First Baptist Church THANKSLOVING FEAST Welcome to Peter Haley

g{x `xááxÇzxÜ
First Baptist Church
Volume 10, Issue 10
November 2015
THANKSLOVING FEAST
An amazing thing happened last year leading up to our Thanksloving Feast. The day before we were to cook
donated turkeys I discovered we were short the number needed. Typically we cook approximately 50 turkeys.
Prior to going to the store and purchasing additional turkeys I decided to
go by the church to get a final count. As Linda and I were driving up to the
church I noticed a van parked at the back door. I met a lady who is the
Human Resources Coordinator for a company in Gastonia. Her company
had purchased turkeys and hams to be donated for Thanksgiving but the
charity they were to donate to was closed and she asked if we could use
the food. I inquired as to how she found our church and was told she saw
our sign inviting the community to a free Thanksgiving meal. She decided to
stop and see if we could use the food. I told her we were short turkeys and
I was on my way to the store to purchase more and the number of turkeys
she had was exactly the amount we needed! Tears came to her eyes as she
said truly this food was meant for your event. I couldn’t have agreed more.
Last year we prepared 478 meals, the most ever. We had very little food left over but what we did have we
donated to the Cornerstone Residential Rehab Center.
I hope this year you will consider helping our church continue this ministry. Look for sign-up sheets on the bulletin
boards and in your classroom. You can sign-up to donate a turkey, cake or pie, and/or you time. Money may
also be donated to buy other essentials for this meal. Your monetary donation can be made by writing a check
to First Baptist Church and write “Thanksloving Feast” on it.
If you have questions, please contact me. Please pray this meal will touch our community in the way that
exemplifies Jesus. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of
mine, you did for me.”
Thank you, Bill Piercy
Welcome to Peter Haley
We welcome Peter Haley to our music ministry. He is the choir director at East
Gaston High School where he is also an assistant soccer coach.
Peter received his Bachelor of Church Music degree from
Wingate University in 2009 and the Master of Church Music
degree from the Beeson School of Divinity at Samford
University in 2011. He is a Gastonia native and was raised at
New Hope Baptist Church and First ARP there. He has served in
both Baptist and Presbyterian churches.
Peter is married to Ashley Heavener Haley. She teaches 5th
Grade at Hawk’s Nest Intermediate School. They are both
very passionate Auburn fans. War Eagle!
Inside this issue:
Church Life
2-5
Family Life
6-7
Weekly Schedule
Calendar
8
insert
The Messenger
Page 2
Christian Sympathy
•
•
•
•
The family of Arnie Broome
Scott Helton and family in the death of his grandmother
Baxter McIntosh and family in the death of Sally McIntosh
Pam Surratt and family in the death of Jerry Surratt
Memorials and Gifts
Gifts Given to the Building Fund
• In honor of Kendell Cameron and Brian Childers by Ralph & Pam Miller
• In memory of Arnie Broome by Al & Jane Rhodes
• In memory of Arnie Broome by John & Alice Jones
• In memory of Arnie Broome by Gene & Dale Barrow
• In memory of Arnie Broome by Barbara Chagaris
• In memory of Arnie Broome by Carl Baber
• In memory of Arnie Broome by Anne Brinkley
• In memory of Sally McIntosh by John & Alice Jones
• In memory of Sally McIntosh by Carl Baber
Gifts Given to the Brian Childers Scholarship Fund
• In honor of Brian Childers by Bill & Anne Gary
• In honor of Brian Childers by Verna Jo Ellis
• In honor of Brian Childers by the Sanctuary Choir
Gifts Given to the Bereavement Fund
•
•
•
In memory of Sally McIntosh by Verna Jo Ellis
In memory of Sally McIntosh by Randy & Carol McConnell
In memory of Sally McIntosh by Anne Brinkley
V{âÜv{ _|yx
Gifts Given to the Youth Choir/Mission Tour Fund
• In memory of Arnie Broome by Mike & Mary Jane Hinkle
Gifts Given to the Music Fund
In memory of Arnie Broome by Gene & Martha McClure
In memory of Sally McIntosh by Gene & Martha McClure
•
•
Gifts Given to the Winecoff Scholarship Fund
In memory of Ed Cauthen by Gene & Martha McClure
•
Books Given to the Library
In memory of Noelle Baber by Carl Baber the following books have been purchased:
Always a Princess, Princess: Shapes, Colors, Counting & More, Little Golden Books:
Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, The Princess and the Frog,
Frozen, Let It Go!, Meet the Princesses by Walt Disney
•
Dear Church Family,
Thank you so much for all of the support that you have touched us with throughout Ed’s illness
and home going. The many cards, plants, meals and gifts to the church in his memory have
blessed us deeply. We love and appreciate you all! Tim, Vicki, Cori & Ally Cauthen
Volume 10, Issue 10
Page 3
Worship At A Glance
November 1- Revelation 21:1-6a; “No More Tears”
November 8- Ecclesiastes 2:4-11; “What Drives Us?”
November 15– Matthew 6:19-21; “What is our Priority?”
November 22– John 18:33-37; “Jesus’ trial”
November 29– Luke 21:25-36; “Go Tell It!”
September Record
Totals
Sunday School Average
Total Receipts
Building Fund
Building Fund YTD
Other Designated
Other Designated YTD
2015 Church Budget
Avg. Needs through 9/30
Budget Receipts through 9/30
119
$41,770
$1,550
$15,250
$6,512
$63,046
$440,896
$330,672
$306,728
Service Opportunities
Wednesday Night Suppers
Extended Care—Infants
Nov. 4 Hot Dog Night
Nov. 11 NO WEDNESDAY
ACTIVITIES
Nov. 18 Baked Ham Night
Nov. 25 NO WEDNESDAY
ACTIVITIES
Nov. 1
Nov. 8
Nov. 15
Nov. 22
Nov. 29
Elaine Crosby & Linda Piercy
Michael & Robin Lewis
Gina & Mattie Hough
Lanny Ray & Lancy Rhyne
Neil & Alicia Robinson
Extended Care—Toddler/Preschool
Nov. 1
Brooke Shepherd Lopez & Peggy
McGlohon
Nov. 8 Steve & Rosalee Noles
Nov. 15 Jan Poindexter-Cameron &
Amanda Cameron
Nov. 22 Daniel & Andrea Noles
Nov. 29– Suzanne Griffin & Leah Allen
Wednesday Night
Supper Reminder
Please remember to turn in a
registration form or call the church
office by noon on Monday to be
added to the Permanent or Weekly
supper list so our cook teams can
plan accordingly. Registration forms
are available on various tables
throughout the church building and in
Adult Sunday School Classrooms.
Reading of the Psalm
Pianists
Nov. 1
Nov. 8
Nov. 15
Nov. 22
Nov. 29
Tom McClain
Ginni Poole
Jessica Posa
Elaine Crosby
Emma Rhyne
Nov. 1Nov. 8Nov. 15Nov. 22Nov. 29-
Paige Sisk
Sophie Matz
Mark Batchelor
Suzanne Griffin
Lanny Ray
Church Security
Oct. 26-Nov 1– Mark Batchelor
Nov. 2-8-Scott Griffin
Nov. 9-15– Byron Abernathy
Nov. 16-22– Gary Farmer
Nov. 23-29– Jim Benfield
Nov. 30-Dec. 6-David Wrenn
Poinsettias
We are ordering poinsettias to decorate the sanctuary for the advent and Christmas
season. Deadline to order flowers are Sunday, November 22. Cost of the poinsettias
is $10 each. Order forms are available on tables as you enter the sanctuary and on
the tables during Wednesday night supper.
Page 4
The Messenger
November Birthdays
Nov. 1
Beulah McEntire
Nov. 2Nov. 4Nov. 5-
Tammie McGee
Elsie Hilderbran & Janet Smith
Doug Mullis, Savannah Piercy, & Linda
Smith
John Holloway & Beverly Wrenn
Jimmy Arndt
Jo Anne Blankenship & Kay MacIntosh
Pam Miller & Al Rhodes
Babs Hostetter & Ann Huff
Karen Cauthen, Jill Morton, Renee
Murphy, & Tina Staton
Brianna Burleson, Dale Moran, &
Jeanne Newhart
James Richardson
Derek Helton
Nov. 6
Nov. 8
Nov. 9
Nov. 13
Nov. 15
Nov. 17
Nov. 18
Nov. 19
Nov. 20
Nov. 22 Tony Greene & Elizabeth Lopez
Nov. 24 Rosalee Noles
Nov. 25 Danny Featherstone, Mike Hinkle,
Larry Hostetter, & Sarah Williams
Nov. 26 Marsha Brown
Nov. 27 Dickie Hipps
Nov. 28 Celeste Blanton, Claire Casciani, &
Luke Robinson
Nov. 30 Trip Blair, Ruby Branum, Baker
Ferguson, Frank Rodden, & Leigh
Ann West
Happy Anniversary
V{âÜv{ _|yx
November 6-Tim & Vickie Cauthen (22 years)
November 6-Frank & Evelyn Rodden (61 years)
November 9-Roy & Virginia Hoffman
November 12-Ralph & Pam Miller
November 21-Buddie & Becky Hodges (51 years)
November 22-Gene & Martha McClure (57 years)
November 30-Scott & Myra Helton
CONGRATULATIONS!
Matthew Nifong & Sarah Collier
who were married on September 19th,2015
at First Baptist Church
Brian Chandler & Brenna Poole
who were married on September 26th, 2015
at First Baptist Church
Volume 10, Issue 10
Page 5
We have had two great fall events, and both were well attended. “Thank you” for
the support!
We will have a rest break for the month of November and enjoy your Thanksgiving
with family and friends; however, we WON’T have a rest
break from calling Frances (704-900-5775) or a Team
member to get your name on the computer list for Thursday,
December 3rd, and the cut off date for our Christmas Event is
Wednesday, November 25th at 3:30 pm. (Yes, we know that
is the day before thanksgiving.)
December 3rd will be a fun and beautiful time of the season,
and TRUST me, you will see décor that you will remember the
rest of your life! We will depart from the church on December
3rd at 3:30 pm promptly heading towards Forest City. We
will have dinner at “Big Dave’s” seafood restaurant. (They
have more on their menu than seafood.); so don’t let that keep you from going. The
prices are very reasonable, and we will each be on our own for what we order.
After dinner, we will tour the Christmas home of Mike and Joy Walker—-you will be
in for a “treat of taste and a welcome” you will never forget! From there, we will ride
thru Forest City a town of well planned décor, and among the top ten best decorated
towns/cities in the US. We should be back in Mt. Holly by 9:00 pm.
The computer list is already underway, and we are anxious to add your name too; so
start calling to get that done NOW. See you—and be on the ROAD December 3rd as
we travel to Forest City, NC.
Frances Gurley and The Jubilant Team
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD 2015
Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes are available on the table
across from the Parlor. Boxes are due back November 15. If you
are interested in working at the center, Mark Batchelor and his
class may have a spot for you!
Community Thanksgiving Service
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Our Community Thanksgiving Service will be at
First United Methodist Church at 7 pm on
November 17. Attendees are invited to bring
canned goods or other offerings to be shared with
the CRO. Rev. Cuttino Alexander of Lutheran
Church of the Good Shepherd will be preaching.
V{âÜv{ _|yx
Jubilant Seniors
Holidays Are In the Air!
Page 6
The Messenger
All Saints Day
November 1 is All Saints Day—a day of remembrance of all the
saints that have gone to be with the Savior. In worship, we hope to
remember saints of the church lost in the last year as well as all the
saints of Christ.
Angel Tree
The Angels will arrive on the tree Sunday, November 1 to be
selected. Please take the angel you would like and sign it out on the
spreadsheet. Please return all gifts unwrapped by Sunday,
November 29 at the latest. If you have any questions please contact
Christie Batchelor at 704-827-3688. Thanks so much for your help!
Advent Party
YtÅ|Äç _|yx
For Children and Families
Sunday, November 22
2:00-4:00 PM
Broome Closet
Sign-up by November 15
Youth Fall Retreat
November 21-23
Our fall youth retreat is scheduled for November 20-22.
We will be headed for the Valle Crucis Conference
Center near Boone! Warm clothes will be necessary! We
plan to meet at the church at 5:30 on Friday afternoon
leave. We should return by mid-afternoon Sunday.
to
The cost is $125. Costs includes lodging, retreat
activities, and four meals. Youth will need to bring their own linens and money for
dinner on the way and lunch on the way back. Youth should bring a check made
payable to the church as soon as possible.
Youth Save the Date
The following are some important dates for youth this fall in addition to our normal
schedule and the other activities on this page:
November 25—Operation Christmas Child (3-7 pm shift)
December 20—Progressive Dinner (5:00 pm)
December 22—McAdenville Lights (630 pm)
Page 7
Volume 10, Issue 10
Thankfulness…
If you must know, I threw myself a pretty good pity party this morning. I came to the
office knowing Kim was out sick, Brian’s old office is collecting dust, Marie wouldn’t
be here today, and I was alone. Or so I thought. And then I remembered that I’m not
alone. I have a Loving Shepherd with me. As I realized how much I have and what
many others have to face, my struggles this morning seemed almost trivial.
As you all well know, I often end my sermons with the proclamation: Thanks be to
God. Over the years, I have continually come back to the theme that we need to be
ever thankful for all we have. We are a blessed people, and we need to remember
the One who provides our blessings.
I am not alone in this sentiment; I have pretty good company. The apostle Paul refers
to the theme of thanks, thanksgiving and thankfulness almost fifty times – even while
in prison! Notice the theme as it permeates the following passages:
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! II Corinthians 9:15
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord
Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3: 17
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is
the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thessalonians 5:16-18
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives
in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you
were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7
In Nathaniel Philbrick’s Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War,
Philbrick does a wonderful job tracing the history, both positive and negative, of the
Plymouth pilgrims and others that came to the New World. Without whitewashing the
brutality to the Native Americans, he described the devotion of the Pilgrims in making
it in this New World. He told of their desire to make the New World the “city on a
hill” that would be a beacon of Christ to the world.
To be blunt, if anyone had a reason for a pity party, it would be they. Or maybe the
Native Americans settlers infected with smallpox. Or maybe it would be Malala
Yousafzai who was attacked by the Taliban as an 11-year-old for standing up for
the right to an education. Or it could be one of the almost 200 Assyrian Christians
facing death at the hands of ISIL. Or Vian Dakhil standing up against ISIL, their
enforced slavery of young girls, and their genocide for her native Yazidis Or the
Christians mired in prison in North Korea. (For more info, go to opendoorsusa.org.)
As I reflect on Thanksgiving, I am thankful. Thankful for my family, my church family,
my nation and its leaders, and my community. I have no illusions that they are
perfect—they can’t be since they include me—but I know I am blessed.
And, if I listen to Paul and the Pilgrims and maybe their Native American friends and
Malala and our persecuted brothers and sisters this season, I will remember how truly
blessed I am. And then maybe I’ll show up at the Community Thanksgiving Service. Or
I might go to Dollar General and buy things for an Operation Christmas Child box or
help Bill Piercy serve at Thanksloving Feast. In other words, I hope I’m so thankful this
year that I’ll give up the pity party and give to the Shepherd and his children for
what he has given me. I’ll have the courage to say: Thanks be to God.
Grace & peace, Kendell Cameron
YtÅ|Äç _|yx
Pastor’s Pen
Y|Üáà UtÑà|áà V{âÜv{
300 S. Main St.
Mount Holly, NC 28120
Phone: 704-827-2481
Fax: 704-827-4525
Dr. Kendell Cameron, Pastor-704-214-1022
Rev. Marie Graeper, Minister of Children and
Communications Director-704-740-6360
Mr. Peter Haley, Interim Music Director334-301-4504
Mrs. Kim Payne, Administrative Assistant
www.fbcmountholly.org
Staff E-mail
kendell@fbcmountholly.org
mariegraeper@gmail.com
peterallenhaley@gmail.com
kimfbcmh@bellsouth.net
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
libraryfbcmh@bellsouth.net
Weekly Schedule
Sundays
8:55 AM
9:00 AM
9:00 AM
9:45 AM
10:55 AM
12:00 PM
5:00 PM
5:00 PM
6:00 PM
6:30 PM
Musical Preparation for Worship
Sunday Morning Praise Singing (Choir Room)
Library Open until 9:45 AM
Bible Study
Morning Worship
Library Open until 12:30 PM
Adult Handbells (Bellissimo)
Youth Deep Impact
Youth Snack Supper
Youth Choir (Genesis)
Tuesdays
11:00 AM Senior Adult Choir (Joy Choir)
Wednesdays
3:00 PM
4:00 PM
5:30 PM
6:00 PM
6:15 PM
6:45 PM
7:30 PM
Church Office Hours
8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Monday-Thursday
8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Friday
Closed for Lunch from
12:00-1:00 p.m.
If there is an emergency, you may
contact Kendell at 704-214-1022.
Messages left on the pastor’s voice
mail at church also go to his phone.
Tinkerbells (grades K-2)
Children’s Bells (Grades 3-5)
Family Fellowship Meal (Fellowship Hall)
Music Makers (Grades K-2), Young Musicians (Grades 3-5), Youth Bells (Exodus 1 & 2)
Adult Bible Study & Cherub Choir
RA’s, GA’s, Mission Friends, and Creative Arts Team
Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal