The Woodmont Word

E-Newsletter

A Family of Faith on Mission

October 2014

From the Pastor

A Lesson in Faith

"A little boy rode the bus to Sunday School. He received a card with the words "Have Faith in God" on it. On the way home the card accidentally flew out the bus window. Stop the bus, the little boy cried, I've lost my faith in God.

The bus driver stopped and recovered the card. An adult passenger said, we who are older would live far happier lives if we were wise enough to call a halt when we rush ahead and leave our faith in God behind." (Copied)

We will often admit it when we lose our faith in God. Some hard thing happened, and our faith is drained. We prayed, and felt no answer...and our faith disappeared like morning fog. We witness, and instead of our friend being saved, he hardly speaks to us now. So, it becomes hard to hang onto our beliefs. This is the reason that often in scripture (specifically) the Psalms the writer will often exhort "hope you, in God!" You see, you're not the first one, nor the only one who has "faith problems."

Stop, find your faith! It's worth it!

Love you,

Bro Jerry

Thompson's Text

I ran across this rather profound document recently that captures the difference in understanding faith and God between an atheist by using the same words but from different directions.

A Christians world view turns the world's view upside down. AMEN

Bro. Steve

Reese's Pieces

It was a weekday morning about 13 years ago. I was headed to my office at the church. As I was walking out the door, I glanced at my son (about 10 years old at the time) and said, "Be good today, and don't mess up the house." Without missing a beat or looking up from his video game, he drily responded, "You be good, too, and don't mess up the church."

I chuckled, but those words gnawed on me that day, and they have stuck with me ever since. They ring in my ear when I need to be reminded that what I say and do not only reflect upon me, but also upon the Body of Christ. I really don't want to "mess up the church"! Sometimes this responsibility feels like a lot of pressure, but I have news for you: it isn't just my responsibility; it is our shared responsibility...all of us.

It seems to me that, in our self-centeredness, living as though everything revolves around us individuals, we forget the New Testament Christian's life was all bound up in the church. The two were intertwined and inseparable.

I am somewhat incomplete if my testimony is simply, "I am a Christian." And it is most certainly incomplete to say, "I am a church member." My statement of identity should be, "I am a Christian, and that makes me a part of the Church." To say, "I am a Christian, but have little to do with the church" would make about as much sense as saying, "I am a husband and father, but not a member of a family."

We may need to alter our perspective to become "church-oriented". And I'm not talking about a building, folks. Church (as in the fellowship of believers, the communion of the saints, corporate worship and all that entails) is not old-fashioned, nor is it uncool. It is our I.D. It's the way God has chosen to pick up where His Son left off on the earth, and it's the "self portrait" that Christ flashes to the world and shouts, "This is Who I am!" My life and yours are part of that reflection...like it or not.

We would all be wise to heed the advice of the great and scholarly 10 year old theologian, Gabriel Reese: "Be good...and don't mess up the church."

Kevin

Hess's Headlines

Dear Church,

I just got back from Singin' with the Saints, the southern gospel performance led by Bro. Kevin. Over the years I have loved Singin' with the Saints, but for some reason this year was my favorite one of all time. The songs, the jokes, the laughter, the energy, most of all the truth of the Gospel was shared over and over again. Songs like "The Old Rugged Cross," and "The Unclouded Day" gave me flashbacks of growing up in Eastern Kentucky and singing together with believers in our small churches. Toward the end of the service, I was reminded about what Brother Jerry had said that morning, "a lot of things have changed in ministry, but one thing has always remained, the Word of God."

It is so good to know that the songs I would sing as a child are still true today because the Word of God remains. However, not only was it great to look back, but Singin' with the Saints left us looking forward to the return of Jesus. What a great time we live in! We can look back at the cross and know that it is finished, our debt has been paid and Jesus has defeated sin and death completely. And yet, if that wasn't good enough, we look ahead. Constantly remembering that this world is not our home, Jesus will return, He calls us to Himself and on that day we will live forever in His presence! This makes me want to sing! So, thank you choir (Saints), thank you Bro. Jerry for the reminder, and thanks Kevin for sharing with us!

Chad

Children's Ministry

I recently read a CBS news article, Boston university Stephen Prothero summed up his take on things: We're a nation of religious illiterates. We have a lot of people who really love Jesus, but don't know much about Him. We have a lot of people who believe and hope that the Bible is the Word of God, but they don't really bother to read it. If this is true for us as adults then what are we teaching our children? Can you name at least five of the ten commandments? How many disciples can you name? 82% of people believe "God helps those who help themselves" is a Bible verse! 50% believe that anyone who is generally good and or does enough good things for others will have a place in heaven.

I know that the children in Bible Study get tired of me asking the same questions on Sunday morning but I believe in repetition. By the time children are three they can become familiar with Bible passages and have a basic understanding and can relate to people in the Bible.

This is why I do what I do, I believe you can have fun and learn about God's word and it doesn't take a well versed scholar to teach pre-school and children.

Denise

Family Life Ministry

The best marriage film since Fireproof!

The Song is a music-driven romantic drama about things we all pursue...love and meaning. Inspired by the Song of Solomon, this faith based movie opened on September 26th locally.

The Family Life Ministry encourages everyone to go see this movie. A small group Bible study based on the movie will be offered on Sunday nights at 5:00 p.m. beginning October 12th.

Belinda

Singles Ministry

The new Single Moms Class began on September 7. This group has already confirmed that this class just for Single Moms was much needed. It has great potential to be an effective outreach to other single moms in our community. Woodmont family, please help us to continue to get the word out that this is being offered.

October 11th-

9th Annual Golf Tournament for Missions at Blackberry Trail

October 18th-

Weenie Roast at Buddy's in Waterloo .....starts at 4:00 ...Contact Belinda for more details

October 25th -

UNA Tailgate Party- location to be determined

October 26th -

Single Adult Day at Woodmont -

Cardboard testimonies will be presented during the morning service
Luncheon in the gym
The Singles' Ministry will be sharing in the evening service.
Singles Ministry will host a church wide ice cream sundae fellowship after the evening service.

Belinda

Women's Ministry Team

2014 Upcoming Events!

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...

Thursday, Oct. 2, join us at the East Campus for Game Day at 12:30. Bring a Finger Food to enjoy for our lunch. We play Bridge, Mexican Dominoes, and Orbit. If you have a favorite game you may bring it to share with the group. We usually end our games around 4:00. We hope you plan to join, but if you are unable to participate this month, mark it on your calendar for the First Thursday of each month.

Thursday, Oct. 23, join us at McFarland Park at 11:30 for our monthly meeting. Please bring a sack lunch, drink, and lawn chair. We will have singing, fellowship and enjoy the fall colors in the Park. We will finish up around 1:00 or 1:30 and it will be a perfect way to spend a day.