Summer CrossTie 2022

CROSSTIE Your Smoke Rise Baptist Church Magazine l Summer 2022

Vacation Bible School

We are so excited to have a full VBS this year! If you are willing to be a part of our volunteer team, please contact Becky Caswell-Speight at 770.469.5856.

This is a wonderful opportunity to serve and help create memories for our Smoke Rise Kids.

Youth First Trip, Last Trip

Calling all youth for the last trip of the summer. We will be headed to Six Flags on July 27th. We are so excited that the rising sixth graders will be able to join us for this day of fun!

Kick-off Sunday Help us kick-off the beginning of our school year! During the worship service we will extend our blessing on the students, teachers, and support staff as they embark on a new school year.

Worship Service Gather around the tables in the fellowship hall following Sunday school for our worship service at 11:00 am. We will sing songs of worship, grow deeper in our faith, and share the Lord's Supper together.

Mark your calendars for

Sunday, July 3rd Patriotic Pops Stay in the fellowship hall following the worship service and enjoy light refreshments as we celebrate our nation’s birthday thru favorite songs.

Connect with

Stop by Our Office

5901 Hugh Howell Rd. Stone Mountain, GA 30087

Give Us a Call 770.469.5856

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Visit Us Online

smokerisebaptist.org

IN THIS ISSUE 4-5

From the Pastor

6-7

Journey to Easter

8

Music and Mission Trip

9

Academy of Arts Summer Classes

10-11

Changes at the Weekday School

12-13

Smoke Rise Kids Summer Activities

14

A Bitter Sweet Goodbye

15

Sunday School Reflections

16

Ladies Spring Event

17

For Every Good Gift

18-19

A People of Prayer

20-21

Mission Opportunities

23

Looking Forward to Fall

24

New Sanctuary Lighting

Our Ministers B e c ky C asw el l - Spei gh t

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

Ch r is George

Senior Pastor cgeorge@smokerisebaptist.org

8

MUSIC A N D MISSIO N TR IP

Preparing for our youth/adult music and missions trip has proven to be quite an adventure—even before traveling the first mile. After being forced to cancel choir tours to New Orleans and New York in past years due to the pandemic, it was time in our four-year rotation to set our sights on an international trip.

17 F O R EV ERY G O O D GIFT

It’s summer and we are coming to the end of the first quarter of our fiscal budget year (April 2022 to March 2023) at Smoke Rise. Looking back on our previous budget year, we celebrate every good gift given to Smoke Rise in that year and the continued generosity of our church family in this year.

18 A PEO PL E O F PRAYER

Even when it may not seem this way, a vibrant prayer life is possible for you. As one author recently penned, “The whole thing is rigged for triumph.”

That does not mean that prayer will be easy. That does not mean that praying will be comfortable. In fact, it won’t be. Prepare for some discomfort, and frustration, but also prepare for deep and abiding joy, fulfilment and wholeness. Prayer is a pathway to intimacy with God.

Bar t McN ie l

Associate Pastor of Administration, Ministry Support and Congregational Care bmcniel@smokerisebaptist.org

James S mith

Pastoral Care Associate jsmith@smokerisebaptist.org

D anny Vancil

Minister of Music and Worship dvancil@smokerisebaptist.org

From the Pastor Our many freedoms.

by Chris George, Senior Pastor Summer is a season of celebration. School children (and teachers) who have been counting down the days for many months will finish and finally embark on their annual break from studies. Trips that have been postponed (some for years due to Covid) will take place.

Perhaps, it is entirely appropriate that summer is also the season when our nation celebrates our freedoms. But, before the celebration, we may want to take time as Christians to pause and reflect on what freedom really means and why it really matters.

Freedom is certainly far greater than any single liberty. In the United States, we speak broadly about those hallmark freedoms of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” On the Fourth of July each year, people celebrate and proclaim allegiance to a nation that values and protects these important freedoms. In some churches, quotations of our founding fathers will be read aloud; allegiance will be pledged to our flag, and praise will be expressed for the “land of the free and the home of the brave.”

In the midst of all these celebrations, we may be tempted to believe that the concept of freedom is a uniquely American innovation. However, if we read the earliest documents, we discover that our early leaders recognized that freedom is first and foremost a gift from God. A nation may serve only as a steward to protect and preserve this sacred gift. We are not the

My prayer for us is simple: May we use freedom wisely, May we share freedom generously, May we protect freedom vigorously, May we exercise freedom daily.

And may we never forget the words of our Savior, saying…

“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”

creators, but merely the recipients.

Freedom is not a gift from the government; freedom is a gift from God. Lest we forget, the scriptures remind us that God is the ultimate source of all freedom. The Hebrew Scriptures, or Old Testament, begins with a foundational story about freedom in the early narrative about the Garden of Eden. The centerpiece of the story is not actually the Tree of Knowledge, but the concept of freedom and the fact that people are given a choice. Adam and Eve, created in the very image of God, are given the sacred gift of freedom along with the weighty responsibility of choice.

Since the very beginning of time, God has bestowed this same gift on each one of us. Some choose wisely, others foolishly. Scripture tells us many stories of faith and failure.

This year, we have watched together in horror what has happened in Ukraine. We have lamented the loss of life, the acts of violence, the unjust attacks on civilians. The Russian invasion was not only an attack on another country; it was an affront to freedom. We recognize that something sacred has been threatened and feel compelled to respond as a nation with compassion and confrontation. As a congregation, we have sent our financial support and pledged our prayers.

The brave response of Ukrainians reminds us that freedom is not free, but is instead something of great value worth protecting, even with our very lives. We give thanks for their courage. We also pause to give thanks for the courage of all who have fought over the years to protect the freedoms that we enjoy in our country.

I am passionate about freedom because of my faith.

The Apostle Paul seemed equally passionate, writing to the Corinthians: “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17).

So, when you and I are seeking after the Spirit of God, we need to look closely at those places where we find freedom. If the Spirit of God is working in and through us, we will be the kind of people who seek to protect and promote freedom in this community, in this country and in our world. For the Spirit of God inspires freedom.

As Christians, freedom means that we are to be the Body of Christ. We can remember the forgotten. We can stand against injustice. Freedom means that we can and should join with others of faith—whether Muslims, Methodists, Buddhists, or perhaps hardest of all, other Baptists. We can love without strings attached. We can share our faith without fear. We can tell others about Jesus by what we say and by what we do.

Freedom means we cannot force or compel anyone to believe or act in a certain manner. Yet, freedom simultaneously means that each one has the power to choose to follow God’s plan. Freedom means no person or power can prevent us from worshiping God with all our hearts, souls, minds and strengths.

So, thank God this day and every day that we have been given the sacred gift of freedom and the blessed opportunity to choose—not based on our nationality—but as the birthright of all those made in God’s image.

My prayer for us is simple: May we use freedom wisely.

May we share freedom generously.

May we protect freedom vigorously.

May we exercise freedom daily.

And may we never forget the words of our Savior, saying…

“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”

5

Ash Wednesday

Palm Sunday

Maundy Thursday

Good Friday

Easter Celebration

Easter Sunday

Music and Missions Trip A trip to Canada to serve and share our love of music

by Danny Vancil, Minister of Music and Worship “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Preparing for our youth/adult music and missions trip has proven to be quite an adventure—even before traveling the first mile. After being forced to cancel choir tours to New Orleans and New York in past years due to the pandemic, it was time in our four-year rotation to set our sights on an international trip.

Plans were made and scheduled to travel to Romania to work with the Ruth School in Bucharest. A part of Project Ruth, a CBF-related ministry, the school provides free education for students who are pre-k through eighth grade as well as tutoring for high school students. Little did we know at the time these plans were set that the neighboring country of Ukraine would soon be in the middle of a devastating war.

In my minister’s report to the diaconate on February 13 of this year, I shared that our travel plans were hanging in the balance, waiting on news from the Kremlin. On Thursday, February 24, the world learned the tragic news of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Of course, for obvious safety concerns, our plans had to change. The Ruth School dormitories that would have housed our team are now hosting an overflow of refugees who are being loved and nurtured by the school which is supported in large part by the gifts of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.

Immediately following the cancellation of our plans, Pastor Chris was able to connect with a minister friend and colleague and fellow Samford alum, Dr. Rusty Edwards, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Halifax, Nova Scotia. He, along with the director of music, Lynette Wahlstrom, have invited us to lead in worship on June 5. Neighboring Dalhousie University will be our place of lodging. From there, we will branch out, offering community concerts and working in mission projects.

The Lord continues to work out special plans for our youth and adult Team and, for that, we give thanks. Thank you, Smoke Rise Baptist Church, for your prayerful and financial support of our exciting venture.

Mission Team

8

Lilianna Arnold, Blaine Colliver, Kendall Downs, Jonathan Hall, Heather Huff, Hannah Claire Jowers, Kelly Jowers, Sophia McLendon, Mattie McNiel, Joe Moore, Olivia Moore, Maddox Mullee, Derek Smith, Beth Smith, Lauren Smith, Karen Stitt, Danny Vancil

Children's Dance

Our wonderful Ms. Sydney will offer her children’s dance classes on Tuesday and Thursday mornings for ages three through teen. Classes will run for three-week sessions in June and July, offering flexibility around vacations. As a side note, we are excited to announce that Ms. Sydney is planning her wedding for this fall! We are almost as thrilled as she is. She has taught ballet, tap and jazz with us for over 10 years and has instructed our liturgical dance group for the past four years! We are excited that Ms. Sydney will continue to teach with us next year!

Teen Dance

For older dancers who enjoy high energetic theatrical dance, Ms. Greyson Chadwick will offer her Theater Dance Fusion classes on Wednesday mornings this summer.

Ms. Greyson choreographs our outstanding drama shows and has led our Junior Theater Festival troupe to earn “Outstanding Performance” awards at each of our festivals!

Teen Drama

Teens are offered a two-week intense drama camp, July 11-22, with shows presented the weekend of July 22-24. Teens will work each day (except Sundays) on lines, songs and dance. The show selected will be dependent on the number of students involved.

Elementary and Middle School Drama

Drama class for elementary / middle school ages will run each Monday, June - September, 6:00-8:00 with a show production (possibly Aladdin, Jr) planned for midSeptember. Children in rising first grade through middle school are invited to join the cast. They will learn to sing, dance and act on the Fellowship Hall stage. Summer is a great time for kids to participate without the added burden of schoolwork and fall sports.

Summer Arts Camp

We are also excited to bring back our popular summer arts camp for 2022. This camp will run June 27-30 from 12:00-4:30 (piggy-backed with VBS). Students ages five to 12 are invited to join us for fun with art, hip-hop dance, stage acting, using Orff instruments and drum circles.

Sessions will be led by our awesome Academy staff. Students who attend VBS may bring a lunch and join us for an extended day of fun with the arts! For camp information and registration, see SUMMER ARTS CAMP 2022 at https://forms. gle/BDUwta51TQgJpRjeA

Summer Music Lessons

Music lessons in violin, voice, piano and percussion will be offered each week throughout June and July, in either 30-minute, 45-minute or 60-minute sessions. It is a great time to try out a new instrument or continue previous instruction – no matter your age. Mr. Steve can teach you to play the ukulele as well as drums!

Musikgarten Family Music

Looking to have some fun with your pre-school children or grandchildren? Join Ms. Ginger for her Musikgarten Family Music Class each Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00-10:45 in the month of June. These classes for toddlersKindergarten, plus a guardian, are structured to stimulate the child’s musical mind! Children will dance with scarves, move to music, play nonpitched instruments and more! It’s a wonderful start to a child’s musical education and fun with mom, dad, grandmother or nanny!

Summer Opportunities

The fall semester will begin August 8 with lessons & classes in music, dance, art, and drama.

Information and registration for summer and fall at www.SmokeRiseBaptist.org/Arts or call 678-533-0562

Changes at the Weekday School We have loved serving this community.

by Harrison Litzell and Stacey McNiel, Weekday School Co-Directors

After three years as the co-director of Smoke Rise Baptist Weekday School, it is time for me to move on. I began here in the Fall of 2019 in a world that was much different than it is now. Over the course of my three years, I have learned from our teachers, substitutes, students and families. Working with children always means wearing a number of different hats throughout the day. But two hats in particular continue to stand out for me.

I have had the opportunity to lead Chapel, virtually at times, for our students. We have spent hours singing songs, saying our prayers, learning about Jesus and creation, and even developing a stretching routine. I cherished the opportunity each year to place ashes on the hands of children on Ash Wednesday, and to look a child in the eye, saying, “God made you, and God loves you.”

At other times, I served our teachers by providing a space for students who needed a break. Teachers were able to offer my office as a place to rest when a student was overwhelmed. “Do you need to go visit Mr. Harrison?” was offered at times as a respite as well as a deterrent. I even had one parent tell me that her daughter who is a student in our class told her little brother he might need to go see Mr. Harrison if he didn’t behave!

I have loved this school dearly and continue to love it as my own daughters will attend again next year. It is a place of love and care for each student and family. Thank you for allowing me to lead through these challenging years and for entrusting me with this ministry as it approaches almost 50 years of service in this community.

-Harrison Litzell Did you know that our Weekday School staff has a combined 65 years of experience here at our school? That is not even counting their work experience in other environments, nor considering our amazing substitutes who step in at a moment’s notice.

We are so incredibly proud of this team and you should be as well. If you want to learn more about our team, you can read their SRBWS bios on our website. Just 10 scan the QR Code and check it out.

Betelehem Haile Two's Teacher

Katie El-Alam Two's Teacher

After serving for five years at SRBC Weekday School, I am stepping aside as Co-Director as I start my new job with the Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology. As I came into the position of CoDirector, the school was facing financial challenges, and not long afterward, the pandemic presented an entirely new set of hurdles to navigate. Through the wonderful work of the Weekday School staff, the school not only overcame, but is flourishing as a self-sustaining ministry of the church.

I am grateful for the trust and support Smoke Rise members place in the school and its staff as a community ministry. Thank you, Smoke Rise members, for your faithful partnership that has helped maintain classrooms, playgrounds, paid utility bills, and funded scholarships over the nearly 50-year life of SRBC Weekday School.

I will miss working with the knowledgeable and caring teachers and substitutes who are truly the source of the school’s success. I will miss sharing first science lessons with little ones. I will miss the smiles of children and proud parents at preschool graduation. I am grateful for the opportunity Smoke Rise gave me to lead and serve. May grace and love flourish all the more at SRBC Weekday School for years to come.

-Stacey McNiel

Jillian Wilkes Three's Teacher

Tanya Gongora Three's Teacher

Lisa Mixon

Pre-K Teacher

Rashette Walker Pre-K Teacher

Ginger Tankersly Music Teacher

Vacation Bible School June 27-30 | 9:30-12:00pm Ages 3 - Rising 6th Graders

Won't You Be My Neighbor?

Summer Activities

Lego Camp July 5-8 | 5:30-8:00 pm Rising 3rd-6th Graders Registration Costs: $30

June 27-30 12:00 pm 4:30 pm Ages 5-12 Registration Costs: $100

Advocacy Camp

When looking back on your youth or childhood and church memories, you probably don’t remember the sermons that were preached or the prayers that were said. But you probably remember the big church events of summer: times at camps, fun fellowship evenings with your church friends, things you learned in Vacation Bible School. It certainly doesn’t mean we should not strive to learn week-to-week. Those moments build the scaffolding on which these big memories sit.

This year, your own children will be able to build such memories.

The Family Ministry has planned an exciting summer: from Wonderful Wednesdays, to Lego Camp and Vacation Bible School to Passportkids! We have created spaces for your children to learn, grow, care, serve and give and in ways that they will remember for years to come.

Life-Size Game Night

June 1st at 6:00 pm in the gym Dinner will be provided

Pool Night

June 22nd at 6:00 pm in the gym Bring a side dish and a towel!

Movie Night

July 13th at 8:00 pm Popcorn and snacks will be provided 13

A Bitter Sweet Goodbye Thank you for the opportunity to serve alongside you.

by Amanda Coe Burton, Ministry Director for Children and Families I write to you with overwhelming gratitude for the opportunities I have had to serve our church. It is a privilege to minister alongside the exceptional staff here and to partner with each of you as we have learned and served as the body of Christ. As your children have grown, my children have grown and now it is time for me to accept full-time employment outside of our church. Sunday, May 15, 2022, will be my last day as a Smoke Rise Baptist Church employee, but my family will continue our membership and our service to this special church. I am feeling a tender mix of emotions as I leave. I covet your prayers as I set forth into this new and exciting chapter of life.

While much of the work I have done here as your Ministry Director for Children and Families has been behind the scenes, perhaps my most public act of service takes place during our Parent and Child Dedication Services. As I wrap each child in a quilt, I say, “I wrap you in the warmth of this quilt, the embrace of this congregation, and in the love of Christ.” Please know that you, dear Smoke Rise, have wrapped me in your warm embrace and that I see the love of Christ through you. Thank you.

14

Sunday School Reflections The Berean Class

by Page Fulgham The Berean Bible study class was formed about 15 years ago out of a common interest in studying the scriptures, book-by-book and verse-by-verse. We have worked our way through the Bible at least a couple of times, excluding only some of the historical books of the Old Testament.

In addition to Bible study, the class enjoys fellowship both in class time and at social meetings outside of class.

In 2021, the class grew by a few members, with most members attending in-person and a few by Zoom.

The Bereans have an active outreach ministry and are eager to contact visitors and prospective members.

Dinah and Jim Watson testify: “Initially, we attended because we knew teacher Page Fulgham from his days at Morningside Baptist Church. We stayed in the Sunday school class because of the warm welcome we received from the members. During the first week, we received notes from the Blantons, the Holts, the Fulghams, as well as a phone call from Susan Robinson.”

Connecting seems to be an important part of Berean’s ministry of outreach, as is caring. Bereans reach out to those in the class who experience sickness and death.

Often, we work out a meal schedule for home delivery to those in need as well as fostering a regular prayer ministry of support. At noon, we gather “together” in separate places to lift our voices in petition to God. Class associations weave an interesting story of past connections. Dinah Watson mentioned a connection from 1971 when Page was a very young 29, serving as associate pastor at Morningside Baptist Church. Donna Dalton and Sandy Huff knew each other when both worked at Emory University Hospital, about which Donna wrote, “She (Sandy) was in clinical research and I

was in outpatient radiology.”

Similarly, Cathy Blanton and Carol Ann Fulgham first connected at Cedar Hill Elementary School in Lawrenceville on the first day the school opened.

Cathy remembers: “Back in 1988, third grade teacher Carol Ann Fulgham and media specialist Cathy Blanton met at Cedar Hill Elementary School and became friends. Carol Ann and Cathy took certification classes for ESOL and were study buddies.”

Cathy also has connections with Dedra and Mike Pattillo. Cathy reminisces, “Long, long ago, two fifth graders met at Arcado Elementary School and became great friends. You know what happens when two girls are friends—sleepovers, birthday parties, skate nights.

Shannon and Joanie brought Mike and Detra Pattillo into our lives and we often talked ‘church’ because we were all actively involved in our respective churches.

About three years ago, Mike and Detra showed up at SRBC and joined our Berean class. What a blessing!”

Mike and Martha Holt recall, “We knew the following class members from a previous church: Mike and Dedra Pattillo, Becky Mueller, Ernie Strauss, Paula and Greg Rowell (they met at a music performance which Mike hosted), Betty and Ken Yates (Betty's mom was a member and she traveled with Mike’s Senior Adult Choir. Martha worked with Joanie Huston (Bill and Cathy Blanton's daughter).

After Page moved on from Morningside Baptist, Detra Pattillo served as organist for many years at Morningside Baptist years. She told Page that his “reputation” lingered! Wisely, he did not ask for any explanation.

15

Ladies Spring Event We are so happy to be back together.

by Rebecca Caswell-Speight, Minister of Families, Faith Formation and Connection This past April, I stood on stage in our Fellowship Hall and looked out at the crowd and breathed a big sigh of relief at the beautiful sight before me.

A Goodbye from Merrilee Brock Thank you for loving and supporting me in my work these last five (almost 6) years.

While I won’t be in the church office, I will still live nearby and I look forward to running into you around town. I am looking forward to my new job at Trickum Middle School starting this summer. This new position will bring margin and balance to our family since I will be off on school holidays with my son. You all are right that there is no place like Smoke Rise Baptist Church. Blessings on your continued ministry here. Love, Merrilee

Women’s Ministry Circle Groups All women of the church are invited to participate in one of these circle groups that meet monthly (September - May) to plan mission projects and for fellowship.

It was my post-pandemic moment when life felt as it should be.

For the first time in two years, I was speaking to a group of 200 women for our Ladies Dinner. It a gift to see each person there; the friends that visit for this event year-after-year; long- time members who have moved away, but come back to say hello; even neighbors whom we’d just seen a few minutes before came into the church building.

They handed MaryLynn their tickets, and then stepped inside to ooh and ahh over the delightful table-scapes that church members had so lovingly created for everyone to enjoy. It was a time of food, fellowship, and comedy. The annual Ladies Dinner, like so many of the events and activities within our congregation, did not start this year. No. It has morphed and transformed itself for over 20 years into the beloved event we know today.

It is amazing how each year the speaker gets better than the one before and the tables prettier. And with Kathy Jollay as our lead, the years ahead of us will continue to produce ever more beautiful tables, more wonderful speakers, and great fun for all.

Fellowship Circle (all ages welcome) Meets first Wednesday of the month at 10:00 am Contact: Jenny Brannan 770-337-7545 brannan.jenny@gmail.com

Fite Circle (all ages welcome) Meets 2nd Tuesdays of the month at 10:00 am Contact: Alecia Reed 770-978-1616 aleciareed@yahoo.com

For Every Good Gift

We are thankful for the generos spirit here at Smoke Rise Baptist Church.

by Bart McNiel, Associate Pastor for Administration, Ministry Support and Congregational Care It’s summer and we are coming to the end of the first quarter of our fiscal budget year (April 2022 to March 2023) at Smoke Rise. Looking back on our previous budget year, we celebrate every good gift given to Smoke Rise in that year and the continued generosity of our church family in this year.

In the last fiscal year, gifts to our general fund totaling $2,256,435.22 met and exceeded our expenses by $38,408.53. Completing our last budget year with a surplus enabled us to expand and extend additional support for care ministries, as well as to replenish our refund reserves that were used in the previous year for maintenance and care of our facilities and grounds.

And still the story of our generosity in the previous budget year is not complete. Smoke Rise members also gave in fiscal year 2021/22 above and beyond regular giving and tithes in each of the following ways: Annual Missions Offering

$52,128 above and beyond the 8.5 percent of total giving to our general fund that is paid monthly from our budget throughout the year, supporting mission partners locally, regionally, and globally.

CBF Ukraine Relief

$36,006 direct support for refugees and war-torn families through long-time CBF mission partners on the ground in Ukraine, including $17,570 in fiscal year 2021/22 and $8,436 in the new fiscal year from our congregation members, and $10,000 from our church missions fund.

Families in Need (FIN)

$29,377 for confidential financial aid and care for church members due to difficult circumstances.

Special Designated Gifts

$206,250 in individual designated gifts for sanctuary lighting replacement and renovation, facility repair reserves, pastoral care, satellite outreach, missions, and ministry support. In the new fiscal year, we have already received a generous gift of $100,000 towards both lighting renovation and upgraded worship streaming equipment and cameras.

Endowment Gifts/Earnings $56,172.35, benefiting facility care, missions, children, youth, music, and new ministry opportunities.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above“ James 1:17. Thank you Smoke Rise family of faith for your faithful giving and service.

Sadies Ladies Circle (all ages welcome) Meets on the second Monday of the month at 6:30 pm (Light supper) Contact: Lois Jernigan Home 770-934-3005 Cell 678-438-6658 bobnlois@bellsouth.net

Stitchers Circle (all ages welcome) This group makes quilts for newborn babies in the church and for an orphanage in Ukraine.

“Caring” quilts are also given to members who are homebound, in nursing homes, or severely ill.

Contact Jan Sloan 770-595-0023 jan.sloan@att.net

The Gap Circle (empty nesters) Meets on the third Saturday at 8:30 am for breakfast Cathy Decuir 770-688-7949 cjdecuir@yahoo.com 17

A People of Prayer A vibrant prayer life is possible for you.

by Jim Smith, Pastoral Care Associate Even when it may not seem this way, a vibrant prayer life is possible for you. As one author recently penned, “The whole thing is rigged for triumph.”

That does not mean that prayer will be easy. That does not mean that praying will be comfortable. In fact, it won’t be. Prepare for some discomfort, and frustration, but also prepare for deep and abiding joy, fulfilment and wholeness. Prayer is a pathway to intimacy with God. Early in the spring a group of nearly 50 Smoke Risers gathered at Stone Mountain for a prayer retreat. We looked at several prayer topics including the use of borrowed prayer.

Are you wondering, “What is borrowed prayer?” I’m glad you asked.

Jonah is desperate. He cries out to God. But the words that echo off the rib cage of the fish are not his own. He borrows every prayer from the Psalms. In fact, since the Psalms were written centuries ago, people have borrowed prayers from them. In my own prayer life, I often borrow prayers from our hymnal.

Think about it. I think we can all understand why there are times when we need to “borrow a prayer.” We all experience times in life when we are too hurt, too angry, too disappointed, frustrated or in too much pain to formulate even the simplest of prayers.

The Psalms breathe life into those times, so we pray the Psalms. There are many good resources for borrowed prayers. Most devotional guides include a prayer with a daily inspirational thought. You may already be borrowing those prayers.

A popular saying reminds us: “When you can’t find your own hope, (or, when you can’t find your own words/prayer) borrow someone else’s.”

The words to the model prayer of Jesus, known commonly as “the Lord’s Prayer” include the phrase, “Our Father who art in heaven…” Those words were carefully chosen— intentionally chosen—to teach us. We are not alone. God is OUR Father. We are part of a corporate community. We are part of a family that stretches across the globe and that transcends time. The prayers of the saints are part of our heritage. Our prayers will outlive us. I know that to be true as I see the prayers of my father and mother at work around me all the time, although my mother and father have been in heaven for years.

So, consider borrowing a prayer. Turn frequently to the Psalms. Consider the following Psalms: 12:1-8; 13:6; 27:13-14; 33:19; 34:17-20; 51:10-12; 42:5-6; 46:1-12; 62:5-6; 63:1-8; 71:1-6; 71:17-22; 119:33-40; and 148:1-14.

That’s just the beginning. The Bible has over 650 prayers.

I’d like to offer a few that might be useful on various occasions this summer. I hope you will borrow some of these. A borrowed prayer can be an effective tool for you and the Holy Spirit. A borrowed prayer can jump start a spontaneous prayer deep in your heart and mind. A borrowed prayer can draw you close to your heavenly Father and be a rich, rich blessing.

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A Travel Blessing May God, who is present in sunrise and nightfall And in the crossing of the sea, Guide your feet as you go.

May God who is with you when you sit and when you stand, Encompass you with love and lead you by the hand.

May God who knows your path and the places where you rest, Be with you in your waiting, Be your good news for sharing, And lead you in the way that is everlasting.

A Prayer for Travelers Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.

A Prayer for Rebuilding Cities and Lives in Ukraine Almighty God, We praise you for all you have done and for the gift of life.

Help us with all that you want us to do. Teach us to grieve over what grieves you.

Come, Holy Savior. Heal all that is broken in the lives and streets of Ukraine.

Come, Holy Spirit. Inspire your children with the energy and willingness to return, restore and rebuild.

To your honor and glory we look to the future. You are our hope and our help.

From everlasting to everlasting, all power and glory belong to you, O God. Hear our prayer for Ukraine.

Prayers for Worship at Smoke Rise Living Lord Jesus, hear my prayer for meeting you in this place today.

Prepare my heart and mind for worship.

Bless those that sing in the choir, play instruments and serve through using technology.

Speak your message from every song, every spoken word and every smile exchanged.

Speak to me. I want to hear your voice. Bless all who worship today.

Direct my attention to offer words of welcome to guests.

Direct me to someone who needs a kind word or friendly simile.

May our church be a loving, caring church and a place of grace, Filled with your Spirit, Amen.

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Missions Opportunities School Supply for the Co-Ops Start thinking about Back to School supplies now!! Both the NETworks Co-op and the Lilburn Co-op will collect Back to School Supplies from July 3 through July 24!

Backpacks (Clear or Mesh, No Wheels) Pencil Cases (soft, zipper) Black Composition Books Plastic Pocket Folders Index Cards, 3x5 Lined 100 Pk Mechanical Pencils #2 Lead 3-Ring Binders 1” or 2”

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Hand Sanitizer Colored Pencils Pencils #2 Glue Sticks Notebook Paper Dry Erase Markers

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Fall trip to the GAP

Our Disaster Relief Team is planning a fall trip to the tornado-stricken areas of Maysville, KY, September 25-30. The tornado (s) destroyed hundreds of homes, businesses, churches and lots of infrastructure.

The path of devastation left in December 2021 is almost indescribable, resembling bombs exploding.

The news naturally has turned to more current events, but the needs of people in Maysville and surrounding areas are still there.

Our task is to help rebuild the homes of the least-served, the uninsured or under-insured folks whose homes were damaged. We may be working on one big project or on several different projects as assigned by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) disaster coordinators in KY. If you are interested in joining the SRBC Disaster Relief Team, email the church Missions office at missions@smokerisebaptist.org, and leave your contact info; or call Bill Blanton, team leader at 678.510.9390.

The plan is to depart Smoke Rise on Sunday morning around 8 am, September 25, and return by Friday evening, September 30. Our lodging and meals will be provided at a local church camp. The costs for the trip will be $300 per person which includes food, lodging, gas and insurance, except for meals while traveling.

Our project (s) will be similar to those we have accomplished at the GAP in McDowell, KY. General construction skills are helpful, but we also need other helpers. If you have no construction experience, we provide “on-the-job” training.

The rewards of disaster relief work are many, the greatest of which is ministering in the name of Christ to the people whose lives were shattered and homes destroyed or damaged.

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volunteering with friends of refugees

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The tragic horror stories coming out of Ukraine have gripped the world! Worldwide response has been overwhelming and millions of dollars given to support the Ukrainian people. Smoke Rise has contributed close to $30,000 to the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Ukraine Relief Fund thus far.

People want to help. That is our Christian response. You can respond to a local opportunity by volunteering this summer at Friends of Refugees’ summer youth day camp. Friends of Refugees has asked Smoke Rise to form a team for the week of July 18-22, 2022. The days are Monday through Friday (except on Tuesday). Our team will prepare and deliver lunches for 30-70 young people, K-5th grade, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; and for 6th-12th grades on Thursday.

Instructions for preparing lunches and general guidelines for working with refugee youth will be provided at a training session prior to camp week. Times will be announced in June. Attendance at one training session is mandatory for the delivery/camp assistant team.

We need four to six people to prepare the lunches each day at the church and 10 to 12 people to deliver the lunches and assist with camp activities. We will act as support staff only since the Friends of Refugees program staff will lead the activities. Work time each day is two hours (8:30-10:30) for the lunch preparation crew and three to four hours for the lunch delivery/camp assistant crew (11:30-4:30).

If you would like more information, email our Missions office at missions@smokerisebaptist.org with your name, contact phone, and days you are available. Look under Missions volunteer opportunities for a future posting to sign up and complete the necessary forms.

If you have questions, contact Mary Wilson at mwilson8150@gmail.com or call her at 770-380-0492.

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Summer Donations for the lilburn co-op This summer, help the Lilburn Co-op with their meat needs.

Whenever you see hot dogs or hamburgers on sale, please purchase some and drop them off at the Co-op. Donations are accepted Monday-Saturday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

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Mark Your Calendars

CHURCH IN CONFERENCE S u n d a y, Ju n e 1 2 t h

June Dates 1 Kids Wonderful Wednesdays (page 13)

After Worship in the Fellowship Hall Call the church office at 770.469.5856 to RSVP

1 Youth WITS 2-11 Youth Music and Mission Trip (page 8) 12 Church in Conference 15 Youth WITS 22 Kids Wonderful Wednesday 22 Youth WITS 25 Youth to the Civil & Human Rights Museum

Youth Trip to Center for Civil and Human Rights June 25

27-30 Vacation Bible School (page 13) 27-30 Music and Arts Camp (page 9)

July Dates 4-9 Youth to Passport Camp 5-8 Kids Lego Camp (page 13) 13 Kids Wonderful Wednesday 13 Youth WITS 17-20 PassportKids! Camp 20 Youth WITS 27 Youth First Trip/Last Trip 31 Youth Pooloza

August Dates 3 Santuary Choir Practice Resumes 7 Blessing of the Students 14 Sunday Evening Activities Resume 21 Grief Support Resumes

Kick-Off Sunday August 7th

Looking Forward to Fall Wednesday Night Schedule Beginning September 7th 5:00 pm

Dinner

6:00 pm

Nursery Care

6:15 pm

Journeys in the Fellowship Hall Children Fellowship Youth Fellowship Preschool Choir

7:00 pm

Sanctuary Choir (resuming August 3rd)

Sunday Night Schedule Beginning August 14th 4:00 pm

Liturgical Dance

5:00 pm

Preschool Activities Children's Choir and Activities Youth Choir and Activities Grief Support (once a month on every 3rd Sunday beginning August 21st)

Leadership Meeting Schedule Fellowship of Deacons

Every second Sunday following worship

Finance Committee

Every 3rd Thursday

Chuch in Conference

September 11th and November 13th

Address Correction Requested

Lighting Project

New Sanctuary Lighting We are excited for the opportunity to update our lighting. The new system will enhance the atmosphere for those in person and for those worshiping through our live stream. The project takes place during the month of August and will take four weeks for the renovations to be completed. During this season we will look forward to worshiping in the Fellowship Hall. We will continue to live stream our service and ensure that our services continue to be uplifting and inspirational.