An Open Letter to the Congregation of Gatlin Creek Baptist Church

Wow!  What a night.  What a meeting.  What I saw last Wednesday night was truly Baptist polity (our form of congregational government) at its best.  I believe in Baptist polity.  It is the very best way to operate a church even though it sometimes causes long and boisterous meetings.
Wednesday night we heard of God’s work among us through the various reports.  We saw freedom of speech in its purest from.  Corrections were made to Minutes.  Clarifications were given when requested.  We saw amendments added to recommendations.  We received unsolicited sermons from the floor.  Every one had the opportunity to speak his/her mind. Every one had the privilege of expresses their conscience through their vote.  That’s the Baptist way.

All ten (10) recommendations passed by the 2/3 majority required by our Constitution and By-Laws.  Now the harder task of fulfilling Jesus’ prayer begins—“that we might be one (John 17:21).”  I do believe the best days of our church are before us.  But it will take the whole church working together to fulfill our mission.  I’m committed to do what ever it takes to make it work.  I trust you are as well.

I love you.  It is my joy to serve you.

– Don

• Fall Festival:  We have set aside Sunday evening, October 31st for a time of fun, food and fellowship.  There will be a good variety of activities for kids of all ages.  The Children’s department is in charge of this project.  See Shelia Smith or Joanne Allensworth if you have suggestions or would like to serve.
• All Social Hostess Members are asked to meet this afternoon at 5pm to set up for the fellowship after the prison ministry worship service.
• Experiencing God class will be held each Sunday beginning from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. for 11 weeks.  Workbooks will cost about $10.  See Bret Bush to sign up.  The class is open to all Christians.
• Don’t forget our Chick-fil-a devotions every Thursday morning at 7am!
• If you are interested in volunteering for Children’s Church please see the sign-up sheet in the Fellowship Hall. You can sign up as a teacher, assistant, singer or any other helper and indicate how long you are willing to serve.
• Please Bring a Dish to Share tonight for fellowship after our prison ministry joins us in worship.
• There will be a Youth Committee Meeting this afternoon at 4pm.
• There is a Planning Committee Meeting next Sunday, October 24th at 4pm.

GCBC WOMEN’S MINISTRY –

• October 21st @ 6:30 p.m.
• Chili Dinner staring at 6:30 P.M.   The first mission project decided upon at our first meeting is to donate health and beauty aid items to the Halcyon Home.
• Please plan on bringing an item or two to the meeting to help fill a basket for them. (ex. – shampoo, lotion, hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)
• ALL Women are encouraged to attend the “GCBC  Women’s Ministry”  every 3rd Thursday of each month, unless otherwise noted differently due to approaching Holidays!

As you know we are in the final stages of getting AWANA re-started at Gatlin Creek Baptist Church and we need your help please. Leaders/Workers are needed for all classes from age 2 year old to 6^th grade. We also need help with Nursery, kitchen, recreation and music. The age groups are as follows:

Puggles                2 year olds

Cubbies                3 & 4 year olds

Sparks                   K-2^rd grades

T & T                      3-6^th grades

Please pray and seek God’s will and if you feel led to help, please either email or call me so I can add your name to the list.  AWANA leaders are from all age groups, we need everyone’s experience to make this run smoothly.

Attached is the information in AWANA and how we see it working at GCBC.

Thank you in advance for your consideration with this very important mission of our church.

Judy Barrow   barrje@windstream.net

PJ Selph          jselph1@windstream.net

Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed – click to download