Weekly News and Updates

November 26, 2025 | Volume 39, Issue 47

FROM YOUR PASTOR'S HEART ... GIVE THANKS! Nothing is Impossible

This week we celebrate Thanksgiving! It is a national and religious holiday in the United States. With the early Pilgrims and Puritans, we model the activities of the Biblical Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) and thank the LORD for His goodness and provision for us. 

Many of us this past week have watched the Ken Burns documentary on PBS, The American Revolution. It is a six-part, 12-hour history lesson on the founding of our nation, particularly, the Revolutionary War. It makes you more aware and more grateful for the tremendous sacrifices made by the early Americans to establish our great nation.   

What was mostly left out, however, was the pivotal role that Christian faith and spiritual revival played in the lives of those prior to and through the American Revolution and beyond. For a great compilation of that information, I encourage you to read the book, The American Story, by David and Tim Barton. It chronicles our spiritual heritage like few others do – especially modern histories that leave out the critical role of the Christian faith in our nation. I pray you have a tremendous day of Thanksgiving! 

Sunday, we launch into the season of Advent. Advent means “The Coming.” During Advent we focus on the coming of the LORD the first time at Christmas. We also lift up and prepare for His second coming. This year, our Advent theme is Nothing is Impossible! Each Sunday through January 11, we will be answering the question, “What’s not impossible?” This Sunday our answer is For the Family to Be Restored.  Pastor Bakary will share this timely message that has been on his heart for a long time. I am looking forward to seeing you and worshipping with you this Sunday as we give thanks to the LORD and celebrate that “Nothing is impossible with God!” Luke 1:37. 

I am thankful for you! 

Wes

Women's Workshop - Register Now!

Saturday, November 29 | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm | New Room

REGISTRATION for Being Both Mary & Martha workshop is now open.

Description: How can we be organized, on-task, accomplished, and have it together...yet make time to spend with the LORD everyday? In a three-hour workshop, we will discuss the fallacy of being everything to everyone. By setting priorities for yourself and learning time management/prioritizing strategies, we will discover how to take some of the stress away, get more accomplished, let some things go, and grow your relationship with Jesus! Please bring your Bible, note taking supplies, planner or calendar, pens, and markers.

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

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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