Archive for the ‘Ministry’ Category

Ladies, are you looking for a place where you can be real about your life?  Where women are authentic and can show you the way to answers that actually help?

Radiance, the Women’s Ministry at Dogwood Church, could be the place for you!  We’re starting back up in August with an array of morning and evening Bible studies chosen to meet you on your life journey.  We participate in honest and biblical talk about our lives and about our Savior Jesus Christ.  We build friendships, go through life together and strengthen our bonds of love as we minister to our community.    We even provide free childcare!

As women, we are all the same.   We want to be affirmed, accepted and loved, to know that we are valued.  We want to make a difference in the lives of our family, friends and work.  And sometimes we feel like we’re never going to get to where we want to be.

Yet as women, we are so diverse!   The past may have led to deep pain, freezing us in chains of shame and oppression.   For others, life is to be lived to its fullest and in the most extravagant way possible.   Some have decided never again to be involved with other women because of previous hurts.

Wherever you find yourself, you are not alone.  There is hope and there are women who care.  We want you to know our God intimately, His character and His ways, and how much He loves you.   Our Bible Studies are designed around this purpose.

Dogwood Church is located at 975 Hwy 74N, Tyrone (770-487-6691).   To find our Bible Study information and register for classes click the Current Classes tab at the top of this page.  Join the women of Radiance today!

How often do we hear “You should be ashamed of yourself”?  Should we?

There is Biblical shame where we acknowledge that we are different and less than God made us to be and that we’re separate from him because of sin.  In Genesis 2:25 we are told that Adam and Eve were “naked and not ashamed.”  They were their authentic and true selves with nothing to hide.  When they sinned, they lost the ability to not feel shame.  The shame that comes from sin is supposed to lead to repentance.

But what about false shame?

It’s a paralyzing emotion that makes you believe that you are irreparably damaged to your core.  It’s a shame that leaves a wound so painful and heavy it makes you feel flawed for even existing.  It makes you feel like you have to be someone you’re not, but you’re not sure who you’re supposed to be.

Sometimes our actions convince us that we deserve to feel this way.  Other times we feel shame for sin that we did not commit or for things that are morally neutral human failures (locking your keys in the car, burning a casserole).  Rape, incest, abuse, alcoholism, addiction, divorce, bitterness, gossip, abortion can all lead to false shame.

Does God want us to live like this?

No, absolutely not! There is hope and healing in Him.  Join me on Tuesday nights at 7:00 beginning January 12^th for Cynthia Humbert’s study Deceived by Shame, Desired by God.  Learn how the healing love of God can bring good out of your darkest, most shameful secrets.   Together let’s trade darkness and shame for the light and truth of Christ.

Registration is now open for Women’s Bible Studies at Dogwood!   We’d love to have you join us.     There are several opportunities for you to get connected and involved.   Just click on the “Current Classes” tab to check them out and to register.   We will be starting back up on January 5^th.

Register now while you are thinking about it!

“Brethren, pray for us.”

I Thessalonians 5:25

He’s a loyal shepherd for our church, and a mighty prayer warrior.   Privately, he intercedes on behalf of many of us, taking our hurts and pains, our successes and blessings, before the Throne of Grace.  Publicly, he boldly leads us in prayer for one another and in worship of our Lord.   He ministers day and night to a congregation who often requests his words of comfort and who needs the strength of his presence.

His name is Keith Moore and he is Senior Pastor here at Dogwood Church.   Faithfully he has prayed for us, and now he needs our prayers . . .

His father has not been doing well physically for some time and has been placed in Hospice care.  Would you pray for Pastor Keith and his entire family during this difficult time?    Here are a few ways that you might intercede on their behalf:

• Protection and safety as the family travels back and forth to Breman, GA.

• That the love, peace and presence of God will be a wing of protection over and around them.

• That they will find love and encouragement from those who Pastor Keith shepherds.

• Strength for Pastor Keith as he continues his ministry, sees to the needs of his family and spends precious time with his father.

• Rest for Pastor Keith.  Pray that he sleeps well each night in order to meet the next day with clear thoughts and steady emotions.

Just as Moses’ arms needed to be held up in battle, Pastor Keith needs us to support him in intercession. We must pray for our pastor!

I am so excited about our Christmas banquet this year. Along with the Event Team, I can hardly contain myself; the excitement and joy of seeing the Lord at work is so huge! We are announcing it to you first, our precious ladies who follow our Radiance blog!

We are pleased to bring you this year’s speaker at our 2009 Christmas Banquet . . .

Jennifer Rothschild

God has brought to us, Jennifer Rothschild, a well-known speaker who takes her message of encouragement across the country. She is the author of six books, and is also an accomplished songwriter, recording artist, and pianist. Jennifer is beautiful, funny and has a wonderful testimony to share. She has touched our hearts! I know you will absolutely love her!

“The Unusual Gift”
A Christmas Banquet for Women
November 6th, 2009
Friday evening 7:00-9:00 pm
Doors open at 6:30 for the “Display of Tables”

Cost is $20/ticket
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Would you like to serve as a Table Hostess? As a Hostess, you will be able to buy the tickets you need in advance. This is a big, big deal since this event is always sold-out within the first couple of weeks after tickets sales begin.

A Table Hostess decorates her table with a Christmas centerpiece. She brings in everything she needs to set a table for 8 women. She is gracious and kind to those who sit at her table. She makes every women feel special and appreciated. She represents God’s love here on earth.

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Over these next few weeks, please pray for this special occasion, the Event Team, and for those whom God has chosen to bring to this occasion.

To read more about this event, see yesterday’s post Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas.

I’d like you to indulge me and do a simple exercise with me. It’s not hard. Ready? On the count of three, I want you to take a deep breath in.  1,2,3,…MMMM and then breathe out… AHHHH. Okay, that was a practice one. Let’s do another. Ready, 1,2,3… Breathe in deeply… MMMMM and exhale AHHHH. This is how I feel when I come to the Mom to Mom (M2M) program at Dogwood each week.

Mom to Mom has helped me to BREATHE. From the yummy hot breakfast, to the fellowship with other mothers, to the amazing leaders and incredible teaching, I leave M2M breathing deeper because I have been REFRESHED!  My kids notice, too. I am nicer, more patient, more eager to listen, and actually excited again, about doing this parenting thing!

This is my second year coming to M2M. My husband and I moved to Newnan about a year and a half ago.  Apart from my husband’s family, I knew only one person here… a long time friend who I grew up with, Jennifer Smith. Shortly after we moved here, Jennifer encouraged me to come. At the time I was still knee deep in boxes, so I told her I would think about it.  That was the end of our discussion at the time.

Jennifer called me again a couple weeks later and shared a little more with me about how M2M has impacted her life. It sounded great, and without thinking or praying too much about it, I decided to join. At the time, my main reason for signing up was thinking how fun it would be to hang out with Jennifer each week.   As mothers, we have to grab any opportunity we can to see our adult friends.  So, I registered!

Little did I know that I would get so much more!!

The best word I can use to describe M2M is “nourishing.”  It is truly food for the soul. When I share with my small group how overwhelmed or inadequate I feel as a parent sometimes, I am met with grace and love. I’ve never been told, “Well, you just need to…” or “ Patti, I can’t believe you would do that!” Instead, my small group is quick with a word of encouragement or a listening ear. I always feel safe enough to be real and vulnerable with them because I am not judged by my performance. I am loved and nurtured toward being a better mom!

The mentors at M2M are truly phenomenal. I have such respect and appreciation for each one of them, mainly because they want to help us be the best moms we can possibly be. I know they are praying for us.  They are willing to come each week to encourage us, to love us and to give us something we don’t always have when we’re in the thick of parenting, and that is PERSPECTIVE! They help us major on the majors!

If you would like to register for Mom to Mom, please click on the “Current Classes” tab at the top of this site.   I look forward to seeing you there!

Patty Brezina

Talk amongst yourselves!