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Worship - June 2021

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As I sit down at my computer to write this letter, Kenzie is 28 and a half hours old. There are two things going through my head right now. The first is how thankful I am that yesterday afternoon my wife and my daughter made it through a very successful c-section. They are both very healthy and recovering well. The other thing I am thinking about is the incredibly daunting task of raising children.  But even as I think of the long road ahead, I am reminded that Laura and I are not walking this path alone.

Philippians 1:27 says, "Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ..." Talk about a daunting task right there, but Paul goes on, "so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel..."  Paul is calling the Philippian believers to the highest of standards, but he makes it clear that they are not pursuing this lofty goal as individuals, but they are to stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side.

So, as I think about the monumental task of raising Liam and Kenzie in a manner that is worthy of the gospel, let me share with you a few more things that I am thankful for.  I am thankful for Bryan and Kristi Gotcher, who week in and week out will teach Liam and Kenzie about the gospel, and for the scores of faithful volunteers in the children's ministry whom they shepherd.  I am thankful for Brian and Kayla Van Doren, who will disciple Liam and Kenzie through their teenage years. I am thankful for Pastor Alan and Paula Scott, who have raised children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and for the gospel centered preaching which my children will sit under.

Laura and I are to be the primary spiritual caregivers to our children. It is our responsibility to worship the Lord together as a family, to pray with and for them, and to teach them to read, study, memorize, and meditate on God's Word.  But I am so thankful that we are a part of a community of faith that will partner with us every step of the way, standing firm in one spirit with us, and with one mind striving side by side with us, building a gospel centered community in which our children will be discipled in the faith of the gospel.

Posted by Derek Niffenegger with
in Newsletter, Missions

Women on Mission - June 2021

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Make Holes in Their Darkness
By: Dianne Swaim

A story is told of British author Robert Louis Stevenson when he was five years old.  According to the story, his nanny was putting him to bed, but he slipped over to the window when he knew it was time for the lamplighter.  As he watched the lamplighter light each street light individually, he excitedly called, “Come quick, Nanny! That man is making holes in the  darkness.”

That story has impacted me for years as I have traveled to several third world countries and viewed hunger and poverty for myself.  In Zimbabwe, I held a 10 trillion dollar bill in my hands, worth only 50 cents in the United States.  Meanwhile, there was no food on the grocery store shelves, hospitals and schools were shut down, and there was a cholera outbreak.

The darkness of hunger hovers over almost 1 billion people in the world.  As they always have, Southern Baptist keep a global eye on hurting people and develop programs, raise funds, and send people to meet their physical and spiritual needs.

Organized to Serve

Global Hunger Relief seeks to put structure to the vast resources possible when God’s people give.  Seven Southern Baptist entities collaborate to observe Global Hunger Sunday.  These partners include WMU, the International Mission Board, and the North American Mission Board.

Every dollar goes directly toward meeting hunger needs.  The Cooperative Program covers all administrative costs.  Eighty percent of funds are directed toward International causes and 20 percent focus on North America.  In 2020, 14 million meals were provided in North America, and nearly $3.5 million helped feed more than 600,000 people across the world.

These numbers certainly indicate the work has been successful.  However, until every person across the world has enough food, we dare not claim success.  Our church’s involvement will make a hole in someone's darkness of hunger.

Hunger banks will be distributed on Sunday, June 6th and will be returned on Sunday, August 1st.

Women on Mission will meet at 1:00 pm on Thursday, June 3rd in the Grace Ladies Classroom (room opposite the Fellowship Hall.) All of our ladies are invited to join us.

Posted by Women On Mission with

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