Answered Prayers

Thank you to everyone who prayed for Vicki Jones, (Bev & Gary Jones daughter-in- law) and Rosemary Jones.  They both have received good reports.

Thanksgiving Fellowship

The church Thanksgiving fellowship dinner will be Sunday, November 21st after services. There will be a sign-up sheet in the foyer for anyone interested in helping cook a turkey, serve, or bring a dessert. If you have any questions, contact Karen Robbins.

Change of Address

Please update your directory addresses for Chase & Haylee Carothers, their address is: 422 Moose Ridge Road, Woodsfield, Ohio 43793 and for Bryant and Lakin Arnold, their address is: 735 Frontage Drive, Moundsville, WV 26041.

Perseverance

The other week I heard a preacher friend make this statement (he had heard it from someone else): “You weather the weather whatever the weather, whether you like it or not.”  Say that 10 times fast!  I paused a minute to take it all in.  Life can be discouraging, can’t it?  If you are blessed to live long enough, there is no doubt that you will encounter difficulty, hard times, and discouragement.  In those moments, we have a choice—do we quit or keep going?

I was visiting with an older member this week.  They are a member of the Greatest Generation, and we were talking about all of their life experiences—lots of difficulty.  As I was thinking about all they had been through—the Great Depression, WW2, social upheaval, incredible personal loss—I was reminded of how important it is to persevere.  When life throws its curveballs, we can give up or keep going.  If we give up, we forfeit the opportunity to learn, grow, be challenged and transformed into Christ’s image.

Can you imagine if Jesus gave up?  Well before the cross, He encountered difficulty.  Loss of family, rejection from family, persecution from the religious elite, homelessness, poverty…the list goes on.  It would have been easy for Him to throw in the towel.  I’m glad He didn’t.  I’m glad He gave us the example of perseverance, and because of His perseverance, we have eternal life.

At the end of the II Timothy, Paul knows he is about to die.  He writes to Timothy and says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” (4:7-8)

Don’t give up.  Keep going.  Weather the weather.  There’s a crown waiting for you.

      -Scott McFarland

Operation Christmas Child

Angela Beardmore will be packing boxes for Operation Christmas Child on Saturday, October 23rd in the Fellowship Building. All supplies for the boxes will be provided. If you would be interested in helping her to pack the boxes, please contact Angela.

Change of Address

Paige Gauding has moved to her new home in Marietta, Ohio. Please update your church directory with her new address: 115 Becker Lane, Marietta, OH 45750. We congratulate Paige and pray many blessings for her in her new home.

Bulletin Bloopers

Usually, I use this space to share something thoughtful, encouraging, convicting, etc.  Every so often, something comes to me that fits none of those categories I mentioned but this is just too good not to share.  This was shared with me, and I thought you would enjoy these bulletin bloopers as well.  The next time you see a typo in the bulletin, remember this—it could be worse! 

• Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled.  Proceeds will be used to cripple children.

• The outreach committee has enlisted 25 visitors to make calls on people who are not afflicted with any church.

• Ushers will eat latecomers.

• The Rev. Merriwether spoke briefly, much to the delight of the audience.

• The pastor will preach his farewell message, after which the choir will sing, “Break Forth Into Joy.”

• Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community.

• During the absence of our pastor, we enjoyed the rare privilege of hearing a good sermon when J.F. Stubbs took over our pulpit.

• The church garage sale will be held this Saturday.  This is a good chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house.  Bring your husbands.

• Weight Watchers will meet in the basement at 7:00 pm.  Please use the large double doors at the side entrance.

       -Scott McFarland

Thank You

To the ladies that quilted Winston’s blanket, thank you. It is beautiful, and I can’t tell you how much it means to us. To some it might just seem like a blanket, but we know the work, time and effort it takes to make a quilt and we are so grateful. Every patch placed was placed with love and the thought of a child in mind. I pray one day Winston will appreciate the love that was put into this blanket. I know Ryan and I do. Thank you. Your work does not go unnoticed and believe me it means a lot-a graduation gift, a wedding gift, a baby gift. A quilt is something that can last a lifetime, and I can’t wait to tell Winston about the wonderful ladies that made him this quilt were the exact same ladies that helped raise his mom and teach her about our Lord and Savior.

        -With Love, Ryan, Whitney, and Winston

M.A.G.I. Box Donation September

Yo-yo or bandana.

V.B.S. Recap

A huge THANK YOU to all that made Knights of North Castle shine! The teachers, decorations,crafters, preacher, puppeteers, techies, leaders, donators, kithcheneers, bakers, behind the scenes and recreation. So many contributed to make this a success, but most of all thanks all the newly dubbed knights! We love our children