West Hendersonville Baptist Church 730 Willow Road Hendersonville, NC 28739 The Light

Phone: (828)692-6607 Email: [email protected] West Hendersonville Baptist Church www.westhendersonvillebaptist.org www.truelife.org Where we reach, teach and minister to the Where we reach, teach and minister to the September/October 2013 whole family with the Gospel of Christ! whole family with the Gospel of Christ! Volume 6, Issue 5

Tracy’s Thoughts... SPOTLIGHT Come Join Us ! ON… Greetings Co-Laborers in Christ!

Sunday Services I want to talk to you about “My Hope America” with Billy Bible Study 9:45 AM  Tracy’s Thoughts Morning Worship 11:00 AM Church Staff Graham. Dr. Graham has been a great proclaimer of the gos-  Evening Services 6:30 PM Back to School pel of Jesus Christ for many years. I remember watching old Youth Meeting 6:30 PM Rev. Tracy Fletcher, Pastor  Women’s Ministry revival videos at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Valerie Fletcher, Director of Music Wednesday Services back in the late 1990’s. Wow, what a heart for the Lord and Jo Parham, Homebound Ministry  Men’s Ministry Bible Study 6:30 PM Karen Kinlaw, Pianist for the world! Youth Meeting 6:30 PM Debbie Shehan, Church Secretary  Member in the Dr. Graham was born November 7, 1918, and reared in Char- Adult Choir Rehearsal & C.A.R.E. Ministry 7:30 PM Spotlight lotte, N.C. It was at the age of fifteen (15), under the preaching  Music Notes of evangelist, Mordecai Ham, in the fall of 1934, that surrendered his life to the Lord Jesus Christ. Just five years later, in 1939, Billy Graham was ordained to the gos- Music Notes pel ministry. In 1943 he graduated from Wheaton College in Illinois and married fellow student Ruth McCue Bell, daughter of a missionary surgeon, who spent the first seventeen (17) years of You’re invited to join the choir! her life in China.

On December 22, during the In one of the stories that I read, Billy Graham was struggling with the authority of God’s morning worship service, the Word. He went out and prayed in a quiet place in the woods and when he came back he choir will present Bethlehem stated that the issue was settled. God’s Word states that it is just that, God’s Holy Word; Morning. The music has been that settled it for Billy Graham. ordered, and sometime in Following that struggle God began to open doors for Dr. early September we will be- Graham to preach the gospel. In 1949, Dr. Graham would gin working on the cantata hold his first crusade in Los Angeles, CA. God took a during our regular rehearsals. young man from Charlotte, N.C. and made him a spokes- Can’t read music? No prob- man to the world. lem! We’ll have practice If you’ve moved within the past year or will be moving Dr. Graham has spoken to and prayed with many of the CD’s that you can listen to and learn by ear. in the future, please remember to call the church presidents of the United States, as well as dignitaries from So come on! We’ll be looking for you Wednesdays at office during office hours, email or leave a note, let- around the world. The Lord has opened doors for Dr. 7:30 p.m. See Valerie Fletcher for more information. ting us know your new address (and phone number if Graham to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in many there is a change) so that our information remains countries in the world. current. Thank you for your help. Continued on Page 2 Page 2

Page 7 Tracy’s Thoughts. . . My Hope with Billy Graham simply asks us to repeat Member in the Spotlight what Matthew did— look around and invite our friends

Dr. Graham is hoping to celebrate his and neighbors over for a meal and to view the Billy 95th birthday on November 7, this year; Graham special. Following the special, share in about Sarah Elizabeth Ledbetter Blackwell, our ville High School, where he plays trumpet in yet this year he has an extra sense of ur- three to four minutes our testimony of how we came to Member in the Spotlight for the month, was born the school bands. gency to help the church reach out in America. He know Christ, and then ask them if they would like to at Rex Hospital in Raleigh, N.C. on August states in the pamphlet, My Hope America with Billy receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of their lives. 16, 1943. One of three children born to Lillian Jim and Sarah went to Main Street Baptist with her sister, Stella, for awhile before [Stella’s] Graham: Here is a sample prayer to invite them to pray with you: Justice Ledbetter and Canie A. Ledbetter, Sarah’s brother Kever Alexander died when death, and after she passed away, they returned During my lifetime, I’ve had the privilege of seeing God Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner, and I ask for Your just three months old. Her sister, Stella, was to West Hendersonville, in 1999. They say they move across America in powerful ways, and yet we have forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the Sarah Blackwell born on November 25, 1929, and died on were blessed to have attended church here seen our nation steadily sliding into moral and spiritual dead. I turn from running my own life, and now I ask You to January 3, 1999, from cancer. with Mildred Camp Blackwell, Jim’s mother, in her last ruin. As I approach my 95th birthday, I believe that run it. I surrender my heart and life to You. I will trust You years, and still try to sit in her pew every Sunday they unless God sends a sweeping revival, America as we and follow You as my Savior and Lord. In Jesus’ Name, amen. In 1945, Sarah’s mother brought her to Henderson- are able to be here. have known it- a nation rooted in biblical values- will be ville, where she has lived ever since. She attended Rosa Please take an opportunity to go to a thing of the past. Edwards Elementary School and graduated from Hen- “I love the old hymns and really enjoy hearing Valerie WWW.MYHOPEWITHBILLYGRAHAM.ORG to [Fletcher] sing ‘Via Dolorosa.’ My favorite scriptures Today, around 60 percent of Americans don’t attend dersonville High School in 1962. learn more about this special opportunity. There is a are many, but I especially like Romans 8:28.”  church regularly. Among young people in our churches, lot of great information and some sample videos. On Sarah tells the story of how she decided on her half think that many religions can lead to eternal life. September 22, I am hoping to have a special message [vocation]. “My sister had been in a serious car acci- Since 1990, the number of people who specifically iden- on Sunday morning about My Hope with Billy Graham, dent, and while I was helping care for her I decided to

tify themselves as atheists or agnostics has more than and then at the 6:30 p.m. service we hope to have train- make nursing my life’s work. I joined the staff at Par- tripled. ing. dee Hospital in 1961 as a volunteer and was part of Jo Parham is Homebound and the very first group of “Candy Stripers.” Prayer Director This is why I believe My Hope America is crucial. If you would like to host a Matthew event, please call It could be our last chance to see our country turn back the church office; we have 20 Matthew packets. Also, As time passed Sarah met Jim Blackwell, in August of to God. I hope you will join us in this nationwide evan- please come to the training event. We will take an op- 1962, and after a brief courtship the two were married gelistic campaign and reach out to your unsaved portunity that evening to watch one of the videos and on October 20, 1962. Rev. Mark M. Goss performed neighbors and loved ones with our true hope: the Gospel talk about writing out your personal testimony. the ceremony at the First Baptist Church of Hender- of the Lord Jesus Christ. sonville. At that time, she was working full-time at [the Please take the time to pray that the Lord of the harvest The hour is late, and the need is urgent. The eternal will send forth laborers and please be willing to answer hospital] as a nursing assistant, and continued to work WELCOME TO OUR destiny of many souls—and the future of our great na- that call. Also, write out names of folks that you do for several years in that position. When offered a job NEWEST MEMBERS tion—is at stake. Pray that we will turn from our not know if they have surrendered their lives to Christ, as a unit clerk, she accepted and worked in that posi- Nicole Gregory wicked ways and that God will heal our land. begin praying for them, and seek to build a strong rela- tion until she retired in 2008. She had worked as unit Gage Case clerk in several different departments until stationed in Joshua & Jennifer Wilcox I want to encourage you to participate in My Hope tionship with them. the I.C.U. in the late 1980’s, where she worked for Pam Flynn America with Billy Graham; this is simply a biblical Bill Weaver Let’s join together in prayer, and labor, expecting great twenty-three (23) years. Finally, she gave up working concept that we can each use to reach our friends, things from our Almighty God! in 2011, having been at Pardee for fifty (50) years neighbors, and family with the gospel of Jesus Christ. In Christ, (1961-2011). I’m sure you have probably read the story of Matthew, Pastor Tracy  the tax collector, in Matthew 9:9-10 and Luke 5:27-29. Sarah says, “Jim and I have two wonderful daughters, Sharon and Deb, who both grew up in West Hender- Jesus called for him to leave all and follow Him. Mat- sonville Baptist Church, and are still members of the IN LOVING MEMORY OF thew did just that; he left his things and immediately Jackie Lancaster followed Jesus, but in Luke 5 we find out that Matthew church. We also have two grandchildren: Rachel How- Toni Johnson also invited Jesus to his home. Matthew threw a party ell, who graduated from West Henderson High and is Ann Lockaby and invited all his fellow tax collectors and sinners over studying at Appalachian State University, and Adam to meet Jesus. Howell, who is starting his senior year at Henderson- Page 3 Page 6 Men’s Ministry

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17

Men’s Ministry has teamed up with church for the C.A.S.T. yard sale, the NC Baptist Aging Ministry in and then assisted in loading items hopes that we will be able to serve that were purchased during the yard older individuals in our own com- sale. Thanks to all that came with Youth Ministry – S.W.A.G. Students Worshipping an Awesome God munity, but not necessarily our own trucks, trailers and strong backs. It’s that time again – time to head back to school. Please keep these students in your prayers as they start another church. In August we received our We continue to meet the third Sat- school year. Here’s this year’s lineup: first assignment. Kenneth Rhodes, urday of each month at 8 a.m. for Joe Corn, Scott Holbert, Billy Ray Hendersonville High East Henderson High North Henderson High the men’s prayer breakfast. Always Capps, Tommy Howell, Bill Drake, Hands & Feet Zach White Danielle Louis Alyssa Corn come dressed in work clothes be- Richard Puryear, Larry Greubel, and cause we usually have an activity Trenton Bierly Caroline Brock Lauren Crompton Robert Ritz helped build a retaining for Christ planned afterwards. This past sum- Joshua Fletcher wall for a couple that needed some manpower. We had mer, we have helped the building and grounds commit- an awesome day and were able to make two new Cameron Ramer Faith Covenant Apple Valley Middle tee by spreading mulch on the playground and around friends. We look forward to receiving our next oppor- Natalie Fletcher Tyler Smith Haley Phillips the main building, trimming bushes, pulling weeds, tunity to serve. patching the roof, mowing grass, repainting the church Colin Dorsey In May, we were able to assist Carolyn Vaughan in sign, and various small maintenance projects in both Rugby Middle moving from her apartment to Sunnybrook. We moved buildings. There is always something to be done.  Hendersonville Middle Corey Barton items to Sunnybrook, to the public library sale, to the John Ramer

As you can see, the youth group is growing. Keep the Fundraisers – Dates to be announced Lord, take me where you want me to go; Let me meet who you want me to meet; personnel committee in your prayers as they try to find Car Wash & Bake Sale – O’Charley’s parking lot Tell me what you want me to say, and keep me out of your way.— a new youth director for these amazing teens. In the Slave for a day – youth available to clean up yard de- meantime, Nicole Gregory has offered to teach Sunday bris and leaves, clean windows, etc. Rev. Mychal Judge, FDNY chaplain and the first official casualty on 9/11 School and Joe & Andrea Corn are teaching Wednes- day youth. Sunday evening youth is still a work in pro- Bible Studies:

gress since many of the youth will have CAST practice Currently - Reach Out: Sharing Your Faith, by Greg CELEBRATE JESUS during that time. Stier; four-week study to help discover both the sim- plicity and necessity of sharing your faith. This series A Community-wide Celebration Upcoming Events: helps transform evangelism from something intimidat- at Jackson Park Christian Music Day at Carowinds September 28 ing and scary into something instinctive, natural and Sunday, September 15, 2—5 p.m. $38 – featuring such groups as Chris Tomlin, News- rewarding. boys, , plus more. Sign-up sheet is on the The entire community is welcome to enjoy fellowship, food and youth door. Thanks to Ashley & Ryan Howell and Jen- Next - Real Conversations: Sharing Your Faith music popular with all ages. The event will feature FREE snow nifer & Joshua Wilcox for volunteering to chaperone! Without Being Pushy, by Jonathan McKee; four- cones, cotton candy and popcorn, with paid concessions also week study that will help ignite the passion of Christian available. Bring your picnic dinner, a blanket or lawn chairs, and Xtreme Winter December 27-29 Gatlinburg, TN teens to live authentic lives, and gives them tools to $129 – 3 days of awesome speakers, such as Tom Rich- reach out to their friends in ways that won’t give them a heart to CELEBRATE JESUS! Sponsored by the Henderson ter, Dave Edwards, David Nasser & Johnny Hunt and cold sweats.  County Ministerial Association and Carolina Baptist Association. rocking groups such as Skillet, , Newsong, Building 429, and more.

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Women’s Ministry Women’s Ministry continued from p. 4

at N.C. Correctional Institute for Women and

Leaving a Legacy

Due to popular demand, women’s ministry has moved Raleigh Correctional Center for Women. For

Speaker:

Know Truth, many of these women our gift is all they re- A Women’s Prayer & back to Tuesdays at 10 a.m. & 6 p.m. Women’s Minis- Kimberly Sowell ceive. The gifts are packed in a bright red gift try is growing! We currently have over seventy (70) girls Know Freedom Evangelism Retreat box that is a little larger than a shoe box. A and women that we are serving with. When we aren’t “Tell the generation to come the praises of Christmas card and scripture tract is included in working on a Bible study, our schedule will be as fol- the Lord and His strength and His wondrous works Speaker: Kimberly Sowell from each box. Associations participate by sending lows: that He has done.” Psalm 78:4 Kingdom Heart Ministries the needed items or money, and volunteers Friday, September 6, 2013 The 1st Tuesday of the month we will share a video KimberlySowell.net pack the boxes. Across N.C. we are collecting 2:00 PM—9:45PM from Lifeway Women Live. Our first video, shown in Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute 1455 Gilliam Rd., knit gloves, with a goal of 750. Guidelines are as Saturday, September 7, 2013 August, was entitled The Barenness of Busyness, about the Hendersonville, NC follows: One size fits all, remove tags, paper, 8:30 AM—4:00 PM busyness of life that robs women of deep spiritual Friday, September 27, 2013, etc., and then fold together as a pair. Deadline Lifeway Ridgecrest Conference Center growth and connection with God. 6:00 PM—9:00 PM to drop off at the church is Sunday October Saturday, September 28, 2013 $152.25 per person (3 meals & lodging included) The 2nd Tuesday of the month we will be “Caring” 13, 2013.  8:30 AM—12:30 PM www.ncbaptists.org for more information. for ladies through treat making. In August we made

homemade chicken soup for the homebound and Early bird tickets are $25.00. After September 16, tickets are Sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board. needy families. $30.00. Ticket includes conference, materials, breakfast, snacks ADVANCING The 3rd Tuesday of the month we will be “Sharing” and lunch. Sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board. Please remit Breakout sessions include: for ladies through phone calls, card writing and your money in an envelope and mark for Women’s Conference. A Hearth Legacy: Evangelism From the Home – Brandie THE KINGDOM home visits. The morning group is invited to join the Sponsored by Women of Carolina. Please join us – don’t miss & Judie Upshaw Out to Lunch Bunch at 11:30 a.m. out on a blessing! Filling in Legacy Gaps: How to Raise Boys in a Fatherless Home – Merrie Johnson The 4th Tuesday of the month we will have our Breakout sessions include: Heritage of Truth – Cathy Moffett “Circle of Friends” life support group. The evening Surely I haven’t Fallen for the Lies of the Enemy-Traci Leaving a Legacy in your Church Family – Esther Carolina Baptist Association group is invited to join us at El Paso at 5:00 p.m. Allen Burroughs Semi-Annual Meeting You are always welcome to work on prayer shawls Truth or Dare-Anne Beck Living Legacies – Denise O’Donoghue at our meetings. We currently have eight shawls al- Straight Talk from the Bible-Amelia Cox Our Inheritance: How to Study the Bible – Ellen Day Bat Cave Baptist Church Pass it On: Spiritual Mothering – Ashley Allen ready completed. Those working on shawls are Pam Know Who you Are-Claudia Dalton Bowlin, Cheryl Howell, Sharon Capps, Judy Allison, Prayer: A Future Endowment – Barbara Braswell Women in the Church-Becky Garrett Tuesday, October 15, 2013 Recording Your Legacy – Pam Blume Cathy McCraw and Andrea Corn. Identity Theft –Donna Gibbs Truth During Transition – Kelly Isham We are desperately trying to get our next Bible study Christian Women in the Workplace- Scarlett Goodman Warning! There is a Pitfall Ahead! – Faye Dunbar 4:00—Afternoon Session started. Please be patient while we find the next study Marriage-God’s Beautiful Design-Linda Haines

that the Lord would have us do. 5:30—Dinner I Didn’t Know-Elizabeth Luce Know the Story-Ruth McWhite Upcoming Events: 7:00 Evening Session Environmental Stewardship-Paige Melton

Carolina Baptist Association’s 7th Annual Creation Health-Julie Palmer Women under Construction-Roxanna Pepper Speakers: Mark Hunnicutt, Associate Pastor Women’s of Ministries, Mud Creek Baptist Church Gift of Brokenness-Sallie Saxon Red Box Gifts for Conference The Life Left Behind-Becky Wuerzer and Know Who You Are-Living Your God- Given Design Female Inmates Jonathan Jenkins, Pastor, No Truth, Online and In Real Live - Victoria Dunkle Each Christmas, women from all across North No Freedom Carolina provide gifts to fill approximately Bearwallow Baptist Church 1,500 red boxes to be given to female inmates

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