John Bisagno former Pastor of Houston’s First Baptist Church tells the story of his coming there as a candidate for the position of pastor many years ago. He said that as he entered the auditorium it was dimly lit, with just a few people huddled together. They were singing some old slow funeral type hymn that was depressing.
Later that day he took a walk in downtown Houston and came upon a jewelry store. It was some sort of grand opening and there were bright lights and a greeter at the door to welcome you in with a smile. Inside there was a celebration going on. There were refreshments and people having a good time talking and laughing with each other. They welcomed him and offered him some punch. He said that after attending both the church and the jewelry store, if the jewelry store had offered an invitation, he would have joined the jewelry store!
Bono from the band U-2 said, “Christians are hard to tolerate. I don’t know how Jesus does it.” Where have we gone wrong? Could it be that we have developed an uninviting subculture, as portrayed above, and refuse to change?
Dan Kimball in his book, They Like Jesus But Not The Church, says that we have lost touch with the mindset of this present generation. Our world has changed whether we like it or not. Galadriel, the elf queen, from the movie Fellowship of the Ring speaks of changes occurring in Middle Earth; “The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in earth. I smell it in the air.”
The fact is the world is changing, hence the reason this present generation is disappearing from most churches. Two-thirds of the twenty-somethings in any given community are leaving the church or want nothing to do with the church. As Kimball says, the churches’ response to this is denial, believing the culture will come to its senses and come back around to the church. There is too much at stake to wait and see.
Grace and Peace,
Tim
Weekly Memory Verse
And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1 John 5:11 (NIV)
Prepare for:
MISSIONS SUNDAY
Sunday, August 29, 2010 has been set aside as our annual Missions Sunday. All offering collected on 8/29 will go into the Missions Fund and the Missions Committee will select a mission or missions to receive this
special blessing.
Prayerfully consider your tithe, we’re so blessed in this county.
Can you believe it’s almost time for the
ANNUAL CHURCH PICNIC??
Sunday, August 8th, will be the day—Appalachian Christian Camp in Unicoi will be the place!
We will eat at 5:00pm but come early to PLAY!!
The dinner is pot luck so bring your favorite covered dish.
Drinks, plates, utensils, serving pieces and bug spray will be provided. Tables are also provided for your dining comfort!
Frisbees, volley ball and soft ball are available.
Following the meal we will have several rounds of BINGO, with PRIZES!
This is our Church family summer get together, it will not be complete with out
YOU!
Happy Birthday…
Ethel Hatcher-7
Lori Alexander-7
H. J. Sparks-10
Noah Frazier-10
Mary Campbell-11
Anniversary Wishes…
Michael/Stephanie
Edwards-July 27th
David/Kathy Eunson– Aug. 4
Dale/Mary Ruth Little– Aug. 11
Thank you…
Memory of Aaron to the Aaron Stamper Scholarship Fund
Kathy LawsonIn
Nancy Keeran
To the Memorial Fund
Mark/Sandy Whitson
Joy Circle Meets
Thurs., Aug. 12
~
Hope Circle Meets
Thurs., Aug. 19
~
Love Circle August Dinner Outing
To be announced
This Sunday
August 1
Speaker………..Tim Stamper
Sermon Title
“The Bible Speaks With Certainty”
Sermon Text
1 John 5:11-13
Prayer
Jack Gardner
Communion Meditation
Tommy Phillips
Elders
George Coley; Jack Gardner
Deacons
Lee Hemphill; Jody Moore;
Tracy Moore; John David Sneyd; Jerry Whitt
Communion to shut-ins
George Coley; Jody Moore
Communion Preparation
Katie Jones
Greeter
Nursery:
1st hour….….Gail Thompson
2nd hour…….Gail Thompson
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:
www.fccerwin.org
fccerwintn.blogspot.com
Office Hours:
Mon.,Tues.,Thur.8:00a-2:00p
Minister……...423-388-9862
Or 423-743-4222
Youth Min……423-743-5338
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