A U G U S T A R O A D B A P T I S T C H U R C H / / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 7 / / I S S U E 0 9 THEVOICE 1 8 2 3 A U G U S T A S T R E E T, G R E E N V I L L E, S C 2 9 6 0 5 8 6 4-2 3 2-2 7 1 2 W W W. A R B C. C O M Member Spotlight: Lou Nell Eady TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF & YOUR FAMILY. I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas and my dad was a Southern Baptist Preacher, making me a Preacher's Kid (PK). My dad, as a pastor, moved often in and around Texas to various small churches, so my upbringing was more like a military childhood. I graduated from Bloomburg High School in Texas with a population of 400 and my high school graduating class had 10 people in it, so I brag and tell people I graduated in the top 10 of my class. We moved to Uvalde, Texas where I went to a Junior College, which is where I was introduced to the field of Physical Therapy. From there I moved to Dallas to complete my undergrad work and completed Physical Therapy school. In 1988 I followed my first husband to Greenville and began work at the Greenville Health System. That marriage ended in divorce and at the time I was 33 years old and had just ended a long, difficult marriage. I desperately wanted a child, so with much prayer, planning and preparation I had my first child, Austin, on my own at age 35. I was surrounded by great friends and had a supportive loving family that allowed this decision of having and raising a child on my own to be a true gift from God and a life changing event for me. I didn t know that God had even more blessings in store for me. It was through my friend group that I was introduced to Craig, my current awesome husband. He was also from Texas and our upbringing was very similar, as were many of our other interests. We dated for 3 years, married, and had Erin in July of 1998, which was icing on the cake. Craig adopted Austin in 1999 making our family unit complete. These life experiences taught me to allow God to direct my life since his plan for me is far better and more rewarding than anything I could have planned for myself. HOW LONG HAVE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY BEEN PART OF AUGUSTA ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH? We have been members since Erin was 8 months old, so that would be about 18 1/2 years. WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO ARBC AND HELPED YOU FEEL CONNECTED TO IT? Erin was in the preschool program and we wanted to check out the church since that was where our child was being taken care of. Also, it was Baptist, as we were raised and we had tried a couple of other churches, but did not feel a connection. IF YOU HAD TO DESCRIBE OUR CHURCH TO SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T KNOW US, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY? That we are a loving, inclusive, and united church body with a desire to serve and support our community and one another. YOU ARE ABOUT TO BEGIN A TERM AS THE MISSIONS AND MINISTRY COORDINATOR. WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT IN SERVING IN THIS ROLE? To have the opportunity to work with Matt and others to better prioritize and highlight missions that are in alignment with the direction our church wants to go and to communicate and engage/involve our congregation in our mission efforts more. WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR ARBC'S MISSIONS AND MINISTRIES? That we can continue to find new or different ways to serve our community and specific missions that are important to our church and CBF and provide opportunities for church members to become involved. WHAT HAVE YOU FOUND MOST REWARDING ABOUT SERVING WITH THIS CONGREGATION? The on-going relationships that are present within our church and the new ones we are forming. I am still very proud of how we have recovered as a church body in a more loving united way from a difficult split within our church several years ago. I also love that we continue to be open minded to allow for further growth. Our church has such a loving spirit about it and awesome leadership. WHAT ARE YOUR DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE OF ARBC? To continue to grow our church congregation through relationship building, service, mission and fellowship so others will see what we are and will want to be apart.
From the Pastor September Calendar 6 W E D N E S D A Y - P a s t o r ' s B i b l e S t u d y ( 1 2 : 0 0 ) 9 S A T U R D A Y - Y o u t h t o C a r o w i n d s ( 8 : 0 0 ) 1 0 S U N D A Y - C h u r c h - w i d e B r e a k f a s t ( 8 : 3 0 ) - D e a c o n s M e e t i n g ( 1 2 : 1 5 ) - C o o r d i n a t i n g C o u n c i l M e e t i n g ( 1 : 1 5 ) - Y o u t h G r o u p ( 4 : 0 0 ) 1 3 W E D N E S D A Y - W e d n e s d a y N i g h t P r o g r a m s R e s u m e 1 4 T H U R S D A Y - F i n a n c e C o m m i t t e e M e e t i n g ( 5 : 0 0 ) 1 7 S U N D A Y - Y o u t h G r o u p ( 4 : 0 0 ) 2 1 T H U R S D A Y - A d m i n i s t r a t i v e T e a m M e e t i n g ( 5 : 3 0 ) 2 2 F R I D A Y - C r e s c e n t G a r d e n C l u b ( 1 0 : 3 0 A M ) 2 4 S U N D A Y - Y o u t h t o P r o j e c t H o s t ( 8 : 4 0 A M ) 2 9 F R I D A Y - P a r e n t s ' N i g h t O u t M o v i e E v e n t ( 6 : 3 0 ) Peace, A s I watch or read the news and have the opportunity to engage with people one-on-one, it seems as though the prevailing sentiment in the world today is uncertainty. The political climate is stranger than any time in my life. The forces of evil, extremism, and destruction across the world seem undeterred by efforts to silence them. We all watched the coverage of Charlottesville close enough to know that America s original sin of racism has not been forgotten and has found new life among new groups of people. What is the church s role in middle of all of this? In times of uncertainty it seems like we tend to grab hold of those things about which we can be certain. That s not always a bad thing. As the members of the Body Christ we are always called to follow the Great Commandment to love God with all that we are and all that we have, while loving our neighbor as ourselves. We are also always called to follow the Great Commission to make disciples for Jesus Christ. We are also constantly sent on mission into our neighborhood like the seventy followers of Jesus sent in Luke 10. Those things do not change. They may just look different at different times. The calling of the church and of people of faith is often a difficult one. It requires that we keep our eyes open to evil among us, and when necessary name it for what it is. It requires us to stand up for the good of our neighbors and work for justice for those who feel left out or excluded. It requires that we use what we have to empower others to find and live into the abundant life offered by Jesus Christ. If we were to sum it all up, we are called to bear witness to Jesus. In times of uncertainty like these, questioning what role I have to play as a person of faith, a pastor, and part of Augusta Road Baptist Church, I am constantly drawn back to the beginning of the Book of Acts. I am constantly drawn to those last few moments between Christ and his disciples right before he makes his ascension. He tells them that since he will no longer physically be with them their job is to be his witnesses. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; he tells them, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8) To be a witness is to testify to what you have seen. It comes from the same Greek word from which we get the word martyr. It is a legal term like we would think of it today as one stands in the courtroom to offer evidence to shed light on the matter under deliberation. These days the world needs witnesses to the fact that the Spirit of Jesus Christ is still alive and active in the world. The world needs those who have eyes to see hope, joy, and Godly potential when others only see brokenness. We need those who know that, no matter how uncertain things seem today, there is still reason to hold onto the faith that tells us that God is still enthroned on high and will have the ultimate say in what happens. We need those who will offer the prophetic witness that says God is calling us to so much more than what we see around us, and we will not stop partnering with God until God s kingdom has come and God s will is done on earth as it is in heaven. That is how we live out our calling as the church in uncertain times. We bear witness to the presence, work, and hope of Christ. Be a witness. Let s be witnesses together. 2 THE VOICE Rev. W. Mattison King
News from our Minister to Families Here is a fun nightly activity for families with younger children who might be looking for ways to incorporate a special time of prayer in the life of their little one. Photo Prayers, a spiritual practice found in the book Faithful Families: Creating Sacred Moments at Home by Traci Smith. 1. Print photos of family members and other significant people in your family s life. Choose pictures where the faces are prominent and clearly identified. 2. Place the photos near a chair where you can sit just before bedtime. 3. After the child is dressed and ready for bed, hold your child on your lap. Show the child each picture and say, God Bless (name) (for instance, God Bless Grandma). C H I L D R E N Wednesday Nights start back up on September 13th at 6:30 PM. Parents are encouraged to join us on the 27th as we go over a few important things to prepare those transitioning to worship full time on October 1st. Y O U T H Carowinds Trip on September 9th. If your ticket was not purchased in advance, you can still come, but will need to provide your own ticket. Please bring money for meals. We will leave ARBC at 8AM and arrive by 10PM. Project Host: On Sunday, September 24th our youth will be serving lunch at a local shelter. We will leave the church at 8:40AM. 4. As the child s age and speaking ability develops, have your child point to the photo, repeat the name, or say the blessing with you. 5. After the final picture say, Amen. 6. Variations: Take the child around to photos that are in your home instead of using printed photos. Add in pictures of animals, the world and say things like, God bless our world. God bless the animals. Light a battery-operated tea light while you do the activity. SEPTEMBER 2017 3
Back to School Blessing During worship on Sunday, August 20, we offered a blessing for our children, youth, students, and those who work in education as they begin a new school year. May this be a blessed year for all! Please Remember in Prayer John Brady and the entire family of Emily Brady (John's mother). Emily passed away on August 17. Mildred West is at St. Francis Downtown receiving therapy after having a mini-stroke. Sandy Wheeler, daughter-in-law of Harry and Shirley, had surgery on August 25 at Greenville Memorial. Dorothy Kaufman is at Magnolia Manor for rehab and evaluation. John DeWitt has been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. Barbara Dill's daughter-in-law, Stephanie, is having hip replacement surgery; infection in initial replacement, having to remove and re-replace. Michael Delaney, Barbara Hawkins brother had surgery for colon cancer on July 12th. Carroll Clark, sister of Mary McGee and Johnny Ashmore, has been diagnosed with cancer. Hank Johnson (Floride Carter's son-in-law) fell and broke his hip. John Brown (Jean Page's nephew), Florence Brady (Kelby Beezer's mother), Rachel Jackson (Jordon Beasley's grandmother), Katie Farmer (niece of John Brady), Edith Stephens (Jean Page's sister), Gary Romanstine's son-in-law's father (Darrell Cummings) 4 THE VOICE
Senior Adults Thank You... Dear ARBC Family, Thank you for your generosity & thoughtfulness since Marion's death. I want to thank the Bereavement Committee for the delicious lunch before Marion's funeral. Thank you also for all the memorials. God's timing was a shock to all of us, but was a blessing to Marion. God often comes like a thief in the night so we have to be ready. Marion was ready. Well done! -Wilma On Wednesday, September 6, Matt will begin leading the Wednesday noon Bible study that had been led by Dr. Marion Hare. This Bible study will meet each week at 12:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. All are welcome. If you had been a part of this Bible study previously, please join us. If you are able to join us on your lunch hour, feel free to bring your lunch with you. We will begin with a study of the Old Testament Book of Isaiah. Matt will be leading from a text called Sessions with Isaiah: What to Do When the World Caves In. If you would like to purchase the book to study throughout the week, you may do so online. We hope you will join us! Weekly Contributions September Birthdays AUGUST 6 $11,923.25 AUGUST 13 $7,004.00 AUGUST 20 $3,010.00 AUGUST 27 $6,434.00 8 Scott Dill 8 Mildred West 9 Harper Collins 12 Cameron Giordano 16 Ellen League 20 Gerald Duchinski 24 Jim McCarter 26 Claire Sang 27 Mark Young 28 Kathy Sudduth 29 Ned Page 30 Dana Miller 30 David Sudduth AVG. WEEKLY GIVING: $7,092.81 KEEP US UPDATED! If you've had any changes to your contact information (phone, address, or email), please let the church office know! SEPTEMBER 2017 5
ARBC s VOICE USPS 037500) is published monthly by ARBC VOICE, Augusta Road Baptist Church, 1823 Augusta Street, Greenville, SC 29605. Periodicals postage paid at Greenville, SC Postmaster. Please send address changes to Augusta Road Baptist Church, 1823 Augusta Street, Greenville, SC 29605. Volume LIV No. 9 September 1, 2017 Church-wide Breakfast JOIN US ON SEPTEMBER 10! Adults $5, Children $3 Wednesday Night Activities RESUME SEPTEMBER 13 Church Staff Rev. W. Mattison King, Senior Pastor Dr. Barry L. Combs, Minister of Music Rev. Bridget Kokolis, Minister to Families Brenda Arrowood, Administrative Assistant Laura Koone, Communications Assistant Jane Harrison, Church Pianist Rev. Clinton Flowers, Organist Cordell Golden, Custodian WCEP Staff Phyllis Duchinski, Director Preschool Education Program Mary Dell Fletcher, Director After School Program Dinner Church 6:00 Children's Group 6:30 Choir Practice 7:15 Office Hours Monday - Thursday 9 am - 5 pm Friday 9 am- 12 pm