January CrossTie by Smoke Rise Baptist Church

Cross ie MAGAZINE

Vol 5 | Issue 1 | January 2021

A New Season Epiphany Sunday, January 3, 2021

Inspired by Epiphany an active worship experience

Sunday, January 10, 2021 5 - 7 p.m. Courtyard and Chapel Lawn

(Please enter from gym-side courtyard.) Inclement Weather Date January 17th

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

From the Pastor

Worship

Growing

Serving

Caring

Generosity

Connecting

Sharing Our Stories

Family Ministry

Youth

Monthly Snapshot

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

Associate Pastor bmcniel@smokerisebaptist.org 678.533.0540

J a me s S m i th

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

facebook.com/ smokerise

smokerisebaptist.org

F RO M THE PASTOR

SERV IN G

What did we learn in 2020? My hope and prayer is that we learned a new appreciation for each other. Sometimes, I fear, in the “the normal times,” we have a terrible tendency to overlook others. We get so consumed with our roles and responsibilities, our tasks and our duties, that we lose sight of what matters most – the people around us.

CA RIN G

In your “bank of time,” 86,400 seconds are deposited each day. That calculates into 1440 minutes and 24 hours. Not one second more. Not one second less. The gift of time is a precious gift from the Lord. It cannot be escaped. It cannot be carried over and credited to another day. Time is truly sacred and fleeting.

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.

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FRO M TH E PASTO R

CHRIS G E ORGE - Senior Pastor

Well... it's 2021! We made it!. I will be honest: I was not sure that we could or we would. 2020 was a unique year. Long and longer. It gave us a whole new perspective on eternity. But, this was certainly not the first time God’s people have endured a challenge. Whenever we endure a hardship, we are joined by that great cloud of witnesses who have also known struggle and sorrow. We are joined by our parents and grandparents and by priests and prophets. Long ago, God said to Jeremiah, “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words…” (Jeremiah 18:1). Now, prophets were not typically called to go to watch someone make bowls, cups, and pots. You might say it was unprecedented; but Jeremiah accepts the calling and when he gets there, he observes, “The vessel the potter was making of clay spoiled in his hand…” Friends, is there any better way to describe 2020—unprecedented and spoiled? A few weeks ago, my son, David and I were taking a walk in the neighborhood. We were talking about this and that. During there was a lull in the conversation, David said, “Well, Daddy, I think it is safe to label 2020 as a failure.” Yes, I had to agree. Jeremiah felt the same way about the vessel. But, then, as we are told, “The potter reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him…” (Jeremiah 18:4). You see, the potter didn’t throw the clay away, but started over. God that Potter; God who was God in 2020; God who is God in 2021. God does not give up, even on a flawed vessel. One of the most amazing thing about God is that God doesn’t waste anything, especially not time. God takes the time, even in those days that are filled with trials and tribulations, and does something blessed and beautiful. God helps us to grow even in the spiritual deserts. If you look back at those wilderness seasons, you realize God is always doing a new thing in our lives. With God, there are no wastelands. No scraps on the floor. God takes something that you and I would label as a failure, a waste, and worthless and sees something that cannot be only salvaged, but actually redeemed. God is persistent and persevering. What did 2020 require of us? Persistence and perseverance. What did we learn in 2020? My hope and prayer is that we learned a new appreciation for each other. Sometimes, I fear, in the “the normal times,” we have a terrible tendency to overlook others. We get so consumed with our roles and responsibilities, our tasks and our duties, that we lose sight of what matters most – the people around us. God told the Prophet Isaiah, “See I am doing a new thing! Now springs it up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:19). Yes, 2020 felt like the wilderness and the wasteland; but God is doing a new thing. Here and now. God never calls us to go back. God is always beckoning us forward. I am glad to be on this journey with you. Pastor Chris

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

DANNY VANC IL - Minister of Music and Worship

We have been warned! It will be a difficult winter as we continue to fend off the Covid19 pandemic. As I think about the next couple of months, my mind starts wandering down the path to the many beautiful choral anthems that have ministered to me in times of darkness and despair. The following texts are all from choral anthems found in the Smoke Rise Baptist Church music library. My Song in the Night O Jesus, my Savior, my song in the night, Come to us with Thy tender love, my soul's delight. Unto Thee, O Lord, in affliction I call, My comfort by day and my song in the night. O why should I wander an alien from Thee, or cry in the desert Thy face to see. My comfort and joy, my soul's delight. O Jesus, my Savior, my song in the night. Southern Folk Hymn • Choral Setting by Christiansen • Recommended Listening: https://youtu.be/pj30hP-YOKU

You Do Not Walk Alone May you see God’s light on the path ahead when the road you walk is dark. May you always hear even in your hour of sorrow, the gentle singing of the lark. When times are hard, may hardness never turn your heart to stone. May you always remember when the shadows fall–you do not walk alone. Traditional Irish Blessing • Choral Setting by Hagenberg • Recommended Listening: https://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/media-player.jsp?& productID=11166201&type=audio

I Often Dance I often dance in celebration. My heart leaps, my spirit sings. God is my source of jubilation, I will soar on eagles’ wings. I often dance with wide-eyed wonder through troubled times on wounded feet. No stormy wave can pull me under; hope sustains the steady beat. God turns my sorrow into dancing, I will sing and not be silent. I often dance with love and laughter, splashing through God’s showers of grace. Weep for the night, but joy comes after, gently lifting me in God’s embrace. I often dance with all creation; the steps of life I love to learn; I dance with great anticipation for the bridegroom will return. God turns my sorrow into dancing; I will sing and not be silent. Words by Keith Hibbs • Music by Gary Hallquist • Recommended Listening: https://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/media-player.jsp?&productID=3303725&type=audio It is my prayer that you will be able to find your song even in the darkest times of winter. Please continue to join us for online worship in the weeks ahead and let the music ministry of our church be an inspiration to you. 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

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 Meeting ID: 86775532004 Passcode: 309903 Faith and Issues: Led by Richard Swindle Meets Sundays at 3:00 pm This class looks at various current events and topics from a Christian perspective. Zoom Video Link Pairs and Spares: Rotation of Teachers 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 9:30 am 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

Lent Devotional Join your church family in finding joy throughout Lent. Pastor and comedian Susan Sparks will lead us through a 40 day journey of joy.

Journeys Recording Video Study - Rediscovering the Bible Video with Dr Chris George Zoom Class - The Importance of Knowing Our Story with Rev. Becky Caswell-Speight Zoom Video Link Meeting ID: 302 327 5067 Passcode: SRBC

S ERVIN G ON M I S S I ON

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

You Did It Again! Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve done it again, Smoke Rise Baptist Church! You have given $51,673.50 for the Seventh Annual World Mission Offering in record time in an unprecedented year. Because of your generous giving, our partners have already received their portion of the Annual World Mission Offering. In the coming months, we will share with you how these monetary gifts are transformed into the hands and feet of Christ. NETWorks Co-op: Help families needing financial assistance due to COVID - $5,000 Lilburn Co-op: Install new downspouts on building - $5,000 Metro Baptist Church NYC: Technology to support life skills and youth programming - $2,500 Greater Restoration Baptist Church in NYC: Heaters - $2,500 Edgewood Church: Seating and equipment for Ministry House - $5,000 Friends of Refugees: After-school initiative - $2,500; Jolly Avenue Garden - $2,500 African Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mission: Two new toilets - $4,500; New kitchen - $1,000 Appalachia (GAP): Internet service and security gate - $5,000 Family Heritage Foundation: Part-time tutors for two more classes -$5,000

Welcome to the Mission Team!

You see Heather Huff playing the piano on Sundays, but now you will see her in a new position when you visit the Mission Office. Heather joins the Mission Team at Smoke Rise as the new mission assistant. Throughout November and December, Heather shadowed Glenn and Pat to absorb as much information as she could and asked questions along the way. Heather brings a number of gifts to this position as she moves away from her role as a project manager. Welcome, Heather, to the Mission Team!

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CARI NG AT S M O KE R I SE

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

Happy New Year! We are more than ready to put 2020 behind us. I am writing this page in the last few days of a very difficult year now drawing to a close. We recently observed the “National Day of Giving,” a day when many charitable organizations promote giving to their cause at the calendar year end. One way charities promote giving on this day is through matching gifts. To illustrate, someone might pledge to match all gifts over $100 or to match the first $5,000 given, and so on. Did you know there are three valuable matching gifts you will both receive and can give in 2021? The three things we can offer to God in 2021 are our time, talents and treasure. Each of these are given to us by God and each What three should be given back in generous portion.

matching gifts will you receive in 2021?

Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

When we put our money into something, we develop a deep interest in it. It makes sense that we treasure what is close to our hearts. If we love books, value the latest technology, enjoy using tools, or so on, we spend our treasure on those things. When the desire of our heart changes, where we put our treasure also changes. Ask any grandparent. But it works the other way, too. Where we put our treasure, our hearts will follow. Commit yourself to give generously and faithfully to the Lord in 2021. Put your treasure in the things of God’s kingdom and discover joy in having a vested interest there. In addition, we can give our talent. Each of us are gifted in different ways. Romans 12 reminds us, “Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body.” We are all part of his body and each of us has different work to do. Where will you serve in 2021? Finally, you can wisely give your time. Suppose your bank called you to inform you that an anonymous donor decided to deposit 86,400 pennies into your account each day for the next year. At first, it doesn’t seem like a lot of money. But then you calculate it to total $864 per day and $315,000 per year! Then the caller from the bank adds one stipulation. “The giver of this gift requires that you spend the money on the day you receive it. No balance will be carried over to the next day. If you fail to use a sum, it will be cancelled and gone forever. Remember, what you don’t spend is lost at the end of each day.” What sounds like a wild fantasy is a sobering reality. In your “bank of time,” 86,400 seconds are deposited each day. That calculates into 1440 minutes and 24 hours. Not one second more. Not one second less. The gift of time is a precious gift from the Lord. It cannot be escaped. It cannot be carried over and credited to another day. Time is truly sacred and fleeting. As we “redeem the time” of 2021, let us hold sacred the use of our time as well as our treasure and talent. I look forward to the new year together—living, giving and serving in 2021. May the Smoke Rise Baptist Church family make each minute, our gifts and our service count for Christ’s Kingdom! May the new year bring fresh hope, promise and many blessings to you!

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GENER OS I T Y BART MCNIEL - A s s o ci a t e Pa s t o r o f A dm i n i s t r a t i on, Mi ni stry Support and Congregati onal Care

From the Stewardship Committee Thank you to everyone who gave to our end-ofyear giving campaign, the Gifts of Christmas. We are always grateful for the support of our generous community. The finance office is tallying receipts, and we will publish final numbers soon, via email and online. The Stewardship Committee will reconvene soon to plan the next pledge campaign, which will begin in February. As always, we are so humbled by all the ways in which the Smoke Rise family gives. Thank you. -Joe Moore, Chair of the Stewardship Committee

The Gifts of

Christmas

From the Finance Committee As we are entering the 2021-2022 budget planning season, the finance committee and budget subcommittee ask for your prayers of discernment as we approach this very important responsibility. We still have a little more than three months of giving towards the 20-21 budget and the finance committee is grateful for the continued faithfulness of this congregation especially during this year of change due to the virus. You are amazing! -Charlene Echols, Chair of the Finance Committee

Ways to Give Mail

Online

Text

Stock

Give the traditional way by check or cash each week through the mail or in the offering plate.

Give through text, by texting "givesrbc" to 73256 followed by the gift amount to give.

Give online at smokerisebaptist.org/give/. Through online giving, you can set up a recurring gift or tithe.

To give through a transfer of stock, please contact Fe Williams in our church office at financeoffice@smokerisebaptist.org or by phone at 678.533.0545.

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CONNEC T I N G AT SMOK E R I SE

Inspired by Epiphany an active worship experience

Sunday, January 10, 2021 5 - 7 p.m. Courtyard and Chapel Lawn

(Please enter from gym-side courtyard.) Inclement Weather Date January 17th

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Bring Your Gifts Just as the wise men brought gifts to the baby Jesus, we are asking you to being your gifts for the the Lilburn and NETWork Co-ops. Below are the items that are needed. Lilburn Co-Op's Needs: peanut butter, cereal, Hamburger Helper, shampoo, toilet paper, and these canned items: peas, chicken, tuna, stew, mixed vegetables, gravy or broth, and pork & beans. NETWorks' Needs: jelly, canned fruit, canned chicken, cereal, pasta meals, single serve microwave meals, peanut butter, tuna, granola bars, powdered milk, rice, fruit cups, hearty soups (not condensed), toilet paper, and sanitizing wipes.

Space for All If you would like a noncontact journey through Epiphany, please contact Becky Caswell-Speight, rcspeight@smokerisebaptist. org, to schedule an early arrival time.

S HARIN G OUR STO R I ES From Susan Gilbert

When Joel and I joined Smoke Rise Baptist Church some 20 years ago and were looking for someplace to spend our time while Stephen went to his Sunday school class, people directed us to the Pastor’s Class taught by Dr. Bob Browning. We were welcomed by class president, Debbie Scott, and settled in getting to know the 20 other class regulars. When Bob left us to start a young adult class, we were fortunate to have Dr. Colin Harris merge us into the Discovery Class and become our instructor. As a class, we have rocked along growing steadily over the years. We regularly had 30 or 40 in attendance. Then back in March when Covid hit, we worried that we might lose our momentum and closeness as a group. Enter Zoom! There were some technical challenges as we all figured out how to Zoom effectively. Colin needed a new camera and ended up getting a new computer, which solved some of our early issues. As participants, we all learned how to mute, unmute, put up virtual backgrounds and even how to add a mask or halo to our images. Poke around a little under the camera icon in Video Settings to see all the fun options! In an early Zoom session, Jim Grenade’s sister from New York joined us and became a regular. That gave me the idea to invite my sister in Alabama, and others began inviting their out-of-state friends and relatives. We now have to begin class with introductions to make sure everyone knows who is joining us. Typically we have 35 connections that include 50 attendees. It’s been such fun meeting classmates' extended families and we have realized, when we can get back to meeting in person, we will have to continue our virtual meeting space to accommodate everyone who has become part of our Smoke Rise Discovery Class. -Susan Gilbert, Discovery Class Secretary

From Donna Weatherby

These last seven months have been like nothing I’ve ever experienced. Working in the healthcare field has been challenging and has come with many changes in our area of bone marrow transplants. As with everyone, most days have stressful moments with each evening being a challenge to find ways to relax and rejuvenate as we prepare for the next day and whatever will come our way. Through it all we try to keep the energy going to do what is necessary for our work at the hospital while maintaining a positive outlook as each new day starts in our lab. In the past, I have marked my progress through the week with Sunday worship at church and Wednesday night with dinner and choir. But that is not possible with the efforts to limit gatherings in order to be safe and healthy ourselves thereby keeping others safe and healthy also. I have been so impressed with how our church has responded and found ways to gather virtually. When the choir was able to meet under the tent for rehearsals, I enjoyed a time of singing with others each week that was lift my spirits and prepare me for another day. Songs of the church are encouraging and resonate deeply in me. Even without in-person rehearsals, I will keep singing with a renewed vigor as we navigate through the early months of this new year. -Donna Weatherby

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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

We canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t gather together because of COVID, but we can visit with you and your children at home. We would love to visit with you anytime on Wednesdays. We can go for a walk or just hang and listen to how your day of school went. We hope that this will be a good time of connecting. All you have to do is sign up your child here for a specific day. Once signed up Becky, Caroline, or Amanda will contact you to set up the time and space where you would like to visit. Looking forward to seeing all of our friends soon.

Passportkids! July 17 - 20 $260 Deposit of $60 is due May 1st. Full payment due at time of camp. No deposit needed at sign up.

January Missions SUNDAYS * 5:45 PM 1ST - 5TH GRADE ZOOM OPTION AVAILABLE: 974 5615 9845

BEGINNING JANUARY 17TH

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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

Last January, I challenged our youth to come up with a word for the year that could either guide them or that they could chase after and set goals toward. We got off to a great start posting our words and creating goals that could challenge us throughout the year. Then COVID-19 hit us and these words were replaced with other words – words like hopeless, gloom, why now, and despair. The last nine months of 2020 have been hard and this first part of 2021 might be just as hard. But I’m starting to hear different words again. I’m starting to hear words that revolve around hope, planning, and the future.

SAVE THE DATE

Hope is powerful. Hope can get us through hard times. Even a glimmer of hope can give us something to grab onto and continue to do and to dream. I believe that is where we are now: in a place of hope. This is also why I’ve asked our students to think of words for 2021 as well. My hope is that they will reflect on the events of 2020 and think about how they want the events of this past year to influence their year to come. Was it nice not to have as much going on? What did they miss? What will they no longer take for granted? Who are the people they can rely on? Most of us want to forget 2020. But I believe 2020 might have reminded us of some things as well. Things that are really important to us. My hope is that, going forward, we may put those important things at the front of our to-do lists than continue to push them to the bottom, lest we forget about them again. - Jeremy

PASSPORT 2021 JULY 5-10 FURMAN UNIVERSITY

New Content for the New Year As we enter into the new year there will be some additions to our weekly email and social media that we hope will allow our students to connect with what we’re talking about Sundays throughout the rest of the week. In the weekly email there will be a preview video that will introduce the students to what we will be talking about each Sunday morning. Throughout the week there will be prompts on social media to continue to live out what we discussed on Sunday mornings. We hope that our youth continue to engage with our discussion topics throughout the week and that they incorporate them into their own lives

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MON THLY S N A P S H OT

Advent Inspiration

January Dates

Weekly Schedule

1 Office Closed for New Year's Day

Sunday 9:45 AM - Online Sunday school for all ages

10 Inspired by Epiphany

11:00 AM - Livestream Worship Service

18 Office Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Monday 5:00 PM - Weekly Devotional Video Wednesday 6:00 PM - Journeys Thursday 5:00 PM - Prayer Concerns Video

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Sing We All Noel

Fiscal 2021-22 Budget Timeline

February 17, 2021

Journey to the Cross

Second subcommittee meeting

Present budget to deacon body for approval

Congregation Q&A via zoom: 5-6 pm and 7-8 pm

Pledge Sunday

January 20

February 14

February 24

March 21

January 13

January 21

February 16-18

March 7

April 1

First subcommittee meeting

Monthly Finance Committee meeting: Present budget for approval

Mail proposed budget to the congregation

Vote of approval by the congregation

2021-2022 budget cycle begins

On Monday, January 18th, the church offfice will be closed in remembrance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Address Correction Requested