MAY. Swift Creek Chronicler FROM THE PASTOR...

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1 MAY 2012 Swift Creek Chronicler FROM THE PASTOR... Swift Creek Baptist Church 9300 Penny Road Raleigh, NC (919) Fax (919) Church Staff: Dr. David Vess, Pastor Rev. David Beaver, Minister of Music Mrs. Robin Atkins, Minister of Children and Youth Dr. Bill Pruett, Pianist Mr. Bobby Mills, Grounds Maintenance Mrs. Sandy Jones, Custodian Mrs. Kim Sharp, Church Secretary Mrs. Susan Moore, Financial Secretary Church Office Hours: Monday -- Friday - 9 a.m.-1p.m. Sunday Schedule: Coffee Fellowship 9:30 a.m. Bible Study 9:45 a.m. Worship Service 11:00 a.m. Wednesday Schedule: Fellowship Meal 5:30 p.m. Prayer and Bible Study 6:30 p.m. Children on Mission 6:30 p.m. Adult Choir Rehearsal 7:15 p.m. Monthly Events: 1st Sunday-Men s Breakfast 1st and 3rd Sunday Youth 2nd Friday - PNO 3rd Thursday - WOM 4th Tuesday-C.A.R.E. Ministry A teacher gave her class of second graders a lesson on the magnet and what it does. The next day in a written test, she included this question: "My full name has six letters. The first one is M. I pick up things. What am I?" When the test papers were turned in, the teacher was astonished to find that almost 50 percent of the students answered the question with the word Mother. It was Anna M. Jarvis ( ) who first suggested the national observance of an annual day honoring all mothers because she had loved her own mother so dearly. At a memorial service for her mother on May 10, 1908, Miss Jarvis gave a carnation (her mother's favorite flower) to each person who attended. Within the next few years, the idea of a day to honor mothers gained popularity, and Mother's Day was observed in a number of large cities in the U.S. On May 9, 1914, by an act of Congress, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day. He established the day as a time for "public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country." Dr. John Killinger shared the following in his book, Lost in Wonder, Love, and Praise: I believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of the loving God, who was born of the promise to a virgin named Mary I believe in the love Mary gave her son, that caused her to follow him in his ministry and stand by his cross as he died. I believe in the love of all mothers, and its importance in the lives of the children, they bare. It is stronger than steel, softer than down, and more resilient than a green sapling on the hillside. It closes wounds, melts disappointments, and enables the weakest child to stand tall and straight in the fields of adversity. I believe that this love, even at its best, is only a shadow of the love of God, a dark reflection of all that we can expect of him, both in this life and the next. And I believe that one of the most beautiful sights in the world is a mother who lets this greater love flow through her to her child, blessing the world with the tenderness of her touch and the tears of her joy. In God s Grace, David Vess

2 Page 2 Swift Creek Chronicler ROBIN S ROUNDTABLE April has been a busy month for our church. Our annual Easter Egg Hunt was a great time for both young and old. GOD blessed us with beautiful weather and a great turn out. Thank you to ALL that volunteered their time for the event, stuffing the Easter Eggs and candy donations. It is such a blessing to see children with their parents, grandparents and some great-grandparents having such a fun time together. We were again blessed the next morning at the Easter Sunrise Service with beautiful music sung by Katie Hennenlotter and Sharon Alvarez and again later that morning at our morning worship service along with Our Awesome Choir. Followed by a wonderful sermon. AMEN! We are so blessed. Wonderful memories for us all. What a great way to bring in Spring! Upcoming Events Reschedule Billy Graham Library Bowling Night Out TBA TBA In Christian Service, Robin Atkins Deacon Update on Church Improvements During the past year, the Church has addressed several pressing building needs that had been deferred due to financial constraints. Funds from an estate, a special endowment, and designated offerings allowed the replacement of carpet in the education wing of the sanctuary building, painting the hallways and woodwork in the same area, painting all doors, replacing blinds in a Sunday School classroom, and replacing the sanctuary air conditioning compressor. All outside woodwork and trim of both the sanctuary and the fellowship building has been painted including the steeple. Unfortunately, there remains at least one major problem to be addressed. The furnaces in the back building are at risk of failing at any time. This original equipment (1978) has been patched and repaired many times. Replacement parts are increasingly difficult to find. Some parts are worn out and are being held together with magic glue and duct tape. Initial estimates to replace these four units are in excess of $16,800. Currently, there is approximately $4,500 available that could be used for furnace replacement. The Church may be able to complete this heating season but almost certainly will have to have replacements by next fall. The deacons and Finance Committee will be recommending to the Church possible courses of action. The Deacon Board Quarterly Financial Statements are being distributed. Please look over your statement to check accuracy. Report any discrepancies to Susan Moore or Charlie Livengood. Thank you! Dear Swift Creek Church Family, Thank you all so much for all of the beautiful cards, phone calls and kind expressions of sympathy you gave us during the passing of my daddy Slim Roberson. We appreciate your concern and continued prayers as we go through the days ahead. We love each and every one of you and May God Bless you, Love, Marilyn, Chris and Holly and Helen Robertson

3 Swift Creek Chronicler Page 3 We Are Still the Church is an inspirational song that will stir your heart by the powerful message it presents to us as individuals, and corporately as a church! The text is based on the scripture passage found in Philippians 3: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Certainly we all have been through many storms in life but we can always rely on Jesus to see us through and as this song expresses, Let s forget about the things which are behind us. We are still the church; keep pressing on! The choir will be reminding us often of this truth as we move forward with the work the Lord has placed on our hearts! MUSIC NOTES If you are reading this article prior to April 29 th please attend the concert given by pianist Bobby Bridges. The concert will begin at 3:00 on that afternoon. You will be blessed by his arrangements of gospel songs that we love to hear! Another event will occur on May 14 th at Hayes Barton Baptist Church where the N.C. Baptist Singers and Orchestra will present their final concert for the 2011/2012 season. Swift Creek Baptist will be represented that night by some of our choir members who will join with a few other select churches for this unique opportunity to sing some anthems along with the Singers. The concert begins at 7:00 but come early for a good seat and listen to prelude music provided by the orchestra. ~ David ATTENTION SENIOR SAINTS Mark your calendar! We are planning a trip to Ron s Barn Barbecue and Seafood in Coats, NC on Thursday, May 3, We will leave the church parking lot at 5:45 pm. After our meal we will stay for some live southern gospel group singing starting at 7:30 pm. Please let Nancy Fowler or Lorraine Norton know if you would like to go. We need your help in planning future events and would like your opinion on areas of interest. Listed below are a few we have considered. Please let Nancy Fowler or Lorraine Norton know if you have any interest in any of the following: 1. Trip to Seagrove Pottery, Seagrove, NC 2. Trip to Country Doctor Museum, Bailey, NC 3. Mt. Olive Pickle, Mt. Olive, NC (Video tour only provided) May or early June 4. Lace Factory, Oxford, NC 5. Tanger Outlets, Mebane, NC 6. Country Music Showcase Johnston Community College June (guest performers singing some of the most popular country, blues, rock n roll, bluegrass and R&B song of yesteryear to today. 7. Pam s Farmhouse. Eat breakfast and then visit Pullen Park (newly renovated). 8. Durham Bulls Baseball game 9. Asheboro Zoo $ 200, $ 256, $ 457, $ 200, $ 140, $ 341,228.00

4 Swift Creek Chronicler Page 4 Swift Creek Baptist Church 9300 Penny Road Raleigh, NC May 16 Average Attendance and Giving March 25, 2012 April 15, 2012 Bible Study Attendance 48 Worship Service 91 Tithes and offerings $3,672 Needed weekly to meet budget $4,664 Thank you for your gifts! The C.A.R.E. Ministry Care Ministry will meet on Tuesday, May 22 Th at 10 a.m. Many have been blessed with our calls, visits, cards and prayers. Thank you for your dedication to this important part of Swift Creek s outreach program. Parent s Night Out Date: Friday, May 11, 2012 Reserve your place by 10am April 11th Time: 6-9 p.m. Ages: Infant to 5th grade Dinner is provided for all ages. For infants and toddlers not yet eating table food, please bring whatever food supplies they will need. Cost: $10 per child (Fee is for a 3 hour period) Contact Robin Atkins, , to register or for more information. Swift Creek Baptist Church Clothes Closet and Food Pantry AS OF APRIL 18, 2012 WE HAVE FED AND CLOTHED 155 HUNGRY PEOPLE THIS YEAR! Don t forget the food pantry on your next shopping trip. Anything you donate that is store bought is greatly appreciated. Online Giving Available at You can now make secure donations on our website using a credit card, debit card, or Paypal account. This feature allows you to make contributions from anywhere internet access is available. NURSERY WORKERS FOR MAY 11:00 Service 6 LaRue Holmes, Tiffany Arnett 13 Jennie Jones, Joyce Powell 20 Dorothy Smith, Barbie Brown 27 Pearl Strickland, Lorraine Norton MMO Spring Schedule M W & F 9:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. To register for MMO please call the office

5 JUNE :30-8:30 It is that time of year again for the fun and adventure of VBS! This year we go OVERBOARD and go deep with God! What will we learn this year? You will have to sign-up to find out! Any child toddler to 5th grade (or rising 6th) may sign up! We can t wait to see you this June! ONLINE REGISTRASTION: OR CALL