“The Connector” September 2017
Mt. Harmony Men’s Cake Bake Off Sunday Evening Sept. 17th, 6:00 pm See details inside
West Metro Baptist Association Annual Children’s Home Truck Loading At Cornerstone Baptist Church Lithia Springs See more details inside
MT. HARMONY BAPTIST LEADERSHIP TEAM Dr. Randal Whitten ...... Senior Pastor Chris Noggle ...... Associate Pastor Family Ministry Barry Bryant ...... Associate Pastor Music Ministry Noelle Porter ...... Director of WEE Education Program
1 Just a Thought !
JUST A THOUGHT
Recently, someone gave me copy of a Mt. Harmony Baptist Church worship folder dated Sunday, November 13, 1955. That was before I was born. Let me take you back a few years… 62 to be exact.
G. W. Southard… was the Pastor Mrs. W. A. Chambers… was the Church Clerk Mr. J. L. Lester… was the Church Treasurer Mr. James Pugh… was the Chorister Mrs. Frank Baker… was the Pianist C. A. Thompson… was the Sunday School Superintendent Mr. Frank Baker… was the Training Union Director Mr. Ples Adams… was the Brotherhood President Mrs. Evelyn Dahl… was the WMU President Mrs. J.M. Oliver… was the Church Hostess
The church address was Route 3, Austell, Georgia. The Pastor’s residence phone number was Austell 2815 and the Church Office phone number was Austell 2098. On the front cover is a picture of what we now call the Chapel Building. It also says these words:
To all who mourn and need comfort, To all who are tired and need rest, To all who are friendless and need friendship, To all who are lonely and need companionship, To all who need a Savior, To all who are saved and want to grow, This Church opens wide its doors proclaiming whosoever will may come.
Today we often have conversations about Bible study and Worship attendance. Well guess what, they were having those same conversations some 62 years ago. This was also in the Worship Folder.
CHURCH ATTENDANCE
WHAT MY ABSENCE DID
It made some question the reality of my religion. It made some think I was a pretender. It made many think that I regarded my spiritual welfare and that of others as a matter of small concern. It weakened the effect of the church service. It made it harder for the preacher to preach. It discouraged the brethren, and therefore robbed them of a blessing. It caused others to stay away from church. It made it harder for me to meet the temptations of the devil. It gave the devil more power over lost souls. It encouraged the habit of non-church going.
WHAT MY PRESENCE DID
It caused people to have confidence in me. It made people know that I regarded my spiritual welfare and that of others as a matter of great importance. It had a good effect on the services. It made my friends feel more welcome. It encouraged the brethren and helped the preacher in his work. It caused others to come to know Christ and say, I believe that; I believe that is enough to save a man, that man is a power for good. It made my life stronger for another week. It removed stumbling blocks from the sinner’s path. It caused others to say, he practiced what he preached. --SELECTED
I guess Bible study and Worship attendance has been a struggle for a long time. Let’s end the struggle… Just a thought! See you this Sunday with your Bible in hand, on your tablet, or on your iPhone, and a smile on your face!
You are loved and appreciated! Pastor Randal Music Ministry
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” Ephesians 5:8 Christmas We have begun preparation for our Christmas Music! This year is going to be GREAT! We are looking for some new members for our Worship Choir/Instrumental Ensemble. If you have ever thought about singing in the Worship Choir or playing with the Instrumental Ensemble, NOW is the time to come and join us! Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings at 6:45 p.m. Come on, help us fill the loft at Christmas this year! Children’s Choir We are going to have a Children’s Choir this year, but, we need your help! Parents, YOU have to make this happen! YOU have to bring them! Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have our children singing during our Christmas season?!? PLEASE make plans to have your young person involved. Watch for the schedule. We will let you know when we will begin. Calling All Acoustic Instrumentalists We are calling all acoustic instrumentalists that play guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, piano, dulcimer, bowed psaltry, harmonica, djembe, cajon, string bass and just about any other acoustic instrument. If you play, and would be willing to participate in a special program, please see Barry as soon as possible! Come on ...let’s have some fun! Also, do you have any old instruments, gathering dust in the closet, or under the bed? Consider donating them to the church, for use in the music ministry. Dulcimer Class Have you ever wanted to learn how to play the mountain dulcimer? The dulcimer is normally associated with the Appalachian Mountains. It is a folk instrument that is easy to play and fun to learn. Just about anyone can play a dulcimer. We are starting a Dulcimer Class, here at Mt. Harmony. Come and join us! For more information, contact Barry. If you have a dulcimer that you are not using and would let us use it for class, PLEASE contact Barry ASAP! Thank you! Celebration Choir Celebration Choir, don’t forget, we will be singing September 13th, at the Austell Neighborhood Senior Center. We will sing at 10:45 a.m.. Remember to wear your white Mt Harmony shirts and black slacks. We will go to South Cobb Diner for lunch. If you have not picked up or paid for your shirt, please see Nelson. If you don’t have a shirt just wear a white shirt. “Were You There?” “Were You There?” is the new Sons of Jubal CD. It is available NOW! The cost is $15.00. All proceeds go to benefit The Sons of Jubal Missions projects. Both Nelson and Barry have copies available for purchase. This will go directly to help them participate in the mission projects. This is one of the best CD’s the Sons of Jubals have ever done! They make great gifts! “Christmas at the Keyboards” Christmas at the Keyboards this year will be Saturday, December 2nd at 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 3rd at 3:00 p.m. Blessings, Barry Bryant
Boomers & Beyond The Boomers & Beyond is an active group of adults ages 55 and up. One Wednesday morning each month, the group gathers for a Covered Dish Luncheon. There are also several music opportunities and activities especially for this group.
Wednesdays
11:00 a.m. Boomers & Beyond Celebration Ringers Rehearsal 11:30 a.m. Boomers & Beyond Celebration Choir Rehearsal
Dates to remember
September 17 Celebration Choir will sing in the evening service (6:00pm). Please wear white shirts and black slacks. September 20 Boomers & Beyond Covered Dish Luncheon for ALL Senior Adults 12:30 P.M. (Adult 55+)
3 Family Ministry
This month, KidsXP has been focusing a great deal on Respect. Respect is showing others they are important by what you say and do. Your Elementary age children are really embracing this concept of respecting God and others. In my opinion, Respect is one of the most important character traits that we could ever instill in our children, because it shows others they are loved and valued. Parents, I would like to encourage you to teach your children respect for oth- ers on every occasion. Simply teaching your children to say yes sir and no ma’am go a long way in showing others they are important.
Over the past couple of weeks, I have seen where the lack of respect for others can cause a lot of chaos and disruption for those who hold a position of leadership and authority. In 1 Peter 2:17a, we are told that we should “Show proper respect to everyone.” Parents are the most influential people in the lives of children, and if we expect our children to respect others then respect must resonate in every part of our lives. Our children have to see us respect the young, the old, the hateful, the kind, the unlovable, and the lovable. We must step outside of our world and embrace those who have cultural and demographic differences, and show them through our actions that God is love.
Jesus taught us that we should embrace the ideals set forth in the Ten Commandments, when He answered a question regarding the greatest commandment. Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27, ESV). Lack of respect and love for others is a direct reflection of our sinful nature. If we choose not to respect and love other peo- ple then how can we call ourselves children of God? “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and who- ever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:7-8, ESV). The Spirit of God is willing to work through you if you let Him.
I encourage each of us to examine our heart, and allow the Holy Spirit to work through us to positively impact others around us. We might be pleasantly surprised to see how loving and respecting others actually does more for us than it does for those who are receiving it.
Blessings, Chris Noggle
5 MORE FOR THE LORD!
HERE’S THE CHALLENGE…!
5 MORE PHONE CALLS TO PROSPECTS EACH WEEK!
5 MORE PROSPECTS TO REACH EACH WEEK!
5 MORE INVITES TO LIFEGROUPS AND WORSHIP EACH WEEK!
5 MORE DOLLARS TO GIVE EACH WEEK!
What will the Lord do as we commit to 5 MORE FOR THE LORD?
WHEN GOD BLESSES YOU FINANCIALLY, DON’T RAISE YOUR STANDARD OF LIVING— RAISE YOUR STANDARD OF GIVING.
4 WEE (Weekday Early Education)
We have had a great first month of school, starting up ballet and gymnastics as after school activities for our WEE students and community members!! We started carpool this school year, and there is no better way to start our day seeing the smiling faces of almost 60 students each day!!
New this year—We are joining the Boxtops for Education fundraiser and hope to collect as many box tops as possible between the months of August and May! Please consider helping our WEE church ministry and donate your box tops to the WEE school!! If you have any questions contact Noelle Porter at [email protected].
West Metro Annual Children’s Home Truck Loading
Georgia Baptist Children’s Home Truck Loading Thursday, September 21, 2017 3:00-5:30 p.m.
Collection Location: Cornerstone Baptist Church 7167 S. Sweetwater Road, Lithia Springs, GA 30122
Items Needed:
Gift Cards Paper Products Other Food Walmart, Target, Paper Towels New Bath Towels 100% Fruit Juice Kroger, & Publix Toilet Paper New Wash Cloths Flour
Facial Tissue Sugar Cleaning Products Paper Napkins Instant Grits Dish Wash & Laundry Paper Plates Instant Oatmeal Liquid detergent Paper Bowls Bleach Plastic Forks/ 409, etc. Spoons
If you have any questions contact Lynn Monroe: 770.949.6598 or [email protected]
5
Kids XP
Stay Connected:
Facebook: Week One: www.facebook.com/mtharmonykids John 13:34 / 1 Samuel 20 – Holding Out for the Arrows Bottom Line: Friends Love One Another Twitter: www.twitter.com/mtharmonykids Week Two: Romans 16:7 / Acts 9:26-28 – Take on Thee Bottom Line: Friends Accept One Another Instagram: www.Instagram.com/mtharmonykids Week Three: Colossians 3:13 / John 21:1-17 – Forgive and Let By Bottom Line: Friends Forgive One Another
Week Four: 1 Thessalonians 5:11 / Job 2: 11-13 – We’ll Be There for You Bottom Line: Friends Encourage One Another.
Memory Verse: “A friend loves at all times. They are there to help when trouble comes.” – Proverbs 17:17, NIrV
Friendship – Using your words and actions to show others you care.
Online Giving 4 WAYS TO GIVE
To give online: Step One: visit mtharmony.org/give Step Two: Select “Give Online.” You can also create a church account so you can track your personal giving . “Create Account” is located on the top right hand side of the secure giving screen. Step Three: Select amount and method, then designate the fund and enter the required information. Step Five: “Donate Now” Thank you for giving to the ministry of Mt. Harmony. 6 Fellowship
Mt. Harmony Men’s Cake Bake Off Sunday Evening, Sept. 17th, 6:00pm
Men, this is your chance to show off your cooking skills! Bake and bring your favorite cake or dessert to share at the fellowship following Church Conference.
Homebound For The Month Charlene Brewton (B/D 9-5) Maxine Halleck (B/D 8-14) 7400 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd NE 37 Sunset Path Dogwood Forest #304 Powder Springs, GA 30127 Atlanta, GA 30328
Dot Miller (B/D 9-24) Gloria Baxter (B/D 10-01) 404 King Springs Village Pkwy 404 King Springs Village Pkwy Delmar Gardens, Apt 408 Delmar Gardens, Room 9125 Smyrna, GA 30082 Smyrna, GA 30082
Sympathy
To Mr. & Mrs. David (Nancy) Glass in the death of his father, Jack Glass To Marjorie Smith in the death of her sister, Jewell Hildebrand To Mr. & Mrs. Allen (Jean) Roach in the death of Jean’s sister, Dorothy Mashburn To the family of Frances Trantham
Thank You Notes
Dear Mt. Harmony Church: Thank you for the love and sympathy shown me during the sudden death of my sister, Mary Martin of Fairburn, GA. Love You, Mae Austin & family
Dear Church Family, We want to thank you for the cards, calls, food, but most of all the prayers that have carried us through these days of radiation and chemo. We felt those prayers! We know the Lord has held our hands as we’ve gone this far—Please keep praying for us as we’ve got a long way to go! This church family is awesome! God Bless! Yvonne & Charles Jones
Great Mt. Harmony People, Thank you for remembering me during my recent stay in the hospital and rehab and during the recent home-going of Gwin. Your many acts of love and kindness and especially your prayers were greatly appreciated. Charlene Brewton
Dear Church Family, Thank you so much for all the cards, calls, visits, the wonderful food and especially your prayers during my recent surgery and recuperation. God is good! Linda Vickery
7 September Birthdays
Nelson Fleming 1-Sep Mozelle Crawford 15-Sep Judy Howard 1-Sep Larry Darnell 15-Sep Alijah Kingston 1-Sep Danny Smith 17-Sep Patty Conley 2-Sep Joyce Usher 18-Sep Tae Mackey 3-Sep Chris Todd 18-Sep O. C. Dees 4-Sep Joyce Coleman 18-Sep Yvonne Jones 4-Sep Shirley Elkins 20-Sep James Vickery 4-Sep Laura Allen 22-Sep Charlene Brewton 5-Sep Cheryl Gray 22-Sep Doyle Holbrook 6-Sep Terri Ward 23-Sep Carol Wright 6-Sep Dorothy Miller 24-Sep Stephen Taylor 7-Sep Beverly McCard 24-Sep Jackie Russom 8-Sep Dot Cleaton 24-Sep Jerry Horton 9-Sep Jane Carney 25-Sep Martha Hurst 9-Sep Craig Daniel 27-Sep Linda Vickery 11-Sep Grayson Michael 27-Sep Emily Bagwell 12-Sep Linda Bennett 28-Sep Myleah Jinks 13-Sep Reese Munch 30-Sep Elijah Elrod 14-Sep Myra Benton 30-Sep Maxine Halleck 14-Sep Valeri Blackwell 30-Sep
8 September 2017 Calendar
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Labor Day Church Office Closed
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 10:45AM Ladies Bible Study Celebration Choir Sons of Jubal 3:00pm Save It 6PM singing at Austell Concert Forward Packing Neighborhood FBC Newnan Senior Ctr in Clarkdale and lunch at South Cobb Diner
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 5PM Deacons 12:30 Boomers & WMBA Annual Meeting Ladies Bible Study 5:00-7:00pm Beyond (55+) Children’s Home Save It Forward Covered Dish Truckloading 6PM Conference & Distribution at Luncheon 3:00-5:30PM at Men’s Cake Bake Harmony Leland Cornerstone BC Off Fellowship Last night for Elem School In Lithia Springs Middle Ground PM Celebration Ministries Choir Singing Fall A Schedule (Wear White Shirts & Black Pants) 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Fall Break AM—Lord’s Supper No PM Activities
9 OUR MISSION IS HELPING PEOPLE FIND GOD
We’ve seen the transformation hundreds of times – people who came to us full of doubt and uncertainty become secure in the knowledge of their rightful place in God’s great kingdom. The change may start slowly – in a MT HARMONY Bible Study class or choir participation, perhaps – but once it begins, it 561 Veterans Memorial Hwy, SE picks up speed. Serving Jesus together, shared experiences, time spent in prayer – all bring us closer to our highest calling.
Phone: 770-948-3900 Take the first step toward personal renewal – join us for services this week! Fax: 770-948-9260 Hospital Line 770-948-6032 Above all else, Mt. Harmony is a church that loves Jesus, loves people, and WEE Program 770-874-7493 loves our community. We're just real people, but we are passionate about Emergency Number 404-451-4830 helping people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. Mt. Harmony partners with over 45,000 churches (16 million Christians) who call themselves Southern Baptists. Together we support 10,000 Beyond All Limits… missionaries in 154 nations around the world. ...By His Power
We are on the Web WWW.MTHARMONY.ORG
Weekly Activities
Sunday AM 9:15AM LIFEgroups for all Ages 10:30AM Celebration Worship (Childcare provided birth-4 yrs.) Kids XP (K5 through 5th grade)
Tuesday 7:00AM Men's Prayer Time Chapel Building
Wednesday 11:00AM B&B Celebration Ringers Rehearsal Music Suite 11:30AM B&B Celebration Choir Rehearsal Music Suite 5:45-8:15PM Nursery (birth-2 yrs.) 1st Floor Education Bldg. 6:00-6:45PM Men’s & Ladies’ Ensembles Music Suite 6:00-6:45PM Pastor’s Bible Study Fellowship Hall 6:00-7:30PM Preschool (ages 3-5) E107 Children (grades 1-6) E203 6:45-7:30PM Prayer Time & Outreach Visitation Fellowship Hall 6:45-8:00PM Worship Choir Rehearsal Music Suite 10