Ambassadors ABF 2011 Christmas Party

The Ambassadors ABF celebrated the Christmas season at the Deer Run Community Center on December 3rd, 2011. Although our class can number as high as 65 on some Sundays, we had about 40 in attendance for our party. We even had some special guests from far away. Fola and Pauline Fadeyi were here and also Larry and Nancy Allen. They win the prize for coming the longest distance, from Bangladesh!

Our party started with FOOD. The class provided the meat and drinks; than everyone pitched in potluck style to provide appetizers, salads, veggies and desserts. There was enough food to go around another time!

Of course, we had our traditional “White Elephant” gift exchange. Everyone had an opportunity to take someone else’s gift of get a new one from the pile. As normal, those with the candy and sweets were popular. But there were many other very nice items, too!

We also mixed in some carol singing. This was a great time and was led by Mark Averitt. Thank you, Mark.

It wouldn’t  have been a normal white elephant without Dick entertaining with his shenanigans! He knew just how to drag out the time of selecting the right gift.

At the end of the White Elephant, we selected the person who brought the most interesting and unusual gift. The prize went to the Allens for a wall hanging from Bangladesh. The runner up was a Gingerbread House made by Grace Hockenberry.

The best part of any Ambassador activity is the opportunity for good fellowship.

We also honored our teacher, Dennis Sullivan with a special gift. During class time on Sunday, we provided a gift to Larry Smith for his time helping with the teaching tasks.

This party was a fitting social time to finish 2011 together in fellowship and fun!

Celebration in the Park - Sept. 5, 2010

Sunday, September 5, 2010 we enjoyed our Celebration in the park with concert by Clay Crosse.

Clay certainly brings a great sound to the amphitheater at Stubbs Park. He had a great combination of new and old songs and even threw in a Country piece that will be included on his newest album.

In addition to singing concerts and recording albums, Clay is also an artist. He had some of his art here with him. Clay and his wife Renee also have a ministry called HolyHomes that encourages Christian homes to come back to a close relationship with Christ. It also encourages non-Christian homes to come to know Christ.

Holy Homes asks us to look at our lives in a different way, a set-apart way. It warns against becoming calloused to influences such as TV, movies and internet media.

All in all, this was a truly enjoyable concert.


We could not have asked for a nicer day for this concert and our picnics. The sun was out and the temperatures were a very nice upper 60s and low 70s! Praise the Lord!
























How could we have our Celebration in the Park without having our Ambassadors Picnic in the shelter. In addition to our ABF we enjoyed the time with many visitors. Some were family and others were friends and we also had some people who were visiting our church.







I neglected to get an accurate count but I know there were 60 to 70 of us enjoying the food. There was plenty for everyone with plenty of left-overs to take home for our picnics on Labor Day.

Of course, there were other WHBC group picnics around the park, but I don't have even a rough guess of how many of those there were. Our shelter was a bit isolated from many of the others.









It is always fun to have some "old" friends return and this was no exception. Bob and Glenda White took time out of their forever Florida vacation to visit. Actually, it was OSU football calling Bob, not WHBC Ambassadors!















Everyone enjoyed the time of fellowship with friends and new acquaintances.















Hmm, how should I comment on this photo. I wasn't as smart as the people at this table. They chose the dessert table. Look at Rosie and Grace all ready to dive in!!















We always enjoy new families visiting. One gentleman and two sons started coming to WHBC because of our "Praise Hymn" Sunday Evening services and I invited him and his sons to join us.










There was not enough room at the 6 tables for everyone but there was plenty of space around the shelter for those who wanted to enjoy the comfort of their lawn chairs.

I suspect David and Tony were discussing their game strategy for the Duffers Classic later in the afternoon!

Christmas Party, Dec. 4, 2009

We had a fantastic group of Ambassadors with us for our annual Christmas Party and White Elephant Gift Exchange.

We all enjoyed a time of fellowship with each other and we were also joined by Pastor Kisner and Wendy. Tony, Is this social or church business?Of course, everyone brings some great food to share. This year was no exception with more than enough to eat!
Someone always jumps ahead to start on the desserts before they are picked over!!!!
I didn't get a total count but there were about 45 in attendance. The community center at Deer Run is perfect for our needs.
Once the eating is out of the way, we start with our "World Famous White Elephant Gift Exchange". This year we changed the rules a little, just to keep everyone on their toes. John also told us the number drawing process would be in the reverse, with high numbers first. You will see why this is significant, later.

Here we have Jerry carefully contemplating his gift! Should he open it or not. Is it the DUCK FEET?!!! NO, it was a candy jar full of candy.
Bob S was the winner of the Duck Feet. I heard a rumor that he is retiring this wonderful heirloom. Ask him what happened to him on Sunday morning. His duck feet disappeared after the party to reappear in front of him in the Berean ABF. I didn't hear how his teaching went with the new "Student".

Beside the Duck Feet, one of our annual fun moments is when someone opens the "Rubber Chicken". This year Rosalinda was the fortunate recipient! However, she didn't get to keep it; I guess someone else had plans for it. But, Rosalinda was able to secure an Alarm Egg. So, in a few weeks, she can expect to hatch her very own Rubber Rooster!!!
Rudy was also a fortunate winner! He won Korean Exorcism Masks. Folks, that is what it says in Korean! Rudy thinks they may be very popular and bring big money on EBay!
Betty seemed to be in front every other turn. I lost track of what this one is. Cookies, maybe.
We alternated the gift drawing with times of carol singing led by Mark Averitt and his son, Steve.
Mark even provided sheets with the words; so even if we weren't in tune, we would have the correct words!
Very melodious!
Roger got a package of chocolate which he hid so no-one would take it away. It worked and the chocolate is wonderful from all over the world (via Trader Joe's).
I have the impression that maybe Helen is a bit underwhelmed with this, whatever it is!
Our fearless teacher (Dennis Sullivan) was also a winner; NOT! But we saw to it that he didn't go home empty handed. The class gave him Gift Cards for Dinner! Now, he has no excuse to avoid taking Barb out for dinner.
I thought it was kind of cool that Larry received a very patriotic bouquet of Red, White and Blue flowers and a pot!
Now, I ask you, how did Barbara B happen to be the last to get her pick of great items???? Actually, she took something from Dick, who got the last and killed the Elephant!
We had a great time and lots of fun. Don't miss our special program for December 2010. Get your reservations in early!!!!

Celebration in the Park

This year our Celebration in the Park was Sunday, September 6. This is always a good time to fellowship with our friends in a casual atmosphere. In this photo, the Walkers, Leonards and Reva Vaughn.

Click on any photo to see a full size image

Nancy Jensen, Clara Seevers and the Pulcifers.
The Caldwells (back), Betty Pagnard (Charlie's mother) and Rick Bowersox with grandson.
In addition to me, there were many photographers! It is always fun photographing a WHBC event.
We had a good crowd that continued to grow throughout the morning. There were many visitors. I think some were just in the park and decided to see what was happening.

The bandshell in Stubbs Park is a great place for our Celebration services.

Pastor Kisner opens in prayer.

Our own WHBC Praise Team. See Mark Averitt in the back right. Grace was also there but is hidden behind Charlie and the music stand.

This Hope

Dedication of the Bowersox and Gebhart babies.

Honoring those who protect our safety!

Nicole Keenan sang "America the Beautiful".

Our Ambassadors ABF hand a nice shelter for our annual picnic. We had between 40 and 50 people for our picnic including our special guests, This Hope. I think everyone enjoyed this time of fellowship with each of our Ambassadors and our guests.