this weekend @ sfbc - November 1st

sfbc family,

Got a wonderful surprise last night. Students presented Dewayne and me with a signed picture of our group. What a great gift of appreciation, thank you. I love our students want to see God do amazing things in their lives. We are blessed to have so many students and children at South Fork. But it reminds me and should all of us of the great responsibility to teach them about Christ and to live as examples for them.

I also want to thank everyone for working, cooking, cleaning, hosting, last weekends Fall Sports Sunday. It was a fun day! Thank you for showing the love of Christ to others.

We have a really busy weekend of ministry planned at South Fork! Here is a quick run down of events . . .

Trunk or Treat at 6pm. Rain is in the forecast and a lot of it. If it is raining, we will do our creative ministry program at 6pm. The program will be about 30 minutes. After the program will will give away candy as people leave. So please do stop at the church on Saturday night at 6pm and if you are planning to give away candy do come to help us after the program. If it doesn't rain everything will be as previously scheduled, 6pm giving away candy, program at 6:30pm.

John Moxen from Ireland will be our guest during our Morning worship service on Sunday. This is our first guest in a two week emphasis on Missions. Our mission goal is to continue to be an Acts 1:8 church and to go as Jesus has sent us. Our guest on Sunday, November 8th, will be Charles Juma from East Africa He will be sharing about missions in the countries of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda.

We will be sending a mission team to Oneida Baptist Institute to serve next week. They will be leaving on Sunday. Oneida is a Christian Boarding School that reaches students from all over the world. We are blessed to send a couple of teams each year to serve at Oneida. There are about 20 people participating in this trip.

Celebration of Baptism on Sunday. We will be celebrating during worship as we have 5 people who will be baptized on Sunday morning. God is at work at South Fork!

The WOM (Women on Mission) group will be going to Sunrise Children's Services on Friday at 6:15pm. This is a rewarding time of ministry with teenaged girls. Please contact Melinda Howell for information or call the church office.

As you can see there are lots of ministry going on at South Fork. There are so many ways to be involved. Please join us as we seek to reach others for Christ.

Don't forget to fall back on Saturday night, set your clock back one hour when you go to bed.


See you this weekend,
Bro Norm




5th Quarter
5th quarter will be hosted by the FCA on Friday night following the LaRue County football game. This is the last 5th Quarter of the year. We need snacks, cookies, brownies, etc. for this event. 5th Quarter provides a place for students to gather for worship, fellowship, and some fun after home football games. Please help us provide snacks for this event. You may drop off your snacks at the church fellowship hall Friday afternoon. Please contact DeWayne for information. Dewayne.gibson@larue.kyschools.us

World Hunger
Please return your World Hunger Jar on Sunday, November 1st. We will receive this offering until November 8th. Here is a link to the web site http://worldhungerfund.com/ for more information.

Women's Fall Retreat
November 6th - 7th @ Three Oaks Cabin in Hudgins, Ky. We will be using Beth Moore's weekend retreat "Loving Well". The cost is $25 which covers lodging and food. Slots are limited, please sign up and prepay at the welcome center. See Libby Blair or Jamie Hines for information.

Operation Christmas Child - Shoeboxes
Please pick up a Shoebox packing guide on Sunday. Our goal is to pack 100 shoe boxes this year. The shoeboxes need to be returned on Sunday, November 15th. Here is the link to the web site http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/occ/ for more information.

Peanut Butter
We will be collecting jars of any brand of peanut butter for the food ministry Shepherd's Pie at Magnolia Cumberland Presbyterian church. This ministry provides food for 50 local families each week and they need peanut butter. We would like to collect 50 jars. Please bring a jar on November 1st or 8th. Collection area is located at the missions area, near the welcome center.

this weekend @ sfbc - October 25th

sfbc family,

We have a huge Sunday planned for this weekend! It is Fall Sports Sunday. We have invited students, families, and coaches to attend worship on Sunday and stay after church for lunch. This is a great opportunity to connect with people in our community. I hope you will be able to attend. We need lots of people to help with the meal and with serving during lunch. If you could bring a dish or dessert or even two or three would help a lot and be a great investment. If you would like to know more about how to help, please email me, call the church office, or contact Denise Lawless or Theresa Banks. This event was awesome last year, a great attended Sunday and a lot of fun for everyone. Please do dress casually, were a LaRue County shirt or school colors (blue and white) if you like. I am really looking forward to Sunday.

This is the time of year when we are very busy and asking for much. There are places we need you to serve like truck or treat and fall sports day, there are things we are asking you to do, like World Hunger, Operation Christmas Child, there are things we are planning for our future like fellowship hall additions, mission trips, and looking at two services on Sundays. Thanksgiving is coming up and we will be preparing a Community Thanksgiving meal and receiving the Crazy Love Offering. There is much to be done, we need you. Here is why to be involved at South Fork. God is moving! Lives are being changed. There were 4 commitments for Christ last night during Student Worship! There were lots of kids in AWANA. Ministry is going on and there was much fellowship in the halls. It is good to see people talking, laughing, and enjoying being with each other. Pray that as we pursue Christ that God will lead us in knowing and doing His will.

Mission Sundays in November. Sunday November 1st our guest will be John Moxen from Ireland and on Sunday November 8th our guest will be Charles Juma from Kenya. These men will share their heart for Christ and reaching the nations. Join us as we celebrate an Acts 1:8 emphasis.

See you on Sunday, Please don't miss it, going to be a great celebration!
Bro Norm

PS - prayer update. Julie Robinson is home from UL Hospital. She is recovering from a MS attack last week. Please continue to pray for her, Craig, and their family.




World Hunger Offering
World Hunger Day is October 11th. You may pick up your offering jar on Sunday, please return your jar and offering on November 8th. These will be available at the welcome center. Here is a link to the web site http://worldhungerfund.com/

Women's Fall Retreat
November 6th - 7th @ Three Oaks Cabin in Hudgins, Ky. We will be using Beth Moore's weekend retreat "Loving Well". The cost is $25 which covers lodging and food. Slots are limited, please sign up and prepay at the welcome center. See Libby Blair or Jamie Hines for information.

Operation Christmas Child - Shoeboxes
Please pick up a Shoebox packing guide on Sunday. Our goal is to pack 100 shoe boxes this year. The shoeboxes need to be returned on Sunday, November 15th. Here is the link to the web site http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/occ/ for more information.



Trunk or Treat
We are collecting candy for trunk or treat through October 25th. A tub is located at the missions area. We will be setting up in the parking lot on trick or treat night to give away candy. You may sign up at the welcome center to host a trunk. We need at least 30 people to make this work. Here is what you do, you step up in a parking spot and give away candy during Trunk or Treat. It is great fellowship, lots of fun, and a great way to love our community.

Christmas Toy Collections and Clothing
We are collecting new or gently used toys for the Morrison's toy drive for Christmas. Please drop off your toys in the tubs located near each entrance. Clothing can be dropped off in the church trailer. Please see Kelly Hornback for details.

this weekend @ sfbc - October 18th

sfbc family,

I had the honor of preaching at Round Top Baptist Church last night. As a pastor, it is always a privilege to be invited to share God's word with people. I really had a good time and enjoyed the hospitality of the people. Speaking at Round Top was extra special due to our connection with Donnie Davis, their pastor. Donnie, Teleana, and their family are one of our own. Donnie grew up here at South Fork, surrender to ministry here, and we sent him out to serve. He is doing a good job and the church is experiencing growth and health.

But, even one night away from our church caused me to be reminded of how much we are blessed at South Fork. We (me) take it for granted and shouldn't. Here are some things we should be grateful for . . ..

1. Children. You may never know what a blessing it is to have kids at church. Each Sunday, there are children in the nursery, Sunday School, in Children's Church. On Wednesday many children gather for AWANA. Without children there is just something missing in a church, really not complete. Many churches have few or no children attending. We are blessed.

2. Students (youth and college). This group is unbelievable at South Fork. God is doing great things in this ministry, Can you believe that we will have 100 or more students involved at South Fork on a weekly basis. I can't begin to tell you how this interjects life into our church. Next time you think about how different students are or their music maybe, or their style think what it would be like to have none! We are blessed.

3. Workers. We beg for more workers to step up all the time. But many churches don't have people to do the work of ministry. Each week we have teachers in Sunday School, greeters at the doors, nursery volunteers, AWANA workers, people who cook for Wednesday meals, drive vans, chaperon kids, run the sound, and many others give their time and money to see that ministry gets done. We are blessed.

4. Attendance. Some people think they will like a smaller church or they think the church is too big. More people do more things, period. Without people, we aren't able to do many of things we do to connect people to Jesus. A bigger church is just able to do more. Bob Russell said this about South East after one of the Florida hurricanes a few years ago. They as a church collected enough food to pack several semi trailers to send to Florida, no other church could even get close to that because of the numbers of people at South East. We are able to do much more in this community and in our world just because we are blessed to have a larger attendance in our community. I would rather be part of a larger church and do more for the cause of Christ than just be a few people complaining that we are able to do anything. We are blessed.

5. Young adults and couples. They sometimes the busiest people in our congregation. They are working hard to begin their lives, their families, to make everything and get started in life. They are sometimes so busy that people misunderstand and see lack of commitment. Hear me, the far majority of churches are made of older members. They do not have kids, students, or young adults at all. If they do they are few. We have a great group of young adults at South Fork, who sooner rather than later will be the leaders of this church. We will not survive without them. We must do everything we can to encourage and reach these groups not just for survival, but for the Kingdom. Look around on Sunday and encourage a young couple in our church. Serve in the nursery so a young couple can sit together for worship. We have young adults and families at South Fork. We are blessed.

6. Staff. We have a talented staff who really want to serve Christ. DeWayne, Machelle, Randy, and Pam, work hard each week to help our church and seek ways to advance the kingdom. Leadership takes the brunt of criticism. They are out front and become easy targets. Next time you are tempted to say something about the leadership, think would I like someone to say that about me, my family, or one of my kids. Answer is no. I get the privilege of serving with a great staff, while we are not perfect, one thing motivates all our staff they want to glorify Jesus. Be thankful for them, tell them, pray for them. We are blessed.

7. Missions and purpose. We know what God has called us to do . . . Connect People to Jesus. The minute a church is derailed from the mission it begins to turn inward and to die. We will not be distracted from that simple purpose and mission. We are sticking it out. If some misunderstand, if some leave over this direction, then we wish them well, love them, miss them and keep striving forward. We can not stop, we can not give up, we can not miss the goal. We desire to stand before Christ and hear well done, faithful, servant, you were willing to risk everything for the sake of Christ. It is worth it. We are blessed.

I know I didn't get each group, there are others, many others, who help make South Fork a great Church. You are one of them, Thank you for allowing me to be your pastor. I am blessed.
See you this weekend
Bro Norm


Prayer update - Please pray for Julie and Craig Robinson, Julie is in UL hospital room 915. She will be there at least 5 days. Please send her an e card to let her know you are praying.
thanks!




Pray, Care, Share - Saturday, October 17th, 10am - noon.

This is a time of prayer and encouragement for women of all ages. There will be short testimonies, prayer time, special singing, health notes, followed by a sandwich lunch. Contact Suzanne Hines with questions.

Hoodies for Kids - all cards have been picked up and returned! Thank you if you still have a card please return it on Sunday.
We are participating in a project to provide a new hoodie for kids in LaRue County. The hoodies are $20 and will be provided to a needy child in LaRue County. Here's how to help. Pick up a card at the welcome center (the card will remind you to provide the gift and help us in know how many hoodies we are providing.) Our goal is to provide at least 30 hoodies. Then, return the card with a check designated Hoodies for Kids. The card should be returned with your check, there will be a paper clip on each card. We need to have them returned by October 18th. Sorry, we can not except used hoodies for this project. But, we will soon be collecting clothes for giveaway and will glad take used hoodies then. Thanks for your gift for a child.

Moving Help Needed
One of our students Evan Cline and his family will be moving on October 24th (meet at 9am), from their home on McDowell Road to a home in Hodgenville. The family needs help moving big items on this day and also trucks and/or trailer is needed. Evan's mother is Heather Cline. This is an opportunity to show love to a family in our community and our church. Please contact DeWayne if you are willing to help or can provide a truck/trailer. Email Dewayne at dewayne.gibson@Larue.kyschools.us. Some of our students will be helping but we need several adults too.

World Hunger Offering
World Hunger Day is October 11th. You may pick up your offering jar on Sunday, please return your jar and offering on November 8th. These will be available at the welcome center. Here is a link to the web site http://worldhungerfund.com/

Women's Fall Retreat
November 6th - 7th @ Three Oaks Cabin in Hudgins, Ky. We will be using Beth Moore's weekend retreat :Loving Well". The cost is $25 which covers lodging and food. Slots are limited, please sign up and prepay at the welcome center. See Libby Blair or Jamie Hines for information.

Operation Christmas Child - Shoeboxes
Please pick up a Shoebox packing guide on Sunday. Our goal is to pack 100 shoe boxes this year. The shoeboxes need to be returned on Sunday, November 15th. Here is the link to the web site http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/occ/ for more information.

Trunk or Treat
We are collecting candy for trunk or treat through October 25th. A tub is located at the missions area. We will be setting up in the parking lot on trick or treat night to give away candy. You may sign up at the welcome center to host a trunk. We need at least 30 people to make this work. Here is what you do, you step up in a parking spot and give away candy during Trunk or Treat. It is great fellowship, lots of fun, and a great way to love our community.

Christmas Toy Collections
We are collecting new or gently used toys for the Morrison's toy drive for Christmas. Please drop off your toys in the tubs located near each entrance.

this wekend @ sfbc - October 11th

sfbc family,

I would really ask that you say an extra prayer for our church the next couple of weeks. We are at the point where many of our Crazy Love groups will be reading and discussing Chapter 4 and 5. These chapters are the wake up and take a look at yourself chapters. They call us to genuine rake a look at how we are living for Christ, is He really making a difference in us and is that causing our lives to be different, Christ like. It should be a time of renewal, revival, and salvation as these groups see themselves before God and begin to ask God to change their lives. I pray that this will spread to our entire church. No one can read Chapter 4 and walk away with the attitude I am living on fire for God, we all can see areas of our lives that need to be submitted to Christ. It is time, pray for our church family. If you aren't in a small group, give this book a chance, God is using it in many lives, it will stretch and grow you.

There are several announcements so I am keeping this short. Please pray that God will bless, encourage, grow, challenge, our church to connect people to Jesus!

Hope you have had a great fall break!
See you this weekend at sfbc,
Bro Norm

WOM Ministry Need
We have a need for basic baby items for a young soon to be mother. Diapers, wipes, baby powder, lotion, etc. All of the things anyone would need to get by. This baby is due very soon and the doctors have indicated that there could be some issues due to the brains under development. The is a boy so any new or gently used clothing or blankets would be great as well. Let's extend the hand of God to show love to this family. If you have any additional questions please feel free to contact Sandy Kidd or Machelle McDowell. Items need to be received by October 11th. Thank you.

Hoodies for Kids - all cards have been picked up! Please return them on Sunday.
We are participating in a project to provide a new hoodie for kids in LaRue County. The hoodies are $20 and will be provided to a needy child in LaRue County. Here's how to help. Pick up a card at the welcome center (the card will remind you to provide the gift and help us in know how many hoodies we are providing.) Our goal is to provide at least 30 hoodies. Then, return the card with a check designated Hoodies for Kids. The card should be returned with your check, there will be a paper clip on each card. We need to have them returned by October 18th. Sorry, we can not except used hoodies for this project. But, we will soon be collecting clothes for giveaway and will glad take used hoodies then. Thanks for your gift for a child.

World Hunger Offering
World Hunger Day is October 11th. You may pick up your offering jar next Sunday. These will be available at the welcome center. Here is a link to the web site http://worldhungerfund.com/

Pray, Care, Share
Saturday, October 17th, 10am - noon. This is a time of prayer and encouragement for women of all ages. There will be short testimonies, prayer time, special singing, health notes, followed by a sandwich lunch. Contact Suzanne Hines with questions.

Women's Fall Retreat
November 6th - 7th @ Three Oaks Cabin in Hudgins, Ky. We will be using Beth Moore's weekend retreat :Loving Well". The cost is $25 which covers lodging and food. Slots are limited, please sign up and prepay at the welcome center. See Libby Blair or Jamie Hines for information.

Christmas Toy Collections
We are collecting new or gently used toys for the Morrison's toy drive for Christmas. Please drop off your toys in the tubs located near each entrance.

Trunk or Treat
We are collecting candy for trunk or treat through October 25th. A tub is located at the missions area. We will be setting up in the parking lot on trick or treat night to give away candy. You may sign up at the welcome center to host a trunk.

Choir Rehearsal
Joint Christmas choir rehearsal at Magnolia Baptist on Sunday, 3pm - 5pm.

Business and Missions Meeting
Sunday night Mission groups will meet at 6pm followed by Quarterly business meeting at 7pm.

this wekend @ sfbc - October 4th

SFBC Family,

This weekend begins fall break for many of our students and families. If you will be traveling this weekend or next week please have a safe and blessed trip. A little down time is good for everyone. It can helps us to refocus our lives and what is really important. On Sunday, we will be on our regular schedule. There are several people involved in Crazy Love Bible Studies on Sunday evenings but there is still a Bible Study time in the sanctuary at 6pm and choir rehearsal at 7pm. On Wednesday next week there will be a joint service at 7pm. There is no AWANA and this joint service will allow us to all be together for a time of worship. DeWayne will be leading the service and I will be there. Please plan on attending.

This week I read an article written by Thom Rainer. In it, Dr Rainer, warns of the signs an unhealthy church. I am interested in church health because healthy churches grow both spiritually and numerically. They love God and seek to make Him know. Here is a portion of the article.

Five Warning Signs

What were some of the warning signs my team saw? Though the list is not exhaustive, these five issues were common. Some of the churches had a one or two on the list; some had all five.

1. The church has few outwardly focused ministries. Most of the budget dollars in the church are spent on the desires and comforts of church members. The ministry staff spends most of its time taking care of members, with little time to reach out and minister to the community the church is supposed to serve.

2. The dropout rate is increasing. Members are leaving for other churches in the community, or they are leaving the local church completely. A common exit interview theme we heard was a lack of deep biblical teaching and preaching in the church.

3. The church is experiencing conflict over issues of budgets and building. When the focus of church members becomes how the facilities and money can meet their preferences, church health is clearly on the wane.

4. Corporate prayer is minimized. If the church makes prayer a low priority, it makes God a low priority.

5. The pastor has become a chaplain. The church members view the pastor as their personal chaplain, expecting him to be on call for their needs and preferences. When he doesn’t make a visit at the expected time, or when he doesn’t show up for the Bible class fellowship, he receives criticism. In not a few cases, the pastor has lost his job at that church because he was not omnipresent for the church members.

Where Do We Go from Here?

The bad news is that few churches recover if the patterns above become normative. The church is a church in name only. It is self-gratifying rather than missional. It is more concerned about great comfort than the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.
The good news is that a few churches have moved from sickness to health. The path was not easy. It first required that the congregants be brutally honest with themselves and God. It does no good to speak glowingly of a church that is unhealthy and getting worse.
Many of the turnaround churches we consulted then moved to a time of corporate confession and repentance. They confessed to God their lack of obedience and their selfish desire for their own comfort.

And still other churches made an intentional effort to shift the ministries and the money of the church to a greater outward focus. This step can be particularly painful since a number of church members often protest with vigor that their needs are no longer being met.

To Become a Healthy Church
Indeed we could focus on the reality that the great majority of sick churches do not recover. But that focus provides little value.

We should look at the admittedly few churches that have moved from sickness to health. We should learn how they turned from an inward focus to an outward focus. We should follow their examples of moving from selfish desires to radical obedience to God.

In His power the unhealthy church can become healthy.

Heed the warning signs.

It could be the difference between life and death.

The good news is that our church family has often been identified as a turn-around and healthy church. But, it is easy to slipped back into bad habits. I know what to do and to avoid to be personally healthy, I know to east right and exercise. But these things take work to keep me on the path to physical health. As a church, we need to be sure we do the things that cause and bring spiritual health to our congregation.

I hope to see you this weekend.
Bro Norm

Men's Prayer
Men's prayer and fellowship will meet tonight at the home of Gary and Jan Clifford. The meeting begins at 7pm. Please join us for a special time of prayer.

WOM Ministry Need
We have a need for basic baby items for a young soon to be mother. Diapers, wipes, baby powder, lotion, etc. All of the things anyone would need to get by. This baby is due very soon and the doctors have indicated that there could be some issues due to the brains under development. The is a boy so any new or gently used clothing or blankets would be great as well. Let's extend the hand of God to show love to this family. If you have any additional questions please feel free to contact Sandy Kidd or Machelle McDowell. Items need to be received by October 11th. Thank you.

Hoodies for Kids
We are participating in a project to provide a new hoodie for kids in LaRue County. The hoodies are $20 and will be provided to a needy child in LaRue County. Here's how to help. Pick up a card at the welcome center (the card will remind you to provide the gift and help us in know how many hoodies we are providing.) Our goal is to provide at least 30 hoodies. Then, return the card with a check designated Hoodies for Kids. The card should be returned with your check, there will be a paper clip on each card. We need to have them returned by October 18th. Sorry, we can not except used hoodies for this project. But, we will soon be collecting clothes for giveaway and will glad take used hoodies then. Thanks for your gift for a child.

World Hunger Offering
World Hunger Day is October 11th. You may pick up your offering jar next Sunday. These will be available at the welcome center. Here is a link to the web site http://worldhungerfund.com/

5th Quarter
5th Quarter following the Larue County football game on Friday will be hosted at First Baptist Church. Students please attend.