Pastor’s Pen: Christ the Light [ December 6 ] CHRISTMAS MUSICAL 8:15 AND 10:45 AM YOUTH DESSERT THEATER 6:00 PM
[ December 13 ] CHILDREN’S CHOIRS PROGRAM 8:15 AND 10:45 AM CAROLING 6:00 PM
[ December 24 ] CANDLELIGHT LORD’S SUPPER SERVICE 6:00 PM
Did the switch from Daylight Savings Time to Standard Time throw anyone else off? After we moved back on "God's time" (as they used to call it in the farm community where I grew up), I was startled all over again at how swiftly darkness falls each evening. To many people, the cold chill of dusk seems forlorn and unwelcome. I believe our Advent theme, "Christ, Our Light," speaks deeply to the hearts of the lonely, confused and empty. Just this week, I've encountered two very fine people who confessed to me that darkness seems to be hiding God's face, at least temporarily. Perhaps God has brought someone into your life who needs Christ's light. I'm mixing metaphors here, but I truly believe people are hungry for light and hope. One of the praise choruses we sing in our 10:45 service says, "There’s hope for the hopeless/And all those who’ve strayed/Come sit at the table/Come taste the grace/There’s rest for the weary/Rest that endures/Earth has no sorrow/ That heaven can’t cure." So, be on the alert this Advent season for the lonely, the guilty, the weary and those stumbling around in the dark‐‐whether you see them at work, at school, in your neighborhood, in your home or in your mirror! Jesus announced, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). That's our memory verse for the season, and one worth remembering all year long. Grace,
Praise & WORSHIP
PAGE 2 Advent Sermon Series
Special Events During Advent DEC
6
WORSHIP HIM ‐ CHRIST THE SAVIOR IS BORN! 8:15 and 10:45am, Sanctuary. Musical presented by the Adult Choir, Orchestra, SonShine Singers and Music Makers.
DEC
6
YOUTH DESSERT THEATER 6:00pm, Fellowship Hall Relaxed evening featuring the youth, holiday treats and more. Refer to YOUTH MINISTRY section for exciting details.
DEC
9
MUSIC TIME ‐ PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN CHOIR 5:45pm, Fellowship Hall
DEC
13
WORSHIP AND CHILDREN’S CHOIRS CHRISTMAS PROGRAM 8:15 and 10:45am, Sanctuary
DEC
13
CHRISTMAS CAROLING 6:00pm, meet in the Café Transportation provided to sing around town.
DEC
24
CANDLELIGHT LORD’S SUPPER SERVICE Sanctuary 5:30pm | Preservice Music 6:00pm | Service
Advent Memory Verse Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
Advent Devotions Our daily Advent devotions are being sent electronically. If you are not receiving them, contact the Church Office. For those who don’t have e‐mail, pick up a printed version from the Welcome Center in the Narthex, or Church Office.
Guitarists for Christmas Eve Each year we invite volunteers to play guitar during “Silent Night,” our closing song at the Christmas Eve service. If you’d like to participate, instructions and music are available on our web site, in the Choir Room and Church Office.
Missions
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Global Missions Offering and Christmas Mailbox
Share the love of Jesus by supporting missions around the world: Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Global Missions ………………………………………………………………………….......thefellowship.info Churchnet World Missions, Baptist World Alliance ………………………………………………………………………...churchnet.org Lottie Moon, Southern Baptist Convention International Mission Board ……....imb.org ANOTHER EASY WAY TO HELP is by using the FBC Post Office in the Narthex. Address your cards to church friends and place them in the slots. Instead of paying for postage, donate the money you’ll save to global missions. Money can be deposited in the locked box on top of the mailbox, or designated GLOBAL MISSIONS and placed in the offering plate. Don’t forget to check the mailbox each week to collect your mail !
Taking Christmas to South Dakota BAKED GOODS NEEDED:
Will be given to the Lakota when we go caroling in the communities. Bring to the Church Office December 7‐9. Make sure they are packed so they travel well. Cookies Brownies SMALL loaves of bread (pumpkin, banana, lemon, etc.)
DONATE A GIFT:
The shoe box display is located in the Narthex near the Welcome Center. Pick up a box, fill and return. (Instructions can be found inside each box). DURING THE WEEK, return to the Church Office. ON SUNDAY, December 6, place at the front of the Sanctuary. The LAST DAY gifts will be collected is Monday, December 7.
Children open a gift during last year’s Christmas trip
2016 Kenya Mission Trip DATES: Saturday, June 25 ‐ Thursday, July 7, 2016 COST: $3,200* $500 deposit due by January 15. Balance due by June 1. *US Passport and certain immunizations are required and not included in the cost.
PEOPLE OVER PROJECTS. That is the heartbeat of all our
Mike Schroer shows the children at House of Hope Academy their new soccer balls donated by South School.
mission partnerships. We love and encourage our Kenya partners. We spend a lot of time with the children ‐ playing, listening, teaching sharing Bible stories and crafts. We also work on some construction projects as needed and do teacher training. There is plenty of variety for folks to be involved in, and you are needed.
If you have questions, contact Melissa Hatfield in the Church Office.
Some partial scholarships are available for FBC church members.
Youth MINISTRY
PAGE 4 We had a fantastic fall retreat at Logan Valley in November. Our theme was Growing Smaller based on John 3:30 which says, “Christ must become greater; I must become less.” You can view pictures from our retreat on our website ‐ www.refugejc.com.
YOUTH DESSERT THEATER
DEC
6
Join us for our annual night of desserts, singing and fun as we raise support for our summer mission trip. The fun begins at 6:00pm in the Fellowship Hall. We provide the treats and the sweets.
This year we will also auction off Pastor Doyle’s parking spot! We will auction off the 12 months of 2016 and the highest bidder for each month gets to park in the pastor’s spot on Sundays. People ‐ THIS IS PRIME PARKING, especially for those winter months. Bring your checkbooks. 100% of the money raised goes to the Youth Mission Trip.
DECEMBER SCHEDULE: December 2: Souled Out (6:00‐7:30pm) December 6: Youth Dessert Theater (6:00pm) December 9: Souled Out (6:00‐7:30 pm) December 16: Refuge Christmas Party (6:00‐7:30pm) December 18: Underground Church (7:00‐10:00pm) December 30: Game Night (6:00‐8:00pm) No Souled Out December 23 or December 30. No youth choir or youth praise team December 13 ‐ January 3. Both will resume January 10.
*
For additional information, go to www.refugejc.com.
Senior ADULTS
Children’s MINISTRY DEC
11
Parents Night Out Children age 2 ‐ 6th grade are invited to a CHRISTMAS WORKSHOP! We’ll be making gifts for family and friends from 6‐9pm in the Gym. Dinner will be served. To register, contact Hannah or the Church Office by Monday, December 7.
JAN
4
JAN
Following a break for Christmas, UPWARD PRACTICE RESUMES.
9 UPWARD GAMES BEGIN !!
DEC
6
Homebound Birthday Anne Exon Heisinger Bluffs Memory Care 1002 W. Main Room 11 Jefferson City, MO 65109
Homebound Stuart and Anne Exon Heisinger Bluffs Memory Care 1002 W. Main Room 11 Jefferson City, MO 65109
Congregational LIFE
PAGE 5
Welcome New Members
Debbie Hardman Brandy Lee Sandy Meier Xander Schmid Hannah Sundermeyer
In Sympathy Alla Gerasimova and family in the death of her father‐in‐law Mitch Mealy and family in the death of his mother Mandee Carney and family in the death of her grandfather Donna Bronson and family in the death of her son Rebecca Woodward and family in the death of her grandfather
Inclement Weather Policy If the Jefferson City Public Schools cancel or dismiss early on a Wednesday, no meals or evening activities will be held. To find out if activities are canceled, please check: Church answering machine: Web site: Social media: Local TV stations: Local radio station:
573.634.3603 fbcjc.org facebook.com/fbcjc _____ twitter@fbcjc krcgtv.com ____________________ komu.com kwos.com
A special Bits & Bytes will be sent, when possible.
Bible Teaching Attendance
November 1 November 8 November 15 November 22 November 29
479 411 424 395 396
Worship Attendance November 1 November 8 November 15 November 22 November 29
597 594 516 528 528
Offering November 1 November 8 November 15 November 22 November 29
$40,347.87 $33,632.57 $19,083.09 $23,776.65 Not available
SAVE THE DATE
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Coming up in JANUARY JAN
1 CHURCH BUILDING WILL BE CLOSED
SERMON SERIES: OVERCOMING SPIRITUAL BURNOUT 10-31 JAN
8:15 and 10:45am Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame.
JAN
24 and 31
ADULT WINTER BIBLE STUDY 9:30am, Fellowship Hall Overcoming Spiritual Burnout, led by Doyle Sager.
Stewardship Sowing Gratitude, Harvesting Blessings Thank you for your response to our stewardship emphasis. If you have not had an opportunity to make a commitment, cards are available at the Welcome Center in the Narthex, and in the Church Office.
We also hope you will help us meet our 2015 needs by giving generously this month.
DEC
9
Special Business Meeting 5:45pm, Fellowship Hall
Agenda items include: Proposed 2016 budgets for First Baptist and Familia Cristiana Internacional Proposed housing allowance for clergy Enlistment Committee recommendations Mission Committee recommendations
DEC
31
Year‐End Gifts This is the time of year when many people have the opportunity to make a special end‐of‐the‐ year gift to support our church’s ministries. We are grateful for your faithful gifts.
To be credited to 2015 giving, contributions must be in the Church Office by noon Thursday, December 31, or postmarked December 31.