August 2015 The Heartbeat A publication of Heartland Baptist Church D6 Training Dates: Friday, August 7 from 6:30-8:30pm Saturday, August 22 from 9-11am RA/GA Training Dates: Saturday, August 8 from 9-11am Friday, August 21 from 6:30-8:30pm What s INSIDE 2 Pastor Jim s Gems 3 Discipleship/Family Ministry 4 Music Ministry Insert Calendar 5 Heartland KIDS/Nursery 6 Announcements 7 Volunteer Schedule
The Heartbeat Pastor Jim s Gems It has been a very interesting and historic few weeks in America and the world. There was the bailout of Greece, and of course the most talked about topic was the Supreme Court s decision on Same-Sex marriage. I have mentioned this from the pulpit, about how social media and the news have absolutely been inundated with the implications of the ruling. Many of my evangelical Christian blogs and web sites have been trying to formulate a response to the ruling. I was even asked by a church member how the ruling was going to affect us? I was glad to report that Heartland had already put in place the necessary guards to prevent our pastors and facilities from being used for any Same Sex type of activity. Undoubtedly we live in a very precarious time, and all that seemed fairly fixed is now up from redefinition and practice. How are we to react/respond to the blatant immorality around us? I wrote a response that I would like to include as a way of answering that question. Rainbows and Promises Amidst the onslaught of message traffic from the SCOTUS decision yesterday I pondered whether to post anything about the Homosexual marriage decision. The rainbow [symbol of the movement] was used by Jehovah God to promise that the world would not be destroyed by water again. The rainbow has been plastered everywhere since the decision, even on the White House in D.C. I cannot help but think of the significance of God s promise not to destroy the world again, and the use of the rainbow by proponents of homosexual marriage. God could no longer strive [Genesis 6:3] with man and his sinful condition. One man Noah was found to be righteous. Through Noah 8 people were saved/rescued by God from total destruction. Genesis 6:5 God saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. It grieved God that He had made man, I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land. A huge word every time it is used But. In this case But Noah found favor with God.[Gen 6:8] The word But gives hope to mankind. All it takes is one person to live righteously before God to extend His grace and mercy. This was the case with Abraham too, the Father of our faith. -All mankind is sinful Romans 3:23 -All deserve death Romans 6:23 -All Can receive forgiveness and the gift of eternal Life Romans 10:17 -Confessing the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God and His work of redemption on the Cross of Calvary -All Can be made a New Creation 2 Cor. 5:17 -While mankind elects to live in rebellion to his Creator, the Creator stills offers love, forgiveness, pardon and everlasting Life. -Mankind/Satan [the liar and deceiver] has always distorted what was made good by the Father. -We cannot change mankind; we cannot legislate morality; we cannot expect the World to embrace Gods ways. Pastor Jim s Gems continued on page 4 2
The Heartbeat FAMILY MINISTRY What do I do when my child is struggling at school? My daughter, Amalie, will be heading to her first year in school this August. It is our first child to enter into this phase of life. It is naturally bringing out all kinds of emotions for my wife and me. I know that we want to be supportive of Amalie s academic endeavors. It is also obvious that Amalie enjoys learning and wants to do very well within school (at least right now); however, what do I do in the moments where school becomes difficult? We have a partnership with a ministry called parentministry.net. I did some research on their website, and I was given permission to share this with you. Everyone has weaknesses. The Apostle Paul had weaknesses, and God had to remind him about them. And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. With the understanding that everyone has weaknesses, here are some other practical pieces of wisdom to work through with your child: 1. Stop the comparison game and figure out with an expert (teacher/pediatrician) if your child truly is behind. 2. Determine the subject/area in which your child struggles most and give that area attention. Don t forget that many problems originate from a child s inability to organize their things. Help them figure out a way to stay organized. 3. Don t be afraid to ask for help. Ask your child s teacher/pediatrician if tutoring will help. They ll have a perspective that will help you know if your child is just a bit behind or has some sort of delay. 4. If it comes to it, don t be afraid to have your child assessed for special education. Many children just need the opportunity to learn differently and special education offers this. There is a video available for extra thoughts and training at: https://vimeo.com/parentministry/ review/84041184/546be0228e. Tim Weihrauch Discipleship & Family Minister 3
The Heartbeat MUSIC MINISTRY It is hard to believe that summer is almost over, and school will begin once again. We look at the time that has passed so quickly and it almost seems as if we are standing still. If you are anything like me you might be about 8 months late on your New Year resolution and wonder why certain things have yet to accomplish themselves. Maybe we are like that in our worship of God as well. We tell ourselves that we are going to dig into His Word this year, and August comes around and we are no closer to that than we are getting on the treadmill we said we would get on 8 months ago too. We do not have to wait until January to begin drawing closer to God! Today is the perfect time to draw nearer, and unlike weight loss, it will become evident immediately. People will begin to notice that there is a difference in our lives. We will notice a difference in our lives. Let us all make a decision today, no matter where we stand in our relationship with God, that we will get serious about our relationship with Christ. Let us be more mindful in everything we do. Let us be intentional with our faith. Let us proclaim it in word, in song, and in action. Steven Trask Minister of Music Pastor Jim s Gems continued from page 1: The Church [Bride of Christ] has not kept herself chaste for her Groom; Israel did not do it; nor has the 21st Century Church. We have chased after gods of comfort and convenience; pleasure and popularity. When we look at the world and the condition it is in; shall we not also look at ourselves, the Church and find what condition we are in as well? I believe that the world is just living out who they are; the world has not found the God mandate for marriage successful. The marriage by the world has been found broken with its divorce rates and dysfunctional families; is it no wonder that they are looking for other options to marriage.? I think that the Church has been so enamored by the need for attendance levels to continue their way of doing church, that we have sacrificed the scriptures to accommodate the sins of people who can fill out church buildings. I believe that the ruling by SCOTUS is a reflection of society, Satan and the failures of Believers. But there s that word again; just as God used Noah and Abraham along with others, were able to RESTORE their cultures of holiness and righteousness. Will God find anyone willing to stand in the Gap and pray for the land so that God would not destroy it Ezekiel 22:30-31 I hope that you have been enjoying the Living Faith is.... sermon series. Our focus as believers must be in pleasing the Lord. We live in this world, but must not become like the world [Lot learned this lesson all too well]. In the next month we will be having our Fall programming training for D6 and the RA/GA. As we enter into this new time of Family learning and development, I pray that you will find it rewarding in both your families at home, and in conversation with others throughout your week. Lovingly, Bro. Jim 4
HEARTLAND Mark Denby, Children s Ministry Director It s that time of year again Back to school. I will wait for the groans from the kids to subside. Now that that is over with There are many exciting things starting towards the end of summer and fall is right around the corner. RA s and GA s are starting in September, See You at The Pole as school starts, A Family movie night in October. With all of these events I think we tend to overlook the most important thing that has been happing this summer at Heartland.Professions of Faith and Baptisms in our Children s Department! We rejoice in the Lord for the Girls and Boys that have been making these decisions! Alex Allen, Gabby Denby, Audrey Perkins. Do you know that that is three times the number of Baptisms that 70+% of our sister churches will have this entire year! Do not underestimate the impact you can have on the lives of our young people. Please continue to pray for where you might be able to serve Heartland s KIDS! The Heartbeat Gabriella Denby Alexander Allen NURSERY MINISTRY August! Wow, seems like a short summer. School will start soon! Mom's are shopping for school clothes and that ever growing list of school supplies, teachers are making changes to their classrooms and checking the list of new students and here in the Heartland Kids Nursery we are looking forward to a new baby! D6 will be starting, the Toddler room will be open for preschool children of D6 teachers and parents enrolled in classes. We look forward to caring for your little ones and preparing them for their turn in D6. We want to thank Karla Asbury for her faithful service in the Toddler room during Bible Study. She and Karol make a great team. Faithfully His, Hazel and Mary 5
The Heartbeat ROOF REPAIR GIVING BAROMETER GOAL-$55,000 $50,000 $45,000 $40,000 $35,000 $30,000 $25,000 $20,000 $15,000 $10,000 $5,000 $9166 7-19-15 PROPERTIES The contract for the sanctuary roof repair/overlay has been signed and executed. The company has conducted precise measurements and determined sizes and configurations of materials for the most beneficial installation. The contractor has ordered (presumably) the bill of material, and work should begin early in August. Notice the giving barometer in the Welcome Center, and continue to pray as to how you can help. Hope you have noticed the light-standard bases in the parking lot. Thank you to Rachel Weihrauch for volunteering. Thanks also to the crew of people who mow the grass, maintain the equipment and keep the property looking so nice. STEWARDSHIP The 2015 budget is proceeding well within balance. Thanks to the careful consideration and thought each ministry component exercised in preparation. Soon we will begin the call for the 2016 budget preparation. I am encouraging each ministry component to begin formalizing your 2016 plans. PINTEREST PARTY We all have something we like to do but never have the time. Join us on Saturday, August 29 from 8am-2pm. Bring your own projects to complete, learn about other s interests or just enjoy fellowship with friends. Each guest should bring a soup or salad. Please sign up at the Welcome Center. OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD Operation Christmas Child is sponsored by Samaritan s Purse. Fifteen families/individuals signed up at the Ministry Fair in June to provide gift boxes for children. These boxes are collected the week of November 16-22, shipped to distribution centers and sent across the globe. Not only do the children receive hygiene items and toys, the Gospel message is included also. Please sign up at the Welcome Center. An instruction sheet is also available on how to pack the shoe box. If you have any questions, please contact Susie Kreitner at 466-9047. MONTHLY DEACON S MEETING August 30 at 5:00pm If you have a need or know of someone who needs assistance, has become ill or hospitalized, please contact the church office or Mike Harris at 972-9145. 6
Volunteer Schedule for August 2015 The Heartbeat Nursery August 2 Babies: Linda Witcher & Amy Vatole Toddlers: Sheri Marshall & Bridget Perkins August 9 Babies: Leona Barnett & Lisa Pimentel Toddlers: Sara Lingow & Brandon Cox August 16 Babies: Missy Denby & Amy Vatole Toddlers: Linda Chapman August 23 Babies: Karen Harris & Carole Fredrick Toddlers: Susie Kreitner & Linda Moore August 30 Babies: Mary Burger & Kathy Grant Toddlers: Jessica Darr & Lisa Pimentel Greeters August 2 Gene & Becky McGowen August 9 Selma McAdams & Linda Witcher August 16 Ted & Karen Burleson August 23 Mary Hyndman & Minnie Johnson August 30 Lowell & Betty Porter For more information or to volunteer contact: Greeters: Linda Witcher at 466-1844 Nursery: Mary Burger at 462-5634 Hazel Morgan at 466-2306 Heartland KIDS : Mark Denby at 467-1063 Bus - Driver s Schedule If you would like to set a pick up time, please call the scheduled driver. To volunteer as a bus driver please contact Ed Kreitner at 466-9047. August 2: Karen Harris August 9: Ed Kreitner August 16: Karen Harris August 23: Ed Kreitner August 30: Ed Kreitner Ed Kreitner (618) 466-9047 Karen Harris (618) 466-8950 7
Church Staff Senior Pastor Dr. Jim Grant pastor@hbcalton.com Discipleship & Family Minister Tim Weihrauch family@hbcalton.com Music Minister Steven Trask music@hbcalton.com NATIONAL NIGHT OUT Friday, August 7 5:00-8:00pm at the Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater Financial Secretary Jeanie Farrow financial@hbcalton.com Church Office Sarah Neuhaus office@hbcalton.com Heartland Baptist Church 4500 Humbert Rd Alton, IL 62002 www.hbcalton.com DATED MATERIAL If your address has changed, Please notify the church office.