Procter Baptist Staff & Phone Numbers:
Dr. Rick Erwin, Pastor 729-9448 Bro. Terry Earl, Music Minister 722-6264 Mark Beard, Youth Minister 718-1432 Mack Stewts, Minister of Properties 293-5479 Hogan Dodd, Sr. Adult Activities Director 527-3117 Tracy Bankston, Director of Children’s Min. 781-3709 Phil Croft, Min. of Evangelism & Outreach 722-9216 Church Office 722-8097 Church Fax 722-0604 24-Hour Prayer Line 724-PRAY E-Mail Addresses, rerwin21y@gtbizclass.com mark.beard@yahoo.com thurt@gtbizclass.com hjoynt@gtbizclass.com hdodd@gtbizclass.com Check Out Our Web@www.procterbaptisthome.org For Procter activities, Pastor’s article and other church information
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Nederland, TX 77627 Permit #102
BEACON
Procter Baptist Church
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works And glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 Pastor: Rick Erwin, D.Min.,D.D. July 8, 2009
Regular Weekly Schedule Sunday
Library Open Sunday School Morning Worship Library Open Chorale Rehearsal Youth RAs/GAs Mission Friends Evening Worship 8:30 8:45 10:00 11:00 5:00 5:30 6:00 6:00 6:00 a.m a.m a.m a.m p.m p.m p.m p.m p.m
Tuesday
Saints Alive Choir Senior Adult Games 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday RETUR SERVICE REQUESTED
Prayer Group Library Open Prayer Meeting Youth Silent Choir ESL 7:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m.
Procter Baptist Church Dr. Rick Erwin, Pastor 4401 Jimmy Johnson Blvd. Port Arthur, TX 77642
Church Office Hours Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Closed; Noon-1:00 p.m. for lunch
Be in your place of worship Sunday Bible Study 8:45 a.m. Morning Worship10:00 a.m. Evening Worship 6:00 p.m.
The Pastor Writes -----I WRITE THIS LETTER WITH SOME TRIPIDATION AS TO THE EXPRESSION OF THE
seriousness of the situation at hand. In my first article (which Lynn wisely advised me to change) I was a bit more direct in the solutions to the problems we are having in two areas. LET ME TELL YOU THAT WE ARE DOING SOME GREAT THINGS THAT WE FORGET Hogan Dodd is working with our Sr. Adults, Phil and Karen Croft are really working with our outreach and evangelism, Tracy Bankston is committed to our children’s division. We have a large group of young people at MFuge this week in Mobile with Bro. Mark leading them. We are getting ready for GA Camp. Mack is still working with the We Care Ministry. Terry and I are working hard to bring a worship experience that touches lives. Don’t lose sight of the good things. FIRST, WE ARE FACING A FINANCIAL CRICIS OR COULD BE, SHOULD WE HAVE A devastating loss due to a storm. Nothing lies outside the power of God except that which lies outside the will of God. SUMMER IS HERE AND THE TEMPERATURE IS RISING. What in the world are we going to do to contain or lessen this rising expense without cutting ministry? Our utilities are going out the roof, literally, and we need to evaluate what we can do about that. Storm season is here and we are predicted to have at least one major storm in our area. On top of that our Windstorm Insurance has gone up another $5000. That makes our yearly insurance for just our building $47,900. Add to that the cost of our bus and van insurance and we are up to over $50,000. Our deductible is 2% of the value of the insured property value and not the damage. That means our building value is 2.9 million, we would have to pay the first $58,000 per loss. We have not had that kind of damage in any of the storms so far but it could change. By the way, that amount does not include the deductible on contents. Put it into perspective it is only a few thousand more than we paid last year but it does prompt some serious questions. SECONDLY, CHURCH ATTENDANCE HAS DROPPED TO AN ALL TOME LOW. PLEASE understand that I am not being negative, just factual. I want you to know that I recognize that fact and I am grieved by that. I have to evaluate my role as a worship leader. Recognizing that summer is here and folks have other things to do does not mean that the church can go on vacation. Those of us who are here have to give a hundred percent. What can we do to bring our worship to life and have people, (each of you) hunger for God’s word and the sweet fellowship of his spirit? I am praying for a new video system which will help bring the preaching and music into the 21st century and hoping that it will come soon but until then, what we used to do is not, NOT working for this generation. Even if it hurts, we need to have a serious debate about what we are willing to do to reach the lost and renew the spirit of the church. FINALLY, DON’T THINK THAT THIS IS SOME SORT OF DISCOURAGING OR FUSSING letter. Just the facts and the reality that we need to take all of this seriously. EVERYONE has a responsibility to give all we can, work with all our heart, pray the power of God to fall on us, love each other and win for the glory of God. Never ceasing to pray, Your pastor
Sympathy Bro. Rick and Lynn, along with the Procter family wish to extend their heartfelt sympathy to the family of Patsy Kahla and to the family of Rufus Brister.
From Hogan “—and people brought to Him all who were ill with various disease — and He healed them.” Matthew 4:23-24. The pastor and I are praying for the leadership of the Holy Spirit to guide us in developing a HEALING SERVICE to be conducted periodically. Pease pray about this and let us know of your interest and your willingness to participate. A prominent feature of such a SERVICE would be hearing the TESMOMIES of those who have experienced the healing power of Christ Jesus in their lives. “—pray for each other so that you may be healed”. James 4:16 God Bless you, Hogan
An Invitation to a Baby Shower For Taylor Grace Lanier, newborn daughter of Jennifer Hardison and Jason Lanier Sunday, July 12, 2009 2:00-4:00 p.m. 1601 Tallowood, Nederland Items Needed Diapers (Pampers), Wipes, Bottles, Clothes (3-6) Months, Baby Toys
Church eeds There is a need for someone to take pictures of new members when they join. It is a great help when someone becomes part of the church family to have a picture so you can get to recognize them.
Congratulations to Rachel and Dustin Miller on the birth of a son, Zakry Wade. He weighed 7 pounds 81/2 ounces and is 21 inches long. Proud grandparents are Robin and Roger Vance. A teacher for the 5 year-olds in Sunday School. Is needed. If you are willing to help in this ministry for our children, please see Tracy Bankston, or call her at 781-3709.
Report from Sunday, June 28th Budget Designated Total Weekly Needs Sunday, July 5th Budget Designated Total $8,262.90 $1,917.50 $10,180.40 $4,743.66 $1,205.00 $7,048.66 $6,390.81
St. Mary: Margarite Holder, Room 4052