December 2023 Newsletter

CONNECTING

MINISTRY AND MEMBERSHIP

TALK OF THE TOWN MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

ISSUE NO. 112

DECEMBER 2023

IN THIS ISSUE

ADVENT BEGINS

CHRISTMAS PARTY

SPECIAL WORSHIP SERVICES

TALK OF THE TOWN

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER CALENDAR OF EVENTS 1 Virtual Birthday Party Friday Fellowship with Pastor Stewart 3 First Sunday - Advent Begins 6 Noon Day Prayer & Bible Study 7 Praise Team & Band Rehearsal 8 Pastor’s Christmas Party for the Neighborhood Friday Fellowship with Pastor Stewart 10 Second Sunday 11 Pastor Stewart’s Birthday 13 Noon Day Prayer & Bible Study 14 Praise Team & Band Rehearsal 15 Friday Fellowship with Pastor Stewart 17 Third Sunday 20 Noon Day Prayer & Bible Study 21 Praise Team & Band Rehearsal 22 Friday Fellowship with Pastor Stewart 24 Christmas Eve Worship Christmas Time to Remember 24-31 Campus-wide Selah 25 Christmas Day 26 Kwanzaa Begins 31 New Year’s Eve Worship

Keep up with all things FIBC via our monthly Talk of the Town Newsletter!

Want to send the newsletter to someone?

Email us at info@fibcaz.org.

PRAYER & BIBLE STUDY Intercessory Prayer Sundays and Wednesdays In-Person and Online We invite you to unite with us in prayer on Sundays before worship services and Wednesdays before Bible Study.

Noon Bible Study & Prayer Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m. Online Each Wednesday you're invited to grab your lunch and Bible and join us for prayer and Bible Study in the middle of the day.

Congregational prayer begins at 11:30 a.m., followed by Bible Study at noon. We're studying from the book, "Reading while Black," by Esau McCaulley. This class is held via Zoom, so you can join from anywhere. If you miss the class, jump on our YouTube channel and rewatch the class.

Zoom ID: 602 258 1998 Passcode: 1141

Breaking Bread

taking a Winter Break Our Wednesday evening Bible Study, Breaking Bread with the Pastors is on winter break, but don’t worry, your favorite Wednesday Night Bible Study returns in the new year with new topics and engaging conversations on real life issues that have Biblical implications.

TALK OF THE TOWN

Greetings, FIBC Members and Friends, Look y’all, we made it to December! Now, ain’t God good? Eleven months and just one more to go and 2023 will be a wrap, if the Lord says the same. Please join me in echoing Helen Baylor’s gospel song hit in 1999, “If it had not been for the Lord on my side, where would I be? Where would I be?” Listen, every one of us has received, at least, two Christmas gifts: (1) the gift of God’s only begotten Son, and (2) if you are reading this sentence you continue to receive the gift of life from the Lord. Can I get an “Amen”? Can I get a “Hallelujah”? Can I get a “Thank you, Jesus”?

With that being said, LET’S SHIFT TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE LORD’S “BUT” (just one more time this year) INCARNATING THE MIRACLE OF CHRISTMAS! That’s our focus for this Christmas month. Just think of what our world would be like if God did not keep His promise of sending the Savior into our world. Imagine what your life would be like had you never accepted God’s Child to be born into your life. BUT GOD! Therefore, that should inspire you and me to make Jesus Christ come alive to every person in our circles of influence. As the Lord’s Spirit-filled witnesses, our assignment is to enable others to see Mary’s Baby in our lives by loving everyone and living for Him being His light in our dark world. In one sense, every follower of Jesus Christ is called to be “THE MIRACLE OF CHRISTMAS” in the flesh. So, after every BUT the world throws at us and others, you and I are living miracles that Jesus Christ’s Birth changes lives supernaturally ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE LORD’S “BUT”!

Lastly, please remember to UPDATE YOUR FIBC MEMBERSHIP AS WELL AS YOUR MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION. Throughout this month, we are continuing our FIBC MEMBERSHIP MAINTENANCE. If you are so led, check YES, I want to remain a member of FIBC. You can easily do this through www.fibcaz.org, our FIBC App or in person every Sunday of this month. May this Christmas be very special to you and yours!

Keep the faith and be encouraged!

Pastor Stewart

Hitting the Highlights THIS MONTH'S ACTIVITIES Sandra Caldwell Blankets and Socks Drive Give the gift of warmth this December as part of our annual Sandra L. Caldwell Blanket and Socks Drive. Each week we invite you to bring a new blanket or pair of socks. We’ll pray over them, then hand the items out to those in need through FIBCO Family Services, Inc. Items can be dropped off at the altar on Sundays and in The Hope Center Lobby during business hours.

Pastor’s Christmas Party for the Neighborhood Our annual tradition is back. Pastor’s Christmas Party for the Neighborhood will include Sneaker Ball this year. You have the opportunity to support a community family in need. Our event will be held on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. This year’s event will support community families and families in need within the FIBC congregation. You still have time to donate toys. Contact Pastor April for more information.

Time to Remember The FIBC H.E.L.P.S. Ministry invites you to honor the life of a loved one who’s no longer with us a part of the Christmas Edition of “A Time to Remember,” on Sunday, Dec. 24 at 8 a.m. This is your opportunity to light a candle, say a prayer or just sit in silence as our ministry leaders lead this special time of reflection and prayer.

Zoom ID: 602 258 1998 Passcode: 1141

Hitting the Highlights THIS MONTH'S ACTIVITIES

On the Eve of it all...

CHRISTMAS EVE AND NEW YEAR’S EVE WORSHIP SERVICES Because both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve fall on a Sunday, we’re changing up our regular worship service schedule so you have the opportunity to see the Savior on these special days, and spend time with your loved ones.

On Dec. 24 and 31 Bible Study will begin at 8 a.m., followed by Worship at 9:30 a.m. That’s right, there will be ONE Sunday morning worship service on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. As a reminder, Student Ministries is closed for the month, so we encourage you to worship with your entire family, “... on the eve of it all.”

For those looking to bring in the new year in praise, worship and prayer, we will hold a special Watch Night Service beginning at 10 p.m. Whether you worship with us Sunday morning, or later that night, there is something for you and your entire family on New Year’s Eve. All services will be held in-person and live on the FIBC Streaming Platforms.

Christmas Eve, Sunday, Dec. 24 and New Year’s Eve, Sunday, Dec. 31 Bible Study begins at 8 a.m.

Worship begins at 9:30 a.m.

New Year’s Eve Watch Night Service Worship begins at 10 p.m.

Campus Closure We want to remind you of our Church-wide Christmas Selah. We give the campus a break during Christmas so the staff can enjoy their families, just like you. Our campus will be closed beginning at 12 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 24 to 8 a.m. on Tuesday, January 2.

Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and Watch Night Worship Services will take place at their scheduled times. Please make any adjustments to your schedule.

R ecapping November LORD OF THE HARVEST

November marks the transition between fall and winter, a harvest if you will of both the land and in our lives. This month we celebrated Harvest Sunday by asking you to bring a first fruits offering for the FIBC Legacy Endowment and enjoyed meals harvested with God’s Grace on Thanksgiving. May we forever be reminded that you are the Lord of the Harvest.

Stay in t he Know VOLUNTEER | SERVE | GIVE | SHARE Ways to Give Whether worshiping in person or online, you have the opportunity to give generously through tithes and offering. Your generous support of FIBC goes a long way in helping us fulfill our mission, vision and purpose.

Ways to Give: U.S. Mail or In-Person (1141 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, AZ 85034) CashAPP using the tag $FIBCAZ Online at fibcaz.org and click on "Give" Text to Give using the number 480-568-3880

Legacy Giving As part of your giving, consider making a contribution to the FIBC Legacy Endowment. Established to cultivate life-long support of our mission and ministries, this is a key component of our stewardship ministry and vital in ensuring the perpetuity of FIBC. There are several ways you can contribute to the endowment. For more information visit our website or call the church office.

#didyouknow FIBC has a an APP? You can stay connected and engaged in ministry life by downloading our APP from the Google Play or Apple Store. Just search “First Institutional Baptist Church” and look for our logo. To access the APP, put in your church database credentials.

Need help getting the APP? Call the church office and we’ll help.

Stay in t he Know VOLUNTEER | SERVE | GIVE | SHARE Volunteers Needed Our ministries are continuing to make the transition back to life on the FIBC campus and that means we need more volunteer support. We want you to find your place in ministry and serve, and trust and believe, there is plenty of room for you to use your gifts and talents.

We're in need of volunteers for ministries like the Ushers, Security (Ministry of Protection), Multi-Media and Student Ministries. But there are other places you can serve. Please take the next step by calling the church office or emailing to let us know you're ready to serve in ministry.

Open Staff Positions As our ministries return to campus, we're also hiring some much needed staff positions. We recently reorganized our staff positions and we are accepting applications for the following positions: Various Family Life (Student Ministries) positions Receptionist (PT) Custodian (FT) Visit our website for information on how to apply.

#didyouknow FIBC has a YouTube Channel? Did you know you can watch our services and Bible Studies live from your smart device, including a tv, on YouTube?

Don't forget, we’ve moved all our streaming to YouTube. You can enjoy worship services, bible studies and other special events and programs, streamed direct to a television or any smart device.

CONNECTING

MINISTRY AND MEMBERSHIP

TALK OF THE TOWN MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

First Institutional Baptist Church, 1141 East Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85034 Telephone 602-258-1998 — Fax: 602-256-2957 Website: www.fibcaz.org — Email: info@fibcaz.org ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday-Friday — 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

FIBCO FAMILY SERVICES, INC. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday-Friday — 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

WORSHIP AND BIBLE STUDY TIMES: Sunday Worship: 7:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.

Children & Youth Worship: 9:00 a.m.

Sunday Bible Studies: 9:30 a.m.

African Worship Service: 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday Afternoon Prayer and Bible Study: 11:30 a.m. & 12:00 p.m. (noon) Wednesday Evening Prayer and Bible Study: 6:30 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.

Senior Pastor - Dr. Warren H. Stewart, Sr. Executive Director of Ministries - The Rev. John Talley Ext. 2211 | jtalley@fibcaz.org Executive Director of Operations - Bro. Deangelo D. Hall Ext. 2205 | dhall@fibcaz.org Pastor of Family Life - The Rev. April Hawkins Ext. 2206 | ahawkins@fibcaz.org Pastor of Congregational Care - The Rev. Sharmal Cannon Ext. 2228 | scannon@fibcaz.org Pastor of Outreach and Justice - Dr. Donta’ McGilvery Ext. 2207 | dmcgilvery@fibcaz.org Creative Director of Worship and Arts - Dr. Maurice Terrell mterrell@fibcaz.org Creative Director of Virtual and Multi-Media - Bro. Maarcus Hall Ext. 2208 | mhall@fibcaz.org Minister of Pastoral Counseling - Dr. Carolyn Watson Ext. 2227 | cwatson@fibcaz.org FIBCO Family Services, Inc. Executive Director - Akilah Stewart akilah.stewart@fibco.org