Warmest New Year greetings to all our newsletter readers! First, let me introduce myself. I am Julia Sherron, your new Chairman of the Board of Governors. I will serve for 2025 and 2026 along with new Vice Chairman, Robert Jackson, and newly elected Board of Governors members, David Barnes, Jenna Shae Grady, Patty Hatch, Burke Robertson and Nancy Teachey. The newest trustee is James Ormond. This group will join the other fifteen board members, two trustees and executive board members to accomplish the business and mission of EAMC.
Next, I want to sincerely thank those who have served faithfully in positions they completed at the end of December. James Ormond for his inspired leadership over the past two years, Board members, Hunter Bell, Damon Brock, Larry Combs, Eddie Hatch and Robert Sprouse, for their four years of service and Trustee, Herb Ormond, for his three years of service. Thank you all for your commitment to EAMC and the kingdom of God!
The Board of Governors and the executive leadership will now prayerfully launch ourselves into this new year! We have no idea what the Lord has in store, but we want you to join us in praying for God’s guidance every step of the way. Prayer opens the door to what God alone can do by His power. I am excited to see where we will go and what we will do for His sake in Topsail Beach, Pender County, Western North Carolina, Guatemala and around the world!
Check out the articles in this newsletter for updates, pictures, events and general news of the Chapel. The ministers for 2025 are now posted. We have an exciting line-up. Learn more about the mission trip to Guatemala taken in October of 2024. There will be another trip planned for 2025.
The Columbarium project is nearing completion. What a beautiful addition to our Chapel. These are just a few of the topics you will find here!
Make plans now to be a part of all the excitement at our little white Chapel by the sea! Join us for worship, study, fellowship and advancing the gospel of Jesus Christ!
In Him,
Julia Sherron
Julia Sherron, Board of Governors Chair – 2025-2026
jbsherron@gmail.com
REFLECTIONS
A New Year’s Resolution That Works!
Before I tell you about a new year’s resolution that works, let me ask you a question. What’s in a name? Likely your parents gave you your name. Why? Was it to honor a family member from the past? Was it just a name that was “in vogue” at the time? Or, was it a name from a name dictionary that meant something to your parents?
Regardless of why you were named or who named you, your name is significant. It identifies who you are and to whom you belong (your family name). A name can also carry a reputation with it – for good or bad. For example, because of the reputation of those in the past, some names are avoided when it comes to naming a child, like Adolph, Benedict, or Judas. Others have a good reputation, like Peter, Paul, or Mary. I think there was even a singing group named, “Peter, Paul and Mary”.
When people hear your name what do they think or say? For “a good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold” (Proverbs 22:1).
The writer of Proverbs also says that if you want to have a good name “in the sight of God and man” then keep the Lord’s commands and let love and faithfulness be ever present in your heart (Prov. 3: 1-4). Not a bad new year’s resolution, yes?
Now, here is how you make it work; how you make it stick. The Apostle Paul tells the believers in Colossae, “Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (Colossians 2:6 -7). Paul goes on to give them what my NIV Bible calls “Rules for Holy Living” (Col. 3:1-17). He starts with positive thinking (vv. 1-4), then tells them what to avoid (in his words, “put to death,” vv. 5-9), what to properly “wear” (vv. 12-14), and what to put in their hearts and minds (vv. 15-16). He then concludes his general instructions to everyone in the church with these words: “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (v.17). Happy New Year, everyone!
Click here for the webpage with links to the daily blogs and the photo gallery!
2024 RESPITE APARTMENT GUESTS
Twenty-eight families stayed in our Respite Apartment in 2024, tying the record number we hosted in 2021. They visited us from Kyrgyzstan, Mozambique, Kenya (7), the Middle East (2), South Asia (3), Germany (2), Israel, Japan, Cameroon, India, the Czech Republic, Cambodia, Southeast Asia, the United Kingdom, Canada, Bulgaria, West Africa, and Hungary. Eleven were returning guests and 17 were here for the first time.
Here are pictures that a few of them shared as they relaxed and enjoyed time away from their responsibilities.
Thank you to those who sponsored them by welcoming back friends who had been here before or meeting/treating new ones: Alex and Kathy Arab, Joe and Jean Bell, Lynette Boyd, Doug and Sue Clifton, Dwight and Sandra Davis, Ward and Meghan Davis, Gale and Joan Ebert, Jay and Sue Ferber, Steve and Laurette Gordon, Jerry and Nancy Green, Greg and Pam Griffin, Terri Hall, Tommy and Sharon Herring, Billy and Debbie Hill, Jim and Freddie King, Henry and Tina Kirby, Cameron and Emily Sue Lee, Merle Morris, Michael Nelson, James and Laura Ormond, Louis and Susan Peele, Rich and Julia Pollock, Jeff and Cheryl Price, Fred and Connie Taylor, Ray and Ginger Teachey, Wilson and Nancy Teachey, and Jack and Joyce Thies. Two of ours returned that we haven’t seen in years! Most of all, thanks be to God for providing this rejuvenating opportunity.
Submitted by: Sandra Davis, Chapel Secretary
FROM THE BENEVOLENCE COMMITTEE
The Benevolence Committee, working with CHAPs (Community Holiday Assistance Program), had a very successful holiday season. Over 472 families and 709 children in our community benefitted from our generosity. For Thanksgiving, Harris Teeter turkeys and sides were provided for the families. For Christmas, turkeys and sides were provided again, thanks to the gift cards and checks that we contributed. Parents were able to visit a toy store set up at Blake’s Chapel and choose items for their children for Christmas. The toys were generously donated by our church and other churches in the community.
Many volunteers from our church assisted in delivering toys to Blake’s Chapel, setting up the toy store, and guiding parents to select items.
Thank you for the generosity of our church members so that many families in our community had a Happy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas!
Santa’s Elves are:
Kay McCloskey, Sarah Cox, and Nancy Cooper
Louis Cox
Steve Gordon
Hope Longest and Janine Stidley
Connie Taylor
Submitted by: Beth Holder
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
130 Operation Christmas Child boxes were delivered, blessed and sent on their way to a processing center.
Thanks to all who participated in this ministry.
Twenty-eight affiliates traveled to the OCC Processing Center in Boone, NC to volunteer. It was such a fun and worthwhile trip to help spread the message of Jesus to children worldwide.
“JOY”
2024 Christmas Cantata
The Chancel Choir and Handbell Ringers, lead by Merle Morris, presented “Joy” as the 2024 Christmas Cantata.
The Cantata was followed by a Covered Dish Luncheon at the Breezeway Restaurant.
KINGDOM CRAFTERS
Kingdom Crafters have been collecting items in the corner for Western NC. Gayla MacMillan has found someone from Baptist on Mission to deliver! So, we packed up:
12 poncho sets (string bag with hat, scarf, poncho)
3 blankets (one made by Merle, started by her mother!)
5 scarves 1 ear warmer
41 knitted caps
Big pile of socks of all sizes
Gloves
Box of individual toiletries
A friend of an affiliate sent us a box of yarn when she heard we were making hats. So, if anyone out there can knit or crochet and can make a hat or scarf, please stop by and pick up some yarn. We have plenty!! We will be collecting items all winter.
Submitted by:Julia Pollockfor the Crafters
COLUMBARIUM UPDATE
The Columbarium is taking shape and nearing completion. If you haven’t had a chance, drive around to the back of the Chapel and take a look. We hope to be totally finished by mid-January.
The Columbarium provides for a final earthly resting place sacred to the memory of those who have departed from our midst and a quiet place for visitation and meditation. It provides space for the inurnment of cremated remains (cremains) of deceased EMAC affiliates and other eligible persons.
There are a total of 70 niches and there is room for expansion in the future if needed. We hope to later add a memorial wall on the Columbarium structure to memorialize persons interred at other locations but who would be qualified for inurnment in a niche.
If you have questions or would like an application packet, contact Lisa Godwin. Lisa’s email is: lisa.godwinnctoy@gmail.com.
PRAYER REQUESTS
If you have prayer requests, please submit those through our website on the “Prayer Request” tab or clickhere.
If you wish to join those affiliates that pray regularly for others, please click at the bottom of the Prayer Request form.
JANUARY FEBRUARY MINISTERS – 2025
January(Worship at 10am)
5
Rev. Philip Chryst , Pastor
Faith Harbor United Methodist Church – Surf City, NC
Sponsor: Ria Harris
12
Rev.Ken Sides, Retired Pastor
Old Dock Church – Whiteville, NC
Sponsor: Miss Frances Keir
19
Rev. Rev. Austin House, Missionary
The Antioch Partners
Sponsors: Mr. and Mrs. Jamie Crafton
26
Rev. Dr. Stanley Spence, Retired Senior Pastor
First Baptist Church – Lincolnton, NC
Sponsor: Mr. and Mrs. Tolly Spence
February
2
Rev. Joyce Guilford, Retired Pastor
Hope Lutheran Church – Satsuma, FL
Sponsors: Mr. and Mrs. Bill Howington
9
Rev.Brad Thie, Director of Thriving Rural Communities
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.
