2020 December news letter article

I pray you had a Happy and healthy Thanksgiving.  As we begin the Christmas season, we do so without several of our traditional services that we enjoy each year.  Instead of Treat Night and our Christmas Candlelight service we will distribute treat bags at the end of our morning worship service on December 20th.  If you are not able to attend the service we will have extras so let us know and we will save you treat bags “as long as supplies last.”

Christmas Toy Store  As I write this we are completing the preparations for our annual Pilot Mountain Baptist toy store.  Many of you gave money, shopped for toys and will help this week with the distribution.  Thanks to you all who have participated and are making this event a success.

called Business Conference  If you are church member you are receiving this monthly newsletter along with a separate letter about a called church conference on Sunday, December 13, 2020 at 6:00 PM to consider the purchase of small tract of land immediately adjacent to the church.  In keeping with the limitations of COVID-19 we have three (3) options available for you to hear the discussion and vote on this matter. 1) You can attend the meeting in person on December 13 at 6:00 PM.  If you choose this option please wear a mask and practice proper social distancing. 2) You may call the church office at 336-591-7493, leave a message, and one of the pastors will return your call. You may then ask questions or vote on the matter. 3) You may participate on a Zoom call on Sunday evening December 13 at 6:00 PM.  Pastor A.J. can give you connection instructions for this call.  Thanks, in advance for your participation in this process.

Old and New Testament classes  One of my seminary professors, Dr. Mark Nickens, lives in our community and is offering FREE introductory classes (non-credit) in the New and Old Testament. (He does ask for a $10 donation to help with his costs) The classes run for 5 and 7 weeks respectively.  He will start the Old Testament class on or about January 15, and the New Testament class will follow in late February.  These are on-line classes, with reading materials available on-line.  Dr. Nickens is a superb Bible teacher and offers a great biblical perspective.  Let me know if you are interested and I will get you signed up.

Church inclement weather cancellation policy  As we enter the winter season, I want to tell our new folks and remind our folks that have been here that any weather changes in our schedule will be distributed on WXII, Channel 12 as soon as we can make that decision.  We will only use our phone tree to cancel services for situations like the power outage of a few weeks ago or if it is necessary to cancel very close to our scheduled time of worship.  In general, we will make weather related decisions at least 3 hours prior to the worship time.  The good news is that if we cancel a service, we will make every effort to live stream a service at 11:00 AM and then leave that service on our Facebook and YouTube channel for later viewing.

Hope Kitchen  Our church continues Hope Kitchen on the last Saturday of each month delivering meals to nearly 200 people in our community who need a an extra meal at the end of the month.  With COIVD restrictions we have lost some of our normal delivery people.  If you can help deliver meals for a couple of hours on the last Saturday of each month (or if you can just fill in when we have a need) just let me know.  This is a great ministry that many people depend upon. 

Debbie and I wish you and your family a joyful and Christ-filled Christmas.  May God bless you in this season!
-Pastor Jim