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Volume 20, Number 17 May 8, 2011 www.eastmont.

org

It is with great delight and great concern that I write to you today. First, my delight. I am delighted
with the increased attendance in Sunday school, the new members God has sent us, the dedicated teachers and
workers, our faithful deacons, your financial generosity, and the wonderful Christ-like spirit that saturates East-
mont. God has blessed this church. I love you in the Lord, and I rejoice when I see you loving the Lord and
living for Him.
Now a concern of mine. I cannot understand how some believers fall away, turn from the Lord and His
church and no longer live a committed life. Every Church in every denomination has those on their rolls who
have ceased to attend. We are no different. Our attendance is better than most, but absences should be a con-
cern to us all. As always, some absences are very understandable: health, family obligations, occasional travel.
It is those absences caused by a more spiritual nature that trouble me the most.
Just as I am concerned for those who have wandered away, I am equally concerned if a church does
nothing to reclaim lost sheep. Churches usually respond in one of three ways: deplore them, ignore them, or
restore them. Galatians 6:1 teaches to do the latter.
I was shown a letter last year by one of our members where a church had dismissed his mother as a
member of her church. The reason? Vague wording about a lack of attendance and support. She was 90+ and
had been living in a nursing home. Each church is autonomous, but that family had a hard time understanding.
By now, God may have brought someone to your mind whom you haven’t seen in a while. How should
you respond? Here is my suggestion:
Be Prayerful. We don’t need some insensitive spiritual Rambo demanding ‘shape up or ship out.’
That is not Christ’s way. If you can’t reach out in love and kindness, I rather you do nothing at all.
Be Selective. All people are valuable, but those you know well are likely to be more appreciative and
receptive. Try a call or card saying, “We haven’t spoken in awhile and I hope you are doing well.”
Be Wise. We never want anyone to offend anyone else, so a call every night of the week may be over-
doing it. But, on the other hand, once a year hardly shows real concern. Pray and let God guide you.
Perhaps a monthly contact is the way to start.
Be On Guard. We hurt when we hear one of those has fallen by the wayside. But remember, it can
happen to you. It often begins with little things like getting away from Bible reading, forgetting to pray
or not meeting with God’s people for worship and fellowship. During summer, this is even more likely
to occur. If you see this happening to you even in one area, stop. Ask forgiveness. Rededicate yourself
to God before Satan takes such a hold of you that you can’t easily return.
God bless you as you live for Him. Never go back to life without Christ or His church. “Let us hold
fast to the profession of our faith without wavering, for He is faithful that promised.” (Hebrews 10:23) God has
a task for each of us to do and this includes looking out for one another.

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TEAMKID Night of Worship at Taylor Road
May 8 – No TeamKID…spend time with your MOM!! May 6, 7-8:30 p.m.
May 15- “Treating All People Fairly” Praise Team arrive at 6:30 p.m.
DOUBLE POINTS NIGHT!!! No Focus - May 8
VBS - If you want to help with VBS this year,
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
make sure you have a form filled out.
WORKER MEETING Six Flags Trip is May 31 - We will leave at
Sunday, May 15, at 3 p.m. in room 205 6:00 a.m. and return at 11:00 p.m. Cost: $30/person
This is a very important meeting for all VBS workers. and is due May 15. Bring money for lunch and din-
Please make every effort to attend! After our general ner or you can bring you own lunch.
meeting, we will break up into smaller meetings where Super Summer Alabama is July 11-15
you will get your curriculum and supplies and meet Be sure to turn in your forms ASAP. This is a
with your co-workers! spiritual leadership camp for students at Samford
University.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL NEEDS!
--old towels & washcloths
--more workers (call 420-6306)

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Finals - Many of our college students will be taking
“SonSurf Beach Bash VBS” finals this month Be praying for them during this time
June 20-24 9 a.m. - noon and perhaps even give them a word of encouragement.
4 yr - Grade 6 Many final exams count for a majority of their final
grade and this can mean the difference between an A
GIRLS in ACTION (grades 1-6) and a C.
Wednesdays – 6:30pm Thursday Outreach
This month we are learning how the Ixtapa @ 7 p.m. on May 19th
Pure Water, Pure Love project helps Street Cafe @ 7 p.m. on May 26th
people in Brazil!! Girls, join us for Remember to invite a friend without a church home.
exciting games and projects and Community Groups (K-Groups)
maybe even a little taste of Brazil!! Community groups will start back on Tuesday, May 24.
More details in Sunday school and on Facebook!
College Disciple Now
GOT a PLACE TO SERVE????
Make plans to attend Disciple Now in Orange Beach,
Consider joining preschool/children’s
June 16-18 (Thursday-Saturday). We will be leaving
ministry in the coming year! We are
from the church building at 8 a.m. on Thursday and re-
presently recruiting teachers for Sunday turning on Saturday evening so we can worship with the
School, GAs, RAs, Mission Friends and more rest of the church Sunday morning. Cost is $75, but there
for the 2011-12 church year beginning September 1! are scholarships available. Travel, meals, and the beach
Call Ginger Andrew (420-6306) if you would like are included in the price!
information about serving on this ministry team! Kyle Redding - Pray for Kyle Redding over the next
We’ll train you and equip you to do the job….Invest few months. He has been given the opportunity to serve
in the future by teaching kids!! with the Wycliffe Bible Translators in Orlando, FL, this
summer. Their vision is that God's Word is accessible to
CHILDREN’S SUMMER CALENDARS all people in a language that speaks to their hearts. Kyle
Coming to your mailbox soon!! will be using his skills he learned while attending the
University of Alabama to help further God's kingdom.
He has been through a rigorous application process and
is currently raising his own support in order to go. Kyle
will leave in a few weeks and will return just in time to
start the fall semester in Tuscaloosa.

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Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief Save Your Old Phone Books
Please continue to pray for all The Community of Hope is having a
affected by the storms and for fundraiser and needs your old phone
volunteers as they minister in books to recycle. Put the books in the
affected areas across the state. If "Missions Baskets" around the church.
you choose to give financially to help in the relief
effort, 100% of your donation will go directly to Forest Park Ministry Center
help those affected by the storms. Please make your During the month of May, we will begin collect-
check payable to Eastmont Baptist Church for ing non-perishable food items for the Forest Park
“Alabama Tornado Relief.” During the month of Ministry Center. Especially needed are canned
May, we will be collecting non-perishable items to meats and peanut butter. Also needed are diapers
distribute to the tornado stricken areas in Alabama (sizes 4 & 5) and bathroom tissue.
in early June. Items needed: wash clothes, towels,
shampoo, soap, D & AA batteries, inexpensive MBA Baptist Golf Tournament
flashlights, snack foods (nothing that will melt), etc. Thursday, May 12, 2011, at Arrowhead Country Club
Contact Billy Dickey for more information. Registration Deadline: May 11, 2011
Registration forms are available in the church office
New Orleans Mission Trip - July 10-16, 2011
or online at www.mgmbaptist.org/golftournament.
If you are interested in light to medium construction
Proceeds benefit Community of Hope.
projects, please contact Billy Dickey for more
information. We will have an informational Sympathy to…
meeting May 15th, room 110 at 4:30 p.m.
• Glenda & David Pinckard and family in the
4th & G.O. (Gospel Outreach) loss of their son, Tony.
4th Monday & G.O. is a special • Evelyn & J.D. Wambles and family in the loss
Outreach Ministry from March of her sister-in-law, Paulette Hinkle.
through October. Deacons,
• Susan Morrison and family in the loss of her
teachers, members, and church
staff will make door-to-door visits and phone calls mother, Doris Stanley
to church members, guests and prospects for a time • Leigh Jones & Nicole Merritt in the loss of
of prayer and praise! Our next 4th & G.O. is their grandfather, Joe Mulligan.
scheduled for May 23. Meet in the Fellowship
Hall between 4-7 p.m. There will be a light meal Thank you cards were received in the church
served. office from Carolyn Pate, Susan Morrison, Frances
Traywick, Jimmy Bush, Thomas Bush and Ann
Barnes.

Patrick Duto (4/17/11) Eastmont is now on


By Statement and Reinstatement Facebook and Twitter.
If you are on Facebook
or Twitter, be sure to
Scott, Michelle and Alexandria like us on facebook at
Ragsdale (4/24/11) facebook.com/eastmont
By Transfer of Letter or follow us on twitter
@eastmontbaptist.

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May 8, 2011
Schedule of Events Wednesday Night Meal
Sunday, May 8 May 11, 2011
8:10 a.m. Worship Service Pork Chops, Mac & Cheese, Green Beans,
Sunday’s Music - May 8, 2011
9:20 a.m. Sunday School Salad, Dessert, & Drink Sanctuary Choir “Go Forth”
10:30 a.m. Worship Service
Happy Mother’s Day May 18, 2011 Jayne Burns, Soloist
Spaghetti, Bread, Salad, Dessert, & Drink Special Music Zack Godwin
Monday, May 9
5:00 p.m. Outreach $5.00 Adult $2.00 Children “The Anchor Holds”
Tuesday, May 10 (Max. $15.00 per family)
5:30 p.m. Aerobics Sunday’s Music - May 15, 2011
Wednesday, May 11 Sunday School Totals
5:15 p.m. Fellowship Meal
Sanctuary Choir
5:45 p.m. Acteens
April 24, 2011 May 1, 2011 “Jesus, we Crown you with Praise”
6:30 p.m. Mission Groups Preschool...87 Preschool...70 Terri Bandy, soloist
Prayer Meeting Children...111 Children...70
Adult Choir Students...106 Students...95 Worship Team “What a Friend”
Orchestra Practice Adults...807 Adults...668
Men’s Small Groups Total...1,111 Total...903
Thursday, May 12
10:00 a.m. Forever Fit Weekly Giving
5:30 p.m. Aerobics
April 24, 2011 May 1, 2011
___________________ General Budget General Budget “The LORD is my strength and my shield;
$29,848.46 $51,637.36 my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
Building Fund Building Fund Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and
Sunday, May 15 with my song I will praise Him.”
8:10 a.m. Worship Service $2,371.00 $5,402.00
9:20 a.m. Sunday School Annie Armstrong Annie Armstrong Psalm 28:7
10:30 a.m. Worship Service $9,154.64 (to date) $9,954.34 (to date)
5:00 p.m. Discipleship
Monday, May 16
5:00 p.m. Outreach
Tuesday, May 17
5:30 p.m. Aerobics
Wednesday, May 18
5:15 p.m. Fellowship Meal
5:45 p.m. Acteens
6:30 p.m. Mission Groups
Prayer Meeting
Adult Choir
Orchestra Practice
Men’s Small Groups
Thursday, May 19
10:00 a.m. Forever Fit
5:30 p.m. Aerobics

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