STANDING STONE BIBLE

WEEKLY

January 2, 2024

A Point from pastor

Some 2024 Thoughts...

This time of year we both look back (reflection) and look forward (anticipation).

You certainly had some milestones, heartache, happiness, trouble, laughter, and stress in 2023. This should include some lessons to carry forward. How did you grow? How might God better use you this coming year based on what transpired in 2023? What were the verses, passages, chapters or books from Scripture that impacted you the most?

Undoubtedly, 2024 will carry its share of trouble as well as blessing. As you enter this new year, know that God has brought you to it. He will be with you through it to carry you - if you let Him. Consider these words from God to Israel and know that He cares for you this much: "Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save" (Isa. 46:4).

At the final 2023 men's breakfast, the men were introduced to their "chant" for 2024. Shhhh... nobody tell the men that I'm sharing this here. Yet, may this be a prayer and a heart cry for each of us in 2024:
Twenty Twenty-Four – God, we implore.
Trust in the Lord, faith growing all the more.
We serve and obey Him – ‘tis no chore.
Great things He will do – just as before.
Twenty Twenty-Four – God we implore
Eyes set on Jesus – Him we adore.
Unrighteousness a “no” – sin we abhor.
We will bless His name with praises galore.
Twenty Twenty-Four – God, we implore.
We will share of His greatness and splendor
Relishing Jesus & excited for His encore
Jesus returning soon with a great trumpet roar!

Finally, I end with a 2024 verse... Proverbs 20:24: A man’s steps are from the LORD; how then can man understand his way? Step-by-step, walk with the Lord this year and gain your understanding from Him. Be excited and remember, this is not just 2024 - it is A.D. 2024. A.D as in "the year of our Lord." This is the year of our LORD!

Church Notes...

Nomination Time is here

Members of SSB: You have a responsibility to 1) be in prayer for those who might serve as elder and 2) nominate a man or two that God may place on your heart to serve. Nomination slips and information is available in the narthex at church. Send nominations or ask questions of the Nomination Committee: Steve Bothwell, Ruth Dorman, Pat Mahan, Chris Sebranek, or Pastor Ken Wombacher.

Annual Meeting Reports

If lead a ministry at SSB, please send a report of that ministry highlighting 2023 to the SSB office. Please do your best to submit these by the end of next week.

THIS WEEK

Here are the highlights of classes and events THIS week

No Wednesday Activities (most) - Prayer Force will meet Wednesday night at 7pm. All other Wednesday night activities resume on January 10.

Elder Exposure - Saturday at 8am is an "elder exposure" where you can learn more about being an elder at SSB. There will be a couple of our current elders on hand as well as an overview provided. All are welcome to attend although this is geared towards eligible men and their wives.

Communion - This Sunday we will share in Communion. Be in prayer and reflection this week as you plan to participate. After the service, join in at the "Pot Trust" meal - bring a dish to share Sunday.

upcoming events

Make note of the classes and events available in the near future

Joyous Hearts - Joyous Hearts will meet on Wednesday, January 10th at 10am. Those ages 55 and older are welcome.

Men's Advance - Friday, January 12 (7-8:30pm) is a Men's Advance. . . no retreat here as the men will consider how to advance in 2024. Sons as well as men outside SSB are invited.

Memorial Service - Virginia's memorial service will be Saturday, January 13th.

Guest Speaker - Sunday evening, January 14 we will have a special guest speaker presenting on Israel, Gaza, and Islam. Make plans to join us at 6pm.

Annual Meeting - The SSB Annual Meeting is on February 4.

To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

- Ephesians 4:22-24

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

- Isaiah 43:18-19

For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

- Romans 8:2

the Lord's day

Being a fifth Sunday of the month, the youth helped in leading many aspects of Sunday morning (greeting at the door, worship, ushering). Thank you for your encouragement to them as they endeavor to serve us.

Pastor Tim shared the message from Joshua chapter 3. Just as the Israelites prepared to cross the Jordan river, God will prepare us for the work He desires we do. The Israelites consecrated themselves before this journey. God will also use you and I as He sees fit. And, just as the waters stopped, God does wonders to see His will done.

The ark represented God leading the charge as it was carried into the water. Each of us need to allow ourselves to be led. Do not let your own stubbornness or selfish desires stand in the way.

View Past Worship Services

Did You Know?

Did you know that you may find the recorded service on our website under “streaming”?
standingstonebible.church/streaming.

Click on “Past Worship Services” and then the date you are interested in and you may review/repeat/enjoy past services.

This Month in Christian History

How the West was “won.”

It was in October, 1881 that a 30-second shootout occurred in Tombstone, Arizona. Tombstone was the second largest town in Arizona at the time. The gunfight is considered the most famous in the history of the American Old West - often called the “Shootout at the O.K. Corral” (even though it did not occur in or really near the corral).

About two months later, on Sunday, January 29, 1882, Endicott “Cotty” Peabody arrived in Tombstone to build a church, the first Protestant one in Tombstone (Episcopal). The feud was not finished yet but Cotty’s work was to build a church; within two weeks, he had attracted 110 people to the congregation. After having raised $4,000 for a church and $300 for a parsonage, construction began in April. In July, having completed what he came to do, Cotty returned to Massachusetts to complete seminary studies.

In 1941, Reverend Endicott Peabody returned to Tombstone to celebrate the 59th anniversary of his ministry to the “mining magnates, government officials, ore-handlers, teamsters, saloonkeepers and gamblers”. At that visit, Cotty spoke of one of the officials he had come to know named Wyatt Earp. They had become friends while he was there and stayed close until Wyatt’s death in 1929.

How might the west truly have been won? By one disciple at a time turning to Jesus Christ as his/her Lord and Savior.

“We think waiting is a parenthesis. It is not. God is working, only we can't see it. Most of us will spend eternity thanking God for prayers that He did not answer.”

- Peter Scazzero

Prayer Prods

1. Rebekah - in ER (possibly kidney stones)
2. Gerald B - resting at home (hospice)
3. Jeanette's recovery. Colton H's recovery.
4. McFarling's legal battle.
5. Colton is doing well (but a bit of pain)
6. Kathy Page surgery will be rescheduled (was 1/3).
7. Kathie P in continued cancer treatments
8. Jessica M's and Peggy O's cancer struggles
9. Dean B on the job hunt
10. Elders (current) and those considering
11. Ashland Bible Church

Weekly Prayer Prods