T HE T IDINGS GOD’S MISSION FOR TEMPLE BAPTIST CHURCH IS TO LOVE HIM FULLY AND FOLLOW HIM FAITHFULLY. T HE T IDINGS February 19, 2020 Vol. 73 No. 8 Are you grateful that we can communicate with God? I mean, think of it. The God Who created our universe and Who personally sustains its function has invited us into an intimate relationship with Him where we can commune with Him daily. Wow! We can talk to Him through prayer, and He speaks to us through His Spirit and His Scripture. This year, we have purposed to read the New Testament together, but I want to remind you that this must not become a mere mechanical procedure. Our reading should not simply be to check off the list; rather, we should be seeking to hear His specific message to us. Instead of desiring to get through the Scripture, we want His Word to get through us! Some time ago, Robby Gallaty offered a simple journaling method that can help us H.E.A.R. the biblical witness. The acronym H.E.A.R. stands for Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond. As you read through the text, highlight the verse that speaks to you by writing out the book’s name, the chapter and verse numbers that resonate with you, and the passage itself. Moreover, assign a title to the passage you are reading. Then, explain what the text meant to the original audience by determining why it was written, to whom it was written, and the context of the passage (how it fits into the verses before and after). There are several introductions/resources including those in your study Bible that can help you. After that, you can begin to apply the passage personally to your life. Ask, “What does this mean to me today? What is God saying to me? Or perhaps, how does this affect and/or help me in my family/work/service?” And of course, such introspection leads to response. You may record a specific action you need to take as a result of the Scripture or indicate how your life will look different from your time listening to Christ’s Word. Again, Gallaty’s journaling method is simple, concise, and practical in allowing us to hear the Lord’s message to us. And it is predicated on the assumption that God wants to communicate with us (that is why He gave us Scripture!) and that the Holy Spirit can powerfully illuminate our minds/hearts as we read His Word. Hope this might help you as you continue reading through the New Testament. As I close, I offer a couple of final comments. First, thanks for all you do to serve the Lord and His church daily! Whether you are working in the kitchen on Wednesday nights, leading a Bible study at the detention center, coaching/officiating Upward games, teaching a Sunday School class, directing traffic, running sound/lights/cameras, singing in the choir or praise team, greeting a visitor, playing an instrument during worship, or simply fulfilling your calling in your particular way, I am so grateful for you. The ministry here could not exist without you! Monday night, we will have our annual Volunteer Appreciation Banquet to express our thankfulness, but I pray you hear our hearts of gratitude every week! Second, pray with me for these who are serving now and for new people who need to step up to new opportunities. Specifically pray for our Upward volunteers as they close out this season, and ask the Lord to use the devotions as well as the Sunday night closing Upward Celebration to impress the Gospel on receptive hearts. In addition, pray for the Bahamas mission team as they leave Saturday to assist in the rebuilding of a Baptist church that was destroyed by Hurricane Dorian. Also implore Christ to raise up more volunteers. We need more folks to plug in here and around the world. For example, our recent audio/visual upgrades have opened up new avenues for people to help with cameras, lighting, etc. I need some more folks to go with me to Hungary and teach English camps in June. And I could share many other opportunities! Pray with me about these opportunities, and let us know if you know of someone who needs to be plugged in . . . or if God is calling you to a specific area. God is doing great things! Let’s be a part of it! See you Sunday! The Pastor’s Perspective Dr. Reggie Bridges Worship Attendance 9 a.m. Blended Worship Service 623 9 a.m. the gathering Worship Service 199 10:30 a.m. the gathering Worship Service 224 The Springs Worship Service 26 Combined Morning Total 1072 Sunday School Attendance 9 a.m. Sunday School 88 10:30 a.m. Sunday School 702 First Steps 109 Other 121 Total 1020 FROM THE RECORDS OF FEBRUARY 16, 2020 Sunday, February 16, 2020 Budget $58,685.04 Share the Light $780.00 Preschool Ministry ~ First Steps Bible stories and Bible-learning acvies for our preschoolers (Babies-Kindergarten) Sundays 9-11:30 a.m.
Transcript
THE TIDINGSGOD’S MISSION FOR TEMPLE BAPTIST CHURCH IS TO LOVE HIM FULLY AND FOLLOW HIM FAITHFULLY.
THE TIDINGS (USPS #020005), Published Weekly except Christmas by:Temple Baptist Church, Periodical Postage Paid, Ruston, LA 71270
Postmaster send address changes to:Temple Baptist Church, 1515 South Service Road West, Ruston, LA 71270
Are you grateful that we can communicate with God? I mean, think of it. The God Who created our universe and Who personally sustains its function has invited us into an intimate relationship with Him where we can commune with Him daily. Wow! We can talk to Him through prayer, and He speaks to us through His Spirit and His Scripture. This year, we have purposed to read the New Testament together, but I want to remind you that this must not become a mere mechanical procedure. Our reading should not simply be to check off the list; rather, we should be seeking to hear His specific message to us. Instead of desiring to get through the Scripture, we want His Word to get through us!Some time ago, Robby Gallaty offered a simple journaling method that can help us H.E.A.R. the biblical witness. The acronym H.E.A.R. stands for Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond. As you read through the text, highlight the verse that speaks to you by writing out the book’s name, the chapter and verse numbers that resonate with you, and the passage itself. Moreover, assign a title to the passage you are reading. Then, explain what the text meant to the original audience by determining why it was written, to whom it was written, and the context of the passage (how it fits into the verses before and after). There are several introductions/resources including those in your study Bible that can help you. After that, you can begin to apply the passage personally to your life. Ask, “What does this mean to me today? What is God saying to me? Or perhaps, how does this affect and/or help me in my family/work/service?” And of course, such introspection leads to response. You may record a specific action you need to take as a result of the Scripture or indicate how your life will look different from your time listening to Christ’s Word. Again, Gallaty’s journaling method is simple, concise, and practical in allowing us to hear the Lord’s message to us. And it is predicated on the assumption that God
wants to communicate with us (that is why He gave us Scripture!) and that the Holy Spirit can powerfully illuminate our minds/hearts as we read His Word. Hope this might help you as you continue reading through the New Testament.As I close, I offer a couple of final comments. First, thanks for all you do to serve the Lord and His church daily! Whether you are working in the kitchen on Wednesday nights, leading a Bible study at the detention center, coaching/officiating Upward games, teaching a Sunday School class, directing traffic, running sound/lights/cameras, singing in the choir or praise team, greeting a visitor, playing an instrument during worship, or simply fulfilling your calling in your particular way, I am so grateful for you. The ministry here could not exist without you! Monday night, we will have our annual Volunteer Appreciation Banquet to express our thankfulness, but I pray you hear our hearts of gratitude every week! Second, pray with me for these who are serving now and for new people who need to step up to new opportunities. Specifically pray for our Upward volunteers as they close out this season, and ask the Lord to use the devotions as well as the Sunday night closing Upward Celebration to impress the Gospel on receptive hearts. In addition, pray for the Bahamas mission team as they leave Saturday to assist in the rebuilding of a Baptist church that was destroyed by Hurricane Dorian. Also implore Christ to raise up more volunteers. We need more folks to plug in here and around the world. For example, our recent audio/visual upgrades have opened up new avenues for people to help with cameras, lighting, etc. I need some more folks to go with me to Hungary and teach English camps in June. And I could share many other opportunities! Pray with me about these opportunities, and let us know if you know of someone who needs to be plugged in . . . or if God is calling you to a specific area. God is doing great things! Let’s be a part of it! See you Sunday!
The Pastor’s PerspectiveDr. Reggie Bridges
Worship Attendance9 a.m. Blended
Worship Service 623
9 a.m. the gatheringWorship Service 199
10:30 a.m. the gathering Worship Service 224
The Springs Worship Service 26
Combined Morning Total 1072
Sunday SchoolAttendance
9 a.m. Sunday School 88
10:30 a.m. Sunday School 702
First Steps 109
Other 121
Total 1020
FROM THE RECORDS OF FEBRUARY 16, 2020
Sunday, February 16, 2020
Budget $58,685.04 Share the Light $780.00
Preschool Ministry ~ First StepsBible stories and Bible-learning activities
for our preschoolers (Babies-Kindergarten)Sundays 9-11:30 a.m.
College ConnectionCollege ConnectionCasey Casady
A Thank you card has been received from...Ruston Elementary and Cypress Springs Schools
(Located on the bulletin board in the Library window)
COMPLETED! We just finished our Beach Reach 2020 training this past Sunday. We are excited to take 56 students to Beach Reach. We want to encourage you to pray for us as we serve the Lord in Panama City Beach March 4-10. We will be serving pancakes and sharing the Gospel as thousands of Spring Breakers descend on PCB. I hope you will take the list of Beach Reach participants and pray for us each day. Also, if you would like to follow the live stream of prayer requests from our team, go to www.beachreachlive.com. The passage of scripture that inspires our students for this trip is Matthew 16:18: “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
Please be in prayer for the following Beach Reach 2020 participants: EJ Holder, Brooke Dies, Lauren Tomlin, Connor Gibbon, Kara Scott, Hallie Robertson, Conner Valentine, Casey Casady, Hannah Jones, Mason Jinks, Blayre Madison, Holly Chassion, Riley Eason, Joshua Tannehill, Casey Staller, Preston Slaton, Brandon Vessel, Colyn Sevario, Brandy Boyd, Sadie Patton, Alyssa Pippin, Landry Baudouin, Anna Kate Tollett, Allie Ellis, Daniel Barnes, Chelsea Barnes, Ty’Esha Coleman, Emma Shelton, George Lee, Shiloh Taylor, Alena Pace, Ethan Brantly, Shelby McMullen, Ian Arguello, Grace Borden, Landon Sargent, Quinton Smith, Andrew Bennett, Colten Wilkerson, Colby Kring, Clayton Hearn, Emily Cook, Taylor Corie, AJ Bricker, Micah Williams, Evan Yuhasz, Isaac Thomas, Ben Robins, Zach Husser, Kaylee Misenheimer, Samantha McCoy, Lexi Wilkerson, Kenneth Ray, Austin Shanley, and Jordan Albarado.
LA Tech Baseball TripMarch 13 and 14
Smith Wills Stadium in Jackson, MS Hosting Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
Cost is $120 (includes transportation and room) Plus $10 per ticket for each game
Sign up in Sunday School!Deadline to sign up: Wednesday, March 4
Vacation Bible SchoolConcrete & Cranes
June 1-5 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Mark your calendar and pray
about how you can serve.
Weekday Early Education MinistryNow accepting Fall 2020 applications
for Temple members and those presently enrolled.
Open to the public March 4.
Applications available in The Journey Place. For a digital copy, email [email protected].
Contact: Gina Holstead, 255-9506
Neighbors and NationsNeighbors and NationsBen Jernigan
the family of Gavyn Sweat, great-grandson of Donnie and Maria Owens; the family of Leola Rhone,
grandmother of Roderick and Scotty Rhone.
WinShape Camp for CommunitiesJuly 13-17
Completed Grades K-8
Registration opens March 2 at 9 a.m.$189 for the first 175 campers
After the first 175, cost for camp: $219
Luke & Samantha Coleman
Temple’s Newest Membership Candidates 2020 North LA Emergency ManagementHosted by Rolling Hills Ministries
March 13-14 | Temple Baptist Church
Contact: David Abernathy, 251-0065,rollinghillsministries.com/disaster-relief-training
March 14: Certified Severe Weather Spotter and Shelter Training
(both free to the public)
THE PACK SHACKMarch 14 | 1 p.m. | Temple Baptist Church
After lunch, we will be packing 50,000 meals.Funded by NLAR Weyerhauser
We are just a couple of months into the new year, and we have already seen the Lord’s movement from these walls to the nations. In early January, we sent a team to East Asia to shine the light of Christ in a dark region as they worked among the unreached peoples in that land. Later that month, we sent another team out to Puerto Rico to do disaster relief work that is still lingering from Hurricane Maria and earthquakes that recently shook that region. This weekend, we are sending a team to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the Bahamas Rebuild Project. In early September last year, Hurricane Dorian completely devastated this group of Caribbean Islands. That infamous storm took the lives of 70 people in this country and destroyed over 13,000 homes. In addition to these homes, there were also many church buildings that couldn’t withstand the 185+ mph winds. The Louisiana Baptists, along with other state Baptist conventions, have committed to rebuilding some of these church buildings and assisting local Bahama churches. Saturday, Temple is sending a team that will join the effort to rebuild St. Matthews Baptist Church in Freeport. Please pray for this team as they go, as they travel, as they serve, and as they witness for Christ to meet the needs of people in this difficult time. Thank you, church family, for your generous contributions of hours, gifts, and money to the Sportsman’s Banquet for Missions! On that special evening earlier this month, we raised about $30,000 that will go toward the sending of Temple people on mission trips this year! It was great to see Temple join together in a unified effort to raise funds for our global witness. These funds will go toward reducing the cost of mission trips in our church, assisting those whom God is calling to serve on our mission teams this year! Have you considered serving on a Temple Mission Team this year? Would you be interested in serving the Lord in Hungary? Baton Rouge? South Asia? Calgary? Go to missions.temple.life to learn more!The time has come for our Upward Basketball and Cheer season to come to a close as this Saturday is our last game day! Please pray for our boys and girls on Sunday night as we celebrate the season and share how to have the ultimate victory in Christ! Our Upward Celebration is Sunday night at 5 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
THE TIDINGSGOD’S MISSION FOR TEMPLE BAPTIST CHURCH IS TO LOVE HIM FULLY AND FOLLOW HIM FAITHFULLY.
THE TIDINGS (USPS #020005), Published Weekly except Christmas by:Temple Baptist Church, Periodical Postage Paid, Ruston, LA 71270
Postmaster send address changes to:Temple Baptist Church, 1515 South Service Road West, Ruston, LA 71270
Core Values: Authoritative Truth • Strengthening Worship
Authentic Community • Intentional TransformationHands-On Missions • Relational Evangelism
Compassionate Servanthood
Vision: To become authentic, loving followers of Jesus,
who are experiencing life transformation through God’s Word, For the purpose of impacting our world.
Week-at-a-GlanceBahamas Mission Trip ~ February 22-March 1
Sunday, February 239 a.m. - Blended Worship | Baptism (Sanctuary); the gathering Worship (GS); Sunday School; Before You Say “I Do” (Rm 216)10:30 a.m. - the gathering Worship | Parent/Child Dedication (GS); Connections Class (Rm 221); Sunday School3:45 p.m. - Grades 4-6 Bible Drill (JPMR)4 p.m. - High School Senior and Parent Meeting (Rm 252)4:30 p.m. - South Asia Team Meeting (Rm 76)5 p.m. - The Springs Worship Service (The Springs Sanctuary); Evening Worship | Upward Celebration (Sanctuary)6 p.m. - Upward Celebration Meal (FH); temple-tech Sunday Night Supper; High School Worship (Youth Rm)
