Whew!

Well, now that Christmas is over and packed away, I cant believe it's already come and gone.....all that's left are the Christmas cards from family and friends and I just dont have the heart to pull them down yet!!
Speaking of which, does anyone know of a place they can be recycled?? I used to be able to send them to KY with Lee but that place quit doing that. Sad, and let's face it, who can continually save them? I really see how e'card's are "eco friendly."
Looks like we may be in for some bad weather this week, or last time I heard it was anyway,so everyone be careful!
These last few days of December always cause me to reflect on the year past and the changes. It's like we go along thinking same ole same ole only to realize that's not the case.
I know the Stampers world was rocked to the core when Aaron was diagnosed with Leukemia back in August, August 12th to be exact. Some of you have lost loved ones this year, two of my dear freinds have lost loved ones just in the last three weeks.
And I'm not the same as I was this time last year. Thanks be to God!! I've grown and I've changed. I pray for 2010 that we all grow in Christ and draw closer to our Maker and our Redeemer. My God watch over all of you and your families.........
I am full of anticipation for the coming new year!
In Him
PDH

Broadcaster...12/22/09

Later the others also came. “Sir! Sir!” they said, “Open the door for us!” “But he replied, “I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.” “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
Matthew 25:11-13

I hope this finds everyone with power and able to get out and about! If we’re to trust our weather forecast we may need to prepare for more bad weather as Christmas weekend approaches! If you don't lose power and you have a computer don't forget you can log onto www.wemb.com to see cancellations. I will try to keep the blog updated but that only works if I have power at home!
As I’m sure most of you will agree, this has been a humbling experience in more ways than one! I know that I realize how I take for granted our luxuries. Light at the flip of a switch, water from the faucet, cold milk from the refrigerator, hot food prepared on a range top or oven and warm air flowing from ducts through out our home. Times like these make us realize how vulnerable we really are and how mighty is our God. It matters not what type of house we live in or how much money we may or may not have. When nature rears it’s head we’re all at it’s mercy and we see just how insignificant and equal we really are.
I see a lesson here, we must be prepared!! The first story that comes to mind is that of the Ten Virgins found in Matthew 25:1-13. Five of them seemed to believe the bridegroom was coming but they did nothing to prepare where as the other five eagerly filled their lamps and took extra lamp oil. Did the first five figure they’d jump in at the last minute and try to be ready on time? Did they really believe? John the Baptist came to prepare the way for Jesus and yet many were not ready to believe or receive Him. God Himself became flesh being born of a virgin and given the name Jesus. He came to teach us how to live and performed miracles that can never be equaled. He came to die on a cross to free us from our bondage of sin with the promise that He WILL return!!
All these things have been foretold, they’re written in the gospel’s and preached on a regular basis but are we prepared? Do we believe the promise fulfilled? Should we fall asleep before the Bridegroom comes and waken to trim our lamps will we be ready?
So as we watch the weather this week and make preparations for the possibility of more inclement conditions, take time to reflect on Jesus and His miraculous birth, His death and resurrection. Prepare yourselves and put your trust in the promise that He is coming back for us, this is a forecast you can count on!
Merry Christmas everyone!!

P.Hemphill

Events:

Christmas Eve
Candlelight Service

(Stay tuned for weather/cancellation alerts)

Thursday,
December 24th

Prelude beginning
At 10:40pm

Joy to the World the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King!

Cantata rescheduled:

Due to inclement weather conditions the Cantata was cancelled and it will be performed at a later date.


WEATHER ALERT

In case of inclement weather tune in to WEMB or go to www.wemb.com
or call:
B. J. Moore 423-743-3244
David Eunson 423-743-9303


~In the News~
Congratulations
to our own
Lou Thornberry!
Lou became the fourth
recipient of the annual
Walter B. Garland
Historical Award . See the main Hallway for the
complete article!


Broadcaster Mailing List:

Dear FCC members, family and friends,

In an effort to streamline and be more cost effective with the
Broadcaster mailing the board approved cutting down the mailing list. The Broadcaster can now be mailed OR emailed to you. Highlights are also available at fccerwintn.blogspot.com for those with computers. If you wish to keep getting the newsletter in any form you may call, write, or email us at the Church office and I will certainly see that you get one! All Church contact info can be found in the top corner of your newsletter. This will run through January 31, 2010. If I haven't heard from you by that time your name will be removed from the mailing list. Thanks to those who’ve already responded! PDH

Prayer Concerns:

PRAYER CONCERNS/UPDATES

Jackie Duncan is now at the UCMH Long Term Care, rm#128.
 
CONTINUE IN PRAYER FOR…
Billie Flowers, Susie Hughes, Dorothy
Barnett, Joan Hicks, Jack/Norma Ingle,
John Marr, Maurice Love, Ramona Gouge, Stamper family, Worley Mauk, Kira Whitson, Gene/Gladys Bowman, Denise Ray, John Martins father, Bob Sams, Jack Britt, Tim Bennett, Marilyn Brown, Martha Hartsell, Chuck Alexander, Louis
Thornberry, Spencer Moore, Ruth Evans, Kathryn Sparks
 
TEAM AARON! Check out...
www.caringbridge.org/visit/aaronstamper for updates
 
 IN HEALTH CARE….
Erwin Health Care – Beulah Morris
UCMH Long Term Care – Ruth Marie Masters, Edyth Price,
Helen Miller, Jackie Duncan
Center On Aging – Mary Davis, Jo
Jackson, Norma Ingle
Wellington Place/JC – Kenneth & Agnes Kerns
Pine Oaks Assisted Living – Pete
Harvey
Appalachian Christian Village-Lois Stamper, Dorothy Barnett
Shut-ins-Charles Flowers, Polly Miller
 

Big Snow 2009..

Well, if ever Rudolph was needed.........!!
All of you are well aware at this point that we didnt have a service this morning! Two things are needed in order to update Facebook OR this blog - one, power or two a cell phone signal.......we live in an area where there is limited cell phone signal and I dont have to mention the lack of power as most of us have been affected!!
I'm not sure about much at the moment except our power is on! I'll post more as I know more about the Christmas Eve service, the weather isnt looking promising!

Our new screens and projectors!!

Finally!! As of this week our new screens and projectors are in place and ready to use! And may I just say they're awesome!! We've been waiting a long time for this day and we were not dissapointed! As many of you know FCC has been moving into a new style of worship services, where as we're not totally contemporary but more of a blended type of service. Our Sanctuary looks so nice.....all the clutter has been removed and now we've stepped into so MANY possiblilites!
Join us this Sunday for the "unveiling" of our new equipment and for our Cantata service........dont forget our Christmas Eve candlelight service!!
We look forward to seeing you there!

Moving right along!

2009 is rapidly coming to a close! First Christian Church is looking forward to exciting changes with the coming of 2010! We will see changes in the Sanctuary as soon as this coming weekend,if all goes well that is! This week we should have our new projectors and screens in place for the FINAL STAGES of the new audio/video media equipment! YES! This has been a long time coming and we're so excited to see this happen!
We pray that as we move into the final stages of this project we will continue to polish our new style of worship.
We started the transition from a traditional style service to a blended type of service a little over a year ago, we're encouraged by the positive input we've had. I wont say it hasn't been difficult at times because it has and it is different. There are those who just don't like it at all but there are those who didn't like it the way it was too..........
I think now that time has gone by folks are starting to realize it's all about God and trying to reach more people and it's not about us or "stuff."
You will also read in your Broadcaster that in an effort to streamline our mailing list we're asking you to call if you want to receive the newsletter either by regular mail or by email. Once I get into the habit, you'll find tid-bits of it here as well!! New things, new ideas working for the Kingdom!!
This Sunday is our Christmas Cantata titled "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year." Join us at 10:45a.m.
We will have a Christmas Eve candle light service starting at 10:40pm on Christmas Eve. Come and help us celebrate the reason for the season!
I will take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a blessed 2010!
In Him
P.Hemphill

Broadcaster Week of 12/8/09

Article:

On July 20th, 1969, at exactly 4:17 P.M., EDT, the Lunar Module "Eagle" landed on the surface of the moon. The Apollo 11 mission was the first manned mission to land on the moon. It was the 5th human spaceflight of Project Apollo and the 3rd human voyage to the moon.
The mission fulfilled President John F. Kennedy’s goal of reaching the moon by the end of the 1960s, which he expressed during a speech given before a joint session of Congress on May 25, 1961. That goal was realized when at precisely 10:56 P.M., astronaut Neil Armstrong stepped onto the surface of the moon. He was followed shortly by Buzz Aldrin.
This was purported to be the most amazing achievement ever by mankind. And it lives in infamy through the famous line of Neil Armstrong: "That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." But there is another leap that is even more amazing. God walked on the earth.
He visited this planet to bring deliverance and hope. “7) but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8) And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! 9) Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10) that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11) and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:7-11
      He didn’t have to take a space ship. At precisely the right time, according to the Father’s timetable, the earth-walk was achieved. Remarkable as it was, Armstrong’s moon walk pales in comparison to the most amazing event ever—the incarnation—God taking on human form. That’s what we celebrate every December. And among His many astounding words were those that echo throughout time and eternity: "I have come to give you life, and that more abundantly" (John 10:10).
Grace and Peace
Tim


Happenings:
December Meetings:

Elders Meeting-Sunday, December 13 at 3:30pm
Committee Meetings (no dinner) Monday,
December 14 beginning at 6:30pm followed by
the Board meeting at 7:30pm.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Thursday, December 24th
Prelude beginning at 10:40pm

Joy to the World the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King!

This Sunday, December 13-Carol Sing
From 6:00-7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, refreshments served at 7:00 so bring your favorite Holiday Finger Food and come join the fun!

Sunday, December 20-A.M. Christmas Cantata
P. M. Children’s Christmas Program

Weekly Memory Verse
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4:7-8 NIV

December Birthdays
this week...

Keri Bogart-17

Sally Ann
Sneyd-17

Jared
Shoemaker-18

Veta Sams-19

PRAYER CONCERNS/UPDATES

Betty Gouge had knee surgery this past Monday and came through fine!!

Aaron Stamper is having a rough go of it, his fever is up, he has a rash they’re trying to treat. He’s still in hospital and his spirits are low.
 
CONTINUE IN PRAYER FOR…
Billie Flowers, Susie Hughes, Dorothy Barnett, Joan Hicks, Jack/Norma Ingle,
John Marr, Maurice Love, Ramona Gouge, Stamper family, Worley Mauk, Kira Whitson, Gene/Gladys Bowman, Denise Ray, John Martins father, Bob Sams, Jack Britt,
Tim Bennett, Marilyn Brown, Martha Hartsell, Chuck Alexander, Louis Thornberry, Spencer Moore, Ruth Evans, Kathryn Sparks

TEAM AARON! For updates:
www.caringbridge.org/visit/aaronstamper

  IN HEALTH CARE….
Erwin Health Care – Beulah Morris
UCMH Long Term Care – Ruth Marie Masters, Edyth Price,
Helen Miller
Center On Aging – Mary Davis, Jo Jackson, Norma Ingle
Wellington Place/JC – Kenneth & Agnes Kerns
Pine Oaks Assisted Living – Pete Harvey
Appalachian Christian Village-Lois Stamper, Dorothy Barnett
Shut-ins-Charles Flowers, Polly Miller
 

The Women of FCC

I'm not sure how many years the women of First Christian Church have had Circle groups and I'm sure all I need do is ask, I just haven't thought to! There is Joy Circle, Hope Circle and Love Circle. Twice a year all of the Circles come together to meet as the Christian Circle.

These Circle groups are geared toward studying the Word and adopting different areas of benevolence. Each Circle meets once a month and has a lesson or meeting, tithes are give to support whatever mission or to meet a need. Each group is also responsible for certain Church functions. During the month of December a lot of things start going on! All of the Circles are busy making goodie baskets to take to shut ins or children at the local girls home.

I am a part of Love Circle. We normally go the first or second Friday of the month to carol to shut-in's and at nursing facilities, then out to dinner and a rousing round of Chinese Christmas. This year, in addition to that we were asked to come and sing at a retirement center where one of our members now lives. Love Circle was joined by a couple of members from the Hope Circle and we were happy to have them!
It just never ceases to amaze me how singing a few songs can make people so happy...it never ceases to amaze me how songs can become more powerful when you watch the expressions cross faces wizened by years. It touches me to see their lips moving or a foot tapping or to hear one humming......such a simple thing.
It's in being there I realize how very close to that we all really are, we just don't realize it until we hit middle age! I will go to bed tonight praying for all of those folks, and praying that I learn to not take one day for granted.

The length of our days is seventy years or eighty if we have the strength yet their span is but trouble and sorrow for they quickly pass and we fly away.
Psalm 90:10