FirstUpdate | December 11, 2019

A weekly update from First Baptist Church of Strafford

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Christmastime Is Here!

<<First Name>>,

Christmas is a marvelous time of year! First, it’s a time of reflection concerning the birth of Jesus, God’s one and only Son. It is a time to remember the importance of the virgin birth. It is a time to think of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus. It is a time to harken back to the earthly life of Jesus. It is a time to keep in mind the significance of Jesus’ purpose on earth. It is a time to take into account the arrival, life, death, and resurrection of God’s Son, Jesus. What better time to have a conversation with our families and friends about the baby Jesus in a manger, the Messiah, Emmanuel “God with us,” and the eternal Savior.

Here is a touching story that offers reason why a conversation must be a part of this incredible time of year:

A man walked into a shop to order some flowers to be sent as a gift to his mother, living 200 miles away.

As he got out of his car, he noticed a young girl sitting on the curb, sobbing. He asked her what was wrong, and she replied, “I wanted to buy a rose for my mother. But I only have seventy-five cents, and a rose costs two dollars.” The man smiled and said, “Come on in with me. I’ll buy you a rose.” He bought the little girl her rose and ordered his own mother’s flowers.

As they were leaving, he offered the girl a ride home. She said, “Yes, please! You can take me to my mother!” She directed him to a cemetery, where she placed the rose on a freshly dug grave.

The man returned to the flower shop, cancelled the gifting order, picked up a bouquet, and drove the two hundred miles to his mother’s house.

At times, we can take many such relationships with our family and friends for granted.

Christmas is all about eternity! It is a time for salvation! It is a time for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with family and friends before it is too late for some. Do not take for granted the salvation of your family and friends.

Christmas is a wonderful time of year!

Pastor Rick

Christmas Program This Sunday!

Join us for worship at First Baptist Church this Sunday, December 15, as we celebrate the birth of our Savior with a special Christmas program, featuring music and drama from the FBC worship choir, the ThreeSixTEENS student ensemble, the KidsNOW children's choir, and our band and orchestra!

We hope to see you and your family this Sunday morning for Sunday School at 9:30 and worship at 10:45. During the service, we will light the third candle of the Advent wreath and continue our emphasis on the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. Click HERE to preview the service plan.

2019 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Your giving (above and beyond your tithe) to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions enables Southern Baptist missionaries to be sent to make disciples and multiply churches among unreached peoples and places for the glory of God. What will YOU give so that others can go?

We have received $510 toward our 2019 church goal of $3,500. Special Lottie Moon offering envelopes are available in the pew racks or you can give online HERE (choose the Lottie Moon option). Track our progress on the bulletin board in the central hallway! We will receive the offering through Sunday, December 29.

Philippines Offering Goal MET!

Last Sunday, Jeremy French shared on behalf of our missions team about needs of our partner church, Market View Community Church in Lucena City, Philippines. A super typhoon swept through the area last week, leaving flooding and wind damage in its wake. Jeremy asked our church to consider giving a special offering to help repair/rebuild, as well as to purchase 10 sets of tables and chairs (around $20 USD each) for the Market View children to use during worship services and events at the church.

Thanks to your generous giving, we received $630, surpassing our goal of $500. To God be the glory! We will pass along the funds and provide updates from Carmen and Market View as we receive them. Please continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ in the Philippines as they recover from the typhoon.

Holiday Schedule

NOW will NOT meet on Wednesday, December 25 or Wednesday, January 1. We will meet for Sunday School and worship on Sunday, December 29 as usual.
The church office will be CLOSED December 24 through January 1. Staff will be in and out of the office that week. Call (417) 736-2148 or email church@fbcstrafford.org if you need something.

This Week @ FBC Strafford

Wednesday, December 11
6:00 p.m. - NOW Free Family Meal
6:30 p.m. - Final Rehearsal for Christmas Program
7:00 p.m. - LivingNOW (Adults) - sacking candy for Christmas program

Thursday, December 12
10:00 a.m. - Painting Class

Saturday, December 14
10:00 a.m. - Strafford Christmas Parade

Sunday, December 15
9:00 a.m. - TA Truck Stop Service
9:30 a.m. - Sunday School
10:45 a.m. - Worship Service (Christmas Program)

Tuesday, December 17
1:00 p.m. - Painting Class

Wednesday, December 18
6:00 p.m. - NOW Free Family Meal
6:30 p.m. - KidsNOW (Birth to 6th Grade) / StudentsNOW (7th to 12th)
7:00 p.m. - LivingNOW (Adults)

Thursday, December 19
10:00 a.m. - Painting Class

Saturday, December 21
11:00 a.m. - "Our Daily Bread" Food Pantry OPEN (until 1:00 p.m.)

CLICK HERE to view full calendar.

This Sunday, December 15

ECM - Tyler & Richmond J.
Greeters - Sandy S./Clarence B./Linda W.
Information Desk - Joann B.
Kids Check-In - Connie W.
Van Driver - Gary M.
Audio - Jeremy F.
Video - Aroara F.
Security - Ray S./Barb H./Randy C.
Children's Church - N/A (Program)
Counters - Colleen A./Ryan F.

If you cannot serve on your assigned Sunday, please arrange a substitute and let the church office know by calling 736-2148 or emailing church@fbcstrafford.org.

Thank you to all those who serve our church in these important roles each Sunday morning!

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