THE LARGEST LIVING ORGANISM
What is the largest living organism in the world? Is it the massive blue whale weighing in at 120
tons and over 80 feet long? Or perhaps it may be a giant sequoia standing over 300 feet tall with a
trunk measuring 30 feet in diameter?
Actually, I don’t believe it’s either of those. I think the largest living organism is the aspen tree.
While the aspen rarely grows more than 100 feet tall and its trunk is no more than a foot wide, the
aspen has a hidden secret. A single tree does not stand alone. Each aspen is interconnected to the
others through its root system. The aspen’s preferred method of growth is by sending new shoots of
the old roots. In this way a single plant may actually cover hundreds of acres growing from a single
interconnected root system. While a single tree, or stem may only live 100 years, the roots may be
thousands of years old.
The aspen tree is a fitting illustration of what our church is called to be. We are an interconnected
family with roots literally coming from many states and countries. The Bible teaches us that as a
church we belong to each other. We will not always agree about everything but we do agree on the
foundation of our faith being that God has come into our world in the person of Jesus Christ who
took human sin upon himself offering forgiveness to all who place faith in him.
From that rooted faith foundation we spread in many directions. While sometimes it may be
frustrating to understand how others can interpret scripture differently than we do, the Bible also
teaches us that as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Our church and worship are
open to all.
Satan is our enemy who is trying to destroy the connection we have to Christ and one another.
I firmly believe that God can use everyone to teach me something. So each and every one of you are
valuable in my life. There is a quote attributed to St. Augustine which gives us a framework here.
He said, “in essentials unity; in nonessentials liberty; in all things charity.” Galatians 6:2 reminds us
that as part of our aspen tree faith we are to “Carry each other’s burdens and so fulfill the law of
Christ.”
One of the great spiritual giants God has used in my life is a lady named Jean. I had the privilege
of being her pastor for many years. Jean used to say that many times as Christians we have to pray
our way through things. As your pastor I am calling our church to a time of prayer together next
Wednesday, August 5, at 6:30 p.m., in the sanctuary. We need to pray through some things as
individuals and as a church. I am calling on you to join me in this vital spiritual work.
The Viewmont Vision
Published by Viewmont Baptist Church
1246 2nd St NE, Hickory, NC 28601-2697
828-322-6732
July 30, 2015
Volume 65, Issue 12
DEACON NOMINATIONS
Very soon our church will nominate church members who will serve as
Deacons for the next three years.
Our plan is to discuss the qualifications for the position of Deacon on
August 30, 2015, in Sunday School. Pastor Jay will preach on this subject
in both services on September. 13, 2015.
We ask each member to prayerfully consider Deacon candidates using I
Timothy 3:8-13 as a scriptural basis.
1 Timothy 3:8-13
The same goes for those who want to be servants [deacons] in the
church: serious, not deceitful, not too free with the bottle, not in it for
what they can get out of it. They must be reverent before the mystery of the
faith, not using their position to try to run things. Let them prove themselves first. If they show they can do it, take them on. No exceptions are to
be made for women – same qualifications: serious, dependable, not sharptongued, not overfond of wine. Servants in the church are to be committed
to their spouses, attentive to their own children, and diligent in looking
after their own affairs. Those who do this servant work will come to be
highly respected, a real credit to this Jesus-faith.
(quoted from The Message: The New Testament in Contemporary Language by
Eugene H. Peterson)
In This Issue:
• Deacon Nominations
• Viewmont ~ Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
• JOY ~ On the road again!
• Music/Worship/Administration ~ Aug 6, 7:15 p.m.:
Concert on the Green: Day Three, Danny Gouge & Friends
• In the Hospital (at this writing)
• As You Pray, Remember
• Youth Yak
• According to the Record
• Save the Date: 6th Annual Church Wide Camping Trip
• August Calendar of Activities
Viewmont ~ Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
July 31: Deacon/Staff Pledges for Capital Campaign
Our deacons will be hosting three informational
events, plan now to attend one or all three!
August 13, 6-8 p.m.: Team C ~ BBQ Bash ~
Free ~ Fellowship Center
Call the church office by August 11th
to reserve your meal.
August 22, 4:00 p.m.: Team A ~ Ice Cream
and Watermelon ~ Fellowship Center
August 30, 2-4:00 p.m.: Team B ~
Join us for dessert! ~ Fellowship Center
Coming Soon! Lunch at Shatley Springs
Shopping at Ashe Co. Cheese House &
Deal Apple House
Thursday, September 24, 2015
$25 per person
Contact Melba Penley, 828-256-5857
Bus leaves at 9:00 a.m.
Deacon Nominating Forms will be available during the church services
beginning on September 13, 2015, and are to be turned in at the end of
these services. You may turn in your form through Sunday, September 27,
2015.
This process is very important to our Lord and our church. Please prayerfully participate in this process.
In accordance with the bylaws of Viewmont Baptist Church, the
following are ineligible for nomination:
Will Arant, Roger Bowman, Richard Byrd, Kenny Joe Crump, Steve
Dobbins, Marty Falls, Walter R. Gryder, Bob Hibbitts, Gary Huffman,
Ray Ledford, Don Miller, Bruce Ogle, Daniel Pereira, Cheryl Ramsey,
Dot Rhyne, Micki Robison, Marion Roseman, Kay Smith, Sherwin
Speight, Angie Turner, Tim Turner, and Nancy Von Dohlen.
Wohlfahrt Dinner Theatre
Christmas Show
Tuesday, November 17th
Mark Your Calendars!
Details Coming Soon!
In the Hospital (at this writing)
Arlena Snypes, Frye
As You Pray, Remember . . .
Jeri Barnette and family in the
death of Jeri’s uncle, Elliot Caldwell, of
Lincolnton.
Jill Phillips and family in the death
of her first cousin, Arda Shell Huffman.
S ou
ie
L e sl
thern
G
According to the Record
Attendance:
7/19
307
152
5
___
157
SS Enrollment:
SS Attendance:
Guests:
New Members:
Total SS Attendance:
Fresh Spirit:
7/26
307
134
6
___
140
55 64
160 149
Morning Worship:
Deposit for 7/26/2015
Total Offering:
$
11,523.00
Deposit for 7/19/2015
ospe
l
ge,
mi n g
Gou rly Flem
y
n
Dan , Beve
aels
Mich
Bring lawn chair or blanket Water & Lemonade Provided Free Playground for children Thank You Notes From
Patty Yost
Our church is currently
searching for a new Church
Hostess. We have received a
few resumes and will soon
begin the interviews.
Contact Jimmy Rogers for any further
information or to submit a resume.
Thanks, JR and the Kitchen Ministry
Team.
Budget:
Non-Budget:
Total Offering:
$
$
8,998.22
1,309.00
10,307.22
Actual Budget Gifts to Date: $ 311,539.59
Actual Budget Exp to Date:
293,728.99
Over to Date:
$ 17,810.60
Global Missions:
$
PFTT Building Fund
Received to Date:
Spent to Date:
Balance to Date:
$2,285,647.75
2,281,456.67
$
4,191.08
Owe on 1st Citizens Loan:
(Principal Only)
8,405.67
$ 575,000.00
Memorials
for Nadine Greenhill to Greenhill Endowment.
for Bud Yost (2 gifts); Pauline Falls;
and Gwyn Bumgarner to PFTT.
Honorariums
by Wil Worley
July 26, &
August 2 & 9 !
Meet in the Choir Room at 10:45 am,
Rehearse, & Sing in the 11:00 Service.
Maria Augusta
von Trapp
Page 2
Over the next few weeks we will be saying
good-bye to our college students. Be sure
to offer a word of encouragement to
them. We will be gathering their mailing
addresses so we can send cards or maybe
a goody box this school year.
The Youth will be headed to Carowinds on
Saturday, Sept. 26th for Christian Music
Day, headlined by TobyMac! Cost will be
$25 per Youth or Adult. This is an all day
event. Sign up first week of August!
Who remembers our time at Ft. Caswell
last Fall? Well, NCCBF is having another
Youth Fall Retreat at Caswell on October
2nd-4th. Cost will be $50 per person attending. Who knows maybe we will visit
Provision Company again for supper! Sign
up first week of September!
Wil
for Glenn Bumgarner to PFTT.
for birthdays on July 17th of former
staff members, Margaret Dull & Linda
Hayes to Unified Budget.
Save the Date . . .
VBC 6th Annual Camping
Trip – Labor Day Weekend
(3 nights – makes all that setup
& teardown worth it!)
Reserve your spot quickly!
First Come, First Served!
How Do I Sign Up?
Contact Marian Erikson to confirm that spots are
still available, and to reserve your spot: Email:
[email protected], or Text/Call: 828-3088454.
Make your payment either online at http://
viewmontbaptist.org/donate-now/, or via check
payable to VBC. IMPORTANT - note “Camping”
in the memo field for online or check payments.
NOTE – please do BOTH steps. If you make a
payment but don’t tell Marian Erikson, you
may not have a spot.
July 30, 2015
Volume 65, Issue 12
Opportunities for Service
Wednesday, July 29
8:45 a.m. Weekday Preschool
Thursday, July 30
8:45 a.m. Weekday Preschool
Missions Ministry Team, Conf Rm 107
Friday, July 31
8:45 a.m. Weekday Preschool
5:30 p.m. AA
Saturday, August 1 ~
Stock the Food Pantry at CCM
Youth ~ Feeding God’s Children
Mars Hill, NC
5:30 p.m. AA
Sunday, August 2 ~ Communion
8:30 a.m. Fresh Spirit, Fellowship Center
9:00 a.m. Prayer Time, Conference Room 107
9:45 a.m. Sunday School
10:45 a.m. Summer Choir
11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship Service, Sanctuary
4:00 p.m. Fresh Spirit Rehearsal
Monday, August 3
3:00 p.m. Nominating Committee, Conf Rm 107
5:30 p.m. AA; Property Committee, Conf Rm 107
Tuesday, August 4
6:30 a.m. Men’s Prayer Breakfast
9:00 a.m. Ministerial Staff Meeting
5:30 p.m. AA
Wednesday, August 5
6:30 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, August 6
1:00 p.m. WOM 1
6:15 p.m. Girl Scouts, Room 120
7:15 p.m. Concert on the Green: Day Three
Friday, August 7
5:30 p.m. AA
Saturday, August 8
5:30 p.m. AA
Welcoming:
8/2: Ty, Laura Shely
8/9: Darrell, Patty Johnson
Viewer Response
8/2 & 8/9: Judy Benfield, Linda Sloniker
8/16 & 8/23: Sue Dobbins, Pat Smith
8/30: Joyce Huffman, Nancy Simmons
Ushers for August:
Eddie Barham, Bruce Buchanan, Richard Byrd,
Ginger Dietrich, Marion Roseman, Mark
Suddreth
Nursery Volunteers
August 2, 11:00 a.m.: Lesa Baker
August 9, 8:30 a.m.: Kelley Walker
11:00 a.m.: Sherry Shuford
To volunteer please contact
Liz Amick at 320-9349.
Volunteers are needed for the services
at 8:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.
Our Church Staff
828-322-6732
You may contact us at:
Jay Robison, ext 203
[email protected]
Jimmy Rogers, ext 205
[email protected]
Wil Worley, ext 206
[email protected]
Regiani Pereira, ext 207
[email protected]
Beth Murphree, ext 214
[email protected]
Holly Lail, ext 201
[email protected]
Jill Hoyle Phillips, ext 223
[email protected]
After School Ministry, ext 208
[email protected]
Weekday Preschool Ministry
[email protected]