DECEM B ER 2025
With Christ at the Center
VO LU M E R R N O. 1 2
CONNECTIONS Join us for our three Christmas Eve services at 10am, 5pm, and 11:30pm!
From the Senior Pastor One of the best innovations that came with our revised governance and lay leadership structure is the practice of identifying Vision of Ministry goals for each year. The idea is for all of us to be pulling in the same direction and with a shared sense of purpose. This is both good strategy and good stewardship: When we work together, we make the most of the resources that we have to work with. The Church Council and ministry team are busy developing our Vision of Ministry for 2026. Before moving on to what’s next, though, let’s take a moment to ask: How did we do with our Vision of Ministry for 2025? Honestly, I could fill up this entire newsletter with example after example of how we successfully pursued our Vision of Ministry this year. Below are just a few initiatives that furthered our 2025 goals. Completing our Ministry Staff: Success! In September, we joyfully welcomed Amy Brown aboard as Minister with Students and their Families. In November, we celebrated as Pete Leo dropped the “interim” tag and became our Director of Worship Arts. These additions bring energy, creativity, and positive spirits to our ministry team. I’m glad they’re at Providence! Promoting a Culture of Invitation: Success! So far this year, we’ve welcomed 22 new members to
Providence and have been blessed with a steady stream of guests on Sundays and Wednesdays. Our Activity Center and PrimeTimers ministries have been intentional about reaching out to our Cotswold neighbors. Finally, our restored and renewed Sanctuary clearly communicates to each of our guests that we care about them and are ready for them. Cultivating Financial Vitality: Success! Pledges to our Annual Giving campaign were up 29% from last year—the biggest year-toyear jump since at least 2009. Our endowed funds were streamlined to make them easier to manage and better positioned to support the missions and ministries of our church. We gained a new community partner, Next Step Clubhouse, in rentable space on the second floor of Randolph Hall. Finally, we continue to give more this year than we did last year— perhaps the most reliable sign of financial vitality in any church. Building Strong Relationships: Success! Our inaugural All Ages Church Retreat over Labor Day weekend, fellowship breakfasts in January and July, intergenerational events throughout the year, an increased number of Acts 2:42 groups, a growing ministry with mothers of preschoolers and children, and the introduction of Sunday nametags were specific
investments we made in building a strong community of faith in 2025. Fostering Spiritual Formation: Success! In addition to our regular weekly faith formation ministries, I was especially pleased with our summer sessions on basic Baptist faith convictions, which reminded us of—or, perhaps, introduced us to—what and why Baptists believe as we do. I hope we will do more of these kinds of events in the future. gain: These are just a few of our A 2025 initiatives. There were plenty more that I could have listed— primarily because, as intended, these Vision of Ministry goals shaped, in one way or another, just about everything we’ve done together at Providence in 2025. Better focus brings better results. nd now, let’s turn our hearts and A minds to Bethlehem and the good news that awaits us there. May the peace of Christ be with you this Advent season!
Lee Canipe Senior Pastor SERMON TEXTS THIS MONTH December 7 December 14 December 21 December 28
Lessons and Carols Matthew 11:2-11 Matthew 1:18-25 Isaiah 63:7-9