From Our Director of Missions
BAPTIST BEACON
Page 4
November 2011
Vol. XXXXI
November 2011
No. 11
From Our Director of Missions December 4-11, 2011 Frequently asked questions What is the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering®? Southern Baptist churches collect the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for the sole purpose of supporting international missions. Every penny of the offering goes to the International Mission Board’s overseas budget, thus supporting our missionaries (some 4,880 under appointment as of 10/17/11) and their work. What is the goal for this year’s offering? This goal for the 2011 offering is $175 million. What is the 2011 theme? The 2011 theme is “His heart, His hands, His voice – I am Southern Baptist missions.” Jesus has commissioned us to be His heart, His hands, His voice. Through praying, giving, and going, Southern Baptists have fulfilled this legacy for more than 160 years. Yet billions remain lost and time may be running out for them. Our churches must take direct responsibility for helping reach the nearly 3,800—unengaged, unreached people groups that missionaries may never be able to get to. (These facts were taken from IMB promotional materials.)
********************
COMING TOGETHER
(FIRST Women’s Conference 2012) January 27-28, 2012 ♦ First Baptist Church, Columbia January 27 – 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM ♦ January 28 – 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM COST: $27.00 for the weekend (For more information, contact First Baptist Church Columbia at: [email protected] ♦ 803.343.8585 ♦ www.FirstBaptistColumbia.com/ComingTogether.)
“Thanksgiving”…an expression which, it seems, has become a mere byword in the hearts of so many people; even Christians. The traditional American holiday, itself, appears to have become little more than a time of feasting and a gateway to the Christmas shopping season. Granted, the tradition of celebrating “Thanksgiving” is held by many, (if not most) Americans as traditional “American” observance remembering the landing of the Pilgrims on December 11, 1620 and the feast of giving thanks they observed. While Americans should certainly be thankful for those daring settlers, those of us who are in Christ have an even more basic, (if not higher) reason for being thankful every day of the year. For what should Christians be thankful? No doubt the list can never be exhausted as each one would hold very personal objects of thanksgiving. There are, however, some basic objects of thanksgiving we would do well to recount. • Thank God, our Heavenly Father for His “love which surpasses all understanding”. After all, it was out of His heart of love that He (in Christ) showed us how we are to live and be pleasing to Him. He also demonstrated His love for us by giving Himself for our sins through His atoning death on the cross. • Thank our Lord Jesus Christ for enduring the agony of the cross and, even more, taking upon Himself the guilt and penalty of our sin (2 Cor. 5:21). • Thank God, the Holy Spirit for His ever-present indwelling and His moment by moment guidance to those who are consistently yielded to His direction and power (Eph. 5:18). • Thank God, the Author and finisher of our very faith, without which we would not enjoy the abundant, eternal life He gives. • Thank God because it not only is the right thing to do, but also because it is an act of direct obedience to His Word (1 Thess.5:18). Yes, let us indeed be thankful for the American freedoms we hold dear and which have been secured by those who have given their lives to maintain it and continue to do so this very day. Yes, let us be thankful for the blessings of God upon this nation and in our homes. However, if we stop there and do not go deeper in our thanksgiving, what makes the Christian observer of Thanksgiving Day any different from the non-Christian observer? Have a blessed day of Giving Thanks! Bro. Jim
Page 2
BAPTIST BEACON
November 201 1
THE BAPTIST BEACON (USPS 041-840)
Published Monthly by The Aiken Baptist Association, Inc. U.S. 1 (Augusta-Aiken Road) Graniteville, South Carolina 29829 Phone (803) 648-0204 or (803) 278-1376 POSTMASTER : Send address changes to THE BAPTIST BEACON P.O. Box 397 Graniteville, SC 29829 Periodicals Postage Paid at Graniteville, SC 29829 and additional mailings offices. Jim Diehl........................................................ Editor Mrs. Annette Allen........................Managing Editor ASSOCIATIONAL OFFICERS Moderator.............................................. John Meyer Moderator-Elect................................... James Young Clerk/Treasurer...........................Mrs. Annette Allen Assistant Treasurer............................. Michael Dyar
November 2011
BAPTIST BEACON
The following Pastors in our Association have a Birthday during the month of December:
********************
Wedding Anniversary The following Pastors in our Association have a Wedding Anniversary during the month of November or December: November 26 – Rev. and Mrs. Clint (Wendy) Smith, Town Creek December 3 – Dr. and Mrs. Gary (Debra) Hanna, Redds Branch 14 – Rev. and Mrs. Ron (Patsy) Boone, Burnettown First 23 – Rev. and Mrs. Ernest (Shelby) Webb, Spring Branch 23 – Rev. and Mrs. Tommy (Wendy) Richardson, Montmorenci First 24 – Rev. and Mrs. Charles (Mary) Jenkins, Memorial
Visit Our Website at: www.aikenbaptistassociation.org
as you pray
Pastoral Anniversary
church/churches of the week
The following Pastors in our Association have a Pastoral Anniversary during the month of November or December:
Aiken Association recognizes the following “church and/or churches of the week”
November 21 – Rev. Earl Carter begins his thirtieth year at Little Horse Creek 27 – Rev. Ron Doss begins his eighteenth year at Pine Forest
We ask that you and your church pray for each church during the specified week.
December 1 – Dr. Mark Riser begins his twelfth year at Matlock 12 – Rev. Ron Boone begins his second year at Burnettown First 31 – Dr. Darrell Engle begins his sixth year at Cornerstone
Please be praying for…
C. A. M. O. (Calling All Men Out) Saturday, February 4, 2012 ♦ Gateway Baptist Church Registration begins 7:30 AM Conference concludes 4:00 PM Registration and Fee • $40.00 (includes conference, materials, and lunch) – must be postmarked or online on or before December 16, 2011 • $50.00 (includes conference, materials, and lunch) – must be postmarked or online after December 16, 2011 • $50.00 ( includes conference, materials, no lunch) if postmarked or online after January 15, 2012. This is also the registration deadline.
The Baptist Beacon is available electronically. This will help as we seek ways to curtail expenses. We realize that not everyone has access to a computer and therefore, those persons can still receive the Baptist Beacon by mail.
December 5-11 Shiloh Pastor Taylor Wells and Staff
December 25-January 1 Ridgeview Pastor Jesse Goldman and Staff
Salt & Light Men’s Ministries Conference
UPCOMING BAPTIST BEACON CHANGE
November 28-December 4 Cedar Creek Pastor Phillip Lee and Staff
December 19-25 River of Life Pastor John Zimmermann and Staff
November 22 – Fellowship of Retired Ministers and Ministers Conference Meeting and Luncheon, Langley First, 11:00 AM 23-25 – Aiken Baptist Center Closed 24 – Thanksgiving 29 – Ministers Conference, Aiken Baptist Center, 11:00 AM December 4-11 – Week of Prayer for International Missions and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering 6 – Ministers Conference, Aiken Baptist Center, 11:00 AM 13 – Ministers Conference, Aiken Baptist Center, 11:00 AM 22 – Jan. 2 – Aiken Baptist Center Closed 25 – Christmas
(For additional information, visit www.scbaptist.org/men or call the Evangelism Group at 800.723.7242 or 803.227.6104.)
November 21-27 Calvary Pastor James Young and Staff
December 12-18 Shaws Fork Staff
Calender of Events
Happy Birthday December 1 – Rev. John Zimmermann, River of Life 4 – Rev. Marion Britton, Jackson First 25 – Rev. Chris Fulmer, Believers Worship
Page 3
Please help us by filling out the form below and returning it to us.
******************** MEN’S PRAYER BREAKFAST Saturday, December 10, 2011 ▪ 8:00 AM Redds Branch Baptist Church ▪ 390 Redds Branch Road ▪ Aiken, SC (Please contact Jamie Murphy [279-4191] and let him know if you plan to attend.)
_____ I would like to receive the Baptist Beacon electronically. My e-mail address is _____________________________________________________________________________. _____I would like to continue receiving the Baptist Beacon by mail.
NAME__________________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS_______________________________________________________________________________ Please clip this box and return to: Aiken Baptist Association, P O Box 397, Graniteville, SC 29829.
Page 4
November 2011
Vol. XXXXI
November 2011
No. 11
From Our Director of Missions December 4-11, 2011 Frequently asked questions What is the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering®? Southern Baptist churches collect the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for the sole purpose of supporting international missions. Every penny of the offering goes to the International Mission Board’s overseas budget, thus supporting our missionaries (some 4,880 under appointment as of 10/17/11) and their work. What is the goal for this year’s offering? This goal for the 2011 offering is $175 million. What is the 2011 theme? The 2011 theme is “His heart, His hands, His voice – I am Southern Baptist missions.” Jesus has commissioned us to be His heart, His hands, His voice. Through praying, giving, and going, Southern Baptists have fulfilled this legacy for more than 160 years. Yet billions remain lost and time may be running out for them. Our churches must take direct responsibility for helping reach the nearly 3,800—unengaged, unreached people groups that missionaries may never be able to get to. (These facts were taken from IMB promotional materials.)
********************
COMING TOGETHER
(FIRST Women’s Conference 2012) January 27-28, 2012 ♦ First Baptist Church, Columbia January 27 – 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM ♦ January 28 – 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM COST: $27.00 for the weekend (For more information, contact First Baptist Church Columbia at: [email protected] ♦ 803.343.8585 ♦ www.FirstBaptistColumbia.com/ComingTogether.)
“Thanksgiving”…an expression which, it seems, has become a mere byword in the hearts of so many people; even Christians. The traditional American holiday, itself, appears to have become little more than a time of feasting and a gateway to the Christmas shopping season. Granted, the tradition of celebrating “Thanksgiving” is held by many, (if not most) Americans as traditional “American” observance remembering the landing of the Pilgrims on December 11, 1620 and the feast of giving thanks they observed. While Americans should certainly be thankful for those daring settlers, those of us who are in Christ have an even more basic, (if not higher) reason for being thankful every day of the year. For what should Christians be thankful? No doubt the list can never be exhausted as each one would hold very personal objects of thanksgiving. There are, however, some basic objects of thanksgiving we would do well to recount. • Thank God, our Heavenly Father for His “love which surpasses all understanding”. After all, it was out of His heart of love that He (in Christ) showed us how we are to live and be pleasing to Him. He also demonstrated His love for us by giving Himself for our sins through His atoning death on the cross. • Thank our Lord Jesus Christ for enduring the agony of the cross and, even more, taking upon Himself the guilt and penalty of our sin (2 Cor. 5:21). • Thank God, the Holy Spirit for His ever-present indwelling and His moment by moment guidance to those who are consistently yielded to His direction and power (Eph. 5:18). • Thank God, the Author and finisher of our very faith, without which we would not enjoy the abundant, eternal life He gives. • Thank God because it not only is the right thing to do, but also because it is an act of direct obedience to His Word (1 Thess.5:18). Yes, let us indeed be thankful for the American freedoms we hold dear and which have been secured by those who have given their lives to maintain it and continue to do so this very day. Yes, let us be thankful for the blessings of God upon this nation and in our homes. However, if we stop there and do not go deeper in our thanksgiving, what makes the Christian observer of Thanksgiving Day any different from the non-Christian observer? Have a blessed day of Giving Thanks! Bro. Jim
Page 2
BAPTIST BEACON
November 201 1
THE BAPTIST BEACON (USPS 041-840)
Published Monthly by The Aiken Baptist Association, Inc. U.S. 1 (Augusta-Aiken Road) Graniteville, South Carolina 29829 Phone (803) 648-0204 or (803) 278-1376 POSTMASTER : Send address changes to THE BAPTIST BEACON P.O. Box 397 Graniteville, SC 29829 Periodicals Postage Paid at Graniteville, SC 29829 and additional mailings offices. Jim Diehl........................................................ Editor Mrs. Annette Allen........................Managing Editor ASSOCIATIONAL OFFICERS Moderator.............................................. John Meyer Moderator-Elect................................... James Young Clerk/Treasurer...........................Mrs. Annette Allen Assistant Treasurer............................. Michael Dyar
November 2011
BAPTIST BEACON
The following Pastors in our Association have a Birthday during the month of December:
********************
Wedding Anniversary The following Pastors in our Association have a Wedding Anniversary during the month of November or December: November 26 – Rev. and Mrs. Clint (Wendy) Smith, Town Creek December 3 – Dr. and Mrs. Gary (Debra) Hanna, Redds Branch 14 – Rev. and Mrs. Ron (Patsy) Boone, Burnettown First 23 – Rev. and Mrs. Ernest (Shelby) Webb, Spring Branch 23 – Rev. and Mrs. Tommy (Wendy) Richardson, Montmorenci First 24 – Rev. and Mrs. Charles (Mary) Jenkins, Memorial
Visit Our Website at: www.aikenbaptistassociation.org
as you pray
Pastoral Anniversary
church/churches of the week
The following Pastors in our Association have a Pastoral Anniversary during the month of November or December:
Aiken Association recognizes the following “church and/or churches of the week”
November 21 – Rev. Earl Carter begins his thirtieth year at Little Horse Creek 27 – Rev. Ron Doss begins his eighteenth year at Pine Forest
We ask that you and your church pray for each church during the specified week.
December 1 – Dr. Mark Riser begins his twelfth year at Matlock 12 – Rev. Ron Boone begins his second year at Burnettown First 31 – Dr. Darrell Engle begins his sixth year at Cornerstone
Please be praying for…
C. A. M. O. (Calling All Men Out) Saturday, February 4, 2012 ♦ Gateway Baptist Church Registration begins 7:30 AM Conference concludes 4:00 PM Registration and Fee • $40.00 (includes conference, materials, and lunch) – must be postmarked or online on or before December 16, 2011 • $50.00 (includes conference, materials, and lunch) – must be postmarked or online after December 16, 2011 • $50.00 ( includes conference, materials, no lunch) if postmarked or online after January 15, 2012. This is also the registration deadline.
The Baptist Beacon is available electronically. This will help as we seek ways to curtail expenses. We realize that not everyone has access to a computer and therefore, those persons can still receive the Baptist Beacon by mail.
December 5-11 Shiloh Pastor Taylor Wells and Staff
December 25-January 1 Ridgeview Pastor Jesse Goldman and Staff
Salt & Light Men’s Ministries Conference
UPCOMING BAPTIST BEACON CHANGE
November 28-December 4 Cedar Creek Pastor Phillip Lee and Staff
December 19-25 River of Life Pastor John Zimmermann and Staff
November 22 – Fellowship of Retired Ministers and Ministers Conference Meeting and Luncheon, Langley First, 11:00 AM 23-25 – Aiken Baptist Center Closed 24 – Thanksgiving 29 – Ministers Conference, Aiken Baptist Center, 11:00 AM December 4-11 – Week of Prayer for International Missions and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering 6 – Ministers Conference, Aiken Baptist Center, 11:00 AM 13 – Ministers Conference, Aiken Baptist Center, 11:00 AM 22 – Jan. 2 – Aiken Baptist Center Closed 25 – Christmas
(For additional information, visit www.scbaptist.org/men or call the Evangelism Group at 800.723.7242 or 803.227.6104.)
November 21-27 Calvary Pastor James Young and Staff
December 12-18 Shaws Fork Staff
Calender of Events
Happy Birthday December 1 – Rev. John Zimmermann, River of Life 4 – Rev. Marion Britton, Jackson First 25 – Rev. Chris Fulmer, Believers Worship
Page 3
Please help us by filling out the form below and returning it to us.
******************** MEN’S PRAYER BREAKFAST Saturday, December 10, 2011 ▪ 8:00 AM Redds Branch Baptist Church ▪ 390 Redds Branch Road ▪ Aiken, SC (Please contact Jamie Murphy [279-4191] and let him know if you plan to attend.)
_____ I would like to receive the Baptist Beacon electronically. My e-mail address is _____________________________________________________________________________. _____I would like to continue receiving the Baptist Beacon by mail.
NAME__________________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS_______________________________________________________________________________ Please clip this box and return to: Aiken Baptist Association, P O Box 397, Graniteville, SC 29829.
