DEDICATION LEVEL CHECK

Transcription

1 Volume XXIV Issue 1 January 2018 DEDICATION LEVEL CHECK On a Wednesday evening, following a church service in Arenal, Costa Rica, I had just returned from carrying a family home from church when I was met by Maikol (pronounced Michael), our interpreter. His words were, We have a situation. He then explained that a family had walked that afternoon to the church in order to be at the evening service and now needed a ride home. That is not a problem, I responded. I pointed at our vehicle and said, Let s go! It s not that easy, he countered. It will take us forty-five minutes to get to their house and the road is very poor. I soon found out that very poor was an understatement. There were times I questioned our getting too their home and wondered if we would ever get back. The road was literally a goat path with mud bogs. Thank the Lord we had four-wheel drive. On the way Maikol shared how it had taken this mother and her four small children over two and a half hours to get to church. The following day it had rained so hard throughout the day, I imagined Noah running for the ark. So, naturally, I never expected to see that mother and her children in attendance that evening. But there they were, having walked that distance in the monsoon and gladly willing to walk back home. After the service we loaded them back up and headed up the goat path. This time Pastor Dennis and I carried them. This time the night was still overcast and no moonlight or stars broke through. This time the mud bogs hand transformed into mud swamps. Thankfully we got the family home, but returning was a different story. About one half mile from their house we came to the mud pit. We had four wheel drive, so I gunned the engine and headed back in. Not far in the car slid into the ruts we had made coming in and the underbelly of the car bottomed out. We were stuck, in the dark with no cell service. About studying our dilemma, I began walking using the glow from a flip phone to try to follow the path. Eventually, I could no longer discern the path from the field, and I had no idea which way to go. Not losing hope, I prayed. In that moment my cell phone rang. I had walked back to a point where I had just enough signal to receive a call. The others had begun to worry and reached out. Shortly their headlights came over the horizon and with ropes and a lot of pushing we freed the car from the bog s suction grip. Missions are not always easy, but they are filled with blessings. From this experience I have had to ask myself, Through what extremities would I be willing to endure to come a worship? Would I be willing to carry four little children, up and down steep hills, in 90 degree temperatures, through rain and mud in order to attend church? Or do I complain if the weather is not perfect? The seat is not comfortable? The sermon is too long? What is my level of dedication? Do I go for me or do I go for the Lord? Pastor Joey 1 January 2018

2 A message from your Music Director It s a Girl! Our church has been greatly blessed over the years with lots of individuals who have committed their time and God-given talents to our music ministry. Gradually, however, the tides are changing. Our Adult Choir membership high of 40 (a few years ago), has dwindled down to a current roster of only 26. And, of that figure, several have indicated that they will be leaving soon as a result of personal situations. At our current rate, the church may not have a choir in a couple years unless some of our congregation s members step up and commit themselves and their talent to becoming a part of this vital segment of our worship. If our church wants to continue to enjoy a choir special during our worship services, then, the church needs to support our music program. Consider this a plea we need help! Those of you that know you can sing, please come join us. God didn t give you that beautiful voice to sit on and keep the pew warm! Use it to glorify HIS Name! Psalm 66 verses 1 and 2 tell us: Make a January 2018 joyful noise unto God..sing forth the honor of His name: make His praise glorious. Those of you who think you can t sing let me be the judge! Come sing for me and I ll make the determination. I ll be glad to work with you one-on-one, if preferred. In the past, we have accepted participants in the Adult Choir beginning with graduation to the 9 th grade. In an additional effort to increase our numbers, we are becoming the Sanctuary Choir and will accept members beginning with graduation to the 7th grade. I challenge you to pray over this issue and respond as God leads. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing. Psalm 100:2 Craig 2 Please join us to celebrate a Baby Shower IN HONOR OF BRITTNAY POPE & MISS BRINLEY GRACE POPE SUNDAY, JANUARY 7, :30-4:30 PM BAPTIST CHAPEL CHURCH 2208 BAPTIST CHAPEL ROAD AUTRYVILLE, NC Registered at Babies R Us WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY Have you ever looked at the people around you (spouse, children, coworkers, etc.) and asked yourself Why do they act like they do? Perhaps you have even asked that same question about yourself: Why do I react to certain situations the way I do? We will attempt to answer those questions during a new Bible Study based on the book Spirit Controlled Temperaments by Dr. Tim LaHaye. We will meet weekly on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm beginning January 10, This study will be led by Craig and Jennifer Watkins.

3 Hi Everyone! We made it another month. We successfully went to Kyrgyzstan and got 1 month student visas. Now we are waiting on visa extensions so we don't have to leave the country again on December 11th. Thank you so much for praying for us! Our visa run was a quick and pleasant experience. We were in and out of the embassy in 15 minutes. As many of you know, Zack was unsure who he would be working for after language learning, but while in KG he was offered a position with a like-minded company that specializes in producing animal feed and raising chickens. The company is located in KG, but has recently bought a small feed mill in TJ. Our trip allowed us to meet their team as well as learn about the company's vision. Zack is excited to work for them because their business allows them to reach and bless the rural population. Not much has changed since returning to TJ. We have resumed our private language lessons and have also begun attending a formal language school 3 times a week. We were also able to attend a weekend training for like-minded folks and celebrate thanksgiving with some fellow ex-pats. It is beginning to get cold here. We got our first snow today and are praying that our space heater survives the winter. Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas! Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart." Deuteronomy 6:4-6 Pr@yer Please join us in pr@yer about a few things... Visas - Zack and I received a month visa that expires on 12/11 (Zacks bday). We applied for visa extensions and are now waiting to hear back. Pr. that these will get approved and we get them back before our current ones expire. Local connections - Please pr. for the locals we have met. Pr. that we would have opportunities to build our relationships with them as our ability to speak increases. Language School - I am currently struggling to adjust at our new school. Zack and I have the same teacher at separate times. So far, she has allowed Zack to lead the lessons but she has not being as lenient with me. I hear this is normal for female students. Please pr. for my relationship with her and that she would begin to let me use my own material and lead the lessons. Contact Update: Zack and I got a new so if you want to contact us please send it to: zhcline@protonmail.com How to Give! Interested in giving financially? Look no further. Here is a link to our donation processing organization. Global Service Network» Word of the Month: Commode камод (commode) : in tajik/russian means "chest of drawers." 3 January 2018

4 Calendar January

5 NEW BIBLE STUDIES BEGINNING THIS JANUARY Sunday Nights with David Platt. Beginning next Sunday night we will begin the Study titled Angels, Demons and Spiritual Warfare from David Platt s Secret Church Series. If you are interested and would like a study guide for the study, please let the pastor know this morning and we will reserve a copy for you. Sunday nights at 6 p.m. YOUTH DATES Sunday, January 7, 14, 21, 28 6:00 PM - Youth Meeting Friday, January 14 Youth Lunch Fundraiser Wednesday, January 17 6:30 PM -Youth Food Bank Wednesday, January 10 & 24 7:00 - Youth SUNDAY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE FOR DECEMBER Preschool? Children? Youth? DECEMBER RECEIPTS General Fund... $48, Capital Improvements Cemetery Fund Scholarship Fund Agnes Williams Memorial Youth Ministry Joyce Baggett Memorials Kitchen & Restroom Supplies Music - Adult Choir... 2, Lottie Moon... 4, Christmas Offering Memorial/Honorary Candles Christmas Cards CHILDREN S CHURCH WORKERS Group 4 - January 7 Simone Myers Brandi Edge Brian Hargrove Chasity Hargrove Tye Mullins Group 5 - January 14 Terry Williams Heather Williams Sydney Williams Lee Masters Jessica Masters Group 6 - January 21 Anthony Williams Melody Williams Abbey Barefoot Lisa Knowles Brittney Knowles Group 1 - January 28 Aaron Jackson Shannon Jackson Eric Jackson Cassie Jackson Lane Baggett Group 2 - February 4 Johnnie Holland Jill Holland Adam Faircloth Amber Faircloth Cary Booyer Adults? Total? Last Month 128 December Baptist Children s Home.. 1, Salemburg Christian Food Bank Staff Love Gifts... 3, Grand Total... $63, Group 3 - February 11 Troy Register Tonya Register Craig Holland Caren Holland Brooke Dienhart 5 January 2018

6 HAPPY BIRTHDAY January Birthdays 1 Benjamin Edwards Braylon Knowles Janice Strickland 2 Kelly Calaway 3 Dana Fisher 4 Liam Costain Wyatt Costain 5 Noah Edwards 6 Dale Fann 7 Lynn Dienhart 8 Landon Byrd Sherry Martin 9 Melissa Stone 10 Sheral Daniels Sherry Hall Christy Holland Joan Peacock Jimmy Tew 11 Russell Knowles Daniel Stone 12 Terry Daniels Vadie McLamb Simone Myers 13 Caren Holland 14 Eric Jackson Megan Wrench 15 Carlie Spencer 16 Ava Bunn Alison Beltz 17 Angela Williams 18 Janice Peterson 19 Ricky Daniels Laura Honeycutt Ben Tew 20 Gail Holland Faith House Lynn Tew 22 Hannah Tew 25 Susan Matthews James Tew 26 Jill Holland 27 Glenda Jackson Hope Nance 28 Bonnie Autry Richard Johnson Mary Page Monica Spencer Scott Wrench 29 Donna Wrench 30 Vanessa Tew Sabrina Williams 31 Shelby Johnson Wilton Page February Birthdays 1 Jason Honeycutt Tye Mullins 2 Kevin Jackson 3 Deborah Diane Butler Aaron Jackson Amy Pope IF YOU SEE A NAME MISSING FROM OUR BIRTHDAY LIST, PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE Sunday 9:15 AM - Prayer Our Services 9:45 AM - Sunday School 11:00 AM - Worship 6:00 PM - Adult Bible Study 6:00 PM - Children s Bible Study 6:00 PM - Youth Wednesday 7:00 PM - Intercessory Prayer 7:00 PM - Children s Mission Groups (1st, 3rd and 5th) 7:00 PM - Junior and Children s Choirs (2nd and 4th ) 7:00 PM - Youth (2nd and 4th ) 8:00 PM - Adult Choir Our Staff Joey Cantrell - Pastor Craig Page - Minister of Music Erika Wrench - Minister to Youth Angela Tyndall - Secretary Donald Daniels - Custodian Deborah Diane Butler - Treasurer Baptist Chapel Church 2208 Baptist Chapel Road Autryville, NC Church Phone Number: Website: bcbc963@intrstar.net January