161 years old! What a milestone, Thaxton. If you were here on September 17th to celebrate with us, you heard old traditions, new traditions and how they are related to one another. If you missed the celebration for any reason, please go to www.thaxtonbaptist.org and watch the service through the Sermon Archive tab. Remember to check out our new Maple tree planted to signify our prayer for growth in God’s Word. We’ll plant another at next year’s anniversary and compare the growth from year to year as we continue to plant one on each upcoming anniversary. By the time you get this, Fall Festival will have been concluded. It’s our biggest outreach event of the year, and our biggest opportunity to serve as a body. Everyone has a place to contribute, and I pray that you were as blessed in your contribution as those you served. My Fireside Chat was met with enthusiasm. A number of you said I shouldn’t wait 2 more years for one…. “to just do them more frequently”. That may be a great suggestion - let’s see how things roll out this coming year.

Pastor Randy shared an important message in his Sunday night service on the 24th. A number of points about forgiveness deserve revisiting for us all. One point I wanted to highlight was what Randy shared as a perception of his about Thaxton in recent months. We’re growing….together. Now that can mean two different things, but both have the same result. 1. As a group we’re growing in our love for the Lord and His Word. 2. We are growing more closely as a body of believers. Both of the prior statements are true. I feel it too. Imagine an equilateral triangle (this is something I’ve used in pre-marital counseling for the past decade) with God at the top. Two people are on either “corner” at the bottom. If one moves closer to God and the other doesn’t, how much did they move toward each other? Not at all. If they both move more closely to God, do they move more closely to each other? Yes and Yes. How do we move closer to God? The same way we move more closely to a potential spouse - we come to know them better by studying what is important to them; how we are similar AND different. We deepen our “walk” with one another as we deepen our relationship. The same is true of us as a body of believers. What have I been leading us to since I got here over two years ago? A deeper understanding of

Our Lord; a more thorough understanding of His Word to us; a reliance on leadership of brothers and sisters as they participate in His redemptive story in our lives. We are growing together through our Sunday Morning Preaching, Sunday Morning Prayer, Outreach initiative, Apollos, Sunday School, Wed. night Bible study, Sunday night Bible Study, Friday Ladies lunches, and so many more ministries….. because we are growing closer to God in all of those places. If He is our beacon in the fog of life, then following the light and the sound that eminates from Him will certainly lead us home. If you’ve not found a place to plug in for any of the opportunities to move closer to understanding what I’m talking about, then there is NO SHAME in contacting me for a chance to do some studying together, and find the best place to put you on “the triangle”. Love and Hugs my beloved, Pastor Mark since ‘64

Youth Ministry Last month we launched two new exciting ministries for the youth at our church.

We enjoyed a Middle School group for 5th-8th called Uprising and a High School

group for 9th-12th grade called Encounter. Now we need some more faithful

servants to come join our ministry! Please contact Pastor Justin to sit in on a youth

lesson and participate in what God is doing here at Thaxton Baptist Church!

Studying God's Word

Individual study is the first step to a healthy youth group. It is in our group

discussion time, for many students, that the Bible begins to “gel”. The discussion

confirms, clarifies, and corrects as each student seeks to discover truth for

themselves. Discussion of the Bible’s truths helps to seal them in our minds and

sharing application encourages individuals to live out what they are learning. We do

this in three steps:

Observation – What does the text say?—Learn exactly what a passage of scripture

says using expositional Bible teaching and inductive Bible study.

Interpretation – What does the text mean?—Learn to accurately interpret Scripture

so you understand what it means – in the right context.

Application – How does the meaning of the text apply to life?—Learn how to

correctly apply scripture to your life.

God bless you and come join our ministry,

Pastor Justin Waples

Children’s Ministry

Generations of Grace exists to glorify God through evangelizing children,

encouraging parents, and edifying servants so that the gospel may be spread

among our children, families may be supported, and the church may be

strengthened.

Encouraging Parents

The most important job of parents is to raise their children in the discipline and

instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4; Col 3:21). Parents are to be the primary

evangelists and spiritual trainers of their children. Parents must work very hard at

this, teaching their children every day by their regular example and specific

instruction (Deuteronomy 6:7). So an effective children’s ministry will do all it

can to encourage parents in their mission, and one way to do this is by providing

helpful tools to parents. This is what Generations of Grace strives to do.

Generations of Grace provides the Family Devotional, a valuable tool designed

with both parents and children in mind. The Family Devotional aims to aid the

parents in their own knowledge, love, and holiness. Then as the parents grow in

godliness, the Family Devotional also helps parents teach their children

throughout the week the same stories and principles that are taught each Sunday.

God bless you and come join our ministry,

Pastor Justin Waples

All men are invited to a prayer breakfast on the first Sunday of eve-ry month in the TBC Café. It’s a free,

hot breakfast with fellowship and prayer leading up to Sunday School.

Men’s Prayer Breakfast

Sunday, Oct. 1 @ 8 am

Members Business Meeting

Sunday, Oct. 1@ 5:30 pm

Young at Heart Potluck Luncheon

Tuesday, Oct. 3 @ Noon

Extraordinary Women’s Conference

Saturday, Oct. 7

Deacons Meeting

Monday, Oct. 9 @ 6:30 pm

Revival at Thaxton Community Center

with Don Shire

Sunday, Oct. 15-Tuesday, Oct. 17

Trunk or Treat, Come & Eat

Saturday, Oct. 28 @ 5-7 pm

If you are “young at heart”, you are

invited to join us for a monthly

potluck luncheon on the first

Tuesday of each month. Bring a

dish, meet in the TBC Café at noon

and enjoy the great food, fun and

fellowship!

October 1: David & Faye Grant

October 8: Mike & Vicki Martin

October 15: Carl Saunders

October 22: E.L. & Karen McGuire

October 29: Gail Wilcher

November 5: Cliff Overstreet & Jay Faucher

November 12: Bill & Virginia Shepherd

November 19: John & Melody Dooley

November 26: Dennis & Shelby Overstreet

December 3: Alan & Krystal Hullette

December 10: Traci Jefferson & Anna Laura

Simpson

December 17: Barry & Sue Saunders

December 24: Becki Robertson & Joyce

Zdenek

December 31: David & Faye Grant

Aug. offerings $21,086.16

Off to Central Venezuela

When traveling on mission trips to remote locations

the team will usually have to meet a man with a sign,

who doesn’t speak much English, who will take you to

your next location, usually a hotel, and then will help

you to depart on the next leg to your destination. This

was the case in 2001 when Nancy and I led a small

team to southern Venezuela on our first trip into the

Amazon Rainforest of Venezuela. Incredibly, the man

took us to the very same hotel that I had stayed in on

my very first mission trip in 1995. In 1995 Venezuela

was considered a safe, stable country to visit. We could

feel free to leave the hotel and do some exploring in

the neighborhood. However, by 2001 Hugo Chavez

had become president and most of the country had

become somewhat dangerous for us to explore on our

own so we were advised to stay inside the hotel. In

fact, our guide took the van in which we were riding

into an underground garage before letting us out. The

next day our guide picked us up and drove us back to

the airport where we caught a flight on a small but

comfortable jet to Puerto Ayacucho, a small city on the

Columbian border and located on the Orinoco River.

Then again, we were met by a man with a sign, who

spoke very little English, and who took us to an

apartment building in downtown Puerto Ayacucho so

that we could get a good nights rest before departing

the next morning for our flight into the rainforest.

Puerto Ayacucho is pretty much the end of the road as

far as travel is concerned into the jungle. From here

the travel is done by walking, boat on the Orinoco or

by airplane. The next day, true to his word, our man

showed up and he helped us depart on our next flight.

We then spent the next ten days or so working with the

missionaries and the indigenous peoples of the

amazon. When we left the rainforest we were told that

a missionary couple by the names of Jim and Jeannie

Berryhill would be meeting us at the airport and that

they would be taking care of us for the next day or

two. We then had an uneventful flight on the small

Missionary Aviation Cessna airplanes back to Puerto

Ayacucho. True to their word, there we were met by

Jim and Jeannie. They took us back to the apartment

so that we could get settled in, then they took us to

their home and mission station.

Again in 2003 we took a team back into the rainforest

and we pretty much repeated the process of traveling

from home to the mission station in the jungle. The big

difference was the country had become less safe as

Hugo Chavez continued his change of Venezuela from

a democracy and being capitalistic to a socialistic

government. The airport was not as nice, the planes

were older and looked as if they were in need of a lot

of repair, and once again we were advised “do not

leave the hotel”. In order to get into the jungle we had

to obtain special permission which was becoming

harder to do. When we left the jungle we were

searched to make sure that we were not smuggling

gold or precious stones out of the rainforest. While we

were excited and very glad to be there the political

situation created a sense of unease. As it turned out,

that would be our last trip into the rainforest. Pat

Robertson made his infamous statement that Hugo

Chavez needs a bullet placed between his eyes and in

retaliation Chavez took a lot of measures including

closing the jungle to United States citizens. Most of

the missionaries pulled out but the Dawson family

defied Chavez and stayed. At the less than subtle

urging by the Yanamomi Indians, who the Dawson

family were ministering to, the Venezuelan

government eventually gave up trying to remove them

so they are still there today continuing their ministry.

Jim and Jeannie once again fed us and cared for us on

our short stay in Puerto Ayacucho as we were traveling

home. We got to know the Berryhills a little better so a

friendship began to grow between us. A year or so

later, on a trip to the states, the Berryhill’s stopped by

and spent a night with us in our home. I had wanted to

go back to the rainforest about every two years so I

was targeting 2005 as our next trip there. But, by 2005

access to the rainforest was completely closed so there

was no possibility of going back. I got an email from

Jim Berryhill asking about the possibility of my

bringing a team to Puerto Ayacucho to help him build

a church and missionary office. While this was not the

rainforest it was about as close as we could get so with

some prayer we accepted the challenge. Jim said that

he did not have any project money and that we would

need $20,000. I didn’t have the money but within a

few days God provided the funds from a completely

unexpected source. What a coincidence! I think not.

Next month: The team

By Don Slusher

Hi,

Pastor Justin here and we

need your prayers!

Please pray for our church

and consider joining one of

our Outreach teams on

October 25th at church

5:15pm and/or come for

Bible Study at 6:30pm to

hear a report of what God is doing in

this community through our

obedience. We are getting wonderful

feedback from all our teams!

Please be in prayer for our teams and

pray for the H.E.A.R.T.S. that will be

reached.

Pray for HEARTS: Hearts - Pray for receptive hearts

(Luke 8: 5-15)

Eyes & Ears - Pray for spiritual eyes

and ears to be open (Matthew 13: 15) Attitude - Pray for them to have God’s

attitude toward sin (John 16:8) Released - Pray for them to be

released and to believe (2 Timothy

2: 25-26) Transforming - Pray for unbelievers to

have a transformed life in Christ

(Rom 12:1-2)

Sent- Pray for Christian witnesses to

be sent to share Christ (Mat 9:35-38)

Pray For...

God’s name to be honored

(Matt 6: 9)

God’s will to be done

(Matt 6: 10) Daily spiritual, emotional

and physical needs to be

met (Matt 6: 11)

Forgiveness to prevail

(Matt 6: 12)

Deliverance in trials (Matt 6: 13) God’s kingdom to come (Matt 6: 13)

The breaking down of strongholds

(2 Cor. 10:4)

Keep up the good work and keep

sharing your faith as we reach out to

Bedford County,

Pastor Justin Waples

6: Dana Grant 10: Will Grant & Barbara Bauer 12: Charles Sheppard 13: Pastor Mark Giganti & Bryce Grant 22: Peggy McGuire 25: Chuck Wheeler & Pamela Sheppard 26: June Tyler 27: Bob Zdenek 28: Julie Manck 30: Bradley Botteicher

4: E.L. & Karen McGuire 14: Marvin & Mary Amos 17: Daniel & Kelly Harmony

1 8:00 Men’s Prayer Breakfast

4:15 Women’s Bible Study

4:30 Children’s Choir Rehearsal

5:30 Members Business Mtg.

2 3 4 5:30 Wednesday

Dinner

6:30 Children, Youth & Adult Bible Study, Apollos 7:30 Choir Practice

5

6 Oakwood Manor

Devotions 10:00 am Extraordinary Women’s Conf. in Roanoke

7

Extraordinary Women’s

Conference in Roanoke

8

4:15 Women’s Bible Study

4:30 Children’s Choir Rehearsal

5:30 Children, Youth & Adult

Evening Service

9 10

11 5:30 Wednesday Dinner

6:30 Children, Youth & Adult Bible Study, Apollos 7:30 Choir Practice

12

13 Oakwood Manor Devotions 10:00am

14

15

4:15 Women’s Bible Study

4:30Children’s Choir Rehearsal

5:30 Children, Youth & Adult

Evening Service

7:00 Revival at TCC

16 Revival at Thaxton

Community Center 7:00 pm

17 Revival at

Thaxton

Community

Center 7:00 pm

18 5:30 Wednesday Dinner 6:30 Children, Youth & Adult Bible Study, Apollos 7:30 Choir Practice

19

20 Oakwood Manor Devotions 10:00 am

21

22 4:15 Women’s Bible Study

4:30 Children’s Choir Rehearsal

5:30 Children, Youth & Adult

Evening Service

23

24

25 5:15-6:30 Outreach 6:30 Children, Youth & Adult Bible Study,

Apollos

7:30 Choir Practice

26

27 Oakwood Manor Devotions 10:00 am

28 Trunk or Treat, Come & Eat 5-7 pm

29 4:15 Women’s Bible Study

4:30 Children’s Choir Rehearsal

5:30 Children, Youth & Adult

Evening Service

30 31

Every Sunday:

9:10 am Prayer Meeting in

Heritage Chapel

9:30 am Sunday School

10:30 am Worship Service

Volunteers Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29

Sunday School Greeters David & Faye Grant Bob & Jeri Plott

Bill Shepherd & Virginia Shepherd

Garrett Patterson & Vicki Martin

Rich & Mary Michealsen

Ushers & Greeters

David Grant, Betty Jones, Chuck Wheeler, Tucker Grant, Matt Saunders,

J.D. Smith, Mike Martin & Bill Shepherd

Jimmy Overstreet, Christina Smith, Garrett Patterson,

Matt Saunders, Norris Fulton, Chuck Wheeler,

Jimmy Cundiff & David Turner

John Dooley, Scott Smith, David Grant, Stewart

Grant, David Grant, Bill Shepherd,

Will Grant & Mike Martin

Jimmy Cundiff, David Turner, Betty Jones,

Jimmy Overstreet, Norris Fulton, John Dooley, Wesley Overstreet &

Scott Smith

Matt Saunders, John Dooley, Wesley

Overstreet, Scott Smith, Jimmy Cundiff, Jimmy

Overstreet, David Turner & Bill Shepherd

Van Drivers Bill Shepherd Bill Shepherd John Dooley John Dooley Bill Shepherd

Clean Road Workers Joyce Zdenek Wayne Lawhorn Garett Patterson Barbara Catron Jane Grant

Deacon for Offertory Prayer Bill Shepherd Charles Sheppard Anna Laura Simpson Chuck Wheeler Alan Hullette

Parking Greeters Tony Fisher & Jimmy Overstreet

Garrett Patterson & Mike Martin

John Dooley Tony Fisher &

Jimmy Overstreet Garrett Patterson &

Mike Martin

Worship Time Greeters Norris Fulton David Turner Vicki Martin Garrett Patterson Jimmy Overstreet

Volunteers October 1 October 8 October 15 October 22 October 29

Children and Youth Sunday School

Nursery: Birth-18 months Allen Hayes & Anna Carrico Judy Powell & Need Help Allen Hayes & Anna Carrico Judy Powell & Need Help Judy Powell & Need Help

Nursery: 18 months-2 years combined nursery combined nursery combined nursery combined nursery combined nursery

3-5 years old Tommy & Brandy Botteicher Tommy & Brandy Botteicher Tommy & Brandy Botteicher Tommy & Brandy Botteicher Tommy & Brandy Botteicher

K, 1st & 2nd Grade Becki Robertson & Joyce Zdenek, or Sandy McCormick

& Cindy Meredith (swap monthly) Becki Robertson & Joyce Zdenek, or Sandy

McCormick & Cindy Meredith (swap monthly) Becki Robertson & Joyce Zdenek, or Sandy

McCormick & Cindy Meredith (swap monthly) Becki Robertson & Joyce Zdenek, or Sandy

McCormick & Cindy Meredith (swap monthly) Becki Robertson & Joyce Zdenek

3rd & 4th Grade Dina Krantz, Margaret Sperrazza, Robbie Catron Dina Krantz, Margaret Sperrazza, Robbie

Catron Dina Krantz, Margaret Sperrazza, Robbie

Catron Dina Krantz, Margaret Sperrazza, Robbie

Catron Dina Krantz, Margaret Sperrazza,

Robbie Catron

Youth Group (5th-12th Grade) Pastor Justin Waples

Children's Church

Nursery: Birth-18 months Melody Dooley & Delaney Smith, or Jordan Overstreet & Zana Smith (swap monthly) Jenny Krantz & Need Help Kim Tolley & Janet Linger Pam Sheppard & Need Help Pam Sheppard & Need Help

Nursery: 18 months-2 years combined nursery combined nursery combined nursery combined nursery combined nursery

3-5 years old Need Help Jeri & Bob Plott Becki Robertson & Joyce Zdenek Need Help Need Help

K, 1st & 2nd Grade

Justin Waples & Traci Jefferson Justin Waples & Becky Lugar

Justin Waples, Traci Jefferson, Margaret Sperrazza & Robbie

Catron Justin Waples & Dina Krantz

Justin Waples &

Dina Krantz 3rd & 4th Grade

Sunday Night Service

Birth-4th Grade Abigail Waples, Margaret Sperrazza & Need Help

Wednesday Evening Service

Birth-4th Grade Becki Robertson, Vicki Martin & Need Help

Youth Group (5th-12th Grade) Pastor Justin Waples, Abigail Waples & Need Help

Oct. 28 from 5-7 pm

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Thaxton Community

at the

Thaxton Community Center

with Don Shire

October 15-17 from 7-8 pm ****************************************************************

Join us at Oakwood Manor

for devotions every

Friday in October

from 10-11 am.

Attention all women at TBC:

Please join us for the 2017

Extraordinary Women

Conference Featuring: Liz Curtis Higgs, Tim Hawkins and MercyMe, October 6-7 at the Berglund Center in Roanoke Register online at www.ewomen.net

or call 800.526.8673

Use the Thaxton Baptist Church group code and password: gigantib17

******************************************************

Operation Christmas Child boxes will be available the end of

October. Start buying your stuff now to fill the boxes and

return them to TBC on or before November 12.