Last Month’s Averages: Based on 4-week s
Morning Worship: 368
Sunday School: 194
Total Offerings: $56,588.13 Special Dates: (Specific times listed on pg. 3) 2/1- Building Fund Sunday Macon Valley Nursing Worship 2/4- Family Missions Night Widows’ Banquet 2/7- Baptist Men’s Workday Cowee Gems Valentine Party 2/8- Focus on WMU Quarterly Business Meeting 2/11- Children’s Valentine Party 2/13- Parents’ Night Out 2/15- Children’s Choir Performing Deacons’ Meeting 2/16- Region 10 Meeting FBC 2/18- Photo Day (Pre-register) Feb. 18-21, 25 2/22- Children’s Council Meeting 2/23- Church Council 2/27- Weekend to Remember Retreat
February 2015
Church Newsletter
Inside this Issue: Announcements Pg. 1
Thank You’s Pg. 2
Monthly Calendar Pg. 3
Children Pg. 4
Youth Pg. 5
Missions Pg. 6
LIA 365 & Cowee Gems Pg. 7
Announcements Pg. 8
Cowee Baptist Church
By Pastor David...
1 John 4:19:
We love, because He first loved us.
In our depravity, we would not even love God, had He not loved us first. Thanks be to
God. He chose to express His love through Jesus. While we were still sinners in full
rebellion against Him, the love of God was so great that Christ died on the cross in our
place (Romans 5:8). God graciously loved first, expressed it in a way that we could
recognize, and did it already knowing that not everyone would receive and return His
love. That blows my mind.
What love is this that loves in the face of rejection and rebellion? This kind of love can
only come from the heart of an amazing God. No wonder the Scripture declares God
is love (1 John 4:8), rather than love is God. It is more than a subtle difference in the
order of words; God is love because only love created by and originating with God is
worth finding, having, and reproducing. Anything that calls itself love and does not
start with God is not true. it is a hollow lie that will collapse under the weight of a bro-
ken world and time.
What does God desire from man in response to His divine love? In one word, simply
put: love. Not what the world or human flesh may try to label as love, because there is
a notable difference. A lot of what we call love, when dissected, is really selfishness
masquerading as love. What God desires from us, though simple, is only simple by
Jesus being in our life. When we willingly receive Jesus, He will do a work in our heart
that allows us to produce love (because remember God is love). God calls upon those
who have had His love manifested in them to love Him and correspondingly to con-
tinue to His expression of love, by allowing His divine love to overflow us by loving
others. As the love of God is unleashed in our lives, it is this love that will perfect us
and enable us to live this side of heaven (1 John 4:9-12).
If you have never accepted the love of God in Jesus, I hope you will with all urgency.
If you have, I challenge you in all you do this year, have a mission to, “love God” and
“love people” in all that you do. Ask yourself some important questions along the way
in what you do in church and outside of church: Does the way I am living, love God?
Love people? Is this the best way to live out my love for God? For people?
We waste a lot of exertion, futile attempts to change, to improve, to do better, to quit
something and fail… because we forget the simple (Rev 2:4)… accept God’s love,
love God, and love people.
With love, Pastor David
The Gem
Page 2
“We would like to thank everyone for all their work, partici-pation, support and prayers for Gabe and our family; not only
for the pancake breakfast but also for the love and concern
that is shown to us throughout every day. We would like eve-ryone to know that we thank each of you sincerely. We know
there were numerous tasks involved with the breakfast and
want each involved to know we greatly appreciate your contri-bution. Our words cannot express what each of you mean to
us nor how grateful we are to each person who has touched
and blessed our lives. Thank you and May God bless each of you. An update on Gabe: Most of you know that at his last
appointment in December the biopsy came back showing he
was rejecting the kidney, we did not expect this as he had been feeling well and his blood test looked okay. One of our con-
cerns for treatment was the doctor was going to use a medica-
tion that he had a reaction to in the past, thanks to prayers and especially to God, at the last minute the doctor decided to
treat with another method. We will head back to Cincinnati
next week for another biopsy scheduled on January 22. We thank you in advance for lifting him in prayer and we thank
you for being a praying Church. We love our Church family
and are grateful to each of you. In Christ Love, The Bingham Family”
“Dear church family, Pat and I wish to thank you for all the prayers, cards, and visits during my recent hospitalization and
home recovery. It is great that we have such an awesome God that cares for us. We appreciate the love in action efforts to
encourage us, strengthen us, and knowing the love you share
through Jesus. We look forward to being back at church in the near future.
Jack Scharling”
“Dear Cowee Church, Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for the gifts you gave my family at Christmas.
Words cannot express the gratitude I feel. Thank you and
may God bless you! Carol Ann Elliott”
“Thank you Church family for the support, prayers, and love shown to us during Bailey's health scare. Your thoughtful-
ness, kindness, and love helped us tremendously. We are so
grateful her episode happened at Cowee. What a blessing we have at CBC, to have so many great healthcare workers and
first responders in attendance! We can honestly say she
received better care while at church and in the ambulance, than she did in the hospital.
Randy, Paula, Bailey, and Gracie Gentry”
“Dear Pastor David & Friends at Cowee Baptist, your con-
tribution to the Gideon's International in my mother’s mem-
ory is greatly appreciated by me and my family. Your phone calls, cards, and support before, during and after my
mother’s death means so much to me. Thank you Cowee
Baptist for caring. Sincerely, Charles Stevens & Family”
“Dear Church Family, Thank you all so much for your prayers, the Sunset Restaurant gift certificate, the many
cards, FB notes and phone calls during my shoulder surgery
and recovery. A special “thanks” to Pastor Ronnie for com-ing to Asheville for my surgery, as well as his prayers and
phone calls. Thank you also to Pastor David and Pastor
Jason for their prayers. In Christ’s Love, Lydia Horton”
(received 12/2014)
“Dear Church, I would like to express my deepest thanks for
everything you did for my grandchildren for Christmas. The
children are in my custody until their mother leaves rehab. This is a 2 year program in Durham , NC. I signed up for
Holiday Angels to receive help, however, I never expected all
of the blessings you gave. The food, all the gifts, the gift card and even a surprise for my 15yr. old was dearly appreciated.
Thank you for making this holiday season a blessed one.
May God bless each and everyone of you! Please keep our family in prayer.
Angela McLeon”
Monthly Service at Macon Valley
Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
(3195 Old Murphy Rd.)
This Sunday, February 1, (2:15pm in the Spark Unit and 2:30 in the dining hall) and on the first Sunday of each month follow-ing, Cowee Baptist Church will be leading a worship service at Macon Valley Nursing Home. All are welcome & encouraged to
attend this time of fellowship & worship.
NEW WEDNESDAY NIGHT ADULT STUDY: "What Every Christian
Ought to Know" Beginning Feb 11, 7pm. Led by Pastor David &
Steve Waldroop
Africa Missions Team Leaving in March:
The team (Pastor David, Sierra Womack, Jean Davis, Casey
Jennings and Brandan Shepherd) will be traveling 3/4-3/15. Please begin praying now over the team, their families, and the people they will reach. If you feel led to give
towards this mission, or to help a specific team member to offset
their airfare and expenses, please place your donation in an enve-lope. Clearly write your name,
"Africa Missions", the person you are contributing towards (if you are
giving towards a specific individual) and the amount. Checks should be written to Cowee Baptist Church (“Africa Missions” listed in
the memo portion).
The red squares represent the previous paid down portion of the debt for the Children’s Wing. The green squares represent the most recent paid down portion.
Page 3.
1 Alicia Jepsen 12 Brooks Heard 17 Harvey Fouts 21 Thelma Sanders
2 Lindsey Dodge 12 John Hurst 17 Sebryna Mullenix 23 Kaylee Adams
2 Madison Holden 12 Dereck Jones 18 Nikki Swafford 23 Matthew Reynolds
4 Travis Jordan 12 Breanna Sanders 18 Eli Wishon 25 Lora Langlois
4 Teresa Smith 13 Abigail Brenner 18 Cohen Wishon 26 Alex Jepson
5 Kaye Rickman 13 Lauren Shannon 19 Linda Brogden 26 Alisha Shuler
6 Ann Bennett 14 Mikayla Hickman 19 Stephanie Hurst 27 Barry Breeden
6 Roy Burnette 14 Riley Jenkins 19 Beverly Wiggins 27 Sam Kelly
6 Knox Holbrooks 14 Helen Lambert 21 Riley Berry 27 Arnold Rickman
7 Graham Shaw 14 Eric Trammel 21 William Dunsmore 28 Jared Greenwood
8 Kelsey Averett 16 Jean Davis 21 Duane McHan 28 Tanner Jordan
8 Noah Brannon 16 Stephanie McConnell 21 Nancy Rogers 28 Alex White
11am Nursery 11am Preschool Children’s Church Toddlers
2/1 Tammy Foster & Carolyn West & Joel & Katy Jamie Shepherd &
Josephine Cabe Charles Cabe Schick Ashley Matthews
2/8 Kim Norton & Evelyn Greer & Kyle Norton & Jennifer Hicks &
Jen Adams Frances Gentry Kevin Adams Kathy Bates
2/15 Brent & Sarah Cindy Duffell & Kendra Jordan & Roy Burnette &
Holbrooks Jennifer Hicks Cherie Patterson Julie Jenkins
2/22 Lacy Harwood & Steve & Michelle Kaine Matthews & Sabrina Scruggs &
Barbara Roper Green Amanda Stewart Nancy Rogers
Cowee Baptist Church — February 2015
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 BUILDING FUND SUNDAY
MACON VALLEY NURSING HOME SERVICE, 2:15pm DEACON (1-7): Don Capaforte
2 3 4 FAMILY MISSIONS NIGHT 5-7pm-PHOTO DIRECTORY REGISTRATION
5-7pm- (drop-in), Love in Action 5:30-6:30pm (drop-in)– Supper 6:15pm-Children’s Choir 6:30pm-Marriage Study 6:30pm– Adult Choir 6:30pm– Youth, Fusion 5/6 7pm– Mission Fr., RA’s, GA’s 5:30pm-WIDOWS’ BANQUET
5
6 Cowee Gems Lowry/
Martins Concert, SMCFTPA
7 Baptist Men’s Workday. 8:30am
Cowee Gems Valentine Party, 6:30pm
8 FOCUS on WMU Baby Bottle Kick-off Quarterly Business Meeting, 6pm DEACON (8-14): Jack Horton
9 10
11 5-7PM- (drop in) Love in Action 365
5-7pm-PHOTO DIRECTORY LAST DAY TO REGISTER 5:30-6:30pm (drop-in)– Supper 6:15pm-Children’s Choir 6:30pm– Youth, Fusion 5/6 6:30pm-Marriage Study 7pm– Adult Bible Study 7pm– CHILDREN’S VALENTINE PARTY Adult Choir
12
13 Parents’ Night Out, 5:30-8:30pm
14
15 Children’s Choir Performs, morning service Deacons’ Meeting, 4:30pm DEACON (15-21): Richard Lightner
16 6pm-Region 10 Baptist Men’s Rally at FBC
17 18 5-7PM- (drop in) Love in Action 365
5:30-6:30pm (drop-in)– Supper 6:15pm-Children’s Choir 6:30pm– Youth, Fusion 5/6 6:30pm-Marriage Study 7pm– Adult Bible Study 7pm– Mission Friends, RAs, GAs, Adult Choir PHOTO DAY (pre-register)
19 PHOTO DAY (pre-register)
20 Cowee Gems Game Night, PHOTO DAY (pre-register)
21 PHOTO DAY (pre-register)
22 Children’s Council, 4:30pm DEACON (22-28): Robbie Robison
23 6pm-Church Council Meeting
24 25 5-7PM- (drop in) Love in Action 365 5:30-6:30pm (drop-in)– Supper 6:15pm-Children’s Choir 6:30pm– Youth, Fusion 5/6 6:30pm-Marriage Study 7pm– Adult Bible Study 7pm– Mission Friends, RAs, GAs, Adult Choir PHOTO DAY (pre-register)
26 27 WEEKEND TO REMEMBER MARRIAGE RETREAT DEPARTS
28 WEEKEND TO REMEMBER MARRIAGE RETREAT
February 1 is Building Fund Sunday! February Deacon of the Week:
1-7 Don Capaforte 8-14 Jack Horton 15-21 Richard Lightner 22-28 Robbie Robison 3/1--3/7 David Morgan
February Ushers:
*Bobby Bolick
Jack Dillard, Sr. Mark Foster
Dereck Jones Roy Jones
Chuck Norton Roger Plemens **Rick Tallent
*Leader, ** Assistant
Leader
Page 4
Children's Choir will resume Wednesday,
Feb. 4th, from 6:15 - 6:45 pm! Please do not drop
children off before 6:05pm.
Parents should plan to bring children to the Children's
Worship Center (our new rehearsal room)
to pick up our performance schedule for the first half of 2015.
Children's Choir will perform for both services on Sunday,
February 15th.
Leader: Kim Clark Assistants: Bonnie Bennett,
Stephanie Jennings
By Sierra Womack, Children’s Ministry Director...
Children’s Council will meet Sunday, Fen. 22, 4:30pm.
Fri., February 13,
5:30-8:30PM
Kingdom Kids Center–Supper provided. To sign your child up or volun-teer to help with childcare, contact Sierra
Womack ([email protected])
God’s love is displayed most clearly at the cross,
where Christ died for the unworthy creatures who
were “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1),
not because we did anything to deserve it, “but God
commends His love toward us in that while we were
yet sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). The
object of God’s agape love never does anything to
merit His love. We are the undeserving recipients
upon whom He lavishes that love. His love was dem-
onstrated when He sent His Son into the world to
“seek and save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10) and
to provide eternal life to those He sought and saved.
He paid the ultimate sacrifice for those He loves.
In the same way, we are to love others sacrificially.
Jesus gave the parable of the Good Samaritan as an
example of sacrifice for the sake of others, even for
those who may care nothing at all for us, or even hate
us, as the Jews did the Samaritans. Sacrificial love is
not based on a feeling, but a determined act of the
will, a joyful resolve to put the welfare of others
above our own. But this type of love does not come
naturally to humans. Because of our fallen nature, we
are incapable of producing such a love. If we are to
love as God loves, that love—that agape—can only
come from its true Source. This is the love which “has
been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit
given to us” when we became His children (Romans
5:5). Because that love is now in our hearts, we can
obey Jesus who said, “I give you a new command-
ment, that you love one another. As I have loved you,
you should also love one another” (John 13:34). This
new commandment involves loving one another as He
loved us sacrificially, even to the point of death. But,
again, it is clear that only God can generate within us
the kind of self-sacrificing love which is the proof that
we are His children. “By this we have known the love
of God, because He laid down His life for us. And we
ought to lay down our lives for the brothers” (1
John 3:16). Because of God’s love toward us, we are
now able to love one another. www.gotquestions.org.
February: The Love Month
When you think of a verse from the Bible that ex-
plains love in an understanding way, do you think of 1
Corinthians 13:4? Love is patient, love is kind. It does
not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not
dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily
angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love
does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It
always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and
always perseveres.
Have you ever heard the term “agape?” Maybe you
have been on a Walk to Emmaus and learned firsthand
what agape is. Below is an article I read recently that
did a good job explaining agape love.
"What is agape love?"
Answer:The Greek word agape is often translated
"love" in the New Testament. How is "agape love"
different from other types of love? The essence of
agape love is self-sacrifice. Unlike our English word
“love,” agape is not used in the Bible to refer to ro-
mantic or sexual love. Nor does it refer to close
friendship or brotherly love, for which the Greek word
philia is used. Nor does agape mean “charity,” a term
which the King James translators carried over from
the Latin. Agape love is unique and is distinguished
by its nature and character.
Agape is love which is of and from God, whose very
nature is love itself. The apostle John affirms this in1
John 4:8: “God is love.” God does not merely love;
He is love itself. Everything God does flows from His
love. But it is important to remember that God’s love
is not a sappy, sentimental love such as we often hear
portrayed. God loves because that is His nature and
the expression of His being. He loves the unlovable
and the unlovely (us!), not because we deserve to be
loved, but because it is His nature to love us, and He
must be true to His nature and character.
Fusion 5/6 will have drama
practice each Wed.
night, at 6:30 in their
classroom, G105.
Wednesday Night Opportunities for Children
(Ages 3 to 4th grade)
6:15pm: Children’s Choir (Children’s Worship
Center) 7:00pm: Children will be
escorted from Children’s Choir to Mission Friends, GA’s or RA’s.
Birth-2 (Younger Mission Friends, Nursery)
During the months of November and December, the RA's and GA's raised money for the WMU
project Pure Water, Pure Love. They raised $135 to provide 3 water filters (like the one to the
left) for missionary families around the world.
Children’s Valentine Party Wednesday, Feb. 11, 7pm
Devotion & Treats
We are growing! We will be adding a new Sunday morning toddler class in February!
By Pastor Jason, Associate Pastor & Minister of Students and Families...
Page 5
This past month we had the blessing of attending
the Strength to Stand Conference that is put on
by the Scott Dawson Evangelistic Association.
There were near 60 of us that lodged in a cabin
in Pigeon Forge and we all had a great time of
fellowship and a great time in the Lord. The
theme of the conference was “RENOWN” and
had a theme verse of Habakkuk 3:2, “LORD, I
have heard the report about You; LORD, I stand
in awe of Your deeds. Revive Your work in
these years; make it known in these years. In
Your wrath remember mercy!” (HCSB)
As I thought about that verse and this prayer
of the prophet, it stirred my heart as I
thought about this in our time. Lord we
have heard of your great work... revive it in
our years!
We were challenged with this thought in
closing at the conference: for each of us to
live our lives to reflect His Glory so that He
will be made famous, in our time, for our
generation. As I listened to Pastor David
sharing on Sunday, I was reminded that this
is really simpler than we have made it. The
simple call to love God above anything else
in our life, and then to simply love others is
the one thing that enables each of us to live
our lives reflecting His glory, to a world
that so desperately needs to see Him. As
the lyrics of a song, “Build Your Kingdom
Here”, states so powerfully: “We are Your
church. We are the hope on earth.” May we
all live our lives in a way that proclaims
that hope, and causes not our name, but the
name of Christ to be glorified in all we do.
Page 6
Focus on Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU)…Feb. 8
WMU’S ANNUAL BABY BOTTLE FUND
RAISING PROJECT FOR SMPCC
Smoky Mountain Pregnancy Care Center (SMPCC) is a nonprofit Christian organiza-tion dedicated to saving lives in Macon County and surrounding areas.
Baby bottles will be available at locations throughout the church on February 8.
Fill provided baby bottles with your dona-tions of coins/bills/checks. Checks should be made payable to SMPCC. Dead-line to return bottles is March 8.
If you wish to receive a receipt from the Center, please fill out the card in the bottle.
Missions Reminders
February 1:
Souper Bowl of Caring
February 4:
Family Missions Night, 7:00pm Widows’ Banquet, 5:30pm
February 8:
Focus on WMU, SMPCC baby bottle kickoff
March 1-8: Week of Prayer for North Ameri-can Missions
March 8:
Deadline to return filled baby bot-tles for SMPCC
March 26:
Love In Action Day Team Leader Planning Meeting, 6:00pm
In 1990, a Super Bowl Sunday prayer inspired a group of young people to do something
more than celebrate a football game.
They created the Souper Bowl of Caring, and have mobilized youth across the country to
raise more than $98 million for people in need through local charities.
Please support the young ladies of our WMU in their effort to “love our neighbors” and
tackle hunger.
Hand $1.00 or a can of soup to the ushers, as you leave worship, on February 1.
Donations will be given to Carenet.
WMU encompasses these mission organizations:
Mission Friends (Birth-K) Girls in Action (Grades 1-4)
Acteens (Grades 7-12)
Women on Mission (18 & up)
Thank You to our
WMU Leaders!
WMU Director: Kaye Rickman
Asst. WMU Dir: Kathy Greenwood
WOM Coord: Karen Waldroop
WOM Grp 1: Geneva Burnette
WOM Grp 2, (WIN): Linda Brogden
Acteens: Tammy Foster
Girls in Action: Vicki Baldwin
Sierra Womack
Older Mission Friends: Nicole Bradley Paula Gentry
Younger Mission Friends: Jeana Capaforte
Amelia Capaforte Kathy Bates
Ruth Ann McDonald Karen Waldroop Cindy Cochran
Jamie Kelly Denise Parker
A FEW WMU HISTORY NOTES…
1886: WMU organized in NC
1888: WMU organized in SBC
1911: WMU organized at Cowee Baptist,
Mrs. Jennie Ray, first leader
1919: Sunbeams organized at Cowee; nursery, begin-
ner & primary classes followed
1939: Girls in Action (GAs) organized at Cowee
(ages 9-16); Zena Pearl Brogden living charter member
1945: Cowee WMU began first of two “circle” groups
for women
1970: GAs became grades 1-6, Acteens new organiza-
tion for grades 7-12
1972: Cowee WMU began annual White Christmas &
Carol Sing
1973: Sunbeams renamed Missions Friends; Josephine
Cabe first Mission Friends leader
1976: Cowee WMU added a third group for women,
Baptist Young Women
1981: Cowee Baptist Young Women held the first
annual Widow’s Banquet
1992: Cowee WMU held first annual Missions Picnic to
promote the Week of Prayer for NC missions
1999: Cowee WMU initiated and began the first Love
in Action Day
Present: WMU continues to carry out its tasks: pray-
ing for and giving to missions; doing missions; learning
about missions; developing spiritually toward a mis-
sions lifestyle and participating in the work of the
church and the denomination.
Page 7
2015 Offering Envelopes…
Offering envelopes are now available
at the entrances of the church.
Please feel free to take a set for your
family. Please note, in order for us to
record your offering in your name, all
contributions must be turned in via
envelope with your name and the
amount clearly marked on the outside
of the envelope.
Please contact the church office if
you would like info to set up an
automatic draft.
WED. SUNDAY SCHOOL
ANCHORS
1st Servant’s Heart,
Esther
2nd Willing Workers
3rd ABEL, Joy, Daughters
of the King
4th Dorcas, Gardner Holden,
Omega, 11am Adults
Cowee Gems – Mark Your Calendars. . .
Valentine Party - Saturday, Feb. 7, 6:30pm: Circle the date and let's go to Shuler’s Barn for
an evening of Valentine Fun. Bring your favorite dish. Sign up at the GEM mine.
Dinner and a Show - Friday, March 6 - MARK LOWRY & THE MARTINS at the
SMCFTPA. Meet at FATZ at 5:00pm for dinner prior to the show. Tickets are $25 per person
and are limited. Register NOW at the GEM MINE.
Game Night-Friday, February 20 - in The Hub.
Visit the Gem Mine for more information and registration, or contact Middie McSwain, 421-0170.
Love in Action 365… An opportunity to touch lives
Drop in Wednesdays, 5-7pm
Love in Action Be a blessing...
Volunteers needed EVERY Wednesday night.
Deliver a meal
Write a card
Make a phone call
Go on a visit
Lift up a prayer
Make a card
Assemble packets
Inclement Weather... In the event of inclement weather, please call the church office, 524-3469, and choose
extension 23 to listen for cancellations of services or tune in to local radio stations.
Also, see us on Facebook for updates.
Sunday delays or cancellations will be announced by 8pm Saturday evening, when
possible, or by 8am (for Crossover), and 9am (for 11am Service), on Sunday morning.
If public school is cancelled on Wednesday, there will be no evening services that
Wednesday evening.
Baptist Men…
Monthly Meeting: Wednesday, February 4, 7pm
Monthly Workday: Sat. February 7
All men are encouraged and welcome to attend!
For info, contact Brotherhood Director: Bill Fouts (342-1647, [email protected]).
Coming to Cowee Soon!
Contact Gen Bingham for more info,
371-2131.
Cowee Baptist Church 6301 Bryson City Road Franklin, NC 28734 (828) 524-3469
Phone: (828) 524-3469 Fax: (828) 524-5687 E-Mail: [email protected]
We’re on the Web! Visit us at: www.coweebaptist.org
Email Addresses…
Pastor David: [email protected]
Rev. Jason Smith: [email protected] Rev. Ronnie Branson: [email protected] Children’s Ministry Director: [email protected] Church Office: [email protected] Sound Techs:
CD/DVD Requests: [email protected]
Contact Us… Page 8