Newsletter | September 25, 2024

Join us for supper at 6:00 PM in the fellowship hall.
Followed by a time of Bible Study with Bro David.

Menu for Family Night

Chicken and Dumplings
Glazed Carrots
Pear Salad
Rolls
Teacakes

Budget Planning

To help prepare for the 2025 budget, we ask that all ministries turn in their budgets for next year to Allen Whitehead, Daniel West, or Nikki Brewer by October 6th.

The following deacons have been elected to serve.

W. Greg Brown – Two-Year Term
David Flake – Two-Year Term
Carl Hobbs – Three-Year Term
Daniel West – Three-Year Term

Wednesday, October 2nd , 2024, 7:00 PM
Wednesday, October 16th , 2024, 7:00 PM

Mission Georgia Offering

Jesus showed us how to love, serve, and share. He never left people the same. Thatā€™s our calling, too…to love our neighbors…in Georgia. Good work requires hard workā€” from all of usā€”but thereā€™s nothing like watching eyes widen, hearts open, and lives change in our communities.

The September Mission Georgia offering emphasizes the collaborative efforts of Georgia Baptists to love our neighbors and serve the vulnerable. Your gifts allow us to help our churches grow in compassion for their neighbors and share the gospel while meeting needs throughout our great state.

Church Goal: $500
Received so Far: $525

Giving as of September 24, 2024

Budget for 2024 . . . . . . . . Ā $339,423.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . . $231,343.74
Received to Date . . . . . . . . $197,263.67
Needed for weekly budget . . .Ā  $6,751.71
Tithes Received this week . . .Ā Ā  $2,518.60

MID-WEEK DEVOTION

Remember to check out Brother Davidā€™s Mid-Week Devotion in the Book of Psalms. They are uploaded each Wednesday on the sermon page.

From Our Pastor

Do you want to make a difference in people’s lives?  Most of us would quickly answer that question in the affirmative.  We see family, friends, and acquaintances living lives of ā€œquiet desperationā€ as Thoreau observed.  How can we make a difference in their lives?

The Apostle John gives us the answer in the opening verses of his first epistle.  These verses show the pathway for leading people into a life of richness and fullness.  It is the pathway that is the only way to make a real and lasting impact on peopleā€™s lives.

John makes it clear that we must know what will make a difference in peopleā€™s lives.  In verse 1, He refers to our Lord as the Word of Life.  Jesus Christ is the only way to real life and living.  When John spoke of life and eternal life in his gospel and epistles, he wasnā€™t just speaking in terms of time (forever) but also of quality (real, full, meaningful life).  If we are really going to help people, we must know the answer is Jesus Christ.

But John then shows us that it is not enough to know the answer in our heads.  We must personally experience the difference of Jesus Christ in our own lives.  Verse, one says, ā€œā€¦What we have head, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at, and touched with our handsā€¦ā€  John made it clear that he was speaking from a real, growing dynamic relationship with Christ.  Yes, John knew the facts, truths, doctrine, and theology.  But, through all of that, he personally knew Christ.  It was from that relationship that John was able to help others.  It is only from a growing relationship with the Lord that we will be in position to make a difference in peopleā€™s lives.

Next, we need to share the One who will make a difference in the lives of others.  In verse two, John wrote, ā€œā€¦We have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal lifeā€¦ā€  God has called us to demonstrate, share and testify of the life-changing love of Jesus Christ.  We need to look for and take advantage of opportunities to share Christ.  Last, we need to make sure that our witnessing points toward a personal relationship with Christ.  Religion, ā€œdo-goodismā€ and ā€œturning your life aroundā€ wonā€™t cut it.  They need Christ.  John wrote, ā€œā€¦So that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed, our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.ā€  Our witnessing needs to point to a relationship with Christ.  He is the One (and only One) who can make a difference in lives.

God can use us to make a difference in the lives of those around us.  He can use us to point them to Himself.  He alone can bring life to their living.

Sunday, September 29

Deacon of the Week:  W. Greg Brown

Deacon Greeters
Front Door:  W. Greg Brown
Organ Greeter:  Tom LaRocca
Piano Greeter:  Daniel West

Sound:  Daniel West
Video:  Julie West

Nursery Workers
Sue Mastrario & Jane Smith

Sunday, October 6

Deacon of the Week:  Allen Whitehead

Deacon Greeters
Front Door:  Allen Whitehead
Organ Greeter:  Dwane Lewis
Piano Greeter:  Carl Hobbs

Sound: Ā Chris McCard
Video:Ā  Saskia Perry

Nursery Workers
Jackie Clifford & Sandra Harris