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A weekly update from First Baptist Church of Strafford
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His Name Is Wonderful


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The message for this Lord’s Day is titled “Joy to the World!” from Isaiah 9. The message will center around Isaiah’s theme of light and darkness. The Redeemer will come and bring to the world the emergence of a new day. The prophet Isaiah looked beyond the first coming of Christ to His second coming and the establishing of His righteous kingdom (Isaiah 9:3-4). God was and is interested in enlarging the nation instead of protecting a small remnant of Israel. Instead of experiencing sorrow, the people would rejoice like reapers after a great harvest, soldiers after a great victory, or prisoners of war after being released from prison. 
 
The prophet Isaiah recorded for us, “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). He declared both the humanity (“A Child is born”) and the deity (“A Son is given”) of the Lord Jesus Christ. The prophet jumps ahead to the Kingdom Age when Messiah will reign in righteousness and justice from David’s throne. God had promised David that his dynasty and throne would be established forever, “Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:16). This is fulfilled literally in Jesus Christ who will one day reign from Jerusalem. “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout in triumph, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your King is coming to you; He is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9 HCSB).
 
If His name is “Wonderful,” then there will be nothing dull about His reign! As “Counselor,” He has the wisdom to rule justly and as the Mighty God, He has the power to execute His wise plans. And “Eternal Father” does not suggest that the Son is also the Father, for each Person in the Godhead is distinct. Among the Jews, the word “father” means “originator” or “source.” For example, Satan is the “father or originator of lies.” “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). If you want anything eternal, you must get it from Jesus Christ; He is the “Father of eternity.”
 
Christ is the Truth, the Light, the Way, the Bread of Life, the Door, the Lamb, and the Prince of Peace.  Please enjoy the following poem by Deborah Ann Belka:
 
Rejoice This Christmas Day
 
Unto us a Son was given,
rejoice this Christmas day,
a gift from God to you and I,
the Truth, the Light, the Way.

To the world a Savior’s born,
rejoice this Christmas day,
He fills the soul’s hunger pain,
the Bread, the Life, the Way.

To every heart bound in sin,
rejoice this Christmas day,
the gift of grace will set you free,
the Christ, the Lord, the Way.

To thirsty souls everywhere,
rejoice this Christmas day,
and drink from the Fountain of Life,
the Grace, the Mercy, the Way.

To all those who are heavy-laden,
rejoice this Christmas day,
for He is the Prince of our Peace,
the Door, the Lamb, the Way.

Rejoice on this Christmas day,
your Lord and Saviour is here,
rejoice, I say again rejoice,
let His birth bring your heart cheer.

Joy to the World,
 
Pastor Rick

Worship With Us This Sunday!


Join us for worship this Sunday, December 13, as Pastor Rick continues our Advent message series, More Than A Baby, with the message "Joy to the World" from Isaiah 9. During the service, we will light the third Advent candle and continue our emphasis on the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. Special music will abound this Sunday, featuring our KidsNOW Choir, Worship Choir, and soloists. Josh Erisman, along with band and orchestra, will lead us in congregational singing. You can preview the service plan HERE and download the sermon outline HERE.

We hope to see you and your family for Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. and worship at 10:45. We are also continuing to post our services online for those who can't join us in person. The worship service video will be posted no later than Monday to our Facebook page. It will also be available at FreeChurchOnline if you do not have a Facebook account. Be sure to comment and let us know that you're watching with us! If you need any technical assistance, email Josh Erisman.

2020 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 $458 toward our 2020 church goal of $3,500. A special basket for the Lottie Moon offering is available at the back of the worship center. You can also designate an amount to Lottie Moon in the memo line of your tithe check or give online through Tithe.ly. We will receive the offering through Sunday, December 27.

SBC Missionary Highlight

Living as IMB missionaries in Croatia for more than 22 years, Eric and Julie Maroney look for new strategies to share the Gospel. One such way is through a radio ministry that fills the Croatian airwaves twice a week with a Gospel witness. In a country with only 7,000 evangelicals total, ratings show more than 40,000 people listen to each broadcast, which is significant.

Eric and Julie know not all listeners are intent on hearing the Gospel when they tune in, but they are still opening themselves to a message of truth. The Maroneys have already seen key impacts of the radio ministry, and they trust that the “broad seed sowing” of the broadcasts touch people’s hearts and offer an alternative to those living without the hope of Christ.

The Cooperative Program is the financial fuel for reaching every person for Jesus Christ in every town, every city, every state, and every nation. Your support of both CP and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering allows the Gospel to be spread over the airwaves of Croatia.

Pray more partners will choose to be a part of sharing the Gospel across Croatia and that more church plants will result from this radio broadcast ministry.

In every edition of the FirstUpdate, we are highlighting the efforts of the International Mission Board (IMB), the North American Mission Board (NAMB), the six Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) seminaries, and the various Baptist state conventions. Each month, our church and the other 47,000+ churches in the SBC contribute a portion of our undesignated offerings to these important Cooperative Program (CP) ministries. For more information about CP, click HERE.

Fun Weekend with Our Church Family!

Strafford Christmas Parade & Christmas Lunch

Holiday Schedule

  • NOW will NOT meet on Wednesday, December 23 or Wednesday, December 30. NOW will resume on Wednesday, January 6, 2021. 
  • We will meet for Sunday School and worship on Sunday, December 27 as usual.
  • The Christmas décor will be taken down on Tuesday, December 29, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Let Jane Love know if you can help.
  • The church office will be CLOSED December 23 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.

Giving Options


Even if you aren't joining us for in-person worship on Sunday, please continue to remember your tithes and offerings. The church’s ministries and operational expenses go on in spite of the current situation. We want to be a blessing to our community and it takes resources to do that. Your faithful giving makes it possible!

In addition to dropping cash or checks in the offering box on Sunday morning, there are multiple ways to give your tithes and offerings:
  • Online through Tithe.ly or the Tithe.ly app
  • Mail a check to First Baptist Church, PO Box 367, Strafford, MO 65757
  • Several of our members have begun using online bill pay through their bank to send in their offering. This is a free service that some banks provide. All you have to do is add the church’s name and address as a vendor, just like you would the electric company or any other business.
  • You can also drop your offering by the church office, but please call ahead to make sure that someone will be in the office.
Thank you again, church family, for your generous and faithful giving! If you need help setting up online giving or have any questions, contact Josh Erisman.
Website
Website
Facebook
Facebook
Instagram
Instagram
FB Group
FB Group
Email
Email
Give Now
Give Now
Tithe.ly App
Tithe.ly App

This Week @ FBC Strafford


Wednesday, December 9
6:00 p.m. | NOW Free Family Meal
6:30 p.m. | KidsNOW & StudentsNOW
7:00 p.m. | LivingNOW (Adults)

Thursday, December 10
12:00 noon | Painting Class

Saturday, December 12
9:00 a.m. | Men In Service @ Common Grounds Coffee & Café 

Sunday, December 13
9:30 a.m. | Sunday School
10:45 a.m. | Worship Service
5:00 p.m. | Pastor Support Team

CLICK HERE to view full calendar.

This Sunday, December 13


ECM | Courtney E. & Randi R.
Greeters | Dennis & Wenda N.
Audio | Jeremy F.
Video | Gibson D.
Security | Mike B. & Steve I.
Counters | Kenny W. & Sandy S.

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!
Copyright © 2020 First Baptist Church of Strafford, All rights reserved.


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