Category: Article

by Justin Morton

The Bible tells us to give honor to whom honor is due (Romans 13:7). This past week as we celebrated Veterans Day, we expressed our gratitude to the servicemen and women who have served our country, even when doing so meant putting themselves in harm’s way. Here at Walter Hill, we have 22 veterans, who we honored with a dinner on Wednesday evening. Although the dinner was only a small token of our appreciation, we wanted each veteran to know how grateful we are for their years of service.

On Friday night we held our annual Gospel Singing. This is always a wonderful event, and this year was no exception. Singing is one of the many ways we can praise and glorify God. We see singing throughout the pages of the New Testament—Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26; Acts 16:25; Romans 15:9; 1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16-17; Hebrews 2:12; James 5:13; Revelation 15:3. Special thanks to Brian Bowman, who helped coordinate this year’s event, and to all of you who brought food, helped with setup and cleanup, and who lifted your voices in praise to God.

Both of these events remind us of the importance of gratitude. As we enter this season of thanksgiving, our hearts and minds naturally turn to the many blessings we enjoy. James reminds us that every good and perfect gift comes from our Father above (James 1:17). I don’t know about you, but I love the opportunity this season gives me to pause and reflect. It reminds me of just how much God has blessed me. We often spend a great deal of time counting our physical blessings, which are certainly things for which we should be thankful. Yet we should not neglect to consider the spiritual blessings that are ours because of Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:3).

This year as you gather around delicious food and enjoy good company, I hope you will take time to pause and reflect on all the ways God has blessed you. Remember that every blessing is a reminder of His goodness and love. We have countless reasons to be thankful, but the greatest reason is that we serve a God whose “steadfast love endures forever” (Psalm 107:1). May those words always fill our hearts with gratitude and lead us to proclaim, “Blessed be the name of the Lord” (Psalm 113:2-3).

We are at the time of the year when holidays and other activities come around more often.  This week we honor our Veterans on Veteran’s Day.  The WINGS group is having a special gathering on Wednesday for our Walter Hill members who have served in our armed forces.  We are thankful for their service to our nation.  Because of the men and women who have served to protect our country, we live in a much safer place today.

And then on Friday, November 13, Walter Hill hosts our Annual Gospel Singing.  We begin at 7:00 p.m. and the elders encourage all to attend as we gather to sing praises to God.  Brian Bowman has lined up some excellent song leaders for our singing this year.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and Walter Hill has much for which to be thankful this year.  Our building expansion has been completed; we have added new elders and deacons; new families have become part of the Walter Hill family; and we have been blessed by new babies.  We love our children at Walter Hill!  On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day, we will have our annual Thanksgiving prayer service.

A little further out is Christmas and New Year’s.  For Walter Hill, “Cookies with Santa” in early December is a big community event.  The Elrod’s and Norwood’s, and several other volunteers, make this a favorite activity for many children that day.

In addition to the above-mentioned holidays and events, you will find several additional activities on the calendar that you can participate in.  Details about these activities can be found elsewhere in this bulletin.  Thank you to those who help plan and coordinate these events.

Celebrating and participating in holidays and special events is not unique to this day and time.  In the Bible, we can read of Jesus participating in the Passover Feast, the Feast of Tabernacles, and the Feast of Dedication.  It is likely Jesus participated in other Jewish holidays and feasts.

The commercialization of holidays is also not unique to today.  People in Jesus’ day sought to make a profit off selling animals for sacrifices and exchanging money with those who attended these special feast days.  Jesus stood in opposition to those unscrupulous practices.

So, there is a right way and a wrong way to enjoy the upcoming holidays.  There is nothing wrong with enjoying a Thanksgiving meal or giving presents at Christmas.  We can honor our Veterans and have a cookie and some milk with Santa.

We must, however, always remember to give thanks to the One who provides all good things in our lives, not only during the holidays, but every day of our lives.  May honor and glory be given to God the Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ, forever and ever.

by Justin Morton

This year our theme has been Rise Up and Build.  This theme is based on the words of the Jews in response to Nehemiah as he encouraged the people to join in the task of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem.  “And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me.  And they said, ‘Let us rise up and build.’  So they strengthened their hands for the good work” (Nehemiah 2:18).

Throughout this year many of our messages have focused on rising up and building the church, our community, our homes, and our personal lives.  Although some of the lessons and classes did not carry the title Rise Up and Build, they shared that purpose.  Our summer series focused entirely on this theme.   We pray that you have benefited from these lessons and series.  As the year comes to a close, I also hope you have taken the theme to heart and put it into practice in different areas of your life.

Recently you may have seen some of the short video reels that have been posted on our church social media accounts.  While we do have a private Facebook group strictly for our Walter Hill members to use, our public social media pages help us share the Gospel with others.  We have public pages on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.  Our Instagram page is new, so if you use Instagram, please give Walter Hill a follow.  While each of these platforms target different audiences, our mission is the same.  We want to use this technology to share the Gospel with those around us.

We want to Rise Up and Build the Kingdom, and you can help by sharing good, sound, truthful content that points people to Jesus.  If you do not follow our public social media pages, please do that.  Then when you see a reel or post, LIKE IT and SHARE IT.  Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful…” (Matthew 9:37).  Each of us has contacts that others do not, so sharing these clips and posts can bring them to people we would not otherwise reach.  Just imagine the good we could do together and the impact a shared message might have in someone else’s life.

As this year starts coming to a close, the work of rising up and building continues.  We cannot control everything people encounter online, but we can choose what we contribute.  Let’s share messages that encourage faith and help people grow in their relationship with God.  When you see a post or reel worth passing along, take the step to share it.  Rise Up and Build is more than a theme for the year.  It is a call to action we can carry through different aspects of our lives.  

Trunk or Treat Participants: Please park in the back parking lot near the pavilion.  We will have several people out there directing you where to park.  Please do not park on either of the gravel lots beside the pavilion as we will have the cornhole boards set up there.

Chili Contest: If you want your chili judged in our chili contest, there will be a sign-up list at the pavilion when you drop it off.  You will sign up on the list and be assigned a number.  If you are interested in being a judge for our Chili Contest, please let Diane Byrd know.

Questions, see Miranda Morton, Diane Byrd, Mandy Harrington, Madison Byrd, Carrie Davis, Mackenzie Rhea, Teresa Mobbs or Cindy Hutchens.

by Justin Morton

Good morning and welcome to the Walter Hill church of Christ.  We are so grateful that you have chosen to be here with us for worship this morning.  Whether you are a guest or a member of our family here, you could have chosen to be anywhere else this morning but you made the choice to be here with us to worship and praise our heavenly Father.  And we are thankful for that. If you have questions about anything, please let one of our shepherds or ministers know, and we would be happy to try to assist you.

This afternoon we have the Analog Faith In Digital Babylon Workshop beginning at 2:30 P.M.  Jason Helton, the Media Outreach Minister at the Madison church of Christ in Madison, AL. will be here with us.  Jason has been in full-time ministry since 2007 and began working as the Media Outreach Minister in 2017.  This workshop is designed to help church leaders, parents, grandparents and young people navigate the Digital Age by sharing information and resources that will encourage and strengthen our faith while equipping us to effectively use technology to glorify God.  Each session will run about 45 minutes.  There is a handout in the lobby with more information about each session.  Here are the times and topics for this afternoon:

            2:30PM – The {Perceived} Generation Gap

            3:20PM – Analog Consequences to Digital Choices

            4:05PM – Break and Snacks

            4:30PM – A Christian View of Artificial Intelligence

            5:30PM – Intimacy & Technology (teen and adult Bible class session only)

                             Bible classes for 6^th grade and under will meet as normal

            Next Sunday afternoon, October 25^th, we will be having our annual Fall Fellowship.  Bible classes will begin at 4:30PM (note the time change).  We plan to begin dinner at 5:30PM.  Then there will be time for the kids to change, and we plan to have our Trunk or Treat around 6:30PM.  Sign-up sheets are on the board in the EDW hallway for food and the cornhole tournament.  This is always a fun evening for our members of all ages, so we hope you will make plans to join us for this special time together as a church family.

            It is hard to believe that we are already into the third weekend of October.  This year has certainly flown by.  As the cooler temperatures of fall settle in and the holiday season approaches, let’s make sure we continue to feed and grow our faith.  Plan to be a part of the Lord’s body every Sunday.  Come and study with us in our Bible classes on Sunday and Wednesday nights.  Take advantage of opportunities to fellowship with church family.  As our days and weeks get busier, let’s be sure we are staying faithfully connected. 

God Never Retires His People

This week while on vacation in Hilton Head, South Carolina, we attended Wednesday Bible class at the Hilton Head Church.  They recently started a series on members who are beyond retirement age.  We are blessed in the Walter Hill congregation to have so many members beyond retirement age who are still so dedicated to serving Christ and His church.  We never retire from serving Jesus.  The Bible never mentions retiring from serving the Lord.  Psalm 92:12-15 says “The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.  Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.  They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing, To declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”

The most influential years of Moses’ life were after he was 80 years old.  This shows the later years in life can be our most influential.  We have wisdom and life experiences to share with others who are younger to guide them in service to God.  We can look back and see how God has carried us through the struggles of life and know He is going to be with us in everything we may endure.  John 21:18 tells us, we may lose our independence but losing independence doesn’t mean we lose our usefulness.  There are still so many ways we can be involved in the Church to be an encouragement to others.  It is such an inspiration to see those of you that struggle with health issues still make it a point to be at worship services.  Whether you realize it or not, those who are younger see your dedication to the Lord. 

We are also blessed to have so many young people who are so eager to serve in the Lord’s church at Walter Hill.  Your dedication and service are just as important.  In 1 Timothy 4:12 Paul tells Timothy, “Let no one despise your youth, be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith in purity.”  It is encouraging to see our young people lead our worship services.  Those that are younger, reach out to those who are older and let them know how much you appreciate them as you observe their faithfulness in the Walter Hill church.  Those who are older reach out to those who are younger and encourage them to continue to grow and remain faithful all their lives.  Let’s all work to strengthen, encourage and love each other as we worship and work together to keep Walter Hill a light that shines bright for God. 

Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes (L2L) is a leadership program geared to train the youth in leadership in the church.  Leadership through the program is developed in four different areas: (1) leadership through spreading the gospel, evangelism and teaching, (2) leadership through leading worship, (3) leadership through fellowship and relationships, and (4) leadership through knowledge.  All these leadership skills are vital for continual growth in the church.  Each of these leadership skills can be used in the church, in the family and in the business world.  The world needs more Christian leaders!  Strengthening and sharpening these leadership skills give our youth encouragement and confidence in themselves to lead and even stand up for the teachings of Christ at times when standing up for Christ is not popular.

L2L offers a wide variety of areas that the youth can continue to develop their leadership skills; including art, Bible bowl, Bible reading, blogging, debate, podcasting, PowerPoint presentations, puppets, scrapbook, song leading, songs of praise, speech and many more.  What’s great about the L2L program is that it is for those in kindergarten through high school!  This is a great opportunity for all youth, kindergarten through the seniors in high school, to be involved and work together for a common purpose.

The L2L program prepares for a convention held at the Opryland Hotel March 25-28, 2027, but L2L is more than the convention.  The growth comes through practices and preparation.  You do not have to attend the convention to participate in the L2L program.

The program also gives adults an opportunity to serve and build strong relationships with the youth that they would not have otherwise.  As our church continues to grow, we need more adult mentors and coaches.  A mentor and coach assist our youth with planning, preparation, goal setting, time management, etc.  A mentor and coach can be in any stage in life; from college age to the PrimeTimers!

Another great aspect of L2L is the opportunity for our young ladies to continue to grow their leadership skills.  We continue to need more mentors and coaches for our young ladies to continue to grow in the Lord.  We want to thank those that have already agreed to coach and mentor this year but we are in need of many more.

The theme this year is “No other God” based on the scripture 1 Kings 8:60.  Bible bowl is on 1 Kings.  Sign-ups begin today!  We encourage our youth to sign up to participate and strengthen leadership skills covering at least two of the four leadership areas.  Use the QR code to sign up.

  Sign-ups include signing up for events, adults signing up to help and signing up to reserve a room at the Opryland Hotel.

If you have any questions, see Scott or Heather Miller or Chris or Mandy Harrington.

by Justin Morton

            For the last couple of weeks, we have been asked to consider and pray about appointing seven men as deacons here at Walter Hill.  These men are: Timmy Gambill, Chris Harrington, Tanner Jones, Andrew Lykins, Michael McNabb, Will Mitchell, and Eric Qualls.  This morning we will appoint these men to this important work.  We are thankful for their willingness to serve and ask you to continue keeping them and their families in your prayers as they begin serving in their respective role.

            Our new quarter of Bible classes is underway.  If you have not been able to attend the last couple of weeks, why not make plans to join us tonight?  There is a handout in the lobby with a list of all the classes being offered on Sunday and Wednesday nights.  Take a look, find a class that sounds interesting, and make plans to attend.  I know you will be blessed by whichever study you choose.

            Speaking of opportunities to be together, our Halftimers group will have a chance to enjoy some time together this evening following Bible classes in the new fellowship hall.  We will be having a taco bar, so if you have not already signed up, please take a look at the EDW board to see what is still needed.  Also, be sure to mark your calendar for Saturday, October 17.  The McNabb family will be hosting a watch party for the Tennessee and Alabama game here at the pavilion for the Halftimers.  More information will be provided as we get closer to the date.

            Finally, we have two opportunities for our young people to participate in Bible Bowl.  The Rutherford County Bible Bowl and this year’s Lads 2 Leaders Bible Bowl will both be studying 1 Kings.  If your child would like to participate in one or both of these Bible bowls, please see Miranda or me today so we can provide the study material and schedule.  You do not have to participate in the L2L Bible Bowl to participate in the Rutherford County Bible Bowl.

            On Sunday, October 18, we will host the Analog Faith in Digital Babylon Workshop.  Jason Helton, the media outreach minister for the Madison church of Christ in Madison, AL, will be with us.  This workshop is designed to help church leaders, parents, and local congregations navigate the digital age while guarding against the dangers that exist online.  Be sure to invite any family and friends who would benefit from this important workshop.

            As always, we have much to be thankful for here at Walter Hill.  We are blessed with opportunities to worship, study, serve, and spend time together as a family.  Let’s use those opportunities to encourage one another as we serve the Lord.

The Work of a Deacon
When we hear the word deacon, we should think of one simple idea: a servant. The word translated
“deacon” comes from a word meaning one who serves or ministers to others. A deacon is not simply a man
with a title. He is a man who has been entrusted with a work.
In 1 Timothy 3:8–13, Paul gives qualifications for deacons. These qualifications show us that God ex
pects deacons to be men of good character, faithful in their homes, sincere in their faith, and dependable in
their service.
The work of a deacon is different from the work of an elder. Elders are charged with overseeing and
shepherding the congregation (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2). Deacons serve under that leadership by taking re
sponsibility for particular areas of work that need attention.
That work may involve caring for the church building, helping with benevolence, organizing transpor
tation, assisting with worship needs, working with youth activities, caring for widows, managing special pro
jects, or countless other responsibilities. The particular assignment may differ, but the attitude should always
be the same: “How can I serve?”
A good deacon does not wait to be recognized. He sees a need and works to meet it. He communicates
with the elders, involves other members, follows through on responsibilities, and helps the congregation ac
complish more for the Lord.
Jesus taught that greatness in His kingdom is found in service: “Whoever would be great among you
must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26).
A faithful deacon is therefore much more than someone who attends meetings or carries a title. He is a
dependable servant who helps turn the plans of the congregation into action.
Every congregation needs men who are willing to roll up their sleeves and say, “There is work to do.
How can I help?”

WHEN: Sunday, October 18^th

WHERE: Walter Hill Church of Christ

WHO: Anyone who is interested in learning more to help yourself or your young people navigate the digital age.                 

TIME: 2:30PM-6:15PM

SCHEDULE AND SESSION TOPICS: More information about each session can be found on the tables in the foyer and EDW.

1)  The (Perceived) Generation Gap | 2:30PM

2)  Analog Consequences to Digital Choices | 3:20PM

           Light Refreshments | 4:00PM – please sign up to bring snacks and drinks for everyone to enjoy.

3)  A Christian’s View of Artificial Intelligence| 4:30PM

4)  Intimacy & Technology | 5:30PM

Meet Our Speaker: Jason Helton is the Media Outreach Minister for the Madison Church of Christ in Madison, AL. He has been in full-time ministry since 2007. In 2017, after 10 years in Youth Ministry, he transitioned into his current role as Media Outreach Minister. Jason has a B.A. in Youth & Family Ministry from Faulkner University and an M.A. in Online Ministry from Regent University.