In This Issue of The Hillsboro Christian By Brad Clouse “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire.’” (Hebrews 12:28-29) In Daniel 2, the prophet is tasked with interpreting the dream of King Nebuchadnezzar. His dream was of a large statue with a head of solid gold, chest and arms of silver, belly and thighs of bronze, legs of iron with feet partly of iron, and baked clay. But as the king was watching, “a rock was cut out, but not by human hands” (Daniel 2:34), and the rock crushed the entire statue and “became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth” (Daniel 2:35). The interpretation of the dream was that all the different portions of the statue represented different earthly kingdoms (Babylon being one of them). But the rock not cut out by human hands, which became a huge mountain, represented the kingdom of God: “In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever” (Daniel 2:44). This is the very kingdom which the author of Hebrews is referring to in Hebrews 12:2829. The kingdom of God endures forever. It is an eternal kingdom. This kingdom was established by “the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once and for all” (Hebrews 10:10). God’s kingdom is already in existence and consists of the same people as the church. It was Jesus who said these words to Peter: “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18). “The True Church can never fail. For it is based upon a rock” (T.S. Eliot). For centuries, Satan and all his forces have tried to destroy the church, yet the church is unshaken and still growing. The Gospel message of Jesus Christ is still shaking this world. What a privilege it is to be a member of the kingdom of God. The writer of Hebrews tells us that our response to receiving such a kingdom is “to be thankful.” Every year, the President of the United States holds a National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation, sparing a turkey from someone’s Thanksgiving table. Of course, this is an odd tradition, up there with asking a groundhog for weather forecasts. It wasn’t until George H. W. Bush’s first Thanksgiving as President in 1989 that this ceremony became
official. President Bush made this declaration: “Let me assure you, and this fine Tom Turkey, that he will not end up on anyone’s dinner table, not this guy. He’s granted a presidential pardon as of right now.” By the blood of Jesus Christ, God has pardoned our sins: “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves” (Colossians 1:13). This is cause for celebration, to lift our voices in thanksgiving to the God who has rescued us. “So worship God acceptably with reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12:29). Our thanksgiving to God is followed by our worship of God. “It is noteworthy that worship follows thankfulness because the latter naturally leads to the former. It is really hard to worship if you are not grateful” (Michael J. Kruger). The God of the universe has established His kingdom, which is eternal and unshakable. Through the blood of His Son Jesus Christ, we have the privilege of being a part of His kingdom, i.e., members of the church. In light of this reality, through Jesus Christ, “let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that openly profess his name” (Hebrews 13:15). Let us worship our God by offering our bodies “as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1). In this month’s edition of The Hillsboro Christian, Micah Herrick reflects on what Psalm 100 teaches us about thanksgiving. Also, our elementary kids share with us what they are thankful for. Our guest contributor is Dr. Terry Peer, the lead minister of the Glen Este Church of Christ. May the contents of this newsletter encourage all of us to be more thankful as we live out our faith in Christ. God bless you all. In Christian love, Brad
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Brad Clouse, a Louisville, Kentucky native, graduated from Louisville Bible College in 2010 with a Master's Degree in Sacred Literature after earning his former degrees at the same university. Brad served at smaller churches in Adair County Kentucky while in college before being called to Ohio in 2009. Brad ministered to the New Vienna Church of Christ congregation for 12 years before being called to the Hillsboro Church of Christ as the Senior Minister.
LITTLE LAMB CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL CELEBRATES 40 YEARS
Forty years ago, a committee of women from the Hillsboro Church of Christ under the guidance of the elders, met to discuss the possibility of establishing a Christian preschool. They met throughout the year to discuss what it would take to get a preschool up and running in the fall. This group of loyal Christian women envisioned a school that would teach the children about the Bible and academics. The committee got all the necessary paperwork completed and was able to open the doors of the preschool in the fall of 1983. Much discussion about what to name the new preschool took place and the final decision was made to call it The Little Lamb Christian Preschool. Since 1983 Little Lamb has grown and been very suc-
cessful in educating students about the Bible, Jesus, prayer, academics, sharing, good manners, and getting along with others. Over the past 40 years, Little Lamb has had the privilege of educating hundreds of children, and for many of them it is their first school experience. The church has been very supportive to Little Lamb as it has allowed it to be housed in the church for all 40 years. Currently, we have a board of directors, a fulltime administrator/teacher, teacher and aide. With the blessings of our Almighty God, the elders, dedicated staff, board of directors, and parents, Little Lamb Christian Preschool will continue to serve the children in this community.
Prayer 11/01/2023
REQUESTS
Health and Other: Barbara Ashley Chuck Chaney Bill Clouse Wava Labig Ohio Mission Bible Training Center Janet Pence Shalom Orphanage Dom Smart Linda Smith Don Watson Wayne Wiedenbein Shut Ins: Ruth Adams Kim Adams Jewel Calmes Eloise Ludwick John Porter Carol Setty Sharon Webb Cancer: Jeffery Aurigema Jeff Beam Rob Butler Vicki Butler Kari Crafton Judy Roush Mark Sears
Family Loss:
Missions: The Brittons, The Millers, The Newmans
HCC Leadership: Steve Allen Brad Clouse Roger Epley Dan Fauber Jeff Griffith Micah Herrick Mike Labig Richard VanZant
Military: Tyler Amos Ryan Burns Mark Conover Thadeus Conover Corey Hughes Alex Klein Phillip Mycroft
Average attendance for the month of October was 347 Average weekly giving for the month of October $11,565.00 Our weekly need is: $11,229.13
THANKS BE TO GOD FOR HIS INDESCRIBABLE GIFT By Dr. Terry Peer For so many people, thanksgiving is seasonal, an extra fall holiday. It’s always a great time around a big table of turkey and the trimmings, football on the big screen, and pumpkin pie and ice cream for dessert later. To make it a bit more meaningful, some add the tradition of going around the table and naming something special they are thankful for. You may know the routine. Yet, for the believer, thanksgiving is not a mere seasonal event. It is a lifestyle. It is at the very core of our faith. Knowing God and having a special and intimate relationship with Him through Jesus gives us all the reasons in the world and out of this world to celebrate constantly with thanksgiving.
In the Old Testament, this beautiful phrase is found in the Psalms… “A sacrifice of thanksgiving.” Just notice: “Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing.” (Ps. 107:2122) and… “Oh LORD, truly I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have loosed my bonds. I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving and will call upon the name of the Lord.” (Ps. 116:16-17). When we think about sacrifice and the Old Testament, our minds usually rush to the
scene of a brazen altar just inside the Tabernacle entrance with the blood of animals soaked into the sands around its base. And that scene was repeated over and over again for hundreds of years to teach man that there was a real price for sin—an innocent life laid down and substituted for man’s sinfulness. Yet there was more to sacrifice than that. And we must not miss it. There is this sacrifice of thanksgiving. Truth is—God could have just abandoned us in our sins. That’s really what we deserve. There’s nothing about us that makes us presentable and desirable before a perfect, holy Father God. Yet here’s where this spirit of thanksgiving truly begins. God did not, does not, abandon us in our lostness. I am so grateful that He didn’t, and He hasn’t. Instead of giving us what we deserve, He comes to us with open arms of mercy. More than that, He offers to us this INDESCRIBEABLE GIFT. Go ahead… read about it with me. You’ll be so blessed, and Thanksgiving will take on a whole new dimension. Here’s that statement in its Biblical context: “Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes THANKSGIVING through us to God. For the administration of this
service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.” (2nd Corinthians 9:10-15, NKJV).
his cross and follow Me.” (Mt. 16:24). What am I willing to lay down for the gift? Everything.
This “indescribable gift” is a gift too great for words. No human language can find words so rich, so full, so magnificent, so magnanimous to really describe the ultimate gesture of one being to another. And that one being who is doing the giving is GOD Himself through His Son Jesus. And the recipient of that unparalleled gesture of love is every human being in Adam’s race. That would include you and me. How amazing is this!
In 1961, Mel Fisher and his family left California and literally sold everything they had to invest in the search for an undiscovered, sunken Spanish galleon, the Nuestra Senora de Atocha. Their daughter and son-in-law were tragically killed in the quest for this sunken treasure. But the search went on. Finally, in 1985, off the coast of Key West, FL, they found the sunken ship and its precious cargo… a cargo valued at $400,000,000. And Jesus asked the piercing question… “What shall it profit a man if he should gain the whole world and lose his own soul, or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). Please know this: There is no gift you can ever receive, no discovery you can ever make, no prize you can ever attain that has more value than this indescribable gift.
You have heard of the “pearl of great price,” which is of such ultimate value that it is worth selling out everything else to acquire this one single pearl. This is it! This indescribable gift is worth selling out every other interest and life pursuit in order to receive it. For God’s gift is UNMATCHED IN VALUE. Perhaps you have wondered, “What would I have to give up to be a Christian?” It’s not a complicated answer at all. All of it! Our Master said it so simply: “Whoever would come after Me must deny himself, take up
This gift is unchanging. This love of God is a spring that never runs dry and a hope which never diminishes. Because HE is boundless and infinite and eternal, His gift is beyond anything of value we can imagine or pursue. It never changes because HE never changes. “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8). My how things are changing in this old world. Fashions, hairstyles, technology, teaching methods, laws, political leaders, governments, and even boundaries are subject to change…
A farmer had a weather vane on top of his barn cast with the words—“God is love.” His unbelieving neighbor scoffed with a sneering remark… “Does that mean God’s love is always changing?” “No,” the old farmer replied, “it means that God still loves us, no matter which way the wind is blowing.”
Etched on the walls of the ruins of a prison cell in Cologne, Germany, is this preserved script of graffiti from WWII, “I believe in the sun, even when it is not shining, I believe in love even when I do not feel it, and I believe in God even when He is silent.”
But you must know… I must know… it is a GIFT we are talking about. It is a gift the Bible is describing. This is not a reference to earnings and wages and something we have worked for and deserve. This gift is unmerited by its recipients. I am just so gripped by the phrase in Scripture, “Not by works of righteousness that we have done, by His mercy He saves…” (Titus 3:5). This gift, by its very nature, is of mercy and is not earned by our merit. All too many times, our lives are robbed of the joy of thanksgiving because we get so locked into this earning-my-ownway attitude. Please be reminded of this: “OUR STATUS AS A CHRISTIAN IS THAT OF BEING A RECIPIENT OF A GIFT, AN HEIR TO AN INHERITANCE, NOT A WAGE-EARNER OF A PAYCHECK.” Remember, “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 3:23).
This truth sounds like a heart-rending moment from the play A Raisin In The Sun by Lorraine Hansberry. This scene happens after the son has wasted the insurance money his family received from his father’s death. He invested it in one of those surefired business schemes that just could not fail so he could pull his poor AfricanAmerican family living in Chicago out of their poverty once and for all. But his dream was demolished before it ever began when his business partner left town with all the money. His sister was ready to completely disown him because part of the money he lost was the portion that was supposed to send her to college. “There’s nothing left to love,” she declared. But her mother rebukes her with these words: “There is always something left to love. And if you ain’t learned that, you ain’t learned nothing. Have you cried for that boy today? I don’t mean for yourself and for the family ‘cause we lost the money. I mean for him: what he’s been through and what it’s done to him. Child, when do you think is the time to love somebody the most? When they done good and made things easy for everybody? Well, then you ain’t through learning— because that ain’t the time at all. It’s when he’s at his lowest and can’t believe in hisself ‘cause the world done whipped him so. When you starts measuring somebody, measure right child, measure him right. Make sure you done taken into account what hills and valleys he come through before he got to wherever he is.”
Do we understand that? Do we really realize that what God our Father, what Jesus His Son, has given to offer us this gift? What a sacrifice He has made just to make this gift accessible to us! So, as I sat down to begin writing these thanksgiving thoughts, I was just overwhelmed with the goodness of God. And it has occurred to me that the Bible speaks of thanksgiving in three unique ways: Thanksgiving that… “… We are always thankful THAT God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation—a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you hold and through your belief in the truth.” (2nd Thessalonians 2:13, NLT). This is thanksgiving for the acts and work of God. Thanksgiving for…”… thanks be to God FOR His indescribable gift.” This is thanksgiving for the gifts God provides, the general blessings, and the special ones. Thanksgiving through… “… yes, though I walk THROUGH the valley…” (Ps. 23: __) “In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1st Thessalonians 5:18)
But how can we do that? It’s only natural to give thanks when one counts up all THAT God has done. And it’s equally doable to give thanks FOR all the good things we have in life. (Those typically are the things that make it to the pre-thanksgiving dinner list of what we’re thankful for.) But what of those other times? What about those other happenings? How can we be thankful when the plant has shut down, and we’ve lost our job? How can we be thankful when the storm has ruined the crops, and we have no insurance? How can we be thankful when a drunk driver crossed the line and robbed us of our precious family? How can we be thankful when the doctor says, “I’m sorry, I have some bad news.” How can we be thankful when we made those painful steps to a graveside? This is where the sacrifice of thanksgiving becomes our reality. Thanksgiving is an expression of sincere appreciation. But it is more for the believer. It is the sacrifice from deep within the soul, not FOR the circumstance or loss. It is the sacrifice offered in faith to God above that He promises to always be with us and carry us THROUGH the pain and suffering and discouragement and uncertainty to an immeasurable place of peace and hope. That is an indescribable gift. It is a gift beyond words. This is a sacrifice of the heart that says, “O God, I am so thankful, so thankful—Your gift is absolutely INDESCRIBABLE. I cannot find any other words… except… “Thank YOU!” Let this be our Thanksgiving prayer.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I have FOUR joys in life… Jesus, Debbie, preaching, and our family. I have been following Jesus since my youth, have wanted to preach since I was a boy, have been married to my high-school sweetheart for over 46 years now and we have been blessed with 2 children, 6 grandchildren and 2 great-grandsons. Wow, how God has blessed me—truly far beyond anything I could ever deserve. I count it a privilege to be a preacher/teacher for the Glen Este church. Debbie and I enjoy serving in the kingdom side by side in church ministries. My hobbies include woodworking, gardening, old trucks, and camping.
Jaimie Wolfe played softball for our Bell City Ringers Softball team when she was 16 and 18. When she aged out, she helped me coach our 18u team and is now currently the head coach of our 14u team. She is currently employed at Timber Lane Sports & Signs and is temporarily living with Crystal and I until she can find a place to set down roots in Hillsboro. It has been so exciting to watch Crystal disciple her as they go through the Bible together. After being sprinkled as a child, Jaimie came to the realization that she needed to make the decision to be baptized because she knew that the decision needed to be hers. I had the honor of baptizing Jaimie Sunday, October 8, 2023. We praise God that He brought her into our lives and continue to covet everyone’s prayers as she continues to grow in her faith. She knows that she has a lot to learn, but she also knew she needed Jesus as her Lord and Savior. In Christ’s Love, Bill and Crystal Myers
On October 12, Tiffany Keidel was baptized into Christ by her husband Josh. Then on October 15, the Keidel family placed their membership with us. We are so excited for what God has in store for this family. Praise the Lord!
We asked several of our kids from Back Pack Club, Little Lamb Christian Preschool, and HCC Kids what they were thankful for and here are some of their responses. Hope you enjoy!
Name: Isaac Grade: 3 I am thankful for: Philip my friend
Name: Barrett Grade: Little Lamb Christian Preschool I am thankful for: my family
Name: Branton Grade: 3 I am thankful for: God & Jeses (Jesus)
Name: Isla Grade: Little Lamb Christian Preschool I am thankful for: my mommy
Name: Carter Grade: 5 I am thankful for: My house
Name: Roman Grade: Little Lamb Christian Preschool I am thankful for: Jesus
Name: Brantley Grade: Little Lamb Christian Preschool I am thankful for: being able to share with my friends
Name: Annaleigh Grade: 3 I am thankful for: God, and Rosie, soccer, and family
Name: Finn Grade: Little Lamb Christian Preschool I am thankful for: being able to ride on a train
Name: Hazel Grade: Little Lamb Christian Preschool I am thankful for: God
Name: Anonymous (to protect the innocent) Grade: 4 I am thankful for: my mom’s side of the family
Name: Ellie Grade: Little Lamb Christian Preschool I am thankful for: my family
Name: Jazon Grade: 5 I am thankful for: my house, food, just everything in the entire world
Name: Kennlynn Grade: 4 I am thankful for: having you (Mrs. Gleadle) as a teacher
Name: Bodhi Grade: Kindergarten I am thankful for: rubber duck
Name: Jace Grade: Little Lamb Christian Preschool I am thankful for: my mommy
Name: BamBam (Samantha) Grade: Kindergarten I am thankful for: mama
Name: Benny Grade: 5 I am thankful for: my family
Name: Remi Grade: Kindergarten I am thankful for: my cousin
Name: Cora Grade: Little Lamb Christian Preschool I am thankful for: having cats
Name: Gunnar Grade: 1 I am thankful for: mom and dad and God
Name: Lucy Belle Grade: 6 I am thankful for: my father and all he does for me
Name: Rosie Grade: 2 I am thankful for: God and Annaleigh, soccer and my family Name: Brayden Grade: 2 I am thankful for: great leaders (Justin) at Back Pack Club and having Back Pack club Name: Ayra Grade: Little Lamb Christian Preschool I am thankful for: being loved Name: Rowen Grade: Little Lamb Christian Preschool I am thankful for: having toys to play with Name: Colton Grade: 3 I am thankful for: God being in my life Name: Driven Grade: Little Lamb Christian Preschool I am thankful for: God
Name: Morgan Grade: 4 I am thankful for: being here at Back Pack Club Name: Jaz Grade: 5 I am thankful for: everyone that I like
Name: Eliza Grade: Little Lamb Christian Preschool I am thankful for: being able to give hugs Name: Lincoln Grade: 1 I am thankful for: mom Name: Rondrick Grade: 5 I am thankful for: me
Name: Jagger Grade: 2 I am thankful for: being alive :D Name: Kipton Grade: 4 I am thankful for: being at church Name: Anastasia Grade: 3 I am thankful for: my mom because she loves me, she knows I love her so much. She is the best mom ever and she knows I’m the best Ana ever Name: Micah Grade: Little Lamb Christian Preschool I am thankful for: my daddy
(continued) Name: Aryana Grade: 1 I am thankful for: my family, God, & teacher Name: Alivia Grade: 2 I am thankful for: my family Name: Brentley Grade: I am thankful for: people helping me Name: Jack Grade: 2 I am thankful for: this day Name: Bexlex Grade: 2 I am thankful for: my family Name: Lydia Grade: 2 I am thankful for: family Name: Luci Grade: 2 I am thankful for: my family Name: Jessa Grade: 2 I am thankful for: everything Name: Philip Grade: 3 I am thankful for: my friend Isaac & my family
Name: Eli Grade: 3 I am thankful for: my dad and mom Name: Dusty Grade: 3 I am thankful for: mom! and food
Name: Riley Grade: 1 I am thankful for: God Name: Braxton Grade: 5 I am thankful for: God
Name: Lexi Grade: 3 I am thankful for: my mom, dad, and sister Name: Mason Grade: 4 I am thankful for: being alive Name: Zoei Grade: 4 I am thankful for: my house Name: Ty Grade: 3 I am thankful for: mom and dad Name: Autumn Grade: Little Lamb Christian Preschool I am thankful for: going to the pumpkin patch with our class Name: Wells Grade: Little Lamb Christian Preschool I am thankful for: playing with my friend Zach Name: Zach Grade: Little Lamb Christian Preschool I am thankful for: riding tractors with Daddy Name: Teegan Grade: 3 I am thankful for: food, water, people, Back Pack Club and teachers
Name: Wade Grade: Little Lamb Christian Preschool I am thankful for: my mommy, papaw, mamaw Name: Ella Kay Grade: Little Lamb Christian Preschool I am thankful for: my friends Hannah & Savannah Name: Graham Grade: Little Lamb Christian Preschool I am thankful for: my dog
Name: Jennifer Grade: 1 I am thankful for: having friends Name: Josh Grade: 1 I am thankful for: friends and family Name: Cora Grade: 3 I am thankful for: God Name: Alexis Grade: 4 I am thankful for: being alive Name: Jack Grade: Little Lamb Christian Preschool I am thankful for: Dinosaurs Name: Willow Grade: Little Lamb Christian Preschool I am thankful for: a good home Name: Easton Grade: Little Lamb Christian Preschool I am thankful for: when mommy give me pizza Name: Willow Grade: Little Lamb Christian Preschool I am thankful for: my mommy
Little Lamb Christian Preschool is having a Rummage sale Saturday, November 4th, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
They will start collecting donations beginning the week of October 30th
By Micah Herrick
My mind often jumps to the 100th Psalm when November and the season of Thanksgiving roll around. Here the Psalmist writes:
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100 (ESV) One of the beautiful things about the ebb and flow of the passing seasons is that it can remind us of the microcosm of the regular routine of life. The big moments of seasonal shift and the
reminders and celebrations they bring can remind us of the importance of keeping certain things in focus in our lives. As we enter into the season of thanksgiving we can do just that— remember that thanksgiving should be a regular part of who we are. The psalm above helps us to remember the attitude we should make ever sure is a component of the beginning of our gatherings. “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise!” When we gather together with the saints of God in worship, it is always in response to how he has been at work in our lives. If you’ve read it from me once, it has surely been many more. Worship is our response to God for who he is and what he has done through Jesus, all the time reflected by what we say and do—both personally and corporately. So what has God done? He has created. He has provided. He has known me. He has loved me. He formed me in the
depths of my mother’s womb. All my days were written in his book before one of them came to be. (See Psalm 139 13-16) What has he done through Jesus? He has forgiven me. He has called me. He has given me a purpose and position in his kingdom. He has washed me clean and made me whole. He has indwelled me with his Holy Spirit and makes me more into the image of Jesus each and every day. He has called me out of darkness and into the greatest adventure imaginable.
ship reflect the fullness of what he has given and provided for me? There are so many things that can impact our outlook as we prepare for our gatherings together. Our own daily struggles and realities can come in the way of our focus. I want to encourage each of us to take time before we gather on a Sunday to remember why we are gathering; for whom we are gathering. When we can focus on giving thanks and looking up, we can be more effectively pulled out of the mire and set to witness the fullness of His glory. Let’s really worship together!
All this is a cause for celebration! The one who is all of this for each of us calls us to gather together in His presence each week!!! So, does my wor-
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Micah is currently serving HCC as Worship Minister, as well as leading our Evangelism team and coordinating our online presence. He is pictured here with his wife, Rebecca, kids; Rowan, Luci, Kennedy, and Finn, his mother and father; Steve and Valeri Herrick.
11-04-23
Little Lamb Christian Preschool rummage sale, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Outdoorsmen for Christ bonfire and hayride at Rick Hughes home
11-05-23
Family Sunday, (no elementary classes, kids will sit with their parents), nursery and Pre-K will still be available
11-07-23
Election
11-10-23
High School retreat at Butler Springs Christian Camp, Friday, Saturday, and ends Sun day
11-12-23
Operation Christmas Child Shoebox dedication
11-16-23
Missions team meeting at 6:30 in the Connection Café
11-19-23
Harvest Celebration Dinner following 2nd worship service
11-20-23
Faith in Action ministry is meeting at 5:30 to help decorate the church
11-22-23
NO BACK PACK CLUB, HCC KIDS CHOIR PRACTICE, OR WORSHIP REHEARSAL THIS DAY
11-23-23 11-24-23
THANKSGIVING (office closed) Office will be closed
11-29-23
BACK PACK CLUB, HCC KIDS CHOIR PRACTICE, AND WORSHIP REHEARSAL WILL RESUME THIS DAY
11-30-23
MomConnect will meet at 5:30 in the Connection Café
12-01-23
Worship Night @ 6:00 pm
12-03-23
T.H.E.O. Will meet right after 2nd service
AREA 937 IS COLLECTING SPAGHETTI SAUCE FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER
Prayer Network Update May 2023
John Mwita comes from a poor family in Kilgoris, Kenya, and is part of the Kuria people, most of whom do not know Jesus Christ. At age 10, John began scheming to get food at a nearby shopping area and dropped out of school to survive. "Life wasn't easy," John said. "No one showed me love or even cared about my situation." When he saw snacks being given out to children at a local church, he became a frequent visitor so he could get some snacks for himself and steal even more. Soon, a Sunday school teacher invited John to attend The Greatest Journey, the Operation Christmas Child discipleship program. "I loved the lessons," John said. "As we went through the book, my love and passion for God really grew. On reaching lesson four, I heard about Jesus the Savior and how He loved me and died for my sins. I gave my life to Him." John's two sisters also gave their lives to Christ, and John returned to school. Now, he's praying that his mother will soon receive Jesus as her Lord and Savior, and that the Gospel will spread among the Kuria. "I now know and believe that even Kuria people can be saved and follow Jesus as I'm following Him today," John said. "May His Name be praised forever, and God bless Operation Christmas Child!"
“Whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” Matthew 21:22
Excerpt from Samaritan’s Purse newsletter
We have collected $4,330.00 of the $7,000.00 needed.
SHOEBOX POEM I packed a Christmas shoebox gift. I do it every year. These gifts are sent around the world To bring a child some cheer. I focused on my shoebox And what I put inside, When God told me to look beyond And see the other side. I looked beyond my shoebox And there I saw a friend Who helped to get my shoebox From here to journeys end. In truth there were so many Who worked along the way. They took these gifts around the world. They labored night and day. Some checked and taped and carbonized And moved my box with care. While some raised hands in blessing And filled my box with prayer. I looked beyond my shoebox And there I saw a child
Who received this gift of love While sitting meek and mild. She heard the gospel message. He listened quietly. While many prayed Jesus to save Their souls eternally. Then it was time to open From me their gift of joy. Such noise I can imagine To see each treat and toy! I looked beyond my shoebox And there I saw the Lord. He smiled and said, “Well done, my child! Come, see now your reward.” And as I turned I saw a line, Far as the eye could see, Of children coming to say thanks For boxes sent by me. “Thank you for your gift of love, And for the gospel too. Because you filled a shoebox, I’m in heaven with you.
Excerpt from Samaritan’s Purse newsletter