Love in Action 365… - Cowee Baptist Church

The Gem
Cowee Baptist Church
April 2015
Church Newsletter
Last Month’s Averages:
Based on 4-weeks
Morning Worship:
331
Sunday School:
200
Total Offerings:
By Pastor David...
If you are a Christian, you know that Easter is a huge deal. The empty tomb declares
victory and eternal life. While we celebrate this Easter Sunday, will you do your all to
help proclaim this truth?
$69,155.37
Special Dates:
(Specific times listed on pg. 3)
4/3-
Good Friday, Special Service,
FUMC Franklin
4/5-
Easter Sunday
Building Fund Sunday
Macon Valley Service
4/6-
Church Office Closed
4/8-
Family Missions Night
4/11-
Baptist Men’s Workday
4/13-
Missions Council Meeting
4/15-
Preregistered Photo Day
4/16-
Preregistered Photo Day
Cowee Gems Dollywood Trip
4/17-
Preregistered Photo Day
Cowee Gems Game Night
4/18-
Preregistered Photo Day
4/19-
Deacons’ Meeting
Quarterly Business Meeting
4/21-
Preregistered Photo Day
4/24-
Parents’ Night Out
4/26-
Children’s Choir Performs
Children’s Council Meeting
Easter is a great time to invite someone to church. 82% of unchurched people are at
least "somewhat likely" to attend church if they are invited. I believe the likelihood of
someone saying "yes" around Easter is even greater! All you have to do is think back
to previous years and you will recall that indeed more people show up at Easter than
on a typical Sunday.
There is the possibility that some will say no... but there is also the possibility that
some will say YES! Even if only 1 person out of everyone invited attends, it has been
worth the effort.
Easter is the greatest story ever told! We recommend movies, books, restaurants -think of how you can recommend someone coming to church Easter Sunday:
 Put an invite in with your candy filled eggs
 Send an email, text or Facebook post
 Pick up the phone or walk across the street
 Add an invitation when you are thanking a co-worker or someone who has
served you
 Go the extra mile and offer to bring them to church with you on Easter
Sunday, to save them a seat or to take them to lunch after church.
Easter is huge — consider its impact upon history and our very lives. Pray now, that
Easter Sunday at Cowee Baptist will make a huge, positive impact on the lost and
unchurched around us.
See the Calendar on page 3 for
specific times of events.
Inside this Issue:
Announcements
Pg. 1
Thank You’s & More
Pg. 2
Monthly Calendar
Pg. 3
Children
Pg. 4
Youth
Pg. 5
Missions
Pg. 6
LIA 365 & Gems
Pg. 7
Announcements
Pg. 8
SAVE THE DATE!
WELCOME!
New York City
Mission Trip
Join us in welcoming our new
administrative assistant, Kim Carnes!
Kim’s first day will be April 7.
She can be reached by
calling the church office (524-3469)
or emailing
[email protected].
JULY 17-26
More information and
applications available
SOON!
KIM CARNES
New Administrative Assistant
(Church Secretary)
Christie McGaha is transitioning to
serve as our part-time financial
secretary. She can be reached by calling
the church office (524-3469) or emailing
[email protected]
Page 2
Monthly Service at
Macon Valley
Nursing & Rehabilitation
Center
(3195 Old Murphy Rd.)
On Sunday, April 5, (2:15pm in the Spark
Unit and 2:30 in the dining hall) and on the
first Sunday of each month following,
Cowee Baptist Church will be leading a
worship service at Macon Valley Nursing
Home. All are welcome & encouraged to
attend this time of fellowship & worship.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
ADULT STUDY:
"What Every Christian
Ought to Know"
6:30pm, in the loft above
the church office
Leaders: Pastor David &
Steve Waldroop
Tuesday Morning
Ladies Study…
“Hebrews, The Nearness of
King Jesus”
by Lisa Harper
Tuesdays
9:30am-11:30am
Room G116
All women are invited.
There is still time to join.
E-mail Frankie Reynolds for more
information ([email protected]).
Baptist
Men…
Monthly Meeting:
Wednesday, April 8, 7pm
Monthly Workday: Sat. April 11
All men are encouraged and
welcome to attend!
For information, contact Brotherhood
Director: Bill Fouts (342-1647,
[email protected]).
”I would like to express my sincere appreciation for all the
prayers, cards, and acknowledgements over the past months.
We have lost Randy, my mom and two very special aunts in a
short time. Maggie’s brother, Steve, passed away during the
time of mom’s illness as well. Cowee Church Family, thank
you for all the love you have shown throughout all the losses
we have endured. We have the assurance of seeing them
again.
Love you all, Karen Raby and Family”
“Thank you to the Brotherhood who came and installed a
ramp for me. May God bless each of you.
In Christ, Anna Mason”
”Cowee Baptist Church, thank you so much for the card and
the baby bottles coming in. SMPCC appreciates your
support and prayers.
Thank you all, Jenny Goldsmith, SMPCC”
“Dear Church Family, Thank you so much for your prayers,
phone calls, visits, and food during this special time as we
welcomed Holden! We are so thankful to be part of this
church family.
Thank you, Justin Tara & Holden Riles”
“Dear Church Family, thanks for your remembrances of us
during this time, especially your prayers. These things mean
so much in difficult times.
May God Bless, Judson & Lib Hall”
Cowee is proud to have partnered with the Baptist State Convention to
plant "Campus Church" at Western Carolina University. Below is an
update:
“God's really blessing us here in amazing ways! People are continuing to be saved
and we are seeing people growing in their faith by leaps and bounds. We continue
to see people stepping up to lead and our small groups are growing tremendously.
We will be cranking up three services beginning this weekend at 9:30, 11:15, &
6pm, so pray for the souls that will be added. The state convention has given us the
use of the old Baptist Student Union (BSU) building and improvements to the first
floor are almost complete. We're also going to be needing some help outside and
downstairs from landscaping, construction, painting, etc. We just can't thank you
guys enough for all the help and support and the way you've stood by us!”
Pastor Josh, Campus Church
*Campus Church has a need for chairs. If you, your Sunday School class or small group would like to
sponsor a chair, they are $14 each. You can turn in your sponsorship through the regular offering by
placing it in an envelope with "Campus Church Chairs" written on it.
The red squares represent the previous paid down portion of the debt for the
Children’s Wing. The green squares represent the most recent paid down portion.
Month of February 2015: Loan Balance was $457,196.86. We paid on loan: $10,602.42.
Colored in: 18 squares ($10,602.42/596=17.789). At this point: 308 squares are colored in.
Page 3.
Cowee Baptist Church — April 2015
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
April 5 is Building Fund Sunday!
DEACON (3/29-4/04):
Bruce Harwood
5
EASTER SUNDAY
BUILDING FUND SUNDAY
6
7
OFFICE CLOSED
MACON VALLEY NURSING
HOME SERVICE, 2:15pm
DEACON (5-11):
Kaine Matthews
12
13
Missions Council
Meeting, 6:30pm
14
DEACON (12-18):
Bill McGaha
19
4/5
4/12
4/19
4/26
10
11
Baptist Men’s
Workday, 8:30am
16
PHOTO DAY (preregistered)
17
PHOTO DAY (preregistered)
18
PHOTO DAY (preregistered)
COWEE GEMS
DOLLYWOOD TRIP
Cowee Gems , Marble
Pursuit, The Hub,
6:30pm
27
28
29 5-7PM (drop-in)-Love in
30
Action 365
5:30-6:30pm (drop-in)-Supper
6:15pm-Children’s Choir
6:30pm-Youth, Fusion 5/6
6:30 & 7pm-Adult Bible Study
7pm-Mission Friends, RAs, GAs,
Adult Choir
Toddlers
11am Preschool
Children’s Church
Tammy Foster
Jamie Shepherd
Carolyn West
Joel & Katy
Sonya Adams
Ashley Matthews
Delona Crisp
Schick
Kim Norton
Roy Burnette
Steve & Michelle
Kaine Matthews
Christie McGaha Sabrina Scruggs
Green
Kyle Norton
Kevin & Jenn
Evelyn Greer
Julie Jenkins
Jason & Kelly
Adams
Denise Bueck
Gen Bingham
Maisa
Josephine Cabe
Lacy Harwood
Cheyenne Robinson Cheri Patterson
Barbara Roper
Charles Cabe
Frances Gentry
GOOD FRIDAY
Saturday
9
22 5-7PM (drop-in)-Love in
23
Action 365
5:30-6:30pm (drop-in)-Supper
6:15pm-Children’s Choir
6:30pm-Youth, Fusion 5/6
6:30 & 7pm-Adult Bible Study
7pm-Mission Friends, RAs, GAs,
Adult Choir
DEACON (26-5/2):
Steve Green
Friday
3
21
PHOTO DAY (preregistered)
DEACON (19-25):
TBA
11am Nursery
Thursday
2
20
Deacons’ Meeting, 4:30pm
Quarterly Business Meeting,
6pm
26
Children’s Choir Performs
during both Worship Services
Children’s Council, 4:30pm
Wednesday
1 5-7PM (drop-in)-Love in
Action 365
5:30-6:30pm (drop-in)-Supper
6:15pm-Children’s Choir
6:30pm-Youth, Fusion 5/6
6:30pm-Marriage Study
6:30 & 7pm-Adult Bible Study
7pm-Mission Friends, RAs, GAs,
Adult Choir
8 FAMILY MISSIONS NIGHT
5-7pm-Love in Action 365
5:30-6:30pm (drop-in)-Supper
6:15pm-NO Children’s Choir
6:30pm-Marriage Study
6:30pm-Adult Choir
6:30pm-Youth, Fusion 5/6
7pm-Africa Missions
Presentation (Crossover Area)
7pm-Mission Groups, Mission
Friends, RA’s, GA’s
15 PHOTO DAY (preregistered)
5-7PM (drop-in)-Love in Action
365
5:30-6:30pm (drop-in)-Supper
6:15pm-Children’s Choir
6:30pm-Youth, Fusion 5/6
6:30 & 7pm-Adult Bible Study
7pm-Mission Friends, RAs, GAs,
Adult Choir
4
24
25
PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT
April Deacon
of the Week:
April
Ushers:
Jack Baldwin,
Charles Cabe,
*Paul Dodge,
**Steve Green,
Eddie Guy.
Jeremy McGaha,
David Morgan,
Dennis Stamey
*Leader, ** Assistant
Leader
Amanda Stewart
1
Gabe Pickens
4
Noah Powell
9
Nikki McDaniel
17
Rick McAlister
24
Cole Dulicai
1
Jennifer Trammel
4
Charlie Scruggs
9
Leah Stamey
18
Ryan Balmer
24
Alanna Peavy
2
Bobby Bolick
5
Emily Chandler
10
Ryan Beckney
18
Diane Dillard
26
Austyn Bajek
2
Addasyn Hane
5
Lucy Pickens
10
Logan Dodge
19
Lela Guy
27
Samantha Barrett
3
Delona Crisp
6
Chelsea Heard
10
Lydia Horton
19
Daniel Pickens
27
Claire Hill
3
David Morgan
6
Zackeus McDaniel
13
Maycee McCollum
20
Luke Schick
27
Stan Jeffress
3
Kim Norton
6
Tyler Pendergrass
14
Nathan Johnson
21
Sarah Jackson
28
Janice Fouts
4
Jan Gillette
7
Christy Hart
14
Megan Ramsey
21
Joel Schick
28
Ashley Waldroop
4
Eddie Lee, Sr.
8
Brian Tebrock
16
Destny Hickman
23
Kathy Snyder
29
Jennifer Hicks
4
Jenny McAlister
9
Evelyn Greer
17
Jason Maisa
24
Diedre Breeden
30
Mike Trammel
29--4/4
Ernie Pait
5--11
Kaine Matthews
12--18
Bill McGaha
19--25
TBA
26--5/2
Steve Green
Page 4
Children’s Council will
meet Sunday,
April 26, 4:30pm.
Children's Choir meets each
Wednesday evening from
6:15 - 6:45 in the
Children's Worship Center.
Children’s Choir will not meet on
Wednesday, 4/8 due to Spring Break
for Macon County Schools.
The children will perform the
following in April:
4/26- “Jesus Loves Me” with chimes
Leader: Kim Clark
Assistants: Bonnie Bennett,
Stephanie Jennings
Friday, April 24
5:30-8:30PM
Kingdom Kids Center–Supper
provided. To sign your child up or volunteer
to help with childcare, contact Sierra
Womack ([email protected])
4th Week of June
PARENT/CHILD DEDICATION
There is a Parent/Child Dedication service being planned for
the end of April. If you are interested in taking part, contact
Pastor David (524-3469 or [email protected]), Pastor
Jason (371-1167 or [email protected]) or Sierra
Womack (421-4176 or [email protected]).
Don’t forget to invite extended family to join
us Easter Sunday, April 5. There will be plenty
of room and lots of fun learning about Jesus
in all of our Children’s Sunday Sch0ol classes
and during Children’s Worship. Classes are
available Sunday mornings for all ages.
Pyle Scholarship
Fund…
(for church members seeking a
college degree)
Applications are
located in the church
office. Deadline for
submission is
April 15.
By Sierra Womack, Children’s Ministry Director...
What Am I Going to Do in Africa?
I was asking God this question as I mentally
prepared for my trip to Burkina Faso, Africa to
be part of some medical clinics. I've been
on many mission trips in my life but none that
I didn't know exactly what I was going to do
when I got there, what I had to offer. I was not
sure what I could offer, but I knew God had a
plan. God repeatedly brought Isaiah 6:8 to my
mind many times and reminded me that if
we're obedient He'll do the rest. "Then I heard
the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom
shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8
God indeed came through in a big way. Kathy
Daniels, an IMB missionary in Burkina, has had
a heart for the truckers of West Africa for a long
time. She has prayed for God to show her how
she could reach the truckers where they are.
So, God led her to visit many truck stops and
story to the truckers. She has a card she gives
them so they can contact a pastor in their area
that speaks their language and can answer their
questions and can share more stories with them.
She also gives out SIM cards with stories on
them in over 4 languages. So, when the opportunity came for us at Cowee to partner with 2 doctors out of Georgia and provide some medical
clinics at truck stops, Kathy knew God was providing a way to reach these truckers. We saw
over 800 people in our 10 days in Burkina and
Togo. God blessed us with many wonderful volunteers and the truckers were overwhelmed with
our presence in their country and our desire to
serve them. We have heard from Kathy Daniels
and she said doors have been opened and the
truckers are asking questions about God and
wanting to hear more Bible stories. So, in
short, obedience is all God needs, He's got
the plan all laid out!
By Pastor Jason, Associate Pastor & Minister
of Students and Families...
Just a few months back our worship services focused in on a series called "Seeing
Clearly" and as Pastor David shared, it is
evident that the way we see impacts every
part of our life. In the culture we live in,
statistics show that most of our young
people have a worldview that has been
shaped by a pluralistic culture rather than
an understanding of God's word. With
this cultural influence, their beliefs differ
widely from biblical standards. As a result, many teens are leaving the faith they
grew up with, and of those who remain in
the church, few are living as bold witnesses for Christ. Through much of the
teaching over this past few months, we
have engaged students and challenged
them to know what the Bible says about
life, and many of the challenges that culture is throwing at them. In the midst of
this culture, the good news is
that teenagers who embrace an authentic
Christian worldview are not abandoning
the church, but are living for the Lord in
their everyday lives!
Page 5
This is why apologetics training is such a
critical component in the disciplining of
youth. If we can help them to see the truths
and validity of God's word, they will be far
more likely to live out its truths. Those of
us further along in our faith must lovingly
train young people to be able to defend
their faith with confidence and authority.
God's word challenges every one of us,
from the youngest to the oldest, to be ready
to make a defense, and share the reason for
the hope that is in us (1 Peter 3:15).
On May 3rd we will have an opportunity to
be encouraged and equipped in this great
task, as Cameron McCallister, from Ravi
Zacharias International Ministries will be
with us for both of our morning worship
services. Cameron will also be speaking
that night at an event at the SMCFTPA
geared for students at 6pm.
1 Peter 3:15, “but sanctify Christ as Lord
in your hearts, always being ready to make
a defense to everyone who asks you to give
an account for the hope that is in you, yet
with gentleness and reverence” (NASB)
AFRICA MISSIONS TEAM PRESENTATION...Wednesday, April 8
Worship at 6:30pm, led by the youth band
Missionary Speakers at 7:00pm (Crossover Area)
Come hear a recap of events told by our very own missionaries to Africa.
See pictures and hear how God is working. All are welcome to attend!
David Platt
Russell Moore
Eric Mason
Louie Giglio
Ronnie Floyd
Passion Band
Matt Carter
Al Mohler
Shane and Shane
Jimmy Scroggins
HB Charles Jr
Ed Stetzer
Crowder
Casting Crowns
11am Married Couples
Class Begins New Study
Sunday, April 19
Room G117
11:00am
Biblical Financial Study
By: Crown Financial Ministries
Facilitators: John & Lisa Welch
Limited Space Available—
Available—Open to Students and Adults
Cost: $135/pp (includes lodging for 2 nights) - See Pastor Jason or Casey Jennings to sign up.
For more information and to
request materials, please
contact John or Lisa Welch
(371-8525 or 349-4656).
Page 6
Missions Opportunities
April 8
♥
SAVE THE DATE!
LOVE IN ACTION DAY…SATURDAY,
MAY 16
th
Family Missions Night,
7:00PM
Make plans now to participate in our 17 annual Love In Action Day, a one-day
mission blitz of our community, by all ages of our church family. Team signups
will take place on April 26 during morning services.
April 11
Baptist Men Workday,
8:30am
April 26
Deadline for “Spring for
Students” IVE donations
April 26
Deadline for Food Gift
Cards for Baptist
Children’s Homes
May 16
Love in Action Day,
breakfast at 8:00am,
projects begin at 9:00am
May 17
Love in Action Day
Celebration Cookout,
5:30pm, Fellowship Hall
SPRING FOR STUDENTS
Iotla Valley Elementary
NC BAPTIST CHILDREN’S HOMES ANNUAL
FOOD ROUND UP:
WMU PROJECT
Over 350 students will receive an individual
treat bag filled with items.
Please bring the following:
Women: #2 Pencils & Glue Sticks
Girls & Preschoolers: Big Erasers
Deadline: April 26
Place items in the boxes provided
outside the church library &
children’s wing.
WMU will be collecting
FOOD GIFT CARDS
for NC Baptist Children’s Homes,
which includes Drake Cottage.
Any amount is appreciated.
Cards may be purchased from Ingles,
BI-LO, Kmart or Wal-Mart.
Place gift cards in the church office or
hand to Kaye Rickman, WMU Director.
THANK YOU!
62 Cowee Baptist families turned in
generous donations for the Smoky
Mountain Pregnancy Care Center
via the baby bottle fund drive.
100 empty bottles were
distributed, 60 were returned. If
you still have a bottle, please drop
it off in the church office, so we
can return them to the center. It
costs the center to replace each
bottle not returned.
Page 7
Seasonal Residents, Did you know Cowee offers ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP?
An individual who lives in this church area on a part-time basis, and is a member of a Baptist Church of
like faith in another area, may become an associate member of Cowee Baptist Church after completing
membership requirements of the Constitution.
An associate member of Cowee Baptist Church is not required to transfer membership from his/her
home church, but will be under the watch-care of Cowee Baptist while here.
Associate members may serve on committees, make nominations, participate in discussions on the
floor, and serve as a substitute teacher or assistant teacher.
When:
Wednesday Evenings
Time:
6:00 to 8:00pm
Location:
Upstairs Room 224
If you’re interested in Associate Membership, contact Pastor David for additional information and next
steps.
CHURCH PHOTO DIRECTORY
THERE IS STILL TIME...
Contact Gen Bingham for more
information, 371-2131.
There are still a few appointments available April 21. If you
missed your appointment or have not made one, please
contact the church office (524-3469) immediately. You do not
have to be a church member in order to take part in our church directory.
By taking part, you will receive a free 8x10 and a free church directory.
Cowee Gems – Mark Your Calendars. .
Cowee Gems Annual Dollywood Trip: to the Festival of Nations, Thurs., April 16, departing from
the church at 7:29am, returning at 8-9pm. Cost is $59pp/+tax (for those that do not have a season's
pass). There is no charge for the bus ride, but donations will be taken up to help defray the cost.
Please register at the Gem Mine or call Middie McSwain (524-5818) to reserve a seat on the bus.
This will be a day of fun and Christian fellowship. If the bus is filled, the bus driver will get in free.
Visit the Gem Mine for more information and registration.
Love in Action 365…
WED
.
An opportunity to touch lives
SUNDAY SCHOOL
ANCHORS
1st
Servant’s Heart,
Esther
Willing Workers
ABEL, Joy, Daughters
of the King
Dorcas, Gardner Holden,
Omega, 11am Adults
Drop in Wednesdays, 5-7pm
2nd
3rd
4th
Love in Action
Be a blessing...
Volunteers needed
EVERY Wednesday night.







Deliver a meal
Write a card
Make a phone call
Go on a visit
Lift up a prayer
Make a card
Assemble packets
Contact Us…
Phone:
(828) 524-3469
Fax:
(828) 524-5687
E-Mail:
[email protected]
We’re on the Web!
Visit us at:
www.coweebaptist.org
Email Addresses…
Pastor David:
[email protected]
Rev. Jason Smith:
[email protected]
Page 8
Welcome
New Members...
Gary & Teresa Scaff
Associate Members
CHURCH SOFTBALL TEAM:
Signups are available at the Sunday School desk and
in The Hub. Ages 14 and up are welcome (under 18
must have a permission form signed by parents).
For more information, contact Ed Rewis (347-5320,
or [email protected]) or Dawn Trammel
(371-7081, [email protected]).
Rev. Ronnie Branson:
[email protected]
Children’s Ministry Director:
[email protected]
Church Office:
[email protected]
Sound Techs:
[email protected]
Community Good Friday Worship Service-at First United Methodist
Church Franklin, Friday, April 3 at noon. The service will be based on the
“Seven Last Words of Christ” with Pastor David and other local pastors
sharing the Scripture reading and then a brief message on Jesus' words
from the cross. Music from local church musicians will also be part of this
special worship service. Everyone is invited.
CD/DVD Requests:
[email protected]
6301 Bryson City Road
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 524-3469
Cowee Baptist Church