A Simple, Old-Fashioned Christmas

Candlelight Carols was a wonderful time of music, readings, stories of Christmases long ago, and of course lots of carols by candlelight!  Thanks, Bethany Henry, for this creative time of worship and fun!

Christmas Day/New Year's Day Schedule

We will meet for worship on Christmas morning at the regular time--10:45AM.  There will be no Bible Study Hour and no evening service on Christmas Day.

Our New Year's Eve Celebration is 7PM until just after midnight.  New Year's morning, our Bible Study Hour and morning worship will be at the regularly scheduled times (9:30AM and 10:45AM).  There will be no evening service on New Year's Day.

NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATION

Welcome in 2017 with the church family.  We will meet at 7PM on New Year's Eve for a very informal time that will include fellowship, food, and games.  The last moments of 2016 will include a time of sharing about God's faithfulness and prayer for the year ahead.  Bring your favorite board games and leftover holiday snacks.

CANDLELIGHT CAROLS -- December 18 at 5:30PM

Come worship the Christ of Christmas on Sunday evening, December 18, 6PM.  This will be a time filled with music and praise.  Afterwards, you are invited to join everyone in Wilson Hall for a time of refreshments and fellowship.

THANKSGIVING FEAST

God calls us to be a thankful people.  He has brought us salvation; met our needs; shown us His great grace.  On Sunday evening, November 20, 5PM, you are invited to be a part of our Annual Thanksgiving Feast.  Plan to bring traditional holiday foods to share, and consider telling us what makes you thankful—someone instrumental in bringing you to faith; a Bible promise that has sustained you; a missionary who inspires you; an answer to specific prayer; a time God delivered you from harm or despair.  Invite family and friends.

Chris Paine -- With the Lord

Our friend Chris Paine passed into the Lord’s presence on November 3.  He died in his sleep, quite unexpectedly.  Pray for his wife Amy, his mother Denisce, and the rest of their family.  Chris joined Open Door in January of 2000 and was active in our youth group.

THANKSGIVING FEAST

God calls us to be a thankful people.  He has brought us salvation; met our needs; shown us His great grace.  On Sunday evening, November 20, 5PM, you are invited to be a part of our Annual Thanksgiving Feast.  Plan to bring traditional holiday foods to share, and consider telling us what makes you thankful—someone instrumental in bringing you to faith; a Bible promise that has sustained you; a missionary who inspires you; an answer to specific prayer; a time God delivered you from harm or despair.  Invite family and friends.

Our Operation Christmas Child packing party is this weekend!  We would love to see many of you involved in this exciting ministry.  The ladies will be meeting to do some preliminary preparation on Friday at 6PM, and packing will commence at 2PM on Saturday, November 12. Monetary gifts for shipping or supplies are welcome.

SEASONED SAINTS FELLOWSHIP

Come enjoy a great meal and informal fellowship at the church at this monthly gathering.  Thursday, October 27, 1PM.  Contact the church office to reserve a spot.

A new year of AWANA began September 11.  AWANA is our club for preschool through high school.  It meets Sunday nights, 5:30-7PM. The evening includes games, Bible studies, Scripture memory, and lots of other fun activities.  Join us this Sunday!

Couples Fellowship is back, and we are planning an activity for Friday night, September 16!  We will meet at Memphis Escape Rooms for an hour of fun bonding as we attempt to escape the room.  After our hoped-for escapes, we will meet back at the church for finger foods, desserts, and fellowship.  The cost for the activity will be $43.70 per couple.  We need your reservation and payment by September 4. Don’t want to try the Escape Rooms? Come to the church around 8PM for the time of fellowship.  Contact us for more details and to make your reservation.

LABOR DAY PICNIC

The Annual Labor Day Picnic will be at the home of John & Jean Parish.  Contact us for the address.  The fun begins at noon, with lunch at 1PM.  Then the afternoon is free for conversation, swimming, volleyball, and other activities. Bring enough food for your family and some guests.   Drinks, plates, and utensils are provided.  Everyone is welcome!  Labor Day is Monday, September 5.

Citizen Meritorious Service Award

Joshua and Noah LaVoice will be receiving

The Citizen Meritorious Service Award from

the Shelby County Fire Department

for their successful efforts in suppressing a residential fire near their house on July 3, 2016.

The presentation will take place on Monday,

August 22, 11AM,

at Fire Station 66, 5469 Raleigh Millington Rd.

Congratulations!

IT'S A BOY!

Baby Amagliani is on his way!  Ladies, please join us for a baby shower and brunch at 10:30AM on Saturday, August 13, at the church.  Mandy has registered at Walmart and Amazon.com.  Question?  Contact Donna LaCroix at donna@shelbyweb.com .

CAMP NIGHT -- July 31st

We recently sent seven young people to Camp CoBeAc in Michigan.  Then we had six working at Camp Good News.  Others have attended Camp Good News or worked in various ministries this summer.  Make plans now to come out on Sunday evening, July 31, and hear what God has done in and through their lives this summer.  Join us in the fellowship hall at 5:30 and bring something for our salad supper. 

Camp CoBeAc 2016

Our AWANA Club achievers attended a week of camp in Michigan at Camp CoBeAc during June.  In addition to being challenged to walk closely with God, they also had lots of fun.  Lamar Matheny was named Camper of the Week, and four of our young men shared the Cabin of the Week Award (Lamar, Nathaniel Henry, Benaiah Henry, and Justin Bey).  Congratulations!

Summer Youth Group Bible Study

The DoorKeepers’ study from True U, Is the Bible Reliable?, begins tonight at 5:45PM.  We will spend the summer exploring the historical case for the reliability of Scripture with Dr. Stephen Moyer.

PRAY FOR THE PORTERS

Steve Porter graduated from UT College of Dentistry and, with his wife Ruth, left Open Door (where they led the youth ministry) in 1981 to attend Dallas Theological Seminary.  For the past 29 years, they have been serving in Miango, Nigeria, carrying out a unique ministry of dentistry, outreach, hospitality, humanitarian aid, and discipleship, they will soon return to the US for a year of reconnecting and recharging.  Pray for them!

Youth Car Wash -- June 4

Does your car need a good washing?  Make plans now to come by the church on Saturday, June 4, between 10 and 2 to let the DoorKeepers wash it for you.  They are working to raise needed funds for camp.

Summertime Sunday Night Study

Join us on Sunday evenings as we learn to share the evidence for the historical Jesus who performed miracles and was raised from the dead.  A combination of prayer, Bible study, videos from the Impact360 Institute, and discussion will equip you, encourage you, and strengthen your faith.  Everyone is invited to take part in this summertime study.

Gil Ngole Graduates from Memphis College of Art -- Master of Fine Arts

AWANA Awards Banquet 2016

Child Dedication -- Bennett Andersen Waller

Ladies Sewing Day

YOUTH SUNDAY

Our young people did a tremendous job on Youth Sunday presenting "Jesus in Every Book of the Bible" Sunday morning. Really proud of each of them as they also individually shared what they've learned over the past year. And the meal they served after the service was awesomely delicious!

Parent Dedication on May 1st

Elliott Steven Jones was born November 21, 2015. Daniel and Brandy dedicate him to the Lord and themselves as parents, desiring to lead him well spiritually. We are thankful for this family and stand with them as they seek God's best.

GRADUATIONS!

Gil Ngolé invites you to the 66^th Commencement Ceremony of Memphis College of Art on Saturday, May 14, 2016, 10AM, on the South Lawn of Rust Hall at Overton Park.  A reception will follow.

Faith Heritage Christian Academy announces the graduation ceremony of their on-campus and homeschool seniors.  Sara LaVoice and Lamar Matheny invite you to their commencement on May 20^th at 7:00PM at First Baptist Church, 5010 West Union Road, Millington, TN.

Nathaniel Henry invites you to celebrate with him at his graduation from Central Baptist School on May 27 at 7PM.  The school is located at 5470 Raleigh LaGrange, Memphis.

YOUTH SUNDAY -- May 1st

Our Annual Youth Sunday is May 1.  Come out to enjoy a program and testimonies from our young people, and plan to stay for a tasty lunch provided by our young people and their families. Please sign up so we know how many to expect for lunch.  Donations for their summer trip to Camp CoBeAc will be accepted.

AWANA WINDS UP ANOTHER YEAR!

Congratulations to Doran Shafer, T-n-T Clubber of the Month for February and March.  AWANA has almost wrapped up the 2015-16 school year.  Young people, it’s time to finish those books.  Our final club night is May 1.  The AWANA Awards Banquet is Sunday night, May 15.

STAND WITH THE PERSECUTED CHURCH

Today is Stand with the Persecuted Sunday.  We are called to remember fellow believers who are imprisoned or otherwise mistreated because of their faith.  Each day, 322 Christians are martyred, 214 churches and Christian properties are destroyed, and 722 acts of violence are committed against Christians.  Iraq, Nigeria, Syria, Pakistan, North Korea, Nigeria, and Somalia are among the nations most affected.

Church Workday

A church workday is planned for Saturday, April 30.  Join us for a fun and productive time as we do some spring cleaning and fixing.

The Amazing Race

Our fourth annual Amazing Race for the DoorKeepers who regularly attend Wednesday night Bible study or AWANA is coming soon.  Talk to Bethany if you would like to help out.

2016 Scripture Memory Challenge

Our Scripture Memory Challenge for 2016 is to learn the 12 verses on salvation from the Topical Memory System.  Choose your preferred translation, and learn them using topic, reference, verse, and reference.  Study cards for KJV or NASV are available on the hallway table.  Deadline is May 15.

Celebrate the Resurrection with Us!

Easter Sunday is March 27.  Plan to be here as we celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ together.  Breakfast will be served in Wilson Hall at 8:30AM, followed by a combined Sunday School Hour (Junior High and up) at 9:30AM and worship at 10:45AM.  There will be no AWANA and no Evening Service that night.

Baptized On March 20, 2016 (Palm Sunday)

These two young men have declared their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ by being baptized.  Our church family is proud of Noah Jordan LaVoice and Isaac Indiana Jones.  May they always honor and serve the One who bought them with His blood.

TUESDAY NIGHT LADIES BIBLE STUDY

The Ladies Bible Study meets Tuesday nights, 6:30PM, at the church.  They have just begun a new study of Old Testament Minor Prophets, so it is a great time to join them.  Talk with Donna LaCroix for details.