Pastor’s Paragraphs In the next few weeks Americans will go to the ballot boxes in a number of states electing various leaders from local and state to Senators and Representatives in Washington. However, the great challenge to America is not who wins or which party prevails. Unfortunately, we have become more concerned in many cases with politics and personalities instead of the priorities of a nation. Is it not possible we have become so focused on political parties that we have forgotten the hope of a nation is not in a party or any particular politician? Christians are called and challenged to think beyond elections to needs. The great problems facing America have to do with the home, family and society. We face a great spiritual crisis not just with the breakdown of moral convictions in society, but within the church as well. We keep our church organizations going and measure attendance and budgets. But the real test is what difference are we making in our world? How are we combatting spiritual depravity during the week with lifestyle and family development? What is happening in our families? For example, “take a room full of second-graders in a Sunday School class in any of our churches today. In most cases, erase seven of ten names of those children by the time they are out of high school. That’s the number that studies show won’t be sold-out followers of Jesus Christ” and most won’t be attending church at all. I would hasten to mention I think we are doing somewhat better because of our strong student ministry. But the larger picture affects our church along with others. The answer to reaching the next generation of students and young adults isn’t more or better programs. It begins with spiritual conviction of the parents about their role and equipping them to be spiritual trainers in the home. The church was never designed to be the primary spiritual influence in children’s lives. Yet many parents today have abdicated their responsibility and at best, assume the church will do the training on a haphazard schedule when nothing else is going on which garners their attention. Let me illustrate with a statement which comes out of the world of investment. “Primary movements represent the broad underlying trend of the market and can last from a few months to many years. These movements are typically referred to as bull and bear markets. Once the primary trend has been identified, it will remain in effect until proved otherwise.” It is the last sentence which drew my attention. The statement is just as true in the church. (continued on page 2) Vol. 58 No. 42 / Friday, October 24, 2014 www.EHBConline.com EHBC, Montgomery, AL All Ages: Do you love to sing or play an instrument? There are MANY opportunities to enjoy your talent this season as we continue to get ready for the Christmas Season. Wednesday at 5:45 Children’s Choirs Wednesday at 6:15 Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal Wednesday at 6:15 Orchestra Rehearsal Sunday at 4:45 Youth Choir Rehearsal PERFORMANCES COMING THIS SEASON December 7 • “Hanging of the Green” All music ministries involved December 14 • “Hope Has Hands” Celebration Singers (Senior Adult Choir) December 21 • “The Light of the World” Children’s Choirs (Pastor’s Paragraphs continued from page 1) The primary trend of how we “do church” will remain in effect until we come to realize that simply repeating what we have done before isn’t changing families or making much of an impact on our world. I call it “convenient Christianity.” Consider this, what Christ came to offer wasn’t a convenience for Him and following Him isn’t a matter of convenience for us. Until and unless parents, families and members of our church choose to place a priority on matters of faith, the present trend of spiritual weakness and ineffectiveness will continue. Wise investors don’t focus on minor changes in markets. Those are called secondary reactions and market noise. What they look for are primary trends. In the church we pay more attention to short term issues of our own interests rather than focus on the long-term trends of what is happening around us. Fortunately, spiritual trends which are less than dynamic can change. There is hope, but hope alone isn’t change. Hope has to have effort and energy along with will and purpose. It will happen as we seek the Lord’s face, repent of our lethargy and yearn for spiritual growth. The Lord will never fail to feed His hungry child, children or church. L. Rick Marshall IN THE PULPIT A.M. “God and Statan’s Defeat” Romans 16:17-20 P.M. “Connected” Discipleship Study Alabama Baptist State Convention Messengers The 2014 Alabama Baptist State Convention will be held November 11 & 12 at Lakeside Baptist Church in Birmingham ALL LADIES!! STUDENT NEWS Mentors Meeting MENTORS will meet Tuesday, October 28 at 6:30 pm in the Reception Room Bring your Operation Christmas Child boxes. You may pack them at the meeting or bring them already packed. Bring any extra items you may have purchased to share or fill extra boxes. Plans will also be discussed for the Churchwide Toy Collection for the Association Toy Sale in December. Items will be collected in November. DON’T MISS THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO BE INVOLVED IN THESE MISSION ENDEAVORS! COLLEGE HIGHLIGHT Please be praying for these students this week. College is a pivotal time, pray for the spiritual growth of our students. If you know them, write a note encouraging them with Bible verses or just a note that says the church is thinking of them and praying for them! JAMI GOLDEN Samford University P.O. Box 291342 Birmingham, AL 35229 KATHRYN GOSSELIN University of Mobile • Arendall Hall Room 107 • Mobile, AL 36613 PARENTS: If you have not picked up your 2014-2015 Calendar, please pick one up in the office, CLC Lobby or the Green Ridge Welcome Center. YOUTH PAYMENT DETAILS If you are planning on participating in the payment plan, please make sure to fill out the slip and turn it in so that you will be added to the email notifications when payments come due. A $100 deposit MUST be paid to start the payment plan and will be the first month’s payment. PAYMENT PLAN: The payment plan is for students who are planning on attending more than one event throughout the year. Payment plans are over 11 months, October - August, as follows: When making the payment online, you have to split the payment between choir and youth to make sure money is properly divided (e.g. $55 monthly payment would be $25 - Youth & $30 - Choir) One Child: $55 a month, divided $25/$30 Two Children: $100 a month, divided $45/$55 Three Children: $150 a month, divided $75/$75 Individual payments: If only planning to attend one trip (Student Life or Choir Tour), the payments are as follows: Student Life: $300 if $100 deposit paid by November 9, 2014. After November 9, 2014, total due $350. Choir: Cost is $400 if $100 deposit paid February 1, 2015. After February 1, 2015, total due $425. If you want to be a messenger with voting privileges, contact Debbie Farthing at 272-0604, ext.211, to get the proper credentials. Up-coming Events SENIOR ACTIVITIES CHAPPY’S BREAKFAST BUNCH October 27 • 8:00 am CELEBRATION SINGERS October 30 • 9:30 am MYSTERY TRIP TO GEORGIA October 31 • 8:00 am cost is $12, to be paid in CASH to Dan the day of the trip. Sign up in SS or call Susan in the church office. Early-bird tickets $20, on sale NOW. The Women’s Ministry is very excited about the Lisa Whelchel Women’s Conference in January. We will again be giving out Door Prizes at the conference. If you own a business or know someone who does and would be willing to donate a Door Prize or ask for one, please contact Debbie Johnson at (334) 221-3826 We will acknowledge the business in the printed program that weekend. Donations are tax deductible and receipts will be provided. Children’s Ministr y B I RT H DAY B OA R D Anna Perri Chumley Katie McAliley Kaleigh Robertson Zac Westbrook October 24 October 24 October 27 October 28 (12) (12) (6) (12) CHILDREN’S NEWS BASKETBALL SIGN UP It’s time to play Basketball! The basketball teams are being formed for 5 years - 6th grade. Practices begin in November and games start in January. If you would like to sign your child up, please call Susan in the church office to be placed on a list. JOINER MORRIS GOLF TOURNAMENT RESULTS Shoe boxes will be collected through November 2. This is an annual ministry where people pack boxes full of toys, amenities, socks, towels, gloves, etc. and get shipped all over the world to a child for Christmas. Please pick up your brochures in the kiosks around the church to fill your boxes. Collection site is in the Outreach Office outside the Sanctuary. Thank you in advance for helping give a child a wonderful Christmas. There were 5 players in this year’s tournament. Thanks to all the sponsors who helped make it an enjoyable day! 3rd Place: James Bruner & Dewey Best Grand Prize, 4 iron: Mike Hand Closest to Pin: Steve Phillips Basket from Tucker’s: Don Walker Bill Parker’s team won the cash prize The $10,000 prize from Jim Reinhardt for the Hole in One was not won this year, but maybe next year! WORLD CRAFT World Craft catalogs show handmade products from around the world. Each product represents lives changed by the opportunity to earn an income with dignity and to hear the offer of everlasting life. These items make great Christmas gifts. The catalogs are available in the kiosks outside the sanctuary. MUSIC NOTES CHILDREN’S CHOIRS SING IN 6:00 pm WORSHIP Grades 2-3, October 26 Preschool 2, November 2 Preschoo1 1, November 9 First Grade Choir, November 16 December 6, 2014 We will begin collecting new and unwrapped toys the weeks of November 16-30 for the Montgomery Baptist Toy Sale. This MBA Ministry offers a wonderful opportunity for families in need to purchase toys for their children for Christmas. W E D N E S D AY N I G H T M E N U October 29, 2014 Family Night Meal 4:45 p.m. Beef Tips Rice Green Beans Pineapple Casserole Side Salad Roll Apple Pie Drink The Messenger (USPS No. 591-420) is published weekly by Eastern Hills Baptist Church. Rev. Ricky Solar, Editor. Periodicals postage paid at Montgomery Alabama. Postmaster: Send address changes to: The Messenger, 3604 Pleasant Ridge Road, Montgomery Alabama 36109 CHILDREN’S MENU Beef Hot Dogs, Chips, Tropical Fruit, Drink SOUP/SALAD BAR Baked Potato Soup Please note that you must CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE BY12:00 pm ON MONDAY to make or change your reservation. NO SHOWS ARE EXPECTED TO PAY FA M I LY CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY To Joe Cameron & Family in the death of his mother, Mary Cameron. To Evelyn Howard in the death of her brother-in-law, Larry Walter. To Scott & Melissa Steward & Family in the death of his grandmother, Margene McCracken. STAFF ANNIVERSARIES Congratulations to Joy Priester who completed seven years on staff as Music Secretary on October 22nd. Congratulations to Susan Sessions who will complete two years on staff as Receptionist/Administrative Assistant to Children & Senior Adults on October 30. We gratefully acknowledge gifts to the church in memory of: Mary Cameron Given by: Betty McGraw Mary Claire Sellers ME N’S Prayer Group Tuesdays at 6:45 am in the Reception Room THIS SUNDAY Counting Committee John Tatum, James Owens Deacon Offering Chairman 8:15 am - John Morgan 10:45 am - George Ray Deacons of the Week October 26 - Ron Myers, Harry Brash Security Team 10/26 - Sandy Noah, Trey Higbe 10/29 - Robert Barnes, Jerry Campbell Golf Cart Drivers Chuck Lerner, Dewey Best Wednesday Night Servers Lillian Antes, Faye Spivey EXTENDED SESSION WORKERS OCTOBER 26 Captain: Margaret Ann Morgan Please be in place by 8:00 am. 8:15 Toddlers: Ed Paul & Cindy McGuire Please be in place by 10:30 am. 10:45 Bed Babies: Don & Pat Walker Toddlers: Anthony & Sharon Green 2’s: Amy Caspari, Ann Inman 3’s: Jason & Natalie Powell 4’s: Connie & Danielle Barnett ON THE GROW Sunday School Attendance for October 19, 2014 Att. G.O. 8 Preschool 43 Children 45 Youth 48 Adults 444 Spanish Ministry 12 Total 600 BUDGET REPORT Year to Date Budget Requirements Budget Receipts UNDER BUDGET $1,545,164.46 1,421,944.35 123,220.11 Weekly Budget Report October 19, 2014 Budget Requirements Budget Receipts UNDER BUDGET Designated Continue the Dream Designated $36,789.63 23,322.25 13,467.38 $1,290.00 1,578.00