Inside this issue:

Pastor’s Message 2

Events/Birthdays 3

January’s Schedules 4

Announcements 5

Brian’s Briefs 6

Music & Worship 7

Contact Info &

Brittany’s Bits

8

NEWSLETTER

Dr. Paul Noe, Pastor

Rev. Gary Powell, Associate Pastor & Minister of Music

& Worship

Rev. Brian Ayers, Associate Pastor & Minister of Youth

Mrs. Brittany Walden, Director of Children’s Ministries

January, 2014

Volume IV, Issue I

January 15 Deadline

For all info to be included in

the February Newsletter.

“...I will bless

thee… And thou

shalt be

a blessing.”

Genesis 12:2

Where Peaceful Waters Flow

The clouds break forth the streams of light

To dance upon the earth

and cradled in the sands of time

A newborn baby’s birth.

A gentle breeze blows through the night

It whispers through the grass

And ripples on the water form

As rain glistens on glass.

And you listen to the sound

The Lord’s presence all around

He summons us to go

Where peaceful waters flow.

A rainbow arcs across the sky

A promise is displayed

The graceful flight of a butterfly

It takes my breath away.

And you listen to the sound

The Lord’s presence all around

He summons us to go

Where peaceful waters flow.

By Keith Burroughs

Page 2

“PASTOR PAUL’S PARAGRAPHS”

Dear Members and Friends of the Sweetwater Baptist Church:

Blessings!! The Christmas celebrations this year at Sweetwater were great! The Children’s Musical,

the Adult Choir Musical, and the Candlelight Communion service were all wonderful! Thank you for making

the Christmas season so special at Sweetwater!

On a personal note, “thank you” so very much for the many gifts, cards, and expressions of love that

you gave to the Noe family during the Christmas season. Words cannot express our gratitude and apprecia-

tion for your tremendous generosity and thoughtfulness. We are so blessed to serve such a loving and caring

church family.

2014 is going to be a year of phenomenal growth in our area. We are about to witness an explosion of

new construction, businesses, and traffic around Exit 5. Zaxby’s has already opened for business, construc-

tion on the new Walmart has begun, and a shopping plaza and additional eating establishments are on the

way. What does this mean for the Sweetwater Baptist Church? It is an exciting opportunity for us to expand

our influence and make an impact for the Kingdom of God. Jesus reminds us in John 4:35 that the fields are

“white unto harvest.” We must be faithful in being the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew

5:13-16). “For such a time is this” (Esther 4:14) God has placed us in this area to be a Gospel Lighthouse.

Let’s pray that God will give us wisdom and guidance as we seek ways to impact our area for Christ.

Often people make New Year’s resolutions during this time of year. However, resolutions are promises

that are easily broken and forgotten. As Christians, we should make commitments. Let me encourage you to

make the following commitments as you enter 2014.

1. Be DELIGHTED in Your Walk with God – Micah 6:8

2. Be DISCIPLINED in Your Daily Prayer and Bible Study – Luke 18:1, 2 Timothy 2:15

3. Be DEDICATED in Your Church Attendance – Hebrews 10:25

4. Be DETERMINED to be a Witness for Christ – Luke 24:48

5. Be DEVOTED in Your Service to the Lord – Ephesians 6:6

I can hardly wait to see what God is going to do at the Sweetwater Baptist Church in 2014! Thanks for

the privilege of serving you!!

Happy New Year!!

With a Pastor’s Love,

Brother Paul Philippians 1:3

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

1/1 — Heather Widener

1/2 — Lee Hanks, Sherry Hawkins, Elizabeth Coulthurst

1/3 — Bill Montgomery, Sandy Nail, Michelle Smith, Mike Lybrand, Ron Wheatley

1/4 — Ricky Kelley, Matthew Benenhaley, Meredith Tay-lor, Janice Jernigan, Brandi Schwarz

1/5 — Gary Bell, Jr., Peggy Spaulding, Joe Miller

1/6 — Elizabeth McDaniel, Bethany Powell, Ralph Robin-son, Charlotte Munns, Allen Byrd

1/7 — David McClure, Patricia Bridges

1/8 — Gerald Messer

1/9 — Julie Little, Betty Raines

1/10 — Chris Wade

1/11 — Casey Meteraud

1/12 — Jayden Branson, Diane Pitman

1/13 — Hollie Gillespie

1/14 — Ryan Ratcliff, Kay Watson, Sandra Bell, Billy Payne, Roy Walker, Jodi Wade

1/15 — Bobbi Noe, Brenda Whiteaker

1/16 — Lisa Wright, Briana Loehr

1/17 — Ryan Gillespie, Iris Carter, Phillip Dickert, Audi Clemens

1/18 — Evangeline Schwarz, Jesse Blaxton

1/19 — Tillman Miller

1/20 — Larry Campbell, Teresa Myers, Dan Jernigan, Sally Hatfield, Gracyn Walden

1/22 — Lauren Hadden

1/23 — Lilly Byers, Jimmy Lane, Bryson Wright

1/24 — Charles Stewart

1/25 — Piper Cook, Madisyn Thatcher, Alison Ramsey, Rocky McKie, Helen Costello

1/26 — Jeanette Miller, Beverly Hadley, Greg Shouse

1/27 — Parker McCay, Nina Benenhaley

1/28 — Helen Scruggs

1/30 — Jerry Deese

1/31 — Dustin Loehr

January 1 — Church Office Closed

January 5 — AWANA Resumes, 5pm; Wild Game Team Meeting, 5pm

January 6 — Monday Night Visitation Resumes, 6:30pm

January 7 — Norma Pate Group, 6:30pm

January 8 — Neely Group, 10am, M&M Resumes, 6:30pm

January 10 — Sweetwater Jammin’, 7pm

January 12 — Council of Leaders’ Meeting, 4pm

January 15 — Finance Committee Meeting, 7:20pm

January 17 — Joyous Seniors’ Luncheon, 11:45am

January 18 — Men’s Prayer Breakfast, 8am

January 19 — Deacons’ Meeting, 4pm; Romanian Mission Trip Report, 6pm

January 20 — Biltmore House Day Trip

January 21 — Ladies’ Photography, 6pm; Norma Pate Group, 6:30pm

January 26 — Missions Committee Meeting, 4pm

January 29 — RA Racing, 6:30pm

Page 4 January Schedules

SECURITY: January 5 January 12 January 19 January 26

8:30 AM Tillman Miller Bill Little Greg Hurt David Harley

11:00 AM Frank Maurer Russell Eubanks Chic Morris Jimmy Pardue

6:00 PM Jim Reece Ronnie Berry Robert Ratcliff Terrill Lepard

January 5

Rene & Madge Garcia

Crib: Toni Steedley & Renee Stewart Toddler: Debbie & Christina McClure

Tonya Gilbert & Nancy Britt

January 12

Brittany Walden & Sunnie Cook

Crib:Katie Johnson & Ginny Pardue Toddler: Kathy Branson & Libby Zahner

Alyss Noe & Brittany Walden

January 19

Robert & Diane Thompson

Crib: Patsy Walker & Helen Butler Toddler: Felix & Sherry McKie

Cindy O’Driscoll & Kathy Crawford

January 26

Benay Byers & Julie Little

Crib: Mary Dickenson & Madison Ayers Toddler: Eric & Tina Wiggins

Marvin & Doris Wheeler

NURSERY SCHEDULE

8:30 AM 11:00 AM 6:00 PM

8:30 AM 11:00 AM 8:30 AM 11:00 AM

January 5 January 12

Mark Stewart Abbie Prince Billy Cross Roby Gillespie

Jerry Hawkins Miller Butler Kenneth Hughes Eric Wiggins

Bill Little Greg Waugh Tillman Miller Johnny Albion

David McClain Robert Ratcliff Robert Thompson Jim Williams

John Morgan Ronnie Berry Jim Reece Lee Leyda

January 19 January 26

David Harley Russell Eubanks Lee Hanks Abbie Prince

Rod Ingle Chuck Nail Greg Lepard Miller Butler

Rocky McKie Jimmy Pardue Scott Sherman Dean McDaniel

Gordon Ferguson Terry Mathis Chris Gillespie Chuck Nail

Melvin Scales Tony Costello Danny Fincher Greg Waugh

CMC Ministry

Delivery Schedule

January

Terry &

Sharon Mathis

“For the word of

the Lord is right;

and all his works

are done in truth.”

Psalm 33:4

Deacons on Call

January 5

Keith Edwards

Steve Whisenant

January 12

Ronnie Berry

Al Branson

January 19

Melvin Scales

Bill McBride

January 26

Bill Little

Chris McBride

U

S

H

E

R

S

Joyous Seniors…

You are in for a treat at this month’s Joyous Seniors’ Covered-Dish Lunch-

eon!! Our special guest will be Kristy Byers, who will entertain us with Christian

comedy. Kristy is originally from Clover, SC, graduated from Winthrop University,

is a former missionary, and currently works with the Baptist Foundation in Colum-

bia, SC. Her message is: “This is life. There are times when there isn’t much fun-

ny, but even in the darkest times, the joy of the Lord is our

strength.”

Join us on Friday, January 17th, at 11:45am in the

Family Life Center. Bring a smile, a friend, and your favor-

ite covered dish. We’ll see you there!

Sweetwater Jammin’

Don’t miss another session of Sweetwater Jammin’ on Friday, January 10th, at 7pm

in the Family Life Center. If you have not attended one of these events, you have missed a

night filled with music and laughter. Oh, and food!!

If you sing or play an instrument, whether you are just learning or have been playing

for a long time, we would love for you to participate. If you are interested in participating,

please call Elaine King to let her know (279-3286). Bring some finger-food, and bring a

friend. We guarantee you will GET a blessing and BE a blessing!!

KEEP THAT NEW YEARS RESOLUTION!!

Prayer Walking in the Family Life Center

Thursday Mornings at 10am

Physical & Spiritual Health and Great Fellowship!!

Brian’s B

riefs

Winter Jam 2014 Thursday, February 13 — Cost: $20

NEWSBOYS, LeCrae, Newsong, Colton Dixon, Tenth Avenue North & More!!

Speaker: Nick Hall

Deadline for Sign-up is Sunday, February 2nd—Pay $20 to Sign Up.

Wild Game Supper

Team Meetings

January 5, 5pm

February 2, 5pm

February 23, 4pm

Please Mark These Dates on Your Calendar!

“Go Tell” Youth Camp June 23—27, 2014

Toccoa, GA — $300 per camper

Water Skiing, Tubing, Swimming,

Canoeing, Paddle Boats, Gym

Great Speakers: Ken Freeman, Travis Crimm,

Shannon O’Dell, James Merritt

Awesome Worship Leaders: Exodus & Charles Billingsley

Non-refundable deposit of $50 holds your spot!

(Camp usually fills up by mid-February!!)

Biltmore Estate Extravaganza — Monday, January 20th, 7:15am—10:30pm

Lunch at the Moose Café in Asheville; Supper at The Beacon in Spartanburg

Adults: $60; Ages 10-16: $45; Ages 9 & under: $30

PLUS money for 2 meals & snacks

Price Includes Biltmore Ticket & Bus Transportation

$25 deposit per person due by January 5th

Hard to believe that Hard to believe that

8 years have gone by since 8 years have gone by since

God called us to Sweetwa-God called us to Sweetwa-

ter. We “loaded up the ter. We “loaded up the

truck and moved to” North truck and moved to” North

Augusta . We began our Augusta . We began our

ministry on Christmas Day, ministry on Christmas Day,

2005. It has been a pleasure 2005. It has been a pleasure

and privilege to serve with and privilege to serve with

my friend and brother in my friend and brother in

the Lord, Paul Noe. In ad-the Lord, Paul Noe. In ad-

dition, it has been a won-dition, it has been a won-

derful opportunity to minis-derful opportunity to minis-

ter here. Thank you so ter here. Thank you so

much for all the friendships much for all the friendships

that we share. Your contin-that we share. Your contin-

uuaall wwoorrddss ooff ssuuppppoorrtt ,, lloovvee ,,

and encouragement mean and encouragement mean

so much to our family. Your so much to our family. Your

continued concern and continued concern and

prayers on behalf of our prayers on behalf of our

daughters away at college, daughters away at college,

from Arkansas to Romania, are from Arkansas to Romania, are

a comfort to us, as well. To the a comfort to us, as well. To the

Celebration Choir, I want to Celebration Choir, I want to

say what a blessing it has been say what a blessing it has been

to minister through music & to minister through music &

praise weekpraise week--afterafter--week. You week. You

are amazing!are amazing!

Singing His Praises,Singing His Praises,

Bro. GaryBro. Gary

Fall Retreat (Smoky Mtns)

Biltmore Christmas Trip

Blue Willow Inn/Historic Home

Tour

Spring Retreat (Charleston)

NarroWay Productions— “The

Gospel According to TN”

Sr. Adult Day & Christmas @

Connie Maxwell

Celebrators Conference

(Sevierville, TN)

WOW! A new year! Can you believe it!

2013 was a wonderful year of trips

and travel for our Senior Adult Minis-

try! If you were unable to participate,

or you are new to Sweetwater, I hope

you will avail yourself to these fun,

exciting, and spiritually enriching

opportunities, if your health allows.

Here are a few highlights from 2012-

13:

Spring Retreat (Beckley, WV)

Plans are already underway for our

Spring/Summer Retreat. Be watching this

paragraph page in next month’s newslet-

ter for all the details. Tentative dates are

June 19-21. Take out your calendar right

now, mark it; then, tell your family you

can’t because

you are going

on the trip with

the church! It’s

that simple.

SENIOR ADULT News

The purpose of the event is to The purpose of the event is to

provide each choir with 5 new provide each choir with 5 new

songs they can sing in their songs they can sing in their

church. It’s great fellowship, wor-church. It’s great fellowship, wor-

ship, and a delicious lunch. Signship, and a delicious lunch. Sign--

up begins Jan. 8th in rehearsal. up begins Jan. 8th in rehearsal.

Don’t miss this special opportuni-Don’t miss this special opportuni-

ty. It only comes once a year!ty. It only comes once a year!

FEBRUARY 16 FEBRUARY 16

(AM)(AM)

Concert w/ Concert w/

George FridlenderGeorge Fridlender

“Through “Word & “Through “Word &

Song,” George shares an amaz-Song,” George shares an amaz-

ing story of survival & spiritual ing story of survival & spiritual

journey...forsaking fame for faith!”journey...forsaking fame for faith!”

JANURY JANURY

Rehearsal ScheduleRehearsal Schedule

5th5th—— NO REHEARSALNO REHEARSAL

12th12th——4:00pm4:00pm

19th19th——4:00pm4:00pm

26th26th——4:00pm4:00pm

Music Notes Music Notes Music Notes (Gary Powell)(Gary Powell)(Gary Powell)

UPCOMING

MUSICAL DATES

AIKEN BAPTIST AIKEN BAPTIST

ASSOCIATION’S ASSOCIATION’S

ANNUAL ANNUAL

ADULT CHOIR ADULT CHOIR

WORKSHOPWORKSHOP

SATURDAYSATURDAY——JANUARY JANUARY

25 25

HOST: BELVEDERE HOST: BELVEDERE

FBCFBC

9:00AM9:00AM--2:30PM2:30PM

COST: 12COST: 12

FOREIGN MISSION FIELDS FOR

THE MONTH OF JANUARY:

January 5 — Denmark

January 12 — South Korea

January 19 — Dominican Republic

January 26 — Indonesia

Please remember to pray for our Southern Baptist

missionaries and workers this month.

Trust God for a Miracle

Church Office: 803-279-2821

Family Life Center: 803-426-1860

January Big Fish Bubbles

This past month has been a very busy one for the all of the Children’s Ministries. The Elementary Exalters did a

wonderful job with their Christmas musical, “Return to Bethlehem.” There is nothing more precious than watch-

ing our children worship the Lord and grow in their relationship with Him! Our Preschool Praisers entertained us

this month as well with a few Christmas worship songs, and as always they were adorable. In addition to our chil-

dren’s choirs we celebrated the real reason for the season with our birthday party for Jesus and a Christmas

pajama fellowship in AWANAs. I can’t thank all of our wonderful children’s workers enough for how hard they

have worked to make sure our children have a wonderful relationship with the Lord. As we say goodbye to 2013

we will be preparing for a wonderful start to the New Year for our Big Fish. Please look over the important dates

below to stay informed about when our Children’s Ministries will start back up in 2014. I pray that God blesses

each of you in the upcoming year!

January 5th-AWANA begins 5:00-7:00pm

January 8th-Pre-school Praisers, Elementary Exalters, Mission Friends, RA’s, and GA’s begin 6:30-8:00pm

Web Site:

www.sweetwaterbc.org

MEN’S PRAYER BREAKFAST

Saturday, January 18, 8am in

the Fellowship Hall.

Goal: $2,300,000

Each Letter Represents $100,000

Total to date: $603,650.78

The Neely Group will meet on

Wednesday, January 8 at 10am in the

Fellowship Hall.

The Joyous Seniors’ Luncheon will

be Friday, January 17, 11:45am, in the

Family Life Center.