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January 2016 Women on Mission

UNDERGIRDING ALL THINGS SOUTHERN BAPTIST

As Southern Baptists, we work together to help people around the world hear and accept the good news that salvation through Jesus Christ is available to them.  We work together in a variety of ways: mission trips, associational ministries, etc.  One of the most effective ways we work together is through the Cooperative Program.

According to the Southern Baptist Convention’s website, Southern Baptists are a fellowship of almost 16 million members in about 45,000 churches in all 50 states and Canada.  These churches work together through about 1,100 associations, 42 state conventions, and the SBC to accomplish through voluntary cooperation far more than they could ever do alone.

During the year, we collect specific offerings, such as the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions, the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions, and the Global Hunger Relief Offering (formerly the Southern Baptist World Hunger Fund).  These offerings are designated for specific needs.  Undergirding all these is the Cooperative Program.

For example, all the money given to the Global Hunger Relief Offering is used specifically for hunger-related ministry.  None of the offering is used for administrative costs.  Because those costs are covered through the Cooperative Program, every dollar given to this offering is used exclusively to feed the hungry.

Women On Mission will meet Monday, January 11th at 6:00 p.m. at the home of Sandy Dierlam.  All our ladies are invited to join us.

January 2016 Kids Happenings

Hello Church Family,
     As I write this article only  a few days before Christmas it’s hard for me to even think of the year to come. My mind is racing about all the things I need to buy, make, and communicate to children’s ministry volunteers, family and friends.  I went back and looked at my January article of last year and actually impressed myself at the words that I wrote. Lol.  They were words that I actually needed to read again to prepare my heart for the coming year.  They were words about starting again and not having excuses to allow yourself and the world to stand in front of what God wants to do with your life.
     Yes, I need to be thinking of how I can be a better me, but for right now my heart and my mind are settling more in the present than the future.  I have been reminded more this past month of how precious God’s simple blessings are.  The people and things we sometimes take for granted are the same things and people that ultimately bring us the greatest joy and happiness.  We shop for a better book, clothes or furniture to help us feel better about or more comfortable with our lives.  God says in Matthew 6, to not be anxious because he knows what we need and will provide everything for us.  Don’t get me wrong we all need a new outfit every so often but seriously… We all have everything we need right in front of us. 
     His blessings are His grace, mercy, patience, and knowing He keeps His promises for us.   He promises that he will accept us as we are if we accept Him and what He has done for us.  He promises that he will wait for us.  That doesn’t mean you should take your time though.  That means you should search your heart now and ask Him to show you your wrong doings and make them right again.  He doesn’t promise that our life as a follower of Christ will be rainbows and unicorns. There will be struggles, heartache, persecution, and above all, LOVE.  His LOVE!  He promises He will be with us always.  In the present!  We don’t have to think of the future because He holds that in His hands.  All we have to think about is the present and the many blessings He gives us.  Enjoy today even if it is a bad day… You are so blessed to be in His arms at this very moment.  Thank you for God for being everything I need.