The

Tower

November 2015

LaBelle Haven

Baptist Church 4800 Hwy 305 N.

Olive Branch, MS 38654

(662) 893-2273

~~~~~~~~~~

E-Mail:

tbateman@labellehaven.org

Web:

www.labellehaven.org

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CHURCH STAFF:

Sr. Pastor

Dr. Jim Butler

Assistant Pastor/Minister of Ed

Rev. Phil Anderson

Minister of Music & Sr. Adults

Rev. Ken Washburn

Children’s Director

Mrs. Debbie Johnson

Minister of Youth

Mr. Jamie Mullen

“The name of the Lord

is a strong tower…”

Proverbs 18:10a NKJV

Celebration of Marriage

Weekend

February 13 & 14, 2016

If you will have been married at least 50 years by

February 14 next year, then you are invited to be a part

of our Celebration of Marriage weekend. Our nation

has become so confused about the value of marriage,

the make up of what a marriage is, and the biblical

standards God spelled out for marriage. Our church

wants to honor those who have set healthy examples

for Christian homes.

Saturday, February 13 will feature a wedding

reception and luncheon. Couples are asked to “dress

up” so they can have their pictures made cutting the

wedding cake. Each couple will get a free photo as a

keepsake. Couples are encouraged to get out their old

photos and mementos, and make a “memory table.”

Our graduates do these tables in May. We thought our

congregation would love to see what you looked like 50+

years ago.

Sunday, February 14 will be the Celebration of

Marriage in our

worship. Couples will walk down the isle

just like you did years ago. We will display

your wedding picture and the number of years

you have been married on the big screens as

you enter. Once all the couples are in, Bro. Jim

will lead in a brief renewal of your wedding

vows. Then you may kiss your bride and be

seated for the remainder of the worship.

Be sure to invite your children, family and friends. Special gifts will be

presented to each couple. Some of those gifts require a 3 month lead time, so the

deadline to sign up to be a part of the Celebration is Sunday, November 15.

Sign up forms are in the bulletin, or you may call the church office to get your

name on the list. Don’t miss this. . . .because we want to honor you.

Twensday is November 24 — 6pm One of the largest eating events of our year is Twensday.

Some of you may ask, “What is Twensday?” Well, at

LaBelle Twensday is when we move Wednesday to

Tuesday. It is only done once each year, the Tuesday before

Thanksgiving. That evening we will gather as a church family for a meal of turkey

and dressing with all the fix’ns.

Tickets go on sale November 8. The price is $5 per person (no child discount.)

Please get yours early because there

are only 300 tickets available. Once these are sold we will start a

waiting list. LaBelle has so much to

be thankful for! Join us as we eat a

wonderful meal and rejoice in all of

God’s blessings.

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A WORD FROM. . .

OUR PASTOR

Let me start this article by confessing that I am not a

CPA, nor the son of a CPA, but I want to talk about

your investments and charitable giving. If you are 70½

and required to take your RMD (required minimum

distribution) this year, I have an option you might want

to pray about. Many of you are forced to take your

yearly RMD, even though you don’t need the money.

Not taking your RMD would result in a large tax

penalty. Taking your RMD will result in your having to

pay taxes on money you didn’t even need or want. Here

is a possible solution:

Each year, usually in December, Congress passes a

special bill to allow people to donate money out of their

IRA accounts directly to a non-profit organization, like

our church. Since you do not take possession of the

money you donate, it is not taxable to you. You get the

full benefit of the donation, and it counts as all or part

of your yearly RMD. The good news is the church/

Building Fund gets the money that would have been

lost to taxes. To me it sounds like a win. . . .win . . .

.win. Remember, I am not a CPA, and Congress has not

passed this giving for 2015 (but financial experts say it

is all but a done deal.) You need to check with your tax

expert to see what is the best for you, but this could be

a move that could bless you and our church.

By: Debbie Johnson

Operation Christmas Child

Music Ministry By: Rev. Ken Washburn, Min. of Music & Sr. Adults

Sr. Adult Ministries - Our J.O.Y. Choir is scheduled to sing for the residents of Olive Grove Terrace (9684 Old Goodman Rd., Olive Branch, MS.) at 10:00 am, on THURSDAY, November 12th. After singing with the residents, we will go to eat lunch together. We need all of our members and would love to have guests join us for this ministry opportunity.

Our next PRIMETIMER’S fellowship will be Thursday, November 19th, at 11:30 am. This will be our Thanksgiving meal. The church will provide Turkey

& Dressing from Dale’s and we are asking our members to supply side dishes, salads and desserts. Please join us and invite guests for this great time of fellowship.

Fall Festival Plan C Oh this weather! If there is rain on Saturday we will have the Fall Festival on November 14th from 2-4. We will plan for the activities to be the same and PRAY for no rain. Please be watching the Facebook page as well as your e-mails for the decision. Weather is just something that can’t be controlled.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ December 11th , 6-10pm will be our Happy Birthday Jesus Party/ Parent’s Night Out! We will have FREE childcare for children through 5th grade. Parents can use this as a chance to get that last minute shopping done or just enjoy a nice night out. Be watching for the sign-up to begin.

Rehearsals for our Christmas musical “Light of the World” that will be presented Sunday, December 13th are in full swing. This arrangement, written by Carol Cymbala, Director of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, celebrates the Christmas story with a great mix of familiar and new songs that encourage us to worship He who is truly THE LIGHT. We look forward to filling our choir loft to capacity that morning, and seek to glorify Him who is the Light of the World.

Music Ministry

It is that time of year again to be packing up our shoeboxes, and sending them around the world. These gifts are used to share the love of Jesus with children who may not ever hear about Him any other way. We have all the information on items that can be sent on the table outside the office. There are also some printed shoeboxes as well. You are welcomed to use regular shoeboxes or plastic boxes and the children can use them the rest of the year. Things that are great to send are: Bibles, toys like: stuffed animals, dolls, cars/trucks, balls, school supplies such as pencils, pens, crayons, notebooks and coloring books. Please include NON-liquid personal items like: tooth-brushes, bar soap, washcloths, combs, brushes, hair bows etc. You are encouraged to include a personal note and even a picture of your family. Please do not include: damaged or used items, no war related items, such as: guns or knives. No liquids, food items, lotions, medications or vitamins may be sent. Also nothing breakable like glass items or snow globes. Please include the tag that says it is for a Boy or Girl and the age along with the $7.00 postage. We will be collecting them on Sunday, November 15th during the service. You are welcome to bring them in earlier, just take them to the nursery desk.

Calling All Adult Sunday School Teachers Bro. Jim would like to meet with all of our adult Sunday

School teachers in the conference room on Wednesday,

November 4, at 6pm. Come early for supper that evening,

and then slip into the conference room. We will be talking

about how our “The Miracle Continues. . . .Linking Hearts

and Hands” Campaign will impact our Sunday School. Bro.

Jim needs your input and your cooperation. The meeting

will end by 6:30 so you can get to Bible study.

This past Sunday we introduced to the church the 20 leaders in our new capital stewardship campaign. These 20 people have already begun to recruit people to serve on their teams. Many of you will be asked to serve in the months to come. When

you are asked. . . .please say, yes! The goal is to raise money to build our new educational wing and to pay down our debt. We can only do this if we link our hearts and hands together. If you did not get a copy of our first campaign newsletter, the one we gave out last Sunday, then you can get a copy at the Welcome Center. It is a beautiful full color newsletter. It gives you the story of LaBelle, and describes what we are doing. Be sure to get your copy Sunday.

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MEMORIALS & HONORARIUMS

A donation was given to The Building Fund: In honor of: Mary Nelle Hardy By: The Truthseekers Class In memory of: Betty Jackson By: Joy Bailey, Perry & Donna Thornton In memory of: Dana Wright By: Joy Bailey, Perry & Donna Thornton In memory of: Lillian “Dollie” Eoff By: The Special Ministries & Truthseekers Classes In memory of: Dwain Wallis By: Joy Bailey, The Waddell Class, Bob & Eone Rials In memory of: Ann Anderson By: Joy Bailey In memory of: Georgia V. King (Avery King’s mother) & Agnes S. Bach (Sharon King’s mother) By: Avery & Sharon King

A donation was given to the New Playground Fund: In memory of: Wilma Frank By: The Joy Class

Our Deepest Sympathy: Dr. Butler, and his wife Lawanda, would like to extend our church’s sympathy to: The family & friends of Lillian “Dollie” Eoff, to Tootsie Wallis & family on the loss of her husband, Dwain Wallis, to Carol & Ronnie Turner & family on the loss of Carol’s aunt, Nell Toomey and to Jim & Katherine Rooker & family on the loss of Jim’s sister.

FROM REV. PHIL ANDERSON, ASST. PASTOR & MIN. OF EDUCATION

2016 Budget Proposal Timeline The Stewardship Committee has started working on the 2016 Budget Proposal. The Committee always strives to bring a budget that will meet the needs of our church for the coming year and glorify God. The Committee would like to express to you a heart-felt thanks for your generosity and faithfulness to this past year’s budget and is confident that God will continue to use us all this next year as well. Here is the budget timeline for this year: Nov. 22 & 29 - Distribute Proposed Budget Dec. 2 - Discuss Proposed Budget Dec. 6 - Vote on Proposed Budget (Without discussion)

Beyond Measure Update The Beyond Measure Campaign is quickly coming to a close. This 3 year campaign was a step of faith for LaBelle as we sought to raise funds to pay for the land we purchased in Olive Branch and begin our building process. God has used you greatly in seeing this dream become a reality. As we meet each week in the beautiful facility that God provided for us, we can know that God used us to be a part of His great plan. Many of you made sacrificial commitments to see this vision become a reality. Thank you for that commitment, and thank you for your faithfulness in giving to that commitment. The initial pledge to the “Beyond Measure Campaign” was $752,147. As of this past Sunday, you have given $809,757. Praise the Lord!! We have a new campaign that will be starting in March 2016, but we will still have to make payments on our current loan. Even though your commitment to the “Beyond Measure Campaign” ends in November, would you join with me in continuing to give at the current level until the new campaign? The current payment is $20,467, and just because the campaign has ended doesn’t mean the payments have ended also. I know that your heart is like mine and you want to see this dream all the way to the end. All of us need to do our part to make those payments. May the Lord bless you as you seek to serve Him.

2 Burial Plots For Sale I know when it comes to death, we only like to consider the reward of heaven and spending eternal life with our Lord and Savior. However, we also need to plan for what will happen here on this earth when we die. Do you have your burial plots purchased already? If not, LaBelle Haven has been given 2 plots in the beautiful Autumn Woods Cemetery in Olive Branch, MS. (Just south of Goodman Road on Davidson Road). This is for 2 plots, a 48x16 memorial with vase, and the opening and closings. These plots are valued at over $3,600 but we will consider any reasonable offer. If you are interested, please contact Bro. Phil Anderson at 662-893-2273 asap. This is a great opportunity for someone to purchase these plots at a fraction of the cost!

ADDITIONS: Wallace & Sandy Dawkins

5530 Malone Rd. Olive Branch, MS 38654 Wallace: (901) 301-4731 Sandy: (901) 301-4732 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dr. Jerry & Beckie Gay 4753 Graham Lake Dr.

Olive Branch, MS 38654 (501) 749-3377 (501) 944-3934

Sylvia Posey 13097 Braybourne Cross Olive Branch, MS 38654

(662) 893-6831 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bobbye Nichols 7880 Plantation Ridge Cv. Olive Branch, MS 38654

(901) 487-8251 CORRECTIONS:

Mary Lorraine Briscoe 224 Watson Rd.

Byhalia, MS 38611

CHURCH DIRECTORY. . . . If your information has changed or will change, please take a moment and call the

church office at (662) 893-2273 and let us know so we can update our records.

Youth Fundraiser — Cake Auction Jamie and our Youth Department want to invite our

church to come to their Cake Auction immediately after

church on November 15. Jamie is asking for our ladies (and

guys) to bake and donate their favorite cakes, cupcakes or

other desserts. Call Jamie at (901) 834-9896 or the church

office to let us know if you will help. Bring your desserts

with you to church on November 15. We invite the entire

church to bid on these wonderful sweets.

A silent auction will also be held for a hand-made quilt.

The quilt will make a beautiful keepsake. The quilt will be

on display on the youth table in the Atrium. The bid sheet

will also be on the youth table.

LaBelle Float in the Christmas Parade Last year LaBelle entered a float in the Olive Branch Christmas Parade. This year Linda Hindmon has decided to enter a LaBelle float in the Olive Branch and Southaven Parades. Linda needs help constructing the float and in accompanying the float to give out candy on the day of the parades. If you would be willing to help with construction or in walking/riding with the float, please come to the Christmas Parade meeting immediately after church on November 15 in room 110.

The Tower Newsletter LaBelle Haven Baptist Church

4800 Hwy. 305 N.

Olive Branch, MS 38654

LaBelle Haven Baptist Church Calendar of Events for . . .

1 Operation Christmas Child

Begins

Pastor’s Pals Recognition

12p Choir Lunch & Practice

12p Stewardship Mtg.

5p Waddell Class Social at

the McKinney House

2 7p Ensemble Practice

3 NO MDO Today

6p Women’s Study

(last class)

4 9:30a Women’s Study

5:30p Supper

6p Financial Peace

6:30p Spiritual Gift Study

Youth Bible Study

Children’s Choirs

7:30p Adult Choir

5 10a JOY Choir

6 7

8 Operation Christmas Child

2p Print, Visual, Web Mtg.

3p Advance Leader Mtg.

4p PMI Informational Mtgs.

(Invitation, Information,

Distribution & Response

Teams)

9 5:30p Program Leaders

& Pastor Meeting with

Mark Blackmore

6:30p BRIDGE #2 Mtg.

7p Ensemble Practice

10

11 5:30p Supper

6:30p Spiritual Gift Study

Youth Bible Study

Children’s Choirs

7:30p Adult Choir

12 10a JOY Choir Singing at

Olive Grove Terrace in

Olive Branch

13 14

15 Operation Christmas Child

Ends

12p Youth Cake Auction

12p Christmas Parade Mtg.

5p Union Mission

16 6:30p Deacon’s Meeting

7p Ensemble Practice

17

18 5:30p Supper

6:30p Spiritual Gift Study

Youth Bible Study

Children’s Choirs

7:30p Adult Choir

19 11:30a Primetimer’s Lunch

20

21 5p Wright Class Social at

Mitch & Dot Wright’s

House

22 2016 Proposed Budget to be

Disbursed

1:30p Stewardship Mtg

23 7p Ensemble Practice

24 6p Twensday Dinner

25 No Activities or Service Due

To the Thanksgiving Holiday

26

27 28

29

2016 Proposed Budget to be

Disbursed

30

7p Ensemble Practice

FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

2015

Thanksgiving Holiday

(all offices are closed, Nov 26 & 27)