Amelia Baptist Church: Recent Episodes
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Saturday, October 12th, 11:30 amThere is no charge for lunch, please click here to sign-up.Sign-ups end October 6th.
Saturday, October 19th, 10:00 am.Donations of items are still being accepted and can be placed in the box in the foyer.A list of needed items is available in the welcome center.If you would like to pack your own box, empty boxes will be available October 20th – 27th.
Save the date for October 30thMore details will be available soon!To help us prepare for this night, please consider purchasing bags of individually wrapped candy that will be given to the children that night. A box will be in the welcome center for these donations.
Join us September 21st at 10am, for a Packing Party for Operation Christmas Child! It would be a great idea to purchase your items during FL tax-free back-to-school sales. Bring the items you’ve purchased to be packed on Saturday morning. Miss Rose Gallagher is ordering 250 boxes from Operation Christmas Child for us to pack at the first packing party!
As a 39-year-old husband and father, a pastor for the last 15 years, I have heard many different responses after promoting the necessity and privilege of being a part of a multigenerational church; a message ringing awfully loud within the framework of a church culture where communications pastors are assigned the task of flooding Instagram with pictures of their worship services, aimed at appealing to specifically “younger generations.” The reels of “Kaboom Church’s” dynamic welcome team rarely contain seasoned saints intermingling with the less seasoned, but rather focus more on young adult “friend groups” dawning Urban Outfitters as if the Kendrick Brothers christened Degrassi for TBN. If any given family, new in town or away from home, checks the socials looking for a likeminded, local church to attend, they will most likely find posts exemplifying the cool kids table in a local high school cafeteria rather than imagery of unified, faithful generations mentoring one another and developing strong relationships built on lessons of endurance and perseverance for what inevitably lies ahead.
Some of the more scoffing responses to this promotion include: it’s not relevant anymore or this isn’t your grandparents’ church. I am here to ask: what is wrong with younger families finding a faithful, biblical church FLOODED with faithful grandparents? Why aren’t we seeing more cultural tides shift AWAY FROM finding and sustaining a congregation of clones from the same peer groups who like the same music and live in the same seasons of life? Why are we no longer viewing multigenerational church as not only a necessity but a gift for godly discipleship and spiritual growth? The answer is two-fold and aimed in two directions:
1) Older generations must desire younger generations in their churches more than they desire to keep every preference in their church from changing.
2) Younger generations, pragmatically inspired to be a part of a trend over a church family, a brand name-based movement over generational discipleship and mission, must change their way of thinking and see those farther along in their faith as blessings rather than burdens.
Here are just a few important reasons why both older and younger generations should find one another in local churches and work to avoid worshipping in isolated peer groups:
The Bible Tells Us So: Assuming your church is under the authority of Scripture with Christ as its headship, the Word of God clearly proclaims ALL GENERATIONS worshipping together. A perfect passage for this is Psalm 145:4-7: “One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They tell of the power of your awesome works—and I will proclaim your great deeds, they celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.” We often look at “our testimony” as something only reserved for evangelism or a helpful illustration helping an unbeliever witness the effects of the Gospel. In multigenerational churches, you are living out your testimony intergenerationally in the way you worship, the hymns you sing, how you study, personally sharing in multigenerational Sunday school classes/small groups, and outside the walls of the church as fellowshipping friends and family.
Eternity Practice: In Heaven, the true authority on how we should conduct our worship services, the generations will be worshipping side by side with one another. By committing to a multigenerational church, we are getting glimpses into the worship we will experience for all eternity. There is nowhere in the Bible where a church is built nor held to a single peer group for any long period of time or under some manmade construct in order to more quickly “grow” the body. Many churches have become so focused on personal preferences as an attractional feature, individuals have programmatically become segregated through types of worship or classes, creating multiple churches within one building. When seasoned saints welcome the energy and ideas new blood can bring to format and ministerial execution, I have seen time and time again, younger generations REJUVENATE and BREATHE new life into church bodies without compromising theologically or shifting every preference or design modernistically. It is a beautiful, possible thing.
Personal Story: Several years back, I invited two friends in their late 30s, who were looking for a church, to our multigenerational church of a couple hundred people (at the time). At lunch, my friend asked “I could tell your church was an older church based on the flower dedications ya’ll put in your bulletins every week.” 1) Yes, we still print a bulletin. 2) We are getting QR codes on the back of chairs. While he made the joke, I asked him “Did you happen to read what the flower dedications were honoring?” He shook his head no. “Today’s flowers in the sanctuary were from a husband celebrating he and his wife’s 60th anniversary.” If I’m a married twenty or thirty something with or without kids, why would I want to be in a church where everyone is my age, looks like me, and not one Christian has been married longer than I have been married! The smoke machine is optional, give me a church filled to the brim with 60+ year marriages!
Warning: Pastors and church leaders, reconsider marketing your churches towards a specific generation and aim all resources at faithfully incorporating followers of Christ from all walks of life. Many in the younger generations have been inculcated into narcissism with the endless discussions of “looks like me” or “looks like something I would like.” Thinking that way also happens to be the basis of all race obsession and “representation’ arguments. Those who focus on “looks like me, acts like me, walks like me, talks like me” may have placed their identity in their flesh rather than in their Christ; missing out on several real opportunities for healthy, challenging, godly relationships.
In Summation: To all the Oldies but Goodies, there is a possibility your church is dying because you have chosen extrabiblical traditions and commands over a generation onto whom you could pass on your godly wisdom and assist sacrificially in growing the future church.
To all the Young Bucks, your singleness or the families you carry in tow are not burdens to the older generations in your local church, THEY are blessings. Trust the Spirit to let them see that truth. One of the greatest things I have ever witnessed in my time behind the pulpit, is how the Spirit goes before us and after us uniting adoptive grandparents with adoptive grandkids, looking out and witnessing all three generations, bonded not by blood but by Spirit, grow together in such a way only the God could get the glory. We as the church must incorporate both practices, speaking to both sides, and see the value of Multigenerational worship shaping the eternal perspective for generations to come.
– Pr Adam Page
August 2024.
Sign up by May 26th
The Mousetrap, August 22nd, 7:30pm at Amelia Community Theatre (ACT)
207 Cedar Street, Fernandina Beach
Cost – $25 per ticket
Please turn in your money in an envelope in the black box near the office wall (if you write a check, please put Senior Adult – ACT Evening in the memo line, or on the outside of the envelope), or with Barbara Wrye after one of the services on May 26th.
Please invite a friend! Click the link to sign up!
https://forms.gle/GyZbeRLRjvdYA29P9
Saturday, June 29th, at 10:00 AM, ABC Worship Center
$10 contribution to cover the cost of catering from Magnolia Restaurant
Barbara Wrye or a helper will collect $10 reservations on June 16th and 23rd.
(if you write a check, please put Senior Adult – June Brunch in the memo line, or on the outside of the envelope)
May 28th, July 9th and August 20th, Tuesdays at 10:00am, at Peter’s Point.
Bring your own drink, snack, chair, lotion, possible umbrella, etc., and we will be down at the beach. We will use the walkway to the right of the restrooms straight down to the beach, NOT under the covered tables.
Children welcome!
June 11th and July 23rd, Tuesdays at 10:00am, private pool next to Peter’s Point.
Enter Peter’s Point and make an immediate right to the private gated pool. Sandra Lambert will let us in.
Children welcome!
Friday, April 26th, at 12:00 pm. All ladies are invited to attend. It will be at The Down Under Restaurant just over the west side of the bridge. Please RSVP to Toni Rowdon, 703-220-7476
Everyone is welcome to Allegiance’s Spring Concert, Sunday, April 28th, at 6:00 pm. Come and support our students as they prepare to head out on a mission trip.
Men of all ages are invited to Bibles & Biscuits, Saturday, May 11th, at 8:00 am. Come for the food, stay for the fellowship!
VBS will be here soon, and we need you, June 2-5! Adults and students can both sign up via the link below. Students must be at least 13 or in 7th grade to volunteer.
Please click the link to volunteer – https://ameliabaptist.myanswers.com/vbs/volunteer/
Prepare to swing into fun as we head out on The Great Jungle Journey, June 2-5 from 5pm to 8pm! Every day, our kids are bombarded with questions: Did God really create everything? Why do bad things happen? Was Noah’s ark real? Why do I need to be saved? Can I trust the Bible? At this VBS, your kids will explore the biblical answers to these questions as they set off on an epic adventure from Genesis to Revelation. Amid sloths, butterflies, river dolphins, and dart frogs, your children will sail along on a fun jungle cruise, stopping at seven ports of call. These ports are the 7 C’s of History: Creation, Corruption, Catastrophe, Confusion, Christ, Cross, and Consummation. Kids will discover how these events shape our world, and they will learn to reconnect the Bible to their everyday life. Prepare to swing into fun as we head out on The Great Jungle Journey, June 2-5 from 5pm to 8pm!
Click the link to sign your students up!! https://ameliabaptist.myanswers.com/vbs/
Come join us Thursday morning, February 22nd, for a playground picnic here at the church, from 9:30 -11:00 am. Children can play while the moms enjoy some fellowship and time to work through the book, Risen Motherhood. This event is for women of all ages. Newer moms appreciate encouragement from the moms with more experience!Contact Courtney Cox with questions at 863-397-2022
Our next meeting will be on February 23rd, from 3:00 – 4:30 pm, in the Church Library in Building B.For more info or to sign up, please contact Ara Trembly at (848) 250-1200
Save the date for our annual Allegiance Youth Choir fundraiser, Amelia’s Got Talent! It will be held February 23rd at 5:00pm. Desserts are needed for the live dessert auction! Please contact the office at 904-261-9527 if you would like to contribute at cake, pie, or other fun dessert.
If the “21” fasting & prayer time has opened your eyes to better serving the Kingdom of God right here at Amelia Baptist, the upcoming SHAPE Seminar is a perfect way to discover how God has designed you to serve in His church. The seminar is two hours on Friday night, March 8th and 3 hours on Saturday morning, March 9th. Mike & Kathy Baxter will walk you through your spiritual gifts, preferences & values. Over 100 people at ABC have discovered their SHAPE. You can too, and you will never be the same!! Sign up at the welcome center by Feb 25th.
The community is invited to Amelia Baptist Church on Good Friday, March 29th, at 6:00pm for a special Good Friday service featuring scripture narrations and inspiring music accompanied by a string quartet for trio, soloists, and 55 voice choir. This special Tenebrae service is a gift to our community.
Pastor Adam Page will be the keynote speaker at the Annual Associational Conference 2023, to be held at Yulee Baptist Church on October 1st. You can pre-register at familyofchurches.us/annualconference23.
Shape Seminar Friday, September 8th (6:00 to 8:30 pm) – Room 103 Saturday, September 9th (8:30 am to 12:00 pm) – Room 103
1 Peter 1:1-3 says: “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace […]
Our community choir will be performing Handel’s Messiah on April 7th at 4pm and 7pm! Do not miss this spectacular worship event. Invite a friend and listen to the Gospel of Jesus Christ portrayed through the masterclass prosody of Messiah, George F. Handel’s timeless masterpiece.
NO RESERVATIONS REQUIRED!
Are Christians called to be KIND? I feel like people who have made habit out of quick, witty retorts (during middle school it was more of a defense mechanism), should get a spiritual hall pass on kindness. But alas, the Bible says otherwise. Why is it so hard to be kind? Why are people so … Continue reading "Kindness: Do I have to?"
We are less than 3 weeks away from An Evening in December 2022! Please join us for this guided immersive experience of the events leading up to Jesus’ birth! Come to one of our three presentations Dec 2nd-4th. Registration is required for all ages, no admission is charged. To register, please click here and select your … Continue reading "An Evening In December 2022"
Many of you have become aware of the Guidepost report documenting patterns of ignoring, denying and deflecting on issues of abuse brought to the floor of the Executive Committee at the Southern Baptist Convention. We are mourning over the pain these egregious sins have caused. In that mourning, we are also thankful this report is … Continue reading "Our Official Statement Regarding The Guidepost Report"
How can we prepare for this Advent Season? We want to make much of Christ Jesus in all seasons, but how can we stay focused on Christ Jesus in the here and now?! Pastor Neil has some wise words. Give 8 minutes of your time and let’s talk Advent! Click here to listen!
We want you to know that your church leadership is aware of the outbreak in Nassau County and we are taking the proper precautions to protect those of us still gathering together. The good news? As of right now our church is not dealing with an outbreak, just a couple isolated cases. We want to … Continue reading "Update: COVID Precautions"
Luke 10:38-42 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to His teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to Him and … Continue reading "Sisters In Christ, Choose The Good Portion"
To our Brothers and Sisters at Amelia Baptist Church, COVID is here to stay. We cannot predict the future, only comment on our present reality. We want to remain helpful, transparent and prayerful as we continue to gather together for corporate worship. In the last 4 weeks, our church family has experienced an increased number … Continue reading "Update From Your Elder Council: COVID-19 Cases"
Friends, you are invited to Amelia on Good Friday, April 2nd, at 5pm or 7pm for a special service. These events have become an annual Holy Week tradition and have been well attended since their inception in 2005. We have selected inspiring music for quartets, duets, soloists, and small chorale. We are looking forward to … Continue reading "Good Friday Services on 4/2/21 @ 5pm & 7pm"
We are encouraging our congregation to take a stand for religious freedoms. As Andrew T. Walker, professor and historian, recently stated, “The bill represents the most invasive threat to religious liberty ever proposed in America. Given that it touches areas of education, public accommodation, employment, and federal funding, were it to pass, its sweeping effects … Continue reading "The Equality Act – Make Your Voice Heard!"
A PASTORAL LETTER TO MY DEAR FRIENDS: “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Ps. 121:1-2). Six months ago the pandemic intruded on the peace of our lives. And we are all aware that it has hit … Continue reading "Pastor Neil: 8/5 Update"
A PASTORAL LETTER TO MY DEAR FRIENDS: I just finished reading an article entitled, “Physical Presence is a Spiritual Gift” by David Kakish on the “Gospel Coalition website. His text was taken from Paul’s introduction to the church in Rome. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift … Continue reading "Pastor Neil: 7/29 Update"
A PASTORAL LETTER TO MY DEAR FRIENDS To help you make the important decision as to when you may worship with us in person, we continue to let you know about the attendance on Sunday mornings. Last Sunday there were 80 at 9 a.m. and 110 at 10:45 a.m. The increase was due, in … Continue reading "Pastor Neil: 6/25 Update"
A PASTORAL LETTER TO MY DEAR FRIENDS: Well, this coming Sunday will be our third week worshiping together both online and in person. We had about 60 people present at 9 a.m. last Sunday and about 100 at the 10:45 a.m. worship service. Interestingly, the more that are present in person, the less who … Continue reading "Pastor Neil: 5/29 Update"