The Messenger V O L U M E 6 3 I S S U E 9 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 6 EMAIL: wrightsborobaptistchurch@cape-fear.net WEBSITE: www.wrightsborobaptistchurch.org 107th Homecoming September 25, 2016 9:45am - Sunday School (Abbreviated) 10:30am - Homecoming Sing 11:00am - Worship Service 12:00pm - Homecoming Luncheon * Reminder...NO 8:30AM WORSHIP * SR. ADULT TRIP TO... White Lake & Grape Picking Thursday, September 8th WRIGHTSBORO BAPTIST CHURCH 2736 Castle Hayne Rd Wilmington NC 28401 910.763.3181 Plan on meeting at WBC by 9am as we will drive to our destination together.
P A G E 2 As the Presidential Election quickly approaches, many Christians openly express their concern and confusion on how to act in November. Frank S. Page, President of the Southern Baptist Convention s Executive Committee, addressed this issue in an article entitled Stewardship of Democracy that first appeared in the Summer Preview of SBC LIFE and later in the July 16th edition of the Biblical Recorder. The following is an excerpt from that article: On the second Tuesday of November, I plan to step up to the electronic ballot table in my voting precinct and cast my vote for President of the United States. l do so prayerfully. I will do so carefully. I will do so gladly. I may do so sadly. But, Lord willing, I will do so. This has been my pattern during the years of my adult life and I see no reason to change No one is more keenly aware than I of the dire straits in which we find ourselves in the 21st century, 2000 years since the death, burial and resurrection of our wonderful Savior and Lord. Gone are the days when our leaders governed by Judeo-Christian principles shaped by a biblical worldview. Gone is the time when we had a cultural consensus on matters of good and evil, of right and wrong, of moral and immoral I find it interesting that one of the mightiest periods of miracles in Scripture occurred during one of the darkest times in Israel's history. The kingdom was divided. The northern kingdom of Israel had followed the leadership of its first king, Jeroboam I, into consistent idolatry. Its gods were two golden calves. Its shrines were at Bethel and in Dan. Its priesthood was composed of the basest of people. The darkness only intensified when Ahab became king and brought his wicked queen to the capital city of Samaria. 1Kings 16 contains an amazing passage: Then as if following the sin of Jeroboam son of Nebat were a trivial matter, (Ahab) married Jezebel...and proceeded to serve Baal and worship him. He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he had built in Samaria. Ahab also made an Asherah pole. Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel than all the kings of Israel who were before him (verses 31-33) Here is an intriguing fact. It was in this setting that the Lord instructed Elijah to anoint the two kings and a prophet Hazael as future king of Aram, Jehu as future king of Israel and Elisha as Elijah s successor. Though the anointing's were to take place immediately, ascension to the throne for the two kings did not unfold for many years. And, when it happened, Elijah was long gone. Elisha wept as he prophesied of all the evil Hazael would do to the people of God (2Kings 8:11-12) when he became the Aramean king. Though Jehu became God s instrument to execute the judgment of God upon Jezebel, the descendants of Ahab and the worshippers of Baal, he did not turn away from the idolatrous sins of his predecessor, Jeroboam 1 (2Kings 10:28-31). We hear a lot in the current election cycle about what a Christ-follower should do as the sprint to the White House begins. Some say a true follower of Jesus shouldn't vote. Others advocate for a lesser of two evils approach. Still others hope a viable third party candidate will suddenly emerge. And, as always, some are already ardently committed to their party of choice, irrespective of who the nominee will be. I suggest another option - let s approach the election with the greater good in mind. Why not ask the Lord to guide you to cast your ballot for the greater good for the nation? For the greater good for our Christian liberties. For the greater good for our children and their children and their children s children. But, most importantly, for the greater good for God s will and purposes for our nation and for us as His people. Why would Elijah anoint wicked Hazael as king of Aram, who would later afflict God s own people? Because God directed him to. Why would Elijah anoint Jehu, who would carry spiritual reform so far and no farther? Because God directed him to. Regardless of who sat on the throne then - or who sits in the seat of power now - God is still in control. His will and purposes will not be thwarted by mere mortals Do I as a Christ-follower have a right not to vote? Each of us must do what we feel led by God s Spirit to do. But, we are neither unspiritual nor unscriptural if we choose to cast our ballot, bathed in prayer, and exercised with the earnest desire that God s ultimate and unfailing purposes be fulfilled, whether for redemption of our sin-sickened society or for the rightful judgment of a nation that forgets God. At the end of the day, we confess with those gone before that we are merely strangers and pilgrims on the earth, for our citizenship is in heaven. Our hope rests not in political parties, powerful personalities or prestigious positions. Our hope is in God. As we continue to concentrate on prayer this year, may we seek our King, crave His presence, and live for the greater good found in His will and purposes. Most of all, may we choose to live in expectant hope because our King reigns! For His glory, Pastor Brad
P A G E 3 Minister of Education It s Not Time to Worry - It s Time to Trust School is starting again, a new church year begins, elections for our country are not far off and I could go on and on. Recently, I visited an individual who was facing major surgery but was not anxious or in despair! In fact the person seemed calm and completely unworried and at peace. Her response to me was to quote Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust the Lord forever, for the Lord is the Rock eternal. Becoming a Christian is not an escape hatch from troubles nor does it exempt us from what all people face and go through. The secret is allowing God to control us so that we will have peace in the midst of each trial, sickness or crisis. KNOWING GOD, TRUSTING GOD, CLAIMING THE PROMISES OF GOD S WORD will give us all strength, courage and peace for today and all of our tomorrows. Don t worry, be at peace and trust in the Lord and in His Word! Be a Blessing, Pastor Mike WHAT YOUR STAFF HAS BEEN READING One Nation Under God The question is, can we as Christians engage in politics graciously? Find out by reading One Nation Under God. How Should Christians Vote? Need some help with voting? This book is for you then. Tony Evans backs up his ideas through scripture. Check it out!
P A G E 4 Minister of Students After a busy summer camp schedule that allowed us to serve others and called us to live UNASHAMED of the gospel, we are looking for ways to put what we learned into practice locally. The High School students learned what a week in the life of a church planter looked like as we assisted All Peoples Community Church by hosting two block parties and daily sports camps during the week. We even got to experience ministry in a multi-cultural setting without leaving the country. It was a blessing to see our students work together as a team and grasp the concept of the block party ministry model. Continue to pray for the students and leaders as we strategize ways to be involved locally in ministry. On a Journey, Stuart Effective Parenting in a Defective World 8 Week Study - Book Cost $9 Battle Plan for Prayer (Adult/Coed) 8 Week Study-Book Cost $13 Financial Peace w/dave Ramsey (Open to Couples & Single Adults) 8 Week Study-Member Kit $99 Sunday Evening Study (Topic TBD) Sign up today by calling the Office! LIFE GROUPS meet Sunday Nights at 6:00pm beginning September 11th. There is something for everyone! Youth Drama Team (6th Grade to 12th Grade) Meet in the Youth Room at 6:00pm KIDS ZONE (Age 4 yrs. to 5th Grade) Meet in the Family Life Ctr. at 6:00pm
P A G E 5 Wow! Summer is ending, school has begun and a New Church Year is about to Start! It s time to evaluate our service to the Lord, renew our commitment to His work and become involved in new ministry opportunities. All of our Music/Worship Ministry programs will be resuming in the next few weeks and NOW is a GREAT time to become a part of one of these groups. In addition to leading in worship during Sunday services, we will be preparing for the Christmas season! It is right around the corner, you know. So pray about where God would have you serve and come join us! And allow me to be the first to wish you a Happy New Year (Church Year, that is) and a Merry Christmas! Keep PraiSing Him!! Peggy MISSIONS TRAINING Saturday, September 10 at 9:00am Meet in the Youth Room Training is open for all those that are interested in the mission fields of Wrightsboro School, Baltimore, Peru and NW China. Pick up your shoebox
V O L U M E : 6 3 I S S U E : 9 P A G E 6 Children s Ministry We have had such a wonderful summer! What a blessing it has been to see God moving and working in our children during all of our summer events. I would like to say a very special thank you to everyone who helped with VBS and also those who donated to our Children s Summer Camp. We would not be able to do it without you. As fall approaches AWANA is starting back up and Trunk-N-Treat is right around the corner. Please continue to pray for our Children s Ministry and where and how God is calling you to serve. Blessings, Leslie AWANA SIGN-UPS HAVE BEGUN CALL TODAY! 763-3181
V O L U M E : 6 3 I S S U E : 9 P A G E 7 BEGINS SEPTEMBER 7TH @ 5:00PM MEDICARE SEMINAR Wednesday, September 28th Wrightsboro Baptist Church 9:30am to 11:30pm Admission Free Light Refreshments will be served RSVP at 798-6407 by September 23rd
P A G E 8 IN SYMPATHY Doug Anderson for the loss of his Aunt, Pearl Barnhill. Steve Benton for the loss of his Uncle, Lennis Benton. Kathy Dombroski for the loss of her Cousin, Margie Suggs Cander. Dave & Debi Glenn for the loss of their Brother-in-Law, Terry Cashin. Bruce & Mabel Gore for the loss of their Son and Donnie Gore for the loss of his Brother, Doug Gore. Reverend Ed Johnson for the loss of his Father. Jane Johnson for the loss of her Relative, William Danny Stubbs. Butch Kerr & Kay Stanley for the loss of their Mother, Elizabeth Kerr. Ben McPherson for the loss of his Aunt, Vera McPherson. Gerrie Mercer for the loss of her Sister-in-Law, Faith Joye. Rachel Moore for the loss of her Husband and Steve Benton for the loss of his Step-Father, Ed Moore. Janet Redford for the loss of her Son-in-Law, Mike Nunnley. Phillip Rhodes for the loss of his Father, Billy Rhodes. Rex Sasser for the loss of his Wife, and Bryan and Chad for the loss of their Mother, Debbie Sasser. Evonne Smith for the loss of her Brother, Beaman Meares. Maryetta Wells for the loss of her Uncle, Roy Hobbs. Brooke Lee Charlize Herd Mildred H. Benton Kathie Wheeler Rachel Benton Moore Lindy & Danise Britt, Sam Flowers, Buddy & Laura Newkirk, Robert Stanley & Family, SECU Family House
P A G E 9 SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS Sept. 1 Sept. 3 Sept. 4 Sept. 5 Sept. 6 Sept. 7 Sept. 10 Sept. 11 Sept. 13 Sept. 14 Sept. 15 SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS Vann Bradham Pearl Meshaw Susan Suits Heather Gunter Ben Croom Lynn Filipowicz Margaret Lomax Nicole Wrench Nicholas Strickland Roseann Beastrom Thomas Whitman Emily Biggs Kimberly Seitter Edna Warner Robert Crumpler Mark Faulkenberry Neil Benton Carolyn Crook Loranda Walker Sharon Martin Alison Newkirk Ricky Glover Alan Croom Briona Carr Shirley Bradshaw Susan Spencer Susan Herring Scott Russ Sept. 16 Sept. 17 Sept. 19 Sept. 20 Sept. 22 Sept. 23 Sept. 24 Sept. 25 Sept. 26 Sept. 27 Sept. 28 Sept. 29 SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS Gail Rogers Jennifer Martin Braxton Groves Tommy Cavenaugh Alise Herring Doris DeVane Dixie Wilkins Don Jackson Henry Conner Kellen Simpson Kay Carr Smitty Barber Renee Leitch B.T. Hundley Catherine Pope Mary Flint Rita Russ Eddie Swart Kay Seeger Leslie Crawford Alice Albea Donna Jones Frances Williams Billy Tyson Richard Pace
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 4 First Sunday of Church Year 11 6:00 Life Groups Begin 18 6:00 Life Groups 25 107th Homecoming No Children s Church No 8:30am Service 10:30 Sing Church Wide Luncheon No Life Groups Tonight September 2016 WEDNESDAY NIGHT SCHEDULE 5:00 - Family Suppers 5:00 - Media Center 6:00 - AWANA (BB-5th) 6:15 - Adult Choir 6:15 - Prayer & Praise 6:15 - Youth Group 6:30 - Bible Studies 5 Labor Day School Out Office/C.A.M.P. Closed 12 5:30 WMU Sisterhood 6 6:15 YAC 7:00 Deacon s Mtg. 13 19 20 26 27 6:30 Cub Scouts 6:30 Cub Scouts 6:00 B & G Mtg. 8:00 Cub Scouts 7 14 21 Wednesday Night Schedule Begins Wed. Night Schedule Wed. Night Schedule 28 9:30 Sr. Medicare Seminar Wed. Night Schedule 1 6:30 Child Advisory 8 9:00 Sr. Adult White Lake Trip/Picnic 15 22 29 PRAY ~ CARE ~ SHARE 2 3 P A G E 10 9 10 9:00 Missions Training 16 17 23 24 9:00 Meals on Wheels 30