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

Recapping Paul’s Commentary on the Journey

Chosen by Christ to Love God

“We who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.” Eph 1:12

Called by Christ to Share Life

“What are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.” Eph 1:18

Created for Christ to Serve Others

“We are His Workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works.” Eph 2:10

Citizens for Christ to Show Jesus

“For He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near.” Eph 2:17

 Journey month proved to be an enlightening and encouraging season for the Family of Families. The banners, worship, testimonies and sermons all served to reinforce our desire to become a Church of fully devoted Christ followers. Sunday morning the Father smiled as the alter was covered with commitments to be witnesses to our world while being on the Journey with His Son. While we’ve completed the emphasis we know that the Journey continues as we embark upon a new year.

Thursday we launch our Church Basketball League. This promises to be a wonderful opportunity for fellowship for our men and families. Probably a lot of good laughs as well! If this season goes well hopefully this can be a model for other recreational opportunities to share life. We also hope to expand the league and use this for an outreach in the future.

Saturday we’ve planned a wonderful evening of marriage enrichment for couples. At this writing we have 50 signed up – there may still be a space available for you if you call the church office. Also  pray for our youth as they attend the True Love Waits conference at Belleview B.C. this weekend.

Sunday we have another special day planned. We begin the day with four families participating in a Family/Baby Dedication Service. We’ll be continuing our survey of the Ephesians looking at chapter 3 discovering how we’re Commissioned by Christ to share His unsearchable riches. We’ll also launch many of our Winter Growth Groups Sunday afternoon. Pick up a brochure and find a group to join.

Let’s remember to contact absentees weekly!

I’m reminded daily how grateful I am to be your 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

The Journey’s Begun!

“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