VISION
March 2010
Volume 27 Number 3
(A Monthly Publication)
Congaree Baptist Church
101 Pine Ridge Drive
West Columbia, SC 29172
803.755.9556
Rev. Steven A. McLain……Pastor
Mr. Jason Sturkie………….Youth Director
Mrs. Ronda Connell…….....Music Director
A Word From Our Pastor
Jeremiah 9:24 says, "Let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises loving kindness, justice, and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,' declares the Lord." Unless we have a personal relationship with Him, we don't really know Him. Knowing facts about God doesn't necessarily mean knowing God, any more than knowing American history means you know Abraham Lincoln. The heart of knowing God is relationship. God is a relational being and has made us relational also, so that we might know Him. And like human relationships, knowing God requires time and commitment.
Of course, the first step in knowing God is salvation. When we were unsaved we were enemies of God (Romans 5:10), but now we are His friends (John 15:14-15). Once begun, this friendship is cultivated by studying the Bible and praying. God communicates His heart to us through His Word, and we communicate our hearts to Him in prayer.
Our fellowship with God is hindered by neglect. As a parallel, if you never spoke with your best friend, the friendship would suffer. Sin also harms our relationship with God because it moves us away from Him. We must remove whatever might hinder the relationship by continually confessing our sins (I John 1:9), diligently studying His Word (Ezra 7:10), and devoting ourselves to prayer (Colossians 4:2).
These things must be done with a fervent desire to know Him. We must have the heart of Paul who says, "I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" (Phil 3:8), and of David who says, "Thy face, O Lord, I shall seek" (Psalm 27:8). Then we will "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18).
Blessings,
Steven A. McLain
Music News & Notes
We are currently working on the Easter Cantata entitled “I Know My Redeemer Lives.” This is an inspiring presentation of the Easter Story. Please plan to attend and bring a friend.
For God’s Glory,
Ronda
Senior Adult HAPPENINGS
The ROADRUNNERS will meet on March 8 at 11 am. Please bring a well filled covered dish for lunch. We will have a decorating contest for a hat, dress, and a suit! Invite someone to come with you and see who wins the contest. We will have fun, so come on and enjoy the morning with SENIOR ADULTS!
See you then,
Doris Mooney
Women’s Ministry
Congratulations to Bessie Conyers! Her suggested name “Women with Purpose” has been chosen to be the name of CBC Women’s Ministry. “Women with Purpose” Spring Bible Study will begin March 7 at 4:30 pm in the Shadows of the Cross classroom. The study is titled “Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed: A Study of David” written by Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, and Kay Arthur. This is a six week study. Workbooks are optional and are available for $13.00. Sign-up sheets are in the main hallway.
3rd Annual Golf Tournament
We will have our 3rd Annual Golf Tournament on Saturday, April 17, at 9:00 am at Charwood Golf Course. The registration cost is $65 per player and includes green fees, cart fees, range balls, lunch and door prizes. Hole Sponsorships are $100 per hole and includes 1 free golfer entry, signage at a tee box, advertisement in each cart, sponsors listed on church website, and provided information in goody bags. For more information, see Benji Carpenter or Ryan Havens or visit our website at www.congareebaptistchurch.org.
Children’s Ministry
Children’s Church Workers Needed
The Children need YOU! Children’s Church workers are
needed and if you feel led by the Lord to serve, please sign
up on the sheet posted in the hallway of the Children’s
Building. You can sign up for a single Sunday or multiple
Sunday’s- the choice is yours! Thanks for your help!
Easter Egg Hunt
Join us on Saturday, March 27, from 10::00 am
‘til 12:00 pm for our Annual Easter Egg Hunt.
A hotdog lunch will be served. Don’t forget
to bring your Easter basket!
Youth Ministry
The youth is back from their weekend ski trip. Ask them about their fun weekend! I’m sure they will be excited to tell you all about it!
Keep an eye out for other youth adventures!
Sunday Morning & Evening Schedule
Intercessory Prayer 9:00 am
Library Hours 9:00 am
Sunday School 9:30 am
Morning Worship 10:30 am
Children’s Worship 10:30 am
Evening Worship 6:00 pm
Youth Bible Study 6:00 pm
Children’s Bible Drill 6:00 pm
Wednesday Evening Schedule
Supper 5:30 pm
Prayer Meeting / Bible Study 6:30 pm
Youth, GA’s, RA’s, Mission Friends 6:30 pm
Adult Choir Practice 7:30 pm
Letters to Congaree
Thank you to all who helped with and attended our Annual Valentine’s Banquet on February 13. Thank you for supporting our Youth. It was a great success!
The Youth and Youth Committee
Thanks for all the help with the Canteen and the Candy Table during Upward Basketball. If you volunteered, thank you for dedicating your valuable time to the children of our community.
The YAC is in the process of being converted into an exercise room for those who are interested. We are in need of any type of exercise equipment, supplies, DVD/VCR player, TV’s, etc. If you have any items that you would like to contribute or have any questions, please call Denise.
Thanks,
Denise Mitchell
Newsletter Deadline
The deadline for the April Vision newsletter is Friday, March 19, at 12 noon. Thank you for adhering to this deadline.
March Volunteers
Deacon of the Month Marvin Watson
Deacon Assistant Jimmy Watford
Nursery am (Birth to 2 years old) Keith & Ancha Sturkie
Nursery am (Ages 2-4) Tim & Nikki Wojcik
Nursery pm Jason & Misty Sturkie
Ushers Keith Sturkie, George Sturkie,
Francis Kovach, Tommy Pye
January Financial Report
Budget Requirement $29,260.00
Budget Receipts $17,859.76
Designated Offering $3,547.00
Total Receipts $21,406.76
Debt-Retirement Balance as of 1/31/2010 $55,001.19
Special Activities for March
1------ Church Council, 7:00 pm
6------ Brotherhood Breakfast ,8:00 am
7------ Begin taking Easter Lily orders
------- Building & Grounds Committee, 11:30 am
------- Women with Purpose Bible Study, 4:30 pm
8------ Road Runners, 11:00 am
------- Outreach, 6:00 pm
9------ Deacons Meeting, 7:00 pm
10----- Ladies Craft Group, 10:00 am
14----- Daylight Saving Time begins
------- Women with Purpose Bible Study, 4:30 pm
15----- Women on Mission, 7:00 pm
19----- Vision newsletter deadline, 12:00 pm
21----- Women with Purpose Bible Study, 4:30 pm
------- Church Conference, 7:00 pm
22----- Outreach, 6:00 pm
24----- Women on Mission, 9:30 am
------- Ladies Craft Group, 10:00 am
26-28-- Women’s Weekend Get-Away
27----- Children’s Easter Egg Hunt, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
28----- Final day to order Easter Lily
------- Women with Purpose Bible Study, 4:30 pm
Email: congareebaptist@sc.rr.com
Web site: www.congareebaptistchurch.org
