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18350 US Hwy 84 PO Box 416 Andalusia, Alabama 36420 office: 334.222.3009
SEPTEMBER 2008
NEWSLETTER
"A Historic Family of Churches Engaged in Empowering Kingdom Growth"
Proclaiming Jesus, Serving Churches Since 1856
Director of Missions — Rev Larry Cummings
Newsletter Editor — Larene Wyatt, 334-222-2477 (larwy@alaweb.com)
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A MESSAGE FROM OUR DIRECTOR OF MISSIONS
It’s hard to believe that we are beginning another associational year. It seems like yesterday that we were having the annual meeting in 2007, yet plans are underway for the 2008 session. We have had a great year because of the prayers, participation, and giving of the 54 churches that comprise the Covington Baptist Association. Thank you!
As we look forward to the 2008-2009 year, we will once again follow the lead of our partners at the Alabama Baptist State Convention with the theme LEADERconnect. This worthy emphasis has three dimensions: connecting with God, connecting with others, and connecting with purpose. The ability to assist our churches accomplish that will be enhanced as we move toward full staff status seeking God’s guidance for a Church and Missions Development Director.
One exciting opportunity we will have in 2009 is the On Missions Celebration. This is a once every five year project allowing us to hear directly from our missionaries. God has used this event in the past to stir hearts to increased prayer, giving, and participation in Great Commission advancement. The first weekend in May will be huge for us in 2009.
Significant increased interest in missions involvement has been reflected in applications for assistance through our Missions Scholarship Fund. Because of your partnership almost $20,000 has been awarded this year. Because available funds have been almost depleted, we are asking the churches to consider a special offering. In the past, some churches have made a donation from their general funds, while others receive a special offering. A suggested time to do that is the Sunday before the annual meeting, or whenever it best fits your schedule.
Finally, speaking of Annual Meeting, the dates is October 16 with the first session starting at 3pm. at Oakey Ridge. This is more than a reporting and business time. It is also a time of inspiration and challenge. Fairmount Pastor Drexel Copeland will preach in the afternoon session. Marcus Merritt from the Evangelism Department in Montgomery will bring the State Board of Missions report and give an evangelism challenge for the year during the evening session. Matt Brady, our Evangelism Director will share some exciting plans to assist our churches in evangelism. I challenge every church to elect the maximum number of messengers. However, everyone is invited to attend.
Blessings, Larry Cummings
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SEPTEMBER FOOD BANK DONORS
Mt Pisgah, West Highland, Searight, Oakey Ridge, Northern Heights
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SAMFORD EXTENSION CLASS BEGINS SEPTEMBER 4 TH
NOT TO LATE TO REGISTER!
The Samford Extension Class began on September 4
th
, and will continue for 12 weeks, 7p–9p in the Covington Baptist Association Conference Room.
Course of study: "Exodus." Instructor: Rev Hank Roberts
Registration $10, Tuition $40 + Book
Scholarships available
For information contact: Rev Ed Ganus @ 334-222-4870 or Rev Hank Roberts @ 334-222-8726
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BABBIE BAPTIST CHURCH HOMECOMING
September 14, 10:30am
Guest Speaker: Rev Ronald Davis
Lunch immediately following service
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GRIEFSHARE SUPPORT GROUP
Harmony Baptist Church
20932 County Road 70, Andalusia, Alabama
GriefShare
recovery support groups are made up of friendly, caring people who have been or are going through the deep hurt of the loss of a spouse, child, family member or friend.
Each week for 13 weeks, the GriefShare group will view a video seminar featuring top experts on grief and recovery subjects. Group members share a time of discussion following the video presentation. No one will be asked to participate in the discussion unless they choose to do so! Discussions will be led by an experienced group leader. There is no charge. Anyone who would benefit from this support group is invited to come.
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17 th ANNUAL SAV-A-LIFE BANQUET
SEPTEMBER 22, 6:30p
Kiwanis Building, Andalusia, AL
Speaker: Gail McWilliams
For tickets, Information call: 334-222-0644
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YOU ARE INVITED TO THE 1
ST
ANNUAL
"SAW YOU AT THE POLE RALLY"
SOUTHSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH, OPP
SEPTEMBER 24, 7- 8p
Many church groups have already made plans to attend this night of focus on connecting with God and connecting with each other. Michael John Clement will be leading worship. There will be a media presentation of local students who participated in "See you at the Pole" that morning as well as worship, fellowship and teaching.
Please call by September 19 to ensure seating. Contact Ronnie Moseley, Student Pastor, for information.
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5 th QUARTER YOUTH FELLOWSHIP @ HARMONY BAPTIST CHURCH
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 TH
following the Straughn Tigers & Opp Bobcats football gameFor information call 334-222-8117
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BEULAH BAPTIST CHURCH HOMECOMING AND REVIVAL
Homecoming Day:
September 28Guest Speaker: Rev Walt Kenney, Guest Speaker
Revival:
September 29-30, October 1, 7:00 PMGuest Speaker: Rev Jeff Buchanan
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Eagle Lake, FL
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DON’T MISS THIS!
COVINGTON ASSOCIATION 152 ND ANNUAL MEETING
Thursday, October 16, 2008, 3:00pm
Oakey Ridge Baptist Church
Doctrinal Message: Rev Drexel Copeland, Fairmount
Evangelist Message: Marcus Merrit, State Board of Missions
Association and State Reports, great preaching and music, business session, fellowship, and supper
Turn in your pennies for World Hunger.
Each church send 2 duly elected messengers plus 1 additional messenger for each 25 members with a maximum of 15.
EVERYONE IS INVITED TO ATTEND
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Youth Groups, Ladies Groups, and individuals are needed at all three Christian Service Centers to sort, tag and put donations out on the floor. Contact Leroy Cole @ 334-222-3009.
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SPEAKERS AVAILABLE
Rev Buddy King: 334-222-4839
Rev JT Davis: 1-888-224-3849
Dr David Cordell: 334-222-4548
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SALARIED PIANIST NEEDED
Lockhart Baptist Church Is seeking a salaried pianist for Sunday services.
Contact Rev John Bryan @ 334-858-6526
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REV RONALD DAVIS ACCEPTS CALL TO BETHANY
AS INTERIM PASTOR
Rev Ronald Davis resigned as pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church effective August 20 and has accepted a full-time interim pastor position at Bethany Baptist Church in Heath.
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CROSSOVER MINISTRIES TO EXPAND
Todd Sasser, Executive Director of Crossover Ministries in Opp, recently announced that the ministry will begin a program for treating women in May 2009. 4,000 square feet of empty space upstairs will be renovated for housing 10 women. 120 men have completed the drug rehab program over the past 4 ½ years.
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REFLECTIONS ON HOMECOMINGS
From a sermon by Rev John N Foster, former pastor of First Baptist Church, Andalusia
Isaiah 51:1-3
"We all recount our past… but we don’t need to live there"
Some say jettison your past but we do need to remember our roots and build for the future on them. We can look back to the past for a promising future by remembering our history and how the hand of God has been involved in it, how we have been used by God, how He has provided, planned, and fulfilled our life through His providential guidance and faithfulness.
The church provides us with a worship center, leaders, opportunity for profession of faith, baptism, spiritual growth, and opportunity to come to the altar where decisions are made, learning experiences, ethics, a platform to witness about the good news of Jesus Christ, counseling and spiritual formation. The one constant thing in our lives is God.
As we chart and build our future, we must care about the people we minister to. We must seek a new vision and improved methods of doing things. Always remember, "Do not forsake the rock from which we were cut, the quarry from which you were hued." Accept the challenging things God has given you. God is at work in our present, and will be at work in our tomorrows.
It is good to come home, remember the past and move forward to the future from reflections of our earlier experiences in life.
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REV JA PERRY DIES IN NORTH CAROLINA
Rev JA Perry died at age 98 in North Carolina. Former missionaries, Perry and his wife, Frances, were volunteer coordinators for our Andalusia Christian Service Center after it was opened in 1986 under the direction of Neal Wyatt. He and Frances are buried at Damascus.
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SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever.
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