Announcements for the Rest of October

Dear Congregation:

Thank God for the cooler weather of this past week.  We have many things happening at church and about to happen.  We hope to see all of you at church tomorrow.  If you cannot be there and you have special needs (health or otherwise), let us know.

1.  If anyone would like to listen to Zach Ramsey's funeral service, you can do so:  http://feastofbooths.blogspot.com/2011/10/zach-ramseys-funeral-service.html.
Also, Becky is keeping the Caringbridge website open for a remaining time.  While she is staying in Little Rock, you can still leave a message for her on http://www.caringbridge.org/ar/zachramsey/.

2.  The REFORMATION FALL FEST begins this weekend.  We will be having announcements at church tomorrow about this event.  As always, this is an occasion to fellowship, enjoy lots of food, watch our kids play, hear some of our own musical talents, and rejoice in the fruits of Reformation. 

3.  Next Sunday, October 30, we will be having our worship service at King's Pavilion.  The crisp morning air, the still calm of the lake, and the surroundings of trees all combine to enhance our time to praise God in songs, prayers, and the hearing of God's Word and the celebration of Christ's atonement through the Lord's Supper.  (There will be no Sunday School that day.  The service will begin at 10:30.)

4.  On Reformation Sunday, we will be devoting a portion of the service to remembering Christians we know who have gone to be with Christ during the past year.  This is in anticipation of All Saints’ Day on Tuesday, November 1. 
All Saints' Day  is traditionally a time when the Church remembers all who suffered and died for the faith. Following the Reformation, Protestants have affirmed that all believers are saints, and the November commemoration has been used to honor all those who died in the faith of Jesus Christ.
Please tell Ben or fill out the form at church if there is a relative or close friend who you wish to be remembered. The church members who are now with Christ will be remembered for certain.

4.  We are now beginning a new mission work.  Canned foods gathered for the Hero's Pantry was a blessing for us to participate in.  Now, along with many churches and Christians across the country, we will be assembling gift boxes through a program called Samaritan's Purse.  (http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/Pack_A_Shoe_Box/)

5.  We have information available about church for guiding you in prayers for persecuted Christians and about the plight of a fellow CREC pastor, San Sanych, in Ukraine who continually faces numerous hardships and was recently hit by a drunk driver.  Let us increase our prayers and support for missions.

6.  For our own church family, we will continue with the special offering for the Ramseys.  They have had lots of travel expenses, losses of income due to time off from jobs, and funeral expenses. 

7.  This Wednesday Night:  October 26
Food and Fellowship, 5:30--6:30 ($3 a person or $15 for a family)
Be Sure to Sign Up For The Meal.Kids’ Quest Catechism Club (6:30--7:30)
Adult Study: “Recovering the Beauty of the Arts” part 5,
“Music: The Handmaiden of Theology” by Dr. R.C. Sproul (6:30--7:30)

8.  If you are not receiving church emails, please sign up at the following location:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GCCTexarkana/join

9.  We are continuing to add to the available books for purchase.  See the table in the hall at church.  See Ben for purchase information.  If you need a book to give to someone, see Ben about that also.

10.  Let us know about any matters needing to be put on the November calendar or any hymns you wish to hear in November.