etidings May 20 2008

Praying Our Way Through Summer

No, I didn’t say “playing our way through summer.” (Although, I hope you will find some time to play this summer.) I mean praying our way through summer. Summer is a time when we tend to take a break in our regularly scheduled programs and ministry. That doesn’t mean that we should take a break from our own Spiritual disciplines. In fact, the lessened expectations of summer should provide you more opportunity to spend time with God in prayer, meditation, contemplation and study. Let me encourage you to consider praying your way through this summer. To help, here is something of a prayer calendar.

Leading into this Memorial Day weekend turn your prayers toward those of our family of faith who have lost loved ones this past year and toward praying for our men and women of the military and their families. Let’s put the meaning of “memorial” back into the holiday. As you pray, meditate on Philippians 1:3. Ask God to help you remember and be thankful.

From May 27 through June 20, pray for our Day Camp. Pray for each person volunteering and also, pray for the children who will come. Pray that God will open their hearts and ours so that we may share together the love of Christ. As you pray, consider Luke 18:16 and the admonition of our Lord to minister to children. Ask God to teach us how to love the children of our community well all year round.

June 21 to July 6 pray for our nation. Pray for our present leaders and for the upcoming elections in the fall. Pray that God will show us what it means for us to be “one Nation under God.” Meditate upon 2 Chronicles 7:13-16. Ask God to turn our eyes toward Him as a nation. And this is a good time to pray for rain! We will gather on July 6 in a special service of prayer for our nation.

July 7 to August 3, pray for the beginning of a new church and school year. Take time to pray for the preparation of educators in our public and private schools and for the students as they return to the classroom. Also, pray for the beginning of the Sunday School year and other ministries as they resume in the fall. Pray upon 2 Timothy 2:15. Ask God to work in your heart to make a new commitment to studying His Word this fall.

Hopefully, these suggestions are simply additions of emphasis to your ongoing prayer life. We need to be even more diligent in praying for one another, our family of faith and its ministries (and ministers) and the needs of our community through the summer. I trust you will. Just imagine how much transformation could occur in just three short months if we will truly commit ourselves to prayer. Let’s try it and find out. Let’s pray our way through summer.

Blessings,
Monty

Worship Ministry
The Joyful Singers will lead in worship at Golden Living Retirement Center May 22 at 10:30 AM. They will be at Heatherwood Apartments on May 29 at 10:30 AM. We are always looking for more people to join us as we take the Gospel into the world. Come and give to others your touch, smile, and warm heart. It will make a difference in all of us.

The Preschool and Children’s Choirs have ended their sessions for the summer season. We thank Lori Poorman and Laura Stallins for their leadership with the choirs and their assistants, Amy Harrington and Annette Herrington. Our church is blessed to have such fine leaders.

Annette Herrington has resigned as our Church Accompanist and has accepted the position as Minister of Music at Armuchee Baptist Church. We wish her well in her new ministry, but will miss her very much.

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Fun and Fellowship News
Saturday, June 21
Fun and Fellowship has a full day of activities planned on a day trip to Atlanta. We will leave early, travel by motor coach to the Planetarium at the Fernbank Science Center and the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, IMAX Theater, lunch at the famous Varsity Drive-In, and dinner on the way home. Cost of the trip is $50.00 per person. The price of lunch and dinner is not included.
This is a first-come-first-served trip so sign up early to hold your spot.

Note Time Change
Due to a scheduling conflict at the Grand Old Opry, our trip for November has been changed to November 10-12, 2008. Please mark your calendars because this is a date change from the original date sent out in our January letter.

Ladies’ Night Out—6:00 PM Second Monday of each month.
Ladies of all ages: Come for fellowship and dinner. Our focus is on prayer partners, service projects, and workshops. Kids are welcome. See Rebekah Molyneux.

Save the Date
Pictures for a new church directory will be made August 9 and 10.
More details coming soon.

Thank You from the Bereavement Committee
Cards of appreciation and thanks have been received from the families of Sara Thomas and Arvie Pilgrim. Thanks to the leaders who served the meals and to those who prepared the food. This is a valuable ministry of our church.
Cynthia Ables

Family Ministry
Wednesday, May 21 6-7:30 PM
Preschool & Children will be transported to Dari Queen.

Children’s Wednesday Night Summer Activities (4’s & 5’s to 5th Grade)

Special summer activities include a watermelon party, movie night, water games, and much more! Activities will begin Wednesday, May 28 at 6:00 PM and end at 7:30 PM.

Day Camp Team List
Glenda Almand
Irene Norris
Barbara Smith
Parker Aziz
Jane Brandon
Karen Sablon
Nancy Weston
Janice Hadaway
Mike Hadaway
Becky Grayson
Robert Byars
Helen Byars
Martha Bonner
Buddy Bonner
Storey Thompson
Susan Robbins
Lynley Robbins
Hayden Robbins
Amy Harrington
Esther Sumner
Rosalind Batchelor
Gail Garland
Bennett Garland
Joy Rickman
Joe Rickman
Lynn Ball
Rochelle Teat
Bill Teat
Rebecca Cauthen
Ellen Willis
Ellen Stallins
Sandra Collins
John Collins
Freeman Robbins
Hannah Fillingim
Dwayne McGuire
Rufus Stephens
Ken Day
Mary Marshall
Lynn Brandon
Kate Huff
Vivian Hodges
Jaki Day
Bruce Day
Rusty Day
Ann Day
Lucero Gutierrez
Dorothy Turner
Alex Grayson
Laura Stallins
Ann Hicks
Virginia Willis

Margaret Hansard

Dois Rogers

Charlene Bowen

Chris Bowen

Marsha Spota

Joe Spota

Matthew Spota

Janice Carter

Gail Johnson

Max Johnson

Denise Evans

Margie McRay

Randy Sumner

Ava Wagner

Ruth Mathis

Anna Grace Rutledge

Christina Rutledge

Vickie Hill

Myra Dempsey

Reatha Dempsey

Sharpe Sablon

Raymond Sablon

Steve Grayson

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Be Sure You Have These Summer Dates on Your Calendar!
June 9-13 and 16-20 SABC Day Camp

June 15 Father’s Day

June 21 Fun and Fellowship Trip to Atlanta

June 30 to July 4 Community Kitchen

July 4 Independence Day (Church Offices Closed)

July 20 Evening Supper Clubs (Host homes to be announced)

August 3 Promotion Sunday

August 9 and 10 Church Directory Pictures Made

Homebound Members
May 18:
Nell Garrett

May 25:
Lacy & Sue Hodges

Congratulations
Congratulations to Bonnie and David Bowen on the birth of their granddaughter, Catherine Elizabeth, born May 6. She weighs 6 lbs. 12.oz and is 19 3/4 in long. Proud parents are Ballard and Elizabeth Bowen Betz.

Giving for the Week of 5/11/08
Budget Goal to Date $243,900.
Budget Gift to Date 164,459.
Weekly Budget Goal 13,550.
Weekly Budget Gifts 8,665.

Attendance for 5/11/08
Sunday School 190
Morning Worship 251

Giving for the Week of 5/18/08
Budget Goal to Date $257,450.
Budget Gift to Date 172,967.
Weekly Budget Goal 13,550.
Weekly Budget Gifts 8,508.

Attendance for 5/18/08
Sunday School 167
Morning Worship 214

Second Century Campaign
Received as of 5/18/08:
$401,538.84

Weekly Schedule
Sunday, May 25
9:00 am Women’s Prayer Time
9:45 am Sunday School
11:00 am Morning Worship
No evening activities

Monday, May 26
Memorial Day—church office closed

Tuesday, May 27
7:00 pm Deacon Council

Wednesday, May 28
5:15 pm Family Night Supper
6:00 pm Prayer Time—Fellowship Hall
6-7:30 pm Children’s Summer Activities
6:15 pm Adult Bible Study—Fellowship Hall
6:15 pm The Foundry—Youth
6:30 pm Chancel Bell Choir
7:00 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal

Thursday, May 29
7:00 am Men’s Prayer Breakfast

Friday, May 30
9:30 am Ladies’ Bible Study