Ladies Night: Soup, S'mores & Gratitude

Ladies, join us for a cozy fall evening of soup, s'mores, and sweet fellowship as we give thanks for God's faithfulness this season. We'll gather Sunday, November 8, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at The…

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BYG Afterglow

Students in grades 6-12 get together every other Sunday night at 6pm for games, good, and hanging out with friends. This week is the BYG Costume Party! Meet in the youth room and gymnasium (enter…

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We Want to Wow Him

Most of us carry a quiet assumption that God is impressed by the spectacular. If we could just do something big, something sacrificial, something everyone would notice, then surely He would be pleased with us.

Often that impulse comes from a guilty place. We know where we have fallen short, and we want to make up for it. So we look for a grand gesture to balance the scales.

King Saul tried exactly that. He disobeyed God's clear command and then planned a lavish sacrifice to cover it. Samuel's answer still cuts through every grand gesture we attempt: "Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams" (1 Samuel 15:22). God was never asking Saul to impress Him. He was asking Saul to listen.

Two Simple Words

When Jesus called His first disciples, He did not hand them a strategic plan or a list of achievements to accomplish. He stood by the Sea of Galilee and said, "Follow me" (Matthew 4:19). That was it.

What followed was not one great leap but thousands of ordinary steps. They walked dusty roads. They sat at dinner tables. They passed out bread and gathered leftovers. They asked foolish questions and got patient answers. Day after day, step after step, they followed. And as they followed in faith, their Master was pleased with them, not because they were impressive, but because they were with Him.

They stumbled plenty along the way. Peter sank in the water and later denied his Lord. Yet Jesus kept calling them back to the same simple instruction. And step by step, He led those ordinary men on a journey that would turn the world upside down. When the leaders of Jerusalem looked at Peter and John, they saw "uneducated, common men" and "recognized that they had been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13). That is what simple obedience produces over time.

Steps That Seem Too Small

A few weeks ago on Sunday morning, we talked about simple obedience. Since then, I have been asking myself a question I want to pass along to you: what steps seem too insignificant to matter?

Maybe it is the text you keep meaning to send. The apology you know you owe. The ten minutes in the Word before the phone comes out. The prayer you could pray right now instead of later. These feel too small to count, so we skip them while we wait for something bigger.

But Jesus said, "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much" (Luke 16:10). God does not despise small things. He builds with them. So slow down and ask: What is God showing me? What has He already brought my way? What seems too simple to be the thing He wants? Very often, that is exactly the step.

The Person in Front of You

If you want to know where simple obedience starts, look up. God loves people. Over and over in the Gospels, Jesus stopped for the one in front of Him: a blind beggar by the road, a woman at a well, a short tax collector in a tree. "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them" (Matthew 9:36).

We tend to treat people as interruptions to our plans. Jesus treated them as His plans. The coworker who seems a little off today, the cashier who looks worn out, the child who wants five more minutes of your attention, the neighbor you wave to but never talk to. If they are in front of you, they are part of your obedience.

So be observant. Ask God to open your eyes to the people He has placed in your path this week. Following Jesus will always lead you toward people.

Circumstances You Didn't Choose

Some of the steps God asks us to take are on roads we never would have picked. A diagnosis. A job change. A strained relationship. Caring for an aging parent. A season that is simply harder than we expected.

We often assume obedience only happens on the paths we choose. But much of following Jesus is learning to walk faithfully on the paths He allows. The question is not "How do I get out of this?" but "How do I follow You in this?"

You do not have to figure that out alone. "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him" (James 1:5). God desires to give you wisdom for the decisions, strength for the weariness, and guidance for the next step. Not the whole map, just the next step.

The Lies That Keep Us Still

Sometimes what stops us from taking the next step is not a lack of opportunity but a lie we have quietly believed. Here are a few common ones:

"I've failed too badly for God to use me now."

"Small things don't really count."

"God only works through gifted, impressive people."

"If it isn't dramatic, it isn't God."

"I have to earn my way back before I can follow again."

Every one of these collapses in front of the cross. Christ has already done what we could never do to make us right with God. Our obedience is not payment; it is the grateful response of children who have been forgiven. That is why the simplest step, taken in faith, matters to Him.

Jesus said, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32). Ask the Lord which lie He wants to correct in you. Then replace it with what His Word says.

Mission Trips

Philippines Mission Trip — 2027: We have postponed the Philippines mission trip until 2027. Start praying now about joining what God is doing there.

Special Opportunities

Happy Hearts

Happy Hearts meets on November 3.

Men's Ministry

Men's Bible Study, Wednesdays at 6:00 PM.

Thanksgiving Family Lunch

We will have Thanksgiving Lunch on Sunday, November 22, following morning worship. The cost is $7.00 per person.

Family Wednesday Supper

Every Wednesday at 5:00 PM. The cost is $7.00 per person.

Night to Shine

Shine Day at the Fair is Thursday, October 29, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Night to Shine Kickoff Sunday is November 15. Registration for Night to Shine officially opens that day!

Alpha Pregnancy Center Dinner

Thursday, November 5, at 6:00 PM. Contact Hal Pinson if you are interested in going.

Ministry Opportunities

FAITH Riders

Our FAITH Riders have been busy sharing their story. Thank you to all who are participating! Let Durwood know if you are willing to go and share your story with the FAITH Riders in the Share Tent.

Overcomers

This is a fantastic way to fellowship and share life experiences through a small group setting. Eddy loves to share his story and help those who are walking through challenges in life. Join us on Fridays at 6:30 PM in Room 114.

International Ministry

Sunday School weekly at 9:30 AM.

ESL

Every Sunday at 4:00 PM.

Red Cross Blood Drive

Third Thursday of the month, 3:00 to 8:00 PM.

Maintenance Opportunities

We are always looking for volunteers to help around campus. Call Hal if you are interested.

New Bus

Continue to pray about helping pay off the loan on our new bus.

Vision Statement

Do you remember the squeak of sneakers on a gym floor, the roar of the crowd after a big basket, or cheering from the sidelines with your squad? November brings it all back! It's basketball season at BCS Saints, and we can't wait to cheer on our girls and boys. Come relive those memories and help us fill the stands for our Saints!

Thank You for Operation Christmas Child

Thank you to everyone who helped our students fill shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child! Because of your generosity, children around the world will receive a gift and hear the message of God's love. We're so grateful for our church family's support. "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever." Psalm 107:1

Thank You for Fall Fest

A big thank you to the parents, students, and grandparents who gave their time and effort, along with cars and candy, to make Fall Fest a success! Fall Fest is a church-sponsored event, and BCS was there in full force. We're so thankful for a school family that loves to serve.

Homecoming Week: November 9–14

Think back to your own Homecoming: the spirit days, the pep rallies, the big game, and the friends who made it unforgettable. Now it's our students' turn to make those memories, and we'd love for you to celebrate with them! Students can join in the fun with these dress-up days:

Monday, Mask Monday: Wear a mask

Tuesday, Mystery Match: Come dressed as a pair or group

Wednesday, Mystery Character: Dress up as someone

Thursday, Royalty vs. Rebels: Choose your side

Friday, House vs. House: Rep your house

Join us for these Homecoming events:

Thursday, November 12: Pep Rally, Logic Dance, and Alumni Dinner

Friday, November 13: Basketball games and a bonfire

Saturday, November 14: Rhetoric Dance

Alumni, this is your week too! Come home, reconnect with old friends, and cheer on the next generation of Saints.

Thanksgiving Luncheon and Science Expo: Thursday, November 19

We'll be hosting a Thanksgiving luncheon for our students and their families! The luncheon is paired with our Science Expo, where our students get to shine as they share what they've been learning and discovering. It's a wonderful time to gather around the table and give thanks together.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support!

Boston Butt Sale: BCS School Board Fundraiser $35 Hog-N-Bones Boston butt with barbecue sauce. Tickets available November 1 through December 1. Planning your holiday table? Let Hog-N-Bones Breakfast & BBQ handle the main course while supporting Byne Christian School! The BCS School Board is hosting a Boston Butt Sale, and every ticket purchased helps support our school. Fundraiser Details •  Price: $35 per ticket •  Includes: A Hog-N-Bones Boston butt and a bottle of barbecue sauce •  Tickets available: November 1 – December 1 •  Redemption: You have 60 days to redeem your ticket Where to Get Tickets -Tickets are available for purchase from any School Board member, any Hall Lead Teacher, or the school office. -Order using the form and pick up physical ticket in the office. The fundraiser ends December 1, so be sure to get your tickets in time for your Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings. Thank you for your generous support of BCS! https://pci.jotform.com/form/253016939684164 Contact: ljackson@bcssaints.org

Charleston Wrap Christmas Fundraiser-Happening NOW! Our first annual Christmas wrapping paper sale runs October 12 – November 16. Shop, share, and support Byne Christian School! We are excited to kick off Byne Christian School's First Annual Christmas Paper Fundraiser with Charleston Wrap®! This is a simple way for our families, friends, and church family to support our school while getting ready for the Christmas season. Key details: •  Sale dates: Monday, October 12 – Monday, November 16, 2026 •  Fundraiser packets were sent home with students at kickoff •  Online ordering is available — register your student online so every purchase is credited to Byne Christian School •  Share your student's online store link with family and friends near and far •  Online orders must be placed by December 11 to arrive before Christmas How to help: Order through our school link (Dr. Hall's BCS Page) or through any student's individual link, and spread the word. The more people who shop, the more we can raise for our school. https://registercw.com/4daWU40SfC?ref=send Thank you for your support of Byne Christian School! https://registercw.com/4daWU40SfC?ref=send Contact: dhall@bcssaints.org