Nathan Stam
Children/Communications Pastor
Recently, we've been reading through the Book of Exodus and have come upon Chapters 25 and 26 where God instructs Israel in the construction of His Dwelling Place: the Tabernacle. The instructions for everything--framing, the lampstand, the altar, the curtains--are quite specific and complicated, and I found myself chuckling whenever God mentions that a skilled worker or craftsman should be involved with the process. These tasks were not for any ordinary Israelite.
Why do I find this interesting?
I'm not a handyman. I can only shake my head when I read the details involved in constructing the crossbars of acacia wood. Here's the extent of my handiness: I can change light bulbs. I can put in new batteries (generally). Occasionally, I've been known to wield a drill and use a stud finder (although not very accurately). It's one of my great regrets in life and I wish I had the time to go into the great 2008 walk-in-shower-renovation-debacle at the Stam House for your entertainment, but I don't. Suffice it to say, whenever we've bought a new bookshelf I struggle to follow even the simplest instructions when I am well aware that there are some in my family who could go outside in the woods, chop down a few trees, and make a beautiful bookshelf from scratch in the time it takes me to get all the pieces out of the box and get them organized.
I'm sure there were probably Israelites like me. They could gather manna, they could wander, they for sure could do some complaining, and maybe were decent swinging a sword fighting against all those "'-ites" they ran into, but when it came to crafting God's dwelling place with man, He wanted the very best. And the call went out for a skilled craftsman. The neat thing to me as I think about it, is that God was the giver of that particular skill. He was the source of the talent in their craft. He had prepared them in advance for the work that He knew they would do, and He knew they would do it well. And they did! The Tabernacle was beautiful!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Operation Inasmuch Promo Video
Check out our first promo video for Operation Inasmuch and feel free to share it to spread the news! Let's make a difference in our community loving people for Jesus!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
March 10 Operation Inasmuch Update
Chuck Thompson
Youth/Missions Pastor
Good News!!!
Jesse Davis' Life Group will be serving the Hand of Hope Pregnancy Resource Center doing some landscaping work for the ministry and sharing a meal with some of the Center's clients.
Tim Shaw's Life Group will be doing a block party cook out and games as they serve our neighbors down Chatham Street at Lake Ridge Apartments.
Charles McLaurin (362-6358) will evaluate and assess various home repair needs and make recommendations to solve them.
Our Operation Inasmuch sign ups are ready to go so groups and individuals can begin registering!
Margaret Lawrence (303-1234) will be point person for Brookridge Nursing Home (formerly "Atwater).
June Thompson (362-6526) will help anchor our letter writing to soldiers.
Projects For You Or Your Life Group To Consider:
Clients from the Western Wake Crisis Ministry are and will be submitting requests for minor home repairs, yard work, some light automotive work and more. Contact Chuck to check these out.
Thrift N Gift -- 1381 SE Maynard Road, Cary
Ministry of ABC Members, George and Nicolette King (623-9131)
Let's help these folks get this new non-profit ministry off to a great start! There are lots of ways to serve in this project!
Durham Rescue Mission
Men's Campus: 1201 E. Main St., Durham
Contact Joe Stroup (417-1641)
Clean up flower beds around the men's campus (would need to bring your own hand tools) and putting down 12 to 15 bales of pine straw and Preen to control weeds. Could plant pansies--3 trays of 36 each. Possible cookout or other meal for supper (60-70 people) -- maybe even have a hymn sing and testimony time with their Victory Choir.
Women and Children's Campus: 507 E. Knox St. Durham
Strip and wax tile floors in medical clinic (5 rooms), daycare (5 rooms), classroom (one LARGE room) at Good Samaritan Inn (would need to bring equipment and supplies). Clean windows on the outside, first floor at Good Samaritan Inn. Organize a "Fun Time" from 1:00-3:00 for children at Good Samaritan Inn (moon walk, cotton candy, Bible story, etc.). We have a moveable basketball goal that could be used.
Durham Rescue Mission Thrift Stores
Durham Rescue Mission Bargain Center, 10701 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh
Resource Treasure Thrift Shop, 3220 Hwy 55 South, Durham
Work at the thrift stores to sort donations.
Other Hot Needs:
We need some point people to "shepherd" some of the above and various other projects like nursing home ministry sites. This includes making sure that we have your team's t-shirt sizes, the number desiring breakfast, the number desiring lunch, insuring transportation to/from your project, some digital photos and a simple evaluation of the project. Contact Mark or Mary Cantrell if you're interested or to submit other potential projects.
Youth/Missions Pastor
Good News!!!
Jesse Davis' Life Group will be serving the Hand of Hope Pregnancy Resource Center doing some landscaping work for the ministry and sharing a meal with some of the Center's clients.
Tim Shaw's Life Group will be doing a block party cook out and games as they serve our neighbors down Chatham Street at Lake Ridge Apartments.
Charles McLaurin (362-6358) will evaluate and assess various home repair needs and make recommendations to solve them.
Our Operation Inasmuch sign ups are ready to go so groups and individuals can begin registering!
Margaret Lawrence (303-1234) will be point person for Brookridge Nursing Home (formerly "Atwater).
June Thompson (362-6526) will help anchor our letter writing to soldiers.
Projects For You Or Your Life Group To Consider:
Clients from the Western Wake Crisis Ministry are and will be submitting requests for minor home repairs, yard work, some light automotive work and more. Contact Chuck to check these out.
Thrift N Gift -- 1381 SE Maynard Road, Cary
Ministry of ABC Members, George and Nicolette King (623-9131)
Let's help these folks get this new non-profit ministry off to a great start! There are lots of ways to serve in this project!
Durham Rescue Mission
Men's Campus: 1201 E. Main St., Durham
Contact Joe Stroup (417-1641)
Clean up flower beds around the men's campus (would need to bring your own hand tools) and putting down 12 to 15 bales of pine straw and Preen to control weeds. Could plant pansies--3 trays of 36 each. Possible cookout or other meal for supper (60-70 people) -- maybe even have a hymn sing and testimony time with their Victory Choir.
Women and Children's Campus: 507 E. Knox St. Durham
Strip and wax tile floors in medical clinic (5 rooms), daycare (5 rooms), classroom (one LARGE room) at Good Samaritan Inn (would need to bring equipment and supplies). Clean windows on the outside, first floor at Good Samaritan Inn. Organize a "Fun Time" from 1:00-3:00 for children at Good Samaritan Inn (moon walk, cotton candy, Bible story, etc.). We have a moveable basketball goal that could be used.
Durham Rescue Mission Thrift Stores
Durham Rescue Mission Bargain Center, 10701 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh
Resource Treasure Thrift Shop, 3220 Hwy 55 South, Durham
Work at the thrift stores to sort donations.
Other Hot Needs:
We need some point people to "shepherd" some of the above and various other projects like nursing home ministry sites. This includes making sure that we have your team's t-shirt sizes, the number desiring breakfast, the number desiring lunch, insuring transportation to/from your project, some digital photos and a simple evaluation of the project. Contact Mark or Mary Cantrell if you're interested or to submit other potential projects.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Romans Bible Study
Make sure to check out our new Romans Bible Study that begins this Sunday evening, March 6. It will be a seven week study and will run from 5:30-6:45 PM in Room 206. Childcare is provided through AWANA. Contact Peter with any questions and check out the promo video below:
Romans Promo Video from Nathan Stam on Vimeo.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Operation Inasmuch "Thank Yous"
Chuck Thompson
Missions/Youth Pastor
Check out some of these thank you notes from our previous Operation Inasmuch projects:
Missions/Youth Pastor
Check out some of these thank you notes from our previous Operation Inasmuch projects:
"I wanted to say thank you to you and your church members for the outreach ministry that was performed here at Cary Health and Rehab Nursing Home . . . The impact that it had upon the people that live here was very moving . . . It was a blessing to see [you] compassionately interacting with the residents of our facility." (Alicia, Activities Director, Cary Health and Rehab)
"I wanted to let you know how much I appreciated all of the help you gave me . . . It really gave me a boost! I had been feeling so overwhelmed by everything that needed to be done . . . Please convey my heartfelt thanks to all who helped!" (Cindy, Apex Resident)
"For the compassion and love you showered on my daughter, Andrea, who lives in Apex, you can't imagine how surprised and touched she was by your generosity . . . When she called me and told me what you had done, my eyes swelled with tears of appreciation . . . Thank you!" (Alice, Apex Resident)You can make a difference in our community on April 9! Click here to read more about Operation Inasmuch or click here to sign up for a project today!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Operation Inasmuch
Chuck Thompson
Missions/Youth Pastor
WHAT EXACTLY IS OPERATION INASMUCH?
It is one day filled with missions projects where we as a church will serve some of the needy residents and "the least of these" in our community (Matthew 25:40). The message on the back of our Inasmuch t-shirts is "The Church has Left the Building," and that's what we do to share the love of Jesus in some practical ways. We've done a few of these in the past and it's time to do it again. Our next Operation Inasmuch will be on Saturday, April 9, so get ready to serve again!
HOW CAN YOU, YOUR FAMILY, OR YOUR LIFE GROUP GET INVOLVED?
The first step is to prayerfully ask Jesus to open your eyes and help you see this community as His compassionate eyes see it. What needs do you see that you and others can meet? Are there home repair projects, yard cleanup projects, painting projects we could do? Where do you see people who need the Gospel, encouragement, prayer or a friendly visit? If you're having trouble coming up with a project, would you drop by a nursing care facility or other organization to ask them how you could help?
When you have an idea on your heart share it with your Life Group to see if it's a project your Life Group would like to develop. If no one bites on it, or has another project lined up, share your idea with an Operation Inasmuch Lead Team Member, and we'll help promote your idea to others. Previously, we have had Operation Inasmuch folks who participated with home repair and yard work jobs. This was some of our best ministry for those whom we ministered to as well as our church members. The Western Wake Crisis Ministry will channel a few projects to us, but we have the manpower to handle more. If you see the need, make us aware of it, but let's try to focus our attention on the "least of these" in our community.
Yes, we have $$$ budget for projects, and it will be given out on a first come, first serve basis. Contact me to submit your requests.
Below are some ideas to stimulate thoughts for projects:
T-Shirts
We'd like to give everyone an Operation Inasmuch t-shirt, but only if we have your name and size(s) by Sunday, April 3. We can go as small as a Child's 6-8 and as large as an Adult XXXL (the shirts run a little large). The best way to give us your size is on the Operation Inasmuch sign-up sheet, but you can also send it to us by emailing Betty Coleman or calling 362-6276 (ext. 222). OR, if you are doing a Life Group project, submit your whole list of participants and their sizes to Betty. If you already have a t-shirt please wear it on April 9.
Food for the Operation Inasmuch Participants
We will be serving all participants a free country breakfast at 7:30 AM on April 9. We'll pray and head out by 9:00 AM. We will also be providing a sandwich lunch beginning at 11:45 AM (bag lunches for takeouts will also be available). If you and your family/Life Group would like to participate in either or both of these meals, please contact Betty by no later than Monday, April 4 to place your reservations. We'll also have these meal sign up sheets passed around through our Life Groups.
Operation Inasmuch Sign-Ups
We'll have several Operation Inasmuch project-specific sign-up sheets posted on bulletin boards in the Sanctuary hallway on March 12. You may pick up a general sign-up sheet from the info rack this weekend or download an updated one from the church website next week. When completed, please return it to the Church Office.
Please continue to pray for this outreach ministry and encourage others to get on board with you. Next week we'll post some of the different ministry contact people so you can contact them with your ideas, questions, or concerns. April 9 will be a huge day for you, your family, for Apex Baptist Church, and for the Apex community! Get involved now!
Missions/Youth Pastor
"Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these my brothers, you have done it unto me."
Matthew 25:40
WHAT EXACTLY IS OPERATION INASMUCH?
It is one day filled with missions projects where we as a church will serve some of the needy residents and "the least of these" in our community (Matthew 25:40). The message on the back of our Inasmuch t-shirts is "The Church has Left the Building," and that's what we do to share the love of Jesus in some practical ways. We've done a few of these in the past and it's time to do it again. Our next Operation Inasmuch will be on Saturday, April 9, so get ready to serve again!
HOW CAN YOU, YOUR FAMILY, OR YOUR LIFE GROUP GET INVOLVED?
The first step is to prayerfully ask Jesus to open your eyes and help you see this community as His compassionate eyes see it. What needs do you see that you and others can meet? Are there home repair projects, yard cleanup projects, painting projects we could do? Where do you see people who need the Gospel, encouragement, prayer or a friendly visit? If you're having trouble coming up with a project, would you drop by a nursing care facility or other organization to ask them how you could help?
When you have an idea on your heart share it with your Life Group to see if it's a project your Life Group would like to develop. If no one bites on it, or has another project lined up, share your idea with an Operation Inasmuch Lead Team Member, and we'll help promote your idea to others. Previously, we have had Operation Inasmuch folks who participated with home repair and yard work jobs. This was some of our best ministry for those whom we ministered to as well as our church members. The Western Wake Crisis Ministry will channel a few projects to us, but we have the manpower to handle more. If you see the need, make us aware of it, but let's try to focus our attention on the "least of these" in our community.
Yes, we have $$$ budget for projects, and it will be given out on a first come, first serve basis. Contact me to submit your requests.
Below are some ideas to stimulate thoughts for projects:
- Can you or someone in your Life Group sing or play an instrument? How about visiting a nursing home? You could do a short music program. Maybe take some requests. Share a short devotion. Pray with some of the residents. Paint some fingernails. Write letters for them. Visit with those who rarely are visited.
- Could you prepare bud vases, or some type of potted flowers for our teams to give to those with whom we minister?
- Could you donate rolls of quarters for our teams to use as we serve people at area laundromats?
- Could you donate some bags of balloons that we'll use to make balloon animals, flowers, etc. for children?
- Could you serve as a captain for an area of ministry like a free car wash ministry, a yard work crew, a nursing home team or home repair team?
- Could you help prepare food for Saturday's breakfast or lunch?
- Could you fold and label Operation Inasmuch t-shirts?
- Could you donate some Bibles for homeless people?
- Could you help pray for Operation Inasmuch workers that day, do some prayer-walking, maybe make some house calls to pray for needs?
- Could you offer some help with an Operation Inasmuch Bulletin Board?
T-Shirts
We'd like to give everyone an Operation Inasmuch t-shirt, but only if we have your name and size(s) by Sunday, April 3. We can go as small as a Child's 6-8 and as large as an Adult XXXL (the shirts run a little large). The best way to give us your size is on the Operation Inasmuch sign-up sheet, but you can also send it to us by emailing Betty Coleman or calling 362-6276 (ext. 222). OR, if you are doing a Life Group project, submit your whole list of participants and their sizes to Betty. If you already have a t-shirt please wear it on April 9.
Food for the Operation Inasmuch Participants
We will be serving all participants a free country breakfast at 7:30 AM on April 9. We'll pray and head out by 9:00 AM. We will also be providing a sandwich lunch beginning at 11:45 AM (bag lunches for takeouts will also be available). If you and your family/Life Group would like to participate in either or both of these meals, please contact Betty by no later than Monday, April 4 to place your reservations. We'll also have these meal sign up sheets passed around through our Life Groups.
Operation Inasmuch Sign-Ups
We'll have several Operation Inasmuch project-specific sign-up sheets posted on bulletin boards in the Sanctuary hallway on March 12. You may pick up a general sign-up sheet from the info rack this weekend or download an updated one from the church website next week. When completed, please return it to the Church Office.
Please continue to pray for this outreach ministry and encourage others to get on board with you. Next week we'll post some of the different ministry contact people so you can contact them with your ideas, questions, or concerns. April 9 will be a huge day for you, your family, for Apex Baptist Church, and for the Apex community! Get involved now!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Out of God's Reach?
Nathan Stam
Children/Communications Pastor
If you missed Pastor Tim's sermon on Saul's conversion from Acts 9 this past Sunday you can listen to it right here, but we also wanted to make available to you the action plan for becoming an Encourager/Discipler that was passed out on Sunday morning in case you weren't able to grab a copy. Here it is:
1. Step One: Finding Someone to Help
Discipling someone is an important responsibility and one that I would never undertake in my own strength. Therefore, I commit to take the following actions in preparation for this assignment:
Helping someone will require that I spend time with that person. Depending on the person's schedule, I would be able to set aside one or more of the following times:
Although simply developing a relationship with someone will be helpful, I will also need to take some specific actions that will help that person grow. I would feel comfortable doing one or more of the following as needed:
What else do I sense God telling me to do as I make plans to be an Encourager/Discipler?
Children/Communications Pastor
If you missed Pastor Tim's sermon on Saul's conversion from Acts 9 this past Sunday you can listen to it right here, but we also wanted to make available to you the action plan for becoming an Encourager/Discipler that was passed out on Sunday morning in case you weren't able to grab a copy. Here it is:
1. Step One: Finding Someone to Help
- I already know who I will help. That person's name is: __________.
- I know someone I hope to lead to Christ. Then I will disciple that new Christian. The person's name is: __________.
- I will pray that God will bring someone into my life very soon. I commit to be watching for that person and to begin cultivating a relationship as soon as I find that person.
Discipling someone is an important responsibility and one that I would never undertake in my own strength. Therefore, I commit to take the following actions in preparation for this assignment:
- Spend time in prayer each day
- Study God's Word each day
- Attend training that will help me share the Gospel and better understand discipleship
Helping someone will require that I spend time with that person. Depending on the person's schedule, I would be able to set aside one or more of the following times:
- Early morning prayer time one day a week
- Breakfast one day a week
- Lunch one day a week
- One evening a week
- One evening a month
- An hour or two on Saturday or Sunday each week
Although simply developing a relationship with someone will be helpful, I will also need to take some specific actions that will help that person grow. I would feel comfortable doing one or more of the following as needed:
- Explain the purpose of and encourage baptism
- Encourage to join a church
- Lead to have assurance of salvation
- Help find answers to theological questions
- Be a prayer partner
- Suggest steps toward spiritual growth
- Help win new Christian's friends to Christ
- Be a good listener and encourager
- Lead in a one-on-one Bible Study
- Call every day or two to encourage
What else do I sense God telling me to do as I make plans to be an Encourager/Discipler?
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