This Sunday, September 29 is Rosh Hoshanah. It is the Feast of the Trumpets you read about in Leviticus 23. In some ways it is like the Jewish New Year. We will be building our entire worship service around this call to a solemn assembly. It will be a time of prayer and celebration, a time of reflection and confession. This year, our Worship Pastor, David Martin will be blowing the Shofar. He plays the trumpet and has his own shofar…so it will be quite different from the time I blew the shofar! We will also be observing the Lord’s Supper this Sunday. Plan to join us and plan to invite someone. It will be a great worship service.
ELEVATOR DEDICATION AND CELEBRATION. On Sunday, October 6, we will have our Elevator Dedication and Celebration. You will want to be present as we share the names that have been suggested for naming the elevator! Some of them are so cute…others are…well, others are interesting. We will also be displaying the contents of the time capsule that was discovered in the wall when we were having the elevator installed!
Now, a couple of things about the elevator you might need to know. It is a limited use elevator. It is not the same kind of elevator you take to the top of the Empire State Building or at the local hospital. So, if you need to travel at super-sonic speed, this is not the elevator for you. It takes 30 seconds for this elevator to go from one floor to the next. In our world of instant everything, 30 seconds seems like forever. It is not…it is 30 seconds. Second, there is a switch that signals that the elevator is going up or going down. It makes a very low, sound about 10 seconds into the ride. It is supposed to sound like that. Then there is the sound of the motor. It is a very light humming sound. Again, normal and understandable. This is not a commercial elevator. It is much smaller and so you can hear the motor noise and the switch. All that being said, go ahead and hop on board! It should be a blessing to anyone needing help going up and down stairs.
See you Sunday, good Lord willing!
Pastor Tom
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Thursday, September 19, 2019
Elevator Dedication
There are two events coming up that I am very excited about. The first one…any guesses? If you guessed the opening and dedication of the elevator you would be correct. The elevator is in and, as far as we know and have experienced, it is in fine working order. I rode up Sunday night with Phyllis Croft, Wanda Browder, Betsy Helander and Mary Braxton. Hallelujah. So, it will be open this Sunday. Now, if all goes well, we are planning to have the Elevator Dedication Service on Sunday, October 6. That gives us a few weeks to take care of the finishing touches.
At that service, we will do three other exciting things. First, we will reveal all the Elevator names that have been submitted and will share the grand prize winner! Second, we will reveal the contents of the “time capsule” that had to be relocated in order to install the elevator. No one, as of this writing, has seen inside the time capsule. I do plan on having a meeting with some of our leaders for a sneak preview! Third, we will be taking suggestions on what to put into the new time capsule that will go into the new niche being made. Put those thinking caps on! What would you leave for future JIBC families to see and know about 2019 JIBC?
By the way, as the good Lord has blessed, would you consider making a special thanksgiving offering to Daring Faith: Renovation Believers and Buildings? The elevator took longer than anticipated, but it was one of the main features of Daring Faith. It is a great example of daring faith in this way: Some, not all, of the people who need the elevator the most might be unable to make significant offerings to help pay for such a ministry. Some of the sweet old saints that asked for an elevator so many years ago, had no idea that it would cost $125.00 a month for the security and safety features of the elevator. It really is an act of daring faith to give to a mission and ministry that hopefully, we will never have to use, but one that so many absolutely need. We have many people who have never been upstairs simply because they cannot handle stairs. Others have been temporarily kept from upstairs classes and ministries because of surgeries or injuries. Now, they have options!
That being said, as our Father has blessed and you are able to make a “thanksgiving offering” this would be a good time to do so. So far, we have been able to pay for all parts of the Daring Faith Renovations without borrowing money or paying any interest. That is always a good thing. Janie and I will have our offering ready on October 6. Thank you, Jesus.
See you this Sunday as we continue going through the Book of Ephesians!
Pastor Tom
At that service, we will do three other exciting things. First, we will reveal all the Elevator names that have been submitted and will share the grand prize winner! Second, we will reveal the contents of the “time capsule” that had to be relocated in order to install the elevator. No one, as of this writing, has seen inside the time capsule. I do plan on having a meeting with some of our leaders for a sneak preview! Third, we will be taking suggestions on what to put into the new time capsule that will go into the new niche being made. Put those thinking caps on! What would you leave for future JIBC families to see and know about 2019 JIBC?
By the way, as the good Lord has blessed, would you consider making a special thanksgiving offering to Daring Faith: Renovation Believers and Buildings? The elevator took longer than anticipated, but it was one of the main features of Daring Faith. It is a great example of daring faith in this way: Some, not all, of the people who need the elevator the most might be unable to make significant offerings to help pay for such a ministry. Some of the sweet old saints that asked for an elevator so many years ago, had no idea that it would cost $125.00 a month for the security and safety features of the elevator. It really is an act of daring faith to give to a mission and ministry that hopefully, we will never have to use, but one that so many absolutely need. We have many people who have never been upstairs simply because they cannot handle stairs. Others have been temporarily kept from upstairs classes and ministries because of surgeries or injuries. Now, they have options!
That being said, as our Father has blessed and you are able to make a “thanksgiving offering” this would be a good time to do so. So far, we have been able to pay for all parts of the Daring Faith Renovations without borrowing money or paying any interest. That is always a good thing. Janie and I will have our offering ready on October 6. Thank you, Jesus.
See you this Sunday as we continue going through the Book of Ephesians!
Pastor Tom
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
IS IT JUST A RUMOR?
The Elevator, the long awaited Elevator is in! Somebody say “Hallelujah!”. Now, it is not quite ready and fully operational, but it is installed. We are working as hard as we can to coordinate a time for a dedication and celebration. There are still a few little items to be adjusted and addressed. But the wonderful reality is that the Elevator is installed! We will have a ribbon cutting and dedication as soon as we get the all clear signal and all the little details have been arranged. Thank you to all who made this possible. To God be the glory.
Let me share a little back story about the Elevator. It seems like such a long time ago we all participated in “Daring Faith: Renovating Believers and Renovating Buildings”. For 8 weeks we talked about, studied about and read what God’s Word said about faith. Our goal was to build believers who would walk by faith, act in faith and live by faith. The last four weeks of Daring Faith we talked about “Renovating Buildings” and how our Great God would pay for it. In that period of time our JIBC family and friends committed to giving over $600,000 toward the renovation mission. It is as if the Good Lord knew we would have cost overruns and unplanned additions to the renovation plans. With the elevator being completed, we are down to the home stretch. We only have the renovation of the two main hall restrooms and paying off the remaining debt. What a wonderful testimony to the goodness of God and the generosity of His people.
Now, could I make a bold request. Would you and your family talk about joining our Staff and Leadership Team in making a thanksgiving offering to celebrate the completion of the Elevator? Such a gift could be a onetime Thanksgiving Offering or a weekly or monthly gift. It may be that you were going to give a gift at some later time to Daring Faith. It would really help if you were able to give a gift sooner rather than later. Whenever possible, we are trying to pay as we go and not borrow any money from the bank. So far, so good! The Elevator and the new entrance will cost over $100,000 when all said and done. It will cost around $110 per month for monitoring the Elevator. So any gift would be very helpful and greatly appreciated.
I was really hoping we could make the Elevator Celebration/Dedication on Sunday, September 15. That will be the exact date of my 34th Anniversary with JIBC. I could not think of a better way to celebrate God’s goodness than to give a thanksgiving offering for the Elevator. A gift with a lift for years to come. I like the ring of that!
Pastor Tom
Let me share a little back story about the Elevator. It seems like such a long time ago we all participated in “Daring Faith: Renovating Believers and Renovating Buildings”. For 8 weeks we talked about, studied about and read what God’s Word said about faith. Our goal was to build believers who would walk by faith, act in faith and live by faith. The last four weeks of Daring Faith we talked about “Renovating Buildings” and how our Great God would pay for it. In that period of time our JIBC family and friends committed to giving over $600,000 toward the renovation mission. It is as if the Good Lord knew we would have cost overruns and unplanned additions to the renovation plans. With the elevator being completed, we are down to the home stretch. We only have the renovation of the two main hall restrooms and paying off the remaining debt. What a wonderful testimony to the goodness of God and the generosity of His people.
Now, could I make a bold request. Would you and your family talk about joining our Staff and Leadership Team in making a thanksgiving offering to celebrate the completion of the Elevator? Such a gift could be a onetime Thanksgiving Offering or a weekly or monthly gift. It may be that you were going to give a gift at some later time to Daring Faith. It would really help if you were able to give a gift sooner rather than later. Whenever possible, we are trying to pay as we go and not borrow any money from the bank. So far, so good! The Elevator and the new entrance will cost over $100,000 when all said and done. It will cost around $110 per month for monitoring the Elevator. So any gift would be very helpful and greatly appreciated.
I was really hoping we could make the Elevator Celebration/Dedication on Sunday, September 15. That will be the exact date of my 34th Anniversary with JIBC. I could not think of a better way to celebrate God’s goodness than to give a thanksgiving offering for the Elevator. A gift with a lift for years to come. I like the ring of that!
Pastor Tom
GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME AND ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD
NEED A LIFT? As I type this article, can you guess the sound I am hearing? Here is a hint: it has been over a year in coming. That is right, the elevator. I hear the elevator work crew as they are testing to make sure all systems are go! Whoohoo. This thing is happening and it is happening now. I mean really, this past Sunday, they had the elevator doors on. We are planning for the dedication and celebration. We will let you know as soon as we have a solid date. Oh, what a glorious day!
GOD DOMINATED THE MONTH OF AUGUST! My grandson said “If my dad was here, he would dominate this treadmill!” Our Father in Heaven dominated a month that many church leaders see as a throw away month. I do understand that for some, August is a month to rest, slow down and prepare for the momentum of Fall. Thank you JIBC for responding with such great generosity. You will, by far, have given the largest one time food offering in JIBC history. I cannot wait to hear the final weight count of the massive amounts of food you donated. Hunger does not take a break in August. You dominated that challenge!
SCHOOL SUPPLIES ANYONE? I had originally thought JIBC could give maybe 30 backpacks stuffed with school supplies to help families in need. I was thinking maybe one whole class rooms of kids could be our goal. You dominated the school supplies! When it is all said and done, I think we will have over 100 school bags full of blessings for kids in need. Church wide, preschool, children, youth, adults, Senior adults, homebound…you all gave and dominated the school supplies!
Attendance, giving, worship all were up during what is traditionally one of the lowest attended months of the year. D.O.M.I.N.A.T.E.D.
HERE IS THE CHERRY ON TOP. In addition to the awesome response to helping those in need, our Father in Heaven has supplies us with our Temporary Part-Time Worship Leader. Pastor David Martin began last Sunday night at Celebrate Recovery and led in an incredible worship experience. He met with us for his first staff meeting this past Monday and September 1 will be his first Sunday morning with our JIBC family. I am thrilled beyond words. You will love David and I know he already loves the reception and experience he has received.
My deepest heartfelt thanks to Frankie Gilmore, our Student Pastor, for leading worship during the month of August. He did a great job and is helping David get situated to JIBC. Frankie, thanks again for your servant heart and capable leadership. By the way, listen to this. While we were enjoying the ministry of David, our new worship leader at JIBC Celebrate Recovery, Marty Clark was performing at a Sunday afternoon Live Oak Concert with Audra and Emily Rheaume. How great to see God at work. Win, win, win…our Father dominated again.
GOD DOMINATED THE MONTH OF AUGUST! My grandson said “If my dad was here, he would dominate this treadmill!” Our Father in Heaven dominated a month that many church leaders see as a throw away month. I do understand that for some, August is a month to rest, slow down and prepare for the momentum of Fall. Thank you JIBC for responding with such great generosity. You will, by far, have given the largest one time food offering in JIBC history. I cannot wait to hear the final weight count of the massive amounts of food you donated. Hunger does not take a break in August. You dominated that challenge!
SCHOOL SUPPLIES ANYONE? I had originally thought JIBC could give maybe 30 backpacks stuffed with school supplies to help families in need. I was thinking maybe one whole class rooms of kids could be our goal. You dominated the school supplies! When it is all said and done, I think we will have over 100 school bags full of blessings for kids in need. Church wide, preschool, children, youth, adults, Senior adults, homebound…you all gave and dominated the school supplies!
Attendance, giving, worship all were up during what is traditionally one of the lowest attended months of the year. D.O.M.I.N.A.T.E.D.
HERE IS THE CHERRY ON TOP. In addition to the awesome response to helping those in need, our Father in Heaven has supplies us with our Temporary Part-Time Worship Leader. Pastor David Martin began last Sunday night at Celebrate Recovery and led in an incredible worship experience. He met with us for his first staff meeting this past Monday and September 1 will be his first Sunday morning with our JIBC family. I am thrilled beyond words. You will love David and I know he already loves the reception and experience he has received.
My deepest heartfelt thanks to Frankie Gilmore, our Student Pastor, for leading worship during the month of August. He did a great job and is helping David get situated to JIBC. Frankie, thanks again for your servant heart and capable leadership. By the way, listen to this. While we were enjoying the ministry of David, our new worship leader at JIBC Celebrate Recovery, Marty Clark was performing at a Sunday afternoon Live Oak Concert with Audra and Emily Rheaume. How great to see God at work. Win, win, win…our Father dominated again.
See you Sunday, good Lord willing!
Pastor Tom
Pastor Tom
Wednesday, August 14, 2019
NOT A BAD WAY TO REDEEM AUGUST
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
Thursday, August 8, 2019
HOW COULD IT HAVE BEEN BETTER?
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
Friday, August 2, 2019
CELEBRATING JESUS: A MONTH OF MISSIONS
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)