DECEMBER 2009 Church News for the The Laurel Link JACKSON MEMORIAL: (Dennis Engle, Pastor)
Our Fall Festival on October 24th was fantastic. The kids had a great time and so did the adults. We have some pictures on our website. We're all looking forward to next year's Fall Festival.
November 8th was our 59th anniversary homecoming. We had special preaching by Brother Gary Messer and singing by Expressions of the Heart and The Jarvis Family. There was also lots of food and fellowship.
For December, we have planned a Christmas dinner on the 13th and our Christmas program will be on December 20th.
In closing, did you know that worship is not singing songs TO God? It's living life FOR God.
(Reporter, Bettie Hopper)
NOVEMBER 2009 Church News for the The Laurel Link JACKSON MEMORIAL: (Dennis Engle, Pastor)
Our "Ladies Day Out" on September 19th was a great time of fun and fellowship for all the women who attended. Several women from our church and many from other area churches enjoyed the festivities. The food was plentiful and so were the drawings for gifts and door prizes. We were totally blessed by the special speakers and the singing.
We are well pleased that all the cleaning, repairs and maintenance is finally done on the church both inside and out and the new siding on the building is finally completed. The church looks absolutely great!
We had a spiritual and exciting fall revival with Evangelist Jeff Combs, October 4th thru October 7th. There was special singing nightly which included the group New Way, The Jackson Church Choir, New Dawning and others.
On October 24th at 4pm, we will have our Fall Festival, "A Journey Thru the Bible". The kids can come and have a great time experiencing," The Creation, Noah's Ark, Daniel in the Lion's Den, and The Ministry of Apostle Paul". They will especially enjoy the treat bags.
On November 8th we will have our 59th anniversary homecoming. There will be special preaching and singing with lots of food and fellowship. We will have updates on the website and other as the homecoming draws nearer.
We're looking forward to December. Christmastime is always a busy time filled with love and joy as we celebrate the birth of our Savior.
Until next time, did you know the difference between stumbling blocks and stepping stones is how you use them? Are you falling down or stepping up?
(Guest Reporter, Bettie Hopper, filling in for Hazel Hedrick).
OCTOBER 2009 Church News for The Laurel Link JACKSON MEMORIAL: (Dennis Engle, Pastor)
Our back-to-school service which was first scheduled for Aug 9th , then changed to Aug 16th, has been postponed again. We hope to reschedule sometime in the near future.
What an exciting time we had during our August 29th 5th Saturday Night Singing with the singing group New Dawning as our featured singers. Their singing ministry is such a spiritual blessing. Also, there were refreshments and fellowship after the singing.
September will be highlighted by our "Ladies Day Out" which will start at 3pm on September 19th with a dinner, special speakers and singing. This will be for all the women in the church with friends and relatives included.
Also, in September we have been having some cleaning, repairs and maintenance done on the church both inside and out. The painting has been completed on the inside. We have new lights and fans and the new siding on the outside should be finished shortly. Things are looking great.
Coming up in October our church is planning a fall revival beginning on October 4th at 6pm and continuing through Oct 5th, 6th and 7th at 7pm.
Pastor Appreciation Day is also coming up in October.
Then on October 24th at 4pm, we will be having a Fall Festival which we are calling, "A Journey Thru the Bible". This will be for kids of all ages. Come join us and see things like, The Creation, Noah's Ark, Daniel in the Lion's Den, and The Ministry of Apostle Paul. There will be live-action characters, life-size decorations, and puppets. There will also be treats for the kids.
On November 8th we will have our 59th anniversary homecoming. There will be special preaching and singing with lots of food and fellowship. We will have updates on the website and other as the homecoming draws nearer.
In closing, "Worry looks around. Sorry looks back. Faith looks up". Where are you looking?
(Guest Reporter, Bettie Hopper, filling in for Hazel Hedrick).
SEPTEMBER 2009 Church News for the The Laurel Link JACKSON MEMORIAL: (Dennis Engle, Pastor)
For the past few months it seems we have all been so busy. It's hard to believe that school is back in session already. With that in mind, on August 16th we will be having a special back-to-school celebration service in the morning with dinner afterwards. (This was originally scheduled for August 9th, but changed due to a wedding and other conflicting activities). There will not be any evening services on that day.
August 29th is again time for our 5th Saturday Night Singing beginning at 7pm. As usual we will have refreshments after the singing. Check our website (www.JacksonMemorialChurch.org) for updates.
September will be highlighted by our "Ladies Day Out" which will start at noon on September 19th with a dinner, special speakers and singing. This will be for all the women in the church with friends and relatives included.
Coming up in October our church is planning a fall revival beginning on October 4th at 6pm and continuing through Oct 5th, 6th and 7th at 7pm. There will be updates about the revival in the next issue of The Laurel Link.
Then on October 24th we will be having a Fall Festival which we are calling, "A Journey Through the Old Testament". Come join us and see Jonah and the whale, David and the giant, Noah, Daniel, etc. The decorations will be life-size and all the fun will begin at 4pm.
Let us close with this: In the good old days people would take a bath once a week and read the bible every day, now we take a bath once a day and...when was the last time you read your bible? I'm going to go get my bible right now.
(Guest Reporter, Bettie Hopper, filling in for Hazel Hedrick).
AUGUST 2009 Church News for The Laurel Link JACKSON MEMORIAL: (Dennis Engle, Pastor)
Vacation Bible School was fantastic! We had an average of 45 participants each night and we counted 54 for our high attendance night. Brother Dennis, our pastor, had to have his hair colored green during the commencement service because we reached over 50 attendees. (He also had to preach the message Sunday morning with green hair.) The best thing however was the fact that two children accepted Jesus during VBS and another child who came to our bible school was saved the week after VBS.
On Father's Day, each Dad in the church was awarded a book entitled "The Promises of the Bible".
For our Christmas in July activity, which was on July 12th, we collected Shoe Box items for children ages 5-9 for the Samaritan's Purse Organization project called "Operation Christmas Child". There were about 25 shoe boxes filled. We also had a Christmas church service with a Christmas message by our pastor and special Christmas music and singing by the choir. The church was decorated for Christmas with a Christmas tree and nativity set and other decorations. There was a dinner after the morning service and no evening service.
On August 16th we will have a special back-to-school service. Then August 29th we will again have our 5th Saturday Night Singing beginning at 7pm. Check our website (www.JacksonMemorialChurch.org) for updates.
Let us close with this quote, "Speak when you're angry, and you'll make the best speech you'll ever regret." Lawrence J. Peter
(Guest Reporter, Bettie Hopper, filling in for Hazel Hedrick).
JULY 2009 Church News for The Laurel Link JACKSON MEMORIAL: (Dennis Engle, Pastor)
As of May 23rd we have renewed our church visitation program and we are now seeing many new families coming in.
We had our 5th Saturday Night Singing on May 30th at 7pm. We were blessed to have The Gabbard Family from Jackson County as the featured singers. There was fellowship and lots of refreshments after the singing.
Jackson Memorial was the radio program sponsors on May 31st .
As for June, we are so excited about Vacation Bible School this year under the direction of Hazel Hedrick. VBS will begin on the 14th from 6pm-8pm and continue through the 19th with a commencement service that evening. The theme for 2009 is "Boomerang Express: It all comes back to Jesus".
Also, we are looking forward to a wonderful Father's Day on June 21st. We will be honoring our Dads on their special day.
For our Christmas in July activity we are in the process of collecting Shoe Box items for children ages 5-9 for the Samaritan's Purse Organization project called "Operation Christmas Child".
Our Wednesday nights are still growing. Teacher Paul Sparks and the men's group had to move to a bigger classroom and they are now studying the book of Philippians. The women's class is taught by Demetra Dodd have begun a study of the book of Matthew. The children are still learning the books of the Bible and Bible Stories, with the help of Dereck Dodd.
This July 4th let's all remember to give thanks to God for all the freedom we have.
Until next time let's close with this, "For a small reward, a man will hurry away on a long journey; while for eternal life, many will hardly take a single step." Thomas a' Kempis (1380-1471).
(Guest Reporter, Bettie Hopper, filling in for Hazel Hedrick).
JUNE 2009 Church News for The Laurel Link JACKSON MEMORIAL: (Dennis Engle, Pastor)
Our Easter Sunrise Service this year was truly a blessing and the kid's Easter Egg hunt was a blast. One person accepted salvation in the morning service.
The Jackson Memorial Puppets were the highlight of our April 19th worship service at Laurel Heights. The residents were totally delighted. Our puppeteers do a fantastic job and we appreciate all of their hard work.
Also, we have restarted our choir practice and the choir has some exciting new projects in the works.
On Saturday, April 25th, the some of the church took a trip to the Creation Museum in Petersburg, Ky. That is really an awesome place to visit!
On May 10th, Mother's Day, we recognized each of our Moms with special songs and flowers. The oldest mom was Lettie Fisher, the youngest was Athena Waddell and the mom with the most children was Susan Rush. They were each awarded a special prize of potted flowers.
We will be renewing our visitation program beginning on May 23rd.
Coming up on May 30th at 7pm, we will be having our 5th Saturday Night Singing featuring The Gabbard Family from Jackson County. There will be fellowship and refreshments after the singing.
On May 31st our church will be the radio program sponsors.
In the month June we will have our VBS under the direction of Hazel Hedrick. Of course the theme is "Boomerang Express: It all comes back to Jesus". VBS will begin June 14th from 6pm-8pm and continue through June 19th with a commencement service that evening.
Also, we can't forget Father's Day on June 21st. We will be honoring our Dads with something special.
Our Wednesday night services continue to grow. Teacher Paul Sparks and the men's group is now studying the book of Ephesians. The women's class is taught by Demetra Dodd and are using the book, "3:16 The Numbers of Hope" by Max Lucado. Our children are learning the books of the Bible and Bible Stories, with the help of Dereck Dodd.
In closing, we would like to leave you with this, "Don't tell God how Big your storm is, tell the Storm how Big your God is."
(Guest Reporter, Bettie Hopper, filling in for Hazel Hedrick).
MAY 2009 Church News for The Laurel Link JACKSON MEMORIAL: (Dennis Engle, Pastor)
We are so blessed to have Dennis Engle accept the position as our new pastor. We welcome he and his wife, Sharon with open hearts and with open arms.
March was a month filled with making exciting plans for activities during the coming year. March 28th was our annual spring cleaning day. Those who participated are certainly appreciated.
Then on March 29th the church had a "Spring Fling" dinner after church. March 29th was also the pastor's birthday, so he was surprised by a birthday cake, cards and gifts from the congregation.
As for April; on the 12th we plan an inspirational Easter Sunrise Service as well as an Easter Egg hunt in the afternoon for the kids.
April 19th is the church's turn to have a worship service at Laurel Heights. It is always such a pleasure to see the joy in the resident's faces.
We will also be restarting our choir practice on the 19th.
On Saturday, April 25th, the church will visit the Creation Museum in Petersburg, Ky.
Coming up in May, for Mother's Day each of the Moms will be recognized with something special (flowers or a gift).
Then on May 30th at 7pm, we will be having our 5th Saturday night singing. There will be refreshments after the singing and we always have a great time. We will have updates about who will be singing posted on our website: (JacksonMemorialChurch.org).
On May 31st our church will be the radio program sponsors.
In closing, we would like to leave you with this question, "Are you standing on the promises or just sitting on the premises?
(Guest Reporter, Bettie Hopper, filling in for Hazel Hedrick).
JANUARY 2010 Church News for The Laurel Link JACKSON MEMORIAL: (Dennis Engle, Pastor)
In December, we had our Christmas dinner at noon on the 13th. We didn't have a PM service. On the twentieth we will have our children's Christmas program called "Miracle in Bethlehem" at 6pm. There may also be some special singing and I heard a rumor that even the church puppets may make an appearance. There will be Christmas treats during the AM service.
January and February are usually very slow months for activities because of the beginning of a new year and the winter weather makes keeping a schedule difficult. Even so, we are planning on having our 5th Saturday singing on January 30th at 7pm and a Valentine's Day dinner on Sunday February 14th. More details are coming and will be posted on our website as available.
Until next time, your talent is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift to God.
(Reporter, Bettie Hopper)