Follow Your Nose - Weekly Celebration (Dec. 11)
Below is one of my favorite stories about Dr. Chuck Kelley, previous president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, as written by his wife, Rhonda Kelley:
“Several years ago, my husband took me to a fancy restaurant in New Orleans for our anniversary dinner. He told the maître d’ that our reservation was for two in the name of Kelley. To our surprise, the gentleman responded, ‘How did a man named Kelley get a Jewish nose like yours?’
Chuck’s reply has stuck with me through the years: ‘I have a Jewish Savior named Jesus Christ who loves me so much He gave me His nose.’ Wow! That is turning a casual comment into a conversation about Christ.
I could not wait to ask Chuck how he thought of the reply so quickly. He joked, ‘I took Nose Evangelism at seminary’ and ‘I laid my nose on the altar and said I’d blow it for Him.’ When I pushed him for a serious answer, my evangelism professor husband made it so simple it was impossible to ignore or forget: ‘If Jesus is on our minds, He will find a way out of our mouths.’”
As Christmas fast approaches this year, may our minds be filled with the hope of Jesus, that our mouths would be filled with His gospel and praise.
Below are some celebrations of what Jesus is doing in our church as well as our weekly financial update.
Business Meeting Notes:
Last Sunday we had our final business meeting of the year. It might seem strange to say it was an encouraging and enjoyable time, but it truly was. We celebrated, we prayed, we sang, and we voted in every instance unanimously, approving the main items up for discussion. In addition, our one paper ballot vote to approve new deacons also received near unanimous votes for every individual as well. What’s clear in all of this is that our church has an incredible heart for unity, a love for one another, and a desire to make the gospel known in our community and around the world. Thank you for participating in our meeting last Sunday night.
Family Christmas Photo Op!
Everyone loves a great Christmas photo. Make sure to check out our family photo booth at entrance one to grab your photo this week. The photo area will remain set up through December 20th.
A Candlelight Christmas Service:
Sunday evening, December 20th, at 6:00 p.m., Hyland Heights will host a Christmas Candlelight Service as we enter into the week where we celebrate the birth of our Savior. This worship experience is family-friendly; children will be encouraged to participate and will be given glow sticks to use during the candle-lighting portion of the evening. We hope you, your family, and your friends will join us for this special night of celebrating the birth of Jesus.
Advance Winter Bible Conference:
January 24-27 (6:30-8:00pm), Hyland Heights will be hosting our first ever Winter Bible Conference. We have an absolutely incredible line-up of guest speakers that you are going to want to hear each night. Please remember that registration is limited. You can register your family today or learn more by going to hhbc.net/advance.
Your End-of-Year Generosity Makes an Impact:
We want to say thank you once again for your generosity and remind you that your giving truly does make an incredible impact in the lives of our church family, community, and around the world as we share the gospel of Jesus. Your family’s regular giving and end-of-year gifts can help us finish 2020 stronger than ever, and even get a head start on our church’s 2021 goals. Please remember that your end-of-year gifts are tax deductible on your 2021 tax return if they are postmarked by December 31st, 2020. You can always give online as well at hhbc.net/give. Thank you for your heart and continued support of the ministry at Hyland Heights Baptist Church.
HHBC Weekly Financials:
December 6th Weekly Offering: $44,492.00
Weekly Budget: $33,228.00
As of December 6th, we have received 101% of our year-to-date budget.
Sunday Reminders:
Please remember that giving in worship will continue to look different as long as Covid-19 persists. We will not pass the plates for your safety, but will have offering boxes at each entrance to the worship center where you can give as you enter or exit. For many, we know that you have started to give online, and this continues to be an excellent choice to make giving easier/safer for you, and to make sure that the ministry and mission of HHBC continues to impact more lives in the weeks to come. If you would like to give to Hyland Heights online, simply go to hhbc.net/give.
HHBC continues to strive to keep our church family safe during the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. We continue to encourage everyone to take the precautions you would take when entering into any other building. If doing things like social distancing, washing hands well, and wearing masks can help us love our neighbors better and avoid potential spread in our church family so we can continue worshiping together in person, we should strive to do these things as much as we are able. We also want to remind everyone that the 9:30 service still has plenty of room for you and your family to join us while best maintaining social distancing. Thank you for your help and understanding as we strive to keep the people we love as safe as possible. For additional information on HHBC’s response to Covid-19 go to hhbc.net/coronavirus.
***Article first published by Dr. Rhonda Kelley in Baptist Press (https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/first-person-lay-your-nose-on-the-altar/)
Filled with hope,
Dr. Josh Carter
Senior Pastor