The Rocky Hock Anchor - Rocky Hock Baptist Church
Transcription
The Rocky Hock Anchor - Rocky Hock Baptist Church
DECEMBER 2015 VOLUME 19, ISSUE 12 The Rocky Hock Anchor The Mission of Rocky Hock Baptist Church is to magnify Christ and make disciples of all people. Christmas! Joy to the world! But what does that mean? Just mentioning Christmas evokes joyous expression of praise and thanks! It is the celebration of more of Christ and less of me! John the Baptist spoke of his joy being complete in the bridegroom of Heaven! The mention of His name, the echo of His voice of truth, these are the fullness of the expressed truth and will of God come down from heaven! All good things come from above. Above is not geographical, but spoke more of superiority and sovereignty of God as Messiah! “All hail the power of Jesus name, let angels prostrate fall; Bring forth the royal diadem, And crown Him Lord of all; Ye chosen seed of Israel’s race, Ye ransomed from the fall, Hail Him who saves you by His grace, and crown Him Lord of all; O that with yonder sacred throng we at His feet may fall! We’ll join the everlasting song, and crown Him Lord of all!” A virgin being visited by the angel of the Lord; conceiving a child by the Holy Spirit; a husband called by God to accept the supernatural will of God; giving birth in a stable; a star in the East; shepherds in a field; a census of all Israel; these are not the works of mankind or the natural occurrences of life unfolding. These are prophetic promises being fulfilled by the hand of God! “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.” I Peter 1:3-4 Christ Jesus is the last voice; the last truth; the last Word and the lasting and everlasting truth, love and joy of heaven! Little wonder that the earth lay in awe and wonder at the entrance of God into the world to call out a Kingdom known to Him before time began! What joy floods the soul of a born again sinner! What pleasure a born again sinner finds in the pursuit of holiness! What contentment is known in being known by the mighty Lord of glory! Christmas is more than glitter and gladness. Christmas is celebrating the coming of Christ Messiah and desiring and looking anxiously for His soon return! All hail the power of King Jesus! For He has given to all who believe new life, a free gift by the grace of God! That’s why we stand in awe around a manger. God lay on straw, innocent yet born to die. He came as a baby, born to bear our sins that we could become His newborn children! If He has chosen you and you have believed as I have, Christmas reminds us that we are newborns being fashioned in His likeness of holiness in preparation for His soon return to carry us to our eternal joy of heaven! So, when you sit down with family to open gifts, stop and make sure all have received the gift of heaven for all other gifts are meaningless without Him. May the joy of heaven fill your Christmas! Dr. Horton THE ANCHOR PAGE 2 From our Minister of Youth & Children Luke 2:25-35 25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: 29 “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation 31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, 32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” 33 And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Christ is the greatest gift. Luke doesn’t record how old Simeon was, but most scholars agree that he was likely elderly and ready for a peaceful homegoing. The Holy Spirit, however, had assured Simeon that he wasn’t going anywhere until the promised Messiah came. What must that pronouncement have been like? Simeon was going to see the Messiah for himself, but had no idea when that incredible moment might actually take place. So he patiently and expectantly waited. Nobody knows for sure how long, but it was more than likely years before Mary and Joseph brought their son to the temple. Simeon knew as soon as he saw the boy named Jesus in the temple courts, that He was the Messiah. The promise of all promises had been fulfilled, and Simeon could finally rest in the peaceful comfort of that knowledge. His patience had been rewarded. The giving of gifts is not something man invented. God started the giving spree when He gave a gift beyond words, the unspeakable gift of His Son. - - Robert Flatt This month we celebrate the Savior’s birth, and many people, perhaps you included, have been preparing for weeks already. There is a special kind of joy in tracking down just the right gift for someone who means everything to you, and that kind of anticipation is at the root of what Christmas is all about. Just like Simeon, we’re looking forward to celebrating the greatest gift of all, Jesus, who was given to us by our Father because He values us deeply and loves us unconditionally. Pastor Mike Events & Opportunities for Youth Every Wednesday @ 7 PM - INCREASE (Youth Bible Study) Friday, December 11 from 5:30 - 9 PM - INCREASE Christmas Party (Progressive Dinner) (Appetizers @ Phil & Rene` Smith’s, Main Course @ Neal & Felisa Bass’, Dessert @ Jasper & Beth Evans’) (Bring toiletry items for the Open Arms Christian Minsitry) Sunday, December 27 @ 6 PM - INCREASE (Youth Bible Study) February 5 - 7, 2016 - Ski Trip to Winterplace Ski Resort, WV - Balance of $50 is due by January 10 (We will leave the church on Friday at 11 AM & return on Sunday at 4:30 PM. Bring money for meals.) June 25 - 29, 2016 - Youth Summer Camp - Deposit of $50 due by January 24, 2016 PAGE 3 THE ANCHOR From Our Minister of Music & Education Being a disciple can be fun and it can also be hard work. Discipleship is something that all need to work at and grow in each and every day of their life. A man that hits that nail on the head when he talks about being a disciple is David Platt. Platt once wrote a book called Radical. He states in that book, “A follower of Jesus Christ will sacrifice anything if needed to do what He tells him/her to do.” Platt is a man of great knowledge and this statement by him describes exactly what it takes to be a true disciple. Being a disciple can cause great joy, but yet it also can cause great heartache. The reason for this is because of the joy of leading someone to Christ and knowing that you have done the will that the Lord has laid upon your life. The heartache that comes with being a disciple is the daily struggle it sometimes takes on your own self. Being a disciple can cause you great heartache when you feel that you are not getting anywhere with that person. Just know that the Lord is in control and He has His plan and timing for everything. Just always sacrifice your everyday life to serving the Lord Jesus Christ and trying to build His kingdom. A church should strive to be a church full of disciples that are ready to go out into the land and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Dave Early states, “A healthy church is a representation of the people of God coming together to accomplish the mission of God for the glory of God. A church has a lot of responsibilities to fulfill to become a healthy church. In Dave Early and Earl Dempsey’s book Disciple Making Is…, they discuss twenty things that it takes to be a healthy church and to succeed in making disciples. Being a disciple is leading non-believers to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and is one of the main points according to them. The church needs to have the mission to share the gospel locally, regionally, nationally, and globally. The church cannot stay within its own walls and be a discipleship church. The church has to be a force in the local community, in the state, in the United States, and all across the world. The church has to step out of the church building and be ready to take steps of faith and go out into the unknown territory of the world and share the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. If your church is not willing to do this, and is not doing this, then your church is not a healthy discipleship church. Your church should have the attitude that Dutch Sheets had. He once said, “I want you to be so convinced that God will save the person that you would be shocked if they didn’t get saved.” This is a great motto and idea that we should use when sharing the gospel to the lost world. Building the church with disciples is a great passion of mine. We have to do outreach to be able to build new disciples. We are instructed in scripture to, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:19-20) This is the motto verse for CREW. CREW is an excellent way to be a disciple and grow new disciples. If you have not been to a CREW meeting before, I challenge you to come this month on the 15th at 7:00 p.m. in the special function room. We should strive to see this ministry take off for one reason and that is to build the kingdom of God. Another way to make you a stronger disciple is to learn more about Christ and how to effectively share the gospel. Starting in January, I will begin to teach a Bible Study called, “The Way of the Master.” This eight-session course will teach you to overcome your fears. It will help you know what to say and do when you are sharing the gospel. I challenge you to step out and start building disciples for the Kingdom of God. Pray about attending CREW and participating in this new Bible Study. Pastor Tyler THE ANCHOR PAGE 4 Christmas Sudoku RA’s & GA’s RA’s Christmas Party Friday, December 4 from 6 - 9 PM in the Multi-Purpose Room & Special Function Room RA’s will be going to see the Christmas lights in Elizabeth City on Wednesday, December 9 GA’s & RA’s will be going Christmas Caroling on Wednesday, December 16 GA’s Christmas Party Friday, December 18 from 6 - 8:30 PM in the 3rd & 4th Grade Sunday School Classroom Children’s Saturday, December 5 from 6 - 8 PM in the Youth Suite Parents are welcome! Pizza and birthday cake for Jesus! Children’s Summer Camp July 25 - 29, 2016 @ Gardner-Webb University $50 deposit due on January 24th. PAGE 5 THE ANCHOR Baptist Women A Message from Belva The Advent Season is a meaningful time of celebration and worship for Christian families during the Christmas season. The word ADVENT is derived from the latin word Adventus, which means “coming.” Since the sixth century, Christians have enjoyed this time of expectation during the four weeks leading up to Christmas, our celebration of Christ’s coming. The Advent wreath is a circular evergreen wreath that represents eternity and each of the five candles arranged in the wreath holds meaning. 1 - The purple Hope candle, typically symbolizing the hope that came to mankind when the prophets foretold the coming of the Messiah, is lit the fourth Sunday before Christmas. 2 - The purple Love candle, representing the love of God birthed in Bethlehem’s manger, is lit the third Sunday before Christmas. 3 - The pink Joy candle, denoting the joy of the shepherds, is lit two Sundays before Christmas. 4 - The purple Peace candle is lit on the final Sunday before Christmas. 5 - A white candle, placed in the center of the wreath, is lit on Christmas Eve. It illustrates the arrival of Jesus the Messiah, Light of the world, the sinless Savior. As we celebrate our Christmas season, let us celebrate that Jesus has come and that He is coming again! “For unto you is born this day in the City of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11 Our Week of Prayer Service for International Missions will be December 13th at the evening service. BECAUSE OF WHO HE IS and because you give, the IMB helps churches send missionaries to the billions who have yet to hear. Your prayers and gifts make an essential difference to all the workers around the globe. The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering supports all those who are sent to make disciples and multiply churches among unreached people. As we prepare for our offering, pray for more churches to commit to sending workers. Pray for protection and wisdom that God’s glory will be revealed. Pray for opportunities to share the gospel and for country’s key leaders to accept the truth. Pray the unreached will find the hope they desperately need through hearing of God’s love for them. Pray for more churches to partner with missionaries in reaching people groups who have yet to hear the gospel. Our Lottie Moon Christmas Walk Offering will be December 20th. Our Goal: $15,500.00. Bap ist Men Baptist Men’s Breakfast Sunday, December 20th at 7:30 AM in the Special Function Room Lottie Moon Post Office The GA’s will be sponsoring the Lottie Moon Post Office this Christmas season, starting on Sunday, December 6 and going through Sunday, December 20. The cost is 30 cents per card. There will be a box in the vestibule for you to leave your cards and donation. For more information or questions, please contact LeAnn Nixon. THE ANCHOR PAGE 6 We, the Children & Youth Ministry, have a new texting service called “remind.” This texting service is for reminders and information that is needed to be sent to parents, students, or leadership teams. If you would like to have reminders about events, meetings, and other important information within the Children & Youth Ministries sent to you via text, please follow the text instruction below to be added to the appropriate group: Youth Ministry INCREASE STUDENT MINISTRY This group is for students, parents, grandparents, and leadership team. Information that everyone will need for events and reminders will be sent through this group text. To be added to this group, text the word, @increase to the number 81010 INCREASE Parents This group is just for parents of students that would like to receive information on events, payment reminders, event times and other information for parents. To be added to this group, text the word, @increasep to 81010 INCREASE Students This group is just for the students that need reminders of events, times, bible studies or just encouraging messages. To be added to this group, text the word, @increases to 81010 Children’s Ministry GROW CHILDREN’S MINISTRY This group is for children’s parents, grandparents, and leadership team. Information that everyone will need for events and reminders will be sent through this group text. To be added to this group, text the word, @growc to 81010 * Please add yourself to the group by December 31, 2015 Children’s Christmas Program Sunday, December 6 @ 6 PM Senior Adult Choir Christmas Program Sunday, December 13 @ 6 PM PAGE 7 THE ANCHOR New Members Sincere Sympathy Anzie Jethro 118 Bluegill Circle Edenton, NC 27932 Our sympathy is extended in Christian love to . . . Debbie Bicknell P.O. Box 64 Edenton, NC 27932 Shannon Johnson & family on the loss of her grandfather, John Pierce, Jr., on October 3, 2015 Mary Stroud & Rion Everett 110 Emperor Landing Road Edenton, NC 27932 Linwood & Kim Jethro, Dennis Dickey 121 Chickasaw Trail Edenton, NC 27932 Cathy Mooneyham & Melissa Mooneyham 412 Oakridge Drive Edenton, NC 27932 Anna Gilbert & Nancy Gilbert 1702 Virginia Road Edenton, NC 27932 The family of Ronald Hassell, Sr. who passed away on September 12, 2015 Jim Calhoun & family on the loss of his mother, Mildred Calhoun, on October 17, 2015 Felicia Parrish & family on the loss of her mother, Debbie Pierce, on October 30, 2015 Maxine L. Bunch & family on the loss of her sister, Clarine Armstrong, on November 1, 2015 Pastor Tyler Cone & family on the loss of his grandfather, J. P. Lamm, on November 3, 2015 Grace Ober & family on the loss of her brother, Tom Eason, on November 3, 2015 Judy Hughes, Dianne & Nola Jean Bass, Donald Bass, and Peggy Weiss & families on the loss of their aunt, Shirley Castelloe, on November 5, 2015 THE ANCHOR PAGE 8 “Serve the Lord with gladness . . .” ~ Psalms 100: 2 Deacon Ministry Team Deacon Greeters 11/29/15—12/5/15 Russell Byrum, Col. Bill Smith, Chris Sykes 12/6/15—12/12/15 Wayne Howell, Ted Peele, Bill Smith 12/13/15—12/19/15 Adam Bunch, Steve Evans, Allen Peele 12/20/15—12/26/15 Fenton Eure, Ruston Howell, Fred Smith 12/27/15—1/2/16 Lee Bass, Joey Byrum, Oscar White Offering Chris Sykes (Chairman), Phil Smith (Co-Chairman), Wayne Bunch, Carroll Evans, Ruston Howell, Chris Turner Sanctuary: Chris Turner Administrative Building: Steve Evans Sr. Adult SS Center: Wayne Bunch Left Glass Door: Phil Smith Right Glass Door: Keith Nixon Ushers Richard Bullock, Billy Copeland, Lee Jordan, Jerry Peele, Ellis Tynch, Paul Ward Counting Committee Richard & Lisa Bullock, Phil & Rene` Smith, Aubrey Tynch, Ellis Tynch Church Flowers If you would like to place flowers in the sanctuary or the vestibule in honor or in memory of loved ones, or for special occasions, such as birthdays or anniversaries, please call the Church Office to reserve the date of your choice. Food Pantry Items Needed in December: Stuffing Mix Sweet Potatoes Cranberry Sauce Gravy Mix To help prepare for Christmas, when many clients will need to be served, we ask that every family please bring just one item. Collection bins are located in the Senior Adult SS Center & the Connecting Corridor. PAGE 9 THE ANCHOR Nursery & Pre-School Workers During Sunday School Sunday AM Worship (Nursery) Sunday AM Worship (2 year olds) 1st Sunday Maryann Bunch Kim Forehand Kimberly McPherson Denise Nixon Lindsay Smith 1st Sunday Louvenia Stewart Amanda O’Kelley 2nd Sunday Ashley Byrum Kristia Noble Michelle Tynch 2nd Sunday Alanna Bass Melissa Chappell Lauren Smith Peggy Weiss 2nd Sunday Holly Evans Dawn Bunch 2nd Sunday Megan Bass Karen Miller 3rd Sunday Mary Jo Bass Amanda Howell Susan Sykes 3rd Sunday Amanda Goodwin Jessica Hoggard Kristia Noble Tanya Turner Michelle Tynch 3rd Sunday Hope Gosser Susan Sykes 3rd Sunday Karen Miller Susan Sykes 4th Sunday Bonnie Bond Holly Evans Marcia Evans 4th Sunday Laura Bass Dawn Bunch Gloria Horton Amanda Howell 4th Sunday Anna Evans Karen Smith Logan Smith 5th Sunday Claire Evans Karen Miller Kristia Noble Mia Noble 5th Sunday Kimberly McPherson Denise Nixon 1st Sunday Penny Byrum Linda Layton Lisa Smith 5th Sunday Arlene Bass Betty Bunch Beth Evans * indicates teachers of the week Sunday PM Worship 1st Sunday Sue Hoggard Elizabeth Riddick Wednesday PM Worship 1st Wednesday Leslie Peele Elizabeth Riddick Mission Friends Chris & Susan Sykes 2nd Wednesday Rhonda Bass Laura Turner Mission Friends Kim Forehand Sherlynne Smith 3rd Wednesday Ashley Byrum Linda Layton Mission Friends Alanna Bass Molli Riddick 4th Sunday Donna Harrell LeAnn Nixon 4th Wednesday Alanna Bass Molli Riddick _ 5th Sunday Ashley Byrum Michelle Tynch Children’s Church Mission Friends Michelle Tynch Laura Turner 5th Wednesday Gloria Horton Elizabeth Riddick Mission Friends Sallie Chappell Clara Peele Molli Riddick 1st Sunday 2nd Sunday 3rd Sunday 4th Sunday 5th Sunday Son Seekers (3-4 year olds) Son Seekers (3-4 year olds) Son Seekers (3-4 year olds) Son Seekers (3-4 year olds) Son Seekers (3-4 year olds) Catina Byrum Faith Byrum Molli Riddick Regina Copeland Kim Forehand Chelsea White Melissa Chappell Claire Evans Alanna Bass Sherlynne Smith Allen & Sarah Nixon Clara Peele Kingdom Kids (K-5th Grade) Kingdom Kids (K-5th Grade) Joey & Ashley Byrum *Amanda Howell *Laura Turner Gloria Horton *Jay & Felicia Parrish Lisa Bullock *Mike & Heather Denny Kingdom Kids (K-5th Grade) Kingdom Kids (K-5th Grade) *Trey & Alanna Bass *Wayne & Donna Harrell LeAnn Nixon *Debbie Bicknell Sharon Nixon Chris & Susan Sykes *Mike & Heather Denny No Children’s Church for Kingdom Kids (K-5th Grade) on 5th Sunday NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID EDENTON, NC PERMIT NO. 127 Rocky Hock Baptist Church 113 Rocky Hock Church Road Edenton, North Carolina 27932 Address Service Requested December Check us out on the web at www.rockyhockbaptistchurch.org Weekly Church Activities: Sundays: 9:45 AM - Bible Study for all ages Designated Sundays: 6:00 PM - Ignite & Jr. Ignite 10:55 AM - Worship (Contemporary Children’s Worship) 5:45 PM - GROW - Kids In Discipleship (K.I.D. Groups) 6:00 PM - Adult Bible Study; Youth Bible Study Tuesdays: 10:00 AM - Adult Bible Study 7:00 PM - Senior Adult Choir 4th Tuesdays: 7:00 PM - Prayer Shawl Ministry Wednesdays: 7:00 PM - Adult Bible Study; INCREASE (Youth); GROW (Children - Mission Friends, GA’s, RA’s) 8:00 PM - Sanctuary Choir Dr. James Horton, Senior Pastor [email protected] 221-4948 (Home) Pastor Mike Denny, Minister of Youth & Children [email protected] 336-266-9493 (Cell) Pastor Tyler Cone, Minister of Music & Education [email protected] 252-903-2565 (Cell) Mr. Adam Bunch, Chairman of Deacons 221-9932 (Home) Mrs. Linda B. Bunch, Administrative Assistant [email protected] 221-4133 (Office)