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Volume 4 • Issue 3

Eph. 3:17

• September 2014 •

From Your Women’s Ministry Leaders Bev: Wow, Erin. It doesn’t seem possible that it has been five

worship, mature

years since Yvonne Ward first began growing the women’s

and serve.

ministry here at Stevens Street.

Bev: Ladies, find

Erin: That is amazing. God has truly blessed the ministry by

out what is

calling and equipping women to lead Bible studies,

available for

fellowship events, mentoring partnerships, missions and

you in the

service projects, the newsletter, and the mom’s ministry.

women’s

Bev: You know, Erin, more than 400 women have attended Bible studies about our covenant-keeping God, breaking

God has truly blessed us, and for that we are grateful.

ministry.

Beverley Nash & Erin Rainer

And, please

free from sin, and how to live like

introduce yourself to other women in the church. You just

Queen Esther “for such a time as

might make a life-long spiritual friend. Let us know how we

this.” Also, 30 women have been

can help you connect through the women’s ministry. Beverley & Erin

trained in one-on-one mentoring. Erin: We are still seeing the fruit of

Inside This Issue

that today as women reach out to younger women in the faith to disciple and mentor. And, our

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group mentoring is also reaching

Notes from Pastor Sam: “Back-to-School—Again” ~ Sam S. Rainer III

across generational lines to

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“Thank You All” ~ Yvonne Ward

connect women of all ages.

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Parenting Corner: “Back-to-School Survival Kit”

Bev: Right, and our hospitality dinners, café connections, and Home for the Holidays’ fellowships have given us additional

~ Jennifer Anderson 5

opportunities to connect with our sisters in the faith. Erin: We know that ministry is not about the numbers; but we

~ Jennifer Acuff 6 8

has truly blessed us, and for that we are grateful. Bev: Praise God. As we begin this new chapter in women’s ministry, it is my prayer that more women will become involved in connecting with other women of Stevens Street. Erin: Yes, each of us has a role to play in making sure new and long-time members get connected in a way that helps us to

Focus on Back–to-School: “Stepping Stones” ~ Beverly Calfee

can see how women have grown spiritually, learned how to serve better, and formed life-long Christian friendships. God

True Motherhood: “Learning from Each Other”

What SSBC Women Are Doing: “All To God’s Glory” ~ Pastor Rick Lowhorn

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Mentoring Message: “Whooping Cranes”

10 Tweets by Ginny “Change” ~ Ginny Tayes 11 Prayer: “God Is In Control” ~ Erin Rainer 12 Home for the Holidays; We Need You!

Notes from Pastor Sam: Back-to-School—Again ~ Sam S. Rainer III Counting the Schools

it just hit me. I was on

I’ve lost count of the number of schools I have attended. By the time I was 14, I had lived in 10 different places. I have a difficult time remembering what state I lived in at certain ages, much less what school I attended or who my teacher was in a But I do remember the way I felt about going back to school. Sometimes I was scared, like when it was a new school. Sometimes I was excited, like the time I learned P.E. classes included swimming. Sometimes I was disappointed, like the time I attended a private school and had to wear blue pants and a white shirt—every day. Then I realized everyone had to wear them and I was happy because misery loves company. I remember riding the school bus to kindergarten. Most of the trips were uneventful, except for the time we were in a bad accident and the bus almost flipped. There were other times One time the bus driver made the mistake of parking too close to a crab apple tree. I think the entire busload of kids ended up in the principal’s office for that one. Now I know why my mom followed the bus for the first few weeks of school. She didn’t tell me about this routine until I was an adult. With two daughters of my

own now, I get what she was doing. Moms and school bus drivers are among the bravest people on earth.

Growing Up Quickly I’m sure you have your own back-to-school stories. School is a huge part of growing up. It’s a formative time for everyone. One of my greatest shocks came after college. I was working as an analyst at a commercial bank in Indianapolis, and 2

spreadsheet numbers for the loan commitand I was working! I had a moment of panic. I realized that I was going to work Monday through Friday every

Pastor Sam Rainer

week for the next forty years. Obviously, I got over it. And, I grew —probably more in that moment sitting in my cubicle on the 18th floor than in any one single moment in my life up to that point. But it wouldn’t have happened without school.

when fights broke out.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

bicle crunching

tee. It was summer,

particular grade.

“There is a time for every activity under heaven”

the 18th floor in a cu-

Learning Life Lessons The science fair project on electricity that caught fire helped me learn to try again. The second grade kids laughing at me the first day I wore glasses taught me to have empathy for others who were teased. The (one and only) time I was paddled by the principal taught me to respect authority, even if I didn’t want to show respect. Playing the trumpet in 5th grade band taught me—well, it taught my parents to rethink which instruments to let my younger brothers learn.

Making School Count So, it’s back to school again—time to learn, time to grow. As Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, there is “a time for every activity under heaven.” Let’s make this season worthwhile—for our schools—for our teachers—for our children—for our God. And stay away from buses parked too closely to crab apple trees.

A New Beginning: A Time for Thanks ~ Yvonne Ward A Time to Build

decision, but one I have prayed

Five years ago Rick Lowhorn asked me to take the role as leader of the Women's Ministry at Stevens Street Baptist Church. I was honored and felt very privileged, indeed. This had been the desire of my heart for a long time, and I was so grateful to the Lord, as well as to Pastor Rick for giving me the opportunity. We began slowly, praying and seeking God's direction for the women of Stevens Street. A Leadership Team was formed. Though the members of the team changed over the years, God always had the right people to serve with me. We have enjoyed special events, Bible Studies, discipleship, mentoring, outreach, a quarterly newsletter with solid articles to help women of all ages, and so much more.

“May the peace of Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Spirit be with you all.”

over greatly. In addition, He has led me to begin a new season of my life with another local church fellowship.

A Time for Thanks I miss my church family at Stevens Street, but we are all part of the Body of Christ and

Yvonne Ward

are One Family. I am grateful to Pastor Sam, Pastor Rick, and to the entire staff for their support these five years. I am also so indebted to Jennifer Acuff, Dee Bean, Michelle Battilla, Jill Bernhart, Christi Dukes, Bridget Horner, Robin Latcham, Beverley Nash, Erin Rainer, Mandy Rawls, and Ginny Tayes for their good

A Time to Grieve This year has held heartache for our family. My husband of 45 years was diagnosed with cancer on January 17 and went home to be with the Lord on April 9. There has been overwhelming loss in many ways, not just my hus-

service on the Women’s Ministry Team. It was a privilege to work with you all. Women of Stevens Street, I love you. As you begin this new season of women’s ministry, "May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all" (2 Corinthians 13:14).

Yvonne

Thank You!

Dear Yvonne, Thank you from the bottom of our hearts the deepest and most painful. for leading us so faithfully for the past five years. Your godly wisdom and example have But, God is faithful. His lovinginspired us to serve God more. 2 Corinthians 13:14 kindness is everlasting. You have challenged us to invest our lives in building each other up in the Lord. You have encouraged us to grow our roots deeper into the soil of knowing Him Time to Build Anew and the fullness of His grace and love. Changes come. They are inevitable. Some are good and Our prayer is that God will continue to bless some are not so good from an earthly perspective, but seasons your ministry to women, at Washington Ave. and in Romania, and that He will grant you and your family His peace and joy. come and go. In this new season of my life, God has led me to band's death, though that is

A

resign as the women's ministry leader. It has not been a rash 3

From: The Women of Stevens Street Baptist Church

Parenting Corner Back-to-School Survival Kit ~ Jennifer Anderson Back to school—it’s that time again! We reluctantly say "goodbye" to summer, family vacations, and staying up late; and we say "hello" to the fall

… put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other … ~ Colossians 3:12-14 Pencil: To remind you to list your blessings everyday. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, ~ Ephesians. 1:3

season, a daily routine, and staying up late doing homework! How exciting and dreadful at the same time. Jennifer Anderson

Whether that means

Eraser: To remind you that everyone makes mistakes, and it’s okay.

that your children have returned to the school classroom or back

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. ~ Romans 8:1

to the kitchen table for homeschool, it’s a new school year. It may mean added stress for mom and dad and leaps of joy from the kiddos, or it could be the complete opposite.

While you and your family are settling in to your daily routine, here is something fun and meaningful you can do to-

Chewing Gum: To remind you to stick with it and you can accomplish anything. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. ~ Philippians. 4:13

gether. Gather the items from the list below. As you put each in a pencil case, talk about the Scripture that relates to each item.

Mint: To remind you that you are worth a mint to your

This can be a fun and creative way to have a teachable moment AND help your child have a great school year! You will need:

Plastic Zippered Pencil Case: To hold all your items.

Heavenly Father. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. ~John 3:16

Toothpick : To remind you to pick the good qualities in others. Candy Kiss: To remind you that everyone needs a kiss or a hug everyday. Do not judge so that you will not be judged. ~Matthew 7:1 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Rubber Band: To remind you to be flexible, things might not ~1 John 4:7 always go the way you want, but it will work out. Tea bag: To remind you to relax daily and to go over that list And we know that God causes all things to work of God’s blessings. together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will ~Romans 8:28 for you in Christ Jesus. ~1 Thessalonians 5:18 Band-Aid: To remind you to heal hurt feelings, yours or some one else’s.

Don’t forget to cover your family in prayer, listen to God’s direction, and be a blessing to those around you. May you have a wonderful school year!

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 4

True Motherhood: Learning from Each Other ~ Jennifer Acuff As this school year was beginning, I recalled an auto-

I had trouble later in

biography that I had stumbled across a few years ago. It was one

high school and college. I was

boy’s account of the start to his school year in a one room

bewildered by the separation of

schoolhouse that reminds us that we are all in this together.

subjects into isolated units, as

Unity in a One Room Schoolhouse By the end of that first day, our one room community was beginning to work. Teacher, her young face looking much less official now that strands were escaping from her severe hairdo, was more willing to risk a smile. “No homework tonight,” she said. Next morning, school began as if it had been going on for months. We didn’t know it at the time, but we just may have

Jennifer Acuff

though chemistry lived on some separate planet that didn’t even share the same orbit with history. There was no such separation in our one-room community.1

Unity in Christ I love this story of unified education in a one room schoolhouse. “We were all in it together,” the author writes.

“Each thing related to everything else.” This is how our church been participants in the best educational system ever devised. In body should be. We should be striving for unity in Christ and that richly varied one-room community there was no artificial gleaning across generations. Also, we should be teaching our separation of children into good

We should be striving for unity, and gleaning across generations.

and bad, smart and dumb, young and old. We were all in it together. Subjects and years weren’t tied into neat bundles. They were overlapped, so that there was only one subject: education. I made my way, year by year, up through the grades, but that was only on the record book. I

was in all the school years each year. I watched the younger children at the blackboard. I listened to them recite. Each time, it was a review of information already studied. Each time I brought something new to it from my own widening world. I watched and listened when older children were in class. It was an introduction to the demands school would make on me next year, or the year after that. The process was so natural to me that I took it all for granted. It was like life on the farm, with everything happening at once, each thing related to everything else. 5

children to do the same. “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.” –Ephesians 4:4-6 “But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head—Christ. From Him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part.” –Ephesians 4: 15,16 With a new season upon us, I find myself praying; “Heavenly Father, help the church body to be representing Christ alone. Help us to appreciate people who are different from us within the body of Christ. Help us to be daily praying and seeking out the Holy Spirit’s leadership and direction. Help us to use our unique gifts among the body of believers and among the nations.” 1Logan, Ben, published 2006 by Itchy Cat Press, 1999 by Creative Publishing International (first published 1975 by Viking Press).

Focus on: Back-to-School Changes Stepping Stones~ Beverly Calfee Backyard Imaginations It is surprising what a torn piece of newspaper can become in the hands of a skillful teacher and in the imagination of a child. Each summer, my mother taught backyard Bible clubs

It is a parent’s prayers that are counted for eternity’s purpose.

in our small southern town. Many days of my childhood were spent traveling from neighborhood to neighborhood walking alongside her and carrying her materials. Shaded lawns became grassy riverbanks and ordinary pieces of newspaper became slippery river rocks in a make -believe world as we played a game my mother called “Stepping Stones.” She carefully spaced the pieces of torn paper in a jagged line across the yard wherever our small club was meeting. Each paper stone represented a word from the day's memory verse. Every stone was another step closer to the other side of the river. If anyone missed a word from the verse, they stepped off the rock and into the water for a time. We would line up dancing about and waiting for our turn to cross until inevitably someone would bobble along almost falling off of our pretend stones, while searching their memory for the correct word in the verse. My mother would then gently guide the wavering

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traveler through the verse and the stones across to the other side as with triumphant smile the rescue was completed.

Seasons of Time When I think of the many steps we take as families throughout our lives together, I am reminded of that season of time and the little game we played as children. If truth will allow us, we may realize that we too have fallen into the stream at times during our journey through the realities and insecurities of life. Oftentimes, we step through the early years of family with carefree ease sharing happy meals and happy times wishing the days never to end. From first steps and tiny teeth, to picnics and Play Doh® we dance with our little ones through those contented times and into the school yard all too quickly. From there we hold on through a blur of hamsters and homework, first dates and proms, until we find ourselves standing in the gallery of time surveying the past and realizing that it has been breathtaking. From here we can see that whatever the step, be it on the correct stone or a slip into the river of confusion, whether through the tears of grief or the excitement of accomplishments, there is a merciful God who has kept us when we

have lost our way. He is the one who has picked us up when we

arms could not reach across the miles,

have fallen and set us once again on a good path that leads to

her heart reached across the heavens to

life.

the One who alone had power to guard us and The psalmist wrote of God's faithfulness that it is the

lift us when we had stumbled. It is this

Lord who orders our steps and though we may fall; we will not be earnest mantle of prayer we are called to cast aside. The Lord Himself will hold not only our hand, but also assume as parents throughout our our future, if we find our delight in Him as our rescuer. It is this

children's lives and until the final breath

same God who ordered the steps of a shepherd boy David from

of our own life.

the meadow to the palace. And though his steps may have fal-

We are called to this purpose of diligent prayer by the

tered greatly later in life, still he was known as a man after God's

God who is greater than us. When the

own heart for he knew the way back to the Father.

harshness of our world chisels at the

It was my mother who taught me this secret of David:

very faith we have sought to instill in

that in all matters of life we must find our way back to the Father. our children, it is then that we must hold to the Father's hand and trust At times, we as parents must search for the way back to Him as we wade through the transformations our maturing children and that He will guard them when we cannot. We are then led to have faith in families experience. the One who would gently guide both

Mantle of Prayer

us and our children to safe passage

While we may be enticed to believe that our children have outgrown their need for us as they strive for independence and self-sufficiency, in truth it is quite possibly the time we are needed most. Though campuses and careers replace bedtime

across the seemingly unsure times in

Mom’s heart reached the One who alone could guard us.

our lives. Though the years speed past as we progress through the changes and phases that time would bring us, we can know that

stories and tea parties, it is a parent's prayers that are counted for if we cling tightly to the Father's hand He will guide us through whatever challenges of life we may face. While the seasons may

eternity's purpose. Who, but a parent, would love one so deeply as to weep

frighten us as we endure a world overflowing with uncertainties,

with their very life before the throne of grace? How well I remem- still He will guard us. He will order our steps to complete His purber my own mother's tear-glistened eyes as she embraced our

pose—the good work He has begun in each of us. And when we

family in prayer and carried us to the Father. It was not paper

fall, may we reach to grasp the Savior's hand and trust His grace

stones in a childhood game that we later struggled to

to rescue us. as well as the ones whom we love. Then we will walk

maneuver, but the jagged unforgiving terrain of relationships

secure in His wisdom as He guides our steps across the seasons

and adversities of life in a fallen world. And though her

and the times of our lives.

Resources on Praying for Your Children “Praying Circles Around Your Children” ~ Mark Batterson “Moms in Prayer ~ Fern Nichols & Janet Kobobel Grant “Praying the Scripture for Your Children” ~ Jodie Berndt (in hardback book or online) http://www.faithgateway.com/37-prayers-to-pray-for-children-with-scriptures/#.U91k5PldWSo “Seven Things to Pray for Your Children” ~ Jon Bloom http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/seven-things-to-pray-for-your-children “A Parent’s Guide to Prayer” ~ Dennis & Barbara Rainey http://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/parenting/essentials/praying-for-your-children 7

What SSBC Women Are Doing All To God’s Glory ~ Pastor Rick Lowhorn Blessed By Special People Consider this question: “What has had more impact on you, things or people?” In the Scriptures we have many truths that are difficult to understand. The Apostle Peter even makes reference to some of Paul’s writings being “hard to understand” (2 Peter 3:16). One truth that we see in the Scripture is a simple reality that has its roots from the beginning of time. God created us with a need for relationships with other people. In Genesis 2:18 God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” If we are honest with ourselves we would agree that no matter how much stuff we have, no matter how good our jobs have been, no matter how much information we have been able to accumulate, and no matter how much success we have, we have been impacted and blessed more by the people God has brought into our lives than by any of these things. For those of us who are married, that person who became our life mate will have the greatest impact on our life. There are also others we would separate from the masses of people we have met. If asked who has had the greatest impact on us, we would all have those names to share. Even though everyone impacts us in some way, there are those special relationships and friends that we all could name.

Blessed By A Special Couple A very special couple who God brought into our life has been Dr. Bob and Yvonne Ward. Bob was one of our pastors, and he and Yvonne have been very special friends. They served us and let us serve with them in many ways over the years. One way was through Yvonne’s leadership of the Women’s Ministry at Stevens Street Baptist Church. About five years ago we were looking for a leader to help with the women’s ministry. Many would say that they prayed and thought much about who to ask to serve in this very important role, but I must confess that I prayed some and did not

have to think much. God had already placed among us a woman who had demonstrated not only her commitment to the Lord and to her husband and children, but had many times demonstrated a commitment to helping women understand their God-intended role.

That person was Yvonne Ward. She and I met and prayed and she went to work. The rest is history. God used her and the team she built to achieve much to His glory. Why do I share this? Not to give glory to a person but to give evidence and praise to the workmanship of God in the life of believers. Yvonne would be the first to attest to the fact that she is only a vessel being used for the purposes of God. So, praise God.

Blessed By A Special Team It is important for us to remember those who have served, but to also express thanks for women who have continued to serve. As a result of God’s placing the women here, and Yvonne’s good leadership, the people who needed to lead were already in place. The leadership team has continued the work of the ministry without missing a beat. Thanks Yvonne, and thank you ladies of SSBC. What does the future hold? Since we have such a great, great Lord and such an amazing group of ladies, the work this year and next will have significant impact on the ladies of the church and the community. I pray that the women of SSBC will make every effort to be a part of the opportunities presented by the Women’s Ministry as we all continue to Worship, Mature, and Serve together, all to the glory of our wonderful Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.

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Pastor Rick Lowhorn

Mentoring Message: Whooping Cranes and a Culture of Womanhood This article is from materials used in our first Mentoring Groups. Sit down with two or three sisters in Christ over a cup of coffee and discuss it together. You will be blessed.

Three things (at least) stand out in these verses: 1.

Some Christians are older and some are younger (and it is important to know which you are).

Seven decades ago, the whooping crane population was 2.

an opinion) worth following.

nearly extinct: there were only sixteen birds left on the planet. Wildlife biologists got to work preserving the endangered bird

An older Christian is one who has an “outcome” (not merely

3.

Younger Christians are to “keep their eyes on” the older

and today there are almost six hundred whooping cranes and

Christians (not follow the younger Christians or figure it out

counting. (Yes, this is girl talk, not Animal Planet. Stick with me.

for themselves).

The relevance of the whooping crane will soon become clear.) The scientists weren’t content with boosting numbers;

These days, in our churches and on our blogs, we often get it backwards. Young women are quick to “test their

they wanted to restore the whooping crane “culture”—to help

wings” (sorry, I couldn’t resist!), to teach and take the lead, while whooping cranes teach other whooping cranes what it means to older women are often marginalized or ignored. Young women be a real whooping crane. As it turns out, part of being a real can be more consumed with avoiding the mistakes of the previwhooping crane involves a yearly migration of upwards of a

ous generation than learning from their wisdom. We are often

thousand kilometers to sunny Florida. So these wildlife biologists better at criticizing than following those who are older in the trained and then tracked the migrating birds. faith. We think we can find our own way. But soon an anomaly appeared. While some groups of migrating whooping cranes glided straight to their destination,

But there are also many young women who know they are young, who know they need an older, more experienced

other groups drifted forty to fifty miles off course. There was only guide. They want to be mentored, but can’t seem to find anyone. one difference between the birds that flew straight and “the “Where did all the older women go?” they wonder. crooked fliers: an older bird in the group. The birds that flew more accurately followed an older bird.

More than ever, we need experienced, fruitful women to teach and

You probably see where I am going with this—it is a

train the young women. We need those

parable for Christian women. As younger women trying to fly

who have flown a straight path accord-

straight according to God’s Word, we need older women to help

ing to the Word of God to show us the

us stay on course.

way. We need to restore a Christian

Scripture is clear about this. Titus 2 most famously tells

culture where younger women learn

“Younger women need an older, more experienced guide.”

us: “Older women are to teach what is good, and so train the young

from older women what it means to be

women…that the word of God may not be reviled” (v. 3-5). And

real women.

peppered throughout the epistles are instructions for younger

How can we make this happen? What does it look like? Let’s talk.1

Christians to follow more mature Christians: “Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7). “Join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us” (Phil 3:17). 9

1 Whitacre, Nicole, Biblical Womanhood/Mentoring, July 2014,

http://www.girltalkhome.com/blog/.

Tweets from Ginny: Change ~ Ginny Tayes “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV

to cross paths with to plant seeds in their lives.

It’s never

Even if you no longer have kids in school, this is the time of year for new beginnings. From kindergarten to college, a

just about our lives.

new season of life is starting. The end of summer rushes into fall

It’s the big picture.

and winter and holidays; and with new routines and stressors

God has this intricate,

also come new opportunities to make a positive change each

ultimate plan that we

day.

get to be a part of. He weaves people in and out of our lives for

It is a good time to make a new friend. Share with

Ginny Tayes

His purpose. We don’t always understand the reason or see the result, but we can always be willing to obey.

someone who might not have everything they need for class.

As I think back over the changes that have happened

Befriend someone you might normally avoid. Finally start that daily devotion you keep putting off. Read a good book. Memo-

in our church, I remember something that Bro. Jimmy Arms once

rize scripture. Ask God what it is that He has in store for you, and

said while we searched for a new pastor.

be willing to follow.

“If Stevens Street needed someone like me,” he said,

Change can be scary. It’s

Change can be scary. It’s kind of like faith in a way.

“God would just leave me here.”

kind of like faith in a way— you can’t see the outcome right away. Personally, I like comfortable instead of change. But God, He is so loving that he doesn’t want me to get lazy. He likes to push me out of

That stuck. As hard as it was to accept, I knew that statement was true. I couldn’t see the outcome; I just had to trust that God was in control and He knew what we needed. Not just us as a church, but our community, and those that Bro. Jimmy has gone on to reach.

God knew those that Bro. Joel Wood would touch.

my comfort zone right when I get cozy.

It makes me think about when my brothers would pick at me when I was a kid. You know how kids do—poke, poke. Then, “He’s touching me! He’s hitting me! He’s looking at me!”

Well, God doesn’t pester like big brothers, but He will nudge you until you answer. In our discomfort, we tend to act

And then, he knew those that Pastor Sam and his family would bless.

Aren’t you thankful that God continues to bless us despite our fear of change? I know I am. So in this season of change, be prayerfully waiting for God to use you. It might be uncomfortable at first, but He will never leave us or forsake us

like He is bothering us, just like that older brother. We don’t want (Deuteronomy 31:6). He will always equip you for the task. to change. We like things the way they are. But He sees the end result. He knows where we need growth. He sees who we need 10

Effective, Fervent Prayer: God Is In Control ~ Erin Rainer Although it happens in

Are you (am I) holding Christ

the latter half of the year, the start of

in affectionate reverence, obeying Him quickly, and thanking

a new school year is a time of new

Him for how He has blessed you? God has much planned for

beginnings for many. Children

our lives and the lives of our children. He prepared these events

move into a new grade in school

at the beginning of time, keeping them ready for our obedi-

and summer vacations come to an

ence and His timing. God’s got this. The whole world and all

end. The change is not confined to

that is in it is under His control. Let that truth wash over you,

those in school; our world is also in a

comfort you, and lead you to cling to Him through it all.

state of constant change— politically and socially. One thing remains unchanged and that is God.

We can stand firm in the midst of change, trials, and

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 “God is not a man who lies,

tribulations because our God is a rock and our ever present

or a son of man who changes

help in trouble (Psalm 46). Let us take time this fall to get on our

His mind. Does He speak and

knees and pray that God will renew our passion for Him. Let us

not act, or promise and not fulfill?”

place our children and those trying situations in His hands, be-

Numbers 23:19

cause they were never really under our complete control anyway.

“Long ago You established

Paul encourages the believers in 1 Corinthians 2:9: “What eye did not see and ear did not hear,

the work of Your hands. They will

and what never entered the human mind—

perish, but You will endure;

God prepared this for those who love Him” (HCSB).

all of them will wear out like

This verse is so powerful, let’s examine it in two other translations: “No one’s ever seen or heard anything like this, Never so much as imagined anything quite like it— What God has arranged for those who love Him.” (MSG) “What eye has not seen and ear has not heard and has not entered into the heart of man, [all that] God has prepared (made and keeps ready) for those who love Him [who hold Him in affectionate reverence, promptly obeying Him and gratefully recognizing the benefits He has bestowed]. (AMP) 11

the earth, and the heavens are

clothing. You will change them like a garment, and they will pass away. But You are the same, and Your years will never end.” Psalm 102:25-27

God’s got this, the whole world and all that is in it is under His control.

“He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.” Daniel 2:21

News and Announcements: We Need You! As the women’s ministry gears up for another year of serving our Lord, we need to know if we are meeting your needs. What do you like about the ministries and what changes would you like to see? For example:

Home for the Holidays Saturday, Nov. 21 from 10am to 1pm



at different times?

Yes, it’s that time again! Time to begin adding holiday events to your cal-



Is there a specific Bible study you would like us to offer?

endar. Don’t forget to include Home for the Holidays. This fellowship for women

Do you want Bible studies offered



Are there topics that you would

is guaranteed to put you into the Christ-

like for us to cover in VineLife that

mas spirit.

are not currently being offered?

I don’t know about you, but



relaxing and enjoyable times of my



desserts, incredible coffee, cocoa, and tea

Are more service/missions opportunities for women needed?

Christmas season. The scrumptious 

fellowship were just what I need to put



How can we serve your needs?

the gladness of Christmas in my heart.



Maybe there is something totally

Trees and other decorations will

new that we have not yet thought

deck Fellowship Hall. The crafty women

about. Now’s your chance. Tell us

among us (not me) will show you how to

about it.

make wreaths, ornaments, Advent calendars, and other decorations. We will give

Women’s Ministry Comment Box We have placed a Women’s Min-

you ideas about how to put Christ in your istry Comment Box at the Information home and in your holiday spirit. Desk for you to give us any feedback you Watch for more information on the screen and in the bulletins. If you are

Beverley Nash & Erin Rainer Women’s Ministry Co-Leaders Beverley Nash, Editor Lisa Norsworthy, Layout Stevens Street Baptist Church 327 W. Stevens Street Cookeville, TN 38501 931-526-6398

Are we communicating with you effectively?

served from a Coffee Bar, soft music and

by and for the women of Stevens Street Baptist Church.

Would you like more opportunities for women to gather to pray?

Home for the Holidays is one of the most

VineLife is a quarterly newsletter

Email [email protected] Webpage www.stevensstreet.org/women SSBC Women’s Ministry @SSBC Women’s Ministry Logo and newsletter design, compliments of WDStone & Associates

like. Please also include your name, phone number, and email address so we

interested in decorating a tree or giving a can follow-up with you. I hope you will demonstration, see Beverley or Erin. prayerfully consider God’s direction Invite a friend or family member to spend time with you enjoying Home for the Holidays. It is a great outreach to unbelievers. You will be blessed! 12

about what He would like to have offered for the women at Steven’s Street. Then, let us know how you want to be involved in making that happen.

Eph. 3:17