Baptist Church At Ebenezer

10/11/2026

10/06/2026

BCE Family,

Sunday’s sermon explored the discipline of prayer as a foundational practice in the life of a disciple. Having spent the previous weeks establishing what it means to follow Jesus, we turned to a practical question: how do we actually do it?

Drawing from the life and teaching of Jesus, we examined how prayer is not a religious obligation or a last resort in crisis, but rather the ongoing conversation of a person walking closely with God. Prayer is not an accessory to following Jesus. It grows out of following Jesus.

Insights:
• We will never accidentally develop a deep prayer life. Jesus made intentional room for prayer, and so must we. Prayer was not an emergency response in the life of Jesus but a steady rhythm. He withdrew from crowds, demands, and urgency to be with the Father, and that time with the Father shaped the direction He took.
• The prayer He modeled starts with the Father, His name, and His kingdom. It brings our ordinary needs, our need for provision, forgiveness, and guidance, before God. And it reminds us that discipleship is not a solo journey.
• Prayer is meant to grow from an appointment into an ongoing conversation. The goal of the disciple is not simply to set aside moments for prayer, but to develop a continual awareness of God's presence throughout the day.

If you missed worshipping with us on Sunday, I apologize for the cut off of the livestream during the music and not having a recording of Sunday’s sermon. We are working out the kinks. I want this ministry to be something you can depend on every week. If you have any difficulties loading the app, please don’t hesitate to call me.
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Wednesday Night Discipleship
6PM Dinner – This week we are having pizza for supper. Please sign up on the app to bring: sides or desserts. It is the beginning of fall break and there are parent/teacher meetings Wednesday afternoon and evening, so I assume attendance will be light, but we’d love for you to be there.
7PM - Our classes will continue for all ages. The men’s class will continue to meet together. Our women’s class will continue meeting for a study on the book of Ruth. You can get a book from Laura for $5. I will continue in our study of Isaiah.
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Sunday there was a list of men made available who have been deemed eligible and are willing to serve as a deacon for 2027-2028. We ask you to be praying for who you will nominate to be voted on by the church. The vote to nominate will be taken on October 18th. Once the list of nominees has been collected, the actual deacon selection will take place on November 1st.
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There will be a church council meeting on October 14, at 8PM, after Wednesday Bible Studies.
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The Women’s Ministry is holding a food drive to help stock the Blessing Barn. The dates for collection will run 9/13 – 10/18. On the 18th of October the women will be taking the collected goods to the Blessing Barn to help organize and stock the food that has been donated.
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Reminder: Tonight, there will be a special evangelistic training put on by the Billy Graham Evangelism Association. The training will start at 7PM, at the Mighty Eighth Museum in Pooler. You do not have to have registered to attend, they told me personally that it is ok to just show up. The purpose for the training is to get people ready to counsel those who make decision for Jesus on October 30 in the Forsyth Park crusade, also hosted by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. However, even if you can’t be present for the crusade it would be to your benefit to go to the training for personal growth reasons. I’ll be going, and I hope to see you there. Seems like we have quite a few people who are going. If you want to go but need a ride, please let me know.
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Fair Parade, Monday, October 19 – line-up is at 4:30 – Theme is Deuteronomy 8:8 – Celebrating 250 years of freedom and farming, come as a farmer. We would love to have as many people as possible who would ride on our float or walk. A new wrinkle this year, if you start on the float you have to stay on the float and vice versa; if you start walking you have to stay walking to the end.
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CPR training is available online at https://cpr.heart.org/en/courses/basic-life-support-course-options, you can sign up there and complete the online course, the cost is $38. The hands-on skills-check training will be on October 24th. Allison Brock needs to know if you signed up for the course by October 11th so she can know how to prepare. Let me know if you are unaware of how to get in touch with her.
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October 30th, at noon, is the Declaration of Dependence Crusade at Forsyth Park in Savannah. This is a crusade hosted by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, with the special guest speaker Will Graham, Billy Graham’s grandson. It would be great to see you there.

I look forward to seeing all of you as we gather.

Pastor Matt

Learn more about Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR and AED course options from the AHA. Courses can be taken in blended learning or instructor-led formats.

10/04/2026

09/29/2026

BCE Family,

Sunday’s sermon explored what it truly means to call yourself a follower of Jesus; challenging us to move beyond a label and into a lifestyle. Drawing from the call of the disciples in Matthew 4, the message made clear that following Jesus is not a passive identity but an active, ongoing commitment. It requires placing ourselves under His authority, surrendering the direction of our lives to Him, and being willing to move in faith even when we cannot see the full road ahead.

As you go into this week, I encourage you to sit with this question: If Jesus is moving, are you willing to move with Him? Whether your next step is returning to time with Him, surrendering an area of disobedience, releasing something that is holding you back, or responding to a call you have been hesitating to answer — take that step. You may not have the whole itinerary, but you have Jesus, and that is enough.

If you missed worshipping with us on Sunday, I apologize for not having a recording of Sunday’s sermon. If you have any difficulties loading the app, please don’t hesitate to call me.
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Wednesday Night Discipleship
6PM Dinner – This week we are having a tailgate supper. Please sign up on the app to bring: finger foods and appetizes you might serve or bring to a football game
7PM - Our classes will continue for all ages. The men’s class will continue to meet together. Our women’s class will continue meeting for a new study on the book of Ruth. You can get a book from Laura for $5. I will continue in our study of Isaiah. Scott Bass will be facilitating the study of “Love and Respect”. This will be the last week for this study.
__________________
Next Sunday there will be a list of men who are have been deemed eligible and are willing to serve as a deacon for 2027-2028. We ask you to be praying for who you will nominate to be voted on by the church. The vote to nominate will be taken on October 18th. Once the list of nominees has been collected, the actual deacon selection will take place on November 1st.
_________________
The Women’s Ministry is holding a food drive to help stock the Blessing Barn. The dates for collection will run 9/13 – 10/18. On the 18th of October the women will be taking the collected goods to the Blessing Barn to help organize and stock the food that has been donated.
_________________
There will be a Bridal Shower and Luncheon for Morgan Hines @ Dawson Stone, October 4th, after church. Morgan and Dawson or registered at Amazon: Morgan Hines, Dawson Stone – December 12, 2026.
_________________
On October 6th there will be a special evangelistic training put on by the Billy Graham Evangelism Association. The training will take place on Tuesday, 7PM, at the Mighty Eighth Museum in Pooler. You need to register online to attend. The purpose for the training is to get people ready to counsel those who make decision for Jesus on October 30 in the Forsyth Park crusade, also hosted by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. However, even if you can’t be present for the crusade it would be to your benefit to go to the training for personal growth reasons. I’ll be going, and I hope to see you there. Go to https://billygraham.org/.../declaration.../calendar/vpdw7kpp to RSVP for the training. Seems like we have quite a few people who are going. If you want to go but need a ride, please let me know.
_________________
Fair Parade, Monday, October 19 – line-up is at 4:30 – Theme is Deuteronomy 8:8 – Celebrating 250 years of freedom and farming, come as a farmer. We would love to have as many people as possible who would ride on our float or walk. A new wrinkle this year, if you start on the float you have to stay on the float and vice versa; if you start walking you have to stay walking to the end.
________________
October 30th, at noon, is the Declaration of Dependence Crusade at Forsyth Park in Savannah. This is a crusade hosted by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, with the special guest speaker Will Graham, Billy Graham’s grandson. It would be great to see you there.

I look forward to seeing all of you as we gather.

Pastor Matt

09/27/2026

A group of our BCE ladies made a trip to Gatlinburg this weekend to attend the Favored Women's Conference. We were so excited they were able to get away and worship together and look forward to hearing about their experience!

09/25/2026

Heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Tomaza and her family in the loss of Mr. Jimmy. He will surely be missed at BCE.

A memorial service is planned for October 17th at 2:00 at the Baptist Church At Ebenezer.

View James "Jimmy" Earl Stringer's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

09/22/2026

BCE Family,

Sunday’s sermon examined what it truly means to follow Jesus, challenging us to move beyond simply claiming the title of "follower" and into the active, verb-driven reality of what following actually requires. Following is not a state of being - it is something we do. Just as Peter, Andrew, James, and John immediately left their nets and their boats when Jesus called them, genuine discipleship demands movement, change, and intentionality. We began unpacking four components of what it looks like to follow Jesus well: be with Him, do as He does, do as He says, and move when He moves. I was only able to cover the first two in depth, and we will pick up the remaining points next week. Here are a some take aways from the sermon:

— Following starts with presence. Jesus called His disciples first and foremost so that they might be with Him. We cannot follow someone we are not spending time with. Intentionality is required - no one stumbles into a meaningful relationship with Jesus by accident. If your soul feels dry, the remedy is not more activity. It is more time in the presence of Jesus.

— Following requires humility and observation. Just as a new employee shadows a seasoned one before stepping in, we are called to observe how Jesus moved, rested, prioritized, and saw people. Do as He does means spending time in the Gospels, learning His life, and then imitating what we find there.

— Following will lead you into uncomfortable places. Jesus does not always lead us somewhere familiar or easy. He leads us into places that stretch us, challenge our assumptions, and require us to trust Him rather than our own instincts. If you find yourself backing away every time the path feels uncomfortable, it may be worth asking whether you are truly following or simply agreeing from a safe distance.

If you missed worshipping with us on Sunday, you can access the sermon on our church app. If you have any difficulties loading the app, please don’t hesitate to call me.
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Wednesday Night Discipleship
6PM Dinner – This week we are having a potato bar. Please sign up on the app to bring: toppings and fillings for the potato’s and Desserts are also welcome.

7PM - Our classes will continue for all ages. The men’s class will continue to meet together. Our women’s class will continue meeting for a new study on the book of Ruth. You can get a book from Laura for $5. I will continue in our study of Isaiah. Scott Bass will be facilitating the study of “Love and Respect”. This will be the last week for this study.
__________________
The women’s ministry would like to thank everyone who helped raise money and those who donated. Enough money was raised to pay the remaining balance for the trip for all the participants.
_________________
The Women’s Ministry is holding a food drive to help stock the Blessing Barn. The dates for collection will run 9/13 – 10/18. On the 18th of October the women will be taking the collected goods to the Blessing Barn to help organize and stock the food that has been donated.
_________________
There will be a Bridal Shower and Luncheon for Morgan Hines @ Dawson Stone, October 4th, after church. Morgan and Dawson or registered at Amazon: Morgan Hines, Dawson Stone – December 12, 2026.
_________________
On October 4th there will be a special evangelistic training put on by the Billy Graham Evangelism Association. The training will take place on Tuesday October 6th, 7PM, at the Mighty Eighth Museum in Pooler. You need to register online to attend. The purpose for the training is to get people ready to counsel those who make decision for Jesus on October 30 in the Forsyth Park crusade, also hosted by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. However, even if you can’t be present for the crusade it would be to your benefit to go to the training for personal growth reasons. I’ll be going, and I hope to see you there. Go to https://billygraham.org/events/declaration-of-dependence/calendar/vpdw7kpp to RSVP for the training.
_________________
October 30th, at noon, is the Declaration of Dependence Crusade at Forsyth Park in Savannah. This is a crusade hosted by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, with the special guest speaker Will Graham, Billy Graham’s grandson. It would be great to see you there.

I look forward to seeing all of you as we gather.

Pastor Matt

By attending this free course, participants will learn how to share the Gospel and help new Christians study God’s Word.

09/20/2026

09/13/2026

09/08/2026

BCE Family,

Sunday’s sermon explored the final verses of Romans 16, centering on two words Paul uses that carry enormous weight: "my gospel." Rather than being a claim of ownership or a distortion of truth, this phrase reveals something deeply personal about Paul's relationship with the gospel. The sermon traced how the gospel did not simply change what Paul believed, it changed who Paul was. Through Paul's own writings, we were challenged to examine whether the gospel has merely changed our eternal destination or whether it is actively reshaping our direction, our desires, and our daily dependence on God. The gospel is not a finish line, it is a starting line, and God calls each of us to get off that line and walk forward in faith.

If you missed worshipping with us on Sunday, you can access the sermon on our church app. If you have any difficulties loading the app, please don’t hesitate to call me.
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Wednesday Night Discipleship
6PM Dinner – This week we are having taco/nacho bar. Please sign up on the app to bring: lettuce, chips, cheese, cheese dip, tomatoes, onions, rice, beans, taco sauce, salsa, guacamole, etc. Dessert is also welcome.

7PM - Our classes will continue for all ages. The men’s class will continue to meet together. Our women’s class will begin meeting tomorrow for a new study on the book of Ruth. You can get a book from Laura for $5. I will continue in our study of Isaiah. Scott Bass will be facilitating the study of “Love and Respect”. This is in addition to the small group that is a couple of weeks ahead but working through the same material. Wednesday’s class will help other couples who are unable to meet on Sunday evenings who would like to attend. Classes start for every age at 7PM.
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The women’s ministry is engaged in various fundraisers to help offset the cost of the women’s conference in Gatlinburg.

- Boston Butts will be available for pickup on September 12th. A special thanks to our men’s ministry, who are cooking the butts. You can scan the QR on the announcement on our page to place your order.
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The men will be gathering at 6PM for an overnight butt cook for the women’s ministry on Friday, September 1l, all are welcome. Jason and the guys will be serving low country boil for anyone who would like to participate. Let Jason Cobb know if you are planning to be there.
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The Women’s Ministry is holding a food drive to help stock the Blessing Barn. The dates for collection will run 9/13 – 10/18. On the 18th of October the women will be taking the collected goods to the Blessing Barn to help organize and stock the food that has been donated.
_________________
There will be a Bridal Shower and Luncheon for Morgan Hines @ Dawson Stone, October 4th, after church. Morgan and Dawson or registered at Amazon: Morgan Hines, Dawson Stone – December 12, 2026.
_________________

I look forward to seeing all of you as we gather.

Pastor Matt