Heritage Bible Church Newsletter

From the Pastor       September~ 2010

The problem with getting older is that you aren't as young as you used to be. I am shocked that my energy level isn't, my forget meter is rising, and I consider naps to be recreation. But David, too, got older and Psalm 71 reveals his attitude toward aging. "In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust, let me never be put to confusion" (v1). One terrible fear of older people is that they will become senile or "be put to confusion." I laughed several years ago when I saw on Nancy Davis' wall a plaque that said, "I like my bifocals, my dentures fit me fine. My hearing aid is perfect, but Lord, how I miss my mind!" David teaches us that it is appropriate for one who is advancing in age to pray that God would keep him or her from becoming senile. (Of course, we should do our part to stay as healthy as we can by eating properly, taking vitamins, resting, and exercising some.) Security is something we all need but this is especially true for the elderly. David wrote, "Be Thou my strong habitation, to which I can continually resort" (v3). Independence is threatened by a struggle to do daily tasks. Last summer I heard Mom call out to God to help her install her contact lenses. God gives security to the elderly. I seems as though the elderly are especially vulnerable. Besides con artists, there are family members or "friends" who, often for personal gain, will take advantage of older folks. David sensed that when he wrote, "Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel person" (v4). God knows how to raise up protectors. We need to pray to Him for personal protection but also for those who are older. It may be that God will raise up you to be one who helps deliver an older person out of the hand of the cruel person. "Let my mouth be filled with Thy praise and with Thy honor all the day" (v8). Everybody has problems but probably people over 65 have more problems with fewer resources than others. Friends and loved ones become ill or die, physical strength decreases, sight and hearing diminish, health fades, finances become acute, independence is threatened or removed. It is easy to feel sorry for yourself and become depressed. God does understand the situation. Instead of going through your list of laments, it is much better to praise the Lord, there is something for which you can praise Him today. "Cast me not off in the time of old age, forsake me not when my strength fails" (v9). Fear of rejection or abandonment and loss of strength are very real to older folks. David had these same concerns when he was old. So he prayed. God will not cast a person away when he is old. He will give him strength for the day. Age does not catch God by surprise. He has a purpose for older folks that is as important as that for younger people. That means that you are as important to God as you ever were. God promises to be with you always. Just because you are not as strong as you once were does not diminish God's love for you. John Quincy Adams, sixth president of the United States, suffered a stroke at age 79. One day a friend asked him how he was feeling. His answer is a classic in the sense that it reveals that he knew that his body belonged to God and He is in control: "I inhabit a weak, frail, decayed tenement, battered by the winds and broken by the storms," Adams said. "And from all I can learn, the Landlord does not intend to repair." 

Dinner Groups:

An opportunity to get to know one another better! Dinner groups of up to 6 adults are being formed for September, October, and November. Single adults or couples may join. Each group will meet once a month for dinner at the monthly host's home or at a chosen restaurant. Enjoy fellowship with and deepen relationships in our Heritage body of Christ. If interested, please sign up on the signup sheet on the foyer or contact Helen Holmes.

"Young@ Heart" Luncheon

For September will be on THURSDAY, Sept. 9th, (Pastor's Birthday) @ 11:30 @ the Church. Please RSVP to Fran Coyne so we can save you a seat!

Yard Work Day, Saturday, Sept 11th from 9 - 10:30 to trim landscaping/vegetation around the building as well other places needing trimming. Please bring your cutting and trimming tools and work gloves!! Kingdom Kids

For September we will meet the 2nd Sunday of the month, September 12th.

Men’s Ministry Dinner Our September meeting will be the SECOND Tuesday, Sept 14th @ 6:30 p.m. Our topic This month will be "The Rewards of A Christian." Sign up on the sheet at church!

Enjoy A Cruise on Lady Anderson

Cynthia is treating Pastor to the Captain Anderson Gospel Dinner Cruise on Thursday, Sept 16th to celebrate his 65th Birthday and is inviting anyone who would like to, to come along and join the fun! Prices are as follows (if we have 25 or more people): for adults,$34; senior adult (55), $30; for children age 6 to 11, cost would be $22; age 2 to 5, $14. Boarding is at 6:30pm and the cruise runs from 7:00pm – 9:30pm. Deadline for reservation and payment will be Sunday, Sept 12th. Please sign up on the sheet at church.

 

Life Chain 2010 - is a peaceful gathering of pro-life Christians that happens on the  first Sunday in October every year. It is not a radical protest but a peaceful and prayerful witnessing to the public and each other. It is easy to participate, all you do is show up around 2 pm, grab a sign that expresses the way you feel such as “Lord Forgive Us and Our Nation” “Adoption the Loving Option” “Life the First Inalienable Right” and many others. Then pick a spot with your brothers and sisters to begin the prayer hour. Please join your fellow Christians at the parking lot near the 23rd street Chick Fil-A from 2pm till 3pm as we quietly stand up for the unborn.

The India Connection

For years we have prayed for the Lord to raise up missionaries from our church & we now have an opportunity to support one of our own. Ford Seeuws grew up in Heritage Bible Church where he became interested in missions. At Toccoa Falls (Bible) College his commitment to missionary work intensified. Ford and Melissa began dating after meeting each other at Toccoa Falls College, a C&MA College, and one of the confirming marks of their relationship was their mutual heart for India. After graduating from Toccoa, they were married and were blessed with a daughter whom they named "Satya," which in India's most common language of Hindi means "Truth." In 2009 Ford and Melissa joined Pioneers, a missions organization dedicated "to glorify[ing] God among unreached peoples by initiating church-planting movements in partnership with local churches." Once in India the Seeuws family will seek to emulate the method God used through Paul in cross-cultural circumstances. While his model is not normative for the Church in every age, it is instructive for a place like India. Paul went to the cities to plant Churches and establish them in the faith, so that the local Church could then reach out to the surrounding areas. Reaching the cultural nerve centers of the Greco-Roman world insured that the highways and byways in between would be affected by the Gospel. The Seeuwses are committed to carrying this mission out in India, because while certain groups are making great inroads in the villages, the cultural nerve centers are still highly unreached. This is a very important part of establishing God's kingdom in India, but it will take time in cultural adjustment, language learning, and in learning how to best communicate Gospel principles in a way that resonates with Indians. Their departure date is set for January 1, which will mark the beginning of their long-term ministry in India. If you would like to learn more and receive newsletter updates please contact them at vegkorma@securenym.net. They will be with us on Sept 19th in the evening service to share more about their ministry and we will have a Finger-Food Fellowship afterwards, please bring enough for your family & to share!

Finances as of August 27th For August

General Operating Fund (GOF) Monthly Budget: $ 15,795.00

GOF Tithes & Offering Received (4 Sundays): $ 19,033.49

General Operating Fund Weekly Budget: $ 3,645.00

GOF Avg. Weekly Tithes & Offerings ( 4 Sundays): $ 4,758.37

Building Addition Fund Receipts: $ 1,426.75

For Year to Date (based on 8 months and 34 Sundays):

General Operating Funds (GOF)Year to Date Budget(monthly basis): $ 126,360.00

General Operating Funds (GOF)Year to Date Budget(weekly basis): $ 123,930.00

General Operating Funds Year to Date Tithes & Offering and other receipts: $ 121,173.68

GOF Year to Date Budgeted Disbursements and Transfers to Other Funds: $ (120,416.70)

Other GOF Non-Budgeted & Board Approved Projects: $ (0.00)

Receipts vs Disbursements and Transfers $ (756.98)

GOF Balance as of August 27th (77.8% of monthly budget) $ 12,292.48

Average Weekly Tithes and Offerings Received: $ 3,563.93

YTD Avg Weekly GOF Budgeted Disbursements & Transfers: $ (3,541.67)

Missions Receipts and 24% of Tithes and Offerings: $ 35,850.61

Missions Disbursements: $ (35,079.49)

Building Addition Fund Receipts $ 4,561.94

Building Addition Kitchen Finances:

Estimated Building Addition Kitchen Cost: $ 30,000.00

Expenditures on Kitchen Appliances/Cabinets: $ 14,252.44

Building Addition Fund Balance: $ 6,306.82

Additional Funds Needed to Complete Kitchen: $ 9,440.74