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Pastor's Pen

     The greatest gift ever given is spoken of in 2 Corinthians 9:15, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”  Of course, we know that gift is God’s Son, Jesus Christ. 

     If you have received that gift, I want to challenge you this Christmas season to give that gift to someone else.  There is no doubt in my mind that God will send countless people across my path and your path this Christmas season who need the gift of Jesus.   

You don’t have to memorize a certain presentation or be able to answer everyone’s questions.  You simply have to be willing to share what Christ did in your life.  If you’ll remember, that was exactly what the man born blind did in John 9.

     As for your December calendar, our 2023 proposed church budget will be available on December 4.  On December 11, our Celebration Choir will be sharing their Christmas Music Presentation in our Morning Worship Service at 10:30 AM.  On December 18 at 6:30 PM, we will have our December Members’ Meetings that will include our budget discussion and a vote.  

     Don’t forget to take advantage of our Lottie Moon Post Office hosted by T. E. L. throughout the month.  Also, you’ll have a chance to purchase Christmas Poinsettias in honor or in memory of a loved one.

     Finally, don’t miss our Christmas Morning Worship Service on December 25 at 10:30 AM.  Merry Christmas, and thanks be to God for His indescribable gift in Jesus!  

     Advent is here, a time of hope and looking to the future, a future in which God supplied the means of our salvation, His son, Jesus. Not as a conquering king but as a babe with humble beginnings, so that he could live as one of us. He did this to give us hope and to show us that anyone can come to Him. I am so excited to share this time of Advent and expectation with you as we look forward to celebrating Christmas together.

     This month, the Celebration Choir will be presenting “His Name Shall Be” on Sunday, December 11. I hope you and your family will be with us that Sunday as we celebrate the miracle of Christmas through song.

     KidzPraize will be singing December 18. We will be singing Joy to the World and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. We are excited to share with you what we have learned and practiced so hard over the past several weeks!

     Advent is a special time of pondering and reflection. I want to leave you with these words from Jesus in John chapter 3, which briefly summarize the reason for His coming.

17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:17

     Jesus’s purpose was and remains to redeem mankind to the Father. He did this through his sacrificial work on the cross, a cross on Easter that could not have happened without Christmas

As we approach the end of the year,  I am sure your schedules are filling up. Christmas is such a wonderful time to celebrate. Take every opportunity to celebrate the joy of the coming of the Lord.

Christmas with bigger kids is different than Christmas with little guys. But it has been good to see how much they have grown. We are looking for new traditions as well as holding on to some of the old ones.

As you are making plans for the new year, asking for time off, and planning family vacations, keep these dates in mind. Our church was able to get back into Camp Zephyr this summer and we will be going July 17-21. Going in July will free up more time in June for students to participate in other ministry opportunities at the beginning of the summer. Those involved in RYSA baseball and softball will have more time to finish their seasons. Also going to camp at Zephyr toward the end of the summer will be a good way to finish the summer and carry some momentum into the beginning of the school year.

Students interested in going to Super Summer in 2023 will want to make plans to go to DBU, June 19-23. Super Summer is a leadership camp, so students who plan to go will want to sign up by the beginning of February. Scholarships are available. Talk to me for more info about how you can cover part or all of the cost of Super Summer.

But first, make plans to join in the 2023 Winter Retreat. Emory Baptist and Believers’ Baptist are partnering together again this year for the winter retreat at Camp Akiva. Come and join us for the Winter Retreat February 24 and 25.

There’s so much to celebrate this Christmas, but plan to join in the fun in 2023.

A NIGHT LIKE NO OTHER

That night was like no other night

When God sent us His Son

To show His love for all the world,

Deep Love for everyone.

That night was like no other night,

His parents had been told

That they would have a baby boy,

The Savior long foretold.

They traveled then to Bethlehem

As they were asked to do.

And there the Savior of the world

Was born for me and you!

That night was like no other night

A special Holy night!

Our Savior, Jesus, came to Earth

To share His love and light!

That night was like no other night

For shepherds and their sheep

The sky turned bright! An Angel came

And woke them from their sleep.

Don’t be afraid the Angel said

I have good news for you!

There is a Baby born this night:

God’s promise has come true.

This special Gift that God had sent

Was meant for everyone

For God would rescue us from sin

By sending us His Son!

That night was like no other night!

And God still wants us to know

This Savior, born for you and me,

Because He loves us so.

  Merry Christmas from the Preschool Dept.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. –Luke 2:11

The King is Born!

My favorite Christmas song to listen to this time of year is a song called “Mary Did You Know”, written by one of my favorite Southern Gospel artists, Mark Lowry. The lyrics are so powerful, they give me chills and bring me to tears every time I listen to it.

Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Will one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Will save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy
Has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered
Will soon deliver you

Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Will calm a storm with His hand?

Did you know that your baby boy
Has walked where angels trod?
When you kissed your little baby
You've kissed the face of God

Mary, did you know…

Our sweet Sonbeamers have been working hard for weeks preparing for our Christmas Program and Live Nativity. We would love to invite you all to join us on December 14th at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

   Please continue to pray for our ministry, staff, students, and their families.