The Baptist Bridge

December 2011 Edition By the grace of God, the Philippi Baptist Church shall Embrace, Model, and Share the love of God through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Philippi Baptist Church 107 Church St. Philippi, WV 26416 (304) 457-3206

Inside this Issue From the Pastor2,3 Prayer list4 Birthdays...4 Anniversaries..4 Announcements...5,6 Officers, Boards, and Committees for 2012 ..7 RMMO News...8 Letter from Pastor Cheeseman...8 Getting to Know..9

Catch us on the radio live every Sunday morning 10:30a.m. WQAB 91.3 FM
107 Church Street Philippi, WV 26416(304)457-3206 philippibaptist@frontier.com
Jon Villers, Pastor Lisa Dadisman, Secretary Eddy Poling, Praise and Worship Leader Jud Bracey, Choir Director Zvezdana Vlasic, Custodian

Advent Season is upon us! It is a time when we remember the first Advent (coming) of Jesus as we anticipate the second Advent in His time and in His way! Isaiah Chapter 9 says it best: 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. Emmanuel has come! God with Us! I find every day is an opportunity to live in His peace while the world spins out of control around us. We are privileged to have several reminders during this season to pause and give thanks. Here is a devotional thought on the matter: "He is the Prince of Peace. Think of individual life today. Was it ever more restless than it is now? What are the causes of unrest in individual life? The Bible teaches that it is lack of God. I take any individual life you please, and where there is no recognition of God, no practical, everyday, actual, positive traffic with God or commerce with eternity, then you have a life hot, restless, feverish. And by way of contrast, find me the man, or the woman, or the little child, who knows God; and I will find you a life of quietness and peace, in spite of all the circumstances of stress and strain and conflict. Oh, do we not know them! How they help us, the quiet saints of the most high God, many of them devoid of all the things that minister to mans supposed well-being, but whose hearts are firm and steady. 2

What is the way of peace? It is the heart undivided in allegiance to God. So the Prince of peace comes. He comes to say, I have brought a sword, and I have come to war against the things in your life that shut God out. There are men and women who will yield to Him, and hand over to Him their sword of rebellion, and to such men and to such women He will bring the peace of God which passeth all understanding." G. Campbell Morgan, The Westminster Pulpit. And I'll let a pastor from Pensacola, FL have our last word this month. Peace to you All!! "Of all the names in the Bible that refer to the promised messiah, during the past two or three years the title Prince of Peace has taken on new meaning for our family. Through our years of marriage, we have been blessed with good health, supportive congregations, and encouraging friends. However, during the past few years, we have been smitten with barrage of health issues on both sides of our family. When a family member is being treated for a catastrophic illness, you learn to be extremely flexible. You learn to pray in deeper ways than you have prayed before. You learn not to panic when the phone rings in the middle of the night. You strive to keep all of your family members on the same page regarding care and treatment. You take time to treasure your phone calls and visits with them because you are more aware of the uncertainty of the future. Such circumstances tend to intensify your stress level and keep your emotions on edge. God has promised never to leave us but to give us strength in times of adversity. The prophet Isaiah told of a coming messiah who would be an insightful counselor, a proactive God, an everpresent father, and an ambassador of peace. As Christians, we believe that these attributes describe the life and ministry of Jesus. The Apostle Paul encouraged believers to look to the Prince of Peace in every season and every circumstance: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7) When unexpected difficulties and challenges come your way, invite the Prince of Peace to guard your emotions and guide your decisions. Prayer: God of peace, thank you for promising to be with us in all of the seasons of life. Whether we are on the highest mountain or in the lowest valley, grant us inner peace through our companionship with Christ. Amen." http://bayhillrev.blogspot.com/2007/12/advent-devotional-discovering-prince-of.html Shalom, Pastor Jon
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PRAYER CONCERNS
Unspoken requests for family members, unsaved people, community concerns, those with job and home loss, financial difficulties. Also, in need of prayer: our national, state, and country leaders and officials. Please pray for victims, the families and friends of crime, war and violence throughout our country. Pray to protect military personnel and their families throughout the world. Relatives and friends of those serving our country: Tim Jenkins, Chris Mossburg, Taylor Smith, Major Kris Wood, and Captain Aaron Cross

A-B faculty, staff and students, Susan Ball, Ronald Ball, Billy Coontz, Blaine Corder, Audrey Cross Susan Cross, Regina Edens, Becky & Mike Elmore, Otilia Franke, Jim Friend, Carl Gant, Mike Gillian, Joe and Beverly Gouer Jane Gibbons, Raymond Hayes, Joyce Kerr, Linda Kines, Matt Lake, Chrissy Maddy, Bernard McBee, Billie Moore, Donna Moore, Don Murray, Bryson Parker, Brenda & Gary Price, Sonny Qualls, Melvin Richter, Kaley Sinsel, John Scott, Vangie Shaffer, Dr. Richard Shearer, Darlene Waddell,

1-Caroline Jett 2-Martha Rose Roy 2-Beth Longo 2-Emily Wilkins 4-Eric Davidson 5-Melissa Franke 5-Jean Ellen Irvine 5-Glenn Sweet 6-Jonathan Franke 7-Eric Hebb 8-Dean Davidson 11-Mary Withers 13-Jon Griffin 13-Ken Yount 15-Carla Springer 17-Marsha Smith 18-Dianna Wright 19-Kelly Runion 21-Danny Franke 21-Herb Smith 24-Chris Mulneix 27-Koreen Villers 29-Carolyn Davis 30- Richard Shearer 31-Ken Waddell

Anniversaries
5-William and Shirley Thorne 14-Paul and Sharon Hebb 15-David and Carol Kidd 21-Olin and Marj Campbell 26-Steve and Susan Markwood 27-Clarence and Dianna Wright 28-Don and Barbara Smith 31-Fred and Amy Funk
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ANNOUNCEMENTS Please remember that Heart & Hand volunteer night is on the first Monday of every month. Next volunteer work night is December 5 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. HELP NEEDED! Want to spend a few hours giving and receiving a blessing? Heart & Hand needs help with their annual toy sale, people just to BE THERE to assist buyers. The dates are December 7,8, and 9 and December 12, 13, 14, each day from 1 to 5 p.m. at the H&H building in Junior. Any time you can give will be GREATLY appreciated. FREE COFFEE AND COOKIES! Call Sandy McLean at 457-3816 or, if you'd like further information, call Barbara Smith at 457-3038. Also, Dont miss the opportunity to support our young people by contributing to the third floor renovation. We currently need $9,000. to complete the project. As contributions come in we could change the $9,000 to reflect the progress of the project.
____________________________________________________________________________________________ You are cordially invited to participate in the Alderson-Broaddus College Music Department Community Chorus for our performance of Handel's Messiah. The music department and the community will be joining to perform several movements of this major work to be performed during the Christmas season. Scores will be provided for those who do not own one. All rehearsals and the performance will be held in Wilcox Chapel on the A-B campus. Please call Lauren Lindsey (304-457-6304) for more information. Rehearsals: December 1 at 7pm (Thursday) December 3 at 3pm (Saturday) Performance: December 4 at 7pm (Sunday) ____________________________________________________________________________________________

ABWM NEWS
Book of the month: Job On December 4 at 2p.m.at the church ABWM will be making decorations for Shut-Ins.
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Collecting RMMO during the month of December. Goal : RMMO $1200.00 remember with LOVE give with GRATITUDE The Retired Ministers and Missionaries offering (RMMO) The Mission and Outreach Board is sponsoring Project: Advent Gift. We are requesting to bring a gift box filled with non-perishable food items that we will be giving to Heart & Hand to replenish their food pantry. We will have the gift boxes 5 available under the Christmas tree. See Koreen Villers for further details.

Announcements

December 11, 2011: The Congregational Christmas dinner (catered and funded by donations)

December 18th, 2011: Chancel Choir Concert at 10:30 am. Come out and hear Philippis finest sings songs of Praise!

December 18th, 2011 Children and Youth Program will be at 6:00p.m. Come out and see the children and youth of God perform for the Lord.

December 24th, 2011 Communion Candlelight Service. Stop by anytime between the hours of 6-8p.m. in the Sanctuary. Take time to remember whose blood was shed for you.

December 25th, 2011 Lighting of the Christ candle on Christmas day service at 10:30a.m.

PHILIPPI BAPTIST CHURCH

OFFICERS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES 2012
MODERATOR VICE MODERATOR FINANCIAL SECRETARY ASSISTANT FINANCIAL SECRETARY TREASURER ASSISTANT TREASURER CLERK TERM EXPIRING 2012 TERM EXPIRING 2013 George Davis (2014) Olin Campbell (2012) Clarence Wright (2013) Scott Springer (2013) Craig Cobb (2013) Jeff Allen (2013) Barbara Smith (2012) TERM EXPIRING 2014

DIACONATE
(NINE TOTAL MEMBERS)

Bob Boyer (unexpired term) Cheryl Wolfe (unexpired term) Dianna Wright

Kelly Bracey Glenn Sweet JD Long

Chuck Scheick Carolyn Davis Petar Vlasic

BOARD OF TRUSTEES
(SIX TOTAL MEMBERS)

Caton Hill Bruce Blankenship

Skip Ervin Mary Boyer

Hayden Cottrill Randy Moore

BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

(SIX TOTAL MEMBERS)

Cheryl Blankenship Gary Price SS Superintendant

Sara Poling Sarah Ferguson

Crystal Gray Koreen Villers

BOARD OF OUTREACH & MISSIONS

(SIX TOTAL MEMBERS)

Brenda Price Christie Allen

Margaret Salimi Linda Howell

Martha Rose Roy Zvesdana Vlasic

BOARD OF WORSHIP
(SIX TOTAL MEMBERS)

Jane Digman Dawn Scheick

Eddy Poling Carol Ervin

Jovan Vlasic Lauren Lindsey

PASTORAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE

(FIVE TOTAL: THREE ELECTED AND TWO APPOINTED BY THE PASTOR)

Sarah Cobb Pastoral Appointments (2):

Gerald Fogg (unexpired term) 1.Darlene Waddell

Linda Long 2.Michele Moore

FINANCE COMMITTEE
(FIVE MEMBERS NOT COUNTING THE TWO EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS)

1.Clarence Wright (Financial Secretary) 2.Craig Cobb (Treasurer) 3.Bob Digman 4.Gary Price 5.Bruce Blankenship Ex-officio 1.Scott Springer (Assistant Financial Secretary) 2.Jeff Allen (Assistant Treasurer)

NOMINATING COMMITTEE
(FIVE MEMBERS)

1.Chuck Scheick 2. Rebekah Hicks 3.Jovan Vlasic 4.Christie Allen 5.Marj Campbell
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For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100:5

Collecting RMMO during the month of December Goal: RMMO $1200.00 The Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering (RMMO) The RMMO is an annual ABCUSA offering that provides (1) Thank you checks to more than 3,000 retired American Baptist ministers and missionaries or their widowed spouses, based on 20 or more years of ABC service, and (2) emergency and other financial assistance based on need. Please help us remember them with love and give with gratitude
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Plank Owner x 2 How many people do you know who are two-time Plank Owners? Thats an honor bestowed of very few people, and one of them is a member of Philippi Baptist Church. Right! Its Rob Boyer, who earned the peculiar distinction by being present for both the decommissioning of the U.S.S. Wasp and the commissioning of the U.S.S. Nimitz. He also served in the Navy on the U.S.S. Saratoga, but it was the other two ships that made him a Plank Owner. A native of Covington and having grown up in the schools of Mentor and Highland Heights, Kentucky, it was at the Highland Heights church that he met his wife, Mary. The congregation started meeting in a tent, then became a mission of the Fort Thomas Baptist Church, and then the congregation built its own building and became independent. Mary and Rob were married in 1979 after Rob had already been in the Navy for twelve years. Throughout a total of twenty years, he was stationed at bases in Great Lakes, Illinois; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Jacksonville, Florida; Quonset Point, Rhode Island; and Norfolk, Virginia. where he retired. He had had a number of assignments in the service. With the title of Operations Specialist, he served as a radar operator and then as an Air Intercept Controller on aircraft carriers. It was his job to guide fighter planes by radio or computer, sometimes actually flying the planes himself via autopilot. After retirement, he joined Mary in working for a wholesale floral business in Norfolk, an operation so big that the company ordered ten thousand roses three times a week. After a stint in that business, Rob became a civilian contractor for the Navy, later selling computers for CompUSA. In 1993 the Boyers came to Philippi, and Rob went back to school, earning a degree from Computer Tech in Fairmont. Since then he has worked for DNAmerican at the FBI site in Bridgeport, running their library for five years and since then carrying the title of Procurement and Inventory Management Specialist. Rob and Mary enjoy traveling, and when he can find the time, Rob is a skeet shooter. As for Philippi Baptist Church, Rob says, This is a wonderfully mixed group of people who have become a family for me. We all have the same basic values, and though our opinions may vary, there is always a strong flow of love and concern. This church is a place of friendship and caring. Its a family.

Philippi Baptist Church 107 Church Street Philippi, West Virginia 26416 Do not return, leave with current addressee

Nonprofit Organization U.S. POSTAGE Permit NO. 36 Philippi, WV 26416

A Thank you card and donation was given by the Wednesday womens precept class. They want you to know that they appreciate you letting them use your church.