January 2019 - NEWSLETTER

The attendance and finance reports will be updated in the February Herald.

STAFF Michael Wilkinson—Pastor Peyton Kelly—Worship Pastor Ryan Seaton—Family Discipleship Pastor Cissie Brushaber—Secretary

Non Profit U.S. Postage

PAID Pascagoula, MS

39567 Permit no. 113

Arlington Baptist Church P. O. Box 2278 Pascagoula, MS 39569-2278 www.growatarlington.com Office: 228-769-2789 Email: office@growatarlington.com

Return Service Requested

The Herald

Sunday, January 20th

Immediately following the morning worship service

Register online at www.growatarlington.com or call the church office.

Open dates for placing flowers in the auditorium in honor or memory of a loved one are:

January 6, 13, 20 & 27. To reserve a date, please contact

Jan Avery at (228) 990-8871.

Wednesday Night Suppers will resume on January 9th. Join us for a good meal

and good fellowship.

January 6

USHERS: Joe Abston, Captain

Joe Odom, Aaron Smith, Jeremy Boulware, J.W. Scott,

Frankie Sherman, Taylor Stockfleth, Elliot Smith, Lewis Sav-

age, Pat Gatchell & Dustin Speights

DEACONS: Spencer Bailey (PM/WED), Bob Freeman (AM)

GREETERS: Ken Miller, Brenda Beckham, Danny Glass &

Eddie Moore

SOUND & MEDIA: Patti Bradley & Joel Rigby

NURSERY: Micah Nelson, Captain—228.218.2745

Glenda Kirkland, Tommie Broome & Beverly Gallaspy—Bed Babies

Bonnie Smith & Michelle Wilkinson—Toddlers

Alexis & Gabby Stockton, Jimmy Parsley—2 yr olds

Jonathan & Melissa Tolbert—3 yr olds

Aaron & Chris Smith—Children’s Church

Jessica Wilkerson & Kayla Kelly—Night

January 13

USHERS: Mike Wixon, Captain

Clint Avery, Kenny Novak, Josiah Ory, Joshua Sherman,

Randy Mitchell, Spencer Bailey & A.G. Robinson

DEACONS: Dustin Speights (PM/WED), Harold Walters (AM)

GREETERS: Ken Miller, Jimmy Parsley, Brig & Jan Avery

SOUND & MEDIA: Michelle Gossom & Frankie Sherman

NURSERY: Pam Gatchell, Captain—228.369.4377

June Windham, Ruby Townsend & Jamie Dwyer—Bed Babies

Jeannie & Josiah Ory, Callie Merrill—Toddlers

WORKERS NEEDED—2 yr olds

Paul & Micah Gatchell—3 yr olds

Jessica Whittington & Jessica Wilkerson—Children’s Church

Judy Frye, Eddie & Shirley Moore—Night

January 20

USHERS: Charles Frye, Captain

Danny Glass, George Thames, Harold Walters, Raymond

Johnson, Spence Sublett, Leo Witchen, Mike Concannon,

Red Ehlers & Jewell Dixon

DEACONS: Charles Frye (PM/WED), Andrew Nelson (AM)

GREETERS: Ken Miller, Teresa & Jewell Dixon

SOUND & MEDIA: Jessica Wilkinson & Mike Wixon

NURSERY: Teresa Carrier, Captain—228.623.1722

Shari Ehlers, Jenna Johnson & Molly Merrill—Bed Babies

Dustin & Emily Speights, Kathy Carlisle—Toddlers

John & Kay Jones, Delores Nolan—2 yr olds

Patrick & Jamie Gatchell—3 yr olds

Candice Howell & Brittany McCord—Children’s Church

Brandi & Jan Avery—Night

January 27

USHERS: Joe Abston, Captain

Joe Odom, Aaron Smith, Jeremy Boulware, J.W. Scott,

Frankie Sherman, Taylor Stockfleth, Elliot Smith,

Lewis Savage, Pat Gatchell & Dustin Speights

DEACONS: Clint Avery (PM/WED), Jonathan Brannan (AM)

GREETERS: Ken Miller, Patti Bradley & Bob Freeman

SOUND & MEDIA: Patti Bradley & Dustin Speights

NURSERY: Karen Poole, Captain—228.219.5270

Janice Merrill, Jeana Delancey & Wendy Witchen—Bed Babies

Robin Sherman, Elizabeth & Joseph Ingram—Toddlers

Ben & Kayla Broome—2 yr olds

Meagen & Jaymie Smith—3 yr olds

Jeremy & Susie Boulware—Children’s Church

Teresa Dixon & Jan Walters—Night

Nursery Workers You should have received a letter

with your January schedule

explaining some changes that will

begin this month. Please make sure

you have reviewed the updated

schedule. Contact Bettie Concannon

with any concerns. We appreciate

your help in assuring we have safely

staffed our nursery every Sunday.

If someone asked me to name the single greatest benefit of being a Christian, it would not be forgiveness, though forgiveness is a great benefit. It would not be the family of God, though the family of God is a great blessing to me and my family. It wouldn't be the Bible, though without it, we wouldn't know any of these blessings. The single greatest benefit of being a Christian is having God.

Through Jesus, we are in Covenant with God. He says, “I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God (Ex. 6:7; Jer. 7:23).” He says, “You shall be my treasured possession among all the peoples…a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Ex 19:5-6).” “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession (1 Pet 2:9).”

Charles Spurgeon said, "Our blessed Jesus, as God, is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent. Will it not console you to know that all these great and glorious attributes are altogether yours? Has He power? That power is yours to support and strengthen you, to overcome your enemies, and to preserve you even to the end. Has He love? Well, there is not a drop of love in His heart which is not yours; you may dive into the immense ocean of His love, and you may say of it all, "It is mine."

As each of us seeks to grow in the new year, we need to resist the temptation to seek our consolation in other things. Through Christ, I gain the very presence of God in my daily life. I have unhindered access to His power to support, strengthen, overcome all and preserve me to the end. I am surrounded and upheld by the ocean of His Love.

My narrow goal and prayer for us in the new year is that we would grow in our satisfaction in Him so that we can live as happy pilgrims and strangers in a world that is not our own.

Praying for the Flock, Pastor Michael

A message from

OUR PASTOR

WMU: Thursday, January 3, at 6 pm

Our Daily Bread: Saturday, January 5, at 10:30 am

Wednesday Night Dinners: Start back on January 9. Fill out the bulletin slip to let us know you’re coming.

Deacons’ Meeting: Sunday, January 13, at 7:45 am

Student Event: Altitude Trampoline Park in Mobile, AL, Friday, January 18. See Ryan for details.

Discover Arlington Luncheon: Sunday, January 20, following the morning worship service.

Business Meeting: Sunday, January 20, following the evening worship service

Keyboard Festival: Thursday, January 24, at First Baptist Church in Pascagoula at 6:30pm

State Evangelism Conference: Sunday, January 27, and Monday, January 28, at Country Woods Baptist Church in Byram, MS

Senior Adult Evangelism Rally: Tuesday, January 29, 8:30-11:30, at Country Woods Baptist Church in Byram, MS

Senior Adult Game Night: Thursday, January 31, at 6 pm in the fellowship hall

Posted on the Church Bulletin Board

Thank you notes from: USA Women’s and Children’s Hospital, First Baptist Lynn Haven Christmas cards from: Fosters Heating and Air, Promiss, Brotherhood Mutual

Dayhath Marte-Herrera 5006 King James Dr

Pascagoula, MS 39581

228-355-0175

NEW MEMBERS

Your Church Staff would like to let you know that we deeply appreciate and are humbled by your continued love, trust and support. Thank you especially for honoring us with such a generous Christmas gift. It is a great privilege and joy to serve with such a special Church Family.

Sincerely, Michael, Peyton, Ryan and Cissie

Paul & Micah Gatchell

1008 Grant Ave

Pascagoula, MS 39567

228-355-1700

Dutha Lambert 2002 Convent

Pascagoula, MS 39567

228-627-8700

ATTENTION COLLEGE STUDENTS Applications for the education

scholarships are now being accepted. If you are inter-

ested in applying, please come by the church office for

an application or drop us an email at

office@growatarlington.com.

Ryan, Ginger & Eli Seaton 812 McKinley Ave

Pascagoula, MS 39567

985-590-0077

The church office will be

closed for Martin Luther

King Jr. Day on Monday,

January 21.

We are in need of Children’s church volunteers. If you are interested in learning more

about this wonderful ministry, please contact Susie Boulware

or the church office.

...Mrs. Doris Thomas in the death of her husband, Mr. Darwin Thomas…

...Mr. & Mrs. Eddie Moore & family in the death of Mrs. Shirley’s brother, James Booker…

What Happens When We Sing in Worship?

The following is a continuation of an article entitled “What Happens When We Sing in Worship” by Bob Kauflin, pastor at Sovereign Grace Church in Louisville, KY:

3) Singing can help us use words to demonstrate and express our unity.

The first two points can be accomplished when we sing by ourselves, but this point needs other people.

People sing together in the strangest places: rock concerts, sporting events, birthdays, weddings, funerals. Singing together tends to bind us together. It enables us to spend extended periods of times expressing the same thoughts and passions. And when it comes to the church, it has significant implications. Scripture doesn't only speak about congregational singing--God can be honored when we sing alone or when soloists sing in the church. But it is clear that the dominant theme of Scripture is believers singing together. Jesus died to redeem a universal choir, and every individual voice matters. We are not called to listen to others sing or to sing by ourselves. We are called to sing together. The question is not, "Do you have a voice?" The question is, "Do you have a song?" If you're redeemed by Christ's cross then you do have a song.

Implications

1. We should sing songs that unite rather than divide the church. We can appreciate the diverse musical styles and genres, but we shouldn't try and make church worship "something for everybody." There should be a unifying musical center that focuses on the sound of the people themselves. God commands us to worship him with instruments, but the majority of the commands tell us to worship him in song. Instruments are only there to aid the singing. So if you never sing without instruments, you should start singing a cappella at times. 2. Musical creativity in the church has functional limits. Your iPod shouldn't be the starting point for selecting songs to sing together. We want to pursue a creativity that is not distracting and not just innovative. 3. We must be clear that it is the gospel and not music that unites us. We should guard against gathering together in churches based upon our musical preferences rather than according to our unity in the gospel. The gospel is what unites us. Ephesians 2:14 - Jesus has united us, not our music. I don't connect with people at my church because they have the same song selection on their iPod. I love them because Christ has enabled me to love them. The host of heaven is not united in their style of music but in the words of their song (Revelation 5:9-10). What kind of music do people from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation sing? We don't know! But the Bible tells us what the focus should be: Worthy is the Lamb who was slain. The Lamb must always be central to our corporate singing. Why? Because Jesus is the one who makes it possible. God doesn't hear us on account of our skill in singing. He hears it because it is in his Son. We shouldn't look for music to move us to sing. God has already done something worthy of moving us. How can we then keep from singing? 4. Ask yourself, What are we doing to encourage our church in corporate singing? What are we doing to discourage it? Our singing should more and more resemble what we see in Revelation. Whatever we experience here in terms of the active presence of God, it is a mere glimmer of what is to come. In the new heavens and earth we will sing gloriously and for a long time. Our thoughts and passions will be focused, and we will have the strength to give him the glory he deserves. What a glorious thing to anticipate that time! And part of our singing here on earth is anticipation of what is to come.

This is the final installment of Bob Kauflin’s message. You can read the article in its entirety by visiting: www.christianity.com & searching “What Happens When We Sing in Worship”

For His Glory,

Greetings,

Over the next few months I want to share with you some truths from the book of Psalms. Specifically, Psalms 1. The psalms are expressions of human feelings, ranging from great joy and happiness to deep sorrow and repentance. Some psalms tell us how to deal with sin and find spiritual renewal. Others teach us how to worship God. We will begin our "journey from despair to delight" in Psalm 1 by discovering some secrets for finding lasting happiness, the first of which is... Avoid the path to unhappiness Psalm 1:1 (NIV) Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. The book of Psalms begins with the word blessed. The word translated blessed (esher, eh-sher) means "happy". Best translated “Approved by God” But what is happiness? Many people think happiness is found in prosperity, possessions, pleasure, or prestige, but most never find happiness because they don't know what truth found in Ecclesiastes 3:11b?

Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV) He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. This means our hearts can't be satisfied with possessions or achievements because those things are temporary. Therefore, nothing on this earth can give us lasting happiness because in every human heart there is a God-shaped vacuum only He can fill. Letting God fill that vacuum is the key to lasting happiness. To avoid the path to unhappiness, we must do three things: 1. Don’t seek counsel from the wicked. If we want to be happy, we cannot walk in the counsel of the un-godly (Psa. 1:1a). The word ungodly doesn't mean atheists, bank robbers, or murderers, though it can include them. How does Psalm 10:4 describe the wicked?

Psalm 10:4 (NIV) In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God. A wicked person is anyone who leaves God out of their lives. Listening to the counsel of the wicked begins a downward spiral because their counsel will be translated into actions. Therefore, to avoid the path to unhappi-ness, we must eliminate the counsel of the wicked. 2. Don't live like the unbelieving world. The psalmist says we cannot stand in the way of sinners (1:1b). The word way means "manner of life" or "lifestyle." The word translated stand (amad, ah-mod) means "to abide in." The word translated sinners literally means "criminals" or "offenders." So, participating in the lifestyle of those who break God's Law makes us spiritual criminals. If we listen to the counsel of the wicked, breaking God's Law will become a part of our lifestyle. Therefore, we must be very careful about the friends we choose. I am re-minded of 1 Corinthians 15:33

1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV) Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." This means bad company, or associations, ruin our morals. That's the downward spiral of bad influence. This doesn't mean we are not to be friends with unbelievers. Jesus was called a friend of sinners (Mt 11:19), but He befriended them to lead them to holy lives. We should be friends with unbelievers but should not participate in their sinful lifestyles. 3. Don't muddy the water of our witness. The Bible puts it like this: We will not sit in the seat of mockers (Psa. 1:1c). The word seat refers to what we might call a professor's "chair" in a university or seminary. Sitting in the seat of the mockers refers to teaching or encouraging others to sin as a way of mocking God. This means we shouldn't have anything in our lives that could encourage others to sin or question what it looks like to be a be-liever in Jesus.

**To find lasting happiness, step one is to avoid the path to unhappiness. Because of His Mercy, ~Ryan

A message from Ryan