Sunday August 20, 2023

Order of Service

10:45 AM

6:00 PM

Hymns:

Victory in Jesus (135)

Come, Thou Fount (52)

I Need Thee Every Hour (349)

Special Music:

Shauna Bassler

Message By:

Pastor Norris E. Belcher, Jr.


Hymns:

Dwelling in Beulah Land (492)

Where We’ll Never Grow Old (522)

Rescue the Perishing (453)

Offering:  

Trumpet Trio

Special Music:

Fran Jones

Message By:  

Pastor Norris E. Belcher, Jr.


Announcements

CONGRATULATIONS: to Bob & Jorai Dayhoff on the birth of their grandson, Luka Dayhoff, on Tuesday, August 8, weighing 7lbs, 1oz, and 20 inches long. The proud parents are Justin & Brittany Dayhoff.

CONGRATULATIONS: to Jane Lippy and Craig & Gail Lippy on the birth of their great-grandson/grand nephew, Samuel Lewis Delp, on Friday, August 11, weighing 10lbs, 7oz, and 21½ inches long. The proud parents are Josh and Julee Lippy Delp.

HOUSING NEED: We have an urgent need for handicap-accessible housing for a “new” CCS Teacher from Ukraine. If you have or know of any space available, please contact the CCS School Office or see LeighAnn Haines or Todd Comstock, Jr.

SOUL-WINNERS TRAINING: The Fall/Winter session begins next Wednesday, August 23, at 7:00 p.m. downstairs in the Music Room. There is still time to sign-up online through the church website or at the Welcome Desk. Come learn a simple 12-point plan on how to win souls to the Lord.

COLLEGE STUDENTS: It’s time to update our “College Student of the Week” list for this year! Forms are available at the Welcome Desk to fill out and submit for new students or for those who are returning to college this year.

NURSERY NEEDS: The Busy Bees Nursery has a Wish List on Amazon for anyone who would like to help out this ministry. Click this link to view items: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3DJ1NHR3Q1FYH?ref_=wl_share  Please contact Anne-Marie Albaugh with any questions. Thank you for your support of our little ones!


From My Heart

I remember the adults sitting around talking about how the older you get, the quicker the time passes. I have come to believe that is so true! I think this has been the quickest summer I have experienced yet! With my dad’s health issues, the Sword Conference, the mission trip to Grenada with the teens, and a few other matters, the summer has flown by for me.

     As we begin a new school year, I want to encourage you to pray fervently for the Lord to bless. We have several new students and a few new teachers who have joined our staff. Please pray for the Lord to bless and give us a great year. I am sure we will have some students who need to trust Christ as their Savior, so pray for souls to be saved. We will have a few big events taking place where the Gospel will be preached, and we will give the students the opportunity to trust Christ! So, pray for a good start and for souls to be saved.

     I certainly want to take a second and thank all of you for praying for my dad. What a wonderful blessing the Lord has given to our family to help him through such a major medical emergency. It was the effectual fervent prayers of folks who asked the Lord to bless and help him! His doctor has been in practice for 46 years, and he said there is no other way to explain his outcome - other than Divine intervention. He said, “The Lord was with you, sir, and the Lord did a miracle in you!” What a wonderful blessing! So, I want to thank you for praying for him!

     Dr. Shelton Smith will be with us next Sunday, August 27th, to preach for both services. I hope you will plan to be here for both services!  Dr. Smith is the editor of the Sword of the Lord and was the Pastor of our church for 17 years before I came in 1995. He and I decided back in 1995 that we were going to keep our friendship strong and not let anything block or harm that friendship. I told him that I promised I would not believe what folks told me about him, and I hoped he would not believe what folks told him about me! And we have tried our best to maintain that strong friendship throughout the last almost 28 years. We were friends before I came here as the Pastor, and that friendship has only gotten stronger and stronger through the years.

     I recently heard a friend of mine say, “You should not be more Republican than you are a Christian.” I think that is a tremendous statement and one that is filled with wisdom. The Lord Jesus told us to let our light shine so men might see our good works and glorify our Heavenly Father. Your Republicanism will not keep folks out of Hell! There is no replacement for letting your light shine for the Lord, and in this dark world in which we live, any light shining at all will be clearly seen! The darker the night, the brighter the light. Let’s live for Jesus and let our light shine brightly this week.  

     Have a great day!

Pastor Norris

Hospitalizations

Candace Benefield - UPMC Harrisburg ICU

Upcoming Events

Sunday School

Date
Nov 24
Time
9:45 AM
Location
All Campuses
Summary
We have Sunday School for all ages and interests. Classes begin at 9:45 a.m. If you have questions, please stop by the Welcome Center or call the Church office at 410-876-3838, ext. 303.

Sunday Worship

Date
Nov 24
Time
10:45 AM
Location
All Campuses
Summary
We have two Sunday Worship Services - one at 10:45 a.m. and one at 6:00 p.m. The "message" is different for each service, and all are invited. Stop by the Welcome Center if you have questions or need assistance or call the Church office at 410) 876-3838, ext. 303.

Communion

Date
Nov 24
Time
6:00 PM
Location
All Campuses
Summary

Sunday Worship

Date
Nov 24
Time
6:00 PM
Location
All Campuses
Summary
We have two Sunday Worship Services - one at 10:45 a.m. and one at 6:00 p.m. The "message" is different for each service, and all are invited. Stop by the Welcome Center if you have questions or need assistance or call the Church office at 410) 876-3838, ext. 303.

Royal Blue Class - Senior Adult Visitation & Soul Winning

Date
Nov 25
Time
10:00 AM
Location
All Campuses
Summary
Join the Royal Blue Class members as we visit shut-ins and encourage those who are hurting!

Divorce Care

Date
Nov 26
Time
6:30 PM
Location
All Campuses
Summary
Divorce Care is a 13-week Bible-based video/discussion series to help those who are navigating separation or divorce.

Grief Share - 13-Week Seminar

Date
Nov 26
Time
6:30 PM
Location
All Campuses
Summary
Join us as we navigate the challenges of overcoming loss - whether it is the loss of a job or relationship or a loved one.

GriefShare for Children/Teens

Date
Nov 26
Time
6:30 PM
Location
All Campuses
Summary

Spanish Ministry Activities

Date
Nov 27
Time
5:30 PM
Location
All Campuses
Summary
The Spanish Ministry at Church of the Open Door hosts activities throughout the year. All are invited!

Master Clubs

Date
Nov 27
Time
7:00 PM
Location
All Campuses
Summary
Children 4yrs thru Grade 6th are invited to take part in Master Clubs, which meets on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. during the regular school year. During the summer months another program, Dynamite Club, happens at the same time.

Spanish Ministry Activities

Date
Nov 27
Time
7:00 PM
Location
All Campuses
Summary
The Spanish Ministry at Church of the Open Door hosts activities throughout the year. All are invited!

Teen Impact

Date
Nov 27
Time
7:00 PM
Location
All Campuses
Summary
Teens - 7th grade thru 12 grade are invited to take part in Teen Impact, which takes place every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m., in Baker Auditorium. All are welcome for a great time of worship and Bible study.

Wednesday Bible Study

Date
Nov 27
Time
7:00 PM
Location
All Campuses
Summary
Church of the Open Door offers Bible Study for all ages.

Office Closures

Date
Nov 28
Time
12:00 AM
Location
All Campuses
Summary
Offices are closed for holidays; however, the Church's main voice mail is answered regularly. If you need to speak to someone urgently outside of normal office hours, please call (410) 876-3838 and leave a voice mail.

Office Closures

Date
Nov 29
Time
12:00 AM
Location
All Campuses
Summary
Offices are closed for holidays; however, the Church's main voice mail is answered regularly. If you need to speak to someone urgently outside of normal office hours, please call (410) 876-3838 and leave a voice mail.