W. James Ormond, Board of Governors Chair – 2023-2024
james.ormond@ormondlandscape.com
REFLECTIONS
WHAT IS TRUTH?
This was the question that Pilate, the Roman governor in charge of keeping the peace in Judea from 26-36 A.D. put before Jesus who stood before him on trial for His life. The Jewish leaders at the time were calling for his execution. Pilate wanted to know their charges against Jesus that warranted the death penalty (John 18:29). Their first reply was that Jesus claimed to be the King of the Jews. So, Pilate asked Him if this was true (v. 33).
Jesus did not deny this claim but told Pilate that HIs kingdom was not of this world (v. 36). And then Jesus made this startling revelation that He came into this world “to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me” (v. 37).
At the beginning of this month, our country will vote on a candidate to become our nation’s 47th president. This could be the most consequential election in our lifetime. For the past several months we have been hearing a lot about the two candidates and their policies or lack thereof. We’ve been bombarded with lies and half-truths. So, who are we to believe? What is the truth?
To answer that question, let me first ask another question, “Who have you been listening to?” Perhaps it is time to turn off your TV, shutdown your internet, and open your Bible!
I invite you to begin by reading 2 John (it’s only 13 verses long, but there is a lot there about truth and love). We need to admit that a lot of evil has crept into our culture – our schools, our media, our government, and even in our churches! What are we doing about it? I believe it is time for us as followers of Jesus to speak the truth in love.
Though we are not of this world, for we belong to another kingdom, we are still in this world. As Jesus said in His prayer to the Father, “My prayer is not that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth” (John 17:15-17).
Therefore, we need to speak God’s truth about human life and of God’s salvation in Christ alone. We need to speak not only in the church but also where we live, work, shop and play. Wherever we come in contact with others, there are hurting people in our world, but only the truth about God as Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer will bring them true and lasting healing. We can no longer minister to people just through our actions. We must minister in word as well as in deeds. As Peter tells us, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do so with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).”
This holiday season remember Jesus came to reveal God’s truth and everyone on the side of truth listens to Him. To God be the Glory!
November 17 – Deadline for Harris Teeter Gift Cards
December 8 – Choir Sunday – followed by covered dish
December 24 – Christmas Eve Service
December 25 – Christmas
FROM THE BENEVOLENCE COMMITTEE
The Benevolence Committee began collecting Harris Teeter gift cards on Sunday, Oct. 27th, which will be used to provide Thanksgiving meals to families in our community. This will continue until November 17. Please mark your card with the amount ($25., $50., etc.) You may also write a check to EAMC with CHAPS on the memo line.
Volunteers are needed on Sat., Nov. 23 to help load the truck at Harris Teeter.
Contact Sarah Cox at 910-624-8836 or Coxs0037@gmail.com if you are interested in volunteering or if you have any questions.
Benevolence Holidays and Food Drives Committee
Sarah Cox, Chair
Nancy CooperBeth HolderMaggie Parrish
Submitted by: Beth Holder
CONNECT EVENT
There was a “Connect” Event held after worship on Sunday, Sept. 22 to gather and tour the newly refurbished nursery.
AFFILIATE SPOTLIGHT
Julia Sherron
KINGDOM CRAFTERS
When there’s a crisis, Kingdom Crafters step up to the plate! As we did with COVID, a crisis required immediate response. Fortunate for us, JoAnne’s has Fall sales, and it was our day to get the specials!
Instead of having to cut fleece, the manager gave us her discount and we were able to buy the whole bin of precut polar fleece! I met our ladies at noon on a Monday and by noon on Tuesday, we had hemmed 36 blankets! In addition to blankets, we emptied our closet and made 14 Bags of Love (string bag with towel, washcloth, toy, blanket, Children’s Bible, toiletries), gave 36 scarves and one pair of mittens, and many extra toiletry items. This went with Gayla to the Baptist men’s outreach.
Then a member of our group heard from her daughter in Ashville. The hospital had homeless people staying in the hospital. They were not your typical homeless, they had a home before the storm. They were literally homeless in that their homes were either washed away or uninhabitable. They were also hospital employees. They needed underwear and basic toiletries. That started another flurry of collections. Then, God does have impeccable timing: a lady from Ashville is now living here until she gets power and water in her house. She was going to go back over the weekend, so we didn’t need to mail these items! They were hand delivered!
7 gloves/1 mittens
1 ear warmer
24 hats
2 fleece blankets
53 scarves (combination of knitted/crotched/fleece)
1 knitted wrap
14 soaps
2 bath sponges
10 toothbrushes
7 dental floss
4 shampoo
2 shower caps
2 hair conditioner
4 shower gel/body wash
11 body lotion
21 toothpaste
10 pkg flushable wipes
31 pair socks
10 (gallon-sized) zip lock bags with assorted toiletries and inspirational items
1 set iphone charger cords
6 deodorant
2 pkg razors
1 pkg dental floss picks
2 pkg feminine hygiene products
3 mens tee-shirts
5 pair women’s panties
1 foot powder
2 sweat shirts
1 pants
2 down vests
17 shirts/blouses
2 coats
1 fleece jacket
My one regret was I had just sent a package off to Knit For Kids (World Vision emergency assistance) with 2 blankets, 43 knitted/crocheted hats, 1 sweater, 1 pair of mittens, and 7 fleece hats. We really could have used those for NC.
We need all knitters, crocheters, and seamstresses to be making hats over the Winter. We can teach you how! Very simple patterns. We meet on Wednesdays 10-11:30. Or, if you would like to buy winter hats and gloves, please bring them to the Kingdom Crafters room (first door on right in Fellowship House)– BUT PLEASE LET US KNOW WHO YOU ARE! Write us a note with paper on the table! We will be sending items all winter, as needed.
Thank you for your support of Kingdom Crafters!
Submitted by:Julia Pollockfor the Crafters
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
Our ministry of Operation Christmas Child kicked off on October 13, with filled boxes due back to Emma Anderson on November 10.
Each gift-filled box will be personally given by Samaritan’s Purse to a child in need along with an introduction to Jesus and the Gospel message.
Shoeboxes can also be built online by following these instructions:
Enter:
build-a shoebox.samaritanspurse.org
at the bottom of the page, click on “Search for a goal page”
type in “Emma Anderson Memorial Chapel”
You will be sent to the main page to “Start Building” with easy to follow prompts.
Church members will be participating in volunteering at an OCC Processing Center sometime in December. Currently the date is unknown due to the devastation in Western North Carolina.
Please call Tina Kirby at 919-618-7775 for updated information.
COLUMBARIUM UPDATE
We are pleased to announce that the construction of the EAMC Columbarium and Memorial Prayer Garden is progressing smoothly. As we near completion, we are excited to accept applications for those interested in securing a niche.
Application Process:
By Email: To request an application, please email Lisa Godwin at lisagodwinnctoy@gmail.com
In Person: Application packets can also be picked up from the rack across from the office.
If you have any questions or need further information, feel free to reach out to Lisa Godwin for more information at lisa.godwinnctoy@gmail.com.
We look forward to sharing this special space with our community and honoring the legacy of our loved ones.
MISSION TRIP TO GUATEMALA
The Missions Committee planned a week-long mission trip to Guatemala City, which began October 26, 2024 in cooperation with Catalyst Resources International (CRI). EAMC’s mission team will be constructing two or three “easy to build” houses in the nearby village of Santa Maria de Jesus. In addition, the team will have the opportunity to participate with staff in packaging fortified rice for a local feeding program as well as offer assistance and support to pre-school orphans at Mimi’s House, an onsite facility located on the CRI premises in Guatemala City. There are also many other mission and ministry opportunities which may be undertaken.
Pictured below are the recipients of a new house:
Pio Pich Family
Ruben Otoniel Pio Pio, 24, is an embroiderer. His wife, Brenda Viomi Pich Petet, helps her mother as a merchant. They have a son, Iker Lian Otoniel Pio Pich, who is three.
Ruben’s grandmother, Alejandra Shuta Osoy, lives with them.
Cuca Pio Family
Marcos Cuca Noj, 29, is a farmer.
His wife, Maria Rosa Pio Acalon stays at home with their two children, Kevin David Cuca Pio, 9, and Yeymi Paola, 5.
Hopefully, you have been receiving the daily blog or media feed from the team, providing narrative and pics to keep in touch with those of you wishing to be a part of the “Team at Home”.
PRAYER REQUESTS
If you have prayer requests, please submit those through our website on the “Prayer Request” tab.
If you wish to join those affiliates that pray regularly for others, please click at the bottom of the Prayer Request form.
NOVEMBER DECEMBER MINISTERS – 2024
November(Worship at 10am)
3
Rev. Peter Rochelle, Pastor
Church of the Rock – Raleigh, NC
Sponsor: Mr. and Mrs. Andy Mendrala
10
Rev.Duane Marburger, Interim Pastor
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church – Dade City, FL
Emma Anderson Memorial Chapel is a nondenominational church that gathers for worship, the preaching and teaching of God’s Word, and Christian fellowship.
Our mission is to glorify God and to proclaim Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior of all.
