Guyton Christian Church (DOC), September 2019, Page 1 www.GuytonChristianChurch.org

Guyton Christian Church

September 2019 Newsletter Web: http://www.GuytonChristianChurch.org

Sharing the Banquet

At Guyton Christian Church, we’re always sharing the banquet. Some of the best cooks in Effingham County bring food every Sunday night and on special occasions. But the banquet I’m referring to is more than food. It’s a banquet of family, friendship and fellowship!

Jesus was quoting Moses when he said, “Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.” (Matthew 4:4/Deuteronomy 8:3) In Deuteronomy, the lesson was taught by God humbling the children of Israel with hunger, then providing manna. In Jesus, it is taught in much the same way, by the freely given provision of God, resulting from either direct miracles or the gener-osity of God’s people.

Moses made it clear that the children of Israel received God’s provision because of God’s love for them, and not through any merit of their own. Jesus taught the same thing for all of us. In the parable of the great banquet (Luke 14), Jesus makes the same point: The Master has a feast ready for all who will receive it. “Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.” (Luke 14:23) God wants to bless others not because they deserve it, but because His banquet hall is overflowing with blessings.

I encourage church members to invite their friends whenever they can. If you like church the way it is, then fill the banquet hall with others just like you. But if there’s still room after you’ve invited all your friends, then invite strangers as well.

The parable of the banquet tells us that the servants were instructed first to “bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.” In that day, these people were not merely sympathetic characters. They were outcasts, shunned by religious institutions, considered unholy and unworthy. Jesus clearly wanted to do away with the concept that one had to be worthy to attend God’s banquet. He made it clear that our assign-ment is to fill the banquet hall, not to be selective about who attends!

A recent guest at our Sunday Night Gospel Jam was impressed that many of those attending were not church members. The same could be said for our Sunday morning service. God’s love, and the Gospel of Je-sus, are blessings to be shared, not hoarded! Forgiveness is something we should give freely, just as God has freely forgiven us!

Our Open Table at Communion is a weekly reminder that we have all been invited to a great banquet, and that we are to invite others as well. You don’t have to be selective about who you invite to church – in-vite everybody, so that God’s house will be full! As we have freely received the blessings of God, I pray we may be as free and generous in sharing those blessings with others.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Joel

Guyton Christian Church (DOC), September 2019, Page 2 www.GuytonChristianChurch.org

September Communion

Preparation

Chad & Lucinda Zittrouer

Disciple Men Mon. September 16th @ 7p

Christian Center

Host & Devo: Jim Swann

Eula Powers Circle Location: Christian Center

Thurs., September 19th @ 7p Hostess: Brenda Swann

Bereavement

Families of John Battle

Michael Cribbs Faye Smith’s Sister, Kay

Health & Wellbeing Allisa Alexander

Michael Thomas Alley Becky Archer

Doris Armstrong Randy Bashlor Jelane Battle Janice Beard

Sandy Beckman

Al Beiner Alvin Berry

Geneva Boyles Leonard Boyles

Brisher Family Dorothy Brody Ethel Brown Alex Burdo Jerry Burns Linda Clark Jayme Click

Delma Cowart Gwen Cox

Nell Crapps Pat Cutter

Brian Davis Carolyn Dixon Greg Durrence

Audry Edwards Doris Jane Edwards

Monroe Epting Ginger Exley

Family of John Farell Angie Fedie Beth Flynt

John David Fulcher Scott Garner

Demitra Gibson Fred Griffin

Stephanie Hall Herbert Hutcheson

Heather Jackson Mckenna Jordan

Annette Lamb Pat Little

Shannon Long Parker McCoy Wren Mason Angie Moore Larry Mueller Kathy Murphy Chris Orrico

Rachel Pevey Reed Pevey Amy Rippey

Carolyn Seckinger Joe Secich

Laura Sellers Brittany Sessions

Kylie Shiell Abby Smith

Henry Southward Ann Stevens John Sullivan Jacky Taylor

Don Thomassen Catherine Tinker

Ava Tinsley Luther True Billy Ward

Becky Weitman Eddie Wilkerson

Irene Wood John Youngstrom Eugenia Zipperer

Jim Zipperer

All of our Military at home & abroad, & all of

those who protect us. Kyle Flowers

Gary Hall William Hintz

Jerimiah Inman Rebecca Inman Victoria Inman

CMSgt Tom McQuiston Ozzy Morales Haley Pope

Benjamin Rud

Young at Heart Thurs. September 26th @ 11am

Christian Center

Join us for BINGO & a great lunch!

Loose Threads Tues. September 10th

6:30pm Christian Center

Prayer Concerns

Sojourners Adult Bible Study Starting back! Tuesday, Sept. 17th

6p at The Rock

Guyton Christian Church (DOC), September 2019, Page 3 www.GuytonChristianChurch.org

Musicians, Singers & Everybody Else!

Come to our Ole Time

GOSPEL

JAM

Bring the whole family for an Old-School sing-along.

Musicians of ANY skill level welcome.

Bring Any Instrument: Guitar, Uke, Mandolin OR JUST YOUR VOICE

Sundays at 6pm, Christian Center

Volunteers for Children’s Chat

If you would like to lead Children’s Chat on Sunday mornings with our younger children, please contact Chris Walz.

Celebration of Life John Arthur Battle

The home-going service for member and Elder Emeritus John Battle was held Sunday, August 18 at Guyton Christian Church. Graveside services followed in Guyton Cemetery. Our deepest sympathies are extended to his wife Jelane and daughter Audra, along with many other family mem-bers and friends.

Disciples Women Fall Retreat Sept 27-29 - Toccoa

"Heart to Heart: Called by Christ to Love" is the theme for our upcoming regional wom-en's retreat. Our keynoters are the Revs. Leah Jackson, Jennifer Heinz, and Sylvia Stroy. We will enjoy worship and keynotes, workshops, time with sisters in Christ, and the lakeside beauty of the retreat center. You may want to begin assembling your silent auction AND boutique items now (handmade treasures, themed-baskets, etc.). Registration now open. www.gadisciples.org.

Church Picnic!

October 26th, 4p

The Ponderosa,

Springfield

Enjoy food, fellowship, games and the love of being part of God’s family! Bring your favorite covered dishes for a picnic meal. Also bring your lawn chairs for extra seating. We’ll have corn hole, horseshoes, outdoor checkers, and more!

Join us for

Praise & Worship! Sept. 22nd

9:15a Refreshments, CC 9:30a Singing in the Sanctuary!

Guyton Christian Church (DOC), September 2019, Page 4 www.GuytonChristianChurch.org

Guyton Christian Hosts Week of

October 6th

2 Ann Cavanah 2 Elijah Massey 3 Addison Burnsed 4 Mary Ann Goodwin 4 Heather Antee 11 Catherine Hall 12 Chris Walz 18 Lance Perkins 19 William Hall

September Birthdays

September Anniversaries

Can’t locate that dish?

Check the

Christian Center!

The Fillin’ Station Community Food Pantry

Our food collection item this month for The Fillin’ Station is PEANUT BUTTER! Jif, Peter Pan, Skippy. Any brand will do! The 12, 16 and 28 ounce jars are great for distributing to different sized families. The Fillin’ Station also welcomes mac & cheese, Hamburger Helper, Rice-A-Roni, cake mixes & frosting in addition to canned meats such as tuna, chicken and ham.

Save your plastic grocery bags, also!

Volunteers are also needed for Tuesdays and Thursdays. Won’t you consider giving a few hours of your time?

Collection bins are in the Christian Center.

Tuesday & Thursdays 10am—1pm 1290 Ga Hwy 119 South, Springfield

1 Archie & Lainie Jenkins 2 Bob & Geraldine Reese 4 David & Melissa Proctor 8 Marion & Erin Godwin 13 Jacky & Joyce Taylor 15 John & Rohaya Taylor 29 Joe & Bobbie Secich

20 Andrew Case 21 Gary Coleman 24 Mike Smith 25 Grace Deen 25 Debbie Snooks 25 Medie Still 26 Josie Radcliffe 26 Nancy Tucker

Fall Men’s Rally - Saturday, October 5, 2019

Registration opens at 9:30, and the Rally begins at 10:00. Keynote speaker: Rev. Richard Williams, First Christian Church at Lawrenceville. There will be music and devotions. There is no charge for the Rally, but a nominal fee for lunch.

Liberty Christian Church 948 Macedonia Road Newnan, GA 30263

If you plan on attending, let us know so we can plan for lunch. If you need more information, contact: Roger With Georgia Men’s Commission President, withr@bellsouth.net, 678-464-4552

Volunteer Needed for

October Communion Preparation

Guyton Christian Church (DOC), September 2019, Page 5 www.GuytonChristianChurch.org

Servants in Ministry — Communion — September

Date Elders Deacons Deaconesses Acolyte

Sept 1 Vicki Wilkerson

Lamar Hall Michael Bodnar

Bryan Thompson Leana Radcliffe Becky Malcom

Lawton Reiser

Sept 8 Michael Moore

Shannon Thompson Jim Swann Ron Clary

Joan Shelby Debbie Snooks

Steven Hall

Sept 15 Marshall Reiser Claudette Griffin

Bryan Thompson Johnny Taylor

Ann Cavanah Nancy Summerour

Ariana Massey

Sept 22 Melissa Proctor Chad Zittrouer

David Proctor Shaw Wilkerson

Joyce Ann Tuten Angie MacKay

Danny Massey

Sept 29 Mary Grace Fisher

Archie Jenkins Woody MacKay Brandon Long

Faye Smith Kelly Long

Abigail Burnsed

Servants in Ministry — Children Worship & Wonder — September *Tentative

Date Storyteller Worship Helper Junior Greeter

Story

Sept 1 Barbara Still Sheri Hall Chris Hall

Creation

Sept 8 Becky Malcom Kelly Long Steven Hall

Noah

Sept 15 Leana Radcliffe Jack Malcom

Kaytie Summerour Abram & Sarai

Sept 22 Nancy Summerour Kylie Malcom Sam Reiser

Exodus

Sept 29 Becky Malcom Debbie Snooks

Edward Hall The Ten Best Ways to Live

Servants in Ministry — Wednesday JYF Youth — September Rotation Workshops — Storytelling, Art, Cooking, Music, Games

Date Workshop @ 6:00—6:45p

YY Workshop Leader / Shepherds

Light Supper @ 6:45p (JYF, DL, CYF) CC

Sept 4

Sept 11 Creation—

Music Judy Zittrouer

Volunteers Needed Sheri & Becky

Sept 18 Creation—

Games Melissa Proctor

Volunteers Needed Judy & Kelly

Sept 25 New Workshop Series

Adam & Eve—

Storytime

Leana Radcliffe Volunteers Needed

Ginny & Bobbie

Canceled because of Hurricane Dorian

Guyton Christian Church (DOC), September 2019, Page 6 www.GuytonChristianChurch.org

My favorite movie of all time is something I’m willing to bet no one reading this has ever seen. The title is “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World” and it is, as you might expect if you know me, absolutely bonkers. Based on a series of graphic novels by Canadian author/artist Bryan Lee O’Malley and adapted for the silver screen by English writer/director Edgar Wright, the movie stars Michael Cera as Scott Pilgrim, Canadian indy-band bassist and kind of a loser. He falls for the new girl in town: Ramona Flowers, a roller-blading Amazon deliv-ery-girl who moves to Scott’s hometown of Toronto to get away from a recent break-up back in the States. Scott finds out that in order to date her, he has to defeat her 7 evil ex-boyfriends. Yes: this is a romantic comedy with the basic logic and outline of a videogame. MegaMan, to be precise. I warned you it would be crazy.

So why am I talking about the strangest romcom that no one has ever seen? Well, as a young(er) man I really identified with Scott. I also envied him. In spite of being played by an even-whinier-than-usual Michael Cera (which in 2010, was so close to my looks and personality it was frightening), he was a full-on kung-fu master. That’s more video game logic. Scott is a great big ball of contradictions, most of them played for laughs. He’s in a rock band, yet decidedly uncool; he’s the best fighter in Ontario, yet he’s also a wimp who avoids facing any of his problems head-on; and he’s hilariously bad at dating, yet early in the mov-ie he manages to be in two relationships at once (he’s also a bit of a jerk). I’ve always liked to watch and re-watch this movie whenever I’m going through a rough time in my life, because I figure with all of Scott’s is-sues and personal faults, if he can handle his problems, so can I. It also helps to improve my mood because it is really funny.

Lately I want to go back to that movie, to live in that world for a while. I’ve been in something of a slump here at the end of the summer. Often I think there can be a tendency among Christians to feel ashamed of negative emotions. Jesus came to give us life more abundantly, and we might worry that we seem ungrateful if we don’t feel or at least show the joy that He brings 24/7. If you were brought up like I was in a kind of legalistic background, it can also be difficult to acknowledge negative feelings for fear of somehow “making God mad.” My nephew and I had a long conversation about exactly that earlier this year. He was having issues with fear. I told him what I have to periodically remind myself, and what I hope to en-courage you with here on this page: God can handle it.

The God of Truth desires honesty from us. That even includes when we’re angry with Him. If you don’t believe me, just look at Scripture. David is constantly crying out to God in the Psalms. A good example is Psalm 13: “How long, LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long will I store up anxious concerns within me, agony in my mind every day? How long will my enemy dominate me? Consider me and answer, LORD my God. Restore brightness to my eyes; otherwise, I will sleep in death. My enemy will say, ‘I have triumphed over him,’ and my foes will rejoice because I am shak-en. But I have trusted in Your faithful love; my heart will rejoice in Your deliverance. I will sing to the LORD because He has treated me generously.”(CSB) What’s fascinating about this Psalm is that David starts out angry and shouting at God, but by the end, he’s singing praises to Him. Just the process of expressing his feelings brings David catharsis. He works through those feelings and is reminded of all that the LORD has done for him. The same can be true for us today. We don’t have to be ashamed of when we’re sad or scared or angry, even if we think that God is at fault for those feelings. Be honest with Him, and He will be with you through even the worst of times. Or to put it a better way: “Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4, ESV)

Christian Believers & the Infinite Sadness

For Christ and His Kingdom,

Chris Chris Walz, Youth Coordinator

Guyton Christian Church (DOC), September 2019, Page 7 www.GuytonChristianChurch.org

My Father’s House Game Night!

September 13th, 6p-8p

Join us for game night at the Christian Cen-ter! Gaming tables will be set up with board games, checkers, dominoes, etc. It will be lots of fun! Enjoy a cup of lemonade or coffee as you try your skill at various games. Live music will be provided by Russ and The Rev.

My Father’s House provides social opportunities to people of all abilities. Come! My Father’s House has many rooms!

Rev. Joel Tucker, Senior Pastor Email: pastorjoeltucker@me.com; Cell: (561) 252-0493

Youth Coordinator: Chris Walz; Email: charrx93@hotmail.com; (912) 429-8922

Office hours: Sun 12:30-5:30; Tues 10-2; Wed 1-5:30; Thurs 2-6; Fri 2-6; Sat 2-6

Admin. Assistant: Becky Malcom; Office Hours —Mon-Thu, 9am-Noon Email: gcchurch@planters.net Office: (912) 772-3478 Mail: P. O. Box 5, Guyton The Rock: (912) 772-8415 Fax: (912) 772-4206 Christian Center: (912) 772-8843 Sanctuary: (912) 772-3478

Church offices located at 306 Central Boulevard, Guyton. Web: http://www.GuytonChristianChurch.org

Mailing address: P. O. Box 5, Guyton, GA 31312

GCC Hosts Clergy Cluster for Region

The Rev. Denise Bell visited with us August 18th and led the Regional Clergy Cluster in our Christian Cen-ter. Also present were Commissioned Ministers Archie Jenkins and Medie Still, Regional Vice-Moderator Lamar Hall and Youth Coordinator Chris Walz. Clergy from the area included Charles Beadle and Jane Osborn Regional Elders for Guyton Christian Church. Both Medie and Archie serve as Regional Elders for parts of the Georgia region.

Friday, September 13th

6p-8p

Free! Suggested Donations:

$2 per person; $5 per family

Unlimited coffee, tea and lemonade

My Fathers House Fundraiser

Sept. 17th 5p-8p

Rincon Huddle House

460 South Columbia Ave.

Don’t cook supper on Tuesday, Sep-

tember 17. Join us from 5p-8p at the Hud-

dle House in Rincon. 20% of all sales is do-

nated to My Fathers House Ministries. We

typically use these funds to purchase laun-

dry detergent, toothpaste and shampoo for

clients of The Fillin’ Station for our out-

reach ministry.

Bring a couple dollars cash...there

will be a few drawings for twelve (12) cou-

pons—that’s a Huddle House meal each

month for a year! We get the cash from

those drawings as well. Who doesn’t love

waffles, or hash browns any way you want

‘em, or a Huddle burger?

Dine in or Take out, both count!

Come have supper with Shaw — we will be there all evening.

See you there!

Guyton Christian Church (DOC), September 2019, Page 8 www.GuytonChristianChurch.org

Meet and Greet in the

Christian Center for coffee and fellowship Sundays at 9:45am.

My Father’s House

RICO & Karaoke

Appetizer:

Sardines, Banana Peppers & Green Olives 2nd Place: Melissa Proctor 1st Place: Shaw Wilkerson

Entrée:

Chicken, Golden Raisins, Rice Chex Cereal 2nd Place: Sue Exley

1st Place: Shaw Wilkerson

Dessert: Ice Cream, Honey, Plain Potato Chips

2nd Place: Melissa Proctor 1st Place: Sandra Moore

Overall Winner —

Sandra Moore

Recipient of first ever

R.I.C.O. Red Apron!

Stewardship of our church— At all times there must be and remain one holy, Christian church. It is the assembly of all believers among whom the gospel is purely preached and the holy sacraments are administered according to the gospel. Augsburg Confession, Article VII Steward-discipleship means taking care of all that God has blessed us with. We think of our health, our relationships and our money, but our church? You bet! The church the only organization whose primary purpose is to bring people into intimate relationship with God and also gather them as sacred community. Without church, how would people grow in faith? How would the Gospel be spread to all nations, as Jesus commands in Matthew 28:19, 20? So what does it mean to be a good steward of our church? Here are some ideas: Focus: We are dedicated to God’s Word and Sacrament as the means by which God’s grace is poured into us and out to the world. Our service projects and social events may flow from this, but they are secondary. Community: As the Augsburg Confession (above) declares, the church is the community of God’s people dedicated to Word and Sacrament. We build strong community through healthy relationships guided by principles of Christian love, trust, honesty, truth, forbearance, forgiveness. Buildings: Our building are NOT the church, but a tool of the church for ministry. We provide the resources to maintain our buildings as useful for the Gospel. Resources: Understanding that ministry to God’s people takes resources, we give generously of our time and talents. We strive to give a tithe – 10 percent of our financial blessings. Faith formation: It takes learning and practice to grow closer to God, both as individuals and community. We support and participate in studying the Bible and theology. We promote and engage in spiritual practices that feed our souls. Although we tend to think that our church has a mission, it’s more accurate to say that God has a mission, and that mission has a church. We grow in faith as people and community when we dedicate ourselves to good stewardship of our church. Rob Blezard

Copyright © 2018, Rev. Robert Blezard. Reprinted by permission. Pastor Blezard serves as an assistant to the bishop of the Lower Susquehanna Synod and works as content editor for www.stewardshipoflife.org.