Mountain Messenger May 2018

Newsletter

“For I know the plans I

have for you,” declares

the Lord. “Plans to

prosper you and not to

harm you, plans to

give you hope and

a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

2018 Graduates

Evan Berrong - TC Andy Chambers - TC Caleb Clark - TC Augustus Denton - TC Jordan Hyatt - TC

Cole Ledford - TC Hank Chambers Nathan Barnes - YH N. Georgia Tech

Briana Bell - YH Rachel Benson - YH Christie Blaurock - YH

Ryan Emery - YH Laura Gregory - YH Noah Hamil - YH Monica Rameriz-Leon Austin Tibbetts - YH YH

Pastor’s Pen...

The Resurrected Life: Caterpillars and Butterflies

This past week I was re-reading a book by Francis Chan called “Forgotten God”, as I was preparing for our current series when I came across this conversation he had with his wife, (Note: A man is not known by the books he reads, but by the books he re-reads.)

“Years ago, when a random thought came into my head, I decid-ed to share it with my wife. “Have you ever wondered what cater-pillars think about?” I asked. Not surprisingly, she said, “No.”

I then proceeded to tell her about the confusion I imagined a caterpillar must experience. For all its caterpillar life, it crawls around a small patch of dirt and up and down a few plants. Then one day it takes a nap. A long nap. And then, what in the world must go through its head when it wakes up to discover it can fly? What happened to its dirty, plump little worm body? What does it think when it sees its tiny new body and gorgeous wings?” He then went on to say,

“As believers, we ought to experience this same kind of astonish-ment when the Holy Spirit enters our bodies. We should be stunned in disbelief over becoming a “new creation” with the Spirit living in us. As the caterpillar finds its new ability to fly, we should be thrilled over our Spirit-empowered ability to live differ-ently and faithfully. Isn’t this what the Scriptures speak of? Isn’t this what we’ve all been longing for?” Excerpt From: Francis Chan, “Forgotten God”

The Apostle Paul spoke on this amazing truth by declaring that just as a caterpillar is transformed into a butterfly, so also is anyone who has trusted Christ as their Savior.

Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. 2 Cor. 5:17 (CEV)

Think about this with me for a minute. Because of my faith in Jesus Christ, my past has been redeemed and forgotten and a new life has begun for me. It also means that the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead is now living inside of me and every other believer! Here in lies the rub.

If we are new creations, shouldn’t our lives look different than the lives of those around us that don’t have the Holy Spirit?

I would be the first to admit that what should be often isn’t when it comes to fleshing out a life led by the Spirit… but I will also be the first to confess that I want my life to be more transformed today from what I was yesterday… The only way this is possible is I have to give the Holy Spirit more room to work in my life today than I did yesterday. This means I must walk in step with Him and submit to his leading on a daily basis.

Why would you want to keep crawling when you have the ability to fly?

Join us for Sunday, May 20th at 8:00 a.m. in the Family Life Center. Come join us for a light breakfast, coffee and some good fellowship!

Welcome New Member!

Evan Berrong

GRADUATE RECOGNITION We will be recognizing our high school and college graduates on Mother’s Day, May 13th. Please be sure to congratulate these fine young men and women on this important mile stone in their lives!

Our services are streamed live on

Facebook every Sunday morning

at 10:15. am!

Memorial Day Monday, May 28th

The Church Office will be closed Memorial Day, Monday, May 28th to honor those who gave their lives in the service and protection of America’s freedom.

YOU ARE INVITED! The Nannie Rose Tatham WMU meeting will be held on Thursday, May 3rd, at 10:00 a.m. in Room 219 of the Family Life Center. Our guest speaker will be Tammy Hollingshead who will be sharing her mission experience to the six hundred children at the Jerusalem School of Bethlehem. She, along with twelve other members of the ministry, To the Nations, was able to share Christ’s hope, peace and love with the six hundred children who attend this school in the heart of Muslim territory. Please come hear Tammy’s exciting story!

“Each seed planted in a young child’s life will save and enrich many lives for generations to come”!

The Annual Awana Awards Banquet will be held on Thursday, May 10th at 5:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center. The children will be awarded for their diligent work in Bible verse memorization and enjoy a special meal with family and friends.

The P.E.A.K. Kids Praise Choir will bless us with their sweet voices on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 13th, during the Morning Worship Service.

There Will Be A P.E.A.K. Kids Schools Out Celebration on Wednesday, May 16th, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Children’s Department. Join us for pizza, cookie decorating, games, prizes, devotion and prayer for a safe, fun summer. Wednesday Night PEAK Kids Choir & Class will continue through the summer months. Join us for a fun time of singing, bible learning, arts & crafts and games. Same time, same place - Wednesdays, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Children’s Department of the Family Life Center. Bring a friend!!

Child Safety Training Wednesday, May 16th, at 5:00 p.m. in the Children’s Department. Please call the church office at 706-896-2281 to sign up to take this required training if you plan to serve in VBS or get involved with the PEAK Kids Ministry, Summit Students Ministry or help with the Nursery, and have not already taken it.

Vacation Bible School will be held Monday, June 25th through Thursday, June 28th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon for children age 4 through 5th grade. This year’s program is entitled “Game On!” God has given us his ultimate playbook and wants us to join His team. Be sure and mark your calendars for this fun and Christ-centered Bible Study.

Loving God

Loving Kids

Miss Betty Children’s Minister

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER The National Day of Prayer will be held Thursday, May 3rd. The theme of the 2018 observance will be “Pray for America - Unity”. Based upon Ephesians 4:3, which Challenges us to mobilize unified public prayer for America, "Making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Join us at 6:30 p.m. at the Towns County Recreation and Conference Center, 150 Foster Park Road, Young Harris to pray for our community, our state and our nation.

NEXT THANKS DONNA BENNETT Our church has a weekly gathering of young adults called NEXT which are made up of 18-26 year-olds who are in school, working, and starting families. They meet every Sunday night at 6pm at the home of Pastor Jeremy and his wife, Calah. Dinner is always a huge part of the night! For the past year Donna Bennett has stepped in and provided dinner for the group weekly. This has not just helped Calah, who wrestles two-year-old Judah, but it has blessed the entire group. We would like to thank and honor Donna for blessing us with an amazing HOME COOKED meal every week! Thank you for being faithful to the Lord and our church!

May Ushers Morning Service: H. Smith - Head Usher Balcony Usher: D. Wilson J. Armstrong, H. Bailey, M. Bleckley, R. Bartlett, C. Staten, S. Ledford

Evening Service: H. Smith - Head Usher J. Dolvin

Kay Sanford and family on the death of her husband, Aubrey Sanford. To Carol Chandler and family on the death of her brother, Roger Gulick. To Billye Jones and family on the death of her brother, Boyd Bowers. To Doug Nicholson and family on the death of his brother-in-law, Ernest Noblet. To Theresa Arrowood on the death of her sister, Chloe.

Save the date

Mark your calendar for Sunday, June 3rd, at 6:00 p.m. for the first of three Church on the Hill events being held this summer at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds.

Servants in Ministry

SUNDAY SERVANTS - 5.6.18 INFANTS & 2 YR OLDS, 3 & 4 YR OLDS K. Clark, S. Childress, T. Clark GREETERS – Team # 9 SECURITY - F. Witkowski FIRST TOUCH - B. Arnett & N. Donegan WELCOME DESK - M. Chaney & M. Ashley WELCOME CARTS - Capt. - J. Nichols C. Houser, B. Keilholtz, R. Thomson SUNDAY SERVANTS - 5.13.18 INFANTS & 2 YR OLDS, 3 & 4 YR OLDS L. Ledford, P Miller, S. Watson GREETERS – Team # 9 SECURITY – F. Witkowski FIRST TOUCH - K. & M. Joyner WELCOME DESK - B. & J. Cone WELCOME CARTS – Capt. - H. Goddard M. McFerrin, R. Hanks, R. Viduna SUNDAY SERVANTS - 5.20.18 INFANTS & 2 YR OLDS, 3 & 4 YR OLDS C. Therrel, M. Thomson, F. Ayers GREETERS – Team # 9 SECURITY – F. Witkowski FIRST TOUCH - M. & L. Avery WELCOME DESK - L. & R. Wark WELCOME CARTS - Capt. - R. Moody W. Benson, P. Major, C. Hood SUNDAY SERVANTS - 5.27.18 INFANTS & 2 YR OLDS, 3 & 4 YR OLDS S. Adams, K. Townsend GREETERS – Team # 9 SECURITY – F. Witkowski FIRST TOUCH - W. & A. Berg WELCOME DESK - S. Crawford WELCOME CARTS - Capt. - W. Nelson G. Sage, C. Baggett, R. Peterson

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