Newsletter

Wishing all those celebrating a birthday or anniversary in August and September a very blessed day.

On August 1, 2010, we had an End of Summer BBQ after morning worship services as our “5^th Sunday Potluck.” Hot dogs, chips, and apple pie were served. All had a great time.

On August 29, 2010 we will be celebrating the Lord’s Supper during Morning Worship Services. We pray you will prepare your hearts now and join us as we reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice for us to reconcile us to the Father.

It’s been a few years since we’ve had new pictures taken of everyone for our directory. For our 2011 Directory, we will be taking updated pictures of all members and those who regularly attend WGBC by December 12, 2010. There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board if you prefer to sign up for a day, or you can meet in the Fellowship Hall after Sunday and Wednesday services to get your picture updated.

The 2010 Arizona Church Equipping Conference will provide training, encouragement and inspiration to help you grow as a spiritually qualified laborer. Arizona Church Equipping Conference is an extensive training seminar sponsored by the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention. In addition to a half-day pastor’s conference, ACE offers training for leaders in worship/music, women’s ministry, small groups, Sunday School, student leadership, discipleship, evangelism, church planters, and media/library. Age-graded breakout electives are offered for preschool, children, youth, and adult leaders. The 2010 ACE Conference will be held at North Phoenix Baptist Church, 5757 N Central Ave, Phoenix from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

We had 3 youth from WGBC and 1 from Apollo Baptist Church attend Youth Camp at Prescott Pines this year. The youth would like to thank you for all the prayers lifted for their safety and spiritual growth and they look forward to next year!

ARRRRRRRGH!

Top 10 Ways You Know it’s

Time to Take a Break

By Bruce Ford, Central Association

10) You dry off after a shower, only to realize that you are still sweating.

9) You have to wear gloves and long pants in order to avoid 3^rd degree burns from your steering wheel and car seats.

8) You don’t want to go to church this Sunday, but you have to go because they are expecting you to preach (or teach).

7) Your hair loss is not due to age or genetics…but to continuous pulling.

6) You are beginning to experience road rage before you actually get into your car.

5) You plan on going for a swim as soon as you can figure out how to bring the water temperature below 90 degrees.

4) You are staying up late to watch reruns of LOST because you still can’t figure out if they are still lost.

3) You are so bored that you agree to go see Eclipse with your teenage daughter.

2) You know you’re about to miss an important date, but you can’t remember which one.

1) You start saying things like…ARRRRRRRGH!

“Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowd. After He had dismissed them, He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone…” Matthew 14:22-23

* Even Jesus needed to take a break in order to recharge and reconnect…I vote for following Jesus!

Used with permission.

Library Corner

A few months ago, Les Jennings handed me 3 books for our library from Marge Kuban, Secretary to AZ Baptist Historical Association plus a former colleague of mine. One was a book by Karen Scott titled Dear Lord. It contains poems and prayers to Jesus. Another book is by Michael Frost, called Exiles. It is about living missionally in a post-Christian culture. I have glanced through Exiles and found the author is writing about Christians who find themselves caught in between a contemporary secular Western culture and an old-fashioned church culture of respectability and conservatism. I prefer the later so guess I am showing my age.

The third book is titled Just Walk Across the Room: Simple Steps Pointing People to Faith by Bill Hybels, one of my favorite authors. I was really delighted to see this book. I had been eyeing it at the bookstores and in the catalogs. I didn't want to pay their high prices so would keep checking for a sale or hoping someone would put it over in the used books section. Just when I figured I would buy it, the Lord worked His way and gave it to our library. Bill Hybels has a way of making you feel as though he is writing this just for you. For example: All Christians are to sow seeds for Christ. Others may be responsible to water the seeds while someone else is to do the harvesting. Many times, individuals will move to fast and throw the whole ball of wax and the person walks away. I still have three more chapters to go and then it will be on the shelf in the library. I'm certain our Sunday School class will be glad when I finish it, as I seem to mention it each Sunday. While you wait, I noticed last Sunday the Bill Hybels book, To Busy Not to Pray had been returned. Don't let it collect dust.

August will still be hot so take time to pray and read. In the mean time, just walk across the room to the loner and find a common ground.

~ Hazel

Please keep our ladies in prayer as they head to Prescott for their retreat. We have the largest group going ever! Twelve are ladies going each weekend. That’s a grand total of 24! We hope to have more next year!

The Over 40 Fellowship is going out to lunch in September. We will meet at 11:00 AM on September 14, at Genie G’s Restaurant, located at 7349 W Indian School Rd. This is a family-style restaurant, with meals under $10.00. If you are available to join us, we’d love to have you. See Martha F. to RSVP or with any questions!

On September 25, 2010 the Youth will take a day trip to Tonto Natural Bridge. They will meet at the church at 6:00 AM and be home around 8:00 PM. All youth desiring to attend this trip MUST attend services on Sundays and/or Wednesday nights. Permission slips for the bus ride and the trip will be distributed then. We appreciate prayers for safe travel that day. See Pastor

Butch for more information!

September marks the Willis J. Ray Special Offering for State Missions. This year the name has been changed to “Arizona Mission Offering.” All of the money donated to this fund goes to church work in Arizona. Our goal for this year is $500.00. Please mark your offering envelope “State Offering” or use the designated envelope provided in your bulletin each week.

On October 30, 2010 we will be hosting our Annual Harvest Fest from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. There will be horse rides, jumpy bounces, games and food for all. You can help by bringing in individually wrapped candy now and volunteering to help on that day. This is a great ministry outreach to our community, offering a safe alternative to Halloween, sharing the love of Jesus to all who stop by. See Darlene G. or Angie D. for more information or to find out where you can help!

As of the writing of this article, three of our youth are at Prescott Pines for Youth Camp. However, it’s already time to think about funding for next year…and that’s where your help is needed.

In October, the youth will be holding a Yard Sale to raise money for camp for 2011. Your help is needed now by donating items that you would give to Goodwill to the youth for their yard sale. You can bring items to church until Sunday, October 3, 2010. The date for the yard sale changed after publication of the newsletter...it will be November 13, 2010.

On October 16, 2010 you are also welcome to stop by the McDonough’s to support the Youth Yard Sale. If you would like to donate your yard for the March 2011 Yard Sale, please see Angie D. or Cris M. We thank you in advance for your support!

We would like to see the majority of our Youth attend camp next year and all of your help is greatly appreciated in helping us reach this goal. If you have any questions, see Youth Pastor Butch , Angie D. or Cris M.