God's Word

God's word is-

1. Supernatural in origin;
2. Eternal in duration;
3. Inexpressible in valour;
4. Infinite in scope;
5. Regenerative in power;
6. Infallible in authority;
7. Universal in application;
8. Inspired in totality.

Read it through, write it down; pray it in; work it out; pass it on.
The word of God changes a man until he becomes an Epistle of God.

Smith Wigglesworth

Christmas Banquet

 

It's that time again...time for Antioch's annual Christmas party!  If you have attended this event in the past, you know it is fantastic!  Loads of fun, fellowship and Christmas cheer.  This year's party will be  held December 14 at 6:30 PM in the church fellowship hall.  The meal is covered dish and there will be a sign up sheet at church on Sunday.   Hope you will make plans to attend!

Adopt a Family

This Christmas, our youth group is 'adopting' a boy and a girl from families who are struggling financially and are looking for some help during this season.  There is a list of items needed along with sizes etc. that Liz H. has available if your family would like take part in meeting this need.  Contributions are also welcome to help purchase some items.  Please see Liz for more information.

December Dates

 

 

December is fast approaching and will be a busy time of the year for most of us.   There are many activities going on at Antioch also through this month and although most of us cannot make everything, be encouraged to take part if church family fellowships as you are able so that the bonds of Christian love are knitted tightly together as we celebrate God's gift to us...Jesus.

 

Here is a list of dates in December.  More details will be shared as the event comes closer, but please mark the dates in your calendar.

December 7 ~ Youth Christmas Party

December 14 ~ Church wide Christmas Party

December 15 ~ Children’s Dress Rehearsal and Party

December 16 ~ Christmas Cantata (AM service) and Children’s Christmas Play (PM service)

December 19 ~ Church wide caroling

December 30 ~ 5th Sunday Night Sing

 

 

An Old Fashioned, Spiritual Christmas

Thanksgiving has came and gone and is a now cherished memory in our hearts.  Christmas is still a few weeks away, but the rush of activities has began.  Here is an interesting quote on Advent.  What a fantastic time to be still as we await the joy and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

"What has happened to the old-fashioned, spiritual Christmas? The cause is our disregard of Advent. The church set aside this four-week pre-Christmas season as a time of spiritual preparation for Christ’s coming. It is a time of quiet anticipation. If Christ is going to come again into our hearts, there must be repentance. Without repentance, our hearts will be so full of worldly things that there will be ‘no room in the inn’ for Christ to be born again.…We have the joy not of celebration. Which is the joy of Christmas, but the joy of anticipation."

Thanksgiving - Giving

Our church collected enough food to provide Thanksgiving meals and some staples for 6 families!  Thank you for your generosity and giving.  A day was set aside for these families to pick up the food.  Our youth were involved in assisting getting the food out.  Thank you, youth, for your service.  We were all reminded of God’s blessings and thankful for the opportunity to share with others.

Prayer Meeting TONIGHT!

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday this week, our prayer meeting will be tonight (Tuesday) instead of the usual Wednesday night.  Youth class will also be meeting tonight at 7:00 PM.  Even though this is a busy week, may we take some time out to praise and thank the Lord for all His blessings.

"Come, ye thankful people come'!

Shoeboxes Due Sunday

If you are packing a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child, please bring it to church on Sunday.  There will be a time of prayer and dedication for the boxes before they are sent.  If you need more information about Operation Christmas Child, visit Samaritan's Purse.

The 'One Another' Instructions

Have you noticed the 'one another' instructions in God's Word?  The New Testament writers often used that term is such ways as 'love one another', 'serve one another', 'encourage one another' and 'pray for one another'.  Maybe they were on to something...one of people's greatest needs - relationships.  And the church is the best place to offer them.

 

At its core, the church is about relationships.  First with God through His Son, Jesus Christ; second with one another - fellow believers as we live and do life together.  God intended for His people - the church to function together.

 

Although this is a busy time of year for all of us, may we be encouragted to take part in the many church activities and fellowships which are coming up.  As we combine fellowship meals like the Thanksgivng lunch with mission minded opportunities such as the Thanksgiving baskets we form and build bonds within the church family and reach out to help meet needs and share God's love with those in our community.  There is a children's Christmas play where we can enjoy our 'little angels' together and also as a family participate in the church Christmas caroling.  Let's try to build our church relationships and be a blessing to one another and those around us.

 

"Our society is set up for isolation. We wear earbuds whenwe exercise.

We communicate via e-mail and text messages.

We enter and exit our houses with gates and garage-door openers.

Our mantra: “I leave you alone. You leave me alone.”

Yet God wants his people to be an exception."

—Max Lucado

Church Thanksgiving Lunch

Every year at Thanksgiving Antioch has a tradition of enjoying a meal together as a church family and spend some time reflecting on God's blessings and provisions.  The church Thanksgiving meal will be this Sunday immediately following the morning service.  The meal will be traditional Thanksgiving (ham, turkey) and the meat will be provided.  Church family is asked to be bring a complimentary dish - bread, vegetable, dessert. 

 

Hope you will make plans to stay and enjoy this special time together.

Operation Christmas Child Workers Lunch

Our local collection site for Operation Christmas Child is Suwannee Station Baptist Church.  They will be spending many hours this week, processing shoe boxes and moving them on their way to their destinations.  Many volunteers will be working hard all week packing boxes to ship.  Local churches will be providing lunch for these workers.

 

On Friday, Antioch will provide the lunch for the workers.  The menu will be spaghetti, green beans, salad and dessert.  If you would like to provide a food dish, please see Pam G.  Food will need to be at the church by 11:00 AM on Friday.  Volunteers are also welcome to help deliver the food. 

Operation Christmas Child Ideas

This is the week to be preparing Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes.  Boxes should be turned in Sunday November 18 to be delivered to the local collection site.  Here are some ideas to pack the boxes:

Operation Christmas Child Ideas for Boxes

These Operation Christmas Child ideas for boxes are going to work for either gender and most ages.

1. Hard candy, gum (Please remember to double bag all candy!)
2. Pencils, colored pencils, and sharpener
3. Erasers
4. Pencil case
5. Crayons
6. Pens
7. A personal letter and photo (Find tips for writing a letter HERE.)
8. About Me page (Free coloring printables for younger children are HERE.)
9. Ruler
10. Glue stick
11. Safety scissors
12. Coloring book
13. Markers
14. Notepads
15. Stickers
16. Self-inking stamp
17. Tennis shoes
18. Socks
19. Water shoes
20. Flip flops
21. Hand held toys
22. Plush small animals
23. Balls: Tennis balls, bouncy balls, Wiffle balls
24. Jigsaw puzzle
25. Finger puppets
26. Silly Putty
27. Silly Bands
28. Sunglasses
29. Scarves
30. Bandanas
31. Gloves
32. Small flannel throw (Roll it up! It will fit!)
33. Necklace
34. Watch
35. Hat
36. Shoelaces
37. Bean bag
38. Hacky sack
39. Small dry erase board and markers
40. Teddy bear
41. Unopened Happy Meal toy
42. Toy binoculars
43. Inflatable balls
44. Legos
45. Solar-powered flashlight
46. Harmonicas
47. Recorder
48. Tambourine
49. Jump rope
50. Paddle ball
51. Yo yo’s
52. Handheld Etch A Sketch
53. Small board books
54. Slinky
55. Flash cards
56. Miniature checkerboard and checkers
57. T-shirts
58. Plastic poncho in packet
59. Drawstring bag
60. Balloons
61. Crafting kit (beads, etc)
62. Toy toolkit set (Thanks, Jenia!)
63. Plastic eating utensils
64. Sippy cup/cup with a lid

Grooming and Hygiene Items for Christmas Shoeboxes

These grooming and hygiene items for Christmas shoeboxes are always welcomed by the children and their families.
65. Comb
66. Brush
67 Dental floss
68. Mild soap (Please put in plastic bag or travel container.)
69. Toothpaste (This too! Be sure it’s in a plastic bag.)
70. Toothbrush
71. Colorful bandages
72. Hand wipes
73. Small pack colorful tissues
74. Lip balm
75. Emery board/nail clippers

Don’t forget your Operation Christmas Child Shoebox labels HERE!

Operation Christmas Child Ideas for Girls

These are some Operation Christmas Child ideas for girls, if you are packing a girl box.
76. Package of multi-colored Sharpies (Thanks, Rachel!)
77. Travel sewing kit (10-14 girl)
78. Fat Quarter bundles (10-14 girl) (Thanks, Stephani!)
79. Hair ribbons
80. Ponytail holders
81. Barrettes
82. Small pots/pans with spatula
83. Bangle bracelets
84. Clip-on earrings
85. Doll
86. Pom poms (like the ones used at football games)
87. Purse
88. Hand mirror (unbreakable)

Operation Christmas Child Box Ideas for Boys

Below are some more tips for Operation Christmas Child box ideas for boys.
89. Ball cap
90. Soccer ball with pump
91. Cars
92. Trucks
93. Kazoos
94. Compass
95. Hammer (10-14 boy, must be in original packaging) (Thanks, Jennifer!)
96. Nails (10-14 boy, must be in original packaging + zipper bag)
97. Screwdriver (10-14 boy, must be in original packaging)
98. Screws (10-14 boy, must be in original packaging + zipper bag)
99. LED keychain (10-14 boy)
100. Duct tape (10-14 boy)
101. Tape measure (10-14 boy)

Found at Faithful Provisions

Ladies Bible Study

A ladies Bible study is beginning on November 13.  This will be a 4 week study based on Max Lucado's Outlive Your Life Bible Study.

 

In Outlive Your Life Bible Study, Max Lucado encourages you to change the world around you by getting off your knees, rolling up your sleeves, and performing works God has created you to do. His inspiring call will prompt you to spread God's love as you learn more about ministering to your neighbors.

 

The early church in Acts left a blueprint of how to do it. The halls of history ring with their stories. Discover how a group of ragtag nobodies turned the world upside down, and begin to believe that God wants to do it all over again.

 

We will be meeting in different homes throughout the series.  This is a fantastic opportunity for a deeper walk with the Lord along with joining with other ladies as we seek to be all God has created us to be.  Ladies, be encouraged to participate, you will be blessed and in turn become a greater blessing to those around you as you make an impact that only you can make.  The study guide will cost $5.00.  Please see Kathy B. for more information.

Vote Today!!

“You [the voter] have especially to guard yourselves. You have the highest of human trust committed to your care. Providence has showered on this favored land blessings without number and has chosen you as the guardian of freedom to preserve it for the benefit of the human race. May He who holds in his hands the destinies of nations make you worthy of the favors He has bestowed and enable you, with pure hearts and pure hands and sleepless vigilance, to guard and defend to to the end of time the great charge he has committed to your keeping.”
— Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) 7th President of the United States

“Let each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote that he is not making a present or a compliment to please an individual--or at least that he ought not so to do; but that he is executing one of the most solemn trusts in human society for which he is accountable to God and his country.”
— Samuel Adams (1722–1803) Father of the American Revolution, Patriot and Statesman

“A good moral character is the first essential in a man ...”— George Washington (1732-1799) Father of the Country, 1st President of the United States

"In selecting men for office, let principle be your guide. Regard not the particular sect or denomination of the candidate—look to his character as a man of known principle, of tried integrity, and undoubted ability for the office..."  Noah Webster (1758-1843) Father of the Dictionary & American Patriot

Thanksgiving Baskets

 

This year as we approach the season of Thanksgiving, we will be collecting food to put in a basket to share with those in need in our local community.  Five families will receive food baskets from Antioch with food for a traditional Thanksgiving meal along with some staples to help keep them with food.  We are partnering with Love In the Name of Christ who has verified that these families are indeed in need and upon receiving the basket, the families will attend a church service where Christ and His love will be shared. 

 

Sign up sheets will be at church on Wednesday night to assure the baskets are filled with needed items.  If you have any questions, please see Joyce F. or Liz H.

 

May God bless you as you share and give in His name.

Scriptures to Pray for Our Election Part II

Pray that the Lord would defeat those who have no regard for Him in this election.

Psalms 86:14-17-

O God, the proud have risen against me,
And a mob of violent men have sought my life,
And have not set You before them.
¹⁵ But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious,
Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.

¹⁶ Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me!
Give Your strength to Your servant,
And save the son of Your maidservant.
¹⁷ Show me a sign for good,
That those who hate me may see it and be ashamed,
Because You, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

 

Pray that the Lord would put His hands on the man of His choice for president (and his team) and guide them in this election.

II Kings 13:16  Then he said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand on the bow.” So he put his hand on it, and Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands.

 

Pray that God's man and our nation will be discerning and do what is right.

Luke 12:54-57-

Then He also said to the multitudes, “Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming’; and so it is. ⁵⁵ And when you see the south wind blow, you say, ‘There will be hot weather’; and there is. ⁵⁶ Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?

⁵⁷ “Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right?

Scriture Prayers for Our Election - Part 1

This is an important week for our nation as voters choose a president.  It is critical that Christians pray for this election.  The power of prayer can overcome any obstacle or ungodly influence and do great things for God's glory.  Here are some Scriptures to pray for this week:

II Chronicles 7:14  ^"if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

Pray for repentance for ourselves and our nation.
Acts 17:30  Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,

Pray that Christians will be motivated to pray faithfully for this election and that the Lord would deliver us from the wrong leaders.
Psalms 32:6-7  For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You In a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters They shall not come near him. You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah

Pray that our nation will listen to the truth and not be led astray.
Proverbs 16:13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And they love him who speaks what is right.

Pray that those who trust in the Lord will not be shaken.
Psalms 125
 Those who trust in the Lord
Are like Mount Zion,
Which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
² As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the Lord surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever.

³ For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest
On the land allotted to the righteous,
Lest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity.

⁴ Do good, O Lord, to those who are good,

⁵ As for such as turn aside to their crooked ways,
The Lord shall lead them away
With the workers of iniquity.

 

Watch for part II later this week.

Thanksgiving Funnies

Can a turkey jump higher than the Empire State Building?
Yes. A building can't jump at all.

What did the turkey say to the turkey hunter?

"Quack, Quack, Quack"

What's blue and covered with feathers?

A turkey holding its breath

If the Pilgrims were alive today what would they be most famous for? Their age!