Old Greenbrier Baptist ChurchPO Box 456Alderson, WV 24910Pastor: Bill Bryan(304) 646-8631Ministers of Music:Dell & Nancy WoodCarolyn Holliday Treasurer:Charlotte MeltonCongregational Visitor:Peggy BollenbachOfficial Board, ChairBill HollidayOfficial Board, Vice-ChairJeff WillisStreet Address:301 North Monroe St.Church Phone:(304) 445-7854

Old GreenbriER

Baptist News2013

Non-ProfitPostage PermitNo. 32

Volume XVI No. XI

Church website: http://oldgreenbrierbaptistchurch.typepad.com/

Forwarding Service Requested

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S HEART

Although we sometimes neglect saying them, there are two words that we need to use with greater frequency in our daily lives. “Thank you” is the appropriate reply when someone blesses us with a kind action or a gift. In small things, like the opening of a door, or in larger things, like a special gift, our response should be one of gratitude and thanks giving to the giver. I believe the biggest thank you we give in our lives must be to God for he has given us the greatest gift of all—abundant and eternal life in Jesus Christ. But what a high price God paid to give his gift to us. The costliness of God’s special gift to us should inspire in us not only thanks giving but also thanks living. Our “thank you” to God should be given in more than just words. Although we can never earn the salvation we have in Jesus or pay God back for his sacrifice on the cross, I believe the best “thank you” we can give to God is our own sacrificial living for him. God calls us to join him by taking up our crosses and by sacrificing ourselves daily in service to others in his name. Such sacrificial living includes giving tithes and offerings, personally sharing the good news of Jesus with those who need it, and engaging in kingdom ministry in our church by putting our talents and spiritual gifts to work serving others in Jesus’ name. The heart of Thanksgiving is giving thanks. How are you giving thanks to God for his indescribable gift to you? Begin by saying “thank you” in a prayer lifted to him right now. Then consider how in this week you will act on your words by giving sacrificially to meet the needs of others around you. Saying “thank you” to God begins by giving yourself to him and continues by sacrificially giving yourself for him

that others might

Christmas Cantata Singers Needed

join you in an ever swelling chorus of thanks giving to God.

The next Men’s Community Prayer Breakfast will be Saturday, December 7th at 8am at Old Greenbrier Baptist.

1 – Stacy HarrisMargaret Shelton

4 – Wayne Dotson 5 – Rick Parker 14 – Danny Joe Craft 15 – Joyce Lehmann 17 – Trina Forbes

Jamie Massey 18 – Frances Canterbury 19 – Dorothy Taylor

Jack Taylor 20 – Anthony Bowden

Bill Gadd 22 – Bill Bollenbach 28 – Kaitlyn Hunter

1 2Men’sBreakfastROL ~ 8a

3Communion SundayS School ~ 9:45aWorship ~ 11a

Reach OutVisits ~ 3p

4Women’sBible Study ~ 6:30p

5 6Bible Study ~ 6:30pCantata Practice ~ 7:30p

7Ruth Thurmond Circle ~ 1p

8 9

10S School ~ 9:45aWorship ~ 11aOfficial Bd. ~ noon

11 12 13Bible Study ~ 6:30pCantata Practice ~ 7:30p

14Pack Food Pantry ~ 9a

15Food Pantry~9a

16

17S School ~ 9:45aWorship ~ 11a

Reach OutVisits ~ 3p

18 19 20 Bible Study ~ 6:30pCantata Practice ~ 7:30p

21 22 23

24S School ~ 9:45aWorship ~ 11aThanksgivers’Luncheon ~ noon

25 26 27Community Service - ROL~ 7:00p Cantata Practice ~ 8:00p

28 29 30

Myers Mission in Mexico

Our adult choir has begun preparation of “Bethlehem Morning” for the coming Christmas season. If you are interested in participating in the cantata, please join with the choir on Wednesday evenings at 7:30pm.

Our choir is open for participation by anyone from the community who would like to join us in preparation of this cantata. Please spread the word to anyone who might like to participate. We look forward to this annual musical celebration of Christ’s birth.

Our Finance Team meets on a regular basis to monitor our church budget and spending. Thank you for your regular tithes and special offerings. Each month, we want to present an overview of where we are financially.

General Fund for the Month Ended September 30, 2013:Beginning Balance $ 6,932.19 + Offering/Interest $ 10,658.51 + Build The Treasury $ 790.00 − Total Expenses $ 14,110.35Ending Balance $ 3,650.29

2013 Offering Totals as of September 30, 2013Build The Treasury Goal: $18,000 Received:$11,448 (64%)America for Christ Goal: $ 2,013 Received: $1,204 (60%)One Great Hour Goal: $ 1,500 Received: $1,530 (102%)World Mission Offering Goal: $ 1,500 Received: $ 900 (60%)

Build The Treasury – In 2013 our planned budget needs require sustained BTT giving of $18,000 above our basic tithes for the entire year ($1,500/month). Our BTT challenge for 2013 is a little behind at this point in the year. So, we must continue to sustain our uncommon giving to the glory of God.

Mission Offerings – This month we exceeded our giving goal for the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering. During the months of October and November we are receiving our World Mission Offering. We must continue to pray and give to these important offerings that support the work of God’s kingdom in the United States and around the world.

Thank you for giving to Build The Treasury, our Building Fund, and missions offerings—over and above your regular tithe. We faithfully continue to care for our church facility and to reach out to the world with the good news of Jesus Christ.

Keith and Debbie Myers and their children Baille and Boyden are fellow West Virginians and ABC, USA missionaries to Mexico. Our church giving, through ABC, USA and our annual WMO, supports their work. Here is an excerpt from their latest newsletter.

It has been seven months since we came to Costa Rica for language school. My, how time flies! We have celebrated many victories since we arrived and felt many frustrations as well. Keith and I are finishing up our second semester, and the kids are going back to school from their summer break. We have one more semester. Keith and I are tackling a few new ministries at the school. Keith is going to be chaplain with another man at the school. We have two chapels a week. I am coordinating an empleada Bible study once a week. Our neighbor has agreed to teach the Bible study for us because it needs to be in Spanish. (I’m not quite there yet. . . lol.) Once a month we have a chapel service in Spanish for the teachers to attend. I’m going to be helping with that chapel as well. We are blessed that Boyden and Baillie have adjusted to living in another country. We knew they were adjusted when Boyden took a Pop Tart out of the box, and there were ants all over it. He just brushed them off and put it in the toaster and ate it! Baillie tells

everyone that the ants are added protein. We are very humbled by the love of God for our family. We are learning to rely on Him more and more each day! Thank you for your continued prayers and support. Mexico is right around the corner!

You can follow the Myers family between newsletters by following their blog, journals on the International Ministries website or visiting their FaceBook page.

Blog: http://myersfamilymissions.blogspot.comIM website: www.internationalministries.org/teams/389-myers-

debbie-and-keithFaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/MyersMissionInMexico

NEWS from Debbie MulneixDebbie Mulneix is a fellow West Virginian and has been an ABC, USA missionary to India and Nepal. Her ministry assignment is changing to the Phillipines. Our church giving, through ABC, USA and our annual WMO, supports Debbie’s work. Here is an excerpt from her latest newsletter.

Many of you will remember that when I attempted to re-enter india last year, my visa was disallowed. An un-planned trip to the US was ticketed, and I have been there since. I applied for a new visa to India earlier this year, but it was denied.

In May, I was able to visit with Samaritana Transformation Ministries (STM) in Manila. Samaritana is “committed to sharing and living out the Gospel among Filipino women caught in prostitution, in partnership with other members of the Body of Christ.” The organization became a partner with Internaitonal Ministries just last year, and I plan to be joining them in ministry in October.

The beginning years of STM focused on: 1) the study of Biblical perspective, 2) reaching out to women, and 3) sharing the vision with churches. Thelma Nambu, Executive Director, formed STM as a non-government organization in 1992. Two years later, the drop-in program was established. By offering women a place of hope, STM allows them to realize who they are and who they can become with God’s help.

I would like to thank all of you who have upheld me in prayer and continued financial support for the last few months. It has meant so much to me. The time here has been filled with challenges and changes that were unforeseen, and often un-welcome, but we were able to address them and our faith is stronger because of them. Please pray for:

1) Women, children, and men who are caught up in trafficking and prostitution around the world.

2) Men and women who risk their lives to help eliminate human trafficking.

3) Organizations like Samaritana, Deborah’s House, Night Light, and Miqlat that provide shelter, training, and the love of God, as they minister to these people.

4) Although I feel fine, my arthritis has become an increasing challenge.

Debbie Mulneix

Todah, the Hebrew word for “giving thanks,” also means

“admitting, confessing, acknowledging.” That might seem odd, but when we thank someone, we’re acknowledging we needed what they gave us. Rabbi Daniel Lapin explains we’re even confessing we were incomplete, or experiencing a shortcoming, beforehand.

Gratitude is so important for the Jewish life that the Hebrew root words for “giving thanks/confessing” and for “Jew” are closely related. A Jewish person, then, is “one who both confesses and gives thanks” – actions crucial to the well-being of the receiver, even more than for the giver.

Christians, too, treat confession and thanksgiving as significant aspects of faith, prayer, and worship. While we confess that we wholly depend on God for our life and

Two Sides of Gratitude

Women’s Bible Study – Book of James

salvation, we offer daily gratitude to God for his countless blessings.

??? Bible Quiz ???Some churches observe National Bible Week in November. According to 2 Timothy, which of the following are ways that God intends for us to use Scripture?

A. Teaching and training in righteousnessB. Equipping God’s children for good worksC. Reproof and correctionD. All of the above

Answer: D (See 2 Timothy 3:16-17.)

Prayer Needs as of October 27th

Pastor Saeed Abedini and familyFrank Adkins (friend of Curtis Pauley)Lonnie AkersPeggy BollenbachCleveland Bradley (brother of Joe Bradley)Barbara BradleyNathan BradleyAnna CarrTeresa Catron (Jo Honaker’s friend)Bill Cohenour (Rose Carter’s brother)Jo CombsBill CorkerDanny CraftKathy Daniels (Bill Gadd’s daughter)Evan Day (Jack Taylor’s cousin’s husband)“Lake” EaryDonna Eskins (friend of Sylvia Keaton)Orvetta FitzwaterMike Fugate (friend of Chad McCallister)Vivian Gonzales (Jo Honaker’s aunt)Betty HighlanderJean Himes (friend of Diana Taylor)Bob HollidayCharles & BettyHollidayCharles HollidayRed HonakerRichard & Orah HonakerMadelene Howard (Carolyn Knapp’s sister)Jim JohnsonDolin KirbyRodney KnappBetty Linkenhoker (sister of C. Grimmett)Lori Loggins (niece of Anne Parker)Rick Massey (brother of Bud Massey)

Kristen McCallisterPaul McCallister Debbie McInelly (Donna Simm’s sister)Mary Ann Milam (friend of P. Bollenbach)John & Betty Miles (uncle/aunt B/B Holliday)Rob Mott (friend of Carolyn Knapp)Cindy Parker (hip replacement 8/2)James Adrian ParkerJimmy ParkerLevi Pugliani (grandson of Bob&Gayle LaRue)John Quick (friend of Meltons)Buck QuillenVern Richmond (Karla Merritt’s father)Tom RoushDave ScottChristine SmithJewell Smith

Tammy Smith SkaggsBob Surgeon (friend of Lawrence Lewis)Valerie TaylorCarolyn WebbLyndall Wiley (cousin of Leonard Carter)Stephanie Williams (niece of Donna Simms)Melanie Whitaker (Barbara Taylor’s sister)Crystal WileyDolphis Wood (uncle of Dell Wood)

ALL TROOPS In Our Armed ForcesRandy Fleshman (Germany)Katie Hunter (home)

Jess Phillips (home)Brent Taylor (Greg & Barb Taylor’s son, Grandson of Dorothy Taylor)

Church Family Shut-inMary Lou Bowden Ernestine LightFrances Canterbury Juanita RookstoolMamie Copeland Louise UtterbackHarriett Dancy

Government Officials Heads of StateStudents and teachers: Joseph Bryan, Bethany Burdette, Hannah Griffin, Holli Harris, Cynthia Huffman, Jamie & Stephanie Massey, Rhys Rogers, Kari Still, Stephanie Willis, Brennan Wood

Note: Please notify church office 304 445-7854 to delete or add to prayer list.

Ladies: Do you know about the twelve tribes, trials, perseverance, and wisdom? What

Reach Out Old Greenbrierdoes it mean that a rich man will pass away? You will learn about these things and much more as we study the Book of James.On Monday, November 4 at 6:30pm all ladies of the church and community are invited to our church parlor to begin a study of the Book of James. Refreshments, games, prayer, and songs will be enjoyed by all. Contact Deborah Bryan for more information.

This month we will launch an outreach to non-attending members of our church. Members interested in helping with this ministry will meet in Fellowship Hall at 3pm on Sunday, November 3 and 17. We have many members who are able to attend church but for unknown reasons do not. We will reach out to these non-attending members to see how we can better meet their

needs and restore them to regular fellowship and

worship.If you would be willing to be part of Reach Out Old Greenbrier, please join us on November 3 and 17. We will visit in teams of at least two. This is a loving response to reach out and engage the members of our church that God has placed with us for ministry. Be in prayer for this critical ministry outreach.