Madison, Chester & Crockett Baptist Association

Newsletter

January 2012

CHURCH NEWS:

Alamo, FBC: During December the adult choir and children’s choir joined together to celebrate Christmas in a special music presentation. A Family Night Fellowship was enjoyed with a movie, refreshments , and a devotion time. The youth enjoyed a Progressive Christmas Dinner. The deacons delivered Christmas baskets to the church’s members who are shut-in.

Bells, FBC: The church collected 81 Operation Christmas Child boxes. Food boxes were delivered to some Bells residents. “An Old Fashioned Christmas” was presented by the adult choir with a Christmas dinner following the presentation.

Bemis, FBC: The church served as a collection site for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. “A Gift of Christmas” was presented by the choir to the church on December 18 and again at Ebenezer Church in Mercer on December 22. Christmas parties were enjoyed by the youth and children in December.

Bible Grove: Bible Grove Baptist Church has called Bro. James Richerson as minister of music effective Dec. 25, 2011. The church has begun a search for a part-time Director of Children and Student Ministries. Please email any recommendations to bgbctn@gmail.com. The church voted to purchase a passenger bus for both a bus ministry and for event transport. The following year is crucial to a revitalization ministry and your prayers will be appreciated! A stewardship emphasis begins in mid-January and a Small Church Conference is in the planning stages. The church will be represented at the Youth Evangelism Conference in March. Bro. Ernest E. 'Sonny' Pope, Sr. has been honored as Deacon Emeritus after more than 40 years of faithful service to the Church.

East Union: The church served as host for the December associational Senior Adult Ministry Meeting. The church enjoyed two Christmas programs in December, one by the adult choir and one by the children. The Book Club met at the home of Betty Henry. A Christmas Wreath Workshop was held by East Union’s Garden Club. A Soup and Salad Lunch and Auction was held with proceeds going to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Fruit baskets were made and delivered to the elderly. The youth enjoyed a Christmas party and bonfire. January 22-25, Dr. Mike Taylor will lead in the January Bible Study on the Book of Ecclesiastes. As part of this event, a daytime study will be held on the Book of Jonah. Call the church at 731-424-2261 for more information.

Friendship, Crockett Co: Three new Sunday School classes, Single Young Adults, Young Married Couples, and New Member Class have been recently started. The Single Young Adult class has grown so rapidly extra seating has been arranged to accommodate the attendance. The Discipleship Training classes for men and women is proving to be very well received. The church recently purchased a minibus and began an after school program for Friendship elementary school children thanks to a grant made possible through the Tennessee Baptist Foundation. The recent Lottie Moon Christmas Offering greatly exceeded the goal and was more than double the amount given last year. For all these blessings the members of Friendship Baptist Church give God all the glory and praise.

Gracepoint: After its inception three years ago, Gracepoint will officially constitute as a church on January 29. The constitution service will be held at Meridian Baptist Church at 6:00 p.m. Revival services will be held at Gracepoint on January 30 - Feb 1 with Pastor Clint Burkhead as evangelist. Services will begin at 6:30 p.m. each evening.

Henderson, FBC: A Christmas luncheon was held for the senior adults with entertainment by John and Jane Norvell of FBC, Bemis. “The Light Looked Down” Christmas program was presented by the choir. A new Sunday School class was started in December. The Joint Heirs Sunday School Class enjoyed a Christmas party at the home of Ross and Jenny Komich. The church participated in the Henderson Christmas parade with a Walking Nativity.

Jackson, FBC: First Baptist Church, Jackson, will be celebrating its 175th Anniversary during 2012. There will be several events throughout the year to celebrate this significant occasion, the first of which is on Sunday, January 29 (the actual anniversary date). There will be a special service that morning at 9:00 a.m., and the church will host a joint service with the First Baptist Church on MLK Drive that afternoon at 4:00 p.m. to celebrate "The Reconciling Power of the Gospel."

Meridian: In December, the church had groups involved in mission trips to Eastern Kentucky and to a Navajo Indian Reservation in Arizona. The Men’s Ministry hosted a fish fry on January 14 at 6:00 p.m. to encourage men to attend the Men’s Mid-South Bible Conference being held February 24 – 25 at Faith Baptist Church in Bartlett, TN. Ben & Tab Hoskins will speak at Meridian Baptist on February 12 at 6:00 p.m. The Hoskins are missionaries with the International Mission Board to East Asia. Ben is the grandson of Dr. Herbert Higdon, former director of missions to Madison-Chester and Crockett Associations of Baptists. Meridian Baptist is hosting a Constitution Celebration Service for Gracepoint on January 29 at 6:00 p.m.

Parkburg: “The Great Christmas Give Away” musical was presented by the children and youth with a finger-food fellowship following the presentation. The adult choir presented their Christmas program.

Poplar Heights: The church entered a float in the Jackson Christmas parade. The Sonshiners were busy in December with a trip to hear FBC symphony, a visit to Northbrooke and Maplewood health care centers, attending the associational Senior Adult Ministry meeting at East Union Baptist Church, and lunch at Brooksies Restaurant. ” The Gift of Christmas” musical was presented by the choir. The youth went caroling and distributed food baskets to shut-ins. A Christmas Eve Candlelight Service was held.

Sanford Hill: The spirit of giving was portrayed through Sanford Hill Baptist Church in Henderson during the Christmas season. Sanford Hill presented 46 Christmas meals to a nearby apartment complex, distributed 16 food boxes, 10 fruit baskets and provided clothing and toys to six local families.

West Jackson: The church held their annual Bethlehem Breakfast for families with preschoolers. The event included pancakes, crafts, family photographs, and a special presentation of the Christmas story. White Christmas March for Missions was held in December. Items and money collected through this event helps the less fortunate and promotes the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Both the children’s choir and the adult choir presented their Christmas programs. A Candlelight Carol Sing was held at the church. The Golden Agers traveled to Bellevue Baptist Church to hear their Singing Christmas Tree presentation and enjoyed dinner at the Cracker Barrell in Lakeland. Rev. Andy Neely has accepted a call from the church to be their pastor. His first Sunday in the pulpit will be February 5.

Woodland: “His Love Reaching” cantata was presented by the choir. The Women on Mission met to restock the church’s food pantry. White Christmas Mission March was held. A Wild Game Supper is planned for January 21 at 5:30 p.m. Call the church at 731-668-5780 for more details on the supper.

UPCOMING EVENTS

More Life Evangelism Rally

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Sand Ridge Baptist Church

Lexington, TN

6:00 p.m.

Featured Speaker: Dr. Bobby Welch

Dinner for pastors and wives at 4:45 p.m.

There is not cost to attend but reservations are needed. Please call the associational office by

February 15 to make reservations.

North American Missions Banquet

Monday, March 5

Hillcrest Baptist Church

Time and ticket cost to be announced.

Madison-Chester Senior Adult Meeting

Tuesday, March 6 • 10:30 a.m.

Sanford Hill Baptist Church

Henderson, TN

Program Guest: Edgar Pierce

Pastor of East Union Baptist Church, Jackson

Crockett Senior Adult Meeting

Tuesday, March 13 • 10:30 a.m.

Place to be announced.

If your church is willing to host this event, please contact the associational office, 731-668-5690.

Men’s Ham Supper

Tuesday, March 13 • 6:30 p.m.

Liberty Grove Baptist Church

603 Wallace Road | Jackson, TN 38305 | Phone: 731.668.5690 | Fax: 731.668.5690