ENCOURAGER GBC February 2016 Monthly Newsletter of Graefenburg Baptist Church Preparing for Easter 2016 Who We Are: We glorify God alone by transforming lives in Jesus in order to love more and serve more. Easter this year falls on March 27 which means that Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, is February 10. You can read a more exhaustive account for why I encourage GBC to participate in Lent at my website, www.philipmeade.com. I believe Lent is a fantastic time for Christians to meditate on the cross of Christ, our own need of the cross, and the marvelous grace of Jesus to make us alive in Him. Sometimes people give something up for Lent (a fast), sometimes they read a new book or devotional, or sometimes folks become more dedicated to prayer and thanksgiving. There is no right or wrong way to prepare for Easter. We just encourage you to participate in some way. So, here are a few things we are providing for you that I hope will be an encouragement to you and your family during these weeks leading up to Easter Sunday. First, Pastor Jay and myself have written a Lenten Devotional that will be available to each church family on Sunday, February 7. These devotionals are designed to be read together as a family during the week, MondayFriday. They focus on just a few verses in Isaiah known as the “Suffering Servant Song.” I provide a short reflection on the verses and Pastor Jay provides appropriate lyrics from various songs to help us meditate on the cross. We hope the worship booklets will be helpful to you during the Lenten season. Second, a new series of Academy classes begins on
...continued from page 1 Wednesday, March 6. You can read more about these classes on page 4 on this newsletter. One of the courses will be a journey through the Easter Story with teaching from Kyle Idleman, the author of “Not A Fan.” The video based class incorporates a movie depicting the last days of cross and teaching from Kyle. It will be a wonderful way to grow in your understanding of the passion of Jesus. Third, whether you are an avid reader or someone who hasn’t read a book since high school, I strongly encourage you to read at least one book during the 40 days of Lent. What book should you read? Below is a small list of some of my favorite cross-centered books. You can check to see if our library has some of these titles (it probably does!) and you can speak with our librarian, Janice Devers, to receive her recommendations. The Cross of Christ—John Stott There is a reason why this is the most read and beloved book on the cross. Start here if you have not yet read through this classic. I’m certain we will eventually have an Academy class through this amazing book. The Truth of the Cross—R.C. Sproul This is a book I return to quite often and have found it to be as refreshing and mesmerizing every time. R.C. Sproul is probably the best Bible teacher I have ever heard and he hits a home run with this one. The Cross He Bore—Frederick Leahy The shortest book on this list and the one that perhaps packs the most powerful punch. You will be led to worship the crucified Christ as you read. Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came To Die—John Piper Very short chapters written with theological precision and devotionally minded, this is classic Piper leading us closer to Jesus. My hope is that by the time Easter Sunday comes, you will be more amazed, more in awe, more humbled, and more grateful for what our Lord Jesus has done for us. Grace and peace to you all. Pastor Philip Stay Tuned... From Pastor Jay Christ the King The Grace Notes are currently preparing a musical entitled Christ the King to sing at local nursing homes, assisted living facilities and retirement centers. An itinerary is still being scheduled and will be published soon. Songs of Shadows Rehearsals on Joseph Martin’s Songs of Shadows are underway on Sundays and Wednesdays. I am grateful for the interest in rehearsing this moving work for Good Friday. A thirty-plus voice choir with a small accompanying orchestra is expected. Here is a heads up: with the amount of singers and instrumentalists, I do not believe the group will fit in the sanctuary. That means I fully expect to have the Good Friday service in the MAC. This is not definite, (for those who are starting to hyperventilate). But it certainly is possible. Last year we were running out of room and the choir and band weren’t as big. I’m already wondering where I’ll put the harp and timpani players! It’s a good problem to have. We’re blessed. Worship I hope you have noticed the new faces on the worship stage! Four youth have recently been playing in the worship band! Two clarinetists and two trumpeters have joined our two flutists and saxophonist. Folks, (ask Philip, Di, and Karen) this has been an issue of prayer for me and I am so grateful that we are seeing our worship band growing in strength and sound. Pastor Jay The Ole Stumpkickers Coming to GBC May 22 at 6:00 pm 2
-SundaysWe continue our Sunday morning study through the Old Testament in the Vault. We start corporate worship at 9:40 and split up into High School and Jr. High groups for interactive teaching. Students leave Sunday School with a working knowledge of that week’s Scripture, ready to discuss the lesson with the rest of the family. When we meet back on Sunday nights at 6pm, we divide into guys’ and girls’ small groups and spend around 30 minutes in further discussion of the takeaways from that morning’s scripture. GSM Graefenburg Student Ministry 3rd Wednesdays are back! Every month, we take the Student Ministry off-site to hang at the home of one of our church families.. We leave at 6:30pm and we are back at 9pm. Transportation and dinner are provided! If you would like to know where we are going in a given month, or if you have the perfect piece of property for 20+ teenagers to enjoy, shoot me an email at phil@gbcfamily.com -WednesdaysEvery Wednesday night in February we will meet in the Vault to watch part of “Ed’s Story” a 7-part video series about a man who has served God faithfully with his life, yet finds himself diagnosed with ALS and unable to continue on in ministry. As his whole life changes, we walk with him through suffering and loss and see that God’s ways are bigger than our losses or our triumphs. Suffering or not, as believers, Jesus is always at the center of our lives. We finish our time on Wednesdays in the MAC. My prayer for this year is that God would increase the faith of our students past the faith of their parents. We ended 2015 with a study in prayer and the life of the Church universal and we have now entered into a study of grief, suffering, and what following Jesus has to do with letting go of our dreams. My prayer for our parents is for God to give them the faith to allow their students to follow God wherever He may call. In my 25 years I have learned that God’s will and way for a human life is always a bigger adventure than the life a person would’ve planned for themselves. God is not boring, He is rarely predictable, and yet He is intimately involved and unbelievably committed to loving His people. As His followers, we often find that faithfulness looks very different from our personal dreams for ourselves. For parents this may mean laying down a child’s success in a sport or academic activity in order to love more and serve more. For a student, this will almost always mean a reprioritization of what it s important and worthy of time, money, and thought; a refocusing of worship. As we spend time finding Christ in the Old Testament on Sunday mornings, studying the life of a modern suffering servant on Wednesdays, and getting off-campus for 3rd Wednesdays and other events, my hope always is that students will make the choice to follow Christ wherever He leads and that parents will have the Godgiven courage to launch their sons and daughters into a world cursed with darkness to proclaim the Gospel and live a life of sacrificial love. Church, our great task in the lives of our children and students is to keep the Gospel ever before them. Join me as we pray that God would call and shape our students into genuine disciples. - Pastor Phil 3
Join Kyle Idleman, author of “Not A Fan,” as he teaches powerful lessons from the Easter story. This video driven course is a mixture of a movie depicting the last days of Jesus’ life and teaching from Kyle. You will learn not only more about the historical reality of Jesus’ passion, but also spiritual truths that are true for every Christian. A perfect way to prepare for Easter Sunday! Pastor Jay will lead this class for people interested in learning more about playing the guitar for worship and praise. However, this is not merely a “how to play the guitar” course, but will help participants think theologically about the music we play and sing every Sunday morning. If you have been interested in learning more about the guitar or if you are a veteran player, this will be a fantastic class for you. *If you do not own a guitar but want to join this class, we will make a guitar available to you. Star Wars has once again taken over the world with the release of the recent “The Force Awakens.” This class will help learners view Star Wars through a biblical worldview to see how parts of the film franchise connect with Christianity and what parts are “in a galaxy far, far away” from the truths of Scripture. This is a fantastic class for parents to help talk about Star Wars with their children, or for any film fan who wants to sharpen their theological thinking. Pastor Philip will lead this course. 4
“You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 Local/Jerusalem North America/Judea Ends of the Earth Children’s Ministry Day Children grades 1 - 6 are invited to a special Random Acts of Kindness Ministry Day project on Saturday, February 13, from 10 a.m. - noon. Children will be in teams to perform random acts of kindness and them will regroup at the church for a light lunch and to report on the many different acts of kindnesses. More information will be sent home with the children. Sponsored by the GAs and RAs. Shelby Touched Twice Mark your calendar! The 7th annual Shelby Touched Twice Clinic will be held at Shelbyville First Baptist Church on Saturday, March 12. Volunteers are needed to work in all areas of the Clinic, especially as guest shepherds to escort our guests through the different areas of the Clinic. To shelbytouchedtwice.com for more information and to register as a volunteer. 5 In support of the Shelby Touched Twice Clinic, you are asked to bring a non-perishable food item each week through the end of February to church. These items will help stock the food pantry of the Clinic. In each year of the Clinic, we have served approximately 500 guests. Also needed are new or gently used Bibles, spring and summer clothing and personal hygiene items. Please see Susan Bryant if you have any questions. Valentine Bake Sale The Women on Mission are sponsoring a Valentine Bake Sale on Sunday, February 14. Stop by the cafe' and buy your sweetie a delicious Valentine treat. The proceeds from the bake sale will benefit a local ministry. Christ for the World Offering Our goal was $22,000 - you gave $25,02.05! On behalf of our missionaries around the world, thank you. Because you gave, people now living in spiritual darkness will have the opportunity to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Acts 1:8 Team The Acts 1:8 team along with Pastor Philip will soon be presenting a series of mission opportunities for you to plan for over the next year. Trips internationally as well as in our own state and country will be announced. In addition, we will be providing exciting news about church members who have decided to GO individually to the ends of the earth.
We Get Mail A special thank you from our homebound Wednesday, February 10 at 6:30 pm members for the groups that visited them during Christmas for caroling and fruit baskets. They appreciate it so very much. Please join us on Sunday, February 7th, following the 10:30 worship service, for a shower to officially welcome sweet little Titus Barton to our church family. A light lunch will be served. Chris & Ginger are registered at WalMart but gift cards from Target would also be appreciated. Titus is currently wearing size 12 months. Hopefully, he'll grow into 18 months by summertime. 6 Jesus Saves
Calendar Birthdays 1 6:30 pm Deacons’ Meeting 3 6:30 pm Academy Classes 5 10:00 am Grace Notes 7 Baby Shower—Chris & Ginger Barton following morning worship 10 6:30 pm Business Meeting 12 10:00 am Grace Notes 13 Children’s Ministry Day 14 6:00 pm—Hosanna House 17 6:30 pm Academy Classes 19 10:00 am Grace Notes 21 Children’s Ministry Training following worship service 24 6:30 pm Academy Classes 26 10:00 am Grace Notes 28 New Members Class following worship service Ushers and Greeters 7 Jim & Nancy McIver, Mike Webb, Lindsay Sibert, Travis Cabell, Kathy Bland 14 Kevin & Robin Hill, Henry & Annette Mitchell, Rick Woodside, Mike Hedges, Harold Moore 21 Chris England, Mike Robinson, Chris Barton, Larry Austin, Kenny Jones, Christopher England 28 Donna Langley, John Rhea, David Harrod, Connie Page, Jeremy Roberts, Don Richardson, John Clay Gabbard Budget Update Total Yearly Offering Goal Weekly Goal Monthly Offering Goal Monthly Offering Received December 2015 $433,153.42 $9,248.27 $40,075.83 $41,627.10 2 Ella Bowman 3 Nellie Hearn 6 Traci McDavid 7 Michelle Meier 9 Dorothy Morrow, Juanita Bohannon 11 Philip Meade 13 Jane Neel 15 J. W. Roberts 16 Mike Robinson 17 Jennifer Lee 19 Cody Pickle 22 Tabitha Lipps 23 Pam Moore 24 Helen Wingate 26 Diana Woodside 27 Roe Early, Mike Ebels, Tyler Workman 28 Betty Jones 29 Mary Jo Brooks Anniversaries 14 Scott & Traci McDavid 25 Clarence & Ruth Salyer 27 Jim & Reba Lewis Sound, Video & Power Point 7 Louis, R. W., Janet 14 Kurt, Adam, Janet 21 Glen, Janet, Helen 28 Louis, R. W., Janet 7
The Encourager is published monthly by Graefenburg Baptist Church 11288 Frankfort Road Waddy, Kentucky 40076 829-5324 or 223-5325 www.gbcfamily.com Pastors: Philip Meade, Jay Padgett, Philip Coleman 8
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