Inside this issue:

Pastor’s Message 2

Events/Birthdays 3

January Schedules 4

Music Ministry 5

Contact Info 6

N E W S L E T T E R

Dr. Paul Noe, Pastor

Rev. Mark Abbott, Associate Pastor & Minister of Music

Rev. Brian Ayers, Associate Pastor & Minister of Youth

Mrs. Missy Ferraro, Children’s Coordinator

January, 2017

January 15 Deadline

For all info to be included in

the February Newsletter.

“...I will bless

thee… And thou

shalt be

a blessing.”

Genesis 12:2

For The New Year

H old fast to your faith (Hebrews 4:14)

A ssemble with the saints (Hebrews 10:25)

P ray earnestly every day (1 Thessalonians 5:17, 18)

P ray for great blessings (Malachi 3:10)

Y ield not to temptation (1 Thessalonians 5:22)

N eglect not your talents and opportunities (Galatians 6:10)

E xamine yourself daily (2 Corinthians 13:5)

W ork diligently for the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Y ield your members to righteousness (Romans 6:11,16)

E xercise yourself in godliness (1 Timothy 4:7)

A im at sinless perfection (Hebrews 6:1)

R edeem the time (Ephesians 5:15,16)

—Gus Nichols

(Contributed by Robert Ratcliff)

MISSIONARY THANK YOUS!

Dear Friends,

Thank you so much for your contribution to our mission. We have reached our one-time outbound goal of over $61,000! Glory to God! Please pray that God will con-tinue to raise up monthly support partners to sustain our work in Nairobi.

Love & Many Blessings,

Eric & Erin Sumner

Dear Pastor Paul,

On behalf of the A Better Belize Board of Directors and Camalote Camp, Heather and I thank the entire Sweetwater congregation for hosting our family. We ap-preciate your financial gifts, and we will do our best to steward them prayerfully. Also, extend our thanks to the many wonderful cooks who sacrificed so much to provide a delicious home-cooked meal after the service. May God bless your sacrificial support of our calling, and may His light shine ever brighter in the Sweetwater community.

In His Service with you,

Joey Barrs

Page 2

“PASTOR PAUL’S PARAGRAPHS”

Dear Members and Friends of Sweetwater Baptist Church: Blessings!! We had such an incredible Christmas season this year!! Each event gave us the oppor-tunity to reflect and focus on the true meaning of Christmas – the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. Christmas is always a meaningful and special time at Sweetwater! On a personal note, I would like to take this opportunity to say “thank you” for every card and expres-sion of love that you gave the Noe family during Christmas. Words cannot express our appreciation for your tremendous generosity and thoughtfulness. Thanks for being such wonderful people. We are so blessed to serve such a loving and caring congregation. We find ourselves at the threshold of 2017. Each year has its opportunities and challenges. Sometimes, people are afraid of a new year. They worry and fret about the difficulties that they might face. As we enter this new year, let’s remember the words of Jeremiah the Prophet in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a fu-ture.” (NIV) “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” Corrie Ten Boom I am looking forward to seeing how God is going to bless Sweetwater in 2017. Our future is truly exciting as we anticipate the construction of our new church facility. Continue to pray for your leadership (deacons, Finance Committee, Building Committee, etc.) as they seek God’s direction and guidance in this process. As we consider a new year, we are reminded that everyone likes something new such as a new shirt, a new dress, a new toy, a new car, etc. The Bible reveals many new things that we have as a result of salvation. Some of them are as follows: 1. A New Heart – Ezekiel 11:19, 2 Corinthians 5:17 2. A New Life – Romans 6:4 3. A New Name – Revelation 2:17, 3:12 4. A New Home – Revelation 21:2 As we enter a new year, let’s be thankful for everything we received new for Christmas and everything we are going to receive new from our Heavenly Father in 2017.

It is a joy and a privilege to serve you!!

With a Pastor’s Love,

Brother Paul

Philippians 1:3

January Events

Happy Birthday! 1/1 — Heather Widener

1/2 — Elizabeth Coulthurst, Sherry Hawkins

1/3 — Michelle Smith, Mike Lybrand, Ron Wheatley, Sandy Nail

1/4 — Matthew Benenhaley, Meredith Taylor, Janice Jerni-gan, Mark Key

1/5 — Peggy Spaulding, Allison Dearman, Gary Bell, Jr.

1/6 — Elizabeth McDaniel, Brent Valentine, Charlotte Munns, Allen Byrd, Caleb Jernigan

1/7 — Patricia Bridges, David McClure

1/8 — Gerald Messer

1/9 — Julie Little

1/10 — Chris Wade

1/11 — Casey Meteraud

1/12 — Diane Pitman

1/13 — Hollie Gillespie, Jessie Izlar

1/14 — Kay Watson, Sandra Bell, Billy Payne, Jodi Wade, Doris Gaillard, Roy Walker

1/15 — Brenda Whiteaker, Bobbi Noe

1/16 — Briana Loehr, Matthew Robinson

1/17 — Iris Carter, Ryan Gillespie, Phillip Dickert, Audi Clemens

1/18 — Jesse Blaxton, Evangeline Schwarz

1/19 — Tillman Miller

1/20 — Dan Jernigan, Larry Campbell, Teresa Myers, Sally Hatfield, Gracyn Walden, Devin Reaves

1/23 — Lilly Byers

1/24 — Charles Stewart, Travis Izlar

1/25 — Dottie Hamilton, Piper Cook, Madisyn Thatcher, Rocky McKie

1/26 — Jeanette Miller, Beverly Hadley, Greg Shouse

1/27 — Parker McCay, Nina Benenhaley

1/30 — Jerry Deese, Celia Valentine

1/31 — Dustin Loehr

January 1 — New Year’s Concert: Cliff Duren and Overflow, 10:30am

January 2 — Church Office Closed

January 3 — Norma Pate Group, 6:30pm

January 8 — New Discipleship Training Class, 5pm; Guests George & Rivka Whitten of Arad, Israel, 6pm

January 10 — Holy Land Trip Meeting, 7pm

January 11 — Neely Group, 10am

January 15 — Youth & Parents Meeting With Brian, 4:30pm

January 17 — Ladies’ Photography, 6pm; Norma Pate Group,

6:30pm

January 18 — Quarterly Business Meeting, 6:30pm

January 20 — Joyous Seniors’ Luncheon, 11:45am

January 27-28 — GA Slumber Party, 6pm

It’s Coming! Are You Ready?

January 15, 2017—Youth Grades 6 through 12

and Their Parents, 4:30pm.

Page 4 January Schedules

SECURITY: January 1 January 8 January 15 January 22 January 29

8:30 AM No 8:30am Danny Jernigan Billy Cross Tillman Miller David Harley

11:00 AM Allen Timmons Jimmy Pardue Terry Mathis Miller Butler Ben Ferraro 6:00 PM Jon Majerus Bill Little Tillman Miller Ronnie Berry Jimmy Pardue

January 1

No 8:30 Service Crib: Patsy Walker & Helen Butler Toddler: Debbie & Kaylan Rodgers

Alyson Abbott & Nancy Britt

January 8

Leigh Ryan & Lesa Stone

Crib: Mike & Nancy Clark Toddler: Paul Bunch & Robin Lanham

Theresa Todd & Kathy Crawford

January 15

Allen & Wendi Byrd

Crib: Rachel Ayers & Cindy O’Driscoll Toddler: Katie Johnson & Ginny Pardue

Gina & Cassidy Farrer

January 22

Amy Clark & Sunnie Cook

Crib: Stpehanie Redfern & Cade Hawkins Toddler: Libby Zahner & Aurora Spangler

Barbara Schmidt & Linda Black

January 29

Sharon & Cara Brown

Crib: Toni Steedley & Susan Folk Toddler: Eric & Tina Wiggins

Alyson Abbott & Nancy Britt

NURSERY SCHEDULE

8:30 AM 11:00 AM 6:00 PM

8:30 AM 11:00 AM 8:30 AM 11:00 AM

January 1 January 8

No 8:30am Service Chuck Nail Russell Eubanks Terry Mathis

Robert Ratcliff David McClain Miller Butler

Steve Whisenant John Morgan Chuck Nail

Eric Wiggins Billy Cross Robert Ratcliff

Jim Williams Robert Thompson Steve Whisenant

January 15 January 22

Jim Reece Eric Wiggins Melvin Scales Dean McDaniel

Rod Ingle Jim Williams Chris Gillespie Chuck Nail

Rocky McKie Jimmy Pardue Jeff Kervin Robert Ratcliff

Gordon Ferguson Terry Mathis Jon Majerus Steve Whisenant

Russell Britt Miller Butler Billy Todd Eric Wiggins

January 29

Mark Stewart Jim Williams

Phillip Dickert Terry Mathis

Ronnie Berry Miller Butler

Russell Eubanks Chuck Nail

David McClain Robert Ratcliff

CMC Ministry

Delivery Schedule

January 19

Jim &

Shirley Wilmoth

“For the word of

the Lord is right;

and all his works

are done in truth.”

Psalm 33:4

Deacons on Call

January 1

Steve Lanham

Chris McBride

January 8

Zeb Ryan

Jim Crawford

January 15

Ronnie Berry

Robert Ratcliff

January 22

Jim Wilmoth

Chic Morris

January 29

Carl Boulware

Billy McBride

U

S

H

E

R

S

Dear Church Family,

It has been a busy couple of months! However, I am thankful for all of the things that we’ve

had happening here at Sweetwater. God was truly glorified in our Christmas musical, Our Coming

Savior. I was very pleased with the attendance, and my prayer is that seeds of salvation were

planted in those individuals who might not know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. The

Celebration Choir Rehearsals will resume on Wednesday night, January 4th @ 7:15PM in the

choir loft in the Sanctuary. If you’ve ever wanted to be a part of the choir, I hope you would visit

one of our rehearsals. We can always add chairs to the choir loft!

On another note, I was very proud of our Children’s choirs here at Sweetwater and their

presentation of “Special Delivery.” It was wonderful and all the kids did a great job! I’m very thank-

ful for all of the leadership in our children’s choirs. Only God knows the impact that you have

made on the lives of our children!

I hope you’ve enjoyed our handbell choir as much as I have this past year. It has been a

long time since the handbells have been played at Sweetwater, and I’m excited to see how this

group of ringers continues to use their gifts to glorify God. Our handbell rehearsals will start back

on Sunday night, January 15th at 5:00PM in the Shirley McBride Sunday School classroom.

Our S.W.A.T. (Student Worship Arts Team) will resume rehearsals on Sunday night, Janu-

ary 15th @ 5:00PM in the choir room. I look forward to this group having more of a part in our

worship services and at special times during the year.

In closing, I want to thank all of you for your expressions of love, gifts, and cards this

Christmas. My family and I are very humbled and overwhelmed by your love and generosity. We

pray that God would bless each of you this new year! May He draw you close and keep you in the

palm of His hand. May we become all that God wants us to be as the body of Christ here at

Sweetwater Baptist Church! We love you and thank God for you! It is a joy to serve you all!

Soli Deo Gloria! (To God Alone The Glory)

Mark T. Abbott

FOREIGN MISSION FIELDS FOR

THE MONTH OF JANUARY

January 1 — Belize

January 8 — Bangladesh

January 15 — Bulgaria

January 22 — Gambia

January 29 — Jordan

Please remember to pray for our Southern Baptist

missionaries and workers this month.

Church Office: 803-279-2821

Family Life Center: 803-426-1860

Web Site:

www.sweetwaterbc.org

“Not by strength or by might, but by My Spirit says the Lord of Hosts.”

Zechariah 4:6

GOAL: $2,500,000.00

Reveal God’s Plan Received:

$696,391.37

Joyous Seniors… This month we will meet on Friday, January 20th, at 11:40am in the Family Life Center. We will enjoy a delicious Baked Potato Bar, Chili Bar, & Salad Bar! You do not need to bring a covered dish, but there is a $5 charge per person at the door. Bring a smile and a friend!

Special Guests!

Come hear George and Rivka Whitten of Arad, Israel on Sunday, January 8th, at 6:00pm. They will be sharing about Israel’s role in Scripture and in current events.

Check out their website:www.worthynews.com

Dear Sweetwater Family,

Our special thanks and appreciation for the prayers, love, and kindness shown to us through Gayle’s sur-

gery and recovery. May God bless everyone during this Christmas season and through the New Year.

With God’s love,

Nan Long & Gayle Pecore