WEEKLY NEWS
September 16, 2026
The Rainbow Picture
Many years ago, one of our members (Samantha Swapp) sent me the lower picture taken after immediately after a storm. I loved the rainbow. I also love the fact that the church building itself is in full sun.
The picture at the top is an artificially enhanced picture with the cars removed.
Remember what a rainbow signifies. It is a promise from God. Others (primarily the LGBTQ community) use the rainbow for other purposes. As Jesus People we need to remember the meaning given by God in Genesis 9:12-16:
And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”
So when you see a rainbow, thank God for His love, His mercy, His kindness, and His love. Don’t let others take away your joy from a sign given to us by God.
God is good . . . even when we don’t deserve His goodness.
Something New!
As a church, we work hard to show practical love to all people. We want to make sure we are making accommodations that allow all people to worship with us!
The latest piece in this puzzle is adding assistive listening devices in our worship center. Whether you are hearing impaired or you just need help cutting through background noise, please feel free to utilize these!
They can be picked up at our sound booth before services begin.
New Teen Basketball DIvision!
Coaches . . . scorekeepers . . . referees . . . snackbar workers . . .
It’s been a few years, but we are adding a 6th – 8th grade basketball league this year–our Silver Division , and we need workers! Each team will have at least two coaches who will work with their team all season. There will be six Tuesday night practices and 5 Saturday games. On Saturdays, we will need at least two referees, two scorekeepers, and additional helpers.
It is a great way to meet teens and their families and to make an impact on lives. We will also have our children’s league (K-5th grade) once again, and and they will practice on Thursday evenings! Sign up online!
"Be Ready" (1-2 Thessalonians) Class from September 9
Some September Highlights!
Project Connect
It’s almost time for one of the biggest outreach opportunities of the year: Project Connect. This event gives us a chance to show love to our homeless community. We offer meals, clothing, haircuts, medical care, and connections with many non-profits and government agencies that can help them! This year, we are especially in need of clothing donations.
This year, we are in need of some clothing donations, so if you have any clothing you would like to donate or volunteer, please email amanda@abcaz.net
Thank you for being part of one of the many love ministries at Avondale Baptist Church!
We are the "Host Site" for A Couple of Important Meetings in September!
We cooperate with both our state convention and our local association in many ways. . We hosted the state Hispanic Leadership last Friday and Saturday, and it was an excellent meeting.
Coming up on Sunday afternoon, September 27, we host our association’s annual meeting. We can use some helpers to greet and mingle, and we also need participants (called “messengers”) to enjoy the meeting and hear reports from the association.
ABC Calendar
September 16, Family Night at Church (5:30 pm)
September 17, 4Given in Concert at 11:00 am
September 22, Basketball Practices for 6-8th Graders Begin.
September 25-26, DNOW (Teens!)
September 27, Estrella Associataion Annual Meeting at our Church
Prayer Meeting Online and In Person!
We meet for prayer every Wednesdays at 5:30 pm in conjunction with our Wednesday meal. We also have an online prayer group meeting on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm. You can join prayer meeting via zoom by following this link.