This Week at EWHBC               November 20,  2015

The Pastor's Message
happy_thanksgiving_card.jpg

"Thanks & Giving" 
 
"...And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
 (Acts 20:35) 
 
The season of Thanksgiving is here, and soon our tables will be adorned with turkey, ham, dressing, green beans, corn, cakes, puddings and maybe even Patti LaBelle's signature sweet potato pie!  I can't wait!  But, as we feast and reflect upon God's goodness, let us remember that Thanksgiving is a compound word - -that is a word made of two words: Thanks and Giving. 
  
Very often our focus is on the thanks part of the holiday and this is important because we have so much to be thankful for.  On Thanksgiving Day, many of us will go through the standard litany of all the things that we're grateful for...God's grace, God's love, God's compassion, God's creation, faith, family, friends, church, possessions, food and the list will go on and on!   
 
Making a list of the things that we're grateful for is a good practice, yet there's another side of being thankful that we sometimes overlook, and that's giving.  True thankfulness passes God's blessings onto others in larger and better forms.  True thankfulness gives back to God what He's given to us. True thankfulness gives to God worship, praise, and the sacrifice of time, talent and treasure.  
 
The Apostle Paul highlighted the significance of giving when he said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). Sometimes, however, giving is neither easy nor convenient.  For Paul, giving meant extensive traveling at a time when traveling was a hardship. It also meant working his way through his journeys as a tent maker and proclaiming a message to people who often didn't want to hear it. In addition, giving meant having to take whippings, stonings and other abuses because of the message he gave. 
 
What does Thanksgiving mean to you? Does it mean saying "Thank You" to God only when you receive? Or does it mean stepping out of your comfort zone and giving your best to the master no matter what the cost or circumstances?  

This holiday, let us remember that Thanksgiving requires "Thanks" and "Giving" and that it is more blessed to give than to receive! 
 
Peace and Blessings to you and yours!
Pastor Kip Banks, Sr.
Developing An Attitude of Gratitude

Gratitude is an attitude.  Click here for a 12-day Thanksgiving devotional on developing an attitude of gratitude.  
EWHBC Weekly Events

GOSPEL CHOIR REHEARSAL - Tuesday, November 24 - 7:30 p.m.

BIBLE STUDY & PRAYER MEETING - (CANCELLED)

THANKSGIVING DAY BREAKFAST & SERVICE  - Thursday, November 26 - 8:00 a.m.



Prayer Conference Call
Please join us for our daily (Monday-Friday) prayer conference call. These 10-minute calls are a great way to start your day and include a daily scripture lesson.  Please join us at (641-715-3272; access code: 732413#
East Washington Heights Baptist Church
2220 Branch Avenue, S.E., Washington, DC 20020
Rev. Kip B. Banks, Sr., Pastor
 
Youth Council
2015 THANKSGIVING DRIVE
 
IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN!!!
EWHBC please give to those in need this Thanksgiving!
Please help the EWHBC Youth Council feed needy families from our community!
 
SUGGESTED ITEMS:
Stuffing
Canned vegetables
Canned sweet potatoes/yams
Canned/jar gravy
Canned jellied cranberry sauce
Brown'n'serve rolls
Cornbread mix
Mashed Potato Flakes
 
Please note that all and any non-perishable food item is welcome and much needed.
Last year we were able to feed 50 families, so let us challenge one another and feed 60 needy families this year!
Donations are due by:  Monday, November 23, 2015
Please place donations in the baskets along the Educational Wing Corridor.
I will praise the name of God with song, and shall magnify Him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30


Stewardship Month
 
Most of Us Are Wealthy!

 Poorest of the poor - people with no family, job housing, health care, or even a place to die.
 
Ordinary poor - People with limited access to income, housing food, health care, and transportation.
 
Ordinary wealthy - people with access to jobs, housing, food health care, and transportation.
 
Wealthiest of the wealthy - People with more than sufficient income, housing, investments and possessions.

 The ulta-wealthy - Billionaires.  A phenomenon of the 80's and 90's.

Very Few Share Their Wealth:  On a nationwide basis according to the Barna Research Group (www.Barna.org)
 
The average church donor contributed an average of $12.50 per week in 2000.
  • Nearly one-quarter of all Christians gave no money to a church in 2000
  • More Americans claim to tithe than actually do:  17% of adults claims to tithe while 6% actually do so.

"The News" Newsletter

Click here for our November monthly newsletter including a message about gratefulness and highlights from our 2015 Annual Women's Day.
East Washington Heights Baptist Church | 202-582-4811 | www.ewhbc.org
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