Church Office Hours:

Monday - Friday 9 am - 1pm

Church Staff:

Dr. David Vess, Pastor

Robin Atkins, Director of

Children and Youth Activities

Heather Hills,

Minister of Music

Deborah Hutchins,

Church Secretary

Susan Moore,

Financial Secretary

Regan Churhan,

Accompanist

Bobby Mills,

Grounds Maintenance

Eloise Garland, Custodian

Sunday Schedule:

Coffee Fellowship 9:30 am

Bible Study 9:45 am

Worship Service 11:00 am

Wednesday Schedule:

Prayer & Bible Study 6:30 pm

Children's Bible Study 6:30 pm

Monthly Events:

2nd Monday: Finance 6:30 pm

1st Tuesday: Deacons 7:00 pm

3rd Thurs: WOM 7:00 pm

4th Wed: CARE 10:00 am

Online giving available at

www.swiftcreekchurch.com

From the Pastor ~ This past week I came across a great article by Bob D’Ambrosio titled, 3 Things

people need to hear at church. He writes: “When you walk through the front door,

you see huge words that say “You belong.” As you enter the facility, more signage

communicates that you’ve just walked into a “judgment-free zone.” No, this is not a

church—it’s Planet Fitness. Planet Fitness is an affordable health club whose populari-

ty is sweeping the country. The franchise, which started in 2003, now has more than

1,300 clubs and boasts 8.9 million members, making it the fastest-growing gym in the

U.S. That’s a larger membership than most church denominations! Planet Fitness has

registered the phrase “judgment-free zone,” and their mission statement is to “create

a safe environment where everyone feels accepted and respected.”

D’Ambrosio continues, “I’d never joined a gym before; guess I have

“gymtimidation,” to use the word from the Planet. But I joined Planet Fitness because

the culture they’ve created makes all athletic levels feel welcome; I feel like I “belong.”

What are the 3 things D’Ambrosio says need to be communicated at church

each weeK?

1. Thank you for being here. When I was a kid, it was expected that you’d go to

church—no exceptions. Today’s culture operates with a different understanding. He

suggest we, the church, need to show appreciation for those who attend, regardless of

when they last showed up. No guilt. No shame. Just thankfulness for the people who

have gathered to worship Jesus.

2. We’ve all messed up. Jesus told the righteous crowds when they confronted the

women caught in adultery, “Let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” It

was his way of letting them know that they, too, had sinned. People outside the church

often think they’re not as good as the people inside the church. Paul reminds us every-

one has missed the mark, screwed up, and fallen short. Paul, admits that he just might

be the biggest offender. It’s a comforting thought to know that sin is the great equal-

izer.

3. God’s grace is for everyone. When you realize that you’ve messed up, you need to

hear the message of grace. God sent Jesus for everyone. The Pharisees had a difficult

time understanding this message, and so do some church people today. Creating a

culture that says “you belong” means that God’s grace is for everyone. How does your

church inform people that God offers them unconditional love? Perhaps this might be

our biggest challenge. It’s included in the top three messages at Foundations to make

sure people understand and embrace God’s grace for them.

Swift Creek Chronicler

2017 August

~ Continued ~

Page 2 Swift Creek Chronicler August 2017

D e a c o n U p d a t e At their regular monthly meeting, July 11, 2017, in addition to Family Ministry concerns, the Deacons covered the following items: Old Business: Youth Program Committee The summarized survey feedback was printed in the church newsletter. Details of the Youth Minister position, such as number of hours per week, salary range, etc., will need to be ironed out before the job can be posted. Dr. Vess shared a job listing form from Campbell University as an example of information that we would need to provide about the position. The Raleigh Baptist Association and State Baptist Convention may be useful sources of infor-mation in this regard. The group agreed that a formal search committee for the Children/Youth Minister will need to be formed. Jennie Jones and Ray Arnett agreed to serve on this search committee, and nominations for the other committee members were taken from the floor. After a short discussion, a list of nominees was finalized that will be contacted about serving by Ray and Jennie. Building Construction Committee The construction phase of the project should be complete by Wednesday July 19. The organ has already been re-installed and other final work is being completed. The timing of services returning to the main building is largely dependent on the county completing the final building inspection. Cemetery Burial Policy Lynne presented a report from their committee regarding a potential change to the burial policy. Discussion fol-lowed. The committee will create a clear summary of their report to present at the next church conference and will review that summary with the deacon group at the August meeting. Vacation Bible School Dr. Vess provided an update on this year’s Bible School. VBS was very well attended and the congregation sup-ported it well. The Operation Christmas Child offering that was received during VBS totaled approximately $630.00. Deacon Nominating Committee Steve Cox, Dianne Davis, and Roy Lasher have agreed to serve as deacons. There is still a single one-year term that needs to be filled. Compassion Sunday Dr. Vess provided more information on Compassion International and what a “Compassion Sunday” might be like. The Deacon group approved Dr. Vess scheduling a Compassion Sunday whenever it fits into the church calendar. Brotherhood Meal The Brotherhood has offered to do a fellowship meal on the second Wednesday of each month pending approval by the Deacon group. The Deacons approved. New Business: Trilton Jones will be resigning from the Deacon Board due to immediate family needs. Pastor’s Time: Pastor Vess went over the calendars for July and August and discussed noteworthy or unusual items. Personnel Committee: Jennie distributed evaluation forms from the Personnel Committee, and the review process was briefly discussed.

Swift Creek Baptist Church is currently accepting applications for an Organist. See our website for

more details. Forward applications to office@swiftcreekchurch.com or by mail to 9300 Penny Road,

Raleigh NC 27606.

D’Ambrosio concludes: “Wouldn’t it be great if people felt as comfortable walking into church as they do

walking into Planet Fitness? What would happen if the church was known as the one place people felt re-

spected and accepted? A safe place where people are welcome just as they are? You don’t need exercise

equipment in the lobby of your church to make people feel welcome. Instead, examine the messaging your

people hear (and read) each week. A culture of belonging begins when we create a place that communi-

cates we’re all in this together.”

Let’s keep this in mind especially as we begin worshipping in our renovated Sanctuary.

In God’s Grace, David Vess

August 2017 Swift Creek Chronicler Page 3

Women On Mission The Women On Mission continue to collect donations for Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes. During the

month of August, WOM is asking for the following donations: Notebooks, note pads, journals, 6” rulers, headbands,

hair clips, hair bows, pens and solar calculators. Please note that toothpaste is no longer accepted nor is any type of

liquid. Our Shoebox Packing Party is scheduled for Sunday, September 24th. For each box packed there is a $9 ship-

ping and handling fee. During VBS this year the children raised just over $650 toward paying the shipping and han-

dling fees! SCBC will be a OCC Shoebox collection site again this year. We will be collecting from Monday, November

13th through Monday, November 20th. More information will be available at a later time.

Music Ministry News By: Heather Hills

Summer is winding down and it’s time to start praying and planning for our new church year. We pray for guidance in

where and what God wants us to help further His Kingdom. The Raleigh Baptist Association offers all of us the oppor-

tunity to attend training classes on Saturday, August 19 at Hayes Barton Baptist Church. Each year they offer great

speakers and teachers willing to share their knowledge. This is a free event and everyone here at Swift Creek is invited.

As our calendar fills fills up, I will be looking for volunteers and chaperones to assist with these upcoming events. While

some of these events are for Children and Youth, many are church-wide events and your prayers and help will be need-

ed. Please pray where God can use you. All these things we do to further God’s Kingdom and for His Glory.

In Christian Service, Robin Atkins

Director of Children & Youth Activities

Robin’s Roundtable

Upcoming Events:

August 19 - Training Extravaganza @ Hayes Barton Baptist Church

September 8 - Parent’s Night Out resumes 6pm - 9pm

September 24 - OCC Shoebox Packing Party (following Worship)

October 7 - Church Yard Sale 8am - 1pm (volunteers needed)

October 13 - Parent’s Night Out 6pm - 9pm

October 22 - Homecoming Following Worship, Church Council 1:15pm

October 29 - Trunk or Treat 4:30pm - 6pm

November 4 - Annual Christmas Shopping Spree & Bake Sale 9am - 2pm

What an exciting time to be a part of Swift Creek! We have had a wonderful line-up of guest

artists and soloists leading us in worship this summer, and we will welcome the Master’s Men

to our church for a very special Sunday morning service on August 13th at 11 AM. Bring your

friends to this special time of worship! Perhaps most exciting of all is the completion of the sanctuary renovation. As we get settled

into our new space this month, we can now resume the search for a new organist, Marilyn Ferguson having declined to take on

the position permanently. Please keep the music committee in your prayers as we recommence this search, and don’t fail to join

your voice with those around you, praising God for his incredible faithfulness! In His Service,

Heather Hills, Minister of Music

Swift Creek Baptist Church

9300 Penny Road

Raleigh, NC 27606

AUG 21

Aug Disciples Tony Lineback

Sept Seekers Sandy Jones

Oct Journeymen Angie Vess

Nov Shepherd's Flock Lynne Cullins

Dec Busy Bees Steve Cox

Nursery Schedule

Swift Creek Chronicler August 2017

Average Attendance & Giving

June 25 - July 23

Bible Study Attendance 39

Worship Service 62

Tithes and offerings $3,305

Weekly Budget Need $4,380

Thank you for your gifts!

SCBC Food Pantry

Open Tuesdays 10am - 12pm

In the Fellowship Hall

As of July 25th we have helped

feed 248 people in need so far in

2017. Thank you for your dona-

tions!

1 - Deacon’s Meeting 7:00 pm

6 - Guest Speaker Rev. Jerry Richards

7 - Homeschool Event 6:30 pm to 9pm

9 - Church Conference 6:30 pm

13 - Musical Guests The Master’s Men 11 am

14 - Finance Meeting 6:30 pm

Homeschool Resumes 8:30am - 4pm

17 - WOM 7pm

19 - RBA Training Extravaganza (Hayes Barton Church)

21 - Newsletter Deadline

23 - CARE 10:00 am

Fellowship Coffee

Schedule 2017

8/6 Janet Yunker, Margie Britt 8/13 Kristin Holmes, Janet Yunker 8/20 JoAnne King, Jennie Jones 8/27 Dianne Davis, Joyce Powell

August Events

Coming to SCBS, Sunday, August 13

The Master’s Men

Church Conference / Deacon Candidates

The Quarterly Church Conference will be

Wednesday, August 9th at 6:30 pm. The candi-

dates for deacon election are:

Steve Cox, Dianne Davis and Roy Lasher

Harp Concert (free)

Friday, August 4th, at 7 PM in the chapel at

White Memorial Presbyterian Church in Raleigh.