MHBC "Together"

Nov 7: BBQ Fundraiser (at First Friday)

Nov 9: Church Business Meeting

Nov 11: Veteran's Day

Nov 16: Children's Choir Program, 11 AM

Nov 16: Game Day

Nov 23: Handbells Perform in Worship Service

Nov 23: Operation Santa Kick Off

Nov 30: Hanging of the Greens

Dec 7: Cantata, 11 AM

Dec 14: Christmas Game Day

We are delighted to recognize Mrs. Ellen Coomer in the Member Spotlight! Ellen’s life and service are a beautiful example of faith in action, compassion, and dedication to others.

Ellen worked as a nurse for an incredible 54 years, caring for patients and students alike throughout our community. Her career included years at several different medical facilities, including St. Joseph’s Hospital, Mars Hill College, and Madison County Schools, where she touched countless lives with her gentle care and steady kindness. Many college students remember her fondly when she served as Director of Medical Services at Mars Hill College. Her calling to serve others has extended far beyond her professional life—Ellen also serves as a deacon here at Mars Hill Baptist Church, where her thoughtful leadership and loving spirit have blessed our congregation.

A proud Madison County native, Ellen left home at just 17 years old to attend Berea College. After graduating, she worked for several years before returning to Mars Hill in 1973. She and her husband Bert became members of Mars Hill Baptist Church in May 1993, and ever since, Ellen has been an active part of nearly every ministry and event. One of her favorite roles is organizing and planning Senior Adult Trips, where she ensures everyone has a wonderful time and feels included.

Ellen’s greatest joy, however, is her family—her two sons, two daughters-in-law, and five precious grandchildren. She lights up when she talks about them, and her love for family is evident in all she does.

And here’s a fun fact that might surprise you: Ellen was such a bright student that she only spent two months in first grade before being promoted to second! It’s no wonder she’s accomplished so much since.

We are so thankful for Ellen’s faithful service, kind heart, and joyful presence in our church family. She continues to remind us what it means to live with purpose, love deeply, and serve gladly.

Here is a YouTube video of an interview with Ellen Coomer as part of a series entitled, "The Face of Appalachia."

Get your BBQ during the town's First Friday festivities on November 7th. We will also have Turkey. This is the Youth's annual fundraiser to help with mission trips and other youth expenses.

• $10 for sandwich, chips and drink
• $15 per pound
• $40 per butt

We have Christian Education for all ages on Sunday mornings beginning at 10:00 am! Join us as we spend time learning more about God!

Below is a summary of our proposed 2026 Budget. There are no changes from 2025 EXCEPT for Personnel and Giving Fees.

2025 Budget - $318,818

2026 Proposed Budget - $327,089

Difference from 2025 to 2026 - increase of $8,271

Proposed Personnel Increases:

• Pastoral Staff received a pay increase of 5%
• All Other Staff received a pay increase of 3%, with appropriate withholding increase.

Proposed Giving Fees Increase:

• "Giving Fees" is a new line item added to the 2026 budget. There is a small charge each time a digital offering is made online. If the giver does not pay for it, then the church does. This is a new way of doing things and therefore a new line item.

The full budget will be shared and voted on at the Church Business Meeting on November 9, 2025.

Boxes are available at the Church, pick up and pack up. You can do boxes for elementary students or high school students. Thanks for your support!

Our Christmas Game Day is coming soon! On December 14 at 2:00pm, our special friends will celebrate with us. It is always a fun time as we learn about the Christmas story, play Christmas Bingo, sing Christmas songs, enjoy a visit from Santa with gifts and eat yummy snacks. We would love to have you join in the fun. If you would like to help by either providing a special snack treat, contributing toward their gifts, or just gracing us with your presence, please contact Gwen or Russell. Hope to see you there!

As we enter November, we’re reminded that gratitude isn’t just something we express around the dinner table on Thanksgiving Day — it’s a way of living that draws us closer to God and to each other.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

That verse challenges us — not just to feel thankful when life is good, but to practice thankfulness even when things are hard. Gratitude shifts our focus from what’s missing to what God has already provided. It turns ordinary moments into reminders of His faithfulness.

This month, let’s challenge ourselves to slow down and notice the blessings we might overlook: the laughter of friends, the warmth of family, the beauty of a fall morning, the comfort of community, and the hope we have in Christ.

Here are a few ways to practice thankfulness this season:

• 🌻 Gratitude Journal: Write down three things you’re thankful for each day.

• 🙏 Thankful Prayer Time: Instead of asking God for something, spend a few minutes just thanking Him.

• 💌 Gratitude Notes: Send a thank-you text or card to someone who’s made an impact on your life.

• 💖 Acts of Thanks: Do one kind act each week to show appreciation for others — a teacher, a parent, or a friend.

Let’s make this a month where gratitude is more than a word — it’s a lifestyle that reflects the goodness of God!

Beacon of Hope is currently providing weekly food assistance to 1,700 families each month!! To better serve our community, we are expanding our client choice shopping space & creating an indoor waiting area for families coming to receive assistance to wait out of the elements, which is extremely important as temperatures are beginning to drop.

You can drop off items at the Beacon of Hope of at the Church and we will get them there.

Check out the Beacon of Hope's website.

• June 28, 1856: The congregation was constituted as Pleasant Hill Baptist Church by twenty‐six people meeting in the first college building in the area.
• September 1860: The congregation voted to change its name to Mars Hill Baptist Church, aligning with the name of the nearby college (Mars Hill College) that had adopted the “Mars Hill” name in 1859.
• Circa 1887: A wooden sanctuary was erected on a donated lot (by A.O. Carter) for the congregation.
• 1918 (April): After years of worshipping in college buildings due to structural issues with the previous sanctuary, the congregation moved into a new brick structure on the site of the earlier building.
• 1954 (Easter Sunday): The church relocated to its current facility on North Main Street, which included modern offices, classrooms and meeting rooms, reflecting growth after WWII.

How do you put your Faith in Motion? Faith doesn't mean sitting still, it means partnering with God in act or movement. Here are two practices to help strengthen your faith in motion.

1. This week, send an encouraging text to 3 people.
2. Spend 5 minutes a day this week praying for someone you’ve never prayed for before.

2 - Alan Wyatt

5 - Corny Wood

6 - Jose Ramirez

6 - Aaron Goforth

9 - Lee Hoffman

10 - Karen Walker

12 - Jeanne Hoffman

12 - Tori Smith

13 - Bonnie Jo Blevins

14 - Joan Castelloe

14 - Greg Lisenbee

15 - Becky Latham

15 - Jennie Wells

15 - Nancy Zink

16 - Diane Wells

18 - Denise Dellinger

18 - Rachel Henry

19 - Dick Pfeiffer

20 - Judy Yost

24 - Edward Fosson

25 - Judi Davids

25 - Cassie Pfleger

26 - Jerrell Deaver

27 - Lynn Bowles

27 - Mary Alice Goforth

27 - Kellye Smith Ratcliff

29 - Allen Lamberson

2 - Tim Clifton

2 - Kathy Griffin

13 - Laura Deaver Gunner

16 - Isaac Justus

17 - Justin Steen

18 - Katie McDevitt

20 - Lynn Briggs Austin

20 - Don Harrell

30 - Pam Gregg

30 - Cathy Swirski

• Eloise and Glenn Howell
• Elizabeth Narron
• Frances Powell
• Mary Ruth Roberts
• Peggy Thomas

Madison Health and Rehabilitation

• Jeanne Hoffman
• Beverly Lunsford
• Lila Nikla

Elderberry Health Care

• Vickie Allen

• Matthew Flores, (Anne Metscher's grandson), Virginia
• Kaylee Smithwick, Navy, Norfolk
• Richard H. Pfieffer, Jr., Army, Washington, DC. He will be celebrating 35 years in the Army Labor Day Weekend.
• Chelsey Pfieffer, Navy, Goose Creek, SC

Click here for the daily devotional experience.

d365 is a daily devotion written for youth and adults. The devotion follows a five-step format – Pause, Listen, Think, Pray, Go.

• The Pause step remains the same all week and is designed as a centering tool as you begin the devotion.
• The Listen step is the scripture passage for the day, using the Common English Bible translation.
• The Think step is the devotional thought by the week’s writer.
• The Pray step is the start of a prayer that you can expand into your own conversation with God.
• The Go step is a call to action – launching you from this moment toward acting on what you have heard.

If you have information, ideas or topics you would like to see in future editions of "The Together," please email newsletter@marshillbc.org or let Nicholas Honeycutt know.

• Board of Church Music and Worship - Denise Dellinger
• Board of Deacons - Isaac Justus
• Board of Finance - Becky Tucker
• Board of Missions - Wanda Kidd
• Board of Trustees - Bruce Murray
• Church Council Chair - Nicholas Honeycutt

Email The Church Office

Email This Newsletter

Email Pastor Tommy Justus

Email Associate Pastor Sharon Howell Welsch

Email Youth Pastor Nicholas Honeycutt

Like Us on Facebook

Give Online