Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

The Bible is a book about a Word.

When the Apostle John decided to begin his account of Jesus’ life and ministry, he started with these words; “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” Pointing us to Genesis chapter 1, where God spoke the world into existence with a word, John identified Jesus Christ as that Word who made the world. The author of Hebrews opened his letter in much the same way, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.” Not only is Jesus is the Word who made the world, he is also God’s final Word to the world - the subject and goal of everything else God says and does.

This past Sunday Dr. Wellum began a six month exposition of the book of Genesis. Toward the formation of a thoroughly Christian worldview, Dr. Wellum will lead us in seeing the meaning of this book to its original hearers and its significance in relationship to the rest of Scripture and God’s plan to unite all things in Christ. From Adam to Noah and from Abraham to Joseph, we will better understand the themes that compose the fabric of redemptive history: God’s people, God’s place and God’s promise.

In addition, each Wednesday one of our own members will post a mid-week exposition of the text from the previous Sunday based on Dr. Wellum’s exposition. In this mid-week post we will reexamine the treasures explored together at the beginning of the week. For our series through the book of Genesis, Tory Giddens, Grant Gaines and Wade Mathis are on board for the preparation of this weekly Wednesday feast which we will call, “The Wednesday Word,” in honor of the word its goal is to explain and the Word its aim is to exalt. In addition, they will link to audio from the past Sunday and provide the text for reading in preparation for next weeks lesson.

As we look back to the beginning of redemptive history, may our eyes be opened to comprehend the riches that are ours in Christ.

~TWH

Jeramy and Meggan Anderson shared nine months of their lives as members of our class. Back in August, they moved to Atlanta, where they hope for Jeramy to establish a speaking ministry as an apologist. We recently received contact from the couple with news of the birth of a precious daughter. Praise the Lord! Enjoy these pictures and a brief update from the couple.

Moriah Lee Anderson was born November 26, 2007 @ 3:19AM. She was 6lbs 10 oz and 20″ long. She is beautiful and is very healthy. Meggan is doing well, and we praise the Lord for how everything has gone thus far. May He continue to grant us grace as we depend upon Him during this momentous time of transition. May He bless us with many more fruits of the womb! Amen!

Grace to you!
Jeramy

Congratulations to Chris and Stephanie Dilley on the birth of their daughter, Emma. Here’s an update from the family!

Greetings! We just wanted to let everyone know that Emma Lynne Dilley finally decided to make her grand entrance into this world on Friday, November 16, at 11:47 a.m. She weighed 8 lbs, 2 ounces and was 20
inches long. Stephanie and Emma are doing great, and I am a proud husband and daddy. Please continue to pray for Stephanie as she recovers from a difficult labor and as she and Emma adjust to life outside the womb. We have attached some pictures for you to enjoy. If you would like to visit us, please call me first at (502) 407-2747.

In Christ, Chris and Stephanie

For some time now we have hoped to find an excuse to have both Dr. Wellum and his wife, Karen, share with the class of their background as a couple. Wait no longer.

This week is our fifth is a series by the title, “Timely Topics for Young Families.” This weeks title is, “Your Family and The Local Church: The Wellum’s story of ministry at a church in South Dakota.” Dr. and Mrs. Wellum will share personal stories from their life together and specifically from their years in South Dakota where Dr. Wellum served as a pastor. Through this time of exposure to their story, it is their hope for each family represented in our class to love and to treasure the local church, with all of its warts and its wonders.

Here are five questions that will frame their time with us,

1) First, tell us the story of your marriage leading up to your time in South Dakota.

2) What is the story of your call to the church in South Dakota?

3) What are some highlights of your time together with this church?

4) What were the circumstances surrounding your departure from the pastorate?

5) How have your years in South Dakota given shape to the rest of your life?

Looking forward, with you, to our time together,

Trent

In a class of our size, no doubt there is a great diversity of financial situations. Some struggle under a weight of debt while others enjoy the opportunity to save and even invest. This week will be the fourth in our series by the title, “Timely Topics for Young Families.” This week, our very own Eric Ostrander will lead us in a class by the title, “Your Family and Finances: How to Make the Most of Your Money.”

From Eric to our class,

Here are some general financial statistics concerning Americans. Financial trouble is the number one cause of divorce, the average American family owes more than $7,000 in credit card debt, and two in five Americans have more debt than assets.

Now here are some statistics for Christians. Christians have rated personal finance as their number one source of stress and 60% of Christians could only live one month before going into debt if they lost their job.

Do you know that the Bible says more than twice as much about money as it does prayer and faith combined? In fact, love is the only subject that the Bible speaks about more often. Almost two-thirds of Christ’s parables were concerning money and possessions. Why is this, it is because the way we view and handle money is very important.

We will take a look at what the Bible has to say about some basic financial principles and also discuss some practical ways to live by those principles. Then there will be an opportunity to ask any questions you might have concerning finances.

Among the members of our class are people from a diversity of schooling backgrounds. Some of us came to faith in Christ by the Christian witness of teachers, families and friends involved in the public schools. Some of us were educated at home by our own parents, who gave themselves to our discipleship with diligence and great intentionality. Others of us were educated within some kind of Christian school arrangement and enjoyed learning the Bible and other subjects from a Christian perspective in a Christian environment.

There are delights and dangers that come with each of these learning environments and a child’s education is something about which Christian parents must think carefully and Christianly.

This Sunday is the third in our series by the title, “Timely Topics for Young Families.” This week, Dr. Wellum will lead our class in the topic, “Your Family and Educational Choices: Discerning The Best Fit For Your Family.”

Helping us to steer clear of both passivism and legalism, here is an outline from Dr. Wellum of this Sunday’s teaching time,

1. First we will examine the Biblical data on the responsibility of parents to teach and disciple their children — in all areas of life.
2. Next, we will discuss how do parents fulfill this responsibility in the larger discussion of schooling and academic preparation. We will then look at various options that are before us today: 1. public schools; 2. Private schools; 3. Home schools and their varieties — e.g. consortium, etc.
3. How do we decide between these options given the biblical mandate to raise our children? We will look at specific factors and issues that need to be considered, both in terms of strengths and weaknesses.
4. Discussion.

Looking forward to thinking carefully about these matters with you.

Redemption in Christ entails the transformation of human desires so that God’s people love what God loves and desire what he desires. Ironically, while some couples desire the blessing of children, infertility and pregnancy loss are reminders to us that we are, with the entire cosmos, “groaning together in the pains of childbirth” as we wait eagerly for “the redemption of our bodies” (Romans 8:20-23).

This Sunday will be our second in a series by the title, “Timely Topics for Young Families.” This week we address the topic of infertility and pregnancy loss. Our guest will be Dr. Bill Cutrer. Dr. Cutrer attends Highview Baptist Church with his family and is a professor at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

In preparation for this Sunday’s visit, Dr. Cutrer sends his greetings,

Greetings in the name of our Lord,
I’m honored to be invited to speak to you on the topics of infertility and pregnancy loss this Sunday. These problems are sadly very common, with many couples facing these tragedies as the first major crisis as husband and wife. We’ll consider the definitions, diagnosis, and treatment options available to couples in the midst of this pain; hopefully encouraging them and equipping you to minister God’s grace to the hurting families. Men and women process this pain so differently, that marriages suffer deeply, and the Christian community can genuinely make a huge impact for good. Come with questions, be comfortable with some difference of perspective, and let’s honor the Lord together.

In His Grace, Dr. Bill Cutrer

Dr. Cutrer comes to us an an expert in this area both as a medical doctor and as a Christian theologian and counselor. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Dr. Cutrer’s background and ministry, the the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary website provides a helpful overview,

Dr. Cutrer is a the first medical doctor to join the faculty at Southern. After a successful medical career as an obstetrician, he served as senior pastor of Wildwood Baptist Church in Texas and as director of the Christian Medical/Dental Society in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. He has been a guest lecturer at numerous colleges, churches and institutions. In addition, he has had conferences on various topics, including Medical Marriage Seminars, Ethics in Medicine and Wellness Lifestyle. Dr. Cutrer has been the author or co-author of several publications, such as When Empty Arms Become a Heavy Burden: Encouragement for Couples Suffering from Infertility, and has had extensive missionary experience in a variety of countries.

Tragically, the curse of sin entails “pain in child bearing” and, for some, the struggle or inability to conceive new life at all. May the struggle of some to be “fruitful and multiply” rebound to God’s glory in a greater manifestation of “the fruit of righteousness that comes trough Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:9-11). There is glory on the other side of every cross.

Looking forward, with you, to Dr. Cutrer’s visit,

Trent

About once year we will take a brief pause from the exposition of Scripture to apply the scriptures in a focused way to a few specific topics of timely importance.

From October 21 to November 18, we have much to look forward to. During these five weeks, we will give our attention to five timely topics for young couples.

October 21 - Your Family and Missions:
Nurturing a Family of Goers and Senders.

This Sunday, the Ostranders will lead our class in embracing a vision for mission minded families. In addition, Eric and Amy will lead us in learning about and praying for the Swensons, a missionary family to China who lived in Louisville and attended our class a few years back.

October 28 - Your Family and Infertility:
Understanding Infertility and Reproductive Options.

Guest speaker, Dr. Cutrer will lead us in considering the reality of infertility and the reproductive options available to infertile couples. This will be a help to those who are currently or will struggle with infertility. In addition, this will equip each of us to comfort and counsel those who struggle to enjoy the blessing of a full quiver.

November 4 - Your Family and Educational Choices:
Discerning the best fit for your family.

Dr. Wellum will lead our class in thinking carefully and Christianly about the schooling options available to parents for their children’s education. Dr. Wellum will outline the various options with their strengths and their dangers in an effort to help each of us better understand the direction that is best for our specific family and our specific situation.

November 11 - Your Family and Finances:
How to Make the Most of your Money.

Eric Ostrander will lead us in understanding how we can best glorify Christ in the wise saving, spending and investing our money.

November 18 - Topic TBA.

The next seven days brings us two opportunities to glorify the gospel as a class,

The gospel is glorified when God’s people treasure lost souls and express the love of Christ in tangible ways. So, this Tuesday evening, from 5-7pm, we will be visiting members of our community to distribute fliers for Ninth and O’s Health Fair, to be held on October 13th.

The gospel is glorified when God’s people enjoy the gift of food and the grace of fellowship. So, next Sunday, Oct 14, we will be enjoying one another as the people of God over a Sunday meal on the church grounds.

Neither of these two events would take place if the gospel were not true. But the gospel is true and we are privileged to gather for these all important expressions of our faith.

Stop back for more details.

Trent