Welcome to 2026! Since the last newsletter issued on November 1, 2025, we have been a busy “flock”…we sent a mission team to Guatemala, had a board meeting, operated a collection site for Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes, prepared Sunday night meals twice for Share the Table, collected and distributed Angel Tree gifts, sent a team to Boone to work the Samaritan’s Purse warehouse, prepared and performed the Christmas Cantata, and held a covered dish lunch fellowship after the Cantata!! This is only a partial list!
We will now roll into 2026 with more tasks, projects and plans. How do we put this all into perspective? Who are we doing this for? What is our attitude as we serve? Who deserves glory? How do we work unto the Lord and not men? Mother Teresa, one of the most self-sacrificing servants of our day, wrote, “The work we do is only our love for Jesus in action. If we pray the work, if we do it to Jesus, if we do it for Jesus, and if we do it with Jesus that is what makes us content!” This perspective makes all the difference! This focus leaves us giving thanks and knowing deep joy. In this, God gets the glory!Work becomes worship!
Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven! “
No matter what task, project or assignment you accept in the coming days or months, may our “work be our worship.” Serve as unto the Lord! Give God the glory and know peace, deep abiding peace, that only God can give! Job well done!
Julia Sherron, Chairman, Board of Governors
REFLECTIONS
Who Were the Magi?
Every nativity scene has not only the Holy Family: Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus; but also, the shepherds, a few animals, and Three Wise Men. As I mentioned in my Christmas Eve sermon, this was probablynotthe scene the day Jesus was born. Jesus was born in a house, not a stable; surrounded by extended family members not animals. Yes, the shepherds came and visited Him shortly after He was born (Luke 2: 8-20). But there were no “wise men” at the birth of Jesus!
Matthew is the only Gospel writer who mentions that“after Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod,Magifrom the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him’ “(Mt. 2:1-2). So, who were these “Magi from the east”?
The Greek word used here ismagoi, which refers to priests, astrologers, or wise men in the Persian tradition. According to most scholars, the Magi were part of a priestly class from either Persia or Babylon, associated with Zoroastrianism or some similar eastern tradition. These men were interpreters of dreams, watchers of the stars, and advisors to royalty. The idea that they were kings probably comes from seeing them as a fulfillment of the prophecy inIsaiah 60:3–“Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.”
How many Magi were there? Matthew does not say. The number three is based solely on thekindsof gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. Again, Matthew does not even say that there was one of each kind. He only says,“they opened their treasures and presented him withgiftsof gold and of incense and of myrrh”(Mt. 2:11b). The number of gifts is not important, but what is, is what each kind of gift represented:
1. Goldrepresents royalty and points to Jesus’ kingship.
2. Frankincensewas used in spiritual rituals of worship and points to His divinity.
3. Myrrhwas used as a burial spice and points to His impending death.
One final note regarding the circumstances of their visit. Coming from Persia or Babylon would have taken several days to reach first Jerusalem and then another day to Bethlehem. Matthew says they came to“the house”(v. 11a). There is no mention of a manger. And Matthew doesn’t say anything about “a babe” but rather calls Jesus“a child”(ibid). By this time, Jesus could have been at least two years old (v. 16)!
So, what is the significance of “The Visit of the Magi” for us today? I believe the Magi represent an early historical account that acknowledges the true identity of Jesus, as not only the Messiah for the Jews, but also the Savior of the Gentiles. The Magi represent the first non-Jews who came seeking the “King of the Jews” so they could worship Him. For as Peter declared before the Sanhedrin inActs 4:12,“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved”.That name is Jesus Christ. Hallelujah! Amen.
A group from EAMC cooks andserves at Share the Table the First Sunday of each month. If you would like to volunteer to help, please visit the Share the Table website on our Chapel webpage by clickinghere.
MOVIE NIGHT
Please join us on January 25 for “The Senior” in the Fellowship House at 6:00pm
KINGDOM CRAFTERS
For the mission trip to Guatemala in November, we were once again providing curtains and blankets. Each house has two windows – one in the living area and one in one of the bedrooms. The other bedroom has a clear roof area to let light in. We also made two doorway curtains since there’s no need for a door. Therefore, Kingdom Crafters made four sets of curtains, and four doorway curtains. We also gave them four fleece blankets for each family, since we were donating four twin beds. This year though we had extra help and made pillows that matched the curtains, and clothing: dresses and pants. I think both families were thankful for not only a new home, but the extras that make a house a home.
Submitted by:Julia Pollock, Kingdom Crafters
GUATEMALAN MEAL
Come and enjoy an authentic Guatemalan meal and hear from the team that traveled to Santa Maria De Jesus in November 2025. Learn about plans to return in November 2026.
To sign up for the meal onFebruary 15 following worship, please contact Laura Ormond:
We’re excited to begin working on the final phase of the columbarium project – the Memorial Wall Plaques. There will be two plaques of 38 faceplates, each located below the windows on either side of the columbarium wall section. They will be lighted similar to the columbarium. Each faceplate will be 3” x 6” and will be granite very similar to the granite faceplates on the Columbarium niches. We will also be beautifying the Columbarium a little more with some flowers-plants to interject some color and give it more of a memorial garden look.
The plaque systems have been ordered, and we expect to receive them by the end of the year. We anticipate the plaque systems will be installed and we’ll be ready to begin having engravings done for those that have purchased by the end of January 2026, if not before. A link to an application packet is included in the newsletter for you to review if you have interest in purchasing one to honor a loved one or someone dear to you that has passed and is interred somewhere else. The packet contains the Columbarium and Memorial Prayer Garden Policies and Procedures, a Columbarium Memorial Plaque Application, a photo of the Columbarium showing where the plaques will be located, Memorial Wall Plaque Assignment Sketches, and some information on the Memorial Wall Systems taken from the vendor, Homecoming Inc, webpage that describes the plaque systems we will have. Wall Plaque Application
If you’ve been contemplating the purchase of one of our Columbarium Niches, links to the Niche Application/Purchase Agreement and a Niche Assignment Sketch which shows the remaining available niches, are included in the newsletter.Niche Purchase ApplicationFor a sketch,click here.
We plan to have a link for the Columbarium on the Chapel webpage at some point. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Lisa Godwin atlisa.godwinnctoy@gmail.com.
Once again, our church members made Christmas a special holiday for many children and teenagers in our community with gift cards, games, blankets, jewelry, art supplies, and toys. The gifts were delivered to Blake’s Chapel on Thursday, December 12th and Friday, December 13th.
On Saturday, December 14th, parents were able to shop at the toy store to get gifts for their family. Not only did we contribute numerous gift items, we also had members volunteer in this event. THANK YOU!
RESPITE APARTMENT
Twenty-eight missionary families enjoyed a week in our Respite Apartment during 2025 to rest in the peace and beauty of Topsail, renew their spirits and reflect on their purpose before returning to their work abroad. In order to serve, they all raise their own support so they can continue to share the hope of the Lord in the Middle East (2), Japan (4), Togo (3), Africa (2), Kenya (5), Germany (1), Israel (1), Southeast Asia (5), Canada (1), North Cyprus (1), Nepal (1), Bulgaria (1), and the UK (1). You will note several serve in places we cannot specify. Seventeen families were here for the first time. When you agree to be their sponsor, you are in some cases literally the icing on the cake as they tell me about the treats with which you lovingly bless them. Thank you to the whole church who have enthusiastically supported this ministry since 2012 and tothis year’s sponsors: George/ Zelda Allen, Loretta Barefoot, Bob/Ginny Barnett, Damon/Jane Brock, Larry/Jane Combs, Nancy Cooper, Ward/Meghan Davis, Becky Early, Allen/Mary Eberhardt, Rucker Eggleston, Frank/Karen Gavigan, Kay Grady, Stan/Deborah Hamilton, Frances Keir, Fritz/Becky Lenker, Marsha Lewis, Kim/Lee McGahey, Mary Meece, Bobbie Morrison, James/Laura Ormond, Mike/Frances Penick, Jeff Price, Kim/Michelle Quinn, Burke/Carolyn Robertson, William/Vicky Snyder, Ray/Ginger Teachey, Cheryl Tysinger, Becky Spell-Vann, and Chuck/Debbie Uzzell. There are sixteen already scheduled for 2026 and our 2027 calendar opened January 1, 2026.
Submitted by:Sandra Davis, EAMC Secretary
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
Twenty-one volunteers from EAMC went to Boone, NC on December 9-11, 2025 to pack, process, and pray over Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes and the Gospel opportunities each shoebox represents. These shoeboxes are being shipped to Ghana. We rejoice in knowing that God will continue to grow His Kingdom through the OCC shoebox ministry. To God be the Glory!
GUEST MINISTERS
January
Worship at 10:00 am
4
Rev. Matt Willis, Pastor of Missions and Evangelism
Calvary Baptist Church – Winston-Salem, NC
Sponsor: Mr. and Mrs. Scott Butler
11
Rev. Duane Marburger, Interim Pastor
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church – Dade City, FL
Sponsor: Mr. and Mrs. Jack Thies
18
Rev. Austin Caviness, Pastor
Salem Fork Christian Church – Dobson, NC
Sponsor: Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cox
25
Rev. Dr. Stanley Spence, Retired Senior Pastor
First Baptist Church – Lincolnton, NC
Sponsor: Mr. and Mrs. Tolly Spence
February
Worship at 10:00 am
1
Rev. Mark Daniels, Pastor
Living Water Lutheran Church – Centerville, OH
Sponsor: Gen. and Mrs. Mike Scaparrotti
8
Rev. Jane Lyon, Retired Pastor
Hayes Barton Baptist Church – Raleigh, NC
Sponsor: Mrs. Hope Longest
15
Rev. Dr. Gus Gillespie, Pastor
Bullock Baptist Church – Bullock, NC
Sponsor: Mr. and Mrs. John Matthews
22
Rev. Chris Thore, Conference Revival Speaker
Summershine Resort Ministries – Seven Lakes, NC
Sponsor: Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Blackorby
REMINDERS
Sunday School:Adult Christian Life Class.8:50-9:45 a.m.
Fellowship House – Top Floor
Missionary Apartment Respite:If you know of a missionary who is on assignment abroad and will be coming stateside on furlough then returning to his or her assignment, please let him or her know about our Missionary Ministry. A family of six (max.) can enjoy a respite for six nights at no charge in ourMissionary Apartment. We especially welcome referrals from affiliates who know of missionaries associated with their home churches. Spread the word!
Chancel Flowers:Sign up on the calendar in the south wing of the chapel or contact Ginny Barnett by phone, 919-414-6832 or Penny Burrell at 919-539-5816.
Bereavement Notices:If you are a Chapel affiliate (you’ve attended services at least once) and would like to have an announcement sent to affiliates regarding a death in your family, please contactSandra Davis.
Library Hours:Sundays, 8:50 – 9:30 AM, and by request
Location: Fellowship Hall – 2nd Floor
Suggestions for additional book titles are welcome.
Please contact Karen Gavigan at:
gavigankw@gmail.comor 336-260-3297
Church Directory:You can be included in our online directory at any time. Email Karen Roberts at kroberts2665@gmail.com with your name(s), home/beach address (plus 2nd address, if you have one), email addresses), home/beach phone numbers), cell phone numbers), and a photo. Please make sure the photo is in landscape (horizontal) orientation and if you are a couple, please allow space between you, so it can be cropped for individual profile photos.
EAMC Emails:To continue receiving our newsletter and other announcements, remember to notify us if you change your email address. To prevent our email from being snagged by your spam folder, addnewsletter@eachapel.orgto your address book.
