**********************************************************Greetings from Pastor Tom

I am excited for the upcoming season, not

just because its Christmas and New Year’s Day, but because we as a church body are seeking to move in a more Godly way.

We have agreed to bring on an associate staff member to help us address our needs in the youth and children ministry. This is a process that we have started, and we are looking to God’s will and wisdom to find the person who will be a valuable asset to the community and ministries here at Ardena. Please pray that God will fill this position with someone who is called to be a beacon of the Gospel and help us grow in the areas where we need some help.

Another exciting area that we have begun to improve is our office implementation. Over the summer, the Church office was remodeled through the kind donations from our Memorial Fund. Now the church office is fully functional and we are there Monday through Friday 9am -12pm to work on being a more efficient and effective Church. Any communications should be put through the office in order to make sure there are no conflicts in scheduling and that we have all the necessary needs in place for any event or activity.

There are some awesome events planned for the upcoming months: Newsboys and Casting Crowns concerts, Sight and Sound trip, Bible Museum, Washington D.C. trip, and dinner and movie nights.

We also have invited Chosen People Ministries to come over the course of next year to teach us about Jesus in the Old Testament and how that relates to Easter, Fall Feasts and Christmas. It will be something that you will not want to miss!

I am excited to see what God has in store for

us here at Ardena and proud of the Church members for seeing the areas that need strengthening and taking the steps to make things better.

May you all have a wonderful Christmas, a

happy New Year and may God be glorified.... Pastor Tom

ARDENA BAPTIST CHURCH

can’t wait to see you! 593 Adelphia Road www.ardenabaptistchurch.com Freehold NJ 07728 732-462-7831 ardenabaptist@optonline.net

AWANA Kids Club started on September 18th but you can still join!

This is an awesome program for children to learn about the Bible in a fun and exciting way. They also make new friends and play some really cool games. They will be meeting every Tuesday night from now until the beginning of May. Join us and see what God has in store for us this year.

HELPING HAND CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

November 11 Acknowledging and Thanking our Veterans

Dec. 2 and 9, the Giving Tree will be in the church foyer. Gifts will be purchased for the children of men in the long-term treatment program at Jersey Shore Rescue Mission. Gifts will need to be at the church by Dec. 16.

Samaritan’s Purse

Operation Christmas Child 36 shoeboxes

On Nov. 18, Ardena Baptist collected a total of 36 Shoeboxes for Operation Christmas

Child/Samaritan’s Purse 2018. Like last year, this exceeded the amount of boxes that were placed in the

church lobby for filling. The Mission Board is so grateful for the loving

hearts of our little church… year after year. The boxes were delivered to the drop off location in Colts Neck on Monday, Nov. 19th for distribution to

children all around the world.

Upcoming Events!

Wreaths Across America

Dec. 15 at noon Honor the Veterans laid to rest in Ardena

Baptist Cemetery as their names are read and wreaths are laid on their graves

Go to:

www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/njabcf by Dec. 3 to:

~ sponsor a wreath ~ ~ volunteer to help ~

then: ~ attend the ceremony and lay wreaths at

noon on Dec. 15 ~

Dec. 7 Newsboys United Concert

CURE Insurance Arena ~

Dec. 8 Museum of the Bible, D.C. Trip

~ CHRISTMAS MUSICAL

Hope Was Born This Night

created by Dale Mathews, arrangements adapted by Allen Douglas and Sarah Huffman

During Worship Service on Dec. 23 Followed by a luncheon in Fellowship Hall

Please invite your family and friends! ~

Dinner and a Movie Night Jan. 11, 2019 6 pm

Vol. 4 No. 4 – December 2018 Ardena Baptist Church 593 Adelphia Road Freehold, NJ 07728 Worship Opportunities: Sunday School – 9:00 a.m. Sunday Worship – 10:30 a.m. Primary Church 10:15-11:30, 3-5 yrs. Nursery available – infant to 2 yrs. Weekly Activities: Sunday – Revelation Bible Study 6 p.m. Tuesday – AWANA Ministries PreK – H.S. Community Bible Study 7:30 pm

Wednesday – Adult Bible Study 9 a.m. Community Bible Study 7 pm

Thursday – Youth Group, 7-9 p.m. 6th – 12th gr. Community Bible Study 7 pm

See website for Adult Evening Community

Bible Study Group Options www.ardenabaptistchurch.com