The

Tower

December 2015

LaBelle Haven

Baptist Church 4800 Hwy 305 N.

Olive Branch, MS 38654

(662) 893-2273

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E-Mail:

tbateman@labellehaven.org

Web:

www.labellehaven.org

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CHURCH STAFF:

Sr. Pastor

Dr. Jim Butler

Assistant Pastor/Minister of Ed

Rev. Phil Anderson

Minister of Music & Sr. Adults

Rev. Ken Washburn

Children’s Director

Mrs. Debbie Johnson

Minister of Youth

Mr. Jamie Mullen

“The name of the Lord

is a strong tower…”

Proverbs 18:10a NKJV

“Light of the World”

Presented By:

The LaBelle Haven Choir

Sunday, December 13, 2015 It’s almost Christmas time again. People everywhere are

getting ready to celebrate. Shoppers flock to crowded stores.

Children stare with excitement at the gifts under the tree.

Families look forward to special times together. All of these

things and more make Christmas the most wonderful time of the year. Behind all these

festivities of course, lies the real reason we celebrate. The greatest story ever told, Jesus

our Savior is born.

Come join us in celebration of our wonderful Savior’s birth as the choir presents

“Light of the World,” a

musical of hope and

celebration, Sunday,

December 13th in the

morning worship

service. The musical is

filled with familiar

songs, hymns and new

songs of the season.

Invite friends and

family to join us for this special service as we celebrate the birth of Jesus… the one true

Light of the World.

Candy Cane Carnival

Saturday, December 12, 2-4pm What does candy. . . .games. . . .children. . . .candy. . . .pictures

with Santa. . . .crafts. . . .candy. . . .and the Christmas story have in

common? The answer is, they will all be at LaBelle’s Candy Cane

Carnival on December 12.

We have moved everything to the Atrium, so weather will not be

an issue. Children of all ages are welcomed to come and play games.

We will also have a station where the kids will make a special picture

frame to give to their parents as a Christmas gift. Santa will be here.

Your child can have their picture made with Santa, and put it in the

picture frame.

Every child will receive candy at the various games. Then every

child will be encouraged to go to room 110 to hear the Christmas

story. Those who listen to the Christmas story will be given a bag of

candy as they leave. If things go as planned, there will be a special

surprise for the children to ride on the parking lot. Spread the word

and invite your family and neighbors to our first ever Candy Cane

Carnival.

The Tower Page 2

A WORD FROM. . .

OUR PASTOR

Your response to our Celebration of Marriage Service

on February 14, 2016 has been fantastic! We have 30

couples signed up. Several couples have been married

50 years. Odom and Mary Mayhan take the prize of

being married the longest, 68 years. Tracy has already

sent this list off to a very special place to get your

surprise. I just found out this week that we may have a

really big surprise guest with us.

Start looking for your wedding picture now. When

you find it, bring it to the church office so we can scan it

and give it back to you. We will use this picture as you

walk down the aisle on February 14. While you are

looking for your wedding picture, start looking for stuff

to put on your “memory table” that weekend. It will be

great fun to see the memories and pictures of your past.

The wedding reception and luncheon on Saturday,

February 13 will begin at noon. This is a “dress up”

event because we will be taking pictures of all our cou-

ples at the wedding cake. You will receive a free photo,

along with other special gifts. Be sure to invite your kids

and family to be present on Sunday. While your chil-

dren were not present at your wedding, we hope they

will be present for this wedding recommitment service.

By: Debbie Johnson

End of the Year Giving Hints December is the largest giving month in our church year. Often people wait until December to see what they need to give for tax benefits. Here are a few hints:

Review Bro. Jim’s article about RMD’s in last month’s Tower. You may be able to get a real tax benefit by this approach.

If you want to give stocks, land, or other real property which has increased in value, it is best to give the stock, land, etc. directly to the church. This way you can get the appreciated value for a deduction, but you do not have to pay capital gains tax. Talk to Phil if you wish to do this.

If you have stocks, land, or real property that has gone down in value, it is better to sell these items yourself and then donate the money to the church. This way you can “harvest your losses” and use them to your tax advantage.

Giving to the Building Fund. . . .If you want to make a contribution to our new “The Miracle Continues” Capital Campaign, you may do so! We know the campaign giving does not start officially until March of next year. However, you may give between now and then — and count it toward fulfilling your commitment in March.

Finally, no matter whether you are giving to the budget, building fund, or missions. . . .if you want tax credit in 2015, then your gift must be received in the office no later than December 30. If you mail it, it must be postmarked by December 31. If it is after that date, by IRS regulation, it must be counted toward 2016.

Candy Cane Carnival!! Knowing that God doesn’t make mistakes and because we had weather that we could not control, we now are up to PLAN Q, I think. We are planning a wonderful fun event for the entire community. On Saturday, December 12th, from 2-4, we will host our first ever Candy Cane Carnival! There will be games, crafts, snacks and let’s not forget all that

wonderful candy. This will be in the Atrium so the weather will not affect it. If we can have moon bounces or slides we will. I will have games planned, and if you planned one please feel free to bring it. I will need lots of workers to help out. Please sign up in the bulletin if you can help with this event. I do want to thank you all for being so flexible.

I know I usually have Parent’s Night Out and the Happy Birthday Jesus Party together, but this year we will just do things a little different. Parent’s Night Out will still be on December 11th from 6-10. We will serve pizza and snacks

and parents may enjoy a night with FREE childcare. Use this to finish up shopping, have a date night, or whatever you like. You must sign up your baby-5th grader by December 6th. Call the church office or sign up at the nursery counter. This is our gift to you.

Baby Dedication Day Sign-Up We will celebrate baby dedication day on Sunday, January 10th. This is such a special day for the parents and families of our littlest members. We make that weekend special first by hosting a brunch on Saturday for the friends and family members as well as presenting them in the church service on Sunday. As a church we will commit to pray for these parents as they commit to raising their children in a godly manor. I need for parents to start signing up those little angels. Please see Debbie at the nursery desk for the packet. This is for parents and children 2 years and under. All packets must be turned in by December 27th. You don’t want to miss this blessing.

There is an exercise class that has been started here at LaBelle Haven. It is for anyone who just wants to get moving. We are doing the walking videos and are meeting several times a week. On Monday’s and Friday’s at 8:45 A.M. and

Tuesday and Thursday at 5:00 P.M. and only lasts for 30 minutes. For now we are meeting in one of the nursery rooms and the cost is FREE! See Debbie or Kaye Merrill for more information and there is no sign up, just SHOW UP!

Ladies Christmas Fellowship December 15th 6:30 P.M.

Please join us for a fun and informal fellowship in the church Atrium. Just bring your favorite snack food or desert. Turn in the recipe to Debbie Johnson or Marie Fuller by December 9th so we can have those copied and ready to share. We will only have 150 tickets available and they are first come only. This is a gift to our ladies and there is no cost for the event.

The Tower Page 3

MEMORIALS & HONORARIUMS

A donation was given to The Building Fund: In honor of: Dovie Wright By: The Wage (Alpha & Omega) Class In memory of: Dwain Wallis By: The Baker & Ferrante Classes, Perry & Donna Thornton, Winford & Joyce Baker

A donation was given to House Beautiful: In memory of: Lillian “Dollie” Eoff By: Anne Bailey

A donation was given to LaBelle Haven: In memory of: Dwain Wallis By: Deborah & John Edison, Lisa & Mike Ryder, Sammie & B. J. Long

Our Deepest Sympathy: Dr. Butler, and his wife Lawanda, would like to extend our church’s sympathy to: Patsy Beene, Scott & Renea Beene & fami-ly on the loss of Patsy’s brother and Scott’s uncle, James Stark.

FROM REV. PHIL ANDERSON, ASST. PASTOR & MIN. OF EDUCATION

Do you have burial plots?

Anytime we have giving campaigns, many individuals like

to give items like cars, property, stock, etc. toward helping the

church pay the loan back. As a result of Beyond Measure,

LaBelle Haven has been given 2 plots in the beautiful Autumn

Woods Cemetery in Olive Branch, MS. (Just south of Goodman

Road on Davidson Road). I know when it comes to death, we

only like to consider the reward of heaven and spending eternal

life with our Lord and Savior. However, we also need to plan

for what will happen here on this earth when we die. Do you

have your burial plots purchased already? If not, we have a

deal for you! We will make you a great deal on these donated

plots. Included in this package is 2 plots, a 48x16 memorial

with vase, and the opening and closings. These plots are valued

at over $3,600 but we will consider any reasonable offer. If you

are interested, please contact Bro. Phil Anderson at 662-893-

2273 asap. This is a great opportunity for someone to purchase

these plots at a fraction of the cost!

2016 Budget Proposal Timeline The Stewardship Committee and Personnel Committee have

completed the task of providing our church a budget they

believe will meet our church’s needs in 2016. This year’s

budget reflects an increase of about 20% over last years

proposed budget. I know that sounds like a large increase, and

it is, but it is still $2,000 per week below the current giving

level. The growth of our budget is also a reflection on the

growth of our church membership and the expansion of our

ministries. The Committees would like to express to you a

heart-felt thanks for your generosity and faithfulness to this past

year’s budget and is confident that God will continue to use us

all this next year as well. The budget timeline is as follows:

Nov. 22 & 29 - Distribute Proposed Budget

Dec. 2 - Discuss Proposed Budget

Dec. 6 - Vote on Proposed Budget (Without discussion)

ADDITIONS: Van Wicker

6881 Sandbourne W. Olive Branch, MS 38654

(901) 216-2347 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jay & Gina Lavender 3354 Oak Lake Cv.

Memphis, TN 38118 (901) 794-5978

CORRECTIONS: Norm Dowler: (901) 488-9771 Linda Dowler: (901) 489-7122

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Russell & Carolyn Ray: (901) 425-6249

CHURCH DIRECTORY. . . . If your information has changed or will change, please take a moment and call the

church office at (662) 893-2273 and let us know so we can update our records.

Music Ministry

By: Rev. Ken Washburn, Min. of Music & Sr. Adults

Worship Choir Christmas Rehearsal Schedule… Choir Members please make note of all of our rehearsal times in preparation for our Christmas musical. WE NEED YOU!

Sunday, November 22nd at 1:00 pm Wednesday, December 2nd at 7:30 pm Sunday, December 6th at 1:00 pm Wednesday, December 9th at 7:30 pm Saturday, December 12th from 9:00 am – 12 Noon

Sr. Adult Ministries - Our J.O.Y. Choir is scheduled to sing for the residents of LifePointe Village (2782 Star Landing Rd.) at 10:30 am, on TUESDAY, December 8th. After singing with the residents, we will have a delicious meal hosted by Ms. Becky Mullikin. We need all of our members and would love to have guests join us for this ministry opportunity.

PRIMETIMERS Christmas Lunch December 17th at 11:30 am

Last year we tried something a little different and it seemed to be well received. Since so many of our Sunday School classes are exchanging White Elephant gifts, we thought we would change things up a bit. Instead of purchasing gifts, we are asking that any who would like to participate, to bring a card with a donation toward new microphones for our J.O.Y Choir. Any amount is appreciated and will help us meet this need. We will open our cards and announce our total. The church will provide the meat, tea, and bread. We need all of our members to bring side dishes and desserts. This will be a great time of fellowship so make plans to join us on Thursday, December 17th and invite guests to join us.

The Tower Newsletter LaBelle Haven Baptist Church

4800 Hwy. 305 N.

Olive Branch, MS 38654

LaBelle Haven Baptist Church Calendar of Events for . . .

1

2

5:30p Supper

6:30p 2016 Budget Discussion

Youth Bible Study

Children’s Choirs

7:30p Adult Choir

3 10a JOY Choir

4 5 10a Parade Meeting in

Parking Lot

6 12p Choir Lunch &

Rehearsal

6p Deacon Christmas Dinner

At the Butler’s

2016 Budget Vote

(No Discussion)

7 7p Ensemble Practice

8 10:30a JOY Choir Singing at

Life Pointe Village in

Southaven with lunch at

Becky Mullikin’s House

9 5:30p Supper

6:30p Spiritual Gift Study

Youth Bible Study

Children’s Choirs

7:30p Adult Choir

10 No JOY Choir

11 6-10p Parent’s Night Out

At LaBelle Haven

12 9a Choir Practice & Dress

Rehearsal

2-4p Candy Cane Carnival

in Atrium

6-9pYouth Christmas Party

at The Beene’s House

13 Christmas Musical 5p Schoggen Class Christ-

mas Party at the

Schoggen’s Daughter’s

House

6p Waddell Class Christmas

Dinner at Old Style

14 7p Ensemble Practice

15 6:30pWomen’s Christmas

Fellowship in Atrium

16 5:30p Supper

6:30p Annual Business Mtg

& Spiritual Gift Study

Youth Bible Study

Children’s Choirs

7:30p Adult Choir

17 11:30a Primetimer’s Lunch

5:30-8:30p MDO & Pre-K

Christmas Program

18

19

20 1:30p Stewardship Mtg

5p Union Mission

21 7p Ensemble Practice

22

23

24

25 26

27

Lord’s Supper Observance

28

7p Ensemble Practice

29

30 No Activities or Service Due

To the New Year’s Holiday

31

FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

Christmas Holiday

(all offices are closed, Dec 24 & 25)

New Year’s Holiday

(all offices are closed, Dec 31 & Jan 1)