For family night, we will meet in the Family Ministry Building at 6 PM for a quick supper, followed by packing boxes for Operation Christmas Child. We have items to pack, but you are more than welcome to bring items and pack your own boxes.

Menu for Family Night

The hostess committee will provide different sandwiches with the fixings for family night.

On Sunday, November 17, the Happy Class invites you to join them for a lunch social
at ABAC Donaldson Dining Hall. We will take the bus and return to the church around
2:30 PM. Cost is around $11.00. For more information or to sign up, see Jonathan
or Sue Mastrario.
 

Joint Worship Service

Join us for a special Thanksgiving worship service with the Methodist Church on Sunday evening, November 24, at 6:00 PM in the Sanctuary. We look forward to sharing this time of gratitude together!

Operation Christmas Child Relay Center

We’re looking for friendly faces to volunteer at the Operation Christmas Child Relay Center! If you’re available to help, please reach out to Jonathan or Sandra Harris.

Christmas Camp Post Office

Get a head start on your Christmas cards! The Christmas Post Office will open on Sunday morning, December 1. If you’d like to send cards to church members in Ashburn, simply drop them off, and we’ll handle the sorting and distribution for you. Collection boxes will be placed throughout the church, and donations to the Post Office will help cover shipping costs and supplies for Operation Christmas Child boxes.

Christmas Decorating

We need all hands on deck to help decorate the church for Christmas! Join us on Sunday, November 24, right after the morning service. We’ll kick things off with a light lunch before we begin decorating. Come and be part of making our church beautiful for the season!
 

Giving as of November 12, 2024

Budget for 2024 . . . . . . . .  $339,423.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . . $278,605.71
Received to Date . . . . . . . . $232,249.58
Needed for weekly budget . . .  $6,751.71
Tithes Received this week . . .   $5,713.96

Harvest Banquet . . . $14,600.00

MID-WEEK DEVOTION

Remember to check out Brother David’s Mid-Week Devotion in the Book of Psalms. They are uploaded each Wednesday on the sermon page.

From Our Family and Music Minister

If we admit it, we all have some part of our personality that can annoy others. One of my very few annoying qualities is that I hear a song and only remember one line, and I go around singing that one line for weeks and weeks. This past month, I listened to a song called “Praise His Name,” However, I literally can only remember one phrase, and I sing it over and over again. But that phrase has so much meaning when I think about it. It states, When it all falls apart, Praise His Name. When you have a broken heart, just raise your hands and say, You are all I need. . . and that is the point at which my mind goes blank. But as you can see, those few words I continually repeat can have so much meaning. Paul is a prime example of someone who constantly thanked God and praised His name even when times were terrible.

Paul had been trying to make it to Rome throughout his ministry but could never go. Finally, he was on board a ship and headed to Rome. Even though he was going so he could appear as a prisoner before Caesar, Paul was still thankful that he was headed to Rome. A strong storm hit the ship while Paul was being carried to Rome. However, God had told him that not a single person would perish on the journey, so Paul knew there was nothing to fear. When the sailors sensed they were close to land, they dropped the anchor and waited for daybreak. While waiting for morning, Paul encouraged the crew, soldiers, and prisoners, a total of 276 people, to eat. Luke records in the book of Acts what Paul did next, “And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat” (Acts 27:35, ESV). This is a great example of how we should show thanks.

First, we see that Paul actually took the time to give thanks. Paul had been tossed around at sea for 14 days. They were hungry from fighting the sea and probably too seasick even to try to eat. But before eating, he gave thanks to God. We must always be willing to give thanks for the blessings we receive in life, especially those that come from God.

Secondly, we can see that Paul was persistent in giving thanks. As I pointed out before, Paul was not in the best situation, but he still gave thanks despite his problems. He also gave thanks even though he did not have much. Sailors rarely ate well while at sea, especially after being blown off course in a storm. If we would quit complaining about what we do not have and thank God for what we do have, we would have a much better attitude and honor God more.

Finally, we see that Paul gave thanks publicly. Scripture states that he gave thanks to God in the presence of everyone. Paul was not ashamed to recognize God in public. So many people do not give thanks in public. Go to a public restaurant and observe how few people give thanks for their meals. As believers, we must be willing to thank God publicly and not be ashamed of our relationship with Him.

Acts 27:35 teaches us the importance of gratitude. Even during a storm, Paul’s thanksgiving teaches us that gratitude can bring peace and assurance, no matter the circumstances. As we follow Paul’s example, let us practice thanksgiving in both easy and difficult times. Let us be persistent in giving thanks, trusting that God is with us in every storm. Above all, remember to direct our gratitude to God, who is faithful and provides for all our needs.