Blessings

BlessingsM a r c h 2 0 1 1

A p u b l i c a t i o n o f B y r o m v i l l e B a p t i s t C h u r c h

InsideOrganizing the organism. . p. 2

End is the beginning. . . . . . p. 3

Children’s Ministry Day. . . . p. 3

Deacon ordination. . . . . . . p. 3

Youth Explosion 2011 .. . p. 3

David Ring event. . . . . . . . p. 3

W eek of Prayer/AAEO. . . . p. 4

Start here?. . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 5

W alk across Dooly. . . . . . . p. 6

AAEO fast facts. . . . . . . . . p. 6

Monthly info. . . . . . . . . . . . p. 7

Pictures from CMD 2011. . p. 8

Pastor’s column

Organizing the organism(some early spring cleaning)

Is the church an organism oran organization? This is afundamental question that getstossed about as one seeks todefine their ecclesiology(theology of church). Theanswer to this question hasenormous implications forhow the church functions inministry to itself and in theworld.

If we were to poll churchattendees in America, I bet the majority would insistthat the church is an organism, not an organization.To put it another way, we have all heard professingChristians reject any notion of “organized religion.” It has commonly been asserted that “we (as the peopleof God) are the church” in contrast to any idea of avisible, governed and organizedcommunity. When this is said, whatthe individual who is saying itusually means is that “I” as abelieving individual “am thechurch.” As I read scripture I seethe Bible does indeed undeniablycall the people of God “theChurch,” “saints,” “the body ofChrist,” “the Bride of Christ,” “theTemple of God,” and the “NewJerusalem.” But all of these terms carry with them theidea of the collective whole.

It is therefore my conviction that the church is organicin that it is living and not some inanimate object.However, it is also my deep conviction that if theorganism is not biblically organized it will be of littleto no use in the Kingdom. In the simplest of terms ahand can’t claim to be the entire body anymore thanthe foot or the knee could. The body is made up of thecollection of the various parts. When these variousparts, with their special gifts and functions worktogether in a harmonious fashion the body runs like a“well oiled machine.” However, when the various

parts are not functioning properly the whole body canin fact pay the price. This is why I believe that manycongregants and even pastors feel detached andemotionally apathetic to their church. I also believe aresult of the unorganized organism is that it leavesmost feeling as though the things they are doing andparticipating in are meaningless.

What do we do? This has been a reoccurring questionthat I have heard for months. It seems that our time inRadical groups these past two months have reallygotten some of you thinking about and evenevaluating your church. As I have pondered thisquestion for months now and have devoted some timein prayer, scripture reading and meditation, I can’thelp but come to Acts 2:42 which says, “And theydevoted themselves to the apostles teaching tofellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

Based upon this simple model found in the history ofthe first New Testament church I would have toconcede that it order for our church or any church toexperience unity, power, and meaning these principlesmust be applied and not simply understood

intellectually. We must be devotedto scripture for they are the onlywords of life. We must fellowshipin order to discuss scripture andshare in life. I wonder how manypeople never speak to churchmembers at all except on Sundaymornings. We must break bread,which has implications fromCommunion, to a full meal, toworship. And we must be devoted

to prayer. This might even mean some fasting! Allthat we say and do as an organism must be submittedto these fundamental elements of a vibrant church lifethat exalts God and edifies man.

I pray I am not the only one God is revealing thesethings to. My heart-cry has been for our Father to laythese things on the hearts of the people of ByromvilleBaptist Church. In a few weeks from the time I typethis little article, you will have chance to gather withyour brothers.

Because He lives,Andy

Andy Blankenship

“And we must bedevoted to prayer.This might evenmean some fasting!”

Radical Book Studycoming to an end is just the beginning!

Since, January 9 around 60 people (most of whom areBBC members) in six different groups having beenmeeting in various homes, reading, studying anddiscussing David Platt’s bestselling book, Radical.These small groups will meet for the last time onMarch 6.

We will return to the regular schedule of eveningservices at 6:00 p.m. at the church house on March13. During this service, we will work on casting avision for our church, drawing from what we learnedin our book study.

GAs observe Children’s Ministry Day

Our Girls in Action (GAs) joined thousands ofchildren across North America in hands-on ministryin our community on February 19, 2011–Children’sMinistry Day–from feeding hungry people to visitingshutins, girls and boys follow God’s command to “putyour love into action.” (1 John 3:18)

They delivered cards and candy to eleven differenthomes and thirteen people, most of whom were sickor shut in. (See page 8 for pictures of some of theirvisits and more pictures can be seen on our website.)

Deacon Ordination Service

for Joe Kent

March 20; 6:00pm

Churchwide Supper

to follow

in Saliba Hall

Associational news

Preparations for Youth Explosion 2011

March 19 there will be a prayerwalk around the CrispCounty Middle School at 9:00 a.m. On March 25 from 7:00–9:00 p.m. (which is the sametime as the YE 2011) adults are encouraged to attenda prayer vigil at Cordele First Baptist Church. Contact Danny Kimbrel at 229-947-1212 or BrendaBrown at 229-947-1581 for more information.

David Ring rescheduled for Mar. 9Inspiring speaker David Ring willbe at the Crisp County MiddleSchool Auditorium, 1116 24th

Avenue East, Cordele, on March 9at 7:00 p.m. Come here thiscerebral palsy victim share how hebecame a cerebral palsy victor. You’ve never heard a speaker likeDavid Ring! This is a free event.

March 6-13, 2011

National Offering Goal: $70,000,000BBC Goal: $1,000

Prayer guides and offering envelopes will be available at the church house.For more information visit www.anniearmstrong.com.

Start here? What’s that all about?!?!? “When He saw the crowds, He felt compassion forthem, because they were weary and worn out, likesheep without a shepherd. Then He said to Hisdisciples, ‘The harvest is abundant, but the workersare few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest tosend out workers into His harvest’”

Matthew 9:36-38, HCSB

Spiritual awakening and revivalwill never come to our families,churches , communi t ies ,continent or world without itfirst coming to our individualhearts. Even Christians strongin their faith and the expressionof it in word and deed needtimes of renewal and reflection

on where God has brought them and where He isleading them to go.We need renewal. We needrevival. We need to experience afresh God’s powerand presence in our lives. We need His eyes to see,His hears to hear, His heart to love, His hands totouch, and His mind to engage people where they areand lead them to Him. Only then can we move outtoward others with evangelistic passion and purpose.

To “Start Here” is to look inward at ourselves. It is toexamine our hearts, our thoughts, and our actions. Itis to discover the strengths and weaknesses of ourfaith. The mirror that reflects our inward condition isGod’s Word. We must respond to God’s desire for usto explore His Word, listen to His voice, and inviteHis Spirit to move in our lives so we can freely andsacrificially give ourselves to His Kingdom work aswe live out the Great Commission task.

“Start Here” is to also see those around us with God’seyes and to respond to what we see with His hands oflove and His heart of compassion and His message ofTruth and salvation.

The landscape of lives that make up North Americawill never be fully cultivated and harvested withoutGod first touching Christians’ hearts to see the fieldand discover their personal roles in fulfilling the

Great Commission. Christians must see the crowdsand not be overwhelmed by the vastness of the needs.They must “start here” – with one person, with oneprayer. Those that have discovered God’s abidingpresence, even in the midst of fear, inspire andmotivate us to join them in having passion andcompassion that reaches from one’s heart all the wayaround the world – knowing sometimes the world isas close as the person right beside you.

Southern BaptistNor th Amer icanmissionaries are a keyelement in the task offulfilling the GreatCommission, but thecall is for everyone’sinvolvement. As wesupport this greatmissionary force through prayer, through financialsupport, and through going to serve alongside them,we must recognize that their task is ours as well. Theyserve in hard places with dedication and perseverance,but they need our active participation.

Missionaries first fall on their knees in prayer beforestanding up and moving into the field on their feet.They are role models in being fully used by God tobring the gospel to all people. They trust the HolySpirit to move in the lives of people and rest assuredthat God has called them to be both faithful andfruitful. They know the joy of seeing transformationcome as a new follower of Jesus starts here withsimple faith and trust.

This year, will you commit to “start here” by re-examining your heart to discover His will and way foryour life as you live out the Great Commission call?What transformation do you need to witness? Howwill you respond?

To learn more about the North American MissionsEmphasis, which includes the Week of Prayer and theAnnie Armstrong Easter Offering, visitwww.anniearmstrong.com.

Only 65 days to

Byromville’s

Turkey Creek

Festivalon May 7!

This year’s theme is

Fiesta in the Park.

Walk Across Dooly.... Walk Cancer Out of Dooly

On March 26 at 8:30 a.m. for only $10 you can jointhe Walk Across Dooly to Walk Cancer Out of Dooly. Beginning at the RBC Bank in Unadilla, folks willwalk 15 miles south down Highway 41. All proceedswill go to this year’s American Cancer Society Relayfor Life on April 22. Come walk, run or ride yourbike. Please help find a cure for cancer.

Contact Robin Peavy at 229-938-2275 for moreinformation.

Annie ArmstrongEaster Offering

Fast Facts

The reason we give to AAEO: To help our missionary force reach for Christ anestimated 258 million lost people in the United Statesand Canada; that is three of four people.

AAEO national goal for 2011: $70 million

Amount given to AAEO in 2009: Year-end figures totaled more than $56 million

Amount of AAEO used to support missionariesand their work: 100%

Number of NAMB missionaries: More than 5,000. Generally, a third of the numberrepresents career missionaries, a third are short-termfunded missionaries, and a third are Mission ServiceCorps missionaries.

Total 2010 NAMB budget: $126,000,000

Amount of NAMB budget that comes fromAnnie: 46%

A fried chicken funny

Our teacher asked us what our favorite animal wasand I said, "fried chicken." She said I wasn't funny.But she couldn't have been right - everyone else in the class laughed.

My parents told me to always be truthful and honest,and I am. Fried chicken is my favorite animal. I toldmy dad what happened and he said my teacher wasprobably a member of PETA. He said they loveanimals very much. I do, too. Especially chicken –pork and beef and fish too.

Anyway, my teacher sent me to the principal's office.I told him what happened, and he laughed too. Thenhe told me not to do it again.

The next day in class my teacher asked me what myfavorite live animal was. I told her it was chicken. Sheasked me why, just like she'd asked the other children.So I told her it was because you could make them intofried chicken. She sent me back to the principal'soffice again. He laughed, and told me not to do itagain.

I don't understand. M y parents taught me to be honest, but my teacher doesn't

like it when I am. Today, my teacher asked us to tellher what famous person we admire most.

I told her, "Colonel Sanders."

Guess where I am now... –As told by Gordon Moore

Schedule of Volunteers for MarchPlease remember it is up to you to arrange coverage if you are unable to serve on your scheduled day.

Date Flowers Nursery AM Nursery PM Deacon of the Week Ushers

Mar. 6 Pat Hatcher Jill Brannen NA Jimmy Lockerman Mark Smith

Quint Smith

Mar. 13 Betty Barrett Laura Lamberth Mary Kathyrn

Blankenship

Mark Smith Monta Averill

William Preston

Mar. 20 Betty Barrett Rhonda Youngblood Suzy Grantham Floyd Tucker Mark Peavy

Arthur Roney

Mar. 27 Open Sue Thompson Sharon Thompson Arthur Roney Bob Latimer

Kyle West

February StatsSunday School

Senior Adults 9FBIC 12CIA 5VOC 5Young Adults 7Older Youth 36 , 7 & 8 Graders 6th th th

3 , 4 , & 5 Graders 3rd th th

1 & 2 Graders 5st nd

Older Preschoolers 1Younger Preschoolers 5Nursery 1General Officers 2TOTAL 61

Wonderful WednesdaysNursery 1Mission Friends (ages 2-3) 4Mission Friends (ages 4-5) 5Girls in Action (grades 1-6) 13Acteens (grades 7-9) 7Acteens (grades 10-12) 5Royal Ambassadors (grades 1-4) 8Royal Ambassadors (grades 5-8) 7Challengers (grades 9-12) 4Other staff 6Total 59

Witnessing is not a spare-time occupation or aonce-a-week activity. It must be a quality of life. You don't go witnessing, you are a witness.

–Dan Greene

Financial $ummary

January receiptsGeneral offerings $10,579.09Special–kitchen stove 135.00Special–Chappells 535.00Special–Mail Box Club 205.57Memorials 40.00TOTAL 11,494.57

January disbursementsGeneral expenses 10,705.36Mail Box Club 500.00Lottie Moon Christmas Offering 1,387.00Local missions/evangelism/benevolence 566.56Houston Baptist Association 520.30Cooperative P r o g r a m 1,352.78TOTAL $15,032.00

Wednesday Supper Schedule

March 2 Cooks: Senior Adult SS Class/WOMMenu: Sloppy joes, chips, dessert

March 9 Cooks: FBIC SS ClassMenu: Vegetable soup, peanut butter/jellysandwiches, pimento cheese sandwiches, dessert

March 16 Cooks: BrotherhoodMenu: Pancakes, sausage, fruit

March 23 Cooks: GEMSMenu: Potato bar, sandwiches, dessert

March 30 Cooks: Social/recreation committeeMenu: Salisbury steak, rice, gravy, green beans,rolls, dessert

Byromville Baptist Church713 Patterson Street ` POB 126Byromville, GA 31007www.byromvillebaptistchurch.com478-433-2505Pastor: Andy Blankenship

NONPROFIT

ORGANIZATION

POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT NO. 2

BYROMVILLE GA

31007

Blessings is published monthly by Byromville Baptist Church. Send news items and/or comments to Editor Brenda

Lockerman at POB 217, Byromville, GA 31007, email to [email protected] or call 478-433-2791 .

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

More pictureson website.

http://www.bvillebaptist.homestead.com

mailto:[email protected]

6:00pm RadicalBook Study insmall groupsfinale

National Nap DayDaylight savingtime begins

6:00pm Evening

Services resume

at church house

Spring begins

6:00pm DeaconOrdination Service

for Joe Kent

7:00pm Church

Supper, Saliba Hall

Doctors Day

National Pound

Cake Day

National

Salesperson Day

2:30pm St.Patrick’s DayParty at Pinehill

7:00pm GEMS,Brenda’s House

10:00am

W omen on

Mission

8:00am

Brotherhood

Breakfast

Ash W ednesday

7:00pm DavidRing Event,Cordele

3:00pm B’villeWomans’ Club,Brenda Lockerm an’s

Hom e

8:30am WalkAcross Dooly,Unadilla

6:00pm TCFA,Municipal Com plex

National Pecan Day

7:00pm YouthExplosion 2011,Crisp Middle

School, Cordele(Supper at 6:30pm )

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31

3-1 Rebekah Bowen

3-2 Jurelle Godfrey

3-3 Cami Neisler

Mike Raper

3-4 Kohl Cavanah

Teresa Neisler

Mary Beth Reed

3-5 Jared Averill

3-7 Brenda Dorsett

3-8 Clete Roberts

W endy W illiams

3-9 Kristen Peavy

3-10 Blake Thompson

3-11 Lawson Humphries

Floyd Tucker

3-12 Jordan Peavy

3-13 Andrew Langston

3-14 Monica Payne

3-17 Linda Bodrey

3-18 Christine Thompson

3-19 Audrey Burnam

3-20 Brett W alls

3-21 Brenda Lockerman

3-23 Sonya W itmer

3-24 Gladys Johnson

Arthur Murray

Brock Thompson

3-25 Elizabeth Taylor

Jean Thompson

Tonya Thompson

3-26 Carson Godfrey

Johnny Jones

3-28 Robin Nelson

3-29 Jill Brannen

3-30 Lew Brinson

3-31 W inston Overton

4-2 Jeanna Everidge

Penny Langston

4-3 Kris Braddock

Please pray for these

people on their birthday.

National Pancake Day

6:00pm TCFA, Municipal Com plex

WeeklySchedule

SUNDAY Sunday School. . . 10:00AMW orship. . . . . . . . 11:00AMChildren’s Choir. . . 5:00PMW orship. . . . . . . . . 6:00PM

W EDNESDAY Supper. . . . . . . . . . 6:00PMMission Friends. . . 6:30PMGAs, RAs. . . . . . . . 6:30PMActeens. . . . . . . . . 6:30PMChallengers. . . . . . 6:30PMPrayer Meeting. . . . 7:00PM

Nursery for all services.

National Goof

Off Day

Blessings

Documents

Transcript of Blessings