You are not an accident, and God has not forgotten who you are. On the night that Jesus was betrayed, immediately after celebrating the Passover meal with His disciples, Jesus prayed a very personal prayer for His followers. The prayer recorded in John 17 not only speaks of the disciples by Jesus' side on that last night, but it also refers to us. He said "My prayer is not for them alone (meaning His Jerusalem disciples). I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message (His 21st century disciples)." He had you and me in mind on that dark night.
More

On Sunday, February 8, Timothy will be at both morning services of Mentow Baptist Church, at 8:45 and 11:00am. That night he will be at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church at 7:00pm. Admission is free; love offerings will be taken. For more information on Timothy Mark click here.

Associational WMU treasurer, Mrs. Jeanette Southall, 2306 Old Farm Road, Lynchburg, VA 24503, reports receipt of WMU Dues from the following: Bedford, Bethlehem, Big Island, Diamond Hill, Flint Hill, Glade Creek, Mentow, Mount Hermon, Mount Olivet, Mount Zion, North Bedford, Norwood, Pecks, Quaker, Radford, Sedalia, Shady Grove, Suck Spring, Thaxton, and Timber Ridge, Walnut Grove. Dues are $2.00 for each member of Women on Mission and consultants for age-level organizations. If your church is not listed, please try to get the dues in right away.

A photograph of two young ladies who attended the National Acteen Convention with the group from Strawberry Association was featured in the November issue of the national magazine for Acteens. Anna Woodford and Sarah Quarles from Mentow are shown in Egyptian dress.

To all women/girls who are/were GA's: This is the year that GA's is 90 and we want to recognize everyone who was or is a GA. If you were/are a GA please give your name to the Association office by January 26. If you have any pictures of GA's or newspaper articles we could use for display, have them in the Association office by January 26 and let us know if you want them back. Our annual meeting will recognize all of these people as special guests.

Our next Association Youth Event will be on January 11 at Thaxton Baptist Church. On Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m., we will be showing "The Climb," a movie about two hotshot solo climbers who forge an uneasy alliance in order to ascend one of the world's most dangerous peaks. Their treacherous journey takes them higher-and deeper-than they've ever been before.

Promote this youth event in your church and schools. We look forward to a great crowd!

In case of bad weather, we will show the film the following Sunday, January 18.

Following is another timely article from Bedford Baptist's Parish Nursing ministry:

Depression

After the holidays and during the winter, many times people can notice signs of depression. Some of the symptoms of depression include:

• Anxious or empty mood
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
• Loss of interest in activities
• Sleeping or eating much more or less
• Decreased energy or fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering
• Thoughts of death
• Persistent physical problems

All of us can experience some of these symptoms at one time or another. But if symptoms persist, it is wise to seek help and evaluation for them.

Plans are underway for "Evidence of Grace," a worship musical to be presented in March 2004 in the Roanoke area. Choirs and individuals in Roanoke and surrounding areas interested in participating can get information by calling Alan Bays at Rainbow Forest Baptist Church, 540-977-1789, ext. 106, or alan@rainbowforest.com. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen

• To close your book of complaints and open the book of praise.
• To ignore what life owes you and to think about what you owe life.
• To stop looking for friendship and to start being friendly.
• To be content with such things as you have and to stop whining for the things you have not.
• To enjoy the simple blessings of life and to cease striving for the artificial pleasures of the day.
• To forget what you have accomplished and to meditate on what others have done for you.
• To cease looking for someone to help you and to devote yourself to helping others.
• To consecrate your life to the service of an imperfect church and to remember that Christ chose twelve imperfect followers to be His disciples.

Under the Lordship of Christ, to equip, support, and involve our family of churches in meeting the spiritual and physical needs of a changing community and world.

The topic for this month's meeting is "Bear One Another's Burdens." Plan to join your fellow SBA ministers for this time of discussion/sharing led by Rev. Vernon DeLong and other pastors.

Mount Zion will be conducting a Witnessing Training event Saturday, January 10, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., using the NET materials from NAMB. Cost is $5.00 per person. Bring a sack lunch.

Do you plan to go on a summer mission work this year or are you curious about what your role is in the Great Commission? Come learn more about God's heart for the nations at our annual Missions Institute!

This year we are offering missions training for children in Kindergarten all the way through the senior adult; everyone can be involved! We will study missions from a biblical perspective, have special missionary guests from around the world, a time of prayer, praise and worship, and exciting elective courses that are taught by mission experienced teachers.

This is an opportunity you won't want to miss!! If you would like more information please call Heidi Grooms at 540-977-1789, x.112.

When: February 7, 2004
Where: Former sanctuary of FBC, Roanoke
Cost: TBA

February 3Gilbert & Ella Profitt (Retired)
February 15Tom & Meda Hicks (Retired, SBA)BR>