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Pastor's Page

Posted on September 5, 2006 ...

A couple of weeks ago, I got home from church early enough on Sunday evening to catch the end of 60 Minutes and hear a moment of commentary from Andy Rooney. (I later discovered that it was a repeat that originally aired last April.) The subject of Mr. Rooney?��Ǩ�Ѣs attention was a five-part series CBS News ran in 1986 predicting what things would be like in the 21st Century. In retrospect, some of their not-so-accurate predictions from 1986 included:

?Ǭ? The production of cows the size of elephants and pigs that stood five feet tall.

?Ǭ? The manufacturing of automobiles controlled totally by the operator?��Ǩ�Ѣs voice.

?Ǭ? A six-hour workday as part of a thirty-hour workweek.

Examples such as these remind us that predicting the future is precarious at best. The further away your prediction, the less likely it materializes.

This week, I complete my 20th year as Pastor of North Cleveland Baptist Church. In 1986, I do not know anyone, not even me, who would have predicted that this church would have the same pastor for the next two decades. After all, during the previous 20 years, North Cleveland Baptist had six pastors.

The blessing of shepherding the same congregation for so long is a unique privilege for all of us. I recently read an article by the Barna Research Group stating that the average pastorate in the United States lasts between 5 and 6 years. In contrast, the longevity we share provides a special kinship that most churches and ministers never experience. The word I use most often to describe North Cleveland Baptist Church is family. Because of your love, you have never made me feel like your employee but rather your brother and/or your son.

I look forward to celebrating this milestone together with you this Sunday. While many of the details for this day are being kept secret from me, I am confident it is going to be special. Thank you always for the gift of being your pastor. - Jay

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2815 North Ocoee Street
Cleveland, TN 37312
423-476-8524
Fax: 423-476-8525

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This Week at NCBC

SATURDAY, AUGUST 16:
9 AM - 3 PM - Choir Retreat - 1st Baptist - Cleveland
9:30 AM - 4 PM - Quilt Retreat - Annex
SUNDAY, AUGUST 17:
8:30 AM - Early Worship
9:00 AM - S.S. Teachers' Meeting
9:45 AM - Sunday School - Bible Study
11:00 AM - Morning Worship
4:30 PM - Youth Praise Band
6:00 PM - Evening Worship
7:00 PM - 6th Grade Orientation
MONDAY, AUGUST 18:
All Day Annex - Private Use
5:45 PM - Motorcycle Dinner Ride
6:30 PM - Drama Team - Sanctuary
TUESDAY, AUGUST 19:
All Day Annex - Private Use
6:00 PM - Quilters - Annex
6:30 PM - Ladies Bible Study - Room 205
6:30 PM - Men's Bible Study - Room 405
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20:
All Day Annex - Private Use
6:00 PM - Bible Study/Prayer Meeting - Sanctuary
6:00 PM - Children's Choir - Room 310
6:00 PM - Preschool Choir - Room 410
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, AUGUST 21:
9:30 AM - Ladies Prayer Group - Annex
FRIDAY, AUGUST 22:
4:15 PM - Open Door Class Boat Trip
6:00 PM - Scrapbooking Night - Annex

This Week in Worship

Welcome and Announcements...... Verlin Tucker
Prayer .....Verlin Tucker
Call to Worship..... Congregation
"We've Got the Power"
"There Is Power in the Blood" (Chorus Only, Hymn 132)
"Mighty to Save"
GA Skit - Christmas In August
Choral Worship..... Sanctuary Choir
"He's Worthy"
Children's Sermon..... Dr. Jay McCluskey
Offertory Hymns..... Congregation
"I Am Thine, O Lord" (Hymn 290, Vs. 1, 2, & 4)
"Draw Me Close"
Offertory Prayer..... Jeff Elliott
Offertory..... Instrumentalist
Giving of Tithes and Offering..... Congregation
Special Music..... Rev. Lanny Green and Janelle Martin
Message from God's Word..... Rev. Tim Perrin
"Barking at the Moon"
Luke 8:26-39
Scripture can be found on page 732 of the Bibles supplied in our Sanctuary.
Invitation Hymn..... Congregation
"Change My Heart, O God"
Recognition of Decisions Pastor
Closing Words Pastor
Benediction Pastor Pastor
Closing Chorus..... Congregation
"There Is Power in the Blood"

Sunday evening worship will include special music from Nathan Brown, warm fellowship, a mission report from Adam Stroud, who recently returned from Brazil, and closing remarks from Dr. Jay.