Nothing better than an update about a month late, right? That should show just how busy our fall/winter has been here in eastern KY. Here's a quick recap of September - November.
September marks a new Sunday School year for Baptist churches. We started one new Sunday School class, specifically for high schoolers. In addition, we were able to plug in 3 church members, previously not serving, in various positions of leadership. The nominating committee has now identified, I believe, only 7 faithful attenders who are not actively serving in a weekly capacity. Worshiping and serving together - it's important to church health!
In September, we were able to reestablish a church emergency food pantry. The church had one years ago, but it stopped and no one really could explain why. It's purpose is for emergency food - one or two meals at a time. We consistently have people contact us (James and I personally) because they don't have food for dinner or need a hygiene product. We're praying this pantry becomes a blessing to our community and a source of outreach with the gospel.
The first Sunday in October, we had a church dinner after church. These are always fun - sampling the tasty dishes everyone brings. Also, our church participated in the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes program. We were able to collect and send 40 boxes. Praying these boxes are blessings to the children who receive them. 143 children came through our annual Halloween Trunk or Treat. We were able to register those families and gave away two gift cards and a food basket. It was so COLD that night, but we had a good time together as a church family being kind to the families who braved the cold for candy. Ending the month, we were able to take our children/youth to the Crab Orchard Pumpkin Patch in Tazewell, VA. It was such a fun day of hayriding, pumpkin chunkin', playground playing, etc...
November began with Homecoming. It is the 124th anniversary of MBC. NAMB Missionary/ARM Director Bro. Bill Barker was our guest speaker. James and I have known Bro. Bill for about 10 years and are always blessed and encouraged when we spend time with him. His message encouraged our church to not only celebrate our church's past history but to look toward the future and continue to persevere in ministering in our community. Also in November, we took some of our teen girls to the WMU Acteen winter weekend in Ashland, KY. We stayed at Southland Bible Institute, which coincidentally used to be in Pikeville and their president is from Grapevine, only about 15 minutes from Mouthcard. It was a mini-Pike Co reunion up there. We enjoy Bible studies, hearing from missionaries, serving at a local community service center (The Neighborhood), playing games, and spending time with one another.
I'm sure I'm missing things we did. It's been a wild quarter with tons of busyness and ministry. December, so far, is proving to be just as busy. Looking forward to that Sabbath rest in heaven!
Praises
- Two baptisms: Adult B and tween C both professed faith in Jesus and were baptized this fall. C's family was the winner of one of our trunk or treat gift cards. So excited to see immediate fruit from that ministry.
- New baby! Married couple, C and L, gave birth to their second son, A this fall. So precious! Pray for this little one to come to know Jesus at an early age.
- Hudson has been asking a lot of salvation questions about following Jesus. I know he loves Jesus and believes in him. Knowing he's a sinner? Maybe? LOL It's exciting (and slightly frightening) to be having these type of serious conversations with a 5.5 year old. Prayers for wisdom and understanding appreciated.
Prayer Requests:
- New widows. We had three sweet ladies become widows this fall. All three having been married 40 years and more. Please be in prayer for these ladies as they face their first holidays without their sweet husbands. Pray for our church to be sensitive and intentional in ministering to them.
- New Sunday School Class. Be in prayer for the leaders: B and S as they teach well and reach out to prospective students.
- Discouragement. It's a nasty, persistent thorn in the flesh of those in ministry. Nasty stuff, it is. Please be in prayer for positive attitudes, refocusing on the calling of Jesus, and renewed love for our church and community.
- Health. James and I are both having some health issues. His is gastric in nature and mine is pain in my back. Neither are super serious, that we know of, but definitely annoying and inconvenient.
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