Guyton Christian Church (DOC), August 2017, Page 1 www.GuytonChristianChurch.org

Being Productive as Christians

Should Christians be productive? Is it written somewhere in the Bible that we should get things done efficiently and/or effectively? Did Jesus keep a ‘to-do’ list? Would the Disciples have practiced Six Sigma techniques or have kept a clean email inbox?

What does the Scripture say about being productive? In his book, What’s Best Next, How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done, Matt Perman suggests that the Bible says quite a bit about being productive. However, he believes that we often get the concept wrong. Instead of being efficient, we should instead focus on effectiveness. Perman, a writer and theologian, claims “When most people think of productivity, they think of efficiency— getting more things done faster. While efficiency is important, it is secondary. More important than efficiency is effectiveness— getting the right things done. Efficiency doesn’t matter if you are doing the wrong things in the first place.”

Perman cites the apostle Paul in Romans 14: 10, 12, “For we will all stand before the judg-ment seat of God.... Each of us will give an account of himself to God”. According to Per-man, this means that God is the ultimate measure and judge of our productivity. Things that do not pass muster at the final judgment are, by definition, not productive in an ultimate sense. On the other hand, passing the final judgment is the ultimate meaning of a productive life. Hence, in order to know what is truly productive, we need to look to God first, not our-selves or even our own desires.’

So, what do we do to live productive lives as Christians? It doesn’t seem that checking email continuously should be priority #1. Instead, perhaps we should look to Christ as an example of living productively. We see this right in Matthew 5:16, where Jesus sums up for us the en-tire purpose of our lives: “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven”. Perman sums it up simply as ‘Do Good for Others’.

At Guyton Christian Church, we are blessed with many active members and participants. As we continue to seek to be Disciples and to spread the Good News, let’s remember that we don’t have to stress about doing everything that we’re asked to do. And we don’t have to worry if we have incomplete ‘to do’ lists. Instead, we simply need to follow the example and instruction of Christ. As John Wesley said, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the peo-ple you can, as long as you ever can.”

Or, in other words, to be productive is to do all the good you can! Yours in Christ,

T. Marshall Reiser

T. Marshall Reiser, Board Chair

Guyton Christian Church

August 2017 Newsletter Web: http://www.GuytonChristianChurch.org

Guyton Christian Church (DOC), August 2017, Page 2 www.GuytonChristianChurch.org

August Communion

Linda Barner

Disciple Men

Monday, August 21

7:30pm, Christian Center

Host: Michael Bodnar

Devotion: Medie Still

Eula Powers Circle Thursday, August 17, 7:30pm

Hostess: Joyce Ann Tuten Location: TBD

Home Lamar Allen Clyde Alley

Linda Barner John Battle

Brisher Family Addison Burnsed

Ila Car Kellie Deen

Family of John Farrell Billy James

Annette Lamb Pat Little

Ed Massey Clayton Morgan

Evan Parker Parker Rahn Bob Reese

Barbara Scott Rev. Frank Wade

Kylie Ward

Home (Continued) Eddie Wilkerson Keith Williams

All of our Military at home and

abroad, and all of those who protect us.

Hospital Butch Graziano Clayton Morgan

Jack Tuten Fred Zipperer

Pastoral Search Committee

Our seniors both at

home and in Nursing Homes

Monroe Epting Miriam Griffin

Eugenia Zipperer

Bereavement Family of

Irma Mosley

All who are Fighting Cancer

Dennis Baxter Alex Burdo Jerry Burns

Delma Cowart Ed Cox

Gwen Cox Margaret Edwards John David Fulcher

Mitchell Hinely Wren Mason Angie Moore Chris Orrico Steve Smith

Henry Southward Rev. Bill Thompson

Ava Tinsley Irene Wood

Alfreda Youmans

Young at Heart Thursday, August 24, 11:00am

Join us for fun bingo & delicious lunch! Christian Center

Loose Threads Tuesday, August 8, 6:30pm

Christian Center

Centering Prayer

Wednesday, August 16, 8:30am

Join us in the home of Karen Cote at 179 Hawk

Hammock, Springfield, as we join in

contemplative prayer.

“Be still, and know that I am God.”

Sojourners Adult Bible Study

August 1 6:00pm, The Rock

Prayer Concerns

Condolences Deepest sympathies are expressed to the family of Mrs. Irma Mosley who passed on to our Lord and Savior, Sunday, July 23. Funeral services were held Friday, July 28, 2017, at Guyton Christian Church by the Rev. David Grandgeorge.

Guyton Christian Church (DOC), August 2017, Page 3 www.GuytonChristianChurch.org

Food Pantry

Our food collection item this month for The Fillin’ Station is BEANS! Navy, Lima, Black-eyed Peas, Pinto. Any brand! Any kind! Canned meats such as tuna, chicken and ham, are always welcome!

Tuesday & Thursdays 10am—1pm 1290 Ga Hwy 119 South Springfield

Rev. Vanessa Bostick, Transition Minister (903) 312-1589

Church Office: Hours —Mon-Thu, 9am-Noon Youth Minister: Mrs. Georgia Peeler

Administration Assistant: Becky Malcom The Rock: (912) 772-8415

Phone: (912) 772-3478 Fax: (912) 772-4206 Cell: (706) 424-7497

Email: gcchurch@planters.net Email: gcchurchteen@gmail.com

Christian Center: (912) 772-4206 Staff Meeting: Mondays @ 11:00am

Web: http://www.GuytonChristianChurch.org

Church offices now located at 306 Central Boulevard, Guyton.

Family Promise

Thank you to all our volunteers for making our three families feel welcome

this past month.

Ministries of GCC...

Loose Threads — A quilting group that meets on second Tuesdays at 6:30pm in the Christian Center. All skill levels are welcome. The quilt-ers sometimes make quilts that are donated to Victim Witness for women who must seek shel-ter from domestic violence or The Linus Pro-ject. Sometimes they just quilt for fun!

Prayer Shawls — Using yarn donated or pur-chased specifically for someone near and dear, Doris Hackett lovingly hand-makes a prayer shawl to help strengthen a specific person in difficult times. Dedicated in worship and cov-ered with prayers, the shawl is presented to its new owner.

The Adult Sunday School class

that meets in the Prayer Room

began a new series in July. The

name is “Why in the World —

The Reason God Became One of

Us.” Join us!

Join the ladies in the Bible Study “Why Do

You Believe That? At the Tebeau home place

at 2132 Hwy 119 South, Guyton.

Ladies Bible Study Contact Judy Z. for meeting dates/time

August Anniversaries

5 Roger & Sandy Beckman 7 Lamar & Sheri Hall 8 Tony & Cindy Calhoun 31 John & Jelane Battle

August Birthdays 1 Kaytie Summerour 2 Beverly Bodnar 3 Sandy Beckman 4 Jennifer Reiser 4 David Williams 5 Stuart Jennings 7 Isabella Jackson 8 Angie MacKay

11 Molly Moore 12 Vivian Alley 14 Jon Cote 16 Wesley Dawson 16 Jack Malcom 16 Geraldine Reese 18 Abigail Burnsed 28 Shaw Wilkerson

Guyton Christian Church (DOC), August 2017, Page 4 www.GuytonChristianChurch.org

Older Youth Facebook —

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1535833113380921/ Twitter—

@GCYRock Instagram—

guytonchristianyouth The Rock —

(912) 772-8415 E-mail— gcchurchteen@gmail.com

Secret Pal Reminder!

Please remember your secret pals on their

special days, holidays, etc.!

Camp Kicklighter Day Was great!

There was lots of preaching, sports activi-ties, delicious food, swimming, singing and worship. Look for this event again next year!

We’re Back!

Youth Gatherings resume August 16th

Younger Youth will meet at 5:45pm at the Christian Center

Older Youth will meet at 6:00pm at The Rock

Children Worship & Wonder Graduation Sunday, August 6

Sunday School Promotion Sunday, August 13

(Transition to new classes begins Aug. 20.)

You’re invited to the 2017 Disciples Women’s Retreat

September 22-24, 2-017 Toccoa, Georgia

*Worship & Keynotes *Varied interest groups *Service project *Boutique with your donated Handmade Items *Disciples Girls’ Program, ages 8-13 *Fun for all!

Register Today! www.dw.gadisciples.org

Women’s Mini-Spiritual Growth Retreat

Saturday, August 19th

Guyton United Methodist Church Social Hall 401 Church St, Guyton

9:00am—2:00pm Lunch will be provided (no charge)

Registration & fellowship begin at 8:30am.

Please RSVP by August 18th to Diane Horton at (912) 658-7772 or

dblaylock17@gmail.com

Women of Faith Hosted by

Guyton United Methodist Women

Disciple Now is coming! Older Youth —

check your schedules and sign up for this ex-

citing weekend! Volunteers needed for

meals. Please check with Georgia for more

information!

Guyton Christian Church (DOC), August 2017, Page 5 www.GuytonChristianChurch.org

My Father’s House Corn Hole Tournament &

RICO! Saturday, August 26, 6p

Christian Center

APPETIZER: A: asparagus, fig preserves, Cheetos Cheese Puffs B: pineapple, basil, pumpkin seeds ENTRÉE: A: ground turkey, canned, jellied cranberry sauce, taco shell (soft or hard) B: frozen tater tots, pinto beans, cornflakes DESSERT: A: marshmallows (regular or mini), peanut butter, flour tortilla wrap B: coffee, chocolate fudge covered graham cookies, chipotle pepper (or seasoning) Choose a course to prepare — appetizer, entrée or dessert. Then choose your basket of ingredi-ents: either A or B! Bring your dish (labeled with category, but no name) for judging by 5:45pm.

Praise & Worship Sunday, August 13

9:15am Refreshments,

Christian Center

9:30am Songfest in

Sanctuary

Join Shannon, Bryan and Lamar

& Praise the Lord through song!

Have you ever wondered where God is at work in your life?

Have you ever heard of Spiritual Direction? Spir-itual Direction, an ancient ministry of the church, is journeying with another individual or group by helping them to notice how God is at work in their lives. It is not about telling someone what to believe or how to act. Rather, it is a trusting rela-tionship of holy listening that relies on the guid-ance and presence of the Holy Spirit to discover, name and engage for themselves what God is do-ing in their life. Spiritual direction helps a person to build a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Karen Cote recent-ly completed Certification in Spiritual Direction with Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology. If you have an interest in learning more about or engaging in Spiritual Di-rection, please let Karen know.

Covered Dish Luncheon Sunday August 6th — 12:15pm

We welcome Transition Minister, Rev. Vanessa Bostick, to our church family! Cele-brate with us and get to know her! Join us for lunch after worship—bring your favorite dish

Guyton Christian Church (DOC), August 2017, Page 6 www.GuytonChristianChurch.org

Communion Serving Schedule — August

Date Elders Deacons Deaconesses Acolyte

Aug. 6 Jennifer Reiser Lamar Hall

Chad Zittrouer Shaw Wilkerson

Joyce Ann Tuten Sheri Hall

Steven Hall

Aug. 13 Karen Cote Jack Malcom

Johnny Taylor Brandon Long

Nancy Summerour Kelly Long

Sam Reiser

Aug. 20 Michael Moore Melissa Proctor

Mike Smith Michael Bodnar

Ann Cavanah Becky Malcom

Edward Hall

Aug. 27 Medie Still Vicki Wilkerson

Jon Cote David Lamb

Vivian Alley Molly Moore

Kaytie Summerour

Guyton Christian Church

Wednesday Youth — August “The Ten Commandments” Featuring: Video, Drama, Art, Music, Puppets & Games

Date Workshop @ 6:00 — 6:45pm

YY Workshop Leader / Shepherd

Light Supper @ 6:45p (YY)

Aug. 16

Drama Judy / Volunteer Needed

Mary Ann & Rohaya

Aug. 23 Music Melissa / Volunteer Needed

Joyce & Sue

Aug 30 Art Karen / Volunteer Needed

Jennifer & Angie

Children Worship & Wonder — August

Date Storyteller Greeter Jr. Greeter

Aug. 6 Karen Cote Kelly Long Catherine / Chris

Aug. 13 Becky Malcom Wesley Dawson Corey

Aug. 20 Lainie Jenkins Georgia Peeler Kylie

Aug. 27 Becky Malcom Jennifer Reiser Steven