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Pastor's Page

Posted on December 14, 2004 ...

Last month at a denominational meeting I happened to be sitting by an acquaintance that serves on staff at a sister Tennessee Baptist church. I noted to my friend that he has worked for his congregation even longer than I have been here at North Cleveland Baptist. So our conversation naturally included the benefits of long-term ministries with a single congregation. We both readily affirmed our appreciation of gracious congregations that offer to us the good fortune of many years together.

Throughout the seasons, but especially at Christmas time, the blessings you extend to me as your pastor touch me deeply. Every Christmas card, every greeting, every invitation to a Christmas gathering, and every act of kindness given to me and my home warms my heart more than I can adequately express.

One of my highlights of my year is our Christmas Eve Silent Communion Service. What an awesome privilege it is help serve the bread and cup of communion! What an honor it is to witness each person reverently raising a candle in tribute to the babe who came to be The Light of the World. What an overwhelming blessing it is to stand before you both as your pastor and fellow disciple of the One whose birth we celebrate. The moment never fails to grant to me a sense of what good fortune is mine to live and serve among you. Thank you for making this season again such a blessing to my home and to me. May you and your loved ones experience in a renewed way the joy of our Savior’s birth. Jay

Pastor’s P.S. This week I received a newsletter from Stu, Liz, Julianna, and Madeline Butler, Southern Baptist Missionaries in northern Brazil. (You may remember the Butler’s from their visit to our church in November 2003). One statement in their document immediately stood out to me: Without your gifts through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering it is likely that none of us would be here sharing the good news. Our gifts DO make a difference!

I am delight to see that our giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions is far ahead of the pace of recent years. For the last two Sundays you have demonstrated wonderful generosity. If you have yet to make your contribution to the Lottie Moon Offering, please give this Sunday and help us reach our goal before December 24.