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Bible Quizzing-Jimmy Brothers

Ch.I.P.Z. (4-9)-Bro. David Jury

CrossOver (10-11)-Rebecca Austin

CROWD (12-20)-Bro. Joel & Alonda Johns

Discipleship-Bro. David Jury

Evangelism-Bro. D.J. Hill

Guest Services-Jennifer Austin

Heritage (65+)-Richard & Ann Evens

Home Bible Studies-Bro. Don Morris

Hope-Greg Boyd

Hyphen (18-30)-Bro. Zach Davie

The Atlanta West Messenger is a monthly publication of Atlanta West Pentecostal Church, an autonomous local church associated with the United Pentecostal Church International.

Tuesday Prayer 7:00 pm

Wednesday Bible Study 7:30 pmWednesday CROWD 7:30 pm

MESSENGER | FEBRUARY 2020

J.O.Y. Group (55-64)-Bro. Stan &

Jerri Ann Manley

Ladies’ Ministry-Sis. Carol Johns

Ladies’ Prayer-Lillian Douglas

Missions-Bro. John Turner

Music Ministry-Brandon Cowden

Nurseries-Bro. Brad Fain

Pastor’s Prayer Partners-Wayne Walker

Prime Timers (40-54)-Wendell & Kristi Brock

Prison Ministry-Bro. James & Marianne Turner

Production-Ryan Johns

Singles (Up to age 54)-Phil & Desiree Massey

Small Groups-Kinsie Johns

Stewardship Ministries-David Turner

Ushers-Alex Szecsey

Young Families (under 40)-Bro. John & Tessa Turner

770-944-3522

770-944-8312

770-944-3522, press 2

www.awpc.org

Social Media: AtlantaWestPC

Sunday Prayer 8:15 am 10:45 am

Sunday Worship 9:00 am 11:30 am

Free AWPC App Available!

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The supernatural, sensational start to the early church was dramatic, to say the least. The sound of a rushing mighty wind, tongues of fire sitting over the disciples, and the sign of speaking in other tongues heralded the new dispensation of grace. (See Acts 2:1-4.) Looking back at that high voltage beginning, you might wonder if the fire and fervor would continue. Could those disciples, re-born in power by the Spirit, maintain their faith in the mediocrity of daily discipleship?

The Bible answers that question with one phrase— “and they continued.” Specifically, “and they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). Yes! They continued.

Many people start each new year with a bang, only to see their enthusiasm fizzle before February. New behaviors jump-started in January falter and fall by the wayside. Research on the sustainability of New Year’s resolutions varies, but possibly 80% or more are abandoned by mid-January. This trend is serious since more than half of all resolutions are related to health and debt. In the church, many of our resolutions are related to spiritual disciplines.

It is good to begin again. I’m an advocate of making a fresh start as often as possible, but it is equally important to sustain what is started. Here in frigid February, I want to encourage you to continue the commitments you made to become a better “you” back in January. Motivation may come and go, but determination and commitment will keep you when the emotions ebb.

You may be pursuing a number of personal improvements, but, from a pastoral perspective, let me encourage you to continue in those vital priorities of the first church in the book of Acts.

Continue in the Apostles’ doctrine. The road of life is filled with uncertainty and challenge, but truth will guide you and keep you. Continue in daily Bible reading and study. Commit Scripture to memory. Meditate on God’s Word. Live in obedience to the Bible. Share the Gospel with everyone, everywhere. The cultural climate is constantly shifting. Being anchored in truth will keep you from drifting.

Continue in fellowship. We were created to be connected. It is not good to be alone. Make a commitment to be

connected to the church through fellowship. Continue in fellowship by being faithful in church attendance. Connect by building relationships through Small Groups and church ministry teams. Fellowship is vital to the cause of Christ in both evangelism and discipleship. Fellowship is both relational and spiritual. The early Christians saw fellowship as integral to their mission and survival.

Continue in communion with Jesus Christ, “in breaking of bread.” The early church shared meals from house to house. (See Acts 2:46.) They also continued to celebrate the Lord’s Supper, also called Communion. The practice of receiving the Lord’s Supper kept Jesus Christ in the center of their lives. They continued the practice of honoring the broken body of Jesus by partaking of the unleavened bread. They honored the shed blood of Jesus by taking the cup. This was no small thing. It was not meaningless ceremony. As life got crazy and the pressure of persecution escalated, the disciples did not forget why they lived by the Apostles’ doctrine. They continued to honor the death of Jesus Christ and to anticipate His return. (See 1 Corinthians 11:26.)

Continue in prayers. The first church did not own property, but they had access to the Temple and local synagogues. The disciples continued to go to the Temple at the hour of prayer. (See Acts 3:1.) They met house to house to pray. When possible, they gathered together to pray corporately. (See Acts 4:23-31; 12:1-18.) Prayer was the glue that pulled all components of church life together. Doctrine, fellowship, and breaking of bread were bolstered by prayer.

As 2020 unfolds, be encouraged to continue the good habits you resolved to develop. Most of all, continue in the fundamentals that make your faith in God strong. You will need that strength this year.

What if you have already fumbled and failed to keep your newly resolved commitments? If you are among the many who meant well but who have already faltered, take heart. You can reboot your resolutions. Get up again and go after your goals. Stopping does not have to be quitting. Missing a day is not as bad as missing a week, a month, or an entire year. The Lord’s mercies are new every morning, and His grace will strengthen you to continue. It’s OK to restart what you started. Let it be said of us what was said of the early church— “and they continued.”

FEBRUARY 2020 |MESSENGER

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MESSENGER | FEBRUARY 2020

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FEBRUARY 2020 |MESSENGER

Sunday:February 2, 9 & 16Youth Center

Ages 4 -11

February 12, 19 & 26FLC Chapel 7:30 pm

Wednesday:All Wednesdays!

Meet in Classrooms

Ages 4 -9

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10Tonya AdamsDestiny MylesAva Jo PlunkettTara Allen11Luis Arbelaez12Emileigh McElroyAlexa Shuman13Art HernandezChad EvensSaul Johnson14Jace DericksonNadine MylesJoshua Mercier15Roger CarderCaleb Nixon16 Arlin Blackwell IIJim GillSharon Donnell17 Colleen MotleyJennifer StrahanShelly GillMark Brandon18Patrick BoydLaVerne TownsendAlthea BryanAndrea Manley

February Birthdays1Alexia EdwardsObinna J. OnuohaMatt Minnick2John FranzenPam NixonTreajure Seeney3Kaiya Jones4Mary FrazierAnnabelle EnglishGary Stevenson IIIHyacinth Swaby5Shanita DerrickKynslie DavisMichelle Faulkner6Stephanie DouglasSis. Tessa Turner7Vicky LaneElliana ArbelaezAlyza AustinDerrick Faulkner8Sis. Lois GreeneOwen Blish9Bob NeumannJacob Barker

2 Andrew & Ishimae Barnett

2 Herbert & Jewel Martin

5 James & LaVerne Townsend

9 Don & Michelle O’Shields

10 Arlin & Sarah Blackwell

11 Glen & Althea Bryan

13 Naddy & Kathryn Esuzor

14 Bro. Rick & Patti Hall

14 Gardy & Jessy Charles

18 John & Charlotte Franzen

19 Shawn & Marion Scott

20 Paul & Angela Stewart

25 Errol & Hyacinth Swaby

27 Hilario & Adrienne Reynoso

27 Ryan & Emileigh McElroy

February Anniversaries

20 Tyler BrockRodney JohnsonEmily DouglasSamara Hernandez21Jill ToddTerrell JohnsonChristian Onuoha22Carol Saylor23Jared JonesDon O’Shields25John Buabeng Jr.Khloe FranzenBro. Joel JohnsCatherine Coleman26Joanie CamdenKaneal RussellRachel Rose27Pamela ConcepcionBeau JohnsonCathy Watson28Kelly FloydTim CheekTalitha ValleJacob PuckettOdester Nchege

MESSENGER | FEBRUARY 2020

301 STAFF MEETINGFebruary 4 - 7 pm

MINISTERIAL ADVANCEFebruary 4 - 8 pm

LADIES’ PRAYERFebruary 18 - 7 pm

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March 2Team 1 - Wayne Walker

March 9Team 2 - John Franzen

March 16Team 3 - James Townsend

March 23Team 4 - Phil Massey

March 307:30 pm Church-wide Prayer

December 22 - January 18

Justin BarnettJoseph Coulthurst

Antonio GillLandan Hammonds

Joy LambDanika PinetRyan Willis

Baptized in Jesus’ Name

FEBRUARY 2020 |MESSENGER

MARCH 20201. . . . . . . . Youth Revival8. . . . . . . . Daylight Saving Time Begins12-14 . . . . GA District GEMS Conference

APRIL 202012. . . . . . . Easter Sunday23-25 . . . . GA District Ladies Conference26. . . . . . . Baby Dedication

MAY 202010. . . . . . . Mother’s Day16. . . . . . . Sheaves for Christ Walk-a-Thon25. . . . . . . Memorial Day Picnic31. . . . . . . Pentecost Sunday

Keaton StrouseFilled with the Holy Ghost

ATLANTA WEST PENTECOSTAL CHURCH2960 SKYVIEW DRIVELITHIA SPRINGS, GA 30122770-944-3522 • WWW.AWPC.ORG

DECEMBER 2006

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY1

6:30 am HOPE

7:30 pm Prayer Partners 1

2Missions SundaySmall Groups Fair

Ch.I.P.Z.

9:15 am Welcome to the

Family Class

8 pm FLC Open

3 47 pm 301Meeting

7 pm Prayer

8 pm Ministerial Advance

57:30 pm Ch.I.P.Z.

7:30 pm CROWD

6 77:30 pm

GA DistrictConference

86:30 am HOPE

7:30 pm Prayer Partners 2

9Guest Speaker:Scott Graham

Ch.I.P.Z.

9:15 am Welcome to the

Family Class

8 pm FLC Open

10 117 pm ChoirRehearsal

7 pm Prayer

127:30 pm Ch.I.P.Z.

7:30 pmCrossOver

7:30 pm HYPHEN

7:30 pm CROWD

13 14Valentine’s Day

156:30 am HOPE

9:30 am Bible Quiz Tournament

7:30 pm Prayer Partners 3

16Ch.I.P.Z.

9:15 am Welcome to the

Family Class

8 pm FLC Open

17Presidents’ Day

187 pm Ladies’

Prayer

7 pm Prayer

197:30 pm Ch.I.P.Z.

7:30 pm CrossOver

7:30 pm CROWD

20 21 226:30 am HOPE

7:30 pm Prayer Partners 4

23No Ch.I.P.Z.

Bible Quizzing Bake Sale

9:15 am Welcome to the

Family Class

8 pm FLC Open

24 257 pm ChoirRehearsal

7 pm Prayer

267:30 pm Life

Groups

27 287:30 pm

Winter YouthConference

296:30 am HOPE

6 pm CROWD Youth Revival

Guest Speaker:Kaleb Saucer

7 pm - 8 pm Family Prayer

Ch.I.P.Z.=Children in the Power ZoneFLC=Family Life Center

FEBRUARY 2020