Church News for Oct. 12, 2011

Beech Grove Baptist
It was a beautiful Sunday coming to the Lord’s House. Bro. Steve delivered a powerful sermon from Malachi 1:6-14. It was diagnosing a sick spiritual life.
The choir will be starting up again. If you would like to lend your voice to the praise of God, let Dave Jones know.
The fall festival will be held Oct. 30 after the morning worship at the church. Bring your favorite soup or chili or sandwiches and enjoy the fellowship and games as we celebrate the time of harvest God has given us.
Now through mid-November, we will be collecting the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. Begin collecting gifts and help put a smile on the face of a child.
The Gaither Christmas Homecoming will be at 6 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Bank of Kentucky Center at Northern Kentucky University. Please sign up if you would like to go as a group.
Be in prayer for the sick, churches, mission work, and for each other. The doors are always open for you at Beech Grove.

Cedar Hill Baptist
Bro. Karl Babb led our worship Sunday morning on our “Journey of Life” taken from Joshua 3. He asked four important questions: Where is our focus? What’s in our hearts? Who are we listening to in life’s journey? And in our faith walk, what do we expect?
We have lots of options today for our focus, but as Christians and as a church we are designed to focus on God and the future. Our hearts need to be dedicated, committed, completely sold out to God. We must be careful about who we listen to and measure them against the word of God; therefore, we need to know God’s word. In our faith, we should expect God to do a mighty work.
The afternoon was a wonderful service as Bro. Bill was ordained. We thank each one who had a part in making the day successful.
At 6 p.m. tonight, we have AWANA. If you need transportation, call 484-5236.
Sunday, we will have our fall festival. Join us for a hayride. We will leave the church promptly at 4 p.m. Following the hayride, we’ll have Larry’s and B.’s famous burgoo, soup, sandwiches, and time for games, fellowship, cake walk, and then some great music. Join us for this community-wide event.

Elk Lick Baptist
Bro. John’s sermon was on Matthew 14:22-31, “Take a Walk and Exercise Your Faith.” When Jesus bid Peter to come to him on the water, Peter did with faith, and he walked on water until he took his eyes off Jesus, then he started to sink. He cried, “Save me, Lord,” Jesus did. We can cry unto our Lord to help us through our daily storms, and to save our lost and barren souls. Teresa Renfro, Bonnie Woodyard and Louise Johnson sang, “God Deliver Me One More Time” and “Sheltered in the Arms of God.”
Happy birthday wishes to Russell Woodyard, Barry McCormick and Kadence McCormick. Keep in prayer the sick, shut-ins, missionaries, military, special prayer list, unspoken prayer requests, unsaved family and friends.
Bible school and fall festival will start at 10 a.m. Oct. 15 with meal and hayride. Revival will be 7 nightly Oct. 19-22. There will be special music each night.

Epoch Fellowship
Pastor Tom Slone preached our Sunday sermon on the topic of making decisions that have eternal consequences. The primary scripture he used was Deuteronomy 30.
Our ministry, The Wild Goose Cafe, has been very busy lately. If you haven’t stopped in yet, this would be a great week to do it. Sisterly Touch will be serving lunch Tuesday and Thursday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cafe will stay open both days until 2 p.m. We accept call-in orders. Contact Carrie Ashcraft-Sutton at (859) 609-0090 for ordering or for information about renting the cafe for your private party.
As a reminder, all profits generated by The Wild Goose Cafe are donated to Meeting the Needs and R.E.A.C.H.
This Friday, Epoch and The Wild Goose Cafe will be hosting an alumni reception during homecoming festivities. Coffee, tea, bottled specialty drinks and desserts by Sisterly Touch will be available. Why not come in while you’re in town for the parade and catch up with old friends over coffee and cake? We’ll be open 3-6 p.m.
This week, we will also be raffling a Sisterly Touch cake. Tickets will be available during all the hours the cafe is open this week with the raffle being held Friday afternoon during the reception. Proceeds will benefit Meeting the Needs.
We are also working on a Bluegrass Festival to be held in November benefiting R.E.A.C.H. If you are a performer or know someone who is, we’d like to include you. Please call Carrie at (859) 609-0090.

First Baptist
What a privilege to open the word of God each week and hear how relevant it is to daily living. Our study in Ephesians has taken us to the heavenlies and down to the daily. We have gone from doctrine to duty and from our wealth to our walk. Our recent studies have reminded us that because of our new family, we are to maintain the unity and as a new creation we are to strive for purity.
Sunday evening we had a special observance of the Lord’s Supper. It was a wonderful day in the house of the Lord. This Sunday, we will continue in our Ephesians study and Bob Cull will give a mission update on his recent work in Brazil.
Our Kid-Shine choir is busy preparing for the Christmas season as well as our adult choir. The Youth small group study is meeting Sunday evenings. We have also kicked off the Youth Creative Ministry at 5:30 p.m. Sundays. The Young at Heart will meet today at 10 a.m. and will be studying chapter 6 in Daniel.
We also want to give a shout-out to all of our student athletes. We are proud of our young people who represent our county and church so well. Let’s pray today for our students, teachers, and administrators in the Owen County School System. We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Monterey Baptist
MBC is hosting a fall celebration this Saturday on the church property across from Monterey Market on 127 South. We will have corn hole, games, and inflatables. Hot dogs and chips will be provided beginning 4:30 p.m. At 6 p.m. we will transition to a praise and worship service led by Mandy Holbert. At 7 p.m., we will show the movie “Up” on the big screen.
Revival will be held on Sunday and Monday. Dr. John Bailey will deliver the message Sunday morning, Sunday evening and Monday evening. Mandy Holbert will be leading praise and worship. The revival begins at 7 p.m. each evening and 11 a.m. Sunday morning. A light dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday evenings.
To help Meeting the Needs stock their shelves, MBC will be collecting specific food items each week. Our goal is 200 of each item. The item for Oct. 16 is tuna helper/hamburger helper; for Oct. 23, it is spaghetti sauce; and for Oct. 30, it is canned fruit.
The next MBC ministry planning meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
MBC will participate in Operation Christmas Child (Shoebox project). Gift suggestions include various school supplies, small toys, and hygiene items. No liquids or chocolate are allowed. If you have any questions, please ask Marsha Derringer or Patti Clark or visit www.samaritanspurse.org/occ. Filled boxes should be returned to the church by Nov. 13.

Mount Pleasant Baptist
Sunday morning, Joe McNay sang “I Will Stand by You,” a song that sounded like it was written just for him. It was beautiful.
Bro. Dale took the theme of that song for his sermon from John 10:25-31. “You are not alone, I will help you through, I will fight your fight, it hurts my heart to see you cry, and I won’t let you go,” the Lord said.
Congratulations to Lenora Kelly Olds for being recognized as one of nine Kentucky Senior Citizens of Remarkable Achievement by the Kentucky Homemakers Association. Thursday, she will be honored in Lexington. We are so proud of Miss Lenora and thankful for all her church and community service over the years.
Congratulations to the Dawson and Criswell families on the arrival of Silas Reed Criswell born Oct. 7 to Kara Jean and John David Criswell. Happy birthday to Pam McAlister, Howard Ivey, and Beverly McNay.
Please pray for Mark Bess’ mother; Micky Covey; Bob House; Delois Clifton; Mike Jividen; Marge Johnson; the Iranian pastor and his family; our military; our country; our leaders; and our youth.
At 7 p.m. tonight, we’ll have our prayer meeting and Bible study. There will be a deacon’s meeting Sunday evening following church.
On Oct. 19 at 6:30 p.m., we will have a fellowship meal and business meeting.
The wedding of Jenny Minch and Tim Jacobs will be held at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 21.
Our church-wide fall festival will be held at 6 p.m. Oct. 29.

New Columbus Baptist
Sunday’s message by pastor Brad Vincent will be titled “You Look Like Your Father” and will cite Ephesians 5:1-14 as text. How easy is it to imitate God? The Apostle Paul tells us to be imitators of God, just as children imitate their parents. As imitators of Christ, our love for others should be of the same kind. A love going beyond self to become self-sacrificing service. Join us Sunday to find out how you can imitate God.
For the last few months, we have had a group of crafters meeting each Sunday afternoon doing crochet, knitting, sewing and other projects. This group has produced “preemie” hats and items for Care-Net of Northern Kentucky. They also have made and donated items to benefit Ronald McDonald House. If you are a “crafty” person, check out this ministry opportunity at 4 p.m. any Sunday.
The Christmas Shoebox ministry is just ahead, so everyone should be gathering and grouping items to fill these shoeboxes.

Old Cedar Baptist
What a beautiful day it was Sunday. How great it was to see so many in church. We had a glorious time of singing, praising and worshipping together.
Our church opened with announcements and prayer.
Special music was presented by New Beginnings and followed by Cecilia Webber.
Bro. James’ sermon was taken from John 6 and entitled “The Bread of Life.” We are dependent on God for everything. We could not breathe a breath, think a thought, move a muscle, or work a day without his moment-by-moment provision. Through the Bread of Life, Jesus Christ, all things we have come from the Lord who knows our needs. So, each day say “Thank you, Lord, for the blessings you have given me.”
Service was followed by the partaking of the Lord’s Supper.
At 7 p.m. we have Sunday night services and New Beginnings practice.
At 7 p.m. Wednesday, we have Bible study and Prayer Warriors. Our trip to the Creation Museum will be Oct. 22. Meet at the church, 7:30 a.m. for anybody who would like to go with us.
Remember in prayer this week Ron Holland, David New, Richard Miller, Gerald Kemper, Rosemary Howard, Allison Fitzgerald, Lou A. Tupts, Kara Kistner, George L. Cook, our nation, our troops and the rest on our extended prayer list.
Happy birthday to Tony Lunsford and Danny Moore.

Owenton First United Methodist
Bro. Matt’s message came from Matthew 6:5-15. The Lord’s Prayer is a disciple’s prayer; therefore, you have to be a disciple to understand it. The Lord’s Prayer is about our needs: our daily bread, forgive us, and deliver us. Discipleship starts now. Jesus asks, “Will you follow me?” Are you ready to follow him?
During the Children’s Message, Bro. Matt used Mr. Potato Head to illustrate what the Apostle Paul said about us as the body of Christ. As he placed the body parts on Mr. Potato Head, he explained that everyone in church has a place. All of the pieces fall into place and everything works when we use our talents.
The children studied Moses and the Red Sea during children’s church.
Everyone enjoyed great fellowship and a wonderful meal after Sunday service. Thanks to all those who worked hard to prepare the food for potluck.
Tonight, the church will travel to Florence for roller skating. Anyone wishing to attend should meet at the church at 5:30 p.m.
We would like to wish a happy birthday to Boots Osborne and Alex Young.

Pleasant Ridge Baptist
The Rev. Wotier’s message, “The Soils of the Heart,” was taken from Matthew 13:1-9. Jesus was a wonderful storyteller. He often used parables to make his stories more interesting and realistic. Jesus came from teaching in the temple to the countryside. He used a parable about soil. There are four types of soil. A hard-packed soil is compared to a hard heart. The seed cannot take root because the ground is hard and a heart becomes hard because of sin. A shallow soil is compared to a shallow heart. The seed can take root but will die when the sun comes up and a shallow heart will acknowledge there is a God but will not act and grow in spirit. A weedy soil is compared to an over-involved heart. The weeds choke out the plants and unimportant things crowd out the important things in our heart. A good soil is compared to an open heart.
We welcome Cailey Stedam, Daniel and Eric Lilly by profession of faith.
The deacon of the month is Delbert Keith.
The kick-off for Operation Christmas Child County-wide will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at PRBC. Teenage sisters from the Louisville area who traveled to Uganda on a Shoebox distribution mission will be the guest speakers. Please come and be a part of this kick-off.
At 7 tonight, we’ll have Bible study/prayer meeting. This is the month for our State Missions Offering, Eliza Broadus. Our emphasis for Meeting of the Needs Ministry is non-perishable food. Cookbooks and throws are still available.
We extend Christian sympathy to the family of Richard Osborne. Please pray for Bish Bishop, Glen Dunavent, Billy Lathrem, Patty Hamilton, Amanda McDanell, Joyce Lilly, Joyce Jones, Wallace Beverly, Mary Elizabeth Wyatt, Tonya Morgan, Doris Kincaid, Tina Eades’ grandmother, Jeannie Clark and all on the extended prayer list.

Salem Baptist
Sunday was a beautiful day is the Lord’s house. Bro. Jared’s message was from Exodus 14:1-31 and titled “Church: What is our Job?” Bring in the lost, disciple them, love them, and meet their needs and grow in the Lord. Let God lead your life and church, pray for your messenger as he lets God lead him. “And when the Israelites saw the great power the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant,” Exodus 14:31.
Happy anniversary to Bro. Jared and Megan Gullion.
If weather permits, come down Saturday when we will be putting up the new porch.