From
PASTOR OLIN . . .
The
story is told of a Philadelphia law firm who sent flowers to an associate firm
in Baltimore upon the opening of its new offices. Through some mix-up, the ribbon on the floral arrangement read,
“Deepest Sympathy.” When the florist
was informed of his mistake, he let out a cry of alarm. “Good heavens,” he exclaimed, “then the
flowers that went to the funeral said, ‘Congratulations on Your New Location!’”
Now I realize
that flowers are to convey sympathy to the family of the deceased. On the other hand though, that’s not a bad
message if the deceased is a Christian.
It could be a great comfort to the family.
Jesus
said to Martha when He arrived at her house after hearing that Lazarus had
died, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live
even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.”
Don’t you relish
in that assurance! What peace we as
Christians have! Real estate folks tell
us all the time it’s location, location, location. How true that is for eternity.
You could improve slightly on the statement though. It could read “Congratulations on Your New,
Final, Eternal, Location!” What a joy
it is to know we have a God that loves us, provided salvation for us, and has
prepared a place for us to live with Him for all eternity. Somebody say Amen!
See you Sunday,
Pastor
Olin
SHARE OUR BLESSINGS
SUNDAY
November 23
COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING SERVICE
November 23 7 pm
New Hope Baptist Church
Message
by Rev. Olin Byrum
THOUGHT FOR
THE WEEK
I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the
greatness of our God! Deuteronomy 32:3
YOUTH NEWS
Sunday, November 16 ― 6:00 –
8:00 pm
Youth Supper
and Bible Study
Join us as we gather to have fun and study God’s word. Please bring $3.00 to help cover the cost of your meal and extra money for our Compassion International Child, Feysia in Ethiopia.
Tuesday, November 25
–– Leaving at 4:45 pm
Thanksgiving Meal at the Rehab
Center
Mark your
calendars now and plan to be a part of this special ministry of our
church. Youth will put together goody
bags in advance and hand them out while there.
We will also help serve the dinner.
PRESCHOOL
& CHILDREN’S NEWS
Sunday,
November 16 – Christmas Play Practice 4:30 – 5:30 pm
We will present our play, “The
Best Christmas Present Ever” on Sunday, December 21st during our
morning worship time.
Tuesday, November 25 – Leaving the Church at 4:45 pm
Thanksgiving
Meal at the Rehab Center
Our church
will be serving a Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings to the residents of
the Rehabilitation and Health Center on Highland Street. The children will help
serve the meal, hand out goody bags and sing songs for them. The residents enjoy interacting with the
children and hearing them sing. This is
a wonderful opportunity to minister to others.
Parents are welcomed to go with us.
We
made our African drum banks on Wednesday night to collect our dimes for the
Acacia Village Project. Our long-term goal is 7, 610 dimes, the
approximate number of miles it is from Gastonia to Ethiopia!
Thank You
To
our church family:
We extend our heartfelt
thanks for the tremendous support you have been to us, both when Christina was
in the hospital and since the time of her death. In so many ways, we have felt your love and your care for us and
also your love and care for Christina.
(Thank you for being her church family too!)
We have certainly asked, “Where is
God?” at times during this journey of deep sorrow and loss. We have not, however, asked “Where are God’s
people?” For you, dear friends, have
been beside us, offering your fervent, faithful prayers, your tender tears,
your presence, and your kind words, through calls and cards. You have supported us practically by
bringing us food and by offering to do whatever we need. We are truly grateful for all those
gestures.
Though our hearts are broken, they
are also encouraged and uplifted by your tender care.
With love
and heartfelt gratitude,
Kimberly and
Charles Maner
Gifts Have Been Given
To
the Youth Fund:
In Memory of Christina Rose Maner by
Dr. and Mrs. Luther Jarvis
To
the Music Fund:
In Memory of Christina Rose Maner by
Mr. and Mrs. Gary Dellinger
In Honor of Bobby and Janice
Jones by
Mr. and Mrs. Gary Dellinger
Order Your Poinsettias Now!
Please
order your poinsettias no later than December 7. The cost is $8.50 per plant. Please fill out one form for each plant
ordered and attach your check to your form(s).
Plants may be picked up following the Christmas Eve Candlelight
Service or on the following Sunday (Dec. 28).
Please note that the
next issue will be a combination Covenant News for the weeks of November 23 and
30. Items for the November 23/30 issue
should be submitted by November 18.
Our Prayer
Concerns
|
|
|
Jennifer Buckner - Pam Buckner - Darrell Carpenter -
Janice Jones |
|
|
|
(Roger Adcock)
(Mike Kuhn) (Joel Jacobs –
Iraq) |
|
(Hazel & Dorsey Roland, Eric Dennis’ grandparents) |
|
(Shirley Battles, Pearline Buckner’s sister) |
|
(Sarah Berkley & family, friend of Abby Emerick) (Regina) (Mary
Kerley) |
Stewardship Theme for 2008 - 2009
Giving
Glorifies God
Stewardship Thought: “God loves a cheerful giver.”