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.
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.
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.
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