EMAIL: wrightsborobaptistchurch@capefear.net WEBSITE: www.wrightsborobaptistchurch.org

September 2013 VOLUME 60 / ISSUE 9

The

Messenger

The following was written by Gary Geer, an author from Indiana who

contributes to “Relevant” magazine and other various periodicals.

We make a mistake when we think serving God is equivalent to serving man.

When we serve our neighbor, our friend, our spouse, or our co-worker, we

subconsciously create a system of payment and debt. We build up “favors”

with one another. Since I have scratched your back, both of us understand that

one day you will scratch mine. Of course, this is never spoken out loud, and

we would fiercely deny such expectations. But it’s part of our ingrained human condition. God doesn't play by

those rules.

Several weeks ago I was praying, asking God to give me strength and grace to get through some various

“crises” that had entered my life. It was a fine prayer, with lot’s of adjectives and long, drawn-out, rambling

phrases. Underneath it all was the expectation that since I had done plenty for God, He owed me help. I had

scratched His back. It was time for God to offer a scratch in return.

Truth surfaced in my heart: “God doesn't need my service. He wants it, but He doesn't need it.” I didn't

like this line of thinking, so I ignored it for a bit-but it bullied it’s way back in. “God doesn't need me.” If God

didn't need my service then my victories don't provide spiritual “leverage” to convince God to listen to my

prayer. This revelation forces the question, “Why should I serve God, if my service isn't necessary?” There is

the whole obedience factor, but I do think it goes deeper.

While I mow our lawn, my five year old boy often likes to stand in front of me and grip the mower

handle as I push. I don't need him to mow my lawn. It will be accomplished whether he tags along or not. But

he wants to be with me. He wants to do what his father is doing. He wants to be in on accomplishing the tasks

his father believes are important. His service is a precious and vital form of fellowship with me.

Is there any difference with our Father? He supplies us with the opportunity, the desire, and the ability

to accomplish His will. He guides our fumbling hands, removes the true burden from our shoulders, and sees

that we don't hurt ourselves. In our audacity, we return to Him claiming that we deserve special favor for our

“service.” Let it be enough for us to say that we were able to spend time with our Father.

I encourage you to look for ways to spend time with your heavenly Father this month and enjoy His

fellowship with no “strings” attached.

For His Glory,

Pastor Brad

SINGLES LUNCH (Dutch Treat )...Sunday, September 15th following 11am Worship

Meal catered by

“Middle of the Island”

MENU

Roast Pork, Fried Chicken,

Green Beans, Squash Casserole,

Sweet Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes,

Gravy, Salad, Bread,

Apple Crisp & Tea

Cost: $7 per person

Children 5 & Under eat FREE

Tickets available in the Vestibule and

Welcome Center on Sunday’s and

in the FLC on Wednesday Nights.

SCHEDULE

No 8:30am Worship Service

9:45am Bible Study

11:00am Worship Service

Homecoming Meal following Worship.

Sunday,

September 22nd at

Wrightsboro

Baptist Church

Ivan Parker in Concert Thursday, October 10th @ 7pm

at Wrightsboro Baptist Church

Please invite family, friends and co-workers!

Edification Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the

gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

Matthew 16:18

Jesus is not talking about building a brick and

stone structure, but building a worldwide body

of believers. As we worship and proclaim our

love for God daily, another mission for us is

edification. Edification is encouragement or to

build up. We need one another! We need one

another's strength, help, wisdom, counsel and

love. Recently, Wrightsboro Baptist Church

practiced edification as you ministered to me

and my family in the passing of my brother

(THANK YOU for all the contacts and words of

encouragement). A song says, “the world will

know we are Christians by our love.”

In the New Church Year 2013-2014 that begins

in September, Wrightsboro Baptist Church

will please God and bless many, many lives as

we practice “EDIFICATION”. Mike

Minister of Education

Thursday, August 15th

10:30am

Meet at Wrightsboro Baptist Church

at 9:45am to ride over together.

Sr. Adult Grape Picking

at White Lake Thursday, September 12th

8:45am

Those interested in coming,

RSVP with Pastor Mike.

Be sure to bring money for

lunch out following the

grape picking.

NEW DAY NEW YEAR

I am one of those people who always has a

“to-do” list! At the end of a day its easy to feel defeated. If I focus on the list I did not complete

rather than the things I did. This is probably because I tried to get everything done in my own

power, rather than totally depending on God. Recently I have begun each day by praising

God for a new day, a new opportunity to serve Him, a new chance to do things that He would have me do that day. At the close of the day, if

I have kept my focus on Him, I can celebrate the things He has allowed me to accomplish. As we

begin a new church year and look at the calendar so full of activities we have planned, lets focus each day on those things that will be

pleasing to God and bring glory to Him.

Peggy

Minister of Music

September is a great time to

become part of the

Music/Worship Ministry

Adult Choir: Wednesday’s at 6:15pm

in the Sanctuary

Handbells: Monday’s at 6pm in

the Choir Room

MINISTER of STUDENTS Phony Forgiveness

“If you are...offering a sacrifice to God, and you suddenly remember

that someone has something against you,...go and be reconciled

to that person.

Matthew 5: 23-24

“Allison said she was sorry for talking behind my back”, Brooke

fumed, “but she laughed like she thought the whole thing was stupid.

And then she turned around that afternoon and did the same thing

again. What am I supposed to do with that?”

Let’s clarify. If you want to understand what forgiveness is,

you also need to know what forgiveness isn't.

1. Forgiveness isn't conditional or earned.

2. Forgiveness doesn't wait around for the person who hurt you to say

“sorry”.

3. Forgiveness isn't a feeling.

You might fear that giving and seeking

forgiveness will make you weak. But

ignoring a hurt is the weaklings way out.

Trying to heal a relationship through

forgiveness is a real sign of your

strong character.

Duane

Children’s Choir

Begins 9/4/13

6:20pm-6:45pm

Choir will meet during AWANA this year!

Meals on Wheels Sat., September 28th at 9am

Volunteers are needed!

Meet in the Old F-Hall.

Sunday Night Services

WBC “Life Groups”

“Experiencing God” “Grief Share”

“Last Resort w/Pastor Brad”

Studies begin September 15th at 6pm

Paula Green

in Concert & ICM Peru Church

Fundraiser

Saturday, September 21st at 7pm

A Love Offering will be received and all

proceeds will go towards the ICM Peru

Church Build.

Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes NEEDED!

Please drop these off at the Church Office

Begins Wed Sept. 4th at 6pm

Meet in the Family Life Center

Coming Soon…

Our new church website!

Be sure to check it out. Launch date Sept. 16th.

www.wrightsborobaptistchurch.org

AMOUNT

PLEDGED:

$111,148.00

AMOUNT

RECEIVED

$60,201.42

BIBLE STUDY

ATTENDANCE

270

WORSHIP

ATTENDANCE

346

2013 BUDGET…$641,857.82

BUDGET NEEDED…$419,820.44

BUDGET RECEIVED…$417,825.54

THE RECORD SPEAKS July 1 - August 25, 2013 (8 Weeks)

Carolyn Benton; Shirley Bradshaw; Rob Crumpler;

Dan, Stef, Sophie and Dalton; Judy Evonko;

Travis Filipowicz; The Hao Family; Betty Hayes;

Barbara Johnson; Ida Mae Keith;

Mike and Sylvia Lewis & Family of Reggie Lewis;

Mercy House; Edna Moore; Ashley Spencer;

Boykin and Dale Wright; Wrightsboro Elementary School

In Sympathy

Diane Glenn for the loss of her Cousin, Eugene Taylor.

Myrtle Honeycutt for the loss of a Cousin.

Gail Jernigan for the loss of her Uncle, Morris Garrett.

Mike & Sylvia Lewis and Wanda & Chip Browning for the loss of their Brother, Reggie Lewis.

Jimmy Matthews and Bobby Rivenbark for the loss of their Family Members, Muriel Rivenbark and Gladys Rivenbark.

Hilda McPherson for the loss of her Uncle, Andrew Fowler.

Lloyd Moore for the loss of his Brother-in-Law, Marvin McKeithan.

Jim Newkirk and Kay Seeger for the loss of a Family Member.

Wade Pope for the loss of his Aunt, Mrs. Worthington.

Kellen Simpson for the loss of her Grandmother, Marjorie Phillips.

Ellen Smith for the loss of her Uncle, Marshall Wells.

Summer Tyndall for the loss of her Uncle.

Perry and Sandra Whitman for the loss of their Son, Jeff Whitman.

CONGRATULATIONS TO…

Lauren Vadalia for completing

her course and passing her EMT

Classes and becoming certified.

Saturday, October 5th from 9am-3pm

Register online at www.wmunc.org

or call Lynn Frankland at 617-1835.

Scheduled Guest Speakers:

Dr. Patricia Bailey, Mrs. Ruby Fulbright

and Rev. Odia Silver

2013 Mission’s Conference

The Media Center will be open again on

Wednesday Nights beginning, September 4th.

If you have been away for the summer and missed

Wednesday Night Services or Sunday Worship...these

programs are available on CD in the Media Center.

We also have some new books...CHECK US OUT!

2013/2014 Bible Study and

Committee Orientation

Sunday, September 8th, 2013

Bible Study Leaders Meet at 4:30pm in FLC

Refreshments at 5:30pm in FLC

Committee Orientations Meet at 6pm in FLC

September 4th, 2013

Please pay attention to your Church Calendar

and Bulletin for weekly events.

ednesday esume ights

BY BAPTISM

Alexandria Seitter

2207 Castle Hayne Road

Wilmington, NC 28401

91-762-9806

Matthew Watts

1006 Leesburg Road

Leland, NC 28451

910-431-8578

Patrick Morris

495 Forest Lane

Rocky Point, NC 28457

910-623-4555

BY LETTER

Paul Jr. & Michelle Jarrell

806 Caspian Drive

Wilmington, NC 28411

910-262-1793

The Standfest Family

(Scott, Maria, Miranda and Brandon)

3005 Lagar Drive

Wilmington , NC 28405

910-399-2055

CONGRATULATIONS TO…

Mike and Victoria Sanders on

the birth of their daughter,

Molly Karoline, born

Aug. 6, 2013. Congratulations

also to the new Grandparents,

Mike & Kim Sanders and

Jeff & Kathryn Taylor and

Great Grandmother,

Virginia Flowers.

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

SEPT 16 Gail Rogers Jennifer Martin Braxton Groves

SEPT 17 Tommy Cavenaugh Alise Herring

SEPT 19 Doris DeVane

SEPT 20 Dixie Wilkins Don Jackson Henry Conner Misty Ward Kellen Simpson

SEPT 22 Kay Carr Smitty Barber Renee Leitch

SEPT 23 B.T. Hundley Catherine Pope

SEPT 24 Mary Flint

SEPT 25 Rita Russ

SEPT 26 Eddie Swart Kay Seeger Leslie Crawford

SEPT 27 Alice Albea Sandy Barnard Melissa Adcox

SEPT 28 Donna Jones

SEPT 29 Billy Tyson Richard Pace

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

SEPT 1 Vann Bradham Apryl Lewis

SEPT 3 Pearl Meshaw Susan Suits Paul Jarrell Jr. Heather Gunter Corey Donahue

SEPT 4 Ben Croom

SEPT 5 Lynn Filipowicz Margaret Lomaz Courtney Shepherd

SEPT 6 Nicole Wrench Nick Strickland Roseann Beastrom Thomas Whitman

SEPT 7 Emily Biggs Annie Beattie Kimberly Seitter

SEPT 10 Edna Warner Robert Crumpler Neil Benton

SEPT 11 Carolyn Crook

SEPT 12 Sammy Gore

SEPT 13 Alison Newkirk Ricky Glover Alan Croom Briona Carr

SEPT 14 Shirley Bradshaw Susan Spencer Daniel Jones

SEPT 15 Patricia Busch Susan Herring Scott Russ

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