The 540 SE Extension Issue

As many of you are aware by now, the alarm has been sounded here at Springfield concerning the possible impact that the proposed 540 Extension corridors will have on Springfield church if one of three of the five options are chosen.

Currently there are five options under consideration by the NC Turnpike Authority to complete their effort. Three of the five options (Red, Pink and I-40 Corridors) directly cross the properties of Springfield in such a way that our church and property would by drastically and permanently impacted in way that could force us to relocate from where we have existed for 144 years.

It is our belief that Springfield has well proven itself in this community, this county and this state in such a way that we are of great value and worth to the moral character of this community. We have long been active in affairs of our people and this Garner community and have extended our services in all possible ways. We are a people of faith who believe that God has called us to great work here in this area where we now dwell and that it is our right to remain where God has placed us.

We continue to urge each one of you that read this message to GET Busy to do your part in helping to get the message across to the Turnpike Authority that we are totally opposed to the Red, Pink and I-40 Corridor options. How do you do this? Send letters to the NC Turnpike Authority, to the attention of Steve DeWitt expressing your concern and opposition to these corridors coming through Springfield. Better still, click on the link on our home page concerning the 540 extension and send an email directly to the Authority.

Springfield, this is a time in which each one of us MUST be a voice and not leave it to the pastor, deacons and trustees to speak alone. Our faith in God must not be shown merely by saying "we are praying and trusting God to make a way." We must get up after praying and walk in "the way" God has made for us. Remember my brothers and sisters, the Bible clearly says that "Faith without Works IS DEAD!" Let us have faith in God about this issue and the boldness to stand up and standout to show that we have the works to back up our faith in God.
If you have any questions, ideas, suggestions of how we can continue to address this matter, please call us, write or email us here at Springfield.

The email address is revsanders@springfieldbaptistchurch.com, office number is (919) 772-3616 and church address is 4309 Auburn-Knightdale Road, Raleigh, NC 27610.

Be not weary in well doing . . . . we will reap in due season.
Your Pastor

The Elections: Where Do We Go From Here?

The elections of 2010 are over. For many there is the concern and fear of what is to happen now that our candidates did not win or were not re-elected. Should we just wait and "get 'em next time" or run for cover, not knowing what is coming next.

As I see it, we are still God's people. Our God has not forsaken us nor deserted us. Though we may have witnessed setbacks and defeat there is still much to be done until the next elections come about.

We must take a stand and be viligant in our efforts to monitor the activity of those who have been elected to SERVE US. We must let any and all those who serve in these offices know that they are accountable to the people. They are to keep their promises and fulfill their obligations and responsibilities to us. We have no time to lick our wounds and sing the blues. We must become "watchers" on the wall as God's people. The Word says that as Christians we are to be responsive to government. Let us not be weary in well doing but let us send a message, a holy message, so that all may hear, that we are involved, interested, and intending to make a difference in the politics of our day.

Remember, "God has called us into the city for such a time as this."

Please Contact Us

March 26, 2010

Greetings My Springfield Family:

As we have entered into this year we have witnessed a great deal of sickness and bereavement in our church family and community. I am confident that God is continuing to keep us and keep His promises to us even in these times. I continue to pray God’s strength in the lives of those who are going through times such as these.

In light of these matters, I ask our church family for your assistance to better address and respond to these ongoing situations. Here are a few items we wanted you to know and be reminded of:

FYI # 6. When there is sickness, hospitalization or death in your home or immediate family, please contact the church so that we may be aware of it and be prayerful and supportive for you and with you. Contact the Pastor’s office or the Church Secretary’s office and leave the information with us even if it is a voice mail message. You are also asked to notify your assigned Deacons to share this information with them. You may also leave this information on the Prayer Line at 772-8078, extension #306.

We want to know about your circumstances so that we might respond as appropriately as possible, as soon as possible. We are never happy to hear that we have not responded to you in your time of need. However, if we do not know of your circumstances, we may not be able to assist you in a timely manner.

Please help us help you by keeping us informed in these areas.

Always know that we, your church and pastor are praying for you and your families.

Be Blessed,

Pastor Daniel Sanders

Inclement Weather & Assistant to the Pastor

January 25, 2009

Greetings My Springfield Family:

We are blessed to enter a new year that holds for us many blessings from God.

Here are a few items we wanted you to know and be reminded of:

FYI # 4. Because of inclement weather that may occur from time to time; we have established a telephone extension for you to call to keep you current concerning the weather, services and changes in activities here at Springfield. The new extension number is 312. Please call the main church number (919-772-8078) and than enter the extension # 312 to get the latest information concerning inclement weather. Also tune into WRAL –TV Channel 5 for information on activities of the church doing inclement weather.

FYI # 5. Rev. Rudolph Britton serves in the capacity of Assistant to the Pastor. This is a very important position that ties directly to me as Pastor. Rev. Britton’s responsibility is to assist me in areas here at Springfield that makes it possible for me to stay better informed, and to help ensure that matters of SBC are being addressed in a timelier manner. He works at my discretion and is to be afforded your respect and cooperation as he may have need to approach you. I am confident that you will give him the same respect and cooperation that you continue give to me as we strive for the greater good of SBC.

Be Blessed,

Pastor Daniel Sanders

Use of Church Financial Envelopes

June 15, 2008

Greetings my Springfield Family:

Use of Church Financial Envelopes

In an effort to better assist our members in matters of giving of tithes and offerings, we offer church financial envelopes. These envelopes are available from the ushers each Sunday at your request. We strongly encourage all persons, both members and non-members to use these envelopes when giving your tithes and offerings. No matter how little or how much you give, please use your envelope.

Use of the envelope allows the church to maintain a record of your contributions for the year and will generate a contribution statement at the end of the year for your records and income tax purposes (as you may desire).

Use of the envelope also assists the church in its awareness of our member’s financial support to this church. Part of our covenant promise as members of this church is to support it financially. Additionally, your use of the envelope assists us in tracking member’s attendance. These areas serve as an important part in maintaining each member’s status as “active” or “inactive.”

Many of you do make regular use of the envelope and I thank you. I believe that many more of you give financially but may not be using the envelope and I thank you also, but do ask that you take advantage of using the envelope at least monthly if not more.

I am grateful to each and every one of you who have blessed this church with your presence and with your gifts. Again, I say thank you for your attention in this matter

Be Blessed,

Pastor Daniel Sanders

New Wedding Planning Guidelines

January 27, 2008

Greetings my Springfield Family:

This is a new addition to the Sunday bulletin monthly, to keep you informed and up to date on matters that are relevant to you and the church. It is our hope that you will benefit from this “FYI” in the coming months.

Thank you all for being the best church anywhere.

FYI #1

Since we have experienced a great increase in the number of weddings requested and held here at SBC over the last two years, we are now requiring persons to give a minimum six (6) month notification if they wish to have their wedding held at Springfield.

This will insure that ample time will be given to scheduling, planning, counseling (required) and having necessary personnel in place.

If wedding bells are ringing for you and yours, and a date is being considered, please contact the Pastor’s office to discuss your wedding date as well as all other necessary information pertaining to the scheduling and procedures for having your wedding here.

My office number is 919-772-3616.

These changes are effective as of the beginning of this year and are subject to all members and non-members alike.

Be Blessed,

Pastor Daniel Sanders

Join us during the New Members Receptions

Greetings my Springfield Family:

Again, this is a new addition to the Sunday bulletin monthly, to keep you informed and up to date on matters that are relevant to you and the church. It is our hope that you will benefit from this “FYI” in the coming months.

Thank you all for being the best church anywhere.

New Members Reception

In an effort to show greater appreciation for those who are joining our church fellowship the following changes are being made:

Starting this fourth (4^th) Sunday doing the Right-Hand-Of –Fellowship, only the Pastor, Deacons, Ministers and their spouses will come up to extend the right-hand-of-fellowship to the new members. This will help to decrease the amount of time taken to complete this action by more than 10 minutes.

At the end of the worship service all new members will be escorted to the Fellowship Hall where they are to be greeted by the congregation, family and friends. A “light” repass will take place and members can spend a few minutes welcoming and congratulating our newest family members.

I believe that this is a much better way of showing our thankfulness and joy for those that God has brought into this fellowship.

Please join me and the officers in the Fellowship Hall after worship for a few minutes to receive our new members on this 4^th Sunday and each 4^th Sunday there after.

Be Blessed,

Pastor Daniel Sanders

A Betrayal in the Garden of Gethsemane

Reference: Mark 14:32-50

These selected verses give us an account of those things that took place following Jesus' instituting of the Lord's Supper and just prior to His trial before Annas and Caiaphas, then before Pilate, where He would be sentenced to death.

After having completed the first Lord's Supper, the scripture says that Jesus and His disciples sung a hymn together and then went out into the Mount of Olives. One can imagine as they went forth, Jesus must have begun to feel the weight of the load that He was about to bear. The agony of those coming events must have grieved His heart tremendously. Realizing that He was carrying the weight of the world on His shoulders, Jesus knew that He needed not only to pray, but some place, somewhere to go and pray. Jesus knowing this knew where to go to. A place they called the Garden of Gethsemane. A place where it is said He prayed often. (You and I ought to have a place where we pray often.)'

If one was to look closely at these events that unfolded in this garden, we would see that contrary to popular belief, there was not one act of betrayal, but three.

(1) The first betrayal is the three disciples, Peter, James and John. They proved faithless by falling asleep while He prayed. (See Mark 14: 37-38)

(2) The second betrayal is the one we most recognize. Judas led the soldiers to Jesus and identified Him with a kiss. This was aiding the enemy. (See Mark 14:43-45)

(3) The third betrayal is each one of us. At some time and in some way, we have betrayed our Savior. We have aided the enemy of Christ. We have been traitors to the Cross of Christ and the way of our Jesus. Lastly we all have at times proven faithless to and deserted our Lord when He needed us most.

Yet with this being the case, even though His disciples betrayed Him and even though each of us have betrayed Him, we can still praise Him. For while He was on the cross of Calvary, He cried out to His Father in Heaven: "Father, forgive them, for they know now that they do!"

This is the joy and power of Easter, that we have a Savior who loves us enough to look beyond our faults and see our needs. We celebrate Easter because Jesus sacrificed His life that you and I might have life. Though we have betrayed Him as the disciples did, we can turn our errors of betrayal into reminders to serve Him continually.