After coming to Christ as a teenager I enjoyed the company of a godly elderly couple. Even after going off to college I would visit them when in from school, especially on Christmas Eve. As we visited we would read the Christmas story from Luke 2, and I would play the guitar and sing. The reading of that story has remained a Christmas Eve tradition ever since. It is so touching and moving as you consider the excitement taking place at the birth of a baby in a stable. A magnificent number of royal angels with clothing that seemed to light up the night sky announce the greatest news ever to a group of lowly shepherds. After the initial shock and fear subside, they are determined to make the journey to see first hand what the Lord has revealed to them on this most extraordinary day.

"So the shepherds went quickly and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in a feeding box. When they had seen him, they told what the angels had said about this child. Everyone was amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured these things and continued to think about them."
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We are humbled and privileged to be able to send mission teams to Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida to help all those who were displaced, ripped apart, lost their livelihoods, families, etc. We'll not want to forget them in the months ahead. At the same time, let's also remember those much closer to home in Appalachia. Many are poor, illiterate, lost, and dysfunctional. Most have been forgotten.

We sometimes busy ourselves getting people to come to programs to hear guest speakers and eat huge meals when it might be prudent to consider the great expense spent on motel rooms and gasoline. Could it be that some of this money would be better served helping a family who needs to learn to read and write?

I just talked to a minister involved with Appalachian Regional Ministry who has not had a vacation since 1976. He has been busy tending to the sick and dying and placing buckets around the church to catch the water that comes dripping through the roof. His pleas for help have fallen mostly on deaf ears for 11 years. Won't you consider putting this on your prayer list? Ask yourself where your mission money, time, and resources belong, and then be obedient.

January 11 Vernon DeLong (Trinity)

Mount Olivet served as host for the Strawberry Baptist Association Girl's Retreat. Held on October 14-16, the retreat offered a variety of learning opportunities along with a weekend filled with fun and fellowship.

On Friday night the girls enjoyed a concert by "Station 2" followed by guest speaker Lori Lewis, Director of the Bedford Pregnancy Center. Lori and other staff from the Pregnancy Center presented a program which included testimonies, information, and advice for girls, guiding them toward lives of purity and lives pleasing to God.

After a sleep-over and a Saturday morning trip to the mall, the group was back at church for more excitement. Megan Tyree led in a time of worship and praise. Kelly Daniel gave tips on the importance of modest dress for godly girls. Lisa Smith, Sarah Jenkins, and Mandi Dyess served as models as they sported modest but stylist teen outfits from the La Di D's boutique. Chris Crawford provided the message which focused on the importance of inner beauty which comes from knowing Christ and living in a Christ-like way.
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The Southwest Virginia Christian Leadership Network and Bluefield College are pleased to announce the establishment of a new Christian Studies Certificate program. The Certificate will allow students to earn up to 18 hours of college credit in areas such as Bible Backgrounds, New Testament, Old Testament, Church History, Theology, World Religions, Ethics, and Leadership. Credits earned through the Certificate program may be applied toward further degree study at Bluefield College.
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Women on Mission: Diamond Hill will lead devotionals at Oakwood Manor in December; Radford will lead them in January, February, and March. Mentow will host the December birthday party for residents of Bedford County Nursing Home; Bethlehem will host it in January. Recently, Thaxton's WOM made cookies and delivered them to shut-ins. They also made six lap robes for Oakwood Manor. For their November mission project, Mentow's WOM addressed more than 500 Christmas cards for delivery to residents of area nursing homes.
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Bedford and Main Street United Methodist will present the cantata, "A Great and Mighty Wonder," at Bedford Baptist on Sunday, December 11, 10:55 a.m. The church will have a "Live Nativity" on the front lawn on Saturday, December 17, 6:00-8:30 p.m. The children will present a program following a church-wide covered dish meal in the fellowship hall at 6 p.m. on Sunday, December 18. There will be a Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion service at 7 p.m., preceded by a concert at 6:30.

142 shoeboxes were collected for Operation Christmas Child.

The Big Island hills are alive...with the sound of music! Join us in our sanctuary on two special Sunday evenings as we celebrate the season in song. Our adult choir will sing their Christmas cantata, "Tree of Light," at 7 p.m., December 11. Our children will perform the musical, "Hark, and the Not So Heavenly Choir," at 6 p.m., December 18.

Diamond Hill will present "The Christmas Shoes" on Sunday, December 18, 6 p.m. The program will be preceded by a mini Christmas concert beginning at 5:30.

Mentow is searching for a part-time Music Minister. Send resume to Mentow Baptist Church, 3282 Mentow Drive, Huddleston, VA 24104.

The church family filled 133 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.

Our children's Christmas program, "Candles of Christmas," will be presented December 11, 6 p.m. A Christmas cantata, "The Best Gift of All," will be presented December 18, 5 p.m., followed by the church-wide covered dish Christmas dinner at 6.
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The $25.00 fee per person covers the cost of the training, the certification badge as well as a Disaster Relief hat and t-shirt. (These are required for identification in the field. The fee can be paid at the time of the training.

The Temporary Location and Property Committee reports that an attorney has been consulted and, at his suggestion, additional information is being gathered, after which the committee will meet to review his findings.