CrossTie January 2018

The

January 7 Where Is God? Matthew 2:1-12 January 14 How Does God Speak?

1 Samuel 3:1-11

January 21 What Happens After Death?

1 Corinthians 7:29-31 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 January 28 What is Taking the Lord’s Name in Vain?

Deuteronomy 18:15-20

Cross ie

MAGA ZI N E

VOL 2 | ISSUE 1 | JANUARY

Thank you to everyone who continues to support our Refresh efforts. Because of your generosity, our newly renovated steeple will rise high in our community.

SMOK ER I S EB A P T I ST. OR G O UR M INIST E R S

CON T EN TS

T im Ad cox Minister of Missions tadcox@smokerisebaptist.org 678.533.0570

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From the Pastor

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Worshipping

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Growing

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Connecting

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Caring

B e c k y C a s w e l l - S p ei gh t Minister to Families with Children rspeight@smokerisebaptist.org 678.533.0546 Jeremy Colliver Minister to Families with Youth jcolliver@smokerisebaptist.org 678.533.0551 Kat hy D obbi n s Minister of Spiritual Formation kdobbins@smokerisebaptist.org 678.533.0548

1 0 Generosity 11

Serving on Mission

1 2 Family Ministry 1 3 Youth 1 4 Monthly Snapshot

Chris G e o r ge Pastor cgeorge@smokerisebaptist.org 770.469.5856 Bart McNiel Associate Pastor bmcniel@smokerisebaptist.org 678.533.0540 Danny Va n c i l Minister of Music & Worship dvancil@smokerisebaptist.org 678.533.0560

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F RO M THE PASTOR

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CO N N ECTIN G

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CA RIN G

2017 was an amazing year filled with meaningful ministry. We have so much to celebrate. At Smoke Rise, New Year 2018 will be filled with anticipation and faith.

Hawa and her family are refugees from Sudan. After fleeing Sudan, they spent time in Jordan. However, due to the complex medical needs of Mayi, the family was relocated to the US.

Our new Chair of Deacons, Brian Abner, has been a member at Smoke Rise since he joined with his family in 1976.

“We work under Christ’s leadership. If we are the branches, we are only as strong as our connection to Christ, who is the vine.”

CON N EC T W IT H US

facebook.com/ smokerise

twitter.com/ smokerisebaptist.org SmokeRiseBC

Smoke Rise

A B OU T 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 8:30am - 4:30pm

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 heart, all our soul, all our mind, and all our strength and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. We proclaim the Good News of Christ in all that we say and do.

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FRO M TH E PASTO R CH RIS G E ORGE - PASTOR

Eighteen years ago, on New Year’s Eve 1999, the world waited with bated breath for the turn of a new millennium. It was a night filled with uncertainty. Computer systems might crash causing mass chaos. Some people stocked up on bottled water, canned food, and bread.

My mother was not worried about water, but she did want to make sure her family was in the right place just in case the world went to “hell in a handbasket.” So, I rang in the millennium in a church service, kneeling in prayer.

T.S. Elliott once wrote, “If you came this way,/ Taking any route, starting from anywhere,/ At any time or any season,/ It would always be the same; you would have to put off/ Sense and notion. You are not here to verify,/ Instruct yourself, or inform curiosity/ Or carry report. You are here to kneel/ Where prayer has been valid....Here the intersection of the timeless moment…”

Time itself, the year past and the year to come, is a gift from God. We did nothing to earn the gift. It is a gift of grace. And, the appropriate response to a gift is always gratitude.

So, start this New Year with prayer.

2017 was an amazing year filled with meaningful ministry. Children’s lives were touched in our congregation and community through Vacation Bible School and Shine Club. Youth were challenged to grow deeper in their faith and to serve others with their lives. Members of our congregation worshipped fully and served faithfully, grew deeper in faith and gave generously to God’s work in our congregation. We wrapped our arms around families that were grieving the loss of loved ones, then we warmly welcomed families that began to call our church their home. We enhanced our sound system and repaired our steeple. We have so much to celebrate.

2018 will be an amazing year. I recently spoke with someone who has been visiting our church. She said, “Listen. I am going to join the church soon and I hope it is all right…I have already started inviting people to come with me every week.”

I assured her that this was absolutely fine. What a wonderful testimony! In fact, I hope we are all inspired by her example.

This New Year, let’s commit to inviting new folks, sharing this special place we call Smoke Rise with others.

In America, New Year 2000 was filled anxiety and fear.

At Smoke Rise, New Year 2018 will be filled with anticipation and faith.

God is at work this New Year. Let’s join in God’s good work.

In Gratitude, Pastor Chris

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WORS H IP P I N G AT SM OK E R I SE Words cannot to express deepest gratitude gratitude toto all all of the Words cannot beginbegin to express mymydeepest of the choirs

Words cannotchoirs begin to express my deepest gratitude to all ofthe the 2017 Advent and Christmas and instrumentalists who made choirs instrumentalists who made the 2017 Advent and Christmas andand instrumentalists who made the 2017 Advent and Christmas season a season a wonderful timelevel of of worship.

Yourexpress level of commitment to hard season a wonderful time of worship. YourWords commitment hard my deepest gratitude to all of the cannot begin toto wonderful time of worship.

Your level of commitment to hard work and work and excellence was realized intoeach and every cannot begin express my deepest gratitude to all ofand theChristmas choirs and instrumentalists who madeservice. the 2017 Advent work and excellence was realized in Words each and every service.

Words cannot begin to express my deepest gratitude to all of the choirs and instrumentalists who made the Your 2017level Advent and Christmas season a wonderful time of worship. of commitment to hard excellence was realized in each and every service.

I’m also grateful our pastor andto ministerial staff and for their I’mtoalso grateful our pastor ministerial staff for their seasonwork a wonderful time ofwas worship.

Your leveland of commitment and excellence realized in each every service.to hard choirs and instrumentalists who made thoughtfulness the 2017 Advent and leadership.

Christmas in worship Your well crafted words make thoughtfulness in worship leadership.

Your welleach crafted words make work and excellence realized and every service.

I’m also gratefulwas to our pastorinand ministerial staff for their season a wonderful time of worship. Your level ofexperience commitment to hard our worship richer and more meaningful. our worship experience richer and more meaningful.

I’m also grateful to our pastor and ministerial staff for their thoughtfulness I’m also grateful to our pastor and ministerial staff forcrafted their words make thoughtfulness in worship leadership.

Your well work and excellence was realized in each and every Thank you Smokeservice.

Rise Baptist Church for being a worshipping church. thoughtfulness in worship leadership.

Your well crafted words make our worship experience richer and more meaningful. in worship leadership.

Your well crafted words make our worship experience Thank you Smoke Rise Baptist Church for being a worshipping church.

Danny staff for their our worship experience richer and more meaningful.

I’m also grateful to our pastor and ministerial Thank you Smoke Rise Baptist Church for being a worshipping church.

richer more meaningful.

Danny you Smoke Rise Baptist Church for being a worshipping church. thoughtfulness in worship leadership. Your welland crafted words makeThankDanny Danny our worship experience richer and more meaningful.

Thank Rise Baptist Church for being a worshipping church. is aChurch wonderful time toSmoke join a choir!

Thank you Smoke Rise Baptist for being ayou worshipping church.

Danny

is a wonderful time to join a choir! is a Danny wonderful istime to jointime a choir! a wonderful to join a choir!

Music of Music the Heart ofthe theHeart Heart Music of Music of the Heart

is a wonderful time to join a choir!

Popular love songs through the decades · Dessert and Dancing Presented by the Sanctuary Choir · Sunday, February 2018 •through 7:00 pm · the Fellowship Hall· Dessert and Dancing Popular love11, songs decades Popular lovebysongs through decades · Dessert Dancing Presented the Sanctuary Choirthe · Sunday, February 11, 2018 •and 7:00 pm · Fellowship Hall

sic of the Heart

Presented by the Sanctuary Choir · Sunday, February 11, and 2018 • 7:00 pm · Fellowship Hall Popular love songs through the decades · Dessert Dancing

At Smoke Rise Baptist Church, we are blessed to have wonderful instruments that are used to glorify God in worship. Among the At Smoke Baptist Church, we are to have instruments that used to glorify very finestRise of these is the Bösendorfer grand piano theBaptist Sanctuary.

Considered one ofto the most superb pianos built, the Presented theinblessed Sanctuary Choir · Sunday, February 11, 2018 •are 7:00 ·toFellowship Hallin worship.

Atby Smoke Rise Church, wewonderful are blessed have wonderful instruments that arepm used glorify GodGod in worship.

Among the Bösendorfer is well known for its darker and richer tone quality.

This top the line brand is in also for building with very finest of these is the Bösendorfer grand piano thefamous Sanctuary.

Considered of most superb pianos built, thepianos At is Smoke Rise Baptist Church, we areof blessed toin have wonderful instruments that pianos areone used tothe glorify God in worship.

Among the Among the very finest of these the Bösendorfer grand piano the Sanctuary.

Considered one of the most superb extra keys (the norm being 88). The very piano in our Model No. has 92piano keys.richer Bösendorfer known for225, itsgrand darker and quality.Considered This top of one the line brand is superb also famous forbuilt, building finest ofSanctuary theseisiswell the Bösendorfer in thetone Sanctuary. of the most pianos the pianos with built, the Bösendorfer is wellBösendorfer known for its darker richer quality.

This topline ofbrand brand alsopianos famous extra keys (the norm being 88).

The piano intone our Sanctuary Model 225, has 92the keys. is well known for its and darker and richer tone quality.

This topNo. of the isline also famous foris building with for SmokeRise Rise piano wasChurch, acquired extra over 30 years ago AtThe Smoke Baptist we (the are blessed to have wonderful that are used to92glorify God in worship.

Among the keys (the norm being 88).

TheThe pianopiano ininstruments our Sanctuary Model No. 225, has keys.No. building pianos with extra keys norm being 88). in our Sanctuary Model 225, has 92 keys. the Sanctuary Choir · Sunday, 11,Smoke 2018 • piano 7:00was pm · Fellowship Hall The Rise over 30 years ago from Stonecipher’s Pianos. TheFebruary Atlanta Symphony very finest of these is the Bösendorfer grand piano in theacquired Sanctuary.

Considered one of the most superb pianos built, the from Stonecipher’s Pianos.

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra had the piano on a trial basis for one year The Smoke Rise piano was acquired over 30 years ago Bösendorfer is well known for its darker and richer tone quality.

This top of the line brand is also famous for building pianos with Orchestra had the piano on a trial basis for one year decided to go in apiano differentwas direction, so our from Stonecipher’s Pianos.

Atlanta ago Symphony TheandSmoke Rise acquired over 30Theyears from and decided to go in a different direction, so our extra keys (the norm being 88).

The piano in our Sanctuary Model No. 225, has 92 keys. church purchased the piano at that time.

Orchestra had the piano on a trial basis for one year Pianos.

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra had the church purchased the piano at time. essedStonecipher’s to have wonderful instruments that are used toinglorify God inthat worship. and decided to go a different direction, so our Among the After 30 years of wonderful use, the Music church purchased the piano at that time. rand piano piano in the Sanctuary.

Considered one of the most superb pianos built, the on a trial basis for one year and decided to go in a different The Smoke Rise piano was acquiredAfter over3030 years ago years of wonderful use, the Music Committee agreedThis that ittop is time for the piano to is and richer tone quality. of the line brand also famous for building pianos from Stonecipher’s Pianos.purchased Theestimated Atlanta Symphony direction, so our restoration. church the piano that time.

Committee agreedat that it isthe time for the piano to with undergo extensive The cost After 30 years ofofwonderful use, Music o in ourOrchestra Sanctuary Model No. 225, has 92 keys. undergo extensive Thepiano estimated the piano on a trial basis for onethat year renovationhad is between $37,000-$40,000.

What seems Committee agreed itrestoration. is time for the to cost of renovation between $37,000-$40,000. What seems likedecided an exorbitant amount of moneyundergo needed for extensive restoration.

The estimated cost of and to go in a different direction, so isour likethe an exorbitant of money needed for After 30 years ofcomparison wonderfulrenovation use, Musicamount Committee agreed renovation pales in replacement is between $37,000-$40,000. What seems 30 years ago church purchased the pianotoatthe that time. renovation pales in comparison to the replacement of such an exorbitant amount of money needed for The thatcost it is timea fine forinstrument. the piano tolikeundergo extensive restoration.

Symphony cost of such a fine instrument. renovation pales in comparison to the replacement or one year estimated cost of renovation is between $37,000-$40,000.

What After years of wonderful use, the Music cost of such a fine instrument.

Once30 again we realize how fortunate our Music Once again we realize how fortunate our Music n, so our Ministry asagreed the recipient generous gift Committee thatofitais time for the piano to seems likeis an exorbitant amount of money needed renovation Ministry is as the recipient for of a generous gift Once again we realize howof fortunate our Music bequeathed to us fromrestoration. the Nancy Jane Blair Estate. . undergo extensive The estimated cost bequeathed to us from the Nancy JaneaBlair Estate. pales in comparison to the replacement cost of such is as the of a generous gift fine An amount of $25,000 from this gift Ministry will beAn placed in recipient amount of $25,000 from this gift will be placed in renovation is between $37,000-$40,000.

What seems bequeathed to us from the Nancy Jane Blair Estate. the restoration fund, with the balance raised thethrough restoration fund, with the balance raised through sic instrument. like an exorbitant amount of money needed for from this gift will be placed in An amount of $25,000 contributions. contributions. piano torenovation pales in comparisonthe fund, with the balance raised through torestoration the replacement contributions.

If you like to contribute to the restoration fund,Music please designate “Piano Restoration” onplease your check out toRestoration” Smoke again realize how fortunate our Ministry as the fund, recipient of amade generous gift bequeathed to usoutfrom the matedOnce cost of If you would like to contribute to theis restoration designate “Piano on your check made to Smoke cost ofwould suchwe a fine instrument.

Rise Baptist Church.

Rise Baptist Church.

What seemsJane Blair Estate. An amount of $25,000 from this gift will be placed in the restoration fund, with the balance raised Nancy If you would like to contribute to the restoration fund, please designate “Piano Restoration” on your check made out to Smoke ded for Once again we realize how fortunate ourChurch.

Music Rise Baptist through contributions.

ove songs through the decades · Dessert and Dancing

Piano restoration fund given date Pianotorestoration fund given to date

$33,000.

$33,000.

placement Ministry is as the recipient of a generous gift Piano restoration fund given to date $33,000. bequeathed to us from the Nancy Jane Blair Estate.

If An youamount wouldoflike to contribute to the restoration fund, please designate “Piano Restoration” on your check made out $25,000 from this gift will be placed in Smoke Rise Baptist Church. r Music the restoration fund, with the balance raised through gift contributions.

Piano restoration fund given to date: $33,000 Blair Estate. be placed in would like to contribute to the restoration 5 fund, | SMOKE RIS E BAPT If you please designate “PianoIST.ORG Restoration” on your check made out to Smoke ised through Rise Baptist Church.

to

GROW IN G AT S M O KE R I SE

Winter 2018 – Session One

January 28; 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm Childcare 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm Hosts: Graham and Lynne Felton 1853 Chedworth Lane, Stone Mountain

The Influence of Faith Series Faith & Art Jan. 10 at 6:00 pm in Fellowship Hall Led by Marcella Howard

Connections is a once a month gathering for individuals and couples in their 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s. Light snacks and drinks provided. Childcare is provided at the church. Parents can drop off children at the preschool area beginning at 5:30 pm. Please RSVP for children by the previous Wednesday through the church office (770) 469-5856; mbrock@ smokerisebaptist.org.

For more information, contact Chris Raffield craffield@hotmail.com

Faith & Music Jan. 17 at 6:00 pm in Fellowship Hall Led by Rev. Marc Burcham Faith & Psychology January 24 at 6:00 pm in Fellowship Hall Led by Dr. Claire Wheeler Faith & Science: Views from a Theologian and Scientist Jan. 31 – A God Worth Trusting: Thoughts on the Evolving Cosmos Feb. 7 – The Trouble with Stacy: Why the Church Avoids Science Led by Paul Wallace - a Baptist minister with a doctorate in experimental nuclear physics and post-doctoral work in gamma ray astronomy, along with a theology degree from Emory University.

6:00 pm in Fellowship Hall.

Monday Morning Women’s Bible Study “When Jesus Comes to Supper” Led by Rev. Bart McNiel; Mondays at 9:45 am beginning January 22 for 6 weeks

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CON N EC T I N G AT SMOK E R I SE Hawa and the Circle of Grace On Thursday, October 26th, the Smoke Rise Circle of Grace hosted a baby shower for Hawa Mohamed. Rebekah and Jose Edmonds are friends with Hawa and her daughter, Mayi. They met through time spent together in weekly visits to physical therapy.

The circle group shared laughter, tears, birth stories and a Sudanese/Mediteranean meal with Hawa. Baby essentials were given to help Hawa and her family, but the greatest gifts were received by those who shared in the sacred space that night.

A new perspective. New friends. Radiant beauty.

Hawa wept as we embraced and everyone was scattering. She said, “You are my sisters. I didn’t know how I was going to make it with this baby, but now I know I can.”

Hawa and her family are refugees from Sudan. After fleeing Sudan, they spent time in Jordan. However, due to the complex medical needs of Mayi, who has Cerebral Palsy, the family was relocated to the United States. Hawa, her husband Eisa, and children (Maison, Mayi, Mohamed, Mosab and Maymona) have been in the US for 4 years. Eisa works in a chicken processing plant, and Hawa has worked in a refugee center caring for children while their parents are learning English. They live in nearby Clarkston.

Mazen was born prematurely on November 15, but is doing surprisingly well. God’s timing for the gathering with Hawa could not have been more perfect. Please pray for this beautiful family, and that the Smoke Rise Circle of Grace will find more opportunities to love them in the days to come.

Hawa shared with Rebekah how scared she was about having another child, especially in a new country. Rebekah told her circle group about this special family and they agreed to have a baby shower for them. The night of the shower, Hawa openly shared her story with the women and girls who had gathered. It was a story of fear, loss, and uncertainty and yet a story of determination, faith, and hope.

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CON N EC T I N G AT SMOK E R I SE “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”

Advent greetings from New York!

From Lesley-Ann Tommey Hi Smoke Rise sponsored field personnel

As we enter this season of waiting for our Christ to enter our world, to speak healing into the injustices around us and to bring light to the dark places, will you join me in praying for this Hell’s Kitchen community? Pray for those in our community who are food and housing insecure.

Pray for those who will be tremendously affected by the colder weather. Pray for those who are lonely.

As a mentor in our Homecoming Life Skills Empowerment Program, I am hearing the stories of veterans who have also experienced the trauma of homelessness. Lately, they have been expressing the pains of loneliness they’re currently feeling. For one reason or another, they’re isolated, and this safe space of reflection and healing they’ve entered into through the program is their first experience of community in a while. To me, that’s a huge bright spot. This veterans community is one of the biggest places I am seeing powerful light right now.

They have graciously invited me into their stories, and it’s saving me. The space we share together every Thursday is incredibly holy, and the relationships that are forming offer desperately needed companionship.

What light are you experiencing right now? Every day I remind myself, through prayers of thanksgiving, that this light spreading is not up to me. In fact, I’m lucky to even be invited to participate in overflowing grace. It’s possible I could mess the whole thing up. But still, God is bigger and more loving that we are enough, just as we are. Look for marks of light and hope this week. Thank you for being a part of the light and hope I am experiencing here.

New Bereavement Support Groups The Bereavement Support Team at Smoke Rise is sponsoring new grief support group opportunities starting in January 2018. We plan to have a breakfast meeting group and a Wednesday evening group that will meet at least once per month. Please look for announcements of meeting times and places in your weekly Eater’s Digest or Sunday Informer.

If you are interested in attending a bereavement support group, please contact the church office to get in touch with our bereavement team. Special thanks to Carolyn Springston for her continued service as the Leader of the SRBC Bereavement Support Team.

New Group for Family Members Caring for Dementia and Alzheimer’s Patients Smoke Rise is sponsoring a new support group for family caregivers who are taking care of loved ones who suffer from dementia of all types or with Alzheimer’s disease.

The support group will meet in room 223 at SRBC starting on Thursday, January 18 at 2:00pm. Please call the church office if you would like more information.

Meal Cost Increase in 2018 At Smoke Rise we are blessed to be able to continue our tradition of dining together and sharing Christian fellowship throughout the year. Our kitchen staff does an amazing job; however it is a reality that our total costs to provide a meal each week exceed what we collect.

After a thorough review of food and staffing costs, and in consultation with Lou, the Finance Committee has approved an increase in adult meal costs to $7 effective January 1, 2018. Meals To Go will increase to $7.50.

Children’s meal prices and the family maximum price will remain the same. It has been several years since prices have increased and this new pricing will help to offset at least some of the increased expenses we have experienced over time. If you have any questions about this increase, please contact the Finance Committee through the church office.

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CAR IN G AT S M O KE R I SE Introducing Our Deacon Leadership Team for 2018 We are pleased to introduce our new Deacon Leadership Team for 2018:

are the branches,” said Brian. “We work under Christ’s leadership. If we are the branches, we are only as strong as our connection to Christ, who is the vine. “

Brian Abner, Chair Kelly Jowers, Vice Chair Joel McLendon, Deacon of the Day Coordinator Joy Platé, Secretary Nick Easom, Treasurer Paul Durden, Asst. Treasurer Rebekah Edmonds, Co-Family Ministry Coordinator Lois Jernigan, Co-Family Ministry Coordinator Teri Moore, Communion Coordinator Carolyn Springston, Shepherd Ministry Coordinator

“The church staff is grateful for the work our deacons do among us. We were blessed last year with a great team under the leadership of Joe Moore as Chair, and we are equally blessed as we start 2018 to have Brian Abner, the leadership team he has assembled, and for the wonderful group of women and men who will take up deacon service together in 2018,” said Rev. Bart McNiel.

Our new Chair of Deacons, Brian Abner, has been a member at Smoke Rise since he joined with his family in 1976. His parents, Jimmy and Pat Abner, are also members at Smoke Rise. When the Abner family joined Smoke Rise, Brian, his brother Joey, and his father were all baptized together. “It was a special day for us when we were all baptized together at Smoke Rise,” said Brian.

Brian volunteers as a Sunday School teacher and worked closely with the leadership team that started our Park Springs Satellite service. Over his many years at Smoke Rise, Brian has served in a wide variety of service and leadership roles. He is married to Martha Abner and previously served alongside Martha teaching youth Sunday School. Martha has also served as a deacon at Smoke Rise and in many other areas of service and leadership.

Of the new deacon leadership team, Brian said, “When I was looking at pulling together what I consider a topnotch deacon leadership team, I was blessed to have such a wonderful group of servants to consider. We have multigenerational people on our leadership team. All of these people are dedicated to Smoke Rise as their home church, in fact, as deacons we all have a deep love for this church.”

Photo: © Creative Commons Zero (CC0)

In his reflection on deacon service, John 15:5 stands out as a scripture passage for Brian. “I am the vine and you 9 | SMOKE RIS E BAPT IST.ORG

GEN ER OS I T Y

MONTH OF NOVEMBER Amount Given $147,828.33

Amount Spent $199,989.32

Negative Balance ($52,160.99)

FISCAL YEAR TO DATE (APRIL 1, 2017 - NOVEMBER 30, 2017)

Amount Given $1,326,393.29

Amount Spent $1,502,196.37

Negative Balance ($175,803.08)

REFRESH REPORT Pledged $1,346,104.00

Received Current Balance $1,031,620.78 $147,354.65

Pledges Not Yet Received $426,174.74

UPCOMING PROJECT

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Chapel Renovation

SERVIN G ON M I S S I ON Seminary Graduates Tijuana Since the late 1980’s, Centro Shalom - Tijuana has been serving the poor and voiceless children and adults in the Tijuana communities where the bare necessities of life are scarce. Smoke Rise began a relationship with them about 17 years ago which has turned into a loving partnership.

While its main focus was to provide humanitarian help to the poor, they used this as an opportunity to share God’s word and love with those they served. Over the years their focus on discipleship grew and ultimately an actual church was established as a part of the ministry to provide a place for these men, women and children to worship and learn about living a Christian life.

Several years ago Pastor Chava obtained a seminary type of bible study and began teaching the classes which were open to both men and women in the congregation. For so many reasons, the odds looked stacked against them in terms of completing this curriculum but God is good.

They have been faithful and they just completed this 2.5 year program.

This picture is the graduating class during their cap and gown ceremony. We are proud to be in a partnership with

this ministry.

Nicaragua on Our Hearts February 17-24, 2018, we will send a mission team to Nicaragua, a new mission destination through HOI. The work will include children’s Bible School, possibly an adult Bible School, home prayer visits, and some light construction work. The cost will be $1,200 plus airfare, which just went down. Partial scholarships are available.

Register for this trip at www.smokerisebaptist.org/missions.

Give More Store Thank you for making your Christmas shopping count. This year’s store featured an excellent selection of meaningful gifts. Thank you to all who worked the store. A special thank you to Lucy Deforest for a great job of organizing this year.

Your Mission Dollars Smoke Rise is making a difference for African Children’s Mission in Uganda. ACM is a line item in our mission budget and receives a $667 check monthly. Our gifts help so many people is so many ways and ACM is very grateful for our support. Thank you, Smoke Rise, for making this happen: $5 treats one case of malaria $15 provides a Bible $50 provides 400 meals $150 trains 10 pastors for one month $500 cleans and repairs a community well $10,000 builds a school classroom

Givers of Gratitude (Edgewood Church)

There is a whole parade of people who have changed the way we come home. They are young and old, black and white. They are the solitary homeless people we have known - the people with nothing and no one. How far would we have to fall to have nothing but the clothes on our backs to call our own? Spending time with these folks, getting to know them and their stories, changes the way we come home, especially on cold days. Stepping through the door into a warm house full of people who are happy to see us is never the same after that. Looking into a cabinet full of food or a closet full of clothes is never the same after a day like that.

Whatever good we might have done for these people, they have given us more. They have helped us see how astoundingly rich we are.

Nathan Dean, Co-Pastor Edgewood Church 11 | SMOKE RISE BAPT IST.ORG

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

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YOU TH AT S M O KE R I SE The End of the Year Exhale. Better yet, collapse on the couch, kick your shoes off, and let out an exasperated sigh of relief. After the holiday seasonal blitz that starts with gobbling Halloween candy; dirtying pots, pans, and generally the kitchen for Thanksgiving; caroling, a barrage of lights, and piles of ripped up wrapping paper at Christmas; and toasting it all off at the strike of New Year. We all need to exhale.

So sit back with a mug of piping hot coffee and inhale the steam that wafts around you and reflect on the past year: Where did you experience God? What was difficult for you? How were you able to make your community more like God’s kingdom? Some of you may reflect all of this into journal writings, while others of you may stare

out off your back porch and let your thoughts dance with refracting winter sunlight.

However you reflect, don’t let it stop there. Stand back up again and take the first steps into the new year out of the steps from last year. Set goals for yourself: How do you want to experience God this year? How will you alleviate someone else’s sorrow this year? How will you take part in creating the Kingdom of God around you? And then find someone else to share your goals with.

Winter Youth Summit to kick off our year. We’ll reflect as we worship and gather in small groups. We’ll set goals in our quiet times. Then we’ll head back to live those dreams out back here in our community. So exhale and get ready for what God is going to do this next year. I have a feeling you’ll be out of breath by the end of the year.

The Youth will be setting their own spiritual goals, so join us in this journey as well. Our reflection won’t be done in a journal or on the back porch; we’ll be joining a couple hundred of our friends in Huntsville, Alabama for the

PROGRE SSIVE D INNE R

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MON TH LY S N A P S HOT

W I N T E R WON DERLAN D

JANUARY DATES

WEEKLY S C HE D UL E S u n d ay 9:45am Sunday School 11:00am Worship in the Sanctuary 2:00pm Matupi Christian Baptist Church Worship Service 5:00pm Youth Choir and Worship M o n d ay 10:00am Mother’s Bible Study

1 - Office Closed for New Year’s Day 7 - Sunday Night Activities Begin 10 - Wednesday Night Activities Begin 12-14 - Youth Winter Summit

Wed n e s d ay 5:00pm Wednesday Night Dinner 6:00pm Journeys Hunger in God’s World Sanctuary Handbells Preschool Music and Mission 1st-5th Grade Music and Mission Youth Gathering 7:00pm Sanctuary Choir

15 - Office Closed for MLK Jr. Day 18 - Finance Committee Meeting 20 - Chili Cook-off 26-27 - 5th Grade Retreat

14 | SMOKE RISE BAPT IST.ORG

Winter 2018 – Session One

Smoke Rise Baptist Church Invites you to our 3rd annual

The Influence of Faith Series

Faith & Art Jan. 10 at 6:00 pm in Fellowship Hall Led by Marcella Howard Faith & Music 17 atto6:00 pm inmy Fellowship Words cannotJan. begin express deepestHall gratitude to all of the Sunday, January 21 Led by Rev. Marc Burcham choirs and instrumentalists who made the 2017 Advent and Christmas Noon – fellowship hall season a wonderful of worship. Your level of commitment to hard Faith &time Psychology -Use your donation (cash or check) work and excellence was inFellowship each and every January 24 at realized 6:00 pm in Hall service. to “vote” for this year’s People’s Choice Led to by our Dr. Claire Award!

I’m also grateful pastorWheeler and ministerial staff for their

thoughtfulness in worship leadership.

Your well crafted words make Faith & Science: Views from a Theologian and Scientist our worship experience richerWorth and more meaningful.

Jan. 31 – A God Trusting: Thoughts on the Evolving

-Enjoy our plentiful toppings bar, a cornbread competition, and delicious homemade baked goods -Families welcome!

Cosmos Thank you Smoke Rise Baptist Church for being a worshipping church.

Danny

-All proceeds benefit the 2018 family mission trip to Ashville, NC

5901 Hugh Howell Road, Stone Mountain

Feb. 7 – The Trouble with Stacy: Why the Church Avoids Science Led by Paul Wallace - a Baptist minister with a doctorate in experimental nuclear physics and post-doctoral work in gamma ray astronomy, along with a theology degree from Emory University.

6:00 pm in Fellowship Hall.

is a wonderful time to join a choir!

770.498.3598 - smokerisebaptist.org

Music of the Heart Popular love songs through the decades · Dessert and Dancing

Presented by the Sanctuary Choir · Sunday, February 11, 2018 • 7:00 pm · Fellowship Hall

ptist Church, we are blessed to have wonderful instruments that are used to glorify God in worship. Among the Meal Price Increase e is the Bösendorfer grand piano in the Sanctuary. Considered one of the most superb pianos built, the Starting Jan. 1 ll known for its darker and richer tone quality. This top of the line brand is also famous for building pianos with rm beingAdult 88). Meals: The piano $7 in our Sanctuary Model No. 225, has 92 keys.

Meals To Go: $7.50

ano was acquired over 30 years ago SEEThe THE ARTICLE s Pianos.

Atlanta Symphony ON PAGE 8 piano on for one year OFa trial THISbasis ISSUE in a different direction, so our RE GARDING REASONS FOR THIS the piano at that time.

INCREASE.

wonderful use, the Music d that it is time for the piano toAddress Correction Requested e restoration. The estimated cost of ween $37,000-$40,000. What seems