Pleasant Grove Baptist Church
Neese, Georgia

By Jonathan Tolbert

Church, I wanted to let you know about upcoming sermons and Bible studies that I am preparing for the next few weeks. On Wednesdays through October 24th, we will “grow in the Word” through a Bible study that accompanies the movie Facing the Giants.

Join us on Sunday evening for the series through the Fall as we will be learning about the “Foundations of Our Faith.” This series takes a look at some of the Bible’s major foundational teachings as described in The Baptist Faith and Message.

Throughout the month of September, this “Foundations” series will cover God: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.In October, Sunday morning messages will deal with the topic of “Evangelism in Real Life.” This will strengthen the Sunday School study entitled Just Walk Across the Room (more on JWATR later) that we will be studying in October.

Together I hope we can grow through the Word as we gather together as well as spend time with our Lord on a daily basis.

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By Matthew Lee

I’d like to let you know what’s going on in the PGBC Youth Group these days. For starters, it’s been named the “180.” This was the original name Aaron Dougherty wanted to give it when he was here, so I felt we would stick with that. He had the idea for several reasons.

First, a 180 is a U-turn that could describe the change in one’s life when he turns it over to Christ. He leaves his old life that led to eternal death and separation from God, and he turns around to eternal life with God. Also, the verse Luke 1:80 is fitting, “And the child (Jesus) grew and became strong in spirit….”

And yet another way 180 fits is that it is a popular skate boarding trick. You may have noticed that many of the kids around here are skate boarders. I think the new name will connect with the kids and sound “cool”; yet at the same time, it will have an important underlying message about it.
Anyway, we are off to a good start this fall with six different students attending so far. Please pray that I would be able to gain their trust and friendship as well as be a leader and teacher to them. Pray also that the ones who haven’t received Christ yet would do so, and that their lives would reflect Christ in their homes so their parents would come to know Christ, too.

Please remember that these kids have probably never been to a church regularly, if at all, and are very shy and unfamiliar with the church environment. Be sure to welcome them and make them feel right at home in that good old Pleasant Grove way. Thank you for your prayers and support.

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By Gail Lester 

There will be an Associational Mission Fair sponsored by WMU on Thursday, September 13, at Union Baptist Church. Supper will be at 6:30 p.m., with a program to follow. This associational-wide event will replace our monthly meeting of Baptist Women. All ladies are invited to attend.

Also, ladies, Glenda Weaver has asked me to remind you that October will be here before we know it, and with it our annual Ladies Fall Retreat on beautiful Lake Louise at the Georgia Baptist Conference Center at Toccoa, GA. The date for this event will be October 12–13. Get your name on the list of those going as soon as possible.  The cost of the retreat is $47. You can pay the full amount when you sign up, or a $15 deposit with the remaining amount due at retreat time. The cost covers lodging for one night and three  meals.

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By Jonathan Tolbert
Coming to a church near you! I am excited for PGBC as we venture into the media world of movies. September 7th we will be hosting a “Dinner and a Movie” night at our church as we offer a simple meal and the great family and faith movie entitled “Facing the Giants.” This movie was written, produced, acted, and funded by a Baptist church in Georgia.

The purpose of this evening is to engage our church and our community with a unique tool for evangelism and faith building. The movie weaves drama, humor, friend­ship, foot­ball, and strong spiritual themes such as trusting in a big God. Please take this opportunity for you to be encouraged as a believer, as well as your friends, family, neighbors, and unchurched folks who will be touched and inspired with the message of Christ in an entertaining way.

Please contact Margie or someone on the hostess committee to help with food. Supper will be at 6:15 pm and the movie will begin at 7 pm in our sanctuary. Come see our new video projector in action!

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By Amy Tolbert
Sign up to purchase a PGBC T-shirt and give to the paint fund. The 100% cotton t-shirt costs $6.50 but any amount that you give over that will be put in the paint fund for near future use. The t-shirt was designed by the Whitehead children during Club VBS. The Sign up sheet is in the foyer this morning.

This Wednesday, August 1st children and youth are invited to the fellowship hall to enjoy popcorn and movie night. Kids bring a pillow and/or a blanket to sit on. We will be watching the first of the Adventures of the Sugar Creek Gang on the big screen! Come check it out and bring a friend.

Adults will be having regular prayer meeting at 6:45 pm for the last time this Wednesday, August 1st, and then the time will change back to 7:00 pm through the rest of the year unless otherwise noted in the Pleasant Times.

There will be a called conference to vote on some constitutional changes next Sunday, August 5th right after the 11:00 am service.

Children’s workers are invited to a light supper fellowship/meeting on August 12th right after the evening worship service from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. This event will be hosted by Pastor Jonathan and Amy at the Pastorium. This is for anyone who is currently or has been involved in any way with any children’s activities on Sundays or Wednesday this year. Please plan to come and enjoy some fellowship as well as a short meeting concerning upcoming Children’s ministry concerns and events. (RSVP by Wed. Aug 8th)

Please plan to attend our Meal and Conference 6:30 pm on Wed. August 15th. We need you there, we need your input! Please be in prayer for our upcoming Harvest Knights which begins August 22nd. Sign up sheets are in the foyer today.

Please take some time to check out the areas of service opportunities and see where you can participate. Expect a blessing from the Lord as you take time to get involved in this Family Ministry..

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By Pastor Jonathan 

Pleasant Grove Church body: What is happening in our midst? It is hard to track the unseen work of God in our church. So let’s highlight the “seen” work. In the children’s ministry I’d like to thank the hard work of Danny and Amie Trotter, Tamela Camp­bell, Teresa Seay, Amy Tolbert, Gail Lester, Rhonda Black, Margie Murray, the “nursery team,” Keith Tumlin, Matthew Lee, and Steve McLeroy. Because of you, children from our church and community are hearing a Biblical world view as well as the gospel of Christ in a fun atmosphere, Club VBS! Last Wednesday a handful of youth had a lively and challenging discussion on how truth applies to their life. Every Wednesday during Club VBS I am teaching a class for adults entitled “Knowing God”. The topic is very relevant and we would love for you to join us as we get to know our Creator in a deeper way!

We have given a new look and feel to the S.S. class formerly known as Pairs and Spares. With small group discussion as well as teaching time this new Connections class is taking a 13-week discovery with a new way of doing Sunday School. Our curriculum is called “The Contagious Community” and is helping to shape our view of what a church should and can be. Let me encourage you to be intentional about inviting folks to our Sunday school and worship service hour. Our God is active at our church—let’s be active in partnering with Him inside and outside of church life!

Let me also say to any man in the church—I would love to share a meal or cup of coffee, a recreational outing of your favorite sport or pastime, or just sit down at the office or your home for some good ol’ hang time. It brings me joy and encouragement to fellowship with Christian men, and I hope to do the same for you. Just give me the word, in person, by phone, or by email.

Thank you, church, for allowing me to serve with and alongside you for two full years now!”

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By Gail Lester

VBS Scripture: I will praise you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. I will bless you every day, and I will praise you forever. Psalms 145:1-2

The first line of our VBS Motto tell us to Praise Him! Last week we studied about One Amazing Creator! That is something to praise God about. What an amazing world God created for us to live in and enjoy.

The second line of our motto says to Trust Him! This week we studied about God as One Miraculous Provid­er! Why not read 2 Kings 4:1–7, 38–44, and learn for your­self what a miraculous provider is our God!

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By Gail Lester

The first night of Club-VBS was attended by 20 to 25 children and youth. The Snack Shack was jumpin’ for the first fifteen minutes as VBSers enjoyed a light snack before heading for the jungle.

Children, as well as adults will be focusing on a study of the One True God for the next five weeks. Pastor Jonathan is leading the adults in a study entitled Knowing God. Adults, you are encouraged to put Wednesday night back on your schedule and come out for this special study beginning at 6:45.

Also remember to pray for Club VBS workers and children for the next five weeks.

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By Amy Tolbert

Have you been wondering if VBS will happen this summer at PGBC? The answer is yes… and no! We will be having VBS, but like you've never seen it before!

It's called Club VBS, it's from LifeWay, and it's great! It is different in that we meet for Bible Study, Craft/ Recreation, and snack time, only on Wednesdays, only for a little over an hour, and only for five weeks.

Spring Out! closes this Wednesday with our church-wide softball game. Next Wednesday we will have Prayer meeting at the regular time, 7 p.m. Then, June 13th we will crank everything back up with Club VBS for kids ages 4 to 12, Youth meetings with Steve McElroy, and Adult Bible study and prayer with Pastor Jonathan.

The "Snack Shack" (a.k.a. the Fellowship Hall) will open up for the children and youth at 6:30 pm. for fifteen minutes, then at 6:45 pm ALL other Wednesday night activities will begin. Did you get that, folks? There will be a new meeting time of 6:45 p.m. instead of 7 p.m. for adult and children Bible studies on Wednesday evenings, starting June 13.

Here is your part:

• Pray for prep and planning process, for workers, and especially for the kids who will come.
• Grab a few flyers in the foyer and give them to your neighbor’s kids or your grand kids, cousins, nephews, nieces, etc…
• Pray about serving!

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By Gail Lester

David, Bobby, and James send many  thank-you’s to their friends at PGBC for the trunk load of gifts. Ramona Booth and I took  the items to the Appalachee DDM Home on Wednesday, and what a blessing we received!

Mrs. Butts (home parent, along with her husband) and the three residents gave us a warm welcome, as we enjoyed a time of fellowship together. David was excited over a card he had received in the mail and shared it with us. James shared pictures of his visit home with his parents. They had fished in the lake and he was proud of the really big fish he caught. Bobby wanted to be sure we saw their rooms before we left, and each was very happy to show off his room. Everyone helped unload and excitedly held up popular items. I think the Macaroni and Cheese Dinners and toothpaste were the most popular items.

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