Burn Ban in Effect. All outdoor burning is prohibited in Franklin County.
Photos taken by Melissa Slater
Discipleship is more than simply attending church – it is a daily commitment to follow Jesus, grow in faith, and share His love with others. Pepper Puryear, pastor of First Baptist Church Mt. Vernon for 33 years, kicked off the new Heart to Heart year with a Biblical description of true discipleship.
Pepper explained the two sides of discipleship – the death side and the living side. The death side involves dying to yourself and your selfish desires - an addiction, an attitude. The living side involves the heart. The heart has to be transformed from the inside out. You do good things because your heart desires to do good.
Pepper ended the message with a challenge to be open to whatever God has prepared for you to do. Get up a little earlier to spend time in the Bible and to journal whatever comes to mind related to the scripture read. Really “see” the people that God puts in your path. You may be someone’s answer to prayer.
Keitron Fountain set the atmosphere for the program with his keyboard music during dinner. After dinner, Keitron led the group in praise and worship with "Yahweh" and "Holy Forever," both by Chris Tomlin.
Heart to Heart, the Women’s Ministry of First Baptist Church, has planned a full season of programs based on the theme “Rooted in Jesus.” In October, Amy Greer Thompson (Ken Greer’s daughter) will speak on the need for “Sacrificial Giving.” Courtney Bean will tell what it means to have a “Heart for Serving" in November. Kay Kastner will close out the fall season in December, speaking on “Hospitality.”
November 14, a special retreat is planned for women. Rachel Norris, owner of Joy Pottery in Bryan, Texas, will present a word picture of Jeremiah 18:6: “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel.” Discover the richness of the layers of meaning in the portrayal of the potter and the clay by observing the work of a potter firsthand. 9-4 in the FBC gym.
The six spring programs include Ashley Collins, who has a devotional book based on her experiences in a jail ministry. Julie Ziglar Norman will talk about repentance, and Jamie Sanders will talk about the power of prayer.
Tiffany Gonzales will teach us how to share our own stories. Sarah Campbell will end the year by speaking on worship.
Heart to Heart meets the first Tuesday of each month, September through May, from 6-8 in the FBC gym. A light meal is served. No childcare is provided.
“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” Ephesians 3:17-18.
