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
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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.
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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)