FROM PASTOR OLIN - covenantbaptist.net

1 July 31, 2016 No. 27 Covenant Baptist Church Non-Profit Org 3131 Erskine Drive Postage PAID Gastonia, NC 28054 Gastonia, NC RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Permit No. 515 A Publication of Covenant Baptist Church Rev. Olin S. Byrum III, PASTOR Rev. Pamela Phillips, Minister of Preschool and Children Jennifer McQueen, Music Director Becky Bumgardner, Pianist Jerry Fulham, Organist Sharon Waters, Church Secretary 704-865-2538 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

2 2 Corinthians 5:7 FROM PASTOR OLIN .. It is good to be back! Thank-you for allowing me to be away. Our family had a wonderful vacation. I also want to thank all those who helped in the worship service during my absence. On Sunday, August 7, during the Sunday School hour, the Diaconate and I would like to update everyone where we are concerning the building program. I hope you will make every effort to attend. While we have not scheduled an additional meeting, if it becomes apparent a subsequent meeting is necessary, then we will schedule one. See you soon, PASTOR Olin CALLED CHURCH CONFERENCE A called church conference is scheduled for this Sunday, July 31, to vote on revisions to the Church Governance.

3 The Changes primarily involve reducing the membership numbers of the standing committees. Also, Trustees to be reduced from 3 to 2. A write-up is added for the Women s Ministry Director. A summary sheet of the changes is available in the narthex. Opportunities ~ Week of July 31, 2016 Sunday, July 31 9:15 Fellowship with Donuts, Coffee, & Juice 9:45 Joint Adult Sunday School 9:45 Youth & Children Sunday School 11:00 Worship Service Called Church Conference to Follow Tuesday, August 2 1:00 Staff Meeting Wednesday, August 3 7:00 Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal Friday, August 5 Church Office Closed 5th Sunday Adult Sunday School - July 31 9:15 am Donuts, Coffee, & Juice 9.

4 45 am Joint Bible Study Pam Buckner Lauren Furcht Mable Spargo Robin Spargo (Regina Elmore, Linda Bess sister) (Charlain Fitzgerald) (Mary Kerley) (Linda Hams, Dolla Chaney s niece) (Larry Marshall) ) (Ernie Smith) (Hunter Stubbs) Steven Walls (Leonard & Marlene Walls son) The Record Speaks July 24, 2016 Sunday School 57 Worship 72 Weekly Needs in T & O $ 6, General Fund Tithes & Offerings $ 3, Designated Fund BF Pledges $ Volunteers for Sunday July 31, 2016 Babies & Toddlers Renee & Hannah Phillips Preschoolers Libby & Meredith McCraw Building Lock-Up for July Art Morgan Ushers for July Men s & Ladies Classes Deacon for July Steve McCraw Greater Gaston Baptist Association Community Ministries Needs for June/July/August Children s Summer & Back-to-School Clothing Items Needed for Least of These Gaston, Inc.

5 Shoes Socks Pajamas Diapers Wipes Undergarments Fleece Blankets Hygiene Items Bibles (for all ages) 2016 Stewardship Thought He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much .. Luke 16:10 DIACONATE BALLOTS Diaconate ballots must be returned to the box provided in the narthex by 12:00 pm, Sunday, July 31. CRISIS ASSISTANCE MINISTRY July and August Food Drive Working Together to Feed Our Neighbors CAM s Pantry List includes.

6 Canned Vegetables Grits Canned Fruit Oatmeal Canned Beans Cereal Macaroni & Cheese Crackers Instant Potatoes Soup Spaghetti Sauce Pasta Peanut Butter Jelly Pancake Mix Syrup Powdered Milk Rice Toiletries CAM feeds an average of 500 people each month and relies on donated food to stock the shelves. Your assistance is essential for us to provide food for those in need. THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK Running To Win from A Bright Tomorrow devotional Remember the children s story about the tortoise and the hare? This pop- ular tale shows that how you start out is not nearly as important as how you finish a truth that certainly applies to the race of the Christian life.

7 If the overconfident hare had stuck to the business of running, he would have blown away his opponent. And we who run must beware of distractions that would put us temporarily or even permanently off course. The writer of Hebrews had the solution. We will not stray if we fix our eyes firmly on Jesus and rely on His help every step of the way. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ An artist once carved a woodcut titled The Knight, the Devil, and Death. This work of art pictures a gallant knight riding his stallion down a narrow, lonely path in the middle of the night. Lurking alongside the path are many creatures and monsters, ready to devour the knight. But the dangerous animals can gain no advantage over the knight as long as his eyes are singularly fixed ahead, toward his destination.

8 His focused vision keeps him safe from harm. The wood carving represents an important truth. As long as we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ, we will not be devoured by Satan. Since he eagerly awaits any moment to distract us from Christ and thereby cause us to sin, we must keep our eyes on Christ! If we are going to overcome, we must experience a growing knowledge of Christ. And as we learn more about Christ, we discover that Satan is no match for our sovereign Lord Jesus Christ. Thanks be God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57). Let us live as victors. Steve J. Lawson