THE VISION LOVING OTHERS REACHING OTHERS HELPING OTHERS

Transcription

1 THE VISION LOVING OTHERS REACHING OTHERS HELPING OTHERS PIONEER DRIVE BAPTIST CHURCH 701 S. Pioneer Drive Abilene, TX JANUARY, 2019 At Pioneer Drive we like to say everyone needs a friend and everyone needs a job. How about everyone needs a Bible reading plan!? You can follow along with our ongoing church-wide reading plan found on the Pioneer Drive App or read directly from The Story, the book our current sermon series is based upon. Meredith and I each have our own personal time in the morning with scripture. I like to get through a few chapters using the Bible Project app while she focuses in on one particular verse to contemplate from YouVersion. Then, most nights, we read a few pages from The Story to one another. Whatever your preference, GET IN THE WORD TODAY! ~Nathan Adams January 1-6 #15 God s Messengers 7-13 #16 The Beginning of the End 13 State of the Church Address #17 The Kingdom s Fall #18 Daniel in Exile February 1-3 #19 The Return Home 4-10 #20 The Queen of Beauty and Courage #21 Rebuilding the Walls #23 Jesus Ministry Begins March 1-3 #24 No Ordinary Man 4-10 #25 Jesus, the Son of God #28 New Beginnings #29 Paul s Mission #30 Paul s Final Days April 1-7 #31 The End of Time 8-14 #26 The Hour of Darkness #27 The Resurrection 18 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 19 Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 20 Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates, 21 so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth. Deuteronomy 11 If you need to "catch up"or would like to hear a previous sermon, go to the Pioneer Drive app to find the full reading guide and sermons from Pastor Stan Allcorn and Pastor John Whitten. If you need app assistance, contact the Church Office.

2 FROM THE PASTOR S HEART Our good friend Chaplain Bruce Lampert (of Hendrick Medical Center) writes about an interesting ritual practiced in South America. An aboriginal tribe that lives along the Amazon begins every New Year by squatting on the ground and refusing to move. Why? They declare that they are letting their souls catch up with their bodies. Psalm 46:10 reminds us that we need to do something similar. Not the squatting but the slowing down in order to catch up. It reads, Be still, and know that I am God. Bruce says the word Be Still means relax, let go, refrain. For me, slowing down would definitely mean letting go of some things like; the desire to be in control all of the time; the drive to get everything done this very minute ; fretting over the yard. It s so silly how we let certain things keep us from relaxing and enjoying life as God wants us to. The knowing that He is God part of that verse is also key. When I meditate on the fact that He is God and not I, I can rest so much better. He is more than qualified to run this universe, this planet, this church, this family, this single life. So, Stan, relax, and remember that God is God. Some unknown saint offered this prayer for the New Year. I m going to adopt it for myself. Maybe you would like to as well. O Lord, help me to live this year quietly, easily To lean upon Thy great strength trustfully, restfully To wait for the unfolding of Thy will patiently, serenely To meet others peacefully, joyfully To face each tomorrow courageously. And to add a dash of West Texas flavor to the prayer And help me to sit a little looser in the saddle Grace to you, Oh, and P.S. If you are one who likes to make New Year s Resolutions, remember this. New Year s Resolutions are like crying babies in church: they need to be carried out to be good! (Just a little more wisdom for 2019.) FATHER/SON RETREAT February 22-24, 2019 Camp Eagle, Rocksprings, TX Total cost for dad & son is $300. Each additional son is $100. Deadline to sign-up is January 30, Register online at Are you interested in becoming part of our amazing volunteer team in the gathering? Join us in the Café Sunday evening, January 6th at 6:30 p.m. for a time to get to know our Worship & Production Team and find your place to connect! These nights are where our teams come together to share a meal, encourage one another, and grow in our service to the church. We would love for you to come be a part of all that God is doing in the gathering. Childcare is provided.

3 NATHAN NEEDS... Every quarter we collect one item to be shared with our neighbors through a cooperative pantry supplied and operated by volunteers and donations from 25 different Abilene churches. This ministry helps around 50 families every month. We are currently collecting Ramen Noodles. Thank you for your gifts! Join Prof. John Hunt and Rev. Nathan Adams on a Pioneer Pilgrimage to Ireland May 12 th 19 th. This trip is for both men and women and will be primarily focused on learning about Celtic Christianity and spiritual formation. Cost is $2500. Deadline to sign-up is fast approaching so register today on the church website or contact Nathan@ pioneerdrive.org for a detailed travel itinerary. Hope you can make it! GriefShare is a special weekly seminar and support group designed to help you rebuild your life after the death of a loved one. This group will begin meeting on Tuesday, January 22 nd, from 4-6 p.m. and will be facilitated by Omer Hancock and Brenda Bredemeyer. For more information or to register please contact Jill at Join community professionals for this one-day training event and become certified to provide babysitting services for children in the foster care system. Register online at or contact Nathan@pioneerdrive.org for more information. This life-changing class taught by Dave Ramsey and the FPU teaching team on video will help you achieve your financial goals by showing you how to eliminate debt, save for the future, and give like never before. You will be challenged and motivated to make a plan for your money and change your family tree forever. This 9 week course begins January 6 th and cost is $93. Sign-up online at or contact Bobby Cox at bobby.cox@suddenlink.net.

4 In 2018 I decided to do something new. Instead of making resolutions, which can be good but are often goals that require lots of will power, I opted to adapt a Rule of Life. For some, the differentiation between a resolution and a Rule of Life may be a matter of semantics. A Rule of Life is drawn from the wells of contemplative Christian spirituality and is more about submitting to Holy Spirit empowered rhythms, practices, and disciplines that reorder our hearts and form our wills. My Rule of Life for 2018 included a successful submission to reading the story of scripture from beginning to end, a largely fruitless attempt to relieve my submission to sugar and exploring new ways to connect with God through a silent retreat, sabbatical, and contemplative prayer. This Rule of Life gave structure and vision to my relationship with God, self, and others. As 2019 begins I am again discerning my Rule of Life for this new year. Whether you call your goals for 2019 resolutions or a rule of life, the questions are similar: What priority will you give God this year? Give thought to your upward relationship with God; what spiritual practices will you focus on this year to draw you nearer to God? Think about your inward relationship with your self; how will you care for your God given temple--- your body? What will your outward relationship look like---with friends, neighbors, strangers, and your work? God doesn t merely want to be in first place in your life, but rather pervade all aspects of your life as the center focus in everything we are. As you discern the way forward for 2019, perhaps Bishop Robert Barron s quote (adapted) can help guide us; which path makes me most generous with God, self, and others? ~ John Whitten Join us Sunday, January 27 th, at 7 p.m. in the Conference Center for our first ever Night of Worship & Prayer in the gathering! This evening will be devoted to worshiping God through an extended time of singing songs together, reflecting on scripture, and engaging in personal and corporate prayer. We believe this time will be a refreshing and encouraging way to begin a new year. Join us for our Night of Worship & Prayer this month!

5 WOMEN'S SPRING RETREAT MARCH 1-3, 2019 WACO, TEXAS Join us March 1 st -3 rd in Waco, Texas for our women's spring retreat as we unpack the theme, Awakenings: Discovering Fresh Joy and Purpose. Throughout the weekend, you will experience engaging Bible study led by Candy Smith, former Associate Pastor at First Baptist Richardson. You will also enjoy small group discussion, fellowship, and time to simply explore and have fun with other women around the city of Waco. We will stay at Holiday Inn Express and Suites, and your retreat cost will depend on the number of women in your hotel room. The deadline to register is January 31 st. For registration and more information, go to WOMEN ON MISSION THIS FALL OUR GROUP HAS Donated snacks to House of Faith... Donated coats and underwear to AISD Homeless Ministry... Given an offering to assist with needs in the Pioneer Drive Mission House... Crafted and hung Christmas wreaths for our friends at Willow Springs Nursing Center THIS FALL WE HAVE Heard speakers from our community who minister and serve at home and around the world... Prayed consistently for missionaries and ministries of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church... Strengthened friendships and made new friends If you are interested in being part of our group, we invite you to attend our New Year's Social on January 14, 2019, 6 p.m., in the Fellowship Hall. We will eat, fellowship, and preview our agenda and activities for the coming months. GO TO GUATEMALA July 20 th - 27 th This summer, we are taking a team to the beautiful country of Guatemala to serve alongside our partners Bob and Georgette Kornegay. Cost of the trip is $1200. For more information, contact Taylor@pioneerdrive.org.

6 NEW MEMBERS Lonnie & Jan Davidson Harley Malone Ashley Neves Michael & Cinnamon Thompson Pioneer Drive Baptist Church Non-Profit 701 S. Pioneer Dr. U. S. Postage Abilene, TX PAID (325) Abilene, TX Return Service Requested Permit No. 181 ACTIVITIES RESUME FOR SPRING January 9, Wednesday Fellowship Meal, Preschool Scripture Seekers, Children's Choirs, RAs, GAs, & Student Worship January 13, Sunday High School & Middle School Choirs Student Home Groups January 16, Wednesday Celebration Choir & Orchestra D-NOW 2019 February 8 th - 10 th Every person of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church is called by God to a life of Christian ministry. The following individuals have been given the responsibility and privilege of leading this church in the Lord s work. Stan Allcorn, Senior Pastor - sallcorn@pioneerdrive.org Nathan Adams, Missions - nathan@pioneerdrive.org Danny Barefield, Music - dbarefield@pioneerdrive.org Pam Click, Preschool - pclick@pioneerdrive.org Erica Currie, Missions Associate - ecurrie@pioneerdrive.org Eddy Curry, Education - ecurry@pioneerdrive.org Eric McElhaney, Music Associate - emcelhaney@pioneerdrive.org Jeff Reid, Associate Pastor/Senior Adults - jreid@pioneerdrive.org Jeff Scott, College/Men - jscott@pioneerdrive.org Jennifer Sage, Recreation - jsage@pioneerdrive.org Andy Stanton, Administrator - astanton@pioneerdrive.org Cristi Stanton, Children - cstanton@pioneerdrive.org Craig Stotts, Worship, the gathering - cstotts@pioneerdrive.org Meredith Summers, Women/Singles - msummers@pioneerdrive.org Terence Waldron, Youth - twaldron@pioneerdrive.org John Whitten, Lead Pastor, the gathering - jwhitten@pioneerdrive.org Youth families, please sign up now for D-Now 2019! Registration is active online! You don't want to miss this life changing weekend of spiritual renewal. This year our theme is Unfiltered: Authentic Living in a Curated World. Our very own Nathan Adams will lead us in the scriptures, and Jared Wood will be back to lead us in worship. YOUTH CAMP 2019 July 8 th - 12 th Our theme will be Redefined as we go back to Generate Camp in beautiful Durango, Colorado. Ed Newton will be our Camp Pastor and Micah Tyler will lead us in worship. Reserve your spot online today! We encourage you to download the app and discover how you will be able to connect easier with our church. Access our monthly Vision newsletter, add church events to your calendar, easily access church registrations, listen to sermons, receive group notifications, give, and much more! Need assistance? Contact the Church Office at