Old Greenbrier Baptist ChurchPO Box 456Alderson, WV 24910STAFFPastor: Bill Bryan(304) 646-8631Ministers of Music:Dell & Nancy WoodCarolyn Holliday Treasurer:Charlotte MeltonCongregational Visitor:Peggy BollenbachOfficial Board, ChairBill HollidayStreet Address:301 North Monroe St.Church Phone:(304) 445-7854

Old GreenbriER

Baptist News2014

Non-ProfitPostage PermitNo. 32

Volume XVII No. XI

Church website: http://oldgreenbrierbaptistchurch.typepad.com/

Forwarding Service Requested

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S HEARTThe holiday season is upon us. November brings us the joy-filled feasts and family reunions of Thanksgiving. One of the highlights of the year for me is our Thanksgivers’ Sunday as we give a special offering to meet a need and then gather around tables in Fellowship Hall for a feast. Make plans to bring a covered dish for this delightful meal on Sunday, November 23 immediately following morning worship.On November 2 we will gather in a special called business meeting to vote on the vision that has been presented to our church body concerning the formation of the Emma Alderson Christian Academy. I hope you have been able to study this proposal, have taken part in discussions of this opportunity, and have been in prayer for our church as we seek God’s direction. The feedback from our listening meetings and other conversations has been positive. The academy will address real needs of children and families in our community without adding to our church budget. It will be an entry point for new families into our community of faith and a starting point for new ministries as well. I am optimistic and hopeful as we move forward together into the future God has for us in this part of his kingdom.In this season of thanksgiving, I and Deborah say “thank you” to all of you for your remembrances of us during October, which is pastor appreciation month. We appreciate your gifts and words of encouragement. Thank you for your prayers and support.The heart of Thanksgiving is giving thanks. How are you giving thanks to God for his indescribable gift to you? Begin by saying “thank you” in a prayer lifted to him right now. Then consider how in this season you will act on your

words by giving sacrificially to meet the needs of others around you so that they join you in an ever swelling chorus of thanks giving to God.

Christmas Cantata Singers Needed

The next Men’s Community Prayer Breakfast will be Saturday, December

6th at 8am at River of Life Church of God.

Our adult choir has begun preparation of “The First Noel” for the coming Christmas season. If you are interested in participating in the cantata, please join with the choir on Wednesday evenings at 7:30pm.

Our choir is open for participation by anyone from the community who would like to join us in preparation of this cantata. Please spread the word to anyone who might like to participate. We look forward to this annual musical

celebration of Christ’s birth.

Our Finance Team regularly monitors our church budget and spending. Thank you for 1 – Stacy Harris

Margaret Shelton 4 – Wayne Dotson 5 – Rick Parker

1Men’sBreakfastJMUMC ~ 8aStephanie Massey Estep Shower ~ 2pm

2Communion SundayS School ~ 9:45aWorship ~ 11aCalled BusinessMeeting ~ noon

3 4 5Bible Study ~ 6:30pCantata Practice ~ 7:30p

6Ruth Thurmond Circle ~ 1p

7 8

9S School ~ 9:45aWorship ~ 11aOfficial Bd. ~ noon

10 11 12Bible Study ~ 6:30pCantata Practice ~ 7:30p

13 14 15

16S School ~ 9:45aWorship ~ 11a

17 18 19 Bible Study ~ 6:30pCantata Practice ~ 7:30p

20Pack Food Pantry ~ 9a

21Food Pantry~9a

22

23S School ~ 9:45aWorship ~ 11aThanksgivers’~ noonCommunity Service - ROL~ 6p

24 25 26 Bible Study ~ 6:30pCantata Practice ~ 8:00p

27 28 29

30S School ~ 9:45aWorship ~ 11a1st Sunday of Advent

your regular tithes and special offerings. Each month, we want to present an overview of where we are financially.

General Fund for the Month Ended September 30, 2014:Beginning Balance $ 1,509.41 + Total Income $15,105.56 − Total Expenses $12,949.40Ending Balance $ 3,665.57

Our 2014 planned budget needs total $131,362.

Actual Need DifferenceGiving Jan – Sep 2014: $ 99,318 $ 98,514 $ 804Giving Oct 5, 12, 19: $ 8,377 $ 7,578 $ 799 Total 2014 Budget Giving: $107,695 $106,092 $1,603Fill-up Fuel-up – A special offering for fuel oil and propane received $2,567 this month. It is shown as part of total income above.America for Christ (Goal $1,000) – We received $1,125.28 with everything above the goal went to the Mountain State Mission Offering.

One Great Hour of Sharing (Goal $1,000) – We received $1,021 and exceeded our goal thanks to our children’s 2014 VBS offering of $153.45.World Mission Offering (Goal $1,500) – We have received $918 (61%) toward our goal through October 19.Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering (Goal $1,000) – We will receive this offering in December.

Thank you for continuing to give to our General Fund, Build the Treasury, Building Fund, and missions offerings over and above your regular tithe. We faithfully continue to care for our church facility and ministries as together we reach out to the world with the good news of Jesus Christ.

Cookie ExchangeLADIES — COME JOIN US FOR A DELIGHTFUL TIME OF

FUN, GAMES, AND COOKIE EXCHANGE!

We will have a joyous time in sharing fellowship and enjoying games, music, our Lord, and COOKIES. :)

Please bring your favorite cookies to exchange and be ready to go home with a delicious array of

cookies to share with your loved ones.

When: December 7, 2014 from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Where: Home of Donna Simms

199 West Chestnut StreetAlderson, WV

What: Your favorite cookies or candy (3 dozen or more)

Tickets: Deborah Bryan at (410) 845-8702

Donna Simms at (304) 445-2862If you are unable to bring cookies/candy and would

like to help in other ways, or if you need a ride, please let Deborah or Donna know.

1 – Stacy HarrisMargaret Shelton

4 – Wayne Dotson 5 – Rick Parker

Todah, the Hebrew word for “giving thanks,” also means

“admitting, confessing, acknowledging.” That might seem odd, but when we thank someone, we’re acknowledging we needed what they gave us. Rabbi Daniel Lapin explains we’re even confessing we were incomplete, or experiencing a shortcoming, beforehand.

Gratitude is so important for the Jewish life that the Hebrew root words for “giving thanks/confessing” and for “Jew” are closely related. A Jewish person, then, is “one who both confesses and gives thanks” – actions crucial to the well-being of the receiver, even more than for the giver.

Christians, too, treat confession and thanksgiving as significant aspects of faith, prayer, and worship. While we confess that we wholly depend on God for our life and salvation, we offer daily gratitude to God for his countless blessings.

??? Bible Quiz ???Some churches observe National Bible Week in November. According to 2 Timothy, which of the following are ways that God intends for us to use Scripture?

A. Teaching and training in righteousness

Two Sides of Gratitude

B. Equipping God’s children for good worksC. Reproof and correction

D. All of the above Answer: D (See 2 Timothy 3:16-17.)

Prayer Needs as of October 26th

Mamie Copeland familyJerry Bradley familyBruce Callison familyMargaret Hypes familyBridgette Altizer (Rose & Leonard Carter’s granddaughter)Bill Ambrose (friend of J. Lehmann)Karen Baker (Leonard Carter’s sister)Kelsey Baker (friend of Anne Parker)Jean Ballangee (friend of Anne Parker)Tim Ballangee (friend of Anne Parker)Linda BengeyAnn Boswell (friend of Joyce Lehmann)Carol BrownLena Burdette (friend of Irene Chodhury)Teresa Catron (Jo Honaker’s friend)Maggie DarbyEddie Dolan (Pat Brown’s Bro-in-law)Wayne DotsonAndrea Dunbar “Lake” EaryStephanie Massey EstepEli Ellison (friend of Carolyn Knapp)Donna EskinsBetty FleshmanFrank GodbyKendra GoinsBill GrayAaron Halstead (Anne Parker’s nephew)Norella Hatfield (cousin of Anne Parker)Chloe HeckMerissa Henderson (L. Carter’s cousin)Betty HighlanderJean Himes (friend of Diana Taylor)Carolyn HollidayRed HonakerRichard & Orah HonakerMadeline Howard (sister of C. Knapp)Patty Jones (Christine Smith’s daughter)Hayden Jude (friend of Page Ward)Christy KennedyThomas Kennedy (Anne Parker’s nephew)Jaime KirbyBob LaRueJanet Latimer and twins Matthew and Annalisa (Christine Smith granddaughter)Joyce Lehmann

Lori Loggins (niece of Anne Parker)Theresa MasseyKristen McCallisterPearl McCurdyDebbie McInally (Christine Smith’s daughter)Detra McVeyJames Meadows (friend Jim & Jodi Wiseman) Loretta Meadows (friend of Anne Parker)Ruth MilesCharlie Mulkey (friend of Curtis Pauley)Sandy Neely (friend of Carolyn Knapp)Franklin Nutter (friend of Irene Chowdhury)Bernie Patriacca Lee PattersonPeggy PattersonNene & Don Penn (friends of Jo Honaker)Levi Pugliani (grandson of Bob&Gayle LaRue)Rebecca Rexroad (J. Smith’s granddaughter)G. W. Richmond (C. Smith’s grandson)Vern Richmond (Carla Merritt’s father)Arnold Ryan (Hugh Harris’s nephew)Tom & Neta RoushBrittany ShaferTammy SkaggsChristine SmithJoAnn Smith (Friend of Betty Highlander)Earl Snedegar (Harriett Dancy’s son)Valerie TaylorCarolyn ThompsonMelanie Whitaker (Barbara Taylor’s sister)Renee Pauley White (Curtis& Bev’s daughter)Crystal WileyLyndall Wiley (cousin of Leonard Carter)Stephanie Williams (niece of Donna Simms)Ellen Bengey Winner (Libby Goins’s cousin)Jim Wiseman

ALL TROOPS In Our Armed ForcesRandy Fleshman (home)Katie Hunter (home)Jess Phillips (home)Brent Taylor (home)

Church Family Shut-inMary Lou Bowden Ernestine LightFrances Canterbury Juanita RookstoolHarriett Dancy Dorothy TaylorBetty Fleshman Louise Utterback

Government Officials Heads of State

Students: Joseph Bryan, Bethany Burdette, SarahEllen Dillon, Hannah Griffin, Cynthia Huffman, Rhys Rogers, Kari Still, Stephanie Willis, Keith Wiseman, Brennan Wood

Note: Please notify church office 304 445-7854 to delete or add to prayer list.

Come Over . . . and Help Us! (Acts 16:9b)

Almost 2,000 years ago, the Apostle Paul saw a vision of a man saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”

Today, that same call is being echoed all over the world—from Myanmar and Brazil to South Africa and Macau. People are crying out for the hope and light of the gospel in a world darkened by sin.

At Old Greenbrier we’re committed to Jesus’ Great Commission to “make disciples of all the nations . . .” (Matthew 28:19). One of the practical ways we do this is by supporting our World Mission Offering.

During November, we’ll continue to learn about the World Mission Offering using the theme Rise to the Challenge and the Macedonian vision in Acts 16.

Together, we’ll have our hearts touched by the spiritual needs around the world. Together, we’ll see how International Ministries (IM) works to place and sustain missionaries around the world. Together, we’ll be inspired to apply the biblical principles of Acts 16 to our daily lives.

And Together, we’ll celebrate how our World Mission Offering gifts make possible the ministries of 114 long-term IM missionaries and more than 1,800 short-term missionaries and volunteers working with more than 200 partner organizations in more than 70 countries.

I believe that when we Rise to the Challenge, God will lead us to provide financial support for worldwide mission. Our 2014 World Mission Offering goal is $1,500. Let’s see if we can meet and even exceed this goal as we give to WMO above our regular tithe. Please join me as we gain a deeper understanding of International Ministries and of how others (and we ourselves!) will be blessed through our World Mission Offering giving.