Weekly News and Updates

December 4, 2025 | Volume 39, Issue 48

FROM YOUR PASTOR'S HEART ... It’s not impossible for you to bear great fruit for the LORD’s Glory! 

So many wonderful things are happening! This week All AV Services and Eric Smith installed our lighting upgrade in our sanctuary. We have needed this for a LONG time. If you would like to give toward this project, that would be awesome. The total upgrade cost around $25,000, but this was about a third of the cost of previous estimates we had received. We think you will experience a major difference. It will also allow us to do much more with theatrical lighting for special services and performances. Finally, we want to thank Heritage member and electrician, Tommy Zolliecoffer, for finding the problem with our electric shades for the stained glass in our dormers. He hunted down the problem and got them fixed. We’ll have the opportunity to let you see the stained glass in those windows again! 

Your generosity at the end of the year is so important in helping us to extend our reach locally and abroad. See Pastor Bakary’s article about drilling wells in Africa. Johnson and Cierra Tran are setting up a missions base in Osaka, Japan to host mission teams from around the world. Before January, they need around $1,500 to provide the base with furniture, sleeping mats, cooking and eating utensils, bedding, towels, etc.… Their first team is scheduled to come the second week in January. Johnson and Cierra will be with us December 14 and 21. Also see Jake’s article on the needs of the Guatemala mission team. 

My great desire as a pastor is to increase your faith and trust in the LORD and in the Truth of His WORD! Jeremiah 32:17 says, Ah LORD God, Thou hast made the heavens and the earth by Thy great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for Thee! The LORD wants you to believe Him for great things … even that He can bear great fruit through your life … regardless of your season in life … child, youth, young adult, middle aged, senior adult. God can use you to bear much fruit for His glory. For nothing is impossible with God! Luke 1:37. What might the LORD want to do through you?! What hopes and dreams has he put in your heart? 

Nothing is too difficult for Thee! 

Wes

P.S. Don't forget to pick up a copy of Our Daily Bread, and experience how spending daily time in the Word can change your life!

Click the image to donate to any of the missions Pastor Wes mentioned, and keep scrolling to read more details!

Water for Them

Matthew 25:35 (TPT) For when you saw me hungry, you fed me. When you found me thirsty, you gave me drink. When I had no place to stay, you invited me in.

In our world of ongoing crisis and needs, one basic need that most people still encounter is the one for access to clean water. Many countries and communities around the world suffer from the lack of having access to clean water. And some don't even have the ability to see a source of water where they live. This situation is responsible for many deaths and especially among children under the age of five, as well as causing several water born diseases.

Through my travels and ministry, I have witnessed a lot of those situations that leave you broken hearted and overwhelmed by the needs you see. You have probably heard me share some of the stories where the gift of a water filter has been a blessing and bringing hope to those communities. While the water filters have helped to bring some relief, and open some doors for the gospel, the crisis continues to exist and even grow bigger. As we help God's thirsty children have access to clean drinkable water, this year, the Lord has put on my heart to help those who have no way to any type of water source. The goal is to meet that need by digging some wells in those areas.

On December 16, I will travel back to Africa and visit some villages and camps where this need is crucial. I am asking you to please consider partnering with me to bring the blessing of both, "The Living water of Jesus Christ the savior, and also the water of life" to those who are thirsty. The cost for one well is approximately $2,500. For this year, I would like to bless two to three villages or camps with a well.

Will you please join me on this mission to bring water to God's thirsty children this Christmas? You can give toward this mission by designating your gift to Water for Them. Let's serve the master by giving a drink of water to those in need. May God bless you and your family this season as you continue to be a blessing to others.

His and your servant,

Bakary Doumbouya 

Support the Guatemala Trip

In January, we are headed back to Guatemala. We’re raising $2,800 to build a much-needed room that will serve as a safe space for families and ministry work in the local community. In addition, we’re collecting funds for essential medical supplies to care for those with limited access to healthcare.

Every gift—big or small—helps us bring hope, healing, and the love of Christ to those in need.

If you’d like to give, please mark your donation “Guatemala Build or Medical Supplies” or give online.

These trips are always so impactful, I look forward to partnering with you in this journey to Guatemala. 

Jake

jsimmons@heritage.church

Heritage Christmas Angels

It’s that time of year when we love to bless some of the children in our area schools! Please consider purchasing a Walmart gift card and return it to the church by Monday, December 8. For more information, contact the church office, 479-474-6424 or Debbie Thomas, 479-651- 0810.

Snack Packs

Next Packing Day is Wednesday, December 17 at 1:00 pm in the Children's Ministry Office.

If you'd like to donate snacks, please choose one item below, purchase 50 of it, bring it by December 15 and let Shawnna know, sseewald@heritage.church.

Still Needed: Granola Bars, Apple Sauce Pouches, Pretzels, Mini Muffin Packs

Celebrate Christmas with Us

Advent for Children's Church

This year for our advent lessons in children's church we are diving into some of the meanings and stories behind Chrismons. Last year was our first attempt to do this, and this year I decided to write our Advent lessons again about them. Each week your children will be taking home a Chrismon they made in class (they're not the elaborate ones you see on the trees.) I wanted to share a tiny bit about the ones we'll be covering in case you as parents want to talk to your children about them. They open the door for some great conversations at Christmas time. We will be talking about Hope (Candle), Peace (Dove), Joy (Shepherd's Staff), and Love (the Cross) starting on November 30th through the 4 weeks of advent. 

This Week at Heritage and Prayer Concerns

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