A look back & beyond...

Transcription

1 A look back & beyond is almost over. Christmas will be here in less than a week! We celebrate the Joy & Hope of this season as we look forward to the adventurous days ahead. Simultaneously we pause to remember the events of this past year. For some of you this past year contains milestones for which you are gratefully excited: graduation from high school or college, the birth of a child or a grandchild, a new job, a promotion, happy family gatherings and more. For others reminiscing contains more pain than joy: the loss of a spouse, the loss of a son or daughter, the loss of a job, divorce, family heartache, etc. As followers of Jesus Christ, as heirs of His Kingdom, as soldiers of His Cross we persevere. We move forward, for to do more than glimpse back is to become either bogged in self-pity or engrossed in egotistical self-absorption. Where do we go from here? Let s glance back for a moment. If I were to try and list all the Eastern Hills high points of 2017 it would take much more space than this article will allow, or that its readers would endure. I will only mention a couple of things which occurred at the end of the year but will greatly impact In October our dear pastor, Dr. Rick Marshall, retired after 23 years of faithful service. I had the privilege of serving with him for almost thirteen years. I count that a great honor. I learned much from him and his Godly leadership. Also in October my friend and youth pastor, Mark McLendon, resigned to serve a church in Texas. He will be sorely missed. In the midst of these changes God has supplied our needs for today, as I am sure He will direct us in the future. Scooter Kellum joined our team in November as interim youth minister and has done an outstanding job! God provided Dr. Dale Huff as our interim pastor in recent weeks. Dr. Huff s kind heart, loving spirit and Bible centered preaching will surely help lead us as we search for a full-time senior pastor. God s Word reminds us in Philippians 3:13-15 (NIV), Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. [ Following Paul s Example ] All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. At this juncture we must look forward with enthusiasm keeping our eyes on Him! God has a plan for Eastern Hills. He will not forsake us. Galatians 6:9 encourages us: So we must not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don t give up. Thank you to all who did a marvelous job this year leading, teaching, sharing, singing, worshiping and seeking God s will! Stay the course! I thank my God on every remembrance of you! IN THE PULPIT A.M. The Wonder Of It All Luke 2:1-11 P.M. Candlelight Service Vol. 61 No. 51 / Friday, December 22, EHBC, Montgomery, AL

2 GIVEN IN MEMORY OF Mrs. Edith Upchurch by Chip Puckett Mrs. Gena Grant by Chip Puckett Mrs. Betty Haber by Chip Puckett Mrs. Fara Zaleski by Chip Puckett Mr. David Puckett by Chip Puckett Jim & Betty Martin by Charles & Dinah Bundrick Roger Poole by Sheron & Family Thelma & Leonard Nelson by Nancy & Jimmy Lee Mr. & Mrs. Monroe Lee by Jimmy & Nancy Lee Grady & Eunice Grimes by David & Terry Grimes Don & Nelda Miller by Terry & David Grimes George I. Jackson & Barbara Wilson by Lenora Jackson & Family James D. Foster, Jr. by Frances Foster & Family Albert & Mildred Robinson by Wayne & Joan Robinson Mavis & Kelly Howell by Joan & Wayne Robinson Curtis McKay & Jed Payne by Cherry Payne Jim F. Ryals by Euvene Ryals, Paula & Carlton Winton and John & Susan York Virginia Oliver Veazey by Terry & Georgia Veazey G.C. Bo & Barbara Dean by Norman & Cyndi Arnold Matt & Bertha Arnold by Norman & Cyndi Arnold Bruce Fowler by Jamie & Mandy Fowler Mason Bass by Jamie & Mandy Fowler Billie Jean Coker by Stan, Dayna & Tia Coker Dan & Marguerite Causey by David & Diane Montgomery D.J. Montgomery by David & Diane Montgomery Burnette Martin by David & Diane Montgomery Ray & Bonnie Morris by Rebecca Morris, Jamie & Amanda Fowler Dot & Jim Mullican by their children, grandchildren & great-grandchildren Dr. Alex Johnson by Debbie Johnson & Family Kay Christopher by Jim Christopher Family Andy Hill by Ray & Dale Hill and Family Johnny Swanner by Kay Swanner, Anthony & Brian Lubye & Dorothy Paul by Jim & Beverly Crain Joe Smith by Dot Smith & Family E.E. Herring & Ann Bass by Mary Deese, Red & Wanda Herring Fleta Uptain by Jerry & Shirley Martin Robert Dame, Ollyne Dame, & Mildred Gray by Debbie & Alan Todd Kenneth Pressley by Chad & Stacy Royal H. D. McGraw by Betty McGraw & Family Ruby M. Collier by Betty Kirby Eryn Sandifer Reddoch by The R.H. Sandifer Family Ann & Gene Wells by Wanda Ellis & Family Mark Stianche, Bryan Smith, & Catherine Stianche by Charlotte, Sarah, Hunter & Rebecca Stianche Mr. & Mrs. Lyman Marshall by Dr. & Mrs. Rick Marshall Mrs. Jean Stephens by Dr. & Mrs. Rick Marshall Judi Lackey by Russell Lackey Judi Lackey by Stuart Lackey Judi Lackey by Shannon Gray Luther Hill by Sarah Hill Sadie Little by Watson Family Silas Little by Watson Family Larry Jackson by Brad, Ashley, & Amelia Moon Evelyn Clayton by Brad, Ashley, & Amelia Moon Plez Preston (Pap) by Preston, Kellan, Grace, Luke, Cody & Emily Clara McBride by Ed & Helen Melton John H. Tatum Jr. by Mirenda, Erin, & Seth Britt Howard by Luke & Rose Green Coach Tatum by The Gardner SS class Tommy Scroggins by Larry & CeCelia Armstrong Helen Cain by Larry & CeCelia Armstrong Jim Mullican by Larry & CeCelia Armstrong Neal Moseley by Adine Moseley, the Ronald Picketts, and the Allan Moseleys Lez Edmonds by Walt & Bette Edmonds & Family GIVEN IN HONOR OF Madeline Norred by Terry & Georgia Veazey Cathy Cox by Jim & Beverly Crain Margaret Walker by Edna & Beverly Davis Robert & Robbie Barnes by Edna & Beverly Davis CeCelia & Larry Armstrong by Edna & Beverly Davis Dot Erikson by Larry & Barbara Kennedy Donna Brown by Jim & Kay Miller Betty & Joe Hurley by Jim & Kay Miller Wallace R. Terry by The R.H. Sandifer Family Howard Wells & Family by Wanda Ellis & Family Jean Gouge by Jim Gouge Eva Preston (Meme) by Preston, Kellan, Grace, Luke, Cody & Emily Henry McInnis by Adine Moseley, the Ronald Picketts, and the Allan Moseleys

3 ATTENTION HUNTERS It s deer hunting season and there is a need for 9 processed deer for our Wild Game Dinner on February 24, For each deer donated you will receive a table for eight (8). This table will be for the entire deer being processed and will be on a first come basis. This year s guest speaker will be Coach Tommy Tuberville so we anticipate a large crowd. It s very important that each deer processed be 1/2 burger and 1/2 cubed. Thank you in advance for your help. Any questions, please contact Larry Kennedy at YOUTH NEWS CHURCH GOAL $32,000 RECEIVED $19, JUNE COST $300 If you pay for Student Life Camp by January 28, you can go to DNow for FREE! There s a Student Life Waiver to be filled out. COLLEGE GRADUATES Please let the church know of any college graduates this month. We would like to recognize them on their accomplishment. The GA Post Office is set up in the CLC Lobby through December 24. This gives you the opportunity to give Christmas cards to church members. We ask that you donate what postage would have cost and all proceeds will go to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Make sure to come by and check it often! EASTERN HILLS BAPTIST CHURCH Women s Conference KNITTING CLASS The Knitting Group, Knit Wits will be welcoming new members January 5, They meet on the first and third Fridays each month at 9:30 am in Room 144. If you have any questions, please contact Peggy Kendrick, January 26-27, 2018 It s Good to Be Queen with beloved author and speaker Liz Curtis Higgs Friday 6:30-8:00 pm Saturday 8:30 am - noon (includes brunch) Tickets are on sale now through the church office, from any Women s Ministry servant team member or online. The early bird price of $20.00 ends December 25, Great stocking stuffer for all of the women in your life, and the perfect gift to treat yourself! After Monday, December 25, tickets go up to $30.00 and $35.00 at the door.

4 CHILDREN S MINISTRY B I R T H D AY B O A R D Macready Musgrove December 22 4 Mingshi Lu December Henry Howell December Addison Cline December 31 9 Mary-Hallman Gardner December 31 7 CALLING ALL OUTDOORSMEN Wild Game Dinner is February 24, We need your pictures of deer, fish or any wild game. We would love to have you in the picture. These pictures will be shown on a large screen at the event. Please send pictures to Dan Harrison (dan@ehbconline.com) or Marie Anderson (mariea@ehbconline.com). THANK YOU! On-Line Gifts If you give on-line as a recurring giver, make sure your gifts don t end at year end. You can also go on-line to verify your gifts for If you need assistance with your on-line giving, please call ext Holy Land Tour February 13-22, 2019 Hosted by Dr. Rick Marshall Join us for a wonderful time in the Land of the Bible and Walk in the Footsteps of Jesus with an optional extension to Petra. A trip information meeting will be Sunday, January 21 at 4:00 pm in Room 154. Call Dr. Rick Marshall for details, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24 9:00 am - Sunday School 10:15 am - Morning Worship 5:00 pm - Candlelight Service FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22 THROUGH TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26 *Church Office Closed DECEMBER 27 *No Wednesday Night Supper or Activities CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED Friday, December 29 and Monday, January 1 NO TOUCH IN JANUARY It will resume on February 5, SENIOR ACTIVITIES Up-coming Events CELEBRATION SINGERS Thursday, January 11 9:30 am Thursday, January 25 9:30 am MOVIE NIGHT Billy the Younger Years Thursday, January, 11 6:00 pm Revealing the Mysteries of Heaven David Jeremiah Begins January 8 10 weeks Monday at 1:30 pm led by Melody Merritt Children of the Day 1 & 2 Thessalonians Beth Moore Begins January 9 9 weeks Tuesday at 9:30 am led by Bobbie Owens Precepts: Acts - Part 2 Kay Arthur Begins January 9 9 weeks Tuesday at 9:30 am; 6:30 pm Led by Judy Ray Meets in Judy s home at 6:30 pm ALL LADIES ARE INVITED! Childcare will be provided only when requested to Cindy Davis in the church office by Thursday, January 4. Year End Giving We are in the last month to give to our church for this calendar year. If you have any questions concerning your year-to-date contributions, please contact Donna Brown at ext Remember, all gifts must be received at the church or postmarked by December 31 in order to get proper credit for 2017 contributions.

5 Congratulations Special Thanks I would like to say a very special Thanks to all who made our Christmas Music Program, Dec. 10th, a success! I will not list each person here for fear of missing someone but each person played a vital role for which we are forever grateful. Youth, Adult and Children s Choirs; Instrumentalists; drama team; Sound/Media and Lighting teams; ushers & greeters and more to each of you a Great Big THANK YOU!! To God be the glory!! Keith To Joel Hicks who graduated Auburn University in School of Nursing in August 2017 and is working in the Surgical Trauma ICU at the University of South Alabama Medical Center in Mobile. To Devin Myrick Price who graduated Troy University with her BA in Fine Arts and is teaching Art and Drama at Pike Liberal Arts. To Deanna Bruner who graduated from University of Alabama on December 16 with a Bachelor s Degree in Elementary Education. To April Malone who graduated from Troy University this month. DID YOU KNOW? This past Saturday our children experienced a wonderful time here at the church with their Let s MAKE Christmas event! The preschoolers and children made presents for their families as their parents were afforded a time for shopping or other errands. The children heard the Christmas story in Hawaiian Pidgin as they experienced hands on activities. Thank you adult and teen volunteers who helped the children explore the true meaning of Christmas. THANK YOU to our children s minister, Rev. Greg Gosselin, for planning, leading and coordinating such a valued event! We gratefully acknowledge gifts to the church in memory of: Britt Howard Given By: Dr. & Mrs. Bill Whitaker Herbert Maloney Walt & Bette Edmonds Jim & Kay Miller Jimmie Hall Given by: Jim & Kay Miller

6 THERE WILL NOT BE A MESSENGER NEXT WEEK No Wednesday Night Supper until January 3, 2018 The Messenger (USPS No ) is published weekly by Eastern Hills Baptist Church. Periodicals postage paid at Montgomery Alabama. Postmaster: Send address changes to: The Messenger, 3604 Pleasant Ridge Road, Montgomery Alabama WEDNESDAY NIGHT MENU January 3, 2018 Family Night Meal 4:45 p.m. Sunday Chicken, Rice Pilaf, Glazed Carrots, Steamed Broccoli, Roll, Cookie CHILDREN S MENU Pizza, Chips, Cookie SOUP/SALAD BAR Grilled Chicken Pasta Salad $5 Adult/Salad $3 Children Household Max. $15 Please note that you must CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE BY 12:00 pm ON MONDAY to make or change your reservation. NO SHOWS ARE EXPECTED TO PAY Offering Envelopes The 2018 Offering Envelopes are ready for pick up in the Library hallway. MEN S MINISTRY PRAYER GROUP WILL RESUME TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2018 T O U C H Outreach Ministries Guests on Campus: 16 EXTENDED SESSION WORKERS DECEMBER 24 Captain: Greg Gosselin Please be in place by 10:00 am. 10:15 Service Bed Babies: Betty Kirby, Juanita Smith Toddlers: Mike & Teresa Caldwell 3 s/4 s: Sharon Water, June Pertree Scottt & Erin McAliley THIS SUNDAY DeacoNs of the week 12/25 Mike Woodall, Norman Arnold 1/1 Joe Bruner, Jimmy Carlisle counting committee 12/27 Don Cluck, James Owens 1/3 Hardy Kirk golf cart DrIVers 12/24 David Grimes, Dewey Best 12/31 Jim Tanner, Allen Watson wednesday NIght servers 1/3 Cyndi Arnold, Norman Arnold, Portia Goss, Norman Goss EXTENDED SESSION WORKERS DECEMBER 31 Captain: Greg Gosselin Please be in place by 10:00 am. 10:15 Service Bed Babies: Branden & Melisa Smith Toddlers: Don & Lisa Langley 3 s/4 s: Elea Peppers, Blanche Culpepper Ann Inman & Claudine Nobles ON THE GROW Sunday School Attendance for December 17, 2017 Att. G.O. 4 Preschool & Teachers 26 Children & Teachers 43 Youth & Teachers 48 Adults 391 total 512 BUDGET REPORT Year to Date Budget Requirements $1,698, Budget Receipts 1,633, Under Budget 65, Weekly Budget Report December 17, 2017 Budget Requirements $33, Budget Receipts 24, Under Budget 8, Designated Designated 10,270.00