FAMILY MEETING THIS SUNDAY

Everyone is invited to join us this Sunday for a church-wide family meeting. Whether you are in a Connection Group or just interested, you are invited to join us. We will start with coffee and some lite breakfast snacks. Marty will lead us in a time of worship. Then at 10:00 we will present to the church family the projected scope and cost of the Phase II renovations. This renovation will involve some things that are absolutely necessary as well as needed projects we have been putting off. We will ask the church family to vote to approve the Phase II renovations.

We started off with a leak in the front outside porch of the worship center. We patched that believing the day would not be too far off when we needed to replace the entire roof of the sanctuary. That day is here. The last roof was put on after Hurricane Hugo. We were able to make that one last 27 years. Not bad! But now we have multiple leaks over the sanctuary, fellowship hall and several places around the rest of the building. By the way…did you know we had two chimneys on our buildings? I did not. They will be removed and will no longer be a source of leaks or potential leaks. Once we started looking at the roofing project, it made sense to start looking at all the repairs and renovations we have been putting off. So, all together, our leadership team put together around 10 projects that need attention. We do not have a time table on most of the projects. Some of them will depend on how the church family responds with special offerings.

Starting on Sunday, October 1, our Sunday Connection Groups will be studying a 6 week Bible focus on faith. This Bible study is called “Daring Faith” and is about taking bold risks, developing a daring faith and learning to trust God’s will. For 6 weeks we will study together the call of God for us to leave our comfort zones and to bravely move to where God is calling you.

I think this comes at just the right time in our church history. We are ready for the next step and by God’s grace are ready to exercise a “Daring Faith”. My daughter and son-in-law have put their home on the market to sell. That means they have repaired, replaced and renovated. They have de-cluttered and freshened up their house and their yard. Of course they do this to present their home in the best light possible. They want to make good first impressions. The house must be sound and secure. Now, what does that say about God’s House? We also want to make good first impressions; put our best foot forward; have the church campus safe and sound for all who would gather here. We can do this.

This Phase II renovation comes to you with the support and approval of our entire leadership team: Pastors, Staff, Elders, Finance Team, Ministry Management and Deacons. We had unanimous agreement on leading the church to exercise daring faith in taking on Phase II of the renovations.

Hope to see you this Sunday at 9:45,

Pastor Tom

Church Family Meeting

In two weeks we are inviting the church family to join us in the Fellowship Hall at 9:45-10:45 for a called church family meeting. It hardly seems like it was two years ago when we completed the total renovation of the Worship Center/Sanctuary. It was fabulous and the Lord provided all we needed to make it happen. To God be the glory.

Now it is time to address a list of needs for the rest of our church campus. About 6 months ago we developed some leaks in the porch over the front doors of the Worship Center. We patched them knowing sooner or later we were going to have to replace all the shingles on all of the buildings. We have developed dozens of leaks in the main roof over the Worship Center. We have, thank you Jesus, gotten all the wear and tear we could expect out of our current roof. It was replaced after Hugo in 1989.

Once we started looking at the roofing needs, we put together a list of renovations, repairs and replacements needed around our church buildings. Things that we have patched and repaired but now need to be replaced. So, on Sunday, September 3 we will present to our church family the scope and projected cost of this phase of our renovations. We will have for you a printed brochure highlighting the scope and projected cost. Then we will ask the church family to vote together on proceeding with these necessary and exciting renovations.

This project comes to our church family with the unanimous recommendations from the following group: Church Pastors, Staff, Elders, Finance Team, Ministry Management Team and Deacons. Some of these renovations and repairs are absolutely necessary. Replacing the church roof is an item that cannot wait. That will need to begin right away. Other items are much needed and have been a long time coming. Just like our homes, every now and again, we have to invest in the investment. I really believe you will be pleased to hear the particulars of these renovations. I hope you will see them as an extension of our vision, values and mission. I trust they will have your full commitment and support.

To God be the glory,

Pastor Tom

JOY...For the Rest of Your Life

Current Sermon Series on the Book of Philippians

Pastor Tom’s sermons are available on our website at 

www.jibcfamily.com/sermons

Key verses to memorize 

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you

will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” 

Philippians 1:6

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” 

Philippians 1:21

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” 

 Philippians 2:5-11

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” 

Philippians 4:4

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” 

Philippians 4:13

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” 

Philippians 4:19

NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS

James Island Baptist is hosting a NAMI presentation. The by-line asks “Did you know that 1 in 4 people are affected by severe mental illness?” As a matter of fact, I did not know that. That is the point for hosting this presentation. There is a lot about mental health issues that I do not know…and I have read quite a bit.

So what is the goal of this meeting. First, they will address the stigma associated with having a mental illness. They presenters will share personal stories of living with and overcoming the challenges posed by mental illness. By broadening peoples knowledge of mental illness, we replace misunderstanding, fear and judgment with insight, awareness and acceptance.

Imagine if we as followers of Christ can help reduce the stigma associated with being mentally ill. Imagine if JIBC continued to be a safe place for people who struggle with a variety of hurts habits and hang-ups. What a help to know there is a place where you can find support and acceptance. I believe JIBC is such a place. We are just adding a mental health initiative to our ministries.

In Our Own Voice is a 60 minute presentation geared to community audiences. It will help us better understand 58 Million Americans contending with mental illness. It will help us understand ourselves, our families, our friends and neighbors.

Join us Wednesday night, August 23, at 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

See you there, good Lord willing.

Pastor Tom

What's Happening

BEACH BAPTISM: 

Saturday, August 19 @ 10 a.m.

We are planning a beach baptism for Saturday, August 19. Plans right now are to meet at Folly Beach at 10 am and celebrate together. You may park at 1017 West Ashley Street, in the First Baptist Church “Gazebo” parking lot. That is the second gate on the property. The FBC Beach House is located on the left hand side, just before the County Park on Folly Beach. If you are waiting for baptism and want to join us on this day, we would be thrilled to have you. Let us know in the church office, 843-762-0244. 

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) 

Wednesday, August 23 @ 6:00 pm

On Wednesday, August 23, JIBC is scheduled to host a NAMI meeting open to anyone who is interested in understanding mental illness and related issues. This seminar will help explain what it is like to live with mental illness and how to live well with mental illness. This will be a powerful presentation and I strongly encourage you to attend. I feel safe to say you will not be sorry if you do attend, you might be sorry that you did not. Did you know that 1 in 4 people live with a severe mental illness? Wednesday, August 23, 6 pm in the Fellowship Hall. This will be led by NAMI.

A.B.B.A. Boys Ministry

John Schiefert and a group of adult men are putting together a ministry to serve school age boys. This would primarily be 1st through 5th grade. The last outing they had went to a Riverdogs Baseball game. The next one is scheduled for August 27 right after worship on Sunday. They are taking a trip to the Fire Museum in North Charleston and will have some of our very own firemen with them for that extra value added. For more information please call John Schiefert at 843.901.3491.

See you soon, good Lord willing,

Pastor Tom