Ebenezer Baptist Church September 2017 Newsletter

People of God, Reaching Everyone with the Love of Christ

Total Eclipse of the Heart

Okay! So, if you are reading this, it is safe to assume that you survived the Great American Eclipse of 2017!! This eclipse was truly an amazing event. One of the neatest things I have ever seen, and once again a positive proof that God is the Mighty Designer of all that we see and know.

The mechanics of a solar eclipse are amazing: The moon slowly moves between the Sun and the Earth, creating a shadow and blocking the Sun from a path on the Earth. I watched from Florence, where we only had 99% blockage. We did not experience darkness quite like those in the 100% path. We did not see the 360° sunset. Just a few miles from us, many folks did. Even still, it was quite a sight in Florence. And it makes me think ...

How often in life do we allow objects to block out the light of God that should be surrounding us? How many of us might be walking around in that zone of almost darkness, a zone has slowly blocked His light in a way that we do not even notice? When we allow other things to overshadow the presence of God in our lives, we are blocking His light. And we might not even see it.

And, ironically, we allow the smallest things to block God's presence. It would be virtually IMPOSSIBLE for something to overshadow or overcome God. RIGHT?? Of course! And, it would be truly impossible for our moon to overshadow the Sun. The Earth's moon has a circumference of 6,800 miles. The Sun? Over 2.7 MILLION miles. But when the moon orbits into just the right spot, we have a full eclipse.

We cannot control the orbit of the Moon. But we can control the "little g" gods we have allowed into our lives. And YOU can do something about that TODAY.

Walk in the Light, as He is in the Light!!

David

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Ebenezer's Team on Historical items needs your help. We are in the process of gathering pictures, newspapers clippings, and memories. We want to set up a room of Ebenezer historical items. Please look and see if you have items we can use. We want to have the room set up in time for Ebenezer's Homecoming, October 29, 2017. This is a great time to contact old friends and family members who may have moved away, invite them to the Homecoming.

Looking Ahead…….. Mark your calendar for

Homecoming on October 29th at 10:00 am

Fall Festival Sunday, October 29th

4:00 – 6:00 pm Mark your calendars to attend or

help serve at this event!!! It is a huge opportunity for our Church to Show Christ’s Love to the community!!!!

It is that time again…

Be sure to stop by the Welcome Center on Sunday mornings or call the church office to set up an appointment for

your directory photo.

Tuesday, September 26 –Saturday, September 30 Tuesday, October 3 – Saturday, October 7

Tuesday – Friday Session times 2:00pm – 8:40pm Saturday Session times 10:00am – 4:50pm

Good News Club still needs your help!!! Please contact the Church Office if you are willing to serve in this wonderful opportunity to share Christ with kids!!

On behalf of the EBC Health Team Thankyou to all that gave blood on August the 14th. We broke EBC records with the number of donors!!! Mark your calendars for November the 9th 3:00 – 8:00 pm when you will have another chance!!!

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Our food pantry item for September is canned vegetables. Think about the vegetables that you like to eat and buy a family size can when you go grocery shopping. You are helping us to share God’s love with others as you donate to the food pantry.

Ebenezer Let’s Go On A Trip…Spring Break, April 2-7…We will travel to Kentucky and tour the 75,000 square foot state of the art Creation Museum We will also experience the Ark Encounter. This is a trip for families, for middle aged adults, for older adults and older adults are welcome to bring grandchildren. Look for the trip information fliers in the Sunday School Folders, in the Welcome Center and from Harold. Contact Harold if you have questions.

Ages 45 and up…Mark your calendars….”Aging With Joy And Grace Conference” Saturday, October 21, 8:30a.m.-2:00p.m…health fair, exhibits, helpful seminars. safety and scam prevention; etc. Conference brochures will be out soon and registration will begin in mid-September. Please plan to attend. This is a free conference and lunch.

The Older Adults will travel to Boone Hall Plantation in Charleston on Thursday, September 28. We’ll have a private guided tour of the plantation house, a self-guided tour of the slave cabin and the gardens. We’ll also enjoy a live presentation of the Gullah culture. Cost is $20 per person. Following the tour we’ll stop for a dutch treat lunch before heading home. We’ll leave the church bright and early at 8:00a.m. sharp. Sign up in Sunday School, with Harold or by calling the church office.

This study is based on the 7 “I Am” statements

by Christ in the book of John. Ladies, if you are interested,

join us beginning Sept. 7, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. Beverly Shearon’s home - 3510 Acorn Court

843-407-6535 Books are available at Lifeway.

Ebenezer Baptist Church 524 S Ebenezer Road Florence, SC 29501 Return Service Requested

Sunday Schedule: Worship……………………………………….…...9:15 am Children’s Church………………………….…….9:15 am Sunday School…………………………….…….10:30 am Disciple Practice…………………………….…....4:45 pm Youth D:groups……………………………….….5:30 pm Sunday Evening Worship……………………....6:00 pm .

Wednesday Evening Summer Schedule: Supper……………………………………………...5:00 pm Menu: Sept. 6th: Free Spaghetti Supper Sept. 13th: Fried Chicken, Baked Beans, Macaroni Sept. 20th: Ham, Buttuer Beans, Brown Rice Sept, 27th: Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Green Peas Children’s Mission & Music……………………..6:00 pm Youth Middle……………………………………….6:30 pm Choir Rehearsal……………………………………6:30 pm Prayer Meeting……………………………………...6:30 pm

Non-Profit org. US Postage Paid Florence, SC Permit No. 32

Financial Report – Through August 27, 2017 Year-to-date Needs ......................................... $865,028.15 Year-to-date Receipts ..................................... $810,035.51

David R. Wike, Pastor Ed Self, Associate Pastor/Worship & Discipleship

Andi Hill, Minister of Children Nathan Neighbors, Youth Pastor

Harold D. Watson, Senior Adult Associate Dusty Kertis, Church Administrator Wynde Edwards, Weekday Director

Marcia Watkins, Ministry Resource Coordinator Melinda Miller, Receptionist/Ministry Assistant

September Events

3. Promotion Day in Children’s Sunday School. 5. Men’s Bible Study at 6:30 am in Pettigrew 6 Men’s Bible Study at 6:30 am in Pettigrew; Wednesday Nights Resume. 8. Prayer Breakfast in the YAB at 7:00 am. 10. Parents of kids: Pre Centrikid camp meeting at 4:00 pm in Children’s Church; Ministry Team Meetings at 6:00 pm in the worship Center. 12. Men’s Bible Study at 6:30 am in Pettigrew 13. Men’s Bible Study at 6:30 am in Pettigrew; Wednesday Night Activities. 14. Betty Mears Groups meets at 10:30 am in the Mears House. 15. Prayer Breakfast in the YAB at 7:00 am 19. Men’s Bible Study at 6:30 am in Pettigrew 20. Men’s Bible Study at 6:30 am in Pettigrew; Wednesday Night Activities 21. Third Thursday Prayer Meeting 10:30 am 22. No Prayer Breakfast 26. Men’s Bible Study at 6:30 am in Pettigrew; 27. Men’s Bible Study at 6:30 am in Pettigrew; Wednesday Night Activities. 29. Prayer Breakfast in the YAB at 7:00 am.

Items for the month of

Septpmber:Household items (sewing kits, small tool kits……)