Dear Shiloh Family,
The sun peered slowly over the endless Nebraska horizon. Prairie Brome, Switchgrass, and Milo fields rolled like ocean waves as far as the eye could see. We hadn’t walked 100 yards when Harley, my Llewellyn Short Haired Pointer locked up tight…nose in the grass, muscles taught, tail straight in the air and tight as a banjo string.
“I got a point,” I exclaimed as I waded through the waist-high switchgrass. I was ecstatic to get the first shot of the hunt.
I slowly approached the quivering dog and could see the dark feathers of what appeared to be a rooster pheasant. It was holding tight, so I kicked the clump of grass just in front of my k-9 partner’s nose.
Occasionally, life throws you a curve and things just don’t turn out as planned. Often, we get ahead of ourselves and fail to pause, take our time, think things through, and enjoy life. I know this because what popped out of the grass berm had no feathers, but rather had plenty of bushy black hair, and was attached to a broad white stripe. Yep, ole Harley had laid down the most beautiful point on what seemed to be the largest skunk in the state…and I had stirred up a mess.
1 Corinthians 10:13: 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. NKJV
I tumbled head-over-heels backward, barely avoiding the spray of death. Struggling in the thick prairie foliage to secure my shotgun, get to my feet and flee the scene, I tumbled again…forward this time. Peering over my shoulder I could see man’s best friend shaking his head, rubbing his nose in the tall weeds, and heading straight to his human pal hoping to get some relief from the liquid scent bomb that had been rudely applied to his eyes and nostrils.
My sympathetic buddy had had a bird’s-eye-view from the top of the hill. As I flew past him on my way to the truck, I could see him rolling on the ground, tears running down his face, gasping for breath in guffaws. His gloating lasted only long enough for him to realize that the victim was going to the first human in sight. It became a footrace to the safety of the vehicle, and ended with both men in the bed of the pick-up watching the dog roll around in the field for a while.
Eventually, we cleaned up the pointer and continued the hunt. We harvested several birds, and Harley pointed no more polecats. Consequently, we assessed all situations the rest of the week before we kicked anything.
The story is humorous and 100% true. However, it holds a great object lesson. In the quest for the harvest of souls, we’re going to kick some skunks…some by accident, some intentional. We will make mistakes and stir up messes. But when we commit to his work, and surrender to His will, He is faithful and able to finish what He started in us.
2 Timothy 1:12-14: 12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. 13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. NKJV
God calls you and cleans you, promotes you and protects you, sends you and secures you.
God bless you all,
Pastor Derrell
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General Announcements: If you have announcements for the newsletter or Sunday morning service, please get them to Melissa by 12:00 PM on Wednesday. This will allow the AV team to process relative schedules, letters, videos, etc…
2024 NEW MEMBERS: Haven Johnson, River Johnson, Thomas, Lisa, and Mary Grace Gray, Philip, Ariana, and Isabella Rayburn, Wesley Fisher, Shane Johnson2024 BAPTISMS: Havan Johnson, River Johnson, Shane Johnson, Wesley Fisher.
UP AND COMING EVENTS:
Altar worker’s seminar: Sunday, February 4th, 4:00 PM.
SALT (Staff and Leadership Team) Meeting: Sunday,
February 18th, 4:00 PM
WEDDING SHOWER: Wedding shower for Sam Clemmons January 28th, 4:00 PM outside at the fire pit (weather permitting).
BABY SHOWER: Baby shower for Savanah Salmon in the FLC, Sunday, February 11th, 4:00 PM. It’s a girl!
Thank You: “Thanks for all your prayers & help you offered it was greatly appreciated. You are a very special bunch of people. Love Lois Pierce & Family”
PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS: If you would like to meet to discuss membership at Shiloh, I would love to meet with you between the two morning services from 10:00 – 10:30 AM. Please schedule the appointment through the church office.
ONLINE GIVING: You can use our online giving app for Benevolent Fund, Building Fund, or any other ministry. Please use our Tith.ly app and designate the intended recipient. If you haven’t already done so, you can download the app here for Apple or here for Android. You can also use our secure form or text the word "Give" to (844) 949-4039
If you choose to meet at the church during the week, PLEASE! Let Melissa know the time and location (room) for your ministries. It is imperative that we coordinate all gatherings at the church. If you have questions about Shiloh ministries, contact us at secretary@
RIGHT NOW MEDIA: To access, text the code SBCROSSVILLE to the number 49775 and they will receive a text back, welcoming them to RightNow Media and providing you the link to register.
You can also use this link or the QR code below.
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MINISTRY ANNOUNCEMENTS
ALTAR WORKER’S SEMINAR: February 4th at 4:00 PM, we will have an altar worker’s seminar in the FLC. This will be for anyone who would like to be an altar worker or for anyone who would like to know how to lead someone to Jesus.
SALT MEETING: February 18th at 4:00 PM, we will have a SALT (Staff and Leadership Team) meeting. This is for all staff, and anyone who would like to be involved in church ministry
NEW MINISTRY!!!
SHILOH HELPING HANDS: Eddie and Polly White have begun a new ministry. They are coordinating with church members to care for the needs of widows, shut-ins, elderly, etc…. If you have a skill (carpentry, lawn care, auto mechanic, painting, manual labor, etc.) and would be willing to volunteer to help those in need, please contact the office or Eddie and Polly.
MINISTRY NEEDS:
Audio/Visual Team: Anyone interested in working in with the A/V team contact David Jones or Ricky Trew.
Kitchen ministry: Anyone interested in working with the kitchen ministry contact Kami Gentry or call Melissa in the main office.
AWANA: Our AWANA team needs Men to serve in the children’s ministry on Wednesday nights. If you are willing to teach or simply listen to Bible verses, please, contact Melissa in the office.
USHERS MINISTRY: We would love for all men, ages 16 and up to sign up for our usher ministry. The more people who participate, the less each person will be asked to work each month. There are signup sheets in the vestibule or on the church website. If you have questions, contact Baylee Brown, Bill Newbille, or you can call Melissa in the church office.
CHOIR PRACTICE: Every other Thursday night at 7:00 PM.
WOMEN’S MINISTRY:
MEN’S MINISTRY: Men's Bible study every Monday @ 6:30 PM. Come enjoy Physical and Spiritual food and fellowship in the FLC.
Men’s breakfast will continue on the third Saturday of each month at 9:30 in the FLC.
SUNDAY WORSHIP: 8:30 and 11:00 AM in the main auditorium.
SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:45-10:45
CHILDREN’S CHURCH: Tya Mercer will be conducting children’s church (Pre-K) during the 2nd service.
JR. CHURCH: (K-5th grade) will meet upstairs in the FLC during the 2nd service.
NURSERY: Nursery will now be provided in both services. However, we are still in need of adult workers in both services. If you would volunteer to work in either service, please contact Lea or call Melissa at the church office.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT:
ADULT BIBLE STUDY: Bro. David Jones will continue the Wednesday night Bible study and prayer meeting. The new series is called Living By Faith. We will learn to understand, embrace, and deepen our faith in ways that resonate with our daily lives. Please plan to attend each Wednesday at 7:00.
COLLEGE AND CAREER: Jon Carson will be leading a Bible study each Wednesday night. The group will be meeting downstairs in the main building.
YOUTH: The High School/Middle School youth group will meet upstairs in the FLC.
AWANA: 3 Yr Old through 5th Grade - Wednesday, 6:30-8:00 PM
SUNDAY SCHOOL: Several of our SS classes and small groups are meeting at various non-traditional times throughout the week. Morning Sunday School will be between services and will begin at 9:45. Some of the locations have temporarily changed. Teachers, please contact members and prospective members and inform them of the times and location of their class.