The Baptist Bridge

December 2012 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 Pastors Message...2 -4 Birthdays5 Anniversaries...5 Prayer requests...5 Getting to know...6 Schedule...7 Announcements & Events...4,7-10

Catch us on the radio live every Sunday Morning at 10:30a.m. WQAB 91.3 FM
E-mail: office@pbcwv.net Website: www.pbcwv.net

107 Church Street Philippi, WV 26416(304)457-3206

Jon Villers, Pastor
Judd Bracey, Choir Director Michele Moore, Pianist Caleb Villers, Praise & Worship Leader Lucretia Moyer, Secretary Marj Campbell, Organist Zvesdana Vlasic, Custodian

Dear PBC Family, I want to wish you a blessed Advent and Christmas Season! I am starting a new venture with the Barbour Democrat and will be writing a weekly column for them. I have enclosed the first article for you all as well! May we continue to be a people, by the Grace of God, who embraces, models and shares the Love of God through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Everything Rhymes with Orange God made all the colors of the rainbow, I can't deny; but orange has always been the apple of my eye! Hello there! My name is Pastor Jon Villers. I have been inspired many times over the last three years as I read Dr. Shearer's weekly column, 'Just What the Doctor Ordered.' I have appreciated his insight, encouragement and faithfulness. Maybe in fifty years, I will begin to scratch the surface of his inspiration and humility. In the meantime, I am hoping you'll allow me to start a new chapter in our local paper. Thank you, Dr. Shearer for your investment in my life and in the lives of so many others down through the years. I have pondered how to begin and think it best to start with some introductions. Who am I? What does the column title mean? Where is this going? Who am I? Wow, even the easiest questions seem daunting when your on a deadline! The who am I question may best be answered from the pen of a modern day prophet, Leonard Sweet. 'I am part of the Church of the Out-of-Control. I once was a control junkie, but now am an Out-of-Control Disciple. I've given up my control to God. I trust and obey the Spirit. I've jumped off the fence, I've stepped over the line, I've pulled out all the stops, I'm holding nothing back. There's no turning back, looking around, slowing down, backing away, letting up, or shutting up. It's life Against the Odds, Outside the Box, Over the Wall, the game of life played Without Goal Lines other than 'Thy Will Be Done...'' He goes on to say, 'My fundamental identity is as a disciple of Jesus-but even more, as a disciple of Jesus who lives in Christ,, who doesn't walk through history simply 'in his steps,' but seeks to travel more deeply IN HIS SPIRIT!' (Soul Cafe, March 1996 Vol. 2, No. 1) I am also the husband of the most beautiful woman in all the world, Koreen Villers. I am the privileged father of four incredible kids: Caleb, Allison, Thomas and Bobby. I am humbled to serve as the lead pastor for Philippi Baptist Church. Koreen and I lead the Bapitst Campus Ministry group at Alderson-Broaddus College. I am the treasurer of both the Barbour County Ministerial Association and the Code Blue Youth Alliance. I am an adjunct instructor at A-B College. I have avid interests in Table Tennis, Racquetball, Disc Golf and Rook! What does the column title mean? My affinity with a certain color starts as I came into this world with orange all around me. I was born four days before Halloween. When I was six years old, my grandmother let me wallpaper a bedroom in her house. I
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found this psychedelic orange and yellow pattern and thought it was amazing! I lived in a West Virginia community that bled orange and black as we cheered on the Tigers of Wirt County and was very school spirited! I then came to Alderson-Broaddus College in the fall of 1985 and it became a signature color for me. I tried to get A-B to paint the Apollo Statue orange when I was Student Body President, but the closest I got was bringing the youth from the church I served at Emmanuel Baptist in Parkersburg to come and paint my dorm room a bright orange! Can you believe the administration gave the ok with the stipulation I would paint it back to a 'neutral color' at the end of the year?! So for almost forty years now, I have collected the color orange. I came up with the poem that starts this column many years ago and orange has truly been the apple of my eye. That phrase, 'apple of my eye,' originated from the bible. It means the object of someone's affections. It is mentioned four times throughout the Old Testament. This passage in Proverbs Chapter 7 becomes significant for me: '1 My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; 2 keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye;'(ESV) I view orange as an outward representation for my desire to be connected to God and His teachings. So for me, Everything Rhymes with Orange! Where is this going? I believe the words given by the Psalmist in Chapter 37 - '4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (ESV) When I started out in ministry nearly twenty years ago, I wrote down some of those desires. I share them with you to let you know a little more from where I am coming! Here are the desires of my heart.: 1) I have a heart to be a part of team in ministry - to learn from, pray with, grow alongside, hold accountable one another 2) I have a heart to reach out to the least of these. To bind up the broken hearted, to set the captives free!! 3) I have a heart for working with and in the public schools and colleges. For building relationships, having a presence, being available to the students, faculty, administration, and staff. 4) I have a heart for a church to connect with community, by building relationships with people in the marketplace, inmates and their families, families with children and youth, young adults, and single adults. 5) I have a heart to use music as a means of reaching out and building God's Kingdom. 6) I have a heart to be in the disciple making business. To train and equip others to be able to go out and train & equip others. 7) I have a heart for teaching and modeling the importance of a personal daily walk with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 8) I have a heart to mobilize all of God's saints to be on mission for Him. 9) I have a heart to form a small group of leaders and potential leaders to then be empowered to go forth and start their own small groups for the purpose of making disciples of service for the Kingdom. 10) I have a heart for God's Kingdom work and not a Church's Castle work. 11) I have a heart to build bridges for God's Kingdom across, economic, social, generational, racial, education3

al, denominational, incarcerational, marital and gender divides. 12) I have a heart to be in daily communication with God individually, with prayer partners, and as communities of faith In the coming weeks, I am excited about sharing words of encouragement and hope as we find ourselves on this journey together. I believe God has created us with a purpose to connect with Him and each other. If you have a particular subject or topic you would like me to address, I am up for that as well! I know my e-mail will not be a shock to you if you've made it this far! orangemanforjesus@gmail.com I'll let the Apostle Paul have the final word today: '3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (ESV) Shalom, Pastor Jon

We have several opportunities to celebrate the birth of our Savior and Lord in December. December 1st - The hanging of the green is a time for all to come and help decorate our church for the advent and Christmas season. We will begin at 5pm and order pizza as we gather. December 2nd - 1st Sunday of Advent - This Sunday we will start the lighting of our Advent Candles. December 9th - 2nd Sunday of Advent - This Sunday brings us to a time of fellowship around the table as we share in our Christmas meal right after worship at 11:45am. The Church will provide everything for our meal. December 16th - 3rd Sunday of Advent - This Sunday finds us with a Celebration Schedule that includes a special Chancel Choir Presentation for the 10:30am service, a Christmas caroling opportunity at Mansfield Place at 4pm and our final highlight of the day, our kids will present their Christmas Program at 6pm that evening. December 23rd - 4th Sunday of Advent - This Sunday we will light the final Advent Candle around the wreath. December 24th - Christmas Eve - At 7pm we will gather together to celebrate Christ's birth as we light the Christ Candle in the center of the Advent Wreath. We will have opportunities to sing our favorite Christmas Carols, hear the story of His birth and a message from Pastor Jon. From 8pm-9pm the church will remain open for those families that wish to come in the quiet and share in communion together. 4

Otilia Franke (Mansfield Place) Blair & Pearl Marks, Dr. Shearer, Mary Tamulitis Vangie Shaffer: (Mansfield Place) Germaine & Austin Whitman,

A-B College, President Creehan faculty, staff and students Denny Poling-Bowers Lee Beuckman Dan Bryant Jamie & Jason Burrow Chuck Boyer Eleanor Ruth Burton Holly Camacho Michael Carr Ralph and Phyllis Crites Audrey Cross Sharon Cross Becky and Mike Elmore Melissa Frankes Aunt Gail Otilia Franke Jim & Joni Friend Jane Gibbons Joe & Beverly Gouer Linda Howell Corporal Charles Jackson James Mike Lawrence Christina Maddy Donal Matthews Angel McCullough Amanda Means Shane Miller Donna Moore Dr. Jennifer Parks Penny & Euida from Baughman Towers Sara Polings family Brenda & Gary Price Dorine Righman Julanne Roy Margaret Salimi Tommy Singley family Kaley Sinsel Ron Slager David Smell Donna Thorne Tygart Valley High school Cheryl Wolfe

Unspoken requests for family members, unsaved people, community concerns, job and home loss, financial difficulties. Also, in need of prayer: Our nation, state, and country leaders and officials. Please pray for victims of crime, war and violence throughout our country. Pray for protection for military personnel and their families throughout the world and those serving our country: Tim Jenkins, Chris Mossburg, Major Kris Wood and Captain Aaron Cross

2-Martha Rose Roy Beth Longo 5-Melissa Franke Glenn Sweet 6-Jonathan Franke 13-Ken Yount 15-Carla Springer 17-Marsha Smith 18-Dianna Wright 19-Kelly Runion 21-Danny Franke Herb Smith 24-Chris Mulneix Christina Wentz 27-Koreen Villers 29-Carolyn Davis 30-Richard Shearer 31-Ken Waddell

21-Olin and Marj Campbell 27-Clarence and Dianna Wright 28-Don and Barbara Smith 31-Fred and Amy Funk

Yes, Virginia, There Is (Was) a Santa Claus Santa Claus? Chimney trips? Stockings filled with toys? That fat fellow in the red and white suit? Is it all nonsense? Not quite! It seems that the term Santa Claus comes from the Dutch term sinterklaas, which refers to a real man canonized by the Catholic church and known throughout Europe and many other parts of the world as Saint Nicholas. The man, Nicholas, a Greek, was born in the third century in the village of Patara on the southern coast of what is now Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised the boy to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic when Nicholas was young. He was raised by an uncle, also a Christian and a priest. Like most religious people at the time, they were persecuted, and also having been ordained a priest, Nicholas spent some time in prison. Eventually he became Bishop of Myra. He died on December 6, 343 AD, and ever since then, December 6 has been recognized as St. Nicholas Day. His remains are entombed in Bari and Venice (both in Italy). Throughout his life, Nicholas was known to be very generous. Numerous stories are told concerning his gift-giving and miracles wrought by himlike rescuing three children whom a malicious butcher was intending to mistreat and sell. Nicholas is revered among Catholics and Orthodox Christians as patron saint of sailors, children, and studentsplus merchants and thieves. He is known as the friend and protector of all in trouble or need. Many churches and chapels throughout the world have been named after himthree hundred in Belgium, thirty-four in Rome, twenty-three in The Netherlands, and over four hundred in England. One story indicates that when three poor women had no dowries (gifts for their husbands) and therefore could not get married, St. Nicholas anonymously gave them three bags of gold, one of which he dropped down the chimney of their home. Another version of that story is that he left the money in their shoes or stockings at night. Legend has it that he left gifts for good little boys and girls and rods for those who misbehaved, and from that legend came the European custom of St. Nicholas (or Father Christmas) being accompanied by imps or devils called krampus who carry switches and whip the legs of naughty children. In countries such as The Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Belgium, and Germany, December 5 is celebrated as Saint Nicholas Eve, and children put their shoes in front of the chimney and sing Sinterklaas songs. Physically, Nicholas was short (approximately five feet tall according to measurements of his remains), and stocky, and, of course, he wore the colorfulusually redrobes of a bishop. Sothe next time you see a man dressed in red and white and sporting a long white beard, think of the man--the real and saintly man whose generosity and good deeds started it allNicholas the Wonderworker. 6

Sundays

Sunday School AM Worship Sunday Nite Lite (6th 12th grades) Womens Bible Study (@ Sarah Cobbs house) Baptist Campus Ministires (@ AB) Midweek Service Choir practice Chapel Service (@ Wilcox Chapel) Code Blue (ages 13-17)

9:15 10:30 6pm 1pm 8:38pm 6pm 7pm 8:20pm 11pm 6pm-9pm

Tuesdays Wednesdays Thursdays Fridays

Childrens Volunteer Watch and Teach Calendar for December

December 2 December 9 Christie Allen Need Volunteer Koreen Villers Bobby Villers Kelly Bracey Lindsay Bracey December 16 Rebekah Hicks Need Volunteer Tom Dadisman Pete Ferguson Chuck Ervin Carol Ervin December 23 Cheryl Wolfe Allison Villers Heather Cottrill Hayden Cottrill Sara Poling Eddy Poling December 30 Need Volunteers No Wee Church No Junior Church

Nursery Wanda Steele

James Steele

Wee Church Junior Church

Cheryl and Abby Blankenship Sarah Ferguson Pete Ferguson

COME SEE WHAT ABW HAS TO OFFER

Who: Women of the Church Where: Fellowship Hall When: Tuesday, December 4, 2012 Program: Christmas Gift Presented by Marj Campbell Bible Book of the Month - John

We will be collecting Campbells Soup labels and Box Tops for Education throughout the year.

New Projects Beginning I would like to share with you two new projects that we are beginning in the next few months. Palmer Theological Seminary (formerly Eastern) is entering into an internship program with Council of Baptist Churches of North East India (CBCNEI). Graduate students will be placed throughout North East India to provide a variety of training and Program opportunities to our Baptist partners. The interns will be working from four weeks to six months. This is the first time that American Baptists have formally partnered with the Seminary and CBCNEI for leadership training. Plans are for the program to begin in 2013. Similarly, International Ministries has committed to provide training to missionary candidates from North East India. There are several smaller organizations training missionaries for work outside of India. This will be the first time that the various tribes of North East India will be trained together. These missionaries will be sent to countries such as Nepal, China, Myanmar, and Bhutan. Currently, there are several hundred Indian missionaries working around the world. Please, also, remember me in your prayers as I deal with some health problems, as well as my travel visa. Prayer Requests: For these new programs, those that will volunteer, those that will coordinate the programs, and those that will receive the blessings. For our Indian partners, that they might have courage to teach Gods Word throughout the world and in their own country. For the missionaries that are currently being sponsored by the people of India. For the many programs that our Baptist partners in India and Nepal are conducting at this time. If I may be of service to you, please contact me at dmulneix@aol.com WORLD MISSION OFFERING Received to date:$399,889 World Mission Offering State Goal $360,000

Debbie and Keith Myers have been appointed by American Baptist International Ministries (IM) and assigned to serve in Mexico with CICEM, Consejo Indgena Campesino Evanglico de Mxico, A.R. (Council of Rural Indigenous Evangelicals of Mexico, A.R.). The Myers hail from Worthington, West Virginia. The Myers commissioning service will be at the Baptist Temple in Fairmount, West Virginia, on December 1, 2012. Soon after, they will begin language study as commissioned IM missionaries in San Jose, Costa Rica. It is this special lament that has been the expression of our familys faith over the past couple of years throughout the beginning of this journey, explained Keith. Lamentations 3:22-24: Because of the LORDs great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him. We have learned what it is to allow God to be God and us to be us, he continued. There has been a temptation to push God forward in our timing and not wait on His. Loving and compassionately, the Lord has reminded us through circumstances, His people and His word that His portion is enough and that we are rewarded by waiting on His timing.As IM missionaries, the Myers will assist IM partner CICEM in its mission to provide encouragement and support to rural indigenous evangelical churches in their Biblical -Theological training. This consists of training pastors, church leaders, youth leaders and teachers for the children. Debbie and Keith have two teenage children, Boyden and Baillie, who are enthusiastic about joining their parents in ministry in Mexico. Debbie and Keith, along with Boyden and Baillie, have built a solid missionary partnership network of nearly 50 churches and groups and 75 individuals or families from West Virginia and across the U.S., notes IMs Director of Recruitment Jim Bell. As they have spoken in churches and before a variety of groups, theyve shared their sense of call and a vision for how God will use them to serve the churches of CICEM in Mexico. The Myers and IM are appreciative of the great assistance theyve received from their Missionary Partnership Team (MPT) and the West Virginia Baptist Convention in developing their network. Please join IM in celebrating the new ministry of Keith and Debbie and the children. You may send words of encouragement and communicate directly with the Myers at kndmissions@yahoo.com. To learn more about the Myers and their ministry, go to www.internationalminstries.org, click on PEOPLE and then on Debbie and Keith Myers. Fairmont Baptist Temple is located at 430 Morgantown Ave. Fairmont, WV 26554 phone: 304.363.0204 Welcome to Mexico! Join the Myers Family at their Commissioning Service December 1, 2012 @ 3:00 p.m. 8

Saturday, December 1st 7:30am Means Prayer Breakfast @ Medallion 3pm Commissioning service for Myers family at Fairmont Baptist Temple 5pm Hanging of the Greens Sunday, December 2nd 10:30- Communion & Deacon Relief Fund 3pm & 7pm A-B College Annual Christmas Festival 6pm-Board of Deacons Meeting 7pm Union Association Combined Worship Service at Flemington Baptist Church Monday, December 3rd 6:30pm Heart & Hand Volunteer Night 7pm Code Blue Youth Alliance Board of Directors meeting at Code Blue Tuesday, December 4th 7pm Board of Deacons meeting Thursday, December 6th 4pm Mountain Hospice Memorial Service Saturday, December 8th Christmas in the Valley at Parchment Valley Conference Center, Ripley, WV Sunday, December 9th 11:45am Church Christmas dinner 4:30pm Board of Christian Education meeting 6pm Board of Trustees meeting 7:30pm Church Council meeting Monday, December 10th 7pm Board of Worship meeting Sunday, December 16th 10:30am Choir Christmas program 11:45 Board of Missions & Outreach meeting 4pm Mansfield Place Service 6pm Childrens Christmas program Sunday, December 23rd 11:45am Fellowship meal Monday, December 24th 7pm Christmas Eve service 8-9pm Family Communion

Mens Prayer Breakfast Saturday, December 1st@ 7:30am

AB College invites you to attend their annual Christmas Festival on Sunday, December 2nd at 3pm and 7pm. Both concerts will be the same performance to allow for more attendees. Churches are also invited to a special reception from 4:30pm to 6:30pm to honor first responders, office of emergency management officials, and other service workers. To reserve seats please sign up in the narthex. The West Virginia Baptist Convention staff has planned the Annual Church Officers Training Event for Saturday, February 9, 1013 at Parchment Valley Conference Center. The cost is $15 per person for the day, including lunch. Registration begins at 9am. 9

Philippi Baptist Church 107 Church Street Philippi, WV 26416

Its Christmas in the Valley and you are invited!

Saturday, December 8th at Parchment Valley Conference Center, well be celebrating Christmas with a concert, craft show, a visit and pictures with Santa and activities for children. Entertainment is provided through-out the day during the craft show. (If youd like to reserve a craft table contact Ginny Prunty 1-800-879-9822 or email: prunty@wvbc.org ) Bring your friends and enjoy a day in The Valley.

Hey, all you eager volunteer! Save Monday, December 3rd For volunteer night at the Heat & Hand Thrift Store 6:30pm to 8:00 pm

Come and hear Tracy Miller and Johnny Staats in Concert!

Schedule of Events: Craft Show Pictures with Santa Free Childrens Activities Concert 9 AM - 3PM 10 AM Noon 10: 30 AM 12:30 AM 3:00 PM

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