Elliott Steven Jones

Elliott arrived safely on November 21st!  Congratulations, Brandy and Daniel.

Gil at The Hyde Gallery

You are invited to view Gil Ngolé’s Master of Fine Arts thesis exhibition, Breaking Narratives, in Hyde Gallery, 447 S. Main St, from November 16 through December 12. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from noon to 5PM and Saturday from noon to 7PM. Gil is from Republic of Congo.

Candlelight Carols -- December 20

Join us for a night of music and worship focused on the true meaning of Christmas.  Candlelight Carols is not a big production, just a time to experience the wonder of the incarnation.  It's Sunday night, December 20, 6PM.  Refreshments will follow.

Couples Fellowship Christmas

Our Couples Fellowship will meet at the home of Jason and Bethany Henry on Friday night, December 11, 7PM.  It's a covered dish dinner.  Check with the church office for more details.

AWANA

AWANA is our weekly kids club for preschool through high school.  After taking December 20 and 27 off for Christmas, we will begin our 35th year of ministry with AWANA.  The club meets Sunday nights from 5:30-7PM.  It includes Bible lessons, Scripture memory, games, and more.

Thanksgiving Feast

Our Annual Thanksgiving Feast will take place on Sunday, November 22, beginning at 5PM.  Everyone is welcome!  Join us for a special time of celebrating God’s rich blessings.  Most of the program will be given over to sharing, so be thinking of why you are thankful and come ready to tell us. There will be no AWANA that evening.

Steve and Gloria Dee will be spending the next two years in Germany with FedEx.  Thankful to the church family for the warm sendoff a few weeks ago, the Dees ask for our prayers as they begin this new adventure.

Greg and Lizzy!

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. William Gregory Lesley!  Greg and Lizzy were wed November 7 at Cedar Hall in Bartlett, TN.  We rejoice with them as they enter into married life.

BABY SHOWER

Ladies!  You are invited to a baby shower for Joy Leister on Sunday afternoon, November 8, 1PM, at Judy Hearne's house.  Lunch will be served.  Check with Judy or call the church office for more information.

COUPLES FELLOWSHIP

Couples Fellowship will meet on Friday night, October 30, at Robby and Phoebe Waller's home.  For more information, check with the church office.

YOUTH RETREAT AT GREERS FERRY LAKE

Our young people spent four days on a retreat at beautiful Greers Ferry Lake in Central Arkansas.  They did a study called "Renew" that focused on loving the Lord with renewed heart, mind, soul, and strength.  Lots of hiking, games, food, and fun filled these days.  Everyone was challenged to grow deeper in Christ.  There was a crazy and impressive lip sync contest, won by Trinity LaVoice.

Community Bible Study

Wednesdays at 10:45AM, there's a Bible study in our Fellowship Hall.  It's taught by our pastor, Gary Starbuck, and the class includes people from a variety of churches.  The current study is on the Book of Revelation.  Everyone is welcome.

AWANA Club -- Sundays 5:30-7PM

Our club for children age 2 through grade 12 meets weekly at Open Door.  Challenging Bible studies, Scripture memory, fun games, and great friendships make AWANA a valued and productive ministry.  Be there at 5:50PM this week!

Fall Festival is November 1st

Join us for Open Door's Fall Festival on Sunday night, November 1st.  There will be games, candy, a cake walk, a camp fire, and lots more.  Costumes are encouraged.  (We ask that occult themes be avoided.)

Operation Christmas Child

Do you have any empty shoeboxes lying around the house?  Bring them to church.  The DoorKeepers are preparing to pack shoebox gifts for Operation Christmas Child again in November.  They can also use boys t-shirts, bar soap, washcloths, small flashlights with batteries, soccer balls, and ball pumps.  Talk to Bethany to find out more about how you can help or to donate to the shipping costs.

Myron Harrison with the Lord

Myron Harrison passed into the presence of the Lord on September 9.  They worked  with OMF in The Philippines for 40 years, mentoring Filipino ministry leaders and serving the Christian community there and around the world in many ways.  Mike and Betty were married for 51 years.  Pray for Betty and the family.

LABOR DAY PICNIC

Our annual all-church Labor Day Picnic is Monday, September 7, noon until dark.  Bring enough food for your family and some guests.  Plates, utensils, and drinks will be provided.  Swimming, volleyball, and cornhole will be options.  Check with the church office for location and more details.

LADIES BIBLE STUDY

Ladies:  You are invited to join a weekly Bible study of Proverbs 31 that will meet Tuesday evenings beginning September 15.  The group will be using the book Beautiful in God's Eyes by Elizabeth George.  Talk with Donna LaCroix or contact the church office.

Art Show

Gil Ngole's exhibit The Clouds Walking and The Season Moved opens at

Tops Gallery, 400 S. Front Street

Friday, August 21, 6PM.

Ngolé was born in Brazzaville, The Republic of the Congo. He studied Fine Arts at the Rueil-Malmaison College of Art in France, and will receive his MFA from the Memphis College of Art in December. This is his first solo exhibition at Tops. He has exhibited at the Musée d’Art Contemporain du Val-de-Marne, France; the Museum of Contemporary Art, Oslo; and Crosstown Arts, Memphis.

Baby Dedication

On July 26, Shane and Ruth Blackburn brought their daughter, Norah Elizabeth Blackburn, dedicating her to God.  Norah was born January 5, 2015.  We rejoice with them as they seek to train her and Ethan in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

  

Camp Night -- August 23rd

Camp Night is your opportunity to hear from those who have participated in camps and other summer ministries this year.  Join us Sunday night, August 23, at 5:30PM.  Sign up to bring something for the Salad Supper.

AWANA Starts August 30th!

AWANA begins a new school year at Open Door on Sunday, August 30, at 5:30PM.  This is our club for young people from age 2 through  grade 12.  If you are interested in helping out, talk to Jason Henry. All leaders should plan to attend our leaders meeting following the morning service on August 16.

LeaderTreks Completes Another Summer of Ministry

We have been blessed by the presence of 11 youth groups from around the nation this year, two during spring break and nine over the summer months.  Each came for a week of leadership training, discipleship, service projects, and outreach ministry.  The staff from LeaderTreks has blessed us by their presence, participation in worship, and involvement with us in ministry.  They blessed a number of our families by completing work projects.  They represented the Lord and Open Door in our community.

The Family Project: A Divine Reflection

The Family Project:  A Divine Reflection is a 12-week follow-up on Focus on the Family’s The Truth Project.  We have been challenged to think deeply about God's plan and purpose for the family.  He reflects His image in our family relationships.  The series continues into September.  Join us Sunday night at 6PM.

ANN KESLER ENTERS GLORY

Ann Kesler entered heaven on July 14, 2015.  She was born September 9, 1930, in Abbeville, MS, just down the street from Lloyd.  Married for 65 years, they had five children, 12 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.  Her godly example and loving spirit will be sorely missed.  We extend our heartfelt sympathy and prayers to her family.  She and Lloyd joined Open Door in 1961.

Waterless "Pool" Party

The next DoorKeepers activity is Saturday, July 11, at the church.  It will be a waterless “pool” party.  This is for young people entering 7^th grade through those who just graduated from high school.  We will meet in the fellowship hall at 3PM.  All participants are asked to wear flip flops and bring a beach towel.  Dinner will be served, and we will dismiss at 8:30PM.  See Bethany Henry if you have questions or would like to help out

MARK MILLER AT OPEN DOOR

Mark Miller works with Pioneers International.  He was been a part of our church family for many years before heading to the mission field.  He will be sharing about his current ministry on Sunday evening, July 12, 6PM.

THE FAMILY PROJECT

Join us on Sunday evenings for a look at what the Bible says about marriage.  How does God's design for marriage reflect His image to the world?  How are we to respond to the cultural shifts we are witnessing today?  Me meet at 6PM in the auditorium.

THURSDAY NIGHT COOKOUTS

The Leader Treks group has been hosting weekly cookouts here at the church throughout the summer.  If you haven’t made it to one yet, join us this Thursday at 5:30PM to meet the young people, encourage, and be encouraged.  Everyone is invited to come out for a good time of fellowship.  You never know what might happen.  One night there was an impromptu drum performance.

Louis Peel with the Lord

Louis Peel was born July 7, 1919.  He passed into the presence of the Lord early last Sunday morning.  He came to faith in 1941 and served in the Army all through World War II.  Louis and Doris joined Open Door in 2002.  We shall miss our friend.  Our heartfelt sympathy and prayers go out to Doris and the family.

Camp CoBeAc

Ten young people spent a great week in Michigan at Camp CoBeAc in June.  These are our AWANA Club achievers.  We look forward to hearing more from them at Camp Night later this summer!

Camp CoBeAc Fundraisers

The DoorKeepers annual trip to Camp CoBeAc is only one month away.  We have ten young people who earned their way this year by completing their AWANA work.  They still need to raise some funds for transportation costs and scholarships.  You can make a donation at the lunch they provide on Youth Sunday, June 7, at a car wash they sponsor, or by designated gift in the offering plate.  This is a great opportunity to make a difference in the lives of these young people.

Summertime Youth Study

The DoorKeepers, our group for young people in the 7^th—12^th grades, will be having a summer kickoff, outreach event this Friday, May 22.  Invite any young people who need to be a part of this group.  In addition to other activities, we will be showing the movie God’s Not Dead as an introduction to our summer Bible study series from True U—Does God Exist?: Building the Scientific Case.  If you can help provide food for this event, see Bethany.

Graduation!

Congratulation to Angie Porter, daughter of our missionaries to Nigeria, Dr. & Mrs. Steve Porter.  Angie graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BSN in Nursing from Indiana Wesleyan University on April 24.

Movie Night at Open Door

The Drop Box is a feature length documentary telling the true story of South Korean pastor Lee Jong-rak and his heroic efforts to embrace and protect abandoned children.  It is a story about the forgotten, the disabled, the discarded, and the man who gives everything to protect them.  See it at Open Door on Sunday night, May 31, 6PM.

Graduating!

Congratulations to Cassidy Blackburn on completing high school this year.  You have two opportunities to celebrate with her.  The first is Saturday, May 9, at 2:30PM, at Lifepointe Church, 822 Scott Street, Senatobia, MS, followed by an open house at the Blackburns.  The second is Friday, May 15, at 7PM, at Faith  Baptist Church, 3755 North Germantown Road, Bartlett.

And congratulations to Angie Porter, daughter of our missionaries to Nigeria, Dr. & Mrs. Steve Porter.  Angie graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BSN in Nursing from Indiana Wesleyan University on April 24.

Present With The Lord

James H. Leonard, Sr. went to be with the Lord late Monday night, April 27.  He has been a vital part of the Open Door family since 1957, and he will be missed.  Our prayers and sympathy go out for Bobbie and his entire family.

AWANA Completes Another Great Year

Our 2014-15 AWANA Club year draws to a close, with the last club meeting on May 3.  The AWANA Awards Banquet will take place on Sunday, May 17 at 5:30PM.  Come celebrate the accomplishments of our young people!

The fourth annual V&E Artwalk will feature over 60 artists from the Greater Memphis area selling their crafts. It will also include a silent auction, large children’s area, local music, exciting food options, and drinks. The Artwalk is sponsored by Midtown’s V&E Greenline and will take place Saturday April 25 from 11:00 to 6:00 at 1625 Tutwiler Ave on the V&E Greenline.

Community Bible Study

Everyone is welcome on Wednesday mornings, 10:45AM, for our Community Bible Study.  People from a number of area churches attend.  We are studying The Book of Revelation right now.  Come early for refreshments and fellowship.

The Youth of Open Door

The DoorKeepers are looking forward to one of their biggest events of the year.  It’s the Amazing Race 3.  It will be held on Saturday, April 25, from 10AM to 3PM.  If you can help by donating a couple of hours that Saturday to man a station of the race route, please talk to Bethany Henry.  Manning a station involves waiting at a specific location somewhere in the city and waiting for teams to arrive.  You then hand out clues and may possibly supervise an activity.  You do not need to be available for the entire five hours.  This event is a lot of fun, and you won’t want to miss it.

LeaderTreks at Open Door

The first of two weeks of spring break ministry with LeaderTreks at Open Door took place March 15-21.  We hosted a youth group from Texas, and they invested a week here doing a work project, serving, and learning about outreach and leadership.  LeaderTreks staff Bryce, Josh, and Dan did a great job leading this time.  Week #2 is March 29-April 4.

Mrs. Lee Turns 99

Lillian Lee was a part of Open Door many years ago.  Her 99^th birthday is April 14.  You can send her a card at:  Emeritus at Eastman Estates; 292 0 N. Eastman Road; Longview, TX 75605

Easter Celebration!

Join us Easter Sunday morning as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ together.  Breakfast will be served in Wilson Hall at 8:30AM followed by a combined Bible Study Hour (Junior High and up) at 9:30AM and worship at 10:45AM.  Please sign the list in the hallway if you plan to attend.

SCRIPTURE MEMORY CHALLENGE

Our 2015 Scripture Memory Challenge will involve the first 12 verses of The Navigators Topical Memory System.  You can pick up verse cards today.  Choose your preferred version, and memorize them: topic, reference, verse, and reference.

FRIENDSHIP BANQUET-- April 10

Everyone is invited to a Friendship Banquet hosted by the DoorKeepers (the youth of Open Door) which has been rescheduled for Friday, April 10, at 6:30PM. The menu is a choice of spaghetti and meatballs or four cheese chicken Alfredo with salad, bread, and dessert.  The banquet is for those age 19 and up. Childcare and a snack will be provided for children under the age of 12.  Reservations are required.  Please fill out the form found in your bulletin if you plan to attend (even if you filled one out for the earlier date).  This event will be the DoorKeepers first fundraiser for their trip to Camp CoBeAc in June.  Come out for a good time of food and fellowship and plan to make a donation.

Homegoing

Tiny Sue Cooper passed into the Lord’s presence on Friday, January 16, three days before her 97th birthday. She was preceded in death by her husband of 75 years, Howard. The Coopers joined Open Door Bible Church on June 26, 1955.

Men's Chili Cook Off

The 2015 Open Door Men’s Chili Cook Off is coming!  Sunday night, February 15, is the big night.  For the past two years, young whippersnappers have carried away the coveted “You Nailed it!” Silver Spike Award.  Who will be victorious this time?

Seasoned Saints

A number of years ago, we had a group called Seasoned Saints here at Open Door.  It was an opportunity for informal fellowship among the more senior members of our congregation.  If you would like to be a part of the first re-gathering of this group, plan to be in Wilson Hall Thursday, January 29, 1-4PM.  Shirl LaVoice is organizing the time.  She’s planning snacks, a Christian film, and some warm fellowship.  Contact us for more information.  This could become a monthly event!

VECA Annual Meeting at Open Door

Our neighborhood association, VECA, will hold their Annual Meeting here at Open Door this Saturday.  The morning includes a Breakfast Potluck at 9AM followed by the meeting at 10AM.  If you live in the VECA area or just want to help out, come join us!