John Ortberg tells of two men, one man Paul in his mid-seventies, with no faith background, woke up one morning with a sudden urge to go to church…that urge led him on a journey and a commitment to follow Jesus. Every week he comes to church marveling at the things he gets to learn about prayer, worship and faith.
The second man, Ralph (not his real name), stopped going to church. He is a well known minister and speaker. Ralph still believes in God. But he got burned out on the local church – it came to feel like a relentless drive for numbers and success and program and hype.
Paul and Ralph, says Ortberg, are examples of a dynamic just below the surface in many churches. People who are new to the church often grow the quickest and appreciate it the most. People who have been around a while often feel the least helped and the most used. A study called REVEAL found there is a certain point in spiritual development when church activities cease to correlate to perceived spiritual growth. The Barna Group found that most people believed spiritual growth consists of trying hard to follow the rules in the Bible, which meant that people said they don’t grow because they lack motivation.
Ortberg says, “Those of us who work in churches do it because we believe in the power of God to change lives: ‘we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is Christ’” (Eph. 3.15). When this happens, we die a little, even if the church is increasing numerically.
Consider this: Why aren’t many churches transforming lives? Is it that we offer the wrong message, the wrong measure, and the wrong means? Jesus said, “’Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flowing from within,’ by this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believe in Him were later to receive” (John 7.37-39).
The Christian walk is not something produced; it exists independently of us. It is the Spirit of God. The only way to become the person God made you to be is to live with the Spirit of God flowing through you like a river of living water (Ortberg).
(Leadership Journal and John Ortberg are credited with the inspiration for this article)
Grace and Peace, Tim
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR COLLEGE GRADS!!
Diana Gardiner will graduate on May 8 with a Bachelor’s of Social Work. Diana has received an award for Outstanding Social Worker.
Seth Jones will graduate on May 8th with a Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Engineering Technology.
God bless you both now and always!
ATTN: ELDERS
The regularly scheduled meeting fell on Mothers Day this year so the meeting date was changed to THIS Sunday,
May 2nd at 3:30 pm
COMMITTEE DINNER MEETINGS AND
BOARD MEETING Monday, May 10th
The Committee Dinner hosted by Gail Thompson will begin at 6:00pm in the Fellowship followed by the Committee Meetings.
The Board of FCC will meet at 7:30pm
in the Booster Classroom.
If you are on the board it is important that you plan to attend the meetings.
Ladies Night Out
It’s time for the annual Ladies Night Out Feast, hosted by the men of FCC!!
It will be held on Saturday, May 15th
at 6:00pm in the Fellowship Hall.
The meal will be catered by 3 Peas in a Pod. There will be door prizes and fun! Reservation slips will be available this Sunday, April 25th also on May 2nd and May 9th, please get them in early so plans can be made! Guests are welcome…...The men of FCC look forward to honoring you!
Happy Mothers Day!
Stuff, things and FYI :)
Ninth Street Baptist has invited FCC to join and participate in their VBS this year. It will be held the 2nd week in June. If you’d like to serve in this ministry call
Ninth St. @ 743-7551 for more detail
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If you would like to participate with the American Cancer Society Relay for Life this year in any way, or want to purchase a luminary in honor/ memory of someone or sign up for the talent show, call the NE TN & Mid South Division @
423 926 2921 for details.
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Sunday, May 16th Baccalaureate @ First Baptist Church 7:00pm. The Unicoi County Ministerial Assoc. is offering a $1000.00 College Scholarship to graduates. The Town of Unicoi is offering 2 post high school grants, any educational field, one for $1000.00 and one for $1500.00. Applicants should contact their schools Guidance Department for details.
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May 6th is the National Day of Prayer
Watch the local news papers for details!!
Blood Drive
Friday, May 14th at
FCC in the Fellowship Hall. 12:30pm-5:30pm
For appt: 202-5619 (Gwen)
Walk ins welcome
Enter a drawing to win a CRUISE for two!
Also a drawing for dinner for two at Toby’s.
Circle News...
Love Circle
Meeting, Tues.
May 4th @ 6:30pm
Joy Circle
Meeting, Thurs.
May 13th @2:00pm
Hope Circle
Meeting, Thurs.
May 20th @ 10:30am
PRAYER CONCERNS/UPDATES
CONTINUE IN PRAYER FOR…
Doris Johnson, Beverly Britt, Sandy M. Heritage, Levi Gardner, Jackie Duncan, Terry Jarrett, Billie Flowers, Lou Thornberry, Jack/Norma Ingle, John Marr, Maurice Love, Ramona Gouge, Stamper family, Kira Whitson, Gene/Gladys Bowman, Denise Ray, John Martins father, Jack Britt, Tim Bennett, Marilyn Brown, Martha Hartsell, Spencer Moore, Kathryn Sparks
TEAM AARON!
Visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/aaronstamper for updates
IN HEALTH CARE….
Erwin Health Care – Beulah Morris
UCMH Long Term Care – Ruth Marie Masters, Edyth Price,
Helen Miller
Center On Aging – Mary Davis, Jo Jackson
Ken and Agnes Kerns
Pine Oaks Assisted Living – Pete Harvey
Appalachian Christian Village-Lois Stamper
Christian Care Center-Ruth Evans
Shut-ins-Charles Flowers, Joan Hicks, Polly Miller
Birthday Blessings To:
Shelton Thompson-2
Judy Webb-4
George Miller-5
This Sunday, May 2
Speaker…..….David Roberts
Sermon Title
“The Church is Meant to Grow”
Sermon Text
Eph. 4:1-7, 11-16
Prayer
Jack Gardner
Communion Meditation
David Eunson
Elders
B. J. Moore; Shelton Thompson
Deacons
John David Sneyd; Jerry Whitt; Jared Shoemaker;
1 Volunteer
Communion to shut-ins
B. J. Moore; John David Sneyd
Communion Preparation
Angie Moore
Greeter
Lori Alexander
Nursery:
1st hour….......Lori Alexander
2nd hour…......Lori Alexander
Classrooms:
Sunday School
2’s-4’s…………. Jody Moore
K-1st………….Kathy Eunson
2nd-5th……….. Becky Moore
6th-……………. Angie Moore
Church
2-5 yrs………...…Jody Moore
1st-5th……………. Sanctuary
Service Times
Sunday School…….. 9:45 am
Morning Worship….10:45 am
Wed. Bible Study….. 7:00 pm
Wed. Youth………….7:00 pm
Contact Information
Church Office Phone
743-3811
fccerwin@embarqmail.com
On the Web:
fccerwintn.blogspot.com
Office Hours:
Mon.,Tues.,Thur.,
8:00am-2:00pm
Minister (cell) 388-9862
Minister (home) 743.4222
Int. Youth Min…….220-6646
Interim Minister
David Roberts…....542-9494
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