Social Media: AtlantaWestPC. Free AWPC App Available! 10:45 am. Wednesday Bible Study. 11:30 am. MESSENGER January

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2 MESSENGER January 2018 Sunday Prayer Sunday Worship 8:15 am 10:45 am 9:00 am 11:30 am Tuesday Prayer Wednesday Bible Study Wednesday CROWD 7:00 pm Social Media: AtlantaWestPC Free AWPC App Available! , press 2 Bible Quizzing-Jimmy Brothers J.O.Y. Group (55+)-Helen Steinman Ch.I.P.Z. (3-9)-Bro. Brad Fain Ladies Ministry-Sis. Carol Johns (10-11)-Rebecca Austin Ladies Prayer-Lillian Douglas CROWD (12-20)-Bro. Joel & Alonda Johns Missions-Bro. John & Tessa Turner Discipleship-Bro. David Jury Music Ministry-Brandon Frazier Evangelism-Bro. D.J. Hill Nurseries-Bro. Brad Fain Guest Services-Jennifer Austin Pastor s Prayer Partners-Wayne Walker Home Bible Studies-Bro. Don Morris Prime Timers (40-54)-Wendell & Kristi Brock Hope-Greg Boyd & Bro. Justin Jones Prison Ministry-Bro. James & Marianne Turner Hyphen (18-30)-Bro.Andrew & Shayla Bevis Production-Ryan Johns Impact (19-29)-Jason & Bethany Jones Singles (31-54)-Phil & Desiree Massey Stewardship Ministries-David Turner Ushers-Alex Szecsey Young Families (under 40 with children)- Bro. John & Tessa Turner Young Marrieds (under 40 w/o children)- Justin & Natalie Austin The Atlanta West Messenger is a monthly publication of Atlanta West Pentecostal Church, an autonomous local church associated with the United Pentecostal Church International. 2

3 January 2018 MESSENGER A new year is here, and with it new horizons and opportunities for growth and progress. It s time for another round of resolutions based on our need for change. But what factors drive our decisions? Think about it, every decision made this month, or any month for that matter, is driven by the values we hold. If we resolve to lose weight or join a gym, the decision is driven by the value we place on our health. If we determine to spend more time with our spouse and children, we are demonstrating the value we place on our family. If we choose to connect with a ministry team at our church, we are showing the high value we place on using our gifts for God s glory. If we resolve to deepen our walk with God, the decision to pray and study the Bible is driven by an understanding that while life is short, eternity lasts forever. We make the decision to distance ourselves from sin to draw closer to God, not in light of time, but in light of eternity. To live in the light of something is to live with an awareness of a truth that becomes a guiding influence in our lives. Eternity is a reality that must inform every facet of our lives. Knowing that we will all spend eternity either in Heaven or in Hell should shed light on every decision we make and every value we embrace. What if all our decisions were made in light of eternity? How would our lives be different? What would change if we subordinated every value to the priority of eternity? What would we eliminate from our lives? What would we add to our lives? Our life on earth had a beginning, and it will also have an ending. At our death time stops, but eternity continues. There is no altering our eternal destination after we die. After death comes the judgment and the eternity we determined to have during our lifetime on earth. There is a stark contrast between the person who is living for time and the person who is living for eternity. The person who is living for time sets goals for days, weeks, months, and years. The person who is living for eternity sets goals that reflect eternal realities. The person who is living for time is tempted to do what feels good now, cutting corners and cheating as much as possible. Their only restraint is the fear of getting caught and the consequences that may follow. The person who is living for eternity recognizes that kicks have kickbacks. They resist temptation for the greater goal of Heaven. The person who is living for time grows weary and impatient when things do not happen on their timetable. The person who is living for eternity is patient as they wait for the coming of the Lord. Their frame of reference is totally different. They recognize that God created time and uses it to fulfill His will. The person focused on time alone avoids pain and is motivated by the desire for pleasure. The person who is focused on eternity knows that the troubles of this life are not worthy to be compared to the glory that will be revealed in us. (See II Corinthians 4:17.) The person who is focused on time is focused on things you can see. The person who is focused on eternity is focused on things you cannot see. (See II Corinthians 4:18.) The person who is focused on time fears death and will do everything possible to preserve their life on earth. The person who is focused on eternity loves the abundant life that God gives here and now, but knows there is something better on the other side of the doorway called death. In fact, those who are focused on eternity actually yearn for time to yield to eternity. (See II Corinthians 5:1-2.) It is no wonder that those who are living for eternity make statements like To live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21). Living in light of eternity means that before you leap off the cliff of a decision, you think about where you are going to land. If you are thinking about moving to another area, you think first about the spiritual ramifications of that move. If you are considering a career change, you weigh how the new job will affect your spiritual health and opportunities for ministry. When we live in light of eternity, we do not sacrifice our children on the altar of secular success. We do not allow academic achievement, involvement in sports or other extra-curricular activities, or their desire for acceptance to displace the priority of a spiritually sound soul. When we live in light of eternity we continually calibrate our lives to eternal realities and keep Jesus Christ at the center of our lives. As we look forward to a new year and consider the changes we need to make, let us resolve to live in light of eternity. 3

4 MESSENGER January

5 January 2018 MESSENGER Sunday: January 7, 14 & 21 Wednesday: January 3, 10 & 31 Held in the Youth Center Ages 3-11 FLC Chapel January 3, 10, 24 & 31 5

6 MESSENGER January Josh Austin Glenda English Justin Phillips Dawn Samuda Anthony Stewart 3 Melissa McCracken 4 Addison Marin 7 Megan Gornick 8 Lorne Johnson Evan Nixon Chester Radford 9 Monica Blish Priscilla Crowder Sis. Patti Hall 10 Zack Blish Mandy Nixon Melissa Pierson 11 Raphael Gikunju Kristin Griffin Brendan Lopez Katie Smith 12 Diane Dew Nicholas Hart LaVaughn Johnson Emma Page Stephanie Plunkett 13 Brandon Davis Thomas Lupo Hannah Newborn January Birthdays 14 Stefenie Hernandez 15 Hayley Crowder Tamkia Parchment 16 Christopher Duncan Grayson Floyd Rodney Lapread Brendan Whitten 17 Wendell Brock Arlie Collins Chidi Eziakor Crystal Johnson 19 Tereaon Jackson Morgan Johnson 20 Scott Floyd 21 Jarred Johnson Sis. Colleen Morris 22 Victoria Beal Dylan Robinson Jude Tawiah Tiffini Turner Sean Wilkins 23 John Casino Mack Duncan Larry Henson 24 Vivian Blish Janie Craft Jimmy Duncan Heather Norwood 25 Joey Lopez 26 Olivia Jury Cassie Patton Elizabeth Wilkins 28 Michael Craft 29 Maggie Lopez James Townsend Sylvia White 30 Avanleigh Austin Orlivia Coca Donna Gay Isabella Stubelt Blakely Turner 31 Lee Lamanac Jr. Matthew Marquina Bro. Russell Robinson Jan. Anniversaries 2 Philip & Donna Strouse 3 Fred & Lillian Douglas 4 TJ & Tola Kalejaiye 8 Michael & Roxanna Carter 11 Brian & Kandace Forrest 14 Michael & Mardee Burton 16 Chris & Amelia Walton 17 Mark & Nancy Measles 18 Wayne & Sandy Walker 18 Robert & Emma Page 21 Jarod & Dana Peer 25 Greg & Rosa Boyd 301 STAFF MEETING January 2 - MINISTERIAL ADVANCE Cancelled LADIES PRAYER January 23-7 pm 6

7 January 2018 MESSENGER November 17 - December 16 Baptized in Jesus Name Charlene Butler Virginia Davis Obinna Onuoha Justin Padgett Jennifer Ramirez Christopher Rico FEBRUARY Georgia District Conference Valentine s Day 23&25...Youth Revival MARCH Mentorship Conference GA District Ministers & Wives Retreat GEMS Conference APRIL Easter Sunday GA District Ladies Conference Filled with the Holy Ghost Leah Beavers Jaden Fuentes Gaston Galvez January 6 Team 1 - Bro. W. Walker January 13 Team 2 - Bro. J. Franzen January 20 Team 3 - Bro. J. Townsend January 27 Man to Man - $121,559 $190,470 7

8 ATLANTA WEST PENTECOSTAL CHURCH 2960 SKYVIEW DRIVE LITHIA SPRINGS, GA SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 New Year s Day 2 7 pm Prayer 3 Ch.I.P.Z :30 am HOPE Church Offices Closed 301 Staff Meeting Prayer Partners 1 Hyphen 7 Missions Sunday Guest Speaker: Chris Green Ch.I.P.Z. 9:15 am 201 Class 9:15 am Welcome to the Family Class 8 pm FLC Gym Night 14 Guest Speaker: Chris Green Ch.I.P.Z. 9:15 am 201 Class 9:15 am Welcome to the Family Class 11:30 am FPU 8 pm FLC Gym Night Kingdom Ch.I.P.Z. Baby Dedication 9:15 am 201 Class 9:15 am Welcome to the Family Class 11:30 am FPU 1 pm YM Lunch 8 pm FLC Gym Night 28 No Ch.I.P.Z. 9:15 am 201 Class 9:15 am Welcome to the Family Class 1:30 pm BREAD Banquet 11:30 am FPU 8 pm FLC Gym Night 8 9 All Volunteers Meeting 15 1 pm Trustee Board Meeting 16 7 pm Prayer pm Ladies Prayer 7 pm Prayer 10 Ch.I.P.Z. Week of Prayer & Fasting 17 Annual Business Meeting Ch.I.P.Z. CROWD & Cancelled :30 pm Jump N Joy 18 7 pm IMPACT 25 7 pm Choir Rehearsal pm CROWD Lock-in 26 7 pm HYPHEN Soup N Socks 13 6:30 am HOPE Prayer Partners :30 am HOPE 9:30 am Bible Quiz Tournament 5 pm JOY Group 5 pm Singles Bowling Prayer Partners :30 am HOPE Man to Man Because of the Times - Alexandria, LA pm Prayer Life Groups ChIPZ=Children in The Power Zone Ch.I.P.Z. JANUARY 2018 FLC=Family Life Center FPU=Financial Peace University YM=Young Marrieds