Condolence

Our love, prayers, and Christian sympathy are extended to

Ivy Head and family on the death of her sister, Margie Miller Payseur.

Contributions

To the General Fund

In memory of Gary Allen Kidd by Craig and Norma Sprinkle

In memory of Gary Allen Kidd and William Claude Branch by Jesse and Audrey

Wright

In memory of William Claude Branch by Tommy and Bonnie Haymore

In memory of Gary Allen Kidd by Pauline Beasley

In honor of the Branch Family by Odds and Evens Sunday School Class

To the Playground Fund

In memory of Gary Allen Kidd by Wayne and Glenda Atkins

July Calendar of Events

Copies of the July calendar of events are now available on the stand in the narthex.

Special Notice

All information for the August newsletter must be submitted by Saturday, July 15,

2017.

Pastor Mark’s Navy Reserve Drill Dates

Thursday, July 6, Friday, July 7, and Saturday, July 8, 2017

The Grove Growing in Christ Together

Piney Grove Baptist Church 278 Piney Grove Road

Mount Airy, North Carolina 27030

Monthly Newsletter July 2017 Volume XII, Issue 7

Independence Day

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Blood Drive

American Red Cross Blood Drive Sunday, July 9, 2017

2:00 – 6:30 PM Piney Grove Baptist Church Fellowship Hall

For more information and your appointment time, please call Tammy Johnson at (336)406-1242.

September 4 – Tonya Oakley, Catrena Whitaker

Church Staff

Rev. Mark A. Reece, Jr., Pastor Rev. Kermit Gray, Pastor Emeritus

Rev. Santiago Reales, Associate Pastor of Hispanic/Latino Ministry Paul Danley, Minister of Worship Emma Mooney, Minister of Youth Scottie Isaacs, Ministry Assistant

Dawn Marion, Pianist Ivy Head, Organist

Bruce Hodges, Sound Technician Tommy Haymore, Videographer

Eric Mauldin, Audio- Visual Technician

278 Piney Grove Road Mount Airy, North Carolina 27030

(336)356-4196

www.pgbcmountairy.org

.***********************************

July Birthdays

July 4 Bill Gingrich

July 5 Steve Boone

July 6 Brody Chilton

July 7 Andrew Marion

July 9 Milton Head

July 11 Minerva Hicks

July 13 Lauren Brintle

Linda W. Johnson Logan Templeton

July 16 Bill Dollyhigh

July 17 Stella S. Marion

Sam Kidd July 22

Anthony Whitehead July 23

Savannah Dollyhigh July 25

Carolyn Sawyers July 26

Ivy Head July 27

Scottie Isaacs July 28

Paula Whitehead July 29

Michella Huff July 30

Brandon Chilton July 31

Eileen Kidd Page 10

Piney Grove Baptist Church PERIODICAL 278 Piney Grove Road Mount Airy, NC 27030 THE GROVE is published monthly by the Piney Grove Baptist Church, 278 Piney Grove Road, Mount Airy, NC. POSTMASTER send change of address to THE GROVE, 278 Piney Grove Road, Mount Airy, NC. Volume XII, Issue 7, July 2017

July’s Guide to Worship and Study

Sunday, July 2

“Just a Taste”

Romans 7:13-25

Wednesday, July 5

Worship Seeds

with the Pastor

Genesis 22:1-8

Sunday, July 9

“Total Surrender”

Genesis 22:1-18

Wednesday, July 12

Worship Seeds

TBA

Sunday, July 16

Guest Speaker

Brother Jimmy Combs

Wednesday, July 19

Worship Seeds

with the Pastor

Genesis 28:10-19

Sunday, July 23

“Decide, Don’t Slide”

Genesis 28:10-19

Wednesday, July 26

Worship Seeds

with the Pastor

Genesis 32:22-31

Sunday, July 30

“An Audacious Request”

Genesis 32:22-31 Page 1

Children’s Ministries/Mission G.R.O.V.E. Kidz

Children’s Bible Study,

Crafts, Games, Music, and FUN!

G.R.O.V.E. Kidz meets the 1st,

2nd, and 3rd Wednesday nights in

the month of July from 6:30 – 7:30 PM.

GAs, RAs, and Mission Friends

The GAs, RAs, and Mission Friends will meet

Wednesday, July 26, 2017, at 6:30 PM.

Backpack Program

Our backpack program will resume in September 2017.

This year our backpack ministry helped students in White Plains Elementary School, Rockford Elementary School,

and Dobson Elementary School.

Thank you for supporting the backpack program this

past year as we helped feed the children in our community.

Youth Ministry - Emma Mooney, Minister of Youth

Our youth will meet on Wednesday nights,

July 5, 12, 19, and 26, 2017, from 6:30 – 7:30 PM.

Summer Camps Middle School (Grades 6-8) PASSPORTchoices Summer Camp

at Greensboro College in Greensboro July 2-7, 2017

High School (Grades 9-12) Summer Camp to Washington, D.C.

July 20-23, 2017

(Continued on Page 3) Page 2

From the Pastor (Continued from Page 8 )

As you consider your nominees for deacon, prior to asking individuals about their willingness to serve, I want to offer some questions worthy of consideration. Does this person have time to execute the demands of the deacon covenant and attend monthly meetings? If not, are they willing to make time? If someone is faithful in worship, Sunday school, and our Wednesday night programs, then there is a strong chance they will be faithful as a deacon. If they are not, then there is a strong chance they will not be faithful in their leadership as deacon.

Does this person’s worldviews, theology, and approach to ministry align with our church and do they support the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship? For instance, does the person embrace the ideals that distinguish us from other Baptists locally and nationally? A few examples include women in ministry, women as deacons, the liberty of conscience, autonomy of the local church, using different versions of the Bible, and receiving members from other traditions (Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, etc.) without the expectation that they be baptized again by immersion. It certainly doesn’t serve any church well in the long run to nominate and elect deacons who do not share the identity and vision of the congregation. Our entire staff identifies with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, and two of us are endorsed as chaplains with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. As a congregation, we send all of our missions giving to the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and have for nearly a decade. While this isn’t something we talk about frequently, it is important and something to take into consideration when electing leaders. Newcomers are welcome and encouraged to serve as deacon, but prior to nominating them be sure to spend some time getting to know them and make sure they understand who we are and who we desire to be.

What is the person’s relationship to other church members? Is he or she respected and embraced by the body at large? Have you observed this person in group settings? Sunday school? On a committee? In the larger community? Deacons are diverse in personality, gifts, and temperament. This diversity is a great strength. However, prior to nominating a deacon, we should become aware of these traits and make sure we know the individual on a personal level. It isn’t prudent to nominate a deacon based on their potential or because we think they are capable of longevity in our congregation. Deacons are nominated and elected because we have observed their patterns, habits, leadership style, and cooperation with the mission and other leaders at Piney Grove.

I also want to say a couple of things about deacons and their family. When you get a name in your mind, take a step back and ask yourself if the individual’s spouse, either husband or wife, would be a good deacon. It was a longstanding tradition in most Baptist churches to only ordain men as deacons. Over the last few years, we have ordained five women deacons. They are all exceptional and have been unwavering in their commitment to our church. I was speaking with a pastor recently whose church does not ordain women deacons yet, and he told me that the spouses of some of his deacons would likely serve as well if not better than their husbands. This is probably a question you haven’t asked before, but deep change demands that we ask questions like this one. Let us be sure not to show partiality and make sure that we prayerfully consider the entire family for the role of deacon and not just the husband. This brings me to my final point. I was not married for the first six years of my ordained ministry at Piney Grove. When you consider the expectations for deacon, can these expectations be lived out in someone who has never married or isn’t currently married? We should never discriminate, knowingly or unknowingly, and always recognize that the gifts of leadership can be present in all people.

One of the great joys of ministry is working alongside leaders who are passionate about the church and the church’s mission. I recognize that this is a lengthy article on a subject that only selects four individuals for a position. I trust you will take the time that I have invested in this subject to represent my strong belief in deacon ministry and the importance of deacon ministry to the local church. It’s a lot to think about this summer, but the prayer and discernment that you put into this process will pay rich dividends in the spiritual and numerical growth of our congregation. I believe if we’ll be faithful in the small things, God will continue to grant us opportunities to do larger things through our participation in the Kingdom of God. If you’re going to be away this summer, let us know so we can pray for you and keep in touch. Thanks for being such a great church! May God bless you all with rest, renewal, and relaxation this summer.

Church Conference

Dates to Remember

July 2 – 7 PASSPORTchoices at Greensboro College in Greensboro

July 4 Independence Day No Ladies Gathering

July 9 Communion American Red Cross Blood Drive

July 16 Worship Service with Guest Speaker Brother Jimmy Combs Baby Shower honoring Charlotte and Dan Dollyhigh

July 17 Deacon’s Meeting

July 18 A Place at the Table at Chase N Charli Restaurant By the River (1384 South Main Street, Mount Airy)

July 20 – 23 High School Youth (Grades 9-12) Summer Camp to Washington, D.C.

August 6 Deacon Nominations

August 11 – 13 Vacation Bible School

August 20 Deacon Election

Website

Sermon videos can be viewed via PGBC website

or www.vimeo.com and search PGBC.

Stewardship Report Through June 18, 2017

05/28/17 Offering $2,565.00 06/04/17 Offering $3,618.35 06/11/17 Offering $ 0.00 06/18/17 Offering $4,346.00 Total $12,604.00

Budget: $171,523.00 YTD Goal: $123,480.00

Budget This Period YTD $10,290.00 $10,529.35 $112,092.95

Over/(Under $259.35 ($11,387.05)

Sunday School Attendance Three-week Average – 81.3

PRAYER LIST

Nursing home and long-term care Nancy Edwards Gladys Hooker Leona Huffman

Eva Briggs Elsie Hayes

Home or hospital Dean Branch

Avis & Hilda Huff Phyllis Hewitt Lonzo McHone

Roger & Norma Draughn Charles & Blanche Brintle

Grover Haymore Banner Combs Josie Woodruff Faye Beasley Todd Brown

Seth Beacham Michael Stephens

Patti Miller Ricky Draughn Junior Sawyers

J.W. & Joan Branch Susan Johnson Gladys Collins

Doug and Gail Smith Anne Sechrist Faye Danley

Jimmy and Sheila McCraw Janice Draughn

Eileen Kidd Doug & Kathy Simpson

Gary Sewell Judy Dollyhigh Jakob Goettel Bill Gingrich Bill Dollyhigh

Riley Voss Foye Moser

Daniel and Paige Combs Janice Barker Brintle

Charlotte Lawson

Military MM2 Lammon, Andrew USS Theodore Roosevelt

(CVN 71) RX/RM FPO AE 09599-2871

e-mail: Andrew.lammon@cvn

71.navy.mil

Please contact Scottie Isaacs to add or remove

names from our prayer list. Phone (336)356-4196

Page 9

Youth Ministry (Continued from Page 2)

From the Minister of Youth I have had the opportunity since I was a young girl to live within walking distance of my family.

Whether I wanted a long conversation with my grandparents, a fun adventure with my cousins, or to borrow an ingredient for a recipe from one of my aunts or uncles, they have always been available for me.

As we do many nights, last night we all sat down together for dinner. We had ordered Chinese. Of

course, with Chinese food comes a fortune cookie. MacKenley and Grayson, our token 5-year-olds are always anxious to read their fortunes aloud. Grayson read his first, “You are the architect of your own life.” He was very excited since just before opening his fortune, he had let everyone know that he was going to be a builder when he grows up. It was fun to see him make that little connection between building a tall tower and building your life by setting goals and working hard to reach them.

It was then time for MacKenley to read her fortune. She read aloud (but not until everyone was

quiet), “No matter the job – whether big or small – do it with all of your heart or not at all.” Again, it was entertaining watching the five year olds discuss what this fortune may mean, but as I sat there I began to really think about how this simple fortune relates to my life.

Sometimes it is hard to want to put in the effort that is required to uphold strong relationships,

complete tasks that need to be done, or become the person that you want to be. Many times, I fall short. Many times, I decide to stop putting effort towards the things that are hard. Many times, I feel as if I put in the most effort and then a stand-off begins, a period of time in which I refuse to do my part until someone else does theirs.

I am not sure when I began to think that this is an okay practice, but I know that when I sat and

listened to MacKenley and Grayson break down the meaning of their fortunes that I did not want to be like that any longer.

The moment, the job, or the relationship should never be about comparing who does more. Instead,

we should listen to our body, heart, and mind and decide what we are capable of. We should have goals and we should work towards them with all our hearts, but we should also pace ourselves so that it never becomes a race.

Oftentimes, religion becomes a race. As Christians, it begins when we are very young. First, your

friend decides to get baptized and then suddenly everyone is taking that step. So, this very special moment then becomes a race of who will be baptized first. From then, we keep comparing ourselves to our fellow brothers and sisters; sometimes this makes us feel inadequate, other times we become entitled, and soon we forget the reason for which we have obligated ourselves to sign up for special missions and volunteer at specific events.

We need to stop making church a race. We need to take the time to listen to ourselves and

understand our goals. More importantly, we must take the time to speak to God to understand our purpose, because from our purpose we can decide where we should place our effort. This creates balance within our lives and brings value to our entirety; as for the church, this creates harmony, which allows us to grow.

Missions 2016-2017 Schedule for Quarterly Missions Offering

During each quarter of the 2016-2017 church year, we will be emphasizing a local community mission

in worship and we invite you to contribute using designated envelopes as your passion leads.

First Quarter (October – December) Emphasis: Foothills Food Pantry

Second Quarter (January – March) Emphasis: Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care

Third Quarter (April – June) Emphasis: Surry Children’s Center

Fourth Quarter (July – September) Emphasis: Blue Ridge CareNet and Surry Medical Ministries (Continued on Page 4)

Page 3

Missions (Continued from Page 3)

“The Grove’s Helping Hand”

“The Grove’s Helping Hand” is a ministry that gives a helping hand to struggling families

who run out of groceries before their paycheck arrives. It’s also a ministry to those who

have been in the hospital and just don’t have the strength to tackle the grocery store yet.

Perhaps we could give a helping hand to some elderly person who can’t get out at all. The

food closet is located in the rear of the chapel. A wagon for donations is located in the

narthex and it includes a list of needed items.

July Needs Pasta and sauce, juice, peanut butter, jelly, cereal, toilet paper, and paper towels

Ladies Gathering There will not be a Ladies Gathering in July and August.

An Update from Rev. Tom Parker – South African Mission As most of you know, Tom Parker left Piney Grove a couple years ago to become pastor of Union Cross Baptist Church. He was a devoted Sunday school teacher for us and continues to support our Hispanic ministry. He will be going to Paarl, South Africa, on a mission trip from July 16 – August 11. He will be assisting the pastor of the church where he will reside. He will be feeding the poor and ministering to people in what is known as "squatter’s camps." He desires our prayers. Tom writes, “You all ministered to me at a perfect time in my life and I am eternally grateful.” If you would like to provide financial support to Tom’s mission trip, please write all checks to “Union Cross Baptist Church” and identify that it is for “Mission South Africa.” I will be happy to personally deliver your gift to Tom or you can send them to his home address.

Tom Parker 303 Michael Drive Dobson, NC 27017

Discipleship

Worship Seeds with the Pastor Wednesdays, July 5, 19, and 26, 2017, from 6:30 – 7:30 PM

Worship Seeds Wednesday, July 12, 2017, from 6:30 – 7:30 PM

“A Place at the Table” is a monthly lunch gathering for spiritual reflection and discussing issues at the

intersection of faith and culture. Are you able to break for lunch? Retired? Needing an alternative

Bible study? Everyone has “A Place at the Table.” Join us at noon on the third Tuesday of each month.

Come early. Come late. Just come. Please reserve your weekly spot by emailing Pastor Mark at

markreecejr@gmail.com. Forgot to reserve your spot? Come on. We’ll pull up a chair. Our next

gathering is at noon on Tuesday, July 18, 2017, at Chase N Charli Restaurant By the River (1384 South

Main Street, Mount Airy).

Page 4

Vacation Bible School

Page 5

Deacon Nominations

On Sunday, August 6, 2017, you will be given the opportunity to nominate four (4) individuals for deacon. The eight (8) individuals receiving the highest number of votes and who are willing and qualified to serve as deacons will be listed in the bulletin on Sunday, August 13, 2017.

Deacon Election

On Sunday, August 20, 2017, you will be given the opportunity to vote for four (4) of the eight (8) nominees. The four (4) individuals receiving the highest number of votes will serve a three-year term on our diaconate. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- According to our church constitution, an individual must be a church member for one year to be eligible for nomination as a deacon. The deacon nomination and election process is for church members only.

From Constitution and By-Laws

Section 3. Right to Vote. Such members as are in “full and regular standing” shall meet the following requirements: (1) shall have attended at least twelve (12) Sunday school and/or worship services within the past twelve (12) months; and (2) shall have contributed something to the support of the church. Those who fail to meet these requirements may present their reasons at a church conference. If the reason is satisfactory to the church it may, by majority vote, declare him in “full and regular standing with voting privileges.”

The Diaconate Covenant

In August of 2011, the Diaconate adopted the following covenant as an accountability guide between deacons and the congregation. As you consider who you will nominate to serve as a deacon, please do so with the following covenant in mind. The expectations listed in the covenant below illustrate the qualities and disciplines that a person should possess when being nominated as a deacon at Piney Grove Baptist Church. Thank you for your prayerful commitment to this selection process. With strong servant leadership, we will continue to build a strong servant church.

1. Deacons should maintain the Biblical qualities offered in the Piney Grove Baptist Church Constitution.

2. Deacons should actively attend Sunday school and make a good effort to attend Bible Study.

3. Deacons should be active in worship.

4. Deacons should be active in a missions group.

5. Deacons should contribute financially to the work of the church through the giving of tithes and offerings.

6. Deacons should be present at Diaconate meetings/functions and actively execute ministry expectations.

7. Deacons should practice confidentiality.

8. Deacons should keep the best interest of the church above their own.

9. Deacons should be forgiving and non-judgmental.

10. Deacons should be persons of upright character and integrity before God and men.

Page 6

Baby Shower

~~ Please consider this your personal invitation. ~~

Kathy Brintle Selected for Kenan Fellows Program Award

The Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership announced its 2017–18 fellowship awards for K–12 educators. Twenty-eight teachers from across North Carolina have been selected from a pool of more than 125 highly qualified applicants. Of the twenty-eight, two are Surry County Schools’ teachers, Mrs. Kathy Brintle from Gentry Middle School and Mr. Darrin Haywood of East Surry High School. Mrs. Brintle and Mr. Haywood are supported by the USDA and the Surry County Farm Bureau. They have been selected for the project, Developing the State of Ag, which will provide them with the industry

(Continued on Page 8)

Page 7

Kathy Brintle (Continued from Page 7) connections, immersive work experiences, and professional development for designing innovative educational resources/programs and the leadership capacity to empower other educators.

Beginning in June, they will spend three weeks working alongside mentors in the Surry County Farm Bureau office and with local agriculture businesses. They will also have an opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research as part of a weeklong exploration of North Carolina State’s poultry science lab with Dr. Matt Koci and at Bayer’s facilities in Research Triangle Park. In the second year of project, they will work with the North Carolina’s Farm Bureau’s Ag in the Classroom initiative to develop resources and strategies to improve agricultural literacy

“Studies show that teachers are the most important in-school factor contributing to student achievement. Innovative and informed educators can provide tools to help students understand how STEM disciplines are applied in local businesses, industries, and research settings,” said Dr. Elaine Franklin, director of the Kenan Fellows Program. “Through our program, teachers implement hands-on, student-focused tools to prepare students to become productive and informed citizens.”

As part of the award, Kenan Fellows receive a $5,000.00 stipend and participate in 80 hours of professional development focused on project-based learning, digital learning and leadership development. Educators who complete the yearlong program remain in the classroom while growing professionally as part of a statewide network of teacher leaders. Today, an elite network of more than 400 Kenan Fellows are working to improve STEM education in North Carolina and beyond.

From the Pastor – Rev. Mark A. Reece, Jr.

Some of you may be receiving this article by email in the comfort of your mountain destination or on your phone with your feet in the sand. If that’s you, fantastic! July is a great time to get away to find rest, renewal, and relaxation. I was listening to the radio this week and learned that companies pocketed 292 billion dollars last year due to unused vacation time. Did you know that rest is an important part of the Christian life? To rest from our busy lives and enjoy our families is to acknowledge that God can take care of whatever we left behind in order to achieve rest. It’s an act of faith and trust in God. As such, my challenge for July is make the most of whatever rest you can find. Enjoy the kids. Spend time with the grandkids. Don’t forget to do

something for yourselves. And, as always, stay safe whether you’re on the roads, in the water, or out in the sun. Wherever this month takes you, there is one thing I would like to ask each of you to do for Piney Grove this month. Pray about our upcoming deacon elections and consider who you believe God may be calling to serve in this capacity. Some of our committees are very hard at work preparing for our new church year, which begins September 1. Please note that this start date for the church calendar/fiscal year is the result of a recent constitutional change. Another constitutional change involves the process for electing deacons and the change demands more from our membership. On the first Sunday in August, we will have deacon nominations. This will come quickly and if we wait until the first Sunday in August to start thinking about electing our leaders, then it will be too late. Historically we have handed out a membership roster with hundreds of names on it, including children and non-resident members, and asked you to circle four names to serve as your nominees. We will no longer be handing out the membership roster. We will no longer be circling names and will instead invite you to write your four nominees on a ballot. Before you nominate someone, you must first confirm their willingness to serve if selected and that they are a member in good standing. Please do not nominate anyone if they’re not willing to serve, even if it means you nominate less than the expected number.

I was asked recently about some of the things that I take into consideration when nominating deacons. I’ll share them in this lengthy article. At Piney Grove, I see our deacon body as a group of servant leaders, ministers, and supporters. Unlike a board of directors, they are ordained, not because of their subject matter expertise and rather because of their calling to serve God, one another, and our church. However, while they’re not a board of directors, the church will move in the direction of and only be as healthy as the deacon body. We currently have one of the strongest deacon bodies I have worked with at Piney Grove. Our meetings are productive, missional, and Christ-like. I love going to deacon’s meetings and connecting with our leaders each month. Since you nominated and elected these individuals, this is a testimony of your vision and desire for who you want to be as a congregation. Let’s make sure next year is a strong year by electing leaders who will continue to develop, support, and challenge us to become the best that we can be and continue making a great difference in the Piney Grove Community. (Continued on Page 9)

Page 8