The Woodmont Word

E-Newsletter

A Family of Faith on Mission

June 2015

From the Pastor

He Hasn't Quit on You

On September 12, 1997 a Gadsden, Alabama man reported that he had been robbed twice in one weekend. On Saturday around 4:00 P.M. he was beaten and robbed of $10. The following Sunday morning this same man was picked up, taken to a residence, and robbed of the $80 he had in his wallet, thus being robbed twice in one 24-hour-period. Now that's enough to make you paranoid! I suppose people like this would be justified in going inside, locking their doors and never coming out. And many people do take this attitude. You know, it's just wise. Once burned, twice shy.

But you cannot live that way - distrusting everybody, afraid of being hurt. So, you've been divorced - will you quit? So you've failed - what now? You say you've lost your best friend - will you give up on all people?

Somewhere down the line you'll need to find the courage to trust again, or at least try again. Jesus will help. After all, He loved mankind even after being crucified. And He hasn't quit on you.

Don't Quit - Hang in There!

Bro Jerry

Thompson's Text

What is "Vision" and where does it come from?

In Andy Stanley's book Visioneering he highlights several practical and Biblical principles that God uses and has used in Biblical figures of the past to mold and create a vision in hearts. "Visions are born in the soul of a man or woman who is consumed with the tension between what is and what could be...Vision often begins with the inability to accept things the way they are. Over time that dissatisfaction matures into a clear picture of what could be." The story of Nehemiah is a classic example of how the Lord builds a vision. Nehemiah heard about the plight of his homeland and how his people had turned away from God. He was burdened to the point of prayer and fasting. The Lord began to build on this concern. Some of the BUILDING BLOCKS OF VISION outlined in the stories of both Nehemiah and Moses include:

A vision begins as a concern
A vision does not necessarily require immediate action
Pray for opportunities and plan as if you expect God to answer your prayers
God is using your circumstances to position and prepare you to accomplish His vision for you.
What God originates, He orchestrates.
Walk before you talk, investigate before you imitate.
Communicate your vision as a solution to a problem that must be addressed.
Cast your vision to the appropriate people at the appropriate time.
Don't expect others to take greater risks or make greater sacrifices than you have.
Don't confuse your plans with God's vision.
Visions are refined - they do not change. Plans are revised they rarely stay the same.
Respond to criticism with prayer, remembrance, and if necessary a revision of the plan.
Visions thrive in an environment of unity, they die in an environment of division.
Maintaining a vision requires bold leadership.

"A vision is about change, and change is not welcome in most areas of life." Continuing to seek a fresh vision from Him. Praying for clear vision for our leadership at Woodmont and throughout our land.

Steve

Reese's Pieces

Please be in prayer for SOUL DESIRE as they present concerts this month in churches and parks in Colorado, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Alabama. The pre-tour concert will be at FBC, Killen, June 14 at 6 p.m. The Rocky Mountain Tour is June 17-25, and the final concert will be Sunday, June 28, at Woodmont. Don't miss it!

SOUL DESIRE 2015 consists of (top to bottom, left to right) Caroline Niedergeses, Jacob Bradley, Milly Lopez, Shelby Niedergeses, Mitchell Rowland, Becca Bush, Micaela Tucker, Nick Watts, and Brittany Sumner. Adults going on the tour are Kevin & Corinne Reese and Jason & Mary Lee Staggs. We covet your prayers!

Kevin

Hess's Headlines

Dear Church,

The Bible is full of leadership transitions. Some of the transitions are smooth and inspiring, and some are rocky and disappointing. For positive examples one can look to Moses and Joshua, Elijah to Elisha, or Paul to Timothy. There are some transitions that weren't as healthy: Samuel to Saul, Eli to his sons Hophni and Phineas, or Jehoshaphat to Jehoram (kings of Judah). This leaves us with a question: are there principles that make one transition healthy while another is unstable. Here are some principles that I see.

Prayer--Prayer is an essential during any leadership transition. For the past few months I have prayed for our church, our leadership, and the person that God will use next in the role of student minister. So often we pray about the work, forgetting that prayer is the work. I am thankful that Woodmont is a prayerful group of people that will pray for the church, for the leadership, the next person in that position, and for my family as we transition. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Humility--Humility is a key component in any transition because it reminds us of our need for the Lord. In all the transitions that failed in the Bible you could point to a lack of humility as a leading cause. Perhaps leaders or priests became prideful. However, sometimes transitions were not healthy because the people of God rejected the Lord. In fact, you could make the case that the entire book of Judges is the people of God rejecting God's leadership and leaders. Paul shows us a great example as he dealt with the division at Corinth. He reminded the people there that God was in charge of the fruit of the ministry regardless of who the leader happened to be at the time. Paul says, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God made it grow." (I Cor. 3). I have been honored that God has used me at Woodmont, and I will be praising Him as God uses the next person. Comparisons will only hurt and cause division. Compassion will always be better than comparisons. (Ephesians 4:2)
Trust--Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding. Trust that the Lord has great plans, great people, and great purposes for Woodmont. Trust that God is sovereign, in control, and that all things will work for the good of those who are called by God. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Thankfulness--Thank the Lord, be thankful for each other, and thank the next person for the work God is doing through them! (1 Chronicles 16:34)

I am thankful for each of you, and I am confident that you are already practicing each of these during this time! Blessings!

Chad

Children's Ministry

There are some children that come through your ministry that seem to make an impact on you. Some of the graduating senior class of 2015 are some of those young ladies. On any given Sunday you could see them follow me into worship, sit with me, praise the Lord with me, watch me, take notes, and pray with me. Of course Brittany always went through my purse to find the candy, gum, or mints.Whatever I had was theirs. I had no secrets, that is for sure! From the spend the night parties, to cleaning out my fridge looking for anything to eat, to eating my rotisserie chicken, that was supposed to be for our family dinner. Of course, I would always make them their favorite cheese dip. Oh yes, they went into the closet and tried on all our clothes. So when I got sick in 2012 there was no one I wanted praying more for me than those young ladies. I have watched them grow in maturity for the Lord like no one else. I loved them like they were my own children. I know without a doubt they are going to make a big impact on this world for the Lord. I love you girls, and I am praying for you as you head off into your next adventure.

Denise

Singles Ministry

Single Parent Family Beach Retreat

Summer House on Orange Beach

July 22-26

$139 per family member

Cost includes lodging and transportation

Each family will be responsible for their own food

$50 non-refundable deposit due June 8th

Contact Belinda Green for more info

Brochures and sign-up sheets are in the breezeway

and Singles area

Belinda

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

We will not have Game Day in June, July, or August due to our group traveling and having visitors during the summer months.

VBS will take place in June. We have so many of our group helping in VBS and providing refreshments for the workers that we will not have our usual monthly luncheon on June 18.

Thursday, July 16 will be the date for our monthly luncheon. You will not want to miss this wonderful Patriotic Program presented by our own Gary Green. He will have a special guest to help with the presentation. Our meal will be pot luck so bring a dish to share and join us for this very special time as we pay tribute to our "Fallen Heroes".