The Messenger. October October. The Road to Everlasting Life. October 2013 ISSUE 355 VOLUME 30 THE MESSENGER.

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1 Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Colfax, NC Permit No. 9 VOLUME 30 October 2013 ISSUE 355 PROVERBS 25:13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him, for he refresheth the soul of his masters... The Messenger The Road to Everlasting Life October Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 5:12 "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." Romans 5:8 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 10:9-10 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Romans 10:13 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." We are an independent Baptist Church, still preaching the Word of God as it is, to people as they are. We are furthermore satisfied that the King James Version of the Bible is the preserved, inspired Word of God. If you have not yet followed the Lord in Believer s Baptism or if you feel the Lord is leading you to join Smith Grove Baptist Church, please see Pastor Chuck. October 2013 THE MESSENGER Smith Grove Baptist Church P.O. Box 57 Colfax, NC Sunday School 10:00 AM Morning Worship 11:00 AM Junior Church 11:15 AM Evening Worship 6:00 PM Wednesday Service 7:00 PM Bible Clubs 6:45 PM Thursday Visitation 7:00 PM - NURSERY PROVIDED Sandy Ridge Road Colfax, NC Dr. Charles (Chuck) Peters, Pastor Home: (336) Cell: (336) Sun., Oct. 6, 11 am & 6 pm Sat., Oct. 12 ~ Sun., Oct. 13 ~ Sun., Oct. 27 Speaker: Evangelist Cliff Burwell Hayride & Cookout for all youth of the church. (1:00 p.m. - meet at church) Smith Grove Homecoming with Rev. Bruce Freeman and music by The Joyful Sounds. (Coverd dish lunch in the Fellowship Bldg.) (No evening service.) BEAMS Sunday Sun., Nov. 3 Daylight Saving Times ENDS... remember to set your clocks BACK. November 17 Communion Service

2 Below is a precious message from a former missionary family, supported by our church for twenty-eight years. A snapshot in time highlighting our legacy of love for a lost and dying world... The Willis Family ~ Missionaries to Alaska Dear Friends in Christ, In 1956, Smith Grove Church took on our support as Missionaries to Alaska. I believe you supported us for the next 28 years as we ministered in the Alaskan Native Villages. After that we moved to Wasilla, bought a house and lived there 3 years. Harlan couldn t stand civilization so we went back to the village of Nondalton. We Harlan Willis 1927 ~ 2013 let the 2 single ladies, who had been in Nondalton for 20 years, use our Wasilla home for a much needed rest. After 8 years, we went back to Wasilla and lived there for the next 24 years. In 2009, Harlan began to show signs of dementia, and, in 2011, I was forced to put him in a rest home. He passed away June 27, 2013, one month shy of his 86 th birthday, and 5 weeks shy of our 66 th wedding anniversary. In December 2012, I was operated on for colon cancer the doctors thought. It turned out to be a small cell, very aggressive cancer that is incurable. I have had 6 months of Chemo, and should find out on the 11 th of this month if it is in remission. In the meantime, I have no pain and was able tolerate the Chemo better than most. I just had my 86 th birthday and am still able to take care of myself. I praise the Lord daily for the way He has taken care of me. I am now living with my youngest son, Victor. He bought a home with a large mother-in-law apartment. I have been getting the Messenger regularly and really enjoy it! Thank you. Well, I think I have you caught up on the Willis history. My family needs prayer. Thank you and may God continue to bless you is my prayer. Sincerely in our Lord Jesus Christ, Avanelle Willis (written Sept.5, 2013) Christian Halloween The Pros and Cons? We understand that much of Halloween has been manipulated and tricked by the secular pagan world and much of what happens on Halloween is far from spiritual. In fact, some of the Halloween traditions have pagan origins. The Bible doesn t speak directly about Halloween, but some biblical principles apply. One thing is clear all pagan practices are to be avoided. Witchcraft, occult practices, sorcery, etc. are strictly forbidden in the Bible (Exodus 22:18; Acts 8:9-24; Acts 16, 19). It is obvious that a small child dressing up as a princess or a cowboy isn t involving themselves with witchcraft, so what is a biblical stance on Halloween? Parents, the decision is up to you. If you decide Halloween is something fun for your children, make sure they are kept far away from the evil aspects of Halloween. When believers participate in anything (even Halloween), their attitudes, dress, and behavior should glorify Christ (Philippians 1:27). Laug aughter, the Best t Medicine A certain little girl, when asked her name, would reply, I m Mr. Sugarbrown s daughter. Wanting her to speak correctly, her mother told her this was wrong, that she must say, I m Jane Sugarbrown. The Pastor spoke to her in Sunday School and said, Aren t you Mr. Sugarbrown s daughter? She replied, I thought I was, but Mother says I m not. Y all Come to a Fall Stew at the home of Joretta Holt 8412 Stafford Mill Rd. ~ Oak Ridge, NC October 19, 6:30 p.m. Come hungry and bring only your appetite!

3 October Birthdays 1 Breanna Brown 6 John Moore 11 Brittany Vanderburg 11 Dennis Westmoreland 12 Curt Bame 12 Rhonda Owens 13 Rose Matthews 13 Cody Williams 20 Ruby Bowden 20 Tyler Landreth 23 Marlene Holt 24 Iris Farrington November Birthdays 2 Ronnie Key 5 Nancy Westmoreland 6 Willard Tucker 7 Aaron Jordan 7 Caleb Jordan 8 Carol McBrayer 12 Kathryn L. Crews 12 Jay Stafford 13 Helen Hendrix 13 Virginia Nuckles 25 Wendy Barham 25 Gary Holt 25 Gene Pitts 26 Rubie Hamilton 26 Brian Holt 26 Lauren Keedy 27 Tyler Keedy 27 Denice Slate 30 Jamie Tyler Crews 30 Kathy L. Crews 30 Andrew Raso 15 Owen Neese 15 Darlene Pitts 15 Rusty Tucker 16 Brittany Key 17 Jennifer Davis 22 Darla Freeman 22 Cheryl Holt 23 Jonathan Smith 23 Forrest Tucker 24 Tony Nuckles October Anniversaries Lydia Baker Ronnie Beeson Michael Flynt Faith Sykes 24 John Payne 26 Marshall Freeman 28 Ashley Hendrix 28 Wade Shields 30 Irene Shields 30 Nathan Pilcher 30 Gail Tate Kathy Johnson Nicole Tucker Patrick & Amanda Clark - Oct. 11 Scott & Melanie Crump- Oct. 5 Jerry & Shelby Crump- Oct. 16 Ronnie & Donna Key Eric & Candace Nuckles Nathan & Ashley Pilcher - Oct. 28 ~ Anniversary Prayer ~ Lord, we thank you for these couples and for all of the years that they have had together. Today, as we celebrate their anniversary, our prayer is that you will continue to bless them. Let their testimony of love and forgiveness be a help to other couples as they start on their own journeys into married life. Lord, we pray that You will honor their commitment to each other and to You by granting them many more years of happiness together. Amen Halloween Poem As Halloween approaches and before we know The moon will be casting its golden glow. The air will be crisp with much cooler days The leaves full of color to brighten the way. The fields are all full and ready to glean, Children laugh at the pumpkins they ve seen! Apples are ready to pick from the trees Then cider will promptly be made from these. The Lord looks down on our fun Fall days And watches about as we go on our way. The harvest is ripe in the fields of the soul Make sure to glorify Him is our goal! Witches and monsters we close our eyes to But Lord, open our eyes to those who need You! Send the workers far out in the fields Glean from their work what You d have them yield. Halloween time can be fun it s a treat! But do things that honor God on the streets. Hand out tracts with your goodies this year You never know what seeds will fall near! A seed that will sprout and soon grow to be Lord, another ripe harvest for Thee! Give us words and deeds on this night That give others peace, not fear and fright. Lucy Cain 8/06 Welcome, New Members Nathan & Ashley Pilcher 6000 Hickory Creek Rd. Winston-Salem, NC (337) (C) [2 sons: Ethan Magnante & Tyler Pilcher]

4 Jesus Christ: Super Hero [By Jeffrey Hardwick.] When I was a child growing up in North Dakota, I spent a lot of time watching television. I really enjoyed watching my favorite Super Heroes each week. Do you remember watching Superman, Spiderman, Batman and Robin? What amazed me so much about these Super Heroes was their supernatural abilities and their desire to help others in need. Maybe when you were growing up you had your own heroes. It could have been one of your parents, older siblings, a teacher, a coach, a professional athlete or a celebrity. What criteria did you use to choose your hero? Did you want them to make a positive difference in the lives of others? Did they make an impact in your life? Whatever criteria you decided to use, they became your hero. It seems as we grow older our standards change over the years. Personally, my "Hero Standards" have changed. I believe there is only One hero who can never let us down. He can do more than all the Super Heroes we've seen on televsion. My hero is Jesus Christ because of what He has done for me. First of all, Jesus died for me. How many people do you know who would die for another person or take their place in Hell for their sins? Jesus also took stripes on His back so I can be healed. Today I am healed because of my hero who was willing to be beaten for me. Most of the Super Heroes portrayed on television or in the comic books are strong and courageous. My hero is not only strong and courageous but also caring, compassionate, understanding and so loving. He wants what is best for me. Jesus became poor so I could be rich. He made me righteous and declared me justified, as if I never sinned. My hero accepts me just as I am. No matter how long we live here on Earth, we are going to meet someone that impacts our lives. Somehow they touch our hearts and our lives are never the same. Few sacrifice everything to make a difference in this world. Rarely do you find a world changer like my hero, Jesus. In fact, He is THE World Changer. My life will never be the same now as I live for Jesus Christ, my Hero. REMEMBER IN PRAYER SHUT-INS Louise Byrd Iris Farrington Harry Haynes Neva Long Jo Anne Pegram Billy Pendry Raynelle Shields Louise Smith Barbara Tucker Forrest Tucker Clara Ward Mary Westmoreland Gerry Williams SICK/OTHER NEEDS: JoAnn Alley Joshua Kollas (urgent! - Doris Anderson 3-yr-old with Stevens- Sherri Bowling Johnson Syndrome) (thyroid surgery) Beulah Lemar Chip Bryant Dot Long Thelma Bullard Gurney Lunsford Tammy Burnett (cancer) (colon cancer) Johnny Clark Richard McCormick (heart transplant surgery) Ann & Ed Morgan Patrick Clark (CHF) Kent Moses Kim Garrett (Cancer & (esophageal cancer) Crohn s Disease) Sally Nester (liver George Hayes (heart cancer) problems) Charlotte Pettet Rhonda Hedgecock (diabetic ulcer) Ricky Hedgecock Gene & Oma Lou Pitts Tim Hedgecock Kathy Rayle (stroke) Jimmy Johnson Sandra Richardson Assisted Living/Nursing Home Helen Jones Curney & Rose Matthews Betty Robinson Peg Schwartz (Cancer) Violet Sealey (back issues) Wade Smith (surgery) Betty Soyars (stroke) Kenneth Westmoreland Reid Westmoreland Jan Wilson (recovering from surgery) BEREAVED: Families of L. C. Bame William Carter (friend of Violet & Don Sealey) Pearl Tate (Walt Tate s mother) Harold Welborn Pray for those... In the Service of our Country Matthew Bennett, stationed in Atlanta, GA PFC Dylan Freeman, US Marine Corps Camp Pendleton, CA (Great Grandson of Louise Byrd) A1C William Holt, US Air Force Pope AFB, Vass, NC CW3 Jonathan Harless (Raleigh, NC) Maj. Robert Harless (160th SOAR, Savannah, GA) Charles Holmes, Al Asad Air Base (Northern Iraq) Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael Maine, US Army [Germany] (Nephew of Clarence Redmon) SSgt. Samuel A. Priddy, Marines - New River (Jacksonville, NC) - son of Brenda Westmoreland

5 Our Honour Roll Smith Grove s ministry to our widows and widowers Honour widows that are widows indeed. (I Timothy 5:3) This is a continuing churchwide ministry to remember widows and widowers of the church in a meaningful way. Each month, we highlight our special Honour Roll Gang Members who are having birthdays. Listed below are October and November Honour Roll Gang members. Please take a moment to send a card, make a telephone call, or do something extra special for our special saints. Ruby Bowden 2007 Beeson Road Oak Ridge, NC ~ October 20 Iris Farrington 4207 Kerwick Drive Greensboro, NC ~ October 24 Virginia Nuckles 4610 Kendale Road High Point, NC ~ November 13 Nancy Westmoreland 628 Millwood School Rd. Greensboro, NC ~ November 05 Forrest Tucker 8017 National Service Rd. Colfax, NC ~ November 23 BEAMS Report for July 2013 # of Pledges: 10, # of Contributionis: 13; Total Contributors: 23 Total Contributed: $ = 68 Bibles in July BEAMS Report for August 2013 #of Pledges: 8; # of Contributions: 13; Total Contributors: 21 Total Contributed: $ = 50 Bibles in August BEAMS Report for September 2013 #of Pledges: 9; # of Contributions: 13; Total Contributors: 22 Total Contributed: $ = 57 Bibles in September You can also get the BEAMS report online at our website: Okay, folks... remember a point in time when there weren t computers or tablets or smart phones? All right, some of you definitely do not! Oh, yes, young people, there really WAS such a time! Some of us remember the wonderful typewriter, an invention which challenged us to make our fingers succumb to the awkward juxtaposition of keys on the QWERTY keyboard with no electronic assistance or spell-check! Back then, we were concerned about words per minutes (WPM), not characters per minute (CPM) or keystrokes per hour (KPH) the new measurements for a student using a computer keyboard in a Keyboarding Class. We were striving for a minimum of 60 WPM, no easy feat when keys wanted to stick or lock up at the most inopportune moment! We were at the mercy of Royal, Remington, IBM, Olivetti, Underwood, Adler, Smith-Corona, and Olympia! Modern day texting may seem to be a task of dexterity, but texters have nothing over typists using mechanical typewriters! The memo below was originally written with just such a mechanical wonder! Xvxry Pxrson Is Important ===================== One manager let employees know how valuable they are with the following memo: You Arx A Kxy Pxrson Xvxn though my typxwritxr is an old modxl, it works vxry wxll, xxcxpt for onx kxy. You would think that with all thx othxr kxys functioning propxrly, onx kxy not working would hardly bx noticxd; but just onx kxy out of whack sxxms to ruin thx wholx xffort. You may say to yoursxlf, Wxll I m only onx pxrson. No onx will noticx if I don t do my bxst. But it doxs makx a diffxrxncx, bxcausx to bx xffxctivx, an organization nxxds activx participation by xvxry onx to thx bxst of his or hxr ability. So thx nxxt timx you think you arx not important, rxmxmbxr my old typxwritxr. You arx a kxy pxrson.

6 Blessed Assurance by Pastor Chuck Peters One of the greatest Gospel songs written by Fanny Crosby was the song, Blessed Assurance. Benjamin Franklin was not altogether right when he remarked that death and taxes were the only certainties in life. Eternal life is also a certainty for the child of God. The blessed assurance is a Scriptural treasure. The first stanza of the great gospel song has the support of Scripture: Blessed assurance - These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. I John 5:13 Jesus is mine He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. I John 5:12 Oh what a foretaste But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7 Of glory divine Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: I Peter 1:8 Heir of salvation For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and jointheirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. - Romans 8:15-17 Purchase of God Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: I Peter 1:18-19 Born of His Spirit Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. John 3:5-7 Washed in His blood And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, Revelation 1:5