S H O U L D N O T I H A V E C O M P A S S I O N

F O R T H A T G R E A T C I T Y ?

B R I A R W O O D N A T I O N A L M I N I S T R I E S C O N F E R E N C E 2 0 1 8

SAVE THE DATE • OCTOBER 21–22

Featured Speaker

Phil TuttleWalk Thru the Bible, President/CEO

Volunteers are neededIf you would like to help during the conference,

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�or�drop�by�the�Missions�Office�for�a�form.For additional conference details, visit briarwood.org/nmc or use the Briarwood App.

Briarwood WeeklyTHE

2200 Briarwood Way Birmingham, AL 35243205.776.5200 • info@briarwood.org briarwood.org

• september 28, 2018 •

$12 tickets on sale October 1 in the Bookstore or at briarwood.org/cch.

A Briarwood Christmas tradition is back !

Nov. 13 ˙ Nov. 14

In Pastoral Care ministry, we often interact with people who are discouraged about society. They are weary of constant media displays of violence, ungodliness and hostility toward biblical values. They are troubled by those who despise what is godly and exalt what is ungodly. Interestingly, in Matthew 9 we find Jesus confronted by leaders who were hostile (v. 3) and critical (v. 11), and crowds who were skeptical (v. 24) and disobedient (v. 31). How did He respond (v. 36)? When He saw the crowds,

He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Jesus was not fearful of or depressed by these people. Rather, He described them as being like lost and vulnerable sheep without a shepherd. They were hostile and critical, but they did not understand that they were in danger and easy prey for predators. For Jesus these people were not an intrusion or an imposition. He understood their plight and knew they were made for better things.

Therefore, in this context, Jesus challenged his disciples (vv. 37–38), “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Jesus knew how to develop compassion for the lost—pray! He commanded His disciples to pray not just defensively for protection, but redemptively—for help in bringing others to Christ. Jesus did not see people around Him as the enemy. They were captives of the enemy. He longed for many to join with Him in ministry. Therefore, He calls His followers to pray for the lost and for laborers in the vineyard. He knew that it is hard to hate those for whom we pray! What about those around me? Are they an enemy to be feared or a harvest to be anticipated?

Mark CushmanPastoral Care Pastor

Prayer FocusBriarwood International

Outreach

Sunday Morning - 8:00 and 10:55 a.m.XXVI. I Peter in Biblical Perspective

The Elect in the Exile“An Unwanted but Effective Gospel Platform”

I Peter 3:13–17Dr. Harry L. Reeder III

Sunday Evening - 6:00 p.m.XVII. L.E.A.D. in Biblical Perspective

Lifestyle of Evangelism and Discipleship“Hindrance #3—Overcoming the Lack of Gospel Clarity”

I Corinthians 15:1–11Dr. Harry L. Reeder III

Serving in the NurserySun., Sept. 30

Sojourners

Pray for Carlos and Yolanda who serve as

church planters in Madrid, Spain. They are

currently seeing many conflicts, especially in

marriages and within churches. Please pray

for wisdom as they are called on to help in

these situations.

Ron & Donna Elkin AMMI • Pennsylvania

Micah Evans Campus Outreach • Alabama

Andrew & Jami Harris Campus Outreach • Philippines

RJ & Jean Fischer Navigators • Florida

Tamas & Zsofia Heizer Church Resource Ministries • Hungary

Kristie Harrick Women’s Dir • Leadership Team

Christian Service Mission

Sept 29

Sept 30

Oct 1

Oct 2

Oct 3

Oct 4

Lord’s Day Worship Services

Prayer FocusCarlos & Yolanda Gomez

EQUIPMadrid, Spain

Sept 28

George HodgesBriarwood Elder

Gerald JowersBriarwood Deacon

Jeff Hawk Briarwood Deacon

Tripp ReidBriarwood Deacon

Debi & James Deboer First Priority • Alabama

Bobby & Katie Hamlett Campus Outreach • Thailand

Grace Hanson Campus Outreach • Brazil

New WOC Bible Study • “Hearing Jesus Speak into Your Sorrow” meets Tuesdays from 6:30–7:45 p.m. in M200 (Sept. 25–Oct. 30). This study led by Lou Ann Spell will give insight into times of sorrow and disappointment. Young Business Leaders Breakfast • Come Fri. Oct. 5 to the Harbert Center at 6:30 a.m. to hear Chuck Bengochea, a founding member of CityServe International and former CEO of Honeybaked Ham. Tickets $20 or $150/table of 8. Make reservations at 776-5450 or email rsvp@ybl.org.Church Revitalization Ministry Prayer • All are invited to gather for prayer Sun., Oct 7 at 5:00 p.m. in W202.Briarwood’s Trail Life Troop • On Sat., Nov. 3 our Trailmen will pack and box 10,000 nutritious and easy-to-prepare meals for distribution to the hungry, here locally and in Haiti. Help in this effort by texting “Briarwood” to 71777 and making a donation.Youth Worship Choir (7th–12th grade) • Come to the Choir Room Sundays at 5:00 p.m. We’ll have a great time of worship, fellowship, and praise as we develop our talents for the Lord. No experience necessary…just come!The Briarwood Choir Wants YOU! Come to the choir loft any Wed. at 6:30 p.m., or attend Singing School any Wed. from 5:00–5:30 p.m. in the Choir Room. No obligation to join, just come and check it out! Ministry Volunteers Needed • Oct.18 from 9:00 a.m.–noon in A105-A&B. Give your gift of time by assisting with an all-church mail-out. If you are interested, contact Catherine at 776-5205 or crussell@briarwood.org.Worship Service Prayer Time • Drop in any Sunday you can in the Prayer Room during the 8:00 a.m. or 10:55 a.m. worship service to pray for the service, the health of our church, and revival in each of our hearts.

Donations needed

Sat., Oct. 6 9:00 a.m.–noon Altadena House

manual wheelchairs aluminum walkers • canes

footrests • crutches

Call Sharon at 281-1467 with questions or for pickups.

UAB students • Do you have a heart for proclaiming Christ to the nations? We need leaders in our student organization—Briarwood International Outreach! Contact Grace Tang, student pres., at 567-9612 or yawen@uab.edu.Drivers needed • Briarwood International Outreach is in need of drivers to take UAB international students to and from Wal-Mart on the 2nd and/or 4th Saturday each month. Contact Shawn at sbrower@briarwood.org or 776-5404 to help or get more information.Mongolia Mission Trip • Donate your unused but working iPads, iPhones, tablets, (Mac or Android), and Windows laptops to the Missions Office for this upcoming trip. Want to learn to knit or is knitting your hobby? Join other Briarwood knitters each Wed. morning from 10:00–11:30 a.m. in A205. Some of our projects: chemo caps, booties for Save-a-Life, gifts for missionaries, and prayer shawls. New learners are welcome. Contact Ellen Fox at ewfox@bellsouth.net or 980-1968. Let’s Go Fishing! • The pond located across from the Youth Barn is overstocked, and Briarwood members are invited to come fish during a special open fishing season, Oct. 13–31. Get details at briarwood.org/pond.Pocket Change deposited into wall containers around the church is used by the Exec. Mercy Ministry monthly to distribute food for those in need. Coin canisters are available at the Altadena House to collect at home.

• Women of the Covenant • Save the Dates

WOC Worship Night Fri., Oct. 26 at 6:30 p.m. in the Chapel.

Make plans to join us for this evening of worship through music and the Word.

Single LadiesMon., Oct. 29

All WOC single ladies, 20-years-old and up, mark your calendar. Our next Titus 2 Night will be focused

on ministering to our single women of all ages. See briarwood.org/women for more information.

October 3 Dinner Menu Greek Chicken, Tilapia, Rice Casserole,

Zucchini/Squash, Coleslaw, Pita Bread, Dessert For reservations,visit briarwood.org/dinner

or call 776-5238 by Tuesday at noon.

Pastor Reeder’s Blog • Read the pastor’s response to last summer’s Revoice Conference held in St. Louis now, at briarwood.org/pastorsblog. Job Openings (more at briarwood.org/employment):Admin Assistant for the Shepherding Team Pastor. Seeking a Briarwood member for a full-time (32 hours) position with benefits. Applicant must have proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office, effective organization and excellent communication skills. Send résumé to Janet Norden at jnorden@briarwood.org or call 776-5282.Extension Campus Dir. for Christian Medical Ministry. Full-time position working under Exec. Dir.of CMMA to direct expansion of the ministry to other campuses in Ala., as well as participate in the ministry at UAB. Seeking a self-starter with prior ministry experience and know-how to develop/lead teams and disciple others. Contact Bobby Parks at bjparks@briarwood.org or call 776-5470.National and Urban Ministries. Seeking a Briarwood member for a part-time admin assistant position. Knowledge of MS Office is necessary. Email Heather McDougall at hmcdougall@briarwood.org with résumé or inquiries. Manager of New Direction Ministry Thrift Store. The Mercy Ministry seeks a Briarwood member to serve in this part-time position in Fairfield. Candidates should have a heart for gospel ministry, an aptitude for retail management, and an ability to recruit volunteers. Email résumé to Chris Thompson at cthompson@briarwood.org. National Missions Pastor. Seeking an experienced pastoral leader for the revitalization of churches. He will lead Briarwood’s National Missions, Church Revitalization, and Church Planting teams and will be ordained or ordainable in the PCA. Inquire with résumé to Heather McDougall at hmcdougall@briarwood.org or 776-5279.See details on other positions and how to apply by going online to briarwood.org/employment.

Briarwood Families• We rejoice with Mark and Bree Wiersma on the birth of their daughter, Josephine ‘Josie’ Ross, on Sept. 19.

• Our love and sympathy to Connie Evans and family on the death of her stepmother, Norma Cortez, on Sept. 19; to Bill Buck, Billy Buck, Jr. and family on the death of their brother and uncle, Gray Carroll Buck, Jr., on Sept. 21; and to Pat Sawyer and family on the death of her husband, member John Sawyer, on Sept. 23.