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The Roll Up Yonder vs. The Roll Down Here

(This month we have a guest columnist: my youngest brother, Curt Tyra. Curt is an engineer for Allison Transmission, has served as an elder in Gray Road Baptist Church in Indianapolis, and is one of the finest men I’ve ever known in my life. When I grow up, I want to be like him. Curt wrote this article for Gray Road’s newsletter, and I thought it was worth sharing with you. And yes, I got his permission. I told him I might even give him credit. So here’s the article. I hope you find it as thought-provoking as I did. – Pastor David)

The old hymn that my grandparents sang said, “When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore, And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.”  The roll call imagined in this song would be from a perfect listing of the true followers of Christ.

Contrast this roll with the membership roll of any local church, and you will find yourself confronted with some harsh realities.  While the membership of a given church may be made up of many true believers, the reality of our experience and the testimony of Scripture is that unbelievers can slip into our fellowship unnoticed.

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Christmas Update for Sunday, December 25, 2022

🎄 Merry Christmas! 🎄

On the Welcome Center there are envelopes for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. Lottie Moon was a single lady missionary to China over 100 years ago. She wrote letters challenging American churches to send more support and workers to mission fields. After her death, an annual offering for world missions was named in her honor. This is a free will offering, and every bit of the money raised goes directly to the support of international missionaries. Donations for the Lottie Moon Offering will be collected through today, Christmas Sunday, December 25th.

There will be no Evening Service this Sunday in order to allow more time for families to gather on Christmas.

This Wednesday, December 28th at 6:30 pm our normal Bible Study and Prayer time will resume. Come and bring your baby.

New Year’s Day is on Sunday this year. Sunday School and Morning Worship will be held as usual, but there will be no Evening Service on New Year’s Day to allow more time for family gatherings.

Weekly Update for Sunday, December 18, 2022

On the Welcome Center there are envelopes for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. Lottie Moon was a single lady missionary to China over 100 years ago. She wrote letters challenging American churches to send more support and workers to mission fields. After her death, an annual offering for world missions was named in her honor. This is a free will offering, and every bit of the money raised goes directly to the support of international missionaries. Donations for the Lottie Moon Offering will be collected through Christmas Sunday, December 25th.

There will be a brief Deacons meeting after the Sunday morning service.

This Wednesday, December 21st at 6:30 pm we will have our special Candlelight Christmas Service at 6:30 pm in the church sanctuary. This will be in lieu of our regular Wednesday Bible Study and Prayer Time. The sanctuary will be dimmed and lit with candles, with the Christmas carols projected on the screens. All the Christmas carols will be accompanied by classical guitar. Pastor David will also be telling how the story of how St. Nicholas began and giving chocolate coins to any children present.

Christmas Day is on Sunday this year. Sunday School and Morning Worship will be held as usual, but there will be no Evening Service on Christmas to allow more time for family gatherings. And chances are good that Pastor David will still have chocolate coins for any children present on Christmas morning, too.

Weekly Update for Sunday, December 11, 2022

In your bulletins this Sunday and on the Welcome Center there are envelopes for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. Lottie Moon was a single lady missionary to China over 100 years ago. She wrote letters challenging American churches to send more support and workers to mission fields. After her death, an annual offering for world missions was named in her honor. This is a free will offering, and every bit of the money raised goes directly to the support of international missionaries. Donations for the Lottie Moon Offering will be collected through Christmas Sunday, December 25th.

On Wednesday, December 21st at 6:30 pm we will have our Candlelight Christmas service in the church sanctuary. This will be in lieu of our regular Wednesday Bible Study and Prayer Time.

Christmas Day is on Sunday this year. Sunday School and Morning Worship will be held as usual, but there will be no Evening Service on Christmas to allow more time for families to gather.

Weekly Update for Sunday, December 4, 2022

This Sunday after the morning worship Service we will be having our Annual Business Meeting in the Fellowship Hall. A light lunch will be served first, then the meeting will begin. It is at this meeting that the church approves next year’s budget, and the new slate of officers and committees for the coming year. Everyone is welcome to eat lunch in the Fellowship Hall, even if you’re not staying for the Annual Business Meeting.

On Wednesday, December 21st at 6:30 pm we will have our Candlelight Christmas service in the church sanctuary. This will be in lieu of our regular Wednesday Bible Study and Prayer Time.

Christmas Day is on Sunday this year. Sunday School and Morning Worship will be held as usual, but there will be no Evening Service on Christmas to allow more time for families to gather.

There are sign-up sheets for Nursery, Bereavement, and Hospitality committee volunteers on the Welcome Center.

Weekly Update for Sunday, November 20, 2022

Official Board Meeting: this Sunday at 4:30 pm.

There will be no Wednesday service this week in order to prepare for Thanksgiving Day.

Our Annual Business meeting will be held on December 4th. After the morning service, there will be a simple lunch in the Fellowship Hall and the meeting will follow. Everyone is invited to stay for the dinner, even if you are not attending or participating in the meeting.

Nov. OCC items: Postage and prayer.