I'm praying especially for Scott and Heather Parry this morning. They are flying to Dallas today to spend a week at a Fellowship One conference. It should be a beneficial conference. Fellowship One is the software we use to manage church information, track prospects and prospect assignments, facilitate Connect ministry, and some online registrations. It is also the software that will manage our preschool security check-in when the new preschool facility is open.
But the reason I'm praying for Scott and Heather this morning is not just the trip to Dallas. This Sunday will mark Scott's one ear anniversary of serving as our church administrator. Most of scott's work takes place behind the scenes, but his contribution is invaluable to what we do as a church. Two of our recent successes, the amazing results of the Securing Future Disciples financial campaign and this past Sunday's Mother's Day outreach would not have happened without Scott's help.
So join me in praying for this family. Thank the Lord that both of them and their family are such a blessing to our church.
Pastor Noel
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
A Real Commitment To Prayer
I just had a conversation with Hui Cha, one of our church members who is spending a few weeks back in her home country of North Korea. I asked her to tell me about the churches there. She talked about their passionate love for the Lord and for their concern for lost people. I asked her what she attributed that to, and she told me that most of the churches had a prayer meeting from 5:00 am to 6:00 am six days a week (everyday but Sunday).
That makes me think...
Would we be willing to do that?
How many people would be there each morning?
Pastor Noel
That makes me think...
Would we be willing to do that?
How many people would be there each morning?
Pastor Noel
Sunday, May 9, 2010
A Great Sunday
What a great time of worship we had this morning! We were completely packed out... Probably had nearly 100 visitors in the service... Thirteen babies dedicated... One public profession of faith... Great worship... Great spirit...
I'll comment more later on, but I want to say thanks to everyone who made this happen. We had special teams greeting visitors, we had people make a ton of prospect phone calls this last week, we had people put together gift bags, we had people park in the lot behind the gym to free up spaces in the main lots, and more...
Good team effort today. I am thankful to the Lord for letting us have this special day.
Pastor Noel
I'll comment more later on, but I want to say thanks to everyone who made this happen. We had special teams greeting visitors, we had people make a ton of prospect phone calls this last week, we had people put together gift bags, we had people park in the lot behind the gym to free up spaces in the main lots, and more...
Good team effort today. I am thankful to the Lord for letting us have this special day.
Pastor Noel
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Dead Flies
Ecclesiastes 10:1 (NLT) Dead flies will cause even a bottle of perfume to stink! Yes, an ounce of foolishness can outweigh a pound of wisdom and honor.
Lord, remind me that one hundred right and godly decisions in life, in marriage, and in my family, can be made meaningless with one foolish decision.
Pastor Noel
Lord, remind me that one hundred right and godly decisions in life, in marriage, and in my family, can be made meaningless with one foolish decision.
Pastor Noel
Babies...
I just looked over an email the church office sent me last night listing thirteen families who have RSVP'd for baby dedication tomorrow. On top of that I know we already have another half dozen we plan to have dedications for this Summer. On top of that I know of at least three pregnant ladies in the church now.
So, what is my point?
I am so thankful to the Lord and to our church for the pending construction of the new preschool ministry suite. You have been so faithful to give to this. I don't recall off the top of my head what the latest total is, but it will be in the bulletin tomorrow. I do know a few thousand dollars more came in this week and that we are well over $100,000 collected for this project in the last couple of months.
Perfect timing... huh?
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I've been praying for the service tomorrow morning. I hope you will join me in this. We are looking for a big crowd and a great opportunity to make an impact in our community.
Pastor Noel
So, what is my point?
I am so thankful to the Lord and to our church for the pending construction of the new preschool ministry suite. You have been so faithful to give to this. I don't recall off the top of my head what the latest total is, but it will be in the bulletin tomorrow. I do know a few thousand dollars more came in this week and that we are well over $100,000 collected for this project in the last couple of months.
Perfect timing... huh?
----------
I've been praying for the service tomorrow morning. I hope you will join me in this. We are looking for a big crowd and a great opportunity to make an impact in our community.
Pastor Noel
Friday, May 7, 2010
Mother's Day Service
I am looking forward to Sunday. It is Mother's Day, and we are going to turn it up a notch at the church!
One thing we are doing is moving our regular worship time to 9:30. We think this will make it easier for new families to come to worship who may have Mother's Day plans that would preclude them from the 10:45 service.
We are also having a very special parent/child dedication time in the service for both families in our church and families in our community. We have tried to contact all of the families in our community who have had babies in the last year. Many of those who do not have a church home have RSVP'd to be with us this Sunday.
It's going to be a good day. Pray that the Spirit of God is encountered in our service in a powerful way as we worship the Lord and preach His word.
Glad I belong to Him,
Pastor Noel
One thing we are doing is moving our regular worship time to 9:30. We think this will make it easier for new families to come to worship who may have Mother's Day plans that would preclude them from the 10:45 service.
We are also having a very special parent/child dedication time in the service for both families in our church and families in our community. We have tried to contact all of the families in our community who have had babies in the last year. Many of those who do not have a church home have RSVP'd to be with us this Sunday.
It's going to be a good day. Pray that the Spirit of God is encountered in our service in a powerful way as we worship the Lord and preach His word.
Glad I belong to Him,
Pastor Noel
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
AWANA Awards Night II
The Awards Ceremony was great. Seeing so many kids being recognized for their hard work was really exciting. I loved seeing so many of the kids who come on the bus being recognized for their achievement.
The youth praise band led us in worship. One of the songs they sang was unfamiliar to me, but I saw how the kids were worshipping and I remembered that the point isn't to pick songs I enjoy, it is to encourage others to worship. I smiled and tried my best to learn the new song.
My hat's off to all of the dedicated workers and especially to Cheryl Wyrick, our leader, who, by the way skipped out on her daughter's labor to be with the kids tonight!
Pastor Noel
The youth praise band led us in worship. One of the songs they sang was unfamiliar to me, but I saw how the kids were worshipping and I remembered that the point isn't to pick songs I enjoy, it is to encourage others to worship. I smiled and tried my best to learn the new song.
My hat's off to all of the dedicated workers and especially to Cheryl Wyrick, our leader, who, by the way skipped out on her daughter's labor to be with the kids tonight!
Pastor Noel
AWANA Awards Night
Tonight at 6:00 we will host our seventeenth AWANA Awards Night. This is an important night for a number of reasons...
-- It gives us a chance to honor a whole bunch of kids, many of whom have done a remarkable job learning Bible verses in this last year.
-- It gives us a chance to meet and thank the parents who have supported their kids in a this endeavor this year.
-- It gives us a chance to say thanks for the dozens and dozens of AWANA workers who have faithfully served week by week.
-- It serves as a reminder that our church does not exist just to make those of us who have been around a while feel comfortable. No! We exist to reach children, and youth, and unreached families in our community. That is the best way we can please the Lord and show His love. May our church never loose sight of our purpose!
If you're free, join us tonight at 6:00... It will be a good night.
Pastor Noel
-- It gives us a chance to honor a whole bunch of kids, many of whom have done a remarkable job learning Bible verses in this last year.
-- It gives us a chance to meet and thank the parents who have supported their kids in a this endeavor this year.
-- It gives us a chance to say thanks for the dozens and dozens of AWANA workers who have faithfully served week by week.
-- It serves as a reminder that our church does not exist just to make those of us who have been around a while feel comfortable. No! We exist to reach children, and youth, and unreached families in our community. That is the best way we can please the Lord and show His love. May our church never loose sight of our purpose!
If you're free, join us tonight at 6:00... It will be a good night.
Pastor Noel
Location:AWANA Awards Night
Upcoming Messages
Today is a study day. As I do most Wednesdays, I will spend my time today studying and preparing for upcoming messages. Other concerns and issues can wait until Thursday. On Wednesdays I hunker down in an office I built in my basement and just study. I have counseling appointments on Wednesday evenings, usually several. Today I have only two, with AWANA Awards night in between.
My upcoming Sunday morning message, a Mother's Day message, will focus primarily from Genesis 41 as we look at the dream Joseph interpreted for the Pharoah. I'll blog more on this later.
I'm also working on our next Sunday night Bible Study Series. The working title is "You Have Never Read The Bible: A Surprising Approach To How To Study Your Bible." Obviously the title needs some work. This series will last three weeks and it will begin Sunday evening, May 23. I would love to have the notebooks written by the end of the day so Carla could begin to put them together, but I doubt I'll get that far.
Well, time to begin...
Glad I Belong To Him,
Pastor Noel
My upcoming Sunday morning message, a Mother's Day message, will focus primarily from Genesis 41 as we look at the dream Joseph interpreted for the Pharoah. I'll blog more on this later.
I'm also working on our next Sunday night Bible Study Series. The working title is "You Have Never Read The Bible: A Surprising Approach To How To Study Your Bible." Obviously the title needs some work. This series will last three weeks and it will begin Sunday evening, May 23. I would love to have the notebooks written by the end of the day so Carla could begin to put them together, but I doubt I'll get that far.
Well, time to begin...
Glad I Belong To Him,
Pastor Noel
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Date Night
Tap dance practice was canceled tonight and my kid's Ohio 'grandparents' asked last night if they could have the girls overnight, so a free night with the wife!
We just finished up chores, piano lessons, and church work... About to fire up the grill...
Noel
We just finished up chores, piano lessons, and church work... About to fire up the grill...
Noel
Attention Men
Below is an email I sent to the men in our church and community today. if you would like to be a part of this or any other Connect Group this summer, you can register online at www.FirstBaptistHeath.com.
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Dear Men,
This Summer semester, I will be leading a Men's Connect Group on Tuesday mornings at 7:00 a.m. focusing on the life of Joseph in the Old Testament.
As men, we can learn much from Joseph. He faced many of the same issues we face. As leaders in our families, our careers, and our church, we need to know what Joseph has to say. Take a look at a list of some of the things Joseph faced in his life...
Rejection by his peers...
Sexual temptation...
Career failures...
Career successes...
Poverty...
Wealth...
Oportunities to get revenge...
Family issues...
So we will take 15 weeks this Summer beginning on Tuesday, May 25. We will immerse ourselves as deeply into Joseph's life as we can. We will help each other see how the lessons we learn can make a real difference in our lives. It's going to be a great study.
I know many of you will be traveling some through the summer and you know today that you will not be able to make all fifteen Tuesdays. That's OK. If you have an interest, still sign up. Let's help each other find the help we need from the Lord and His Word this summer.
To register for this group you can go to our website (www.firstbaptistheath.com), register at church by completing a registration card, or by simply replying to this email.
I look forward to having many of you in my group.
Pastor Noel
P.S.
~~ Pass this email around. The class is open to any men who are interested in coming.
----------
Dear Men,
This Summer semester, I will be leading a Men's Connect Group on Tuesday mornings at 7:00 a.m. focusing on the life of Joseph in the Old Testament.
As men, we can learn much from Joseph. He faced many of the same issues we face. As leaders in our families, our careers, and our church, we need to know what Joseph has to say. Take a look at a list of some of the things Joseph faced in his life...
Rejection by his peers...
Sexual temptation...
Career failures...
Career successes...
Poverty...
Wealth...
Oportunities to get revenge...
Family issues...
So we will take 15 weeks this Summer beginning on Tuesday, May 25. We will immerse ourselves as deeply into Joseph's life as we can. We will help each other see how the lessons we learn can make a real difference in our lives. It's going to be a great study.
I know many of you will be traveling some through the summer and you know today that you will not be able to make all fifteen Tuesdays. That's OK. If you have an interest, still sign up. Let's help each other find the help we need from the Lord and His Word this summer.
To register for this group you can go to our website (www.firstbaptistheath.com), register at church by completing a registration card, or by simply replying to this email.
I look forward to having many of you in my group.
Pastor Noel
P.S.
~~ Pass this email around. The class is open to any men who are interested in coming.
Early Morning Meeting
I'm looking forward to an early morning meeting today with a couple of men in our church.
Matt Parker owner of Front Door Strategies, a company that helps conservative political candidates around the country get their message out, has agreed to lead our First Impressions and Greeters ministries.
Brian Haught, who is responsible for the print and online publicity for a chain of jewelry stores, has agreed to help us with brochures and other print publicity.
It is encouraging to see godly men like these find ways to leverage their professional skills for the Kingdom of God!
Glad I belong to Him,
Pastor Noel
Matt Parker owner of Front Door Strategies, a company that helps conservative political candidates around the country get their message out, has agreed to lead our First Impressions and Greeters ministries.
Brian Haught, who is responsible for the print and online publicity for a chain of jewelry stores, has agreed to help us with brochures and other print publicity.
It is encouraging to see godly men like these find ways to leverage their professional skills for the Kingdom of God!
Glad I belong to Him,
Pastor Noel
Monday, May 3, 2010
Interesting Day
There have been no shortages of interesting days lately. Frankly, I wouldn't mind a good, long, boring, uneventful day. Well, the Lord is in control... No doubt.
One of the biggest things going on around the church this week is preparation for the next semester or small groups (Connect Ministry). Sign-ups are coming along, but we are still looking for a number of new people to sign-up in the next two weeks.
Last Sunday Ken and Denise Tobin pulled me aside. (They are one of the middle aged couples we've recently baptized.) They told me that it was our new semester strategy for Connect Ministry that finally got them to transition from worship attenders to being involved in small groups. It was only a few weeks after being in a small group (they were in Greg Burns' group) that they came to see me about their salvation. I had the wonderful privilege of leading them to the Lord.
There are more stories like that to tell about each Connect Ministry semester we've had so far. I'm praying for more and more of our worship attenders to take the step this semester.
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On another note, didn't Julia George do a great job leading us in special music this past Sunday. It was neat seeing her sing while her dad played the drums and her brother played the guitar. We have some talented people in our church.
----------
Also thanks for the calls, emails, and words of encouragement many of you shared Sunday afternoon and Sunday night. It means more than you know.
Glad to belong to the Lord,
Pastor Noel
One of the biggest things going on around the church this week is preparation for the next semester or small groups (Connect Ministry). Sign-ups are coming along, but we are still looking for a number of new people to sign-up in the next two weeks.
Last Sunday Ken and Denise Tobin pulled me aside. (They are one of the middle aged couples we've recently baptized.) They told me that it was our new semester strategy for Connect Ministry that finally got them to transition from worship attenders to being involved in small groups. It was only a few weeks after being in a small group (they were in Greg Burns' group) that they came to see me about their salvation. I had the wonderful privilege of leading them to the Lord.
There are more stories like that to tell about each Connect Ministry semester we've had so far. I'm praying for more and more of our worship attenders to take the step this semester.
----------
On another note, didn't Julia George do a great job leading us in special music this past Sunday. It was neat seeing her sing while her dad played the drums and her brother played the guitar. We have some talented people in our church.
----------
Also thanks for the calls, emails, and words of encouragement many of you shared Sunday afternoon and Sunday night. It means more than you know.
Glad to belong to the Lord,
Pastor Noel
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Securing Future Disciples Update II
Update... More information has come in since yesterday...
Here are the latest Securing Future Disciples numbers: (This is going to be reason to cheer!)
We are still praying for a few more commitments to be made and of course for the faithfulness of those who have made commitments, but it is apparent that the Lord has certainly blessed us in this endeavor!
Take a few minutes and thank the Lord in prayer for his gracious provision.
Pastor Noel
Here are the latest Securing Future Disciples numbers: (This is going to be reason to cheer!)
- $181,094 -- Total of One Year Pledges & Initial Offering
- $ 14,000 -- Total Savings from Not Borrowing the Needed Funds
- $195,094 -- Total Available (Assuming 100% of Pledges are Given)
We are still praying for a few more commitments to be made and of course for the faithfulness of those who have made commitments, but it is apparent that the Lord has certainly blessed us in this endeavor!
Take a few minutes and thank the Lord in prayer for his gracious provision.
Pastor Noel
Monday, April 5, 2010
Securing Future Disciples Update
What a great time we had in worship yesterday! A good crowd in the 8:00 service and a packed crowd in the 10:45 service... One profession of faith in the early service... Choir did a great job... We got to meet so many new people...
I love Easter Sunday!
On another subject... Here are the latest Securing Future Disciples numbers: (This is going to be reason to cheer!)
We are still praying for a few more commitments to be made and of course for the faithfulness of those who have made commitments, but it is apparent that the Lord has certainly blessed us in this endeavor!
Take a few minutes and thank the Lord in prayer for his gracious provision.
Pastor Noel
I love Easter Sunday!
On another subject... Here are the latest Securing Future Disciples numbers: (This is going to be reason to cheer!)
- $181,094 -- Total of One Year Pledges & Initial Offering
- $ 14,000 -- Total Savings from Not Borrowing the Needed Funds
- $195,094 -- Total Available (Assuming 100% of Pledges are Given)
We are still praying for a few more commitments to be made and of course for the faithfulness of those who have made commitments, but it is apparent that the Lord has certainly blessed us in this endeavor!
Take a few minutes and thank the Lord in prayer for his gracious provision.
Pastor Noel
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