Dear Old Friendship Family,

As I type this, I can hardly believe that we are heading into the last 1/6 of the year. Please notice that we have no shortage of ministry activities, which are opportunities for you to receive a blessing.  First, last year we set aside November to focus on missions.  Although missions is year-round at Old Friendship, we use “Missions’ Month” to sharpen our focus on why we are still in this world—to win it to Jesus!  Beginning this Sunday, as I finish our series in Jude, we will be preaching, educating, and giving toward being on mission in our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and uttermost parts of the earth (Acts 1:8b). 

Will you hear from the Lord?  

On November 9th, we will eat some fresh hog after church but not before hearing one of the best church consultants/preachers I know, Bro. David Smith. He will challenge us with the thought, “the light of a church that shines the farthest shines the brightest at home.” Then, on November 16th, we will hear from Dr. Randy Redd, Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Mid-America Baptist Seminary. Dr. Redd will be bringing the Word and a report about thousands of prisoners who are being saved. We will also hear from the leaders of Old Friendship’s Jail Ministry. On November 23rdwe will hear about the uttermost parts of the earth from Dr. Jeff Brawner of Global Church Planting Partners. Finally, on November 30th, I will bring a final message about our vision and our mission as a church. Please pray that God will use this time! In addition, we will hear from Michael and Hillary Mincher about Christian Veterinary Mission and Mongolia (time and date to be announced).  In addition to all of this, I hope you will lead your family to participate in Operation Christmas Child. We can all bring supplies with loving gifts and the gospel or 2 or 3 or 4…!  Deadline is Sunday Morning, November 9th.

Will you give to the Lord?

Our offering this year consists of three parts.  First, we will do a love offering for the Minchers.  Second, we will receive a special Old Friendship Mission offering, which will be dispersed as follows:

Lottie Moon (Our International Mission Board) 75%

Golden Offering (Our Tennessee Baptist Mission Board) 25%

Church Goal: $12000 

Here are a few more opportunities:

November 8th Hog Killing (eat it on the 9th after church!)

November 9th Sunday evening at 6:30  we will meet at West Jackson Baptist for our State Convention Summitt Reunion worship (there will be a bus leave from Old Friendship at 5:30).

November 16th Thankful Party in our Pre-school and Children’s Sunday school classes

December 7th 6PM Ridgeway Baptist Choir to present Christmas Music to us.

December 14th Happy Birthday Jesus Christmas Party in Pre-school and Children’s Sunday school

December 21st 6PM Children’s Christmas Play

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to me…(Acts 1:8a).

A Willing Witness Depending on His Power,

 Dr. Ashley E. Ray