Hello Church Family,
Happy Thanksgiving! On behalf of the Hopewell staff I just want to say thank you. For the past four weeks you have been praying for us and sending encouraging cards. This staff is blessed to be a part of such a wonderful church body as Hopewell. Thank you to our deacon chairman, Phillip Jones, for the encouraging message this past Sunday from Psalm 71. Please remember if you miss a Sunday service, you can catch up by watching the worship services on our YouTube page, Hopewell Baptist.
Sharing this Sunday’s message will be Rev. Marty Carnes. For twenty years, Marty has pastored churches in Douglas, Quitman, and most recently as the pastor of First Baptist Church of Thomasville, GA. In July, he joined the staff of Truett McConnell University as the Associate VP of Advancement. Additionally, he teaches in the school of Business. Marty and his wife Cindy live in Demorest and have two kids – Andrew (20), a business major at Liberty University, and Sarah (17), a Christian Studies major at Truett McConnel University.
Please join us as we welcome and pray for brother Carnes. It is our prayer that you will come ready to worship the Lord and hear His word.
Once again, we will be on our current Sunday schedule with two Sunday school times (8:00, 10:00) and two worship times (9:00, 11:00). Please plan to join us.
There will be a Women’s Night of Worship on December 6. The service will begin at 6:00 p.m. with coffee and snacks in the fellowship hall starting at 5:30 p.m. The speaker will be Nora Bennett. If you need child care you can sign up in the Next Steps Corner at the church.
We will start back Wednesday evening services in January. Awana will begin January 13 and we will be having an Awana Training on January 9. Information to sign up online will be coming soon.
Remember “why” we do what we do. Awana is one of our greatest tools Hopewell uses to teach our children the Word of God and how it can shape their lives. Each year kids accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior through this wonderful program. The Awana mission is “to reach boys and girls with the Gospel of Christ to train them to serve Him.” If you have a desire to be a part of a life changing ministry, Awana may be the place for you, please let us know. Email us at serve@hopewell.church.
Thank you to our Pastor Search Team chairman Brantley Gee for giving us an update on the team’s progress. As you pray for our Pastor Search team remember to pray for protection for them and their families. The enemy will seek to disrupt and disturb as they seek the man of God for our church. Team members are Brantley Gee, Angela Cox, Phil Forrester, Mark Poole, Laura Robb, Jose Salgado, and Allison Walker. Team alternates are Renee Cook and Scott Allen.
The following men will be preaching on the upcoming Sundays…
November 29 - Rev. Marty Carnes
December 6 - Ian Bennett
Please join us as we pray for these men who will help fill the pulpit.
Upcoming dates to remember:
- December 6 - Women’s Night of Worship. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
- December 16 - Children’s Christmas Party. 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Sweet Shoppe.
- December 24 - Christmas Eve Service. Worship and Lord’s Supper at 5:00 p.m.
- December 27 - One corporate Worship Service at 10:00 a.m.
As new information comes to light, we will do our best to communicate with you, our church family.
Listen to what the apostle Paul said: “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17
Jesus brings us His victory over the world. He brings us the spirit of overcoming. We can be victorious during hardships and trials. And according to Colossians 3:17 thankfulness is an action. We should desire to live in a manner that brings honor to the name of Christ. Thankfulness means that we are different “because of” God’s blessings. Are you different since you come to know Christ? We cannot say that we are thankful for God’s blessings and then constantly complain. We cannot say we are thankful for salvation and continue to walk in sin. We cannot say that we are thankful for the church and never attend. Thankfulness is revealed by the way we act. Our behavior demonstrates our gratitude toward God. We choose our behaviors daily and in-so-doing make the choice to be grateful or ungrateful.
I pray that you all had a great Thanksgiving. I pray that you put your thankfulness in action by speaking and showing the love of Christ. Not only demonstrating thankfulness to those you love but to everyone you have opportunity to share Jesus.
Your prayers are making a difference. Please continue in prayer and patience. The Lord has great things in store for Hopewell Baptist Church.
The staff and leaders are available if you have questions.
Blessings and love,
Dr. Kent Barrett
Executive Pastor
