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Posted on May 6, 2004 ...

During the last Spring of my time in seminary, I umpired some girl��s softball games to earn some extra spending money. Early during the first game I officiated, a play occurred where chaos seemed to erupt. A throw sailed over a fielder��s head. A runner rounded third and headed toward home. Then she stopped and decided to return to the third base. But that base was now occupied by another runner, who then turned and retreated back toward second. Another throw went wayward and the runners reversed their course again. For a moment, it was pandemonium! When all settled, everyone looked to me for a call. I admit I was a bit stunned by all the action and could not recall all that had occurred in that dramatic play. So I made the best call I could: I called everyone ��safe.�� The coach for the team in the field went ballistic and chewed me out thoroughly. From then on, I secretly prayed the games I umpired would have no difficult or controversial calls.

I have approached my pastoral leadership with much the same prayer. My deepest desire is that our church decisions be clear and without controversy. But, like in sports, that is not always possible. Last Sunday night our church voted to invite Lanny Green to serve full-time on our staff. While it was a difficult decision, I believe it was executed in fairness and by the rules of our church system of government.

In athletics, following a tough call, the game goes on. That is where we are today as a church. Our challenge is to move forward, each of us serving diligently in our position for the welfare of the team. I have asked our staff to resolve to give their fullest effort to their work. I hope you will join us in that same commitment. There is much to do for all of us.

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2815 North Ocoee Street
Cleveland, TN 37312
423-476-8524
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This Week at NCBC

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30:
8:30 AM ... Early Worship
9:40 AM ... Old Fashioned Sing - Annex
9:45 AM ... Sunday School - Bible Study
11:00 AM ... Morning Worship
4:00 PM ... Handbells - Sanctuary
4:45 PM ... Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal - Sanctuary
5:30 PM ... All other H.O.G. participants meet in Sanctuary
6:00 PM ... Hanging of the Green
MONDAY, DECEMBER 1:
6:30 PM ... Drama Practice - Sanctuary
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2:
7:00 AM ... Coffee and Bible Study - Grissom
3:30 PM ... Contractor Meeting - Conference Room
6:00 PM ... Quilters - Annex
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3:
6:00 PM ... Bible Study - Prayer Meeting - Sanctuary
6:00 PM ... Children's Choir - Room 410
6:00 PM ... Preschool Choir - Room 310
6:30 PM ... Youth Activities - Annex
6:45 PM ... Preschool Mission Friends - Room 312
6:45 PM ... RAs & GAs - Upstairs Education Building
6:45 PM ... Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal - Choir Loft
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4:
9:30 AM ... Ladies Prayer Group - Annex
6:00 PM ... Willing Workers Christmas Party - Antonios

This Week in Worship

Welcome and Announcements ... Verlin Tucker
Prayer ... Verlin Tucker
Call To Worship ... Congregation
"Come, Now Is the Time to Worship"
"O Worship the King" (Hymn 16)
Children's Sermon ... Dr. Jay McCluskey
Scripture Reading ... Jason Cox
1 Corinthians 16:1-4
Scripture can be found on page 816 of the Bibles supplied in our Sanctuary
Choral Worship ... Sanctuary Choir
"How Beautiful"
Offertory Hymns ... Congregation
"Make Me a Blessing" (Hymn 569)
"Little Is Much When God Is in It"
Offertory Prayer ... Jeff Elliott
Offertory Music ... Instrumentalist
Giving of Tithes and Offerings ... Congregation
Special Music ... Rev. Lanny Green
Message from God's Word ... Dr. McCluskey
"Do You Need Some Gift Giving Advice?"
Invitation Hymn ... Congregation
"I Give You My Heart"
Recognition of Decisions ... Pastor
Closing Words ... Pastor
Benediction ... Pastor

Hanging of the Green
6:00 p.m., Sunday, November 30
Hanging of the Green is a worship service centered around the songs and symbols of the Holiday Season. As the Sanctuary is decorated with sights and sounds, worshipers see how candles, greenery, poinsettias, manger scenes, and other objects become part of our Christmas traditions.