Occasions 12/10/23

Starling Avenue Baptist Church

Occasions This Week at SABC Sunday, December 10, 2023 10:00-10:30 a.m.—Sunday School 10:30 a.m.—Choir Rehearsal 11:00 a.m.—Worship Wednesday, December 13, 2023 11:00 a.m.—Midweek Gathering, El Parral 5:15 p.m.—Handbell Choir 7:05 p.m.—Choir Rehearsal Welcome to Starling Avenue Baptist Church!

If this is your first time visiting with us, we sincerely hope that you find meaningful worship and a loving community here. There are guest cards in the pew racks if you’d like to let us know more about yourself. Drop these into the offering plate or the basket in the back of the sanctuary. We’re happy to welcome you as our guest today!

Lay Leader, Linda Pulliam; Offertory Prayer, Jeff Stegall; Greeters, Tonie McMillan & Anne Stultz; Open and Close, Richard Caldwell

Join us for our morning worship service on Sunday, December 17, for a Service of Lessons and Carols.

We look forward to gathering to celebrate the birth of Christ at our Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion on Sunday, December 24, at 5:00 p.m.

Through your generous giving we help fund ministries of our partners here in Martinsville and around the world. The Annual Mission Offering runs through Pentecost Sunday.

Special envelopes are located at both entrances to the church.

You are invited for cookies & punch at the Zimmerman’s Open House on Sunday, December 17, from 2:00-4:00 p.m.

213 Oakdale St., Martinsville, VA New Address: Patty Barnett, Grace Manor, 765 W. Grant St., Building #2, Apt. 107, Plant City FL 33563. Patty would appreciate cards.

Contribution Envelopes for 2024 are available for pick-up in the church vestibule.

Copies of the new Church Directory are located at both entrances of the church.

Begin your Christmas Season by visiting the church library and checking out holiday books, movies and puzzles.

Poinsettias have been placed in the sanctuary by Pat McKinster in honor of Rev. Angela Zimmerman and Margaret & Richard Caldwell; by Linda Pulliam in honor of the Community Meal Team, Nolan Antony & SABC Choir; by Kathy & Hank Long in honor of Rev. Angela Zimmerman, Nolan Anthony & Barbara Rakes; by Dwight & Anne Stultz in honor of Barbara Rakes; by Patsy Roach in memory of Moss Roach; by Cheryl McFadin in memory of Bobby McFadin; by Tommy Wells in memory of Thomas & Raye Wells; and by Jimmy Newman, Joyce Halla & Jane Newman in memory of Jeanette Newman.

Remembering in Prayer: Regina Carter, Geneva Winn, Helen Moore (Carol Merchant’s aunt), Nancy Snyder, Freddie Donavant, Reed Finley, Danny Joyce, Mike Spicer, J. G. McMillan, Susanne Travis, Pete Mabry, Lois Johnson, Airman Cody Minter, USAF, Myron Richardson (Richard Caldwell’s brother-in-law, Lauren Werner (Linda Pulliam’s granddaughter), Dana Sharon (Shirley Simmons’ daughter), Kaitlyn Smith, Kody & Kasey Redfern (niece & friends of Becky Nance), Karen Gribble & Becky Joyce (friends of Pat McKinster); Our Country; All Those Affected by War & Violence; Our Homebound Members.

Birthdays this week: Dwight Stultz & Ann Amos. Happy birthday to everyone celebrating!

If you are having a birthday this week, please let Barbara in the church office know.

Grace Network Items for December: boxed dinners (Hamburger Helper), dish detergent, deodorant & laundry detergent. Items can be left in the box located outside the library on the 2nd Floor.

“In the mist of health issues, surgery, hospital stays and uncertainties – we saw God. We have seen him up close and personal through calls and messages that flowed continuously showing concern, offering help, bringing meals and most of all, lifting us up in prayer. In the midst of difficult times, we have been blessed. We thank God for each and every one of our church families and, we thank you for showing the love, care and support we have received.”

Much Love, Reed and Donna Finley From Our Chrismon Tree

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Isaiah 61:1-4 The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion—to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning ,the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, to display his glory. They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.

Psalm 126 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” The LORD has done great things for us, and we rejoiced. Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the watercourses in the Negeb. May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy. Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.

John 1:6-8, 19-28 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light.

And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, he did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Eli′jah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” And he answered, “No.” They said to him then, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Eli′jah, nor the prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water; but among you stands one whom you do not know, even he who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” This took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

STEWARDSHIP REPORT – December 3, 2023 Budget Needs, YTD: $226,655.38 Budget Offerings, YTD: $214,655.99 Budget Needs Each Sunday: $4,625.62 Budget Offerings for 12.03.23: $4,315.53

Here are current ways to continue to give to the ministry and mission of SABC: -Through USPS to 932 Starling Avenue, Martinsville, VA 24112. Your offering envelopes are already self-addressed. All you need is a stamp and tape to reinforce.

-Drop off your envelopes in the locked mailbox outside of the Church Office.

-Set up an automatic or one-time bank draft through your bank. Simply go to your bank’s bill pay webpage. Set up SABC as the “payee” and have your payments automatically delivered electronically. This is simple and doesn’t cost you or the church any fees.

-Online giving available at www.starlingavenue.org. You can choose “Cover Fees” to slightly increase your gift to pay processing fees.

How to Connect to Sunday Worship & Other Gatherings If you are unable to participate in our live service, you may stream it.

To connect to Worship from your landline (audio): Call 1-844-621-3956 (toll free), Access Code: 132-630-0075## To connect to Worship from your computer, tablet, or smartphone (video): Go to the SABC Facebook page (bit.ly/FacebookSABC) or our YouTube channel (bit.ly/YouTubeSABC).

Closed Captioning is available on YouTube.

Church Office Hours Monday: 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 pm Friday: 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

(276) 638-8861 -- www.starlingavenue.org Pastor: Rev. Angela Zimmerman (azimmerman@starlingavenue.org) cell phone (336) 212-3213 Office Administrator: Barbara Rakes (church@starlingavenue.org) Director of Music: Nolan Anthony (nanthony@starlingavenue.org) Interpreter for the Deaf: Joan Joyce