The
Briarwood Weekly
Briarwood Presbyterian Church
2200 Briarwood Way
Birmingham, AL 35243-2923
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Non-Profit Org.
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Permit # 2143
Birmingham, AL
Imagine a land with no Internet, where ’57 Chevys share the road with horse-drawn buggies, and
barefoot children play unsupervised in the streets. Instead of stores, old men sell their wares from
carts pushed along sidewalks, and the line for potatoes extends 50-people deep. These were the
sights that surrounded us as the Ballet team arrived in Holguin, Cuba. A country forgotten by time—
but not by God!
Last year, Rev. Cheely and Glenn Waddell traveled to Cuba, connecting with pastors and house
churches. Both were amazed at the Gospel explosion taking place and returned with a vision for
Ballet Exaltation to minister in Cuba. Accomplishing such a task meant the government authorities
in Havana must issue our group religious visas, as well as grant us permission to perform in
the government-owned theatres. In bringing us to their country, the pastors would be taking a
tremendous risk. After a year of frustrated planning, sporadic communications, and desperate
prayers, we had the privilege of spending 12 days in Cuba, watching God do the miraculous!
In preparation for our first public concert, members of our team quietly went through the theatre
praying over each of the 800+ seats, especially those reserved for government officials. The mention
of God was allowed, but only in generic terms. God, however, was not limited to my narration. The
response was overwhelming! After the concert, government officials thanked the pastor for bringing
“this beauty” to their city, and offered their help in doing this again. News of the concert spread
on TV and radio, and the subsequent performances in two other cities were sold out! I was able to
speak with freedom about Easter and why we dance! We are not professionals or theologians, but
God allowed us to be a part of His work at this time in Cuba—A Dios sea la Gloria!
Peggy Townes
Executive Director,
Briarwood Ballet
June 1–5 9:00 a.m.–Noon
Register online: briarwood.org/vbs
We will be learning all about becoming a new creation
in Christ through skits, songs, crafts and tons of fun!
VBS is free and t-shirts will be available for $12.
VBS is open to all kids who will be
in K5–6th grade in the fall.
• VBS Shepherd Meetings are Thurs., May 7 at 10:00 a.m. or
6:00 p.m. in FH–E&F. All rising K5–6th grade Shepherds should
attend one of these. Morning nursery by reservation only at
briarwood.org/nursery.
• Teen Helpers register May 8! Rising 9th–12th grade register
at briarwood.org/vbsteen. Rising 7th and 8th grade MUST have
a parent volunteering at VBS to be a teen helper. Register
EARLY—there are only 100 spots!
• Donate old magazines for a VBS craft in the VBS mailbox.
• Preschool VBS/Nursery is open to children of VBS volunteers
only. To register, contact Raleigh or Alison.
• Shepherds still needed. For rising K5–6th grade, go to
briarwood.org/VBSstaff. For Nursery age, click on the VBS
volunteer link at briarwood.org/nursery.
The
Briarwood Weekly
April 24, 2015
phone: 205.776.5200 • fax: 205.776.5241 • email: [email protected] • website: briarwood.org
The sacrament of the Lord’s
Supper will be celebrated this Sun.,
Apr. 26 in the morning service.
Members of the congregation are
invited to prepare their hearts to
receive Communion. An alms offering
for the Mercy Ministry will be received.
LORD’S DAY WORSHIP SERVICES
Sunday Morning – 8:00 and 10 :55 a.m.
The Lord’s Supper in Biblical Perspective
“Preparing for the Lord’s Supper”
I Corinthians 11:17–34
Dr. Harry L. Reeder III
Bluegrass Fellowship—Last Thurs.
of the month from 7:00–9:00 p.m. in the
Choir Room. If you like to play or sing
bluegrass, country or mountain music,
come join us. All levels welcome! Call
Jim Blackmon at 532-9491.
Kids Night Out—Sat., May 2 from
6:00–9:30 p.m. for 1 year olds through
6th grade. Register online before Thur.,
Apr. 30 at briarwood.org/children. Open
to all Briarwood members.
The Church Revitalization
Ministry Prayer Team will gather
for prayer in W202 on Sun., May 3 at
5:00 p.m. All are welcome.
Young Business Leaders
Breakfast—Fri., May 8, 6:30 a.m. at
The Harbert Center. “Bill” Cabaniss,
Businessman, State Legislator, and U.S.
Ambassador speaking. Cost is $20 or
$150/table of 8. Reservations at
776-5450 or [email protected].
You are invited to Birmingham
Theological Seminary’s graduation
ceremony on Fri., May 15 at 7:00 p.m.
in the Worship Center Dr. Howard
Eyrich will be the commencement
speaker. Come support our graduates!
Today InPerspective airs weekdays
at 1:00, 5:15 and 9:00 p.m. on WLJR,
88.5 FM, and at playwljr.com. The week
of Apr. 27 Pastor Reeder and host Tom
Lamprecht will discuss tough questions
from the Bible.
Family Album
• We rejoice with Jason and
Betsy Burt on the birth of their
son, Jason “Jay” Matthews, on
Apr. 19.
• Our love and sympathy to Annie
Hall and family on the death of her
Serving in the Nursery – Sun., Apr. 26
Covenant Keepers
(263 babies loved last week)
Officer nominations—Deacon
and Elder nominations for the Class
of 2018 will be accepted from the
congregation during the month of May.
Nominating forms will be available on
Sun., Apr. 26 at the various information
stations throughout the church. The
deadline for nominations is Sun., May 31.
SAVE YOUR STUFF— July 24–25
is the 7th Annual Briarwood Flea Market.
Vendor registration opens May 1.
Contact [email protected] or call
776-5311. Proceeds to benefit Urban
Hope Community Church in Fairfield.
Ambassador Summer Soccer
camps—Session 1: June 22–26 for
ages 4-–10; Session 2: July 6–10 for
ages 7–14. Camps for boys and girls
and open to the public. Register at
briarwoodsoccer.com or call 776-5114.
Camp Briarwood registration—
Spots are available for all six weeks
of camp. Visit campbriarwood.org for
more information and for a registration
form, or call 776-5237. Camp is a
great way to help your children make
memories this summer that will last for
many years to come!
L.O.V.E. needed—Ladies and
gentlemen are invited to deliver
beautiful flowers and the love of Christ
in order to encourage our assisted
living and at-home members. Meet
Monday mornings at 9:30 in our Flower
Room and then go out in pairs with
freshly-made arrangements. For more
information, contact Pam Stracner at
995-1426 or [email protected].
Graduating from college?
The Briarwood Fellows program
trains recent college graduates to
reach and impact the marketplace
and public arena for Christ through
paid marketplace internships,
biblical worldview discipleship and
leadership training. Apply online at
briarwoodfellows.org.
Erin
DavidDuncan
& Lydia Taylor
Campus
Inland Mission
Outreach
Australia
Africa
Go to briarwood.org/icon on the
web to see you how you can easily add
a shortcut to the church website on
your mobile device.
Job Openings—1) The Global Missions
Ministry seeks a full-time admin. assistant
to serve our new Missions Pastor, the
Global Missions Team, and as office
manager of our Missions Ministry. Send
resumes to [email protected]. 2) Parttime admin. assistant for Briarwood Intl
Outreach—primarily serving international
congregations. Send inquiries and resumes
to [email protected]. 3) Foundations
Early Learning and Family Center in
Fairfield seeks a full-time Program Director.
The position offers a competitive salary
and some benefits. If interested, please
apply at [email protected].
This beautiful book describes the
50-year history of Briarwood
Christian School and is filled with
pictures and interesting facts.
May 6 • 7:00 p.m.
Prayer Service in the Chapel
On sale for $34.95 online in the
webstore and in the Bookstore.
May 7 • 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
Chapel Open for Prayer
Alonza & Vanessa Jones Alabama
Jay & Cindy
Rashawn
HillJackson
Wales Goebel
Campus
Outreach
Alabama
Georgia
Cosmo
Susette
Tomaselli
Steve
&&
Brooke
Edging
Church to
Resource
Ministries
Mission
the World
Romania
Uganda
Byron &Hillman
Kim Johnson
Gladys
Campus Outreach
Cru
Georgia
Georgia
Alex&&Tathiana
Lena Travinkov
John
Elam
Campus Outreach
Crusade for Christ
Campus
Ukraine
Brazil
Scotty
Slyvia Hollins
Allen &McCammon
FCA
Deacon
Alabama
Briarwood
TUESDAY
Mike
Clete&&Sandra
Karen Hearon
Hux
Campus
Apologetics
Outreach
Resource Ctr.
Georgia
Alabama
ESOL teachers needed for the
coming year! Call if you would like to
find out more or sign up for this great
outreach to internationals in our own
city. We will train you and we teach
in teams so you have backup. Contact
Laura Danner at 776-5343.
BCS has limited space
availability in K4 and K5 fall classes.
Contact Kelly Mooney, Admissions Dir.,
at [email protected] for further
information or 776-5812.
Alonza and Vanessa Jones serve with the Biblical Marriage Institute (BMI) in Alabama. The BMI exists
to train and equip the Church to model, teach and advance biblical marriage. Pray for the Jones as
they train mentors, speak to groups, and lead workshops for people of all ages and walks of life.
MONDAY
Keith Miller
Briarwood
Elder
Friendship Partners needs 50
Briarwood families this year to reach
out to all our interested students. Sign
up to enjoy an international student
as a friend to you or your family! For
information and orientation meeting
times, call Laura Danner at 776-5343.
Adventures in Odyssey—Kids, just
a reminder that you can hear the entire
week’s programs from Focus on the
Family from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. every
Saturday morning on WLJR-FM. Listen on
the air at 88.5, or online at playwljr.com.
Missions Prayer Focus
Mark Macoy
Briarwood
Elder
SUNDAY
SATURDAY
FRIDAY
sisiter, Betty Rice, on Apr. 15.
Annual Church Picnic
3:00 p.m. Soccer Field
5:30 p.m. Dinner in the Fellowship Hall
Lasagna, Steamed Broccoli,
Taco Salad Bar,
Green Salad, Garlic Roll,
Black Beans with Corn, Spanish Rice,
Dessert
Chips & Salsa, Dessert
For reservations,
For reservations,
visit
briarwood.org/dinner
visit briarwood.org/dinner
or call
call 776-5238
776-5238 by
byTuesday
Tuesday at
at noon.
noon.
or
Brian
& Terri Firpo
Joe Medlock
Campus
DeaconOutreach
Thailand
Briarwood
THURSDAY
Pastor Reeder’s second Q&A
session on eschatology (end times)
will be in the Chapel following our last
MidWeek dinner on Apr. 29.
Sunday Afternoon
John
Marvin
Bentley
Keffer
Elder
Briarwood
Briarwood
Deacon
Jim
DickBlackmon
Richard
Elder
Briarwood
Briarwood
Deacon
WEDNESDAY
Evangelism/discipleship training
by The Billy Graham Evangelistic Assoc.
on Apr. 27 from 7:00–9:00 p.m. in the
Worship Center. For more details, go to
briarwood.org/evangelism.
MidWeek
Mar.29
25
MidWeek Dinner
Dinner Apr.
Jay
Shaw
Scott
Hannah
Youth
Pastor
Leadership
Team
Leadership
Briarwood Team
Shepherd’s
Fold
North
Star Youth
Ministry
Ministries