September is always a busy month for families and churches. In many ways it is a month of new beginnings. School starts in earnest for our children and youth. We start a new church year with a new slate of officers, teachers and workers; a new budget; and new ministries. AWANA, Adult Choir, Rejoicers, and Youth all start up; for a new year. We look forward to the Annual Church Picnic, a Senior’s Trip, and a new Women’s Bible Study. But the one thing that everyone looks forward to is Labor Day.

Speaking of Labor Day, what kind of labor are you doing this year for the Lord and what is your attitude when you do it? Remember, there are five kinds of workers. The best example of the five would be when a piano needs to be to be moved. The first kind of worker gets behind and pushes. The second kind of worker gets in front and pulls and guides. The third kind of worker grabs the piano stool. The fourth kind of worker holds the door and cheers them on. The fifth kind complains there was nowhere for them to get involved, the piano is too heavy, it really did not need to be moved, and the ones who are moving it aren’t doing it properly. So which worker are you?

The Bible has a lot to say about our labor for the Lord. First of all, Revelation 2:2 reminds all of us that our labor for the Lord is known by Christ. Not only is our labor seen by Christ, Hebrews 6:10 tells us that God does not forget our labor for Him. Since God sees and remembers our work for Him, we need to understand it is a labor for which we will be rewarded (I Corinthians 3:5-15). In Colossians 1:27-29 Paul tells believers that our labor is not for temporal things, our labor has eternal consequences. Therefore, I Thessalonians 1:3 makes it known that it is to be a labor of love. This love is agape love born out of all that God has done for us in Christ Jesus and extends to our Lord, fellow believers, and the lost. When the motivation for our labor for the Lord comes from the pureness of our love for Him, I Corinthians 15:57-58 declares that our labor will not be in vain and that it will be accepted by God. I Corinthians 3:1-9 also exhorts us to put aside trivial differences because our labor is to be done together. Finally, Luke 10:2 informs us that we need never wonder IF there is something we can do, there is more than enough work to go around.

Blessings,

Ed

IMPORTANT NEWSLETTER ANNOUNCEMENT

To save on paper, printing and postage, we will no longer be mailing the newsletter, unless you return the enclosed postcard or call the church office. You can find us, and the Newsletter online at: www.amissvillebaptistchurch.com

CHOIR PRACTICE RESUMES

All children in Grades K-5 are encouraged to join the Rejoicer’s Choir! We will start our new year of fun and music on Wednesday, September 8^th at 7 p.m. We will be starting the Christmas music along with other songs that may be sung with the Adult Choir. Join Ms. Lisa and Ms. Lu for lots of fun and music song for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

ADULT CHOIR will start Wednesday, September 8^th at 6 p.m. It’s time to get back together and learn new music and to being our Christmas music, so mark your calendar! New voices are always welcome!

AWANA

Hear ye, hear ye! Calling all young people! AWANA is kicking off on September 12^th - 6-8 p.m. Our Pre-K group is called Cubbies (ages 3 and 4), Sparks is for Kindergarten through 2nd grade and Truth & Training (T&T) has two groups - grades 3 & 4 and grades 5 & 6. Also, 24/7 is our teen group for grades 7-12.

We’ll have a new games leader this year (surprise) and are very excited about our new adults helping in our classes. Thanks to everyone willing to serve the AWANA ministry this coming year. We will have a special task for our classes which I hope we can share with everyone.

If you don’t know what AWANA is, come and stay with your child and see for yourself! All parents are welcome to observe. Your young ones will have fun and be working to store God’s word in their heart and mind. In a constantly changing world, help them fix their hearts and minds on the only One who does not change, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Psalm 119:11says “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.” Come and bring a friend.

Commander Wes

THE ANNUAL CHURCH PICNIC

We hope to see you HERE at Amissville Baptist Church for the Annual Church Picnic on Saturday, September 11^th from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Each family is asked to bring a covered dish and a dessert to share and a 2-liter size bottle of soda, juice or water. Hot dogs, hamburgers, buns and all the yummy fixings will be provided as well as a Moon Bounce for the children! What fun!

MISSIONS

As I was cleaning last week, I happened to hear a song on the radio that caught my attention. The vocalist sang “Never let your praying knees get lazy,” which started me thinking. How many times have each of us found an excuse not to get down on our knees and thank God for the many blessings He gives us daily, weekly, monthly? While we are down on our knees, let us remember all the ways we might help support the “Week of Prayer for State Missions & Offerings.”This year, the week of September 12-19 has been selected for the Week of Prayer & State Missions Offerings. Our gifts through this offering will help provide the necessary funding for mission opportunities across the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond! Listed below are just a few ways we can help:

Appalachian Trail Ministries - The SBCV partners with local churches along the Appalachian Trail to share the love of Christ with hikers, their families and friends.

Disaster Relief - This offering aids in the training, communication and preparation for a rapid-response to disasters.

Baptist Builders - Where Disaster Relief ends, Baptist Builders begins!

Food Distribution - This money will help to develop a partnership with churches in hunger ministries, such as food pantries, soup kitchens, food drives and grocery store vouchers.

As you can see, there are so many ways we can assist in helping those in need. God has richly blessed our lives, now we can show others how much He cares by praying for our missionaries and give them the support they need.

Our goal this year is $1,500. Can we do it? Absolutely! Just don’t let your praying knees get lazy!

Blessings,

Karen Ruble

SHOES & SOCKS FOR URUGUAY

We will collect new, inexpensive sports shoes and warm socks for impoverished children living in Uruguay. This will open many doors for workers to plant churches and share the Gospel. Collection will begin on October 3^rd and continue until October 31st.

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY

Our fall Women's Bible study will begin Sept. 28th and 29th. Come join us for a 7-week study of “Faithful, Abundant, True: Three Lives Going Deeper Still.” Sign-up to attend the Tuesday 7 p.m. evening sessions or the Wednesday 9 a.m. daytime sessions. Childcare will not be provided during the evening sessions, however, it will be provided on Wednesday if requested. This Bible study includes teachings from Kay Arthur, Priscilla Shirer and Beth Moore. Kay challenges us to faithfulness in difficult days, Priscilla points to the essential trust in God's ability, and Beth teaches us how to discern truth from error. Sign-up sheets are in the vestibule.

CHILD DEDICATION SERVICE

A Baby/Child Dedication Service will be held on Sunday, September 19^th. If you wish to have your infant or young child dedicated, please see Pastor Taylor prior to the 12^th of September.