- collected 108 shoe boxes of gifts to be distributed around the world through Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Samaritan's Purse
- in partnership with Prison Fellowship's Angel Tree shared Christmas gifts with 25 children from 12 families who have a parent incarcerated
- worked with Storehouse Ministries (Noonday Baptist Association) to distribute twelve Thanksgiving food baskets (w/turkeys) and six Christmas boxes (w/hams) to those in need in our community
- shared Christmas caroling with the residents of Laurel's Edge and Highland Court- senior living facilities in our neighborhood
- delivered a ream of paper to each of 34 classroom teachers at Chalker Elementary School
- given generously to typhoon relief in the Philippines through Baptist World Aid of the Baptist World Alliance and to support overseas mission work through the annual Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Reflections on Giving
In a Thanksgiving blog I reflected on my gratitude for Towne View being a thankful church. This I week I have been reminded of how giving is woven into the fabric of our congregation. In recent weeks we have:
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Nine days and counting
It's quiet on the construction site today. As I look out my window I see heavy equipment parked and almost five acres of Georgia clay turned into mud. Instead of tress crashing and dirt moving I am listening to the steady drip of water. Such things do not a happy preacher make!
The news headline reads "Nine Straight Days of Rain." I am not amused. My mind can't help but go back to the summer we broke ground on the previous building... and broke an extended drought in north Georgia. I am not encouraged. We have a tight schedule for the completion of our new facility. For the moment, I am not optimistic.
I know the soil needs replenishment and we all need the water supply renewed but I find myself looking up to heaven wanting to cry-out "why?" or "come on God, you know what we're trying to do here." Then I try to remind myself that "why not?" is just as good a question and that maybe I need to be open to what God is doing here.
This season we are reminded that the creator of the universe became Immanuel, "God with us." In sunshine and rain God is with us... loving us, working in us, and lovingly working through us.
The news headline reads "Nine Straight Days of Rain." I am not amused. My mind can't help but go back to the summer we broke ground on the previous building... and broke an extended drought in north Georgia. I am not encouraged. We have a tight schedule for the completion of our new facility. For the moment, I am not optimistic.
I know the soil needs replenishment and we all need the water supply renewed but I find myself looking up to heaven wanting to cry-out "why?" or "come on God, you know what we're trying to do here." Then I try to remind myself that "why not?" is just as good a question and that maybe I need to be open to what God is doing here.
This season we are reminded that the creator of the universe became Immanuel, "God with us." In sunshine and rain God is with us... loving us, working in us, and lovingly working through us.
Monday, November 25, 2013
I am thankful for...
Today I am thankful... for dedicated volunteers, faithful co-workers, Clemmie's cooking, and for watching dirt being moved outside my office window!
I am thankful for... a thankful church! Our services Sunday reminded me of the importance of thankful hearts and how a spirit of thankfulness is at the heart of Towne View.
Thankfulness, somewhat surprisingly, is an expression of humility. This spirit of gratitude recognizes that we couldn't- and can't- get through life on our own. Medical professionals aid us with their skills, friends encourage us with their presence, teachers guide us with their experience, family blesses us with their love. I am thankful that when I'm empty, there's someone to "fill-me-up;" when I'm tired, there's someone to "pick-me-up;" and when I'm feeling a little down, there's someone to "lift-me-up." Our share time Sunday afternoon was filled with expressions of thankfulness from a church family for a church family that has been there in times of need.
Thankfulness is also an expression of hope. As the people of God we call Towne View Baptist Church where God has taken us gives us confident expectancy about where God will lead us. As individuals, families, and a family of families our experience of God's faithfulness allows us to face even the uncertainties of the future with the hope of God's enduring faithfulness. Maybe this is why Paul encourages us to "not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Giving thanks is a simple gift with significant impact, for us we share a simple thank-you we keep ourselves grounded, honor God, and encourage others.
I am thankful for... a thankful church! Our services Sunday reminded me of the importance of thankful hearts and how a spirit of thankfulness is at the heart of Towne View.
Thankfulness, somewhat surprisingly, is an expression of humility. This spirit of gratitude recognizes that we couldn't- and can't- get through life on our own. Medical professionals aid us with their skills, friends encourage us with their presence, teachers guide us with their experience, family blesses us with their love. I am thankful that when I'm empty, there's someone to "fill-me-up;" when I'm tired, there's someone to "pick-me-up;" and when I'm feeling a little down, there's someone to "lift-me-up." Our share time Sunday afternoon was filled with expressions of thankfulness from a church family for a church family that has been there in times of need.
Thankfulness is also an expression of hope. As the people of God we call Towne View Baptist Church where God has taken us gives us confident expectancy about where God will lead us. As individuals, families, and a family of families our experience of God's faithfulness allows us to face even the uncertainties of the future with the hope of God's enduring faithfulness. Maybe this is why Paul encourages us to "not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Giving thanks is a simple gift with significant impact, for us we share a simple thank-you we keep ourselves grounded, honor God, and encourage others.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
God leads...we follow
My mind (admittedly easily distracted) has been all over the places in recent days.
A recent visit to Grady Hospital in Atlanta coincided with reminder that the first of November marked five years since Priscilla's near-fatal car accident. I was reminded of her tenacious spirit, the care and skill of medical teams at Grady and Kennestone, the love and support of our families and church family, and of God's faithfulness.
We've begun to have regular meetings of our twenty-fifth anniversary committee. On March 2, 2014 we celebrate the first service of Towne View Baptist Church and remember God's faithfulness over these twenty-five years. We finds ourselves in the midst of a journey, hence the theme, "God Leads...We Follow." It has been exciting to share memories of the past and plan towards this future celebration.
And, of course, Sunday's ground-breaking ceremony signified an emphatic "yes" to God's future for Towne View. A ground-breaking ceremony is a small step in the construction process but a big step for our fellowship. As God leads, we follow.
Maybe it's all the service planning we're doing these days (this Sunday, ground-breaking, anniversary service, advent planning) but my heart and mind have been filled with music recently. This morning I am drawn to the simple chorus:
O God, You are my God, and I will ever praise You.
O God, You are my God, and I will ever praise You.
I will seek You in the morning and I will learn to walk in Your ways;
And step by step You'll lead me, and I will follow You all of my days.
A recent visit to Grady Hospital in Atlanta coincided with reminder that the first of November marked five years since Priscilla's near-fatal car accident. I was reminded of her tenacious spirit, the care and skill of medical teams at Grady and Kennestone, the love and support of our families and church family, and of God's faithfulness.
We've begun to have regular meetings of our twenty-fifth anniversary committee. On March 2, 2014 we celebrate the first service of Towne View Baptist Church and remember God's faithfulness over these twenty-five years. We finds ourselves in the midst of a journey, hence the theme, "God Leads...We Follow." It has been exciting to share memories of the past and plan towards this future celebration.
And, of course, Sunday's ground-breaking ceremony signified an emphatic "yes" to God's future for Towne View. A ground-breaking ceremony is a small step in the construction process but a big step for our fellowship. As God leads, we follow.
Maybe it's all the service planning we're doing these days (this Sunday, ground-breaking, anniversary service, advent planning) but my heart and mind have been filled with music recently. This morning I am drawn to the simple chorus:
O God, You are my God, and I will ever praise You.
O God, You are my God, and I will ever praise You.
I will seek You in the morning and I will learn to walk in Your ways;
And step by step You'll lead me, and I will follow You all of my days.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
I Love My Job!
I love my job! I love preaching and planning worship. I love the opportunity to share life with people at "big times" of sorrow and celebration and in quieter moments of meals and conversation. I love the challenge of sharing in the journey of faith with this community of faith.
One of my favorite parts of this job is the people that I work with. God has blessed our church with a gifted, talented, service-oriented group of servants. Not all pastors are as fortunate as I in being able to genuinely enjoy those with whom he serves.
Tricia has been with us since the modular days. Her pleasant demeanor and servant spirit help not only the ministers (though without her we'd be lost) but our church at large to more effectively accomplish our work.
Mr. Gray is the faithful steward of our facilities. He's so much more than a custodian! Even now, with rented space, he keeps things in top shape and facilitates multiple many meetings and ministries.
Wanda continues a long line of exceptional accompanists at Towne View. She faithfully uses her gifts to support our choir, encourage our congregational singing, and inspire our worship.
Clemmie coordinates our family night suppers with the understanding that her ability to plan and prepare meals is her ministry. She "serves the Lord with gladness" as she serves the saints at Towne View.
Chris has made a tremendous impact on our church in the 15 months he has been with us so far. He has accomplished a rare feat- a youth minister loved as much by senior adults as by the youth group!
Scott is back- this time with a wife and kids! His musicianship and spirit supply leadership for our choir and for the "larger choir," aka the congregation.
Each of these folks excels at the responsibilities outlined in their respective job descriptions but bring that "something extra" that makes them- and their service- something special. Together, we take our job seriously without taking ourselves too seriously. Together we share our gifts in service to Christ and the Church. And we have a great Boss!
I love this job!
One of my favorite parts of this job is the people that I work with. God has blessed our church with a gifted, talented, service-oriented group of servants. Not all pastors are as fortunate as I in being able to genuinely enjoy those with whom he serves.
Tricia has been with us since the modular days. Her pleasant demeanor and servant spirit help not only the ministers (though without her we'd be lost) but our church at large to more effectively accomplish our work.
Mr. Gray is the faithful steward of our facilities. He's so much more than a custodian! Even now, with rented space, he keeps things in top shape and facilitates multiple many meetings and ministries.
Wanda continues a long line of exceptional accompanists at Towne View. She faithfully uses her gifts to support our choir, encourage our congregational singing, and inspire our worship.
Clemmie coordinates our family night suppers with the understanding that her ability to plan and prepare meals is her ministry. She "serves the Lord with gladness" as she serves the saints at Towne View.
Chris has made a tremendous impact on our church in the 15 months he has been with us so far. He has accomplished a rare feat- a youth minister loved as much by senior adults as by the youth group!
Scott is back- this time with a wife and kids! His musicianship and spirit supply leadership for our choir and for the "larger choir," aka the congregation.
Each of these folks excels at the responsibilities outlined in their respective job descriptions but bring that "something extra" that makes them- and their service- something special. Together, we take our job seriously without taking ourselves too seriously. Together we share our gifts in service to Christ and the Church. And we have a great Boss!
I love this job!
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