IT’S NOT TOO LATE!

I am thankful it is not too late to do last minute shopping.  I still have a few stocking stuffers I need to pick up.  I am grateful for the opportunity to rest and relax and think about the time and reason for the season.  I really do not mind all the extra hustle and bustle.  After all, we are celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus.  Think of the effort we put into our family birthdays.  To me it is worth the extra effort.

I also love the fact that at Christmas time more people focus on giving and helping others.  I am convinced that we are doing this all through out the year.  It is just more people getting involved at Christmas time.  I know small groups and Adult Bible Study classes that help feed the poor all year long; help single moms all year long; give to mission efforts all year long; visit the sick all year long.  They are not doing that just at Christmas time.  It just seems that way because additional people get involved.  The more the merrier…literally.  Try to avoid being a hater of Christmas time festivities and celebrations.  It is always the right time to do a good thing.  People who need help all year long particularly need help at this time of the year.  Who knows, some who are plugging in because it is Christmas season may actually like it and become year round celebrators of God’s love.  Now wouldn’t that be wonderful?  You will never hear me say a negative put down about the people who only come to worship on the special occasions.  My goodness, that is what we pray for, work for, train for.  What a wonderful opportunity to show the love of God.

It is also not too late to make a year end giving gift.  If you have not considered a gift to the International Missions Christmas Offering (Lottie Moon Christmas as some know it), then it is not too late.  You really get a lot for your gift.  Every penny of every dollar goes to the missionaries.  Not one cent is kept out for advertising or administration cost.  That almost never happens in fund raising.

You also may have a special area in the church you would like to bless.  If you want to make a difference in reaching young people, consider a gift to the Youth/Children/Preschool ministries.  If you would like to make a difference in recovery ministries consider Celebrate Recovery or the Transition House.  I am humbled to think we now have one of the best run and effective Celebrate Recovery Ministries in the Charleston area.  It really is a model for how to operate a Christ centered 12 Step program.  And of course, you could always make a gift to the church budget.  We will end the year short of our projected need of tithes and offerings.  We did implement a 6% cut in our 2012 budget.  We really do believe the Lord will provide.  He always has.

I hope I will see you at this years Christmas Eve Worship or maybe on Christmas Day.  If not, I look forward, Lord willing, to seeing you in the New Year.

What a great God, what a great church family!

Love you all,

Pastor Tom

Down to the Wire

We have set the date of Monday, January 2 as the opening of the Transition House/180 Ministry.  We are now in the final stage of putting in order all the items that have been donated over the last year.  And it is a lot, thank you Jesus.

Here is the biggest need at the moment.  We need 5 teams with two or three people on each team to “adopt” one of the bed rooms/bathrooms and get it ready to live in.  We think each room has all it needs but really, we do not know.  There is sooooo much stuff that it is a little overwhelming.  If each team of  2 or 3 would go in, arrange, fluff up, make a final inventory of what is needed, that would be fantastic.  Our goal is to have absolutely everything ready by Christmas day.

This could easily be a family project, a Sunday School Class project, a civic group, just about anyone.  You would be working with Marsha Cline, the director of the Transition House.  We will try to have an open house on New Years Day for the Church family and community.  Please keep this in your prayers.  The need for a transition house was identified by Charleston Outreach and other Community services as a number one priority need in our community.  JIBC will be the “experiment model” for how this ministry can be done.  It feels like a God thing to me.  It is far too big, we have no funding to speak of, while the need is great.  If God does not show up, it will not work.  I believe it will work, lives will be changed, and this ministry will bring Him glory.  One of my favorite stories is David and Goliath.  David’s brothers warned him that Goliath was too big to hit.  David assured them that Goliath was too big to miss with God’s help.  He then picked up the stone and killed the giant.  Jesus is our stone, our rock.  The needs of these women are too big not to make some kind of difference.  I don’t know of many other churches I would trust as much as JIBC to be given the assignment of helping hurting people recover.  I love the big ones!

See you Sunday, Pastor Tom

CELEBRATING THE ADVENT SEASON

The word advent comes from the Latin word “adventus” which means coming.  The Advent season usually begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas.  The purpose of observing the advent season is very similar to the reason we have the “Fall Festival.”  We do not celebrate Halloween.  Instead, we actually go head to head with it to provide a positive alternative and to reach out to the community.  Think of the Advent Season as our effort to go head to head with the commercialization of the Christmas Season.  It is so easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of Christmas and lose the wonder of the event, the Reason for the Season, so through a series of messages from God’s Word, select readings about the prophecy of Christ’s Coming (his advent), the visual of lighting a candle to represent Jesus as the Light of the World, and the singing of beautiful hymns and songs, we celebrate the Advent Season.

Someone once asked me if celebrating Advent was a Catholic observance and if it was somehow connected to paganism and idolatry?  That is an interesting question.  The Church of Jesus Christ has been observing and celebrating the birth of our Lord from the very early days of Christianity. We have records of the first celebration of the Nativity from A.D. 386.  It is very probable that followers of Jesus celebrated his coming before that date.  The celebration of Advent can be traced easily back to the 4^th Century.  That is almost 1, 500 years of history.  Of course, over the years, a simple celebration became more and more elaborate as the Church tried to honor Christ is more glorious and majestic ways.  The desire to honor Him was good even if the excess went to far at times.

We Baptist come from a long line of Protestant history.  The very word protestant symbolizes our willingness to protest, to be protestants, about traditions that substitute anything for true faith and the Word of God.  But even our leader of the protestant reformation, Martin Luther, loved the Christmas season and seemed to revel in the opportunity to build anticipation concerning the Christmas day celebration.  He did this by teaching a series of Advent sermons.

So we join the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ, who for at least 1,500 years, have sought ways to exalt our Risen Savior, give honor and submission to the Word of God, and lead the people to experience Him through the use of various media.  Don’t let the over commercialization of Christmas rob you and your family from the joy of anticipating the Yahweh God, lifting up His Son and our Savior Jesus Christ, honoring the Bible as the written Word of God using a rich variety of godly traditions.

See you this Sunday, the Second Sunday of Advent.

Pastor Tom

Movin’ In-Movin’Out

When was the last time you had to move your family and all your belongings?  For some, it is very recent, for others, it has been a while.  We have two families right in the middle of such moves.

On the moving in side:  We say hello to Dave and Lauren with their two boys.  They moved from Orlando to James Island.  By the way, they were very good about doing a self move and not incurring the expense of having to use professional movers.  Our thanks to the Johnsons and the many volunteers on the Orlando side that helped pack them and the volunteers on the James Island side that helped unpack.  We laughed this morning as Dave was saying he is still looking for and trying to find things he needs.  In the office we are trying to give Dave the extra time he needs to get his family settled, get his home in order, get used to the new environment, make sure the boys are adjusting, etc.  Moving can be stressful.  He comes on board at JIBC at a very busy time of the year.  He also comes to a worship and music ministry very different from the church he served in Orlando, and that means more adjusting.  So, that is the long way to ask that you keep Dave in your prayers, be gracious and understanding, and look for God’s blessings.   I am already loving his heart.

On the moving out side:  We say goodbye to Rhodes and Jess Roberts and family.  They are leaving us to serve full time in Vapor Sports Ministry located in Alabama.  They will serve in a support role operating a thrift store helping to support this ministry.  This sports ministry uses soccer as a platform to enter third world impoverished countries helping to provide sustainable resources and discipleship.  Wow.  I am hoping for the day when all those who play soccer at JIBC will be able to partner with Vapor on a mission trip.  Rhodes and Jess were a vital part of a small group that met weekly.  Jess in particular grew significantly from her time with her small group.  What a joy to send them out.  We will miss them greatly even as we rejoice in what God is doing through them.

By the way, do you realize we have JIBC family now serving in Asia, South Africa, Nepal, New Orleans/Tennessee and now that foreign land known as Alabama.  To God be the glory.

See you Sunday, good Lord willing,

Pastor Tom

Our Busy Growing Branches

Welcome Dave Johnson

This past Sunday was Dave’s first official Sunday with us as a full time staff member.  They are still unpacking bags and boxes and getting settled in.  I haven’t had to move in quite a few years, so it is easy to forget what a big deal it is to move a family and all your belongings.  I mention this to remind us to “take it easy” on Dave and his family for a week or so.  Let them get moved in and adjusted, get the boxes unpacked, clothes put away, kids in new schools, curtains hung, etc.  Whew, it makes me tired thinking about it…I am soooo glad I am not the one having to do it.  We are very glad the Johnson family has joined the JIBC family.  Welcome to the Island Life!

Thanks to Fred Hudson

I said it Sunday, but I want to say it again, “Thank you, Fred.”  We brought Fred on to be our keyboard player and sound technician.  He ended up being the interim worship leader.  I am more than grateful for Fred, which is why we recruited him in the first place.  Multi-talented, more than capable and willing to serve where needed, he plays for both Sunday services, the Sunday rehearsal, the Wednesday night services, the Celebrate Recovery service on Sunday night, funerals and weddings.  What a great addition to our staff.

Fall Festival

This next Monday is one of the largest outreach events of the year for our JIBC family.  It gives us the opportunity to reach out to our community through providing a family friendly, safe alternative to Halloween.  We do not use the traditional “Halloween” decorations in the ministries of our church family or in this festival.  We will use themes around “fall” and “harvest” that emphasize the blessings of God and the beauty of His creation. 

Pray for this event.  Pray for spiritual protection and insight during this particular time of the season.  Lift up to God those who will be leading and serving. Ask for their peace, patience, and an increase in their energy levels.  Pray for those who attend to be aware of the Spirit of God and the love of God in His people.  Pray for safety as hundreds of people come onto the church campus and participate in the variety of events.   It is harvest time, pray that there will be a spiritual harvest.  Come and have fun, share some laughs, and meet some new families.  It will be a great time.

See you Sunday, good Lord willing,

Pastor Tom

MEET AND GREET FOR THE JOHNSONS

          MEET AND GREET By the time you get this Messenger the Johnsons should be in their new home here on James Island.  We are very excited to have Dave, Lauren and their two boys as a part of the JIBC family and the Charleston community.  We hope to have many opportunities to have times of fellowship with them.  This Sunday we want to have a brief meet and greet, so we are providing coffee, juice and donuts in the fellowship hall from 9:30 until 10:00.  That will still give our adult Bible Study classes time to meet.  It will also give Dave the time he needs to rehearse with the praise team.  Drop by any time from 9:30 to 10:00 Sunday morning to say “hello,”  then head on to your Adult Bible Study class.  What a great way to start the morning.

Just in case you can not make this Sunday’s meet and greet, we will also make sure we have Dave and Lauren available on Wednesday nights.  This will give them even more opportunity  to visit with the church family.  We want you to have multiple opportunities to meet them and spend some time with them.  You have already made them feel welcome.  Now, let’s get to know them and let them get to know more of our church family and community.  You will love them, and they will certainly love the JIBC family.

By the way, make sure you take a moment to say a big “thank-you” to Fred Hudson who has done a great job leading our worship.  I can tell you that when Fred was leading, I had every confidence the job would be done.  He has been a blessing to me and to our church family.  You can see why we went out to recruit his services and partnership.

See you Sunday, good Lord willing,

Pastor Tom

Meet the Johnsons

David and Lauren Johnson are finishing up their last days living in Orlando Florida.  The plans right now are for them to actually be packing on Monday, October 17 and arrive in Charleston a day or two later.  They will be renting and living here on James Island.

David grew up in Orlando where he and his family attended Orlando First Baptist pastored by Dr. Jim Henry.  Dr. Henry has served as the President of the Southern Baptist Convention, Florida Baptist Convention, and the Orlando Baptist Convention.  It is the church where Janie and I worship when we vacation in Orlando.  He grew up in the youth group there and served in the youth group.  He later served as the youth worship leader at a sister church, First Baptist Church, St Cloud under Pastor Chan.  He also led the contemporary worship at the Carillon United Methodist Church in Orlando.  He has led in other area churches as well.  He joined his former Pastor, Chan in a new start church called Crosspointe.  This is the same church where Brent and Jess were serving when we found them and called them to JIBC.  Dave has worked for Campus Crusade in their mail room for several years.  This has afforded him opportunities to lead worship for The Campus Crusade Day of Prayer where he led over 1,000 in worship and prayer.

Dave has served at Crosspointe Church in Orlando as a member of their praise team for years.  He has served faithfully in that church family as an assistant worship leader, then as an interim worship leader and as an intern.  This has given him a great depth of training and preparation for his calling to JIBC.

Their church at Crosspointe is a church of small groups, so he has been involved first hand in participating in small group life.  He has also been mentored by their small group connections elder.  We anxiously look forward to this being a growth area for Dave as well as JIBC.  We will learn about connection and small group ministry together.  In this area, he is coming to partner with us in a new area of ministry.  We do not have a model for him to follow.  We will grow this ministry together with him.

Dave and Lauren have been married since 2000.  They have two young sons, Caleb and Jonah.   Many of our church folks have already met Lauren and fallen in love with her.  She has an outgoing personality and acts like she never meets a stranger.

To God be the glory.  Thank you for your prayers and support during this time of searching. He will be here to lead in his first official worship service on Sunday, October 23.  Keep your eyes open for a time of meet and greet with Dave and Lauren.

See you Sunday, good Lord willing,

Pastor Tom