August 2020 CrossTie

Cross ie MAGAZINE

Vol 4 | Issue 4 | August 2020



Vespers Vespers under the tent under the tent Music  Prayer  Meditation  Communion Music Communion Music Prayer Prayer   Meditation Meditation Communion PleMusic ase visit theMPrayer usic and Wors hipMeditation page of this Crossti e eCommunion dition for complete details.

Please visit the Music and Worship page of this Crosstie edition for complete details.

Worship Learn Care Give Serve

Worship Learn Care Give Serve

Recorded Videos: Weekly videos are posted to smokerisebaptist. org. These videos follow the lectionary and are taught by a different teacher each week.

Faith Class: Led by Russ Duggar Meets Sundays at 9:45 am – All ages Zoom Video Link or call +1 646 876 9923 Password: faithclass Meeting ID: 693 664 570 Berean Class: Led by Page Fulgham Meets Sundays at 9:45 am Zoom Video Link or call +1 646 876 9923 Password: Berean Meeting ID: 689 093 118 The Cross Roads: Led by Larry Decuir Meets Sundays at 9:45 am This class uses Formations Curriculum to help them think through scripture and how it applies to their lives.

Zoom Video Link or call +1 646 876 9923 Password: CROSSROADS Meeting ID: 925 6498 2315 Open Circle: Rotation of Teachers Meets Sundays at 9:45 am – All Ages This class uses Seasons of the Spirit Curriculum to study various sections of scripture each week.

Zoom Video Link

Faith and Issues: Led by Richard Swindle Meets Sundays at 4:00 pm This class looks at various current events and topics from a Christian perspective.

Zoom Video Link Pairs and Spares: Led by Joel Harrison Meets Tuesday’s at 7:00 pm Zoom Video Link or call +1 646 558 8656 Password: SRBC Meeting ID: 986 0948 0556 Ideas and Actions: Led by Deborah Reeves Meets Sunday at 10:00 am Zoom Video Link Meeting ID: 865 379 695 The Seeker’s Class: Meets Sunday at 12:00 pm Zoom Video Link or call +1 646 876 9923 Meeting ID: 986 2083 5619 Password: SRBC The Cambium Class: Meets Sunday at 9:30 am Zoom Video Link or call +1 646 876 9923 Meeting ID: 954 3696 4742 Password: SRBC

C ON N EC T W ITH U S

SMOK ER IS EB A P T I ST. OR G OUR MINIST E R S

CO N T EN TS

Be c k y C a s we l l - S pei gh t

4

Worship

5

From the Pastor

6

Growing

7

Serving

8

Caring

9

Generosity

Minister of Families, Faith Formation and Connection rspeight@smokerisebaptist.org 678.533.0546

Je re m y C o l l i v e r

Minister of Youth, Missions and Communications jcolliver@smokerisebaptist.org 678.533.0551

Chris G e o r ge

Senior Pastor cgeorge@smokerisebaptist.org 770.469.5856

Bart McNiel

facebook.com/ smokerise

10 -11 Connecting 12

Family Ministry

13

Youth

14

Monthly Snapshot

Associate Pastor bmcniel@smokerisebaptist.org 678.533.0540

twitter.com/ smokerisebaptist.org SmokeRiseBC

4

F RO M THE PASTOR

8

CA RIN G

While we have not been able to meet in our building for several months, I am so thankful that the church has continued to worship, learn, care, serve, and give together.

As we continue to balance our shared desire to connect and be together with our commitment to the safety of our congregation, I am pleased to share with you some of the plans for the Fall that will start in August.

Our family loves “Backto-School” days... But this year is different... Let’s pray for God’s blessing on schools, teachers, students and families.

10

J a me s S m i th

Smoke Rise

G EN ERO S ITY

The Lord’s Prayer calls Christians into deeper attitudes and actions of generosity by teaching us to be satisfied with daily bread, a sentiment that reminds us how ignoble is to take more than we need.

The noble spirit is the generous spirit.

The noble spirit has the courage to live and give generously.

Pastoral Care Associate jsmith@smokerisebaptist.org 404.405.5467

Danny Va n c i l

Minister of Music and Worship dvancil@smokerisebaptist.org 678.533.0560

A B O UT S M O K E RIS E 5901 Hugh Howell Rd. Stone Mountain, GA 30087 Tel: 770.469.5856 Fax: 770.498.3598 Office Hours M-F 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Smoke Rise Baptist Church is a loving and caring faith community where people come to grow spiritually, worship communally and serve faithfully. We are committed to fostering authentic relationships and engaging in meaningful ministry in our congregation, our community and around the world. We partner with others in an effort to be about God’s work. We commit to love God with all our hearts, all our souls, all our minds and all our strength, and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. We seek to proclaim the Good News of Christ in all that we say and do.

3 | SMOKE RISE BAPT IST.ORG

FRO M TH E PASTO R

CH RIS G E ORGE - Senior Pastor

Throughout this Covid crisis, the congregation of Smoke Rise Baptist Church has been appreciative, flexible, and gracious. While we have not been able to meet in our building for several months, I am so thankful that the church has continued to worship, learn, care, serve, and give together.

As we continue to balance our shared desire to connect and be together with our commitment to the safety of our congregation, I am pleased to share with you some of the plans for the Fall that will start in August.

All Church: Sunday Morning Worship at 11am—We will continue to livestream our Sunday worship services and encourage our members to participate in worship via Facebook, the Church Website, and our Boxcast streaming app. We are committed to making this worship creative, meaningful, and memorable and grateful for all those who serve and volunteer to make this ministry possible Tuesday Evening Vespers at 6pm—Beginning on August 18, we will be holding in-person Vespers services, allowing members of our congregation to worship together outside under the shade of a tent. These simple services will include meditation, music, and prayer as well as the celebration of communion together. The simplest way for us to divide our church into Corona-safe groups is using our Sunday School classes. So, each class will be assigned to a specific Vespers service. Please read more about this wonderfulworship opportunity on the Worship Page.

Adults: Wednesday Night Journeys at 6pm—On August 19, we will initiate our Wednesday evening “Journeys” adult spiritual formation. We will provide learning opportunities using three different formats: (1) Video which can be watched from home, (2) Zoom where members can participate from home, and (3) In-Person studies for those who desire to attend. There will be no children’s or youth activities on Wednesday evenings. Please learn more about the adult studies being offered by reading the Growing Page.

Children/Youth: Sunday Nights Choir/Activities—On August 16, we will begin our Sunday evening outdoor in-person for youth and children. The children and the youth will meet for choir and studies from 5pm-6:30pm.

Preschoolers will not meet weekly, but will have some specially scheduled activities. Preschool parents pay close attention to your email/social media/texts. Please take time to learn about all of these opportunities for the young people of Smoke Rise by looking at the Youth page and the Children’s page.

I am extremely excited about these options for us to reconnect but to do so in a way that is as safe as possible.

All of these in-person activities will take place outside and many of these activities will take place in the “bus barn parking lot” under a rented tent. We believe this to be a safer setting which will provide space for social distancing as well as shade and fans to provide for the comfort of those who can attend. The church’s safety policies set forth by our Risk Management Team and adopted by our Church Council will be strictly enforced.

Masks will be required. While all are invited to participate in these in-person activities, studies, and services; we want to continue to affirm those who choose due to age, underlying health issues or vulnerabilities, or for any other reason choose to stay home and participate virtually in worship services and studies.

Even in this strange season, we will continue to follow in the footsteps of our Savior, sharing God’s love and grace and renewing our commitment to be the Body of Christ.

God’s peace,

4 | SMOKE RIS E BAPT IST.ORG

Crosstie Music and Worship Header

WOR S H IP I N G AT S M OK E R I SE

DANNY VANC IL - Minister of Music and Worship



Vespers under the tent Music  Prayer  Meditation  Communion (The(The tenttent is located at the bus barn See schedule schedulebelow.) below.) is located at the bus barnparking parking lot. lot. See All services begin at 6:00PM All services begin at 6:00PM

Tuesday, August 18: Seekers Sunday School Class Tuesday, August 18: Seekers Sunday School Class

Tuesday, August 25: Joy, Koinonia and Fellowship Sunday School Classes Tuesday, August 25: Agape, Joy, Agape, Koinonia and Fellowship Combined Combined Sunday School Classes Tuesday, September 1: Discovery andand Faith andand Issues Combined SchoolClass Classes Tuesday, September 1: Discovery Faith Issues Combined Sunday Sunday School Tuesday, September 8: Pairs andSpares SparesSunday Sunday School School Class Tuesday, September 8: Pairs and Class

Tuesday, September 15: Friendship Sunday School Class Tuesday, September 22: Journey and Faith Combined Sunday School Classes Tuesday, September 22: Journey and Faith Combined Sunday School Classes Sunday, September 27: Open Circle and Ideas and Action Combined Sunday School Classes Sunday, September Open Circle and Ideas and Action Combined School Classes Tuesday, 27: September 29: Berean and Cambian Combined SundaySunday School Classes Tuesday, October 6: forand congregants unaffiliated with a Sunday school class Tuesday, September 29:Service Berean Cambium Combined Sunday School Classes

Tuesday, September 15: Friendship Sunday School Class

Tuesday, October 6: Service for congregants unaffiliated with a Sunday School Class

Dear Smoke Rise Family, I am excited to announce plans for our Tuesday evening Vesper services. In a congregation as large as ours, we decided that the most feasible way of dividing into groups would be by Sunday School classes. If there are couples Dear Smoke who Rise attendFamily, different classes, they may choose a service to attend together. We will strictly follow all procedures set forth by our Risk plans Management Team and adopted by the Churchservices.

Council toIn insure safe practices. as large as ours, I am excited to announce for our Tuesday evening Vesper a congregation Looking forward to worshiping withof you in person!into groups would be by Sunday School Classes. If there we decided that the most feasible way dividing Danny are couples who attend different classes, they may choose a service to attend together. We will strictly follow

all procedures set forth by our Risk Management Team and adopted by the Church Council to insure safe practices.

Looking forward to worshiping with you in person!

Danny 5 | SMOKE RIS E BAPT IST.ORG

GROWING AT S M O KE R I SE

BECKY CAS W ELL- SPEI GHT- Minister of Families, Faith Formation and Connection

Journeys On August 19, we will begin a new season of Wednesday Night Journeys Adult Spiritual Formation. (Our children and youth will be meeting for choir and study on Sunday evening, so we have No Wednesday Evening activities for our children and youth.) Due to Covid situation, we will be unable to meet for our traditional Fellowship suppers, nor but we are excited to share some new wonderful study opportunities, formats, and settings.

This Fall, our Journey classes will be available in 3 formats.

(1) Video—We will provide recorded video studies that can be watched on Wednesday evening or at a time that is more convenient to those who want to participate. The studies will be posted on our church website in the “Wednesday Evening Activities,” then accessed by clicking on the Video tab.

(2) Zoom Study—We will provide Zoom studies that will be conduct and led “livestream” from 6pm-7pm each week and led by gifted teachers in our congregation. Participants will not only be able to watch, but can also interact with these teachers from the comfort of home. These studies will be posted on our church website in the “Wednesday Evening Activities,” accessed by clicking on the Zoom Studies tab.

(3) In-person study—We will provide in-person studies that will meet outside under a rented tent, cooled by fans in the bus barn parking lot. Participants will have their temperatures taken upon arrival, will be required to wear masks, and will be socially distanced to comply with our church’s safety protocols and policies. We want to ask participants to reserve a space to be a part of these studies by contacting our Church Administrative Assistant, Merillee Brock at mbrock@smokerisebaptist.org , or by calling the church office (770-469-5856).

First Session (August 19-September 16) (1) Rediscovering the Bible: Job to Minor Prophets—Video--This study will be led by our Pastor, Chris George, who will continue this book by book journey through the scriptures,encouraging and equipping our congregation to read the Bible with a new appreciation for the context and the content.

(2) Finding the Deeper Rhythm in the Psalms—Zoom Study—In this study, Rev. Bart McNeil and Rev. Elizabeth Arnold will help participants to reflect on the rhythms presentin the Bible’s biggest poetry, discovering the full spectrum of human emotion and experience.

(3) Just Mercy: A Discussion of the 2020 Film—In-Person—This study, led by Rev. Harrison Litzel, will use the movie “Just Mercy” as a catalyst for conversations about culture and community, justice and peace, race and reconciliation. Participants will be asked to engage in dialogue in an attempt to foster a deeper understand and appreciation of the issue of race in the past and present.

We are extremely excited about the Fall Journeys programs and hoped everyone can find a way to participate in one of our studies. Please prayerfully consider where you can plug in as we renew our congregational commitment to learn and grow together!

6 | SMOKE RIS E BAPT IST.ORG

SERVIN G ON M I S S I ON

J E R E MY C OLLI V ER - Minister of Youth, Missions and Communications

Lilburn Co-op School Supply List We are still in need of the following School Supplies:

L i l b u r n C o - oColored p S c hpencils ool Supply List Colored We are still in need of the markers following School Supplies: College and wide ruled paper 3x5Colored lined index cards pencils Notebook dividers Colored markers Wide ruled books College andcomposition wide ruled paper Rectangle 3x5 lined pink indexerasers cards Notebook dividers Wide ruled composition books Rectangle pink erasers

7 | SMOKE RIS E BAPT IST.ORG

CARI NG AT S M O KE R I SE

JA ME S S MIT H - Pasto r al Car e Asso ciate

Our family loves “Back-to-School” days. From the smell of sharpened pencils to the return of the fall routine, we greet each new school year with enthusiasm. In retail, Back-to-School is second only to the Holiday season to boost sales. With educators in the family, Back-to- School signals a sense of calling and purpose that is soul-deep. We love Back-to-School.

But this year is different. There is great anxiety about the arrival of a new school year. It will be unlike any year the present generation has ever experienced. What might have been moments of celebration are eclipsed with uncertainty. Toothless smiles of kids headed to their first day of school are covered up with masks. Proud seniors facing graduation are more tentative than ever about the year ahead. Student athletes struggle with how to engage in their favorite sport, hone and showcase their skills. Typical paths to athletic and academic scholarships hang precariously in the balance.

Educators have to assess risk in returning to crowded buildings. Personal health and safety are part of the equation now more than ever. Teachers who carefully plan classroom management have to rethink every piece of furniture, every supply and every procedure. I recently overheard, “By the time desks in the classroom are socially distanced, there is no room for the teacher’s desk —and some of the class can’t see the Smart-Board.”

Administrators and support staff have increased work loads and responsibility. Transportation, recess, lunchtime, assemblies, libraries, music and art class do not resemble anything of the past.

How will kids cope with wearing masks? Humor helps. Teachers may be overheard saying, “you’re not a pirate, so remove the mask from your eye...do not chew on your mask...put your mask back on—it’s not a sling-shot...I know her mask matches your outfit, but you can’t trade...”.

How will teachers cope? Will they be effective in teaching behind a mask that covers facial expressions? Will social distancing rules mean they will be unable to hug the student who bursts into tears thinking about the death of a pet—or illness of a family member?

About the time most people adjusted to returning to classrooms, decisions were made for some schools to continue on-line learning. Families now face all the implications of remote learning.

Kids may be in school—at home. Again.

Read the first chapter of Joshua. The journey to the Promised land was filled with obstacles and testing. The Red Sea, desert and Jordan River were formidable along with enemies, giants and no food and water.

The Biblical story has a message about our tendency to look negatively, get discouraged and want to turn around. But the message also teaches us to overcome obstacles in God’s strength and move forward by faith. Perhaps this is a time when God is calling us to consider the opportunity before us to experience God’s power and provision and to strengthen our faith in Him. Let’s pray for God’s blessing on schools, teachers, students and families.

-Jim Smith

8 | SMOKE RIS E BAPT IST.ORG

GENEROS I T Y The word “generosity” derives from the root word “gen” that means “to birth.” It is the same English root that appears in the name of the first book of the Bible, Genesis, a book about beginnings. In its Latin form, generosity means “of noble birth,” so that the related word “generous” was a term used to describe people of high societal rank and aristocratic privilege. Over time the term generous was applied more broadly to people of all backgrounds, so that to be generous was to be a person of noble spirit, regardless of societal rank, privilege or reward.

Because we are a culture obsessed with numbers—bank account balances, stock markets, billing and pricing— generosity tends to be understood in the modern sense as someone who gives very liberally of money or time. If we are not careful, we can start to measure generosity in quantity without considering that generosity is as much about attitude and action as it is amount.

In Genesis, Abraham served as a model of generosity based on the attitude and action he displayed when he welcomed strangers to his camp. The openness of his spirit to unknown others led him to share food and drink.

In addition to strangers and aliens, biblical generosity also encompasses actions and attitudes that welcome and care for the poor, particularly widows and orphans. Abraham’s noble spirit was evident in his generosity.

And when ancient Israelite elders were teaching generations to come about generosity, they told the story of their plight and eventual flight from Egypt. Pharoah’s armies were drowned by so much more than the Red Sea that swallowed them. Their fate was already sealed by a hard spirit that was not open to outsiders. The end of the Egyptian army was the result of misplaced attitudes and actions.

When the children of Israel found themselves on the other side of the Red Sea with few possessions and little to eat, they were once again tempted to accept a quantitative measure of generosity. The people grumbled and complained that God had lead them into the wilderness to starve them, and that’s when the old Egyptian meat pots filled with Egyptian leftovers and scraps suddenly seemed appealing.

Moses was instructed to teach the children of Israel a new lesson in generosity. God provided what they needed for each day, but anything beyond that day’s manna inevitably rotted when the people took more than they needed. And when they needed more, God provided what they needed plus more so that the people could freely share with others and still have enough for their own families.

In a similar way, The Lord’s Prayer calls Christians into deeper attitudes and actions of generosity by teaching us to be satisfied with daily bread, a sentiment that reminds us how ignoble it is to take more than we need. It encompasses attitudes and actions that start in our spirits. We risk becoming less generous every time we forgive less than we have been forgiven. The noble spirit is the generous spirit. The noble spirit has the courage to live and give generously. The noble spirit is always ready to extend welcome and hospitality, whether there is little or much to give. And this is the spirit of generosity that healthy churches embrace through all unpredictable seasons of life.

As God’s generosity continues to save and sustain us, grant to us, O Christ, noble spirits of generosity in all that we do, that your gracious will might reign on earth as in heaven. Amen.

Bart McNiel Associate PastorAdministration, Ministry Support and Congregational Care

9 | SMOKE RIS E BAPT IST.ORG

CONNEC T I N G AT SMOK E R I SE

10 | SMOKE RIS E BAPT IST.ORG

11 | SMOKE RISE BAPT IST.ORG

FAMILY M I N I ST RY AT SMOK E R I SE

BE C KY CAS W ELL- SPEI GHT- Minister of Family, Faith Formation and Connection

Smoke Rise Kids This Summer Small groups on campus, Zoom sessions, Sunday school packaged deliveries, this summer looked different. When planning for this summer we learned to be flexible and nimble. We learned the importance of presence over programing and we found faithful fellowship.

Throughout this summer we learned about God’s creation at our first-ever Zoom/on-campus small group/ at our own leisure Vacation Bible School. At Advocacy Camp, Ms. Stacy gave us the perfect example of what an advocate looks like as she carried our friends on the iPad around providing them the ability to participate like those on campus. We finished our summer with Passportkids! on campus where we simply learned to BE. This summer we found new ways to be present, to learn from one another, and to be Church. As we move into the fall we see the future of our ministry as one of many possibilities. And we look forward to practicing God’s presence with the world around us.

Summer at Smoke Rise Wonderful World Week Advocacy Camp Passportkids!

Wonderful Wednesday

12 | SMOKE RIS E BAPT IST.ORG

YOU TH AT S M O KE R I SE

J E R E M Y C OLLI V ER - Minister of Youth, Missions and Communications

Community In this new reality of COVID-19 it seems to be that we are more aware than ever of those around us. We mask up to protect ourselves, but also to protect other members of our community. Shelter-in-place made us stop and pause. We got to spend more time with our family; our first community. Then many of us realized that we missed the other parts of our community: our friends, our church family, our co-workers, those that we went to school with, our teammates, and band members. All of these different groups that make up our community. As I sat in on Zoom calls there was a cry for being with others; being in community with those people we loved and cared about. We took our communities for granted.

This year we are going to focus on community. Romans 12.4-5 will start our journey, but we will be talking about all different aspects of our community; What does it mean to be a good family member? What does it mean to be a friend? How do I speak up for members of my community that have no voice? Who is part of my community? How do I support people in my community that care for me?

How can I be a good member of my church community?

Sundays for Youth

10 AM - Zoom Sunday School 11 AM - Worship via Streaming 5 PM - Youth Under the Tent 6 PM - Youth Choir

Starting August 16th bring your mask for all at church events

It might seem odd to focus on community when there are mitigating factors that get in the way of being together as community, but we need community now, more than ever. How can we be the community that God called us to be?

Join us on this journey! “For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.�

-Jeremy 13 | SMOKE RIS E BAPT IST.ORG

MON THLY S N A P S H OT

Smoke Rise Kids This Summer

Weekly Schedule

Vesper Dates August 18 Seekers Sunday School Class

Sunday 9:45 AM - Sunday School for all ages online 11:00 AM - Livestream Worship Service 5:00 PM - Children and Youth Choir and Studies Monday 5:00 PM - Weekly Devotional Video Tuesday 6:00 PM - Evening Vespers Wednesday 6:00 PM - Journeys Thursday 5:00 PM - Prayer Concerns Video

August 25 Joy, Agape, Koinonia and Fellowship Combined Sunday School Classes September 1 Discovery and Faith and Issues Combined Sunday School Class September 8 Pairs and Spares Sunday School Class September 15 Friendship Sunday School Class September 22 Journey and Faith Combined Sunday School Classes September 27 Open Circle and Ideas and Action Combined Sunday School Classes September 29 Berean and Cambian Combined Sunday School Classes October 6 Service for congregants unaffiliated with a Sunday school class

14 | SMOKE RISE BAPT IST.ORG

WITS

Wednesday Nights in the Summer

Curriculum and devotional books are in. We want to make sure that everyone that uses curriculum and devotional books receives theirs. If you have not received yours and would like to please contact Becky at 502.727.1766 or rcspeight@ smokerisebaptist.org. *The adult Sunday school videos are using the Formations curriculum but we are happy to send you whatever curriculum and devotional books you need.

August 30th 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm At the Smoke Rise Baptist Tent Connections is a once a month gathering for individuals and couples in their 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s.

Connections occurs during preschool, children, and youth activities.

Oservance of the Lord's Supper, Sunday, August 9th.

Please gather the elements of communion before the 11:00am worship service.

Address Correction Requested