‘Great is thy faithfulness’

Lamentations 3:23

From The Pastor

Dear Gunpowder Family,

We are entering an exciting era in the life of Gunpowder Baptist Church. With Rob Bourcier coming to minister to our teens, we have made the statement that we believe that people are more important than buildings. This is a significant step because it shows the kind of heart that God wants for His people.

There are two things that you can do to support Rob as he ministers. The first is to assist him in any way that you can. He is coming half way across the country for this and will need our help and insight. Look for an opportunity to be an encouragement. Second, pray for Rob and the teen ministry. Our teens deserve this and the teens of this community are in need of an excellent Christian youth ministry. Put Rob and the teens on your daily prayer list. We are a body, a team, and if we are going to reach this community, we have to do it together.

See you Sunday,

Pastor Jack

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Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee’s first task of the year has now been completed. Leaders for most ministry positions have been filled. Several ministries, however, remain without leaders. These include: Special Programs Coordinator, Gopher Buddies, Homeless Ministry and Dessert Ministry. We as a local body are not as effective in our functioning for the Lord without leadership in all ministry areas. If God is burdening your heart regarding one of these ministries, please talk with a member of the Nominating Committee.

There will be a series of meetings with all ministry leaders just after the new year to share ideas and brainstorm on aspects of ministry such as accountability, vision and mentoring. In addition, ministry leaders will be reviewing and revising job descriptions as necessary.

Serving Christ together,

Barbara Bobbitt, Larry and Gloria Elligson, Steve and Diane McCarty

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Women’s Fall Retreat

November 10 & 11, 2006

Theme: Duty, Destination and Determination

Spinners of Hershey

Hershey , PA

GUEST SPEAKER: Pam Ubanks

SOLOIST: Elizabeth Rivera

TRIO: Chord of Three

A time to relax and enjoy the music, fun, fellowship and prayer with your Christian sisters. I guarantee Pam will touch your heart with her words of encouragement.

Prayerfully yours,

Joan Krebs

Retreat Coordinator

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Social Committee

WOW! What a great turnout for the Fall Festival last month. The weather was beautiful except for a quick shower which drove everyone under the pavilion for a while, except for those playing football. We all know it would not be a good football game if there were no mud.

The children decorated their pumpkins before we began eating the delicious chili’s, soups and desserts. There were some very interesting pumpkins judged. Prizes were given to the following for their decorated pumpkin. Congratulations to:

There were many delicious soups this year being judged. Congratulations to the following for being chosen for making the best soups.

It was a great night for a bowl of hot chili and those that were judged did not take any home to be eaten the next day. Congratulations to the following for being chosen for making the best chili.

There were so many yummy desserts it was very difficult to pick one over the other. Congratulations to the following chosen for the best desserts:

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Keenagers

The Keenagers have upcoming trips and covered dish luncheons. See the calendar for dates.

Your Keenager in Christ,

Myrtle Gettle

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Children's Sunday School Department

We have a busy month in October. On October 6 th, we are planning a trip to Swamp Fox Farm. The children’s dinner will be provided. A brown bag dinner with drink will be served at the church pavilion at 4:00 p.m. sharp. The van will leave at 5:00 p.m. for the farm and return to church at 7:30 p.m. A trip through the pumpkin patch to pick their own pumpkin, a corn maze and a hayride will be awaiting them. Please join us. The cost is FREE.

In October during Sunday School, we will be learning, “How to be like Jesus.” Week 1 – Love like Jesus; Week 2 – Care Like Jesus; Week 3 – Forgive Like Jesus: Week 4 – Serve Like Jesus and Week 5 – Be Kind Like Jesus. Oh how I wish I could be more like Jesus. He is so loving, forgiving, patient and wise. Bring your children so they can find out how to be more like Jesus.

The fire exit signs have been placed in all children’s classrooms. We had a test fire drill on September 17 th. Also, in the next few weeks, we will have all the parents fill out a registration card for their children in the department. Thank you for your cooperation.

Looking forward to serving your children and our awesome God. The children will be singing during our 2 nd worship service on October 15 th. Please have your children join us in singing praises to our awesome God.

God’s co-worker,

Joan Krebs

Children’s Director

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Children's Church Schedule

Nursery Worker Schedule

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Adult_Sunday_School_Department

Beginning in May the business meeting will be held on the second Sunday instead of the first Sunday, at 8:30 a.m. The Adult Sunday School department has elected to participate in a project ministry. Each class will collect funds in containers and pool these monies and send to a ministry organization that purchases farm animals (e.g., cows, chickens, sheep, camels, etc.) for a needy family in a third world country. The family uses the animal’s milk, eggs or cheese for meeting their needs. The first born baby animal will be given to another needy family. Our goal will be $715.00 which will buy a goat, cow and sheep and will feed three needy families. Bill Abbey will be in charge of this ministry, so contact him if you have a question.

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Prayer Ministry

Watchman Prayer Ministry - “Intercessors”

Dear Church Family,

I want to thank each of you who have made a commitment and can be counted on to pray for those on the prayer wall. I am going to mention areas of prayer we must be conscious of. If you are not a member of the prayer wall, please consider joining as there are several slots that need to be filled. I have mentioned in the past, apart from prayer, nothing gets accomplished and we truly have nuch to pray about.

Every aspect of Gunpowder's ministries should be focused on prayer. If we are having trouble with not having people to pray for church activities, is it any wonder we can not stop any of the atrocities that are in our lives? (abortion same-sex marriages, partial birth abortions) I am sure you get the idea.

Some helpful insights to prayer:

1. Place - Have a regular place where you can feel in-tune with God.
2. Practice - Develop the regular practice of prayer. It helps to have the habit.
3. Privacy - There are times for group prayer, but personal growth usually comes from being alone with God.
4. Posture - Pray in any position, but remember that kneeling to pray helps develop humility.
5. Purpose - Forget self, seek God's Will.
6. Price - Be ready to go through the process of emptying yourself of negatives so god can come with His love and power.

Nowhere does the Bible say that prayer is easy. At times, while you are still on your knees. Satan will attack, harrassing you with doubt and sending distracting thoughts into your mind. Do not worry about praying for something too large. There is nothing too big for God to accomplish. We do not always like the answers God gives. He promises in Matthew 7:11 that everything He gives is good for us.

It would be wise for all of us to ask God with a humbled Spirit what areas of our lives are offensive to Him. Failure to pray leaves peopl vulnerable on the battlefiled. Nehemiah 4. When we do what we are supposed to do, God is faithful to do His. We will pray as we should, until we see it as a necessity. Henry Blackaby "only through prayer can we know tha heart of God."

Prayerfully,

Bob Scheuerman

Prayer Coordinator

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Women's Ministry

Reporting on Mama Franco’s Italian Ristorante

Our October event was a catered event that was attended by 34 women (church members and guests) who enjoyed the fine dining experience of Mama Franco’s, which had to be moved to the church fellowship hall because of the weather. Our evening was complete with a beautifully decorated fellowship hall (thanks to Joann Abbey, Renee Abbey and Beverly Jensen), a wait-staff who cleared the tables, delivered desserts and helped with serving the meal (thanks to Tyler and Patrick Hamrick), cheesecake topped with cool whip and a raspberry, and table conversation that centered around God’s holiness in hidden places. We had an evening of fellowship in sharing about how God has made Himself known in our lives in various ways. Several women shared with the group about ways they have recently experienced God. Our evening was blessed by our being together in God’s presence.

Mark our future dates on your calendar and plan to attend! Signing up for an event is not required, so just come and enjoy – and bring your friends.

Next Ladies Events:

Gunpowder Baptist Church

Women’s Ministry Presents

Our second annual

Ladies Christmas Banquet

“Guess Who’s Comint to Dinner?”

Theme: Rose of Bethlehem

Saturday, December 9, 2006

Arrive at GBC at 5:30 p.m. (you will be driven to your dinner destination)

Speaker and Musical Performance at 8:00 p.m.

Hostess Mystery: Who’s coming for dinner?

Guest Mystery: Where am I going for dinner? Who will be my dinner companions and hostess? What will be served?

After dinner in our hostess homes, we will gather back at the church between 7:45 and 8:00p.m. for our speaker, Marilyn Aderes – author of “More”, and music from our friend, Kelly Willie.

This is an outreach event, so please invite friends and family. Sign up sheet is in the church lobby or by calling Mary Hamrick or the church office. If you would like to be a hostess for this event, please let Mary know. Brochures are in the church lobby – take a few and invite your friends.

Gunpowder Baptist Church

Ladies Events for 2006-2007

Schedule

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Thank You!

Dear Gunpowder Family,

Thank you for the beautiful floral arrangement for my mom’s funeral. Also, thank you for the beautiful outpouring of sympathy cards that I have received from so many of you. It really helped to come home and check my mail box and find so many words of encouragement.

Sincerely,

Beverly Jensen and the Beevers Family

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Dear Gunpowder Family,

Thank you for the lovely planter sent in memory of Ken’s mom, Alma Norman. Thanks also for your expressions of sympathy during this sad time of loss.

Sincerely,

Ken and Susan Norman

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Dear Gunpowder Family,

I want to thank all of you for your many lovely cards, telephone calls, visits, lovely flowers and the basket of fruit. But most of all for your m any prayers and concerns. I felt a covering of prayer over me the whole time. It is so comforting to know your church family cares, just as I know Jesus cares. A special thanks to Dori Morrell for the good food and a special thank you to Pastor Jack for his visits to the hospital. All of these things mean so very much. Thanks again for your prayers and concerns.

In Christian love,

Myrtle Gettle

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ANGEL TREE

Prison Fellowship Christmas Outreach-

As most of you know, for the last several years we have been involved in the Angel Tree program, buying and delivering gifts to children whose parent is in prison. This year we have been assigned 6 children. I will be coordinating this activity. Please speak with me if you are interested in sponsoring a child. If more than 6 people want to sponsor children, we can always add more children.

Thank you,

Missy Walker

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November Birthdays & Anniversaries

Anniversaries 2 Jim & Shirley Deel 6 Jim & Kelly Scarff 6 Bruce & Kathy Wisnom 10 Mike & Ginny Thompson 11 Dan & Pat Elligson 17 Dan & Leah Ewell 22 Wilber & Mae Fry 22 Charles & Audrey Quick 23 Raymond & Gloria DiPaola 23 Steve & Carol Porcher 25 John & Rema Gray 29 Marvin & Carol Robertson

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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

December, 2005

January, 2006

February, 2006

March, 2006

April, 2006

May, 2006

July / August, 2006

September, 2006

October, 2006