Community Thanksgiving Service

Happy 80th Birthday, Margaret Baker!

Pastor Appreciation Month

Hobe Sound Christian Academy Band

Community Thanksgiving service

On Sunday evening, November 20, we participated in the Community Thanksgiving service which was held in the United Methodist Church (across the street from us). In the rotation of pastors, this year was Pastor Bentz's turn to speak. He spoke of the ten lepers who Jesus healed and the one who returned to thank Him. What a life-changing encounter with Jesus, and yet nine simply walked away with nary a word of thanksgiving! Lord, help us to be like the thankful one.

Happy 80th Birthday, Margaret Baker!

Following the Thanksgiving service, we met in our fellowship hall to celebrate Sister Baker's 80th birthday. We were able to keep it a surprise until Brother Baker headed for the fellowship hall instead of heading home. God bless you, Sister Baker! We are thankful God has given you 80 years. We pray He gives you many more!

October: Pastor Appreciation Month

We appreciate our wonderful pastor and his wife year round, but we make a special effort to express our appreciation during October, National Clergy Appreciation Month. To start off the month, we read and presented a decorated poem to honor our pastor. In no particular order, we honored them in other ways through out the month: Carole Roush blessed Pastor Bentz every Sunday by volunteering to teach the adult Sunday school class, giving him a break. Each household donated their choice of meat and then the cooler of meat was presented to the Bentzes. Volunteers expressed appreciation through a reading, an acrostic, or an impromptu "speech." In place of hosting a special speaker to give Pastor Bentz a break, one Sunday evening we lifted our service to cooperate and attend another local church's revival with Dr. Noel Scott.

Pastor & Mrs. Bentz are a couple with many talents and abilities, and they use every one they can to bless our church. This characteristic inspired us to create a crossword puzzle on a display board because we wanted to recognize the many roles they fill. (The puzzle would have been so much easier to create if they weren't SO talented. The puzzle consisted of 61 words!) When the board was displayed during one Sunday morning service, all the words were covered. As Ken Young read each clue and expressed appreciation for the Bentzes' contribution and work in that particular role and congregants responded to the definitions, the corresponding word was uncovered. With 61 words, our service time was a bit "extended!" At the end of the month, the board was given to the Bentzes. We hope it helps them remember for a long time how much we appreciate all the things they do for the Lord and us!

Hobe Sound Christian Academy Band

We so anticipated the coming of HSCA's 22-student high school band on Thursday, October 6! Because the platform area of our sanctuary was not large enough to accommodate the necessary people, instruments and equipment and God provided such beautiful fall weather, the concert was held in the courtyard just outside our sanctuary. Darkness fell too soon, but we sure enjoyed the music the young people were able to perform!

Ken Young led the gathering in a few opening choruses.

The HSCA Band presented a splendid concert!

Our own Billy Cooper was featured on a baritone solo.

Thanks to all the friends who attended from several other churches. We appreciate your support and fellowship!