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Rev. Mike Winters Pastor

Leigh Clark Minister of Music & Youth

Dr. Ray Jones, Jr. Pastor Emeritus

WISE BAPTIST NEWS A PUBLICATION FOR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF

WISE BAPTIST CHURCH

December 16, 2014

Dear church family and friends,

The official opening of the Inn at Wise has

happened! The ribbon-cutting ceremony on

Dec. 16 was jammed with 450 people (250

were expected). There was a great sense of

hopefulness in the room. Carl Snodgrass shepherded the

project to its completion. During the ceremony, as he shared,

he walked us through the process from start to finish. Many

hands were involved from engineers to construction workers

to politicians to investors, etc. An entire community watched

and waited.

A reception for the 60th anniversary of UVA at Wise took place

on Dec. 19 at the Inn at Wise,. Ironically, this is the very place

where the seeds for the college were planted. The flourishing

of the college is another sign of hope in our community. When

businesses have closed and people have moved out of the area

due to the economy, the opening of the Inn at Wise and

presence of the college, UVA at Wise, mean all the more.

On Saturday night, it was my privilege to officiate at the first

wedding at the renovated Inn at Wise for Ryan Hollyfield and

Danyl Dotson. The service took place on the balcony. It was a

wonderful opportunity to proclaim the gospel. Life truths were

shared from the Bible. Vows were exchanged. Soon, I became

aware of a larger audience outside the building. It was truly a

beautiful sight and sacred moment as the balcony scene was

backlit by the headlights of traffic waiting at the stoplight.

Above are hopeful signs, signs of new life! The Christmas story

is still true. It is true 365 days a year. We wait, hope, and pray

for God to come to us to do things we cannot do for ourselves

or for each other. God is at work. Keep on hoping, praying,

worshipping, and serving expectantly. Be ready for new things

God is birthing! God is with us!

Love, Pastor Mike

Important Dates

Inside

Announcements Page 2

From Leigh Page 3

Birthdays Page 3

Anniversaries Page 3

Pictures Page 4

Opportunities Page 5

Christmas Dinner

December 17

Christmas Eve

Communion

Service

December 24

How to Join

Wise Baptist Church:

Express one of the following to the

Pastor during the closing hymn:

† Transfer of Letter

transfer membership to Wise

Baptist Church

† Baptism

desire to express faith in Christ

through baptism

† Statement of Faith

baptized believer not on a

membership roll

Announcements

As you pray, please remember…

Papa Joe and Reba Smiddy, Ray and Carolyn

Jones, Artie and Clifford Bailey, Kim Boggs, Pat

Boggs, Archie and Joanne Kennedy, Elizabeth and Susan

Davidson, Jim and Sherry Collie, Irene Black, Hubert and

Ida Breeding, John and Kay Wright, Wanda Baird, David

Mullins, Danny Keith, Marty Kennedy, all the cancer

patients in our area, and our men and women in the

military.

Our Shut Ins: Hazel Dixon (Mountain View), Martha

Gilliam, Eddie Culbertson, Vernoy Bolling, and Peggy

Tolbert (Heritage Hall—BSG)

If there are other known prayer concerns or shut-ins, please let us know.

New Adult Wednesday Night

Bible Study

A new Bible study gets under way on Wednesday, Jan

14. This 4-week study, “I Am a Church Member, will be

taught in the sanctuary by Pastor Mike. It has some

powerful ideas. Pick up your copy and begin reading.

Wise Inn

Join with us in a stay at the newly—renovated

Wise Inn!! See Sandy Mullins to sign up to stay on Fri-

day night, January 16th. Thirteen rooms are already

taken! Her e-mail address is sdmullins@verizon.net.

The Advent Candles

Each week in worship, we will light another

Advent Candle to point us to the arrival of

our Savior. Each of the candles represents in sequence:

the prophets, Bethlehem, shepherds, angels, and finally

Christ, Himself.

CHRISTMAS DINNER

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17 at 6 PM

Please join us for our annual Christmas

dinner. The church will provide ham,

turkey and salad. Please bring your favorite side dish,

dessert and/or bread. Please notify the church office or

contact Teresa Adkins if you have not already done so.

In the spirit of a fun evening, we will feature our first

ever Tacky Christmas Sweater Contest. Prizes will

be awarded for most creative, cutest, best Christmas

spirit, tackiest, ugliest, best family or friend group and

best overall.

Wear your Tackiest Christmas Sweater and join us for

a night of fun and fellowship!!

Christmas Eve Candlelight

Communion—11pm Dec. 24

One of the highlights of the year is this

special service! The Christmas story, the

Advent candles, Christmas carols, personal communion,

and singing the closing carol a cappella by candlelight. It

is not to be missed. Plan now to attend. Dress casually

and by all means, bring family and friends!

CHRISTMAS TRAIN

The Christmas Train displays are ready for viewing at

the Collie’s home; 310 Woodland Court, Wise.

Please call first: 328-5133

From Leigh

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

December 16 Irene Black

December 17 Alex Knox

December 20 Marsha Tolbert

Bryan Crutchfield

December 21 Samuel Wills

December 22 Dallas Kennedy

Jon Kennedy

Rick Mullins

Our regular Sunday and Wednesday night Bible studies will be in recess until January. Stay tuned to Facebook for announcements for ice skating and our annual ski trip. Merry Christmas! Enjoy your holidays with family and friends.

BRISTOL SPEEDWAY IN LIGHTS We had a great time at the Bristol Motor Speed-way on Sunday evening. Thank you to everyone who went. We are going to plan an ice skating trip after Christmas! Stay tuned for more information.

I truly believe that God provides exactly what we need precisely when we need it!. On the morning of the Cantata I was rehearsing with the Jubilation Ringers in the sanctuary. We were doing a new piece that was difficult, my parents were here, the choir was doing a song from the Cantata...you get the picture—I was stressed. Well, my cell phone rings and I don’t recognize the number but I answer it anyway. The voice on the line was Pat Boggs. She said, “Leigh, I know the cantata is tonight and I won’t be there because I am in Knoxville with Kim. It is my favorite program and I hate that I am going to miss it. But, I just wanted you to know that Kim and I are praying for you and the choir—that all will go well. Know that I love you and miss you.” A peace settled over me that words can’t de-scribe. A sense of joy and love and encouragement filled my soul. As most of you know, Pat’s plate is FULL. Yet, she took the time to call me, to love me, to encourage me. She was exactly what I needed precisely when I needed it. God’s divine presence! I pray that I will listen when God asks me to do the same for someone else this Christmas. Amen. To God Be ALL Glory! The Children’s program on Sunday afternoon was such a blessing and a joy! The children worked so very hard to memorize their lines and their songs. The costumes were precious. I cannot say enough words of thanks to Debbie Collins, Carla Sheppard, Donna Hutchinson, and Susan Mullins. These ladies go above and beyond for the children involved in the choir program. They meet with them every Monday—feeding them, teaching them, loving them, caring about what they do outside of choir each week, sharing the love of Jesus with them—all of this as volunteers! WOW! WBC is blessed to have such special people willing to share not only their time, but, their selves! If you missed the program, you missed a blessing! All through the Advent season, we have been blessed with special music during worship. Last Sunday Susan and Stephanie blessed us with a hand bell duet, Eva and Susan played a beautiful offertory on the piano, and Brad Morris shared his version of “O Holy Night”. This Sunday, Rebecca and Donna will play “O Come All Ye Faithful” on hand bells. We are very blessed with talented, faithful musicians. Please take a moment and personally thank them. Blessings, Leigh

DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

December 19 Shane & Susan Mullins

December 22 Greg & Jessica Hutchinson

THANK YOU

Eva Kling came to WBC in 2013 to

serve as a pianist for our Sunday

Worship services. She has been

much more than that! She has

involved herself in the life of the

church in many ways and she has

been a true blessing. Eva begins her

student teaching next semester and

we will miss her greatly! Know our

prayers are always with you!

Christmas

Musical

Trip to

Speedway in

Lights

The Littlest Christmas Tree

The Joyful Noise Choir and the

Singing Sunbeams combined to

present their Christmas Musical

on Sunday afternoon—it was

wonderful!

Our youth and chaperones had a

great night of fun and fellowship

visiting the Speedway in Lights on

Sunday evening.

JESSE TREE

3RD SUNDAY IN

ADVENT OCC RELAY CENTER

WORSHIP

Phone:(276) 328-6247 Website: www.wisebaptist.com Email: wisebaptist@verizon.net Fax: 276-328-6204

A Place for Faith and Fellowship

with Family and Friends

WEEKLY OPPORTUNITIES

Sunday Sunday School 10:00 am

Worship 11:00 am

Wednesday Christmas Dinner 6:00 pm

Thursday Women On Mission (2nd) Noon

The Church Office will be closed for the Holidays:

December 24th — 26th

December 31st —January 2nd

Piecemakers & Caring Friends will be in Recess for the month of December,

they will resume on January 5th.

Wise Baptist Church

P.O. Box 777

Wise, VA 24293

Deacons On Call: 12/14-12/20 Bill Sutherland, Daniel Ray

12/21-12/27 Edgar Owens, Mark Clark,

Building Stewards: Ron, Dan, Scott S. Instrumentalists: Susan M., Eva, K. Susan S. Worship Welcome Team: Dave Belcher, Misty Belcher, Jeff Kiser, Oscar Raile, Daniel Ray, Carla Sheppard S.S. Greeters: 12/21 Bob & Teresa Adkins 12/28 John Ponish Nursery: 12/21 Kathy Osborne(N1-Babies), Bryan Crutchfield(N2-Toddlers), Caroline Mullins (Floater) 12/28 Susie Clasby (N1-Babies), Jessica Crutchfield (N2-Toddlers), Reagan Elkins(Floater)Children’s Church: 12/21 12/28 Cindy Elkins PA: 12/21 Mike Strouth 12/28 Bryan Crutchfield Tellers: Dec. Lee Ann Adkins, Martha Blackburn Ushers: 12/21 Jeff Adkins,* Jeff Cantrell, John Ponish, Mark Clark, Scott Snodgrass, Dan Helton, Ron Helton 12/28 Youth *Offertory Prayer Wed.-Serving Team: 12/17 Jessica Crutchfield, Kathy Dotson, Kathy Helton Wed. Night Meal: 12/17 Christmas Dinner

Rev. Mike Winters Contact Information

Mailing Address: 8915 Red Maple Dr., Wise, VA 24293 E-mail: MikeWinters@wisebaptist.com

Phone: 276.328.6247 Cell: 540.280.5598

Volunteers this Week

Like us at: Wise Baptist Church and

at Wise Baptist Youth

Thought for the week:

Christmas is always true

every day!