It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

 I know, I know. You're probably thinking, "Pastor Greg, it's just the second week of Advent. How can it be looking a lot like Christmas?" Well, even if you aren't thinking that, I want to explain what I mean. On Tuesday, our decorating team decked out the sanctuary and narthex with Christmas greenery, poinsettias, garland, candles, etc. They always do such a great job! Add to that the quilted banners that tell the story of Jesus' birth so well visually, and that is why it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas at First Baptist! I hope that you will be able to be with us for Bible study and corporate worship.

TODAY please pray for our Bible Quiz team "Contagious" as they compete in monthly quizzing today in St. Joseph. Roughly 25 teams will be competing with questions and quoting from the Gospel of Matthew. Pray that all the teams will do as well as they possibly can and that God is glorified in the process. If you want to watch any of the quiz competition, go to Journey Baptist Church, 5708 King Hill Avenue in St. Joe between 12:30 and 3:30 pm and find our team.

THIS LORD’S DAY we will gather for Bible study for all ages at 9:30 am and worship at 10:40 am. If you aren't in a Bible study group, this is a great time to join one as we move into a new quarter of study. For our adult classes using the Explore the Bible curriculum, this will be the Gospel of Luke. During the worship hour, our time together will be framed by the following Scriptures. Take a few moments to read, reflect, meditate, and pray through them. Click anywhere on the link to read the entire :
Fighter Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:51-52
Call to Worship: Psalm 85:4-13
Old Testament: Isaiah 40:1-11
New Testament: 2 Peter 3:8-15a
Assurance of Pardon: Psalm 85:1-3
Sermon Text: Luke 1:26-38
Benediction: Numbers 6:24-26

THIS WEEK

• Monday: Attend "Sunday School" via ZOOM at 7 pm as Pastor Kyle leads us through a study of 1 Peter. Contact Pastor Kyle to receive an invitation to ZOOM.
• Wednesday: Special called business meeting to consider fellowship hall flooring proposal, 6:15 pm in fellowship hall. This meeting will be just before our regular Midweek Service at 6:30 pm.
• Wednesday: Midweek Service in person and via ZOOM at 6:30 pm in the fellowship hall. We will be studying one of the passages read during the Sunday service, very likely Isaiah 40:1-11. We will spend a good portion of our time in intercessory prayer for our church, community, region, nation, and world.

COMING UP

• Children's Christmas Program is scheduled for Sunday morning, December 13, during the morning worship service. One more rehearsal tomorrow morning! (Children participating will be dismissed prior to the sermon).
• Christmas Eve Candlelight Service is still on at this point, at 6 pm. It is always a special time to gather together with our church family for a service of Scripture, song, prayer, and sermon culminating in a candlelight singing of "Silent Night." We believe this can be done safely as we gather in families that evening. Please plan to join us!

ICYMI
Last Sunday’s Message "Mayday!" on Luke 8:22-24 with Guest Missions Speaker Scott.


BONUS

• This interview with Dudley Delffs on his book The Faith of Queen Elizabeth provides a fascinating window into the Christian faith of the world's longest reigning living monarch, Elizabeth II. Take a listen to this 16-minute audio excerpt from the book.
• The 18th Century Bibles website gives a unique look at handbound reproductions of 17th and 18th century religious works from England and America. One of our deacons put me on to this website recently. It shows the binding process as well as the finished product. (If anyone is looking for any Christmas gift ideas for the preacher, I might have a few suggestions from this site ...)
• If you are interested in modern Bible design and binding, J. Mark Bertrand's Bible Design Blog is the place to find all things related to the physical look and feel of Bibles today. He writes about high-end Bibles, mostly published by Cambridge, Schuyler, and Allan, but also those published by Crossway and Nelson. He doesn't discuss translation schemes, literary quality, or interpretive choices. Just paper, ink, boards, and leather. It has been one of my favorite places to visit over the years, though it appears Bertrand hasn't written for a while.

Visit the website for more up-to-date information!


See you in church!


Grace and peace,


Pastor Greg