The First Baptist Church of Redlands
TA PE S T RY Woven Together In Love: Colossians 2:2
DECEMBER 2015
ISSUE No. 12
A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR RICHARD
Advent in Redlands It is the Advent season and I feel blessed to be here in Redlands at FBCR again this year. Last year was so delightful. The special services beginning with the “Hanging of the Greens”, followed by the Advent readings and special music in the worship services, the delightful Children and Youth Worship Service, the Christmas Cantata by our Worship Choir and the beautiful Christmas Eve Candlelight Service made it a Christmas season that I will long remember. Also adding to the festivities was the fun Polar Express Movie Party. I actually had my picture taken with Santa Claus, a first. However, the observance of Las Posadas was a new event to me. I found it an enjoyable experience but more important, a spiritual experience, so much so that I wanted to learn more about it. In doing some reading about Las Posadas I learned that although it originated in Spain, it has been an Advent tradition in Mexico for more than 400 years. There, Las Posadas lasts for nine days before Christmas, symbolizing the nine months when Mary carried Jesus in her womb. To enact Las Posadas, individuals are cast as Mary and Joseph and they travel on a live burro, representing
the holy family. Nine homes of parish family members are singled out as the host (or non- host) for nine nights. Theses homes represent nine posadas or inns and for each night they take their turn as the inn that turns away the traveling trio. The rest of the parish follows these representatives on their journey, singing hymns, witnessing the long journey of Mary and Joseph as they seek shelter on their way to Bethlehem. On the last night, Mary and Joseph and the burro find acceptance and rest at the final house on the list. It is in this posada (inn) that the holy family finds a crib in the form of a manger prepared for the birth of the holy child. Many churches and communities in the Southwest have, as has Redlands, adopted the Las Posadas tradition. However, as a newcomer, I was moved by the somberness turning to great joy and festiveness when Mary and Joseph found hospitality. Experiencing the joy reminded of me of the joy that we experience when we reach out to someone in need and extend to that person the love of Christ by caring and doing something about it. In a book, Seasons of Grace, the authors report that St. Francis
of Assisi said that he found in the humble birth of Jesus a touching image of God’s hospitality. ”God the universal host, thought Francis, came as a vulnerable guest into the world. He saw the crib in the stable as a sign of God embracing povertyboth the literal poor and the poverty of spirit that makes us realize we are, finally, as vulnerable as any baby. We too are guests just passing through and we are called to be hosts to each other.” “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to the least of one of these Who are members of my family, you have done it to me.” -Matthew 25:40 I hope you will join us here at First Baptist Church of Redlands for our Advent and Christmas events. I know you will be blessed. Have a blessed Advent season,
Richard
MINISTRY
4 5
MI S SION S
1 2 3
6 7
FELLOWSHIP
COVER
CONTENTS
8 9
A Message from Pastor Richard: Advent in Redlands Staff and Contents When Holidays and Sadness Collide
The Tapestry is published monthly by The First Baptist Church of Redlands, 51 West Olive Avenue, Redlands, CA 92373. All material for the Tapestry should be typed and emailed no later than the 10th of each month to tapestry@fbcredlands.org. If you would like to be added or removed from the Tapestry mailing list, please email tapestry@fbcredlands.org. Current and previous Tapestry issues are available in digital format at issuu.com/fbcr.
S TA FF Oh, Those Wonderful Carols Las Posadas Procession and Fiesta Thank you, thank you, thank you
Reverend Richard Burke Interim Pastor richardb@fbcredlands.org Reverend Deena Barwick, Ph.D. Associate Pastor of Family Ministries deena@fbcredlands.org Jared Sumners Youth Director jared@fbcredlands.org
Worldwide Prayer Concerns: Congo, Pakistan
Richard W. Steffen Minister of Music rwsteffen@gmail.com
Parent Meeting A Message from the Treasurer
Linda Gentile Organist Angel Florence Office Administrator angel@fbcredlands.org
A Thank You from Local Outreach BYF Christmas Party The Year Without a Christmas Celebration
Marion Gil Communications Specialist marion@fbcredlands.org Dennis Chenevert Buildings/Grounds
CALENDAR
CON TACT S
2
10 11
Congratulations on Your Baby! Agape Dinner December Calendar
Telephone: 909-793-3289 Web: www.fbcredlands.org Email: admin@fbcredlands.org Office Hours Monday–Thursday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Friday: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Sunday: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
A few words from Pastor Deena
When Holidays and Sadness Collide By: Deena Barwick Pastor Along with all the celebrations and joy, there also seems to be much sadness during the holiday season. While there are people enjoying life and the holidays, there are some who just can’t get out of their sadness funk. Even for me, I can and will suffer moments of extreme sadness. In the past, and often for days at a time, I would melt into a puddle of despair and talk myself into all kinds of terrible behaviors trying to appease the sadness. Now, before you get all jittery about what I might have done, it wasn’t “jail time” stuff; but rather emotionally and physically damaging things – eating my weight in chocolate or ice cream or having a glass or two of wine while watching sappy Christmas movies and wondering why the “happy ending” couldn’t be for me. Sometimes, well-meaning people will tell you to “snap out of it” or “there is someone who is worse off than you – get over yourself” or a personal favorite, “pray – that will take away all the sadness” and it doesn’t, it just doesn’t. So, our sadness becomes worse in that we now feel we are somehow letting God down because we can’t cope with our sadness. While I am much better today at not engaging in damaging behaviors, I have developed and practiced coping techniques for when one of those dreadfully sad moments hits me like a ton of bricks. The first and easiest one is – I give in to the moment. Yes, I let it cover me like a blanket of snow. The more you fight a desire to be sad, the longer it takes you to climb out
of the hole of despair – so I invite it in and let it stay for a while. Like maybe an hour. I “listen” to the sadness from a place of perception – why am I so sad and what set it off? Recently, an animated movie: “Inside Out” was released. The movie is about the emotions that reside in our emotional heads. “Joy”, one of the emotions, tries to always make sure the little girl is happy all the time. At a low point in her life, “Sadness”, another emotion, actually lets the girl feel the sadness and listens to her and gets her to change her perception. “Joy” is infatuated with this idea that sadness can actually be good for the little girl and asks “How did you do that?” Sadness answers with “I don’t know. I just let her feel it and I listened.” Second, I turn to prayer and I keep it very simple – “Gracious God, please let the sadness dissipate like a cloud into thin air and blow away. Amen” – I try to envision that sadness is a cloud and, with my eyes still closed, I physically blow it away. This prayer sometimes has to be repeated and repeated and repeated. But I keep it up until I begin to feel the sadness leaving. As it leaves, I can feel the clear air just after a storm. I also try to not invite sadness back in for a visit. Third, I try to re-engage into a joyful memory: one that fills up my tank of thankfulness, of happiness, of satisfaction, or of contentment. This is the hard one but a necessary one. Just take a deep breath, with eyes closed and begin to be a part of that joyful memory. Let it seep into your very being until you begin to feel exactly like you felt during that joyful time/moment.
Lastly, when sadness overtakes and becomes depression -- you just can’t let the sadness go. It is time to say “I need some help”. It isn’t a defeating statement but rather one of confidence and action. Call one of the pastors, call CCS and make an appointment to see a counselor or call your insurance company to get some guidance on how to go about getting into counseling. Counselors may recommend you see your medical doctor as well. Sometimes, there is something physically wrong that is causing the emotional rollercoaster. The holidays will be hard for many people this year and one of those people might be you! If you are available and capable of being some help to someone – reach out and connect with someone. A phone call, a prayer, a text message, a card or perhaps getting out of the house for a cup of coffee may be just the thing they need and you need too. Caring for someone else may be just the thing you need to get you out of your funky sadness! Need a joyous event to attend? First Baptist and the communities around us are offering many worshipful and fun events this holiday season. Plan to go to one or many of them! If you think you will back out of that event at the last minute, invite a friend to go with you. It is always easier to go with someone else. If you would like someone to pray with you – call someone. Our Gracious God is always with us – the Holy Spirit will surround us with peace and comfort. Let us anticipate Christ’s birth together with joyfulness this season.
3
M I N I S T RY
Oh, Those Wonderful Carols By: Richard W. Steffen Minister of Music
During the time of Advent and Christmas, as so many years before, we identify our need of God. And we raise our voices to the heavens and plead: “Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee.” And the words of the carols we sing declare our longing and our joy through the events of these seasons. We pray for the strength we need to continue in our hope: because we long to be able to “rejoice, rejoice.” We trust God that “Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel” and to all humankind. Our hearts cry out for “Jesu, joy of man’s desiring, holy wisdom, love most bright.” We are “drawn by Thee; our souls aspiring, soar to uncreated light.” We hope that God truly desires to reconcile humankind to the deity, and yet we ask: does God really love us THAT much? So perplexed, we find ourselves
4
uncertain: “I wonder as I wander out under the sky how Jesus the Saviour did come for to die for poor ordinary people like you and like I.” But then suddenly we are aware that “there’s a song in the air, there’s a star in the sky, there’s a mother’s deep prayer and a Baby’s low cry.” Oh, yes, we remember this amazing act of grace: “O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie.” And it was in those dark streets that it did really occur, because “it came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old, from angels bending near the earth.” We remember that we listened very carefully and heard those exciting instructions: “Angels - from the realms of glory - wing your flight o’er all the earth; ye, who sang creation’s story now proclaim Messiah’s birth.” Not sure what was going on, we turned to those around us and asked: “Do you hear what I hear? Ringing through the sky?” Then we knew it really happened! Excitedly we proclaimed: “Hark, the herald angels sing: ‘Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth and mercy mild; God and sinners reconciled.’ ” And it was my friend who lived at the beach that texted me this: “I saw three ships come sailing in on Christmas day in the morning!” Our neighbor, a drummer, was ready to go and announced: “Come, they told me - (pa rum pum pum pum) - a new born King to see (pa rum pum pum pum).” But yet we weren’t nearby, since
it was “away in a manger, no crib for his bed” that “the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.” We went to another neighbor, a woman who made candles, and shouted: “Bring a torch, Jeanette, Isabella, bring a torch, come swiftly and run. Christ is born, tell the folk of the village!” So run we did, and discovered that it wasn’t only us who heard the message. Truly “the first Noel, the angels did say, was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay.” What a journey it was! All along the way we were cheered on. Those around us said: “O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.” And encouraged we were. As we approached the town, villagers were singing: “Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains.” Arriving at the inn, the sky was filled with the heavenly chorus proclaiming: “Joy to the world! The Lord is come: let earth receive her King!” Then the journey was complete. Once inside, the whole scene changed. Gone were the angels and the trumpets. It was a “silent night.” Still not sure, one by us asked: “What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping?” But we knew and we understood. Here was the answer to our longing. Truly, “Christ, the Saviour, is born.” Someone said: “Fall on your knees.” And we did. It was a “holy night”; the “night when Christ was born.” Please join us at FBC for all the activities this month: we’ll be singing and singing and singing.
Las Posadas Procession and Fiesta Saturday, December 19th!!!
On November 14th, five of our church members helped to prepare 110 dozen tamales that are now frozen and awaiting the Big Day! On Saturday, December 19th, VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED!!! At the First United Methodist Church, we need: • 10 a.m. to noon - Three members to monitor the tamale steaming pots. • 3:45 p.m. - Three members to help serve the tamale dinner. • 7 p.m. – Two or three members to help with cleanup. This goes fast because at least 40 people are helping!
At our church: • 4 p.m. – As many members as possible to greet Mary, Joseph and 150 of their friends at our sanctuary door. We sing one verse in Spanish telling them that we have no room for them here, read a verse from Luke in English then in Spanish, put some goodies in the children’s bags, and then sing “Away in a Manger” (in English and Spanish) as we join the procession and head to the next church!
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you
Dear FBCR and the Pastoral and Personnel Committee : November 8th, 2015, is a day I will never forget. I was overwhelmed by the church’s celebration of my 25 years of service to the First Baptist Church of Redlands. Above all a special thank you to Pastor Burke, Matt DeDoes, Ben Dillow, Mark Estey, and the Pastoral and Personnel Committee. Thank you to all those who worked so hard to make this day happen. Dianne and Jim Creech, Angel Florence, and Sabrina Chenevert who worked long hours preparing the event. Richard Steffen played all my favorite hymns. Jonathan Peske, who was a great M.C. Thank you to all who spoke at the luncheon. Dr. Deena Barwick for the beautiful opening prayer. Carolyn Hampton who managed the lunch line , and to the cooks Shellie Skinner, JoAnn Stringer, and Jim Ortiz. Thank you to all the church members and friends. The gift will be well spent and enjoyed with a trip to my island home one day. Thank you FBCR. Sincerely,
Dennis Chenevert
5
M I S SION S
Worldwide Prayer Concerns “But recall those earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and persecution, and sometimes being partners with those so treated.” –Hebrews 10:32-33
Congo Glen and Rita Chapman recently shared exciting news from Kikongo! Earlier this fall, they christened the new Baptist University in Congo (UNIBAC). Here’s why this is so encouraging. The Chapmans have led the pastoral training school in Kikongo for many years. The past three years have been especially difficult, and we have followed them and prayed for them many times in this column. One of the challenges at the school was declining enrollment. Last year’s class was only 6 students. As Glen explains, the pastoral school program trained students to go out and be pastors in rural areas. However, this job is practically volunteer work and the salary that village pastors earn is too low to support a family. The certification they received did not qualify them to supplement their income teaching at the high school level. So the school decided that it was time to improve the program so that its graduates would have broader opportunities available. Now, the training will be at university level. The Rev. Dr. Nkwim, who has served as an associate professor here in California at Fuller Theological Seminary, will be rector, with Glen serving as vice rector. Graduates will be qualified to work as rural or urban pastors. They will also have the credentials necessary to teach at the high school level, since Congolese pastors often earn their income as a teacher but also serve as pastors. Students will be trained in theology, agriculure, and teaching. Enrollment for this first class of students is currently at 60--ten times the amount from last year! Praise God for this new opportunity in Kikongo. Pray that the pastors who graduate from this program will go on to provide godly leadership where it is desperately needed.
Pakistan This past November marked the 5 year anniversary of Asia Bibi’s conviction in Pakistan under the country’s blasphemy laws. Originally she had been sentenced to death, but the death sentence has been suspended while her case continues its lengthy appeals process. Her lawyer recently met with her and reported that she is actually in good health, contrary to prior reports. However, please continue to pray for the courts to grant her freedom, and for her protection from vigilantes afterwards.
-Jonathan Peske
If you have information to share about the persecuted church or news from the mission field, please share it with Jonathan Peske.
6
Parent Meeting
Sunday, December 20 after service at Jareds office Please join us! We will be handing out schedules of BYF and other youth events for Winter & Spring
A Message from the Treasurer
As Pastor Burke mentioned in a recent worship service, the church is experiencing a significant budget deficit. As you can see from the graph below, our church has a deficit balance of $72,857. Our income is significantly under our year to date budget. Our expenses have been kept under control and are under budget for the year.
The First Baptist Church of Redlands Summary Statement of Income and Expense As of October 31, 2015 2015 General Offerings Use of Facilites Investment Income Total Income Total Expense Income minus Expense
$ 306,013.01 $ 20,767.10 26,172.65 352,952.76 425,809.90 $ (72,857.14) $
YTD Budget
Annual Budget
365,541.68 $ 21,375.00 34,508.34 421,425.02
449,000.00 25,650.00 46,000.00 520,650.00
439,812.40
536,926.40
(18,387.38) $
(16,276.40)
I’m sure that most of you are aware of the improvements that are underway in the former Mustard Seed space, the new archives and Heritage Room, and in Field Hall. I wanted to assure you that these activities are not impacting our operating budget. One of the projects is being completed with a special gift that was received by the Church and the Field Hall project is being paid for from funds that were set aside from CCS rents many years ago for the purpose of renovating that area of the Church. Sincerely, Deborah Crowley, Church Treasurer
7
F E L L O WSHI P
A Thank You From Local Outreach The Local Outreach Commission would like to thank the congregation that generously donated food and money to the annual Family Service Thanksgiving collection. We were able to collect and donate 473 lbs. of food and 37 $10.00 Stater Bros. gift cards. Thank you to the youth, J.Ds, and younger children for assembling and presenting the food, and to Pastor Burke for the blessing of the food.
Sincerely, Paul Zander Local Outreach Commission
BYF Christmas Party White Elephant Exchange
When: Sunday December 20 5:00-7:00pm Where: DeDoes Home Bring $5.00 for dinner, your friends and a White Elephant Gift to exchange!
8
The Year Without A Christmas Celebration By: Virginia Chapman Church Member Retired Missionary from the Congos The ruling by the national government was written in formal French. Roughly translated it meant that Christmas was not to be observed that year. The reason given was that Christmas was not an authentic African celebration. It was borrowed from the western world, and, in the new Congo, western customs were to be ignored. That was, of course, an utterly impossible assignment, as so much of western culture had already been absorbed. Even the official language of the country was French. However, the government, under President Mobutu, was doing its best to instill in its people pride in their own culture. Authenticity was the order of the day. The first move to create authenticity was to ban the use of western names. For generations children had been given two names – one a traditional African name, and the other a so-called Christian name. Some people were better known by one; other people usually used the other. Now it was against the law to use a western name. We heard of people being arrested for calling a friend by the name he had always used.
Another important move toward authenticity was to ban western dress. This was not a problem for the women who seldom wore short western dresses anyway, preferring their floor length wrap around skirts. However, men had been wearing suits and ties for a long time. Now these were absolutely outlawed. Instead, men were to wear “Mobutu suits” – jackets with short sleeves and high collars, making shirts unnecessary. It wasn’t too hard to go along with that change. “Mobutu suits” were attractive.
Although we could celebrate in our homes, businesses and schools were to function normally on Christmas day. This was not a suggestion. It was the law! Perhaps the success of this innovation encouraged the government to think up the next change – dealing with holidays. Independence Day was now the big holiday of the year. Christmas was
considered foreign. It was taught by the Belgian colonialists and the foreign missionaries and had no merit in an authentic African society. Although we could celebrate in our homes, businesses and schools were to function normally on Christmas day. This was not a suggestion. It was the law! We fretted a bit about this and then came up with a solution. We would, of course, spend the day in school, but we would talk and teach about Christmas all day. Bible study was part of the curriculum in our school, so we would study and compare the nativity narratives. Geography was easy too, as we could teach the location of Jesus’ birthplace and note that Egypt, where he spent part of his childhood, was actually in Africa. Our students loved that! We studied the geographical features of Africa which prevented Christianity’s spread southward for so long. In music class we taught about the lovely old carols and also sand rousing African Christmas songs. In every class we were able to adapt the lesson to the Christmas message. When we returned to our homes to enjoy a special, private Christmas meal, we had the satisfied feeling that we had truly celebrated Christmas. However, the next year, the government softened its stance about authenticity. Christmas was again a school and business holiday.
9
C A L E N DA R
Congratulations to Laci, Josh, and Brendan on the birth of their new family member, Tobias “Toby” Elliot Morgan on November 9. Congratulations to Melissa, Nick, Ashley, Ethan & Riley Miller on the birth of their new family member Olivia Nicole Miller on November 13.
Happy December Birthday To... Beltran, Alan — 1 Mitchell, Johndalene — 3 Johnson, Janet — 5 Brown, Alexander — 7 Kluza, Melinda— 7 Lowe, Alex— 9 Bueermann, Jack — 9 DeDoes, Emma — 10 DeDoes, Matt — 11 Galeano, Taysia — 12 Galeano, Trenton — 12 Agboke, Tracy — 12 Holden, David — 14 Bandel, Fred — 15 Zureick, Charlie — 16 Kishimoto, Allison — 17 Applebee, Kate — 18 Goddard, Erin — 18 Parks, Luthor — 18 Mendoza, Jose — 21 Nelson, Scott — 22 Guzman, Allison — 23 Dillow, Darla — 23 Wolfe, Melody — 26 Daniel, Nicholas — 26 Keierleber, Chris — 27 Emrick, Marge — 28 Estey, Erin — 28 Gifford, Mary Nell — 28 Lee, Janet — 28 Burke, Valerie — 29 Morgan, Brendan — 29 Whitley, Maja — 31 Sullivan, William — 31 Townsend, Carol — 31
Thank You for Massed Choir
Thanksgiving thoughts from Agape Dinner 2015 10
We thank the following singers for participating in the Massed Choir at the RACC Community Thanksgiving Service: Orville Chapman, Marge Emrick, Hugh Huntley, and Richard Steffen.
11
Pray for Richard Steffen
7
Pray for Men’s Breakfast
Monday
Pray for Pastor Richard
27
21 Pray for ABC
8:45 a.m. Nursery/Toddlers 9 a.m. Sunday School 8 a.m. Men’s Breakfast at 10:15 a.m. Worship Service Plymouth Village 11:30 a.m. Prayer meeting 9 a.m. Tapestry Team
for those who 28 Pray are Hurting
Missionary Mylinda 8:45 a.m. Nursery/Toddlers Baits - Human Trafficking 9 a.m. Sunday School 10:15 a.m. Worship Service 8 a.m. Men’s Breakfast 11:30 a.m. Fellowship Time 11:45 a.m. Prayer meeting at Plymouth Village 5 p.m. BYOD Fellowship 6 p.m. Polar Express Movie
Pray for Movie Night
20
13
Pray for ABC Pray for Children’s Worship Missionary Deliris 8:45 a.m. Nursery/Toddlers Carrion - Haiti 9 a.m. Sunday School 10:15 a.m. Worship Service 8 a.m. Men’s Breakfast 11:45 a.m. Brunch in at Plymouth Village Fellowship Hall
14
8:45 a.m. Nursery/Toddlers 9 a.m. Sunday School 8 a.m. Men’s Breakfast 10:15 a.m. Worship Service at Plymouth Village 11:30 a.m. Fellowship Time 11:45 a.m. Prayer meeting Recognition of Richard Steffen
6
Sunday
Pray for Commissions
9
2
Pray for the Needy
Pray for Church Staff
Wednesday Pray for Hanging of the Greens Service
12 p.m. Miriam Circle 6 p.m. Men’s Fellowship
4-6 p.m. Grief Share, Lounge
- Chili
29
Pray for ABC Missionary Dwight and Barbara Bolick
30
4-6 p.m. Grief Share, Lounge
Pray for ABC Missionary Chuck and Ruth Fox Thailand
Pray for ABC Missionary Benajamin Chan - East Asia and India
22 Pray for our Members 23
4-6 p.m. Grief Share, Lounge 7 p.m. Prayer Meeting
4 Pray for Nursery Workers
Friday
5
Pray for Family Services
Saturday
18
Pray for Church Leadership
10-11 a.m. Play Day in the Nursery 5:30 Agape Fellowship Christmas Party in Judson Hall
Pray for Agape Fellowship
No Dinner No Classes
for a New Year 31 Pray of Thankfulness
7 p.m. Christmas Eve Worship Service
for Christmas 24 Pray Eve Service
Praise for Christ’s Birth Christmas Day Office Closed
25
10-11 a.m. Play Day 5:45 p.m. Thursday Night in the Nursery Dinner - Mexican Fiesta Night No Classes
Missionary Gordon Hwang - Japan
5:45 p.m. Birthday Night 6:45 p.m. Classes
Celebrants
10 Pray for the Birthday 11
26
19
Pray for the Mental Health Volunteers
Pray for Las Posadas 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Worship Choir Cantata Rehearsal in the Sanctuary 4 p.m. Las Posadas Procession Hosted by Methodist Church
9 a.m.-noon Children’s Rehearsal in Sanctuary
Sarah Chetti
for ABC 12 Pray Missionary Dan and
5:45 p.m. Thursday 10-11 a.m. Play Day in the 9 a.m. Family Services Night Dinner Nursery 6:45 p.m. Hanging of the Greens in Sanctuary
3
Thursday
15 Pray for the Troubled 16 Pray for Miriam Circle 17 Pray for ABC
4-6 p.m. Grief Share, Lounge 6:30 Diaconate Meeting 7 p.m. Christian Ed, Local Outreach, Worship, Finance & Property
8
4-6 p.m. Grief Share, Lounge 7 p.m. Prayer Meeting
1 Pray for Grief Share
Tuesday
DE C E M BE R 2 0 1 5
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The First Baptist Church of Redlands 51 West Olive Avenue, Redlands CA 92373-5243 909-793-3289 | www. fbcredlands.org
Nonprofit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID San Bernardino, CA Permit No. 2111
Save the Dates December 3 - Hanging of the Greens December 6 - Celebrating 30 years with Richard Steffen December 13 - Children’s Worship Service with Brunch December 20 - Cantata Sunday December 24 - Christmas Eve Service For any questions please call the church office