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200th Anniversary Committee

Our 200 th Anniversary Committee would like to have any old photographs, newspaper clippings or anything pertaining to olden times 200 years ago. Please see Ken Gettle with these items.

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The 200 th Anniversary Committee has been meeting every two weeks since its organization this Fall - prayerfully considering the events honoring our past and looking forward to our future.

The first step was to solicit input from our church and Sunday school membership so that every idea could be prayerfully considered. The committee members appreciate the ideas expressed through the questionnaires. It was obvious that some quality time was invested as we read through the questionnaires.

Secondly, the committee organized the thoughts into similar categories, made some homework assignments to consider the budget issues, and then mapped the activities to a proposed calendar of events.

Jennifer Devos has submitted logo ideas to the committee as her Public Relations committee prepares to engage in the promotion associated with the 200 th Anniversary. The logo ideas incorporate the Belfry as a point of emphasis, as a fitting symbol of Gunpowder Baptist Church.

The committee is about to turn the proposed calendar of events and initial budget estimates to the Pastor after our next meeting. Tent revival preaching, music, food, history, fellowship and games for attendees of all ages are the components of the celebration.

If you have any historical documents or photographs which we might scan and return to you, we would appreciate that opportunity. We are interested in putting together an exhibit incorporating articles of Church history.

200th Anniversary Committee:

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Search Committee for Associate Pastor

The committee has now met on multiple occasions. With God’s guidance, we have developed a job description that we pray will attract the man that God wants for this position. Letters of notification and the job description have been sent to Bible colleges and programs in Maryland and Pennsylvania. We have also developed a questionnaire, which will be completed by applicants and will assist the committee in our selection of the candidate.

As we begin to receive applications, please pray for our discernment that we will be lead to select God’s choice for our church.

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Calling All Cooks

We are getting ready for our 200 th Anniversary next year in June. A cookbook will be available on Friend Day, June 4, 2006.

We have not received very many recipes. Please get out those favorite recipes as soon as possible and put them in my mailbox or email them to Iris Singleton so we can get started now and have this done by our Friend Day. Please put your name on your recipe so we can add your name in the recipe book.

Thank you,

Michelle Singleton

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New Members

Sandra Louise Schenning was baptized into our church family on November 20, 2005. She is in the 4 th grade at Prettyboy Elementary and enjoys hermit crabs, crafts, and playing soccer and swimming. She is the daughter of Joe and Donna Schenning.

Mary Catherine Keyes was baptized into our church family on November 20, 2005. She is in the 4 th grade at Park Hill Elementary in Hanover, PA. She enjoys cheerleading, computers and playing with her friends.

Carry Louise Keyes was baptized on November 20, 2005 into our church family and is in the 10 th grade at South Western High School in PA. She enjoys reading, computers and being with her friends. Mary and Carry are the daughters of Christy Keyes and granddaughters of Louise Copenhaver.

George Herring was baptized into our church family on November 20, 2005. If you have not met George yet, please introduce yourself and make him feel welcome to our family.

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Benefit Dinner For Kevin Sheehan

Several months ago, I wrote in the Belfry about a Benefit Dinner for our brother in Christ, Kevin Sheehan. This serves as a reminder that the dinner will be held on Saturday, January 14 th, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Grace Church. You should have received registration forms in your mailbox. Please try to respond as soon as possible so that appropriate plans for food can be made. The women’s ministry has volunteered their time and service; if you can assist, let me know.

This should be a very enjoyable time. In addition to blessing Kevin, you will also be blessed by a wonderful play put on by OLG Youth Ministry entitled “God Matters”. In addition, there will be a silent auction and local talent performances including light jazz, Maura Jensen, Essential detail and other surprise performers. Not to mention world famous dinner and desserts provided by Gunpowder Baptist Church!

So please mark your calendars for a night you won’t want to miss.

Missy Walker

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Helping Up Mission

On Saturday, December 17 th, we will be leaving the church at 2:15 p.m. to decorate the Mission and to provide cookies and cider. We are in need of donations including decorations, cookies, cider and people to go with us to the Mission. We would also like to sing Christmas Carols. Please let Missy or Dori know if you are interested.

On Saturday, January 21, 2006, we will be serving dinner at the Mission. Some people have offered to provide desserts and the men would love to have homemade items. If you would like to make something, please let Missy or Dori know. We will be leaving the church at 4:00 p.m. After dinner, there will be a concert if you would like to s tay and enjoy a fun and energizing time.

We hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

Your sisters in Christ,

Missy Walker and Dori Morrell

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Poinsettias

We have ordered Poinsettias for the front of the church for Christmas. If you want to order one in memory or in honor of a loved one, you may do so by calling the church office or by filling out one of the forms that are inserted in the bulletin or pick up one from the counter in the church hallway. The flowers can be taken home after the Candlelight Service on Christmas Even. The purchase price of each flower is $6.50. The colors this year are burgundy and white. We will list the names of those honored or remembered in one of our December Sunday bulletins.

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Snow Emergency Plan

We do not plan to cancel any of our Worship Services, but in the event of an ice storm or heavy snow, we may be forced to miss a service.

Since it is not practical for us to call you, you may call any one of our Deacons after 8:00 a.m. The decision should be made by then.

In other year, we have had ice storms leaving the driveway and parking lot hazardous. Therefore, we had to cancel all services. On some occasions after a snowstorm, we get the driveway opened only in time for worship services. On the decision concerning Sunday School, you may call Pastor Jack.

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Christmas Cards

A Christmas Card Tree will be placed on the wall in the church hallway if you wish to send only one card to your entire church family. However, if you wish to send a card to each church family, please place those cards in the mailboxes in the back hallway next to the kitchen. The names are in alphabetical order so that will make it easy for you to find each name.

There will be no home or out of town deliveries. So only address cards to those who are regular in attendance.

Please check your mailboxes each Sunday for your cards.

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Offering Envelopes

The envelopes for your tithes and offerings will be in your mailboxes the week of December 18 th. Please make sure you pick up your box.

If there is not box with your name and you would like to have one, please call the church office and we will have one ready for you and in your mailbox the following Sunday.

All giving to be credited to 2005 church year needs to be given by Sunday, December 25, 2005. Anything coming in after that will be credited for the 2006 year. Also, if you purchased something for the church and you are putting it on your envelope, please insert the receipt along with the name of what was purchased.

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A Word Of Thanks

Dear Church Family,

I would like to say thank you to all my church family during my spinal cord surgeries. I coveted your prayers, loved your cooking, your visits in the hospital and at home, and the phone calls. If you are one of them, you found out I like to talk. Thanks to the FAITH Ministry teams for your visits. You all brought new meaning to FAITH. As one of your held my hair and another eyed to make sure it was eve and the beautician (Ruth) cut away, t hank you – what a relief from getting it caught up in my staples.

Thank you, Pastor Jack, for visiting me daily in the hospital and praying with us. What a witness to my husband. Praise God. Thank you, Women’s Sunday School class, for your special prayers, the cards and books. They sure lifted me up. I am truly overwhelmed. Last but not least, the financial help you have given us – If our church only knew the extent that you mean to others! You follow Christ’s example in every way. I love you all.

Your sister in Christ,

Marie Hallameyer

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Activity in the Music Department at GBC

What’s New, Interesting & Exciting

Adult Choir – All are invited to the Christmas Evening Service on Saturday night, December 24 th at 7:00 p.m. The BGC choir will be performing “One Incredible Moment”, a Christmas cantata by Max Lucado. In addition to the great music, check out the “dressed-to-kill” choir and the new visual graphic displays on our computerized projection system.

Joining the choir will be new/old voices Jim Newman and Debbie & Earl Copenhaver. When you see Earl, ask him what he’s really wearing, if anything, under that new choir robe.

Children’s Choir – The BGC Children’s Choir, under the direction of Mary Scheuerman, will be performing the cantata “Christmas in Reverse” on Sunday, December 18 th at 7:00 p.m. Come watch, listen and be blessed.

Technical Department – Phase IV of the five phase Sound System Renovation Project is about to be completed in the Sanctuary. All new microphone and monitor wiring under the stage, in the ceiling, and in the sound booth has been installed, giving our performers and Pastor a clean, natural sound with much more clarity and reliability. Also, a new stage monitor system is about ready for installation, which will increase the quality of musical, choir and spoken performances. Thanks to Technical Director, Karl Devos.

New S.W. “A”. T. Member – Paul Jensen joins the Song and Worship “A” Team as leader on each third Sunday of the month. If you don’t know Paul, he’s the big guy with the big voice and the million dollar smile. You can catch Paul singing in the choir and teaching Sunday School as well. Thanks, Paul.

Special Music: Jennifer Young, a professional contemporary Christian vocalist and associate of Mary Hamrick (www.dragonflyministries.com), will be performing special music at both morning services on December 11 th. Up from Georgia, Jennifer will also be headliner at the 2005 Ladies Christmas Banquet the night before. Don’t miss this one! Learn more about Jennifer at www.pathwaysmusic.com.

Another “don’t miss event” – Special music at both morning services on December 18 th by Karalisa Grant, accompanied by Gordon Covington on keyboard.

Dramatic Department – The GBC Music Department will be sponsoring the creation of a new Dramatics Department that will minister to us through short plays and skits intended to complement and enhance the worship service. Anyone with acting ability and interest is encouraged to contact Director Lauren Bobbitt. Rehearsals are scheduled to s tart early 2006.

“Solo Deus Gloria”

In His Service, representing the GBC Music Department,

Rick Sands

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Social Committee

Christmas is fast approaching and what better way to begin this Holy season that with our church family at the Family Christmas Dinner at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 4 th at the Mason Hall across the street from the church, in the basement.

Bring a covered dish – meat, veggie, salad or dessert. We will have the Hereford Chamber Choir as our entertainment and also our dinner guests, so if you can bring a little extra that would be wonderful!

December 18 th will be our children’s program and there will be a reception afterwards. We will ask you to bring cookies for that.

Wishing you many blessings for the Christmas season and through the new year.

Working for Him,

Ruth Taylor

Social Chairman

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Keenagers

I hope you all had a wonderful summer. Now it is time to enjoy the beautiful fall foliage. We will have had our trip to Harpers Ferry by the time you read this. The leaves in that area are beautiful during this time of year. We would like to invite anyone that would like to go with us on our trips to come out on those dates and join us. Our next trip will not be until January 26 th because of the holidays. At this time we will go to the Wilton Armadella Factory if the weather is good.

We have changed our luncheon meeting day to the second Tuesday of the month so others will be able to join with us. We have a great time of fun, fellowship and good food. Tuesday, November 8 th we will have our covered dish luncheon at the church. We will be honored by having Judy Bull sing for us. We invite you to join us at 10:00 a.m.

Your Keenager in Christ,

Myrtle Gettle

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Children's Sunday School Department

We are busy little elves making surprises for our big elves. Don’t forget to join us for breakfast on December 18 th from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. The elves will share a song and a story with all of you big elves. Please let me know if you will be unable to attend the breakfast. We will let your little elf know, so they won’t be heart-broken to see you are not there.

The children are learning that there is more happiness in giving than to re ceive. You may not realize this but our little elves are watching you. You make a lasting impression on our children. So be careful how you act, talk and respond. God has entrusted these small young lives to us. We must show them godly examples.

His servant,

Joan Krebs

Children’s Director

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Children's Church Schedule

Nursery Worker Schedule

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Adult_Sunday_School_Department

The November Business Meeting for the Adult Sunday School Department was held on November 6 th. The next one will be on December 11 th. Attendance was up, but fellowships were still down. Hopefully, since the Prayer Vigil, our fellowships will be better attended since we believe a lot of people grew closer to other members of the church during this month of prayer. We are all very busy, but we need fellowships. We need each other to be there for us whether it’s for support, comfort or hope. We need them to help us grow spiritually as we journey down the path of life. The Sunday School classes did a great job in helping to fill the prayer slots. The 114 participants who filled 168 slots weekly for a total of 744 prayer hours plus 28 six-hour security slots weekly are certainly to be thanked. But most thanks go to our Lord who provided the love and strength to these participants to accomplish the impossible through Him. To God be the glory and honor.

Although the monthly prayer vigil is over, let us continue to use the Prayer Room. Before the Vigil, many people told us they could not pray for one hour at one time, later these same people were calling and asking if there were any unfilled slots they could take. Several called at least two or three times a week to inquire if the “bad hours” of 1 AM, 2 AM or 3 AM had been taken. Yes, God gave us an awesome experience. Let us continue the work He has started in us!

Last year all six adult classes were studying two different curriculums. At present there are five different ones being used: Life Truths, Explore the Bible, Book of Isaiah, Joshua and Ventures.

Members of the various classes have told me they are thoroughly enjoying their Sunday School class and feel their teachers are doing a great job! So do I!

Pastor Jack is teaching a class that I feel every member should take. It is entitled “Who We Are”. Even if you have been a Christian for years, it will benefit you and help you to remember some facts about our heritage which you may have forgotten.

In His Service,

Carolyn C. Foster, Director

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FAITH Ministry

This is that time of the year when our hearts are warmed by the thoughts of seeing loved ones and friends around the Thanksgiving table. Let us remember, however, those who are not sharing this wonderful time of the year with their friends and loved ones.

Many of our young men and women are serving our country in various parts of the world like Iraq, Korea, Afghanistan and other foreign countries as well as in many states here in America.

There are also many people right here in our church, our state, and our country who are feeling lonely, sad, depressed, and some may even be hungry. All of these are needs we can address. F we can visit those who are sad or lonely. We can talk to those who are depressed and feel hopeless. We can point them to someone who can be of help. The Pastor would be happy to meet with them. For those who are hungry, we can all help. Mother Theresa said, “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed one.” Christ said if you offer someone a cup of water in His name, you are offering it to Him.

There is one need even greater than any of these and that is the need to know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior in a personal relationship. Please take this time of opportunity to tell someone who Jesus Christ is and what He can do in their lives.

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful. There is not a single person who reads this column, then looks back on 2005, and fails to find blessings rendered to them by their loving and merciful Father. Now go to Him in prayer, thanking Him for your many blessings. Next select people you know or have heard about and begin meeting some of their needs. God will be pleased.

FAITH thanks you for your prayers, and may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

In His Service,

Carolyn C. Foster - Director

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Prayer Ministry

Watchman Prayer Ministry - “Intercessors”

Dear Church Family,

The number of “emergency prayers” has reached 70. As I mentioned last month, the prayer wall has some serious problems. After being a part of the prayer vigil, I am more optimistic about our church’s prayer needs begin fulfilled than ever. As with any need, as it pertains to the Lord, we must be of one accord. Sadly, we have about a5 or 6 openings in our prayer wall. This is totally unacceptable. I know the Lord is going to burden the hearts of individuals to fill these open prayer slots. Please pray. Is the Lord prompting you to be part of this prayer ministry? The open slots will be announced in future worship services and Belfry articles.

In February, the Presidential Prayer Team will be conducting its 3 rd annual PPT President Day Virtual Prayer Rally. Churches across the country are being encouraged to participate. There will be a Presidential Prayer Sunday on February 19 th. Be in prayer for this very important day.

Once again, in reference to our Prayer Wall, not much has been said about the scope and the goals of the Prayer Wall. When the Prayer Wall was set up, it was with anticipation of being tied to other churches in our Southern Baptist Convention. This would enable our prayers to be tied with churches simultaneously. Glory be to God, would not this be wonderful? How about our churches having a 24 hour prayer web sight? Never underestimate the power and scope of our Lord. Look what He accomplished in our Prayer Vigil. Some doubted its success. But Praise God, it was accomplished.

Iris has the time slots that are open. If you are interested, please call her at the church office.

Bob Scheuerman

Prayer Coordinator

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Women's Ministry

Ladies Christmas Banquet - “ Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?”

After dinner has been served, we will gather back at the church between 7:45-8:00 p.m. for music featuring praise and worship music at 8:00 p.m. by Jennifer Young

We will take up a love offering.

An optional Christmas ornament exchange will take place at the end of the evening. If you wish to participate in the exchange, please bring an ornament valued at no more than $5.00, wrapped and untagged.

STARS for CHRIST  

Click to see "Untalent Show" pictures

Click to see "Crazy Hat Party" pictures

UPCOMING LADIES’ EVENT

Friday, January 13 th , 2006 7:30 p.m.

Lesson taught by Lauren Bobbitt combined with a

Baby Shower honoring Katie Holcomb

Friday, February 10 th, 2006 7:30 p.m.

Ladies Annual Tea

Additional information to follow

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Women’s Fall Retreat Recap

On November 18 and 19, the women’s retreat was held in Hershey, PA. We had a lovely hotel and spacious meeting room. There were 52 ladies attendi the re treat. Our speaker, Melody Knox, was fantastic. Sandy Glass and Elizabeth Rivera sang beautifully. Yolanda Thomas gave her heart-touching testimony. I didn’t see a dry eye in the room. It was the best retreat we have ever experienced. D Melody told us the “Holy Spirit” was definitely in the room. If you missed this one, you missed the best ever.

Please join us next year for “Duty, Determination and Destination.” Same place, on November 10 and 11, 2006. I pray God will bless this retreat and make it the best e ver. Our God is awesome!

I would like to say thank you to the retreat committee for all their help: Judy Bryant, Barbara Bobbitt, Betty Cummings, Judy Dausinger, Myrtle Gettle, Iris Singleton, Sue Tracey and Missy Walker. Also, thank you to all our secret donations of money to help make our retreat a huge success.

Prayerfully yours,

Joan Krebs

Retreat Coordinator

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December Birthdays & Anniversaries

ANNIVERSARIES   29 Andy & Mary Hamrick

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Belfry Archive

February, 2005

March, 2005

April, 2005

May, 2005

June, 2005

July & August, 2005

September, 2005

October, 2005

November, 2005