The Woodmont Word

E-Newsletter

A Family of Faith on Mission

September 2015

From the Pastor

Prayer is Real!

Prevailing prayer has a note of urgency about it. It is not a poem - "now I lay me down to sleep..." or "God is great, God is good... let us thank Him for our food." It is not a meditation. It is not just getting "calmed down." Prayer is real contact with a real person, the Almighty. It is through Jesus, the Son. It is asking for real need... "give us this day our daily bread." A short prayer is real!

Some will raise the issue... but my prayers have not been answered. So very true, and so very common. It is often that way. Why do you think that's true? Could it be that, as a loving Father, He knows best? I did not always give my children what they asked for. They often asked for what they did not need, or that which would not be good. They were way off the beam on a regular basis. Children are always going to be children. They ask for too much candy. They ask for too many toys. They ask for the right to stay up too late. They often pick the wrong friends. Like little children we are the same way. We want things that will not be in our best interest. And because He loves us, He says no. There are things that a father sees and knows that a child does not. The benefit of having lived longer than our children lets us know that eating poorly will come back to haunt them. Taking care to put a little money away is an idea that older persons understand, but is extremely hard to "get over" to our kids. Why wouldn't a living Father say no?

But, the dynamic is trust. We have to trust His "yeses" and "nos." The fact that He says "no" is just further proof how much He cares. Write it down... God has huge things in store for you. He is not finished with you. He is not indifferent to your needs. He is your Father. And fathers care.

I love you,

Bro Jerry

Thompson's Text

On Sunday, August 23 our pastor, Jerry Rea, announced that he was resigning as pastor of Woodmont Baptist Church. His last Sunday will be Sunday, September 20. There are plans being made to honor, thank, and recognize Jerry and Carol during the 6:30 PM service on his last Sunday ,followed by a reception in the gym. A love offering is also being taken.

Brother Jerry has served Woodmont diligently and faithfully for nine and half years. It has been an honor to serve alongside him. Jerry is a very humble and godly man that loves the Lord and loves preaching and teaching the word of God. He is a very hard working pastor and has always sought to give the Lord and Woodmont his very best. He has been very supportive of his staff and has faithfully loved and ministered to the Woodmont family over the years. We will miss him, but trust the Lord in the days ahead for Jerry and for Woodmont Baptist Church.

We need to pray for Woodmont as we begin the process of seeking a new pastor. An Interim Pastor Search Committee has been formed and has started work to secure an Interim Pastor. In the coming weeks the process of selecting a pastor search committee will begin. Each church member will receive a ballot through the mail and nominate seven men and women that you prayerfully consider to be spiritual and godly leaders that you feel could serve on this important committee.

An interim time without a senior pastor does not mean that everything shuts down and we wait for a new pastor to arrive. My prayer is that in the coming months Woodmont will unite in one spirit to pray, to serve, to minister, and reach out in renewed and fresh new ways. Our mandate is still to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ - To know Him and to make Him known! The deacons will be reactivating two important committees in the coming days - The Long Range Planning Committee and the Church Council. These committees will help evaluate, review and plan for the short term and also begin looking to the future.

The church staff covets your prayers and support in the coming days.

Under His grace,

Steve

Reese's Pieces

September brings to mind many great things: the return of football games, Labor Day barbecues, kids settled in once again at school, shorter days, and hints of autumn that tease us with the promise that crisp, cool weather is just ahead. For those of us in the music ministry at Woodmont, September means a little break from our normal fare and a foray into the realm of Southern Gospel music: a world of shaped notes, spirited piano accompaniment, quartets, family harmonies, "convention songs," and strong lyrical emphasis on earthly trials and a Heavenly home.

Our twelfth annual "Singin' With The Saints" is set for Sunday, September 27, at 6:30 p.m., and we all would love to see you there! We also would love to see any friends, co-workers, neighbors, and family members you might care to invite. This is one of those music events in which the "more" really is the "merrier." Help us fill the house for a great night of praise, and we will make sure that Jesus is in the spotlight.

September is also the month that I get my awesome and lovable teenagers back! Youth Choir will resume Sunday, the 13th at 5:00 p.m. If you have a son or daughter in 7^th through 12^th grades, please encourage them to join us in the choir. We have just graduated out some mighty strong voices and are searching for fresh young talent to rise up and fill that gap.

I'll see you Sunday, church family. Let's make His praise glorious.

Kevin

Children's Ministry

I know you all have heard the line "like sands through the hourglass so are the days of our life." It is a line from a popular soap opera. I remember my mom stopping everything to watch it in black and white. I know you are surprised to hear I am old enough to remember black and white TV.

Well as I sat on the beach with my mother and brother last week I couldn't help but think how fast my sands are going through my hourglass. Have you ever tried to capture just one grain of sand? It is almost impossible. I thought about how much my Heavenly Father loves me and wants the best for me. I looked at the sand and I thought about all the people walking by on the beach. Do they know the Lord, or do they even care about knowing Him? Have I done my best to tell others about God's great love, and His forgiveness?

Change is a part of every area of life, even the visual. So am I being obedient to the Lord? These are some things that the Lord was teaching me during my vacation time. I need to change some of my habits, not that they are bad, but they are not where my focus needs to be. I know for myself that we all need encouragement, but more importantly we need the Lord.

Denise

Golfers: Save this Date

Contact Belinda Green for more information.

Woodmont Baptist Church

DivorceCare will meet on Monday nights beginning October 5^th from 6-8 p.m. The kids program, DC4K, will also be offered for children ages 5-12. Please call 256-766-1255 for more info.

Contact Belinda Green for more information.

Family Life Ministry

Who Did You Really Marry? This was the theme of this year's Woodmont marriage retreat. We had a really good time considering that question. I think we all came away with a little better understanding of our mate. We definitely laughed a lot and had a great time of fellowship and getting to know other couples in our church family. Darrell and Judy Campbell were awesome as the leaders of the retreat.

Belinda

Singles Ministry

Dates to mark on your calendar:

September 26th -

UNA Tailgate Party at the O'Steens and game afterwards.Childcare will be available at the church. You must sign up in advance.

September 27th -

Covered Dish lunch following the service. Please bring a vegetable dish, casserole or dessert.

Belinda

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

Thursday, Sept. 3 - Please join us at the East Campus for Game Day. The time is 12:30 pm. Bring a finger food to enjoy for 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 pm. Join us the first Thursday of each month.

Thursday, Sep. 17 - Monthly Luncheon - Please plan to attend at 11:30 in the Gym. The meal will be prepared by our food committee and the cost will be $5 per person. The program will inform us about "Sydney Safe Foundation," that prepares food bags for children to take home on Friday after school so they will have food for the weekend. We will bring items to help fill the food bags. Look for the list in the bulletin.