Church News for Nov. 16, 2011

Beech Grove Baptist
To be in the Lord’s House worshiping together should bring a smile to our faces and praise to our lips. Lord, our Lord, how magnificent is his name.
Bro. Steve reminded us that everything we have belongs to the Lord. The sermon was from Malachi 3:7-12 titled “Blessings In Tithes and Offerings.”
Be sure to make your plans for our holiday meal Nov. 27 after the morning service. Please free up the afternoon and bring a dish to enjoy with your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Our Christmas play will be Dec. 18. If you would like to help out, see Melanie or Joan. There is always room for more. Play practice will start at 4:30 p.m. this Sunday afternoon.
Remember, we are collecting the offering for the Sunrise Children’s Home. Our goal is $600. Be in prayer for this offering and for the children who are in the foster care there.
Give thanks for your church family and the blessing that God gives us each day. Be in prayer for the sick, shut-ins, and those who have lost love ones. Beech Grove welcomes you to come and join us.

Elk Lick
Bro. John’s sermon was on Revelation 14:13  – “The Works that Follow.” We all want good homes, good jobs and good things of this world. Some have security systems for their homes. What we need is a security system for our souls (which is Jesus) to keep Satan out. All the worldly goods will be for nothing if we don’t have a future home in Jesus Christ’s heavenly glory.
Singing was Bonnie Woodyard and Louise Johnson.
Happy birthday to Christopher Purvis and Paul Cook. Keep in prayer the sick, shut-ins, missionaries, military, special prayer list, unspoken requests, unsaved family and friends, families who’ve lost loved ones.
We will have Thanksgiving dinner Sunday.
Bring any old eyeglasses for Bro. Scotty McDowell’s overseas ministry.

First Baptist Church of Owenton
Another great day in the House of the Lord.
Our study in Ephesians revealed how important it is that we see our “secular” work as “sacred” work. The Bible gives specific instruction on how to be an honorable employee and employer. A good day’s work is a great witness for Christ. Sunday evening we were struck by God’s awesome plan and purpose for Israel. We must keep our eyes on Israel and always seek to be her friend.
The middle school lock-in was a huge success with over 85 energetic middle-school students involved. We have one of the most courageous youth pastors in the area. He also really loves the young people of this community. The shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child are due this Sunday. We will be participating in the Community Wide Thanksgiving service at the Owenton Methodist Church Sunday at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, we will have the opportunity to serve at Meeting the Needs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.
The Young at Heart will meet this morning at 10 a.m. for their study in Daniel and then go to have lunch in Warsaw.
Family Night will begin with a potluck meal tonight at 6 p.m. Don’t miss out on all the blessings and we will see you this Sunday.

Monterey Baptist
It was fun to see the amount of shoe boxes being brought in Sunday morning. Many thanks to the families for their giving hearts and know that you have changed a life somewhere in the world. Christmas doesn’t get much better than that.
To help Meeting the Needs stock its shelves, MBC is collecting specific food items each week until Christmas. This week, the food item is spaghetti. Our goal is 200 of each item. We will not be working at Meeting the Needs this month.
Our annual Thanksgiving dinner will be held Sunday at 6 p.m. The church will provide the meat and everyone else is asked to bring a side dish and/or a dessert. A worship service will begin at 7 p.m.
The ladies (and men, too, if they want to come) will be preparing baskets Monday at 6 p.m. These baskets will be delivered to people within the community. Suggested items to put in the baskets are: Little Debbie snack cakes, small packages of Kleenex, canned fruit/applesauce, pudding cups, hard candy, oranges, and apples, Nabs, etc. If you have any questions or wish to add someone to the list, see Shirley Hardin.
The Family Christmas Party will be held  Dec. 2, at 7 p.m. at Gattitown in Lexington. The cost is $10 for ages 12 and under and $13 for ages 13 and up. This allows you to have the unlimited buffet, a ride on either the carousel or bumper cars, and a $5 game card. Sign up by Nov. 30 on the form on the table in front of the sanctuary. If you have any questions, see Marsha Derringer.

Mount Pleasant Baptist
We would like to thank Bro. Marlow for speaking in both services Sunday and also to his wife, Mary, for sharing her beautiful music with us.
Kenneth Wainscott sang joyfully to the Lord for our special in song Sunday morning.
Happy anniversary to Daniel and Emily Myers.
Please pray for Jimmy Burress, Bro. Jesse Bourne, Charlene Thomas, Nick Burford, Vickie VonBokern, Sherry Slaughter, Miss Lenora Kelly Olds, the family of Texie Prather Warren, our military, our leaders, and our country
Tonight at 6:30 p.m., we will host our community Thanksgiving fellowship meal and worship service.
Friday at 6:30 p.m., Daniel and Emily Myers will be renewing their wedding vows.
Our “hanging of the greens” service will be Nov. 27 at 6 p.m.

New Columbus Baptist
“Why I Hate My Job” will be the title of pastor Brad Vincent’s message Sunday. The text will be from Ephesians 6:5-9. Work can actually be rewarding. However, more often than not we dread Monday mornings because we know the work week begins. How can we change our attitude toward our job? The Apostle Paul gave us a clue when he says, “... render service as to the Lord, and not to man.” Join us Sunday as we answer the question, “Who is your boss?”
It’s calendar marking time. Thursday at 6 p.m., we’ll have a WMU meeting and plan for the holidays. We’ll hold our traditional mid-holiday meal Dec. 10 at 5 p.m.. Community carolling will be Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. with snacks following at the church. Dec. 18 at 6 p.m. will be our Christmas program, with refreshments following. Then on Dec. 25, we’ll have only one worship service at 10 a.m. Sunday school and evening worship will be cancelled.

New Liberty Baptist
Though the weather was cool and blustery outside, there was plenty of warmth inside as we gathered to worship Sunday morning.
Bro. Jim Craigmyle is with us now as our interim pastor and we are thankful for his willingness to serve with us during this time of being without a pastor. Bro. Jim took us to Ephesians 4 reminding us that when we accept the truth in Jesus we are to put off our former selves and to be made new in the attitude of our minds.
The big question is “what is our attitude.” In 1 Thessalonians 1, Paul praises the church for its commitment and endurance. At times, they were in difficult circumstances but because of their strong faith in Jesus, there was no question as to who was to do the work. They were willing to respond in obedience and they were motivated to endurance. Jesus said we are to love each other as he has loved us. We must be joyful in our service.
As we serve, we are his messengers and we must be ready 24/7. God’s promise in Rom. 8:28 will help us through the tough times, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Remember, our attitude determines our course.
We invite you to join us for our community Thanksgiving service 11 a.m., Sunday, at New Liberty Baptist Church. We will enjoy special music and Bro. Jim Wood from New Liberty Christian will bring our message.
Women and Men on Mission will host a wedding shower for Daniel Wilson and Emily Amon, who will be married in January. This shower will be held at 2 p.m., Dec. 3, at the church.

Old Cedar
Even though it was cool and windy Sunday, we had a wonderful crowd in church. It was filled with lots of laughter, love and praising the Lord.
Bro. James opened with announcements and special prayer, followed by the congregation singing, “We will Glorify.”
Special music was presented by Robert Swigert on his guitar and Nichole leading our little ones in singing, “Jesus Loves Me.”
Bro. James’ message was taken from Matthew entitled “The Face of Repentance.” Is there any sin that cannot be forgiven? Yes. The sin against the Holy Spirit. It is to say “no” to His overtures of grace. That sin is unforgivable in that we can no longer say “yes.”
The Pharisees and scribes in today’s passage refused to believe it was God’s spirit who was at work in Jesus. If they were to accept Christ as the Messiah would have meant listening to what He said.
They had stonewalled the impact of the Spirit. The same can happen in religious people today. The danger is saying “no” once too often. So our response should be “yes, yes, yes.”
Sunday night services at 6 p.m.
Wednesday night Prayer Warriors meet at 6 p.m.
This Sunday is our Heritage/Thanksgiving Day Dinner. We will eat at 5:30 p.m. followed by special music by Cross Tithes at 6:30 p.m. Everyone welcome.
Happy birthday to Jessica Wilhoite. Remember in prayer Rosemary Howard, Lou Ann Tupts, Ora Lee Jones, David New, Ron Holland, Bill Karsner, the Smither family, Dee Wedding’s family and the rest on our extended prayer list.

Owenton First United Methodist
Bro. Matt’s message, “Thy Will Be Done,” came from Matthew 25:14-30. God’s will for everyone is to know and love the Lord and serve Him. God’s will is what He wants, not what we want or what others want for us. We must first receive the responsibility of God’s will. Next, we must grow in His will. Then we must present the glory to God. God’s kingdom will only come if His will is done. Have you accepted the responsibility and are you doing God’s will? Are you expanding God’s kingdom in your job, hobbies, and family? Today is your starting time.
During children’s church, the kids learned about the promised land of Canaan in Numbers 13 and 14.
Mark your calendars for Sunday,. We will be hosting the annual Community Thanksgiving Service at 7 pm. Choirs from area churches will be performing. This year’s offering will go to the backpack program. Anyone wishing to bring snacks for the backpack program may do so. Items needed include Pop Tarts, breakfast bars, applesauce, pudding cups, juice boxes, ravioli, and individual boxes of cereal. We hope to see you.

Salem Baptist
We welcomed a good crowd Sunday. Bro Jared was ill and Bro. Don Wainscott blessed our hearts with a message from Titus 2:7-8. Influence –  the power of people and things to affect others. We have a circle of influence all around us. It starts at home and carries over to our workplace and school. As Christians, we have the responsibility to set a good example in doing what is good for Christ’s sake. Proverbs 22:24-25, “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.”
Young Timothy had good influences from his mother and grandmother, II Timothy 1:1-18. Let us thank God for the good influences in our life and remember our responsibility as we live our life. Come worship with us at Salem. Our night service has been changed to 6 p.m. Don’t forget your shoeboxes. This is the last week.
Have a blessed week and see you Sunday.