From the Pastor,,. Find the following articles inside.

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1 September 2018 Monthly Publication of Garden City Baptist Church Volume 31 Number 9 CHURCH EVENTS September 2 Church-wide Breakfast September 3 Labor Day Office Closed September 5 Music Committee Summer Reading Program Party September 6 Women s Ministry Bible Study starts One in a Million September 9 Men s Choir in the Worship Service Starting Point September 10 JOY Fellowship 2:00 p.m. Church Council Deacons Meeting September 11 Charity SS Class Meeting September 12 Missions Committee September 13 WMU September 14 Circle of Friends September Fall Revival September 30 Church-wide Putt-Putt From the Pastor,,. September is here and we have a lot of exciting things before us. I encourage you to get involved with what the Lord is doing here at Garden City Baptist Church. I have been reading several books lately and I wanted to share some important insights I learned from these works. 1) John Chrysostum was one of the early church fathers. For years, he ran from the priesthood for several different reasons. One of note was he believed that ambition would get in his way of serving the Lord. We cannot let selfish ambition get in the way of what the Lord wants to do in our lives. 2) Dr. Steve Parr and Dr. Tom Crites wrote a book concerning how a church can reach children and keep them involved. The book is entitled, Why They Stray. One of the important findings I found in the book is that we have to create an atmosphere where children feel comfortable and safe. This is so true. 3) Robby Gallaty wrote a book entitled, Preaching for the Rest of us. In his book he talks about the importance of expository preaching in the local church. Simply put, expository preaching is text-driven preaching. We (the pastors) believe the best way to preach a text is for the text to speak for itself (text-driven preaching). If you get a chance, read these books. They will benefit you in your walk with Christ. Hope you have a great month, and pray for what the Lord is going to do here during this awesome month of September. Serving Him, Jordan Find the following articles inside. Music Ministry Medial Library Next Generation Ministry Missions Women s Ministry Activities Joy Fellowship Fall Revival and more...

2 NEXT GENERATION MINISTRY by: Timothy Laurent, Minister to the Next Generation Somehow fall is already upon us! We are very excited in our Next Generation ministries to begin a new semester and see the new building blocks being laid in these ministries. Notice anything different in our children s hallway? The walls are a new color but that s just the beginning! You will begin to see many changes on our children s hallway that will help to create an exciting and engaging atmosphere for the kids as they learn about Christ! Also new this semester is The Well, which is the new name of our Sunday night gatherings throughout the school year for the youth ministry. In John chapter 4 Jesus offers the woman at the well living water, telling her that if she drinks of it, she ll never thirst again! Our commitment to our students is that every time they are here, they will be exposed to Jesus and be taught how to have a relationship with Him so that they can drink of the living water as well! As we embark on a new semester and a new school year we eagerly await what God will do in our children s and youth ministries this semester! Wanna get involved? We are always looking for faithful servants to work with our kids and youth! See Tim if you are interested. From the Media Messenger... From bestselling author Karen Kingsbury comes a new love story in the Baxter Family collection, To the Moon and Back. It s about two people who lost their parents in the same national tragedy. These two people are desperate to find each other and the connection they shared for a single day, a day that changed everything. Brady Bradshaw was a child when the Oklahoma City bombing killed his mother. Every year on the anniversary of the bombing, Brady visits the memorial site to remember his mother. On one of these trips he met Jenna Phillips, who was also a child when her parents were killed in the attack. Brady and Jenna shared a deep connection and one beautiful day together. But after that they never saw each other again. Fast forward to the present. Ashley Baxter Blake with her sister Kari Baxter Taylor and their families take a spring break trip that includes a visit to the Oklahoma City National Memorial. While there, Ashley spots Brady. She sees him leave a letter, tucked into a chain link fence. The letter is not meant for her, but for someone named Jenna. Brady wants to find Jenna, but he doesn t even know her last name. Maybe Ashley can help. Brady struggles with his faith in God. He lives alone and is a firefighter in Oklahoma City. When he s not fighting fires, he is volunteering in his community. It gives him purpose. It s what he lives for, helping others, and the hope that someday he might find the girl he hasn t seen in more than a decade, Jenna. To the Moon and Back is a beautiful story of love, survival, grace, and God s providence. The characters will remain with you long after the story has ended. It s time to make plans for filling our shoeboxes. On October 13 we have a party to celebrate Operation Christmas Child and pack shoeboxes together. To prepare for the party, please make donations so items for the boxes can be purchased. For every $27 donated, $9 will be used for shipping to the final destination. All donations are appreciated. This isn t to replace the boxes that we pack ourselves!

3 WOMEN S MINISTRY WIDOW S MINISTRY Monthly luncheon is Sunday, September 16 at Texas Roadhouse to celebrate the birthday of Helen Cannon. Meet down front after the worship service to carpool. If you have any questions or suggestions please contact Pat Hample at or As always we give God all the glory and praise for all He is doing through this ministry. WOMEN S MINISTRY BIBLE STUDY The Egyptians in Exodus 1 were intent on enslaving the Israelites, wearing them down so that God s chosen people would become disillusioned and not live up to their destiny. Of the original two million Israelites who received God s invitation to enter the Promised Land, only two actually entered it! Similarly, modern day Christians often hear and understand the promises of God each Sunday morning at church but then rarely choose to experience them in everyday life. In One in a Million, Bible teacher Priscilla Shirer invites us to change that pattern for good, living beyond our circumstances and expecting to see God move in miraculous ways day after day. Without a doubt, we can find and follow God s purpose for our journey. We can make it to the Promised Land! Bible Study starts Thursday, September 6 at 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. in Room 109. Sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board by the Media Center. WOMEN S MINISTRY CIRCLE OF FRIENDS Ladies the time has come for Circle of Friends to start back. Our event is normally the 3rd Tuesday of the month, but sometimes we have to change the date due to busy schedules like Christmas time. Circle of Friends is open to all the Ladies at GCBC and we do our best to make it fun. It is a chance to get to know other women of the church and hopefully develop a friendship with each other. We are not an exclusive group; there is no membership fee. The only criteria is to be female, no men allowed. Keep checking the monthly newsletter and the Sunday bulletins for upcoming events. Mark your calendars now for Friday, September 14th at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We will have an old fashioned Sock Hop. So dust off that poodle skirt or bobby socks, put on your white tennis shoes, and come out for some fun. We always bring food to New share, Members so skip dinner that night. Hope to see you there! Gospel Body is still going strong. So if you re interested, come and exercise in a safe environment and don t forget your water and walking shoes. No matter what the weather we are walking, rain or shine! We exercise Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. until about 9:45 a.m. Hope you come and join this wonderful group of ladies. Sisters in Christ Yvonne Marcum LADIES LUNCHEON The luncheon will be held on Friday September 28 at Austin's Cabana Cafe located in the Litchfield Inn. If you wish to carpool meet in the church parking lot, we will be leaving the church at 11:30 a.m. It s always a good time. Everyone is welcome. Sign-up sheets are in the side hall and front foyer. Looking forward to seeing you, Shirley Oesterle 1 Rick Ammons 1 Avery Devlin 1 Nancy Jackson 5 Barbara Hutto 5 Chadd Hopkins 8 Robyn Hays 10 Paul Collins 10 Wuanita Pitt 11 Tish Walker 12 Kenneth Workman 12 Helen Cannon 13 Frank Kessler 14 Samantha Short 15 Kate Turbeville 16 Karen Gray 16 Janet Broz 16 Jan Regester 18 Darold Champaign 20 Paula Koscelnick 20 Camilla Ferriera 21 Sherry Gault 26 Larry Conn 26 Gene King 26 Bill Payne 28 Tiffany Carroll 30 Landon Broz MOBILE MEALS OF THE SOUTH STRAND September 3-8 (Van 2) See Esther Holland or Phyllis Melton to volunteer or for information. Taking food in to shut-ins is very rewarding. You may be the only face they see that day. Our church does it every six weeks, so an individual only SOUTH STAND HELPING HAND The need for food is constant. Food drives are great and fill the shelves, but people need food on a regular basis. Please consider buying food when you shop for your groceries and bring it each week to your Sunday School room or the office..

4 Varina s Let God speak directly to His people through the Scriptures, and let His people respond with grateful songs of praise. Martin Luther What s sweeter than a cupcake? Singing in the choir! Sunday, September 9 we will share cupcakes with those of you who sign-up for Chancel Choir. We will have a table full of these delicious delights! See you September 9 after the worship service! JOYFUL PRAISE KIDS (Kindergarten-5 th grade) We will begin our new year on Wednesday, September 12 at 6:00 p.m. We have exciting songs, activities, and games planned! Be sure to invite a friend to join us! Exciting news: Jewel Weaver will join us as our new accompanist! CHANCEL CHOIR (High School-Adults) Our Choir Loft needs to be filled each Sunday! We are praying for YOU as you prayerfully consider joining the Chancel Choir. Reading music is definitely not a requirement but having a heart to serve the Lord, praise His Name, and enjoy fellowship is. Looking forward to seeing you soon! We welcome our new member Kelly Wakley! Rehearsal is Wednesday from 7:30 p.m. until approximately 9:00 p.m. PRAISE BAND Praise Band rehearsal is Monday at 7:00 p.m. If you are interested in joining us, please contact one the members for information. MUSIC COMMITTEE Our next meeting is Wednesday, September 5 at 4:00 p.m. in Room 109. UPCOMING EVENTS Our Men s Choir is fantastic! They have been rehearsing during the month of August and will have a final rehearsal at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 5. They will lead worship on Sunday, September 9 during our 11 o clock service. Please sponsor a Music Ministry member by drawing a name and praying for whomever you have chosen through December. You will find the names on a table outside the Choir Room.. PRISONER PACKETS New Members Each year we put together small bags of necessary items that are hard for prisoners to get. They have to pay for them and most of the time they don t KIRTLAND, Jim & Mary Lou have the money, so our bags of items can help. Please place the following items in a one gallon Ziploc bag: One black non-retractable pen (no wire clip, no other ink colors allowed) One 5.8 oz. or larger toothpaste One adult individual factory-sealed toothbrush (no multipacks) One 3.8 to 6 oz. bar of soap One junior legal or no larger than 5½ x 8 writing tablet (no wire bound) Five first class stamp embossed #10 (long) envelopes (purchase at PO) Two rolls of candy (Lifesaver, Mentos or BreathSavers type) Bring to the office by September 30 WOMAN S MISSIONARY UNION (WMU) This is a meeting for all ladies interested in missions. The group meets Thursday, September 13 at noon in the Fellowship Hall. All ladies invited. Bring finger food to share Season of Prayer for State Missions Janie Chapman Offering September 9-16, 2018

5 NEEDED Fabric new or old, threads and elastic needed for a local group that make children's dresses for those in need. Any questions you can contact Shirley Oesterle at Fall Revival September each night with a special speaker and music Supper at 5:15 p.m. Revival Service 6:30 p.m. Sunday Night Rev. David Neace, Director Baptist Collegiate Ministry Coastal Carolina University Special Music Join the group for fun and Fellowship Monday, September 10 at noon in the Fellowship Hall. The lunch and program is all provided by Bethea Retirement Center in Darlington. So if you are 55 years and better come on out. It s a special treat you don t have to bring food, just yourself! Monday Night Rev. Andrew Wilkes Rose Hill Baptist Church Special Music by Jeff Sifford Tuesday Night Dr. Charles Hook Pastor, FBC Elloree Special Music by Chevelle Turner Wednesday Night Speaker to be determined Special Music by Chancel Choir SUNDAY SCHOOL REPORT by: Tim Hutto, Sunday School Director Sunday School Enrollment Sept Average SS attendance last church year Enrollment August 26, Average SS attendance this year thru Aug High enrollment for this year (On 3-11) We started the new year really strong and averaged 189 per month through January but we could not keep the momentum. We need to do a better job of outreach inside and outside of our church. The outside opportunity for outreach can be confirmed by a big decrease in Sunday School visitors compared to last year. In June, the adult SS classes began studying 2 Samuel. This was about David. When he inquired of God he was successful. God put People like the prophet Nathan and his military leader, Joab, in his life when he made mistakes and they corrected him. He gave him elders and priest to consult and guide him. Do you inquire of God? Do you have or have had mentors, accountability groups or a spouse to consult with? Or have you been one to charge ahead? When were you most successful? Have a blessed day, Enjoy your Labor Day Holiday concentrate on rest!!!

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7 Women s Ministry Bible Study Thursdays at 10:00 am or 6:00 pm This seven week Priscilla Shirer Bible study begins September 6 th. Sign up by the library or contact Tish Walker if you re interested. Monday 9/10 at Noon in Fellowship Hall Sept. 9 th at 3:00 pm If you re interested in learning more about the church and how to join and get connected, this is the place to start. Please contact the church office if you want to attend. Sept Supper 5:15 pm Service 6:30 pm Church-Wide Putt-Putt Sunday, Sept. 30 th at 3:00pm only $3 cash per person (Ice Cream is extra) Tupelo/Runaway Bay Saturday 10/27 5:00-7:00 pm

8 MISSION UPDATE FROM EASTERN KENTUCKY Eric & Sissy Rutherford ANOTHER ONE TWO OF THE LIVES GOD HAS TOUCHED (THAT HAVE TOUCHED OURS) Each month we have tried to feature a person God has brought into our lives and ministry here. This month we have TWO: Melanie and Greg. Someone once told me, God is in the restoration business. Joel 2:25 says, I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten We are seeing that truth lived out in the lives of these two. Both of them are in addiction recovery and, by the grace of God, in the process of getting their lives back. Part of that process is returning to the workforce. We have been praying that God would use the Lamp House Coffee shop as a stepping stone for those working so hard to get things back on track. We know the shop will not support anyone full-time, but our hope is that after working with us for a while we ll be in a position to give them the reference needed to move on to bigger and better things. So far it has been a wonderful experience. They are our hardest workers. As Melanie put it, Gratitude is an action word. The appreciation they have for the second chance is apparent in their efforts. Please remember all of those battling addiction in our community and yours. Through our Celebrate Recovery program we have come to know many who are affected by this plague; and, have come to understand that there is a person one of God s children behind every battle. HARLAN CO. EMERGENCY RESCUE SQUAD Some of you may know that I worked as an Emergency Medical Technician in South Carolina; and that I had to hang up my stethoscope following a back injury. I ve often missed working in the EMS community. A few months ago Harlan County put out a call for volunteers for the local Rescue Squad. I went to the informational meeting and explained the physical limitations I have following my back surgery. I was encouraged to apply anyway. Based on my experience as an EMT, an Emergency Vehicle Operator Course trainer with my dad s company, and the fact that I was a licensed minister, my application I was accepted and was assigned primary duties as a driver and Chaplain at the Tri-City station in Cumberland. Psalm 34:7 says, Delight yourself in the LORD; and He will give you the desires of your heart. I had actually been praying about Chaplaincy as a way to combine my heart for the Lord and EMS work. He granted me that privilege. Sissy is making herself available to serve the community again, too, as she runs for re-election on the Lynch City Council where she has done a great job representing our citizens and our Lord. Please pray we will both use these opportunities to glorify God and help others through our service.