National Heights Baptist Church ~ E-News       May  2017
    The month of May abounds with opportunities for ministry at NHBC. Check out the Stepping Out bulletin board in the main hallway for ways you can serve our community in the name of Christ. Be in prayer for our VBS coming in June. Thank you to Jeanne Carpenter, Becky Woodall, Jan Weaver and our excellent group of talented and dedicated VBS workers - they are planning a great week! You can register you child today on our website.

Thank you for your faithful giving to our Envision campaign. To date, you have given $84,443.08 towards this exciting project. The Facility Steering Team will bring an update on our progress in the near future. Thank you - your faithful giving will help us reach future generations for Christ!

I can't wait to see what God is going to do through you!

~Vaughn Weatherford
 
May Calendar
 
Newsletter Deadline
The deadline for articles to be included
in the June Newsletter will be
Monday, May 15.  Email Judy Foley at jfoley@nationalheights.org
Children & Family Birthday Party for Wish I May 
    "Wish I May" is a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization providing 'Happy Birthdays' to underprivileged children and their parents/guardians in the Springfield area. These families are experiencing extreme financial difficulties and find it impossible to provide even the smallest birthday celebration. Wish I May is run completely by volunteers, so every gift and donation made goes directly to the children they are blessed to support.  Every child's birthday is important and even when parents and guardians don't have the means to provide, the items given let them give their children a special day. No child should ever have to go without celebrating the day of their birth because a parent has to make the difficult choice between that month's bills and the birthday wishes of their child.
   On Saturday, May 20 at 3:00 until 5:00, all children and their families from NHBC are invited to a Birthday Party to support Wish I May.  We will play games, have birthday treats, and enjoy cake and ice cream.
   Please bring an item that could be shared with a family for their child's birthday. Suggestions are birthday candles, cake mix, cake frosting, decorations, pull toys, puzzles, blocks, coloring books, crayons, Playdoh, paints, board games, puzzles, dolls of all kinds, sports balls, stuffed animals, hair bows, action figures, Legos, party items,  plates, cups, utensils, napkins, or gift bags and tissue.  Come help make a child's birthday wish come true. 
GCBA Missions Emphasis 
   On May 21 we will emphasize Greene County Baptist Association Missions by receiving an offering for the Jim Joslin Missions Offering.  NHBC's goal for the offering is $2,000.  The Jim Joslin Missions Offering supports mission efforts of the association.  All of the Jim Joslin offering this year will go toward an addition to the building at Grand Oak.  There is information on the tables in the main hallway with this year missions project.  If you would like to contribute to this offering, please write Joslin on your envelope.  Your gift will be appreciated.
Graduate Recognition
On May 21 during the 11:00 worship service we will recognize those graduating from high school or college this year.  Parents of high school graduates will need to give Brian Miller a senior picture by Sunday, May 14th.  These will be used during the recognition.  We would also like to recognize the achievements of our college graduates. If you have recently completed your degree please let the office know by Wednesday, May 17.
Collecting for the Community   
We are still collecting items for the community.  Stop by the office and pick up a current list of the items we are collecting.
Spaghetti Dinner
The church family is invited to a spaghetti dinner on Wednesday, May 17 at 5:00 - 6:15 PM.  Hosted by the Mixed Age Class.  Cost is $4 each, maximum of $12 per family.  Guests are welcome!
Deacon's Corner
What is the job of a Deacon? In the New Testament, Deacons served the Lord in many capacities; benevolent work, care for the sick, being aware of the spiritual needs of the congregation, and giving the pastor and staff time to focus on prayer and ministry of the word.  The original translation of Deacon is "servant." As Deacons, we are called to serve the needs of National Heights congregation, the pastor, and staff. As stated in the New Testament, Deacons were created to help with the over whelming benevolent needs that the Apostles were dealing with as stated in Acts 6:1-3. Also, Deacons were created to relieve the Apostles (who functioned as the first pastors) so they could have the time to pray and Minister the Word of God. It must be noted that Deacons and Elders should not be confused. As stated in Acts 6:2-4, the business being taking care of was not that of the Church, but the business of benevolence. With that said, the Deacons at National Heights are the servants that allow the pastor do the many things that must be done in shepherding of the congregation and helping the benevolent. It is not a job, but a calling and humble position.
                                                                   ~Scott Foley, Vice Chairman of Deacons

Women On Mission Ponder Spiritual Growth
Women on Mission will meet on Tuesday, May 9 in fellowship hall at 9:30 a.m.  The first portion of the meeting is given over to reports and business led by Presidents  Judy Divine and Doris Whitcher.   Prayer time for missionaries whose birthdays occur during May will be led by Patti Crocker.    
    At 10:15 the group will enjoy coffee/snacks/share time under direction of the hostesses for the day, Eva McNeely and Eleanor Hoyt.  The program will begin at about 10:45 and will be a Bible study led by Marti Blattert.  Her topic will be, "Spiritual Growth through Missions and Mentoring."  The meeting will close at about 11:45. All women of the church are invited to participate in the morning's activities.
Prime Timers - May 18
   Prime Timers  This month we will meet on May 18 at 11:00.  After a time for prayer requests and a short business meeting we will have a program from Becky Nichols of Wickman Gardens.  She will demonstrate planting in containers and pots and raised gardens with seasonal plants.  She will also be available to answer your questions. After our program we will enjoy a carry-in lunch.  Everyone is asked to bring a dish of your own choosing if you can, if not come anyway.  Remember to bring  food staples or paper goods for Grand Oak Mission, and keep sending those cards to the homebound. -Carl Rose
Women On Mission Study Human Trafficking & Exploitation
    Women on Mission will meet on Tuesday, May 23 in the church fellowship room at 9:30 a.m. The morning session begins with a time of prayer and the sharing of reports and making business decisions. After the business session led by Judy Divine and Doris Whitcher, the group will enjoy a  coffee/snack/share time from 10:15 until about 10:40 with hostesses to be announced later.
   Becky Bennett will be in charge of the program which will begin at about 10:45. The guest speaker will represent the GO:61 organization, founded and led by Casey Alvarez. This organization has as their aim the reclaiming of people from human trafficking and exploitation. Missouri Attorney General Joshua Hawley likens human trafficking to modern day slavery, noting that each year thousands of young women and girls are forced into commercial sexual exploitation...forced to provide sex for money. The organization GO:61 works thru a variety of prevention, rescue, and restorative strategies.
   As we Christians strive to have a greater understanding of this growing problem in our society, we need to question ourselves.  If this were my child or my sister or my brother how would I feel? What would I do? How would I want her/him to be treated?  How could I help? Can we see past the labels and ask ourselves how did he/she end up in such a state? What path caused this situation? What can we do to help alleviate the problem? Even here in Springfield and in Missouri as well as around the world this is a growing problem. What will our answers be?  
   We pray that knowledge and insight will increase our compassion. Both men and women are invited to hear this informative presentation from one who deals with these very difficult problems.  The meeting will close at about 11:45.
Care & Share Care and Share
  
On Thursday, May 25 Care and Share Ministry to widows of our church community will gather for an informal sharing time at Golden Corral Restaurant North at 11:15 in their meeting room. Be sure to tell the cashier you are a part of this group for a courtesy discount. If there are questions or the need for more information, contact Mildred Burns or Phyllis Sanford. Visitors are always
welcome.
Praying every Tuesday @ 2:00 for the ministries of National Heights
 
Weekly Prayer Focus
5/2 - Deacons
5/9 - Homebound
5/16 - Prime Timers
5/23 - Mission Organizations
5/30 - Music


May
Door Greeters
Belle Bass 
Phyllis Sanford 
Keevin & Dolores Mitchell 
Claire Johnson 
Gary & Millie Dollins 
Bruce & Eva McNeely
 
Volunteers Needed
Would you be able to help sew hats for cancer patients?  The American Cancer Society will provide the material and pattern for a simple hat.  If you are interested in helping out please see Jeanne Carpenter.

Welcome... 
...to Linda Rennison who recently moved her church letter to become part of the NHBC Family.  Linda attends the Mixed Age Sunday School Class.
...to Vickie Goodin who also moved her church letter.  Vickie attends the 8:30 worship service.  Welcome to the NHBC Family.
...to Kirk & Sandra Bradley who came forward on Easter Sunday.  Kirk and Sandra will be baptized soon.  We rejoice in their commitment to Christ. 


Men's Prayer Breakfast
All men of National Heights are invited to a prayer breakfast on May 1 @ 6:30 am at Ziggy's on North Glenstone. Join us for a time of prayer before you start your day. 

Stretching with Scripture
Sundays at 3:00

Join us for Stretching with Scripture. If you haven't joined us before, we would love to have you.  We will be stretching to Christian music which will include scripture & prayer during class.  Open to all ages, members and non-members of NHBC.
   You will need a signed waiver & water.  A mat is recommended but not required. There is no charge for this ministry opportunity. Please wear comfortable clothing that you can move in. If you have any questions, please see LaShena Wheat.

Kingdom Piecemakers
We meet on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month at 9:00 am until Noon.  If you like to craft, sew, or quilt this group is for you!  Bring your current project and join the other ladies in a time of fellowship.


Security Volunteers Needed 
Volunteers are needed to help with security on Sundays and Wednesdays.  This is a very vital ministry within our church and takes many volunteers to make it happen.  If you are interested in volunteering, please see Joe McLemore or let the church office know.
letters
A note of heartfelt appreciation to Pastor Vaughn for his time in the hospital waiting room with George during my recent surgery.  We knew the Great Physician was in control of my surgeon and the medical staff caring for me.  This assurance gave  us great comfort.  My recovery has been slow and very difficult.  Your continued prayers are so appreciated.  
                                                               ~In His Love, Margie & George DeWoody

Thank you so much for the wonderful backpacks for kids coming into foster care.  So often when the kids arrive, they are without anything of their own.  These bags will not only give them ownership of a nice, new gift, it will also help with their transition to a new school.  Thanks so much for being a blessing.   ~Robbi, Missouri Baptist Children's Home
(Backpacks were filled and donated as a part of NHBC Reach Out Day)

Thank you to all of the volunteers who helped made this year's Egg Hunt such a success.  We had 82 families attend with 125 kids.  65 of the families were visitors to our church.  Thank you again for helping us to reach out to our community.   ~Jeanne Carpenter


A HUGE Thank You to all of our church family who
supported the Youth Garage Sale.  Thanks to everyone who donated, organized, worked, and shopped. We have raised over $7800 for youth missions!