The Woodmont Word

E-Newsletter

A Family of Faith on Mission

July 2014

Have a safe and Happy 4th!

Join us on July 13 for a church-wide pool party!

From the Pastor

Let Freedom Ring

Most of us have some appreciation for the freedoms we have in this great nation. I've been to other nations where opportunities for jobs are absolutely non-existent. Freedom of speech is not even a goal, it is so far away. Drugs and gangs are prevalent, even in politics. And there is often a rich class and a poor class. Both ends of the spectrum are huge... with little or no opportunity to move out of one's circumstances. Those things are not true in the United States. There have been good times, and there have been bad times, but there is always hope. Isn't that the way most politicians get elected, on hope?

But there is a better freedom than all of these. It happens deep inside us and can't be taken away even by our enemy - the devil. It's the freedom from me. My worst enemy is most often... me. My own sins and my own selfishness often keep me from becoming what I could be. I cannot be of good use to others if I am chained to me. I cannot fly high if I'm chained to my earthly habits of life. I cannot be like Him if I hang on too tightly to me.

But the good news is there is freedom! It is the freedom we really need. Down deep, in individual hearts. It's a shame to be free on the outside and bound on the inside. But if I'm free on the inside, any bondage on the outside becomes small. When a person gets free of his/ her inward diseases... we are able to see with clear eyes, and hear with new ears. We love freely, because we have been loved.

Now... that's freedom!

I love you,

Bro Jerry

Thompson's Text

The new Bible Study classes will begin on August 3rd, 2014. The theme this year is Bible Study Connections - Connecting to God, Connecting to His Word and Connecting to Each Other. Make sure to get connected in a Bible study so we can study God's Word together. I am looking forward to an exciting new year in Bible study. I hope you will join us.

Steve

Reese's Pieces

Soul Desire will be singing concerts this month in Greenhill, AL; Memphis, TN; Somerville, TN; Marion, AR; and Florence, AL. Please be in prayer that God would give them safe travel, good health, a harmonious spirit, and a powerful ministry to those who will hear them. Join us here at Woodmont Sunday, July 27, when they will be sharing in the morning worship service, then presenting a full concert in the evening. Invite someone to come with you!

Pictured, left to right: Milly Lopez, Olivia Lenz, Jacob Bradley, Becca Bush, Shelby Niedergeses, Mitchell Rowland, Khloe Hendrix, Micaela Tucker, & Nick Watts.

Children's Ministry

VBS was a huge success! God did a great work as we learned to Decide, Discover, and Defend our faith. We had to uncover the truths in God's Word by answering these questions.

Is Jesus Really God's Son?
Was Jesus More Than A Good Man?
Was Jesus' Death Real?
Is Jesus Alive?
What Do I Do With the Evidence About Jesus?

Our theme verse was, "But honor the Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you." 1 Peter 3:15.

Thank you to all the adults and youth workers that helped to make VBS possible.

Denise

Upcoming Events!

July 8 - Trip to Point Mallard

July 18 - Princess Party - Room 10 @ 6:00 pm

July 23 - Marriott Splash Pad

GOLFERS ......Mark your Calendar

9th Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser for Missions: October 11

Singles Ministry

Single Parent Family Beach Retreat

July 23-27.

Contact Belinda Green if you have questions.

Mark your calendar:

August 13 - Cherry Hill Back to School Bash

August 30 - Soup Kitchen

Belinda

Family Life

Church Divorce Rate is "Way Lower" than Anyone Thought; Gives Hope to Christian Couples.Teresa Neumann (Jun 23, 2014)

"Pastors need to know this. People need to be able to look around the average congregation and say, 'You know what, most of these people will have strong and happy marriages for a lifetime. Doing what God says matters. This is a big deal to know." -Shaunti Feldhahn

(Atlanta, GA)-How often have you heard that the divorce rate of Christians is as bad, if not worse, than non-Christians? (Graphic via CBN News)

Well, according to Harvard-trained researcher Shaunti Feldhahn-who wrote a book called "The Good News About Marriage," after spending eight years trying to prove, or disprove that assumption, the divorce rate "is way below 50 percent and much lower for those who attend church."

Feldhahn believes the assumption that the Church experiences a high divorce rate "demoralizes Christians and can even cause them to question their faith."

The researcher also hopes news of her research gets the publicity it deserves, saying, "To be able to get this information into other people's hands quickly, I really think we can change the paradigm from discouragement to hope."

Belinda

Women's Ministry Team

2014 Upcoming Events!

Coming in July (Sunday afternoon)

"Share the Comfort"

Theme verse is 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

September 13, (Saturday luncheon)

"The Garden"

with speaker/musician Rebecca Lay Owen of Calhoun, Georgia. This event will include "tablescapes." Please consider decorating a table and / or a tablescape for this festive event.

October / November

Operation Christmas Child (Please save your two-piece shoe boxes.)

December 14, (Saturday)

Ladies Christmas Luncheon

Ministry Team (Brenda Bailes, Karen Beaver, Charlotte Cramer, Marleen Dortch, Marcia Gartman, Annette Menne, Denise Olive, Loletha Simmons and Kathy Austin, Dir.)

55 and Older Join Us For These Upcoming Events...

Game Day is not scheduled for July/August due to many working with VBS. Enjoy the summer!

Watch the bulletin for upcoming events, and mark your calendar for the third Thursday of the month for our monthly luncheon. We now have a phone tree set up in the church office. It will be activated for our July meeting. If you do not want to be called, please contact Debbie in the office to remove your name. Our goal for the next year is to increase our participation. If you have any suggestions or remarks, please contact Frances Moore. Your input is important.

Frances

New Members