Easter at Mt. Harmony

Sunday, April 1, 2018

7:15am Sunrise Service (top of hill in the cemetery)

followed by Continental Breakfast in the Student Center

9:15am Bible Study

10:30am Worship

“Near the Cross” by Music Ministries and a message by our Pastor

MT. HARMONY BAPTIST LEADERSHIP TEAM

Dr. Randal Whitten ...................................................................................... Senior Pastor

Barry Bryant ................................................................. Associate Pastor Music Ministry

Noelle Porter .......................................................... Director of WEE Education Program

LOVE GOD, LOVE OTHERS, SERVE THE COMMUNITY, REACH THE WORLD

“The Connector” April 2018

Just a Thought

As you read this monthly newsletter I know you will be anticipating the celebration of Easter. However, as Christ followers we do not celebrate one day a year. We celebrate the resurrection every day of every year! What a significant and pivotal opportunity and privilege in the life of the Christian. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the one single event that gives us victory over life and death. What a wonderful God we serve! As we think about the resurrection of Christ, let me ask you a couple of questions:

Are we listening to Christ (Matt. 17:5) “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him.”

Could there be better words of counsel for us today?

Are you listening to Him? Has the noise of culture and society drowned out His voice to you?

Has the business and hurriedness of life caused you to intentionally or unintentionally turn a deaf ear? I encourage you to spend time each day with the Lord. Read in God’s Word… Apply what you read to your life… Allow Him to live in and through you… Fine tune your spiritual hearing to hear His voice… Then commit to total surrender and complete obedience to the Lord. What a wonderful God we serve! You know week after week there are people in our church family who so faithfully give of their time and energy to serve the Lord and to serve you. Again, I’d like to designate April 2018 as THANK YOU MONTH! Here’s what I want you to do.

I want you do to something special for your Sunday School Teacher in the month of April. Take them out to dinner, have a fellowship in their honor, do something to express your appreciation.

As you sit in the worship service, look up in the choir loft. Our choir and instrumentalists spend hours in rehearsal and a note of appreciation to the choir as a whole or to individuals would be very encouraging. By the way, if you can carry a tune, why not encourage the choir by joining the choir.

Our ushers faithfully serve each week assisting in so many ways. Thank them for all they do.

The members of our various teams give of their time and energy to serve the Lord and to serve you. Thank them for all they do.

Don’t forget our Deacons. We are blessed to have such a godly group of men as our spiritual leaders. They have been and are a tremendous encouragement and support to me. Thank them for all they do.

Your office staff (Susan Lewis) serves the Lord, you and the pastoral staff so faithfully. Thank them (her) for all they do.

Let’s commit to not let a day go by without expressing our appreciation to those who serve the Lord through God’s church, MHBC. What a wonderful God we serve!

I want to remind you of a challenge I made several years ago. Now just think about this…

We have 21 active Deacons. I have challenged them to win one person to Christ (and church membership) and to win one family to join our church family. If the family is at least a couple, that means we have a growth rate of 63 in 2018.

Add to that our Sunday School. We have 17 Sunday School classes birth through adult. Just suppose that each “class” (not person but class) accepted the challenge to reach one person for Jesus Christ (and church membership) and one family for church membership. Again, if the family is at least a couple that would be a growth rate of 51.

Add to that our pastoral staff. By accepting the same challenge that would be an additional 6. Add that to the Deacons challenge, SS challenge, pastoral staff challenge and we have an annual growth rate of 120.

That means in 5 years we could grow by 600. I realize this is a “gross not a net” growth rate and during that time some of our church family would go home to be with the Lord, others would move due to jobs, etc. But do you see how this could work... If “we” all work it!

How about you… can we join together to reach this community for Christ… one by one! I believe we can… Do you? Just a Thought!

You are loved and appreciated, Pastor Randal

Boomers & Beyond

The Boomers & Beyond is an active group of adults ages 55 and up. One Wednesday morning each month, the group gathers for a

Covered Dish Luncheon. There are also several music opportunities and activities especially for this group.

Wednesdays

11:00 a.m. Boomers & Beyond Celebration Ringers Rehearsal

11:30 a.m. Boomers & Beyond Celebration Choir Rehearsal

Dates to remember

Apr 18 Boomers & Beyond Covered Dish Luncheon 12:30 in the Fellowship Hall Don’t forget this is NOT just for the Celebration Choir! It is for everyone who falls in the Boomers and Beyond group (55+).

No Music Ministry Rehearsals Wednesday April 4th! - Spring Break! We will resume all Music Ministry rehearsals on Wednesday, April 11th. Please make note on your calendar!

The Spring Quarter will begin April 11th and go until May 30th.

Kids Music Camp (Children’s Choir) Children’s Music Camp starts up again on April 11th and will go until May 16th.

Parents, please make every effort to get your choir member here! We begin at 6:00 p.m. Rehearsals will be in the Kids XP Room E-204. This is for Kindergarten through 5th Grade.

Come join us as we have a GREAT time of Music, Fun and Food! Invite your friends!

Sons of Jubal IGNITE TOUR/PROJECT The last week of April through the first of May, the Sons of Jubal will be traveling to England and Wales to share the Gospel.

We need your prayers! Both Nelson and I will be participating in this tour and project. Please remember to lift up the Jubals as we seek to bring the light of the Lord through our music.

We will be singing throughout England and Wales, as well as joining with several local groups for joint concerts.

Music Ministry

Near the Cross An Easter Worship Experience

On Easter Sunday morning, April 1st, our Worship Choir, Children’s Choir and Instrumentalists will present Near the Cross.

This will be a service of musical worship celebrating our Risen Lord followed by a message from our Pastor.

Invite a friend and join us as we celebrate Easter!

WEE (Weekday Early Education)

We are super excited about our 2018-19 School Year. Already our classes are almost full and we have only one opening for

Kindergarten. We will have Sweets with Mom in the Fellowship Hall on Tuesday, April 24th.

Children

Vacation Bible School

June 11-14, 9:00am-12:00noon Have you signed up to help yet?

If not, please contact Emily Justice—emilyelaine@bellsouth.net

or call or email the church office—susan@mtharmony.org

What your kids are learning:

During Sunday Morning Life Groups:

April: Jesus Is Alive

April 1 Session I: Jesus is Alive! Key Passage: God sent His only Son, Jesus, to be the one and only Savior of the world.

Bible Verse: Matthew 28:6 Life Point: Jesus willingly died to provide salvation.

April 8 Session 2: Thomas Believed Key Passage: Jesus died on the cross and God raised Him from the dead. Bible Verse: Romans 10:9 Life Point: Jesus resurrection was necessary to save people from sin.

April 15 Session 3: Peter had breakfast with Jesus Key Passage: Jesus taught through His life what God is like. Bible Verse: 2 John 1:6 Life Point: People can follow the example, teachings, and commandments of Jesus. April 22 Session 4: The Ascension Key Passage: The Holy Spirit is a special helper. Bible Verse: Acts 1:8 Life Point: Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would help people.

April 29 Session 4: The Holy Spirit empowers witnesses Key Passage: The Holy Spirit helps people understand God’s plan of salvation. Bible Verse: Psalm 119:34 Life Point: The Holy Spirit helps people tell others about God.

Unit Verse for April: Jesus Is Alive. Matthew 28:7

4 WAYS TO GIVE Online Giving

To give online:

Step One: visit mtharmony.org/give

Step Two: Select “Give Online.” You can also create a church account so you can track your personal giving . “Create Account” is located on the top right hand side of the secure giving screen.

Step Three: Select amount and method, then designate the fund and enter the required information.

Step Five: “Donate Now”

Thank you for giving to the ministry of Mt. Harmony.

5 MORE FOR THE LORD!

HERE’S THE CHALLENGE…!

5 MORE PHONE CALLS TO PROSPECTS EACH WEEK!

5 MORE PROSPECTS TO REACH EACH WEEK!

5 MORE INVITES TO LIFEGROUPS AND WORSHIP EACH WEEK!

5 MORE DOLLARS TO GIVE EACH WEEK!

What will the Lord do as we commit to 5 MORE FOR THE LORD?

WHEN GOD BLESSES YOU FINANCIALLY, DON’T RAISE YOUR STANDARD OF LIVING—

RAISE YOUR STANDARD OF GIVING.

Save-it-forward Ministry Save-it-forward Ministry provides food for families in need in our local schools. Please visit our Save-it-forward kiosk located in the 1st floor elevator lobby. Each week you will find a shopping list on the kiosk. All donations can be brought back and put in the plastic tubs in that lobby.

Friday, April 13th, 3:00pm—packing bags at Harmony-Leland School

Tuesday, April 17th, 5:00-7:00pm—distribution at Harmony-Leland School

All volunteers are welcomed and appreciated. Contact Meryl Ann Breemes at mabreemes@gmail.com for more information.

Thank you Mt. Harmony for continuing to support this ministry.

Homebound For The Month

Mrs. Esther Walker (B/D 04-12) Ms. Edna Bartlett (B/D 04-19) Mr. James Riggins 5492 Melanie Lane SW 1209 Pebblebrook Road SE Grace Living PCH Mableton, GA 30126-2444 Mableton, GA 30126-5615 2417 Canton Road Marietta, GA 30066

Ms. Nellie Medlin Mr. Allen Roach Delmar Gardens, RM 2131 4375 Beech Haven Trail SE 404 King Springs Village Pkwy Atlanta, GA 30339 Smyrna, GA 30082

March Birthdays

04-02 J W Austin 04-02 Charles Austin 04-03 Celestin Chung 04-04 Brenda Tilghman 04-06 Maddison Bagwell 04-08 Edna Estes 04-10 John T. Parris 04-11 Jerry Broome 04-11 Martha Broxton 04-12 Esther Walker 04-13 Jim Newman 04-14 Heather Allen 04-14 Doris Couch 04-15 Tim Cantrell

04-16 Charlize Taylor 04-17 Matthew Justice 04-18 Ray Gray 04-19 Edna Bartlett 04-19 Brenda Lindstedt 04-21 Sheryl Taylor 04-22 Sarah Jourdan 04-22 Joan Bienz 04-23 Rebecca Toler 04-24 Charles Glosson 04-28 Raviel Blackwell 04-28 Don Griffin 04-29 Paul Rush

Mt. Harmony Baptist Church would like to express our love and sympathy

To the family of Wendell Walker To the family of Betty Gable To Dot Cleaton in the death of her sister, Judi Anderson To Mr. & Mrs. John (Eloise) Haulbrook in the death of John’s brother-in-law, Bill Webb To Mr. & Mrs. Bryan (Buffy) Bridges & family in the death of Buffy’s father, Claude Head To the family of Bill Whitmire

Sympathy

Thank you for your prayers, love and support for our family during the home going of Wendell. Thank you for the cards, calls,

food and donations to our church building fund in his memory. Anne & the Walker Family

On behalf of the entire Toler family, thank you Mt. Harmony for all the cards, thoughts, and prayers for Josh’s recovery since his accident on Nov. 25th. He went home on March 14th. We would like to ask all to continue with prayers for his ongoing therapy and recovery from home as we continue to have hope in the Lord for a full recovery. Mark Toler & Family

Thank You Note

April 2018 Calendar

Easter Sunday, April 1st

7:15am Sunrise Service in the cemetery and

Continental Breakfast in the Student Center

9:15am Small Group Bible Study

10:30am “Near the Cross” presented by the

Worship Choir and message by our Pastor

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Easter Sunday

Sunrise Service

7:15am and

Continental B/fast

in Student Center

10:30am

“Near the Cross”

by Music Ministries

and Message by

Pastor Randal

2 3 4 Spring Break

No Wednesday

Activities or

Middle Ground

Ministries

5 6 7

8 9 10 11 Begins Spring

Quarter for

Middle Ground

Ministries

12 13 Save-it-forward

Packing 3pm

14

15 16 17 Save-it-forward

Distribution at

Harmony Leland

5-7pm

18 12:30 B & B

Covered Dish

Luncheon

19 20 21

22 23 24 WEE Sweets w/

Mom in the

Fellowship Hall

25

26

27 28

29

30

OUR MISSION IS HELPING PEOPLE FIND GOD We’ve seen the transformation hundreds of times – people who came to us full of doubt and uncertainty become secure in the knowledge of their rightful place in God’s great kingdom. The change may start slowly – in a Bible Study class or choir participation, perhaps – but once it begins, it picks up speed. Serving Jesus together, shared experiences, time spent in prayer – all bring us closer to our highest calling. Take the first step toward personal renewal – join us for services this week! Above all else, Mt. Harmony is a church that loves Jesus, loves people, and loves our community. We're just real people, but we are passionate about helping people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. Mt. Harmony partners with over 45,000 churches (16 million Christians) who call themselves Southern Baptists. Together we support 10,000 missionaries in 154 nations around the world.

561 Veterans Memorial Hwy, SE

MT HARMONY

Weekly Activities

Phone: 770-948-3900

Fax: 770-948-9260

Hospital Line 770-948-6032

WEE Program 770-874-7493

Emergency Number 404-451-4830

Beyond All Limits…

...By His Power

We are on the Web WWW.MTHARMONY.ORG

Sunday AM 9:15AM LIFEgroups for all Ages 10:30AM Celebration Worship (Childcare provided birth-4 yrs.) Kids XP (K5 through 5th grade)

Tuesday 7:00AM Men's Prayer Time Chapel Building

Wednesday — Schedule A— January 10 to March 28th

11:00AM B&B Celebration Ringers Rehearsal Music Suite

11:30AM B&B Celebration Choir Rehearsal Music Suite

5:45-8:15PM Nursery (birth-2 yrs.) 1st Floor Education Bldg.

6:00-6:45PM Men’s & Ladies’ Ensembles Music Suite

6:00-6:45PM Pastor’s Bible Study WC-101

6:00-7:00PM Preschool (ages 3-5) E107

Children (grades 1-5) E203

6:45-8:00PM Worship Choir Rehearsal Music Suite