Support and participate only in those events and programs that are most convenient for your sake and comfort, and be firm about taking no personal interest in the spiritual development of any other soul. If you won’t be “getting anything out of it,” simply ignore it.

Complain often to as many people as possible about your church and its members. Repeat rumors, belittle others, and look for the worst in people and situations. Be especially vocal with your criticism of the pastor, his family, and their involvement in church and community activities. Look for the most petty things to criticize such as sermon content and length, clothes, and lifestyles.

Do not tithe. It’s alright to give a few dollars from time to time, but only give what you can reasonably afford after having paid all other bills and purchased important personal and luxury items for you and your family.

Never allow personal Bible study and prayer to interfere with your important schedule or crowd those things you count as priorities. As long as your job, family, recreation, and rest are at the top of your list you shouldn’t be bothered by prayers other than those quickly recited at the dinner table or in an emergency. An uncommon amount of prayer or attention to spiritual matters may hamper relationships or cause you an unusual embarrassment or unwanted reputation.
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Beaverdam is seeking experienced volunteer praise band instrumentalists for Sunday worship. Call the church office (540.890.1294) Tuesday-Thursday.

Glade Creek is seeking a qualified childcare giver for two services on Sunday and one service and choir rehearsal on Wednesday. For additional information, call 540.309.1908.

Hunting Creek is looking for a part time youth leader. Send résumé to Brenda Oliver, 15251 Big Island Hwy., Big Island, VA 24526. For additional information, call 434.299.5763.

Mentow will have Homecoming Services on October 21. The only worship service that Sunday will be at 11 a.m., with Rick Dellinger bringing the message. Following a covered-dish lunch, Rick will be on hand for a special music service. On Saturday evening, October 20, the church will have a Brunswick Stew. More

Following the 10:00 a.m. presentation, we'll fellowship while enjoying the complimentary luncheon that Beaverdam will have prepared for us. We ask that those wanting to share in this Fall Ministers' Conference please RSVP to the SBA office no later than September 25.

Marc, Cari, and the six Jantomaso children welcomed Josiah Honor to their family on August 22. He weighed 8 1/2 pounds and was 20 inches long. Marc is pastor of River Rock mission church.

Nov 19 Bill & Marion Vest (Retired)

The meal to be served at 5:30 will include chicken, a salad, green beans, corn, mashed potatoes, rolls, drinks, and dessert at a cost $7.00 per person. As a matter of courtesy, the clerk (or another individual) from each church should call a meal count in to Palestine at 540.297.4442 no later than Monday, October 15. There are several restaurants within a 10-20 minute drive: The Pointe at Mariners Landing, The Sportsman Restaurant, Harrison's and a Chinese diner in Moneta.

The 6th annual Hundreds of Feet/Miles of Care Carewalk for Bedford Hospice Care will be held Saturday, October 13, 2007, at Bedford Memorial Hospital. To learn more about the walk or to organize walk groups, please call 540.587.6592.

Rainbow Forest Student Ministries presents: Building 429 & The Afters on Tour! with Storyside: B & Jackson Waters coming Friday, October 19, 7 p.m.

Tickets are $10 in advance ($12 at the door) and may be purchased at itickets.com or through the church office at 540.977.1789. (Concessions will be available for purchase during the concert.) Beginning at 5 p.m., youth pastors/directors are invited to tour the church's new Student Ministry facility and then gather for light finger foods at a meet and greet time to pray for the evening and discuss counseling for the invitation portion of the concert. If you have questions, please call Pastor Jay Richards at the church or at 540.589.7569.

Date: October 20, 2007
Location: Sedalia, VA- just outside Lynchburg, Virginia. Located at the base of the glorious Blue Ridge Mountains (Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian Trail) www.sedaliacenter.org

Speakers & Musicians:

• Arnold Pent: Author of Ten Peas in a Pod (available through www.visionforum.com)
• Eric Wallace: Author of Uniting Church and Home ( www.unitingchurchandhome.org)
• Scott Brown: Director of The National Center for Family Integrated Churches www.visionforum.org Blog: www.scottbrownonline.com
• Steve Harrow and Family: www.singtheword.com

Eric Geiger, co-author of the book, Simple Church, will attempt to answer those questions in a workshop on Monday, December 3, at Bonsack Baptist Church, 4845 Cloverdale Road (corner of US 220 and US 460) in Roanoke. Time for the event is 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and the cost of $20 per person includes lunch and all materials. Registration for ministers and lay leaders interested in the workshop is being accepted NOW by contacting the Southwest Virginia Christian Leadership Network, 540.777.3014 or 866.223.9344 (toll-free). You may also register by emailing gary.chapman@vbmb.org.

WMU Dues ($2.00 for each member of Women on Mission and leaders of age-level organizations) are due now for the 2007-2008 year. Checks should be payable to Strawberry WMU and mailed to Mrs. Emily Morris, 2161 Penns Mill Rd., Big Island, VA 24526. Please mail by November 15.

The Women’s Get-Away will be November 2-3 and November 3-4 at Eagle Eyrie, featuring Kate Campbell, musician/song writer/storyteller. The Women’s Rally/WMU Annual Meeting will be Saturday, November 3, at 2-3:30 p.m., with Kaye Miller, President, National WMU, as the keynote speaker.