Please make sure that your 2016 contributions are received in the church office by Friday, December 30, or postmarked by Saturday, December 31. Anything received or postmarked after December 31 will be considered a 2017 offering. If you are making a prepayment for your 2017 pledge, please note that clearly on your check.
Ministry Plan Update
As we roll into 2017, please take a moment and visit www.broadwaybaptist.org/ministryplan to take a look at our ministry plans for 2016-17. The ministerial staff has worked to create ministry plans that build upon the great work already started in the fall of 2016, giving us much to anticipate in the New Year. These plans are updated on a regular basis so that you can be made aware of how the life of the church continues to be guided by the thoughtful and Spirit-led plans set forth in August.
Please take a minute to check out the plans at www.broadwaybaptist.org/ministryplan
and see the wonderful ways God has worked, and will continue to work, in our midst!
Thank you to everyone who has made a personal commitment to support these ministry plans in the coming year. If you have not yet made a pledge, please consider doing all you can to support these vital ministries! You may submit your commitment by mail, through our website, or by dropping your card in one of the boxes located in Friendship Hall, the Atrium, or outside the Church Office. You may also e-mail Betsy with your pledge at betsy@broadwaybaptist.org. As always, your support of Broadway's ministries is appreciated!
Reflections from Deacon Ordination by Lilly Davis
As I reflect back on my first year serving as a Deacon at Broadway, I am reminded of the strength that lies within our church walls. This year has been full of learning, understanding, and compassion as our church continues to adapt and grow in so many wonderful ways, and I could not be more proud to be here for it all.
Growing up in this church, Broadway has walked with me through each phase of life thus far. From summers spent at Vacation Bible School while in the children’s ministry, to years full of mission trips and close friendships in the youth group, up until where I find myself currently, as a young adult that has been given the privilege to serve the church I love as a Deacon.
Thinking back on my Deacon Ordination Service a year ago, I will never forget the laying on of hands portion of the service where fellow church members spoke words of encouragement and affirmation as I began my time as a Deacon. I will always cherish that special experience and the impact it continues to have on my journey of faith.
This past year has truly made my time at Broadway come full circle. From childhood to adulthood, I have been overjoyed to be a part of this community of faith through every season of life, but especially now, in the role of Deacon. The life of our church is vibrant and I am thrilled to be able to serve her in this capacity.
Please join us for the Deacon Ordination and Installation service in the Chapel on Wednesday, January 11, at 6 p.m. The deacons being ordained or installed who will begin service in 2017 are Katherine Abbott Devins, Debby Griffin, Bob Hook, Janet Hymer, Shelly Jones, Stephen Lin, Steve Naiser, and Ron Newcomer.
Advent Review: Missions and Events
God's Light in First John:
God's Light in First John:
A Sermon Series Based on Notes
of Dr. Roy Honeycutt
Emily Dickinson once wrote, “Death sets a thing significant/ The eye had hurried by.” Such was the case when I came across some notes in the margins of Dr. Roy Honeycutt’s Greek New Testament, which was kindly passed along to me by his wife, June, after his death. I discovered that he had worked carefully through the Greek of First John, and had many many notes in the margins. So, January 15 - February 5, I’ll be preaching a sermon series based on those notes.
For those of you who might not be aware, Dr. Honeycutt was the longtime president of Southern Seminary here in Louisville. He was my seminary president, and profoundly influenced Baptist life in our city, our nation, and our world. He was also a friend to Broadway down the years, and Broadway is now home to members of his family.
~Chris Caldwell
John Toma: Steady as He Goes
Like a sturdy dependable vessel on the High Seas, John Toma is like that ship that never waivers and is always there ready to carry that load.
John is painting hallways, stairwells, and anything else he can put a brush to, saving the Church a handsome amount of money. John says he will continue to paint until he has covered this vast ocean.
When you see John, thank him for his hard work and his dedication to keeping our ship afloat.
~Don Irvan
Inclement Weather Closing Policy
Broadway Baptist Church is concerned with the safety and well-being of all of its members and employees. From time to time, inclement weather may necessitate cancelling worship or other scheduled activities and/or closing the church office or limiting its hours of operation. In such instances, the Church Administrator or the Pastor will determine whether conditions warrant such cancellations or closings.
Notifications of cancellations or scheduled changes will be communicated to members via ReachAlert notices and emails to the newsletter mailing list. An announcement will also be added to the website, and a message will be left on the office answering machine.
Thanksgiving with Refugees: Andrea Smith
During Thanksgiving week, I had the honor of serving Thanksgiving dinner to our newest neighbors: our city’s resettled refugees. The event was organized by Catholic Charities Migration and Refugee Services (MRS) in an effort to provide the first Thanksgiving meal to refugees in Louisville who were experiencing their first American Thanksgiving. I was joined by many Broadway and community members who volunteered their time to help in this wonderful celebration of gratitude.
Stewardship Testimony: Katherine Abbott Devins
When I discovered – and later joined – Broadway in 2009, I felt like I had been given a gift. I was wading through my mid-20’s in a new city that I loved, but hadn’t quite found my place in yet. I hadn’t been active in a church for several years, but felt strongly that I needed to find a local spiritual community.
Advent Dates
Hanging of the Green
Sunday, November 27, 11 a.m.
Adult Christmas Dinner
Friday, December 9, 6:30 p.m.
Louisville Orchestra Concert
Tuesday, December 13, 7 p.m.
Children’s Christmas Music
Wednesday, December 14, 6 p.m.
Youth Food Donation Delivery
Saturday, December 17, 9 a.m.
Chancel Choir and Chamber Orchestra
Sunday, December 18, 11 a.m.
Children and Youth Christmas Caroling and Party
Sunday, December 18, 5 p.m.
Christmas Meditation and Lunch
Tuesday, December 20, 11 a.m.
Christmas Eve Services
Saturday, December 24, 5:30 p.m., and 11 p.m.
Updated Veterans List
Stewardship Update
During our business meeting on November 16, the church approved a 2017 budget of $1,166,255. Thus far, we have received $469,510 in Personal Commitments (pledges) toward this budget. Thank you! Please return your commitment card or respond electronically via our website.
Successful Grounds Clean-Up Day!
Thanks to everyone who participated in the Grounds
Clean-Up Day on October 29. We worked really hard and
the Broadway campus is much prettier as a result.
Take a moment to appreciate our new park-like setting on the east side and the cleared-out property line on the west and south. We removed underbrush and vines, allowing trees
(and grass) to grow and light to shine in.
More exciting Grounds Committee news is coming - but in the meantime, look for our two Gingko trees to turn bright yellow very soon.
Christmas Food Donation
As Christmas is rapidly approaching, it is time for our annual Food Donation to support families within the Jefferson County Public School system! Please look below to see what items your Sunday School class is bringing. If you would like to contribute, but are not currently in a Sunday School class, please feel free to bring any of the items listed below:
Angel Tree
The Angel Tree will be located in Friendship Hall beginning the last week of November. If you would like to provide Christmas presents for children and youth in our community, please take an angel from the tree. There will be wrapping instructions attached to your angel. All gifts need to be brought to the church by December 11. Call Susan Reed in the church office at 502.895.2459.
Christmas Missions Tree
Throughout Advent, the Mission Tree in the Atrium will collect items for Samaritan Patrol (volunteers who help people who are homeless in Louisville). Please donate warm socks, gloves, hats, coats, and batteries by placing them either on the tree or in the bin next to the tree. Please bring donations by December 25.
Ministerial Alignment Plans: An Update
On Wednesday night, October 5, church leaders updated about 80 members of the church who came for the meeting. Following the updates, there was a helpful time of questions and answers. In short, an ad hoc team is being formed to spend some time further considering what staffing model will help Broadway best accomplish its mission as a church. But because the presentations below seemed helpful at the meeting, we are reproducing them so others in the church will have a clearer understanding of where things stand and where they are headed.
The first report was given by Noelle Bailey, Personnel Chair and Deacon Vice-Chair.
Stewardship Emphasis
Our annual stewardship emphasis has begun! Our theme for the emphasis, and for this year’s Ministry Plan, is “Prayer and Blessing.” November 13 was “Commitment Sunday.” If you were not able to bring your pledge in on Sunday, it is not too late! Please drop it in one of the pledge boxes or mail it to the church office.
Introducing Rev. Amanda Hambrick Ashcraft
Rev. Amanda Hambrick Ashcraft began her tenure as Interim Associate Pastor (Youth) on Wednesday, October 12. We are excited to have Amanda as part of the ministry team at Broadway and know that she will make a great impact on the lives of our youth! Please make sure to welcome Amanda when you see her around Broadway. Below is a letter from Amanda.