DECEMBER 2025 Communicator

December 2025, VOL 50 NO. 12

First Missionary Baptist Church

The Communicator Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, [a]wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is HE who has been born KING OF THE JEWS? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” 1

Matthew 2:1-2

IN THIS ISSUE TE A NO HE MT FRO TOR A P S

A NOTE FROM PASTOR WILLIAMS Page 2

Member Highlights BUILDING ON THE WORD OF GOD Page 3

MINISTRY EVENTS AT FMBC Page 6 & 7

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER Page 8

FMBC MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS Page 11

From the Pastor’s Pen Reverend Dr. Carlos D. Williams

“Christmas: It’s a Holy Day, not a Holiday”

I

heard someone (a believer) say the other day that they can't get in the Christmas Spirit and that it doesn't feel like Christmas.

I interpreted that to mean a lack of motivation to prepare for the holiday: putting up trees and lights, shopping, cooking, hosting family, and traveling.

How tragic it sounds to me for a believer to suggest they can't get into the Spirit. We base our joy on our perspectives about certain situations. So, if your idea of Christmas is only Santa, cooking, lights, trees, and gifts, then that's a short-lived, temporary joy. But if your Christmas perspective is Jesus and Jesus alone, it ought to be an overwhelming, longlasting joy. This perspective is a joy that is never based on how favorable the circumstances of our lives are. The Joy of the Lord is a Spirit-endowed disposition of gladness, rejoicing, and happiness. It is fueled by the Holy Spirit and grounded in the truth of God's Word and the Person of God.

there is one encounter and one experience that every believer ought to have as a reference that should stir their soul, it ought to be the birth of Jesus. Do you know what that means? Do you want to know what Christmas means in a sentence, truly? It is really the title of Max Lucado's Book entitled, "God Came Near." That's Christmas in its lowest terms. God came near!! Think about it. God became a man. Lucado says, "the omnipotent in one instant, made himself breakable. He who had been Spirit became pierceable."

He who was larger than the universe became an embryo. And he who sustains the world with a word chose to be dependent upon the nourishment of a young girl. The creator of life being created. Christmas is about God addressing the problem of sin.

I don't know about you saints, but when I think about the fact that the Word became fresh and dwelt among us, it makes me tremble. When I think about it, He who was in the form of I submit to you, Saints, that if God thought it not robbery to 2

be equal with God, took on the form of a servant, and did all of that to save me from my sins, it sends me into a state of wonder and amazement. That doesn't give you joy or put you in the Christmas Spirit? You will never get into the Christmas Spirit if it were just a holiday. However, it is not a holiday. It is a Holy Day. Let's embrace and dwell on the true meaning of Christmas. When we do, it will fuel our joy and keep us in the Christmas Spirit.

Lord, I lift Your name on high.

Lord, I love to sing Your praises.

I'm so glad You're in my life. I'm so glad You came to save us.

You came from heaven to earth to show the way.

From the earth to the cross, my debt to pay.

From the cross to the grave, From the grave to the sky Lord, I lift Your name on high.

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WHO’S WHO MARQUIS

RECOGNIZES AND ADMITS TO WHO’S WHO DEAON EMERITUS/ATTORNEY JOE N. LAMPLEY FLINTVILLE, TN, October 23, 2025,

In addition to his legal practice, Mr.

He was named to the Dean’s List at

Joe

been

Lampley works as a rancher and real

Tuskegee, underscoring his academic

Nathan

Lampley

has

selected for inclusion in Marquis

estate owner, further diversifying his

excellence and deep dedication to

Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's

professional and personal portfolio.

continuous learning.

Who

volumes,

Each of these roles have allowed him

biographical

individuals profiled are selected on

to contribute to his community’s

In addition to his varied professional

the basis of current reference value.

economic

pursuits, Mr. Lampley is affiliated with

Factors such as position, noteworthy

maintaining a strong connection to the

the

accomplishments,

land and local business interests.

Advancement

visibility,

and

development

while

prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

National

Association

for

of

People

Colored

the

(NAACP) and Kappa Alpha Psi — Mr. Lampley served as a captain in the

organizations that reflect his ongoing

Judge Advocate Generals Corps of

commitment to civil rights advocacy,

the United States Army from 1979

community leadership, and helping

until January 1984.

those in need.

has

Mr. Lampley's early military career was

Mr. Lampley is happily married to

established a remarkable career as

marked by a profound commitment to

Beverly Gurley Lampley, and a proud

an attorney, rancher and real estate

civil rights and social justice.

father of three adult children, Jonathn

Demonstrating

more

than

three

decades of professional dedication and

service,

Mr.

Lampley

and Christoper Lampley and Derrick

owner. Since 1983, he has led the Law Office of Joe N. Lampley, where

Mr. Lampley identified a significant

he represents individuals involved in

barrier in Madison County, Alabama,

motor

vehicle

accidents,and

that prevented Black residents from

advocates for clients before the

registering

to

state personnel board in Alabama.

restrictions

placed

His expertise in handling criminal

activities for active-duty soldiers,

vote.

Despite on

the

political

cases that potentially lead to life imprisonment sentences and death

Before venturing onto his legal path,

is widely recognized, reflecting his

Mr.

commitment to ensuring his clients

education and earned a Juris Doctor

receive the highest standards of

from Southern University in 1979,

representation.

following a Bachelor of Science in

Lampley

pursued

higher

political science with minors in history Demonstrating

more

than

three

decades of professional dedication and service,

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and

philosophy

University in 1976.

from

Tuskegee

Pearson,

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EMMANUEL GLORY PEACE HOPE JOY

FIRST MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

3509 BLUE SPRING ROAD, NW | HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA 35810 | WWW.FMBC.ORG REVEREND DR. CARLOS D. WILLIAMS, PASTOR