September 2010 A Going Church for a Coming Christ!” Vol. XXXIV, No. IX
Walter Blackman, Pastor Tommy Gray, Music & Education Charles Stone, Missions Larry Long, Sr, Youth
Dear Precious People,
As football season begins in a state where it is as close to being a religion as anything can be, I thought I’d share a few thoughts about the difference between football fans and the average church members. Football fans often pay a hefty sum to park their cars and walk a long distance to the stadium. The church member expects free and convenient parking close to the building or he/she will not attend. Football fans are noisy with loud cheering and the enthusiasm of the fans. Church members often sit in grim silence, showing no emotion. They object to loud organ music and extra volume from the choir, complaining ad nauseam after services.
Football fans are willing to sit on stadium seats that are narrow, backless, and assigned. Church members hate hard pews and insist on particular seating. Football fans don’t mind if games run over three hours, and if it goes into overtime–they consider it a bonus. Church members expect worship to take an hour; and if a pastor does not confine himself to that limit, he may come under pointed rebuke from the faithful.
Football fans fail to let any climate influence their attendance at games. Church members need only a few drops of inclement weather to provide an excuse for being absent. If the football tickets are expensive, many fans think nothing of paying upwards of fifty or more dollars to see their team play. Added to this is the expensive, often exorbitant, cost of refreshments and programs. Church members object to the mere mention of money, and an appeal for extra offerings evokes inward and frequently outward groaning, fulfilling the line in a well-known song, “When we asunder part, it gives us inward pain.”
Are those who fill the oval sphere of a shrine called a football stadium more devoted to their “religion” than those who profess to follow Jesus Christ? It should cause us to pause and ponder!!
The Lord has blessed our church with decisions during the revival, many sharing their desire to recommit themselves to the Lord and His work. Many came to the altar to pray–and that alone is encouraging, and blesses the heart of God. I hope you were here and did not miss hearing God’s Word proclaimed so well by one of God’s choice servants–Dr. Phil Glisson.
Continue to pray for the Lord to give us a renewed vision of missions and ministry, a passion and hunger for lost souls, and to truly become a disciple of the Lord Jesus in every way. Come Sunday expecting great things from God, and to attempt great things for God.
In His Love,
Bro. Wally
Greetings,
September has so many things to think about as Fall is at our doorsteps! It brings to mind so many things in the time span we are in now that is so different to those of the “Good Ole Days”! Our Happy Highlanders senior group just enjoyed a picnic close to the Tennessee River. There was a nice pavilion which gave shade and provided spaces to put lawn chairs. The river could be viewed with the boats coming by and also a nice cool breeze coming over the river. Farm people in times past did not have much time for picnics; but if they did, it was most likely that a quilt was placed on the grass for people to sit on. There was no ice in a big drink box to put in the glasses for tea like we had on our outing. In fact, there was very little tea. Only those who had the ice boxes that held big blocks of ice, that had to be bought from the ice plant in town, could chip off some ice for a glass of tea. The food we enjoy now could be brought to the picnic because of insulated bags or casserole covers to keep the food safe.
September brought cotton picking time in the “Good Ole Days” and also school started. Some people hired out to other people to pick cotton when they had their own picked and carried to the gin to have the seed taken out and baled. This was “The Money Crop.” Those bales of cotton could be sold and that is the way the family had some income to buy school supplies, shoes, and other clothing for the kids and other family members. This income also helped stock the pantry with food supplies that could not be garnered from the farm. Those who hired out to neighbors usually took a sack lunch and had a little bread at midday. They usually found a tree at the end of the rows so that there was a shade to sit under. The lunch usually consisted of some canned pork and beans and maybe some Vienna sausage. This food supply was most welcome by lunch time. The pork and beans had to have a can opener but the Vienna sausage had a little tab that could be pulled and it was opened quite easily. If there was no can opener available, then one of the men could take out the old pocket knife and cut the top of the tin can open. I really don’t remember what we used for plates, but I remember we had some enamel cups that we took for a drink of water from the gallon jug. We probably took some enamel plates. That water from the gallon jug was warm by lunch time. Leftover biscuit’s from breakfast found a place in the lunch sack many times. I am so glad that we can have some pleasant times in our “Golden Years” and can take our lawn chairs and enjoy the scenery and feel the cool breeze s it comes across the river. The nice thing is our drinks were cold with ice in our cups from the ice chest. This was so much different than the times we experienced in our youth!
Until Next Month,
Laverne Black
Dates for your calendar:
Friday, September 17, 5:15 p.m. Fun, Food, and Fellowship
Wednesday, September 22, 11:30 a.m. Meeting and Lunch
Thursday, September 30, 8:30 a.m. Trip to Cheaha State Park (Leave at 8:30)
Kids News
Experience Children’s Bible Drill —
What are the benefits of Bible Drill? The answers can be found in Psalm 119:9-16.
It teaches children to Learn God’s Word — “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You. Praise be to You, O Lord; teach me Your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from Your mouth.” (11-13)
It teaches children to love God’s Word — “I rejoice in following Your statues as one rejoices in great riches.” (14)
It teaches children to Live God’s Word — “How can a young man keep his ways pure? By living according to Your word. I seek You with all my heart; do not let me stray from Your commands…I meditate on Your precepts and consider Your ways. I delight in Your decrees; I will not neglect Your word.” (9-10; 15-16)
Attention kids: Do a little “word” study —
In the scripture passage quoted above, several different words are used to mean “the Bible.” The one we most often use to describe the Bible is “God’s word.” What other words used in the passage from Psalm 119:9-16 mean the same as “God’s word”? Write them in the space below:
Come see what Bible Drill is all about! A new cycle will begin with an orientation session at 4:00 p.m. on September 5 in Room S111. Children in grades 4, 5, and 6 are invited to bring a parent to preview this year’s plans. All who are interested—or just a little curious—are invited to check it out.
Bible Skills, Drill and Thrills (BSDT) for children in grades 1-3
will begin on September 12 during the 5:00 p.m. DT class.
Web Ministry
July Statistics
The top ten visited pages on the East Highland Baptist Church website for July were (1) Home, (2) Worships & Music, (3) Bulletin, (4) Current Events, (5) About Us, (6) Staff, (7) Youth, (8) Ministry Teams, (9) Publications, and (10) Preschool & Children. Eighty-nine (89) different pages were viewed a total of 1,344 times on the church website.
The church website had 281 visits; 128 unique visitors; and 1,344 page views for July 2010 from (1) USA, (2) India, (3) Brazil, (4) Philippines, (5) United Kingdom, (6) Czech Republic, (7) Vietnam, (8) Iran, (9) Canada, and (10) Ireland. The sermon website had 99 unique visitors and 2,491 total visits from (1) USA and (2) Russian Federation. Saturday, July 10, was the day with the most visits.
Ron Green
Tommy’s Tunes
Education Ministry
Here we are at the beginning of the new church year! I am hopeful that our Sunday School will see an increase in the number of people coming to study God’s Word. Maybe you have been away from Sunday School for a while; come back! Sunday School provides so many benefits to those who attend. You’ll find answers to life’s difficulties in God’s Word. There are wonderful people in each class who make good friends. These same people will pray with you and help you in times of struggle. There are opportunities for each Christian to put his or her faith into action by reaching out to others with the love of the Lord. Sunday School really is the church organized to do ministry. Sunday School members reaching new people is how the church grows. We want you here on Sunday mornings in Sunday School!! You need to be here in Sunday School on Sunday mornings! Don’t make excuses!
Don’t miss the blessings!
The national Back to Church Sunday is September 12 and we are joining this event! Invitation cards have been in Sunday School classrooms for several weeks now. I have checked around and I see there have been some classes taking these cards. Recently, I witnessed someone taking some invitations to give away. This is very encouraging to see people busy inviting others to church and Sunday School. At the Sunday School Leaders Conference at Lindsay Lane last month, I attended a session entitled, “Reaching the Unchurched, Is the Door Still Open?” In a very recent survey of the unchurched, 95 percent said they would attend church and Sunday School if only someone would invite them. It’s not too late to give out invitations if you have yet to do so. Take at least two invitations and do your best to share them with unchurched friends. Let’s see how God will bless our efforts.
New studies are coming in Discipleship Training beginning Sunday, September 12, at 5:00. “Experiencing God” and the David Jeremiah study on Grace will begin. Master Works will take their new study from Beth Moore’s Stepping Up material and later in the quarter a study entitled “Living with Less, the Upside of Downsizing Your Life.” Baptist Adults will study “Your New Identity in Christ,” “Principles of Christian Growth,” and “Sanctification: Our Position in Christ.” Our youth, children, and preschoolers also have classes with fun, age-appropriate studies. There is no reason to miss DT on Sunday nights! Don’t stunt your growth in the Lord by staying home on Sunday nights!
Music Ministry
This year we are blessed to have great leaders for a preschool choir on Wednesday nights. Preschoolers ages 3-Kingergarten are invited to Preschool choir at 6:30 on Wednesday, September 1. The Children’s Choir will begin working on the Christmas Musical, “How Far is it to Bethlehem?” on Wednesday, September 1, at 6:30. All children in grades 1-6 are invited.
Coming up very soon, the Worship Choir will participate in the Depot Day Hymn Sing on Tuesday, September 14. There will be several mass choir rehearsals coming up, so talk with me about it if you would like to sing in this event. The Worship Choir will begin learning new Christmas music very soon and you are invited to sing with us. Join us on Wednesday nights at 7:30.
Handbell Choir will begin Monday night, September 20, at 7:00. New ringers are always welcome. Come talk with me if you are interested in playing in this group.
Thanks to the Worship Choir, special music folks, and accompanists for a great job during the revival!
Youth News
Hello Youth,
As we look at our new church year, we see a lot of good things happening. We want to welcome our New 7th graders to the Youth Department. We also would like to welcome our NEW teachers to the Youth Department. This year we will be looking at Reach Out to Your _____ and see where God is leading you to Reach Out in your life.
The bus will go to all away football games for HHS. Dates are 9/17 Walker County HS, 9/24 Decatur HS, 10/8 Curry HS, 10/28 Austin HS. First come, first served; the bus will hold only 30. Watch the bulletin for TIMES TO LEAVE.
Tribes starts September 1 at 6:15 p.m. and will run through October 17, 2010. Tribes is a recreational Bible study, a time of challenges, and a time of Bible Study. Come and bring an unchurched friend and see what God has for you.
Southeastern Bible Conference is December 27, 28, and 29, 2010, in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Speakers will be Scott Dawson, Jay Strack, and Dave Edwards. Worship leaders are Rush of Fools, Audrey Assad, and Need to Breathe. If you miss this conference, you will be sorry. See Bro. Larry for more information.
Below is something I received in an email. It will make you ponder about it.
1. I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible the way we treat our cell phone.
2. What if we carried it around in our purse or pocket?
3. What if we flipped through it several times a day?
4. What if we turned back to get it if we forgot it?
5. What if we used it to receive messages from the texter?
6. What if we treated it like we couldn’t live without it?
7. What if we gave it to our children/youth as a gift?
8. What if we used it when we traveled?
9. What if we used it in case of an emergency?
This is something to make us go…hum, where is my Bible? And one more thing—unlike our cell phones, we don’t have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus paid the BILL IN FULL, and there are NO DROPPED CALLS.
WHERE IS YOUR’S?
May God Bless,
Bro. Larry
College and Career
The East Highland College and Career group will have a pancake breakfast on Depot Days, September 18, at Kid’s Kastle. The breakfast will be from 6:00 – 10:00 a.m. Tickets are $5 and may be purchased from any college student or at the door. Proceeds will be used for the 2011 Mission Trip.
September Birthdays
If your birthday is in September and is not on this list, or is incorrect, please contact the church office.
