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Announcements Plus Devotional Aids

Let's Learn a Bible Verse!

"See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty.
--Malachi 3:1 NIV

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Contents

Announcements

Hanging of the Greens - Dec. 3

We will decorate the Chrismon tree on Sunday, December 3 during the worship service at 9:00 a.m. as we prepare for the Advent Season and the yearly celebration of Christ's birth. We invite you to come help and enjoy the fellowship.

Thank you to Rev. Kirby Vidrine

We had a guest speaker on Sunday, November 12, Rev. Vidrine; Major, US Army. He spoke to us about "The Veteran That Follows Jesus." We are grateful for insights about trusting in God even in very dangerous and adverse circumstances, which he dealt with when he was an infrantyman before becoming an Army Chaplain. It was sad to hear that, as a chaplain, he has had to deal with several suicides of soldiers.

Please pray for him as he continues to serve the soldiers in his service area. As Rev. Vidrine said, "Our only good hope is in Jesus," a message that he presents to the men and women in the armed services every day.

We thank all our veterans, currently serving and retired, for their willingness to give their lives for our protection.

New Website and E-Mail Addresses

Our new website is in the process of being re-designed to reflect our name and affiliation changes. The new website address is: www.ebenezerm-church.com. Our new email address is: emcdudleyshoals@yahoo.com. You may begin using both now while we work on closing out the old addresses. Our church is now affiliated with the Global Methodist Church.

 

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Quote to Ponder

Robert Trout:

My Grandad always use to say if there comes a time in your life where your walk with Jesus has no adversity and doesn't separate you from the world you’re on the wrong road.

–comment section of youtube video, Alisa Childers, "How Secularism is becoming a new religion with Natasha Crain."

 

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For Meditation

"The eye, said Marcus Aurelius, does not claim a reward for seeing. The seeing is itself the reward. So goodness, Christlikeness, the knowledge of God, are what we seek as Christians. But happiness is thrown in as an extra, and cannot be kept out."

"...Does not virtue consist very largely in being made happy by the right thing? Or to put it otherwise, happiness by nature is shy and elusive. Go seeking it and it will evade you. Forget about it, put yourself out of mind, live for others, serve God, walk with Jesus Christ, and you will have it (happiness) as your daily companion."

References: Interpreter's Bible, Vol. 8, p. 735; John 16:18-22 (promises of sorrow and joy from Jesus to his disciples)

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Mini-Bible Lesson #77: Parting's Sweet Sorrow

References: John 16:5-15; Interpreter’s Bible, Vol. 8, pp. 730-733.

But I tell you the truth: it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. --John 16:7-11 NIV

With Jesus on earth, before and after his resurrection, his influence and guidance would have remained restricted to one small area of the world. Also, his disciples would have continued to let Jesus handle "all their difficulties and to answer all their questions" and, therefore, they would never grow to full maturity in their faith or personhood. With the Holy Spirit in the world, he has access to everyone and every place all the time—and Jesus, the king, sent him here for that very reason.

The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus by convicting people of their greatest sin—disbelief in God’s Son, Jesus (v. 9), and their lack of righteousness—or they would have recognized God’s Son (v. 10), and of judgment here and now and to come because Jesus has shown his power over the devil (the ruler of this world, v. 10), and continued rejection of Jesus, God’s Son, will lead to eternal punishment.

The earthly ministry of Jesus lasted only a short time (approximately 3 years). There was not time enough to teach his disciples everything. The Holy Spirit is here to lead his disciples into a greater understanding of God and what it means to follow him—as he does for each Christian in the world since Jesus went back to the Father, and his throne. It is through the Holy Spirit that we recognize the total righteousness of Jesus (his complete obedience to God the Father even to the cross of shame and death). It is the Spirit that convicts us of our sins, including our disbelief in God’s Son. It is the Spirit that convinces us of the resurrection of Jesus that proves all his claims to be God’s Son. And it is the Holy Spirit that continues the teaching of Jesus as he works daily to show us Jesus’ glory and power and love. It is the Holy Spirit that remakes us in Jesus’ image as we mature in our faith with the aid of God’s written word, the revelation of his natural creation, daily prayer (communion with God), and worship and obedience that cements our relationship with Jesus our Lord and Savior.

May the Spirit convict you, convince you, and mature you in the faith that gives us the greatest gift of all—a right relationship with the One True God—the Creator and Sustainer of all that was, is, and ever will be. Amen.

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Special Resources

The picture below is our new Resource Room with books, dvds, videos, and a TV screen (not shown in photo). Individuals are encouraged to take resources home for Bible study or reading; and classes can use the room to show videos related to their studies. We would appreciate donations of books or dvds, especially for young children for this collection.

 

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Ongoing Collections - Updated - 10/09/2023

CCC & TI Food Pantry Collection - Yearly in April

Throughout the month of April, we will be collecting single serve, microwaveable or ready-to-eat items for students at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute. Suggested items: single serve Ramen Noodles, macaroni and cheese, crackers with cheese or peanut butter, cookies, single serve canned meats, etc.

Oakhill Backpack Ministry

We are beginning to collect single serve, easy to microwave or use food items to send home with needy children, such as, fruit cups, mac and cheese, snacks, noodles, etc. The children will receive a backpack of these items to take home on the weekends, and use for themselves and their families. Put the items in the old fellowship hall. We thank you for helping.

Local Schools Supply Closet

We continue to collect items for our local teachers.This ministry provides items for teachers and their students that they cannot obtain through the regular budget.

They include the following: Clorox wipes, hand sanitizer, hand soap, paper towels, facial tissues, sharpies, dry board markers highlighters, black/blue/red ink pens, colored pencils, glue sticks, composition books and notebook paper (wide and college ruled), crayons, scissors (children's type), index cards, construction paper, pencil sharpeners, sheet protectors, file folders, large and small legal pads, white out, paper clips, staples, pencil pouches, markers, rulers, ring binders, card stock white/assorted, 3 ring note books, large and small pencil top erasers, and post it notes.

South Caldwell Christian Ministries

We are collecting non-perishable food and clean used clothing in good condition that will be taken to South Caldwell Christian Ministries. You may leave the items at the church on Sundays or during normal office hours (8:30 to 1:00 p.m., Monday-Friday).

We thank you for helping us to minister to the needs of our community.

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Contact Information: 828-396-2214 or emcdudleyshoals@yahoo.com;
4948 Burns Rd., Granite Falls NC 28630