Canaan Baptist Family Blog

“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Phil 3:14

We’ve been relishing in the Joy of our Journey  Sunday’s in January.  Each Sunday our hearts have been stirred by the testimonies of our members. This past Sunday we ended the day with a special evening service. How refreshing it was to hear how God is working in the lives of our members through each step of the process. This Sunday we’ll celebrate the last step – “Showing Jesus” and culminate the day with our annual Journey Commitment. God has used our services and Church Leadership Team Retreat in January to reinforce in a profound way the benefit and blessing of God’s blueprint for the Family of Families.
Sunday afternoon we’ll convene our Quarterly Membership Class. I enjoy leading this informative class for our new members and those who are simply new to Canaan. This class is designed to help our new folks get connected to the Journey. I’m also encouraging our long standing member s to consider coming. You’ll enjoy the class and be an example to others who need to participate.
Our Second Annual Marriage Enrichment evening is Saturday, February 6th. We have a very special evening planned for couples of all ages. The night begins with a candlelight catered meal. There will be special music followed by an inspirational and instructive evening led by Michael and Crystal Mason. What a special time for couples to strengthen their marriage while enlarging their fellowship with other couples.
Sunday, February 7th we’re scheduled to have five families participating in a Family/Baby Dedication. These are always moving services as families and congregations commit to disciple the children God entrusts to us.
Let’s remember to contact absentees weekly and everyone monthly!
Your grateful partner in the Journey,
Bro Morgan

“For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which he prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” Eph 2:10

Guidance, purpose, meaning, direction, family and joy are but a few of the Journey’s benefits we’ve heard from our testimonies through two Sundays. This coming Sunday we’ll explore the third step in the Journey – Serving Others. We know that we’re most like Jesus when we immerse ourselves in ministry. All of us have stories of how our lives have been impacted when someone took the time to minister to us. What we often lose sight of is the real blessing is found in the doing more than more receiving. Join us Sunday as we discover how Loving God and Sharing Life should naturally evolve into a life of Serving Others. What a privilege to be His workmanship, created for good works!

There are many important events on the horizon at Canaan. Please pray for the Spirit’s leadership for our CLT retreat at Shocco this weekend. Help me to encourage those that are new to Canaan attend the upcoming Quarterly Membership Class on the 31^st. Couples I hope you’ll make plans to participate in our Annual Marriage Enrichment evening on Saturday, February 6^th. We have a great night planned. On February 4^th we’ll launch our Church Basketball League with a draft and inaugural games. This could be a wonderful time for families to Share Life in a different setting.

Please pray that we might be able to thwart the ongoing work of the enemy concerning gambling. Keep your state representatives informed of our opposition against any form of gambling.  Our very own Bessemer City Council continues their deliberations concerning Bingo in the city. If one of the four councilpersons (currently in favor of bingo) eyes could be opened to the evil of the industry the tide could be turned. Let’s remain vigilant in our prayer and opposition.

Let’s remember to contact absentees weekly and everyone monthly.

Your grateful partner in the Journey,

Bro Morgan

“Having made known to us the mystery of His will…”

Ephesians 1:9

Hand’s lifted towards heaven. At the conclusion of both services scores of hands were lifted heavenward acknowledging a desire for enhanced personal and corporate worship. Certainly the Father smiled at our desire to love Him with all of our hearts. Every aspect of worship seemed to be punctuated with His presence. Paul is revealing to us the mystery of His will – joining Him on the Journey. This Sunday we’ll explore the second step in the Journey – Sharing Life. Another banner will be unfurled, testimonies shared, praises sung and a sermon preached underscoring the importance of the small group experience.  I hope you’ll invite others to join us during Journey Month.

This Sunday we’re also reminded of the need to remain vigilant in the defense of the sanctity of human life. As our secular humanistic culture continues to devalue human life the church must stand in her defense of life.

I’m excited to able to share with you our Showing Jesus strategy for 2010. Please take the time to review our Acts 1:8 efforts locally, regionally and globally. Begin now to ask the Father how He would like you to be involved in the New Year. We’ll share more about these trips on Sunday, January 31^st.

Shepherd’s let’s invite our absentees to Sharing Life Sunday!

Your grateful partner for the Journey,

Bro Morgan

 Pressing Towards the Prize

“Brethren I do not count myself to have apprehended, but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching toward to those things which are ahead.” Phil 3:13

January will be Journey Month at Canaan. Beginning January 10^th each Sunday we’ll focus on one of the steps in our Journey – Loving God on 10^th; Sharing Life on 17^th; Serving Others on 24^th and Showing Jesus on the 31^st. I hope you’ll make your plans to be in attendance each of these Sundays. We will have special music, props, testimonies and sermons to highlight each leg in the Journey. We’ll culminate the month with our Annual Journey Commitment Sunday on the last Sunday in January. Sunday School Shepherd’s please support the effort by contacting absentees weekly.

Sunday, January 3^rd we’ll have our Family Devotional Books ready. These devotionals for January are written by members of our Fellowship to be an encouragement to couples and families. I hope you’ll get you’re copy and spend time together with the Lord. Remember the family that worships (prays) together stays together. This Sunday we’ll celebrate Bro Charles 5^th anniversary at Canaan. This is an important milestone in His Journey here. Please let him, Angie, Briley and Matthew know how much you appreciate them this month!

Sunday, January 17^th we’ll celebrate the arrival of several new additions to our Fellowship. At the beginning of both services we’ll share in a Family/Baby Dedication. God is increasing our number in a multitude of ways. Too Him be the Glory!

Let me close by expressing our gratitude for the many expressions of love during the holidays. Church family you blessed me and Ritta in a number of ways and we are so grateful. We love you!

Your grateful partner in the Journey,

Bro Morgan

Bro. Morgan went back for a follow-up cat scan today. The doctor delivered the good news that everything came back clear! Thank You Lord!  He will go back in four months for another follow-up. Please continue to lift him and Mrs. Ritta up in your prayers. Your calls, concerns, and prayers have been greatly appreciated.

God’s Formula for Spiritual Renewal

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

These last few weeks we’ve explored God’s formula for revival. First we discovered God’s people are the catalyst God uses to bring revival. Then we considered the four prerequisites for renewal. In this article we’ll delve into the incredible blessings we can expect when God sends revival. Certainly the Father longs to send the refreshing rains of renewal to His people who perish for His presence. However, God moves only in response to our hunger for Him. The only reason the rains tarry is that His Children are unwilling to pay the price. I’m praying that the Family of Families will pant for Him as the deer pants for the water.

In response to our humble prayers our loving Heavenly Father longs to pour out His blessings. Our focal passage reveals three results we can expect.

1^st We will hear from heaven

When we genuinely hunger and thirst for righteousness we can expect the Spirit to reveal God’s Truth in a fresh and powerful way. How we need a Word from the Lord!

2^nd God will forgive our sins

Certainly forgiveness is available to the child of God daily

(1 John 1:9). When the winds of revival blow through a church there will be dramatic repentance and renewal experienced by many. Change will evident everywhere.

3^rd The Father will heal the land

The evidence of genuine revival is changed lives, churches and communities. Relationships will be healed, marriages saved and bingo parlors shut down for lack of customers!

God is willing to send revival, are we willing to pay the price?

It has been appropriately said that revival is 99% preparation. I hope you will take the time to allow God to prepare your heart. Pick up Calvary Road in the Children’s Building or foyer for your personal devotional time. Join us at your convenience from 6-9AM to pray for revival. Be sure to participate with your Sunday School class in their Cottage Prayer meeting on Wednesday, October 14^th. Let’s ask and expect God to do great things during our Spiritual Renewal week.

Thank you for praying for us while we were away in revival in Cottondale, FL. I’m looking forward to being back in the pulpit Sunday, October 11^th. I’ll be preaching the second message from the 10 Commandments entitled Our Relationship in the Fellowship. The key hindrance to revival is sin in our relationship with the Father and the folks.

Remember to contact absentees weekly and everyone monthly!

Your grateful partner in the Journey,

Bro Morgan

“…I will build My Church, And the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” Jesus, Matthew 16:18

Monday, August 10th we launch our TOUCH Training Camp and again we will be pushing back the very gates of Hell! Every Monday TOUCH night is special but there’s something very captivating about our 7 week camps. Equipped with the empowering Spirit of God and the enlightening Sword of His Word we’re

privileged to penetrate the kingdom of darkness with the marvelous light of His Gospel. In every visit there is a sense that Heaven comes down combating the forces of evil in the ongoing Spiritual warfare for the souls of men. How encouraging it is to Pastor a church that is not content to sit on the sidelines but is eager to bring Hope to those entangled in the web of hopelessness. Jesus remains the answer to the questions that plague contemporary man. If you have not made your commitment for TOUCH it is not too late! Call the office and let us know your desire to be counted as we push back the gates.

I’m looking forward to being back in the pulpit on Sunday, August 9th Lord willing. Please know that your prayers, support and encouragement have been an incredible part of our healing process. Sunday I’ll launch our Fall Sermon Series in Exodus entitled – Our Journey Home. I hope you’ll make plans to join us as we explore the incredible parallel between Israel’s journey to their home in the Promise Land and our journey home to Heaven. As the Father prepared Israel He is preparing us to enjoy Him now and forever as we live for His glory.

Our Annual Sunday School Summit is just a week away – Sunday, August 16th. Your staff is excited about being the faculty this year. It will be a wonderful opportunity to bond with Russ & Michael and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share with our adult teachers. Bro. Charles will be meeting with our Care Group leaders and officers. As always, Sunday evening will be a wonderful Sunday School celebration!

Your grateful partner for the Journey,

Bro Morgan

We had an awesome day of worship!  Dr. Rick Lance brought a great challenge to live different in an indifferent world!  Bro. Michael Gay challenged us after the Young at Heart Choir to treat God as a “He” instead of an “It”.  It was even a great blessing to have our pastor worship in all the services today!  It was so good to have our family together in worship!!!

More details forthcoming!

“Him who is the Head – Christ – from whom the whole Body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according the effective working by which every part does it’s share, causes growth in the Body for the edifying of itself in love.”  Ephesians 4: 15-16

Ritta and I remain grateful, humbled and blessed by this wonderful Body of Believers. In showering us with your love and support you have lived out Paul’s admonition to the church. The Great Physician has heard you’re prayers bringing us through surgery and placing us ahead of schedule in our recovery. We have received a wonderful “report” from the

doctors and the prognosis is encouraging! Every card and visit has encouraged us. The wonderful meals have provided fuel for our healing. Your faithfulness to church in our absence has inspired us. Our love for the “Family of Families” grows with each passing day!

Our next TOUCH Training Camp begins Monday, August 10th. Remember that we now have 7 week spring and a fall camps to prepare us for our TOUCH Season which lasts all year. This Sunday, August 2nd is our TOUCH Commitment Sunday. Shepherd’s and Leaders should be enlisting their teams from their class or department and Sunday bring those cards to the alter. If you’d like to be a part of the Camp and be trained to share your faith comfortable just place your card at the alter as well Sunday. Your life will be

enriched, your class enlarged and the kingdom advanced. Together we can join the Lord of the harvest and touch the Quad cities for His glory!

We’re in the final phase of enlistment for Sunday School workers. Most of our faculty has committed for the 2009/10 church year. However we still have a few opportunities in our Preschool and Children Department. I am confident the Sprit will touch the right people. Why? In the same way you blessed your pastor according to Ephesians 4:15-16, I know you want to bless our children. God has faithfully provided an awesome facility. He’s brought us Russ and his precious family. So I know He will bring us the workers we need for the Fall. Will you make yourself available?

Finally, let me remind all of our Shepherds and SS workers to reserve Sunday, August 16th for our annual SS Summit. This year our own staff will be leading the conference. I’m so excited about having an opportunity to hear the heart of our adult teachers and share with them mine. I believe 2010 can be another historic year at Canaan. The Father has impressed me about several things I’m anxious to share.

Your GRATEFUL partner in the Journey,

Bro Morgan