for god. for dothan. for the world. volume 56, no. 2 · racial reconciliation sunday racial...

Ministry StaffPaul Thompson Senior PastorCharles Uptain Executive PastorSteve Chambers WorshipJeremy Allen StudentsMichael Brooks Children and FamiliesJoyce Alexander PreschoolPatty Farrington Singles/Senior Adults

Ministry AssistantsCaren Coleson Pastoral/MusicCarol Morris Executive AssistantRebekah McLure MusicAnne Register Community/RecreationAmanda Trammell Students/PublicationsBrooke Davis ChildrenAngie Tice Adults/OutreachEmily Shiver Senior Adults

Support StaffNolan Dykes Music Assistant Leslie Payne Childcare Coordinator Greg Pendergrass Director of ROC Mark Shiver Facilities Manager

Weekday MinistryMichelle Beasley Associate DirectorNickie Smith Receptionist

Church Office 792.5159 Recreation Outreach Center 836.2949 Weekday Ministry 793.9898

Volume 56, No. 2For God. For Dothan. For the World.

Students 6th-12th grade, join us for an exciting weekend of Disciple Now!

The dates are February 20-22.

We are participating in the community-wide Lift Tour! The theme this year is Relentless. The speakers are Ed Newton and Brent Crowe. The Worship Leader is Bethany Barr-Phillips.

Cost is $49 per student.

All money and forms are due February 8.

Racial Reconciliation SundayRacial Reconciliation Sunday is February 8 during the 8:00 am, 10:45 am, and 6:00 pm services.

Special guests will be Dr. Charles Lewis, Pastor Albert Williams, and Rev. Chester McFarland.We will have a dessert fellowship after the 6:00pm service. Please bring a dessert to share.

Sermon Schedule

Sunday, February 18:00 and 10:45 am

Worldliness:Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen

WorldMessage by Dr. Paul Thompson

Wednesday, February 46:00 pm

Midweek Bible StudySanctuary

Led by Dr. Paul Thompson


Racial Reconciliation SundayMessage by Dr. Paul Thompson and

Dr. Charles Lewis





Message by Dr. Paul Thompson





Message by Dr. Paul Thompson




Racial Reconciliation Sunday

In the aftermath of some of the recent, most heated, racially-charged events of our lifetimes, I saw – like you – the gushing of opinion, comment, and vitriol, often spewed out in social media like Twitter and Facebook. I read the articles of social commentators and talking heads. I saw the speeches and heard the rhetoric. I was privy to lots of conversations.

But what I didn’t see or hear was much of God in it.

And I began to realize this: Most of us have opinions on racial issues (some very strong and outspoken) but not too many have biblically-grounded convictions about racial issues. We will draw our influences and take our positions from personal or family history, the culture we grew up in, politicians or pundits we ascribe to, or sometimes just as reactions to bad stereotypes. But how many of us can say our view of race and culture is truly grounded in what the Word of God reveals to a child of God? That is to say, we may think socially, politically, or naturally about the issues surrounding race in America, but are we thinking biblically as transformed, spiritual people?

In light of that, I began to feel convicted. I felt a bit hypocritical – like I had al-most divorced my views on these issues from the rest of my faith. I also realized how active I have been sharing the gospel with people of color in Haiti, Cuba, NY, etc., while neglecting the same at home. And so, being led by the Spirit I believe, I decided that we needed to talk about this, think about this, and con-sider God’s Word on this as a church. And so we will as part of Racial Reconcili-ation Sunday on February 8th.

Now, I don’t suppose that by hosting a Racial Reconciliation Sunday at Calvary that we will solve some or even any of the problems that in many ways go to the very fabric of our culture, but I do want to resolve some issues in my own heart. I want to see people as God does. I want to think the thoughts of God regard-ing people. And I want to be part of a church that has the heart and the how to reach everybody. (And not just when we are on “the mission field”). And I want to make sure that the Word of God, under the guidance of the Spirit of God, is driving my view of it all. And I want the same for you.

I hope you will commit to joining us for this very important Sunday. In both Sunday services, I will share the pulpit with Dr. Charles Lewis, pastor of Dothan Community Church. God has begun to forge a real friendship between us and is using it to affect real change in me in the areas of race and culture. I’m very happy that Dr. Lewis has agreed to come and share from the heart with us.

Then, on Sunday evening, we will have a special combined service with the good folks of Dothan Community Church. This joint service will include worship led by both their and our worship teams, and a panel discussion with Dr. Lewis, Pastor Albert Williams of St. James Baptist Church, Chester McFarland, staff pastor at Dothan Community Church, and myself. At the conclusion of the ser-vice, we will enjoy a dessert fellowship with both congregations. The service will begin at 6pm in the Fellowship Center.

I hope you will be in attendance in both the morning and evening services. I hope you will pick up the phone and call someone to come with you or to meet you here. I hope you will joyfully prepare a dessert (can’t go wrong with choco-late pies and red velvet cakes, just FYI) and stay and enjoy it with some new friends. And I hope you will come prayed up and ready to hear from God and be blessed!

I’ll see you Sunday!

Pastor Paul

For the RecordFor the Month of January

Average Attendance: 8:00 Worship 36610:45 Worship 3286:00 Worship 160Life Groups 6261st Time Guests MidWeek Meal 5Mission Churches 288Nursing Homes 88Outreach Bible Study 13

Total Giving:General Fund $137,866.54Given Y-T-D $137,866.54Y-T-D Required $199,153.88

From the Senior Pastor

Find us online at www.calvarydothan.com & www.facebook.com/CalvaryDothan | Church Office Hours M-F 8-12 & 1-4:30

Partners in Ministry UpdateThe Apostle Paul began many of his epistles by giving thanks to God for the people he was addressing in his letter. As a staff, we are thankful for you, the church body, for what God has led us to begin and now complete in updating our church campus. In 2013 and 2014, we spent over $600,000 to update nearly every space at Calvary, and because of your generous giving, we paid for the updates as we went. This allowed us to continue to fund ministry and missions at a proper level. In 2015, we will discontinue our special offering for Partners in Ministry. We ask that you give “what you have decided to give” (2 Corinthians 9:7) to the general fund as we use it for all our expenses including building improvements. Please thank God for this church family and ask him to continue to stir our hearts toward generosity as part of our spiritual growth.

Charles Uptain

Mission Training 101If you have not attended Missions 101 yet, there is another opportunity on Wednesday, February 4 at 6:00 pm in room O-102. The training is required for all members going on a 2015 Mission Trip.

Update on Family Mission Trip to New OrleansThe date for the Family Mission trip to New Orleans is Thursday, March 19 – Sunday, March 22. The cost of the trip is $120 per-person and this includes breakfast, lunch and dinner on Friday. Additional details regarding the itinerary will be relayed in the coming months. For more info contact Michael Brooks.

Parent’s Night Out/RechargeParents’ Night Out and Recharge is a chance for parents to enjoy a date night or time with friends while your kids (infants through 5th grade) are cared for in an environment that is safe and fun. Parents’ Night Out occurs in the Recreation Outreach Center and is for 1st through 5th graders. Recharge occurs in the Preschool Building and is for infants through Kindergartners. We provide lesson, supper, and special theme based activities. Parents’ Night Out and Recharge will be Friday, February 13 from 6:00-9:00 pm. It is $5 per child. Contact Michael to sign up your 1st-5th graders and Joyce to sign up your infant-Kindergartners.

Breakout Volunteer Information DinnerDo you know about Breakout? Breakout falls under our en/Able ministry and is offered once a month to fami-lies of those with special needs children. We offer childcare for children 5-18 the first Thursday of the month from 5:30-8:00 pm. We are currently unable to take more than 10 children due to our volunteer base. If you are interested in being blessed by this ministry will you please join us for an Information & Appreciation Vol-unteer Dinner on February 22 at 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Center. If you have any questions please feel free to call the church or email me at [email protected]

Senior Adult Upcoming EventsContact: Patty Farrington, [email protected]• Senior Adult Valentine Party is Saturday, February 14 at 5:00 pm in the Fellowship Center. Please

come and enjoy the fun. There will be music by Carol Rodgers, games, and a movie. All you need to bring is a salad or dessert to share. There will be no Sonshine Fellowship on February 19. This event will take the place of Sonshine Fellowship.

• Wizard of Oz at Chipola College will be February 26. We will leave the church at 5:30 pm. Cost is $10 that is due now.

• Enterprise High School for Musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers on Monday, March 16. We will leave the church at 4:00 pm and eat at McLins. Please plan to pay for your meal on your own. Tickets for the show are $25.00 and due now.

Retirement Reception for Mrs. Nell SmithMrs. Nell Smith is retiring after 20 years of dedicated service in our Preschool department. Please join us as we honor her with cake and punch Sunday, February 22 from 2:00-4:00 pm Calvary Baptist Church Parlor.

Update on Operation Christmas ChildIn the Fall of 2014 Calvary mailed out over 350 shoeboxes in Operation Christmas Child. We now know that some of those shoeboxes went to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa and Burkina Faso in West Africa. This is just one more way that Calvary is helping impact the world with the Gospel. Please check the church website for more info on these two locations.

Ministry News

Find us online at www.calvarydothan.com & www.facebook.com/CalvaryDothan | Church Office Hours M-F 8-12 & 1-4:30 10:45 Sunday Morning Worship

Broadcast on Radio WIZB FM 94.3

CALVARY EXTENDS THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO...The family of Lucille GlassJudy Simpler- Death of brotherShirley Sprayberry- Death of motherJackie Starling- Death of motherNadine Simpler- Death of great grandsonThe family of Roy GrubbsThe family of Brian EtheredgeLeslie Watson- Death of father

DEACONS OF THE WEEKFebruary 1 Lance Beasley, Roger Simpler, Mark Smith, Sam RobinsonFebruary 8 Hudson Lazenby, Mike Tew, Chris Suddarth, Morgan HarrellFebruary 15 Ben Tankersley, Preston Brooks, Ian Worrell, Rod CudeFebruary 22 Tim Gannon, Jed Downs, Roger Burchett, Eddie Barrentine

WELCOME TEAMServing February 1 from 9:20-9:40 amWelcome Center- Barrentine/KitePreschool- RobinsonServing February 8 from 9:20-9:40 amWelcome Center- Beasley/CastlePreschool-DonopServing February 15 from 9:20-9:40 amWelcome Center- Good/TurnerPreschool-Searcy

Serving February 22 from 9:20-9:40 amWelcome Center- Azar/Bourland-KnightPreschool-Harrison

VOLUNTEERS IN PRESCHOOLVIPS Sunday, February 18:00 Shane and Christina Sinquefield10:45 Eric and Melanie DonopVIPS Sunday, February 88:00 Ian and Jennifer Worrell10:45 Ben and Angie BlaxtonVIPS Sunday, February 158:00 Paid Workers10:45 Terri Griffin and Brenda RobertsVIPS Sunday, February 228:00 Lee and Robin Braswell10:45 Peggy Mills and Lisa Bradburn

NEW CHURCH MEMBERS

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 215

Dothan, AL36303

901 Montezuma AvenueDothan, AL 36303

Return Service Requested

STAFF ON CALL SCHEDULEJanuary 31-February 1:Saturday- Joyce Alexander,

334-798-4791

Sunday- Patty Farrington, 334-618-5845

February 7-8:Saturday- Charles Uptain,

334-797-7191

Sunday- Charles Uptain,334-797-7191

February 14-15:Saturday- Steve Chambers,

772-215-3606

Sunday- Ron Bruce, 334-701-1817

February 21-22:Saturday- Jeremy Allen,

334-648-6695

Sunday- Michael Brooks, 731-803-9111

For God. For Dothan. For the World.

Ella CarrollBy Baptism

Joe EdelbroichBy StatementAnjelica EdlebroichBy Baptism(Also picutred Copper Edlebroich)

for god. for dothan. for the world. volume 56, no. 2 · racial reconciliation sunday racial...

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