Tuesday, August 27, 2013

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS AT JIBC

Come join us on Wednesday evenings beginning September 4...
there's something for everyone!

CHILDREN

Awana  for 3k-6th grade students meets from 6:00—7:30 pm.  During Awana, kids will play games, learn memory verses, participate in Bible Study, learn about missions and make new friends.  Awana is led by Commander Marie Smith and the Awana Ministry Team.

YOUTH

Trek for 7th & 8th grade students meets from 6:30—7:30 pm.  Trek is an Awana program specifically designed for middle school students.  Trek encourages scripture memorization and helps steer teens down the right path of Christ followers.   Trek is led by Audra Rheaume, Hoffman Griffin and Bryon Brown.

"Life Hurts, God Heals" for high school students meets from 6:30 –7:30 pm.  “Life Hurts, God Heals” is a Christ centered recovery program for youth.  Cindy Hunt will facilitate the girls’ group and  Pastor Sean will facilitate the boys’ group. 

ADULTS

Class 301: Discovering my Ministry at JIBC meets from 6:30—7:30 pmThis class, led by Pastor Tom, will help you discover your spiritual gifts, pass and place of ministry here at JIBC.

First Place 4 Health meets from 6:30—7:30 pm.  Janie Brown leads this 12-week Christ-centered weight loss and healthy living program.  The focus of First Place 4 Health is to give Christ first place in all areas of our lives:  spiritual, emotional, mental and physical.  Cost: New Members $100, Returning Members $20.

Diapers to Diplomas, a Parent Class and Support Group, meets from 6:30—7:30 pm.  Led by Melinda Norris, this 10-week class will cover a variety of topics:  Seasons of Parenting, Parents as Leaders, Dumbest Generation, Technology/Gaming/Electronics, Child Development, Potty Training, Teen Years, Homework Hassles, ADHD, Fatherless America, and Sports/Concussions.

Ephesians Chapter 1 Bible Study meets from 6:30—7:30 pm led by David Baxley  This is a 7-week video based Bible Study about our identity in Christ and the spiritual blessings that are ours because of Jesus Christ.



Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Finished with 1 John? Never!


 This Sunday we will complete our summer teaching series through 1 John.  It has long since been one of my favorite books in the New Testament. “Believe Right  + Love Right = Live Life”  the way it was designed.  We have looked at some very solid theological teachings as well as some of the most practical applications to this wonderful writing by the Apostle John.

The new September teaching series will be focused on “CONNECTING”.  We really believe it is a powerful word…connecting.  We are beginning a new emphasis where we will refer to all small groups as “connecting groups”.   I know it will be hard, if not next to impossible, for me not to say “Sunday School”.   Nothing wrong with Sunday School.  I have attended one, taught one and been a part of one since I was a child.  But our goal is connecting.  So, we will even refer to our Sunday groups as “Sunday Connection Groups”.  Some groups will meet on Sunday, some will meet during the week; some on campus and some off campus.  All of them will have the goal of connecting.

Think about this.  Our goal is to work with God to help people get connected to God and His family, the church.  Then we want to help them get connected to a group that they can do life with.  A place where they can learn the spiritual disciplines that come with being  a fully devoted follower of Christ.  The next step is to introduce them to the way they can connect with the family of God through service.  How can your unique gifts and abilities add to the family of Christ known as James Island Baptist?  We also want every group to find ways to connect to the community.  Where is God working to reach the lost world?  Let’s connect with Him to reach them.   At the very heart of our desire to connect is worship.  We connect to our Father and Lord Jesus through soul inspiring,
heart-felt worship.

So, here we go.  Let’s get connected.
Pastor Tom


Tuesday, August 13, 2013

A Great Children’s Camp at Bonnie Doone


Felecia and I have lost count of the number of Children’s Camps we have enjoyed.  I cannot remember a time in my 28 years that we did not have children’s camps.  We go all the way back to Ms. Charlyn and the camps at White Oak and St. Christopher Retreat Center.  Over the years we have seen and experienced some wonderful times.  This year was no exception.

The Bonnie Doone staff has done a really good job of improving the camp facilities and experience.  They have increased their awareness of safety and liability while maintaining a high level of fun for the kids.  If it has been a while since you have visited Bonnie Doone, it would be worth a day trip to go out and visit.  By the way, they have the mansion rented out every weekend of the year.  The entire retreat center is getting more use than ever, enabling them to pay for the much needed improvements and upgrades.  Their future looks as bright as ever with plans to expand and add!  Good job guys.

My thanks to Felecia and her team for putting on a great camp experience for our kids.  Pastor Sean did a good job with the Bible Study and worship times.  The kids had a blast enjoying the beauty of Bonnie Doone.  Thank you, Lord, for the first week in years where we were not combating rain.  We had at least two children make first steps toward becoming followers of Jesus.  We will follow up with their parents.  Something unique happened at family night.  We got a picture of the families who had multiple generations of attending camp at Bonnie Doone.  There were a good number of parents who went to Bonnie Doone as a child who now had children attending.  We also have several of our junior counselors (our youth) who attended camp as kids and were named “future camp counselors”.  How cool to see them now serving in that capacity. 

This year I had no teaching responsibilities.  I went as Camp Pastor to just spend time with our children, to love on them and to spend time with them.  For me, it was time well spent!

See you Sunday, good Lord willing,

Pastor Tom


Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Goodbye Kay, Hello Amber!

Kay Miller has been serving as our custodian here at JIBC. She was going to school to be a pharmacy tech and has been offered a job with more hours at one of our local hospitals. Congratulations Kay. She has served us well and we wish her the absolute best.

Hello Amber! Amber is one of the ladies living at our Transitional House. She is the newest of our residents and was in the process of looking for a job. She has had some years of cleaning with a professional service. This just seemed like great timing. So she will be training with Kay for a couple of weeks and will then be on a “trial run” for a few weeks. We think she will work out great and look forward to having her around.
I will tell you the truth, the Transition House is running about as smooth and as well as I could image. Among the biggest problems we have is taking care of little things like leaks and broken pull strings. If anyone would like to volunteer for a few hours work, we could really use the help. Most of the items are relatively small like that. A breaker trips and now two outlets do not work; a doorbell that does not work; a leak from the upstairs bathroom. Any handymen out there that would like to take on one or more of these projects? Give us a call at the office 762-0244.

It is hard to believe that two of our residents are at the one year mark. One has already been through our Celebrate Recovery leadership training!

Now here is a prayer request for you. Two of our ladies are looking now to “transition” to their next place of residence. Tonya is looking for her own place to rent. It must be at least two bedrooms since she has the twins. If it is three bedrooms, it would give her the option of a roommate to help with expenses. If you would like to help her in this next transition, please let us know. She is employed and has a great future ahead of her.
The second lady looking to transition is Emily. Emily works two jobs and has been very faithful in attending JIBC. She is ready for her next move. If I had my wish come true for her this is what it would be: a mature Christian woman looking to help mentor someone for the next 3 to 6 months. I would love to see one of our senior adults offer a room to Emily. She is able to pay rent on time and is an excellent house cleaner. It could be a senior adult lady or a couple that needs a little extra income, needed help cleaning or just wants to help a young person succeed. You would be helping Emily and providing her next step in transitioning and on her spiritual journey. I really hope one of our church members will be able to help both of these ladies.

Remember, is some way, we are all transitioning. This earth is not our home, we are just passing through!


See you Sunday, good Lord willing!

Pastor Tom