Alabama Update October 2014

ALABAMA

UPDATE THE CHURCH OF GOD OF PROPHECY

OCTOBER 2014

Lifting Up God’s servants as they: Love neighbors through doing life with other Jesus followers

Lifting Up God’s servants as they: Lovingly witness through imparting their very lives and the gospel

John 13:34–35; 2 Timothy 2:2

1 Thessalonians 2:7–8; Acts 4:13

Provide appropriate time off and finances for conventions, seminars, conferences, and continuing education—separate from vacations.

Encourage and support involvement in men’s and women’s activities—without pressure to “lead” them.

Encourage and support participation in a community- wide minister’s covenant group where peer encourage- ment and accountability are available.

Encourage your pastor’s wife to establish friendships both in the church and in the broader Kingdom community.

Invite your minister along on fun outings—fishing, hunting, sailing, or golf. Don’t talk about church, just relax.

Invite your pastor or pastor’s wife out for lunch—not to talk church—but to relate.

Allow for and support reasonable time away to serve other churches, previous ministries, or kingdom initiatives.

Invite your ministry couple or family to enjoy a favorite vacation spot, community celebration, or sporting event.

Initiate caring involvement when your ministry family faces life-challenges, like sickness or death. Celebrate with them in joys of life—new baby, graduations, weddings, etc.

Encourage your ministry leaders to find their own mentors in the faith. Support your leaders as they disciple others both inside and outside your church.

Encourage your pastor’s involvement in activities, hobbies, sports, and events which provide opportunities for outreach.

Celebrate and affirm your minister when he shares the gospel in the traffic patterns of life.

Support and encourage your ministry family’s involvement in their neighborhood and community as they do life with unchurched people.

Celebrate and affirm ministry family involvement in Kingdom works of compassion and justice.

Initiate strategies which connect ministers with the marketplace as Kingdom principles are applied to work, business, school, and community.

Celebrate and affirm whole-life discipleship where the Good News is lived and shared as a part of the pastor’s identity, not merely a job on Sunday.

Affirm the Concentric Circles of Discipleship as ministers disciple their own families, mentor others, reach, and disciple the unchurched.

Encourage and celebrate a lifestyle of prayer for the unreached—through prayer lists, prayer walks, and prayer gatherings.

Encourage and celebrate a lifestyle of caring for the unreached—through compassion and love as one who “has been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).

Encourage and celebrate a lifestyle of sharing with the unreached—through listening to their story, sharing our story, and imparting His story.

visit GreatCommandment.net for more information on

Lifting Up God’s Servants

Pastor Appreciation When Moses’ hands grew tired…Aaron and Hur held his hands up.

Exodus 17:12

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WAYS TO BLESS YOUR PASTOR Lifting Up God’s servants as they Love the Lord Love their spouse Love their children and family Love neighbors through doing life with other Jesus followers Lovingly witness through imparting their very lives and the gospel

Lifting Up God’s servants as they: Love the Lord

Lifting Up God’s servants as they: Love their spouse

Lifting Up God’s servants as they: Love their children and family

1 John 4:19; Matthew 22:37–38

1 Peter 3:7; Matthew 22:39

Psalm 127:3; Proverbs 22:6

Pray regularly for your ministers and their families.

Form a covenant group who is committed to praying daily for your ministers; seven members praying one day a week.

Offer prayer for your pastor before worship services.

Encourage and support at least one day of “Sabbath rest”; lovingly insist that your pastor take off at least one day each week.

Encourage and support an annual spiritual renewal retreat to refresh your pastor’s intimacy with the Lord.

Send notes of affirmation for your minister’s Christ-like character—their compassion, integrity, courage, dependability, etc.

Resist any negative comments or comparisons related to your minister; talk to them directly if you have any concerns.

Care for your minister’s health by providing or encouraging annual check-ups, wellness plans, health club memberships and insurance.

Vulnerably and specifically share how God has used your minister to challenge, enrich, and encourage your walk with Jesus.

Most ministers resist “receiving” so ASK, ASK, and ASK again, “How can I serve you? Support you? Help you?”

GREAT COMMISSION LIVING Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28: 19–20)

Provide more than adequate, even generous salary, insurance, and retirement compensation.

Give a gift card to a favorite restaurant for the ministry couple’s date night.

Allow your minister’s wife to “be herself” and to be as involved in ministry as the couple discerns is best.

Encourage and financially support your pastor and wife as they attend marriage-strengthening events and getaways.

Remember birthdays and wedding anniversaries with appropriate recognition, gifts, cards and blessings.

Celebrate Pastor Appreciation each year with notes, cards, and gifts—and very importantly, honor your minister’s wife!!

Encourage and support an appropriate sabbatical from ministry after 5, 10, and 15+ years of ministry.

Provide creative childcare options in order to support couple date nights and get-aways.

Offer a church member’s vehicle, camper, cabin or time share so that your minister and wife can more easily get away for times of renewal.

Surprise your ministry couple with an unexpected note, card, email, or text just to communicate, “We’re thinking of you and praying for God’s blessing” Encourage your pastor and wife to have couple friends in the church—without jealousy, pressure or unrealistic expectations.

EMPOWERED BY

Allow your minister’s children to just be kids.

Encourage them to be as involved in church activities as the family discerns is best.

Give unused sports or concert tickets to your minister’s family. They make great gifts!

Provide adequate and appropriate paid vacation—and lovingly insist on it being used.

Provide for and protect your ministry family’s privacy, days off, and vacation time.

Be intentional about getting to know your minister’s children—their interests, hobbies, and activities. Then be sure to ask about and support those interests.

Encourage your ministry family to have family friends in the church—without jealousy, pressure or expectations.

Acknowledge and celebrate ministry children’s birthdays, accomplishments and victories.

Surprise your ministry family with an appreciative card and an appropriate, family-friendly gift.

Bless your ministry family with a special Christmas gift or anniversary gift. Communicate that, “We’re excited that the Lord has blessed us with each of you!”

Gift cards or service coupons are always a blessing— family restaurants, groceries, water parks, housecleaning, yard work, tree trimming, babysitting, or coupons for car repairs.

GREAT COMMANDMENT LOVE Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind… and love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:37–39)

Sanctification on Second Work of Grace Fundamentals of the Faith–Raymond Pruitt Part II 1. Sanctification subsequent to regeneration. Regeneration is a complete and perfect work when considered in itself. It is the bestowal of spiritual life in Christ by the agency of the Holy Ghost, through the blood of Christ. “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:7; see also Col. 1:14). But the New Testament economy offers what the Old Testament believers could never have–entire sanctification. They were justified, subject to Christ’s validation of their sacrifices with His own blood (Rom. 3:25; Heb. 11:39, 40; 12:23), but now we are assured forgiveness of sins, the new birth, and the crucifixion of the sin nature.

Regeneration is the impartation of spiritual life, but it is not the cleansing from the pollution of inbred original sin. Regeneration and sanctification deal with different phases of sin; the former with sins committed, or sin as an act; the latter with sin inherited, or sin as a principle or nature.

W hy two distinct works of grace? It is not that the grace and power of Christ could not do everything in one single act, but this is the way God chose to accomplish our full salvation, and there are good reasons why He chose to make sanctification a second work of grace.

A. Psychologically, sanctification cannot normally take place at the same time as regeneration, because at that time the individual is concerned with repentance and confession, and his concern is centered on the need for forgiveness, submission, and the desire for being brought from death in trespasses and sins to life in Christ. Only after one has been born again is he in the position to recognize his need for dealing with the inbred sin nature. Just as God does not save one who does not recognize his need and does not respond in faith, so he does not sanctify one until there is a sense of need. The person may not know the theological terms for sanctification, eradication, original sin, etc., but he will have a definite sense of need for something more from God. If he responds to the Spirit in total submission to God and opens his heart in faith, God will sanctify him AFTER he is regenerated.

B. Old Testament types and shadows confirm the order of sanctification following the new birth. W hen a sacrificial animal was brought to the door of the tabernacle to be offered, it had to be alive and healthy. No dead animals would be accepted for offerings which were to be consecrated to God, and no animals with blemishes would be accepted. It was the living, healthy animal which was consecrated as a sacrificial offering. Thus, God does not sanctify spiritually dead sinners; He sanctifies regenerated believers.

C. Justification and regeneration deal with sins committed, and with the impartation of life to one who was dead in trespasses and sins; sanctification deals with an altogether different aspect of sin, namely, inherited sin, or the sin nature which all men have from Adam (Rom. 5:12).

D. Sanctification is obtained by faith which can be exercised only after fulfilling certain conditions, including complete consecration.

E. A number of biblical references clearly imply the need for a second work of grace which, according to the grammatical analysis of the verbs, indicates the need for an instantaneous crisis experience following regeneration. All of the following statements were written to Christians: “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Cor. 7:1).

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:23).

“W herefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate” (Heb. 13:12).

The list is by no means exhaustive. A study of the section entitled “The Meaning of Sanctification”, in the previous chapter will give more scriptural evidence for sanctification as a second work of grace.

2. Sanctification as a cleansing from inbred sin. As we have seen, sanctification is the act of destroying the sin nature and making one holy. Original sin corrupts the entire race of men, and it will not be abolished until the consummation of all things. But in the sanctified individual it is abolished by the blood of Christ (Heb. 9:22; 10:19; 13:12; Rev. 1:5; 7:14), and so long as we remain in Christ, the old carnal man has been cast out, not just suppressed and restricted. The old nature is eradicated by the blood of Christ, and we are made holy through Him. Sanctification is not just an imputed righteousness, but is rather imparted, or infused, righteousness. W e are “partakers of His holiness” (Heb. 12:10). Peter says we are “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Pet. 1:4). Justification is an imputed righteousness; sanctification is infused righteousness. An imputed work of grace never becomes a quality of the soul. Being the work and merit of Another, it can only be reckoned to us, but never infused. Infused holiness is “shed abroad in our hearts” (Rom. 5:5). That Christ, through the Holy Spirit does work a real righteousness in those He sanctifies is well supported by Scripture (see Rom. 8:4; Phil. 1:11; 1 John 3:7; etc. ). H. Orton W iley writes concerning sanctification as cleansing as follows: The extent of cleansing according to the Scriptures, includes the complete removal of all sin. Sin is to be cleansed thoroughly, purged, extirpated, eradicated and crucified; not repressed, suppressed, counter-acted or made void, as these terms are commonly used. It is to be destroyed; and any theory which makes a place for the existence of inbred sin....is unscriptural.

3. Sanctification as consecration and separation to God. Not only is this separation a separation from sin; it is also a separation to God. Just as the tabernacle and temple were sanctified with all their furniture and vessels (cf. 2 Chron. 29:5, 15-19; Ex. 40:10, 11; Num. 7:1; 2 Chron. 7:16), so the believer in sanctification is wholly offered to the Lord. W hile it is an offering of ourselves to Him, it also involves His acceptance of the offering, and making it conform to His holiness, so that the nature of the offered living sacrifice is changed to conform to His holiness. Sanctified Christians do not live by rigid external laws of “holiness living”, but by the inner law of holiness which is written in their hearts. The baser appetites and propensities are replaced by superior values in the intellectual, moral, and spiritual realms. Christ reigns supreme, and He governs the conduct of the saint according to what He is. W hen the heart is right, the conduct of life is right. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23).

4. The conditions for acquiring and maintaining a sanctified life. Sanctification is required for all Christians. God has commanded, “Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1Pet. 1:16). This means that every regenerated person may look to God in full assurance that He is ready and willing to sanctify all who recognize the need for cleansing from inbred sin, and the need for holiness, and will give themselves wholly to Him as living sacrifices. Submission to God and faith to receive, constitute the ground which is necessary for sanctifying grace. The sanctified state is the house cleaned and made ready for the indwelling of the Holy Ghost, which is offered to every sanctified believer as the enduement of power for service (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8), and as his Paraclete–the One who dwells within to provide whatever it is the believer needs for victorious living and service (John 14:26; 15:26).

The sanctified state is maintained by abiding in the Vine and allowing the life of the Vine to flow freely through the branch.

A. J. Tomlinson wrote: In order to obtain this experience, the believer puts himself at once–or by one act of faith–into the cleansing stream and is immediately made clean. He then continues in that stream, or continues faithful, and is kept clean. Purity is retained on the same condition that it is obtained; and to keep under the cleansing wave is to be faithful to the conditions of purity. Jesus expresses this continual cleansing by the figure of abiding in the vine. Believers at once–or by one act of faith–become united to the vine and receive His life and purity, and, abiding in this vine, they continue to receive His life and bear His fruit.

III. Holiness As we have seen in the beginning of the previous chapter, the New Testament word hagiadzo, “to make holy”, has four basic meanings: (1) of things–to set aside or to make suitable for ritual purposes (see Ex. 29:27; Matt. 23:19); (2) of persons–to consecrate, to dedicate, to include in the inner circle of what is holy (see Ex. 28:41); (3) to treat as holy, to reverence (1 Pet. 3: 15; Isa. 8:13); (4) to purify (see Rom. 15:16; 1Cor. 1:2; 1Thess. 5:23).

A holy person, then, is one who is separated from defilement, and to God. He is cleansed and set apart to serve God, and is totally dedicated to Him and His service, “Holiness, purity of heart and life, is made possible by the experience of sanctification.” In the crisis experience of sanctification, the inbred sin nature is crucified, permitting the holy nature received in regeneration to fully express itself in pure desires, pure intentions, and pure motives for its actions. Reverence for God and a desire to glorify Him in all things is paramount, and the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts. The soul pants for God as the hart pants after the water brooks (Psa. 42:1). In consequence, anything which hinders one’s communion with God or thwarts his spiritual progress is a source of genuine grief. In spirit, soul, and body, he cultivates purity and abhors anything that would contaminate any part of his being.

The sanctified Christian is made holy in an instant, just as a baby is born a human at once. But the holy life, like the developing human being, must be brought to maturity through the exercise of holiness in one’s daily life. M. A. Tomlinson writes: When one is cleansed and the carnal mind is eradicated, then he is ready to perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord.

This purity of heart must be developed. The experience cannot be retained unless it is cultivated and used. It must be carried into all activities of life.....The experience of sanctification enables one to live a life of holiness without which no man shall see the Lord.

This growth in spiritual maturity is the progressive aspect of sanctification. The instantaneous and the progressive aspects of sanctification are clearly set forth in 2 Corinthians 7:1: “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” On the twofold nature of sanctification as set forth in this verse, W inchester and Price note: The word for ‘cleanse’ is an aorist, indicating a definite act of cleansing, whereas the word ‘perfecting’ is in the present tense and plainly indicates a progressive process. This is to say to us that the negative side of holiness, the cleansing, is accomplished in a moment as a divine act, whereas the positive growth in holiness is an ongoing process of perfecting the believer in Christian ethics and maturity. Here Dr. Steele reminds us that Paul’s exhortation, by virtue of tense, is, “Let us cleanse ourselves at a stroke from every filthiness of the flesh and spirit.’

He then continues, ‘If Paul had been exhorting to a gradual inward cleansing he certainly would have not used the present tense.’

Next month: Christian Perfection

Alexander City: The church surprised our pastor, Brother Jeremy Beard, with a birthday party.

Everyone brought cards or gifts and plenty of food. The children’s church was in charge of decorations, as usual, they did an outstanding job.

Chickasaw: Our youth held a lock-in with bowling and a life size game of Sorry with Bible questions. We enjoyed pizza and worship with the group, ‘Breaking Chains’.

On August 30th, our ladies met for fellowship at Captain D’s and the men met at Dairy Queen. We all had a wonderful time.

Cottondale Community: Our Back-To-School Bash was a huge success with over 250 in attendance.

Youth Pastor, Hunter Snider, did an outstanding job organizing the event. The group ‘Rising Fall’ was the guest worship leader for the event and Brian Early was the featured speaker. On Wednesdays youth and children’s ministries have been averaging 50 in attendance with the church van packed every week with community children. Special thanks to Pamela Martin for her time and effort in reaching new children every week.

We have been blessed by the addition of our Administrative Associate Pastor Chris Barnett and family.

They are doing a tremendous job building God’s Kingdom and leading us into the presence of the Lord. We are beginning a new renovation project that will modernize our facilities and turn our gymnasium into a wonderful sanctuary. To God Be the Glory for the great things He is

doing at CCC! Fayette-North Pointe: Brother and Sister Smalley attended the International Assembly and waere blessed by the fellowship, training and messages from our leadership teams. We are so blessed to be part of the Church of God of Prophecy and looking forward to proceeding with the CORE VALUES of ‘Prayer’, ‘Leadership’ and ‘Harvest’.

The youth group enjoyed a day at the Trussville Playstation and had a picnic lunch together. The men’s ministry held a work day to mow the yard for a member of our church who had back surgery. They also enjoyed a men’s breakfast fellowship. The music ministry held a hotdog fundraiser and showed the movie “God Is Not Dead”. There were 73 in attendance who were blessed and encouraged by the movie.

Praise GOD!....HE IS ALIVE!!! It has inspired us all to stand for what we believe no matter what the world thinks. We held our annual Friends and Family Day and received several visitors. There was wonderful fellowship.

Gadsden-Living Waters: This month we welcomed three covenant members: Linda Davidson, Greg Mayo, and Sharon Mayo. Our men’s ministry kicked off the month

with a community pancake breakfast.

The ladies’ ministry held their monthly meeting with a covered dish meal.

We concluded the month with a wonderful 5th Sunday night singing. The special guest singer were ‘Point of Honor’ with a special appearance by the guys of the former group ‘Master’s Design’.

We were honored to have Brother Cephus Prophitt come and deliver the Word.

The Holy Spirit moved in a great way.

Greenpond: God is good. Yes He is. Friends and Family Day was awesome. The altar was filled with people seeking the Lord. The singing was local talent and food and fellowship followed. Cindy Hickey was our guest speaker for Ladies’ Day. Her topic “Entering God’s Presence” was truly a blessing to each of us. The Seniors enjoyed a fun filled trip touring the Bear Bryant Museum and had lunch at Dreamland BBQ. Haleyville-Pathway: Our youth are working hard on their youth building. They are sanding and painting walls. The children’s church room is ready for paint and we have put up new lights. This has made the children so excited to see this progress.

Jasper-Airport Road: God is continuing to bless our church.

Revival is in the air! We had a baby, Abigail Jo Piper, dedicated to the Lord. It was a very special and sacred time for our church family.

Pray that God will continue to bless our efforts as we go forth into our harvest field!

Leesburg: We were privileged to have Brother Rias from Africa to speak one Sunday morning about the work of the Lord in Africa. The youth group was told if they had an attendance of 50 at least one night during VBS that they could have a lock-in. They kept increasing every night and did in fact reach that goal.

They got to have a fun night at the lock-in! We participated in the World’s Longest Yard Sale and raised over $1600 for our building fund. The Adult Sunday School Class went on a field trip to Chandler Mountain Tomato Farm.

The Spirit of the Lord is moving mightily in our services. People are in the altar almost every service and we had 22 members join the church this past month. To God be the glory!

Short Creek: God is blessing at Short Creek. We are seeing visitors each week. Our youth are involved in worship, helping around the church and praying in the altar.

Please pray for our community and schools as the children have begun another school year. Jesus is coming soon, we must be about our Father’s business.

Tarrant: August was a G-R-E-A-T month.

Our children were somewhat excited about going back to school. We hosted the True North Birmingham District Ladies’ Conference (59 in attendance).

WOW...the ladies all wore hats, enjoyed a ‘tea party’ and were blessed to have Dustin Atkins as the guest speaker.

Each church participated in making the program a success. We want to thank ‘Maxine’ played by Laura Stronge, for dropping by and sharing a time of laughter with the ladies. The best of all, we had a young lady receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

Praise the Lord! The last Friday of

the month, we came together for supper/movie night. We ended the month with our 5th Sunday singing.

God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

Trinity: We had an eighty year old lady to come up for prayer. She told us she wanted to be forgiven. We all prayed and rejoiced to know that another soul had been pulled out of the fire of hell. They tell us it is unusual for a person this age to change their life, but we thank God, for He is the one that made it possible.

Winfield City Family: The concrete slab and plumbing have been installed after a lot of hard work and many long hours by volunteers. God bless everyone and “thank you” for your help getting our church building off the ground.

The best is yet to come.....Calling for people to come to Christ in Winfield, Alabama.

GOOD GROUND! Matthew 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundred fold, some sixty, some thirty.

Keep in touch winfieldcityfamilychurch.blogspot. com October Pastor Appreciation Month Show your pastor they are loved and appreciated..... * give a special offering * take them out to a good meal * bring a meal to their home * pray more for them * love on them * be willing to help them in church activities to take the load off them. * add more ways....................

Tips For Abundant Life Carolyn Guyton

Revival. Most people would agree with me that we, the church, are in need of revival. It is important that we realize though, who the church is. The church consists of you and me. So therefore, I need revival and you need revival. We need restoration, renewal and revitalization.

We need a refreshing and a refilling. I would like to share some tips for beginning revival. * Sacrifice of praise. Hebrews 13: 15 instructs us to “offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually.” To quote John Piper, “One of the reasons that so many Christians lead such weak and unhappy and ineffective lives is that this exhortation is disobeyed most of the time. Ask yourself, does the praise of God grow out like fruit on your lips continually?” If you can’t answer in the affirmative, then make that change today! * Sharing. The best way to revive ourselves is to do something for someone else. I propose that by sharing the gospel and God’s love, we directly improve ourselves and the church. This is actually a win-win-win!

We are revived, the body of Christ is enlarged, and another person becomes free to enjoy God’s peace and joy.

Seek every day for the abundant life that only comes from God. For free e-book, subscribe to Live! mailing list at liveyourfullestlife.com facebook.com/liveyourfullestlife; cguyton2@att.net

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Prayer Line with Dr. Wessly Saturdays 9:00 - 10:00 AM Dial 712-432-1690

Haleyville-Pathway: We would like to remind everyone...our Homecoming the third Sunday in October. Come help us celebrate!

Haleyville-Pathway: Our youth are hosting a Judgement House the end of October. All are welcome!

STATE WEB SITES Alabama Update Blog: WWW.al ab a ma u p d ate.blogspot.com Alabama Web Site: alcogop.org Youth-Tim Beck Web: www.experiencehydrate.com www.hydrateministries.com ÈÈÈÈ

AVAILABLE FOR REVIVALS Rodney Bridges, 707 4th Street SE, Ft. Payne, AL, 35967; 205317-5642.

Joey Dobbs: Member of Sterrett Church of God of Prophecy.

Telephone (205)746-3017.

Earlean Emerson, P O box 1863, Hamilton, AL 35570. Telephone (205) 921-5637.

Christine & Curtis Englebert, 111 Woodland Road, Dora, AL 35062 Telephone (205) 648-2871 or cell # 205-275-1199. cenglebert2871@charter.net. Fill in for pastors also.

Brenda Kay Pate, P O Box 30 Cordova, AL 35550; 205-3881087 or 388-3129. Fill in for pastors also.

SPEAKING AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS: James Adkins, P O Box 921, Collinsville, AL 35961-0920, Telephone (256) 524-3130.

Anita Falkner Parker, 3615 Moody Pkwy, Moody, AL 35004.

Telephone (205) 640-6207.

Brenda Kay Pate, P O Box 30; Cordova, AL, 35550; 205-388-1087 or 388-3129.

BIRTHS Alexander City: Warren Jack Simpson was born February 14th.

Grandparents are Jeff and Nonnie Ware. Warren was born premature and stayed in the hospital for several months. He made his first appearance at church the last Sunday in August.

Aliceville: Lydia Grace Guthrie was born August 21st. Her parents are Aaren and Megan Pate.

DEDICATION Happy Hill: Parents, Heth and Heather Burgett, presented their baby, Tindley Ann, to be dedicated to God on August 17th.

Jasper-Airport Road: Abigail Jo Piper was dedicated in August by her parents, Daniel and Ari Piper.

DEATHS Anniston-Praise & Worship: Ray Jackson left this life on August 30th.

Hackleburg: We regret the loss of Eulice Cochrum this month.

Hackleburg: We moan the passing of Fayrene Lolley this month.

Happy Hill: This month our church grieved the loss of James Richard King as he went to his final rest.

Huntsville-Bell Road: Alma Ardertia Lindsey left us July 15th.

She will be missed.

OCTOBER PASTORS/WIVES BIRTHDAYS Patsy Gann Billie Ann Humphries Patsy Price Wilton Price James Simpson ANNIVERSARIES Odell and Pat Green Krameon and Frances Martin Sylvester and Bobbie Smith

COMING EVENTS Hydrate Campus Tour October 14 Hamilton, MS K-12 MS October 1 - 31 Pastor’s Appreciation 24-25 Men’s Conference Camp Boothe November 6-9 Gordon-Conwell Seminary Camp Boothe December 31January 3 Winter Conference “The New American Revolution” Pastor Appreciation Month http://preach2engage.com Good Resources

Alabama Men's Conference 10/01/2014 Greetings Unshakable Men! We are just a little over three weeks away from this year's Men's Conference (October 24-25), and I would like to take this opportunity to encourage you to be a part of this powerful weekend of ministry designed just for you.

Some of the highlights of this year's conference will be a special pre-conference bowling tournament at Brunswick Riverview Lanes located at 2908 Riverview Road in Birmingham, AL (off Highway 280) on Friday (times TBA). You can register a team or as an individual. Prizes and trophies will be awarded to the winning team(s) and individual(s). Information on how to register will be sent out next week.

Registration for the conference will begin at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, with dinner being served at 5:30 p.m. The main worship service will crank up around 7:00 p.m. with our guest worship leader, Nic Jackson and team. We are also excited to announce our special guest speaker, Bishop Michael Willingham from Kentucky will be ministering on Friday evening and on Saturday morning. You will be blessed by his ministry!

I'm also very pumped about our Huddle times on Saturday morning and afternoon. These Huddles will be stirring challenges for men to rise up and become model men for Christ to their families, churches, and workplace. These Huddle times are designed to take you from mediocre to mighty!

All this will be packed into 24 hours of glory!

But here’s the fine print…we need you to register for Men's Conference 2014 as soon as possible.

How much is registration and how do I register? Registration is only $45 (excludes bowling tournament), and you can download an application at www.campboothe.org, and click on "APPLICATIONS". Mail your application to: Men's Conference at Camp Boothe, P.O. Box 240, Greenpond, AL 35074. This covers your materials, meals, and accommodations. Also, don't forget to bring bedding for twin beds, pillows, blankets, towels, etc.

So make plans to join us on October 24-25 at Camp Boothe in Greenpond, AL for the Unshakable Men's Conference! You won't be disappointed! I look forward to seeing you and your men there!

Unshakable…

Neal Wright Alabama Men's Conference Director

Alabama Men’s Conference

October 24-­‐25

Camp Boothe – Greenpond, AL www.campboothe.org

August Statistics

2014

CHURCH

SM

TITHES

CHURCH

SM

TITHES

Alexander City Aliceville Alton Altoona Anniston Praise Worship Bayou La Batre Bessemer Hopewell Rd Woodland Hills Boaz Boldo Brown’s Chapel Browntown Calera Harvest Chapel Carbon Hill Chickasaw Citronelle Clanton Collinsville Harvest Center Cordova Cottondale Cunningham Bridge Decatur Dothan Dry Valley East Lake Highlands Elba Elkmont Eoline/Tuscaloosa Fayette-North Pointe Fort Payne Gadsden Living Waters Goodwater Joyful Praise Gordo Grant-Sanctuary Greenpond Grove Hill Hackleburg Haleyville Pathway Hamilton New Heights Happy Hill Harris Chapel Hartselle Hazel Green

32 10 54 21

3265.99 3015.54 9934.23 2215.00 6447.76 510.00

115 68 6 35 --46

15377.70 9422.39 1033.30 --1798.32 4187.49

90 111 23 14 25

--7587.21 1909.00 2379.00 3016.45

81 14 --28 100 28 No Report 11 18 22 57 29 16 9 37 5 20 23 No Report --138 51 115 36 --39 67 52 17 29 ---

8334.79 2196.00

54 11

Huntsville Mastin Lake Bell Road Mission Jasper Leesburg Lincoln Mentone Montgomery Moulton Munford Silver Run Odenville Pelham Parrish Phil Campbell Pinson Parkway Poarch Red Bay Robertsdale Rock Cliff Russellville Living Word Sheffield Cliff Haven Short Creek Sterrett Summerbrook Tannehill Mission Tarrant City Trinity Worship Twilleytown West Blocton Winfield Family World Outreach

No Report 68 117 4 42 7 43 --No Report --90 8

6551.50 3254.00 888.00 3237.60 1501.20 2547.96 2248.35 732.00 3118.23 3909.00 644.06

49

5475.86

--43 No Report 78 No Report 189 72 No Report 85 46 11 51

1653.46 8518.30 7328.87 29006.94 4961.25 13424.94 9218.18 1520.55 ---

5365.00 9734.30 1678.20 1441.00 2822.00 1436.00 1863.99 4271.07 1150.00 1600.00 2093.30 576.98 3532.65 1512.00

22615.82 3754.00 11629.00 4107.14 2617.55 16146.30 4515.00 --2302.81

THE ABOVE STATISTICS WERE TAKEN FROM TREASURERS’ REPORTS RECEIVED IN STATE OFFICE AS OF SEPTEMBER 2014

Reports from Previous Months May Bell Rd June Bell Rd July Bell Rd

15

1999.63

15

2660.50

13

2019.00

ALABAMA UPDATE Church of God of Prophecy P.O. Box 707 A Bessemer, Alabama 35021-0707

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No.256 BESSEMER, AL

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Our Sympathy to our Ministers Families James Richard King August, 2014 Paul (Velma) King’s brother

Eddie Love October 2, 2014 Deceased Betty Love’s husband

Doris Ruth Nix September 18, 2014 Wife of Bob Nix and daughter of former Alabama Overseer, W. T. Holland

Vernell Bradford Parker September 17, 2014 Paulette (Jim) Ramsey, Raymon (Arlene) and Wayne (Donnie) Sutton’s sister

The Alabama Update is the official monthly publication of the Church of God of Prophecy in Alabama. Yearly subscription rate is $7.00.

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L. V. Jones, Editor Billie Ruth Jones, Assistant Editor C======================================= SUBSCRIPTION BLANK Enclosed is $ for a year subscription ($7.00 per year) to the Alabama Update.

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