The Jonesboro Heights Baptist Church ANNOUNCER Jonesboro Heights Baptist Church 316 W. Main Street Sanford, North Carolina 27332 Telephone: (919) 776-1541 . Fax: (919) 776-6813 . www.jhbc.org VOLUME 52 DECEMBER 2015 ISSUE 609 Senior Pastor Dr. Calvin Sayles [email protected]Associate Pastor Rev. Ronald L. Byrd Music and Education [email protected]Associate Pastor Rev. Richard L. Wood Family Ministry [email protected]Church Administrator Mr. Richard Sistrunk [email protected]Administrative Assistant Mrs. Marva Lee Roush [email protected][email protected]Pastor Emeritus Rev. Gilbert W. McDowell Pianist Mrs. Kimberly Morrill Nursery Staff Mrs. Ann Wester Ms. Emma Cowfer OUR CHILDREN’S CHOIRS (J.A.M. and S.L.A.M.) will present their CHRISTMAS CAROLS AND SCRIPTURE Sunday, December 6, 2015 at 6:00 PM Reception immediately following in McDowell Hall NOEL Saturday, December 12, 2015 at 7:30 PM (Doors will open at 6:45 PM) Sunday, December 13, 2015 at 3:30 PM (Doors will open at 2:45 PM) Sunday, December 13, 2015 at 7:30 PM (Doors will open at 6:45 PM) You are cordially invited to our Sanctuary Choir Christmas Musical Night of Everlasting Love Created and Arranged by Derric Johnson Directed by Rev. Ronald Byrd Jonesboro Heights Baptist Church 316 West Main Street, Sanford, NC 27332 Directed By Vanessa Wade Richard Sistrunk Accompanist Patrick Snipes
Transcript
The Jonesboro Heights Baptist Church
ANNOUNCER
Jonesboro Heights Baptist Church 316 W. Main Street Sanford, North Carolina 27332
OUR CHILDREN’S CHOIRS (J.A.M. and S.L.A.M.) will present their
CHRISTMAS CAROLS AND SCRIPTURE
Sunday,
December 6, 2015 at 6:00 PM
Reception immediately
following in McDowell Hall
NOEL
Saturday, December 12, 2015 at 7:30 PM (Doors will open at 6:45 PM)
Sunday, December 13, 2015 at 3:30 PM (Doors will open at 2:45 PM)
Sunday, December 13, 2015 at 7:30 PM (Doors will open at 6:45 PM)
You are cordially invited to our
Sanctuary Choir Christmas Musical
Night of Everlasting Love Created and Arranged by
Derric Johnson
Directed by Rev. Ronald Byrd
Jonesboro Heights Baptist Church
316 West Main Street, Sanford, NC 27332
Directed By
Vanessa Wade Richard Sistrunk
Accompanist
Patrick Snipes
From the Senior Pastor’s Desk
Jeremiah 33:14 "Behold, days are coming,' declares the LORD, "when I will fulfill the good word which I have spoken concerning the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15 "In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch of David to spring forth; and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth.” ‘Longing’ is kind of a strange word and one that we don’t hear much in our culture. Perhaps the most common usage is something like, ‘I sure have a ‘craving’ for Chinese food!’ But that’s not really the same thing.
Certainly there have been times in my life when I have felt a longing. I remember as a boy longing for Christmas vacation. I wasn’t a very good student and so I longed for the pain of school to be over. I longed for a two week recess! And longed to open that square box that could easily hold a basketball! That was my hope anyway. Much later, God gave me my one true love. After we were married, the Army would send me on deployments and Sandy would send me cassette tapes. I would sneak off by myself at the first opportunity so I could listen to her sweet voice. She told stories, and sang a funny song with her friend, and for the first time in my life I felt a love and a longing I had never known before. I would count the days and hope that we would be able to go home as soon as we could. ‘Longing’; more than a desire, or a craving, but a yearning hunger borne out of a great and unfulfilled need. Isn’t it strange that we hardly ever hear or talk about longing for God? There are certainly many accounts of longing for God in the Scriptures. In the days of the Prophet Jeremiah, the people longed for Him.
Could it be because of our great abundance, that we feel little need for a Savior? Could it be that the mental and spiritual illness of rampant commercialism has numbed our spirits? Could it be because of the frantic pace we keep; Black Friday, that now begins on Thursday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday that now lasts a week, Travel Tuesday…parties and dinners, that we have no time to reflect on our greatest need of all? Could it be that with the constant drone of electronics has drowned out the voice of the Spirit of God?
Why all this talk of longing and hope? Can’t we just celebrate? I think the answer is this; if we ignore, or even confess our need, but place our hope in worldly things – we will surely be disappointed. Every single time! But if we confess our need and know our HOPE is ONLY in Christ Jesus, then surely our hope will be fulfilled!
Isaiah 43:11 says, ‘I, even I, am the LORD, and there is no savior besides Me.’ He SHOULD be our hope and our longing. And in Him we will find true joy throughout this Christmas season and the year.
Sandy and I are so very thankful to be part of this family of faith. Our hope and prayer for you is that Christ will be at the very center of your Christmas celebrations, and in Him you will find great joy!
Merry Christmas! Cal and Sandy
I love this time of year for many reasons. On one hand, all my favorite sports are going on during this time. On the other hand, Christmas is coming soon! Of course, we all know that it’s a time to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, but it’s not a celebration that is just spontaneous. It’s a celebration we must prepare for. This is the purpose of Advent – a time where we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, but also a time of preparation in the knowledge that Christ will come again. As part of this time of preparation, I’m sure it’s easy to get all busy and stressed out in making sure everything is together for December 25th. I confess that I’ve done that before. Since I’m someone who likes to plan things out, one intentional thing I’ve always done around this time of year is to slow down and not plan so much. For me, Advent is a time of reflection this past year and a time to think about hopes and dreams for the year ahead. In all our preparations for celebration, I hope each of us will take some time to sit and reflect about 2015 and think about the hope, peace, love and joy each of us can experience and share with other people in 2016. I know Thanksgiving has passed, but I am thankful for all of our volunteers who put in several hours on a Saturday for Hallelujah Harvest. While we had to move indoors because of the weather, the turnout was definitely more than last year. Also, thanks to the leadership of our Children’s Ministry Team for their organizational efforts in making this event happen. Just to give you a couple of updates. Our Youth Christmas Party will be on Wednesday, December 16, 6:00-8:00 PM in the Youth Center. Each youth will need to bring a $5.00 gender-neutral gift. As part of the party, we will be working on a small mission project as well. The Preschool and Children’s Departments will have their Christmas party during the Sunday School hour on December 13. More information will be coming soon to your bulletins. One other note for youth parents is that our informational meeting for our 2016 Summer Mission Trip will be on Wednesday, December 9 at 7:30 PM in the Youth Center. All youth parents are encouraged to attend. Finally, Beth, Megan and I wish all of you a blessed Advent season and a Merry Christmas this year. May you all experience the presence of Christ in a special way. Blessings, Rich
Canada Summer Mission Trip
Informational Meeting
December 9, 7:30 PM Youth Center
Wednesday, December 16 6:00-8:00 PM Youth Center
Bring a $5 gift for the gift exchange.
NOTES FROM REV. RONNIE MARY, DID YOU KNOW?
A little history less on how this became one of the
most popular songs written.
The Christmas song “Mary, Did You Know?”
describes in detail on what Mary might have been
thinking about the miracle of Jesus’ birth.
“Mary, Did You Know?” is very descriptive in
pointing out that Jesus wasn’t just a baby, but that He
had already “walked where angels trod” in heaven. In
addition to describing the many ways that Jesus will
fulfill His mission on earth, and it ends by asking Mary
does she know that “..your Baby Boy/is heaven’s
perfect Lamb? This sleeping Child you’re holding is
the Great, I Am.”
Mary Lowry, a Christian comedian, wrote the
words to “Mary, Did You Know?” for a Christmas
musical in his church. Mark was trying to imagine
what Mary would have been thinking while she was
holding Baby Jesus on that first Christmas. As well as
questions that he would like to ask her came to him.
The actors in the Christmas musical recited the
questions that Lowry had written for Mary in between
scenes of the musical that year. Afterward, Lowry sensed that the lyrics needed to be in song form, so
he and harmonica player Buddy Greene collaborated and in 1990 Greene wrote the music using the
lyrics of Mary Lowry.
Please take the time to use the song for one of your devotionals. Close your eyes as you listen to the
song. As your eyes are closed and you are completely focused, you will be able to envision the Greatest
Story ever told.
MARY, DID YOU KNOW?
By Mark Lowry
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy will one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your Baby Boy has come to make you new?
This Child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy will calm a storm with His hand?
Did you know that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little Baby, you have kissed the face of God.
The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of The Lamb.
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your Baby Boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping Child you're holding is the Great I Am.
The Deacons met on Monday, November 2, 2015. Belinda Bond led our devotional and shared listening techniques that we could all use in being better communicators. Family Ministry reports were shared by each deacon.
We then shared prayer requests and spent time praying for needs and requests that were shared.
Staff reports were shared. Richard Sistrunk shared that 14 families were given assistance through our Benevolence Fund during the month of October.
We discussed “Vision 2017” and the projects that are progressing. How exciting it is to see many projects like the front brick walkway, the playground, the van, the old fellowship hall, and the sanctuary being worked
on or completed!
We ended our meeting by looking forward to the December calendar and the many activities taking place at our church. As you read this newsletter, take time to pray for outreach opportunities for our church, wisdom and
discernment for our church leaders, and for our church families that are going through difficult times.
We serve a great God! Let us take time during this busy month to honor Him
today!
NEWS FROM WMU Submitted by Mary Hawley Oates
BECAUSE OF WHO HE IS
And because you give we can send missionaries to the billions who have yet to hear.
The Week of Prayer for International Missions is November 30 through
December 6, 2015. This begins our efforts to come together to pray, learn more about the work of the missionaries and to give. Our JHBC Lottie Moon Christmas Offering goal is $5000 but we need to give much more.
Missionaries will be "laid off" unless we help raise the funds to send them to those who do not know Jesus. You will hear more each Sunday from our
missionaries. The children's sermon on December 6, 2015 will focus on Lottie Moon.
Our missions study will be held Wednesday night, December 9, 2015 at 6:15 PM during prayer and bible study time. Pray, study and give. That is the
least we can do!
GROUP HUG!
And what a God loving, priceless
group you are. How in the world
could we express a gratitude deep enough to David and
Angie Chestnutt for literally saving Stewart’s life? How
can we ever express how eternally grateful we are to
each and everyone of you who surrounded our family
with true love and concern in the most wonderful, sincere
ways? God heard your prayers, and through you,
wrapped His loving arms around us.
I wish someone would invent a word or phase to
sufficiently express the very depths of true, heartfelt
gratitude. Now that I think about it, I guess it HAS
already been invented—GOD IS LOVE. All we each
need to do is to believe and accept it and in turn SHOW
it to others which you certainly did for us more than
abundantly. What you might not have realized was that
others were watching with wide eyed wonder and
amazement. What a Godly witness you are! You just
naturally live your witness every day. We are so blessed
and humbled.
From the depths of our hearts,
GOD IS LOVE!
Stewart and Elaine Tyner & Family
==================================
Dear Jonesboro Heights Baptist Church,
Please know that you and your church family help make
the happy, secure, and hopeful lives of the Older Adults
in our care possible via your financial support of our
ministry. Please also know that the monies that your
congregation has contributed are used exclusively to
help underwrite the cost of providing care to Seniors who
cannot afford to pay for the quality institutional service
they both need and deserve.
Sincerely,
William B. Stillerman
Baptist Retirement Homes of NC, Inc.
==================================
Dear JHBC,
On behalf of CUOC Board of Directors, we want to
thank you for your recent monetary donation. Your
generous support will help CUOC in funding it’s food
assistance program. Thanks again and God Bless,
Sincerely,
CUOC
==================================
Dear Jonesboro Heights Baptist Church,
Thank you for your generous and thoughtful gift! I
appreciate your confidence in Baptist Children’s Homes
and your strong, heart-felt desire to make a difference in
the lives of the children and families we serve. Thank
you again for your generosity, which allows Baptist
Children’s Homes to continue to be the anchor of hope
for hurting children and families across North Carolina
and beyond.
With kindness,
Michael C. Blackwell, President
Baptist Children’s Homes of NC, Inc.
HAPPY
BIRTHDAY December 1—Richard Sistrunk & Roy Lowe
December 3—Sadie Byrd
December 4—Randy Burge
Richard Blakley & Beth Cockman-Wood
December 5—Lorena Batchelor
December 7—Erline Kelly
Sharon Howell & Rebekah Walters
December 9—Kaye Cummings
December 10—Roger Vance
December 11—Sandra Ward & Theresa Smith
December 13—Tommy Brooks
December 14 - Pat Brown
December 16 - Ann Laton & Brittany Oest
December 17—Lucy Maddox & Ann Vo
December 18—Shirley Holt & Claire Cummings
December 19 - Pamela Mattocks & Nicole Garrett
December 20—Lee Patterson & Sylvia Howard
December 21—Johnna Lawrence
December 22—Carolyn Marsh
December 23—Cleona Moore & Miles Bowen
December 24 - Ernie Gaster
Justin Howell & Katlynn Premo
December 25—Jennifer Sturm
December 26 - Cinda Turnage
Gene Rouse & Ashton Malloch Warlick
December 27—Carey Coleman
December 31—Rosie Farrier
CITY ON A HILL NEWS
From David, Heather and Jyoti Webb
Greetings from Mussoorie! It’s cold here but the skies are a bright blue
with many lovely views of the mountains this time of year. We are thankful to live
and serve in a place that testifies to the majesty of God through the beauty of His
creation all around us.
November was a busy month for us. We were thankful to work with the 5th
and 6th Graders on their Religious Education retreat. The theme of the retreat was
“Making Wise Choices.” Heather led a session on the Prodigal Son. In her talk she
focused on God’s grace and forgiveness even when we make bad choices.
Students were asked to make a list of their bad choices and we burned their papers to symbolize God’s
complete forgiveness when you call on His name. During the retreat, David helped with small group
discussion time and audio-visual needs. It was really a good retreat and an excellent time of sharing with our
students. Many seeds were planted and watered during this retreat and for that we are very thankful.
Our Christmas Chapel service also took place in November. David played a large part in planning the
service, which featured actors giving an account of the first Christmas night from the point of view of Mary,
Joseph, the Shepherds, and the Wise Men. The service was designed to tell God’s Story of love and
forgiveness. Please pray that the true meaning of the Christmas story will take root in the lives of those who
heard it that day for the first time.
In early December, we will have our end of the semester concerts and Christmas Plays as well.
Heather will be directing lots of musicals and plays during the last two weeks of school. Please pray that her
work honors the Lord and shares His story well!
We are so excited that we will welcome our first family visitors in early December. David’s parents
will be joining us for two weeks in December in order to met Jyoti in person. Jyoti is so excited and is
counting down the days until their arrival. This year will be a different experience for us, as we will not leave
the country during our winter break as we are still in the process of applying for Jyoti’s passport. We will
miss visiting you all and hearing the wonderful Christmas music at JHBC. However, we are thankful to spend
our first Christmas as a family together this year and look forward to showing Jyoti around her birth country
some more while we are on our school break.
We wish all of our family at JHBC a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Dear Friends,
Thank you for your gift
Supporting the ministry of The
Gideons International. Your donation is helping place
Scriptures wherever they’re needed most—in the U.S.
and other lands—to those who desperately need to know
the Lord’s love, hope, and salvation...including our
precious youth.
Gideons have been providing Scriptures to
students in the 5th through 12th grades for nearly 70
years. We praise God for how His Word continues to
make an eternal difference.
We thank God for generous supporters like you
who enable Gideons worldwide to continue sharing The
Good News of Jesus Christ!
Yours in Christ,
Craig Warner
Executive Director
The Gideons International
Dear Fellow Christians,
Outreach Missions, Inc.
would like to thank you for your
generous monetary donation. The continued support
from churches, individuals in the community, and the
grace of God assist us in maintaining our Women’s
Homeless Shelter and the Men’s Homeless Shelter.
Also, as a Christian based organization, it
gives us the opportunity to be a light to many who are
lost. We look forward to continued partnership as we
strive to do as Jesus taught.
Yours in Christ,
Claire Hunt
Corresponding Secretary
Outreach Mission, Inc.
IN MEMORY OF KIM BROWN
To the Vision 2017 Fund > By Avron and Mary Upchurch
IN MEMORY OF DORIS BURKHEAD
To the Vision 2017 Fund > By Maydell Baker
IN MEMORY OF MARIE HARPER
To the Property Debt Reduction Fund > By Stanley and Sylvia Howard
IN MEMORY OF BILL HOLT
To the Benevolence Fund > By James and Melba Kelly
To the Vision 2017 Fund > By Maydell Baker
> By Avron and Mary Upchurch
IN MEMORY OF ISMAEL RIVERA To the Benevolence Fund
> By the Joyful Generation Sunday School Class
To the Vision 2017 Fund > By Avron and Mary Upchurch
IN HONOR OF REV. RONNIE BYRD
To the Vision 2017 Fund > By Tony and Agnes Kelly
IN HONOR OF ART & JANICE COLEMAN
To the Benevolence Fund > By James and Daphine Tolliver
IN HONOR OF BEVERLY COLEMAN
To the Vision 2017 Fund > By James and Daphine Tolliver
IN HONOR OF REV. GILBERT MCDOWELL
To the Vision 2017 Fund > By Tony and Agnes Kelly
IN HONOR OF DR. CAL SAYLES
To the Vision 2017 Fund > By Tony and Agnes Kelly
IN HONOR OF BILLY & JEAN WALKER
To the Baptist Children’s Home > By James and Daphine Tolliver
IN HONOR OF
DAVID, HEATHER & JYOTI WEBB To the City on a Hill Fund
> By James and Daphine Tolliver
IN HONOR OF REV. RICHARD WOOD To the Vision 2017 Fund > By Tony and Agnes Kelly
THANKS TO ALL LISTED BELOW FOR THEIR GIFTS
WISHING YOU AND YOUR
FAMILY A
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND
A HAPPY 2016 NEW YEAR!
DECEMBER SPECIAL EVENTS
December 1 - 7:30 AM Men’s Prayer Meeting 6:30 PM Building and Grounds Meeting
December 2 - 7:30 PM Youth Ministry Team Meeting December 3 - 12:00 PM Senior Christmas Luncheon
December 6 - 6:00 PM Children’s Choirs Christmas Musical
December 7 - 6:30 PM Deacons Meeting
December 8 - 7:00 AM Adults Travel to OCC Charlotte
7:30 AM Men’s Prayer Meeting 2:00 PM Virginia Oliver WMU Group
