HERE’S WHAT’S NEW
Emory Baptist Church eNewsletter
Pastor's Pen
Bro. Richard Piles, Pastor
In November, we often are encouraged to remember and give thanks! More than anything else, I’m thankful for Jesus, my family, and you!
I am reminded more and more every day that I don’t deserve God saving me. However, there was nothing I could do to save myself.
Praise the Lord that Jesus made a way where there was NO way. He paid a debt I could not pay. He washed my sins away when I called on Him to save me!
As for my family, if you don’t know, Christy is teaching 4-year-olds in our Sonbeam Day School this year. She loves it!
Caleigh and Sarah are both in College Station at Texas A&M. Caleigh is in her first year of graduate school working on her masters degree in athletic training.
Sarah is in her third year of college studying elementary education. Sarah has also just been hired as a sports intern at her church, Central Baptist Church.
Caroline is in her senior year at Rains High School, and November starts our favorite time of year…basketball season! You can probably find me in a local gym if not in my office!
Finally, I am thankful for you! Your encouraging words are so kind to me! Whether it is regarding our Sunday morning series in Luke or our Sunday evening series in 2 Samuel or related to the FLC, I am grateful for your kind words!
God bless you, and Happy Thanksgiving!
Choir Corner with Chris
Bro. Chris Henderson, Minister of Music and Senior Adults
The weather is finally beginning to cool down, and we are getting closer and closer to Christmas. Mark your calendars now; Emory Baptist Church’s Vignettes of Christmas drama program will take place on Sunday morning, December 7th. It will feature our Celebration Choir, our EBC Praise Team, and our KidzPraize children’s music ministry.
With that in mind, there are only a few short weeks left until Vignettes of Christmas and the Celebration Choir will be meeting every Sunday evening in November. Choir members, please make sure you are here for these last few rehearsals – we only have 6 left!
On November 2nd, KidzPraize will be singing Christ is Mine Forevermore and Praise to the Lord, The Almighty at the very beginning of our Sunday morning worship service. Parents and guardians, make sure your student is in the Sanctuary by 10:00 AM on Sunday (if your child attends Sunday School Small Groups, their teachers will make sure they get there) for a brief soundcheck before the service.
On Thursday, November 20th, I will be joining the Singing Men of Texas, East in concert at First Baptist Sulphur Springs at 7 PM. We will be taking an Emory Baptist Church van to this concert. The van will leave EBC at 6:00 PM. All EBC members are welcome to attend this free concert just up Highway 19, and I look forward to seeing you there.
Student Ministry Spot
Ronnie Witt, Minister of Youth & Education
November is a great month to say “thank you!” Thank you to all the Sunday School classes and church members who helped put on the Fall Festival on Wednesday night. That is an important outreach event for our church to reach young families. And thank you to the volunteers who helped run the home concession stand on Friday night, Oct. 31, for Senior night. That gives parents the opportunity to see their kids play and it helps support all the athletes of every sport at Rains ISD by raising money for sports equipment, college scholarships, and other ways of supporting students and coaching staff. And thank you to the volunteers who helped put together the Fields of Faith community youth worship service on Oct. 15 before that. We had over 35 students make a decision that night to follow Christ or to renew their commitment to follow Christ. Thank you for all the year-long donations that go toward sending Operation Christmas Child boxes around the world and Little Free Pantry donations that minister to local individuals and families in Emory.
Thank you also for all the staff appreciation gifts to me and my family. And thank you for those who have showed concern for our family when Lacy’s mother’s passed away. Thank you to those who have celebrated Caleb’s engagement, Colby’s graduation, and Cohen’s continuing high school achievements. Thank you to those who offered kind encouragements after Caleb’s first sermon that he preached here in his home church on a Sunday night. Thank you for all the ways you have taken care of my family and thereby taken care of me. I appreciate God’s graciousness in allowing me to serve in ministry here.
Continue to pray for students at Rains Junior High and High School and all God is doing with EBC & FCA.
Cecily Kirby, Director of Preschool Ministries
Sonbeam Day School
Memory Verse:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Bible Story:
Job
Nursery Rhyme:
1, 2 Buckle My Shoe
Family Bible Question:
Who helped the spies Joshua sent out escape from the enemy?
Hint: Joshua 2:15
Important Dates:
November 13th: Family Thanksgiving Feast
November 18th: Food Drive Ends
November 24-28th: Thanksgiving Break
Please continue to pray for our ministry, staff, students, and their families.
Nursery Rhymes
ABC Thanksgiving
Author unknown
ABCEDFG - -
Thank you God for all I see.
HIJKLMNOP - -
Thank you God for my family.
QRS and TUV - -
Thank you God for loving me.
WX and Y AND Z - -
On Thanksgiving I thank thee.