Starling Avenue Baptist Church
Occasions This Week at SABC Sunday, December 24, 2023 10:00-10:30 a.m.—Sunday School 10:30 a.m.—Choir Rehearsal 11:00 a.m.—Worship 5:00 p.m.—Christmas Eve Communion Service Wednesday, December 27, 2023 Midweek Gatherings—Christmas Break! Handbell Choir—Christmas Break! Choir—Christmas Break! 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, Frances Stegall; Offertory Prayer, Tommy Wells, Greeters, Becky Nance & Linda Pulliam; Open and Close, Jeff & Susan Franklin
We look forward to gathering to celebrate the birth of Christ at our Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service tonight, Sunday, December 24, at 5:00 p.m. Rev. Angela Zimmerman will be out of the office and celebrating Christmas with her family from December 25, 2023 – January 1, 2024. If an emergency arises, please contact your Deacon. The Church Office will be closed on Monday & Tuesday, December 25 & 26. If you gave one of the poinsettias that are displayed in memory or honor of a loved one, please take it home today following worship service to enjoy in your home during Christmas. 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. We are humbled and grateful for your kindness and generosity through the Staff Christmas Gift. Thank you so much for your loving gift of appreciation! Angela, Barbara & Nolan 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.
Remembering in Prayer: Family of Helen Moore, Regina Carter, Geneva Winn, 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), 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: celebrating!
Shawn Barrow & Geneva Winn. Happy birthday to everyone
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. The family of Helen Moore wish to express their heartfelt appreciation for the SABC support she has received over the past 10 years since her move to Kings Grant. Cards for every holiday, yearly birthday cakes, Christmas gifts, and visits have been ongoing and faithful to our mission of supporting our homebound and nursing home members and special friends. Your recent prayers for Aunt Helen and my family during her recent illness and passing have sustained us during a difficult time. Thank you sincerely, Carol and Kurt Merchant On behalf of Clearview Early Learning Center, I would like to thank you for your support of the students and staff at our school. We sincerely appreciate the donation of supplies for Trunkor-Treat for our students and the beautiful poinsettias for our Teachers & Staff. Your partnership and encouragement help us better serve and meet the needs of our students and their families. We earnestly thank you for your support of the students of Martinsville City Public Schools and hope for your continued support in the future. Sheilah Williams, Director On behalf of Martinsville Horizons, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude and thank you for your generous donation of clothing and toilettes. Your contribution makes it possible for us to achieve our purpose. Your assistance means so much to me but even more to our clients. Your generous contribution and support will enable us to provide the needed items to our clients, making it possible for them to build self-esteem in a positive, loving environment. Our program could not have made this come true without the generosity of your congregation. Melissa Waller From Our Chrismon Tree
Scriptures Luke 1:26-38 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
Luke 1:46b-55 “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant. Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name; indeed, his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. He has come to the aid of his child Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
Romans 16:25-27 Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but is now disclosed and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.
STEWARDSHIP REPORT – December 17, 2023 Budget Needs, YTD: $235,906.62 Budget Offerings, YTD: $221,974.09 Budget Needs Each Sunday: $4,625.62 Budget Offerings for 12.17.23: $1,502.00
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