WITH CHRIST AT THE CENTER
JANUARY 2023
CONNECTIONS ON NOVEMBER 27, WE CELEBRATED THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF THE ADVENT SEASON WITH OUR ANNUAL HANGING OF THE GREEN SERVICE.
Up Front WEDNESDAY NIGHT ACTIVITIES Our Wednesday Night Activities will resume on Wednesday, January 11. Join Blake Kendrick for a six-session study of Peter Scazzero’s book Emotionally Healthy Discipleship in the upstairs parlor from 6:10 – 7 p.m.
Purchase a book and follow our scheduled readings. January 11 (through page 34), January 18 (through page 60), January 25 (through page 86). For a bonus engagement with this book, listen to the accompanying podcast.
VBS 2023 Vacation Bible School this year will be June 19-23, 2023. Our amazing volunteers and leadership team help make this week-long ministry happen! Save the date and consider what gifts you can share this year!
From the Senior Pastor We employ all sorts of metaphors to describe the beginning of a new year. Here are a few: Blank slate, fresh start, new chapter. The point is, January 1 serves as an annual—here’s another metaphor— reset button, giving us space to reflect on what we want to do, and how we want to be, over the next twelve months. Ideally, the priorities that we discern during these moments of clarity stick with us— and give us direction—long after we’ve plunged back into the churn of everyday life. Because of how the calendar falls, it’s easy to forget that the reset button of January 1 arrives just a
week after the coming of a Savior whose birth changed the course of history. Makes sense that this good news that God is with us should influence our priorities in the new year.
important theological point when he tells us that, after their visit with Jesus, the Magi go home “by another road” (Matthew 2:12). Meeting Jesus points them in a different direction.
In other words, the slate isn’t totally blank for us at the beginning of 2023. Written at the top of this metaphorical slate are these good tidings of great joy: The Lord has come. Christians don’t make plans or set priorities in a vacuum. We start with Jesus and go from there. The Lord has come. Now, how will our lives be different as a result?
And so, both as individuals and as a church, let’s set priorities for 2023 in light of the good news that, in Jesus Christ, God is with us and promises never to forsake us. When we live by this faith, our priorities will always begin with Jesus. It’s hard to imagine a better place for us to start this new year together.
I’m not the first person to notice this, but Matthew makes an
May the peace of Christ be with you!
Ministry @ Providence
New Members
ADULT DISCIPLESHIP
CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER
STUDENTS
CHURCHWIDE
Blake Kendrick, bkendrick@providencebc.org
Ursula Taylor, utaylor@providencebc.org
Dane Jackson, djackson@providencebc.org
Adult Bible Study Adult Bible Study resumes on Thursday, January 12 with a 9-session study of Paul’s letter to the Romans. Each session begins at 11 a.m. in the Eddins Room of the Missions Center. Save the following dates: January 12, 19, February 2, 9, 23, March 2, 9, 23, and 30.
Closings The Child Development Center will be closed from December 23 through January 2 in observance of Christmas, New Year’s holiday & Winter Break. On January 16 the Child Development Center will be closed in observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
Student Ministry Parent Town Hall Our Parent Town Hall on Sunday, January 8 is open to parents and caretakers of current and future students. At this meeting you will have the opportunity to hear from Dane about upcoming events and share experiences with others about life with teenagers. More information is available at providencebc.org/students.
Quarterly Church Conference Save the date for our 2023 Quarterly Church Conferences: January 22, April 16, July 16, and October 15. The Coordinating Council will meet on the following dates: March 26, June 25, and September 24.
CHILDREN Elizabeth Maye, emaye@providencebc.org Bible Drill Bible Drill resumes Sunday, January 8 from 4 – 5:30 p.m. in Room 2232. All 3rd-5th graders are invited to sign up. It’s not too late to join us! Sign up with Elizabeth Maye or Kristen Hendrix. MOMs MOMs Group resumes on Wednesday, January 18 from 6 – 7 p.m. in the Activity Center Parlor. MOMs meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month and is open to all moms! Passportkids Camp Passportkids Camp is July 26-29, 2023 in Brevard, NC (for ages 3rd - 5th grades completed). Registration and $100 nonrefundable deposit due in January.
Tuition Raffle Fundraiser The Child Development Center will have a tuition raffle fundraiser starting January 17 through February 10. Each family will have the opportunity to purchase a raffle ticket in hopes of winning 50% off tuition for 1 child in the month of March. Two families (one Full-Care & one Preschool) will be chosen to receive 50% off tuition. Preschool Summer Registration Preschool Summer Registration opens on February 6 for current families and church members, and on February 20 for the community. MUSIC Timothy Hill, thill@providencebc.org Festival by the Sea Students are invited to sign up for “Festival by the Sea” Youth Choir Festival on March 3-5, 2023 in Myrtle Beach, SC. Register by January 15!
Student Winter Ski Retreat Join us for a weekend away at Winterplace Ski Resort Friday, January 20 - Sunday, January 22. We’ll be staying in a house right on the mountain so we’ll be close to skiing, snowboarding, and tubing. Space is limited so register by January 8th. More information is available at providencebc.org/students. SENIOR ADULTS Wilna Eury, wilna.eury@att.net
PrimeTimer Luncheon Mark your calendar for our Thursday, January 19 luncheon. Our program “Short Film Series” will be presented by our own Blake Kendrick. The series will feature inspiring and creative animated films that are less than 6 minutes in length and Blake will give a Bible verse that relates to each film. Invite a friend to share our fellowship, delicious lunch as we sit back and enjoy Blake’s animated films. RSVP by Friday, January 13th.
Mission Collection During the month of January, Women on Mission is collecting School Supplies for Families Forward. Donations can be placed in the hallway leading to the Crouch Fellowship Hall.
F O LLOW U S @providencebccharlotte @ providence_baptist_clt
MA RS HA LL, ME G A N, HE NRY , A ND DE A N O E LS E N November 27 MI TCHE LL, KE LLY , A NNA B L A KE , B A RR, A ND G A RL A ND S PRE NG E LME Y E R November 27
In Christian Sympathy We remember with gratitude these
S TE PHE N A ND B RI TTA NY E LDRI DG E December 4
members of Providence who have recently died.
• Alethia Morgan Ross, December 3
January Calendar SUNDAYS
SUNDAY, JANUARY 1
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19 11 a.m.
Adult Bible Study, Missions Center
12 p.m.
PrimeTimer’s Luncheon, Fellowship Hall
9:15 a.m.
Faith Formation classes (all ages)
10:30 a.m.
10 a.m.
Sanctuary Choir “Warm Up,” Music Suite
MONDAY, JANUARY 2
10:30 a.m.
Worship, Sanctuary
WEDNESDAY NIGHT SCHEDULE 5 p.m.
Dinner, Fellowship Hall
5:45 p.m.
Children’s Music Student Fusion
6:10 p.m.
Adult Discipleship, Upstairs Parlor
6:30 p.m.
Mission Classes Student Music
7:30 p.m.
Sanctuary Choir, Music Suite
WEDNESDAY NIGHT MENU January 11
January 18
We are looking forward to serving alongside one another in the month of February for PBC LOVES CLT. Look for opportunities throughout the month to offer your gift of time and talents, and to make an impact in our city as we bless Charlotte together!
B RI A N A ND O LI V I A RUTHE RF O RD November 20
Women on Mission Women on Mission will meet January 10 with a mission action project and prayer group at 10:30 a.m. in the Mission Center. Ann Long-Jones will be our guest speaker at our 11:30 a.m. General Meeting followed by lunch. All are welcome!
January 25
Potato and Salad Bar (w/chili) Apple Caramel Cobbler with ice cream Baked Spaghetti Lemon/Key Lime meringue Pie Taco Fiesta Night (Taco or Taco Salad) Churros and Ice Cream
*Pizza will be available every Wednesday
Worship Only, Sanctuary
Providence Campus Closed SUNDAY, JANUARY 8 9:15 a.m.
Student Ministry Parent Town Hall, Fellowship Hall
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11 Wednesday Night Activities Resume THURSDAY, JANUARY 12 11 a.m.
Adult Bible Study, Missions Center
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15 4:30 p.m.
Bible Drill, Room 2232
MONDAY, JANUARY 16 Providence Campus Closed
JANUARY 20-22 Student Ski Retreat SUNDAY, JANUARY 22 11:30 a.m.
Quarterly Church Conference, Sanctuary
4:30 p.m.
Bible Drill, Room 2232
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25 Wednesday Night Activities SATURDAY, JANUARY 28 8 a.m.
Prayer Vigil, Missions Center
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29 4:30 p.m.
Bible Drill, Room 2232
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18 Wednesday Night Activities 6 p.m.
Moms, Activity Center Parlor
CHUR CH OFFICE HOUR S Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
492 1 R ANDOLPH R OAD, CHAR LOT TE , NC 28 211 | 704 . 366 . 278 4 | PROVID E N C E BC .O RG
The Record We Wrote FIN AN CIAL SNA P SHOT: JA N 1 – OCT 3 1 , 2 0 2 2 YTD Actual
OP ERATIN G INCO ME Financial Contributions
$
PBCDC Tuition Other Total Operating Income $ M IN ISTRY COS TS Missions and Ministries
$
1,459,658
YTD Plan $
1,661,676
1,613,304
1,718,876
120,461
227,630
YTD Variance $
(202,018) (105,572) (107,168)
3,193,423
$
3,608,182
$
392,533
$
534,007
$
(414,759)
141,473
741,570
762,395
20,825
PBCDC Staff
1,239,955
1,460,986
221,031
Ministerial and Operational Staff
1,050,598
1,145,035
94,437
Total Ministry Costs $
3,424,657
$ 3,902,423
$
477,767
Net $
(231,233)
$
(294,241)
$
63,008
Operations, Maintenance, and Grounds
A N OT E FRO M T H E FIN AN C E CO M M I T T E E Publication deadlines for the January newsletter occurred prior to the close of financials for November and December. Year end reporting will be shared in the coming weeks as it is available.
Staff Transition Know anyone who might be interested in becoming a part-time receptionist at Providence? Contact Adam Lawlor (alawlor@providencebc.org) today!
DO YOU P REFER TO READ YOU R N EWSLET T ER ONL INE ?
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If you’d like to stop receiving Connections in the mail, please let us know. Contact Caitie Jackson at cjackson@providencebc.org.
Save The Date SAT U RDAY , FEBRUARY 4 Room in the Inn Begins SAT U RDAY , FEBRUARY 11 Student Ministry Valentine’s Banquet T U ESDAY , FEBRUARY 21 Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner WED N ESDAY, FE BR UARY 22 Ash Wednesday SU N DAY, FEBRUA RY 26 Men’s Breakfast
Periodicals Postage PAID Charlotte, NC USPS 979-940 492 1 R A N D O L PH R OA D CH A R LOT T E , N C 2 8 2 1 1