The
Cross ie
MAGA ZI N E
VOL 2 | ISSUE 7 | JULY 2018
WONDERFUL WEDNESDAYS
July 18 Urban Air Adventure Park 12:00-4:00PM JULY 4TH - 6 PM 4TH OF JULY PARTY
July 29-30 White Water Rafting
Newcomb-Thompson Home
August 4 White Water Marietta
JULY 18TH - 6 PM MOVIE NIGHT
Patriotic Picnic & & Pops Pops Patriotic Pops Patriotic Picnic Sunday, July Sunday, Fellowship Hall Sunday, July 11 in in theFellowship FellowshipHall Hall (Immediately following the 11:00 11:00 AM Worship Service) (Immediately following following the (Immediately the 11:00AM AMWorship WorshipService) Service) Featuring Featuring Featuring
A Brass Ensemble Ensemble A Brass Ensemble Soloists Soloists Soloists Sing-a-long Sing-a-long Sing-a-long Salute to the Armed Forces Salute tolunch the Armed Forces A fundraising hotdog will be sponsored by the Youth Choir. Salute to the Armed Forces
A fundraising hotdog lunch will be sponsored by the Youth Choir. A fundraising hotdog lunch will be sponsored by the Youth Choir
SMOK ER I S EB A P T I ST. OR G O UR M INIST E R S
CON T EN TS
B e c k y C a s w e l l - S p ei gh t Minister to Families with Children rspeight@smokerisebaptist.org 678.533.0546
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From the Pastor
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Worshiping
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Growing
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Connecting
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Caring
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Generosity
Jeremy Colliver Minister of Communications, Missions, and Youth jcolliver@smokerisebaptist.org 678.533.0551 Kat hy D obbi n s Minister of Spiritual Formation kdobbins@smokerisebaptist.org 678.533.0548 Chris G e o r ge Senior Pastor cgeorge@smokerisebaptist.org 770.469.5856
F RO M THE PASTOR
God takes great risk in giving us freedom. People can misuse freedom completely. People can reject God entirely or respond to God's love with scorn.
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YO UTH
Something that happened at camp that will affect how you live your life when you get back from camp. Because, what happens at camp, doesn't stay at camp.
1 0 Family Ministry 11
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Youth
1 2 Serving 1 3 Sing and Serve Atlanta 1 4 Monthly Snapshot
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SERV IN G
I can remember my first mission trip to NYC and I felt like I was going with a blindfold on because I had no idea how you "do" day camps with kids in the middle of Manhattan and in a storefront church in Brooklyn.
Bart McNiel Associate Pastor bmcniel@smokerisebaptist.org 678.533.0540 Danny Va n c i l Minister of Music & Worship dvancil@smokerisebaptist.org 678.533.0560
CON N EC T W IT H US
facebook.com/ smokerise
twitter.com/ smokerisebaptist.org SmokeRiseBC
Smoke Rise
A B OU T S M O K E RIS E 5901 Hugh Howell Rd. Stone Mountain, GA 30087 Tel: 770.469.5856 Fax: 770.498.3598 Office Hours M-F 8:30am - 4:30pm
Smoke Rise Baptist Church is a loving and caring faith community where people come to grow spiritually, worship communally and serve faithfully. We are committed to fostering authentic relationships and engaging in meaningful ministry in our congregation, our community and around the world. We partner with others in an effort to be about God’s work. We commit to love God with all our hearts, all our souls, all our minds and all our strength and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. We proclaim the Good News of Christ in all that we say and do. 3 | SMOKE RISE BAPT IST.ORG
FRO M TH E PASTO R CH RIS G E ORGE - Senior Pastor
“Now the Lord is Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 2 Corinthians 3:17 God takes great risk in giving us freedom. People can misuse freedom completely. People can reject God entirely or respond to God’s love with scorn. People may abuse freedom and choose to hurt instead of help, to revolt instead of reconcile, to forsake instead of forgive. God recognizes the risks and understands the cost of freedom. Yet, God’s commitment to freedom never wavers. As Americans who believe in freedom and as Baptists who believe in freedom, we must stand up and protect religious freedom for all-even those who disagree with us. Some may wonder why I care so deeply about freedom. I am passionate about freedom because of my faith. My great uncle Tom, for whom my second son is named, was a Baptist deacon in Bardwell, Kentucky. He was a Ford factory worker in Michigan. He was a loving husband. He was a soldier who served in World War II in a U.S. army artillery unit in Europe. He was there on the shores, not of Normandy in France, but of Anzio in Italy. He still remembers the sounds of the battle. He still remembers the sight of countless crosses that bore silent witness to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. He is 99 years old. His hearing is weak, but his heart and mind are strong. When he talks about freedom, he still gets a tear in his eye. I wonder if God is the same way. Jesus came to set us free. Freedom means that we can be the Body of Christ. We can remember the forgotten. We can stand against injustice. We can love without strings attached. We can care without compulsion. We can share our faith without fear. We can tell others about Jesus by what we say and by what we do. Paul’s writes, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom for the sinful nature; rather, use your freedom for serving one another in love.”
May we use freedom wisely; may we share freedom generously. May we protect freedom vigorously; may we exercise freedom daily. And may we never forget the words of our Savior, saying… “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”
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WORS H IP I N G AT S MOK E R I SE DAN N Y VAN CIL - Minister of Music
July is the month to be thinking ahead and making plans. Smoke Rise has a multitude of July is the month to be thinking ahead and making plans. Smoke Rise has a places where you can use your gifts and talents in service to the Lord. If music is your gift, multitude of places toThroughout use your gifts and talents in service the Lord. If music is we have a place for you. the month of August, our manytochoirs and ensembles your gift, we have a place for you. IfThroughout the month of August, our many will commence with their fall programs. you are interested in participating in our vibrant choirs and ensembles willtalking commence music ministry, I would enjoy with you. with their fall programs. If you are interested in participating in our vibrant music ministry, I would enjoy–Danny talking with you. –Danny Wednesday, August 1 at 7:00 pm Choral SuiteChoir • Choral Suite Wednesday, AugustSanctuary 1 • 7:00Choir PM ••Sanctuary
Sunday, August 12 • Liturgical Dance12•at4:00 Sunday, August 4:00 PM pm • Stage or Room 228 Sunday,Liturgical August 12 • Youth • Choral Dance • StageChoir or Room 228 Suite Youth Choir • Choral Suite
Wednesday, 15• •6:00 6:00 Wednesday,August August 15 pmPM MakersChoir Choir(3 (3year-olds) year-olds) ••Room 210210 JoyJoy Makers Room Music FriendsChoir Choir(4(4&&55 year-olds) year-olds) • •Room 310310 Music Friends Room Music Makers (1st-3rd grades) • Children’s Suite st rd -3 & grades) • Children’s Music Young Makers Musicians(1(4th 5th grades) • Children’sSuite Suite th th Sanctuary Handbell Choir • Handbell Room Young Musicians (4 & 5 grades) • Children’s Suite Sanctuary Handbell Choir • Handbell Room Monday, August 20 at 10:30 am Prime Time Choir (Senior Adults) • Chapel
Monday, August 20 • 10:30 AM • Prime Time Choir • Chapel Sunday, 26 atRise 9:00 Instruments am Sunday, August 26 • 9:00 AMAugust • Smoke • Sanctuary Smoke Rise Instruments • Sanctuary
Praise praise the the Lord Lordwith withlute luteand andharp! harp! Praisethe theLord Lordwith withtrumpet trumpet sound; sound; praise Praise the praise the the Lord Lordwith withstrings stringsand andpipe! pipe! Praise theLord Lordwith withtambourine tambourine and and dance; dance; praise Praise thetheLord Lord with with loud loudclashing clashingcymbals! cymbals! Praise Lordwith withclanging clangingcymbals; cymbals; praise praise the the Lord Let everything that breathes praise the Lthe ORD ! PraisePraise the Lthe ORDLORD! ! Psalm 150 Let everything that breathes praise LORD! Psalm 150
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GROW IN G AT S M O KE R I SE K ATHY DOBBI NS - Minister of Spiritual Formation Themes in BiblicalinTheology Themes Biblical Theology SponsoredSponsored by Mercer University by Mercer University by Dr. Colin Harris Led by Dr.Led Colin Harris Sundays at 4:00 to 6:30 pm; July 29 – Sept. 22, 2018
Sundays, 4:00 to 6:30 pm; July 29 – Sept. 22, 2018 $160.00, discount for spouse; some scholarship funds are available $160.00, discount for spouse; some scholarship funds are available Register with Kathy Dobbins – kdobbins@smokerisebaptist.org Register with Kathy Dobbins – kdobbins@smokerisebaptist.org More detailed information can be found at the kiosk in the lower breezeway. More detailed information can be found at the kiosk in the lower breezeway. Week 1: Creation ● Week 2: Covenant ● Week 3: Law/Torah ● Week 4: Prophecy Week 5:Week Wisdom ● Week•6:Week Incarnation ● Week 7: Atonement/Salvation 8: Summary 1: Creation 2: Covenant • Week 3: Law/Torah • Week●4:Week Prophecy Week 5: Wisdom • Week 6: Incarnation • Week 7: Atonement/Salvation • Week 8: Summary
A Woman’s
W.O.R.T.H.
Save the Date!
Fall Women’s Retreat
October 19-21, 2018 Georgia Baptist Conference Center Toccoa, GA With Darlene Swanson, M.Div. $150.00/person – 2 per room (all meals included) Registration begins in July Deadline is September 26
Class Profile: Bereans Class Profile: TheThe Bereans yearsa ago a group people came came toto meme asking for a Sunday School class that focused About 10About yearstenago, group of of people asking for a Sunday school class on that focused studying books of the bible. Not topically, story based or with printed literature, they said, but we want on studying books of the bible. "Not topically, story-based or with printed literature," they said, to go book by book, chapter by chapter and verse by verse. It worked out that three seminary trained "but we want to go book by book, chapter by chapter and verse by verse." It worked out that teachers were available to rotate the teaching: David Fite, Kendall Moore and Page Fulgham. Page is three seminary trained teachers wereAnn available to rotate Fite, Kendall Moore now the sole teacher. He and Carol came to SRBC in 1995the afterteaching: pastoring forDavid 35 years. and Page Fulgham. Page is now the sole teacher. He and Carol Ann came to SRBC in 1995 after And so it was that this class began taking on the daunting task of studying through the whole Bible. pastoringThey forstarted 35 years. with the New Testament and occasionally alternating it with an Old Testament book. They have now completed all the New Testament books. It took 18 months to complete Genesis and the
Revelation. I would say they deserve star in their crowns for staying through in Revelation forwhole And so itsame wasfor that this class began taking on an theextra daunting task of studying the that long! All theBible. class members contribute to the studies and bring their study notes to share. Page says that “it’s amazing that no They started with the New Testament, occasionally alternating it with an Old Testament Page Fulgham, teacher matter where they are in the Bible, there is always a lesson for today.” of the Bereans Sunday book. They have now completed all the New Testament books. It took 18 months to complete School class Congratulations to the Berean class forsame the progress you have madePage in your study! Genesis and the for Revelation. says they deserve an extra star in their crowns for staying in Revelation for that long! All the class members contribute to the studies and bring their study notes to share. Page says that, “It’s amazing that no matter where they are in the Bible, there is always a lesson for today.”
Congratulations to the Berean class for the progress you have made in your study! 6 | SMOKE RIS E BAPT IST.ORG
CONNEC T I N G AT SMOK E R I SE BART McN IE L - Associate Pastor
For Love of Neighbor: Ismaili Eid Appreciation Tea On Monday, June 18, 2018, Rev. Bart McNiel attended an Eid Appreciation Tea at the Ismaili Jamatkhana Center in Decatur by invitation of Smoke Rise friends and neighbors in the Ismaili Muslim Community. The event was held in honor of community first responders, including representatives from Dekalb County police, fire and emergency medical services. Members of our congregation met new friends and neighbors more than a year ago when our church reached out to support Malik Waliyani after a robbery at his gas station. After getting to know Malik, we got to know his faith community better. During our Wednesday Night study of other religious traditions, we received Farida Nurani as a guest speaker. Ms. Nurani represents the Ismaili Council for the Southeastern United States and lives in the Atlanta area. Ms. Nurani and Malik reached out to our pastor to invite us to send a representative from our church to attend the Eid tea event. Eid alFitr is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. Eid includes prayers that encourage charity and community welcome. "We were honored to be invited as guests of our neighbors and friends in the Ismaili community. I had driven by the Ismaili Jamatkhana Center in Decatur many times on the way to visit church members at Dekalb Medical Center, but did not recognize it as a landmark for Ismaili neighbors who own businesses near our church, in Tucker, and in other neighboring communities in our area,” said McNiel. “I had more than one first responder representative approach me because they noticed my name tag identified me with Smoke Rise Baptist Church. They expressed gratitude for churches and leaders that are willing to get to know neighbors and to partner with others for the common good.” Pastor Chris George could not attend due to a conflict, but commented on the importance of being good neighbors. "Fear is the opposite of faith and an enemy to the formation of community. First John 4, says, 'Perfect love drives out fear.' In the parable of the good Samaritan, Jesus reminds us to be a good neighbor across traditional divides. So, we give thanks for those who are serving in our community, police and fire, as well as those who, like the good Samaritan, are seeking to be good neighbors," said Dr. Chris George.
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CAR IN G AT S M O KE R I SE Welcome New Members in May
Lester and Cathy Smith Joined May 6
Buddy and Marsha Pittard Joined May 6
Mark Shepherd Joined May 6
Church Staff Spotlight Denise Burcham, Director of The Fine Arts Academy The Fine Arts Academy is a community service, outreach and partnering program of our church. The success of the Academy depends on connecting each student with the right instructor at a place and time that works for everyone. As Director of the Academy, Denise Burcham recruits and manages instructors, oversees fee payment, manages scheduling of students, and facilitates production of Academy events throughout the year. Denise also teaches violin at the Academy. In worship at Smoke Rise, Denise serves as director of the handbell choir, a frequent violinist and as a member of the choir.
SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS
Thursday, July 5, Room S223, Caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, 2:00 pm Wednesday, July 11, Room S223, Grief Support Group, 10:00 am Thursday, July 19, Room S223, Caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. 2:00 pm Wednesday, July 25, Room S223, Grief Support Group, 6:00 pm Thursday, August 2, Room S223, Caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, 2:00 pm If you have any questions about these support groups, please contact the church office or speak with our Associate Pastor, Rev. Bart McNiel. 8 | SMOKE RIS E BAPT IST.ORG
GEN ER OS I T Y Evaluating Our Relationship to Money It may seem strange to think of how we manage our money as part of our spiritual walk with Christ, but Jesus was careful to warn his disciples to pay attention to their relationship to money. Jesus told his friends the truth: either money controls you or you control your money. “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24. Does money control you? Or, do you control your money? As followers of Jesus, we recognize that our money, along with everything we own, is a gift from God. As Creator, everything belongs to God. What we own is indistinguishable from what we have been given. The middle of the calendar year is a good time to check the “control” meter on our relationship with money. Is our money managing us or do we manage our money? Do we recognize the things we use our money for as a gift from God? Are there better ways we can use our money that would help us establish wider control and increase our financial generosity? If you feel “out of control” in your relationship to money, then it can be difficult to give to the church in a way that is joyful. Here are some practical questions for reflection and follow-up that can help us continue to give to the ministry and mission of our church as joyful stewards. 1. Assess your financial anxiety level? On a scale of 1-10, how much of your personal anxiety in life would you attribute to money or finances? Consider steps you can take to lower your financial anxiety level. 2. Assess your giving patterns before you assess amounts. Regular giving can be a rewarding spiritual practice. If you are not giving as a regular spiritual practice, it is okay to start small. If you give as a regular practice, it will be easier to include giving as a consistent part of your overall financial planning. 3. Evaluate your percentage of giving. Do you tithe (10%) or give some other overall percentage of your income? 4. What is competing for “control” over your ability to tithe or give a regular percentage of income? Looking to God as our Creator and Sustainer, may God continue to bless us as we give our money, time, and talents for the sake of God’s mission at Smoke Rise Baptist Church.
MONTH OF MAY Amount Given $165,289.61
Amount Spent $196,120.96
REFRESH REPORT
Negative Balance $30,831.35
FISCAL YEAR-TO-DATE (APRIL 1, 2018 - MAY 30, 2018)
Amount Given $352,774.02
Amount Spent $367,754.03
Negative Balance $14,980.01
Pledged $1,346,104.00
Received Current Balance $1,019,082.76 $249,396.51
CURRENT PROJECT Chapel Renovation *The Chapel will continue to be closed in July as we complete renovations.
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FAMILY M I N I ST RY AT SMOK E R I SE Thank You for a Wonderful VBS Have you ever heard the phrase “if I could be a fly on the wall?� After spending only one day of VBS as the marketplace police officer, I can understand why people utter this phrase. On Monday morning of VBS, my main job consisted of standing at the entrance to the gym making sure no child left the gym without their adult. Being the market place police officer gave me a beautiful view of children choosing their own Daniel experiences. Some children learned about Daniel through the animal courtyard, others experienced Daniel by reading books about Daniel, while others students met different characters in the marketplace like the cylinder seal shop owner, Beltis known outside of the Babylon Marketplace as Becky Seay. As I guarded my post making sure no child escaped, I listened to the sounds of biblical instruments being played, and tribe leaders calmly guiding their students. I became consumed by the voices of children from every corner of the gym talking about their new friend Daniel. I left Babylon feeling full of excitement knowing that God is with us always. I am grateful for each of these voices and the 70 plus adults that helped to create a space of co-learning for everyone. And I am grateful that on this day, I could be a fly on the wall, listening to children learning from one another and from faithful volunteers at Smoke Rise who give of their time and their talents to make an incredible week of VBS happen. It is truly amazing.
BUCKETS CAN BE FOUND IN THE PRESCHOOL AND CHILDREN'S AREAS THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER. BE SURE TO JOIN IN THE FUN! 10 | SMOKE RIS E BAPT IST.ORG
Wonderful Wednesday
YOU TH AT S M O KE R I SE JE R E M Y C O LLI V ER - Minister of Communications, Missions, and Youth What happens at camp…doesn’t stay at camp Earbuds are in. Your bag is packed with more snacks than clothing. You have snuggled down with your pillow up against the bus window. There’s a temptation to leave everything that is going on in your life behind as you cruise on down the road toward camp. At first you stay with your group sizing up the other students who have come; but after your first small group session, church groups begin to merge and new relationships are budding. Each day's rotation of Bible study, work on your mission site, and worship begin to flow freely. You’re around new people, exploring the Biblical story in new ways, and maybe even worshiping in a different way. In the midst of all this newness, thoughts of home begins to creep in. Maybe it was a phrase in Bible study or something the preacher said during worship. You begin to realize that you can’t leave home back at home. And maybe you shouldn’t. Maybe, just maybe, the purpose was to get away so you could think about those things more clearly; so you could listen for the Holy Spirit. By the end of the week, something has changed within you-something for the better. Something that happens at camp will affect how your live your life when you get back from camp. Because, what happens at camp, doesn’t stay at camp. -Jeremy
Urban Air
#WITS
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
August 4th
July 18th
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WHITE WATER RAFTING
SERVIN G ON M I S S I ON NYC Mission Trip I can remember my first mission trip to NYC I felt like I was going with a blindfold on because I had no idea how you "do" day camps with kids in the middle of Manhattan and in a storefront church in Brooklyn that had no place big enough indoors to do the activities for 25-30 children. When you think of New York City, what do you think of? People, lots of people; taxis, lots of taxis; lights, lots of lights; horns honking, lots of horns honking; busy, lots of busy. You get my drift.
"Leading small groups in the park at Brooklyn
As you can imagine, as that first mission team traveled to NYC in 2003 to “run” Clue Camp, we were very excited about all it involved, including living for the week in the heart of Manhattan in an area known as Hell’s Kitchen. (That right there is enough to make me a little nervous.) You know what we found in the middle of Hell’s Kitchen? We found Metro Baptist Church and we found God there waiting on us! And, when we traveled to Brooklyn on Sunday, we found the
most God-loving people you can imagine. This little storefront church with a congregation of about 20 (that included us) worshiped that Sunday like it was their last opportunity to worship and spread the gospel! Both of these churches embrace their purpose in their neighborhood of being accepting of all, loving all and being kind to all! They open their doors to ALL for Clue Camp (a six week summer camp that we are part of for one week) and pour their hearts and souls into planning a curriculum that will embrace the culture that these urban children are a part of. Both of these churches have a desire to love their neighbors and their neighborhoods and have created an incredible social ministry for doing that outreach. We do Clue Camp for approximately 5060 campers in Manhattan and 25-30 in Brooklyn each summer. We sleep on the fourth floor at Metro Baptist Church in dorm rooms (picture sets of bunk beds with a shared bathroom and shower room down the hall). Each morning, the Brooklyn team heads out to the subway for about a 45-minute ride to Brooklyn and takes that same ride back to Manhattan in the afternoon after camp concludes for the day. I can tell you that we have ministered through Clue Camp to children from many different backgrounds 12 | SMOKE RIS E BAPT IST.ORG
and nationalities. We’ve even had a couple of Asian children who could not speak English. (One of their friends interpreted for them all week.) But no matter what their background is, we see so many different personalities and emotions in their faces. Yes, they misbehave. They fight and argue with each other; they form cliques; they don’t listen; they shout out; they get sassy; they even bully sometimes. We all see the “normal” behaviors you see with elementary age children. They also smile at you; they draw pictures for you, they hold your hand; they hug you; they tell you stories; they make you laugh and you make them laugh. And some sit silently (or not so silently) sad because their hearts are hurt for some reason. They steal your heart when you’re there and we pray and hope that we fill their hearts with God’s love and leave them with a happy heart at the end of the week. One of my favorite and saddest times of the week is the party we have on the last day of camp. It’s our time to just play and have fun with them and tell them goodbye. The hugs we get can bring tears to your eyes and the hugs we get bring a smile to both of our faces. Carol Garner is the Trip Leader for our New York City Partnership
2018 Youth Choir Weekend • June 1-3
ATLANTA
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MON TH LY S N A P S HOT Dear Smoke Rise Baptist Church Family, Smoke Rise Baptist Weekday School is hosting a Church Community Yard Sale on Saturday, July 7, from 8 AM to Noon. Between now and then, we are collecting items you would like to donate to the sale. All proceeds will benefit our school. Please call or e-mail us to schedule a time to bring your items to the church. We also welcome any volunteers who would like to help with the sale on Saturday, July 7. Thank you in advance for continuing to support our beloved school.
Smoke Rise Baptist Weekday School
Rev. Deborah Reeves, Interim Director Stacey McNiel, Assistant Director 678-533-0558 srbweekday@smokerisebaptist.org
O O O O O Worship
Learn
WEEKLY S U MM E R S C H E DUL E
Give
Care
Serve
J ULY DATES 1 Patriotic Pops
Su n d ay 9:00 am
Worship in the Sanctuary
7 Weekday School Community Yard Sale
9:45 am
Sunday school for all ages
8 - 13 Passport Choices - Youth
11:00 am
Worship in the Sanctuary
14 - 21 New York Mission Trip 14 - 21 Tijuana Mission Trip 19 Finance Committee 26 - 29 Passport Kids
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Journeys 2018: Session 1 beginning August 15th in the Fellowship Hall Bible study led by Pastor Chris George and Bart McNiel
Chapel Rededication
C HA P E L R E D E D IC AT IO N Sunday, August 5, 2018 9:00 AM Worship
Su nd ay, Au g ust 5 , 2 0 1 8 9 : 0 0 A M Worship
Themes in Biblical Theology
Sponsored by Mercer University July 29–Sept. 23, 2018 Cost: $160.00 Register with Kathy Dobbins Address Correction Requested