For in Scripture it says: See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trust in him will never be put to shame. 1Peter 2:6 a monthly publication of Windsor Spring Baptist Church Reaching Others Our Goal February 2009 Volume: 32 Issues:2
From the Pastor On Sunday evening, January 25 th, we gathered as a church to hear an update about the Whatever It Takes building program. For those of you who were unable to attend I want to take this opportunity to let you know where we stand as a church. As you know, the economy in our country has caused massive layoffs, loss of retirement funds, and higher prices in virtually every area of our economy. These inflated prices are also reflected in construction and building costs. When we first got a tentative price for the construction of our family life center, paving of the parking lot, new septic and drainage system the price we were quoted for the entire project was $1.3 million dollars. That price has now gone up a minimum of 15% and probably more like 20%, which would raise the cost of the project to $1.5-$1.6 million. We have been assured that the cost of building will come back down to a more reasonable level in the future, but for now our family life center is out of reach for us financially. As I thought about what our options were as a church I consulted with our builder, Clifton Construction, and with The Vision Team and we have come up with, what I believe, is a good solution. The Vision Team and myself propose that we do what is in essence, phase 1 of our project, which is to replace the septic system, put in a new drainage system, and pave the church parking lot. After consulting with Clifton Construction we were informed that the cost of doing phase 1 of the project would cost at the most, $360,000, we would also like to put in a playground for our children s ministry, which will add $20,000 to the cost of the project. The price of this project will most certainly come down due to a number of reasons: 1. When we get competitive bids on the price of paving, it will be lower than what we were originally quoted because there will be several companies competing for the job. 2. We have been blessed to have church members who know or work with individuals or companies who desire to offer their services to our church at a reduced rate thereby saving us money. These savings will be realized in the clearing of trees off our property, and site engineering costs. 3. We will receive money for trees that will need to be harvested off of the 7 acres. We will not know how much we will get until the job is actually done. I believe that now is the time for us to accomplish this. Right now we have $302,000 in our Building Fund, we are $78,000 from asphalt on our church lot. Our church has been waiting for over 30 years to have a nice parking lot. This parking lot is important because it will improve the overall appearance of our church, and make it more convenient for people to park their vehicles when they attend church. I am asking you to make a 6-month financial commitment, over and above your tithe, so that we can raise $78,000. We are $78,000 from parking on asphalt and realizing the dream of so many of our church members. I want you to know that I believe that God is going to work in the lives of our church so that we can see this come to pass. I am asking you to join the church staff, the vision team, your deacons and myself in making a commitment to give to our building fund. I look forward to what God is going to do in and through our church. To Him be all the glory. See you Sunday, Bible in hand, Pastor Paul It s coming soon so get ready to invite your friends and don t forget to get your name on the list for the DiscipleNow Weekend. It will be held on March 13th-15 th and is designed for students to meet together in small group Bible study in host homes. Each home will host a group of 7-8 girls or guys and they will have times of fellowship and intense study. On Saturday, we will join Dayspring Baptist for messy games and in the evening we will join other area Student groups for a Rally and a concert by Matt Papa at West Acres. The weekend will end with each group attending a special planned service at the church on that Sunday morning. So if I had to describe this weekend in one sentence it s a lock-in on steroids and a retreat times two! So don t miss out. We are in need of Host homes for the weekend and you don t have to be the Bible Study teacher or the chaperone of the group to be the host home. If you have space and would be willing to allow students to use it for the weekend please let me know. You would be responsible for providing breakfast on Saturday morning and beds/floor space or a vacant lot for students to sleep in. Ok just kidding but really they can use a den or basement. Blow up bedding and sleeping bags go great with Bible study and fellowship. Again, I m looking forward to a great weekend. So please encourage your student to be a part and to invite a friend. A sign up sheet will be in the foyer. The cost is $35 for the weekend and includes food, Bible study materials, the rally and a t-shirt. I would like to invite all men to join us for Men s Day in the choir loft on February 15 th. We will again have an all Men s choir and any man wishing to sing should plan to join us for practice that morning at 8:45am. Don t worry it will be something familiar and we will be ready to go for the first service. I am looking forward to hearing the wonderful booming sound of our great masculine men once again resounding in our sanctuary. So be sure to join us and drag a friend I mean bring a friend with you that morning. Also, we will begin practicing this week for our Easter musical so if you were taking a break, your break is over. Our piece this Easter is called, Savior Jesus Messiah and I know it will become a favorite of many quickly. If you ve ever thought about singing with the choir before, let me take this opportunity to formally invite you to join us. You are welcome and needed. Your gift is important and everyone matters. One voice is small but when we join together we become a powerful force proclaiming the greatness of our Savior. The choir is open to all 7 th grade students and above and we meet on Sunday afternoons at 4:00PM. Please prayerfully consider using your God given talent for what it was created for most of all worship! I ll see you Sunday! Teresa
Let s Welcome Those Who Desire to Join Our Fellowship*... *Eddie Fransman 473 Old Evans Rd. Apt 1022 Martinez, GA 30907 706-863-1011 *Tyrone Mayo 3727 Kingsgate Dr. Hephzibah, GA 30815 706-288-7325 *Alex & Marlene Glover *Marc & Christa Hyman 4407 Creekside Court 3329 Ga Hwy 88 Hephzibah, GA 30815 Blythe, GA 30805 706-993-3629 (M) 706-589-5187 (C) 706-284-7881 *Michelle Potter 4318 Windsor Spring Rd. *Alfred Cunningham, Sr Hephzibah, GA 30815 4115 Allendale Court, N. 706-793-5449 Hephzibah, GA 30815 706-996-9380 *Peggy Brown 4129 A Wallie Dr. Augusta, GA 30906 706-799-8519 *New Member s Class Required for Membership Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 The Stanley Family in the passing of their mother, Mrs. Masel Zevnik on December 9, 2008. Many Thanks! Just wanted to let all of you know that my family really enjoyed the fall festival. We have been going for a couple of years now and my girls look forward to it every year. Thank you so much for taking the time and money to put this on every year. God bless you all The Berckart Family from Fred & Noriyo Gamblin for all the love shown during the recent passing of Fred s mother, Blanch. Community Prayer Vigil All are invited to join the Good Shepherd Baptist Church Prayer Ministry & Other Community Prayer Warriors Friday, February 6 th from 6:00pm-12:01am 1714 Olive Road, Augusta, Ga. 706-733-0341 Time of Prayer for WSBC is 7:30pm Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and mighty things. Jeremiah 33:3 On January 6 th, the Augusta Association of Baptist Churches held a regional prayer conference right here at our own WSBC. The turnout for the conference was low, maybe 20 people altogether including Pastor Paul and the praise team. To think this was a regional event held for all the churches in our area. I have to admit that I was disappointed with the lack of attendance. I may have entered in dismay at the poor showing of people, but I left with my soul refreshed. You see, the most important Guest showed up. He doesn t have to have a sold out, standing room only crowd. He shows up for a sold out to His Son audience of two. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst. Matthew 18:20 (NASB) That s the point; it s not about us, it is all about Him. But wait it gets better. Although it is all about Him, I get to experience His presence during times of corporate prayer that I wouldn t trade for the world. For example, the thrill never diminishes for me when the Holy Spirit knits my heart with someone else s in a time of corporate prayer. As God brings thoughts to my mind another will pray aloud exactly what I was just thinking. Now that s cool! Or when sitting in the prayer room with other sisters in Christ, and I just couldn t keep still. I was fidgeting and could not seem to keep my body still let alone my mind steadfast on God. Just then the verse from Psalm 46 came to mind, Be still and know that I am God. Immediately I sensed a calming arm around my shoulders and the presence of the Lord next to me. Instantly my body stilled and my mind became focused and I was able to concentrate and come into agreement with my praying sisters. Now that is an experience that s glued in this girl s memory bank. Have you had similar experiences during times of corporate prayer? If not, I encourage you to join with others to sit before the Lord. The prayer room is a great place to meet with God. All are welcome to join us in the prayer room on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. or Sunday evenings at 5:30 p.m. The prayer room is located next to the Pastor s office in the Admin building. God invites His children to come to Him Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3. Won t you accept His invitation? Andrea Larmer Prayer Ministry
Windsor Spring Baptist Church P.O. Box 5563 3692 Windsor Spring Rd. Augusta, GA. 30916 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 253 AUGUSTA, GA 02/01 Aaron McCollum 02/02 Bettina Harris-Redd 02/03 Memory Johnson 02/04 Craig Bobbitt 02/05 Stephen Disch 02/07 Jasmine Shepard 02/08 Buddy Fane 02/10 Yolanda Bell-Brown 02/11 Don Shepard 02/12 Lewonda Daniels 02/13 Ann Maxwell 02/14 Jamie Smith 02/14 James Brisbon 02/14 Kelly Harper 02/14 Lateefah Reese 02/16 Nora Britton 02/17 Peggy Brown 02/17 Midge Smoyer 02/18 Tyrone Mayo 02/18 Martha Brown 02/18 Diane Mitchell-Porter 02/19 Patty Henderson 02/22 Michael Ellison 02/22 Nanani Alicea 02/23 Mizlal Walton 02/28 Crystal Pardue
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 11:00am-Baptism 4:15pm-Church Council 2 Deacon s Meeting 3 4 5 6 6:00pm-12:01pm Community Prayer Vigil at Good Shepherd Baptist Church 7 10:00am-12:00pm 8 9 10 11 12-8:30pm 13 3:30pm God s Older Kids 14 8:30am Men s Prayer Breakfast Happy Valentine s Day 15 16 Presidents Day 17 18 Sunday School Teacher s Training 19 6:30pm Budget & Finance Committee Meeting -8:30pm 20 21 9:00am God s Helping Hand Ministry 1:00pm Scrapbooking 22 AM Services The Lord s Supper 23 24 25 26 10:30am WOM-Lunch Bunch -8:30pm 27 28