1

Greenlawn Baptist Church Columbia, South Carolina

November/December 2019 Newsletter

Community Thanksgiving Service

Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church

Sunday, November 24, 2019

The month of November is a special time when we make a point to reflect upon everything we are thankful for. Several years ago, we began a joint Thanksgiving Worship Service with Asbury Memorial UMC. The venture has proven to be a special part of the Thanksgiving season for the community. This year, we will continue this tradition on Sunday, November 24th at 6:00 p.m. The service will be held at Asbury and Dr. Terry Cagle will be preaching. Please plan to be a part of this service as we collectively offer to God our thanksgiving for His generosity and blessings.

December 1st First Sunday of Advent 11:00 Hand Bells Christmas Music

December 8th Second Sunday of Advent

December 15th Third Sunday of Advent 11:00 Adult Choir Christmas Program

December 22nd Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 24th 5:00 Christmas Eve Service

December 25th Christmas Day

2

Rob Baggett's Beat

The Problem with Happiness

“Well-being and happiness never appealed to me as an absolute aim. I am even inclined to compare such moral aims to the ambitions of a pig.” Albert Einstein I know it’s a little bit odd to start an essay in a church newsletter with a quote from an agnostic, but I think Albert Einstein had a point, albeit a troubling one for Americans. After-all, we are pretty quick to assert our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happi-ness. And in this particular cultural moment, many Americans – even many Christians –are demanding an absolute right to complete health and happiness, and expect our gov-ernment to provide it. Many seem to believe that with the right political leaders, pro-grams and laws, we can have the goods of the Kingdom of God on earth, right now, but without King Jesus to interfere. In Disappearing Church, Australian pastor Mark Sayers – who, I believe, coined the phrase “the Kingdom without the King” – states that both secular progressives and pro-gressive Christians desire a world in which “the highest good is individual freedom, happiness, self-definition and self-expression.” Many of their goals seem to be compati-ble with some of Jesus’ teachings, e.g., loving our neighbors as we love ourselves. But at the same time, all progressives, including Christians who want to be on “the right side of history,” reject the idea that we are all sinners, as well as any other beliefs that restrict the unfettered pursuit of individual goals. Ironically, these freedom-loving people have generated and continue to generate their own set of rules and taboos at such a rate that no one can keep up. And now, with the help of the Internet, they are able to find “dirt” on pretty much everyone so that if you are one of the good, sinless people today, you may find yourself “cancelled” tomorrow when something you are reported to have said or done comes to light. If sin were not so destructive, it would almost be fun to watch these modern-day Phari-sees destroy each other. But we must resist this temptation and continue to pray that our nation and other Western nations will humble themselves and pray for forgiveness. God has promised and demonstrated throughout human history that he hears and answers the prayers of contrite hearts. With this in mind, let’s commit this verse to memory and meditate on it daily: “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” 2nd Chronicles 7:14 NLT

3

Children and Youth

Advent Family Event Sunday, December 1, 9:30-10:45

Fellowship Hall Come enjoy a muffin, juice or coffee with your entire family.

Everyone is invited. This will be in place of Bible Study (Sunday School). We will have stations set up where you can participate in making a manger, Advent

Wreath, Hope ornament, Pinecone bird feeder, candle and much more. Hoping this will be a fun-filled way of starting off the Advent Season.

Bethlehem Market, an asset-based craft market and talent exhibition, will be held on December 7, from 1 pm-5 pm, at Eau Claire Baptist Church. It is hosted by Koinonia Kids and volunteers.

Money made from the market will go toward a neighborhood project. All Greenlawn members are invited to support the Bethlehem market by attending and purchasing the items the Koinonia

kids have made, with the help of many Greenlawn volunteers. Our Greenlawn kids will be contributing to the market by donating their own hand-made crafts.

4

2019-2020 WMU Emphasis: Unshakable Pursuit Watchword: “My dear friends, stand firm and don’t be shaken. Always keep

busy working for the Lord. You know that everything you do for him is

worthwhile.” (1st Corinthians 15:58)

Since 1993, Samaritan’s Purse has distributed over 168 million shoebox gifts to children around the world in Jesus’ Name. We thank the Lord for how He is continuing to work in children’s hearts through this project. We appreciate your prayers for Operation Christmas Child. Every shoebox gift is a tangible expression of God’s love that brings joy and the Good News of Jesus Christ to a child in need. Thank you for working with us to share God’s love with millions of boys and girls around the world through Operation Christmas Child. We have been busy collecting items for Samaritan’s Purse Shoeboxes and packing boxes. So far we have completed 165 shoeboxes. These will be taken to North Trenholm Baptist Church to begin their journey all over the world. The Alice Thompson Mission Group will pay the nine dollars shipping cost for each box. They will use money from the Thrift Sale to cover this. Special thanks to all those who brought things and those who packed the boxes. We could not do this project without the generous help from our congregation. We are just beginning to work on the Christmas Prisoner Packets. Once finished, we will deliver them to Columbia Metro by November 18 where they will be checked. The Department of Corrections has a specific list of what goes in each packet. A Christmas card and scripture selection will be added be-fore they are delivered to prisoners all over the state. This prison ministry has been a joint effort with The South Carolina Baptist Convention and the South Carolina WMU since 1976. It is a small way to give these men hope and to share the Good News of Christ.

We had our Ingathering for State Missions on Sunday, September 1. Our goal was $1200, but we only received $885. We had a good crowd for our State Mission Speaker on September 25. Karen Newsome, Executive Direc-tor for Family Promise of the Midlands, described the work of Family Promise in helping homeless fami-lies achieve sustainable independence. The WMU does one Wednesday night meal each month. We do-nate the food and use the money collected at supper for our mission projects throughout the year. We used the $142 collected at this supper to purchase items for the Samaritan’s Purse shoeboxes. On Saturday, October 18, Greenlawn participated in a special program for homeless veterans at Dorn VA Medical Center called Stand Day. This is a collaborative event between government and community agencies. It provides a variety of services to help the homeless. Mary Revels worked with the VA for Greenlawn to sponsor a table. With the help of the WMU, we handed out 67 small bags of toiletries and cookies. Several of the congregation went along to thank the veterans for their service.

5

WMU Continued

It’s that time again. We are getting ready for our Annual Thrift Sale. The drop off days will be January 11, January 25, February 8 and February 22. If you donate clothes we would appreciate them being placed on hangers.

Items needed for Christmas Prisoner Packets: #10 stamped envelopes, soap, toothbrushes, and rolls of candy (Lifesavers or Mentos) Dr. Richard Moore and Rev. Kelly Strum were our guest speakers on Wednesday, October 23. We want to thank everyone who came to support the WMU supper and to hear our two speakers from Koinonia. Dr. Moore told about the successful summer program. They had 60 children enrolled and had an average of 40 each day for the seven week program. Dr. Moore also gave information about the volunteer hours which would have cost $16,000 if they had paid employees. Rev. Strum explained what an Asset Based Community Development is about. She showed pictures and talked about the after-school program now in progress three days a week. If you would like to be added to their newsletter or volunteer, please contact Kelly at kelly@koinoniaofcolumbia.org. We collected $145 for the supper and used it to purchase #10 envelopes for the Christmas Prisoner Packets. We provided a meal for Family Promise on October 26th. Coming Up in December: Our Ingathering for Foreign Missions will be on Sunday, December 2. Our goal is $1200. We are also planning our Adopt-A-Vet Christmas Tree again this year. We will contact the VA to get a list of patients who have few or no visitors. Their wish list will be placed on tags on the tree. You pick a tag, buy and wrap the present and label it with the tag. The WMU will collect the gifts, sort them and personally deliver them to the patients before Christmas. These gifts let these veter-ans know that someone cares about them and appreciates what they have done for our country.

Annual Thrift Sale April 24th and 25th

6

This Day of Prayer unites all Baptist women across the world in a time of worship through prayers, praise and the giving of our monetary gifts. This year we meet being

conscious that we reflect the light of Jesus in the world by praying for one another and the world. Our focus will be bringing the issues and concerns of the world before a God who

only can bring hope and healing to all people.

Baptist Women’s World Day of Prayer November 4, 2019

6:30 PM Concord Fellowship Baptist Church

7831 Wilson Blvd. Columbia, SC 29203

7

Remember the Dates:

November 24: Thanksgiving Service at Asbury Memorial UMC, 6 PM November 29-30: Decorate for Christmas. Volunteers needed. Friday 9:00 AM December 7: Gainey Sunday School Class Party 1:00 PM December 14: Sanctuary Choir Practice for Christmas Music 10:00-Noon December 15: Sanctuary Choir Christmas Music 11 AM December 21: Church wide Adult Christmas Party, 1 PM December 24: Christmas Eve Service, Lord's Supper 5 PM December 29: 5th Sunday Social (Breakfast) in South Wing, 9 AM

The second annual Adult Christmas Party will be held on Saturday, December 21st in the Fellowship Hall. Please bring finger foods. Punch, tea, lemonade and water will be furnished. We will play Dirty-Santa, so bring a gift for each person attending, suitable for a man or woman. Cost of the gift should be between $5 - $10. After gift exchange, we will sing a few Christmas Carols. If you have small children and would like to attend, please give Iris a call at 803-767-3079. She will arrange to have someone in the Nursery.

8

Dear Greenlawn Family, Thank you all for the part each of you played in the celebration of mama’s life. The plant is beautiful. The meal was wonderful and so thoughtful for the family! Thank you all for loving my mama. Love, Cindy (for the Elrod family)

Dear Greenlawn Baptist Church, Words cannot quite express the depth of our gratitude for the way you embraced the Koinonia Backpack Project. Thank you, thank you, thank you. To all who gave financially to this project, purchased backpacks and so many school supplies, please know that you put smiles on many faces. With Love, Kelly Strum

Thanks to our dear church family for support during the sad time in our families life. We appreciate all the cards and prayers. Barry and Barbara Lucas

Thank you dear friends for all the cards, phone calls, meals, visits, transportation assistance and prayers during my recent illness and house disaster. I appreciate you all very much! Mary Revels

We want to express our sincere appreciation for everything you did at mother’s passing. The thoughts and prayers meant so much. The plant is beautiful and the meal was delicious. The meal after the service is a wonderful ministry. Mother loved her church so much. She truly regretted that health prevented her from attending the last two years. We are grateful to those who prayed for her and kept in touch with her. Your calls and cards meant a lot to her. Sincerely, The family of Billie Ruth Hilyer.

9

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Birthdays

11/01 Nara Mnatsakanyan 11/03 Stephen Jordan 11/05 Shirley Branham 11/05 Clyde Waters 11/07 Phill Stroud 11/08 Mary Dodd 11/09 Red Lanier 11/09 Gary Minter 11/09 Scarlette Smith 11/09 Bruce Gibson 11/14 Gene Mathis 11/14 Edna Cotton 11/16 Mary Miles 11/18 Elaine McElhaney 11/22 Mac McFarland 11/23 Carolyn Peake 11/28 Ann Patterson 11/30 Patricia Davis

Birthdays 12/01 John Malone 12/03 Nancy McFarland 12/05 Austin Andrade 12/05 Teresa Baggett 12/08 Eugene Teague 12/08 Faela Maney 12/10 Pam Coffer 12/12 Iris Brakefield 12/15 Sara Andrews 12/17 Norma Hunt 12/18 Ray Grant 12/20 Bob Hearn 12/20 Elizabeth Smith 12/20 Eloise Bagwell 12/20 Eddie Player 12/27 Ann Cagle 12/28 Bill Miles 12/29 Todd Griffin 12/29 Steve Davis 12/30 David Thomson 12/31 Derek Ruiz

10

Building Codes FH=Fellowship Hall P=Parlor CB=Children’s Building PR=Prayer Room CR=Conference Room PB=Patrick Bldg C =Choir Room S=Sanctuary

S u n M o n T u e W e d T hu F r i S a t

1

2

3 Daylight Savings Time Ends 8:45 Deacon’s Meeting, Room 108, PB 9:00 Public Relations Comm. Meeting, CR

4

M&M’s to go To Congaree National Park

5

6

5:30 Wednesday Night Supper 6:15 Children/Youth Activities

7

8

9 10-1:00 Crafts and lunch youth and children

10 9:00 Church Council, CR 5:00 Hand Bells

11

Veteran’s Day 12

6:00 Finance Committee Meeting

13 5:30 Wednesday Night Supper 6:15 Children Activities

14

15

16

9:00 Children’s Committee 17 Meeting, CR 4:00 Church Conference 5:00 Hand Bells

18 19

7:30 Men’s Breakfast, Lizard’s Thicket, on Beltline

20 5:30 Wednesday Night Supper 6:15 Children Activities

21 22 23

24 9:30 Prayer Committee Meeting, PR 5:00 Hand Bells 6:00 Thanksgiving Service At Asbury UMC

25 26 27 All Wednesday night Activities are cancelled.

28 Thanksgiving Office Closed FH & Kitchen Reserved all day

29 9:00 Decorate for Christmas

30 9:00 Decorate for Christmas

Sunday 9:30 AM Early Bird Choir Tune-Up 9:45 AM Sunday Morning Bible Study 11:00 AM Worship 5:00 PM Hand Bells

Wednesday 6:15 PM Children’s /Youth Missions & Music 6:30 PM Pastor’s Bible Study 7:20 PM Sanctuary Choir

November

11

Building Codes FH=Fellowship Hall P=Parlor CB=Children’s Building PR=Prayer Room

CR=Conference Room PB=Patrick Bldg

C=Choir Room S=Sanctuary

S u n M o n T u e W e d T hu F r i S a t

1 In Gathering for Foreign Missions Goal-$2000 1st Sunday in Advent-Hope 8:45 Deacon’s Meeting Room 108 PB 9:00 Hand bells in Sanctuary 9:00 Public Relations Committee Meeting, CR 11:00 Hand Bells Christmas Music

2 4:00 WMU Council Meeting, CR

3 4 5:30 Wednesday Night Supper 6:15 Children/ Youth Activities 6:30 Pastor’s Bible Study

5

6

7

8 2nd Sunday in Advent- Peace 9:00 Church Council, CR

9

10

11 5:30 Wednesday Night Supper 6:15 Children/ Youth Activities 6:30 Pastor’s Bible Study

12

13

14

15 3rd Sunday in Advent-Joy 9:00 Children’s Committee Meeting, CR 11:00 Adult Christmas Choir Music Program

16

17 7:30 Men's Breakfast, Lizards Thicket, on Beltline

18 No Activities for tonight

19 20

21 1:00 Church wide adult Christmas party with finger foods, FH

22 4th Sunday in Advent- Love 9:30 Prayer Committee Meeting, PR

23

24

5:00 Christmas Eve Service Lord’s Supper

25 Christmas Day Office Closed

26 27

28

29 9:00 5th Sunday Fellowship

30 31 New Year’s Eve

12

Greenlawn Baptist Church

6612 Garners Ferry Road Columbia, SC 29209

803-776-4074 www.greenlawnchurch.org

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Newsletter entries deadline is the 20th of every month.

It’s time to place your order for Christmas Poinsettias. They are $12.50 each and can be purchased in memory of or in honor of someone. Please complete the form below and return to the church office by Wednesday morning, November 20th.

In Memory Of: _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ In Honor Of: _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Purchased By:_________________________________________ Total Number Ordered:__________________________________