chair

How often do we sit in the "Thanksgiving Chair"?

Homecoming Is All About…

Faith, Fellowship and Family!   Here are some scenes from Antioch’s 160th Homecoming.

Lighthouse Children’s Choir

Our Fantastic Kitchen Helpers:

Our Lively Teenagers!

Family and Friends:

Fellowship and Food:

Happy Birthday Wayne!

Homecoming Workday

Saturday will be another workday to prepare our church for Homecoming which is on Sunday.  The workday will begin at 8:00 AM and all are welcome to come, pitch in and help get our church in top shape for our Homecoming guests.

Today's the Day

Many are aware of the health issues Margaret T. has been facing.  She has struggled with a knee problem for several months, needing surgery to correct it.  While she waited for knee surgery, she was bombarded with many other health issues which prolonged treatment for her knee.  Well....with the other issues behind her, today is the day for her knee surgery!

Please pray for a successful surgery and a smooth recovery for Margaret.

160th Homecoming - October 9

Next Sunday is Antioch's 160th Homecoming! 

A special day is planned with special guests and activities. At 9:45 AM the Lighthouse Children’s Home Choir will share the message of God’s love and hope through song and testimony.  This choir consists of girls who currently live at The Lighthouse Children’s Home and whose lives were touched and changed by the wholesome Christian environment designed so that young women in crisis circumstances can meet Jesus and allow Him to totally transform them.  You will be blessed as we hear what God is doing in this ministry.

Rev. Lewis Gooch will be the special speaker in the 11:00 AM service. Rev. Gooch is a beloved friend and former interim pastor of Antioch.  He and his wife Gwen share bonds of love and a lasting friendship with Antioch.  Rev. Gooch has served the Suwannee Baptist Association in various ministries including interim pastor for several churches when the need arose.  Rev. Lewis Gooch is currently pastor of Mt. Beulah Baptist Church. 

Don' t forget about dinner on the grounds following the service!!  Church family, please plan to bring a covered food dish to share - enough for your family and a little extra!  Let's celebrate God's faithfulness and blessings on our church!

Prayer Requests For This Week

There are some requests to share from our church family.

• Liz H. will have surgery tomorrow to remove her tonsils and adenoids
• Margaret T. has doctor appointments and hopefully get the approval for surgery to repair her knee this week
• Janet W.'s mother is in the hospital possibly facing surgery.  Please pray for wisdom for the doctors as they seek the best way treat her illness.
• Elizabeth O.'s parents continue to need our prayers.
• Kay B. has finished her cancer treatments and will undergo a scan this week.  Please pray for good results.
• Roy L. has been diagnosed with cancer in his back and is undergoing treatment.
• Carl S.'s brother is battling cancer

Remember, there will be no Family Meal this Wednesday due to Homecoming being next Sunday.

Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.  Mark 11:24