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September 2015
Calvary Baptist Church, Mount Airy, NC
Vol. XXXI No. 9
The Pastor Ponders: Get in the Game
Every year around this time, I can’t help but admire the level of enthusiasm that some
people show for the game of football. It doesn’t matter whether we’re talking about high
school, college or pro ball; you probably know somebody who organizes their schedule,
their wardrobe and their life around cheering their favorite team onto victory. Of course,
I also can’t help but wonder what it would be like if we could rally that same level of
enthusiasm for church. Just think! We could have tailgate parties out in the parking lot
before Sunday morning worship. Everybody could suit up in team colors and give each
other “high-fives” as they walked in the door. And every time the choir sang a great
anthem or the preacher made a good point, people could stand up and cheer!
Then again, maybe there are some ways in which church is already more like football
than we’d care to admit. Bud Wilkinson—the former football coach of the Oklahoma
Sooners—was once quoted as saying, “A football game is a happening where
thousands of spectators sit in the stands, desperately needing exercise…and watch 22
men on the field desperately needing rest.” We might not have thousands. But is
church meant to be a crowd of spectators watching a handful of participants? I certainly
don’t think so.
Of course, here at Calvary we’ve got a lot of people who do jump in and participate in
ministry. But as we start a new “ministry season,” I think it can be helpful for each of us
to ask: Am I doing what it takes to be a player on God’s “kingdom team”…or am I more
of a fan, who’s sitting in the stands and watching others work for victory? If we want to
be players, here are three things we need to do…
We need to “Sign-Up.” We need to make a commitment to invest our best in God’s
kingdom. This is a tough one for me to talk about. I recognize that most of us lead very
busy lives, and the last thing I want to do is to “guilt” people into feeling like they’re not
doing enough for God. But at the same time, it’s hard not to notice that the average
recreational sports team requires a bigger commitment from its players and their
families than the average church does. How could playing ball require so much of us,
while serving the God of the universe requires so little? Are we investing our time,
energy and resources in advancing the work of God’s kingdom?
We need to “Suit-Up.” We need to recognize that serving God involves us in a
“spiritual contest” and then outfit ourselves accordingly. Most sports – including football
– involve some degree of physical risk. That’s why the players wear helmets, pads and
cleats to protect themselves. Similarly, serving Christ involves spiritual risk, and that’s
why we need to “put on the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6) in order to make sure that
we’re protected. Are we regularly and prayerfully clothing ourselves with truth,
righteousness, peace, faith and salvation so that we can resist the enemy and stand
firm?
We need to “Study-Up.” We need to learn God’s playbook – the scriptures – so that
we’ll better understand God’s game plan. No football team will get very far if its players
don’t know the plays; and in a similar way, we won’t get very far as God’s people
unless we know what victory looks like and how each of us is meant to contribute to it.
Are we growing in our understanding of God’s Word so that we can work together
effectively in order to fulfill God’s purposes?
Having said all this, let me rush to add that the “end zone” for all this activity isn’t the
church. The goal is God’s kingdom. “The game” doesn’t take place in the sanctuary on
Sunday morning or in Bible study classes on Wednesday nights. That’s just the huddle!
No, the real work takes place “out in the field” – in our schools and workplaces and
neighborhoods – as we follow our Captain and share in His victory.
I can’t wait to see all the things that God is going to do in us and through us here at
Calvary in the “ministry season” that lies out in front of us. Won’t you “Get in the Game”
as we seek to be faithful to our Master’s call?
Yours in Christ, Pastor Alex
Deacon Elections
On Sunday, August 16, members of Calvary nominated the following individuals
to serve our church family as Deacons: Randy Gentry, Benny Lisk, Bob
McPherson, Kent Moser and Doug Odell. These men have all agreed to serve if
elected, and those elections will take place by secret ballot in both the Uplift
and Traditional worship services on Sunday, September 13.
Operation Christmas Child Boxes
You can bless many children at Christmas time by helping the Missions
Committee and the Youth as they pack 200 Christmas boxes for needy children
who otherwise will not get a gift. Our goal is to put the same type of items in
each box. Members of the Missions Committee will visit each Sunday School
class soon to see if your class would be willing to take a specific item such as
soap, washcloths, toothpaste or a toy and then collect a lot of that item. We will
need many of you to step up and provide the $7.00 that it takes to mail each
box. Thank you in advance for helping children get gifts, but most importantly,
to know that there are Christians praying daily for them.
The Story Behind The Words
“We're Marching to Zion”
Today's story might have been the start of what we consider "mash ups" today.
Taking two familiar songs and stacking them on top of each other. Sometimes
they work, sometimes they don't.
In 1707, Isaac Watts published words for "Come, We that Love the Lord," and it
was attached to a tune by Aaron Williams. But in 1867, Robert Lowry wanted to
try something different. He wanted adults and children to sing the hymn
together, but found the melody difficult for children to learn. So he added the
refrain "We're Marching to Zion," which may have been a gospel song or
spiritual, and changed the tune of the song. We have been singing it that way
ever since.
Zion means several things in Scripture. A hill in Jerusalem, the Temple, the
presence of God, the heavenly Jerusalem. Watts connected it with heavenly
fields in the hymn, and Lowry connected it with "the beautiful city of God."
Remember the stories as you sing the hymns! ~ Teresa
(Adapted from “Be Still My Soul,” Randy Petersen, P. 355)
Women’s Missionary Union
The Surry Baptist Association WMU Fall Gathering will be held on September
28 at 6:30 p.m. at Dobson First Baptist Church. The speaker will be Mary Gray,
the Founder of Operation Bandanas (a non-profit organization based out of
Fayetteville, NC). Please contact Mary Jane Shelton if you are interested in
attending. Calvary welcomes women of all ages in our congregation to join
WMU as they seek to spread the word of God through missions. Women in
Mission meets the last Tuesday of each month at 10:30 a.m. Baptist Young
Women meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Won’t you join us?
Chicken Dinner Fundraiser
On Friday, October 2, the youth ministry at Calvary will be having a Port-a-Pit
Chicken Fundraiser to help us raise money for our mission trip to Belize next
summer. We will be serving lunch at the church from 11 AM - 1 PM and dinner
from 5 PM - 7 PM. We are also offering delivery to businesses during the lunch
hour. A plate cost $10 and includes a 1/2 chicken, beans, slaw, roll, and
dessert (drinks will be available at the church). Please contact Alex Bracey if
you would like to buy some tickets or if you would like to help us sell tickets.
Thanks!
Messengers Needed
If you are willing to serve as one of Calvary’s 10 messengers to the Surry
Baptist Association for the 2015-2016 church year, please be prepared to
volunteer at the September 20 business meeting or call the church office or
church clerk Johnny Surratt so that your name can be placed in nomination for
these positions. Messengers to the Surry Baptist Association will represent
Calvary at the four quarterly meetings of the Surry Baptist Association and to
any other specially called business sessions.
Music Notes
Bells are ringing! Our hand bell choir will begin on Wednesday, September 2 at
6:30 p.m. If you would like to play, please see Teresa Martin. No previous
music experience is necessary.
Our annual Christmas Listening Party will be Sunday, September 13 at 3 p.m.
We'll listen through all the new Christmas music and then sing through it once.
Please consider joining the choir for the Christmas season!
Blood Drive
Calvary will host a blood drive in partnership with the American Red Cross on
Sunday, September 20 from 11 a.m.—3:30 p.m. downstairs in Room 119 next
to the “brown kitchen”. Speedy Chef hotdogs will be served to donors. You
may contact Ashley Mills for more information.
Notes of Gratitude
Dear Calvary Family,
Thank you all so much for everything that has been provided to me over the
past 18 years! I am so blessed to have been able to grow in my walk through
Christ with the help of you all! In Christ, Rachel Hull
*Hebrews 11:1
My name is Grayson Corbin and I’m a sophomore at Mount Airy High School
and I found God on July 17, 2015. I am ready to start a relationship with God
and I can do that with the help of my amazing leaders. Thank you for
supporting Young Life.
Calvary Baptist Church,
The family of Capanola McHone acknowledges with grateful appreciation the
kind expression of your sympathy. Thank you for the wonderful meal you
prepared for us after our grandmother’s funeral. Love and God bless you.
Wednesday Night Classes
Our Wednesday night classes will resume on September 2 and conclude on
September 30. As always our children and youth programs will be meeting as
well with classes beginning at 6:30 p.m. Our adult program features three new
study options which are listed below:
Fearless: Max Lucado addresses some of our greatest fears and explains
how faith, not fear, can become our default response to threats. (Facilitated
by Jan Varney)
Fight Back with Joy: Through vulnerable storytelling, a difficult diagnosis,
and a good dose of humor, Margaret Feinberg reveals how joy is more than
whimsy. It’s the weapon you can use to fight life’s battles. (Facilitated by
Carol Lowe)
Jonah: While many of us know the story of Jonah, this traditional Bible study
will offer a fresh look at his life, showing us how God uses ordinary people to
do extraordinary things. (Facilitated by Lanny Wood)
Paper Shredding Event
Blue Ridge CareNet is sponsoring a mass paper shredding opportunity on
Saturday, September 12 at 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Bring your items to the
parking lot on the corner of Main Street and West Lebanon Street, beside
Gondola’s.
Recent Contributions
In Memory Of
By:
Pat Barfield
Eller-Barfield SS Class
Virginia Bunker
Mark and Deidre Rogers
Jerry Eller
Eller-Barfield SS Class
Wayne Hooker
Eller-Barfield SS Class
Jim Laster
Eller-Barfield SS Class
Robert Lynch
Eller-Barfield SS Class
Gerald Smith
Eller-Barfield SS Class
Bernie Vaughn
Eller-Barfield SS Class
In Honor of
By:
Claudia Bryant
Robert and Jo Ann McKinney
Ernestine Chappell
Randy and Sylvia Gentry
Eller-Barfield SS Class
J. A. and Claudia Bryant
Brent Hull
Bob and Janet McPherson
Ladies 3 SS Class
J. A. and Claudia Bryant
Cathy Stevens
Phil and Sherry Hiatt
Cathy Stevens
Todd and Kim Beverly
Cathy Stevens
Roger and Donna Keck
Mary Jo White
Roger and Donna Keck
Please note: Donations made on the Fifth Sunday (8/31) will be reported in
the October edition of The Herald.
Church Statistics
Budget Year
Budget
Receipts
Expenditures Receipts minus
2014-2015
to Date
to Date
to Date
Expenditures
As of 8/23/2015
General
$444,487.13 $458,840.41
$404,561.99
$54,278.42
Debt Retirement
$18,095.00
$20,466.00
$20,957.62
($491.62)
Transportation
$2,726.00
$2,095.00
$1,308.62
$786.38
Debt Reduction Funds Available as of 8/23:
$4,568.81
Total Debt Balance as of 8/23:
$77,127.90
Endowment Fund as of 8/23:
$21,779.79
Renovations Funds Available as of 8/23:
$51,463.00
Sunday School
Uplift
Traditional
Total Worship
Bible Study
8/2/2015
171
88
149
237
Uplift
8/9/2015
179
65
170
235
Traditional
8/16/2015
190
127
168
295
Total Worship
8/23/2015
183
101
163
264
General
Debt Retirement
Transportation
$9,774.00
$855.00
$75.00
$9,115.00
$245.00
$140.00
$9,953.75
$140.00
$4.00
$6,578.06
$138.00
$20.00
Date
Time
Church Activities
9/2
6:30 PM
Hand Bells Practice Begins
9/2
6:30 PM
Wednesday Night Adult Classes Begin
9/3
6:30 PM
Deacons Meeting
9/7
Labor Day—Office Closed
9/8
6:30 PM
B.Y.W. Meeting
9/12
9:00 AM
Walk to End Alezheimer’s (Riverside Prk)
9/13
8:30 AM & 11:00 AM
Deacon Elections
9/13
3:00 PM
Annual Christmas Listening Party
9/13
5:00 PM
Finance Meeting
9/20
11:00 AM—3:30 PM
9/20
5:00 PM
9/22
Blood Drive
Business Meeting
Medical Ministry
9/28
6:30 PM
9/29
10:30 AM
9/30
6:30 PM
SBA WMU Fall Gathering (Dobson FBC)
Women in Mission
Wednesday Night Adult Classes End
Date Deacon of the Week
Good Shepherds
9/6
Lee Mills
Danny Lineberry
Marvin Beasley
9/13
Danny Lineberry
Lee Mills
Ken Nowlin
9/20
Marvin Beasley
Sam Critz
Mike Francis
9/27
Phil Hiatt
Phil Hiatt
Ron Stephenson
Newsletter Deadline for next month is September 21, 2015. Please have
all newsletters announcements turned into the church office by 12:00 Noon.
Return Service
Requested
The Herald is published
the first of each month.
Non-Profit Org.
U. S. Postage
Toast, NC
Permit #1
Calvary Baptist Church
314 South Franklin Rd.
Mount Airy, NC 27030
Children &Youth Volunteers for September
Uplift Service
Nursery Workers
9/6
Traditional Service
Bed Babies Toddlers
To Be Announced
9/6
Sandra Byrd & Donna Keck
9/13 Vicki & Bodey Fields
9/13
Anne Forrest & Carolyn Underwood
9/20 Mark & Leah Hauser
9/20
Janet McPherson & Thelma Shelton
9/27 To Be Announced
9/27
Glenda Laster & Jane Sawyers
2 and 3 Year Olds
9/6
Julie Warren & Joann Surratt
9/13
Tony & Deena Martin
9/20
Sherry Hiatt & Windham Martin
9/27
Stan & Sheila Wilson
Children’s Church
Thank you for your willingness to
serve in the child care ministry. If you
cannot serve on your assigned
Sunday, please contact another
volunteer to switch dates. For more
information, contact Alex Bracey.
Calvary Baptist Church
314 South Franklin Road
Mount Airy NC 27030
Phone: 336-786-4778
Fax: 336-786-2808
E-mail:
Website:
[email protected]
www.calvarybcmtairy.org
Striving to glorify God by being a Christcentered, caring church through worship,
discipleship, missions and ministry.
9/6
Alex & Melissa Bracey
9/13
Kelly Mabe
9/20
9/27
Alex & Melissa Bracey
Mollie Tompkins & Sara Norman
Ministers .......................................... Our Church Family
Pastor ................................................. Rev. Alex Martin
([email protected])
Minister to Youth & Children............... Rev. Alex Bracey
([email protected])
Minister of Music ..................................... Teresa Martin
([email protected])
Administrative Assistant ............................... Billie Doyle
([email protected])
Office Assistant ....................................... Jane Bowman
([email protected])
Pianist ................................................. Mary MacCollum
Organist ............................................... Carolyn Greene
Sound Engineers ............. Phillip Hiatt, Danny Lineberry
Custodian ................................................. Carlos Delfin