“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.