EASTMONT BAPTIST CHURCH 

// SEPTEMBER 18, 2022 // VOLUME 31 // NUMBER 19

POWER OF
God's WORD
FRANK BOWLING
From Your Pastor FBOWLING@EASTMONT.ORG

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” The idiom once was taught to children as
a way to disarm hurtful or spiteful words. But if you’re over 7 or 8 years old you probably know that the saying
just isn’t always true. In fact, today we often hear more about the power of our words than in previous eras.
There are classes on self-affirmation using words. There are seminars on overcoming the hurtful effects of
words harshly spoken. There are therapist offices filled with individuals seeking to deal and cope with the
destructive power of words many have encountered. To be honest we all have known the power of a word of
praise in a moment of discouragement or a word of criticism in the midst of joy.

Words do indeed have power.

Often the power of the words is directly linked to the source of those words – the one who writes or speaks
those words. Why then should we be surprised by the effect of regular engagement with the words of our
Creator? He created by His Word (Genesis 1); He came into this world as the Word (John 1:1); He saves us by the
power of His Word (Romans 1:16); He sustains creation by the Word of His power (Hebrews 1:3).

It is no wonder that the pattern of the church in the New Testament and the faithful church for the past 2
millennia has been the centrality of the preaching of the Word in our weekly service gatherings. This Sunday and
each Sunday as we gather for the regular Lord’s Day worship let us come expecting and ready to engage with
and respond to the Word of Christ as we read, sing, pray, and preach the Word of God!
 OUR CHURCH
FAMILY
SYMPATHY TO
Cindy Cornette, Kat Davis and Kent
Speigner in the loss of their mother,
Hazel Speigner, who passed away
September 2, 2022.
Barbara Drennen in the loss of her
husband, Don Drennen, who passed
away September 2, 2022.
The family of William Pugh, who
passed away on September 6, 2022.
Visit our website @
eastmont.org/knowtheword
to join our plan to read through the
Bible chronologically.
9:45am. Eastmont Next Steps will provide opportunities to discuss important
BUILDING LOCK UP
September 18
Dallas Vick & Steve Ragsdale
September 25
Kent Harwell & Kent Johnson
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
FELLOWSHIP MEAL
September 21
Country Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes,
English Peas, and Rolls
September 28
Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, and Salad
There’s an old saying, “When we’re born again, we’re born into a family.” The New
Testament portrays believers both personally expressing their faith in Christ for
salvation and also publicly joining themselves to the body of believers who
profess that same faith. In Matthew 18, Jesus declared that Peter’s confession
of faith would be the rock upon which the Church would be built. Knowing this,
we believe that it is in the context of a local church where followers of Jesus
most fully experience new life in Christ. But in recent generations, even in our
region of the world, active church membership is increasingly viewed as less
important for families and individuals. At Eastmont, we recognize this cultural
trend, and we are actively working to address it.
This October, we launch the first installment of Eastmont Next Steps, a
membership course for those considering taking the next steps in the journey
toward church membership. Before a person or family joins Eastmont, we want
to ensure they understand who we are and why we’re here. The class will be
held over the first four Sundays in October during LifeGroups in room 903 at
aspects of the Christian faith and the local church so as to make membership
matter more. Each weekly gathering will be led by our Eastmont pastors and
will address the basics of the gospel, the purpose of the Church, expectations
for membership, and passion for service. Have you been attending Eastmont
regularly for years but never taken the next steps to officially join the church?
Or have you more recently begun attending worship and have questions about
joining? No matter where you fall on the spectrum of long-time attender or
first-time guest, this class will help prepare you to take the next steps in your
faith. If you’re interested in being part of this class, then call the church office
to register.
DEACON NOMINATIONS
We will be accepting nominations in
October for the position of Deacon.
Nomination forms will be available in the
foyer of the worship center, the
connecting hall, and outside the church
office. Please read carefully the
requirements for a deacon on the
nominating form before submission.
 BY THE NUMBERS
SCAN TO WEEKLY GIVING
ORDER
AUGUST 28
GENERAL FUND $17,780.45
EMERGENCY FUND $395.00
SEPTEMBER 4
GENERAL FUND $35,742.07
Adult Sizes: *Youth Sizes:
$25 XS - 4XL XS-L
EMERGENCY FUND $2,893.50

*Youth
shirts are light blue with dark print
LIFEGROUP TOTALS
SEPT 4 SEPT 11
PRESCHOOL 15 10
CHILDREN 59 68
STUDENTS 43 45
ADULTS 369 381
TOTAL 486 504

Be a part of our

Welcome
TEAM
Sundays 9:20 - 9:45 am

Call Sybil Hartzog to join
277-0621 or 334-301-1747
Ministry Happenings
Visit our website or social media for details WEEKLY
Senior Adults College
bdickey@eastmont.org gkim@eastmont.org
SCHEDULE
Sunday
Forever Young - September 20 @ 10 am in room 205 Home Groups -
Sundays @ 6:00 pm at 8:30 am Worship Service
with special guest, Dr. Lonette Berg, Alabama
Historical Commission. Covered dish lunch to follow. the Kim home. 9:45 am LifeGroups
Topic: Ask Me Anything: 11:00 am Worship Service
A Biblical Response to
5:00 pm Handbell Choir
Students Children All Your Questions.
cmallory@eastmont.org tlogan@eastmont.org College Encouragers - Wednesday
We need people to 5:00 pm Fellowship Meal
Fall Beach Retreat - Bible Skills, Drills, and partner with Eastmont
Panama City Beach 6:00 pm Prayer Meeting &
Thrills - Wednesdays @ college students who
November 11 - 13 6:00 pm are away at school! Talk Bible Studies
Cost: $70 to Gene or Karen Choir / Orchestra
Sign up on the Rehearsal
Eastmont website Music
Timeout
through the Events worship@eastmont.org
page (Student Worship)
Pecan Sale Fundraiser Choir & Orchestra Rehearsal - Wednesdays at 6:00 pm Mission Friends
begins October 1st! Forever Young Choir - September 27 @ 9:00 am (Preschool)
Watch for details. Handbell Rehearsal - Sundays @ 5:00 pm Bible Skills, Drills, &
Thrills (1-6 Grades)
 Periodicals Postage
THE ENCOURAGER Paid
Montgomery, AL
EASTMONT BAPTIST CHURCH
4505 ATLANTA HIGHWAY
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36109
The Encourager USPS No. 018-816 is published and mailed
bi-weekly by Eastmont Baptist Church, 4505 Atlanta Highway,
Montgomery, AL 36109. Postmaster: Send address changes to
Encourager, 4505 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, AL 36109.

IN THIS ISSUE
From Your Pastor

Eastmont Next Steps

Deacon Nominations

First Choice Baby Shower

Trunk or Treat

Ministry Happenings

CONTACT US
Office: (334) 277-6300 Careline: (334)277-6384 Prayer Room: (334) 277-8876
Email: ebc@eastmont.org Website: eastmont.org
Facebook: facebook.com/eastmont Twitter: @eastmontbaptist
OFFICE HOURS: Monday - Thursday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm; Friday 8:00 am - 12:00 pm