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Emory Baptist Church eNewsletter
Pastor's Pen
Bro. Richard Piles, Pastor
This month, I want to say “thank you” to several groups of people in our church that have been invaluable during this interim period.
I want to say thank you to all of our faithful and generous financial givers. Our final giving for April not only exceeded our expectations but also our requirements.
While some churches are having to make difficult decisions about personnel or ministry budgets, we will not at this time. God bless you, and thank you!
I want to say thank you to our Budget and Finance Committee who have kept a very watchful eye on our income and expenses during this time. They have been faithful to protect and plan for our future in addition to their weekly duties of counting money and signing checks.
I want to say thank you to our Building and Grounds Committee for all they have done with our Elevator Renovation, our Sound Booth Expansion, and the clearing of the Wright Property. In addition, they have had additional help from multiple volunteers in and associated with our church.
I want to say thank you to all who have helped us in making our Sunday morning livestream possible. This includes our staff, accompanists, and audio/video volunteers.
Finally, I want to say thank you to our Deacons for their wisdom, guidance, and counsel. God bless you, and remember…this too shall pass.
Choir Corner with Chris
Bro. Chris Henderson, Minister of Music and Senior Adults
I am extremely grateful for the gift that we have in technology that allows us to meet together virtually. It has presented a handful of challenges to both Bro. Ronnie and me, but the roadblocks we have endured and conquered have all been worth it to be able to serve you the past 6 Sundays.
If you aren’t aware, Richard, Ronnie, and I are all providing weekly opportunities to learn and worship together virtually on Facebook Live, YouTube, and our church website. Sunday mornings at 10:30, you can tune into our normal Lord’s Day worship service through either Facebook Live or on Emorybaptist.org. Bro. Ronnie also posts the current week’s Sunday School lesson, so be sure to check that out. During the month of May, Bro. Richard will begin sharing daily devotions from John chapters 15, 16, and 17. On Wednesday mornings, Richard hosts a weekly men’s reading group on Zoom with the book I Am A Church Member. Copies are available in the church office. I also lead worship in music from my home every Wednesday night at 6:15 and that is accessible through my Facebook page, the church’s Facebook page, and the church website.
Again, as much as I miss you all, I’m glad for the ability to stay connected to you through the gift of technology. Please continue to be safe and remember to wash your hands!
Click below to access:
Student Ministry Spot
Ronnie Witt, Minister of Youth & Education
It is a little weird to be the last house on the block. And I have line of sight access from three roads and the alley that surround my house. I told my boys that we now have a front yard that faces each direction. Our corner lot has become an island.
As I watched everyone working so hard to clear the land, I had mixed emotions. When we moved into the house, I cleared a bunch of underbrush between Mrs. Rice’s house and the parsonage. It allowed a little breeze to blow in the back yard and Mrs. Rice said she liked watching through her window to see my kids play in our yard. Looking at the cleared lots gave me pause. But, it also reminded me of the good things that are coming. There are good reasons for making the changes and progress that we have made.
This all reminded me of the present time of social distancing. Many of the plans we’ve made have been cleared from the schedule. There has been a time of adjustment and evaluation about what matters and what we truly value going forward. And now, we have opportunity to think wisely about the things we will put back in our schedules when it is time to move forward.
We are looking for new options for summer camp because the SBTC announced that the camp we were planning to attend has been cancelled. We are looking for alternative plans for this summer. However, we found out on April 30th, so we have not had time to make alternative plans. We’ll let you know new plans as soon as we have them.
Looking forward to the rest of the summer, we will be attempting new methods and means of ministry as we have opportunity. And I hope that you will be involved as we move forward.
Sonbeam Day School Update
Laura Bullock, Director
End of the year…
This has been a challenging time for us. There are still so many unknowns about what the future holds. We look forward to planning for next school year, and continuing this ministry that has reached so many students and families.
This month we would normally be overwhelmed and overjoyed about all the busy life events that would be taking place right now. I’m sure the Rains HS Softball girls were destined to make another trip to state. We’d have HS graduation as well as Sonbeam’s PreK-4s class graduation. Our students would be making plans to attend Kindergarten next school year.
Something that is particularly joyous about this month is that we’d be celebrating our first set of Sonbeam Day School Graduates! It is my understanding that this year’s High School Seniors are the first group of students to graduate from Sonbeam. We celebrate the Senior Class of 2020!
Congrats Seniors!!!
Nursery Rhymes
Dena Westmoreland, Preschool Ministry Coordinator
Hello from the Preschool Department. To say April was a different month is putting it lightly. It has been a trying time for everyone. As we begin May, I pray we see the light at the end of the tunnel. This common phrase reminds me that God is the Light of the world and He has all things under His control. He IS our light at the end of this tunnel. John 8:12 says, “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.’” This verse motivates me to be a light in the lives of our preschoolers, to let my light shine. I hope it will motivate us all to be a light to them.
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to all the Mothers in our EBC family and especially the MOMs of our little ones. Thank you for sharing your kids with us and trusting us to care for them and teach them about Jesus and His love.
We are still in need of paid childcare workers on Sunday and Wednesday evenings. Please keep this need in your prayers.
The Preschool Department sends our Love and Prayers to each of you. We Love You!