WBC NEWSLETTER August 2018 WOODLAWN BAPTIST CHURCH EXISTS TO GLORIFY GOD BY LEADING PEOPLE INTO A GROWING RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST
A WORD FROM OUR PASTOR Why are we sending people to a foreign country on a mission trip when there are so many needs right here? I don't know if you have ever thought this question yourself, but as a pastor who encourages missions I have heard this question quite often. We shouldn't be dismissive of this question because in many ways it has merit. The way I understand the question is this: we are going to a foreign country to help the poor and needy, but we have poor and needy in our own country. So why don't we take care of the needs of those right around us before we spend a bunch of money to go off and find other needy people. We should be good stewards of our resources, right? If the question is understood this way, then I would say, YES! We should be looking to help those in need and there are many needy around us. The problem is how we define missions or mission trips. If we are only helping impoverished people, then the church is no different than the Peace Corp sending aid and supplies to needy people. We have to define missions better than that. Missions is fulfilling Jesus' command: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" (Matt. 28:19-20). So, missions in not primarily about helping the physically impoverished of the world but the spiritually impoverished of the world. As Christians we are not looking for the poorest countries, but areas where Jesus' gospel is not being proclaimed. Paul the apostle probably had the clearest understanding of this missionary calling. He wrote in Romans 15:19, "I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named." To rephrase Paul: Why should anyone hear the gospel twice or for the twentieth time, while there are people who have not heard for the first time? So, I believe the church should give special consideration to people and areas of the globe that have not heard the message of the gospel. This certainly doesn't mean we stop preaching where we live, but we should make a concerted effort to take the gospel to places without a local church proclaiming the good news of Jesus. Pastor Mitch
WBC PRAYER FOCUS 2018 NewTestament Psalms and Proverbs Reading Plan WBC PRAYER MINISTRY Prayer Matters August 2018 But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone s life, that person s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood Ezekiel 33:6 NIV The above verse brings a sobering reality to those who know that sin and the rejection of Jesus brings eternal death. If we know and do not share this warning, could we be guilty? The prior verses state that if people are warned and do not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head. Sadly, our desire to be accepted or effective could at times keep us from clearly speaking. Yet, we all readily agree that warning people of danger is certainly a sign of love. The Church can be a watchman for those we interact with through our daily journeys, the same as those on the Belize mission trip. Watching, praying and warning of coming danger are part of our responsibility as those who are in Christ. We must not retreat into fear, a critical spirit, indifference, etc. We must be deliberately watchful as we interact with others, praying for opportunities to humbly and respectfully model or share Truth as God leads us. This is just what our Belize Mission team members are doing this month! As you pray for the Belize Mission Team to be effective in sharing the love and the truth of Christ through their daily encounters, let us be mindful to pray the same for each of ourselves. The call for us is to watch and pray; and as God gives us opportunities, to share truth about our story of belief in Christ with those He places in our paths. In this newsletter, you will find the August Bible reading schedule. May it bring wisdom and insight to your prayers! Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into HIM who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Ephesians 4:15-16 ESV August 1 Wednesday 1 Corinthians 2 August 2 Thursday 1 Corinthians 3 August 3 Friday 1 Corinthians 4 August 4 Saturday Proverbs 4 August 5 Sunday Psalms 103-104 August 6 Monday 1 Corinthians 5 August 7 Tuesday 1 Corinthians 6 August 8 Wednesday 1 Corinthians 7 August 9 Thursday 1 Corinthians 8 August 10 Friday 1 Corinthians 9 August 11 Saturday Proverbs 5-6 August 12 Sunday Psalms 105-106 August 13 Monday 1 Corinthians 10 August 14 Tuesday 1 Corinthians 11 August 15 Wednesday 1 Corinthians 12 August 16 Thursday 1 Corinthians 13 August 17 Friday 1 Corinthians 14 August 18 Saturday Proverbs 7 August 19 Sunday Psalms 107-109 August 20 Monday 1 Corinthians 15 August 21 Tuesday 1 Corinthians 16 August 22 Wednesday 2 Corinthians 1 August 23 Thursday 2 Corinthians 2 August 24 Friday 2 Corinthians 3 August 25 Saturday Proverbs 8-9 August 26 Sunday Psalms 110-114 August 27 Monday 2 Corinthians 4 August 28 Tuesday 2 Corinthians 5 August 29 Wednesday 2 Corinthians 6 August 30 Thursday 2 Corinthians 7 August 31 Friday 2 Corinthians 8
PRAYERS FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST PRAYERS FOR SALVATION: James, Blake, Robert, Tim, Joshua PRAYERS FOR HOMEBOUND OR THOSE IN ASSISTED LIVING: Countywide Prayer Spotlight Greater Gaston Baptist Association established prayer as an associational priority for 2018. In keeping with this objective, leadership is asking area churches to join in prayer for one another. GGBA will send a new list monthly to all the churches. Please consider calling these names in both your small group prayer times as well as your individual prayer times. May WBC be blessed as we join others seeking God to build up HIS kingdom through this prayer emphasis First Baptist, Mt. Holly - Pastor: Kendall Cameron First Baptist, Stanley - Pastor: Jason Ballard Flint Groves, Gastonia - Pastor: Ronnie Bowers Fraley Memorial, Lowell - Pastor: Warner Doles Friendly Baptist, Gastonia - Pastor: Marshall Owens Kattie Stowe, Sara Usery, Hortense Cowan PRAYERS FOR HEALTH AND HEALING: Tommy Hulcey Sr., Michael Minges, Hazel Currie, Robert and Doris Crotts, Janet Sabucco, Cleo Boughman, Robin Vanderlip, Terry Collins daughter Marsha, Terry Collins (Zack Collins Uncle) "Restore us again, O God our Savior Will You not revive us again..."psalm 85:4-6 PRAYER MINISTRY QUARTERLY MEETING Sunday, August 26, 5pm in the Multi-purpose room If you are interested in participating in Prayer Ministry please feel free to join us at this informative meeting. Community Prayer Gathering First Saturday of Each Month WBC Sanctuary Saturday, August 4, 9:30am 10:30am Please join your brothers and sisters in Christ from area churches to pray and believe that God s Word in 2 Chronicles 7:14 is true for today To initiate a prayer, call one of the following: Joyce Wynn Pauline Watts Jane Saunders
CHILDREN S MINISTRY Saturday, Aug 18 11am-1pm We hope everyone is enjoying their last few weeks of summer. The new school is right around the corner. With that in mind, please don t forget that we will be having our annual Back-to-School Backpack and School Supplies Giveaway to provide free supplies to local children in need. Please pray about donating to this worthy cause with either a monetary gift to purchase supplies or by donating supplies. Also, we need volunteers at the event to represent our church s different ministries and to distribute supplies. Please see Mandy & JD Whitaker or Melissa Botts if you are able to volunteer. Sunday School Celebration Lunch Sunday, Sept 9 12:15pm in FLC for Children, Families, and Teachers Join us in the Family Life Center immediately following the morning worship service as we celebrate the beginning of a new Sunday School year and eat lunch together. We are excited to welcome new faces as those starting kindergarten this year will move into the children s department as they graduate from the preschool department K-5th Grade Group Programs: Sundays 9:45am Sunday School 11:00am Kid s Worship 6:00pm Children s Choir Wednesdays 7:00pm KidsROC (Kids Rely on Christ)
YOUTH ADULTS ALL WOMEN INVITED Thursday, August 16, 6:30pm We will be making teacher bags. Join us as we study Romans Wednesdays 7-8pm NO YOUNG AT HEART IN AUGUST WE LL SEE YOU IN SEPT. $20 We want to invite all children K- 5 th grades to join us each Sunday Night for Kids Choir. We meet 6pm-7pm in the Multi-purpose room. PRESCHOOL CHOIR All preschoolers birth to pre-k are invited to join us SUNDAY EVENINGS 6pm-7pm IN THE PRESCHOOL DEPT.
WHAT S GOING ON AT WOODLAWN? FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST WE WILL BE COLLECTING: Canned meals, baked beans, pinto beans, spaghettios, ravioli, grits, pancake mix, syrup Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. Matthew 25:40 Sunday Evenings at 6pm Make plans to join us each Sunday night at 6pm for worship and bible study in the Sanctuary. Wednesday Evening - Adult Bible Study Prayer and Discussion 7pm in the Multi-purpose room Join us for this informal time of Bible study discussion. 7pm ICE CREAM SOCIAL HONORING JOHN AND SAMMIE BOLINSKY SUNDAY, AUGUST 12, 6PM IN THE GYM BRING YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM TO SHARE
SPECIAL OCCASIONS AUGUST, 2018 1 Marcella Campbell 3 Shirley Sutton 5 Crystal Watkins 6 Sammie Bolinsky 6 Stephani Stevens 11 Jim Barnhill 11 Jean Usery 12 Angie Frye 13 Robert Crotts 14 Adam Palmer 24 Debbie Trapp 27 Ryan Botts 27 Jessica Boone 6 Gary and Becky Ford 14 Mark and Deborah Hall 19 Luke and Stephani Stevens 25 Jon and Erin Calvert 28 Jonathan and Ashleigh Grant
so you know WOODLAWN BAPTIST CHURCH STAFF Pastor: Mitch Evans mitch@woodlawnbaptist-lowell.com Worship Minister: Jonathan Calvert music@woodlawnbaptist-lowell.com Ministry Assistant: Crystal Watkins admin@woodlawnbaptist-lowell.com Youth Minister Intern: John Bolinsky youth@woodlawnbaptist-lowell.com The WBC Newsletter is a monthly publication for Woodlawn Baptist Church 1101 N. Main St. Lowell, NC 28098 Phone: 704-824-4261 Sunday School is at 9:45am Worship service is at 11:00am Sunday evening service and activities are at 6:00pm Wednesday small groups, youth and children s activities are at 7:00pm Church Office Hours Monday Thru Thursday 8am 4pm FINANCIAL DIGEST AS OF JUNE 2018 INCOME YEAR TO DATE $146,526.60 OFFERING JUNE 2018 $23,826,73 AVERAGE ATTENDANCE SUNDAY SCHOOL JUNE 2017-46 JUNE 2018-71 WORSHIP JUNE 2017-120 JUNE 2018-124 Woodlawn Baptist Church is happy to allow members to use our facilities. We just ask that you complete a Facilities Use Form and give it to the Ministry Assistant so she can be sure there are no scheduling conflicts and can add your event to the church calendar. The Facilities Use Forms are available in the workroom, on the wall by the copier.
MISSIONS Monkey River Town, Belize Tuesday, August 14 Tuesday, August 21 PRAY FOR WOODLAWN S MISSION TEAM Zach Black Eddie Calvert Debbie Calvert Jon Calvert Jordan Crowl Christopher Crowl Mitch Evans Jonathan Grant Adam Palmer Lexie Palmer Diana Ramsey Jameela Smith-Ewell Luke Stevens Stephani Stevens Gt Swindell Emily Swindell Don Trapp Crystal Watkins Tony Watkins IMPORTANT MEETINGS FOR GOERS AND SENDERS: August 12, 4pm 6pm Belize Commissioning Service Sunday, August 12, 11am
Deacon Family Assignment 2018 Tony Watkins A Bok Don Trapp Bol Cox Buddy Barnhill Coy Gil Willie Sutton Gim Law Ray Gilbert Lax M Tom McAferty N Sil Shane Wilders Sim - T Mark Hall U - Z Your deacons on duty for august are: Willie Sutton and Ray Gilbert For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. 1 timothy 3:13