4500 Highway 65, Conway, SC

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1 Maple Messenger Volume 28 Issue 1 January 2016 As I am writing this column, the date is December 29, Without looking at the calendar, I can tell that it is nearing a new year by the advertisements seen in the media, be it internet or television. Try this new diet plan Get this great piece of exercise machine Take these pills and the pounds will melt off of you Get your taxes done through our tax service These ads are part of football, more football, and more football. (I have no problem with college football. So, that is not a negative statement.) These observations remind us of the annual quest begins in a few days, New Year s Resolutions. Tullian Tchividjian, a pastor and son-in-law of Billy Graham wrote of the annual quest in a book entitled, It is Finished. In 1738, the literary giant Samuel Johnson wrote in his diary: Oh Lord, enable me to redeem the time which I have spent in sloth. Nineteen years later, he wrote, Oh mighty God, enable me to shake off sloth and redeem the time misspent in idleness and sin by diligent application of the days yet remaining. He wrote some variation of this prayer every year after that. Finally, in 1775, 38 years after his first resolution, he wrote, When I look back upon resolution of improvement and amendments which have, year after year, been made and broken, why do I yet try and resolve again? I try because reformation is necessary and despair is criminal. Johnson is describing human life. We start every year thinking, This is the year! We resolve to turn over a new leaf and this time we are serious. We promise ourselves we're going to quit bad habits and start good ones. We're going to get in shape, eat better, waste less time, be more content, be more disciplined, and so forth. We're going to be better husbands, wives, fathers, mothers. And then, twelve months later, we've fallen short again. In our quest for improvement and perfection, we find ourselves frustrated. We feel shame and guilt because we have not become what we know God wants us to become. God, however, is not surprised by our failures. We were born that way. We are sons and daughters of Adam. Will God still love us? Will He help us? John 3:16 is the answer to the first question. Romans 8:28-29 is the answer to the second question. Most know John 3:16. Romans 8:28 is familiar. However, Romans 8:29-30? Below are the verses from NASB. 28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. Meditate on these verses. Do some study on these verses. What message do these verses have regarding our becoming what God wants us to become? Happy New Year! Pastor Gary Maple Baptist Church 4500 Highway 65, Conway, SC maplebaptist@yahoo.com Pastor Gary Reeves cell pastormbc4500@yahoo.com Member of the SC Baptist Association and the Waccamaw Baptist Association

2 Monday Nights: 7:00 pm, Alternately Spearman/Hall Homes Wednesday Nights: Supper6:30, Children, Youth, Young Adult Discipleship 7:15 Sundays: 10:00am Kid s Bible Study, 11:00am Mission Friends, 6:00 pm GAs, RAs, Acteens & Challengers meet I am a Soldier in God's Army Here I stand! I am a soldier in the Army of my God. The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer. The Holy Bible is my code of conduct. Faith, prayer, and the Word are my weapons of warfare. I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity and tested by fire. I am a volunteer in this Army, and I am enlisted for Eternity. I will either retire in this Army at the Rapture or die in this Army; But I will not get out, Sell out, Be talked out, Or pushed out. I am faithful, reliable, capable and dependable. If my God needs me, I am there. If He needs me in the Sunday School, To teach the children, work with the youth, Help adults, Or just sit and learn. He can use me because I am there! I am a soldier. I am not a baby. I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, picked up, or pepped up. I am a soldier. No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, Or lure me. I am a soldier. I am not a wimp. I am in place, Saluting my King, Obeying His orders, praising His name, and building His kingdom! No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy or give me handouts. I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to. I am committed. I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around. I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside. I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit. When Jesus called me into His Army, I had nothing. If I end up with nothing, I will still come out ahead. I will win. My God has and will continue to supply all of my needs. I am more than a conqueror. I will always triumph. I can do all things through Christ. Devils cannot defeat me. People cannot disillusion me. Weather cannot weary me. Sickness cannot stop me. Battles cannot beat me. Money cannot buy me. Governments cannot silence me and Hell cannot handle me. I am a soldier. Even death cannot destroy me. For when my Commander calls me from this battlefield, He will promote me to Captain and then allow me to rule with Him. I am a soldier in the Army, and I'm marching claiming victory. I will not give up. I will not turn around. I am a soldier, Marching heaven bound. Here I stand! Here I am called! Author unknown May this be our battle cry as we come into the New Year; strong in the Word of God; Resolved to take our rightful stand as Christians and as a body of Christ; Determined that Jesus Christ will not be denied; Faithful to the very end to defend our faith, our church; reaching out to spread His Gospel, knowing that by the power God has placed in us and has entrusted in us, through, the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us, that together we will press on to the call to which we have been commissioned. A very blessed New Year to all. God Bless Maple Baptist Church. 2nd Timothy 2:1-7 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. The hard working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. Page 2 The Maple Messenger

3 Woman s Missionary Union Maple on Mission Denying Self Cultivate vision Jesus saw those around him as a field ready for Harvest, needing only the laborers to bring in the lost people of the world. Although we give money so that others may go, we believe there s something more. How can we cultivate a vision to see that the harvest is ready all around us? We appreciate all of the generous donations that were made to light the Ella Mae Long Lottie Moon Christmas tree this Christmas Season. We surpassed our goal and are looking forward to a great new year in the WMU. WMU Meeting Dates Jan 2 Dorothea Long Sewing Ministry Jan 5 Bible Study/ Fellowship Group TBD Ethel Stephens Circle 2 Eggs 2/3 cup sugar 1tsp Vanilla Extract 4 tsp grated lemon rind 6TBLSP butter 2/3 cup AP Flour Lemon Thins Preheat the oven to 400 F. In a bowl, beat eggs, sugar and vanilla for 3-4 minutes or until the mixture forms a ribbon when the beater is lifted. Keep beating and add the lemon zest. In a separate bowl, beat the butter until it is light and fluffy. Add the butter to the egg mixture alternating with the flour. Drop by teaspoons about 2 1/2 inches apart on parchment lined baking sheets. Flatten the mounds into 2 inch rounds with a spoon dipped in water. Bake for 5 minutes or until the edges are browned. Cool on, then cool on rack. Makes 4 dozen small cookies. Jan 19 Sallie Powell Group He will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. John 5:19-21 Current balance in the account $96, Don t Forget Your Pledges! VOLUME 28 ISSUE 12 Page 3

4 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Mission Friends after children s sermon RAs, GAs, Acteens, & Challengers 7:00 pm Discipleship Courses 6:00 pm Adult Choir meets 5:00pm Wednesday Supper 6:15 pm Youth Disciple Training 7:00 pm Children s Choir (G s K-6) 7:00 pm Young Adult Bible Study 7:00 pm Prayer Service and Bible Study 7:15 pm Deacon s Meeting WMU Bible Study January Birthday Party Dorothea Long Sewing Ministry 8:30am Brotherhood Breakfast WBA Coping with PTSD 3:00 4:30pm Wampee BC Business meeting Street Reach 6:00 SCBC Meeting in Columbia Sanctity of Human Life Sunday Sallie Powell Prayer Group WBA Winter Quarterly meeting Antioch Baptist 31 Page 4 The Maple Messenger

5 DEACON FAMILY ASSIGNMENTS Ricky & Pam Blake The New Sanctuary Flower calendar is out for Please verify that your standing orders are posted correctly. A - B: Rick Moran C - Di: Dominic Mason Do - Ha: Jonathan Stephens He - Johnson (A-K): Gene Abercrombie Johnson (L-Z) - Lee: Raymond Hairston Lef - Norris (A-E): John Johnson Norris (F-Z) - Ri: Leroy Clewis Ro - Ta: Price Todd, Jr. Te - Z: John Spearman 1 Bonnie Branton Chad Williams 3 Sidney Johnson 5 Kayla Hucks 8 Katelyn Hucks Lydia Majewski 9 Taylor Stevens 10 Russell Johnson Lisa Sessions 11 Frances Williams JANUARY DEACONS 03 Rick Moran 10 Dominic Mason 17 Jonathan Stephens 24 John Johnson 31 Raymond Hairston Barbara Reece 16 Sam Hall 19 Jon Allen, Jr. COUNTING COMMITTEE USHERS David Norris Brad Stephens David Norris Sylvia Dorman Steve Hall Robert Taylor Brian Roberts The Deacons meet the first Sunday of each month at 8:30 am FLOWERS FOR THE SANCTUARY Steve Norris Pete Blow DECEMBER, JANUARY, FEBRUARY Placed by Susan and Cody Norris in memory of Dennis Norris Available Available Placed by Becky Edge in memory of Holly Edge 31 Lord s Supper 20 Bonnie Todd 21 Neil Allsbrook 23 Constance Allison 29 Russell Dickerson Pam Hucks Michelle Roberts 30 Nancy Faulk 31 Diane Cooper Dalton Williams Volume 28 Issue 1 Date Morning Evening Helen Hall Tonya Todd Paula Allen & Taylor Stevens Pam Allsbrook Megan Harris & Rachel Fleming Kristi Bratcher & Helen Stephens Nancy Mikres & Kelly Jordan Tonya Todd Jessica Abercrombie & Andrea Pam Allsbrook Skipper Thank you to all those who volunteer in the nursery so parents may attend the worship services. Questions about the schedule? Call Helen Hall Page 5

6 Maple Baptist Church 4500 Highway 65 Conway, South Carolina Growing a Family of Faith Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Conway, South Carolina Permit No. 111 Return Service Requested Maple Baptist Staff Pastor Rev. Gary Reeves Music Director Jacelyn Spearman Secretary Julie Holliday If you would you like to be removed from this mailing list, call or maplebaptist@yahoo.com Ministry Opportunities Sunday Deacons Meeting - 1st Sunday 8:30 am RAs, GAs, Acteens, & Challengers 7:00 pm Mission Friend after children s sermon Brotherhood Breakfast - 2nd 8:30 am Church Council Meeting - TBA Business Meeting - 2nd evening The Lord s Supper - 5th, Morning Worship Discipleship Courses 6:00 pm Monday 7:00 pm Tuesday WMU Bible Study / Fellowship - 1st at Street Reach Ministry - 2nd 6:00 pm Sallie Powell Prayer Group Meeting - 3rd 2:30 pm English as a Second Language - 6:00pm Wednesday Supper 6:15 pm Youth Discipleship 7:00 pm Children s Discipleship (G s K-6) 7:00 pm Young Adult Bible Study 7:00 pm Prayer Service and Bible Study 7:15 pm Thursday English as a Second Language - 6:00pm Saturday Dorothea Long Sewing Ministry 1st at 8:30am Bible Quiz According to the Gospel of John, which disciples led others to Jesus, and whom did they lead? A. Matthew led Judas. B. Andrew led Simon- Peter. C. James led John. D. Philip led Nathanael. E. All of the above. F. B and D. Answer: F (See John 1:40-42, 45ff.)