SAVE THE DATES July 16-21, 2017 Vacation Bible School Theme: Galactic Starveyors Discovering the God of the Universe

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1 SAVE THE DATES July 16-21, 2017 Vacation Bible School Theme: Galactic Starveyors Discovering the God of the Universe Attention All Stargazers We are looking for anyone who may own or have access to telescopes, magnifying glasses, or any items that we can use during VBS. A standing telescope would be great! If you can help us, please contact the Business Office. Business Office If you anticipate that you will need a service from the business office, please plan ahead with this date in mind July 4, Thank you Bookstore News The Bookstore will be closed today Sunday July 2, 2017 Bookstore, Manager Update Your Information We need your help in making sure that your personal information record maintained in the Office of the Clerk and the Finance office contains the most accurate information. If there has been a change in your address, marital status or telephone number please come by the Clerk s Office to update your records. Pictures Information You ve probably noticed that we love to take pictures of our church family engaged in various activities associated with our church s ministries. We also love sharing pictures of our church family on our website. You just might see your picture on one of our webpages. However, if you wish to exempt yourself or family members from having your picture(s) appear on the church s website or other publications please take time to go by the clerk s office and fill out a form indicating your wishes. Thank you for your help in this matter, Website Content Management Team

Education Corner Into the Word: July 2017 - Summer Quarter God s Urgent Call Considerable time and effort is spent on seeking God s calling in our lives.

2 Education Corner Into the Word: July Summer Quarter God s Urgent Call Considerable time and effort is spent on seeking God s calling in our lives. Many people often ask the questions, Why am I here? and What specifically is God calling me to do? While these are certainly legitimate questions, the ultimate call of God on our lives is given in the great commandment as stated in: Matthew 22:37-40 (KJV) 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Our second unit, Calling of Prophets, focuses on five men called to be God s spokesmen to sinful people. Moses, commissioned to deliver Israel from Pharaoh s slavery, was fortified by encountering God in a burning bush. Isaiah, sent to stiffnecked Judah, was prepared through a vision of God s holiness and cleansing from his own sin. Jeremiah, intimidated by his own youth and inexperience, ingested God s own words to condemn apostate Judah. Ezekiel, called to prophesy to a rebellious nation, was hardened by the Lord to resist their animosity. Amos, a Judean herdsman, followed the call to speak against apostasy in the northern kingdom of Israel. Regardless as to whether it is a large or small task that God calls for us to do; we must humbly respond to the call and watch Him at work in our lives and the lives of others. We do not need to be or aspire to be anyone special; the hand of God on us to complete His will is sufficient for the task that He gives us to do. We look forward to studying the word with you in Sunday School this coming month. Unit II: Calling of Prophets: July 2 Moses and the Burning Bush Exodus 3:1-12 July 9 Isaiah in the Temple Isaiah 6:1-8 July 16 Jeremiah s Call and Commission Jeremiah 1:4-10 July 23 The Call of Ezekiel Ezekiel 3:1-11 July 30 The Call of Amos Amos 7:10-17 CEM 7/2017

3 Pastor s Message July 2017 Do You Know the Power of No? Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. (Isaiah 41:10) Leadership is not a privilege of birth or some special anointing. It is a matter of skill and determination (S&D). Skill is an ability stemming from one s knowledge, experiences, aptitude, etc. On the other hand, determination is the act of coming to a decision or of fixing or settling a purpose. So what causes one to be considered a born leader and the other not? The difference is faith versus fear. Now faith is simply a matter of complete trust and confidence in something or someone. But sadly, faith may be overcome by an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that something or someone is dangerous and likely to cause pain, or a threat. Today more than ever, leadership is challenged by the social media syndrome. One s opinion is instantly received by countless individuals all over the world. Therefore, one is more likely to consider the impact of a decision from a media perspective than from an objective one. What s the optic? Imagine being convinced of your product and its relevant place in society. Secondly, imagine being unregretful when expected to prove its vitality. What does it matter if the masses disagree with you? Some will readily answer, nothing. However, their actions too often prove otherwise. The tool that distinguishes or empowers leadership is the ability to say no. For the most part, followers tend to love the leader who generally agrees with their every desire. Why not? After all, everyone would like to think their opinions are really the ones that matter. So, as you can see, when the leader responds no, one is likely to Tweet, Facebook, or gossip how unreasonable the leader is. For clarity, do not assume that no is required to establish authority. It is like the weapon of most police officers, there to provide for the purpose of the organization, but for the most part, seldom required. Also, like the weapon of the police, it requires training and constant awareness if it is to be used effectively. Every situation requiring an officer to use his/her weapon is mentally stressful and potentially dangerous either to the officer or someone else. When the leader has to say no, his or her body would do well to experience a stress response.

4 No should be considered from the following considerations; why, what, when, and where. Why am I not allowing it, what it means to our cause to not allow it, when and under what circumstances could it ever be allowed and where. Such logic requires the leader to be well versed in the operational plans of the institution and strong enough to press past the fear of being unpopular. People will soon forget the great decisions the leader makes, but will never forget the bad ones. Every human being must contend with the word courage. Followers and leaders equally rely upon each other; however, the leader may not enjoy some of the excuses available to followers. Followers may justify quitting, based on what the leader displays, but leaders may not respond in kind. Followers may blame, and perhaps rightfully so, their actions on those of the leader but the leader does not have the same privilege. The first thought more often forms the right decision. It is only after considering the expected responses of others that we tend to question our decisions. If one will remember this simple rule; when it is all said and done, it is the coach who gets fired and not the fans, confidence in the decision is more assured. And if one should be fired, at least let it be the result of one s own decision and not that of the spectators. Paul s reasoning serves not only the cause of those who serve in ministry but also those who operate in life; Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1) There is nothing we are doing that escapes our Lord s awareness. As a leader you must overcome people and situations, your own fears and intimidations as well as the fallout that may result. The apostles were beaten and cautioned to not speak the name of Jesus; And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. (Acts 5:40) Did the apostles have faith in the message? Did they fear the mission? I ll let you be the judge but this is the record that they left; And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. (Acts 5:41, 42) What s your excuse?

OUTREACH EVENT COMMUNITY CANVASSING Date JULY 29, 2017 Time LOCATION 11:00am to 1:30pm SOUTHSIDE APARTMENT 2301 WESTMONT STREET 32207 PLAYGROUND AREA THE OUTREACH DEPARTMENT WILL BE CONDUCTING A

5 OUTREACH EVENT COMMUNITY CANVASSING Date JULY 29, 2017 Time LOCATION 11:00am to 1:30pm SOUTHSIDE APARTMENT 2301 WESTMONT STREET PLAYGROUND AREA THE OUTREACH DEPARTMENT WILL BE CONDUCTING A STATIONARY CANVASSING EVENT THIS SUMMER AT THE SOUTHSIDE APARTMENT. THE PURPOSE OF THIS EVENT IS TO REACH PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE PHYSICALLY AND SPIRTUALLY. OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE BOX OF CEREAL PER FAMILY, CHRISTIAN TRACTS, AND TO WITNESS TO THOSE THAT ARE RECEPTIVE. IF YOU ARE ABLE TO, PLEASE PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE LARGE BOX OF CEREAL (MORE IF YOU CAN). PLEASE DROP IT OFF IN THE OUTREACH DEPT. WE WILL ALSO BE PROVIDING HOTDOGS AND HAMBURGER TO THOSE ATTENDING. FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING, WE ARE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS TO HELP SETUP, PASS OUT THE FOOD, PASS OUT TRACTS AND OF COURSE SHARE THE GOSPEL. WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR SUPPORT FOR THIS EVENT. THERE WILL BE SIGN UP SHEETS IN THE VESTIBULE AND IN THE OUTREACH DEPT. OUTREACH DIRECTOR

Sunday School MEMORY WORK GUIDELINES for FOURTH GRADERS

Sunday School MEMORY WORK GUIDELINES for FOURTH GRADERS 1. ALL memory work for Sunday School must be recited to a 4th Grade Sunday School teacher. SUNDAY SCHOOL VERSES CANNOT BE RECITED TO A PARENT! 2.