Bible Study Enrollment 1681

Bible Study Attendance 679

Offsite Bible Study Attendance 138

Total Bible Study Attendance 817

Worship Attendance 721

Received Sunday $ 29,174.04

Weekly Requirements $34,619.00

Received to Date $ 1,589,528.21

Required to Date $ 1,592,474.00

Building Fund

Received Sunday $ 572.00

Faith Offering

Received Sunday $9960 .00

Received to Date $ 104,890.18

Last Week’s Numbers

return servic

e requested

39

39

JOE R

AM

SEY G

REEN

VILLE, TX

754

01

90

3.4

55

.29

70

Non

-Pro

fit Org

.

U.S

. PO

ST

AG

E

P A

I D

Perm

it No. 4

29

Gre

enville

, TX

75401

November 16, 2011

Church Family,

Can you believe Thanksgiving is almost here? In so many ways 2011 seems like it has been in fast-forward motion. I have already seen the first “Christmas” commercial on television, and I have already seen the first “Salvation Army Ringer” outside a store in McKinney! Thanksgiving and Christmas are always very busy but good times of the year. I look forward to our annual Thanksgiving Tuesday meal and Thanksgiving service (on Tuesday, November 22). Marie and I look forward to attending as many of your Christmas parties as our schedules will allow. So if you would like for us to join your class for your class party, please call the office and let us know when and where your class party will take place, and we will try to coordinate them with our schedule. It is always an honor to join you for these annual gatherings, and thank you for always being so gracious to invite us.

On Friday, December 2nd, our women’s ministry will be hosting a unique Christmas gathering that is designed to be an outreach and ministry opportunity to minister to the needs of women in our community. Our women’s ministry is doing a great job, and this year the Lord has shown us favor by making it possible for Heather Messick to be the keynote speaker for the first-ever Christmas Gathering for Women. Heather Messick has been singing and writing music for as long as she can remember. As the daughter of two very musical parents, it was only natural that she would inherit her love of music from them. As the wife of a pastor and the mother of three beautiful daughters, Heather’s love of music and songwriting continues. However, Heather’s journey grew much deeper a few years ago when she gave birth to a daughter who has special needs. God has shaped Heather’s heart through this life-changing circumstance and she is passionate about encouraging others through her music and God’s Word.

Heather has recorded two solo CD projects (“Wonder” and “Meet Us Here”). Her vocals have contributed to recordings with Christian music companies such as Integrity Music and Brentwood/Benson Music. In addition to leading worship, being an inspirational speaker and a studio vocalist, Heather teaches Commercial Voice lessons at the University of Mobile in Mobile, AL. Heather’s highest calling, however, is being the wife of her husband, Mark, and mother to their three girls, Elyssa, Natalie and Victoria. They attend First Baptist North Mobile in Saraland, AL, where Mark serves as the Adult Education/Family Pastor.

Tickets are available in the atrium before and after the worship services at $15 each. This is an excellent opportunity for you to reach out to an unchurched friend and/or a woman who might need to be encouraged in the Lord. There are only a few tickets still available, so please secure your ticket at the Women’s Ministry table in the atrium.

I look forward to seeing you Sunday, as I will once again be swinging the two-edged sword ...

In Christ,

Brother Bobby

A Publication of Highland Terrace Baptist Church, Greenville, TX

www.highlandterrace.net

Single But Not Alone!

Some sobering statistics about marriage tell us that 50% of first, and 75% of second marriages end in divorce. What happens to the divorced people? If the

church does not reach and minister to them, what happens? Many feel unloved and unwanted by the church. They may feel like they are “second-rate” citizens at church. They may turn away from God because of these feelings.

Many divorced people toss out God’s moral compass. They reason, contrary to Scripture, that they can live with someone out of wedlock, because they fear rejection or another divorce if they marry. Sadly, nothing could be further from God’s Word. God expects His children to live holy, separated lives.

Next week, we will see why marriages fail, and what we can do to assure divorce will not be the destiny of our present marriage. We hope to see you in our singles department. One of our goals is to instruct singles in God’s Word in order to please Him and grow to be more like Christ.

You may be single,

But you are not alone!

PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT

has CHANGED!

It will be this FRIDAY evening.

(Nov. 18)

from 5:00 pm—9:30 pm.

How to Study the Bible…And Get Something Out of It

Many of us have had the experience of opening the Bible to read and then having our minds wander to a thousand things. Perhaps you have finished reading an entire chapter, reading all the words, and then gotten to the end and not even remember anything you just read. That is not a disease, it is just a common problem. But how do you study a passage of Scripture and really get something out of it? How do you understand what the real meaning of the verse or paragraph really is? Rick Warren says, “The secret of dynamic Bible study is knowing how to ask the right kinds of questions.” In fact, the more questions you ask, the more you can actually learn from the passage. Learning how to ask these questions will have a side benefit of actually giving you a more inquisitive mind. The problem is that often we come to the Bible with a preconceived idea of what the passage already says, so why bother to concentrate on it? After all, we already know what it means. But do you know ALL it means? In his book, “Bible Study Methods,” Rick Warren gives 12 distinct methods of Bible study. These are not original with him, but at least he gives a “how-to” description of each. The 12 methods he lists are:

The Devotional Method The Chapter Summary Method The Character Quality Method The Thematic Method The Biographical Method The Topical Method The Word Study Method The Book Background Method The Book Survey Method The Chapter Analysis Method The Book Synthesis Method The Verse-by-Verse Method

One of the great differences between reading the Bible, which every Christian needs to do, and studying the Bible, is using a pen or pencil. That may be oversimplified, but when you study the Bible, you are making notes, underlining things, writing down references, writing down observations and applications, etc... When you write things down, you tend to remember them better and also tend to think them through better. Writing makes us think. On January 15, our church will begin “40 Days In The Word.” My goal and hope is that we will have 100% participation. We will need between 75 and 80 small group hosts or hostesses who are willing to have a small group. The materials are DVD-driven with a workbook, so it does not require a lot of preparation time to be the group host or facilitator. We will soon begin to recruit our 40 Days Team and our 40 Days Hosts. Please be in prayer about what the Lord will want you to do. I really believe that this study has the potential to change our lives and our church for the positive, more than anything else we can do. Remember, the Bible was not written to satisfy our curiosity, but to change our lives. You Are Loved,

Bro. Kelly

Epistles The Law History Psalms Poetry Prophecy Gospels

Sun., 11/20

2 Peter

Mon., 11/21

Deut. 16-19

Tues., 11/22

Ezra 6-10

Wed., 11/23

Psalm 134-136

Thur., 11/24

Eccl. 9-10

Fri., 11/25

Zechariah 8-14

Sat., 11/26

Acts 17-18

Daily Bible Readings

Bell Ringing for the Salvation Army

Dec. 6-7 at Brookshire’s (on Wesley); SIGN

UP NOW in the atrium for 1 hr. at a time

from 9 am—8 pm each day. Benny Stapp

is in charge. See the Whatchamacallit for

more info. This would be a good mission project for a

Bible Study Class.

Sunday, Nov. 27 is the deadline to order poinsettias in honor/memory of a loved one for the Christmas Eve service. Cost: $8 each; order forms/payment envelopes are available in the atrium.

Ladies' Christmas Gathering

Dec. 2nd at 6:30 pm

Beginning Sunday, tickets ($15) will be on sale

through Sunday, November 27th

for the ladies of the church.

Guest speaker is Heather Messick.

There will be a table set up to purchase tickets.

Encouragement for the Journey for Women Please join us for a time of encouragement from

God’s Word for life’s journey! Sunday Mornings, 10:55, Room B103

If you have any questions, call Judy (903-268-1446). Colossians 2:2:

Encouraged in heart and united in love.

Revolution Student Ministries

Over the last few weeks, I have had the opportunity to sit back and reevaluate many things. At 30, I feel like I am on top of the world, that nothing can slow me down. I guess that was until about 2 weeks ago when I had a case of diverticulitis. I would never have thought I would have suffered from this. It was only 2 years ago I saw my dad hospitalized from this condition. During the week I had to sit at home. I felt like a caged animal not being able to get off the couch. The reality is this was the best thing that could have happened to me. Every now and then it is good to hit the pause button and evaluate where we are in life. I must say that I needed this time. I not only changed what I was eating and the amount of exercise I get, but I refocused my time in the Word, who I am as a minister and as a husband and father. Do you need time to reevaluate? If so, find a time in these next few months to hit the pause button in your life. Psalm 27:4-9 Important Dates: December 9-10 Christmas Blast Lockout – Cost $20 We are going to 3 locations throughout the North Dallas Area.

Young at HeartYoung at Heart

Christmas PartyChristmas Party

Monday, December 5, 5:30 pmMonday, December 5, 5:30 pm

in the gym. in the gym. This year’s theme will beThis year’s theme will be

“Lost in the 50’s.” “Lost in the 50’s.”

Dress will be Dress will be 50’s style.50’s style.

Entertainment will be by Entertainment will be by The Philip Farmer BandThe Philip Farmer Band..

Traditional Christmas dinnerTraditional Christmas dinner: Turkey and dressing and all the : Turkey and dressing and all the

trimmings; Catered by Eddie Deen; Cost is $10.00 per person.trimmings; Catered by Eddie Deen; Cost is $10.00 per person.

Start signing up now! Start signing up now! Last day to sign up will be Nov. 28.Last day to sign up will be Nov. 28.

Hope you are having a great day in the Lord. Hope you are having a great day in the Lord. ——Bro. RoyceBro. Royce

Church-Wide Stew Supper

Tuesday, Nov. 22, @ 5 p.m.

Thanksgiving Service @ 6:15 p.m.

PLEASE BRING CORNBREAD & DESSERTS!

NO Wed. evening activities next week.

Special Friends Angel Tree—Nov. 20 in atrium God has truly blessed us this year. We have 74 Special Friends in our dept., w/ages ranging from 17-74. Only about 23% of these have family. Please help make

their Christmas brighter, showing them that God loves them by sharing Jesus. We show our love for Jesus by sharing a gift of eternal life and love in Jesus’ name on His birthday by giving a present to those who have no family left here on earth.

Holiday Schedule: Nov. 20: Special Friends Angel Tree

Nov. 21: NO newsletter this week

Nov. 22: Annual Stew Supper & Thanksgiving Service

Nov. 23: NO Wed. evening activities

Nov. 24: THANKSGIVING

Nov. 25: Church offices closed

Nov. 27: Deadline to purchase poinsettias

Dec. 4: Hanging of the Greens

Dec. 14: Gingerbread Village (pre-K—6th gr. families)

Dec. 18: Adult Choir Christmas musical (pm service)

Dec. 21: No AWANA

Dec. 23: Church offices closed

Dec. 24: Candlelight service and Lord’s Supper

Dec. 25: Christmas (worship at 9 & 10:30 am; no Sunday School or evening service)

Dec. 26: Church offices closed; no newsletter this week

Dec. 28: No AWANA

Jan. 1: New Year’s Day (worship at 9 & 10:30 am; no Sunday School or evening service)

Jan 2: Church office closed