PATHFINDER WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
June 7, 2023
There is no other organization or entity that is equal to the local church.
Don’t get me wrong. There are a lot of wonderful people outside of the church who unselfishly give to their community. One of the landmarks in mine and Sherry’s lives the past 10 years has been to directly and indirectly lead to the “Be a Santa to a Senior” campaign through Home Instead in partnership with Athens Community Council for the Aging. Every December hundreds of people would provide Christmas to disadvantaged Senior Adult families in four counties (including Jackson). We are so thankful to be part of this effort. I know many of you are a part of similar humanitarian efforts.
Yet, these good community organizations and campaigns are no substitute for the church. You see the church is not primarily about doing as it is about being. Our local church is our spiritual family of believers in Jesus Christ.
I am not called to be a Lone Ranger Christian. You and I need our spiritual family. The church is a long way from perfect. It is still God’s church. One day it will be perfect.
This Sunday we will focus on the Church in message and observe the Lord’s Supper. During the Sunday School hour, the Jesse Phillips family will be sharing about their ministry in Liberia. At 4 o’clock we will have our beginning of summer fellowship at Keith and Diane Ariails’ home.
Sunday June 11th should be a great day to be with your Spiritual family!
In His Love,
Danny Hedgepeth
Cell Number: 706-983-1092
Email: DannyHedgepeth1956@gmail.com
SPOTLIGHT:
Special Speaker: Jesse Phillips, a missionary who is currently serving in Liberia, will be speaking to our church family this coming Sunday, June 11th during the Sunday School hour. Dr. Michael Helms, who has been involved with Jesse and his ministry, will be here to introduce him. All Adult Sunday School classes are encouraged to attend. Jesse and Michael will be in the Fellowship Hall at 9:30 am. Coffee and donuts will be served. Please come and join us!
Welcome Reception for Ben and Aubreyanna Hall: Please join us for a Welcome Reception for Ben and Aubreyanna Hall on Sunday, June 25, 2023, immediately after worship in the Fellowship Hall (around noon). There will be refreshments, and a welcome basket for cards will be available during the reception. We hope to see everyone there!
Welcome to Summer Party: Make plans to attend the Welcome to Summer Picnic on June 11th, from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm! The party will be at the home of Diane and Keith Ariail (3385 Lyle Field Road Jefferson). There will be activities for the entire family, such as cornhole, checkers, swimming, fishing, and paddleboat rides!! All you need to do is show up and bring a chair. Hotdogs with all the trimmings provided. You can bring a dessert to share if you’d like, but it isn’t required. Please sign up by tomorrow (Thursday 6/8) by NOON by calling Karen in the church office.. In case of inclement weather, the event will be rescheduled.
Committee Chairs: Please remember to reserve rooms for meetings with Karen in the church office.
Church Office hours:
- 8:30 am – 5:00 pm Mondays through Thursday
- 8:30 am – 12:30 pm Friday
THIS WEEK IN THE CHURCH:
Wednesday, June 7th:
- 5:30 pm – Youth (Student Center)
- 6:00 pm – Choir (Choir Room)
- 6:60 pm – Connect Run/Walk (Jefferson Track)
Thursday, June 8th:
- 7:30 pm – Church Cabinet
Sunday, June 11th: Communion Sunday
- 10:00 am – Sunday School
- 11:00 am – Combined Church Service
Tuesday, June 13th:
- 6:30 pm – Administrative Board (Adult II SS Classroom)
Wednesday, June 14th:
- 5:30 pm – Youth (Student Center)
- 6:00 pm – Choir (Choir Room)
- 6:60 pm – Connect Run/Walk (Jefferson Track)
PRAYER CONCERNS:
The ongoing prayer concerns of the church may be found here.
PASTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE REQUEST:
Your Pastor Search Committee is so grateful for the continued prayer support given to us individually and corporately. We have been working for several months now and have felt your support. Especially we are seeking your prayers for the days at hand. Decisions yet to be made weigh heavily on us at this time. Please make it a daily habit to pray that we as a body of believers will feel and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit to follow the path that God has for First Baptist Church.
On Wednesday mornings, as you begin your day, and speak to God, we are depending on you to make a part of that time, not only a petition for guidance, but to thank God and praise Him for walking with our church through this journey. Pray also for those we will talk with, for their families and especially for God’s will to be followed by both this committee and the prospective new pastor/shepherd.
God has promised that wherever one or two are gathered He will be in the midst and as we raise our petitions for guidance, that is assurance for His continued leadership. Thank you for each prayer for the committee as a whole and for everyone on the committee, Greg Keith, Kevin Charles, Brian Ferguson, Ronnie Hopkins, Jennifer Moore, Steve Hix, Diane Oliver, Martha White, Mary Ann Brooks. As a body of believers, we look forward to praying with you each Wednesday morning as well as the times of your individual small groups.
MINISTRY & MISSION OPPORTUNITIES:
Adult Choir: The Adult Choir rehearses each Wednesday in the choir room across from the Children’s Suite at 6:00 pm to prepare for each Sunday’s anthem. If you enjoy singing, please join us.
Children’s Ministries: Children’s activities are provided each Sunday during our worship services and Sunday school hours. If you are interested in growing young hearts for Jesus, please consider serving once a month with our children. All materials are provided, you simply show up and teach the pre-planned lesson. Contact Jessica Ferguson for more information. 678-986-1347 or email us at children@fbcjefferson.org.
Connect Run/Walk Group: Connect is for anyone interested in running/walking with others to grow and improve spiritually and physically, and to follow the teachings of the Lord. It’s Day Light between 6:30 – 7:45pm while we are out and about. We will be meeting this summer at different locations. FBCJ Connect Run/Walk Group will meet on Wednesday, June 7th at the Jefferson Track at 6:30 pm. Look for everyone inside the lower gate near the bleachers. Water & Gatorade will be provided. Join us and bring a friend for our Christian fellowship. We will support you physically, mentally, and most of all spiritually while walking, running, and sometimes trotting. Everyone in our church and community is invited. We will have a small devotion, prayer concerns and praises. Please wear reflective clothing. We will be meeting this summer at different locations, join us for fun & fellowship.
- June 14th – 6:30 pm – FBCJ Adult II SS Classroom
- June 21st – 6:30 pm – Jackson County Sherriff’s Office Parking Lot
- June 28th – 6:30 pm – FBCJ Adult II SS Classroom
- July 5th – WILL NOT MEET
Faithful Followers Summer Bible Study: The Faithful Followers Summer Bible Study will be held on the following Wednesdays: June 14th, July 19th’ and August 16th at 10:15 am in the Fellowship Hall. There will be nothing to buy for these studies – there will be a handout for each month. Here’s what we’ll be studying:
- June 14th – “Receiving the Word”
- July 19th – “Justice and Grace”
- August 16th – “Study on Stewardship”
Also, orders are being taken now for books for the next weekly Faithful Followers Bible Study on Genesis (beginning in September). Contact Mary Ann Brooks at (615) 643-4880 or mabstiches@yahoo.com to place your order.
FBC Ladies Night at O5 Farms: Join us on Thursday, June 22nd from 6:00-8:00 pm at O5 Farms, 279 Porter Storey Road in Jefferson. Come and enjoy an evening of fellowship on the farm! Bring your favorite finger food and a friend. We will have a devotion while we eat, then head out to the blueberry patch to fill up a bucket of berries while we continue fellowshipping and enjoying God’s creation! The produce wagon will also be open and stocked with fresh fruits and veggies!
MEALS ON WHEELS: Volunteers are needed to help deliver Meals on Wheels on Wednesdays in June. If you’d like to volunteer, please contact Barbara Gooch at 706-654-7731.
VBS Volunteers Needed: Spin the spinner, beat the clock, skip ahead, level up, and play to win! You’ll need to bring your A-game for this VBS. Twists & Turns is a fantastical celebration of games of all kinds. From classic tabletop games to video games and more, kids will play their way through VBS while learning that Jesus guides them through all the twists and turns of their lives. They’ll find that even when they mess up it’s never “game over.” Upcoming Pre-K through completed 5th grade are invited to this free event! FBC Jefferson VBS – June 19-23, 2023 (Monday – Friday) 9am – 12pm. Follow the link to volunteer or register your child: https://kideventpro.lifeway.com/myEvent/?id=66134
WMU Meetings: If you are not a member of a WMU (Women’s Mission Union) group and would like to join us, please contact DeMaris Gurley at 706-540-0866. She will direct you to the WMU group that best fits your schedule.
Youth Ministries: The Youth will meet each Wednesday during summer break at 5:30 pm for fellowship and to stock the Food Pantry.
Deacons of the Week:
Week of June 4, 2023: Melvin Porter and Andy Garrison
Week of June 11, 2023: Jim Smith and Fred Gurley
Week of June 18, 2023: Phil Thurmond and Steven Hix
Opening and Closing: Tom Emory
Greeters: Bill Smith and Nathalie Mize
NUMBERS FOR SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 2023
- Sunday School Attendance: 122
- Worship Attendance: 148
- Offering: $65,849.00
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
