The Rocky Hock Anchor

NOVEMBER 2015 VOLUME 19, ISSUE 11 The Rocky Hock Anchor The Mission of Rocky Hock Baptist Church is to magnify Christ and make disciples of all people. O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting. I Chronicles 16:34 Next to Christmas and Easter, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. The words of Scripture above sum it up best. To be loved by God by grace in Christ Jesus is a great and splendid thing. As Isaiah said, who has given God counsel; to whom can He be compared? His glory and majesty illuminate creation and His mercy and love the heart of every born again Christian. As I sit and contemplate what it means to be alive, and then what it means to know God in and by the fullness of His mercy in Christ, I am overtaken with tears of joy! Thanksgiving also flows when we venture to the past as we remember the many experiences as a child. Memories are pressed between the pages of my mind, as the song says. I am thankful for the simple life of being one of five kids living as tenant farmers. Until I was 11 years of age, we moved often, living in old weatherboard farm houses. I often tell the story my dad would use about moving often. Dad would say, We move so often that every time we back the truck up in front of the chicken pen, all the chickens would lay down on the ground and cross their legs so we could tie them. For those who didn t know this life, chickens had to have their feet tied together in order to move them to their next home. We owned nothing but what furniture we had collected through the years and the clothes we wore and a few in a closet. The thing we treasured the most was life and love. It wasn t expressed much by dad or by each of us to each other. But we loved each other in our actions, which is greater. I guess that s why the verse above is so impactful. God s love is acted out! I remember the farm paths and walking along with the sense of safety; of living carefree, without any concern for tomorrow. I remember plowing a mule and the cool sensation of fresh dirt as it was tilled, and the smell that was as fresh as a spring breeze. I remember digging a swimming hole in the creek to play in. I remember fishing in a farm pond and catching brim and crappie. Mom would always fix a meal of them and make me feel special for catching them. I remember homemade apple turnovers, banana puddings, and mom s sensational fried chicken! Hog killings were a special time of year when family would gather, and the laughter and food made the work fun. Family fishing trips on Easter Mondays to somewhere other than our favorite fishing holes were always looked forward to with excitement, even though we never left the county! I remember a dad and mom who worked hard to give us what we needed and never complained. Family homecoming each year, with dinner in the yard, was another favorite. Family would return from far and wide to a much loved reunion. Lemonade made in a wash tub just tastes better than any other way! I remember church when revival would last a week, or longer, if the Holy Spirit was moving. And He often did! People would be giving testimonies and lifting their hands in unashamed praise and thanks! I remember, with great thanks, God putting Gloria and me together; thankful for giving us the opportunity to supervise and care for two wonderful children; thankful that He saved them and gave them wonderful Christian mates; thankful for two precious grand girls, Ella Grace and Anna Mae. And I am sincerely blessed, having been called to pastoral ministry, pastoring several fine churches and being used to introduce many to Christ the Lord! Yes, when we stop and think, there s a lot to be thankful for. For sure, far more than I can cover in a page. So I ll go on remembering His lovingkindness is everlasting and walking in the beauty of grace. Blessings to all, and may thanksgivings far exceed your sorrows! Dr. Horton

THE ANCHOR PAGE 2 From our Minister of Deuteronomy 6:5-9 Youth & Children 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Over 300 years ago, the Puritans made famous the statement, Every home is a little church. Ray Pritchard, president of Keep Believing Ministries, explains, They believed the father should be the pastor in his home the same way an ordained minister pastors the church. He adds, They were so serious about this that if a father neglected the spiritual training of his family, he could be brought before the elders for church discipline. If the father refused to take his proper leadership role, he could be disbarred from the Lord s Table. Such a thought seems extreme to us, which perhaps says more about our laxness than it does about the strictness of the Puritans. Moses words in Deuteronomy 6 ring loud and clear to us today. Dad, you (and mom) are the principle disciple makers for your children. God never intended for the church to play this role. The main teaching responsibility was given to the parents. The church s role is to supplement what is being done at home. Moses reminds us: Take advantage of the present but elusive teachable moments in life, such as meal times, on the way to school, as you play catch, or at bedtimes. If parents did their jobs correctly, children would be converted at home and the Sunday sermon could be used for the conversion of those outside the church. - - Richard Baxter Effective teaching occurs not only in the classroom, but also in the daily affairs of life. It s a slow and tedious process, but its impact will be realized in the work, worldview, and mindset of the next generation. Today will present you with opportunities to teach and instruct your child toward godliness. Don t miss them! Events & Opportunities for Youth Every Sunday @ 6 PM & Wednesday @ 7 PM - INCREASE (Youth Bible Study) Pastor Mike Saturday, November 14 from 6:30-9 PM - Northeast North Carolina Prayer Gathering @ RHBC Sunday, November 15 @ 6 PM - Shoebox Ministry Packing Party - Multi-Purpose Room Wednesday, November 25 @ 7 PM - Special Thanksgiving Service - Sanctuary Thursday, November 26 @ 7 AM - Thanksgiving Pancake Breakfast - Multi-Purpose Room Friday & Saturday, November 27 & 28 (for Youth 13 years and older) - Operation Christmas Child Warehouse Packing - leave RHBC @ 5 PM on Friday and return to RHBC by 9:30 PM on Saturday Sunday, November 29 @ 6 PM - Dinner & Christmas Concert by Richard Simmons - Multi-Purpose Room February 5-7, 2016 - Ski Trip to Winterplace Ski Resort, WV - $50 Deposit due by November 15

PAGE 3 From Our Minister of Music & Education THE ANCHOR Scripture says in Romans 12:1-2, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Here, we learn that it is our reasonable service to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God. If we think about the sacrifice that Jesus laid down for us by dying on the cross, then we must be willing to live a life for Him. We need to lay down our desires in order to fulfill the will that God has for us. That is our sacrifice. In order to fulfill His desires, we need to be pure and blameless before each other. Some might think that this is too much to ask for, but God tells us that this is our reasonable service in order to be acceptable unto Him. After all, Jesus did not think that it was too much to ask to lay down His life for us. We are pure and innocent for as long as we stay that way; but then, if we allow one person to corrupt us, it will be easier to let other things come into our lives. Once we try something we think that was not so bad, nothing happened and we try it again and again until we are not able to control ourselves. God tells us to abstain from all appearances of evil. Every decision we make regarding our bodies needs to be made with the mind of Christ to portray purity in every thing that we do. So how do we make sure that our bodies represent the purity that they need to represent? We have to make sure that our inward bodies are pure. Whatever is on the inside will shine through to the outside. We should place the importance on the inward appearance. It is most important for our hearts, souls, and minds to be pure, for the pure in heart will see God. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:21-23). We need to test everything to be sure that it is true to the Word of God. We need to accept that which is good. We need to keep away from anything that is evil. As we do these things, God will make us pure and completely holy. As we devote ourselves to Him, our soul, mind, heart, and body will be blameless and faultless unto the Lord. God is the only one that can allow this to take place in our lives. When we have Him first, all other things will fall into place. First Corinthians 3:16-19 tells us that if any man defiles the temple of God, He will destroy them. Many times, we think of the temple (or house) of God as being the building where we have our church services. We think that it is very important that the house of God is kept clean and up to date with all of the latest features and technology. After all, God dwells there and we do not want Him to have a dirty place. Well, here the temples of God are the Christians. See God dwells in us too. If we care so much about how the church building looks, then we need to care about how the church people look too. Since we are the temple of God, if we defile His temple, then He will destroy us. God does not want us to be a part of the world, He wants us to be peculiar people. God wants us to be holy, for we are His temples. First Corinthians 6:19-20 says that if the Holy Ghost is living in us, then our bodies are not our own and whatever we have is not ours, but it belongs to God. God bought us with the price of His own son Jesus Christ; therefore we need to glorify God through our bodies and spirits. Being different seems to be the "in" thing nowadays. Everyone seems to be doing their own thing, saying that it is just them, that they are different. Well, it is time that we, as Christians, start to be different. We need to start being the peculiar people that God has called us to be. Our life should be lived as a life of no regrets. When it is our time in Heaven, we do not want to stand before God worrying about what we have done in the past. We need to think about each decision we make and how it will affect us for the cause of Christ. We should not be ashamed of anything that we do in our life or to our bodies. But, with all boldness, present ourselves with all Godliness. We need to be consistently magnifying God in all that we do, say, or think. We have a choice. It is up to us. We can live fleshly or live for Christ. We are better off living for Christ. We must let our manner of life be so that it shines the gospel of Jesus Christ. Above all else, we need to live in a way that brings honor to Christ for what He has done for us on the cross. For if we stand for God, striving together for the work of His gospel, then we will not be afraid of what the devil will do to us. We will allow the testimony of our salvation to shine through our lives when we choose to follow Jesus Christ as our Savior. Pastor Tyler

THE ANCHOR PAGE 4 Thanksgiving Crossword Puzzle For Children in Grades 3-6 We meet on Sundays @ 5 PM in the Outfitters Sunday School Classroom, which is the room beside the Children s Church Room. For more information, contact Donald Bass.

PAGE 5 THE ANCHOR Baptist Women 2015-2016 Watchword Then he called the crowd to him, along with his disciples, and said, Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. (Mark 8:34) Our Mission A Message from Belva... is to inform and inspire the Christian woman to influence her world for Christ. On November 2, Baptist Women around the world will be praying together on that day for God's kingdom to expand all over the world. Arise, Shine! When we rise up to action, He shines through us to bring people to Himself. Praying for the lost is one of the greatest responsibilities we have. The call from the Lord for us is to rise and shine in His service. No matter what our physical condition is, nor where we are in our spiritual pilgrimage, we can all rise where we are to do more in God's service. Jesus told us that He is the Light of the world. It is this light that should shine in us when we serve Him as we serve others. Through being involved in missions, you are fulfilling His will in your life. We should challenge each other to go out and shine wherever we may go. Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you. (Isaiah 60:1) Men s Rally - Region 1 Bap ist Men Baptist Men s Breakfast Sunday, November 15th at 7:30 AM in the Special Function Room Askewville Baptist Church, Windsor, NC Thursday, November 12 6:15 PM Supper, 7:00 PM Rally Cost is $5.00 Registration Deadline is Monday, November 9 For more information or to register, contact Oscar White or the Church Office. OPERATION: Christmas Child (a.k.a. Shoebox Ministry) On Sunday, November 15 @ 6 PM, we will have our Shoebox Packing Party in the Multi-Purpose Room. On Friday & Saturday, November 27 & 28, we have the opportunity to go to the Operation Christmas Child Warehouse in Charlotte to help pack shoeboxes. We will leave RHBC @ 5 PM on Friday, spend the night in a local hotel, go to the warehouse to work on Saturday, and return to RHBC by 9:30 PM. Adults and Youth ages 13 and older are encouraged to attend. There are 30 slots open. See Pastor Mike for more information.

THE ANCHOR PAGE 6 We, the Children & Youth Ministry, have a new texting service called remind. This texting service is for reminders and information that is needed to be sent to parents, students, or leadership teams. If you would like to have reminders about events, meetings, and other important information within the Children & Youth Ministries sent to you via text, please follow the text instruction below to be added to the appropriate group: Youth Ministry INCREASE STUDENT MINISTRY This group is for students, parents, grandparents, and leadership team. Information that everyone will need for events and reminders will be sent through this group text. To be added to this group, text the word, @increase to the number 81010 INCREASE Parents This group is just for parents of students that would like to receive information on events, payment reminders, event times and other information for parents. To be added to this group, text the word, @increasep to 81010 INCREASE Students This group is just for the students that need reminders of events, times, bible studies or just encouraging messages. To be added to this group, text the word, @increases to 81010 Children s Ministry GROW CHILDREN S MINISTRY This group is for children s parents, grandparents, and leadership team. Information that everyone will need for events and reminders will be sent through this group text. To be added to this group, text the word, @growc to 81010 * Please add yourself to the group by December 31, 2015 Our new Outreach Ministry here at RHBC has begun! This new ministry, called CREW, stands for Christians, Reaching, Encouraging, Witnessing. We are instructed in scripture to Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. (Matt. 28:19-20) CREW meets twice monthly. In November, we will meet on the 7th @ 10 AM and the 24th @ 7 PM. We will do different outreach activities. See Pastor Tyler for more information.

PAGE 7 THE ANCHOR... Then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. ~ 2 Chronicles 7:14 Speakers: Richard Owen Roberts, Founder, International Awakening Ministries, Wheaton, IL J. Chris Schofield, Director, Office of Prayer, BSCNC, Cary, NC Thursday, November 12 - Nags Head Church, Nags Head, NC 6:00-6:30 p.m. Registration 6:30-9:00 p.m. General Session Spiritual Awakening Prayer Focus: J. Chris Schofield Messages/Prayer: Richard Owen Roberts Friday, November 13 - Berea Baptist Church, Elizabeth City, NC 6:30-9:00 p.m. General Session Spiritual Awakening Prayer Focus: J. Chris Schofield Messages/Prayer: Richard Owen Roberts Conference is FREE! Register at the door. A love offering will be received. For more information, contact: The Chowan Baptist Association @ 426-9621 or visit www.praync.org. Saturday, November 14 - Rocky Hock Baptist Church, Edenton, NC 6:30-9:00 p.m. General Session Spiritual Awakening Prayer Focus: J. Chris Schofield Messages/Prayer: Richard Owen Roberts Holiday Kick-off Event & Music Ministry Fundraiser Thanksgiving Dinner & Christmas Concert by Richard Simmons Sunday, November 29 @ 6 PM in the Multi-Purpose Room Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased from any choir member. For more information, see Pastor Tyler. Come join us on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 26 @ 7 AM for a Pancake Breakfast in the Multi-Purpose Room!

THE ANCHOR PAGE 8 Serve the Lord with gladness... Deacon Ministry Team 11/1/15 11/7/15 Lee Bass, Joey Byrum, Oscar White ~ Psalms 100: 2 Deacon Greeters 11/8/15 11/14/15 Donald Bass, Carroll Evans, Chris Turner 11/15/15 11/21/15 Wayne Bunch, Jack Evans, Mike Evans 11/22/15 11/28/15 Kermit Harrell, Keith Nixon, Scott Noble, Phil Smith 11/29/15 12/5/15 Russell Byrum, Col. Bill Smith, Chris Sykes Offering Wayne Howell (Chairman), Allen Peele (Co-Chairman), Donald Bass, Adam Bunch, Fred Smith, Oscar White Sanctuary: Donald Bass Administrative Building: Oscar White Sr. Adult SS Center: Scott Noble Left Glass Door: Mike Evans Right Glass Door: Fred Smith Ushers Joey Byrum, Billy Elliott, Jasper Evans, Danny Lewis, Nancy Noble, Phil Smith, James Tynch Counting Committee Kermit Harrell, Ed & Judy Hughes, Willis Ray Peele Church Flowers If you would like to place flowers in the sanctuary or the vestibule in honor or in memory of loved ones, or for special occasions, such as birthdays or anniversaries, please call the Church Office to reserve the date of your choice. Food Pantry Items Needed in November: Stuffing Mix Sweet Potatoes Cranberry Sauce Gravy Mix To help prepare for Thanksgiving, when many clients will need to be served, we ask that every family please bring just one item. Collection bins are located in the Senior Adult SS Center & the Connecting Corridor.

PAGE 9 THE ANCHOR Nursery & Pre-School Workers During Sunday School 1st Sunday Penny Byrum Linda Layton Lisa Smith 2nd Sunday Ashley Byrum Kristia Noble Michelle Tynch 3rd Sunday Mary Jo Bass Amanda Howell Susan Sykes 4th Sunday Bonnie Bond Holly Evans Marcia Evans 5th Sunday Arlene Bass Betty Bunch Beth Evans * indicates teachers of the week 1st Sunday Son Seekers (3-4 year olds) Catina Byrum Faith Byrum Molli Riddick Kingdom Kids (K-5th Grade) Joey & *Ashley Byrum Amanda Howell Laura Turner *Mike & Heather Denny Sunday AM (Nursery) 1st Sunday Maryann Bunch Kim Forehand Kimberly McPherson Denise Nixon Lindsay Smith 2nd Sunday Alanna Bass Melissa Chappell Lauren Smith Peggy Weiss 3rd Sunday Amanda Goodwin Jessica Hoggard Kristia Noble Tanya Turner Michelle Tynch 4th Sunday Laura Bass Dawn Bunch Gloria Horton Amanda Howell 5th Sunday Claire Evans Karen Miller Kristia Noble Mia Noble 2nd Sunday Son Seekers (3-4 year olds) Regina Copeland Kim Forehand Chelsea White Kingdom Kids (K-5th Grade) *Gloria Horton *Jay & Felicia Parrish Lisa Bullock Sunday AM (2 year olds) 1st Sunday Louvenia Stewart Amanda O Kelley 2nd Sunday Holly Evans Dawn Bunch 3rd Sunday Hope Gosser Susan Sykes 4th Sunday Anna Evans Karen Smith Logan Smith 5th Sunday Kimberly McPherson Denise Nixon Children s Church 3rd Sunday Son Seekers (3-4 year olds) Melissa Chappell Claire Evans Kingdom Kids (K-5th Grade) Trey & Alanna Bass *Wayne & Donna Harrell *LeAnn Nixon Sunday PM 1st Sunday Sue Hoggard Elizabeth Riddick 2nd Sunday Megan Bass Karen Miller 3rd Sunday Karen Miller Susan Sykes 4th Sunday Donna Harrell LeAnn Nixon 5th Sunday Ashley Byrum Michelle Tynch 4th Sunday Son Seekers (3-4 year olds) Alanna Bass Sherlynne Smith Kingdom Kids (K-5th Grade) Debbie Bicknell *Sharon Nixon Chris & Susan Sykes *Mike & Heather Denny Wednesday PM 1st Wednesday Leslie Peele Elizabeth Riddick Mission Friends Chris & Susan Sykes 2nd Wednesday Rhonda Bass Laura Turner Mission Friends Kim Forehand Sherlynne Smith 3rd Wednesday Ashley Byrum Linda Layton Mission Friends Alanna Bass Molli Riddick 4th Wednesday Alanna Bass Molli Riddick _Mission Friends Michelle Tynch Laura Turner 5th Wednesday Gloria Horton Elizabeth Riddick Mission Friends Sallie Chappell Clara Peele Molli Riddick 5th Sunday Son Seekers (3-4 year olds) Allen & Sarah Nixon Clara Peele No Children s Church for Kingdom Kids (K-5th Grade) on 5th Sunday

Rocky Hock Baptist Church 113 Rocky Hock Church Road Edenton, North Carolina 27932 Address Service Requested NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID EDENTON, NC PERMIT NO. 127 November Check us out on the web at www.rockyhockbaptistchurch.org Weekly Church Activities: Sundays: 9:45 AM - Bible Study for all ages Designated Sundays: 6:00 PM - Ignite & Jr. Ignite 10:55 AM - (Contemporary Children s ) 5:45 PM - TeamKID for Children 6:00 PM - Adult Bible Study; Youth Bible Study Tuesdays: 10:00 AM - Adult Bible Study 4th Tuesdays: 7:00 PM - Prayer Shawl Ministry 7:00 PM - Senior Adult Choir Wednesdays: 7:00 PM - Adult Bible Study; INCREASE (Youth); GROW (Children - Mission Friends, GA s, RA s) 8:00 PM - Sanctuary Choir Dr. James Horton, Senior Pastor jhorton@rockyhockbaptistchurch.org Pastor Mike Denny, Minister of Youth & Children mdenny@rockyhockbaptistchurch.org Pastor Tyler Cone, Minister of Music & Education tcone@rockyhockbaptistchurch.org Mr. Adam Bunch, Chairman of Deacons Mrs. Linda B. Bunch, Administrative Assistant lbunch@rockyhockbaptistchurch.org 221-4948 (Home) 336-266-9493 (Cell) 252-903-2565 (Cell) 221-9932 (Home) 221-4133 (Office)