Volume 40, Number 9 Newsletter of Beech Haven Baptist Church September 2018

MAGNIFYChrist, BUILDGreat Commissionaries

From the Pastor’s Pen

“Go into the highway and hedges, and compel them to come in,

that my house may be full.”

—Jesus, Luke 14:23

In January 2006, atheist Hemant Mehta posted a very unusual auction on eBay. The atheist offered to attend worship

services as directed by the highest bidder. The whole idea of "selling your soul on eBay" got a lot of attention and Jim

Henderson, a minister from Seattle, posted the winning bid of $504. The two struck up a friendship and Hemant

ultimately visited fifty churches in four states. This eventually led to a published book by Mehta in April 2007 titled, I

Sold My Soul on eBay. The book contains Mehta's observations and critiques of the churches. One enlightening

observation by Mehta was the lack of initiated conversation by those he met in the churches he attended. Although he

was regularly greeted and given a bulletin, nobody in any of the 50 churches initiated a conversation with him. He took

the initiative several times and people responded appropriately, but not once did church people initiate conversation.

Hemant Mehta identifies himself as the "friendly atheist." His kind demeanor and unusual experience with churches

has exposed a glaring blind spot that needs attention.

Let this never be said of us at Beech Haven—they failed to take the initiative.

Ladies at the Beech Fall Bible Studies

Sermon on the Mount by Jen Wilkins

Tuesdays, beginning September 4 @ 9:30 a.m.

Sundays, beginning September 9 @ 5:30 p.m. (If you are in a Sunday night discipleship class finishing on September 9,

plan to join this Ladies bible study on September 16).

A Precept Study - Daniel, Part 1 Tuesdays, beginning September 4 @ 9:00 a.m.

Childcare available by reservation only @ preschool@beechhaven.net

Interested in learning more about the

ministries and vision of Beech Haven?

We invite guests to a Discover Beech Haven

lunch on Sunday, September 16. Please

RSVP here by September 10.

September 16, 2018

Labor Day Holiday Sunday, September 2 No Evening Programming

Monday, September 3 Office Closed

Continued on page 2

God set the example on initiative. When Adam and Eve sinned, God came after them, uninvited, and sought to redeem

them (Gen 3:7—9). Jesus saw Zacchaeus and invited Himself to His home, explaining “For the Son of Man has come to

seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). Without invitation, Paul went to Pisidia Antioch, Thessalonica, Corinth,

Ephesus, or Athens to speak the words of life (Acts 13—21).

Beginning Sunday afternoon at 4:15 p.m. September 23, Beech Haven will take the initiative. We will revive GROW

Outreach. On September 16, I will ask our people to give us up to (and no more than) two hours on Sunday afternoons

at 4:15 p.m., one hour at a time, between September 23 and November 25, to write cards or letters, make calls, or

make visits for outreach. Participants will choose for themselves whether to write, call, or visit. We will seek to reach

guests, absentees, and new movers to the Athens region. An experienced person will assist participants.

Besides GROW Outreach, we want to take the initiative with our guests. The 3-10-20 rules for are enormously

helpful—spend 3 minutes with someone you do not know before and after the service, greet anyone within 10 feet,

and shake 20 hands before and after the service. On Sunday, October 7, I will take a few minutes after the worship

service to provide feedback and instruction arising from a report “mystery shoppers” provided about guest hospitality.

Friends, it is time to get moving. Time to get unstuck. Time to make a difference, an eternal difference, in someone

else’s life. For Christ’s sake, let’s take the initiative.

I Stand Amazed,

David Mills

From the Pastor’s Pen Continued from front page

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Schedule

Sunday, October 21 9:15 am - Sunday School 10:30 am - Morning Worship with Ronnie Hill preaching 6:00 pm - Pre-Service College in Building D/Pre-Service Senior Adult in Fellowship Hall 7:00 pm - Evening Worship with Ronnie Hill preaching/SS High Attendance Night

Monday, October 22 6:00 pm - Pre-Service for Children in Building D 6:00 pm - Pre-Service for Community Leaders in Fellowship Hall 7:00 pm - Evening Worship with Ronnie Hill preaching/Community Night

Tuesday, October 23 6:00 pm - Pre-Service for Students in Fellowship Hall 7:00 pm - Evening Worship with Ronnie Hill preaching/All Church Night

Wednesday, October 24 6:00 pm - Steak Night in Bldg D/Gym ($3 per ticket) 7:00 pm - Evening Worship with Ronnie Hill preaching/Family & Friends Night

Financial Peace University

Great for adults of all ages

Sundays, September 16 - November 18

5:30 - 7:00 p.m. - Room 107

Coordinated by Mike Campbell

Cost for materials (includes shipping): $109

Register and purchase materials here.

Georgia Baptist Convention

Annual Meeting

Sunday-Tuesday, November 11-13 Second Baptist Church, Warner Robbins If you would like to attend as a

Messenger, please contact Adam:

awynn@beechhaven.net by October 10.

New Sunday School Class!

Parents of Preschool & Children

Starts Sunday, September 16

Fellowship Hall

Leaders: Brent & Meredith Dykes

Worship Ministry Notes

“An hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth.”

John 4:23

anny Crosby was undoubtedly one of the most prolific hymnwriters in history. Struck blind by an inept doctor at an early age, she took great comfort in the Lord and developed into an accomplished poet. Many of her hymns are still sung regularly by congregations around the globe. By the end of her life in 1915, she had composed

around 9,000 songs and hymns, perhaps her most famous being “Blessed Assurance” and “To God be the Glory.” But have you ever wondered about the other hymns she wrote? The 8,000+ that have faded into obscurity? Why do our hymnals omit “At the Portal Waiting” or “Born, from Oppression Thy People to Save” or any number of her lesser-known hymns? After all, she was a gifted poet, and I have yet to find any significant theological error in her hymns. Time. Over the last hundred years or so, leaders of worship gravitated to the hymns which were not only composed of solid theology and lyrical content, but hymns which excelled in a host of other criteria. So, while there well might be a “Blessed Assurance” quality hymn which still is rather unknown, the vast majority of the more obscure hymns have been filtered out by time because they were found lacking in one area or another. Today, however, we take seriously the commands of scripture to “sing to the Lord a new song” (Psalm 33:3, for example). We don’t have the luxury of only singing songs which have passed through a century-old filter. So how do we determine which songs make into our repertoire? First, we begin with prayer for the Spirit’s wisdom. And we examine the text to confirm that it aligns with scripture. Without a doubt, these two steps are the most important part in this process, for they are the main two requirements for worship as outlined by Jesus in John 4:23 above. Above everything else, our songs should be Spirit-inspired and scripturally accurate. From these first steps, though, the process becomes much more subjective. Is the poetry of the lyrics of good quality? Does the melody flow easily (and thus encourage congregational participation)? Does the accompaniment music match the feel of the text? Does the chord structure make sense? Will it connect with our congregation? In all, I consider ten different categories of “filters” when selecting new songs. Some of these are purely pragmatic. For example – if a song is not yet available in print, then it’s unlikely that I’ll take the time to transcribe it. Usually, I’ll chose something else. Also worth mentioning is that some songs fall outside the range of our ability to play. We have an incredibly talented team of musicians, but if a song requires bagpipes, we likely won’t do it simply because none of us have admitted to knowing how to play them. Ultimately, though, the song selection plays only a small role in our worship gatherings, for a heart devoted to the King can still worship in Spirit and Truth even through a song lacking good syntax or a logical chord progression. But the goal is to use the best examples of worship music, so as to maximize our opportunity for people from every age and background to participate in praising our glorious King.

- Tim

F

Thank You Dear Church Family, Thank you for all the ways, both formally and informally, you expressed kindness to me and my family on the occasion of my 20th Anniversary at Beech Haven. Jennifer and I will hold on most dearly to your words of encouragement and are genuinely appreciative for the time for a sabbatical and a generous love offering. I thank the Personnel Committee, Dr. Mills, and others who made this past Sunday such a special day. Beech Haven has been good to me in a thousand ways—from giving me opportunities to serve and grow to loving our girls as they grow up through the church. Jennifer and I are grateful that you are the ones who are influencing our daughters in their spiritual walk. We trust the Lord for our tomorrows and would count it His favor to have another 20 years among you. Thank you for all the love you’ve given to us. We love you, too!

John

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September Calendar

Saturday, September 1 11:30 am - College Tailgate @ BCM

Sunday, September 2 9:15 am - Sunday School for all ages 10:30 am - Worship No Evening Activities

Monday, September 3 Office Closed for Labor Day

Tuesdays, September 4, 11, 18, 25 9:00 am - Precept Bible Study 9:30 am - Ladies Bible Study Wednesdays, September 5, 12, 19, 26 4:00 pm - WoW (Room 107) 5:00 pm - Family Night Supper (Reservations Required) 6:00 pm - WoW (Worship Center) 6:00 pm - Children’s Choir 6:00 pm - Pulse in Bldg D (Student Worship) 7:00 pm - Worship Choir

Sundays, September 9, 16, 23, 30 9:15 am - Sunday School for all ages 10:30 am - Worship 5:00 pm - Snack Supper 5:30 pm - Awana 5:30 pm - YouthOne Voice 5:30 pm - Discipleship Classes Thursday, September 13 10:00 am - Women On Mission Meeting

Thursdays, September 6, 13, 27, 27 9:30 am - International Friends

Sunday, September 16 Grow Commitment Day Discover Beech Haven Lunch for Guests Tuesday, September 18 6:00 pm - Ladies Night Out, Off site Monday, September 24 Upward Registration Opens Sunday, September 30 Home Group Lunch for College Students and Host Families

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God Blessed

August Monthly Requirement ........... $122,583 August Receipts .................... $127,765 August Christian Concern ................ $2,485

Online giving available www.BeechHaven.org/give

Supper Reservations Complete the Sunday morning

Worship Guide Insert, and place it in

the offering plate, or

Call the church office at

706.548.2246 by noon on Tuesday,

or

Email awynn@BeechHaven.net

by noon on Tuesday.

Request Permanent Reservation

status using any of the above

methods.

If you have made reservations and

do not cancel, we still need you to

pay for your meal. Thanks!

Wednesday Night Supper (Reservations Required) 5:00 - 5:45 p.m. - Fellowship Hall Cost: Adults - $4.50 Children (under 10) - $2.00 Family Maximum - $16.00

September 5 Omelettes Bacon, Sausage, Grits Biscuits & Gravy, Fruit, Juice, Milk

September 12 Sloppy Joes, Baked Potatoes Salad, Cake

September 19 Mexican Chicken Casserole Beef Soft Tacos, Corn, Black Beans Chips & Queso Sherbet

September 26 Country Fried Steak Mashed potatoes, English Peas Biscuits & Gravy, Pie

Fall Discipleship Classes Ongoing

Sundays @ 5:30 pm

Baptist Faith & Message

through November 25

Led by Jonathan Tolbert

Room 249

Love & Respect

September 16 - November 25 Led by Ryan Adolphson

Room 210

Cost for book: $15

Financial Peace University

September 16 - November 18 Coordinated by Mike Campbell

Room 107

Cost for materials: $109

Register and pay here.

Sermon on the Mount

Ladies Bible Study

September 9 - November 11 Led by Jessica Crews

Cost for materials: $13

Prayer Meeting

Ongoing Room 248

Tuesdays @ 9:30 am

Sermon on the Mount

Ladies Bible Study Led by Leslie Sinyard

Fellowship Hall

Childcare available by reservation only

preschool@beechhaven.net

Wednesdays @ 4:00 & 6:00 pm

A World Breaking Your Heart:

The Tragedy of Lostness through October 17

Taught by Pastor Mills

More information on classes can be found

here.

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Preschool & Children’s Ministry

Children’s Choirs Wednesdays

6:00 p.m. K-Grade 1 Grade 2 - 5

Student Ministry

Weekly Groups at Ginger Lane Thursdays 8:00 pm

HomeGroups An opportunity to connect with local families, who will have you over once a

month for food, prayer and fellowship!

Signup at tfountain@beechhanve.net

HomeGroup Luncheon Sunday, September 30 Immediately after worship Fellowship Hall Meet your host family!

Sunday School 9:15 am Building D

College Ministry

Sundays for 3 year olds through Grade 6

5:30 - 7:15/Gym

Student Worship!

Football @ The Fountains!

Saturday, October 27

Now Recruiting Upward Volunteers

Coaches, Referees, Café Workers

To volunteer, contact:

Matt: mbartlett@beechhaven.net

Squeaky: haydendrewry@bellsouth.net

Registration opens the end of September

Sunday, September 30

Extended Session Coordinator: Joyce & Bill Bowen

Dale & Nancy Wallace Sherri Michelle Mills, Heather Pittman

Robin Riggs, Pam Johnson

Children’s Worship Megan Bartlett, Maddie Myers

Usher Team Bill Crowe, Don Pickering

Robert Sinyard, Steve Starnes

Shuttle Bus Driver Robert Sinyard

Counting Team for Monday Emily McClure, Stan Sikora

Mary Deaton, MaLinda McLendon

Sunday, September 16

Extended Session Coordinators: Eric & Rosie Ingram

Cathy Owen, Donna Lackey Kevin & Tammy Thain

Dan & Jordan Crumbley

Children’s Worship Brent & Meredith Dykes

Usher Team Bill Crowe

Robert Sinyard, Steve Starnes

Shuttle Bus Driver Eric Ingram

Counting Team for Monday Emily McClure, Stan Sikora

Mary Deaton, MaLinda McLendon

Sunday, September 23

Extended Session Coordinators: Brian & Ashley Mauldin

Emily Suggs, Leslie Sinyard Maegan Acuna, Lauren Suggs

Cindy Mercer, Lisa Rhymer

Children’s Worship Tracy McKeithan, Amy Tolbert

Usher Team John Zelley Dickie Riggs

Shuttle Bus Driver Jerry Davis

Counting Team for Monday Doug & Faye Owens

Raynette Noles

Sunday, September 9

Extended Session Coordinators: Kenneth & Stephanie Bowman

Jessica Crews, Christy Chastain Andrew & Mandy Skinner David & Charlotte Tolbert

Children’s Worship Ashley Ivey, Squeaky Drewry

Usher Team Len Griffin

Tom McCormack, Franklin Scott George Windate

Shuttle Bus Driver

Alan Parrish

Counting Team for Monday Linda Pickering, Allene Carteaux

Joyce Hartley

Sunday, September 2

Extended Session Coordinators: Eric & Heather Harris

Linda Drewry, Carol Norton Sarah Kate Mills, Hannah Grace Mills Beverly Pierce, Mary McCormmack

Children’s Worship Trey & Cheri Bliss

Usher Team Mike Mauldin

Shuttle Bus Driver Mike Mauldin

Counting Team for Monday Sherry Reed, Marie Moran

Nancy Bruce

September Servants

Ministry Staff David Mills ........................................................................ Pastor ................................ dmills@beechhaven.net John Walker .......Associate Pastor of Administration & Sr Adults ............................. jwalker@beechhaven.net Tim Cotten .................................... Minister of Music & Worship ............................. tcotten@beechhaven.net Tommy Fountain, Jr. ................ Student and Collegiate Minister .......................... tfountain@beechhaven.net Matt Bartlett .................................... Children & Family Minister .......................... mbartlett@beechhaven.net Jennifer Adolphson ................................. Preschool Coordinator ......................... preschool@beechhaven.net Stewart Simms ................................................... Pastor Emeritus ............................. ssimms@beechhaven.net

Whatever you do,

work heartily,

as for the Lord

and not for men,

knowing that from the

Lord you will receive

the inheritance as

your reward. You are

serving the Lord

Christ. Colossians 3:23-24

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Support Staff Pam Ratti .............................publisher@beechhaven.net Janet Mason ..............................office@beechhaven.net Adam Wynn ............................. awynn@beechhaven.net Cassie Brown........................... cassieb@beechhaven.net Bill Dickerson ................. maintenance@beechhaven.net Karla Bartlett ......................................................... Pianist