Christmas Carolling

During the Christmas season, we had our annual church wide Christmas caroling time! What fun it was to bring cheer and joy to some of our church family who are is assisted living facilities and home bound. Many smiles were shared!

  

   

  

Following, we gathered for a time of food and fellowship!!

Family Ministries This Week

There will be no meal for Family Ministries this Wednesday, but there will be church service at 6:30 PM.  Ladies Bible Study will meet to wrap up their current study. There will be no children or youth classes, but all are encouraged to meet in the sanctuary.

 

Let's end 2015 by spending some time in the house of the Lord with a heart grateful for His blessings and renewed hope for a New Year.

What Can I Give the Church - Part 2

We broke down some key points of an article "What Your Church Needs From You".  Here is part 2:

4. Live Like a Christian All Week Long

It is easy enough to be a Christian at church, but then you get home. But then you go to work. But then you go to school. And then you’re surrounded by people acting ungodly, and even worse, you’re left along with your own thoughts and your own desires. Yet your church needs you to live like a Christian all week long.

Make your devotional life something you do not just for the good of yourself, but for the good of others.

Each of us faces different challenges and different temptations. But one key to living like a Christian all week long is spending time in Word and prayer every day. Make this a priority no matter how busy you are and no matter how crazy life seems. Make this something you do no matter how badly you’ve sinned and how little you feel like doing it. Pray day-by-day not only for yourself, but for your church. Take that membership directory and pray through it from A to Z, and then start over. Make your devotional life something you do not just for the good of yourself, but for the good of others.

5. Get to Know People Not Like You

Churches are involuntary communities—we don’t get to pick who comes to them, God does. So what we have to do is learn to live with these people and learn to love these people, even when they are very different from us. “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” If your church is divided so that all the young adults hang out together and all the older folk hang out together, or if all the people with accents hang out together and all the people without accents hang out together, that makes a statement about the gospel—that the gospel is not big enough and powerful enough to really make people love one another even though they are different.

So commit to get to know people not like you. There is no reason you shouldn’t be able to say that some of your best and closest relationships are with people who are very different from you.

6. Learn Generosity

Few things reveal the heart better than money. Money has an amazing way of displaying what you really believe and what you really value. No matter who you are and what stage of life you are in, there is no better time than now to learn to be generous with your money. Here’s what the Bible says: “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” You must give, and you must learn to do it cheerfully.

Here are just two quick tips:

a. Remember that it’s not your money. The money belongs to God—he just gives it to you to manage it. And he means for you to manage it well and to his glory.

b. Give to the Lord first. I know people who say they can’t give to the church, and yet they’ve got a new cell phone and are carrying a cup of Starbucks into church every week. That doesn’t compute. Learn to give the first and best of your money to the Lord. The harder that seems, the more you need to do it.

7. Be a Great Church Member

Make yourself invaluable to your church, and do this by serving other people. I love reading about Dorcas, the woman Peter raised from the dead who was described as being “full of good works and acts of charity” (see Acts 9). “When Peter arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them.” Dorcas was a great church member. She loved people so much, and did so much good to them, that the whole community mourned when she died.

What Can I Give the Church - Part 1

From Church Leaders:

By this time of the year, you probably don't want to even think of giving another present!  But have you thought about giving to the church?  Not money, but a gift that will continue to grow and bless all through the year.

Things Your Church Needs You To Be, shows some ways that you can make your church better.  Things a church needs from every member.  

  1. Be Humble

If you want to learn humility, you need to act humble.

There is no character quality more important than humility. While humility does not come naturally to any of us, it can be learned, because here’s the thing: Humility isn’t a feeling or an attitude—it’s action. If you want to learn humility, you need to act humble. 

3 Quick How Tos

 a. Find mature Christians who exemplify humility and spend time around them. Learn from them and learn to be like them.

b. Volunteer for the lowliest of tasks. Don’t ask to be in the public eye when you serve, but be content to stay in the back. Find joy in doing the lowliest jobs and do them when and where only Jesus will see.

c. Get to know Jesus. It was Jesus who said, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12). And it was Jesus who humbled himself the deepest and was exalted the highest.

2. Prioritize Church

Every church has people who make the public gatherings of the church a low priority. These are the people who only come to church when it is convenient and who use any excuse to miss a day or miss a service. Every church desperately needs people who will make the public gatherings a top priority. Today is the day to begin elevating the importance of church in your life.

WHY?

a. First, you need your church. God made you part of your church for your good. You cannot do life on your own. You aren’t strong enough, you aren’t wise enough, you aren’t mature enough, you aren’t godly enough. Without the beautifully ordinary means of grace you encounter in the church, you won’t make it. Without the support of your brothers and sisters, you won’t make it.

b. Second, your church needs you. God made you part of your church for the good of others. 1 Peter 4 says, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” God has gifted you to be part of your church, and those gifts are to be used for the good of other people. So prioritize church as an expression of generosity toward others.

3. Consider Giving God a Day

Why don’t you consider setting aside an entire day of the week and dedicating it to the Lord in a special way? We believe that the Old Testament law has been fulfilled in Christ, though there is some disagreement among Christians about the implications. But even if you believe that the Sabbath command is no longer binding on us, there is still value in learning from it.

It completely changes Sunday when you give the entire day to the Lord and his people. Now you’re not having to decide whether to take that class or join that club that meets Sunday afternoon. You’re not skipping church during exam time because you’ve got studying to do. You’re not leaving early to get home before the football game starts. Instead, you’re leaving behind all the cares of life, and even many of the joys of life, and dedicating an entire day to worship, to fellowship and to serving others.

Christmas Carolling

We will be doing our annual Church Wide Christmas Carolling on Monday evening.  Plans are to leave the church at 5:00 PM and visit our local assisted living facilities and a few homes of some of our church family who are homebound.  What a wonderful opportunity to bring joy and spread cheer this Christmas season!  

Following the singing, we will gather at the home of Dave and Kathy B. for a light meal.  Be encouraged to take part! 

Christmas Week Worship Schedule

Christmas Week we have some change for our worship schedule.  

Sunday morning will be the church cantata.  In the evening service we will observe the Lord's Supper.

Monday night is Church Wide Caroling at 5:00 PM.  

There will be no services on Wednesday night, but on THURSDAY...Christmas Eve, we will have  Candlelight Service at 6:00 PM.  Be encouraged to stop in the midst of the rush and spend some time worshiping our Lord!

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.

Every December, we open the opportunity for us as a church to contribute to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.
Every penny you give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering supports Southern Baptist missionaries as they share the Gospel overseas. The offering represents 58 percent of IMB's total income.
Our church goal is $3,500.00.  Please mark your donation "Lottie Moon".  Please also be in prayer for our missionaries and those they are seeking to reach.

Age is just a number...

It has been said, you never retire from Christian service. This sweet couple from Antioch prove that! These pictures were taken a while back when they came very early in the morning to sit with a family while a loved one was in surgery. The other was snapped during a sermon, while he was taking notes. Proves you're never past the age to learn! Love this couple and we are blessed to have them in our church family!

 

Christmas Cantata This Sunday

 

 

 

This Sunday our choir will be presenting the musical "There's Something About That Name" in the morning service.  Be encouraged to come hear and join in worship of our Lord and Savior.

 

In the evening service at 6:00 PM, we will be observing the Lord's Supper.  What a special time to set aside during this Christmas season to reflect and remember the sacrifice and love of the Lord.

Family Ministries Meal

This will be last Family Ministries Meal for December.  It is a good one though, you won't want to miss it!!

Ham and Beans (chicken fingers for the kids), Rice and Tomato Gravy, Vegetables, Salad, Cornbread and Dessert!  Ready at 5:30 PM.  Family Ministries begin at 6:30 PM.  No Ladies Bible Study, due to Business Meeting.

Lessons From the Wise Men

Sunday's sermon brought out some valuable lessons we can learn from the wise men.  They brought precious gifts to the Lord Jesus of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. These gifts represent relevant things of Jesus and can apply to us today.

Gold - a rare and expensive gift, represented the majesty of the King Jesus. 

Frankincense - a precious oil, represented the deity of Christ, He truly is God.

Myrrh - an oil used for burial purposes, a gift that represented His humanity, He would one day suffer and die for our sins.

What Can We Learn from the Wise Men?

1.  We can meet God in the midst of our work. God will meet us where we are, He will speak to us as we are faithful to what He calls us to do.

2. We can also find our way to God, they followed a star, we have God's Word to direct us. 

3.  We can give ourselves to worship.  Before the wise men brought their gifts, they gave themselves.  God wants our lives before He wants our gifts.

4. We can give the gifts that we have, which are valuable and significant. Gold, represents money - finances, Frankincense represents prayer - Myrrh represents suffering and sadness. Giving these represents a sacrifice, something that is costly to us.

5.  We can also find Jesus when we seek for Him.  The wise men crossed various barriers to get to Jesus.

6.  If God can use as star to direct us, He can use anything to reach us.

7. The wise men were willing to take action be beginning a journey that changed their lives. Are we willing to take action and be changed by God?

This Sunday..Children's Christmas Program

This Sunday during the morning worship service at 11:00 AM, our children will be presenting the Christmas musical, "The Light Before Christmas".  

You won't want to miss this presentation where our kids show through drama and song the true meaning of Christmas.  Invite the family to come and enjoy a blessing!

Wednesday Night Meal

The menu for this week's Family Ministry Meal is Chicken and Dumplings, Acre Peas, Greens, Raw Vegetables and Dessert.  Meal begins at 5:30 PM and is followed by ministries for the entire family at 6:30 PM.  Be encouraged even in the midst of the busy Christmas season, to be faithful to mid week worship. 

Prayer Requests

There are always numerous prayer needs in our church and each one is important.  Every service prayer is offered for those in our church family, friends and community.  

Many are aware of the needs of a couple of our church family who are in great need of healing.  Bro. Felton R. and Bro. Bill D.   Both are in need of a heart procedure.  Both are great men of God that have faithfully led, served and loved God for many years.  Sis. Jeanelle C. is recovering from a mild heart attack and currently in therapy. Please pray for her healing and restored health. 

Bro. Felton is currently in the hospital struggling with heart issues before he is able to get his procedure done.  Updates change daily and go from good to bad.  Please pray for him and his family as they are with him.

Bro. Bill has had a recent hospital stay also with a few complications.  Please keep both of these along with the many others on our prayer list close to your heart and in your prayers. 

Men's Cake Bake Off

We had a great time at the men/boy's cake bake off!! Many entries were entered featuring a wide variety of baking talent and personalities! The winning cake impressed the judges so much, it had to be auctioned off...but don't worry, the proceeds go towards supporting a missionary pastor for 2 months!

Here is the cutest winner overall though!!!!

Family Ministries Meal

This week's menu for Family Ministries Meal is Spaghetti, Green Beans, Salad, Garlic Bread and Dessert.

 

Meal begins at 5:30 PM, ministries for the entire family begin at 6:30 PM. Don't forget the next few weeks are important for our children as they are practicing for the Christmas play.

 

Ladies Bible Study will continue through December.  Come be a part of Family Ministries!

Pastor Appreciation

We recently set aside a day to show our pastor and wife our love and appreciation. It was a day full of blessings and thankfulness for our leaders. A wonderful lunch was enjoyed by all along with a special cake to complete the sweet time of fellowship!

Happy Thanksgiving

May we be encouraged today to give thanks to the Lord for all His blessings.  May we also be sensitive to know the needs of so many around us and extend our blessings and prayers to others.

Look Who Came to Visit!!

Our church has heard about sweet baby Emma since before she was born! We rejoiced with Pastor and Caroline over her healthy arrival and love the pictures we have seen of her. Sweet Emma and her parents dropped by for a surprise visit recently! Isn't she a darling??!!!

Prayer Guide for Operation Christmas Child

This week is the deadline to turn in the shoeboxes to all distribution centers.  Now the journey of the boxes will begin.  But the most important work is still left...prayer.

Here is a daily prayer schedule to pray for this ministry.

Sunday - Praise God for using shoe box gifts to share His love with children and families.

Monday-  Pray for each child who receives a shoe box.

Tuesday -  Each shoe box is a Gospel Opportunity; pray for an increase in shoe boxes this year.

Wednesday  - Pray for the physical and spiritual protection of all staff, volunteers, and ministry partners.

Thursday -  Pray that God will meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of each child.

Friday  - Pray for the international churches as they teach children and families about Christ.

Saturday -  Pray for more opportunities for Samaritan’s Purse to meet the needs of children  such as water, food, and medical care.

Thanksgiving Week Worship Schedule

 

 

This week is Thanksgiving week and we will have a few changes to our mid week worship schedule. We will be meeting on TUESDAY night at 6:30 PM. There will be no services on Wednesday night. On Tuesday, we will all gather in the sanctuary for a time of thanksgiving.  There will be no youth or children's classes that night. Be encouraged to take some time in the midst of the busyness of the week to give thanks to the Lord for all His blessings!

Fall Festival Part 2

We had lots of visitors to our fall festival...and it looks like they all had a great time!

Operation Christmas Child

If you are packing a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child, the date to turn them in is November 22.  There are boxes available in the sanctuary along with instructions. Be encouraged to get a box this week, fill it with age appropriate toys and be a part of sharing the gospel message around the world.

"Operation Christmas Child does much more than just give presents. It also provides an opportunity to tell children and families about God's greatest Gift, Jesus Christ"

 Franklin Graham

Church Thanksgiving Lunch

Our annual Church Thanksgiving Lunch will be on Sunday, November 22 immediately following the morning service.  The mean (turkey and ham) will be provided and church family is asked to bring a complimentary side dish or dessert. 

Be encouraged to spend some time in fellowship and thanksgiving with the church family!

Family Meal this Week

You won't want to miss this week's Family Ministries Meal!!  It will be 'breakfast for supper'!  We will be serving pancakes and sausage, ham and egg breakfast casserole and fruit. 

Bring the family and enjoy a time of food and fellowship.  Family, fellowship, ministry are all a part of our mid week service.  Come be a part!

Fall Festival...Part 1

There was a fabulous turnout for our Fall Festival. Many children and families came out to play games, ride horses, enjoy a hay ride and receive lots of candy!! Here are a few pictures of the event.

  

Funny for the Day

This minister just had all of his remaining teeth pulled and new dentures were being made.

The first Sunday, he only preached 10 minutes.

The second Sunday, he preached only 20 minutes.

But, on the third Sunday, he preached 1 hour 25 minutes.

When asked about this by some of the congregation, he responded this way.

The first Sunday, my gums were so sore it hurt to talk.

The second Sunday, my dentures were hurting a lot.

The third Sunday, I accidentally grabbed my wife's dentures... and I couldn't stop talking!

Three boys are in the schoolyard bragging about their fathers. The first boy says, "My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem, they give him $50."

The second boy says, "That's nothing. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a song, they give him $100."

The third boy says, "I got you both beat. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a sermon. And it takes eight people to collect all the money!"

After the service a young couple talked to a church member about joining the church. He hadn't met the husband before, and he asked what church he was transferring from.After a short hesitation, he replied,"I am transferring from the Municipal Golf Course."

Six Principles to Survive the Storms in Our Lives

 

 

"Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it."  Chuck Swindoll

 

Storms of life are a given.  Most of us have either just came through a storm or life, are in the middle of one, or are about to enter one.  But a recent sermon shared some encouraging ways to survive.

 

1.  Pay attention to your attitude while in the storm.  Every storm has a beginning and an end. It can be worked through.  Don't ever seek a permanent solution to a temporary problem.

 

2.  Get properly nourished.  Eat well and keep your physical strength up. Don't add more to an existing problem. Nourishing the body with proper food helps us respond better in crisis.

 

3.  Know that God is with you.  We belong to Him, He has us.

 

4.  Don't wallow in misery.  Be encouraged to press on in Jesus' name.  Strive for progress regardless of the situation.  Fix your eyes upon Jesus and keep moving.

 

5.  Obey orders. The storm winds bring changes -  in us.  God is able to use the force of the storm to fashion something beautiful and useful in us.

 

6.  Remove unnecessary baggage.  Storms cause us to evaluate what is truly important in our lives.  Don't' be afraid to throw overboard unessential baggage that weighs us down.

 

There will be an end to the storm, but while we are walking through it, Jesus is the anchor that holds us steady and is beside us the entire time. 

12 Things To Watch and Listen For At Church...

Many of us are faithful church attenders.  We come, sit, hear, fellowship every week.  Faithfulness is good!  But church isn't designed to be a habit.  We serve a Living God, and sometimes we need to watch and see where He is working. Here is a portion of a fantastic artiilce with ways to watch and listen at church.

1. If you’re married, watch and listen to your family as you get ready for church. If they’re stressed before church ever starts, that’s not a good start to the day. You be the peacemaker, the calm one, the prayer warrior, the encourager before you ever get in the car.
2. Watch for people you drive past on the way to church. It’s likely they’re not going to church. See them as sheep without a shepherd (Matt. 9:36), and pray for them as you drive.
3. Watch for opportunities to serve. Give up your parking space to somebody behind you. Open a door for someone. Help the mother who’s struggling with three children and stroller. Offer to get coffee for someone else. Serve others.
4. Watch for people wandering around the parking lot or the building. Whether it’s a guest, a straying child, or confused adult, he or she might need somebody to give some guidance. Be that somebody.
5. If your small group meets at church, look for anyone you don’t know in your group. Whether or not that person is a member, and whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, introduce yourself. Take the risk. I doubt you’ll regret it.
6. Look for people sitting by themselves. I suspect many of us walk past such folks each week. They may not want to be bombarded, but they probably won’t reject a friendly smile and a warm handshake. Learn a name, and offer yours.
7. REALLY hear prayer needs. Somebody will likely talk about pains, questions, worries, or needs. Don’t just politely hear those words. REALLY hear them – and write them down. Pray for those needs then and later in the day. 
8. Watch for anyone standing to lead. That person may be a teacher, a singer, a musician, a pastor, or any other leader. As soon as you see someone standing before you, take a minute to pray for that person.
9. Deeply listen to (and read, if available) the lyrics of any songs you sing. Don’t just sing the words – listen to them. Let them sink in to your heart. If you don’t typically listen that closely, do it for only one song to begin.
10. Listen closely to the sermon, and take notes. You might have opportunity to hear more of the Word this weekend than many people around the world will ever have. Take notes. At the end, write in one sentence the central lesson you learned.
11. Listen to your heart as you hear the Word. Hear the Word when it calls you to change, and listen to your heart. Be aware when you try to fight against what you hear – that might be your heart in rebellion.   
12. Watch for how quickly you can forget what you heard. The enemy tries to snatch the Word from us (Mark 4:15) before we ever get out of the building. This weekend, don’t miss how quickly your mind can move beyond the Word of God. Fight against that tendency. 

Watch and listen. May God give you eyes to see and ears to hear this weekend.

Family Meal Menu

This week's Family Ministries Meal will be Ham, Sweet Potatoes, Creamed Corn, Pea, Rolls and Dessert.

It's the simple joys of eating together as a church family, deepening the bonds of fellowship and gathering together in the midst of our busy week to worship God...together as a family!  Don't miss it!

5th Sunday Night Sing & Men and Boys Cake Bake Off

 

 

 

There will be a 5th Sunday Night Sing on November 29 in the evening service.  Be encouraged to pray about sharing a talent, testimony or a favourite Scripture.  These are always a blessing to hear!

 

Following the sing there will be a Men and Boys Cake Bake Off.  All men and boys are encourage to bake a cake and bring it to church November 29 by 4:00 PM. Cakes will be judged in age divisions according to taste and best decorated for a prize trophy!

 

Please mark the date, you won't want to miss this evening!!

Quick Church Devotion

II Corinthians 13:11  "Finally, brothers, rejoice. Become mature, be encouraged, be of the same mind, be at peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you."

From Warren Wiersbe's Devotions for Encouragement and Maturity....very powerful devotion for the church. 

"God is the "God of love and peace."  Can the outside world tell that from the way we Christians love and conduct the business of the church?  

Like Christians today, the Corinthians in Paul's day desperately needed the blessings of grace, love and communion. The church is a miracle, and it can be sustained only by the miracle ministry of God.  No amount of human skill, talents, or programs can make the church what it ought to be.  Only God can do that.  If each of us believers is depending on the grace of God, walking in the love of Christ and participating in the fellowship of the Spirit, then we will be part of the answer and not part of the problem. We will be living this benediction and being a benediction to others.  Ask God to make you that kind of Christian.  Be encouraged and then encourage others.!"

Thought for the Day...

"Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials,  knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:2-4

Family Ministries Meal

This week's menu for the Family Ministries Meal will be simple and good!

Grilled Cheese and Soup, Salad and Dessert.  Meal begins at 5:30 PM.  Come on out and enjoy a meal and bring the family for a time to grow in the Lord.

The Spiritual Discipline of Worship

 

 

There is a current sermon series on Spiritual Disciplines. 
Worship:  a reverence or awe of God.  It can be individual or corporate.  It speak of how we act or live in account to God.  It is the proper response of a believer to God.

 

Those who know God best, worship Him the most.

 

We worship Him for:

Eternal Truths:  His Holiness.  He is holy, set apart and pure. He is God Almighty, sovereign and supreme.  There is nothing outside His dominion. 

 

He is Worthy:  He is the Creator and we are the creation.  Worship is practical and involves something.  What we say and do is action, it is not a feeling, but an expression of love to Him.

 

4 Things About Worship:

1. True worship involves purity.  The purer our lives are, the greater our worship.

2. It involves humility.  We recognize who He is, how great He is and bow in submission.

3. It involves surrender.  We acknowledge He is over all and we surrender all that we are to Him, our hope, our future, all we have and are.

4. Praise.  We praise God for who He is, what He is and all He is.

Busy Weekend

Don't forget about all that is going on this weekend!!

Saturday will be our Fall Festival from 4:00 - 6:00 PM.  Food, fun, fellowship and outreach!!

Set your clocks back one hour Saturday night!

Sunday following the morning service will be the Pastor Appreciation Lunch...bring a covered food dish!

Please bring in your donations for the ongoing ministries...new diapers, new clothes or toys and pick up an empty shoe box to fill for Operation Christmas Child.

How To Pray For Your Pastor

How to pray for your pastor?

Pray specific Scriptures over him and his family.
Pray for his spiritual life to flourish.
Pray that he will be strong in the face of opposition
Pray that he will flee temptation
Pray that he will be spiritually “wise” and equipped for battle (Ephesians 6)
Pray that he is sensitive to the leading and conviction of the Holy Spirit
Pray that he has wisdom to balance ministry, family and other responsibilities
Pray that he fixes his eyes on the eternal reward and doesn’t get discouraged
Pray that he humbles himself continually before God
Pray for he and his wife: that they would be unified, give one another support and understanding, and that they would fight for their marriage on their knees and with their time.
Pray for he and his children: that he would spend sufficient time with them, validate and affirm them and that he would be present and available.
Pray that God would grant him breakthrough in his ministry: that he would see lives transformed!

If you’d like to have a copy of these ways to prayer for your pastor to print off an hang on your fridge or put in your Bible, you can download a copy here.

Easy Ways to Thank Our Pastor

1. Pray for them. 

What better way is there for you to uplift your pastors and church leaders than through approaching the throne of grace with confidence?

The Lord hears the prayers of His people, and the Lord cares for the leaders of His people. Take time regularly, each day even, to pray for the men and women on your church staff. Pray for their emotional well-being, their physical strength, their spiritual wellness, and any specific needs you know. This is definitely the simplest and perhaps most impactful way you can support your church leaders.

Before you do any of the following, be sure to pray. 

2. Write them encouraging letters.

Being approached after a sermon and hearing how the Lord convicted or encouraged people

through the Word is great. But letters of encouragement, especially handwritten ones, are true treasures.

What should you write?

• Share some Scripture that may be encouraging to them.
• Tell them about how the Lord has been using their ministry to make you more like Jesus.
• Write about how you saw a friend come to Christ.
• Your pastors and church leaders will appreciate anything encouraging. 

3. Serve in the church. 

Churches are always looking for more volunteers.

Willing hands and warm hearts are so needed in the local church, especially when it comes to children’s ministry or nursery help.

How can you encourage your church leaders by serving? 

• Start by asking your leaders where they need help.
• Spend a couple of months being a greeter.
• Sign up to be on the monthly rotation for parking lot duty.
• Volunteer to hold and pray for babies while their parents worship in the sanctuary.

Any service you offer will be helpful for your church leaders. Simply ask where help is needed and be willing to be a faithful servant.

4. Encourage their families. 

Occupational ministry is a family affair, even if the pastor is the only family member working in the church. Late nights, working weekends, phone calls in the middle of the night—the demands of ministry affect more than just the one in the role.

Encourage the families of your church leaders in much the same way you encourage your church leaders: prayer, notes and acts of kindness. 

5. Speak well of the church. 

One of the most discouraging parts about leading the people of God is hearing them talk bad about others in the church. Don’t gossip about the bride of Christ. The body of Christ is a wounded body because it is made up of wounded people. Don’t add salt to its wounds. Speak of the bride of Christ as you would like someone to speak of your spouse. October is Pastor Appreciation Month. Don’t just give a card — be an encourager.

Family Ministries Menu

The menu for Family Ministries this week will be BBQ Port, Baked Beans, Macaroni and Cheese, Vegetables, Salad and Dessert. Meal begins at 5:30 PM and ministries for the entire family begin at 6:30 PM.  

Be encouraged to take the time out of your busy week to dedicate to the Lord.  This is precious time, a sacrifice that will be well rewarded with spiritual growth, greater dedication, closer fellowship with one another. Family ministries is a time for the entire family to come to church to worship and grow together.  What greater investment is there in this life? 

Pastor Appreciation

The month of October is known as Pastor Appreciation Month.  A time for churches to express appreciation to their pastor for his leadership.

Antioch will hold a special time of appreciation on November 1.  We will celebrate with our pastor and family a luncheon following the morning service.  Fried chicken will be provided and church family is asked to bring a complimentary side dish or dessert.  

This week, several resources will be shared on the blog about how to celebrate and appreciate our pastor. Please be encouraged to be involved on Sunday!