October Highlights

Oct. 9—Deacons & Wives Meeting

Oct. 12—Called Business Meeting dur. service

Oct. 16—Hannah’s Haven Banquet

Oct. 19—Baptism

Oct. 23—Prime Time Senior Adults Trip

Oct. 26—Parent Commissioning; Parenting Seminar; Family Quarterly Business Meeting

Oct. 31—Trunk Or Treat

Get In The Game By Renewing Your Relationship To God

We’ve grown accustomed to hearing the purpose of a book in the Bible in the form of a question. Do you remember, “Wouldn’t be great if there was a book in the Bible that explained how we could be sure we are saved?” Collectively, we all say “1 John.” Or, “Wouldn’t it be great if there was a book in the Bible that would give us certainty about what Jesus said and did?” Again, our collective answer is “Luke.”

Now, “Wouldn’t it be great if there was a book in the Bible that helped us renew our relationship with God?” No one gets it right all the time. No one avoids seasonal drifting, periods of distraction, emotional distance, or even times of doubting. God addresses renewing our relationship with Him through an Old Testament prophet named Malachi.

Malachi’s name is fitting for a prophet; it means “messenger.” He was a messenger just before what we call the 400 years of silence or intertestamental period. He’s the last prophet before John the Baptist comes into the picture of God’s redemptive plan. The Israelites had grown complacent. Respect and reverence for God had been replaced with attention and affection for the things of this world. Families were being neglected, and God’s Word and Name were being dishonored.

God uses Malachi to hit 6 big areas to call us to renew our relationship with Him:

1) God’s Love (respond by loving Him)

2) God’s Name (respond by honoring Him)

3) God’s Design (respond by surrendering to Him)

4) God’s Patience (respond by obeying Him)

5) God’s Blessings (respond by giving to Him)

6) God’s Judgment (respond by turning to Him)

We could not return to Him without His help. He calls His people back to Himself. He never lets us go, and graciously leads us back to Himself when we are drifting.

Is this the time God is moving to bring revival to our nation again? At this point, only He knows that, but we can see the Spirit stirring. More people are open to the gospel than I’ve seen in a long time. More believers are opening up their Bibles to listen to God and to get to know Him better.

Almost always revival begins and spreads through prayer. God calls His people to pray, to seek His face, to turn from their sinful ways. As a church family, we are praying Gospel Prayers at 8 am and 8 pm for 5 minutes. I know so many who are seeking to live a life of prayer, and now, we are joined in unity asking God to lead more believers to share the gospel, more unbelievers to be ready to hear the gospel, and more believers to grow in the gospel.

Get in the game by praying, and get in the game by going. We want at least 400 people in October to bring a name of someone to the altar whom they’ve shared the gospel with. Pray for them, and leave their name in the basket for the staff to join you in prayer (Gospel Proclamation). Then in November, get in the game by teaching (Gospel Progress). We will be asking you to bring to the altar the name of someone you are involved with in a discipling relationship. Again, we are praying for 400 people involved in helping another person grow in faith. It’s time! Renew your relationship to God. Live a life of obedience. Be faithful, and He will take care of the fruitful.

Sept. 29—Oct. 5    Cliff Stewart

Oct. 6—12       Luke Earwood

Oct. 13—19     Noah Darnell

Oct. 20—26     Jimmy Jackson

Oct. 27—Nov. 2       Nathan Morrison

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

and your call will be returned as soon as possible.

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

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

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

Abby McCraw, Children’s Admin (acmmccraw@lawndalebaptist.org)

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

Dear Church Family:

It’s almost time for the annual Trunk or Treat event at Lawndale. Sign up to decorate a trunk, or you can simply come and enjoy candy, games, and community fun on October 31. Bring your family and invite your friends and neighbors. This is a great night to connect!

Abby Miller

Children’s Ministry Director

Upcoming Events for Next Gen, Family Equipping, Students and Children

• 10/8 8th Grade Parents Milestones Meeting at 6:45 pm, room 364
• 10/12 314 Middle and High School Student Discipleship at 4 pm in the Chapel
• 10/26 Parent Commissioning: Parents of little ones (babies-2s), be on the lookout for an email from Abby McCraw to sign up to participate in this special event. Parenting Seminar: Join us for a day focused on parenting as disciple-making! We'll kick things off with a worship service message on parenting, then a catered lunch followed by an encouraging seminar at 12:30 pm from Rodney and Donna. Childcare will be provided. Register online and note that registration closes on October 19.
• 10/31 Evangelism Encounter: Trunk or Treat—5-7 pm at LBC.

Sunday morning classes for children and students before worship service continue at 9:15 am. Join us on Wednesday nights at 6:15 pm. Preschool through grade 5 take part in Gopher Buddies or Olympians. Childcare is available for babies and toddlers. Register online. Fusion for middle school and high school students begins at 6:15 in the Chapel.

To get the most up-to-date information in your inbox, email Lori (weekly Student Ministry newsletter) or Abby McCraw (monthly Children's Ministry newsletter). The Sports Ministry newsletter section includes all of the upcoming athletic activities.

Hannah Blackmore, Sports Director, hrblackmore@lawndalebaptist.org

Pickleball—An organized pickup game will be October 14 from 6-8 pm in the CLC for any age and all ability levels. There is no registration or fee. Equipment is provided if needed! 

Play and Pray—Organized pickup basketball games will be in the CLC from 6-8 pm for ages 14 and up on the following Thursday nights: October 2, 9, 23, 30. There is no registration or fee.

Above the Rim—This K-12 youth basketball league runs from January through March at a cost of $100 per player. Registration will close on October 24 . We are in need of volunteer coaches! We will provide all the equipment and practice plans needed. If you are interested, please contact Hannah Blackmore for more info.

Dr. Curt Dean, Campus Pastor, cdean@lawndalebaptist.org

Dr. Zach McCraw, Discipleship & Next Gen Pastor, zemccraw@lawndalebaptist.org

Connect with the Church

Join us for Worship Service each Sunday at 10:30 am.

Next Baptism: October 19

Next Lord’s Supper: December 24

Learn the Bible

Check out our church Bible Reading Plan in the bulletin, weekly announcements email, or in the lobby. Join a Life Group each Sunday at 9:15 am. Lists are in the lobby.

Grow in Discipleship

Are you interested in being personally discipled? Reach out to a pastor for more information. Current Equipping classes are:

· Can a Man Rob God? A Case for Biblical Stewardship, Dr. Rodney Navey, Wednesdays at 6:15 pm in the CLC

· A King’s Heart: The Life of David, Russ Lantz & Dean Aggen, Sundays at 6 pm in the Fellowship Hall

· True Joy, The Journey of Trust, Dr. Donna Navey, Wednesdays at 9 am in the Chapel

· Jonah, Natalie Hicks & Teresa Hampson, Wednesdays at 6:15 pm in room 362.

Serve in Ministry

Are you interested in serving in ministry somewhere? Reach out to a pastor for more information.

Reach the Lost

Who’s Your One? We ask that you pray for, minister to, invite to church, and share the Gospel with at least one unsaved or unchurched person you know.

Next Evangelism Encounter: Trunk or Treat will be Friday, October 31 from 5-7 pm.

Cliff Stewart, Senior Adults Pastor (Interim), crstewart@lawndalebaptist.org

A word of encouragement: Such a Short Life: A Prayer of Moses – Psalm 90

God is not under the same time constraints as we are. “From everlasting to everlasting, He is God.” However, our days are numbered and fly by very quickly. Moses reminds us of this when he says, “The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and they fly away.” And then he prays to God for us: 1) Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. 2) Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. 3) Let your work be shown to your servants and your glorious power to their children. 4) Let the favor of the LORD our God be upon us and establish the work of our hands.

God will answer this prayer in His own way for each of us. Whatever the number of days He gives to you, give each one to Him. He knows what is best for you in the short time we must live here. But remember, our God is an everlasting God.When our last day is lived, we will fly away to him who is eternal and then our days will be eternal as well. May you be encouraged by this today.

A few events to look forward to:

• Wednesday Evening Bible Study meets at 6:15 pm each week in the CLC. It is an opportunity to study God's Word, pray together, and enjoy some good fellowship. The current topic is Biblical Stewardship.
• Men’s Ministry will meet at 4 pm on October 5 in the Fellowship Hall. The hour is designed to help us become men of God actively serving our Lord.
• Prime Time will be a bus trip departing at noon to Millstone Creek Orchards in Ramseur, NC on October 23. Activities available are fishing, picnicking, and visiting the gift shop. Seniors are advised to bring a snack or picnic lunch. Delicious apple cider slushies can be purchased in the apple barn. Seating is limited and reservations can be made through the church office (336-288-3824) by October 8. The cost is $10.

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 every Tuesday from 8:30-9:15 am or a group that meets in the Worship Center every Sunday at 8:40 am in room 232 to pray for the church gathering. 

Lilies of the Field clothing ministry—We are now accepting fall donations, especially hoodies and athletic wear, in 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. Contact Brenna (jeffandbrenna23@yahoo.com).

Life Chain—Sunday, October 5 from 2:30-3:30 pm. We will again be from North Elam St. to Carroll St. in front of Krispy Kreme. Join us as we stand for life and pray for those considering abortion, seeking healing after an abortion, and for escorts, clinicians, and others to leave this dark profession. We believe in God who shines light into darkness and who redeems and restores. Let’s pray together.

Operation Christmas Child Kickoff—Plan to make a major difference in a child's life through OCC. Kickoff is October 12 with a collection deadline of November 16. Pack one or more boxes. A display will be located at the south end of the lobby.

Trunk or Treat Community Outreach—October 31, 5-7 pm, LBC parking lot. For details or to volunteer, please visit the church registration page. Donations of “nut-free” candy will be accepted at the link stations in the lobby.

Assist in Processing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child—Lawndale volunteers will travel to Charlotte’s processing center December 1-3. 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 meals. Travel will be via mini bus. Register with Arvil Pennington (email only) at penningtonarvil6@gmail.com.

Feed the Hunger Packathon—Save the date for Sunday, November 23. Registration and more details will be available soon. All ages are invited to help us pack not 5,000, not 10,000, but 60,000 plus meals to local and global gospel partners providing for those at risk.

Live Nativity—Mark your calendars to bring friends and family to our live nativity on December 5 and 6!

Shepherd's Shelf food pantry—We are grateful for the continued support of our church members and Life Groups for the Shepherd's Shelf item of the month. Thank you! For the month of October, we're doing a repeat of an item from a few months ago—ingredients for nachos! This item of the month was very popular with our families.

Here's what is needed for the nacho fixings - 2 cans of chili with beans (15 oz, any brand), salsa, medium "heat" (24 oz, any brand, no hot salsa please), tortilla chips (at least a 13 oz bag, any brand, no Fritos please). We purchased the items for about $10 from Food Lion. The church will provide shredded cheese. Look for the items of the month flyer in your Life Group’s folder and on the donation table beside the church office. Any donation you are able to make is appreciated.

Shepherd's Shelf was excited to welcome several new volunteers in August and September. Please continue to pray about how you can help Shepherd's Shelf or other church ministries as a volunteer. Contact Linda Register if you are interested in volunteering for Shepherd's Shelf or want to visit one Tuesday. Experience in person how the Lord provides for this ministry and our community.

Lee Anne Wade, Women’s Director, lewade@lawndalebaptist.org

Ladies’ Wednesday Morning Study—Dr. Donna Navey teaches our fall study on “Joy” weekly at 9 am in the Chapel. Our MOMS class for young mothers joins the study and then moves to the Fellowship Hall at 10 am for an hour of discussion and discipleship with mentor moms.

Healing Hearts Widows Ministry: October 11, 10 am—All widows are warmly invited to join us in the Fellowship Hall for some fun and fellowship! Beverly Watkins will lead us in creating a beautiful cross keychain to take home and enjoy.

Women’s Ministry Meeting—We meet the first Sunday of each month at 4 pm in room 163. Ladies, join us October 5 for a focus on Gospel Proclamations. Our time together will include discussion, instruction, and prayer.

Women on Mission—Groups will start meeting again in October and then once each month at the same time and location. Please call Fran Brown at (336) 292-8508 if you’d like to know more. Hope to see you there!

· Joyful Missions Group—Tuesday, October 7 at 10 am in Room 234      

· Motivated by Grace Group—Tuesday, October 14 at 1 pm in Room 217     

· Faith In Action Group—Tuesday, October 21 at 6 pm in Room 217

Dr. Rodney Navey, Lead Pastor

Men’s Ministry Meeting—All men are invited on October 5 at 4 pm in the Fellowship Hall. October's focus is Gospel Proclamations. You will be encouraged and helped as we meet together for discussion, instruction, and prayer.

This coming month, as we begin studying through Malachi, we will be talking about renewing our relationship with God. As we read and study together, we will also be singing together about the God with whom we are to renew that relationship. We’ll sing of His love, His holiness, His grace, and His majesty. My prayer is that, as we sing together, the Spirit would move in and among us by the power of His Word and change Lawndale Baptist Church to love, worship, and glorify Him more. Soli Deo Gloria: to God alone be the glory!

It is not too late to join the choir and orchestra for Christmas! If you’re interested in getting involved, please reach out to me or Jasmine (jjkerr@lawndalebaptist.org). We would love to help you get plugged in to serve with us!

I look forward to worshiping together with you all this coming month!

Martha Stone, Weekday School Director, msstone@lawndalebaptist.org, 336.282.4177

Our new school year has gotten off to a great start. October will be filled with lots of fun fall activities. We look forward to a visit from our local fire department as we celebrate Fire Prevention Week. Fall photos will be made the week of October 13.

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

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

Men’s & Women’s Ministry Meetings—All women and men are invited October 5 at 4 pm (women in room 163 and men in the Fellowship Hall). October’s focus is Gospel Proclamations and will include discussion, instruction, and prayer.

Business Meetings—Sunday, October 12 there will be a brief, called business meeting during the 10:30 am Worship Service for the Constitution Committee to recommend changes to the Constitution and By-laws. Sunday, October 26 at 5 pm we will hold the Family Quarterly Business Meeting in the Worship Center and include a time for discussion about the proposed changes. Sunday, November 9 there will be a brief, called business meeting during the 10:30 am Worship Service for the purpose of voting (without discussion) on the recommended changes to the Constitution and By-laws.

Church Staffing Vote—The Personnel Committee and Pastors recommend that Reverend Cliff Stewart change from Interim Director of Senior Adult Ministries to Pastor of Senior Adults. The vote will be at the called business meeting November 9.

Operation Christmas Child Kickoff—Plan to make a major difference in a child's life through OCC. Kickoff is October 12 with a collection deadline of November 16. Pack one or more boxes. A display will be located at the south end of the lobby at the Chapel entrance. In 2024 over 11.9 million gift-filled boxes were distributed worldwide by Samaritan's Purse. Lawndale packed over 500 boxes last year.

Time to Order Christmas Poinsettias—Add beauty to the worship center and lobby for Christmas with a beautiful, large, red poinsettia in memory or honor of a loved one. Our plants are locally grown at Carolina Gardens and are $25 each. Flower envelopes are available at the information wall in the lobby and the church office. The deadline to order is November 21. Plants may be taken home after the Christmas Eve service or picked up the following week.

Assist with Processing Shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child—We plan to take a team to Charlotte December 1-3 to join thousands of volunteers in processing shoeboxes. Your only costs are for a basic hotel and meals. We will stay two nights and visit “Christmas at the Billy Graham Library.” Email Arvil Pennington (penningtonarvil6@gmail.com) if interested. 

In response to many of you asking for ways to give tithes and offerings, we want to offer these giving options to you:

• Drop box - Drop off tithes in the drop box at the church reception desk (weekdays) or in the lobby (Sundays)
• By mail - 3505 Lawndale Dr., Greensboro, NC 27408; ATTN: Financial Office
• Online - www.lawndalebaptist.org. Go to the Give tab under Lawndale Link.

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 ESV