V o l ume 58, I ss ue 11 Dear Church Family, The 174 I d like to share an email that I sent to the Deacons a couple of days before writing this to you. Brothers, After Brian's sermon Sunday, I must admit that I was burdened by the fact that there are 174 church members out there who have not darkened our doors in 2 years. While I'm sure that figure is probably par for the course with other Baptist churches, it is no less sad to the Lord and hopefully to us, too. Maybe we should view it as not seeing a local family member for over 2 years. I come to you because you are usually one of my first earthly stops to solving issues at West Hampton. First, I'd ask that you pray about this, and ask that the Lord (1) put a burden in our hearts for these people, and (2) guide us as to what He wants us to do about it. You know, when Paul arrived at a new town to spread the Gospel, he always looked for the Jewish synagogue, and went there first (if it had one). Why? Because the Jews were already half-way to where he wanted them (i.e., they already knew the Scriptures, ready for God to send the Messiah in accordance with the Old Testament prophecies). Paul just had to convince them that the prophecies pointed to Jesus. In the same way, these 174 have come even further, spiritually speaking. However, for whatever reason, the relationship between them and their church family at West Hampton was broken. The real question is what does the Lord want us to do about it. While I hope to discuss this at the next Deacons meeting, let's start praying now. Your brother in Christ, Jim I trust you would agree that this is not just an issue for the Deacons. This is a family issue. So, as members of the family, please join us in prayer for guidance, and don t hesitate to approach the Pastor or one of the Deacons if the Lord has laid something on your heart. Thanks for your time, Jim Wiser Chairman of the Deacons P.S. Since this will be my last main article for the newsletter, I just want to thank those who shared words of encouragement with me over the last 10 months. They were much needed and appreciated. West Hampton Baptist Church 631 Aberdeen Road, Hampton, VA 23661 www.westhamptonbaptist.org phone:757-826-5772 Inside this issue: New Pastor Reception 2 Calendar 3 New Study 4 WMU 5
2 Dear Church Family, I am so excited to continue this journey with you, and now as senior pastor. I have been blessed to serve alongside you over the last eleven years, and I look forward to many years ahead. With great humility and by GOD s grace I step into this role. Christ is the head of this church, and my aim remains the same: to keep my eyes on Him. The writer of Hebrews encourages us to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Do we know exactly what lies ahead on the road marked out for us? No. We will endure hardships and face challenges, as well as, discover opportunities and celebrate victories. And we will persevere by fixing our eyes on Jesus. Many of you have already shared encouraging words of support in these first few weeks. I thank you for loving me and my wife, Michelle. Thank you for the peace you share with us and the grace you extend to us. Thank you for your prayers. Pray for me as your brother in Christ, your friend, and your pastor. Pray that I will always submit to the Good Shepherd in all things. Pray that in my weakness GOD would be glorified. Pray for my rest and well-being spiritually, physically, emotionally, and mentally. Pray for my marriage and my family. Pray for me as I pray for you. May we steward well the life we ve been given for the glory of GOD, knowing the best is still to come. Be blessed to be a blessing. We love you church! Church Wide Reception To honor our new Pastor and his wife ~ Brian & Michelle Adams Sunday, November 22, 2015 This is a covered dish luncheon immediately following the 2 nd service. Pastor Search Committee will provide Fried Chicken, Rolls, Dessert & Drinks Please bring a Side Dish and/or Salad to share. Youth Turkey Trot Saturday, November 21 @ 4pm Progressive Dinner Scavenger Hunt Random Acts of Kindness
November Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1Daylight Saving Time Ends 1pm S.A.L.T. 4pm-Church Council 6pm- Called Business Meeting 3 29 Week of Prayer 2 Baptist Women s World Day of Prayer 16 17 Staff Anniversary: Frances Parks, 22 years 11 Veteran s Day 5 6 Ladies Getaway @ Eagle Eyrie I thru 7th 26 Thanksgiving @ Langley Baptist 8 9 10 15 4pm Deacons Meeting 6pm Business Meeting 22 Installation Service for our new Senior Pastor & Fried Chicken Covered Dish Lunch for International Missions/Lottie Moon offering 3 23 24 30 12pm-Senior Adult Covered Dish Lunch 9am-Quilting Ministry 7pm Celebration Choir Practice 4 5pm-Baked Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Grn. Beans, B&D Kids: same 5:30pm-Blood Pressure checks 5pm-Taco Salad & Dessert Kids: same 7:45pm Finance Mtg. 18 5pm-BBQ, Cole Slaw, Baked Beans, B&D Kids: hotdogs 25 No Wed. Activities 12 13 14 19 20 21 (no lunch this year) Church Office Closed 27 Church Office Closed 7Ladies Getaway @ Eagle Eyrie II thru 8th 9am Scrapbooking Ministry 4pm-Youth Turkey Trot 28 9am Quilting Ministry 2015
4 A Study on James (brother of Jesus) The Christian Lifestyle: Contention between James & Paul Based somewhat upon Jason Coker s book on James, this study will help us understand what James is teaching when he writes to the 12 tribes that are scattered among the nations. Why was James so concerned about them when he chose to stay in Jerusalem? Is he really responding against what Paul was preaching? Believed to have been written by James around 49 AD and definitely before the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD. James calls on God s people to live a life of perfection and Jewishness. We will explore how this does (or does not) relate to Paul s teachings. It is a great way to explore and discuss how we should pursue the Christian lifestyle. Facilitator: Rev. Kevin Schrum When: Beginning Wednesday, October 28, 6:30pm Length: A 6-week study Where: First floor, Education bldg., Room D117 Bring your Bible, all other materials will be provided. WHBC SENIOR ADULT LUNCH (The first Tuesday of each month) Tuesday, November 3rd @ 12 noon Church Fellowship Hall Theme: It s Fall Y all So Let s Give Thanks! Attention all Senior Adults and SIT (Seniors in training), join us for a time of food, fun & fellowship. Dress in fall colors, bring a fall dish or dessert to share. Ministry project: Bring with you non-perishable Thanksgiving food items to help supply a Thanksgiving basket. Pick from 1 or more of the following Boxed - Potatoes, Stuffing, Mac & Cheese, Rice Canned - Green beans, Corn, Sweet Potatoes, Cranberry Sauce, Gravy Mixes: Cake, Brownie, or Cookie BRING A FRIEND! Weekly Schedule Sunday 8:30 am Celebration Worship 9:45 am Sunday School 11:00 am Contemporary Worship Deaf Worship Monday 6:00 pm Praise Band Rehearsal Tuesday 10:00 am Staff Meeting 11:00 am Senior Adult Choir 7:00 pm Rendezvous (Young Adults) Wednesday 5:00 pm Dinner 5:45 pm Elevate Youth Fellowship B206 Deaf Bible Study 6:00 pm Preschool & Children s Choirs Elevate Youth Worship B206 Adult Teachers D120 A Time of Prayer D119 Sign Language (ASL 1.3) D226 6:30 pm Sign Language (Beginners) D227 A Study on James D117 6:45 pm Mission Friends (Preschool) RA s & GA s (Grades 1-5) Elevate Youth Missions Women s Bible Study D115 Men s Bible Study D116 Deaf Adult Choir Rehearsal 7:45 pm Celebration Choir Rehearsal Thursday 10:00 am Bible Study 11:30 am Industrial Park Lunch Ministry Clothes Closet ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Every 1st Tuesday 12:00 pm Senior Adult Covered Dish Lunch Every 1st Wednesday 5:30 pm Blood Pressure checks Every 2 nd Tuesday & 4 th Saturday 9:00 am Quilting Ministry Every 3 rd Saturday 9:00 am Scrapbooking Ministry Every other Month on the 1st Thursday 6:00 pm FRESH Class
5 Hello Mission Church Family; Now that fall is finally in the air, our thoughts are looking towards the holidays and the excitement of Christmas. This is a special time set aside for all Christians to focus on the true meaning of the gift that God has given to us. And with that thought, I hope that you will be in prayer of the gift that you can give to continue the work through International Missions. Our International Missions Week of Prayer will begin the last Sunday of this month and will run into December (Nov. 29 Dec. 6). The theme this year is BECAUSE OF WHO HE IS. Our Lottie Moon International Offering Goal for West Hampton is $10,000. Please mark your calendar for the International mission program, on Wednesday, December 2 @ 6:30pm. We will go to Indonesia to see how God is working through our missionaries there. Thank you to all of you who filled your Operation Christmas Child shoebox last month. You with so many others in the world have helped to make a child s life so very special. Sister of the Savior, Eula Parks WMU CALENDAR: November 2 November 6-8 November 7 Nov. 29 Dec. 6 December 2 Baptist Women s World Day of Prayer (Place TBA) Get-Away @ Eagle Eyrie I & II Homeless veterans Stand Down Churchwide Mission Action Collecting: Quart & Gallon size Freezer Bags for Menchville House Please put in WMU cart in the Atrium before November 22. Week of Prayer for International Missions / Lottie Moon offering International Mission program Indonesia @ 6:30pm WOMEN ON MISSION MEETINGS: Elizabeth Flowers Monday Nov. 2 @ Nancy Buchanan 5:30pm M&M s Monday Nov. 2 @ Mary Burleson 6:30pm Sadie Wainwright Tuesday Nov. 3 @ Church 10:00am Sisters in Service Monday Nov. 9 @ Church 6:00pm Quilting Tuesday Nov. 10 @ Church 9:00am Thelma Smith Tuesday Nov. 10 @ Myrtle Wilson 6:00pm Sisters by Heart Monday Nov. 16 @ Gin Marks 7:00pm Scrapbook Saturday Nov. 21 @ Church 9:00am Quilting Saturday Nov. 28 @ Church 9:00am
6 W e s t H a m p t o n B a p t i s t C h u r c h 6 3 1 A b e r d e e n R d H a m p t o n, V A 2 3 6 6 1 P h o n e : 7 5 7-826- 5 7 7 2 E - m a i l : o f f i c e @ w e s t h a m p t o n b a p t i s t. o r g W e b S i t e : w w w. w e s t h a m p t o n b a p t i s t. o r g NON PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID HAMPTON, VA PERMIT #793 R e t u r n S e r v i c e R e q u e s t e d If you would like to be taken off this mailing list, please contact us. You can also access this Newsletter on our website. Subscribe to receive an email when the Newsletter is uploaded. Sunday, November 1 2015 Giving Back to God Date Worship Sunday School Budget Heart for the House Sept. 20 317 245 $7,526.22 $597.50 Sept. 27 210 245 $10,096.55 $985.50 Oct. 4 248 223 $12,314.41 $1,999.50 Oct. 11 211 223 $8,244.82 $639.50 Given year to date Budget: $406,222.04 Given year to date Heart for the House: $42,119.16 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7) Pray about God s generosity plan for your life and be obedient to His leadership then you re on the path to becoming a cheerful giver.