The Pastor’s Pen Reaching up to Jesus . . . Reaching out to the world . . .
Matthew 18: 1—4……..1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2 He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3 And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you CHANGE and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.NIV
The fall of the year is upon us, and we can easily see the signs of this beautiful season when God decorates the landscape with the many colors of the leaves. These leaves CHANGE colors and then they turn loose of their grasp on the limbs of the trees, only to fall silently to the earth and are soon forgotten. Do you ever just stop and think about the handy work of God, Who even in the small things, like the CHANGING of the colors of leaves, brings joy to our lives? For these leaves to be a beautiful blessing to us, they must CHANGE.
Jesus says in this Scripture that unless we humble ourselves as a little child, CHANGE, we cannot see the kingdom of God. CHANGE……I know, this word scares us to death. We know that CHANGE causes us to leave the comfort of our securities and step out by faith into the unknown. Our assurance in CHANGE is that even though we must step out into that which is unknown to us, our Lord has walked the path of the unknown and shows us the way in which we are to go. However, to make this joyous journey we must CHANGE.
The fall season means that we are about to find ourselves very busy with the holiday seasons that arrive just as quickly as those leaves that CHANGE colors and cover the ground.
By the way, as I write this article, there are only 49 shopping days left until Christmas. For this holiday season to be one where Christ is honored in all that you do, what CHANGES do you need to make that guarantee that Jesus will be glorified in your life? Some say the holiday season is for children, and I agree, however, as the children of God, this season is for us…..that we might celebrate the CHANGE Jesus has made in our hearts.
Humble ourselves as little children……Jesus is talking about CHANGE. May the blessings of this fall season encourage us to CHANGE for the glory of Christ, so that we might continue to….REACH UP TO JESUS…….REACH OUT TO THE WORLD……CHANGE!!! Glenda and I love you.
Always Reaching For Jesus,
Bro. C
Galatians 6: 14
Correction: Week of prayer for International Missions is Nov.30-December 6. December 7 we will begin collecting for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Our church goal this year is $7,200.
Pastor’s Picks
Book :Spiritual Disciplines For the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney
Website: www.camdenfbc.org
Mark these dates down . . . Nov. 23-First Family Fellowship meal at noon and Ministerial Alliance community Thanksgiving Service that night at 6 pm. Nov. 30– Dec. 6-Week of Prayer for International Missions. Tuesday, Nov. 25, we will have our Wednesday night services. Thursday, Nov. 27-Thanksgiving Day. Church office will be closed on Thanksgiving day and the day after.
Operation Christmas Child-The Shoe Box Ministry is going on now through Nov. 16th. Things are getting busy this time of year. Please take a few minutes to get a brochure and fill a box with gifts for a needy child. Let your children or grandchildren help you. It’s a great tool to teach them about giving from your heart.
I heard a gospel song the other day that went something like this: “feeling at home in the presence of Jesus, singing and praising His name, just feeling at home, just feeling at home.” Praising God is where we should be most comfortable, as if we are “at home.” How often do you find yourself singing in the shower, the shop, or the kitchen? Singing because you’re “at home” . . . Singing because you’re happy? However, when it comes to singing at church it’s just a little bit foreign. Why isn’t praising God in His house not “at home” for you? Are we too timid around others? Are we ashamed about whom we’re singing? Are other things on our minds? Is our heart not prepared? It seems to make no difference whether we sing new songs or old songs we know well. The same worshippers always appear to sing while others still do not sing. Maybe we all need a new song . . . do you have one?
Reminder: RALI trip to Union University, Nov. 18, bus leaves at 9:15 a.m.
Sunday evening, Nov. 23, Community Thanksgiving at 6 p.m.
Dwayne
Nov. 16th following the morning worship the CrossTrail Trap Team will have their 3rd annual BBQ chicken lunch cooked by Ed Hargrove. Donations will be taken at the door. A portion will go to Bethany Arnold and family to help with expenses.
FREE Greeting cards
The church has received some free greeting cards and we have made them available for you to browse through and use whenever you have a need to send a card. These cards are all kinds-birthday, anniversary, friendship, encouragement, sympathy, get well, the list goes on and on. The cards are located in the Faithful Workers Sunday School classroom in a metal box. Please feel free to “shop” for that perfect card for that perfect occasion.
Mission Friends (4 & 5 yr olds), GA’s (1st– 5th Grade girls), & RA’s (1st –5th grade boys) MEET ON WEDNESDAYS AT 6:45 p.m.
Acteens (girls 6-12th grade) meet on Sundays at 5:30 p.m.
Christmas Angels
The Christmas Basket Ministry Team has started work collecting angel names for our annual Christmas Mission Project. We will have angels ready for you to pick up on Sunday, Nov. 30. You will be able to choose a boy or a girl, and if you want to buy clothes or toys, or both. The age and sizes of the children will be provided. Each family is visited by the Ministry Team, and these are the ones found in need. You will spend $35-40 on each angel you pick up, and return the wrapped gift to the church with the paper angel attached to the gift(s). The Church will provide each family with a food basket. Please pick up your angel and give from your heart.
SATURDAY, Nov. 22 . . . .
Acteens will be doing a Mothers Day Out at the church. See Rhonda Griffith or one of the Acteens for more details.
You are invited to attend a Newlywed Shower for Tabby (Clark) and Matthew Wheat on Nov. 16 at 2:00 p.m. in the Parlor. Tabby is the daughter of Chip and Lydia Clark. The couple is registered at Walmart, Ivy Corner and The Gift Gallery. Given by friends.
December is just around the corner. This year has flown by.
December 5-Deacon Banquet
December 6-Week of prayer luncheon
December 7-Hanging of the Green/Acteen Christmas Party
December 14-First Family Fellowship Breakfast/Musical
December 17-Angel gifts due
December 22-Senior Santa Brunch
December 24-Christmas Eve-Lord’s Supper
December 25-Christmas Day-Church office closed
And then comes the New Year-2009 . . . .
CALENDAR
Sunday Nov. 16-SHOE BOXES DUE
9:00 a.m. Church Media Library
9:15 a.m. Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Morning Worship
12:00 p.m. CrossTrail BBQ Chicken luncheon
2:00 p.m. Newlywed Shower for Tabby & Matthew Wheat
5:15 p.m. Church Media Library
5:30 p.m. Evening Worship/Acteens/Bible Drill
Monday Nov. 17
5:00 p.m. Ladies Exercise
6:00 p.m. Men’s Basketball
7:00 P.M. Bible Study
Tuesday Nov. 18
9:15 a.m. RALI goes to Lunch ‘N Learn at Union University
5:00 p.m. Ladies Exercise
Wednesday Nov. 19 Acteens deliver Shoe Boxes
10:00 a.m. GriefShare
6:00 p.m. Church Media Library/Children’s Choirs/ GriefShare
6:30 p.m. International Missions Book Study/Youth
6:45 p.m. GA’s, RA’s, Mission Friends
7:30 p.m. Church Choir Rehearsal
Thursday Nov. 20
5:00 p.m. Ladies Exercise
Please be in prayer for this team as they go about their task.
