In the Transition Dr. Shane Garrison

When God & His People are Faithful On Sunday evening (Jan. 4) during the State of the Church Address, I was able to share some very good news, proven with facts and figures, with the family of Stanford BC. I want everyone to know about this good news. The good news I shared has two important parts. Part one is that during the interim period, particularly during the 2013-2014 years, God sustained Stanford BC in remarkable ways. During these past two years, our average Sunday morning worship attendance did not really change – moving slightly from 177 in 2013 to 171 in 2014. This is truly extraordinary. During most transitional periods, worship attendance will decline 10-15%. And if the transitional period lasts longer than 2 years, which is the case for our church, the declines are even greater and more drastic. We should be thrilled and encouraged to know that God, and His people, have been faithful through this time and have kept together despite difficult circumstances. Part two of the good news is similar. During the same two year period, our average weekly giving has not really changed. The average weekly undesignated contributions in 2013 was $6380 and $6080 in 2014 – a tiny $300 difference. This is truly extra-extraordinary. Giving, almost always, takes a serious hit during a transitional phase. Friends, this consistency and financial faithfulness are signs to me that God is with us and you, His people, are standing hand-in-hand with God. These figures are a statement of your Christian maturity and perseverance. I promise you, this kind of good news is a miracle before your very eyes. Let us thank God fervently and regularly for His faithfulness to us over this time and keep seeking what He has in store for the next season of ministry together.

For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. (Psalm 105:5) _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Summer Mission Trip Opportunity

A mission trip to Puerto Rico is planned for July 11-18. If you are interested please let Johanna Ingram know by January 25. The cost is approximately $1500.00 with a $100.00 deposit due by February 8. We will be holding fundraisers to help cover the cost of the trip for those who commit to going. Please make this opportunity a matter of prayer.

Hope 53 Mission Trip

How can you be a part of the Hope 53 Mission Trip to Haiti (January 15-19) and especially support our own David Grigson?

1. PRAY: Beginning now and every day, for the gospel to be spread and for our local missionaries to be bold.

2. DONATE: Do you have a piece of luggage you never use? If you have one that can be used by the team and LEFT in Haiti please consider donating it. If you have luggage you are willing to loan but want it back (knowing that sometimes things happen beyond the control of the team and it may not return), you can also leave that, but label it clearly with: Please return this to ( your name)

3. DONATE: New or gently used cleats and tennis shoes (especially in children and youth sizes). If the shoes are not in a box please tie them together. If they do not have laces please place them in a Zip-loc bag or plastic bag, so the pair stays together.

All donated items are due by January 11 and can be left in the church office during regular office hours or in the Meet and Greet on Sunday.

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Women's Winter Bible Study Starts soon!

Breathe, by Priscilla Shirer

We are excited to announce that, for the first time, we will be hosting the same Bible study as a morning class and an evening class. The evening class will start on Thursday, January 15th at 6:30 pm in the sanctuary. The morning class will start on Tuesday, January 20th at 10:00 am in the CLC lobby. Each class will run for five weeks. Feel free to invite friends, any women 18 or older, to attend with you. The books will be available for purchase at the first class meeting (cost of $9.95). You can pick one up at Lifeway or you may purchase one at the church office during regular office hours.

If you have other questions (or if you need to check and see if class is on in case of snow) contact Susan Kirkpatrick at s_m_kirkpatrick@hotmail.com, regarding the evening class or Becky Stogsdill at stogbecky@gmail.com, regarding the morning class.

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Last Chance to Claim Your Lost Items

There are several lost and found items, as well as coats and umbrellas in the Meet & Greet closet and in the CLC. Please look to see if they belong to you. These items will be donated to Ft. Logan Ministries if not claimed by January 18.

Mr. David Pettus' daughter, Mary Combs, invites everyone to join

in the celebration of Mr. Pettus' 100th birthday on Saturday, February 7 at

Pegram United Methodist Church, 479 Thompson Rd., Pegram, TN,

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM CST. Lunch will be provided.

Please RSVP by February 1. You may call Mary at 615-477-3607

or fill out the form online (http://goo.gl/forms/HvQyXPLtyJ).

No gifts please, but cards and letters can be mailed to:

David M. Pettus, 213 Harpeth View Trail, Kingston Springs, TN 37082 __________________________________________________________

Thanks again for your donations to our 2014 Operation Christmas Child Project. Please keep praying for the children and their families who will receive these boxes. Our goal for 2015 is 215 boxes! It's time to start collecting. Our January items are Christmas/winter items: mittens, cups, toys, shirts, etc. You will probably see many of these items on clearance. A box is in the Meet and Greet Area for your donations. We would like to ask each adult Sunday School class to appoint an OCC contact. This person will remind class members about the monthly collection items and be an encourager for class participation and prayer. ____________________________________________________________

Christmas Outreach Meal Report

Our Christmas Outreach meal was a great success. We were blessed to be able to provide and deliver over 300 meals to people in our community. We even had enough to share with our EMS staff and the Lincoln Co. Sheriff's office! Thanks to all who helped with the preparation and delivery and to those who gave money to make the meal possible. Donations toward the meal for next Christmas will be appreciated.

Musically Speaking

Stuart Underwood, Minister of Music

Thanks to Rachael Yaden for a beautiful solo focused on our Celebration of Communion. It was good to have Becky Stogsdill bak and thanks to her and Laura Lee for their offertory and the music during communion. This Sunday Becky and Laura Lee will be playing our offertory. The Adult Choir will be back in the loft and will be singing a great anthem, "Walk like Jesus". Chelsea Marcum will be presenting the special music during the evening activities. Have a great week! Stuart

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From the Mailbox:

To Our Partners in Ministry:

We want you to know how much we appreciate the help you have

given to Fort Logan Ministries during 2014. Many individuals and

families have received help from your giving. Most importantly, they

experiences and example of Christ's love in action which our world needs

to see.

We covet and treasure your prayers for our ministry that we reach

people in need and do so in the light of our "son".

We would also like you to know that we serve all of Lincoln

County. Again, we thank you for your donations.

Sincerely,

Kay Peppard, Director FLCM

"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him

for his deed. --Proverbs 19:17

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SERVING THIS WEEK

Door Greeter Deacon Greeters

Phil Smith Paul Playforth, Glenn Spoonamore, & Mike Tracy

KOW Van Driver Donnie Sutherland

Nursery Workers Deacon of the Week

AM: Devona Stamper & Tara Hoskins Odell Kirkpatrick (606-365-9123)

PM: Patricia Smith Glenn Spoonamore (606-669-9940)

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PRAYER LIST Betty Arnold Donna Sheron

George Bertram Marlin Sparks

Mary Ann Blair Lisa Turpin

Randy Blevins Mary Turpin

Doris Bottom Penny Vaught

Brenda Bottoms Danny Bailey family

Lloyd Brummett Thelma Sebastian family

Mildred Burchell Edwin Braley family

Jane Carruthers Ronnie Barnett family

Darlene Cave 7 year old plane crash victim

Michael Coulter Our church

Howard Disney Pastoral Candidate

Beulah Dunn Pastor Search Committee

Hobert Estep

Sue & Freddie Fox Remember Our Shut-ins

Russell & Gwen Gastineau Grace Blanton

Jared Godbey Glen Davis

Jim Boone Gooch Edith James

Mike Goodwin Marjorie Gooch

Paul Gorman Pauline Shearer

Paul Greer Leon Tyson

Mike Hamm Golden Living Center

Geneva Hawkins Thelma Burton

Travis Henderson Billie Sue Cornelius

Jim Hester Mildred Goodwin

Linda & Bob Hollifield Lancaster Christian Care

Bill Holloway Wilda Sweeney

Jack & Hartese Johnson

Don Kitts Military

Wallie Modrall Josh Bastin

Dorothy Robbins Jared Johnson

Teresa Ross

The Pathfinder

PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY STANFORD BAPTIST CHURCH

Phone (606) 365-2178

Vol. 19 No. 2 ____ January 9, 2015

Sunday, January 11

(AM) "Here Am I, Spend Me" Isaiah 6:1-9

(PM) "Speak Lord, Your Servant Listens" 1 Samuel 3:1-19

Committee Day meeting - 3:30 pm

Church Council - 4:00 pm Deacons meeting - 7:00 pm

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Tuesday, January 13

Baptist Women - 4:00 PM, CLC

BYW - 7:00 PM, Judy Hester's home

Wednesday, January 14

Business Meeting - 7:00 PM

Children's Wednesday Night Activities will resume on

January 14. Please note that when school is not in session children's activities will be cancelled.