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Great Swamp Baptist Church

July 16, 2017

Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 AM

Prelude

The Welcome

Announcements Pastor Ralph Lee, Jr.

Call to Worship

Hymn # 294 “Have Thine Own Way, Lord”

Invocation Robert O’Dell

Selections of Praise & Worship

“Mighty To Save”

“Overcome”

We Pray for Special Needs

Pastoral & Offertory Prayer Pastor Ralph Lee, Jr.

Offertory

Special Music Amanda Heisel

Message Pastor Ralph Lee, Jr.

Invitation

Benediction

Nursery Workers

Today:

Pam Stanley

Olivia

Next Week:

Pat Bryan

Alice Way

Today: Robert O’Dell

843-422-9521

IF YOUR DEACONS

CAN MINISTER TO YOU IN ANY WAY,

CALL THE CHURCH @ 726-3631

DEACON OF THE WEEK :

Today: Latrelle Steedly Krey Lowther Next Week: Annette Malphrus Krey Lowther

Next Week: Duane Armstrong

843-726-6795

Toll Committee For July

Latrelle Steedly and Dorthie Armstrong

From Pastor Ralph’s Desk:

A Glorious Mountain Trip

(Matthew 17:1-7)

Intro: Tammy and I just got back from our wonderful mountain

trip. The two things that stood out the most for us was, of course,

first of all was simply the ride in the mountains themselves. In the

mountains you have amazing views, different types of animals and

beautiful waterfalls. Who doesn’t enjoy all of those things. Plus,

the air gets cooler in the evenings.

The second thing that was wonderful about our mountain

trip was family. We attended our family reunion on my mother’s

side. We saw family that we haven’t seen in years. We, also, met

family that we have never met before. On top of all that, our fam-

ily reunion was held in the mountains where we grew up.

Now the combination of these two amazing things if the

mountains and the family reminded me of what I am calling a glo-

rious mountain trip found in the Word of God. This particular

mountain trip includes both the mountains and family. So, let us

take a look at this glorious mountain trip that greatly symbolizes

our trip to Heaven. It is the passage of Scripture which we call the

Mount of Transfiguration, where Jesus took three of His disciples

with Him up a mountain where a glorious reunion took place.

I. first, let us notice the invitation for this glorious mountain

trip.

Now, Peter, James and John had the privilege of going on

this glorious mountain trip and Peter in his writings writes about

this trip (II Peter 1:16-18). It was truly a mountain top experience

of all mountain top experiences for him. However, neither he nor

James or John would have been on this particular trip had Jesus

not taken them. They were there only because Jesus had invited

and taken them there.

The same is true for our journey to Heaven. It is only go-

ing to happen at the invitation of Jesus. It is only going to take

place because He will take us there. He has put the invitation out

to us all when He said, “whoever is thirsty, let him come…”of

course, there is John 3:16. once a person accepts Christ’s invita-

tion, he will take them up the mountain with Him. He said, “I am

the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father ex-

cept through me.” So, if you want to be a part of the greatest. Glo-

rious mountain trip, you need to heed the invitation of Jesus and

then, He will take you up.

II. Second, let us notice the direction for this glorious moun-

tain trip.

Of course, that is obvious to reach the top of a mountain,

you have to go up. As verse one says, He led them up a high

mountain. Heaven in the Bible is always depicted as going up.

When Jesus ascended, He was taken up into Heaven, Luke says

(Luke 24:51).

It is important to remember that there are only two direc-

tions where you can go when the leave here, either up or down.

Heaven is always seen as up and Hell is always seen as down. Je-

sus always wants us to go up. Up to that place He has gone to pre-

pare for us. He has made the way for us to go up through His

crucifixion and resurrection and our acceptance of Him. How-

ever, without Him you will automatically go in the other direc-

tion. So, which way are you headed?

III. Third, let us notice the transformation for this glorious

mountain trip.

It appears that once they reached the top an unbelievable

thing happened that the disciples had never seen before. Jesus

opened up His flesh and allowed the disciples the awesome

privilege of seeing His deity. Matthew said, “He was transfig-

ured before them.” He appeared to them as bright as the sun.

This is how Jesus will appear to us in Heaven. He has a body

that He was resurrected with but it is a glorified body, and John

tells us in the Book of Revelation that there won’t be any need

for the sun because He will be that light for us.

So, it is as well when the Lord takes us on our trip up to

Heaven, we will be transformed as well. In other words, we will

receive a new body, one that will be like the body Christ had

when He resurrected from the dead. I Corinthians 15, I Thessa-

lonians and Philippians 3 all show that the bodies we have

which are mortal bodies will be changed to an immortal one so

that we can live eternally without ever having any physical prob-

lems again. Praise be to the Lord.

Are you going to get to receive a new body into which

you will be transformed when Christ calls His bride church up?

Only if you have committed your life to Christ.

IV. Fourth, let us notice the congregation on this glorious

mountain trip.

When they reach the top of the mountain their company

grew by two. So, you had now Moses and Elijah. These two rep-

resent all the Old Testament believers. Then you had James,

John and Peter, they represent the New Testament believers and

forward. In the midst of them, you had Jesus who brought to-

gether both Old and New Testament Saints. So, it will be in

Heaven that through Christ all Believers in Christ will be brought

together to spread eternity together in the presence of Christ. Oh,

what a happy eternal reunion of God’s family this is going to be.

Listen to part of Paul’s description of the rapture of the

church. “For the Lord himself will come down from Heaven, with

a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the

trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After

that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together

with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will

be with the Lord forever. Therefore, encourage one another with

these words.” So, all believers will ultimately are going to be to-

gether forever with Christ. Praise the Lord.

V. Fifth and finally, let us notice the concentration fo this glo-

rious mountain trip.

The whole focus of this mountain top experience was cen-

tered exclusively around the person of Jesus Christ. First, it was

Jesus who was transfigured before them. Then Moses and Elijah

appeared and Luke tells us that this whole discussion was about

Jesus and what He was about to do. Then the voice from the cloud

told the disciples to listen to Jesus. Literally when Jesus told the

disciples to get up they saw only Jesus. So, it will be in our eternal

home the concentration or focus will be on Jesus Christ the Lamb

who was slain for us. When you read Revelation chapters four

through six you are made aware that all of Heaven worships the

Lamb.

Therefore, let our focus be now and forever Jesus Christ

our Lord, Savior, Master and King. Is He your focus?

Jesus Loves You

Ralph Lee, Jr.

Operation Christmas Child

Kick-Off Challenge

Let’s start now collecting for our Shoeboxes. This

year we will begin by collecting wash cloths and soap.

There will be 2 containers in the vestibule. One

will say ages 40 and below and the other will say ages

41 and above.

Let’s see which age group can collect the most.

This is a fun challenge in which anyone can participate.

We will be collecting for the next three Sundays,

that is July 16th; July 23rd; and July 30th.

Sincerely in the Lord

Alice Way

Reminder

There will be NO

Sunday Morning Breakfast

or

Wednesday Night Supper

June thru August.

Meals will resume

the first week

of

September.

Men’s Ministry Supper

Thursday, July 20th @ 7 pm

Sign-Up Sheets in Vestibule

If you have never been to

Israel or would like to visit again,

here is your opportunity. First

Baptist Church of Hardeeville

along with Jet Tours will be going

to Israel in the Spring of 2018.

Payment schedules have been ar-

ranged. Literature for this trip is

available in the Lobby. Call the

first Baptist Church office @ 843-

784-2239 for more info.

Savannah River Baptist Association

invites you to the

SENIOR CELEBRATION An Old Fashioned

CAMP MEETING REVIVAL

Thursday, August 3

10:00 am

Port Royal Baptist Church

Fun, Food, Fellowship,

Music, Inspiration, Door Prizes,

and More!

Contact the church office for more info.

A sign up sheet is in the foyer.

Reservation Deadline is July 23rd.

Tom Benton

Gerald Boyles

Calvin Bryan

Bill Carter

Thomas Cooler

Ron Davis

Keith Gamo

Andre Goulet

Krey Lowther

Frankie Malphrus

Irwin Malphrus

Kevin Malphrus

Patrick Malphrus

Paul Malphrus

Rodney Malphrus, Sr

Rodney Malphrus, Jr

Ronald Malphrus

Wallace Malphrus

Sam Mock

Mack Pope

David Raines

Bobby Smith

Fred Stanley

Gentry Thames

Truett Vaigneur

Deacon Rotation

Fred Stanley

Deacon Election List—2017 On Sunday, August 6th, during Morning Worship Service, we

will select one deacon to serve until 2020. if you wish to have your

name removed from the following list please contact the church office

at 843-726-3631.

Senior Adult News

It is that time of year again. A sign-up sheet is in the Lobby for those

who plan on attending. A non-refundable deposit of $25.00 is due NOW.

We need you to sign up as soon as possible so that we may put together a

room list with balances. October 16-19.

We will be staying at the Willowbrook Lodge.

Early Bird Rates are:

4 per room $199.00

3 per room $219.00

2 per room $259.00

1 per room $379.00

Bus Fee is a separate $50.00

July 17th Thomas & Erma Cooler July 17th Donnie & Burnette Pinckney July 21st Fred & Pam Stanley July 21st Alex & Sophia Sineath

Movie Night

July16th 6:00 pm

Movie following

Ice Cream Social

Church Needs

Sunday School

Small Groups

SFCA-Donna Carter

Ministries

Outreach Ministry

Nominating Committee

Deacon Selection

Ralph Lee, Jr. - Pastor

Richard Waitt- Music Director

Deacons

Child Dev. Ministries

Leadership

President Donald Trump

United States of America

Cancer / Treatments

Barry Jones (7/6)

Mitzi Cramer (7/6)

Wallace Roberts (6/29)

Diane Thames (6/29)

Maxie Mason (6/29)

Ted Wells (6/29)

Called to Ministry

Chris Carter & Family

GSBC Prayer Pages July 16, 2017

Lloyd Freeman (7/6)

Ronnie Malphrus (7/6)

Elliot Proctor (6/20)

Wallace Malphrus (6/29)

John Harold Stanley (6/26)

Rhonda & Marvin Parrish (7/13)

Patrick Malphrus (7/13)

Expecting / Births

Victoria Keiffer

Other Health Needs

Nursing Centers

Elaine Degler-RNC

Wofford Malphrus-Effingham

County Rehab. Center

Doris Blackmon-Morningside

Thelma Ashing-RNC

Bereavement Family Of

Lane Malphrus

Hospitals Dorothy T. (Shuford) Malphrus

(MUSC)

Ron Davis (7/6)

Vera Floyd (7/6)

Bonnie Pope (6/29)

Mike Mingledorff (6/29)

Craig Cooler (7/6)

Paul Peeples (7/3)

Joyce Sutler (7/11)

Surgery / Recovery

Duane Armstrong (7/6)

Timmy Sauls (6/29)

Ryder Smith (7/6)

Unspoken

Tim Cramer Family

Margaret & Keith Floyd & Family

Lloyd Freeman (7/13)

Cancer / Treatments

Barry Jones (7/6)

Mitzi Cramer (7/6)

Wallace Roberts (6/29)

Diane Thames (6/29)

Maxie Mason (6/29)

Ted Wells (6/29)

Bobby Emerson- Fort Hood-Army

Jared Blanton-Fort Benning

Matthew Mills-Va-US Marines

Jericho Malphrus-Air Force

If you have someone who needs listing, call either the

church office a@726-3631 or E.L. Ambrose @ 726-5479.

Thank You

Pray For Our Military

Today’s Prayer Team

Group IV E.L. Ambrose-Leader

Mack Pope, Jr. Kevin Malphrus

Watchman Prayer Service

Saturdays @ 8:00am

Prayer Note For emergencies

a prayer chain

is available for needs.

You may access

by calling the

church @ 726-3631

Or

E.L. Ambrose @ 726-5479

Please Continue To Remember

Ricky Cleland

Mike Hodge

Shirley Malphrus

Rose Boyles

Lula Floyd

Mary Cope

Judy Smith

Jeffrey Stanley

Joyce Sutler

Dot Nettles

Betty Nettles

Tom Hinely

Olivia Stanley

Lois Bootle

Grace Boyles

Patricia Malphrus

Scott Boyles

Gary Way

Christy Gagel

Vera Miles

Mary Daley

Leonard Steedly

Barbara Mills

Rodney Malphrus, Sr.

Lanell Smith

Brian Freeman

Susan L. Vaigneur

GSBC Prayer Pages July 16, 2017

The Lord imparts strength. We are “Strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man.” it is continuous; to us which we cannot exhaust. He is our strength to go on; To walk the long lane that seems to have no turning. He gives strength to go up when the difficulties are pulling downward. Prayer enlivens and brings us to God for strengthening. PRAY. E.L. Ambrose

Announcements

The Quilting Club is meeting in the

Old Parsonage

Thursday, July 20th @ 10:00am

Watchman Prayer Group

Saturday, July 22nd @ 8:00 am

Sign-Up Sheet

It is time to update our Telephone Tree for Great Swamp.

A sign-up sheet is in the vestibule. Please sign up with your name

and phone contact along with if you would like to be a group

leader for making calls when we have funerals and such.

Budget Offerings This Week

Weekly Budget Surplus/Deficit

+ / -

Tithes & Offerings $4,173.00 $ 4,943.56 -$770.56

Designated Funds This Week ********* Acct. Balances

MPB Fees (Sauls Reunion) $100.00 ********** $679.05

Kitchen Supplies (Sauls Reunion) $50.00 ********** $53.41

Great Swamp Baptist Church

9009 Tarboro Road, Ridgeland, SC Office - 726-3631 Fax – 726-3294

Email: greatswampbc@gmail.com

Website: greatswampbaptistchurch.com

Church Staff Pastor: Rev. Ralph Lee, Jr………………………………………………………………………....jehu27@gmail.com

Music Director: Richard Waitt………………………………………………………..waittfamily@embarqmail.com

Sunday School Director: Wallace Malphrus……………………………………………...Josie6@embarqmail.com Pianist: Michelle Waitt…………………………………………………………………waittfamily@embarqmail.com

Administrative Assistant: Sybil Reynolds……………………………………………......greatswampbc@gmail.com

School Administrator: Donna Carter…………………………………………………………..dcarter@hargray.com Custodian: Ann Malphrus………………………………………………………………....ramalphrus@hargray.com

Landscaper: Wallace Malphrus…………………………………………………………....Josie6@embarqmail.com

Calendar of Events

Sunday Morning Breakfast (September thru May Only)........................................................................ 8:30AM

Sunday School………….….…………………............................................................................................ 9:45AM

Morning Worship…….….…...…………………........................................................................……….....11:00AM Evening Worship…….…….……………………..........................................................................................6:00PM

Wednesday Night Supper (September thru May Only)........................................................................... 6:00PM

Wednesday Night Service………………………………...............................................................................7:00PM Saturday Watchman Prayer…………….………….……….........................................................................8:00AM

Stewardship

Great S

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9009 T

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Rd.

PO

Box

446

Rid

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d, S

C 2

9936