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D ECEM B E R

F I R S T B A P T I S T C H U R C H / J E F F E R S O N C I T Y, M O

UPCOMING Of all traditions we hold most dear, Christmas tops the list. Fewer gatherings with friends, changing travel plans, and virtual Christmas Eve worship were not on our Christmas lists. The pandemic again interrupts our lives. We are tired of the interruptions, yes? The four weeks leading up to the celebration of Christ’s birth remind us of God’s faithfulness to make holy life’s greatest interruptions. As Jesus interrupted the lives of his family, his community, his corner of the world, so Christ comes to us in life’s interruptions, the unexpected, the impossible. In our Gifts that Last sermon series, beginning November 29, we will focus on the everlasting gifts of hope, love, joy, and peace. In Matthew 6, Jesus tells us to store up treasures in heaven, treasure that can never fade, rust, be destroyed by pests, or stolen. While our lives must adjust to the pandemic’s demands in this difficult

winter, storing up heavenly treasure is never canceled. How might God give you hope, love, joy, and peace in unexpected ways this December 2020? How might the overflow of Christ in your life become the gift of hope, love, joy, or peace to someone else? Our Lead Pastor, Doyle Sager, and his family continue to be overwhelmed by your kindness, generosity, and prayers on their behalf as Doyle receives cancer treatments. They are encouraged by your love and prayers. We continue to ensure Doyle receives the cards and notes you send to the church office. You may find the most recent updates from Doyle and his family at Doyle’s CaringBridge site: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ doylesager

Grace and Peace in Christ,

FBC Pastors

Dec 6 Christmas Musical Presenting Our Gifts (pg.2)

Dec 13 Special Called Business Meeting, @ Noon FBC sanctuary & virtual option (pg.4)

Dec 24 ONLINE ONLY Christmas Eve worship & Lord’s Supper (pg.2)

gifts

THAT LA ST

In-Person Sundays @ 8:15 & 10:45am // online @ 8:15am

Watch online services on

facebook.com/fbcjc OR yo u t u b e . c o m / f b c j c O R a t f b c j c . o rg

You can also watch on JCTV each Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm on CenturyLink channel 99 or Mediacom channels 81 and HD 80.16. You may also call the church office to request we mail you a DVD of each week’s service (573-634-3603). U P C O M I N G DAT E S December 6 – Christmas Music & Lord’s Supper (8:15am, 10:45am, & Online), Presenting Our Gifts PRESENTING OUR GIFTS // Our annual tradition of bringing gifts of unwrapped toys, non-perishable food, or cash for our community continues. Unwrapped toys will be given to Familia Cristiano Internacional and Samaritan Center; non-perishable food to Samaritan Center; and money donations to Common Ground Ministries in JCMO. How to give this year: · Sunday, December 6 – Bring your donations to the 8:15a or 10:45a services. There will be a table in the lobby to drop off your items before and after each service.

2 - PRAISE & WORSHIP

· Mail or drop off your gifts to the church office, M-Th, 8a-5p by Thursday, December 3. December 24 – Christmas Eve Lord’s Supper Service (Online Only) Due to COVID, we will not have an in-person worship service for Christmas Eve. Our service will be available online beginning at 8 am on December 24. (facebook.com/fbcjc; youtube.com/ fbcjc) Sunday, December 27 & Sunday, January 3 – Online services only those Sundays!

R IVER C I T Y HA B ITAT FO R HUMA NI T Y River City Habitat for Humanity continues to make progress towards completion of the four “Road to Recovery” homes. A big thanks to all who have helped with this housing ministry project. The new owners should be able to move in before Christmas. An open house is tentatively scheduled for December 5th for 415 E. Ashley, and 904,914, and 916 Jackson. You are encouraged to check out the homes; drive by or attend the open house. Habitat also recently dedicated their 116th home at 317 Ashley.

Global.

MISSIONS offering

- OUR GOAL -

$7,000 GIVE T O D AY !

+ END OF YEAR GIFTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY DEC.30 OR POSTMARKED DEC. 31

Stewardship 2021 COMMITMENT CARDS

GIFTING DEADLINES

If you were not able to return your 2021 Commitment Card at in-person worship on Commitment Sunday (Nov. 22), you may mail your card or drop it by the church office during the week. To confidentially submit your 2021 pledge electronically, send your pledge to accounting@fbcjc.org.

Gifts of Cash/Checks delivered to church office: These contributions must be received in the church office before the office closes on December 30, 2020 at 5pm. The church office will be closed on December 31, 2020.

SPECIAL CALLED BUSINESS MEETING NOON, DECEMBER 13 Four items related to 2021 finances will be presented by the Stewardship Committee for a vote. You may read more at fbcjc.org/ commit2021 along with information on how to participate in the meeting virtually.

YEAR END GIVING Year-end contributions are greatly appreciated in helping us meet 2020 ministry expenditures. To be counted toward our 2020 Ministry Budget and to qualify as charitable deductions for income tax filing, all types of gifts must be received, postmarked, or transferred into an FBC-JC account no later than December 31, 2020. Cash and checks are the most frequent contribution made. However, givers may enjoy increased tax benefits by making other types of gifts. Two tax-wise contributions to consider are: 1. Transferring appreciated investments in-kind to FBC-JC to avoid capital gains tax. 2. For those age 70 ½ or older, make Qualified Charitable Distribution from IRA account to reduce taxable income. For more information or assistance with tax-wise gifting to FBC-JC, contact the church office.

Gifts by Check mailed to FBC-JC: Envelopes mailed must be postmarked no later than December 31, 2020. Gifts by transfer of securities (stocks, bonds, mutual funds): Securities gifts must be transferred from the donor’s account to the FBC-JC brokerage account no later than December 31, 2020. Due to the paperwork involved and dependence upon brokerage and mutual fund service providers, it is best to initiate these gifts with the donor’s broker or securities representative by December 13, 2020. Gifts of “Qualified Charitable Distributions” from IRA accounts: For donor’s age 70 ½ or older with IRA accounts, Qualified Charitable Distributions made directly from the donor’s IRA custodian by custodian’s check mailed to FBC-JC and postmarked no later than December 31, 2020 is required. Due to the paperwork involved and dependence upon the IRA Custodian’s processing the gift, it is best to initiate these QCD direct transfer gifts by December 9, 2020.

G IV I N G OP T ION S 301 E. Capitol Avenue Jefferson City, MO 65101

churchlife app

fbcjc.org/give

D E C E M B E R

Christmas today vs. Christmas in Bethlehem? Well, let’s just say they are two very different worlds. But they don’t have to be. Christmas tends to turn into a holiday where we think about what we will get instead of what we have the opportunity to give. By looking at the Christmas story and wondering about everything that each person gave, you’ll be able to give some incredible encouragement to students wanting to make Christmas less about “me” and more about Jesus. On the first Christmas, Mary and Joseph gave up their comfort, the shepherds gave their stories, the wise men gave their worship, and God gave everything. Knowing all of that, we can inspire us to give things too. WEEKLY SCHEDULE 6:30 - 7:30 pm - Grades 6-8 8:00 - 9:00 pm - Grades 9-12

S E R I E S

Get text updates: RefugeJC to 313131

FIND US ONLINE @refugejc

refugejc.com

ZOOM MIDWEEK ZOOM MIDWEEK ONLINE DATES December 2 December 16

LOCATION refugejc.com/zoom pass: refugejc

Questions / Contact Melissa Hatfield at melissa@fbcjc.org or 573.634.3603.

<< Sophomore girls with leader, Kailey Leesman

R E F U G E YO U T H -

Worship Virtual Gatherings for Kids begin on Dec. 6—check your email for more info. Each Sunday morning, worship bags will be provided for children who attend worship in-person. Children will be able to take their worship bags with them. We will have a children’s time each week in both virtual worship and in-person worship. A friendly reminder to families that masks are required for people ages 2 years old and up. As always, children will be welcomed and loved as we worship together in a new way.

Advent Boxes Each FBC family with children will receive an Advent kit via porch delivery in early December. We’d love for you to share pictures of your family using your Advent in December! Email to hannah@fbcjc.org or share on our FBC Children’s Ministry Facebook page or our FBCJC Facebook page.

Our preschoolers will learn what makes Jesus special.

Family Devos & Weekly Videos Each week this year, our families will receive weekly Bible story videos that are age-specific for each child in your family. The weekend is a great time to watch and talk about these videos together. We hope these videos and devos will be helpful for your family. Email hannah@fbcjc.org for more info.

6 - K I D S & FA M I LY

Our elementary children will learn about celebrating Jesus, God’s greatest gift.

VIRTUAL SMALL GROUPS F O R A D U LT S Who Are These Guys Anyway? An Introduction to the Minor Prophets Led by Noel Blythe//Monday @ 6:30pm November 16, 23, 30, December 7 & 14

S P I R I T UA L FORMATION

Christmas Gifts that Wonâ€™t Break based on the book by James Moore Led by Sondra Allen and Hannah Coe Wednesday @ 5:30pm December 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30

To register, visit fbcjc.org or contact Hannah Coe at hannah@fbcjc.org or 573.634.3603.

You can also pick up an Advent devotional in the lobby on Sundays or at the church office during the week.

S P I R I T U A L F O R M AT I O N

CHRISTMAS CARDS TO OUR HOMEBOUND // In keeping with our Advent theme, #giftsthatlast, would you consider sending Christmas cards to any or all of our thirty-some homebound folks? The blessings will be on both you and the recipients! Contact Mary Huhn at mary@ fbcjc.org or 573.634.3603 for names and addresses.

HOMEBOUND

BIRTHDAY Joyce Phillips (12/3) 1214 Freedom Blvd. Apt. 220 Jefferson City, MO 65109-0981 Alice Prow (12/6) 221 Landwehr Hills Road Jefferson City, MO 65101-3939 Marge Newell (12/15) 2303 Livingston St. Jefferson City, MO 65109-0851 Doris Wommack (12/23) 727 S. Laclede Station Road Apt. 136 St. Louis, MO 63119-4911. Curt Taggart (12/23) 2410 W. Chesterfield Room 306 Springfield, MO 63807.

FRIENDSHIP

SINGERS Friendship Singers are cancelled until further notice as we adhere to the CDC recommendation that public gatherings not exceed 10

Seniors people in order to slow the spread of COVID-19 and to

protect those who are most vulnerable among us!

THE N U MB E RS Bible Teaching Worship Attendance Attendance

Budget Offering

Nov 1

83 $

18,742.00

Nov 8

135 $

35,044.00

Nov 15

88 $

27,669.00

Nov 22

79 $

Weekly Budget Needs . . . . . . $ 25,905.90 Budget needs to date . . . . . $ 1,191,671.41Â Budget given to date . . . . . $ 1,045,218.69 Budget expenses to date* . . $ 958,708.84 *not all invoices have been received

Sympathy

Family and friends of Gary Seabourne. Elizabeth Blumhost and family in the death of her aunt. Family and friends of Sharron Foran. Darrell and Tammy Chute and family in the death of his son. Geneva Indermuehle and family in the death of her brother-in-law. Family and friends of Verna Elrod. Family and friends of Sippie Howard. Family and friends of Judy Owens. Gary Collins and family in the death of his brother. Ann Colter and family in the death of her daughter.

301 E. Capitol Ave. / Jefferson City, MO 65101 / fbcjc.org / 573.634.3603