October Highlights

Oct. 4-6—Students’ Fall Retreat to Caraway

Oct. 5—D-Life Ladies Fellowship Breakfast

Oct. 6—Called Business Meeting, 5pm

Oct. 10—Deacons’ & Wives’ Meeting

Oct. 20—Called Business Meeting, AM service

Oct. 20—Family Quarterly Business Meeting, 5pm

Oct. 25-26—NC Baptist Women’s Retreat

Oct. 27—Trunk or Treat Community Outreach

What is a Healthy Church?

A report on Guilford County indicates we have 372 religious bodies or groups. Most of these groups call themselves churches. If we consider what the Bible defines as a church, the number would narrow considerably to what are actual churches. Then, if we go a step further and look at what the Bible says about healthy churches, we would find a very small list.

The Bible uses the word church in two ways: 1) the church universal, which includes all those who have placed their faith in Christ regardless of time or location, 2) the church local, which includes persons who have placed their faith in Christ in a specific area and who meet together regularly.

In the Bible, God has given us a number of ways to better understand what the church is. I like the analogy of the family (1 Timothy 3:15); we are the household of God. We have brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, and children in the faith. We act like family and take care of each other like family. We should be known by those outside the church for our love for one another.

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a book in the Bible that taught us how to be and do church in a local setting? Well, two books in the Bible speak directly to God’s design for the local church, 1 Timothy and Titus. God sovereignly orchestrated the relationship between Paul and these two younger leaders. As they served in specific areas (Timothy in Ephesus and Titus in Crete), they needed instruction and help in how to lead God’s people. I’m grateful God gave us a book that contains two letters to equip us to do His work as a church (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

For October and November of 2024, our church family at Lawndale will mine the treasures of the letter to Titus. When God speaks, He speaks truth, reliable, never out-of-date truth. We have the privilege of studying the very words of God, His thoughts and will for His people. I think we’ll see, “How to Grow a Healthy Church” as we spend time in Titus.

Listen and watch for two important phrases to pop up: sound doctrine and good works. How instructive for God’s people and what great components of bringing us together in unity! What we teach and how we live are both extremely important.

We’ll operate from this general outline:

- Leadership for a Healthy Church, Titus 1

- Discipleship for a Healthy Church, Titus 2

- Citizenship for a Healthy Church, Titus 3

It’s hard to pick one memory text from the letter, but let’s go with Titus 3:14, “And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.” Our God is good, and His children should be growing in good works. We were recreated to do them. We get to share in God’s joy by enjoying Him and the work He has given us.

I’m thankful I have the privilege of opening up God’s Word with you, our family at Lawndale. Through His Word, He speaks to all generations at the same time. He speaks to both genders at the same time. As we gather together each week, our joy will grow and the health of our church will grow through the study of His Word, particularly the study of Titus!

Sept. 30-Oct. 6, Dr. Jon Boling

Oct. 7-13, Barry Owen

Oct. 14-20, Zach McCraw

Oct. 21-27, Kyle Earwood

Oct. 28-Nov. 3, Jimmy Jackson

  If no one answers immediately, please leave a message with a contact number

and your call will be returned as soon as possible.

Zach McCraw, Next Gen & Student Pastor (zemccraw@lawndalebaptist.org)

Kyle Earwood, Family Pastor (dkearwood@lawndalebaptist.org)

Abby Miller, Children’s Director  (acmiller@lawndalebaptist.org) 

Abby LaMachio, Children & Special Needs Assistant Director (anlamachio@lawndalebaptist.org)

Kelly Larrimore, Children’s Admin (kjlarrimore@lawndalebaptist.org)

Lori Eanes, Students, College, and Young Adults Admin (ljeanes@lawndalebaptist.org)

Hannah Blackmore, Sports Director (hrblackmore@lawndalebaptist.org)

To get our most up-to-date, email newsletters please contact the appropriate admin to be added. (Students – Lori Eanes, Children – Kelly Larrimore)

Monthly Emphasis: Trunk or Treat

Join us for our annual Trunk or Treat Sunday, 10/27. We need people to help with trunks, concessions, parking lot, and more. Contact Nathan Morrison for more information.

Next Gen & Family Equipping Events: 

10/4-6. LSM Fall Retreat to Camp Caraway

10/13. Marriage Conference

10/20. Milestones – Parents of 4^th Graders

10/27. Trunk or Treat

Above the Rim: Registration opens October 1 for our 2025 winter basketball season for K-12! Registration closes at midnight November 3. We will run an 8-game season with practices beginning January 13 and our last weekend of games being March 14/15. If you are interested in coaching, please contact Hannah Blackmore at hrblackmore@lawndalebaptist.org. We would love to have your family be a part of this upcoming season!

Pickleball: Join us October 3, from 5:30-8:30pm in the CLC for organized pick-up games. This is for any age and all ability levels! 

We are super excited how God is using the College Ministry both on and off the local college campus. We are thankful for the weekly times of evangelism that are taking place at UNCG as well as the Bible studies both on and off campus! We are expectant to see how God continues to bring new people to the ministry and how we can continue to grow as a ministry! Be praying for us as we continue to Share the Truth in Love!

Weekly Sunday Meetings: 

- 9:45 am - Worship Service 

- 11 am - Life Journey Group (House C) 

- 5 pm (House C) - Home Group



Weekly Bible Studies:

- Tuesdays @ 7 pm - Off Campus Bible Studies - House C

- Wednesdays @ 7pm - On Campus at UNCG - EUC Birch

Save the Date:

- Hayride and Bonfire Event with Kingdom First- Oct 13- Browns Summit

- 2025 College Retreat - February 14-16

If you are not signed up for Remind, text @lc27408 to 81010 to receive information via text from Lawndale College about upcoming events, reminders, & last minute changes.

Check out our Instagram and Facebook posts on social media for upcoming events, or text @lya2024 to 81010 to receive text updates! Join us in Fellowship Hall on Sundays on the first floor of the church for our weekly Life Journey Group, starting after service at 11 am.

Upcoming Lawndale Young Adults events:

• October 19 - Bonfire Night
• November 23 - Friendsgiving
• December 14 - Christmas Party 

Ongoing:

Ladies' Bible Studies—Thursdays at 6:30pm. "Emotions and the Heart" - We have one study that meets in room 310, and one that meets in a rotating High Point location. Contact Brooke at brookelamachio12@gmail.com.

Guys' Bible Studies—Tuesdays at 6:30pm in room 310 with David, and Wednesdays at 6:30pm in room 312 with Nathan. Contact David for more information at davidpholtz@gmail.com.

Lawndale Deacons—Join us as we meet back in the Christian Life Center on Thursday, October 10 at 6pm. You will enjoy a great meal, great fellowship and you will get a chance to pray for our church and families. Don’t forget to bring your Shepherding Report for the month of September. Please RSVP to Beverly (bjblack@lawndalebaptist.org).

Here at Lawndale, one of our Core Values is a Discipleship Culture. We believe strongly in Jesus’ command to make disciples. (Matt 28:19 & 20) Each year we bring back Bill & Rondie Wilks who are the authors and lead trainers for D-Life. Check out these three opportunities to connect and hear more about D-Life (register ASAP):

1. D-Life Ladies Fellowship Breakfast—Saturday, October 5 in the Christian Life Center, $5, register online. Special Speaker: Rondie Wilks-D-Life trainer.
2. D-Life Bootcamp Training—Saturday, October 5 at Integrity Church, Burlington, NC 9am-1pm (registration is open at 8:30am). Cost is $15 (this fee is waived if you attend from Lawndale: click apply discount at checkout and enter the code “LAWNDALE”).
3. D-Life Bootcamp Training—Sunday, October 6 at Central Baptist Church from 4:00-7:30pm. Dinner is included. Cost is $15 (this fee is waived if you attend from Lawndale: click apply discount at checkout and enter the code “LAWNDALE”).

Are you in a Life Journey Group? We have LJG’s for every age and stage of life, especially for Senior Adults. If you are not in an LJG please pray about this and contact me or Pastor Barry Owen for more information and an introduction into just the right class for you. Small group ministry is at the heart of discipleship and there is no better small group than a Life Journey Group (Sunday School).

There is still time to join the Voices of Experience, our amazing Senior Adult Choir. We are preparing “He Shall Reign Forevermore” for Sunday, December 8. The choir is growing in spirit and number – so come enjoy the musical fellowship available for you.

Looking Ahead:

• November Prime Time Luncheon – Thursday, 11.21.24 This is our annual Thanksgiving Potluck Feast – The church will provide the smoked ham, rolls, beverages and dessert – and YOU are asked to bring your best side dish. The program for the day will be a Thanksgiving Sing Along led by yours truly. Come and enjoy thanksgiving here first!
• December 8 – Sunday evening at 5pm – “He Shall Reign Forevermore” presented by our Voices of Experience, accompanied by a full orchestra. This music is so beautiful! Put this on your calendar and invite a friend.

Prayer Meetings – It's often easier to keep "doing" instead of stopping to pray. Praying with other believers is like food for the soul. If you can, join us for a revival-focused prayer group, which meets in the Worship Center on Tuesdays from 8:30-9:15am, or a group that meets in the Worship Center on Sundays from 8-8:15am to pray for the church gathering. 

Lilies of the Field clothing ministry – Now accepting fall donations, especially hoodies, athletic wear, and all sizes for kids and adults. Donation bins are located on the back deck of House B. Please keep donation bags under 20 lbs. Volunteer opportunities are available. Please contact Brenna at jeffandbrenna23@yahoo.com.

Pray on the Way – Pray for local missionaries this month:

Audrey Womack, Piedmont International Fellowship -

· Friendships with students that lead to gospel conversations and salvation.

· Upcoming mountain trip with students Oct. 18-20.

· Continued funds and support to the ministry of PIF.

If you are Interested in volunteering, please email Audrey at awomack2@triad.rr.com.

Tom Pless and Volunteers, English as a Second Language -

· Thank God for the six volunteers who went through the recent training!

· Ask God for opportunities to share life with students to point them to Him.

· Ask God to help students learn well and to help the teachers teach well.

Prayer Chain—The Life Chain across the United States is on October 6 from 2:30-3:30pm in front of Krispy Kreme on Battleground. We ask that you do not park in the shopping center. Please find parking on one of the side streets nearby. We’ll provide signage with prayer prompts on the back. We are excited about how God can use the Greensboro Life Chain to impact the minds and hearts of many people.

Live Nativity—Mark your calendars to bring friends and family to our live nativity on December 6 and 7!

Trunk or Treat Community Outreach—October 27 from 4-7pm - LBC parking lot. For details or to volunteer, please visit the church registration page or link station. Donations of “nut-free” candy will be accepted at link stations in the lobby.

Feeding the 5000— Tuesday, November 26, 5:45-8:00am. LBC lower parking lot. Through this event, our church family enjoys packing food boxes together in a display of intergenerational ministry. We also seek to bless the materially poor in our community who may benefit from Thanksgiving food assistance. This year, we are encouraged to donate $25 to help cover the turkey purchase and to participate in the weekly food drives (see below). Donations will be collected in the main lobby (please place items in designated bins). The goal is to pack 1,000 boxes, with each box feeding a household of 5 people.

Feeding the 5000 Collection Schedule:

Oct 20 | $25 for Turkeys (giving envelopes available Oct. 13)

Oct 27 | Hungry Jack Instant Mashed Potatoes (26 oz)

Nov 3  | Hanover Cut Green Beans (50 oz)

Nov 10 | Stove Top Stuffing for Turkey (6 oz)

Nov 17 | Jellied Cranberry Sauce (14 oz)

Packing Day in the CLC is on Sunday, November 24 from 1:30-3:30pm (or until we are finished). 

Operation Christmas Child Kickoff—October 20. Plan to make a major difference in a child's life though OCC. Kickoff is October 20 with collection deadline of November 17. Pack one or more boxes. A display will be located at the south end of the lobby. In 2023, over 11 million gift-filled boxes were distributed worldwide by Samaritan's Purse. 

Assist in Processing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child—A Lawndale team will travel to Charlotte’s processing center December 1-4. The team will visit the Billy Graham Library at Christmas one evening with no admission cost. Your cost will only be a basic hotel and your meals. Travel will be via church mini bus. Register with Arvil Pennington by email only at penningtonarvil6@gmail.com.

We are in full swing with 155 children enrolled and 21 staff members. Our Fall Book Fair, hosted by I:55 Book Fairs, will be held October 14-18. All proceeds will help to supplement our educational programs and add more books to our school library. 

Relink your Harris Teeter VIC card. Tell the cashier at checkout that you would like to link your card with Lawndale Baptist Preschool. Our account # is 5101. Harris Teeter will make a contribution to our school for every H.T. product you purchase.  

Our blessings come from above through wonderful people like you. Thank you for your prayers and continued support. 

John 4:35-36 Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, then comes the harvest'? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together.

Lawndale Ladies, 

I always think of October as the beginning of the holidays. That is probably because I love to put out my fall decorations and start planning our family festivities for the season. It is also the time of year when we have different ways to invite neighbors and friends to the various activities at church. John 4:35 is just as true today as it was when Jesus first spoke these words, "the fields are white for harvest." Take advantage of the opportunities that will be available during the next few months to bring someone with you to experience our Lawndale family.  Blessings! - Donna 

NC Baptist Women's Retreat- There are still openings to attend the NC Baptist Women's Retreat October 25-26 as a commuter. The commuter fee ($100) includes all program fees and materials, Friday night dinner, and Saturday breakfast and lunch. Register online and call the church office if you are interested in carpooling with other ladies from Lawndale.

Live Nativity - This year’s live nativity will take place on the evenings of December 6 and 7. Two separate online registrations open on Oct. 6 for many volunteer opportunities. One registration is for actor auditions on Oct. 20. The other registration is for all other volunteer positions. See how you can become a part of this wonderful community outreach!

WWW - Weekly Women in the Word (WWW) meets each Wednesday from 9-10am in the Chapel. This semester, we are studying the book of Ephesians and new participants are welcome to join at any time. There is no registration, and study materials are provided each week.

Women on Mission starts again in October and we welcome all ladies to join us! If you’d like to know more about these activities or the new evening group starting later in October, please call Fran Brown at (336) 292-8508.

• Tuesday, October 1, Joyful Missions Group meets at 10am in room 234. We will learn how Piedmont International Fellowship makes a difference in lives of international students in Greensboro. We’re giving them toboggans and gloves for winter.
• Tuesday, October 8, Motivated by Grace Group meets at 2pm in room 216. We will learn how IMB missionaries make a difference in lives of people in Paris.  We’re providing Kleenex and Clorox wipes for Joyner School.

D-Life Ladies Fellowship Breakfast—Saturday, October 5 in the Christian Life Center, $5, register online. Special Speaker: Rondie Wilks-D-Life trainer.

The Healing Hearts of Lawndale monthly meeting will be on Saturday, October 12. We will meet at 10am in the Fellowship Hall. Tammy Nix, Christian Comedian, will be entertaining us! Ms. Nix is the Aunt of the late Sgt. Dale Nix, Greensboro Police Department. Don’t miss this blessing! ALL widows are warmly invited to attend! Please join us for a great time of fellowship.

Please join us for a Men’s Ministry Breakfast on Saturday, October 26 from 8-10am in the CLC. Our goal is to help men fellowship together around the Word and grow in community with one another through equipping them to be disciple-makers at home and around the world. Registration opens Oct. 1 online and the cost is $7.

Hello Lawndale Family! With Christmas just around the corner, the choir has kicked Christmas rehearsals into full gear! There is still time to get involved if you or someone you know is interested. Choir rehearsals are 6:15 – 7:30pm on Wednesday evenings, with Christmas music rehearsal right at the beginning, and Sunday music rehearsal immediately following. The choir is a great place for people of all levels of musical experience and interests to serve in their giftedness. If you have any questions, please email Noah at nvdarnell@lawndalebaptist.org.

Business Meetings—Sunday, October 6, at 5:00pm, for the purpose of discussing (Q&A) the recommended changes to both the Constitution and By-laws, and then to vote on the recommended changes to the Constitution.  Sunday, October 20, during the morning worship service, for the purpose of voting (without discussion) on the recommended changes to the By-laws. Sunday, October 20, Family Quarterly Business Meeting during the 5:00pm worship service.

5:00pm Wednesday Night Meals (in the CLC). Register online or by calling the office. Cost: $7/Adult - Hot Meal OR Salad Bar; $5/Children (5 and under eat FREE) Hot Meal OR Kid’s Meal. Menus for this month (hot meal + dessert): Oct. 2—Greek Chicken, Rice and Broccoli; Oct. 9—Beef Tips over Rice and Green Beans; Oct. 16—Southwest Chicken, Rice and Black Beans; Oct. 23—Hamburgers and fixins, Baked Beans and Potato Salad; Oct. 30—Baked Spaghetti, Garden Salad & Garlic Bread.

Christmas Poinsettias—Order large red Poinsettias to add beauty to the Worship Center beginning in October. Plants are $20 each. Flower envelopes are located at the resource wall in the main lobby and from church receptionist. The deadline to order is November 25. Plants may be taken home on Christmas Eve. 

Enjoy a Spring Trip to Pennsylvania Amish Area—Arvil Pennington is coordinating an April 7-11, 2025 motorcoach trip to see a “Sight and Sound Production of Noah”. One of the days, we will have a guided tour of Philadelphia. Our four nights will be in the same hotel. Four breakfasts and four dinners are included. Cost: $886 ea., double room. Deposit of $100 is due Dec. 1. There is an informational meeting on Oct. 21 at 7:00pm in room 263 (café). If you have questions, email:  penningtonarvil6@gmail.com.

Feeding the 5000—November 26. This event will again be a parking lot drive-through event. This year, we are encouraged to donate $25 to help cover the turkey purchase and to participate in the weekly food drives. See the “Outreach & Local Missions Section” of this newsletter for the collection schedule and detailed list of items needed to pack the boxes. Thank you for your support of this important community outreach!

I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

—1 Corinthians 9:27