Author: janicevance

by Chris Elrod

Just a few weeks ago our young men led us in worship. They did a fantastic job; we should be proud of them as a church family. When our young men lead in worship, I often speak of how proud I am of their effort, preparation, and willingness to lead. Then I often reflect and wish I would have mentioned our pride in the young ladies who faithfully serve the Lord. So, let’s recognize our young ladies and the ways they are a blessing. There are three things that come to mind when I think about the ladies in our youth group.

The first thing that comes to mind is the encouragement they provide to so many! Our ladies understand that no corrupt word should come out of our mouths but only such things that are good for building up(Ephesians 4:29).Our ladies are quick to say thank you, and to give an encouraging word. Many of our young ladies have the gift of encouragement and use it to God’s glory (Romans 12:8).

Not only are they encouragers, but they also are evangelistic. The ladies in our youth ministry often invite their friends to church and participate in Bible studies. They remind me of Priscilla, who along with her husband, Aquila, helped Apollos understand the way of God better (Acts 18:26). Our young ladies love God’s Word and want to help others know the goodness of God. They are quick to welcome visitors as honored guests and encourage involvement.

Lastly, our young ladies set an example of what it means to live for Christ. They love the Lord, and it is reflected in their actions. They understand their heavenly Father has called them to holiness (1 Peter 1:15) and they strive to live for Him, letting their light shine so that others might see their good works and glorify God (Matthew 5:16). One thing I certainly appreciate as their Bible class teacher, is that many of our young ladies regularly take notes during class. Their desire to understand God’s Word is refreshing.

I could continue and discuss the ways they care for the young children of our congregation, write cards, and help teach in the children’s classes. Certainly, our young ladies are a great example. Their faith and commitment to the Lord should encourage us and make us proud as a church family.

I am so thankful to work with the amazing youth at Walter Hill. I thank God for their parents who raise their children to be faithful Christians, and for the host of sisters who support our young ladies. But I am especially thankful that God blessed me with Emily, who partners with me in ministry and sets a great example for the young ladies at Walter Hill.

             The names attributed to Jesus serve as titles that He embraced to illustrate the diverse functions and roles He would undertake.  These names are found throughout the New Testament.  These titles and references contribute to a deeper understanding of His purpose and message.

Son of Man:

Emphasized His humanity, and was perhaps Jesus’ favorite reference to himself, and, due to the way He used it, was also a claim to divinity.

“Do not labor for food that perishes to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you.  For on Him God the Father has set his seal.” (John 6:27)

Bread of Life:

Refers to His life-giving role, and that He is the only source of eternal life.

“Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35)

Light of the World:

Light is a symbol of spiritual truth.  Jesus is the only answer for man’s need of spiritual truth.

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Gate for the Sheep:

Faith in Jesus is the only way possible to reach heaven.

“So Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.” (John 10:7)

The Good Shepherd:

Jesus claimed and used the prophecies of the Messiah from the Old Testament to be about Him; this was a claim to Divinity which focused on His love and guidance. 

The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)

The Resurrection and the Life:

Jesus is the very source of life and the power over death.

“Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25)

The Way and the Truth and the Life:

Jesus is the way, the method, and the truth for all people.  He summarized his purpose on earth by this title.

“Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

I am the Vine:

This was another of the names of Jesus, and the rest of the title is, “You are the Branches.” 

Just as the branches gain life and cannot live apart from the vine, so we are utterly dependent on Christ for our spiritual life.  “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.” (John 15:1)

by Justin Morton

Last Sunday was an enjoyable day for our Walter Hill family. We had the privilege of coming together to worship without any fear of harm from outside forces. This is a blessing we should never take for granted, because many of our brothers and sisters around the world are not as fortunate. Following our period of worship, we were blessed to sit in classes and engage in the study of God’s Word together. Our Bible classes provide a great opportunity for Biblical study each week, and we are thankful for all of our teachers who take time to study and prepare lessons. We continued our afternoon together by sharing a fellowship meal. The food was great as always, but the time of fellowship we were able to share was such a blessing. Finally, we capped off our day by once again joining in worship to our heavenly Father, being led by several of our young men. Each and every one of the guys who participated did a terrific job. If you were not here last Sunday, you sure missed a special day. As I reflected on our day, it felt very much like the way the early church might have spent their time together as we read about in Acts.

A couple of weeks ago, we ran a flier on the front page of our bulletin with details about our upcoming Fall Festival on Sunday, October, 27^th. While many of the activities are similar to last year’s event, there is one notable change for this year. We are using our Fall Festival as an opportunity to restock our food pantry. Instead of the kid’s classes carving pumpkins, each class has designed a box that will be placed in the main lobby and also in the back of the auditorium to collect items for the Pantry Food Drive. Be sure to check all the boxes out.

Please bring peanut butter, jelly, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, canned corn and canned green beans and place them in the box or boxes that you like the best! This will be fun for the kids and also help us be prepared to serve our community when needs arise. Our benevolence ministry is an important work that allows us to make connections with many who may not have a church home or relationship with the Lord.

Lastly, today was supposed to begin Round Two of our family returning to Atlanta for Miranda’s treatments. Unfortunately, Miranda had a minor setback so the plan is now for us to head back next Sunday afternoon. Please keep us in your prayers as we travel back and forth every weekend, and please pray for Miranda’s complete healing. We believe in the power of prayer and that God can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine (Eph. 3:20-21)! We love our Walter Hill family very much and cannot thank you enough for your love and support.

             We often take for granted the opportunity we have to worship with our church family.  Recently Emily and I worshipped with a sister congregation while on vacation and then worshipped with our teens at Reaching Rutherford.  Both worship services were uplifting and moving.  However, it was so great to be back at Walter Hill.  There’s something so special about approaching God’s throne in worship with your local church family.  May we never allow the regularity of our gatherings to undermine how special it is to gather as God’s family to worship our Heavenly Father, remember our Savior’s sacrifice and to encourage one another in the unity of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:3). 

This week we are especially blessed with more time as a church family as we have our Bible classes immediately following our morning worship, followed by a fellowship meal, and an additional opportunity to worship together.  This additional worship service will be led by some of our young men.  We have so many young men it’s impossible to include them all.  Walter Hill is so blessed by our youth.  Like we can take worship for granted, we can take our youth for granted.  Yet, I assure you we have brothers and sisters around the world who would love to see young men lead in worship.  So, please stick around and worship with us during our afternoon service.  I know you will be encouraged.  The young men who will be speaking will all deliver messages related to the purpose of baptism.  How great that our young men will be delivering messages on a subject that so many in the religious world misunderstand.  While our world may seem like it’s falling apart, it is great to know God is doing great things through our youth.  Our prayer is that He will continue to work through them for years to come.

Below is the order of worship for our afternoon service:

Welcome:  Chris Elrod

Song:  Will Cooper

Prayer:  Henry Nance

Scripture Reading:  Jacolby Rainey – John 3:1-5

Song:  Will Cooper

Speaker 1:  Josh Miller – Mark 16:15-16

Song:  Will Cooper

Song:  Levi Tothforgony

Speaker 2:  Carson McNabb – Matthew 28:18-20

Song:  Levi Tothforgony

Scripture Reading:  Martin Nance – Acts 2:36-47

Song:  Danek Smith

Speaker 3:  Bennett Morris – Acts 22:16

Prayer:  Grant DeMario

Speaker 4:  Blake Lancaster – 1 Peter 3:21

Song:  Josh Miller

Speaker 5:  Will Cooper – Matthew 28:18-20

Song:  Josh Miller

Speaker 6:  Brayden Graves (invitation)

Song:  Josh Miller

Closing Song:  Eli Mitchell

Closing Prayer:  Braden McNabb

Communion in Room 105:  Jackson Pagel & Grant DeMario

by Justin Morton

             Sometimes simply saying “thank you” seems so insignificant.  Since learning of Miranda’s diagnosis, so many of you have reached out, sent cards, given gifts and taken Miranda’s name before the throne of our Almighty Father in heaven.  Our family has been so overwhelmed by the love and support shown to us during this time.

             To say the last few months have been a challenge is certainly an understatement.  While we have ministered to others who have gone through similar health situations, it is just different when it hits this close to home.  Although Miranda’s journey to healing is not complete, and we still have a battle in the coming months and years, we know we have your love, support and prayers to help us as we continue to navigate the journey ahead.  So from the bottom of our hearts, the Morton family would like to say, THANK YOU!  We truly love the good people of Walter Hill.

When Jesus was meeting with His apostles before He would suffer on Calvary’s cross, He made a statement that our family has seen lived out by our brethren.  Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.  By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).

Jesus commanded His apostles to “love one another.”  This command is not optional in the life of a follower of Jesus.  It is not something we get to decide if we will do or not.  Loving others is a command we are expected to live out.  In fact, loving one another is considered one of the two greatest commands given (Matthew 22:37-40).  Let that sink in.  Of all the commands the Jewish people were concerned with, it really boiled down to only two.  Just love God and love others.  If a person does both of these well, he or she will be living right.

Tina Turner used to sing, “What’s love got to do with it?”  Well, in the case of Christians, it has everything to do with it.  You see, it is by our love that others will know we are disciples of Jesus.  Your love for our family is a living testimony, and it is making an impact on those in the clinic in Atlanta.  Your support and encouragement has allowed Miranda to take a beautiful blanket and a stack of cards into her treatments EVERY DAY.  The nurses, doctors and other patients cannot get over the care she has received from our church family.  They talk about it every day.  Loving others is proof our hearts belong to Jesus, and your actions show your hearts belong to Jesus!  We consider it a great honor to be counted among such wonderful people whose hearts belong to Jesus.

             Once again, we are approaching the end of summer.  Cooler weather is just around the corner, but we also know how tricky Tennessee weather is, so I wouldn’t be surprised if we have a few more really hot days!  We are certain, however, that God is in control!  Genesis 8:22 “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.”(ESV)

With the Fall season comes lots of activities and opportunities to fellowship.  Today, in particular, we want to be mindful of a good number of our folks traveling for the Fall Camping Trip and our Ladies that are attending the Transform Ladies’ Conference in East Tennessee and pray for a safe return for everyone.

Our Primetimers are planning a trip to Granville on September 21^st, our Fall Fellowship is on October 27^th, and our Annual Gospel Singing is scheduled for November 8^th.  Please keep an eye on the bulletin and News and Notes to stay on top of all our activities and opportunities to get involved in the Lord’s work.

Our theme this year has been “Equip” and we have had lessons and classes on equipping the saints for service in God’s kingdom.  We would encourage you to find an area of service or an activity that gets you more involved in the work here at Walter Hill.  Also, look for opportunities to spread the gospel all around you!  Jesus says in Matthew 9:37-38 “Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (ESV)  As we look forward to the change in seasons, let’s remember that our mission is to make disciples.  We are all commanded to be laborers in the Lord’s harvest and bring the Gospel of Christ to those that are lost.  

As we enter the harvest season, let’s commit ourselves to be a laborer in the fields and spread the Word!

by Justin Morton

This coming Monday is Labor Day. Did you know Oregon was the first state to pass a law recognizing Labor Day? This took place on February 21, 1887. It would be another 7 years, in June of 1894, before President Grover Cleveland would sign a law making the first Monday in September a legal holiday.[1]

I have always found this holiday interesting, especially given it’s name. For example, it’s called “Labor Day” and yet, many of us are given the day off from our day to day “labor.” It would seem the name of this holiday is misleading or simply just incorrect. But did you know, that Labor Day came about because workers “felt they were spending too many hours and days on the job?”[2]

Isn’t that interesting?  A Law was signed because workers were spending too much time working. And while we have a national holiday to remind us to take a break, many of us still struggle when it comes to taking time to rest. We go and go and push ourselves, sometimes past the point of exhaustion, because staying busy has become a badge of honor in our society.

From the beginning of the Bible, we see the importance of rest on display. God demonstrated such importance at the end of creation, after God saw that everything He had made was “very good” (Gen. 1:31). Moses records, “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation” (Gen. 2:1-3).

When Moses was given the Law, we see the importance of rest demonstrated once again. The 4^th commandment of the 10 given was, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates” (Exo. 20:8-10).

And then there is Jesus. Throughout His ministry we see Him demonstrating the importance of rest. It was not uncommon for Him to slow down, take time to be alone and rest (Mark 6:30-32). If Jesus, the divine Son of God needed to stop and rest, what makes us think we are any different?

Maybe you are running on empty and feel worn out and exhausted. If so, consider the teachings of scripture and the example of Jesus. It may be time to give yourself a break.

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[1] https://www.dol.gov/general/laborday/history

[2] https://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2023-09-01/have-we-forgotten-the-true-meaning-of-labor-day

by Justin Morton

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 702,880 people died from heart disease in 2022.[1] I do not know about you, but that number seems awfully high. While some of these individuals may have known they had problems with their heart, others may have been living unaware of such serious problems.

As unnerving as that might seem, more people may be living with a heart defect then we realize. While there may be nothing wrong with their physical heart, their spiritual heart is in a sad and very tragic condition. Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8). If the pure in heart shall see God, then what does that mean for those who are not pure in heart? I think you already know the answer. Those who are not pure in heart will not see God. In other words, those who have a spiritual heart problem, will not have the opportunity to be with God for all of eternity.

This begs the question, “How is your heart?” Each one of us needs to spend some time examining ourselves (2 Cor. 13:5). We need to make sure our hearts are right in the sight of God. One way to know what kind of heart we have is to look at our actions and the way we live before others. Do our lives produce the fruit of the spirit (Gal. 5:22-24)? If not, perhaps we have a problem with our heart. The wise man said, “As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man” (Prov. 27:19).

More than half of the people in the US do not know that heart disease is the leading cause of death in America according to a Harris Poll survey.[2] Can you imagine the difference it could make if more people were aware of this serious issue? Likewise, what kind of difference might it make if more people realized they had a spiritual heart issue that had eternal consequences? Perhaps more people would be able to experience eternal life instead of eternal condemnation.

No one around you can see the condition of your physical heart. The only way for that to happen is by means of special imaging done in medical facilities. But God knows your heart’s condition, physical and spiritual (I Sam. 16:7). And just like if you had a physical heart condition you would need to take action quickly, likewise, if you have a spiritual heart issue, action needs to be taken immediately. It is not just a matter of life and death, but it is a matter of eternity.  

When David discovered the condition of his heart before God, he prayed: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psa. 51:10). Maybe this is the prayer you need to be praying as well. Consider this: “Is your heart right with God?”

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[1] https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/data-research/facts-stats/index.html

[2] https://newsroom.heart.org/news/more-than-half-of-u-s-adults-dont-know-heart-disease-is-leading-cause-of-death-despite-100-year-reign

by Justin Morton

We are all a part of a physical family. Some of those families may be small, while other families may be rather large. I realize not everyone has had a great experience when it comes to their physical families, but many of us have grown up with families that we are thankful to be a part of. Like many of you, I love and appreciate my physical family very much. However, there is another family we should be just as grateful to be a part of.

When Paul was writing to the saints in Ephesus, he explained what their lives were like before knowing Christ (Eph. 2:1-3) and by the grace of God, what their lives were like after they came to know Christ (Eph. 2:4-22). During his discussion on this new life in Christ, he mentioned, “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (Eph. 2:19).

When we obey the Gospel and are redeemed by the precious blood of the Lamb, we become citizens of the kingdom of heaven (Phil. 3:20) and “members of the household of God” (Eph. 2:19). I just love that thought. While being a part of a physical family is special, being a part of the “household” or family of God is extra special. One of the reasons is because of where the household of God will spend eternity—in heaven with God the Father and Jesus the Son. And while we wait for that glorious day, being a part of the family of God today brings many blessings. My family and I are experiencing some of those very benefits during this time in our lives.

When we first learned of Miranda’s health diagnosis, we were devastated. Sitting in different doctor’s offices and listening to them talk about what lay ahead, was unsettling. We had so many different thoughts running through our minds about what we were going to do, how we were going to do it and what things would look like moving forward for our family. In total honesty, it was incredibly overwhelming.

Paul told the church at Corinth, “If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together” (I Cor. 12:26). Since the announcement was made publicly, we have felt all the love and support of God’s family here at Walter Hill. You all have provided so much encouragement and strength in a time when our family greatly needed it. Over the last couple of weeks, I have often remembered the words of Paul when he said, “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10). What a blessing it is to be a part of the family of God!

             Many schools started a new school year this week.  It seems like the summer breaks for our school age children and those who work in our educational systems gets shorter each year.  Please continue to pray for our students, teachers and administrators as they begin a new school year.  Hopefully, you have made time to spend with your family over the summer.  Spending time together will build memories that will last forever.  Even when it may seem our children aren’t paying attention or are not interested, years later the memories will come back to them of a time well spent together.  As our family has occasions to be together, we recall events and tell stories of events that happened when we were growing up together.  The best times together were spent worshipping.

We grew up in a small town in a rural area and had a close bond with all the families who worshipped together.  We spent a lot of time together even outside of worship.  We had two gospel meetings each year.  Each one would be a full week.  The minister who had been invited to speak would spend the week with some of the members of the church visiting people in the community, studying with them, and inviting them to the gospel meeting.  Each night of the meeting, our building would be full.  We would have to pull out folding chairs to put in the isles and everywhere we could find a space to put them to have enough places for people to sit.  We heard sermons that were focused on the goodness of God and the eternal blessings through Christ and His church.  We also heard sermons on the terror of being lost eternally.  When the Lord’s invitation was given, people responded.

This same thing would happen at all the congregations around us.  Many times, it would be the same men preaching that had just preached in our meeting.  We would attend all those meetings as well, many times hearing the same sermons but it never got old.  We just concluded our gospel meeting at Walter Hill with Allen Webster.  I couldn’t help but to think back on the days of my childhood and the gospel meetings with a church building full of people hungry to hear the gospel preached.  The best family time together is spent worshipping together. 

Consider Psalm 122:1, I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.”