The

Monthly Newsletter of Williamstown Christian Church

NOVEMBER 2013 VOLUME 16, ISSUE 7

Williamstown Christian Church will have sever-

al service opportunities through several outreach minis-

try projects and events for the month of November.

WCC once again will join with other local

churches for the Grant County Community Food Drive.

We will once again partner with community food banks

to help make this Thanksgiving and Christmas season a

little easier for those in need. Bags will be delivered

throughout the community on Saturday, November 9,

and pick-up of these bags will be on Saturday, Novem-

ber 16. Many volunteers are needed to make this project

a success; please check weekly bulletin for most up-to-

date information.

Sunday, November 24 will be an exceptionally

busy day for Williamstown Christian Church. First, the

annual WCC Thanksgiving Dinner will be after the

10:30 a.m. worship service. After the service, hot meals

will be delivered to shut-ins in the area, and we will

have the opportunity to share this special fellowship

meal together. If you know of someone in need of a hot

meal, please see Jo Ann Brill or Tammy McClelland.

Sign up sheets are posted in the foyer to bake turkeys

and all of the fixings. Our home meal delivery roster

has expanded quite a bit for this year; this special out-

reach ministry can only be done with YOUR help.

Events for the day continue with WCC’s month-

ly visit to Grant Manor at 2:00 p.m. This is an excellent

opportunity to visit with a few local people and brighten

their day at the same time!

The days events conclude with The William-

stown Community Thanksgiving Service at William-

stown Baptist Church beginning at 7:00 p.m. After the

service, there will be a gathering in WBC’s Fellowship

Hall. WCC participants are asked to bring pie for the

events snack. A sign up sheet is located in the foyer for

TEN volunteers to bring TEN pies.

Enjoy Thanksgiving with those you love on

Thursday, November 28, then be prepared to be wowed

with planned events for the month of December. Stay

tuned to WCC’s web site, weekly bulletins and the up-

coming edition of The Messenger for the month of De-

cember to find out the latest and greatest events you and

your family can experience here at WCC.

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From the Minister’s Desk

When most of us think of the month of November

Thanksgiving is the first thing that comes to our mind.

But sadly for some November is just a reminder of the

fact that they have little to be thankful for. It reminds me

of a story a friend once shared with me about how

Grandpa changed his life.

For decades, Grandpa had been stubborn and

crabby. His wife, children, and even his grandchildren

seemed to be able to do nothing that pleased him. As far

as Grandpa was concerned, life was filled with nothing

but hard times and troubles. For many all that was

expected from Grandpa was a gruff growl as they passed

by.

Then one day it seemed like overnight Grandpa

had changed. Gentleness and optimism now marked his

new personality. Positive words and compliments began

to pour from his lips, and he was even heard by some

giving joyful praise to The Lord.

Many family members began to believe that

Grandpa had finally found religion. But one grandson

was curious about the sudden change and asked Grandpa,

"What happened that caused you to change your life so

suddenly?"

"Well son," the old man replied, "I have been

striving in the face of incredible problems all of my life,

and for what? The hope of a contented mind. It's done

me no good, not one bit. So I finally decided it was time

to learn to be contented with things just the way they

were, to look for the good, and not the problems all

around me."

Never start counting your troubles until you have

counted at least a hundred blessings in your life. By the

time you've done that you'll probably forget about your

troubles all together.

The problem for many like grandpa is that they

spend so much time focused on the troubles, they never

stop to count the blessings.

David writes in Psalm 77:11-12 “I will

remember the deeds of The Lord; yes, I will remember

your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your

works and consider all your mighty deeds.”

Have a great Thanksgiving this year as you focus

on your blessings. See you on Sunday!

Gary Swick

Senior Minister

The United Nations Food

and Agriculture Organization

estimates that nearly

870 million people

of the 7.1 billion people

in the world, or

one in eight,

were suffering from chronic

undernourishment

in 2010-2012. Almost all the

hungry people, 852 million,

live in developing countries,

representing 15 percent of the

population of developing

counties. There are 16 million

people undernourished in

developed countries .

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Ammie Spears

Director of Youth

& Worship Ministries

Hi Everyone!

November is here and there are so many exciting things in store for us!

The Youth/Kids Christmas play, ‘Tis the Season, is in its beginning stages and rehearsals are underway!

Practices are every Sunday evening from 4:30-5:30pm (except Nov. 24th-cancelled due to Thanksgiving

Holiday). Please be sure to check the Children’s Ministry Board schedule to see which practices your students

need to attend!

November is the month that we set aside to count our blessings and thank the Father for His provisions. But, as we

all know, there are many who don’t have as much as we do, and as Christians it is our job and our joy to do what

we can to help those in need. The Helping Hands Food Drive is a perfect opportunity to do just that!

November 9 - Helping Hands Bag Drive Drop-Off from 10am-2pm

November 16 - Bag Drive Pick-Up from 10am-2pm

November 24 - Church Thanksgiving meal and delivery after morning worship; Community Thanksgiving Service

at 7:00pm at Williamstown Baptist Church

December 7 – Living Nativity and Christmas Parade

December 15 – Youth/Kids Christmas Play

We have started a new series in our Jr. High and High School Youth Group called God’s Words Speak Truth,

based on of John 8:31-32, So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly

my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Each week, we are learning a Greek or Hebrew word that is used in Scripture that speaks truth in our lives. Each

word has a specific meaning that sometimes can’t be expressed as clearly in the closest English translation.

Our first word is Agape. Love.

Agape-(Greek) an unconditional, selfless, and sacrificial love- the love

displayed by God through Jesus. There is this idea of total commitment

to the object of love even if it doesn’t deserve or desire it.

Agape is loving the unlovable.Agape is loving the unlovable.Agape is loving the unlovable.Agape is loving the unlovable.

This is what we are called to do. This is the truth that speaks to us. This is a

truth that will set us free.

Each youth member is carrying a small rock with the word Agape on it as a reminder to choose to love those who

are hard to love. Even when it hurts. Even when it’s hard.

So…who will you Agape?

Blessings,

Ammie

Notes for Worship & Youth

Kids’ Corner I hope by the month of May, we will all have Deuteronomy 6:5-9 memorized! “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”

Last month I challenged you to schedule intentional times within the confines of your home to bring the conversation back to spiritual concepts. One of the benefits of the scheduled times is you actually schedule it on your calendar so you don’t forget! In addition it gives you kids something to look forward to with anticipation.

This month I would like to share some thoughts on walk and talk along the way from verse 6. These words seem to be saying we should not overlook unplanned opportunities to turn our thoughts to spiritual formation both within the home and away from the home. Here are some practical ways to consider turning the mundane into spiritual lessons.

Fall Yard Work: planting bulbs can be related to the death & resurrection of the Lord; raking leaves to cleaning sin out of our lives; spreading mulch in beds to God’s protection during difficult seasons in our life.

Spring Seed & Soil Work: patience to receive blessings; improving soil to the parable of sower & the seed; faith of a mustard seed with tiny seeds such as tomatoes or petunias; waiting a long time to see fruit of our prayers.

Walks/Hiking: observing details in the design of plants, insects, and animals along with their unique abilities and purposes to God’s creative aspects, care, and purpose for everything and everyone; rainbows to God’s faithfulness; lakes to many stories of Jesus and His disciples’

experiences on and around the Sea of Galilee; the abundant Sycamore trees in this area to Zacchaeus’ redemption.

Grocery Shopping: Thank God for means to purchase food items and those who got them to the store (farmers, manufacturers, delivery people, etc.); sharing with others from what we have such as purchasing for the food pantry; being a good steward by using our money wisely so we can help meet others’ needs.

Laundry: Pray for those whom the clothes belong to as you work; stains in clothing can be a springboard for learning about forgiveness and consequences of sin; learning songs that teach about cleansing.

I think sometimes our biggest hurdle in this area is simply taking the time to observe God along the way in our own lives. Kids of all ages learn best when the adults in their lives model the behaviors they desire in the kids. If you point out God in everyday experiences, they will learn to observe Him on their own. Moses lived most of his life within the Egyptian and Midian cultures. However, he chose to identify with the Hebrew culture that he experienced in his early formative years. It is my prayer that both you and your kids will deepen in your understanding of who God is as you go through your everyday experiences. That you may understand that He is not far, far away but close by and personal everyday, wherever, and whenever.

This month’s CHALLENGE: Plan to look for God in the unplanned, sometimes mundane, experiences as you walk and talk along your family’s way. “Miss Claire”

Claire Roberts

Director of Children’s Ministries

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The Senior Saints

Mystery Tour for October

was a huge success - you never

know where you might be!

Even though the Mystery Tour only comes once

a year, there are still plenty of opportunities to

share in a day of fellowship and fun. Make

sure to check your bulletin for the latest information

for monthly outings. And remember, You don’t have

to be a SENIOR or a SAINT to participate!

WCC Fall Festival Pictures pag

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318 North Main Street

P.O. Box 7

Williamstown, KY 41097

Phone: (859) 823-2041

www.williamstownchristian.com

What We Believe � That the Bible is the inspired and totally reliable Word

of God: II Timothy 3:16-17.

� That Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God: John 3:16.

� That Jesus was crucified for our sins, died, was buried and arose physically from the dead on the third day: Romans 5:8, I Corinthians 15:3-4.

� That to be saved a person must: 1.Recognize that you have sinned and cannot save yourself: Romans 3:23. 2.Believe that Jesus paid a death penalty for your sin

through His death on the cross and rose on the third day victorious over death: Ro-mans 6:23.

3.Confess your belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and your personal Savior: Luke 12:8.

4.Repent of your sins and turn back to God: Acts 2:38. 5.Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the

forgiveness of your sins, and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit: Acts 2:38.

6.Live your life following all that Jesus has commanded us: Matthew 28:20.

� We believe that Jesus will return again to take His church to live in His Heavenly home for all eternity: John 14:1-4.

Just for Laughs

Copyright © 2011 The Zondervan Corporation.

Used with permission