Pastor’s Paragraphs

Pastor’s Paragraphs
In the next few weeks
Americans will go to the
ballot boxes in a number
of states electing various
leaders from local and
state to Senators and
Representatives in Washington. However, the
great challenge to America is not who wins or
which party prevails. Unfortunately, we have become more concerned
in many cases with politics and personalities
instead of the priorities of a nation. Is it not
possible we have become so focused on political parties that we have forgotten the hope of
a nation is not in a party or any particular
politician?
Christians are called and challenged to
think beyond elections to needs. The great
problems facing America have to do with the
home, family and society. We face a great
spiritual crisis not just with the breakdown of
moral convictions in society, but within the
church as well. We keep our church organizations going and measure attendance and
budgets. But the real test is what difference
are we making in our world? How are we
combatting spiritual depravity during the week
with lifestyle and family development? What
is happening in our families? For example,
“take a room full of second-graders in a Sunday School class in any of our churches today.
In most cases, erase seven of ten names of
those children by the time they are out of high
school. That’s the number that studies show
won’t be sold-out followers of Jesus Christ”
and most won’t be attending church at all. I
would hasten to mention I think we are doing
somewhat better because of our strong student ministry. But the larger picture affects our
church along with others.
The answer to reaching the next generation
of students and young adults isn’t more or better programs. It begins with spiritual conviction of the parents about their role and
equipping them to be spiritual trainers in the
home. The church was never designed to be
the primary spiritual influence in children’s
lives. Yet many parents today have abdicated
their responsibility and at best, assume the
church will do the training on a haphazard
schedule when nothing else is going on which
garners their attention.
Let me illustrate with a statement which
comes out of the world of investment. “Primary movements represent the broad underlying trend of the market and can last from a
few months to many years. These movements
are typically referred to as bull and bear markets. Once the primary trend has been identified, it will remain in effect until proved
otherwise.” It is the last sentence which drew
my attention.
The statement is just as true in the church.
(continued on page 2)
Vol. 58 No. 42 / Friday, October 24, 2014
www.EHBConline.com
EHBC, Montgomery, AL
All Ages: Do you love to sing or play an instrument?
There are MANY opportunities to enjoy your talent this season as
we continue to get ready for the Christmas Season.
Wednesday at 5:45
Children’s Choirs
Wednesday at 6:15
Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal
Wednesday at 6:15
Orchestra Rehearsal
Sunday at 4:45
Youth Choir Rehearsal
PERFORMANCES COMING THIS SEASON
December 7 • “Hanging of the Green” All music ministries involved
December 14 • “Hope Has Hands” Celebration Singers (Senior Adult Choir)
December 21 • “The Light of the World” Children’s Choirs
(Pastor’s Paragraphs continued from page 1)
The primary trend of how we “do church” will
remain in effect until we come to realize that
simply repeating what we have done before
isn’t changing families or making much of an
impact on our world. I call it “convenient
Christianity.” Consider this, what Christ came
to offer wasn’t a convenience for Him and following Him isn’t a matter of convenience for
us. Until and unless parents, families and
members of our church choose to place a priority on matters of faith, the present trend of
spiritual weakness and ineffectiveness will
continue.
Wise investors don’t focus on minor
changes in markets. Those are called secondary reactions and market noise. What
they look for are primary trends. In the church
we pay more attention to short term issues of
our own interests rather than focus on the
long-term trends of what is happening around
us. Fortunately, spiritual trends which are less
than dynamic can change. There is hope, but
hope alone isn’t change. Hope has to have
effort and energy along with will and purpose.
It will happen as we seek the Lord’s face, repent of our lethargy and yearn for spiritual
growth. The Lord will never fail to feed His
hungry child, children or church.
L. Rick Marshall
IN THE PULPIT
A.M. “God and Statan’s Defeat”
Romans 16:17-20
P.M. “Connected” Discipleship Study
Alabama Baptist State
Convention Messengers
The 2014 Alabama Baptist State
Convention will be held
November 11 & 12 at Lakeside
Baptist Church in Birmingham
ALL LADIES!!
STUDENT
NEWS
Mentors Meeting
MENTORS will meet
Tuesday, October 28 at 6:30 pm
in the Reception Room
Bring your Operation Christmas Child
boxes. You may pack them at the
meeting or bring them already packed.
Bring any extra items you may have
purchased to share or fill extra boxes.
Plans will also be discussed for the
Churchwide Toy Collection for the
Association Toy Sale in December.
Items will be collected in November.
DON’T MISS THIS GREAT
OPPORTUNITY TO BE INVOLVED IN
THESE MISSION ENDEAVORS!
COLLEGE
HIGHLIGHT
Please be praying for these students this week.
College is a pivotal time, pray for the spiritual
growth of our students. If you know them,
write a note encouraging them with Bible
verses or just a note that says the church is
thinking of them and praying for them!
JAMI GOLDEN
Samford University
P.O. Box 291342
Birmingham, AL 35229
KATHRYN GOSSELIN
University of Mobile • Arendall Hall
Room 107 • Mobile, AL 36613
PARENTS: If you have not picked up your
2014-2015 Calendar, please pick one up in
the office, CLC Lobby or the Green Ridge
Welcome Center.
YOUTH PAYMENT DETAILS
If you are planning on participating in the
payment plan, please make sure to fill out
the slip and turn it in so that you will be
added to the email notifications when
payments come due.
A $100 deposit MUST be paid to
start the payment plan and will be
the first month’s payment.
PAYMENT PLAN: The payment plan is for
students who are planning on attending
more than one event throughout the year.
Payment plans are over 11 months,
October - August, as follows:
When making the payment online,
you have to split the payment between choir
and youth to make sure money is properly
divided (e.g. $55 monthly payment would
be $25 - Youth & $30 - Choir)
One Child: $55 a month, divided $25/$30
Two Children: $100 a month, divided $45/$55
Three Children: $150 a month, divided $75/$75
Individual payments: If only planning to
attend one trip (Student Life or Choir Tour),
the payments are as follows:
Student Life: $300 if $100 deposit paid by
November 9, 2014. After November 9, 2014,
total due $350.
Choir: Cost is $400 if $100 deposit paid
February 1, 2015. After February 1, 2015,
total due $425.
If you want to be a messenger with voting
privileges, contact Debbie Farthing at 272-0604,
ext.211, to get the proper credentials.
Up-coming Events
SENIOR ACTIVITIES
CHAPPY’S BREAKFAST BUNCH
October 27 • 8:00 am
CELEBRATION SINGERS
October 30 • 9:30 am
MYSTERY TRIP TO GEORGIA
October 31 • 8:00 am
cost is $12, to be paid in CASH to
Dan the day of the trip. Sign up in SS
or call Susan in the church office.
Early-bird tickets $20, on sale NOW.
The Women’s Ministry is very excited about the Lisa Whelchel Women’s Conference in
January. We will again be giving out Door Prizes at the conference. If you own a business or
know someone who does and would be willing to donate a Door Prize or ask for one, please
contact Debbie Johnson at (334) 221-3826 We will acknowledge the business in the printed
program that weekend. Donations are tax deductible and receipts will be provided.
Children’s Ministr y
B I RT H DAY B OA R D
Anna Perri Chumley
Katie McAliley
Kaleigh Robertson
Zac Westbrook
October 24
October 24
October 27
October 28
(12)
(12)
(6)
(12)
CHILDREN’S NEWS
BASKETBALL SIGN UP
It’s time to play Basketball! The basketball
teams are being formed for 5 years - 6th
grade. Practices begin in November and
games start in January. If you would like
to sign your child up, please call Susan in
the church office to be placed on a list.
JOINER MORRIS GOLF
TOURNAMENT RESULTS
Shoe boxes will be collected through November 2.
This is an annual ministry where people pack boxes full of toys, amenities, socks,
towels, gloves, etc. and get shipped all over the world to a child for Christmas.
Please pick up your brochures in the kiosks around the church to fill your boxes.
Collection site is in the Outreach Office outside the Sanctuary.
Thank you in advance for helping give a child a wonderful Christmas.
There were 5 players in this year’s
tournament. Thanks to all the sponsors
who helped make it an enjoyable day!
3rd Place: James Bruner & Dewey Best
Grand Prize, 4 iron: Mike Hand
Closest to Pin: Steve Phillips
Basket from Tucker’s: Don Walker
Bill Parker’s team won the cash prize
The $10,000 prize from Jim Reinhardt
for the Hole in One was not won
this year, but maybe next year!
WORLD CRAFT
World Craft catalogs show handmade
products from around the world. Each
product represents lives changed by the
opportunity to earn an income with dignity
and to hear the offer of everlasting life.
These items make great Christmas gifts.
The catalogs are available in the kiosks
outside the sanctuary.
MUSIC NOTES
CHILDREN’S CHOIRS
SING IN 6:00 pm WORSHIP
Grades 2-3, October 26
Preschool 2, November 2
Preschoo1 1, November 9
First Grade Choir, November 16
December 6, 2014
We will begin collecting new and unwrapped
toys the weeks of November 16-30 for
the Montgomery Baptist Toy Sale.
This MBA Ministry offers a wonderful opportunity for families
in need to purchase toys for their children for Christmas.
W E D N E S D AY N I G H T M E N U
October 29, 2014
Family Night Meal 4:45 p.m.
Beef Tips
Rice
Green Beans
Pineapple Casserole
Side Salad
Roll
Apple Pie
Drink
The Messenger (USPS No. 591-420) is published weekly by Eastern Hills Baptist Church.
Rev. Ricky Solar, Editor. Periodicals postage paid at Montgomery Alabama.
Postmaster: Send address changes to:
The Messenger, 3604 Pleasant Ridge Road, Montgomery Alabama 36109
CHILDREN’S MENU
Beef Hot Dogs, Chips, Tropical Fruit, Drink
SOUP/SALAD BAR
Baked Potato Soup
Please note that you must CALL THE CHURCH
OFFICE BY12:00 pm ON MONDAY
to make or change your reservation.
NO SHOWS ARE EXPECTED TO PAY
FA M I LY
CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY
To Joe Cameron & Family in the death
of his mother, Mary Cameron.
To Evelyn Howard in the death of her
brother-in-law, Larry Walter.
To Scott & Melissa Steward & Family in
the death of his grandmother, Margene
McCracken.
STAFF ANNIVERSARIES
Congratulations to Joy Priester
who completed seven years on staff
as Music Secretary on October 22nd.
Congratulations to Susan Sessions
who will complete two years on
staff as Receptionist/Administrative
Assistant to Children & Senior Adults
on October 30.
We gratefully acknowledge gifts
to the church in memory of:
Mary Cameron
Given by: Betty McGraw
Mary Claire Sellers
ME N’S
Prayer Group
Tuesdays at 6:45 am in the Reception Room
THIS SUNDAY
Counting Committee
John Tatum, James Owens
Deacon Offering Chairman
8:15 am - John Morgan
10:45 am - George Ray
Deacons of the Week
October 26 - Ron Myers, Harry Brash
Security Team
10/26 - Sandy Noah, Trey Higbe
10/29 - Robert Barnes, Jerry Campbell
Golf Cart Drivers
Chuck Lerner, Dewey Best
Wednesday Night Servers
Lillian Antes, Faye Spivey
EXTENDED SESSION WORKERS OCTOBER 26
Captain: Margaret Ann Morgan
Please be in place by 8:00 am.
8:15 Toddlers:
Ed Paul & Cindy McGuire
Please be in place by 10:30 am.
10:45 Bed Babies: Don & Pat Walker
Toddlers:
Anthony & Sharon Green
2’s: Amy Caspari, Ann Inman
3’s: Jason & Natalie Powell
4’s: Connie & Danielle Barnett
ON THE GROW
Sunday School Attendance for
October 19, 2014
Att.
G.O.
8
Preschool
43
Children
45
Youth
48
Adults
444
Spanish Ministry
12
Total
600
BUDGET REPORT
Year to Date
Budget Requirements
Budget Receipts
UNDER BUDGET
$1,545,164.46
1,421,944.35
123,220.11
Weekly Budget Report
October 19, 2014
Budget Requirements
Budget Receipts
UNDER BUDGET
Designated
Continue the Dream
Designated
$36,789.63
23,322.25
13,467.38
$1,290.00
1,578.00