Tennessee Valley Baptist Association
Thursday, February 23, 2012
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Monthly NewsletterA Minute with Mike
I grew up hearing about Sadie Hawkins Day which was to happen on Leap Day, February 29. The American tradition’s name originated in the comic strip created by Al Capp in the 20th Century, Lil Abner. It was to honor “the homeliest gal in the hills”. The tradition had been brought to this country by the Scotch-Irish immigrants. The tradition involves that women on February 29 had a right to pop the question to any man she wished to do so. Interestingly, it has a religious connection. The tradition says that St. Bridget complained to St. Patrick in the 5th Century about women having to wait for men to propose marriage. St. Patrick finally gave in and set aside February 29 as the day set aside allowing women the right to ask a man to marry them. The tradition continued until Queen Margaret of Scotland codified the day in 1288. A man who refused to marry the woman was faced with a fine in the form of a kiss, a silk dress, or a pair of gloves to be given to the rejected woman. So, if you are a single male on Wednesday, February 29, watch out, you may be in trouble.
Please mark your calendars and plan to attend the TBC “More Life” Rally to be held in our association on May 3 at Lake Drive Church. There will be a dinner for pastors and wives at 6pm and then everyone is invited to the rally at 7pm. Dr. Bobby Welch, Associate Executive Director of the TBC, former two term president of the SBC, longtime pastor of First Church, Daytona Beach, and the father of the FAITH evangelism program, will be the featured speaker. These rallies across our state in each associational cluster will begin a new emphasis in our churches on evangelism and discipleship. I hope to see many of you there!
We welcome Rev. Cloyd Bell to our association as interim pastor at Graysville, First Church. As of the writing of this minute all 27 of our churches have a pastor or interim pastor. The longest this has ever lasted during my tenure in this office has been four months.
Mike Young, D Min.
Associational Director of Missions
WMU Minute
The New Year is off to a busy start already and the church functions are in full swing! We need to make 2012 a year of PRAYER. Please read the information below by Janice, and let’s join with someone as a prayer partner, and see what we can accomplish in 2012. Some things to add to your prayer list would be:
Missionaries
Children’s Home
Church Programs
Your Church leaders, especially your Pastor
Government leaders
Elections
Associational Activities
I think we will all be amazed and how God will bless and how we will see things change for him.
Remember to save the box top coupons for education. This is a way we can minister to our schools.
We will have our next WMU planning session March 3rd at 9am. Please plan to attend. If you do not have a WMU, please assign someone as a Mission coordinator or something, so they can join us as we plan mission activities.
Sandra Young
TVBA WMU Director
PRAYER
Hannah was haunted by her unfulfilled desire to hold a baby in her arms and rock him to sleep at night. She prayed and cried unto the Lord until He answered her. That promised child became one of the greatest prophets in the history of Israel.
Jesus prayed in his darkest hour, and when His passion was completed, He was exalted to the right hand of the Father, where He is still interceding for us.
And still today, God bends his ear to hear the earnest prayers of innocent children, the whispered prayers of those deemed of little value on the earth, and He answers.
He loves it when we cry out to him. He will heal you, he will free you, and he will save you when you pray.
My passion is to help revive the excitement, the absolute necessity, and the unbelievable power that prayer unleashes in the lives of everyday Christians. I want to encourage groups of believers to come together in small and informal groups in their churches, neighborhoods, at their jobs, and within their families to simply spend time each week praying. I believe that the world won’t stay the same as we commit to doing this.
Here’s a simple strategy to get started:
1. You choose two other ladies to make up a triplet prayer group.
2 .Meditate on Psalm 66:18 and Psalm 139:23-24 and listen to what the Lord tells you.
3. Ask the Lord to show you what He wants you to do this year, how He wants you to do it and where He wants you to do it.
4. Each lady prays for at least 3 unsaved friends.
5. You pray every day for specific prayer requests and pray together as a group at least once a week.
Please contact Janice Upton at 423-365-7151 or email at jupton@pobox.com for more information and materials. Prayer workshops on effective prayer methods will be given by Janice Upton during the year.
Dates to Remember
February SBC Monthly Emphasis: True Love Waits
Feb. 13-19 SBC Focus on WMU
Feb. 20 TVBA Pastor’s Conference
Association Office 11am
Feb. 23 TBC Assn. VBS Team Training-Cleveland
Water Needed – We have been asked to supply bottled water for volunteers working at the RAM clinic. This event is sponsored by United Way and will be held March 10-11 at the Rhea County High School Gym. For more information, please contact the Association Office at 775-6192.
12th Annual Cracked Pots Ladies Day
Saturday, February 25th from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Held at Wolf Creek Baptist Church, Spring City, TN
Join us for a great day with speakers, music, fellowship Lunch is included
Call Joyce Laswell 423-452-0764 for pre-registration or any questions.
Cost is $12.00 pre-registration or $15.00 at the Door
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