Hello! Hope this finds each of you doing well. I apologize for not posting anything before now. I wanted to update you on some activities taking place this week.

First of all, please remember our pastor and his family while they are away on vacation. Many traveling mercies to them. May they return to us safely.

Group number 3 will be in charge of supper Wednesday night. The meal is served at 6pm and all are invited and encouraged to attend. Bible study and the other organizations that meet on Wednesday evenings will meet after supper.

There is a special event planned for Sunday, Sept. 2nd. The event is scheduled to begin at 5:30pm. There will be food, fun and fellowship for all ages. If you are looking for a way to spend the Sunday before Labor Day, what better way to spend it than with brothers & sisters-in-Christ! We will also have the honor and privilege of 2 musical groups performing for us. One will be located in the fellowship hall and the other outside on the church grouds (weather permitting). Come on out and bring a friend!

Don't forget about choir practice Wednesday evenings after supper and Bible study. If you wish to join in on the musical fun, you are welcome to attend! Remember, God said to make a joyful noise, He didn't say it had to be perfect. :-)

Ladies: don't forget about craft night on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8:30pm. Items are being made for the bazaar this December. Proceeds will go toward the purchase of a new church bus.

Men: don't forget about Men's Prayer Time on Friday mornings at 7am. The group usually meets in the prayer garden (weather permitting). If you are not able to meet in the prayer garden, the group will move inside the sanctuary.

School is back in session. Back to the grindstone. I can remember how exciting it was to start the new school year. The thought of homework, tests and such was not all that exciting, but beginning a new year was very exciting. Being able to see friends you weren't able to see during the summer. I encourage young people to enjoy being in school. Enjoy and embrace, because you will never be able to get this part of your life back. Be careful about the choices you make and choose your friends wisely. That doesn't mean that you should be rude to those who don't necessarily agree with the way you do things, etc...........it just means you should make wise decisions about those you choose to associate with. All too often young people get pulled into the teen pressures of life. Fitting in, doing those things that gain "popularity", and such. Not making the right choices about friends, can have a great impact your life. The popularity a young person may seek, is not anywhere equal to the love and support that leading a Christian lifestyle can offer you. As many of us have heard before, we may be the only Bible some may ever read. We don't want our actions and words interferring with someone coming to know Christ. We also don't want our actions and words to be our downfall either. Allow Christ to guide the friendships that are made and you won't go wrong!

I hope you all have a blessed week. Until next time, take care and God bless!

Love in Christ,

Tina :-)

Hello and good Sunday evening to each of you! I wanted to update you on some activities for the week. But before I do that, let me first apologize for not being in church today. I have not been feeling well the past few days. Not exactly sure what's going on, I just haven't felt well. I woke up yesterday and today with a very cramped neck muscle and I have been feeling faint and nauseous. Probably the heat. Most likely from stress. At any rate, it leaves me feeling cold and clammy. Not a good feeling. Please remember me in your prayers that this will pass and I will feel better soon.

On to better and brighter things!

For those gentlemen who do not wish to serve as a deacon in the coming year, the deadline for your letter is Sunday, Aug. 26th. If this has been done in a previous church year and is still correct/current, you do not need to repeat the procedure. These letters should be given to our Deacon Chairman.

Women on Mission meet this Wed., Aug. 15th. All ladies are invited and encouraged to attend. The meeting begins immediately following Wed. night supper.

Attention Men: Men's breakfast is next Sunday, Aug. 19th at 8am in the fellowship hall. The guest speaker will be a gentleman from the Gideons. All men are invited and encouraged to attend.

Choir members: all present and future choir members, don't forget about choir practice each Wed. evening following prayer meeting. Practice usually begins at 7:45pm in the choir room in the fellowship hall. Come and make a joyful noise!

There is a special event being planned for Sunday, Sept. 2nd. This event is slated to begin at 5:30pm. There will be food, games, music and such for folks of all ages. Makes plans to come and join in the fun! The festivities will continue til dusk.

I hope each and everyone of you reading this blog will have a wonderful week. Take care and God bless!

Love in Christ,

Tina :-)

P.S. The deadline for the newsletter is Wed., Aug. 15th. Make sure you get the items you want included in the newsletter to the church office on or before that date! Your cooperation is appreciated!

A Whirlwind of Activity

The past few weeks have been a flurry of activity. My head is still spinning from all the obstacles I have had to overcome and the mountain of paperwork on my desk at work that is calling my name even as I write this entry. From computer problems (server crashing) to filling in in whatever area needs attention, many hats have I worn. Not to mention those that are working with me. It has certainly been a test of patience.

There is also a flurry of activity about our church. If you are looking for something to do, look no further. North FBC has something for everyone! Grab your calendar and mark the dates!

First of all, there was an article in the "Bulletin" that comes in the monthly newsletter this month. The author is speaking of "making memories". Each person we come in contact with, word we speak, time we spend with those we love.......is a memory that can't be replaced. We should take the time (myself included) to let those we care about know how much they mean to us. I am the world's worst person with the telephone. I spend many hours a day on one (as most of America does) and can't seem to call those that deserve those minutes of my time. Making memories is what is important. When you choose to do something trivial instead of letting someone know that they are important, that is a moment that can't be given back. One day we will all look back and (it may even be today) wonder where the time went. Letting those we love know we love them and are important to us is important today. If we wait until tomorrow, the chance may never come. Then we will be saying "I should have" instead of "I remember when we did so and so together. Oh the fun we had!". Singer Bon Jovi has a song entitled "Make a Memory". If you listen to this particular type of music and have seen the video......he is talking to the love of his life. He is no longer here and she is moving on with her life. Too late for shoulda, woulda, coulda. I encourage everyone to make a memory today. Don't wait for tomorrow. It may never come.

Now, if you are looking for something to occupy your time, as I said earlier, there is something for everyone. What better way to make a memory than by being in church with fellow believers. Your friends can even join you there!

Youth:

The "Big Youth Thing" is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 9th. If you have not received information regarding this activity, please see our Minister of Students and he will be glad to assist you.

SNAC: Sunday Night After Church: This activity will be taking place Sunday, Aug. 12th. This will be held each month unless otherwise noted.

Children:

TAN will continue each Tuesday from 10am to 1pm in August until school begins. It's hard to believe it's right around the corner. Folks were taking advantage of the no tax weekend to buy school supplies, clothes, etc. today.

There will be a trip to the zoo Saturday, Aug. 11th for the children. Please see our Minister of Students for more information.

There will be a Youth Committee Meeting Sunday, Aug. 5th at 4pm. The Children's Committee will meet Sunday, Aug. 12th at 4pm. Both meetings will take place in the gym.

Music:

If you are able to make a joyful noise, your presence is needed in the choir. Choir practice has been moved to Wednesday evenings following prayer meeting. Practice begins at 7:45pm. Praise teams are also being formed. If you are interesting in serving in this capacity, please contact our choir leader.

There will be a Music Committee Meeting Sunday, Aug. 5th at 7pm in the conference room.

The Sunday morning sermon for Aug. 5th is entitled "The Man and His Miracles: He Walked on What?" (scripture: John 6:16-21). The evening sermon is entitled "Signs of the Times: When Peace Comes". (scripture 1 Thess. 5:3).

We will have a guest speaker Sunday, Aug. 19th. A Gideons speaker will be speaking at Men's Breakfast that morning in the fellowship hall at 8am. All men are invited and encouraged to attend. Plus he will have a brief presentation during the Sunday morning worship service that day.

Wednesday night food preparation groups are listed in the newsletter this month. If you are unable to assist with setting/cleaning up, please have someone substitute for you. If you are interested in serving on a food prep. group, please let the church office know.

Women on Mission will meet on Wed., Aug. 15th following Wed. night supper. All ladies are invited and encouraged to attend. The WOM are asking for donations from the church. Donations will go toward providing matching dishes for the Associational Office in Orangeburg. The goal is $250.00. They are also providing the church with an opportunity to give to the CASA/Family Systems Shelter in Orangeburg. This is a shelter for abused women and children of the area. (due to the nature of the shelter, the location is changed routinely)

Supplies that are needed for the shelter are: cleaning supplies, first-aid supplies, paper products, towels, wash cloths, immediate need items or money to purchase the necessary items listed above. If you choose to donate to this cause, please mark your offering envelope accordingly.

There will be a deacon's meeting Sunday, Aug. 5th at 8am.

The Nominating Committee will meet Sunday, Aug. 12th at 4pm. Please be in prayer as our committee goes forth to seek those willing to serve in our church.

I believe that covers all I have for now. Until next time, take care and God bless!

Love in Christ,

Tina :-)