Baptist Messenger Article

    Week of November 19 2009

“Operation Christmas Child” was a huge success this year. The church provided nearly 200 boxes and 235 came back full of wonderful Christmas gifts for children all around the world. Our missions committee delivered all 235 boxes to the collection center on Monday. Last year our church delivered 130 boxes. Praise the Lord!

     Thank you for your faithfulness in this project. Think about it. Some child in some far away country that lives in poverty and faces the struggles of everyday life will have their eyes lit up with the joy of Christmas giving. And more importantly, they will see the love of Jesus shared with them through these boxes. As your pastor, thank you for going the extra mile this year and providing simple gifts that bring the joy and hope of Christmas into the lives of children. Yes, Jesus loves the little children!

     Don’t forget the next project our “Heart and Hands Ministry” has underway. We are collecting food to help restock the food pantry at the New Emergency Resource Agency (NERA). Please bring your canned goods and dry goods and place them in the donation boxes all around church. All donations need to be here by Tuesday, December 15.

     The holiday season is a season for giving. Thank you for your gifts and love behind those gifts. Remember, God is the best giver of all. He gave His One and only Son Jesus, as the perfect gift of Christmas. And from that gift He provided the salvation all of us need from our sins.

     Yes, Jesus is the reason for the season!                                                 

                                                                  Bro. Larry

Baptist Messenger Article

   Week of November 12, 2009

     Do all dogs go to heaven? According to an Associate Press article in the newspaper this past week they do! The article tells of the Covenant Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles, California that is now catering to families with dogs.  

      The pastor of the church has begun a special church service just for dogs. The intent of the service is to “reinvigorate the church’s connection with the community, provide solace to elderly members and, possibly, attract new worshippers who are as crazy about God as they are about their four-legged friends.”

      The pastor said there is a growing trend among churches nationwide to address “the spirituality of pets.” Many churches now believe that all pets have souls, just like humans and they will be in heaven. So with that in mind this pastor is now ministering to families and their pets.

      The first pet service included a time of fellowship with “a riot of tail-sniffing, barking, whining and playful rough-housing.” They sang a special hymn entitled “GoD and DoG,” and offered special doggie treats to eat and a soft bed to lie on. There was also a special prayer time for dogs that were sick and a memorial prayer time for those pets that had already died and gone to heaven. And of course, there was an offering taken to help defray the cost of the doggie treats.

      I don’t know about you, but am I missing something here? Where does it say in the Bible that pets or animals of any kind have a soul? Nowhere! What churches nationwide have bought in to this kind of thinking – apart from the liberal minded churches on the east or west coasts? Thank goodness we live in the Bible-belt where common sense and strong biblical teaching and doctrine prevail.

      Now don’t misunderstand me, I am all for reaching our communities for Christ. And yes, I am open to new and different ways to do this; but let’s not jump off into the deep end of unreality. If we want to reach lost souls (which is our marching orders as a church), we need to be sharing the gospel with people, not dogs.

      Jesus came to die for all men, not dogs. The precious blood of Jesus and the wonderful gift of salvation are reserved only for people. Yes, I’m sure Jesus loves all dogs, pets, and animals. And heaven possibly will have pets in it to bring us happiness and joy. But let’s keep the truth straight. Our God is a loving God who desires that all mankind know His Son as their Savior and Lord!

                                                   Bro. Larry

Baptist Messenger Article

     Week of November 5, 2009

    October was Minister Appreciation Month. Once again the members of our church have truly blessed all of us as staff members with the beautiful cards and gifts.

      As I took time on Sunday evening to read through all the cards and letters that filled my basket, I was blessed and encouraged by all the comments, words of praise, and expressions of love. For nearly twenty five years our church has made Sandy and I (and our grown children) feel extremely fortunate to have been called to Northeast Baptist Church as your pastor.  

     Much has happened through the years. God continues to bless, and each day our church is strengthened through a genuine love for the brethren. It is an honor and privilege to serve as your pastor. Please continue to pray for me and all our staff as we press on in the job that God has given us to do. It is my goal to honor God and give Him the glory in all that we do for the kingdom. Thanks again.

                                                  Bro. Larry    

 

 Welcome Our New Staff Member

     As of Monday, November 2, Angie Walters has joined our church staff as our new full-time church receptionist. Angie and her family were former members of our church back in 2000 and they have returned attending now for the past year. She is married to Troy, who is employed at the State Employment Office. They have two children, Ashley who is a senior at O.S.U., and Jordan who is in the eighth grade.

     Please stop by the church office and get acquainted with Angie in the coming days. She is excited about serving our church family and looking forward in getting to know you and helping to meet your needs.  

Observance of the Lord’s Supper

This coming Sunday, November 8^th our church will observe the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper in our morning worship.

Operation Christmas Child

    Shoe boxes will need to be filled and brought to the church no later than Sunday, November 15 along with $7 to help cover shipping cost. We have purchased several plastic containers with lids available for you to use, or you can use a shoe box you already have. A “How to pack your shoe box” brochure has been put in each box. There are only 10 days left to get your box filled.