Sunday, November 25, 2007

Thanksgiving week is well underway, and many of us anticipate great blessings this week. One reason for our family is that our WHOLE FAMILY will be together this Thanksgiving! Jon and Hannah flew in last week, went with Beth and me to BBC for their season opening basketball tournament, then they stayed there with our van to see another game last evening and then bring Leah, Joshua, and his fiancee Emily home. They should be here shortly. Also arriving about the same time will be Sam, Sarah, and Nicholas - he took this picture to remind me he is coming! Papa didn't forget.

Beth and I were glad to see Joshua play in a couple of games last weekend in spite of his broken finger. He looked to me to be at about 80%, but that was good enough for 16 points on Friday night, including a game tying three pointer in the final 20 seconds. BBC won that game in overtime, but lost in the championship game on Saturday night. They also lost on Monday evening to Wilkes University, but I have confidence that the season will only get better as he heals and is at full strength, and as the talented younger guys on the team get more experience.

Last Sunday was a real blessing with Bill and Becky Petite here with us all day. I was again reminded and amazed that our church is their highest supporting church monthly for their ministry in Japan. We have had several work groups go to help in that ministry and have formed a good bond with the Living Hope Baptist Church there. We look forward to continued involvement with them in greater ways.

This Sunday should be another blessing with Nate and Cherith Logan here all day to minister. They are on their pre-field ministry with ABWE and are heading to a unique ministry in Brazil. Though we have some representation there over the years, we have made an exception by having this fine family here (including Grayden, 6 months.)

At 9:30 AM Nate will speak to our jr. and sr. high students for their Sunday School time. (all ABF's will meet as usual) Then he will preach in our 10:45 AM worship service. And in the 6:00 PM service they will both give their pre-field presentation, which should be informative and inspiring. Plan to attend and if you have questions, please ask them. We will receive an offering for them as we did last week for the Petite's, so please prepare and give generously - we all gave a tremendous offering to the Petite's, and I hope we can do something similar to encourage the Logans. And our AWANA kids are invited to join us for any pictures as they did last week.

Remember that there is no mid week service this week. Our numbers for this service have dwindled over the past few years in spite of trying to do some special things. We thought we would rest it, not retire it, for now.

You can help our planning by signing up and paying for the Adult Christmas Banquet this Sunday. The banquet will be held on Saturday, December 1st at 6:00 PM and the cost is $14.50 per person - which includes a full buffet featuring two different meats and many other great items. See the information in the lobby where you sign up to know what is involved with gift giving. Pastor Larry and Joanne Engle from our sister church, Graham Road Baptist in Cuyahoga Falls will be our special guests to sing and share from God's Word.

Thank you to all who donated to our AWANA program's Food Drive which ended last week and supplied some needed encouragement to a few families in our church.

Our annual church elections and budget approval meeting is coming up on Wednesday, December 5 at 7:00 PM, all members please mark it and make the effort to attend. We will discuss and vote on our proposed 2008 budget, as well as two deacons and other officers. The budget and officer list are both posted around the building for you to look over and pray about. If you have questions, see a deacon or myself and we will do our best to answer it for you.

I have just been notified that I need to run out and get a gallon of whole milk for Nicholas, so I will close. But I do hope your Thanksgiving Day will be filled with just that - much THANKSGIVING. I try to do this regularly by finding at least one thing daily for which to thank the Lord, but often I have much more. This promotes a healthy state of mind and contributes to positive spiritual well being. But on this Thursday we have a special time to honor the Lord for His continued goodness, so take part in that. And then I look forward to the blessing of seeing you this Sunday - prepare for it.

Pastor Don Workman

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