If you are planning your first visit to Mount Ararat, please join us in the Connect Room (#131). We would love to welcome you with a gourmet cup of coffee and a special gift to help you feel embraced and loved by our family here at The Mount. Got questions? We serve up answers, too!

The junk drawer. Everybody has one. Sometimes pressed for time and in our effort to clean up, we’ll sweep things into it, so the junk drawer gets filled with seemingly random, miscellaneous items. At first glance, these items appear to have no connection or value. Look again! Let’s pull the drawer open and rummage through its contents. We’ll be amazed that what we thought was missing has been there all along! Join us as we dig into the Junk Drawer.

One of the most remarkable stories of rescue in the Bible is the story of Jonah. This reluctant prophet is sent by God to do the unthinkable. The tension builds as Jonah struggles to obey God’s request. Turning and running seems optimum until the storm comes. Death becomes more appealing than obedience. What seems like inevitable destruction and judgment turns out to be rescue. The story of Jonah reveals that God wants more than our obedient acts. God wants our hearts. Join Jonah as he takes a journey into his Blind Side.

There will be NO Adult, Student, Children or Preschool groups meeting on Sunday, Sept 5. There will be a live-feed in the theaters on the second floor of the Education Building for families to worship with young children. All regular programming for the Fall will resume on Back to School Sunday, Sept 12!

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 8:30 - 10:30 AM, NOAH’s CAFE
September’s Theme: Eat Well, Move Well, Think Well - The formula for total wellness
Come and enjoy fellowship with other women while learning how to achieve total wellness from our own better than Dr. Oz, Dr. Scott Stachelek. This is a FREE event so invite your friends for this fabulous and informative time together. For more information, contact Denise Martin at (540) 659-0660 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Adult Ministries is offering several classes for your spiritual growth on Sundays this Fall, beginning Sept 19. Come to the Sign-Up Center Sundays, Sept 5 or 12 to register. Childcare is available for morning classes only.
Starting Point - 9:30 am - $30
For those exploring Christianity. Attendance at an orientation meeting is mandatory to join the group. Attend one on Sept 5 or 12 following each service in our Connect Area (green hallway). Lasts approximately 25 minutes.
 Foundations - 9:30 am - $15
For those beginning to grow in Christ.
Know Your Bible - 9:30 am - $10
 For those wanting to be confident in handling the Bible.
Spiritual Disciplines - 9:30 am - Free
For those seeking to improve their devotional life.
Love and Respect - 9:30 & 11:15 am - $30
For those seeking a healthy marriage relationship.
Old Testament Survey - 3 pm - $10
For those wanting to go deeper in their understanding of the Old Testament.
Financial Peace University - 1 pm - $100 per family
For those seeking to get their finances in order. Information session will be help on Sunday, Aug 29 at 1 pm in the Chapel.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
GroupLink is an event where you can meet and connect with others in your community and stage of life to join a Spiritual Growth Group. What is your best next step? See our growth guide in your Worship Guide each Sunday until the day of the event.
Small Home Groups - Come to the People Street to meet group leaders and choose the right group for you.
Sunday School Classes - “Open House” during GroupLink. Check out the various leaders in their classrooms listed in the growth guide. (8 am class leaders will be in the Connect Area.)
Short Term Study Groups - info listed above. Meet the leaders in the Sign-Up Center. Starting Point orientations will be offered in our Connect Area.
There really is a group for EVERYONE, no matter where you are at in your spiritual journey. So, check out all of our group offerings anytime between 9:30 am and 12:30 pm Sunday, Sept. 12. No registration is necessary. Need Help? See our greeters in blue shirts on GroupLink day. They will be happy to answer your questions or give you directions. Maps of the church will be available, too!

The MABC Gift Card Program and Policies are changing, effective September 1. All current and future users of the program are required to fill out a formal User Agreement with us. This agreement explains the changes in more detail. For any questions about the new policy or to get your new User Agreement, please contact Lori Hubbard at (540) 658-1070 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Moms, do you need some time for yourself? MOPS invites all moms of preschoolers (expecting moms through moms of kindergartners) to come and share the joys and challenges of motherhood. The 2010-2011 study is Momology: The Art & Science of Mothering. MOPS meets in the Family Life Center the 1st and 3rd Friday of the month from 9:15-11:30 am, beginning Sept 17. Registration is $23.95. Call Brandi Long at (540) 986-5070 to register. Older children? Ask about our Homeschool Room.
Quality childcare is provided by loving and nurturing individuals through the MOP-PETS program. If you would like to become a MOP-PET, a paid worker position, contact Karen Steinhoff at (540) 946-6647.
A Meet and Greet will be held on Friday, Sept 10 from 9:30-11 am at Smith Lake Park. Show up for the fun!

Let’s get ready for Awana! Awana registration for 2010-2011 begins Sunday, Aug 29 in the Sign-Up Center. Come by and see what Awana is all about and check out our ministry opportunities. Visit the Awana homepage at www.mtararat.org/awana or our Facebook page (Mount Ararat Baptist Church Awana) for more details and events. The first club night is Monday, Oct 4. Mark your calendars.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 6:30 - 7:30 PM, GREEN THEATER
All middle school students are invited to the kick-off of MIDWEEK. Join us for food, fun, worship, and teaching. Worship will be led by Brad and Rebekah. Invite a friend, come meet other middle schoolers, and kick off the new year at MIDWEEK.

Mount Ararat’s acclaimed Musical Theater class for children grades K-6 will begin rehearsals Sunday, Sept 12 at 5 pm. Kids will learn and produce their own original Broadway style musical. This semester, Kids 2:49 presents Silent Knight, Holy Night, a medieval musical about the meaning of Christmas featuring Lords and Ladies, Knights and Squires, Kings and Castles. This class teaches children performance skills in music, drama and dance and is the area’s largest performance opportunity for children. For more information call (540) 850-3700 or visit www.frickandfrackmusic.com.

Come on, ring those bells! Join the Stafford Regional Handbell Society for the area’s largest handbell program featuring over 75 ringers in 8 different ensembles. Rehearsals are held weekly at Mount Ararat beginning Tuesday, Sept 15 or Wednesday, September 16. There’s a spot for everyone from beginners to experienced musicians, grade 2 through adults. Music reading education is provided. For rehearsal and placement information, contact the Stafford Regional Handbell Society at (540) 850-3700 or visit www.staffordregionalhandbellsociety.org.

Bethany Christian Services of Fredericksburg is offering a free information meeting on Tuesday, Sept 21 from 6:30-8:30 pm. The meeting will be held in our Fredericksburg office, 1616 Stafford Avenue. Seating is limited. Call (540) 373-5165 to reserve your space.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 8 AM, AUGUSTINE GOLF CLUB
NOTE DATE CHANGE. Join the benefit to help defray costs of the disaster relief organization to purchase tools and materials needed to help families affected by disasters such as floods, fires, hurricanes, and tornadoes. Registration begins at 8 am with a 9 am shot gun tee time. $100/golfer; $400/team. Awards ceremony and lunch to follow play. Corporate sponsorships are available. For registration contact Jerry Clement at (540) 220-7898 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 9 AM-1 PM, FAMILY LIFE CENTER
It is that time of the year again when the church is collecting clothes to provide to needy families in our community. Beginning Tuesday, Aug 10, bring your clean, clothing items (including coats, shoes, purses, bedding items, etc.) to the trailer parked in the Chapel parking lot on Toluca Road. The trailer will be unlocked from 8 am-1 pm on Sundays and during normal office hours during the week. The Give-A-Way is scheduled for Saturday, Oct 23 and many volunteers will be needed the week prior to prepare. To volunteer or for questions, contact Mike or Katie Hawkins at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 6 - 7:30 PM, NOAH’s CAFE
All Worship & Arts volunteers (and those who want to check out the team) are invited to share a meal with old and new friends as Pastor Todd shares the vision of the fall. RSVP to Gwen Curtis at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Beginning Wednesday, Sept 8, at 8 am, in Modular 3, there will be a weekly Bible study for Men. Contact Terry Rudolph at (540) 659-9564 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

We have a number of ways for you to give your tithes to MABC.
1. Write a check, made payable to MABC, during Sunday morning services and deposit it in the offering basket. Make sure the memo line on your check clearly states your purpose, as all unmarked or unclear designations will go toward the General Fund. A tithe envelope is not necessary if the memo line is clear. Please do not include any other payments/registrations in the offering basket, as they may get missed and inadvertently absorbed into the General Fund.
2. Cash should be enclosed in a labeled tithe envelope if it is to be credited to your statement of giving. Please legibly include both your first and last name.
3. Fill out an automatic debit enrollment form. Using this form allows MABC to directly debit your checking account on a scheduled basis. You can receive this form from Lori Hubbard by contacting her at (540) 658-1070 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
4. Do online bill pay through your own banking institution that will send us a check directly. Again, make sure the memo line is concise in regard to your wishes.
5. Send or drop off personal checks to the church office anytime.

MABC buys gift cards from corporate vendors and Great Lake Scrip, who return a percentage of the face value back to MABC as proceeds that we can accrue. The accrued percentage is kept in an account which you’ve designated as either Greater Things or a family account to be used for church-sponsored mission trips, camps/retreats and programs. Gift cards are for sale Sundays between services at the kitchen window and during the week in the church office. Special orders can be placed for vendors that are not carried in stock. (See www.mtararat.org, Gift Card Program.) Orders for these vendors need to be prepaid by Sunday morning, as the weekly order gets placed first thing each Monday. For additional information, contact Lori Hubbard at (540) 658-1070 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .