Hephzibah Baptist Times Volume 37 Issue 9 September 2019

CHURCH LIFE MINISTRY

Sign up now on the HBC bulletin board, spaces are limited. Starting Sunday,

September 8, From 4:00pm to 5:30pm,

Lasting 7 weeks. Cost is $25 per person,

$10 for 2nd Family Member.

See Tony Troxel or Pastor Michael for more information.

Seven Letters from Jesus

“I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut.” (Revelation 3:8). If Jesus wrote you a personal letter, what would you expect Him to say? That's a rhetorical question. I don't expect you to know. I don't know how anyone could be expected to know. Our Lord Jesus sees deeper and farther than any of us could see. He sees into our hearts. He understands our past better than we do. He sees and knows our future. What if He wrote to our church? What would He find to commend? What would He reprimand? How might He challenge us to grow? One thing's for sure—an encounter with Jesus will change us. However it occurs, Jesus brings God's grace into our lives in a powerful way. He uncovers our sin and compromise and reminds us of God's great and precious promises. The Book of Revelation was originally written as a message to seven

specific churches, and at the beginning of the book, Jesus gave the

Apostle John a specific message for each church. He challenges them

to grow in order to prepare for the spiritual trials that would await them.

Together, over the course of eight Sundays in September and October,

we will examine Jesus’ letters to those churches. Our Lord Jesus will

call us to grow and to prepare for the spiritual challenges we, our fami-

lies, and our church will confront. Jesus intended us to read these

churches’ mail. He wants us to hear the message as well: “He who has

an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches,” (Revelation

3:6). Let us together examine the message of Jesus, uproot the weeds in

our lives, and glorify God as we wait for the future He has in store for

us!

Blessings, Pastor Michael Wren

CHURCH LIFE MINISTRY

157th HOMECOMING SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH

(NO SUNDAY SCHOOL)

10:30AM SERVICE

HOMECOMING LUNCHEON

FOLLOWING THE 10:30AM SERVICE

The Homecoming Committee would like to ask that all members bring covered dishes (meat, vegetable, salad, bread, desserts) for our Homecoming Dinner. Please bring enough for your family plus one, so we can feed our guests. SOME chicken will be provided by the church. Please have your food in the kitchen before the service.

If you would like to help set up or clean up after lunch for the 157th Anniversary/Homecoming Sunday, please contact Angela Wren at 706.969.3441. The team would appreciate extra helping hands.

LABOR DAY MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

OFFICE CLOSED

—NEW SUNDAY SERVICE TIMES— EFFECTIVE SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:45AM SUNDAY SERVICE 11:00AM

NEW MEMBERS CLASS

For those who have recently begun attending HBC, or those who would like to learn more about membership and why it matters, we are offering a new

class starting Wednesday, September 11 and running for 3 Wednesdays, taught by Dr. Michael Wren, in the Senior Men’s Sunday School Class at the bottom of the ramp, at 7:00pm. Please sign up on the HBC bulletin board or call the church office at 706.592.4501.

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CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

MEN’S MINISTRY

MISSIONS MINISTRY

Please see Lora Stouder with any questions about any of the activities or events within the Children’s Ministry

lstouder@hephzibahbaptist.org ~ 706.592.4501

MEN’S FELLOWSHIP BREAKFAST

September 1, at 7:30am.

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY

“Biblical Hospitality”

Wednesdays, at 7:00pm.

Will continue through September

All men, young and old, are invited to attend.

If you have any questions about the Men’s Study, contact Skip Brown at 706.840.5156 or Johnny Stevens at 706.833.3530.

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

HBC PUMPKIN PATCH

COMING SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5

HBC is again looking forward to hosting a Pumpkin Patch to raise funds for children going to summer camp. We will

soon be asking for volunteers to help with this event during the month of October. The Pumpkin Patch not only helps raise money, but it also is a wonderful opportunity

to get to know our community and spread the word of Jesus!

COMING THIS OCTOBER!

Our largest annual community outreach event is almost here and we are beginning to prepare. Once again, we will be asking for candy and hot dog donations for the months of September and October. This is a major event that sees well over 1000 of our

friends and neighbors attend, and the more candy and hot dogs we receive through donations, the more we will be able to serve.

Donations will be collected on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights at a designated table in the Fellowship Hall.

Thank you so much for your willingness to serve others through this event.

CHILDREN/FAMILY PICNIC AT EVANS LIBRARY PAVILION PARK

7022 Evans Town Center Blvd Evans GA 30809

After church on Sunday, September 15th, families will meet at the Evans Library for a

(Bring Your Own) Picnic lunch. There is a splash pad, so make sure to pack swimsuits for the kids along with

your lunch. This will be a casual time for us to fellowship and have fun while the kids are splashing away!

Some picnic tables are available. Feel free to bring lawn chairs or a blanket. Bathrooms are available.

&

MPACT/Operation Christmas Child Wednesday, September 4th

This will be a missions night to learn about OCC and pack shoeboxes with items bought using the funds raised

from VBS this year.

MEN’S MEMPHIS MISSION TRIP

September 29-October 4

Cost: $350/person Deposit of $100 due by Sunday, September 1.

Remainder due by Sunday, September 22.

Contact Jimmy John, or Mark Sikes for more information.

MISSIONS MINISTRY

MUSIC MINISTRY

Mark your calendar!

The adult choir will begin working on special music for

our Homecoming Service during our regular Wednesday evening

rehearsals in September. We would love to have

worshipers of all ages join us for this special service. We will practice each Wednesday evening at 8:10pm in the Sanctuary.

The HBC Children’s Choir meets

at 6:30pm as part of our Wednesday night MPACT activities. As well as rehearsing

songs to sing as part of our regular Sunday morning worship Services, we are also

working on this year’s Christmas musical. We will have “auditions” on Wednesday, September 11th for any children who would like to be considered for a speaking role or solo. If your child has not received a CD to listen to at

home, please see Amanda Brookins.

We look forward to seeing your kids there!

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STUDENT MINISTRY

WOMEN’S MINISTRY

Women’s Outing Opportunity: ASPIRE 2019 Tour Augusta

1 night - 3 hours A night full of comedy, worship, and Bible teaching!

Saturday, November 2, 2019, at 6:00 PM

New Hope Worship Center 715 S. Old Belair Rd. - Grovetown, GA 30813

For more information and to sign up, see the Women’s Ministry bulletin board near the church office.

September News

The student ministry is back in full swing after a busy summer. We are looking forward to a great school year. We are in the middle of an exciting Bible study on what it means to be

ONE! We have been studying over the last several weeks about what it means to us that there is ONE God, One Way to

God, We are One Family, and We have One mission to share the gospel with everyone!

Upcoming Events: ● GA/SC tailgate party at the youth house Saturday,

Oct 12: Time TBA ● Hearts on Fire Student Conference Nov 22-23,

Pigeon Forge TN! Stay tuned to future publications!

Please see Mark with any questions about any of the activities or events within the Student Ministry msikes@hephzibahbaptist.org ~ 706.592.4501

Join us for a new Women’s Bible Study, beginning on September 4, on Wednesdays,

at 7:00pm. Over 7 sessions, “Just Open the Door,” will teach us to look

to Jesus as our model for hospitality.

MEN’S MEMPHIS MISSION TRIP

September 29-October 4

Please be in prayer for these men as they make this trip to Memphis to assist Riverdeep Church with building needs.

Michael Wren, Mark Sikes, Jimmy John, Donald Baston,

Raymond Wingo, Bobby Grayson, Joseph Gilmer, Preston Williams, Mark Almon and Rory La Fontaine.

Wednesday Menus for the Month of September:

Dinner begins at 5:50 pm.

All meals include tea and coffee.

$6—11 & Up, $3—Children, 5-10, $6—Take Out

$20 max. for immediate family. *To-Go” Plates will be prepared by the Kitchen Personnel after the serving line

closes. We cannot guarantee “to-go” orders until all of our dine-in family members are served. As available, additional take out plates may be

purchased at the regular price.

***Menus Subject to Change***

MEN’S FELLOWSHIP BREAKFAST: Sunday, Sept. 1, at

7:30am.

OFFICE CLOSED: Monday, September 2, for Labor Day.

2019 ALL THINGS OCC FELLOWSHIP: Saturday,

September 7, from 10-12noon, in the HBC Fellowship Hall.

HBC ARCHERY/EXPLORE ARCHERY: Sunday, Sept. 8,

from 4:00-5:30pm.

YOUNG AT HEART: Monday, September 9, at 12noon.

CHILDREN’S/FAMILY PICNIC: Sunday, Sept. 15, after

the 11am Service, at Evans Library Pavilion Park.

AFTERGLO: Wednesday, September 18, at 8:00pm., in the

Youth House.

DEADLINE OCTOBER NEWSLETTER: Thursday,

Sept. 19, at 9am.

HOMECOMING DAY: Sunday, September 29, No Sunday

school, Service at 10:30am, followed by Homecoming Luncheon.

MEN’S MEMPHIS MISSION TRIP Sunday, Sept. 29-

Friday, October 4th.

TEAM MEETINGS IN SEPTEMBER:

Building & Grounds—Wednesday, September 4, at 6:15pm. Stewardship & Finance—Wed., September 11, at 6:00pm. Mission Team Meeting—Wed., September 18, at 6:00pm. Church Council Meeting—Thursday, Sept. 19, at 6:30pm. Deacons’ Meeting—Wednesday, September 25, at 6:00pm.

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9/4

Meatloaf,

Potatoes, Vegetable,

Bread,

Dessert

9/18

Tacos,

Rice,

Nacho Chips w/Cheese,

Dessert

Hephzibah Baptist Church ▬ 2527 Highway 88 ▬ Hephzibah, Georgia 30815 Telephone (706) 592-4501 ▬ Fax (706) 592-6937

www.hephzibahbaptist.org

Church Staff

Amanda Brookins, Minister of Worship/Music (abrookins@hephzibahbaptist.org)

Sara Dillard, Administrative Assist./Finance (sdillard@hephzibahbaptist.org)

Jacob Jalbert, Custodian (office@hephzibahbaptist.org)

Mary Murphy, Administrative Assist./Ministry (mmurphy@hephzibahbaptist.org)

Mark Sikes, Minister to Students (msikes@hephzibahbaptist.org)

Lora Stouder, Minister to Children and Families (lstouder@hephzibahbaptist.org)

Dr. C. Michael Wren, Jr., Senior Pastor (mwren@hephzibahbaptist.org)

9/11

Chicken Alfredo,

Vegetable, Salad,

Garlic Bread,

Dessert

9/25

Baked & Fried Chicken,

Mac & Cheese, Vegetable,

Bread,

Dessert

Please Note: All events, dates and times are subject to change.

Membership Financial Report:

Monthly Budget Needs $32,503.00 Weekly Budget Needs: $7501.00 General Offering Received as of 8/26/19 $26,628.88 Year-to-Date Budget Needs: $390,031.00 Year-to-Date Budget Received: $367,918.62 Average S.S. attendance as of 8/26/19 117 Blended Service Average Attendance 134 Traditional Service Average Attendance N/A

Please remember that all

children should be

accompanied through the

serving line by a parent or

responsible adult.

SENIOR ADULT MINISTRY

YOUNG AT HEART LUNCHEON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

AT 12NOON

Young at Heart returns on September 9th at 12pm. Captain Richard Marcano and Lieutenant James John,

from the Hephzibah Fire Dept. will be our guest speakers. They will talk to us about fire safety and fire alarms.

Bring a covered dish and join us.