NOT A BAD WAY TO REDEEM AUGUST

I really do understand why a pastor or a church would be tempted to just write the month of August off. It would be easier to coast through the month and wait for the momentum of “Back To School” to kick in. It really would be easier. We believe God is in business to “reach, redeem and restore a lost and broken world”. The reality of being lost and broken does not take a month off…even a slow month like August. My thought was to do everything possible to redeem a month that could easily be considered a church calendar throw away month. So far, so good. I wanted to say so far, so great! But it did not sound right. Lol.

We started the month of August with the most people gathered to study God’s word and the most people gathered to worship than any Sunday this summer. We baptized 5 on Sunday morning and 2 at Celebrate Recovery. A pretty good way to welcome our new staff member and his wife, Scott and Lori. The Word of God taught, seeds of His Word planted, fellowship enjoyed and encouragement given. Now, let the Holy Spirit do that amazing work.

Last Sunday was just as amazing in many ways. We had a good attendance, celebrated the Lord’s Supper, heard a message on “Praying Big Prayers” from Ephesians. Then the Mac-N-Cheese Bake Off Competition was great. Ten outstanding offerings and a great hour of fellowship. Pastor’s mistake #765: I announced the winner before all the votes were counted. Here was the dilemma: I had already crowned James Hines as the winner with the most votes based on the cards I was given. Barry Waldrop was actually the top vote getter. But there was no way in heaven I was going to take the Top Chef Hat off my Father-in-Law, the Patriarch of my family. Sorry Barry! All kidding aside it was a wonderful time of fun and fellowship. It was a wonderful way to have a drop in reception for Scott and Lori. Thank you all for participating.

This week we Celebrate Jesus with “Stuff a Book Bag-Bless a Kid”. We will probably end up filling about 50 book bags. We will also have a time of commissioning for all of our teachers and administrators during the Mission-Ministry Offering time. You will want to be here for this celebration. By the way, we are giving each of them a $10 Starbucks gift card for the first week break they will need! Thank you all for the generous way you give in your tithes and offerings.

Then the last week of August will be JIBC giving the largest one time food offering every in our church history. You can bring school supplies and food items any day and/or any Sunday. Our commitment is that no one on James Island goes to bed hungry unless we don’t know about it. This offering will go a long way in helping the under-served.

See you this Sunday, expressing gratitude to our teachers.

Pastor Tom

HOW COULD IT HAVE BEEN BETTER?

The “Celebration of Jesus: Month of Mission” could not have started off any better! Frankie and our praise team did a great job in leading our worship. We baptized five precious souls Sunday morning: four teenagers and one adult (by the way, you saw your offerings that support Student Ministry and Student Camps bear fruit). Then we baptized two more adults at Celebrate Recovery. And we began a great series on the Queen of Epistles, Ephesians. The stage is getting filled with food donations to James Island Outreach and School supplies for children in need! And to top it all off, we did have the highest attendance in worship that we have had all summer. The only thing that could have made it any better is if our church family that was not present could have been. Then we would have that many more praising His Name and enjoying fellowship. To God be the glory.

THIS SUNDAY IS A THROWDOWN OF EPIC PROPORTIONS…OK, KIND OF. This Sunday after worship, everyone is invited to “drop-in” to welcome Scott and Lori to the JIBC family. To help you attend, you will be able to sample some of the best Mac-N-Cheese offered anywhere on James Island. We have some of our best cooks…and at least one not any kind of cook (me)…who will be presenting their favorite version of my favorite food…Mac-N-Cheese. You will be invited to sample any three “anonymous” selections and vote for your favorite. After everyone that wants a sample has had a sample, then enjoy all you like! All I can say is I have two sleeves and I have something up both of them for this competition.

I chose to reschedule observing the Lord’s Supper until this Sunday, August 11. Last Sunday was filled to the brim with celebration and I did not want Communion to be rushed or lie an after thought. So this Sunday, we will join together in remembering our Lord’s gift to us all.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND FOOD ITEMS. If you are buying school supplies for our area students and food for James Island Outreach, you may bring them any time during the week (Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 4:30) or any Sunday. I have it in my mind that we could redeem a traditionally low attended month in church life and make it a celebration of mission in Jesus’ Name. Could we make the largest one time food offering in JIBC history? I think we can. We are off to a great start. If you would like to give but not shop, just let us know. We have professional shoppers ready to hunt down the best bargains in town.

What a great day we had in the Lord. Blessings all mine and 10,000 beside, great is God’s faithfulness.

Pastor Tom

CELEBRATING JESUS: A MONTH OF MISSIONS

Usually around Christmas time, I hear the question “Why can’t we be this charitable all year long?” I smile to myself and give thanks for what God is doing in the JIBC family. All year long, reaching out, blessing others, finding a way to pay it forward and share God’s goodness. So, in August, traditionally the hardest month on our church calendar, we take on a “Month of Missions”. We are trying to do several things that reflect our values and help carry out God’s mission to our community.

First, we are aiming for a High Attendance Sunday for August 4. Really? August, high attendance? Why not? We are also planning to have several baptisms to celebrate…Amen? We will observe the Lord’s Supper and start a new teaching series on the Book of Ephesians. And we will welcome Scott and Lori to the JIBC family…Hallelujah! BTW, we will also have a baptism at Celebrate Recovery. How about that!

Second, we will throw down on some good old fashion fellowship and fun. Stay after the worship service and participate, yes, even salivate, over the JIBC Mac-N-Cheese Bake Off. Ten cooks, ten offerings one champion. You will vote and a champion will be crowned. And…you can come by and visit with Scott and Lori.

On Sunday, August 18 we will be making life a little easier for some families as we “Stuff a Book Bag and Bless a Kid”. You can bring the items requested (see below) any week or every week. Susan is working with school officials to make sure we bless those in need! In addition, on this Sunday, you will get to hear Scott Blasingame’s story.

And then to stretch our faith, I am asking us to attempt giving the largest one time food offering in JIBC history. Hunger does not take August off. We made a commitment years ago that no one on James Island goes to bed hungry unless we don’t know about it. Here is a deal you can’t refuse: if you want to give but cannot go shopping, just let us know. We have professional shoppers who will make sure they get the most bang for your buck! You can being food items any Sunday between now and Sunday, August 25.

Point of clarity: You can buy any kind of food item. The list below is just a sample of things they need. But you could buy 10 bottle of Apple Juice or 20 cans of Green beans. You DO NOT have to buy one of everything on the list. The same is true for school supplies. You could buy 100 pencils or 20 erasers. You do not have to buy one of each thing. Janie and I bought those things just for the purpose of illustrating what to buy. Again, if you want to give but cannot go shopping, we have professional, highly trained bargain hunters who will find the best deals in town for you.

A Month of Mission to Celebrate Jesus. To God be the Gory. Why yes, we can have the giving spirit of Christmas all year long!

Pastor Tom 

Sample List of School Supplies for 

a First Grade Student 

12 #2 pencils 

1 box of crayons (24/pkg) 

2 glue sticks 

1 box of tissues 

1 pink eraser 

1 package washable markers (8/pkg) 

1 pair of Fiskar blunt tip scissors

1 pencil case

2 wide ruled spiral bound notebooks

3 pocket folders

12 pencil crayons

Food Items for James island Outreach 

Jelly 

Canned Peas 

Canned Green Beans – NO SALT ADDED 

2 lb bag White Rice 

Jiffy Cornbread Mix 

Ramen Noodles 

Saltine Crackers 

Apple Juice 

Lima Beans – Canned or Dry