Announcements & Connection Opportunities October 5, 2024
Dear TBC Family and Friends,
I doubt if anyone would accuse us of being a "health, wealth and prosperity" church after last week facing the reality that God may allow His faithful people to be "hard pressed on every side," "perplexed," "persecuted," and even "struck down." We can say that we believe that God will never leave us or forsake us nor will he allow more that His grace can sustain.
Tomorrow we will look at probably three of the least known verses in Colossians... Colossians 2:11-13. They teach a vital truth about how we can live victorious lives in the face of the world, the flesh and the devil. If you counsel others or if you are simply a friend, these verse with help you know how to help those with sin or addiction or issues of self control.
Sunday evening, I want to illustrate the same truth we will see on Sunday morning using the nation of Israel as an example. We will also talk about a "motivation list" that was shared with me by one of our evangelists years ago.
Keep praying for and loving your neighbors and friends. People are honestly more willing to hear than we are to tell. I have found the more I share the faith with others, the easier, more natural, and exciting it becomes.
I love you all,
PR
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. DEACON NOMINATIONS: This Sunday, TBC members will be nominating 3 men to be potential deacons. Please pray about whom you will nominate to serve as deacons for a 3 year term. Our current deacons are Elvis Chidozie, Dave Pepe, Adam Ploszaj, Scott Powell, and Ed St. Pierre. Please reply to this email if you would like to see the list of men who have been members for more than 1 year along with a list of the qualifications for deacons. We will announce the men who will be voted on for actually becoming a deacon (based on the nomination votes) on either October 13th or October 20th.
2. RAISED IN GLORY WORSHIP DANCE FOR GIRLS: All girls ages 5-18 are invited to join us for our 2024 Fall season of Raised in Glory worship dance. Raised in Glory is a discipleship group for girls where we use dance to bring girls together in worship, and we use God’s Word to get to know Jesus. We will be meeting on Fridays at TBC from 4:30-5:30pm beginning October 4th through November 22nd. Our performance will be Saturday, November 23rd at 11am at TBC. The cost is $15/girl. Please let Heidi, Lydia, or Evelyn van Achterberg know if you would like your daughter to join.
3. TEEN PARENT MEETING: Parents of TBC teens should please try to join Pastor Eli and Madeline for a Teen Parents' Meeting, Sunday, October 13th right after the morning service in the fellowship hall downstairs. This will be a time of food and fellowship (pizza and salad), discussion on ideas for upcoming activities, and a time for questions and prayer. If you are planning on attending, please RSVP by emailing or texting Eli or Madeline ASAP to ensure they have enough food.
4. BRIDAL SHOWER FOR HANNAH BUSH: All ladies and teen girls are invited to attend a bridal shower luncheon for Hannah Bush on Saturday, October 26th at 11:30am in the Fellowship Hall at TBC. You can bring a soup, salad, sandwiches, fruit, or dessert for the luncheon to share. If you would like to bring a gift, please know that Hannah is not able to carry gifts when she moves to her furnished apartment in Pittsburgh, so gift cards and/or a note of encouragement or advice is an option. Either way, this is just a time to spend some fun time together before Hannah moves away in early November.
5. CHURCH FAMILY UPDATE: On Sunday evening September 15th, the deacons and staff met to debrief after the Vital Church presentation. We talked through the Tap Root issue and each Branch Root issue in detail and had good agreement and unity in our discussions. We also talked through all the recommendations and assigned deacons and staff to most of the recommendations for further reflection and consideration. We are reviewing some of the resources that Vital Church recommended and will be meeting again on October 6th to discuss further. We have also scheduled a Family Meeting for Sunday evening, November 3rd, where we will discuss next steps together as a church. Thank you for your continued prayers. We are all encouraged and believe God has an exciting plan for TBC.
6. FREE BOOK! Pastor Rowley is highly recommending that everyone download a free PDF copy of the book Surviving Religion 101, by Michael Kruger, an accessible book that equips families for good conversations about challenges to faith, helping us trade panic and doubt for blessed assurance. Pastor Rowley intends to use parts of this book in some Sunday evening services.
7. SAVE THE DATES:
- November 16th - Harvest Banquet
- November 20th - Operation Christmas Child Packing Party
- November 24th - Men's & Women's Ministry & Fellowship
- December 15th - Children's Christmas Program
- December 22nd - Adult Christmas Meditations Night
WEEKLY CONNECTION OPPORTUNITIES & LINKS:
Sunday, 9:15am - 2's - 5's Sunday School Class
Anyone in this age group is invited.
Sunday, 9:15am - 1st - 2nd Grade Sunday School Class
Anyone in this age group is invited.
Sunday, 9:15am - 3rd - 4th Grade Sunday School Class
Anyone in this age group is invited.
Sunday, 9:15am - 5th - 6th Grade Sunday School Class
Anyone in this age group is invited.
Sunday, 9:15am - Junior High Boys Class (7-9th grade)
Any boys in this age group are invited.
Sunday, 9:15am - Junior High Girls Class (7-9th grade)
Any girls in this age group are invited.
Sunday, 9:15am - Teen Class (10-12th grade)
Any guys or girls in this age group are invited. Fresh baked snacks available most weeks. :)
Sunday, 9:15am - Ladies' Bible Study and Prayer
Sometimes our joy as Christians seems to fade with all of the pressures and cares of this life. Join the ladies as Diane LaCasse leads them through a study of Paul’s letter to the Philippians that reminds them, and us, that our true joy is found in Jesus Christ! They meet in a classroom in the gymnasium. All ladies are welcome.
Sunday, 9:15am – Art of Marriage
Eli & Madeline are heading up the Art of Marriage series designed to inspire and equip today’s couples: whether newly married, seasoned, empty nesters, or part of a blended family. The series presents six aspects of God’s powerful and perfect love, and how it can be be understood and applied to our lives and our marriages, in light of who we are in Christ. This class meets upstairs in the gym, and anyone is invited!
Sunday, 9:15am - The Book of 1st Peter (In Person & Zoom)
This class is studying the book of 1st Peter. We are seeing that Almighty God has called us out of an idolatrous, demonic world to be His ETERNAL ambassadors of light for Him in time. We are also seeing our ETERNAL position in Christ, contrary to that of a subjective, demonic position of darkness. We will pray from 9:15-9:30 and have some brief fellowship before diving into the Bible and discussions right around 9:30am. Anyone is welcome to join in the Young Adult room in the gym.
Sunday, 9:15am - Membership Class (Zoom By Request)
Pastor Rowley is teaching a rotating class focusing on what we believe and why we believe it. This class has time for Q&A each week and meets in the gym. Anyone is invited to join at any time.
Sunday, 10:30am - SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE
The livestream can be accessed on Facebook and YouTube and our website 10-15 minutes before the start of the service.
Sunday, 10:50am - Junior Church
Junior Church is for children ages 2-11 and begins after the morning worship time in the auditorium.
Sunday, 5:00pm - Prayer Time for Church and Community Needs (Adult Classroom in Gym & on Zoom)
Anyone can join and pray with us!
Sunday, 6:00pm - SUNDAY EVENING SERVICE
The livestream can be accessed using the livestream button at the top of our website. Childcare and a Children's program (ages 2-11) are provided.
Tuesday, 7:00pm - Joseph & Rebecca Pondugula Life Group (Zoom Only)
This life group studying the book of Exodus and is open to anyone via Zoom.
Wednesday, 7:00pm - Teen Group
Any teens are invited to join in the teen room at church. Pastor Rodriguez leads the teen group.
Wednesday, 7:00pm - Chuck Jutras & Rudy Nelson Life Group
This life group is studying "The Power of Giving Thanks." Anyone is invited to join at church.
Wednesday, 7:00pm - Ron Radziewicz Life Group
We share snacks, fellowship, encouragement, prayer, and a brief Bible Devotional.
Please accept an invitation to our TBC Life Group meeting each Wednesday, at 7:00PM, at the home of one of our members.
Wednesday, 7:00pm - Pastor & Deanna Rowley Life Group (Zoom Only)
Anyone is invited to join via Zoom.
Wednesday, 7:00pm - Kevin Tower Life Group
This life group is studying the life of Christ through the Gospels. Anyone is invited to join in person at church.
If you would like to join a Life Group or Adult Bible Fellowship group, please text or call Kevin Tower at 860-916-5062.
If you have a prayer request or need help in some way, please contact the any of our staff and/or the Care Team at CareTeam@truthbaptistchurch.org.
Looking Unto Jesus,
TBC Staff
