Supper begins at 6:00 PM, in the fellowship hall followed by our
Family Night event.

Chili Dogs, Slaw, Chips, and Dessert 

Join us Wednesday, November 4, as we pack our Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes! We still need several items—especially toys and fillers—to help fill the boxes.

Items especially needed: Small toys (stuffed animals, toy cars, yo-yos, Slinkies, baby dolls, and Barbie dolls), underwear, socks, and flip-flops.

Please drop donations off outside Jonathan’s office, and plan to join us Wednesday night to help pack the boxes. Every item helps us fill a shoebox and share the love of Christ with a child!

We need volunteers to help us get ready for our Operation Christmas Child Packing Party! Join us on Thursday, October 29, at 4:00 PM in the Family Ministry Building as we set up and organize the tables with supplies for packing shoeboxes.

Many hands make light work, and we would appreciate your help!

We need volunteers to help serve at our Operation Christmas Child Relay Center! This is a wonderful opportunity to be part of a ministry that shares the love of Christ with children around the world. Whether you can help for a few hours or several days, your time and service will make a difference. Click the link below to sign up for a time that works best for you. Thank you for helping make this ministry possible!

The Pastor Search Committee would like your input as we seek God's guidance in finding our next pastor. Please take a few moments to complete the Pastor Search Survey and share your expectations for our church's next pastor.

Please place completed surveys in the box outside Nikki's office or give them to any search committee member: June Whiddon, Daniel West, Libby Reynolds, Don Myers, or Allen Whitehead.

Blank copies are available in the church office. If you are unable to return your survey, a committee member will gladly come by your home to pick it up.

Your input is important, and we appreciate your participation in this process!

Click below to download a blank copy.

Budget for 2026 . . . . . . . .  $370,078.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . . $306,026.27
Received to Date . . . . . . .   $233,638.60 
Needed for weekly budget . . . $7,116.89
Tithes Received this week . . .  $2,524.00

Have you ever been driving down the road when, all of a sudden, a strong storm rolls in? The rain begins pouring so hard that you can barely see what is in front of you. Suddenly, you're not paying attention to the cars in the other lanes, the billboards along the highway, or the signs advertising your next coffee or food stop. Your attention shifts to the few feet of road you can still see. You slow down, focus on the lines marking your lane, and carefully continue forward, even though you cannot see what lies ahead.

Our walk with God can sometimes feel the same way. Life brings storms, uncertainty, and unexpected changes. We often want to know what is coming next, how things will work out, and what the future holds. But God doesn't always allow us to see the entire road ahead.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” — Proverbs 3:5–6 (ESV)

Proverbs 3:5–6 reminds us that our responsibility is not to figure everything out but to trust the One who already knows the way. Trusting God means depending on His wisdom rather than our limited understanding. It means remaining faithful to His Word, seeking His guidance through prayer, and taking the next step of obedience, even when we cannot see where the road will lead.

Throughout our lives, we will enter into new chapters. During these times, we may not know exactly what lies ahead. But we can be confident that the same God who has faithfully led us in the past will continue to guide us in the future.

Sometimes faith is simply taking the next step, trusting that God can see what we cannot.

Join us as we explore what God’s Word teaches
 us about living faithfully, putting God first,
and making our lives count for His glory.

Supper begins at 6:00 PM, followed by our Family Night study. Come enjoy a meal, fellowship, and discover the stories behind the songs we sing!

Baked Potato, Salad, Dessert

Please join us for a special luncheon as we celebrate Bro. David's retirement and honor his many years of faithful service to First Baptist Church Ashburn.

A basket will be available for anyone who would like to share a card, a personal note of appreciation, or a love gift. If you wish to give by check, please make it payable to David Smith.

We hope everyone will join us as we express our love and appreciation for Bro. David and celebrate his years of ministry with our church family.

Join us Wednesday, November 4, as we pack our Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes! We still need several items—especially toys and fillers—to help fill the boxes.

Items especially needed: Small toys (stuffed animals, toy cars, yo-yos, Slinkies, baby dolls, and Barbie dolls), underwear, socks, and flip-flops.

Please drop donations off outside Jonathan’s office, and plan to join us Wednesday night to help pack the boxes. Every item helps us fill a shoebox and share the love of Christ with a child!

We need volunteers to help us get ready for our Operation Christmas Child Packing Party! Join us on Thursday, October 29, at 4:00 PM in the Family Ministry Building as we set up and organize the tables with supplies for packing shoeboxes.

Many hands make light work, and we would appreciate your help!

Last year, our church family distributed goodie bags during the Ashburn Halloween Open House—and this year, we’re planning to reach even more families!

Each bag will include candy, information about our church, and the plan of salvation, making this an incredible opportunity to share the love of Christ with our community.

If you or your Sunday School class would like to help, you can donate candy or money for supplies. Please drop donations off outside Jonathan’s office by Sunday, October 25.

Together, let’s shine the light of Jesus on a night when so many families are out and about in our community!

The Pastor Search Committee would like your input as we seek God's guidance in finding our next pastor. Please take a few moments to complete the Pastor Search Survey and share your expectations for our church's next pastor.

Please place completed surveys in the box outside Nikki's office or give them to any search committee member: June Whiddon, Daniel West, Libby Reynolds, Don Myers, or Allen Whitehead.

Blank copies are available in the church office. If you are unable to return your survey, a committee member will gladly come by your home to pick it up.

Your input is important, and we appreciate your participation in this process!

Click below to download a blank copy.

Don’t miss Brother David’s Mid-Week Devotions.
New messages are posted every Wednesday on our media page—take a midweek moment to be encouraged and refreshed in God’s Word.

Budget for 2026 . . . . . . . .  $370,078.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . . $298,909.38
Received to Date . . . . . . .   $231,114.60
Needed for weekly budget . . . $7,116.89
Tithes Received this week . . .  $1,966.00

Thank you! For twenty-five years, it has been my privilege to serve as your pastor. Jane, Remington, and I have been wonderfully blessed by your love and support. I am grateful for all the efforts of so many in this ministry.

Soon you will call a new pastor. Please know I will be in prayer for him and for you as together you follow the Lord. I look forward to seeing what God will do in your midst.

As I ponder this time, I think A. W. Tozer expressed my heart and mind far better than I can do myself. Tozer wrote:

I hope if I am remembered at all, it will be for this reason:
I have spent my efforts and my energies trying to turn the
direction of the people away from the external elements of
religion to those that are internal and spiritual.

I have tried to take away some of the clouds in the hope
that men and women would be able to view God in His glory.
I would like to see this sense of glory recaptured throughout
the church – too many Christians do not expect to experience
any of the glory until they see Him face-to-face!

Within our Christian fellowship and worship, we must
recapture the Bible concept of the perfection of our God
Most High! We have lost the sense and the wonder
Of His awe-fullness, His perfection, His beauty.
Oh, I feel that we should preach it, sing it, write about it,
talk about it, and tell it until we have recaptured the concept
of the Majesty of God!

Only that can be beautiful ultimately which is holy – and
we who belong to Jesus Christ should know the true
delight of worshipping God in the beauty of His holiness.

May our Lord be glorified as we grow in His grace and worship Him in spirit and truth.

God bless you,
Brother David

Join us as we explore what God’s Word teaches
 us about living faithfully, putting God first,
and making our lives count for His glory.

Supper begins at 6:00 PM, followed by our Family Night study. Come enjoy a meal, fellowship, and discover the stories behind the songs we sing!

Taco Salad and Dessert 

Operation Christmas Child Packing Night

Join us Wednesday, November 4, as we pack our Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes! We still need several items—especially toys and fillers—to help fill the boxes.

Items especially needed: Small toys (stuffed animals, toy cars, yo-yos, Slinkies, baby dolls, and Barbie dolls), underwear, socks, and flip-flops.

Please drop donations off outside Jonathan’s office, and plan to join us Wednesday night to help pack the boxes. Every item helps us fill a shoebox and share the love of Christ with a child!

Last year, our church family distributed goodie bags during the Ashburn Halloween Open House—and this year, we’re planning to reach even more families!

Each bag will include candy, information about our church, and the plan of salvation, making this an incredible opportunity to share the love of Christ with our community.

If you or your Sunday School class would like to help, you can donate candy or money for supplies. Please drop donations off outside Jonathan’s office by Sunday, October 25.

Together, let’s shine the light of Jesus on a night when so many families are out and about in our community!

Don’t miss Brother David’s Mid-Week Devotions.
New messages are posted every Wednesday on our media page—take a midweek moment to be encouraged and refreshed in God’s Word.

Budget for 2026 . . . . . . . .  $363,528.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . . $291,043.42
Received to Date . . . . . . .   $229,132.64
Needed for weekly budget . . . $6,990.92
Tithes Received this week . . .  $3,642.79

Did you know that UPS drivers are strongly encouraged to avoid making left-hand turns? It may sound strange, but believe it or not, sometimes turning left is the shortest way to get where you're going. UPS discovered something interesting. Left turns often require drivers to sit and wait for oncoming traffic. That means wasted time, wasted fuel, and an increased risk of accidents. By planning routes that favor right turns, UPS can actually save time and money, even if the drivers travel a little farther.

Think about that for a moment. Sometimes taking the longer route is actually the better way to reach your destination. How often do we struggle with that same principle in our Christian walk?

We have a destination in mind. We know where we want to go, what we want to accomplish, and how we think things ought to work out. Naturally, we want to take the shortest and easiest route to get there. But God doesn't always lead us down the path we would choose.

When God led the Israelites out of Egypt, He deliberately avoided the shortest route to the Promised Land. Exodus 13:17 tells us that God did not lead them through the land of the Philistines, even though that way was shorter. God knew they were not ready for the battles they would face along that road.

The Israelites couldn't see what God could see. What may have seemed like an unnecessary detour was actually God's way of protecting them. The same is true in our lives. Sometimes God closes a door we thought should be open. Sometimes He makes us wait when we are ready to move forward. And sometimes He leads us in a direction that makes absolutely no sense to us.

Proverbs 3:5–6 reminds us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and not lean on our own understanding. When we acknowledge Him in all our ways, He promises to direct our paths.

UPS plans its routes based on information the driver may not see. God directs our lives with knowledge and wisdom far beyond our understanding.

The next time life takes an unexpected turn, remember that a detour isn't necessarily a delay, and the shortest path isn't always the best one. Our responsibility is not to figure out every turn along the way. It is to trust the One who knows where the road leads.

Join us as we explore what God’s Word teaches
 us about living faithfully, putting God first,
and making our lives count for His glory.

Supper begins at 6:00 PM, followed by our Family Night study. Come enjoy a meal, fellowship, and discover the stories behind the songs we sing!

Beef Stew, Corn Muffins and a Selection of Pies. 

Operation Christmas Child Packing Night

Join us Wednesday, November 4, as we pack our Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes! We still need several items—especially toys and fillers—to help fill the boxes.

Items especially needed: Small toys (stuffed animals, toy cars, yo-yos, Slinkies, baby dolls, and Barbie dolls), underwear, socks, and flip-flops.

Please drop donations off outside Jonathan’s office, and plan to join us Wednesday night to help pack the boxes. Every item helps us fill a shoebox and share the love of Christ with a child!

Last year, our church family distributed goodie bags during the Ashburn Halloween Open House—and this year, we’re planning to reach even more families!

Each bag will include candy, information about our church, and the plan of salvation, making this an incredible opportunity to share the love of Christ with our community.

If you or your Sunday School class would like to help, you can donate candy or money for supplies. Please drop donations off outside Jonathan’s office by Sunday, October 25.

Together, let’s shine the light of Jesus on a night when so many families are out and about in our community!

The Finance Committee will begin working on the budget for the upcoming year on October 18. All committee chairs, please submit your budget requests to Allen Whitehead or Nikki no later than October 14.

Thank you for helping us prepare for the upcoming budget year!

Don’t miss Brother David’s Mid-Week Devotions.
New messages are posted every Wednesday on our media page—take a midweek moment to be encouraged and refreshed in God’s Word.

Budget for 2026 . . . . . . . .  $363,528.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . . $283,944.80
Received to Date . . . . . . .   $225,489.85 
Needed for weekly budget . . . $6,990.92
Tithes Received this week . . .  $8,784.67
State Missions . . . . . . . . . . . . . $656.04

In John 17:3, our Lord said, “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” This means that salvation is not just a list of facts to accept. It is a personal relationship with the God of those facts.

As believers, our highest priority is to grow in our relationship with the Lord. Paul wrote that his greatest desire was that he “…may know Him and the power of His resurrection…” (Philippians 3:10).

This knowing and growing in the Lord is what our Lord meant when He spoke of abiding in Him in John 15. Our Lord wants us to live in Him. Just as we physically live in our homes, we are to spiritually live in Him.

What do we experience when we abide in Christ? We experience fruitfulness. As we walk with the Lord, He fills and overfills our lives (Psalm 23:5). It is overfilling that God uses to minister to others. Our Lord said, “…he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). We bear real fruit only by abiding in Him.

Abiding in Him is also a key to answered prayer. This is not because we are in a better position to manipulate God, but because we are better able to know His mind and heart and experience His leading. This is why Jesus said, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (John 15:7).

We also experience our Lord’s love when we abide in Him. John 15:10 says, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” We cannot fully experience our Lord’s love for us when we are far from Him. The closer we are to Him, the more we can experience His love.

Last, we experience His joy. In John 15:11, our Lord says, “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” It is when we are close to our Lord that we experience His joy from within. What the world can never provide with its promises of happiness, our Lord gives us, no matter our circumstances.

Are you abiding in the Lord? Are you growing in Him? Only in Him do we experience the richness of life that He wants to give us.

Join us as we explore what God’s Word teaches
 us about living faithfully, putting God first,
and making our lives count for His glory.

Supper begins at 6:00 PM, followed by our Family Night study. Come enjoy a meal, fellowship, and discover the stories behind the songs we sing!

Chicken and Dumplings, Peach Salad, and Dessert 

Join us for a relaxing fall train ride between Nashville and Willacoochee, Georgia!
Come enjoy the beautiful fall scenery and foliage on a 2-hour round-trip train ride. It will be a great day to relax, enjoy time together, and take in the sights of fall!

Saturday, October 24
Tickets: $34 per person

Our plan is to purchase tickets for the 10:00 AM train ride. We will leave the church at 8:15 AM and stop for lunch together after the train ride.

If the 10:00 AM ride is sold out, we will try to purchase tickets for the 1:00 PM ride instead. If we take the 1:00 train, we will eat lunch together before the ride.

Important!
We will be purchasing our tickets on October 5, so please sign up and turn in your $34 before then to make sure we can purchase your ticket.

Sign up in your Sunday School class.
Please see Sue Mastrario or Jonathan to turn in your money or if you have any questions.
Come enjoy a beautiful fall day of Fellowship & Fun!

Last year, our church family distributed goodie bags during the Ashburn Halloween Open House—and this year, we’re planning to reach even more families!

Each bag will include candy, information about our church, and the plan of salvation, making this an incredible opportunity to share the love of Christ with our community.

If you or your Sunday School class would like to help, you can donate candy or money for supplies. Please drop donations off outside Jonathan’s office by Sunday, October 25.

Together, let’s shine the light of Jesus on a night when so many families are out and about in our community!

The Finance Committee will begin working on the budget for the upcoming year on October 18. All committee chairs, please submit your budget requests to Allen Whitehead or Nikki no later than October 14.

Thank you for helping us prepare for the upcoming budget year!

Don’t miss Brother David’s Mid-Week Devotions.
New messages are posted every Wednesday on our media page—take a midweek moment to be encouraged and refreshed in God’s Word.

Budget for 2026 . . . . . . . .  $363,528.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . . $276,846.18
Received to Date . . . . . . .   $216,690.74 
Needed for weekly budget . . . $6,990.92
Tithes Received this week . . .  $5,260.94
State Missions . . . . . . . . . . . . . $535.00

If you have read many of my articles, I’m sure you have read about my eccentric golden retriever. One of his unique abilities is how hyper-aware he is of everything around him. One story you may have heard is how he refused to go into the bathroom for three days because we changed the color of the shower curtain. Another time, he wouldn’t eat his food because Saskia got a treadmill and we put it next to where he eats. Nothing was wrong with his food. The treadmill wasn’t running. It was simply something different, and he noticed it immediately.

The funny thing is, while he seems to notice everything around him, we can sometimes go through life hardly noticing our surroundings, especially the people around us.

We get busy. We have places to go, things to get done, messages to answer, and appointments to keep. We can walk past the same people, sit beside them at church, work with them, or even live in the same house with them and never stop long enough to notice that something has changed.

One thing that stands out to me about Jesus is that He noticed people. He was surrounded by crowds. People constantly wanted something from Him, and He certainly had important things to do. Yet Jesus never became so focused on where He was going that He failed to see the people along the way.

In Mark 10, Jesus was leaving Jericho with a large crowd when a blind man named Bartimaeus began crying out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” The people around him told him to be quiet, but Bartimaeus cried out even louder. Then Mark gives us three simple words that we should pay close attention to: “And Jesus stopped” (Mark 10:49).
Jesus could have easily had the excuse that He had somewhere else to go, or that other people around Him needed Him. He had plenty of reasons to keep moving. But Jesus noticed someone who needed Him, and He stopped.

How many opportunities do we miss simply because we don’t stop? How many people around us need encouragement, a conversation, a prayer, or simply someone to notice that they are struggling?

We don’t have to notice every little change as my golden retriever does. I’m perfectly fine walking into the bathroom without first examining the shower curtain. But as we reflect Jesus, we must become a little more aware of the people God has placed around us.

This week, slow down. Look around. Put the phone down for a minute. Pay attention to the people you encounter. Ask someone how they are doing, and take the time to actually listen to the answer. You never know when simply noticing someone may give you an opportunity to show them the love of Christ.

Join us as we continue our series,
The Stories We Sing:
Discovering the Faith Behind the Hymns.

Supper begins at 6:00 PM, followed by our Family Night study. Come enjoy a meal, fellowship, and discover the stories behind the songs we sing!

Breaded chicken, scalloped potatoes,
cabbage, cornbread, and dessert.

Join us for a relaxing fall train ride between Nashville and Willacoochee, Georgia!
Come enjoy the beautiful fall scenery and foliage on a 2-hour round-trip train ride. It will be a great day to relax, enjoy time together, and take in the sights of fall!

Saturday, October 24
Tickets: $34 per person

Our plan is to purchase tickets for the 10:00 AM train ride. We will leave the church at 8:15 AM and stop for lunch together after the train ride.

If the 10:00 AM ride is sold out, we will try to purchase tickets for the 1:00 PM ride instead. If we take the 1:00 train, we will eat lunch together before the ride.

Important!
We will be purchasing our tickets on October 5, so please sign up and turn in your $34 before then to make sure we can purchase your ticket.

Sign up in your Sunday School class.
Please see Sue Mastrario or Jonathan to turn in your money or if you have any questions.
Come enjoy a beautiful fall day of Fellowship & Fun!

The Finance Committee will begin working on the budget for the upcoming year on October 18. All committee chairs, please submit your budget requests to Allen Whitehead or Nikki no later than October 14.

Thank you for helping us prepare for the upcoming budget year!

Don’t miss Brother David’s Mid-Week Devotions.
New messages are posted every Wednesday on our media page—take a midweek moment to be encouraged and refreshed in God’s Word.

Budget for 2026 . . . . . . . .  $363,528.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . . $267,189.78
Received to Date . . . . . . .   $211,429.80
Needed for weekly budget . . . $6,990.92
Tithes Received this week . . .  $3,578.94
State Missions . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $360.00

Do you ever get discouraged about your growth as a Christian?  Perhaps you have failed in some way, and you think, “This should have been out of my life a long time ago.”  Maybe you shrank back in some area, and you wonder, “Why can’t I do this?”

It is easy (and common) to become discouraged about our Spiritual growth and maturity.  While we should always strive to grow, we need not become discouraged.  Philippians 1:6 says, “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Think of the wonderful truths of this verse.  First, God Himself is at work in us.  In chapter 2 we read, “For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (verse 13).  The Holy Spirit teaches us, convicts us, guides us, and empowers us.  He Himself makes possible the changes He wants in our lives (Romans 8).

Second, God will continue working in us as long as we are on this earth.  God never throws up His hands in despair over our slow growth.  He never thinks or says, “That’s the best I can do with that one – I didn’t have much to work with.”  No, God will work on us as long as we are on this earth.

Last, the day will come when we are perfected.  Whether by our passing or the Lord’s coming for His church.  We will finally become all He has always wanted to be.  When we are with Him, all of our weaknesses and failures will be in the past.  We will fulfill the plan He has always had for us.

Don’t get discouraged with your Spiritual progress.  Sure, confess any sins or failures.  Believe God’s wonderful grace.  Trust His working to make you who God has always wanted you to be.

Join us as we continue our series,
The Stories We Sing:
Discovering the Faith Behind the Hymns.

Supper begins at 6:00 PM, followed by our Family Night study. Come enjoy a meal, fellowship, and discover the stories behind the songs we sing!

BBQ Sandwiches, Corn on the Cob,
Slaw, and Banana Pudding 

This Sunday, during our church conference, we will be voting on the following individuals to serve on our Pastor Search Committee:

Allen Whitehead
Daniel West
Don Meyer
Libby Reynolds
June Whiddon

This Sunday, during our church conference, we will  be voting
on David Flake to serve as a Deacon.

Join us for a relaxing fall train ride between Nashville and Willacoochee, Georgia!
Come enjoy the beautiful fall scenery and foliage on a 2-hour round-trip train ride. It will be a great day to relax, enjoy time together, and take in the sights of fall!

Saturday, October 24
Tickets: $34 per person

Our plan is to purchase tickets for the 10:00 AM train ride. We will leave the church at 8:15 AM and stop for lunch together after the train ride.

If the 10:00 AM ride is sold out, we will try to purchase tickets for the 1:00 PM ride instead. If we take the 1:00 train, we will eat lunch together before the ride.

Important!
We will be purchasing our tickets on October 5, so please sign up and turn in your $34 before then to make sure we can purchase your ticket.

Sign up in your Sunday School class.
Please see Sue Mastrario or Jonathan to turn in your money or if you have any questions.
Come enjoy a beautiful fall day of Fellowship & Fun!

Join us on Thursday, November 19, as we travel to the UGA center in
Tifton to see Megan Woods live on The Truth Tour!

Megan Woods is a Christian singer and songwriter whose music shares the life-changing truth of God's love. Her hit song “The Truth” grew out of her own journey of struggling with self-worth and discovering her identity in Jesus Christ. Megan now uses her music to remind others that we don't have to believe the lies the world tells us—we can stand on the truth of who we are in Christ!

Concert Details:
Thursday, November 19
Leave the church: 5:30 PM
Concert: 7:00 PM
Adults: $24
Youth: $15*

*Children in 5th grade and younger must have an adult attending with them.

If you would like to attend, sign up with Jonathan by September 27. We must have our final count by the deadline in order to purchase tickets.

Come enjoy a great night of Christian music, worship, and encouragement!

Don’t miss Brother David’s Mid-Week Devotions.
New messages are posted every Wednesday on our media page—take a midweek moment to be encouraged and refreshed in God’s Word.

Budget for 2026 . . . . . . . .  $363,528.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . . $260,158.47
Received to Date . . . . . . .   $207,850.86 
Needed for weekly budget . . . $6,990.92
Tithes Received this week . . .  $5,516.46
State Missions . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $200.00

A couple of months back, I went over and watched Gael and Beck for the night. For those of you who aren't aware, they are a 15-year-old and a 3-year-old that I claim as my nephews.

I had not been in their house ten minutes when Gael started telling me about a game he had been playing on his PlayStation. For almost 5 hours, he did not change the subject except to tell me what he wanted for supper and to translate whatever Beck was trying to tell me.

Usually, Gael is not very talkative. But his sister wasn't there, and she can out-talk me even when she is supposedly quiet. So, with her gone and someone there who was actually interested in hearing about his game, Gael could not stop. He talked about it so much that eventually we went back to my house, got my computer, downloaded the game, and I started playing it with him.

But isn't that how it goes? We tend to talk passionately about the things we are most excited about.

This time of year, you can't go to many meetings without someone bringing up football. And yes, that includes church meetings! We talk about the game, the players, the coaches, the bad calls, and what our team needs to do next week. Why? Because people are passionate about it.

There is nothing wrong with being excited about a football team, a hobby, or even a video game. But what if we were that passionate about God and what He has done for us through Jesus Christ?

What if we were so excited about something we read in God's Word that we couldn't wait to tell somebody about it? What if we were so passionate about a verse that our excitement made our friend want to go back home, grab their Bible, and read it for themselves?
In the New Testament, we see that after Peter and John were told to stop speaking about Jesus, they answered, “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). They had experienced what Christ had done, and they could not keep quiet about it.

Maybe one question we need to ask ourselves is: What am I most excited to talk about? Jesus said, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matthew 12:34). What fills our hearts eventually finds its way into our conversations.

Gael didn't have to prepare a speech to convince me to play his game. He simply talked about something he was excited about, and his excitement was contagious.
What if our excitement about Jesus was contagious too?

We have something far greater than a game, a hobby, or a football team to talk about. We have a Savior who loved us enough to go to the cross for us, who rose from the grave, who forgives our sins, and who gives us eternal life.

That is something worth getting excited about.

Join us as we continue our series,
The Stories We Sing:
Discovering the Faith
Behind the Hymns.

Supper begins at 6:00 PM, followed by our Family Night study. Come enjoy a meal, fellowship, and discover the stories behind the songs we sing!

Baked Spaghetti, Salad,
Garlic Bread, and Dessert 

You're invited to be part of a wonderful group of ladies! Join us each month for our WMU (Women's Missionary Union) meeting—a time for women of all ages to gather in fellowship, grow in our faith, and focus on missions near and far. Discover how God is working through women just like you and missionaries worldwide.

WMU meets in the Prayer Room

Join us Sunday, September 20, following the morning worship service as we head to the ABAC Dining Hall for lunch! This is our next Fellowship and Fun outing and a great opportunity to enjoy good food and time together. Sign up in your Sunday School class so we know you’re coming. We hope you’ll join us!

Join us on Thursday, November 19, as we travel to the UGA center in
Tifton to see Megan Woods live on The Truth Tour!

Megan Woods is a Christian singer and songwriter whose music shares the life-changing truth of God's love. Her hit song “The Truth” grew out of her own journey of struggling with self-worth and discovering her identity in Jesus Christ. Megan now uses her music to remind others that we don't have to believe the lies the world tells us—we can stand on the truth of who we are in Christ!

Concert Details:
Thursday, November 19
Leave the church: 5:30 PM
Concert: 7:00 PM
Adults: $24
Youth: $15*

*Children in 5th grade and younger must have an adult attending with them.

If you would like to attend, sign up with Jonathan by September 27. We must have our final count by the deadline in order to purchase tickets.

Come enjoy a great night of Christian music, worship, and encouragement!

Don’t miss Brother David’s Mid-Week Devotions.
New messages are posted every Wednesday on our media page—take a midweek moment to be encouraged and refreshed in God’s Word.

Budget for 2026 . . . . . . . .  $363,528.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . . $253,127.16
Received to Date . . . . . . .   $202,334.40 
Needed for weekly budget . . . $6,990.92
Tithes Received this week . . .  $7,688.30

How do we navigate life?  Every day we face numerous choices and decisions.  Some of these are serious and will influence our life and the lives of those following us.  Each season of life brings its own challenges.  Transitioning from one season to the next is often a difficult journey.  How can we find our way through all these things?

For we who know Christ, the wonderful answer is that our Father will guide us by His Spirit.  Psalm 32:8 says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with you with My eye upon you.”   John 16:13 says, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.”  God Himself wants to guide us through life?

How do we experience His guidance?  We learn some important lessons from Israel’s experience in the wilderness.  God guided them with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.  We read a description of this process in Numbers 9:15-23.

What do their experiences teach us?  First, we need to watch for the Lord’s leading.  Verse 17 says, “Whenever the cloud was lifted from over the tent, afterward the sons of Israel would set out…”  They had to watch for the clouds lifting.  We need to watch for our Lord’s leading through His Word, prayer, wise counsel, and circumstances.
 
Next, we must follow the Lord as He leads.  God could lead the Israelites only if they followed.  It is the same for us.  As God begins moving, we need to follow.  Like the Israelites, we must follow this day-by-day pattern.  While God sometimes makes major moves in our lives, most of the time He leads us in small, daily steps.  We must follow Him.

Last, we must learn to wait upon Him.  It is easy to become impatient and get ahead of God.  This usually results in a wrong move, and it is always at the wrong time.  Verse 22 says, “Whether it was two days or a month or a year that the cloud lingered over the tabernacle, staying above it, the sons of Israel remained camped and did not set out; but when it was lifted, they did set out. We need to wait for the Lord and then follow as He leads.

Life can be confusing, but our Lord will guide us.  We need to live like Israel in the wilderness.  We need to watch for Him, wait upon Him, and follow Him.

Join us for our new four-week series, The Stories We Sing: Discovering the Faith
Behind the Hymns.

Each week, we’ll discover the fascinating stories behind some of the hymns we love and see how their messages connect with God’s Word.

Supper begins at 6:00 PM, followed by our Family Night study. Come enjoy a meal, fellowship, and discover the stories behind the songs we sing!

Baked Ham, Brown Rice,
 Green Beans, and Brownies with Ice Cream

This year, we have seen an increased need for assistance through our Benevolence Ministry. If you feel led to give specifically to our Benevolence Fund, your gifts are used to provide help and support to individuals and families in our community who are facing times of need.

Join us on Thursday, November 19, as we travel to the UGA center in
Tifton to see Megan Woods live on The Truth Tour!

Megan Woods is a Christian singer and songwriter whose music shares the life-changing truth of God's love. Her hit song “The Truth” grew out of her own journey of struggling with self-worth and discovering her identity in Jesus Christ. Megan now uses her music to remind others that we don't have to believe the lies the world tells us—we can stand on the truth of who we are in Christ!

Concert Details:
Thursday, November 19
Leave the church: 5:30 PM
Concert: 7:00 PM
Adults: $24
Youth: $15*

*Children in 5th grade and younger must have an adult attending with them.

If you would like to attend, sign up with Jonathan by September 27. We must have our final count by the deadline in order to purchase tickets.

Come enjoy a great night of Christian music, worship, and encouragement!

Don’t miss Brother David’s Mid-Week Devotions.
New messages are posted every Wednesday on our media page—take a midweek moment to be encouraged and refreshed in God’s Word.

Budget for 2026 . . . . . . . .  $363,528.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . . $239,064.54
Received to Date . . . . . . .   $194,646.10 
Needed for weekly budget . . . $6,990.92
Tithes Received this week . . .  $5,071.00

I have never been very good at noticing when a lady gets a new haircut, changes her hairstyle, or wears a new outfit. I might know something is different, but usually I have no clue what it is.

But one thing I try to notice is when Saskia does something around the house while I am gone. Even if she just makes me lemonade for later, I try to say thank you. I believe people like to know when they are appreciated.

Unfortunately, there are many times we do something, and nobody notices, especially around the church. People notice when a storage closet needs cleaning or boxes need moving but rarely notice when the job has been done.

A great example is the little platform on the railing outside the Fellowship Hall door going toward the back parking lot. We probably never think about it, but someone took the time to fabricate and weld it. When your hands are full of dishes and you need to open the door, it is wonderful to have. It is surprising how many people from other churches have asked me what it is for, and when I explain it, they think it is genius.

Someone saw a need and did something about it.

We don't serve around the church for recognition. We serve because we love the Lord and want to further His Kingdom. But when your work goes unnoticed, remember Hebrews 6:10: “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love.”
God notices.

Whether you are repainting a Sunday School classroom, changing a light bulb, washing dishes, teaching a class, moving tables, or sitting at home praying for your church, God notices your labor of love.

Colossians 3:23 reminds us, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” Ultimately, we are working for Him.

But that doesn't mean we shouldn't appreciate one another. This Labor Day weekend, look around and notice someone who gives their time to serve. Tell them thank you for helping our church minister to others and further God's Kingdom.

And if you are faithfully serving and wondering if anyone notices, remember that God always notices.

Supper begins at 6:00 PM, with various studies to follow.
Make plans to attend our first study

This year, we have seen an increased need for assistance through our Benevolence Ministry. If you feel led to give specifically to our Benevolence Fund, your gifts are used to provide help and support to individuals and families in our community who are facing times of need.

Join us on Thursday, November 19, as we travel to the UGA center in
Tifton to see Megan Woods live on The Truth Tour!

Megan Woods is a Christian singer and songwriter whose music shares the life-changing truth of God's love. Her hit song “The Truth” grew out of her own journey of struggling with self-worth and discovering her identity in Jesus Christ. Megan now uses her music to remind others that we don't have to believe the lies the world tells us—we can stand on the truth of who we are in Christ!

Concert Details:
Thursday, November 19
Leave the church: 5:30 PM
Concert: 7:00 PM
Adults: $24
Youth: $15*

*Children in 5th grade and younger must have an adult attending with them.

If you would like to attend, sign up with Jonathan by September 27. We must have our final count by the deadline in order to purchase tickets.

Come enjoy a great night of Christian music, worship, and encouragement!

Don’t miss Brother David’s Mid-Week Devotions.
New messages are posted every Wednesday on our media page—take a midweek moment to be encouraged and refreshed in God’s Word.

Budget for 2026 . . . . . . . .  $363,528.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . . $239,064.54
Received to Date . . . . . . .   $189,575.10 
Needed for weekly budget . . . $6,990.92
Tithes Received this week . . .  $3,621.00

Child of God, how deeply we are loved by God! Everything He has done, is doing, or will do is because of His love for us. We can live in joyful, excited confidence.

Think of what God told the Israelites in Exodus 19:4-6. He began by saying, “You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings…” Think of God’s mighty deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage. As incredible as that want was, it actually pictured the even greater deliverance we have through Jesus Christ. God loves us so much that He sent His Son to live, die, and rise again for us. How great is His love for us.

God’s love for us is also seen in what He desires to do in the present. Verse 4b says, “…and brought you to Myself.” God’s deliverance of Israel was not just to get them out of slavery but to bring them unto Himself. God wanted them as them unto Himself. God wanted them as His own.

It is the same for us. God doesn’t save us just to keep us from going to hell (as incredible as that is). God’s desire in salvation is to bring us unto Himself. He wants to bring us into His love. In all of creation, we are what God wants. How amazing is His love!

God’s plans for us going forward also show His love. Verses 5-6a say, “Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” God wanted to lead them, protect them, sustain them, bless them, and shine His glory through them! How He loved them! He loves us the same way!!! Incredible!

God’s past, present, and future work in our lives all show His love for us. How wonderful is our Father!

We are looking for individuals who would be willing to serve as substitute Sunday School teachers from time to time. Occasionally, one of our regular teachers needs to be away, and we would love to have a list of willing substitutes we can contact when needed.

If you would be willing to help teach a class occasionally, please let us know. Your willingness to serve would be a great help to our Sunday School ministry.

Ladies' Bible Study
Beginning September 15

Join us for the 7-week study
"A Jesus-Shaped Life" by Lisa Harper.

When: Tuesdays at 1:30 PM
Where: Family Ministry Building

Please register by August 23 by calling or texting Elizabeth See or contacting the church office at 229-567-9320.

Your workbook includes streaming access, making it easy to continue your study at home during the week.

This year, we have seen an increased need for assistance through our Benevolence Ministry. If you feel led to give specifically to our Benevolence Fund, your gifts are used to provide help and support to individuals and families in our community who are facing times of need.

Join us on Thursday, November 19, as we travel to the UGA center in
Tifton to see Megan Woods live on The Truth Tour!

Megan Woods is a Christian singer and songwriter whose music shares the life-changing truth of God's love. Her hit song “The Truth” grew out of her own journey of struggling with self-worth and discovering her identity in Jesus Christ. Megan now uses her music to remind others that we don't have to believe the lies the world tells us—we can stand on the truth of who we are in Christ!

Concert Details:
Thursday, November 19
Leave the church: 5:30 PM
Concert: 7:00 PM
Adults: $24
Youth: $15*

*Children in 5th grade and younger must have an adult attending with them.

If you would like to attend, sign up with Jonathan by September 27. We must have our final count by the deadline in order to purchase tickets.

Come enjoy a great night of Christian music, worship, and encouragement!

Don’t miss Brother David’s Mid-Week Devotions.
New messages are posted every Wednesday on our media page—take a midweek moment to be encouraged and refreshed in God’s Word.

Budget for 2026 . . . . . . . .  $363,528.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . . $230,700.36
Received to Date . . . . . . .   $185,926.90 
Needed for weekly budget . . . $6,990.92
Tithes Received this week . . .  $2,525.27

As most of you know, my nephew from the Netherlands has been staying with us for the last few weeks. On his final weekend with us, I asked him if there was anything special he wanted me to make before he went home. His answer was hamburger casserole.

I thought, I can get behind that! In my mind, I was already picturing ground beef, some kind of potatoes, and plenty of cheese. How could you go wrong? Then he started listing the ingredients. Cream of mushroom soup. Cream of tomato soup. Tomato juice. Noodles. Peas. Green beans. Corn. And then you throw it all together in a casserole dish and top it with cheese. Actually, while he was describing it, I was already thinking about what I could make for myself while he ate his hamburger casserole.

However, while I was cooking it. The more I looked at it, the more familiar it seemed. Then I remembered a dish my mom used to make called Talerine. I can still remember the dread I felt when Mom said Talerine was for supper. Apparently, she thought it was good enough that she even had the audacity to put the recipe in the old church cookbook!

After looking it up, Mom's Talerine and my nephew's hamburger casserole were very similar. Then came the biggest surprise of all. I tasted it, and it was pretty good.

That got me thinking. All those years ago, when Mom made Talerine, did I really give it a fair chance? Or had I already decided I didn't like it because of how it looked, what was in it, or simply because I had convinced myself that I wasn't going to like it?

Unfortunately, we don't just do that with food. Sometimes we do it with God. God puts something in front of us such as a new opportunity, a change we didn't ask for, a person we don't understand, a ministry outside our comfort zone, or even a difficult season. However, before we ever give God a chance to work through it, we've already decided: “I don't like this,” “This isn't for me,” or “God, I think I'd rather have something else.”

Sometimes God's plans don't look very appetizing from where we're standing. They may contain ingredients we would never have chosen. There may be circumstances we don't understand, changes we don't want, and difficulties we would gladly leave out of the recipe. But we only see the individual ingredients. God sees the finished dish.

Romans 8:28 reminds us, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God.” It doesn't say that every ingredient of life will be good. Some may be bitter or painful. Some make absolutely no sense to us at the time. But God takes all those individual pieces and works them together for His purposes.

Maybe there's something in your life right now that you've already decided you don't like.
Before you turn your nose up at what God has placed before you, be patient and allow God to work. You might just discover that what God is preparing is much better than you expected.

We are looking for individuals who would be willing to serve as substitute Sunday School teachers from time to time. Occasionally, one of our regular teachers needs to be away, and we would love to have a list of willing substitutes we can contact when needed.

If you would be willing to help teach a class occasionally, please let us know. Your willingness to serve would be a great help to our Sunday School ministry.

We are looking for volunteers who would be willing to help with our children on Wednesday nights. Whether you can help regularly or simply lend a hand when needed, your time and willingness to serve can make a difference in the lives of our children.

If you are interested in helping, please see Jonathan or Saskia for more information.

Come serve, encourage, and help us invest in the next generation!

Ladies' Bible Study
Beginning September 15

Join us for the 7-week study
"A Jesus-Shaped Life" by Lisa Harper.

When: Tuesdays at 1:30 PM
Where: Family Ministry Building

Please register by August 23 by calling or texting Elizabeth See or contacting the church office at 229-567-9320.

Your workbook includes streaming access, making it easy to continue your study at home during the week.

Fun & Fellowship Trip
Ciao Bella Market

Join us for a fun day of fellowship as we travel to Ciao Bella Market in Perry on Saturday, August 22! We'll enjoy browsing the market, spending time together, and sharing a great lunch.

Saturday, August 22
 10:15 AM - 2:00 PM

Whether you're coming for the shopping, the food, or simply the fellowship, we'd love for you to join us! Invite a friend and come enjoy a relaxing day together.

This year, we have seen an increased need for assistance through our Benevolence Ministry. If you feel led to give specifically to our Benevolence Fund, your gifts are used to provide help and support to individuals and families in our community who are facing times of need.

Don’t miss Brother David’s Mid-Week Devotions.
New messages are posted every Wednesday on our media page—take a midweek moment to be encouraged and refreshed in God’s Word.

Budget for 2026 . . . . . . . .  $363,528.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . . $223,709.44
Received to Date . . . . . . .   $183,401.63
Needed for weekly budget . . . $6,990.92
Tithes Received this week . . .  $5,618.44

I’m sure that every one of us is facing a need or problem. You may realize that you are not right with God and that you must prepare for eternity. You may be a believer who has lost fellowship with God due to sin. You may be worried or anxious about some problem or need. You may be filled with anger and bitterness due to some wrong. Probably every one of us has a need in our life.

What should we do in our respective situation? Some of the wisest words ever spoken were spoken by Mary to the servants at the wedding in Cana. She told them, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

What insight and wisdom! That advice applies to every person. It covers every situation. We need to do what He says.

Following this counsel involves two key elements. First, we must know what He has said about our particular situation. If we don’t know what He has said, we need to study the Scriptures to learn the answer.

Do you know what God has said about your situation? Others’ opinions are worthless. Frankly, yours are as well. The only opinion that matters is God’s. What does He say about your situation?

The second element of this counsel is doing what He says. Knowing but not doing accomplishes nothing but increasing our accountability before God. Have you done what God has said to do in your situation? That is the only way the situation can be correctly addressed, the need met, and the problem solved.

“Whatever He says to you, do it.” Will you?

You're invited to be part of a wonderful group of ladies! Join us each month for our WMU (Women's Missionary Union) meeting—a time for women of all ages to gather in fellowship, grow in our faith, and focus on missions near and far. Discover how God is working through women just like you and missionaries worldwide.

WMU meets in the Prayer Room

Ladies' Bible Study
Beginning September 15

Join us for the 7-week study
"A Jesus-Shaped Life" by Lisa Harper.

When: Tuesdays at 1:30 PM
Where: Family Ministry Building

Please register by August 23 by calling or texting Elizabeth See or contacting the church office at 229-567-9320.

Your workbook includes streaming access, making it easy to continue your study at home during the week.

Fun & Fellowship Trip
Ciao Bella Market

Join us for a fun day of fellowship as we travel to Ciao Bella Market in Perry on Saturday, August 22! We'll enjoy browsing the market, spending time together, and sharing a great lunch.

Saturday, August 22
 10:15 AM - 2:00 PM

Whether you're coming for the shopping, the food, or simply the fellowship, we'd love for you to join us! Invite a friend and come enjoy a relaxing day together.

Don’t miss Brother David’s Mid-Week Devotions.
New messages are posted every Wednesday on our media page—take a midweek moment to be encouraged and refreshed in God’s Word.

Budget for 2026 . . . . . . . .  $363,528.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . . $216,715.52
Received to Date . . . . . . .   $177,783.19 
Needed for weekly budget . . . $6,990.92
Tithes Received this week . .  $10,256.61

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of taking a group to the Georgia Baptist Children's Home. We enjoyed touring the campus, learning about the incredible ministry taking place there, and hearing firsthand from someone who serves those children every day. It was a blessing to see how God is changing lives through that ministry.

Then came the ride home...

About an hour outside of Baxley, the church bus suddenly decided it was tired. Without any warning, the engine shut off and we were stuck sitting in the middle of the highway. Thankfully, the Jeff Davis Sheriff's Department arrived quickly to direct traffic until a tow truck could get there. Richard Purvis also dropped everything he was doing, came and got us, and made sure everyone got home safely.

On Monday, the mechanic discovered the problem wasn't anything major at all. A safety switch had somehow flipped. It's designed to shut off the fuel pump if the bus experiences an impact. And before anyone makes a comment, my driving wasn't that bad!

How often can life feel exactly like that bus ride? We are moving along, everything seems to be going according to plan, and then all of a sudden, without warning, something causes us to come to a complete stop. A health diagnosis. A financial setback. A broken relationship. A disappointment. A change of plans we never expected.

In those times, we have a choice. We can allow the interruption to become the entire story, or we can remember everything God has already done and continue trusting Him with what comes next.

Looking back, none of us remember the trip as "the day the bus broke down." We remember the laughter, the conversations, the fellowship, and seeing a ministry that is making an eternal difference in children's lives. The breakdown became nothing more than a part in a much bigger story.

James reminds us, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” (James 1:2-3). He wasn't saying difficulties are enjoyable. He was reminding us that God is still working, even when our plans come to a sudden stop.

Sometimes God allows interruptions to teach us patience. Sometimes He uses them to remind us how much we need other people. Sometimes they become a chance to see His provision through the kindness of others. And sometimes they simply remind us that our plans are not His.

The next time your "bus" unexpectedly stops, don't let the interruption steal your joy or cause you to miss what God is doing around you. The delay may only be a small part of the journey, but God's faithfulness is present through every mile.

After all, sometimes the best stories begin with, "Well, I was planning to do . . . and then!"

Ladies' Bible Study
Beginning September 15

Join us for the 7-week study
"A Jesus-Shaped Life" by Lisa Harper.

When: Tuesdays at 1:30 PM
Where: Family Ministry Building

Please register by August 23 by calling or texting Elizabeth See or contacting the church office at 229-567-9320.

Your workbook includes streaming access, making it easy to continue your study at home during the week.

Fun & Fellowship Trip
Ciao Bella Market

Join us for a fun day of fellowship as we travel to Ciao Bella Market in Perry on Saturday, August 22! We'll enjoy browsing the market, spending time together, and sharing a great lunch.

Saturday, August 22
 10:15 AM - 2:00 PM

Whether you're coming for the shopping, the food, or simply the fellowship, we'd love for you to join us! Invite a friend and come enjoy a relaxing day together.

Don’t miss Brother David’s Mid-Week Devotions.
New messages are posted every Wednesday on our media page—take a midweek moment to be encouraged and refreshed in God’s Word.

Budget for 2026 . . . . . . . .  $363,528.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . . $209,727.60
Received to Date . . . . . . .   $167,526.58 
Needed for weekly budget . . . $6,990.92
Tithes Received this week . . .  $5,057.18

What a difference the Lord Jesus Christ brings into our lives. He not only saves us from eternity in Hell, but He also gives us a life of joy, richness, and fullness. John 1:4 says, “In Him was life and the life was the light of men.”

This life is seen in the seven miracles recorded in the Gospel of John. While the primary purpose of these miracles is to show that Jesus is the Son of God, they also lead to life in Him (John 20:30-31).

This is certainly true in the miracle of turning the water to wine (John 2:1-12). This ability clearly shows Jesus Christ as the Sovereign Lord of creation. The miracle also shows the difference in our lives when we believe in Him.

Consider the objects used by our Lord in this miracle. He used stone waterpots. They had no special power. They weren’t even full.

What a picture of us. We are lifeless. We can’t meet the need for wine. In fact, we are not even filled with water!

Think about the purpose of the waterpots' ceremonial washing. That means a religious ritual of washing the hands (Mark 7:1-4). While this probably helped with germs on the skin, it couldn’t touch the sins in the heart. The best such religious practices can do is to show us we are all dirty sinners and need a cleansing that only God can give through Jesus Christ.

What does Jesus do? After ordering the waterpots filled with water, He changes the water to wine. In the Old Testament, wine illustrates the fullness, richness, and blessing of God (Psalm 104:15). In the New Testament, it is used to illustrate the filling of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). Our Lord took these waterpots that weren’t even filled with water and changed them so they were not only full but could share wine with others! What a change!

Are you experiencing that change in your life? Have you allowed Christ to save you, fill you, and use you to teach others? May we become Spirit-filled vessels!

Several months ago our WMU collected items for the Georgia Baptist Children's Home in Baxley.. Due to forest fires, we were unable to make the delivery at that time.
We are now preparing to take these donated items. If you would like to add to the collection, there is still time!

Please place your donations on the round table in the fellowship hall by July 23rd.

Items Needed:
13-Gallon Tie Trash Bags, Paper Towels
Liquid Laundry Detergent, Dawn Dish Soap
Canned Chicken, Cream of Chicken Soup
 

Dear First Baptist Church Family,
Thank you so much for all the prayers, food, gifts, and kindness you have given us through the years and especially during Richard’s illness.  Words cannot express how much we treasure our relationship and how much you mean to us.

Love
Sandra Ellis and the Family of Richard Ellis

Don’t miss Brother David’s Mid-Week Devotions.
New messages are posted every Wednesday on our media page—take a midweek moment to be encouraged and refreshed in God’s Word.

Budget for 2026 . . . . . . . .  $363,528.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . . $202,736.68
Received to Date . . . . . . .   $162,121.48   
Needed for weekly budget . . . $6,990.92
Tithes Received this week . . .  $2,799.00

As many of you know, Saskia's nephew has been visiting with us for the past couple of weeks. Since I'm such a fun uncle to be around (or at least I think so), he decided to stay with us a few nights.

One of those nights just happened to be the same night I had already told Saskia that supper was going to be whatever we could find already cooked in the freezer. But since we had company, I decided we'd just go out to eat instead.

My first logical question was, "Do you like Mexican food?" Since half the restaurants open on a weeknight in Ashburn serve Mexican food.

His answer caught me off guard. "No, I don't like Mexican food." As a fan, I had to know why. Was it too spicy? Was it the texture? Had he ordered something he didn't like?

Then he made a statement that is more of a sin than bringing grilled chicken instead of fried to covered dish lunch at church. He said, "I've tried Taco Bell a few times, and I just didn't like it."

No offense to Taco Bell fans, but judging authentic Mexican food by Taco Bell is like judging a home-cooked steak by a vending machine cheeseburger. They may share a few of the same ingredients, but they are not the same experience.

If you think about it, how often do people do the same thing spiritually? Many people reject Christianity because they've experienced an imitation rather than the real thing. Perhaps they encountered someone who called themselves a "Christian" but didn't reflect the character of Christ. Maybe they attended a church where they were hurt, or they met someone whose actions contradicted everything they claimed to believe.

The problem is that people often judge Jesus by His imperfect followers instead of by Jesus Himself. If you want to know what Christianity really is, don't start by looking at Christians; you must start with Christ.

Read the Gospels. Watch how Jesus loved those everyone else overlooked. See how He extended grace to the broken, stood for truth without compromise, forgave those who crucified Him, and willingly gave His life so that we could have eternal life.

There is no substitute for the real thing. Jesus warned that there would be false teachers, counterfeit believers, and people who would honor Him with their lips while their hearts were far from Him. Counterfeits have existed since the beginning because the enemy knows that if he can't destroy the truth, he'll try to imitate it.

But an imitation can never replace the original. As followers of Christ, this should also challenge us. For some people, we may be the only "Christian" they encounter this week. Are we giving them a distorted picture of Jesus, or are we pointing them to the One who changed our lives?

If your opinion of Christianity has been shaped by someone's failure, don't stop there. Seek to know Jesus Himself. He is still the perfect Savior, and He is nothing like the counterfeits. Don't judge Christ by the counterfeits. Judge Him by who He is. Open His Word, come to Him, and experience the real thing for yourself.

Join us on Saturday, July 25, for a trip to the Georgia Baptist Children’s Home! We will deliver the collected supplies and take a driving tour of the campus to learn more about the important ministry taking place there.

We will leave at 8:30 AM and stop for lunch on our way home. We plan to arrive back at the church around 3:30 PM.

We would love for you to join us for this special day of giving, fellowship, and learning more about this wonderful ministry!

Sign up to go with Jonathan or in your Sunday School Class.

Several months ago our WMU collected items for the Georgia Baptist Children's Home in Baxley.. Due to forest fires, we were unable to make the delivery at that time.
We are now preparing to take these donated items. If you would like to add to the collection, there is still time!

Please place your donations on the round table in the fellowship hall by July 22nd.

Items Needed:
13-Gallon Tie Trash Bags, Paper Towels
Liquid Laundry Detergent, Dawn Dish Soap
Canned Chicken, Cream of Chicken Soup
 

Don’t miss Brother David’s Mid-Week Devotions.
New messages are posted every Wednesday on our media page—take a midweek moment to be encouraged and refreshed in God’s Word.

Budget for 2026 . . . . . . . .  $363,528.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . . $195,745.46
Received to Date . . . . . . .   $159,322.48   
Needed for weekly budget . . . $6,990.92
Tithes Received this week . . .  $5,941.26

Is your heart full of thanksgiving and praise for the Lord? In Psalm 138, David was inspired to write, “I will give You thanks with all my heart; I will sing praises to You before the gods.” David was filled with thanksgiving and praise – in spite of the many problems he faced.

Why should we be filled with praise and thanksgiving? First, because God hears and answers our prayers. Verse three says, “On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul.” Our wonderful God invites us to pray about every worry and concern. He then promises to answer. What a wonderful God! Even in difficulty, we can thank Him because He answers us.

We should also give thanks because God deeply loves us. Verse 6 says, “For though the Lord is exalted, yet He regards the lowly, but the haughty He knows from afar.” The Sovereign God of the Ages knows us by heart and loves us with a love that is eternal and beyond measure. What is there to fear or worry?

God then personally works in our lives. Verse 7 says, “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me.” David knew that God wasn’t merely watching him go through his life, but that God was personally involved. God is always with us. God is always working. We can always rejoice because we are not alone or on our own.

Last, we can praise and give thanks because God will fulfill the plans He has for us. No doubt David wondered many times how God would fulfill His promises. But David grew to learn that God could and would fulfill His promises. Verse 8 reads, “The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting; do not forsake the works of Your hand.” We can thank and praise the Lord. He will fulfill His plans for us. Even if we are at a point where we can’t see how He will do it, nothing can stop Him. What joy we should have in every situation.

Our God is wonderful. How full our hearts ought to be in praise and thanksgiving. Even if we are in the midst of difficulty, we can rejoice in Him. We should join David in saying, “I will give You thanks with all my heart; I will sing praises to You before the gods.”

You're invited to be part of a wonderful group of ladies! Join us each month for our WMU (Women's Missionary Union) meeting—a time for women of all ages to gather in fellowship, grow in our faith, and focus on missions near and far. Discover how God is working through women just like you and missionaries worldwide.

WMU meets in the Prayer Room

Join us on Saturday, July 25, for a trip to the Georgia Baptist Children’s Home! We will deliver the collected supplies and take a driving tour of the campus to learn more about the important ministry taking place there.

We will leave at 8:30 AM and stop for lunch on our way home. We plan to arrive back at the church around 3:30 PM.

We would love for you to join us for this special day of giving, fellowship, and learning more about this wonderful ministry!

Sign up to go with Jonathan or in your Sunday School Class.

Don’t miss Brother David’s Mid-Week Devotions.
New messages are posted every Wednesday on our media page—take a midweek moment to be encouraged and refreshed in God’s Word.

Budget for 2026 . . . . . . . .  $363,528.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . . $188,754.84
Received to Date . . . . . . .   $153,381.22   
Needed for weekly budget . . . $6,990.92
Tithes Received this week . . .  $7,015.00

A habit I inherited from my dad is that if you are on time, you are already late. He taught me the importance of showing up when you said you would. This past week, I took several training classes. Before the classes began, we were told multiple times via several emails that we would not receive credit if we were more than 15 minutes late or left early. These were not free classes. There was a cost for each person attending, and because many of us were there representing cities and other government organizations, that cost was ultimately being paid with taxpayer dollars.

Even with the warning about attendance, I was surprised by what I saw. In each of the three classes, many people arrived after the starting time, and several came in after the fifteen-minute cutoff. During breaks, we were given a clear time to return, yet many were still late coming back. In one class, someone arrived over forty-five minutes late, set their things down, and then went to the complimentary breakfast table. It was nearly another fifteen minutes before they actually settled in and began listening to the class.

As I sat there watching all of this, I began thinking, “They knew the rules. They knew the time. They knew someone had paid for them to be here. Why were they not ready?”
Then the thought came to me: How often do we treat God the same way?

We have been given something far more valuable than a training class. We have been given the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, purchased at a price greater than we could ever imagine. Scripture reminds us, “You were bought with a price” (1 Corinthians 6:20, ESV).

Yet, sometimes we treat our relationship with God casually. We know we need to pray, but we put it off. We know we need to spend time in His Word, but something else gets our attention. We know there is something God is calling us to do, but we tell ourselves that we will get around to it later.

Jesus said, “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:44, ESV).

The Christian life is not about arriving at the last possible moment or giving God whatever time and attention we happen to have left. It is about living each day ready, faithful, and obedient.

Being ready does not mean that we are perfect. It means that our hearts are open to the Lord. It means that we do not continually put off until tomorrow what God is calling us to do today. It means that we remember the price that was paid for us and live with gratitude for what Christ has done.

Following our meal, we will enjoy a special time together as Elijah Alford shares a selection of patriotic music in celebration of our nation's heritage. Bro. David will also bring a devotional to encourage us as we reflect on the blessings of faith and freedom.

Bring your family and invite a friend.

Don’t miss Brother David’s Mid-Week Devotions.
New messages are posted every Wednesday on our media page—take a midweek moment to be encouraged and refreshed in God’s Word.

Budget for 2026 . . . . . . . .  $363,528.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . . $188,754.84
Received to Date . . . . . . .   $140,915.39  
Needed for weekly budget . . . $6,990.92
Tithes Received this week . . .  $3,050.83

This weekend we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  How blessed we are to live in a constitutional republic that is based on individual freedom and liberty!  Our hearts ought to overflow with gratitude.  Our hearts ought to overflow with gratitude.

But we also approach this time with heaviness and concern.  We see a nation that has turned away from God and is seemingly determined to destroy itself through its moral choices.  We are privately and publicly on the course of economic ruin by spending money we know we will never have.  For decades, both parties have assaulted our freedoms and liberties under the guise of protecting us.  We are in a war that has numerous complexities to end and frightening consequences to continue.  Our celebration carries serious concerns this Independence Day.

What should we do?  Consider the instructions the Prophet Samuel told the Israelites when they longed to be delivered from the Philistines.  In 1 Samuel 7:3, Samuel said, “…If you return to the Lord with all your heart, remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your hearts to the Lord and serve Him alone; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.”

If God is going to deliver America, we must first return to God.  We (beginning with believers) must confess and repent of our sins.  We will not be delivered by talking about “those people” committing “those sins.”  We (each of us) must deal with our sins.  
Next, we must remove all our gods.  These are the things that compete with God for first place in our hearts.  They would also be those things that we trust instead of God. Lastly, they would include any concept of God that differs from how He has revealed Himself.  All these must be removed.

Samuel then told them to turn their hearts to the Lord.  One of the key elements of such a turn is prayer.  We need to seek God in prayer for our nation.  He alone can deliver us.  We need to pray as if our nation’s life depends upon it – because it does.
Last, we must serve the Lord.  That means we live our lives in obedience unto Him.  We seek to fulfill God’s will in what we do, how we do it, and in our motivation for doing it.  We must live to serve Him.

Will God respond to a people who make such a change?   Verse 3 ends with the promise of a wonderful deliverance.  The rest of the chapter records the deliverance God gave His people.

God delivers people who truly turn to Him.  May we be such people.  Our nation needs us.
 

Don’t miss Brother David’s Mid-Week Devotions.
New messages are posted every Wednesday on our media page—take a midweek moment to be encouraged and refreshed in God’s Word.

Budget for 2026 . . . . . . . .  $343,528.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . . $165,157.75
Received to Date . . . . . . .   $140,915.39   
Needed for weekly budget . . . $6,606.31
Tithes Received this week . . .  $7,291.48

As we gather with family and friends this week, we will see flags waving, hear fireworks throughout the neighborhood, hold our dog as the panic from the fireworks, and remember the sacrifices made by those who fought for our nation's freedom. Independence Day reminds us that liberty is precious and that freedom has always come at a cost.

As Christians, we also have an opportunity to reflect on an even greater freedom this holiday. The freedom we have in Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul wrote, "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1, ESV). Before Christ, we were enslaved to sin. We could not save ourselves, change our hearts, or earn God's favor. Yet Jesus willingly went to the cross, paying a debt we could never pay, so that we might be forgiven and become a new creation.

Unlike political freedom, which can be won or lost by nations, the freedom Christ offers is eternal. It frees us from the penalty of sin, the power of sin, and one day in heaven, even the presence of sin. Because of His sacrifice, we are no longer defined by our failures, guilt, or past mistakes. We have been adopted into God's family and given a new purpose.

However, Christian freedom is not permission to live however we please. Paul continues in Galatians 5:13, "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." True freedom is found in obeying Christ and serving others.

As we celebrate our nation's independence this week, let us also celebrate the freedom that can never be taken away. May we thank God for those who have defended our country's freedom, but even more, may we thank Him for Jesus, who secured our eternal freedom through His death and resurrection.

Enjoy the celebrations, cherish time with family, and remember that the greatest freedom we can ever know is found in Christ alone.
 

Get ready for one of the best nights of the summer! We’ll meet at First Baptist at 5:30 and head over to Sue Mastrario’s house for an evening packed with fun—Bible study, supper, water games, swimming, and plenty of time to just hang out with friends.

Don’t forget your swimsuit, clothes that can get wet, and a towel! We’ll be back at the church around 7:30.


Check out the Student Page
for all summer activities.

Join us on Saturday, June 27, for a sweet time of fellowship as we travel to Passion & Bliss in Leesburg for lunch and ice cream!

We will depart from the church at 10:30 AM. After enjoying lunch, fellowship, and a delicious treat, we will return to Ashburn around 1:30 PM.

This will be a relaxing outing and a great opportunity to spend time together with friends from church. If you would like to attend, please sign up in your Sunday School classroom or contact the church office so we can make the necessary arrangements.

We hope you'll join us for food, fellowship, and fun!

Don’t miss Brother David’s Mid-Week Devotions.
New messages are posted every Wednesday on our media page—take a midweek moment to be encouraged and refreshed in God’s Word.

Budget for 2026 . . . . . . . .  $343,528.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . . $158,551.44
Received to Date . . . . . . .   $133,623.91   
Needed for weekly budget . . . $6,606.31
Tithes Received this week . . .  $5,197.42

How do you handle difficult, confusing situations in your life? We have all faced thorny problems that we could not solve or improve. Often, these issues have severe consequences.
In Matthew 1:18-25, Joseph faced such a situation. His fiancée was expecting a child, and Joseph knew he was not the father.

What should he do? Every possible course of action seemed to result in gossip, slander, and ridicule. Mary could even have been stoned if Joseph had openly exposed her.
While Joseph's situation was obviously unique, he is a wonderful example of how to handle complex problems with significant consequences. As we study Joseph's response, we see several key priorities that guided him through this crisis. Those same priorities can guide us through our own confusing circumstances.

The first priority that should guide us is righteousness (verse 19). That means we desire to be right with God in our responses and decisions. We study His Word for commands, principles, and examples that address our situation. Our highest priority must always be being right with God.

The next priority is compassion. Joseph wanted to handle the situation in a way that would cause Mary as little pain as possible. He would not compromise obedience to God, but he would seek to minimize Mary's hurt.

What an example for us! Like Joseph, we must never compromise righteousness. But we must do what we can to minimize the “fall-out” that others experience.

Joseph also shows us the importance of being sensitive to God's leading. He listened to what God told him through the angel (verses 20-21). Joseph demonstrated this same sensitivity when the Lord told him to flee to Egypt (Matthew 2:13). He showed it again when the Lord instructed him to return (Matthew 2:20-22). God could lead Joseph through difficult times because Joseph was sensitive to the Lord's direction.

What an example for us! God will lead us if we are sensitive to His voice. Henry Blackaby taught that God speaks to us through His Word, through His people, and through circumstances. God is always willing to lead us; we must be like Joseph and remain sensitive to His guidance.

Last, Joseph demonstrates the priority of obedience. In every situation, Joseph did what God commanded. May the same be said of us! It is through obedience that we experience God's leading.

 

We will meet up at the Family Ministry Building
at 5:30 PM and head over to the Bowling Alley.
We will be back at the church at 7:00 PM.

Check out the Student Page
for all summer activities.

There will be a called church conference on Sunday, June 14, during the morning worship service. Building and Grounds will bring a recommendation for repairs needed to comply with our insurance company.

Please mark your calendar for our church workday on Saturday, June 13, beginning at 9:00 AM.

Our primary focus will be cleaning up behind the Family Life Building, along with other projects around the church grounds and facilities. As we prepare for our nation's 250th birthday celebration and work to keep our campus looking its best, there are many opportunities to help.

We also encourage Sunday School classes to take a few moments to declutter and tidy their classrooms. A clean, organized space helps create a welcoming environment for members and guests alike.

If you notice areas needing attention, please let a Building and Grounds Committee member or Jonathan know.

Thank you for helping keep our church facilities clean, safe, and welcoming!
Building and Grounds Committee

Join us on Saturday, June 27, for a sweet time of fellowship as we travel to Passion & Bliss in Leesburg for lunch and ice cream!

We will depart from the church at 10:30 AM. After enjoying lunch, fellowship, and a delicious treat, we will return to Ashburn around 1:30 PM.

This will be a relaxing outing and a great opportunity to spend time together with friends from church. If you would like to attend, please sign up in your Sunday School classroom or contact the church office so we can make the necessary arrangements.

We hope you'll join us for food, fellowship, and fun!

Don’t miss Brother David’s Mid-Week Devotions.
New messages are posted every Wednesday on our media page—take a midweek moment to be encouraged and refreshed in God’s Word.

Budget for 2026 . . . . . . . .  $343,528.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . . $151,945.13
Received to Date . . . . . . .   $128,426.49   
Needed for weekly budget . . . $6,606.31
Tithes Received this week . . .  $6,205.78

Every time I open social media this time of year, I see pictures and videos of harvest season. Farmers are picking watermelons, gathering corn, shelling peas, and bringing fresh vegetables to local farmers' markets. The fields produce exactly what they were planted to produce months ago.

However, before there can be a harvest, there must first be planting. A farmer does not plant a seed one day and expect a harvest the next. There is planting, watering, waiting, and growth before the fruit ever appears.

In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus spoke about seed being scattered on different types of soil (Matthew 13:3-9). The seed represented God's Word, and the condition of the soil represented the hearts of those who hear it. Jesus taught that growth begins when God's Word takes root in our lives.

Many Christians desire a spiritual harvest. We want stronger faith, greater wisdom, deeper relationships, and a closer walk with Christ. We want to see God work in our families, our church, and our community. Yet sometimes we become discouraged because we do not see immediate results.

The Apostle Paul reminds us in Galatians 6:9, "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Notice that Paul does not say we will reap immediately. He says we will reap "in due season." God's harvest comes in God's timing.

Sometimes we spend too much time wishing we were somewhere else. We think, "If I had a different job, a different family situation, a different church position, or different opportunities, then I could really serve God." But Scripture repeatedly teaches us that God often does His greatest work right where He has planted us.

The farmer does not move the corn every few weeks, hoping it will grow better somewhere else. Growth happens when the plant puts down roots where it has been planted. The same is true spiritually. God has placed each of us in a unique place to serve Him. Whether you are a student, a parent, a grandparent, a teacher, a farmer, a business owner, or retired, God has planted you where you are for a purpose.

As harvest season unfolds around us, let it serve as a reminder that spiritual growth follows the same pattern. Stay faithful in worship. Stay faithful in prayer. Stay faithful in God's Word. Continue serving where God has placed you.

You may not see the fruit today, but every act of obedience is a seed planted for a future harvest. Grow where God has planted you, trust His timing, and leave the harvest in His hands.

Monday, June 8th | 1:30 PM

You're invited to join a wonderful group of ladies! Join us each month for our WMU (Women's Missionary Union) meeting—a time for women of all ages to gather in fellowship, grow in our faith, and focus on missions near and far. Discover how God is working through women just like you and missionaries worldwide.

WMU meets in the Prayer Room

Please mark your calendar for our church workday on Saturday, June 13, beginning at 9:00 AM.

Our primary focus will be cleaning up behind the Family Life Building, along with other projects around the church grounds and facilities. As we prepare for our nation's 250th birthday celebration and work to keep our campus looking its best, there are many opportunities to help.

We also encourage Sunday School classes to take a few moments to declutter and tidy their classrooms. A clean, organized space helps create a welcoming environment for members and guests alike.

If you notice areas needing attention, please let a Building and Grounds Committee member or Jonathan know.

Thank you for helping keep our church facilities clean, safe, and welcoming!
Building and Grounds Committee

Join us on Saturday, June 27, for a sweet time of fellowship as we travel to Passion & Bliss in Leesburg for lunch and ice cream!

We will depart from the church at 10:30 AM. After enjoying lunch, fellowship, and a delicious treat, we will return to Ashburn around 1:30 PM.

This will be a relaxing outing and a great opportunity to spend time together with friends from church. If you would like to attend, please sign up in your Sunday School classroom or contact the church office so we can make the necessary arrangements.

We hope you'll join us for food, fellowship, and fun!

Don’t miss Brother David’s Mid-Week Devotions.
New messages are posted every Wednesday on our media page—take a midweek moment to be encouraged and refreshed in God’s Word.

Budget for 2026 . . . . . . . .  $343,528.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . . $145,338.82
Received to Date . . . . . . .   $122,084.46   
Needed for weekly budget . . . $6,606.31
Tithes Received this week . . .  $6,210.47 

Have you praised and thanked the Lord today? The inspired author of Psalm 135 wrote, “Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord; praise Him, O servants of the Lord” (verse 1). Praise and thanksgiving should be part of our ongoing Christian experience.

The inspired author not only told us to praise and thank the Lord, but he also told us why we should praise the Lord. These are not the only reasons, but they serve as an excellent starting point. If we apply these reasons, many more will come from the heart.

The first reason to praise and thank the Lord is His identity. He is the one and only God. Verse 5 says, “For I know that the Lord is great and that our Lord is above all gods.” God alone is God. If God had never done anything, He would still be worthy of praise. Think about God. Just that thought should lead us to awe-struck worship.

Next, we see God’s sovereign power. Verse 6 says, “Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.” Our God is always in absolute control of all things. He rules and reigns. This should lead us to worship and confident prayer.

The psalmist reminds us of God’s salvation. He points out that it is purely by grace. Verse 4 says, “For the Lord has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel for His possession.” The psalmist later shows that salvation was brought about by God. Verses 8–9 say, “He smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast. He sent signs and wonders into your midst, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh and all his servants.” Just as Israel’s deliverance from Egypt was by the power of God, so too is our deliverance from sin through Jesus Christ. Every part of our salvation is of God. How we ought to praise Him!

Last, we are reminded of God’s wonderful plans for us. Verses 10–12 describe God’s giving the land of Canaan to His people. God has wonderful plans for us. He desires to fill and bless our lives in ways that surpass our comprehension and imagination. How wonderful He is! He is worthy of all our praise and thanksgiving.

What a God we have! May we join the psalmist in saying, “Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord; praise Him, O servants of the Lord” (verse 1).

Don’t miss Brother David’s Mid-Week Devotions.
New messages are posted every Wednesday on our media page—take a midweek moment to be encouraged and refreshed in God’s Word.

Budget for 2026 . . . . . . . .  $343,528.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . . $138,732.51
Received to Date . . . . . . .   $115,873.99   
Needed for weekly budget . . . $6,606.31
Tithes Received this week . . .  $4,265.01

 

This Wednesday night, our choir will present a special program focused on the hope of Heaven. Whether you are reading this before the service or afterward, thinking about the songs and message, the message is still the same: Heaven is a wonderful promise for every believer in Christ.

There is something powerful and comforting about songs that remind us of our eternal home. Life on this earth is filled with both joy and sorrow. Many of us carry burdens, face uncertainty, or grieve the loss of loved ones. Yet as Christians, we have a hope that goes beyond this world. Scripture reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 4:13 that we “sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.” When those who know Christ leave this earth, we can find comfort in knowing they are in the presence of the Lord.

Jesus gave His followers this promise in John 14:2–3: “In my Father’s house are many mansions… I go to prepare a place for you.” What an encouragement to know that this world is not our final home. As believers, we are simply passing through. Hebrews 13:14 says, “For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.”

In a world that constantly pushes us to focus on temporary things, we must remember to keep our eyes fixed on eternity. Colossians 3:2 tells us, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” The things of this life will one day fade away, but the promises of God are eternal.

The songs about Heaven we sing are more than beautiful melodies. These songs are reminders of the hope we have in Christ. One day, every sorrow will be gone, every tear wiped away, and every believer will finally be home with the Savior. Revelation 21:4 says, “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.”

May we live each day remembering that Heaven is real, Christ is faithful, and our true home is waiting for us. Until that day comes, I pray that we continue to serve the Lord faithfully and encourage one another with the hope we have in Him.

Join us for family night as we look at how you came to
make the most important decision of your life.

On The Menu
Taco Salad Bar with all the fixings.
(Yes, your taco salad can have chips minus the lettuce)

Mark your calendar!

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

We would love to have you.

Don’t miss Brother David’s Mid-Week Devotions.
New messages are posted every Wednesday on our media page—take a midweek moment to be encouraged and refreshed in God’s Word.

Budget for 2026 . . . . . . . .  $343,528.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . . $138,732.51
Received to Date . . . . . . .   $111,608.98   
Needed for weekly budget . . . $6,606.31
Tithes Received this week . . .  $6,226.94

 

Why follow the Lord? Many times, He leads us to swim against the current of popular thinking, even among professing Christians. He often calls us to forsake our own desires and preferences. Why take such a path?

Yet, God calls us to follow Him. We are to live in loving obedience to His Lordship. While this is often a difficult path, it is the path that God always blesses.
This wonderful truth is clearly seen in Nehemiah’s prayer in Nehemiah 9. While the prayer is ultimately a prayer of confession, verses 19–25 show God’s blessing on Israel when the nation followed Him. This part of Nehemiah’s prayer shows us the blessings of following the Lord.

Following the Lord enables us to experience God’s guidance. Verse 19 says, “…the pillar of cloud did not leave them by day, to guide them on their way…” That means God had a plan for them and wanted to guide them into that plan.

It is the same for us. God has a wonderful plan for us. He wants to guide us into that plan. In fact, we cannot experience that plan unless we allow Him to lead us. We must follow Him if we are going to experience His plan.

Next, following God is the path to experiencing His provision. Verses 20–21 speak of God providing manna and water. Verse 21 also speaks of God providing for them by not letting their clothes wear out.

God provided all they needed when they followed Him. He still does (Philippians 4:19). God provides for us when we follow Him, but we experience that provision only when we follow Him.

Protection is another blessing we experience when we follow God. Verses 22–29 recount the victories God gave Israel over more powerful enemies. When we walk with the Lord, we have His protection. Yes, there will be battles, but He will protect us and overcome our foes (Psalm 23:4; 1 John 4:4).

Last, following the Lord is the way to experience the richness He wants to give us. Verse 25 says Israel “…took possession of houses full of every good thing, hewn cisterns, vineyards, olive groves, and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate, were filled, and grew fat, and reveled in Your great goodness.” God richly blessed Israel when they followed Him.
God still blesses His people when they follow Him. He gives whatever physical blessings they need and richly fills their souls from within. If we follow the Lord, He will fill our lives (Psalm 23:5).

We often think of following the Lord in terms of sacrifice. True, obedience is often costly. But the blessings are far greater than the sacrifice.

This Wednesday at Family Night, we have a very special
guest you won’t want to miss.

Karter Jane “KJ” Smith is a young girl from South Georgia whose simple story took an unexpected turn, becoming something much bigger than she ever imagined. What started with a lost stuffed animal turned into a powerful lesson about kindness, compassion, and seeing people the way Jesus does.
Her experience was so meaningful that she even wrote a book about it, and God has used her story to make a real difference in the lives of others.
Come be encouraged by a story that reminds us that no one is too young to make an impact.

On The Menu
A variety of home-cooked dishes and desserts

Fun & Fellowship Trip – Tifton Day Out!
Saturday, May 23, 2026

Join us for our next Fun & Fellowship as we head to Tifton for a relaxed and enjoyable day together! We’ll start the morning at the Tifton Farmers Market, where you can browse fresh produce, homemade goods, and local favorites. It’s a great chance to walk around, take your time, and enjoy the atmosphere while supporting local vendors.

After the market, we’ll head over to The Pit Stop for lunch. Come hungry and ready for some good food and even better conversation. Whether you’re there for the shopping, the food, or just the fellowship, this will be a great opportunity to spend time together outside of our regular schedule.

Bring a friend, and don’t miss out on a simple day of fun, connection, and community!

We will leave the church at 9:30 AM and arrive back around 1:00 PM.
Sign up in Sunday School or let Jonathan know if you would like to go.

Mark your calendar!

Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Wednesday, May 20, 2026

We would love to have you.

Don’t miss Brother David’s Mid-Week Devotions.
New messages are posted every Wednesday on our media page—take a midweek moment to be encouraged and refreshed in God’s Word.

Budget for 2026 . . . . . . . .  $343,528.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . . $125,519.89
Received to Date . . . . . . .   $105,382.04    
Needed for weekly budget . . . $6,606.31
Tithes Received this week . . . $5,251.00
 

Ever since my wife talked me into getting a golden retriever when we were engaged, I am sure many of you have heard me tell stories about Maverick’s unique personality. A few weeks ago, our shower curtain was on its last leg, so we decided to replace it. Now, every morning when I get up, Maverick loves to run into the bathroom to get my attention, even if I have just spent the last several minutes petting him in another room. It was just another normal morning when I walked into the bathroom and here he came running in behind me. But the moment he noticed the shower curtain had changed, he immediately stopped, turned around, and ran out of the room. What makes the story even funnier is that the curtain only changed from brown to gray. Nothing major had changed. It was the same bathroom, same people, same smells, same routine, it was just a different curtain. Yet for over three days he refused to even walk into the bathroom, and it took another week before he finally became comfortable with it again.

As silly as that sounds, the truth is many of us are not much different. Sometimes even the smallest changes in life can make us uncomfortable. We like routine, predictability, and familiarity. But often God leads us into places that feel unfamiliar. Sometimes He calls us into a new season of life, a new ministry opportunity, a new challenge, or a new step of faith that feels uncomfortable simply because it is different from what we are used to.

The problem is that fear of change can keep us from following where God is leading. Proverbs 3:5–6 reminds us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” God never promised that every path would feel comfortable, but He did promise that He would guide us. Sometimes we want God’s direction as long as it keeps us inside our comfort zone. Yet faith often requires stepping into unfamiliar places while trusting a familiar Savior.

Throughout Scripture, we see God calling people into change. Abraham was called to leave his homeland without knowing where he was going. Moses was called out of the wilderness back into Egypt. Peter stepped out of the boat onto stormy waters simply because Jesus told him to come. None of those situations felt natural or comfortable, but growth rarely happens inside comfort zones.

As children of God, we must learn to trust His voice more than our comfort. Change may make us uncomfortable, but God has never failed His people. The same God who led His people in the past is still faithfully leading today.