Back on May 12th of this year, Rick and Tyson Ranes sent an email to our pastor asking to help a local church pastor and his family who were all living in a motel.  Fellowship of Montgomery mobilized and last week, Pastor Glenn, his wife Joyce, and his son Ty moved in to the home that you helped provide!  I knew from the beginning that this project was different.  This was more open-ended and it concerned me a bit but we trusted that God was going to lead as we tried to stay out of the way.  I am so glad that we trusted God... He didn't let us down!  The way that things happened could not have come about if not for our God orchestrating the whole operation!

We would show up on Saturday morning, not knowing who would be there or what all we needed to do.  And, God worked through you to provide just the right amount of people each week!  From the first Saturday, whole families came out to lend a hand.  Men walking down the street stopped to ask what we were doing, and jumped in to help out!  Because this project lasted several months, we were able to get to know each other and experience God work in our lives.  We have faith that God will use this project for generations to come through His lighthouse that is now Pastor Glenn's home. 

I am not going to try to list all who helped, and getting our name out there is not why we do this.  We do this because God tells us over and over in the Bible to help others.  But, I would like to say a special thanks to some who were there on numerous occasions and made significant sacrifices to help.  Thank you Pastor Dale for your leadership in this mission project.  Thank you to Brian Roberson, our Student Pastor, for coming out to help and encouraging the youth to participate.  Of course, this wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for Tyson Ranes who has a special friendship with Pastor Glenn, attends his church, and brought this idea to us.  Tyson, if you had not listened, trusted, and obeyed God, this would have never happened!  Thank you to Rick Ranes who was the Project Manager and kept us all on track!

I want to greatly thank our hard-working construction experts like David Johnson, Micheal Walding, and Ryan Dorris.   This project wouldn't have happened if not for their expertise, willingness to set aside the many other things they needed to be doing, and come out there and work hard.  Thank you to Matt Weisenbaker who selflessly came through when professional crews were needed to install cabinets, tile, and flooring.  Thank you to Jerry Henry and Rockey Butler for donating money and materials that we desperately needed.  Thank you to Travis Nuchia who acquired kitchen cabinets and was there laboring with us.  Thank you to the spirit, energy, and skills of people like Roger Clem, Alan Prough, Ron Person, Ray Clopton, and Dr. Kevin Coupe  who came and got dirty and sweaty with us on those hot Saturdays in August.  It was especially meaningful to have my whole family there, and to see the other moms and dads that brought their families... like Andy Van, Debbie Glenn, Bill Baldwin, and Dude Hall.  And, these are just a few of the ones that I remember.  There were so many more and there will continue to be more.  I hope that our God-inspired partnership with Pastor Glenn Taylor will continue. 

Thank you again to all who helped!  As I got to know you during this project, I can attest that that the youth, men, and women who I worked with - including Pastor Glenn and his family - are all good people who are willing to obey and sacrifice for their God.  What a joy this has been!  I look forward to the next!

Psalm 95:1-6

"O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker." 

This month we want to give thanks for many things.  First, for the growth of our church.  We have two services now and that's amazing that we can spread the Gospel to even more of our community members.  I would like to especially give thanks to the BOLD commitment from the volunteer musicians, technicians, and creative team as well as the ability to worship God freely.

November is going to be a very busy month preparing for family time, turkey roasting, vacations for the holidays, but most importantly... preparing for Christmas: the celebration of the greatest birth of all mankind!  JESUS!!!!!

I will be heading up the preparation of the musical portion of our Christmas Service and this is not an easy task.  There are tons of ideas, and I would love to hear your suggestions.  We will be showcasing the talents of ALL our congregation family!!!  I will be taking time with all the age groups from our littlest angelic choral aficionados to our high school veterans.  We will be taking on the Christmas Carols, and I will be putting together some special performances.  I will be handing out info packets and lyrics/music to all the children to practice, so moms & dads, your help is appreciated!  We will have rehearsals closer to the date.  If you KNOW you're not in town or don't want your child to participate, please let us know.  

If your young/not-so-young child has a very special gift in the performing arts and has experience on stage, please let me know so that I can cultivate that talent and lift it up in our Christmas service!  

LASTLY: We'd also like to ask for volunteers to help us in preparation for the Christmas performance, so if you would like to be assigned a very special task, let me know.  

As always, if there are any special requests, comments or concerns regarding the music/creative portion of our services, please let me know.  We'd also like you to know that Still Small Voice is also available for Wedding Ceremonies, Funerals, and other faith-based functions.  Proceeds go to our the music ministry.  

Marlies

Worship Leader

www.facebook.com/stillsmallvoiceband

marlies@fellowshipofmontgomery.net

FM Student Text Group:  We have a new way for parents and students to be updated each week for events and updates from the student ministry.  Text fomyouth to 23559 and create you own unique username.  We will stop using the current text system by the end of November; so we would love to keep your informed with this system. 

FM Student Parent Page:  Parents, we encourage you to stay up to date with current youth culture, articles, and interesting facts about our teenagers.  Please check out the FM Student Parent Page to check out the resources we have available for you. 
Canned Food Drive: In the month of November, we will be collecting canned foods each Wednesday to deliver to Montgomery County Food Bank.  Not only will students receive points for their team by bringing canned food, but we will also demonstrate how God has blessed us in our life by giving back to those less fortunate.  Please drop off canned food on Wednesday nights during youth group.