Weekly Update

Greetings, everyone! We are approaching the fourth Sunday of Advent, which means Christmas is truly right around the corner. "Let ev'ry heart prepare Him room, and heav'n and nature sing..."


TOMORROW is THE LORD’S DAY! "Day of every day the best, emblem of eternal rest." As you prepare for the day of worship, take a few moments to read, meditate on, and pray through the Scriptures which will frame our corporate worship. Click anywhere on the link for a full, printable version of the Scriptures from BibleGateway:
FIGHTER VERSE: Revelation 21:4
CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 89:1-4:19-26
OLD TESTAMENT: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
NEW TESTAMENT: Romans 16:25-27
ASSURANCE OF PARDON: Isaiah 53:4-6
SERMON TEXT: Luke 1:67-80
BENEDICTION: Numbers 6:24-26

• MARTHA SPIERS CARD SHOWER As most of you are aware by now, Martha Spiers, our church secretary of more than 30 years, is retiring from that position. We plan to honor her and her service at the conclusion of tomorrow's service. What we are asking of the congregation is to bless her with a card shower. Share your appreciation, thanks, and tokens of esteem by means of a card that morning (or if you are unable to be here that morning, get it to your Sunday School teacher beforehand). We will be recognizing her during the service and blessing her with the cards at that time. A place to deposit those cards will be located in the narthex.
• SPECIAL CALLED MEETING FOR 2021 BUDGET APPROVAL: The church met in conference last Sunday evening to discuss the budget proposal brought by our Stewardship team. The discussion was fruitful, upbeat, and positive. One item that came to our attention following the meeting is $100 missing from the total in the missions category total and from the grand total. This will be corrected in the presentation for congregational approval after the service tomorrow morning.

LOTTIE MOON CHRISTMAS OFFERING for INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS amount given to date is $955. Praise the Lord, and thank you for giving! How about $1000 or $1500? Pray about what the Lord would have you give, then give freely and cheerfully. Every dollar, dime, and penny of this offering goes to support our IMB personnel on the field; none is used for administrative or overhead costs.

FELLOWSHIP HALL FLOORING COMMITTEE recommended resurfacing the fellowship hall and kitchen area with hard-surface, wood-like polyvinyl flooring. In our special business meeting, we voted to authorize a combination of memorial funds and undesignated funds on hand to complete the project, estimated at about $10,000 including labor and materials. At this writing, $7,819 of the need has been met through memorial and designated giving. Praise the Lord! If you would like to give to this project, simply write "Flooring Project" on an envelope with your gift enclosed. Thank you so much to all those who have given already!

• And take a few moments to check out the freshly painted Fellowship Hall and kitchen when you are in the church building. Thanks to all the hands that helped with that part of the project. We will likely be tearing out the old carpet and linoleum the week of December 28 - January 2, so watch for more information about that project.

OFFERING ENVELOPES are available in bundles of 25 at the rear of the sanctuary for your convenience in giving for 2021. 

THIS WEEK

• Monday: Virtual Bible Study via ZOOM at 7 pm; see Pastor Kyle for details.
• Wednesday: In-person and virtual Midweek Service via ZOOM at 6:30 pm
• Thursday: Christmas Eve Candle Light Service, 6 pm in the Sanctuary. All are invited to participate in this family service of Scripture, carols, prayers, and a devotional message, all by candle-lght; about one hour in length.

COMING UP
December 27: Birthdays and Anniversaries recognized at the end of the service. Birthday offerings go to support Missouri Baptist Children's Home and anniversary offerings go to support The Baptist Home, Missouri Baptists' home for the aged. Visit the links to learn more about both of these vital ministries.
January 3: We will be observing the Lord's Supper in our morning worship service. Begin preparing for that service through prayer and self-examination.

ICYMI
Last Sunday’s Message Luke 1:46-56 The Song of Mary Here are the sermon notes for that message.


FIGHTER VERSE bookmarks will be available in the narthex beginning next week. If you want a headstart, follow this link to the Fighter Verses for 2021. This is Set 1 of the FIghter Verses.


BONUS: It comes as no surprise to anyone reading this that the sexual revolution has had far-reaching consequences for our entire society and culture. It is of particular relevance to us as Christians trying to live out the Biblical worldview. The Biblical worldview is countercultural in its essence, but it has become more so in the last few decades. Carl Trueman has written an important book which will be on my list to read this year entitled The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, and Al Mohler takes the time to interview him about this book on his most recent installment of Thinking in Public. (just over an hour)


Have a Merry and Blessed Christmas, and see you in church!


Grace and Peace


Pastor Greg



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