Cross ie MAGAZINE

Vol 4 | Issue 2 | February 2020

"I give you a new commandment, that you love one another." John 13:34

February 26 ∙ 6:30 pm Led by Rev. Ebby Arnold 

From ashes you come, and to ashes you shall return.

ASH

WEDNESDAY

Martha Stearns Marshall Sunday - March 1st Preacher: Darlene Swanson Darlene Swanson is a Christian speaker, Bible teacher and lay preacher with over 20 years of professional speaking experience. She is passionate about sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and helping others discover God’s empowering and lifechanging truths as revealed in the Bible.

C ON N EC T W ITH U S

SMOK ERI S E B A P T I ST. OR G OUR MINIST E R S Be c k y C a s we l l - S pei gh t 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

CO N T EN TS 4 From the Pastor 5 Worship 6 Growing 7 Serving 8 - 9 Caring 10 Generosity 12 Family Ministry 13 Youth 14 Monthly Snapshot

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Smoke Rise

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F RO M THE PASTOR

8

CA RIN G

The question everyone is asking is: “How do we grow?”Everyone in church life is seeking to find a new strategy, a magic formula to fill pews. I am convinced that the secret is not finding something new, but remembering something that we have almost forgotten. Church, at its best, is a community of faith. People want to know and be known. In many respects the Caring Ministries at Smoke Rise validate Paul’s teaching on “many gifts and many ministries” ( I Corinthians 12:4-11). Together these diverse gifts “make a unity in the work of service.” (Ephesians 4:12-13).

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G EN EROS ITY

The gifts to our general fund collected between November 17 and December 31 represent the largest block of donations in support of SRBC’s operating budget each year. This year we have surpassed our goal for our year end campaign because of your generous giving!

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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FR O M T H E PASTO R

CH RIS G E ORGE - Senior Pastor

We have seen all the statistics. The fastest growing segments of the American religious landscape are the “nones” (never had a church affiliation) and the “dones” (once had an affiliation, but no longer connect to any church.) Catholics and Protestants, evangelical and mainline churches are all in a season of decline. People who are near and dear to me are worried about the future of the Christian Church. The concerns are valid. The question everyone is asking is: “How do we grow?” Everyone in church life is seeking to find a new strategy, a magic formula to fill pews. I am convinced that the secret is not finding something new, but remembering something that we have almost forgotten. Church, at its best, is a community of faith. In the modern world, we have so many alternative and artificial communities through social media, but so few authentic communities where people can find love, care and support. People want to know and be known. Fred Craddock shares this wonderful story: When I was a kid, I went to church with my mother, and the minister would speak to my mother, “How’re you, Miz Craddock?” And the fives of us kids would go along like little ducks after our mother. “How’re you, sonny? How’re you, honey? How’re you, sonny? How’re you, honey?” he would say. “But I remember when another minister came to our church, and about his fifth or sixth Sunday, when I went along there...He said, “Fred, how’re you doing?” Craddock concludes, “He was the best minister that ever was at the church, because there’s a big difference between ‘sonny’ and ‘Fred.’” How are we going to grow at Smoke Rise? We are going to get to know people by name. Chris and Amy Allison were long-time members of Smoke Rise who recently moved to Scranton, Pennsylvania. They were worried about finding a new church family, but I am pleased to report they have found a new home. I asked Chris, “How did you find it?” He said, “Well, we visited a church. It went well; folks were friendly; but we wanted to visit other places before making a final decision. So, we went to three or four other churches for worship. About a month after our first visit, we came back to the first church...and do you know what was the most amazing thing? People remembered our names. We knew we were home." Being known by name made all the difference. It had a huge impact.

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thanksgiving that I introduce to you Jason D. Payne as the new organist of urch. Jason is certainly not a stranger to many in our congregation having performed several de. Jason brings incredible talent through his masterful hymn and service playing. He is a prolific rranger of organ music and has a deep passion for hymnody. Jason is married to Erin and they WOR SH IP(11), I N Jonas G AT S M(5)OK of four children, Arah (9), Davis and E EllisR (3).I SE DANNY VANC IL - Minister of Music and Worship

ry with us on Sunday, February 16. Letters of welcome and encouragement may be sent to: c/o urch Music Department, 5901 Hugh Howell Road, Stone Mountain. GA 30087. It is with great joy and thanksgiving that I introduce to you Jason D. Payne as the new organist of Smoke Rise Baptist It is withJason greatisjoy and thanksgiving that I to introduce youcongregation Jason D. Payne as theperformed new Church. certainly not a stranger many intoour having here several organist times inofthe past Smoke Jason Rise Baptist Jason is certainly nothis a stranger to hymn many in ourservice congregation several decade. bringsChurch. incredible talent through masterful and playing.having He is performed a prolific and published times in the past decade. Jason brings incredible talent through his masterful hymn and service playing. He is prolific Jasonof Payne (b. and 1980) a native of hymnody. Decatur,Jason Georgia and a 2002 graduate of Bob writer/arranger organ music has aisdeep passion for is married to Erin and they area the proud and published writer/arranger of organ music and has a deep passion for hymnody. Jason is married to Erin and they parents ofJones four children, Arah (11), Jonas he (9), received Davis (5) and (3). training under the direction of Dr. Ed University where hisEllis organ are the proud parents of four children, Arah (11), Jonas (9), Davis (5) and Ellis (3).

Dunbar. Jason studied Dr. ofAlbert L.and Travis, Distinguished Professor Jason begins his ministry with has us onalso Sunday, Februarywith 16. Letters welcome encouragement may be sent to Jason Jason begins his ministry with us on Sunday, February 16. Letters of welcome and encouragement may be sent to: c/o and family: c/o Smoke Rise Baptist Church Music Department, 5901 Hugh Howell Road, Stone Mountain. GA Emeritus of Organ at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Jason has30087. many Smoke Rise Baptist Church Music Department, 5901 Hugh Howell Road, Stone Mountain. GA 30087. -Danny years of experience as a church organist, having served First Baptist Church of Atlanta, First Baptist Church of Snellville, as well as churches in North Carolina and Jason Payne (b. 1980) is a native of Decatur, Georgia, and a 2002 graduate of Bob Jason Payne (b. 1980) a native offor Decatur, Georgia Baptist and a 2002Church graduatein of Bob South Carolina. He has served as isorganist Briarlake Jones University where received organ training under direction ofDecatur, Dr. Ed Jones University where hehe received hishis organ training under the the direction of Dr. Ed Dunbar.Jason Jasonhas hasalso alsostudied studiedwith withDr. Dr.Albert AlbertL.L.Travis, Travis,Distinguished Distinguished Professor Georgia since 2007. Dunbar. Professor Emeritus Organ Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. has many Emeritus ofof Organ at at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. JasonJason has many yearsofof experience experience as as aa church First years church organist, organist, having having served First Baptist Baptist Church Church of Jason enjoys writing and First arranging sacred music and hasserved numerous works foroforgan Atlanta, Baptist Church of Snellville, as well as churches in North Carolina Atlanta, First Baptist Church of Snellville, as well as churches in North Carolina and and published by The Lorenz Corporation. SouthCarolina. Carolina. served organist Briarlake Baptist Church in Decatur, South HeHe hashas served asas organist forfor Briarlake Baptist Church in Decatur, Georgia since 2007. Georgia since 2007.

Learn more

Jasonenjoys enjoyswriting writing and arranging sacred music has numerous for organ Jason and arranging sacred music and and has numerous worksworks for organ published The Corporation. aboutpublished Jason Payne atLorenz hisCorporation. website: www.jasonpaynemusic.com. byby The Lorenz Jason is married to his wife Erin, and they have been blessed with four children.

XOLOGY

Learn more about Jason Payne at his website: www.jasonpaynemusic.com. Learn more about Jason Payne at his website: www.jasonpaynemusic.com.

DOXOLOGY DOXOLOGY

A very special thank you and Thanksgiving!

ate and blessed congregation is an understatement. One of those blessings has certainly come in To say we are a fortunate and blessed congregation is an understatement. One of those blessings has certainly come in r. Judy has been invaluable asbeen ourinvaluable interimasorganist. She is notisonly a thesay form Parker. Judy our organist. She only a To we of areJudy a fortunate andhas blessed congregation is aninterim understatement! Onenot of those mate musician; she truly loves serving her Lord and being abeing parta part ofasour dedicated andcertainly consummate sheof truly loves serving her Lord andinvaluable of our blessings has comemusician; in the form Judy Parker. Judy has been our church family. Judy will continue to serve as associate organist, substituting for worship interim organist. Sheas is not only a dedicated and consummate musician; she truly loves continue to serve associate organist, substituting for worship services, funerals and being weddings. serving her Lord and a part of our church family. Judy will continue to serve as weddings. associate organist, substituting for worship services, funerals and weddings.

You are invited to send cards and letters of appreciation to Judy that will be presented to her Sunday, February Please cards to: Judy Parker c/o Smoke Risebe Baptist Church You are invited to 9, send cards andsend letters of appreciation Judy that will presented cards and letters of2020. appreciation to Judy that to will be presented to her Department, 5901 Hugh Howell Road,send Stonecards Mountain. GAParker 30087.c/o Smoke Rise toMusic her on Sunday, February 9, 2020. Please to: Judy

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20. Baptist PleaseChurch sendMusic cardsDepartment, to: Judy Parker c/oHowell Smoke Rise Baptist Church 5901 Hugh Road, Stone Mountain, GA 01 Hugh Howell Road, Stone Mountain. GA 30087. 30087. DOUBLE DOXOLOGY If for some reason both, Jason and Judy are gone at the same time, we just happen to have a very fine substitute who recently retired has our church organist ~ Mary Lynn Weatherly ~ Blessed indeed!

DOUBLE for some reasonand bothJudy Jasonare and gone Judy areatgone the same time,we we just to have LOGY If forDOXOLOGY some reasonIfboth, Jason theatsame time, justhappen happen to a

very fine substitute who has recently as our church organist ~ Mary Weatherly. ~~ Blessed We are blessed indeed! tute who recently retired ourretired church organist ~ Mary LynnLynn Weatherly indeed! 5 | S MOKE RIS E BAPT IST.ORG

GROW IN G AT S M O K E R I SE

B E C KY CASWELL- SPEI GHT- Minister of Families, Faith Formation and Connection

L E N T E N

D E V O T I O N A L S

We have two devotional resources. The first is for adults and follows the poetry writings of Wendell Berry. The second is a devotional resource to use to walk with your family through Lent. Both can be used once-a-week and throughout Lent and daily throughout Holy Week. They can be picked up in the welcome area, narthex and at the preschool welcome area.

February 23, 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 Connections is a once-a-month gathering for individuals and couples in their 20’s, 30’s and 40’s. Light snacks and drinks are provided. Childcare is provided at the church. Please RSVP for children by Wednesday, February 19, through the church office 770.469.5856; mbrock@smokerisebaptist.org.

February Journeys Schedule February 5

Exodus - Bart McNiel - Fellowship Hall Truth Be Told Art - Andrea Smith - Room 306 Living Out our Faith According to Mr. Rogers - Becky Caswell-Speight - Room 223 Accommodating All Needs in the Church - Elaine Harris - Room 230

February 12

Introduction to Leviticus - Chris George - Fellowship Hall Truth Be Told Art - Andrea Smith - Room 306 Living Out our Faith According to Mr. Rogers - Becky Caswell-Speight - Room 223 Accommodating All Needs in the Church - Leader TBD - Room 230

February 19

Leviticus - Ebby Arnold -Fellowship Hall Truth Be Told Art - Andrea Smith - Room 306 Living Out our Faith According to Mr. Rogers - Becky Caswell-Speight - Room 223 Accommodating All Needs in the Church - Leader TBD - Room 230 Grief Support Group - Adam Arnold - Room 220

February 26

Ash Wednesday Worship - Ebby Arnold - Sanctuary 6 | SMOKE RIS E BAPT IST.ORG

SERVIN G ON M I S S I ON

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

On Sunday, September 1, Hurricane Dorian made landfall on Abaco Island in the Bahamas and stayed over Abaco until Tuesday, September 3rd. Hurricane Dorian was the most powerful hurricane to ever hit in the Atlantic Ocean, with sustained winds of 185 mph. The destruction was unfathomable and hard to imagine. What made it even harder to imagine were the sights and sounds that our Youth Group remember from only three months earlier when we took our Sing and Serve Tour to Abaco in June. In early December, I travelled back to Abaco as part of CBF’s Disaster Response Team to assess the damage, check on the churches where we served, and help repair the roof of one of the pastor's homes. I didn’t even have to land before my heart sank from the damage that I was witnessing. As we flew into Marsh Harbour, the landscape that had been a beautiful sea of green now consisted of broken trees and muddy brown growth. The images that had come across television and computer screens couldn’t do justice to the destruction that had occurred. There were boats on land where cars should be and cars in the water where boats should be. There was a barge sitting outside a gas station that we had filled up in June that was half-a-mile

inland. Debris was piled up on the side of the roads and entire communities had been brought to dirt. The sounds of the fishing community had been replaced by beeps and flashing lights from construction vehicles that were being used for clean-up. As we made our way to the northern part of the island where our students had sung and served this summer, I witnessed the aftermath of the wildfires that had spread throughout the countryside and the dried and fallen trees that had caught fire after storms. The phone line ran alongside the road because there were no longer poles for it to run above the road. We passed through the communities to see blue tarps adorning homes and cars beaten and battered by the hurricane. The small bridge that connected the southern and northern parts of the island had been washed away and had only been replaced six weeks prior, leaving the northern part of the island cut-off from supplies other than what could be brought by small ferries landing at the northern point. The children who had been riding bikes and playing in yards were absent because the schools are destroyed or inoperable and their moms had taken them to Nassau to continue their schooling.

But there was hope as well. The churches we served with are acting as distribution centers for food, clothing and emergency medicines. I could hear the sliding of shingles off of roofs and the bang of hammers setting nails into shingles. The water distribution system was repaired by a local associate pastor and another pastor had arranged for a generator to be installed so the northern part of the island could have electricity. Each ferry that arrives to the island brings relief and a renewed sense that they are getting back to normal. But their ultimate hope doesn’t come from the water, or electricity being turned back on, or the roofs being repaired, or the ferries arriving. As part of our “thank yous” to the local pastors that had served us on our Sing and Serve tour we gave them crosses that had been made here at Smoke Rise. While working on Pastor Elon’s house, his wife pointed up to the cross that we had given them and said, “We couldn’t recover without your help; but our real hope comes from God alone. We pray that people continue to be the hands of God and help.” May that be our prayer going forward for the people of Abaco as well.

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CA RIN G AT S M O KE R I SE A noted theologian and one of my favorite authors recently wrote about “the work of healing” among God’s people, in and through the church. Among several topics he discussed, he said, “We clearly need good and compassionate pastoral and healing practices — 10 times more!” If he could see the Caring Ministries of Smoke Rise Baptist Church in action, he would say, “That’s what I have in mind!” In many respects the Caring Ministries at Smoke Rise validate Paul’s teaching on “many gifts and many ministries” ( I Corinthians 12:4-11). Together these diverse gifts “make a unity in the work of service.” (Ephesians 4:12-13). The following descriptions of Caring Ministries at Smoke Rise demonstrate the distinct variety and significant impact of Christian people in immediate touch with other people in the name of Christ. As members of our congregation join together and use their gifts, caring ministry happens in many ways. There is a continuity of support that flows together and overlaps among all of the ministries described. As you read about the ministries of care below, celebrate their impact, pray for their success and consider where you might join in the joy of serving and caring for others. PASTORAL CARE is provided in many ways. During the last 15 months, the ministry staff of Smoke Rise Baptist Church have regularly called on over 50 people in 30 care facilities located in 18 cities.

Additionally, during the same time period they ministered to up to 50 members of Smoke Rise receiving care at home. Home Care represents various levels of care at home ranging from periodic confinement with periodic support to total confinement with around-the-clock in-home nursing. Another category of both Home and Facility Care includes those placed in Hospice Care, a number that has ranged from two or three to almost 10 people. Hospital care is a further responsibility of the ministry staff and is often supported by deacons and Sunday school classes. The ministry staff each have a day on-call to minister to needs of members in local hospitals. The senior pastor and pastoral care associate coordinate staff efforts to provide a timely ministry response to needs that change daily within the congregation. Contact ministers through the church office, 770.469.5856. TOUCHPOINT and others – Touchpoint is a ministry of providing cards and calls to those in various levels of care and need. It is a well-organized group of volunteers who enjoy calling or sending cards and notes and carefully consider the recipients on a periodic basis. Another group enjoys the craft of making cards and also sends them out with the help of many volunteers. Yet another group faithfully visits those on 8 | S MOKE RIS E BAPT IST.ORG

the Touchpoint lists and ladies’ Circle groups and also faithfully sends cards and notes. TouchPoint contact is Saralyn Jaleel at 678.584.1363 or later this month, 678.558.1991. JOSEPH’S PROJECT is named for Joseph, the carpenter from Nazareth. The group originated after a sermon preached by Bob Browning years ago on a passage about ministering to the needs of widows and others in need in the church. This group of men respond to home repair needs and other similar projects to assist those in need. Providing ramps, grab bars and other devices to promote safety and accessibility are sometimes a focus of their work. On a mission project they recently built furniture for a family renting furniture, saving the family a significant amount of monthly living expense. The group

JA M ES SMIT H - Pasto r al Car e Asso ciate goes on mission projects to Kentucky and often receives and delivers donated furniture. Call Bill Blanton at 678.510.9390. PARK SPRINGS WORSHIP VIA LIVE-STREAM. The Park Springs community is home to many members of Smoke Rise. The facility offers plans that range from independent living to rehabilitation and other levels of care. A group of about 40 residents gathers each week to join Smoke Rise in worship via live-stream. Our pastor conducts a Bible study there the second Tuesday of each month with a group of 35-40 attending. Joel Harrison coordinates many ministries of care within the Park Springs community, hosts the weekly worship service, offers communion, and coordinates other ministries with Smoke Rise volunteers who bring fellowship, support and a loving touch from our main campus location. Questions? Call Joel Harrison at 404.771.6131. NANCY’S HEART STITCHERS, started in the home of the late Nancy Durden as a ministry project that grew to touch

the lives of many participants and recipients of their work. Now named for Nancy, the group provides quilts lovingly stitched each year to those in various situations of care and need. They provide a quilt to each baby and child participating in child-parent dedication with our congregation. An additional quilt is provided to a child in an orphanage in Ukraine. Each quilt is carefully stitched, labeled, designed and chosen for each specific recipient with their personality, life journey and color choices in mind. Call Jan Sloan at 770.595.0023. THE BEREAVEMENT TEAM offers support in many ways to Smoke Rise loved ones who have experienced a loss. In some instances the team provides informational resources such as books and pamphlets on key topics. The team seeks to find ways to walk beside families in their individual experiences of grief and informs them of church events such as recent support for getting through the holidays after a death. Call Carolyn Springston at 404.822.5048. GRIEF SUPPORT is offered to the bereaved in our congregation and community. A support group meets once-a-month on Wednesday evening to process their individual experience with grief. A trained professional facilitates the group and leads the group to explore key topics in dealing with grief. Call Carolyn Springston at 404.822.5048. FAMILIES IN NEED MINISTRY responds to requests for financial assistance in a manner that maintains the dignity of recipients,

Someone You Should Know is featured periodically on the Caring Page of the CrossTie. Pastoral care at Smoke Rise Baptist Church brings the privilege of getting to know members and learning their stories. Watch this page next month for Someone You Should Know.

Someone You Should Know

protects their confidentiality and meets them where they are with respect. Following careful guidelines, members deal compassionately with some of the greatest difficulties facing families in our congregation and community. Call Bart McNiel at 770.469.5856. OTHER CARING GROUPS arise periodically and serve so quietly, that I’m sure I have missed someone! Caring ministries are formed in Sunday school classes, choir and other music groups, circles, committees, within the deacon fellowship and among other groups that meet under our roof such as the Academy of the Arts, Weekday Preschool and Prep School. Our Prime Time choir sings to people in home care, hospice care and occasionally in hospitals or other care facilities. Sunday school groups publish directories, provide meals and faithfully attend memorial services to offer a ministry of presence to the bereaved. To God be the glory as we seek to be a caring church family, touching and impacting lives as the hands, feet and heart of Christ!

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GENER OS I T Y From The Finance Committee The Finance Committee is in the process of finalizing the proposed budget for fiscal year 2020-21 that begins in April. I am grateful for Bill Hearn and Colin Harris who are serving with me on our budget subcommittee, as well as our associate pastor, Bart McNiel, who is serving as our minister liaison to the subcommittee and to the Finance Committee. Consistent with a charge from our senior pastor, Chris George, to present a new budget consistent with anticipated contributions, our director of administration and communication, David MacFarlane, has been working closely with our budget numbers and we are optimistic that we will be able to present a budget that tracks more closely our anticipated revenue. Over the last two years, we have made significant reductions in the budget and are excited to be nearing the end of a multi-year plan to bring expenses in line with contributions. Please pray for our budget sub-committee and our finance committee as we finalize the budget. The proposed budget will be presented to the congregation early next month for consideration. Thank you to our members for remaining faithful stewards of the money and resources that keep our church actively engaged in God’s work at Smoke Rise and beyond. -Charlene Echols, Finance Committee Chair

End of Year Giving Campaign Nov. 17- Dec. 31 Goal: $450,000 Final Total: $484,588.44 The gifts to our general fund collected between November 17 and December 31 represent the largest block of donations in support of SRBC’s operating budget each year. This year we have surpassed our goal because of your generous giving! Thank you for all your continued support and helping us start this new year with 2020 Vision.

MONTH OF DECEMBER Amount Given $410,736.18

Amount Spent $275,288.65

Positive Balance $135,447.53

FISCAL YEAR-TO-DATE

(April 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019) Amount Given Amount Spent Positive Balance $1,762,112.47 $1,727,218.31 $34,894.16

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A New Decade Calls for a New Directory Schedule your photography session at the link below or on Sunday mornings Dates Available:

March 10-15 Friday, March 13: 2-9pm Tuesday, March 10: 2-9pm

Wednesday, March 11: 2-5pm Saturday, March 14: 2-9pm Thursday, March 12: 2-9pm Sunday, March 15: 10-5pm

March 23-28

Monday, March 23: 2-9pm

Thursday, March 26: 2-9pm

Tuesday, March 24: 2-9pm

Friday, March 27: 2-9pm

Wednesday, March 25: 2-5pm Saturday, March 28: 10-5pm

Sign up at https://smokerisebaptist.org/directory/ Finance Committee

Building Committee

Charlene Echols

Ken Stephenson

Fellowship of Deacons

Personnel Committee

Stewardship Committee

Clarissa Strickland

Melinda McChesney

Joe Moore

2020 Church

Leadership

FAM ILY M I N I ST RY AT SM OK E R I SE

B E C KY CASWELL- SPEI GHT- Minister of Family, Faith Formation and Connection

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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

Senior Spotlight: Chandler Reed What high school are you graduating from? Brookwood. What are your plans after high school? Georgia State to major in history and technology. What has been your favorite thing about Youth? Trips and all the time we get to spend together. What hobbies do you have? Going on a bike ride when it’s not raining. What is your favorite Bible verse? Luke 6:31

Dates to Remember: June 5-8: Sing and Serve: New Orleans June 28 - July 3: Passport Missions; Deland, FL

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Sunday Schedule 9:00 AM Worship in the Chapel 9:45 AM Sunday school in the basement 11:00 AM Worship in the Sanctuary 5:00 PM Choir in the Choir Suite 5:45 PM Dinner 6:00 PM Vespers in the basement Wednesday Schedule 5:00 PM Dinner 6:00 PM Youth in the basement

MO N TH LY S N A P SHOT

The Start of a New Year at Smoke Rise

Weekly Schedule

February Dates 1 Academy of the Arts - The Lion King, Kids

Sunday 9:00 AM - Worship in the Chapel 9:45 AM - Sunday school for all ages 11:00 AM - Worship in the Sanctuary 5:00 PM - Youth Choir 5:45 PM - Youth Dinner

2 Chili Cook-Off 14 Valentine's Day 20 Weekday School Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser 21-23 Academy of the Arts - The Lion King, Jr.

6:00 PM - Youth Vespers

23 Connections

Wednesday 4:45 PM - Dinner in the Fellowship Hall

26 Ash Wednesday

6:00 PM - Journeys, Children's Activities,

Youth in the Basement

7:00 PM - Sanctuary Choir

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Leadership Team for the 2020 Deacon Council A Note from our Deacon Chair When I was initially asked to serve as the chairperson of the 2020 Fellowship of Deacons, I felt overwhelmingly honored and then terrified! After praying and thinking about it, I agreed to accept, knowing I would be stepping into the large shoes of my many capable predecessors in this role. While I continue to feel hugely inadequate, I rest in the knowledge that the role of deacon at Smoke Rise Baptist Church is aligned with the biblical function of deacon as laid out in the New Testament early church. For me, this includes some things which a deacon is not. The Fellowship of Deacons at SRBC is not a “board of deacons” with power to approve or disapprove whatever the church does. A Smoke Rise deacon is not an authority figure with executive function to make decisions for the “corporation.” Smoke Rise deacons are servantministers. In fact, the very word “deacon” derives from the Greek word “diakonos” which literally means “servant.” I can also relax knowing that I have the strong support of a team of fellow-deacon leaders who are listed below as well as the entire fellowship of deacons and the assistance of our incredible staff. With Bart McNiel, the staff liaison to the deacon fellowship, I know I am not walking this path alone. And yet, I covet your prayers for myself and for this group of 2020 deacons. We are excited about the coming year. Our role is to serve. Each of you has a family deacon, ready to help. So, call us when you need us! -Clarissa Strickland

Vice-Chairperson

Recorder

Treasurer

Communion Coordinator

Shepherd Ministry Coordinator

Colin Harris

Georgianne Harrison

Walt Martin

Joe Moore

Marcia Griffith

Weekly Deacon Team Leaders

Family Ministry Coordinator

Coordinator and Second Sunday

First Sunday

Third Sunday

Fourth Sunday

Mitzi Ethridge-Cantrell

Martha Abner

Greg Everett

Kelly McLendon

Jim Still

Fiscal 2020-21 Budget Timeline Deacon Review and Affirmation of Budget February 9

Congregation Q+A Session 1 February 19, 6-6:45pm

Finance Committee Vote on Budget January 30 Proposed Budget and Pledge Cards Mailed February 13

Congregation Q+A Session 2 February 26, 5:15-6:00pm

Church in Conference to Vote on Budget March 1

Pledge Sunday March 22

Get Ready to Spring Forward! Set your clocks ahead one hour on March 8. Address Correction Requested

Messiah Handel’s

Selections from parts II and III

Sanctuary Choir with Chamber Orchestra Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020 7:00 PM