Mt. Pleasant

Missionary Baptist Church

of Cabot, Arkansas, Est. 1876

The Messenger 

A monthly newsletter for Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church

10415 Mt. Pleasant Cut-Off, Cabot, AR 72023

Pastor: Dennis Wilson Editor: Cecelia Wilson Music Director: Andy Sullivan

Pastor's Phone: 941-1212 Co-Editor: Andy Sullivan Music Director's Phone: 843-3181

Please e-mail your comments and suggestions for the Messenger to:

cwilson@mpbaptist.org  

asullivan@mpbaptist.org

Member Memos

My Thanksgiving Memo

By:  Cecelia Wilson

Over 12 years ago, my family joined Mt. Pleasant.  Almost 11 years ago, you elected Dennis as your pastor.  During Pastor Appreciation Month in October, you gave our family gifts as well as cards and well wishes during the month.  As Thanksgiving approaches, I want to take this opportunity to say “Thank You” to each of you.

Dennis and I grew up together in the same church in Batesville.  I’ve known him since I was 6 years old.  We married in that church almost 30 years ago and, up until he surrendered to the ministry four years into our marriage, I had every intention of raising my children in that same Baptist church.  God, on the other hand, had other ideas.

The thought of moving from my hometown, my family and from my church was not something I savored.  I’m big on having roots.  Though my first child was still five years in my future at the time, I began worrying about the potential of having to move from church to church over the years and my children not having the permanent roots I had experienced.  God, no doubt, had other plans.

I loved my home church in Batesville.  I sang in the choir and for specials, taught class, loved VBS, suffered through Camp (Wow! Is our Retreat better!) and helped write and perform in numerous programs (surprise, huh?)  I was convinced I would never find a church I loved like I loved Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Batesville.

During Dennis’ time as a Seminary student, and before he first began pastoring in south Arkansas, we traveled the State on numerous Sundays filling in at different churches.  The experience was an eye-opening one.  It showed me something I hadn’t realized existed – churches that have major problems.

For example, there was the church where you chose “sides” based on which side of the aisle you sat.  We didn’t know that and, therefore, offended half of the congregation immediately when we chose one side by virtue of needing to be seated somewhere.  Suffice it to say, though, that by the time Dennis began pastoring, we knew a church with a good heart when we saw one.

The first 8½ years of Dennis’ ministry were spent at a small, wonderful church in DeAnn, Arkansas (near Hope).  I was (don’t faint) assistant pianist or, as I am fond of saying, “comedy relief” on piano.  I was also teacher to the tiny tots of the church, which many Sundays meant either Cody alone or Cody and Cheyenne after her arrival on the scene.  Leaving White Oak Grove Baptist was difficult (the 4-hour drive each Sunday was becoming increasingly difficult), but within no time at all, we found Mt. Pleasant.  And by the time we became comfortable, Dennis was first your interim pastor and then your official pastor.

My church family at Mt. Pleasant feels exactly like that – my family.  We have laughed, prayed, learned and cried together.  Your dedication to God and its people have my respect.  You have given my children those roots that I so desparately wanted for them.  Cody was 8 and Cheyenne was 4 years old when you first welcomed us.  They will always see Mt. Pleasant as their church home.  Before their births I worried they wouldn’t have those roots in one church, but God, of course, knew better.

When you invite us to your home or publicly pray for our family or treat us like any other set of old friends, I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am.  And thankful.  God could not have directed us to a more wonderful, loving, committed group of people.  You make us feel special and yet you make us feel like one of you at the same time.  I truly love being part of this church, working and growing alongside you.

Your gifts are appreciated and your kind words, spoken and written, are truly, truly treasured.  The picture we received in October from you all read, “God Bless Our Home.”  It will hang in a special place in our house, but I would like to add that I pray that God will continue to bless our Church.

Now that my hair is getting a little grayer (not as gray as Dennis’, of course), I’m so thankful that my concern of finding that church I would love as much or more than my childhood church was needless.

God, naturally, knew I would find you here all along.

Kiddie Kwestion

Can you guess the name of this happy kid?  See if you are right later in The Messenger.

News from the Pews

Upcoming Events

·      November:  Christmas Choir practice continues each Sunday afternoon at 5:20 p.m.  Everyone is welcome.

·      Nov. 1:  Daylight Savings Time ends.  Roll your clocks back Saturday night for an added hour of sleep.

·      Nov. 25:  Regular Mid-Week services held Tuesday night rather than Wednesday night due to Thanksgiving.

·      Nov. 27:  Thanksgiving Day.

·      Nov. 30:  Fifth Sunday Singing/Fellowship.  Special singing and potluck lunch following morning services.  No evening services.

Specials this Month

To present a special during any of our church services, please contact Music Director, Andy Sullivan.

Nov 2....................................................... MP3

Nov 9....................................................... Chester

Nov 16..................................................... Joe Calvert

Nov 23..................................................... Kelly Jenkins

Nov 30..................................................... Fifth Sunday Singing

Nursery Workers

Please see Brenda Williams, Mt. Pleasant’s Nursery Coordinator, to sign-up for a time in the rotation.

Waymire’s New Address

The Waymires now have a mailing address in California.  Be sure to replace their old address in your church directory with the following for future correspondence:

Jim & Lynda Waymire

100 Bald Eagle

Vacaville, CA  95688

Carmon’s a new Grandfather!

          Carmon’s daughter and son-in-law, Lydia and Chris Huggins, welcomed a son on October 14, 2008 at 2:00 a.m. at Baptist Medical Center (Springhill) in North Little Rock.

Kenton Khristopher weighed in at 8 lbs. 1 oz. and was 20½ inches long.  Congratulations to the new parents and grandparents!

Thanksgiving/Mid-Week Service Change

During the week of Thanksgiving, Mid-Week Services will be moved to Tuesday night (11/25) from Wednesday night due to the Thanksgiving Day holiday.  Please enjoy this wonderful time with your family!

Class Christmas Parties

If your class is scheduling a Christmas party, get the word out to every class member while giving them a reminder of the big event.

Let the Messenger staff know the date, time and any necessary details for next month’s newsletter and we’ll place your information on the Messenger’s December calendar.

Please have your information to the editors by Thanksgiving.

Fifth Sunday Singing/Fellowship

November holds the final fifth Sunday for 2008.  Sign up to sing or play a special during our morning services and then don’t forget to bring your favorite potluck dish for the fellowship following morning services.

There are no evening services held on Fifth Sundays.

Schedule of Services

 Sunday School............................................................. 10:00 a.m.

Children’s Choir.......................................................... 11:00 a.m.

Morning Worship....................................................... 11:00 a.m.

Children’s Chapel........................................................ 11:00 a.m.

Adult Choir Practice (when scheduled)....................... 5:20 p.m.

Evening Worship......................................................... 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday

Mid-Week Services and Quizlympics.......................... 6:30 p.m.

 Business Meeting.......................... 2^nd Sunday night/ea. month

Member Memos

Memorable Moments

By:  Andy Sullivan

Hollywood came to Cleland Road this past month in the form of Holywood Squares II, Dueling Deacons.  Cameras flashed and the crowd cheered as one by one all 9 of our squares took their places on the set.  The evening kicked off with the introduction of our fanciest square, Carol Burnett (a.k.a. Bonnie Bumgartner), who was decked out in her finest Scarlett O’Hara impersonation.  Like all of our squares, she was a dead ringer right up to her curtain rod dress.  And did I mention that the dress barely fit in the square?

Grandpa Jones and his lovely wife Ramona kept us all up-to-date on what was for dinner, while Ms. Minnie Pearl wowed us with her wit and wisdom.  Our favorite answer of the night came from Major Nelson and Jeannie concerning how long it took to build the first church building.  Center square Mama lived up to her reputation as a true star always does.

Mary and her little lamb were spotlighted as the final “champions” question and the pressure was on for little lamb.  Her answer of “Baa, baa baa, baa, baa baa baa” was one of the most intelligent answers of the night.  Jethro taught us all about addition and Fat and Skinny Elvis were dead on right down to the unflattering, gut revealing, tight fitting outfits.

Deacons for the night were Ray “I obviously never read The Messenger” Gilmore and Dean “I have a great memory” Williams.  The duo dueled it out all night long until Dean finally came out on top with a score of 4 billion to 2.  It was quite the drubbing.  As a consolation prize, Ray received a round of applause and some Little Debbie Devil Squares (get it?  Squares!)  As the champion, Dean came out much better by winning a brand new Jeep!  Yes that’s right A BRAND NEW JEEP!  Don’t get too excited, though.  It was only 8 inches tall, a foot long, and appropriate only for sandbox play.  Tyler’s gonna love it!

Of course, none of this would be possible without the set design of Donny Sullivan.  It was a far cry from the days of walk boards and cardboard boxes, not to mention a lot safer.  He can now officially add “designer to the stars” to his professional resume.  We also want to send out a special thank you to all of the dessert preparers and servers, as well as Barbara Dorsey for keeping the kitchen organized and on time.

Up next on our agenda will be fruit baskets for Thanksgiving and caroling at Christmas.  As with all our fun get-togethers, we hope to see you all there!

Kiddie Kwestion Answer

If your birthday or anniversary is not listed this month and should be, please contact The Messenger staff.

Services    Location    History    Beliefs    Workers    Galleries    Contacts    Cemetery    Links