November 2009

While it is still fresh in our minds, I wanted to post a few of my own thoughts about our recent hosting of Steve Brown. First, we need to be very grateful to Steve and to KeyLife, the ministry he works for. Steve is in huge demand as a speaker. His speaking schedule is carefully controlled, and planned a year to two in advance. It was a great kindness that he would determine to come here. We are grateful. If you had the opportunity to speak with him face to face, you would have found him to be wonderfully gracious. And though we will be ...

The following Adult Christian Education classes will begin this Sunday... #1: Knowing God - an Introduction. To some, J. I. Packer's 1972 book Knowing God is the most significant book they have ever read. However, for many it remains a closed book, one whose very title and topic seem to be a put off of monumentally boring proportions. Beginning November 29 and continuing for several Sundays thereafter, Keith Brightbill will be guiding us through an overview of and introduction to some of the most helpful and practical themes of this classic ...

Pretty soon, many of you will be sitting down to write your annual Christmas cards. This year, please consider including our missionaries on your list. We would like to have as many families as possible write Christmas cards to our missionary families to encourage them in their labors and let them know they are thought of. For many on the mission field, friends and family are far away at this time of year and the encouragement of their supporters will be much appreciated. If you would like to participate, bring your cards to church and we ...

Moody Radio (104.3) interviewed Steve Brown regarding his speaking here and has posted this interview in two parts here and here. This is exciting! Give it a listen and invite ALL your friends!

Don't miss the latest updates from the Padilla's, serving in El Paso, and Carla Stevens who just recently returned home to the States.

This Sunday, Habitat for Humanity will dedicate its 100th home built by volunteers in Manatee County. The celebration will take place at 1:00pm in Washington Park-located at 2nd Ave. W. & 25th St. W. in Palmetto. Click here for directions and more information. This 100th home is a major milestone in the 15 year history of Manatee Habitat and each and every volunteer should take pride in this major accomplishment. Congrats to those from Hope who helped turn people's dreams into reality.

Please remember the church workday this Saturday, November 14. There are lots of jobs to be done around the church...cleaning, painting, weeding and trimming. We'll start work at 9am and wrap it up around noon. Please come and join us if you can. If you are unable to make it on Saturday, but would still like to help, please contact the Lori at the church office for a list of jobs that need to be done.

If you are participating in the Christmas Shoebox Program for Operation Christmas Child, please bring your shoebox to church this Sunday, November 15. All shoe boxes need to be dropped off at the collection stations next week so they need to be brought here by Sunday.

I'm getting more and more excited about the upcoming conference "Scandalous Freedom" featuring Steve Brown from Key Life Network. Here is what is happening: Alexandra Bush has created a Facebook page for this event. If you are on Facebook, you can go to that page, and send it to your friends to invite them to the event. I think if you click here, it will take you to the event page. Steve Brown will be interviewed next week by Steve Krumlauf of Moody Radio (104.3) in connection with this event. The interview will air during the week of ...