CHERISHING OUR PAST EMBRACING OUR FUTURE 150 th Anniversary There is hope for your future, says the Lord.

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1 CHERISHING OUR PAST EMBRACING OUR FUTURE 150 th Anniversary There is hope for your future, says the Lord. -Jeremiah 31:17a OUR STAFF Minister: The Reverend Laura Lee Strawser Director of Music: John Rickert Organist: Mark Rethman Administrative Assistant: Linda Wieferich Caretaker, Al Ferrell Nursery Attendant: Sarah Egerer OUR CHURCH OFFICERS Moderator: Heather Ballien Vice-Moderator: Tom Carr Clerk: Cyndi James Treasurer: David Garn Missions Treasurer: Roger Ellsworth Financial Secretary: Laurella Smith CHURCH TEAM CHAIRPERSONS 1. Christian Education: Sarah Egerer 2. Youth: Cheryl Ellsworth and Earl Settle 3. Outreach/Evangelism: Jan Wheeler Historian: Teddy Pelkey Assistant: Cheryl Ellsworth 4. Music: Jennifer Morris 5. Missions: Nikki Anjakos-Seno 6. Finance: Jim Garn 7. Facilities/Maintenance: Earl Settle 8. Hospitality: Connie Ellsworth 9. Worship: Nancy Lewis 10. Pastoral Relations: David Quinnan 11. Visitation: Lois Smith OUR CHURCH VISION Drawing upon its rich history of service to God in an urban setting, Michigan Avenue Baptist Church serves as a beacon of Christ-centered ministry to the community through witness, worship, and fellowship in a culturally diverse population. MICHIGAN AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH The Reverend Laura Lee Strawser 203 S. Michigan Avenue - Saginaw, Michigan Church office: (989) MichiganAveBaptist@sbcglobal.net Website: MABCSaginaw.org Pastor Laura Lee Strawser may be reached: Cell phone: (989) revlls59@charter.net Pastor is on Face-Book. Please feel free to contact Pastor Laura Lee.

2 Advent Greetings! I am using the Pastor's Page space to share something truly beautiful with you for this Advent & Christmas season. During our most recent Sunday School class on 'ReJesus', Teddy Pelkey shared a beautiful letter that had been sent to her by her daughter, Renee. We were looking at how Jesus' person and life inform how we are to be as his disciples. Renee's letter reminded us all of how the birth of Christ changes us; for the better and forever. This Advent season, I pray that you will ask the question Renee asked herself: "What parts of the Advent/Christmas season are most meaningful to my faith?" Think about it. Pray about it. Write it down. Share it with someone you love. That might be the best Christmas gift you give yourself and your loved ones! Have a Blessed Advent and a Happy Christmas! Pastor Laura Lee WHAT HOLIDAY PREPARATION IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO MY FAITH? By Renee McGregor I have to admit that when I was first asked this question I really had to think about it. There were ever so many holiday preparations, like putting up the tree, shopping for gifts and groceries, baking, writing cards, wrapping gifts, putting up decorations, but did any of them have meaning to my faith??? After much reflecting, I did finally come up with several possibilities, but the one I d like to share with you this morning is the custom of putting up a Nativity. I grew up in a Christian home and we always put up a crèche during the Christmas Season. So it was natural for me to want to continue that practice when I began my own family. My very first Nativity set was given to us as a family Christmas gift from my parents. Each December, my three daughters, Erin, Kelly and Megan, would help me unwrap the figures and place them strategically around the manger. Then on Christmas Eve, by the light of the tree and with the Nativity as our focal point, our family would read the gospel account of Jesus birth and sing Christmas carols to the accompaniment of my husband s guitar playing. This helped us keep Christ s birth at the center of our celebration. Throughout the years, I guess the word must have gotten out that I loved Nativity sets, because I began to acquire quite a collection of them. My Mom, who is sitting behind me here in the choir, made me a beautiful set out of stained glass. A friend from church gave me a special set that was carved from wood that came from the Holy Land. I inherited an heirloom Nativity from my Mother-in-law upon her passing. But without a doubt, the most precious Nativity set I own was made by my daughter Kelly, who is now in heaven with Jesus, when she was about 8or 9 years old. She belonged to a girls group at the church we were attending and for Christmas one year, they painted ceramic figurines of the Nativity to give as gifts. Of course it immediately became a very special part of our family tradition. Believe it or not, when I lived in my house, there were years when I put out all of my Nativity sets, but now that I live in an apartment, I ve had to scale things down a bit. These days, I limit myself to only putting out two Nativities the original set that my parents gave me and the one made by Kelly. My girls are grown now with homes of their own, but I m happy to report that God has blessed me with two sweet granddaughters, who love to come over and help Grandma with her Nativity. They love to touch and handle the figurines, and, I have to admit, that I have found the baby Jesus in some pretty unusual places after they ve gone back home. All of this encourages me to believe that perhaps the tradition of having the Nativity is indeed being passed down to the next generation. You may be wondering who I say that putting up the Nativity is meaningful to my faith?? Please let me explain. Every time I look at the baby Jesus in the Manger, it reminds me of how much God loves me and you. He loved enough to come here to Earth and dwell among us, His creatures, to show us God s true nature. If that weren t enough, He then willingly laid down His life to clean us up enough so that we might be able to have a relationship with God for all eternity. I don t know about you, but to me that s fantastic news! When I look at the Nativity, it helps me stay grounded and focused on the real reason I m celebrating and that s the birth of Jesus Christ.

3 MICHIGAN AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH The Reverend Laura Lee Strawser 203 S. Michigan Avenue Saginaw, Michigan Church Office: (989) Website: ADVENT 2013 For Unto Us And the World Sunday, December 1st, First Sunday of Advent HOPE 9:30 a.m. Church School 10:45 a.m. Worship Service Sermon: The Comforts of Christmas Isaiah 40:1-5 12:00 p.m. Fellowship Sunday, December 8th, Second Sunday of Advent LOVE 9:30 a.m. Church School 10:45 a.m. Worship Service Sermon: Tough Life and Tender Love Isaiah 40: :00 p.m. Christmas Potluck Sunday Sunday, December 15th, Third Sunday of Advent JOY 9:30 a.m. Church School 10:45 a.m. Worship Service Sermon: Turning Advent Burdens into Christmas Joy Isaiah 9:2-4 12:00 p.m. Fellowship Sunday, December 22rd, Fourth Sunday of Advent PEACE 9:30 a.m. Church School 10:45 a.m. Worship Service Sermon: Finding Peace in a Name Isaiah 9:6-7 12:00 P.M. Fellowship Tuesday, December 24th, Christmas Eve 7:00 p.m. Worship Service Sermon: A Present of Presence Luke 2:8-20 Wednesday, December 25 th Merry Christmas Sunday, December 29 th 9:30 a.m. Church School 10:45 a.m. Worship Service Sermon: A Diary For a New Year Isaiah 63:7-9

4 WE RE CELEBRATING OUR 150 th ANNIVERSARY! At MICHIGAN AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH 203 S. Michigan Saginaw, MI By presenting A Messiah Sing December 15, :00 p.m. Join us as we sing with the community, The Christmas portion of Handel s Messiah. No need to be a professional --- just have a desire to sing. For more information please call: (989) CHOIR REHEARSAL DATE: December 8, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at Michigan Avenue Baptist Church Donations will be accepted for the East side Soup Kitchen 1863 CHERISHING OUR PAST.EMBRACING OUR FUTURE 2013

5 WOMEN S CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST 9:30-11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 7, 2013 straits in the first place. Because of you, their lives will change forever. It all starts with a simple meal. Thank you for partnering with us to reach these hurting souls, to give them another chance at life. Tickets are $5.00 each and may be purchased from Cheryl Ellsworth or Cyndi James THANK YOU Dear Congregation I want to say thank you with all my heart to Pastor Laura Lee, Linda and to the congregation for your love and support during Margaret Leaman s passing. God knows how wonderful you all are as well as I do. The meal was wonderful as well. Thank you again. God s love to All Pam Leaman and Family Congratulations to Annika Strawser on the birth of her son, Jaxon Lee Strawser Albers. Jaxson was born October 26, 2013, 8 lbs. 7 oz., 20.5 inches long. Proud Grandparents are Revs. Ray and Laura Lee Strawser. Dear MABC During a time like this we realize how much our friends mean to us. We have lost someone very special. Thank you for sharing our sorrow. The family of Margaret Leaman YOUR MISSION OFFERINGS AT WORK Thank you for providing help for our homeless neighbors this Thanksgiving! Your gift of $ for City Rescue Mission ensured that many hungry, hurting people receive a hearty, nutritious meal. People walk off the streets and through our doors every single day. For them, the Mission is a refuge from that hard life, providing a safe place to eat, rest, and collect their thoughts. And for those who participate in our life skills classes, it s an opportunity to beat the tragedies and trials that left them in such dire Joyce Murphy C/o Mike Casey 119 College Grove Road Rockwood, Tennessee (989) Joyce would enjoy receiving cards, letters and an occasional phone call from friends.

6 I would like to shout out a huge 'THANK YOU' to all those who were a part of the recent 150th Anniversary Banquet and those who helped me with the 'Old-fashioned Worship Service'! Monday, December 2, 2013 The annual Christmas Caroling for Shut-Ins will be held on Monday, December 2, We will meet between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m. at Saginaw Wesleynan Church, 2125 Shattuck Road, Saginaw. We will be leaving Saginaw Wesleynan Church at 6:00 p.m. to make our visits and will be returning about 8:30 p.m. for refreshments. Everyone is invited to join in the caroling. Second Sunday of Advent THANK YOU to the following for their help with the banquet: - Connie Ellsworth & Jim Garn, for coordinating the banquet - Jim Garn, Earl Settle, Dianne Ellsworth, Arlene Leary, Mary Larkin, Lois Smith, Frank & Jackie Anjakos, Cyndi James & Cheryl Ellsworth, for food preparation - Sally Egerer, Al Ferrell, Tom Carr, Brenda Baroody, Cyndi James, Vivian Settle, Cheryl Ellsworth, Nikki Anjakos, Jimmy Larkin & Devin Ballien, for dining room preparations and food service - Earl Settle, for lights and sound - David Quinnan, for designing and building the replicas of our church buildings - Jackie Anjakos, for painting the stainedglass windows on one of the church replicas - Cheryl Ellsworth, for designing, preparing and having printed the posters, menus and programs for the evening - Heather Ballien, Sharon & Gregg Schultz, Jenny Morris, Jackie Anjakos and Nancy Lewis, for providing presentations at the banquet - EVERYONE ELSE, for helping with the clean-up and for your attendance at the banquet THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU!!! YOU ALL DID AN AMAZING JOB! Following the worship service, we will hold the Christmas Potluck. Delicious food will be enjoyed by all as we share in food we have prepared for this meal. There just might be a visit from a very special person today too. Come and enjoy in the festivities of the season And to - John Rickert, Mark Rethman, Sharon Schultz, Gregg Schultz, Linda Wieferich a thank you for helping me with the 'Old-fashioned' Worship Service! I appreciate each of you. -Pastor Laura Lee Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. -Calvin Coolidge

7 MEN S BREAKFAST 9:00 a.m. Saturday, December 14, 2013 LIVE TO GIVE In Acts 20:35, Paul quotes Jesus as saying, IT is more blessed to give than to receive. (Interestingly, that s the only recorded statement of Jesus that s not found in one of the four gospels.) The blessings of giving are profound and lasting. Poet Maya Angelou says, I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver. 7:00 p.m. Sunday, December 15, 2013 In honor of our 150 th Anniversary, Michigan Avenue Baptist Church will present a community Messiah Sing. Come and enjoy as we sing with the community, the Christmas portion of Handel s Messiah. Donations will be accepted for the East Side Soup Kitchen. Place your cookie order no later than December 8 with Cyndi James or Cheryl Ellsworth. Frosted and sugared cookies $6.00 per dozen. Sugared cookies are $5.00 per dozen. Orders will be available for pick up Sunday, December 15. GOD AMONG US The claim that Christianity makes for Christmas is that at a particular time and place God came to be with us himself. When Quirinius was governor of Syria, in a town called Bethlehem, a child was born who, beyond the power of anyone to account for, was the high and lofty One made low and helpless. The One who inhabits eternity comes to dwell in time. The One whom none can look upon and live, is delivered in a stable under the soft, indifferent gaze of cattle. The Father of all mercies puts himself at our mercy. -Frederick Buechner HISTORIAN S CORNER Bibles in the Historian s Showcase in the Large Social Hall One of the Bibles belonged to Willard Haskell. Mr. Haskell was among the founders of Michigan Avenue Baptist Church. Mr. Haskell was born in 1861 and died on June 2, 1952 at the age of 91 years and 6 months just 6 months short of being 92 years old. He served on the Board of Trustees and in 1947 the Trustees elected him Honorary Life Member of the Trustees. The Bible with a red cover was presented to the church in memory of John Howard by his wife, Mrs. Bea Howard. John Howard was born in 1905 and died in Another Bible in the case was presented to the church on August 1, 1927 by Mrs. Harriet Fellows, the mother of Jessie Fellows. (This information submitted by the Church Historian, Teddy Pelkey)

8 HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS! Each Christmas, a family celebrated Christmas by holding a birthday party for Jesus. To remind themselves of Jesus presence, they placed a chair of honor for him at their dinner table. ` The highlight of the party was singing Happy Birthday to Jesus and then blowing out the candles on a special cake. One Christmas, a visitor asked the family s 5-year-old daughter, Did you get everything you wanted for Christmas? The girl paused and then answered, No! It s not my birthday! Life is like a camera: Focus on what s important, capture the good times, develop from the negatives, and if things don t work out, take another shot. -Source Unknown CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 19, 2013 SCRAPBOOKING The MABC Scrap-bookers will gather at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 21, JANUARY NEWSLETTER Beacon newsletter articles are due Monday, December 23, Christmas Eve Worship Service 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 24, 2013 If you have small children, you are invited to use the viewing gallery. Our nursery attendant will not be on duty Christmas Eve as she will be attending the worship service. Thank you. THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD Early Christians celebrated both Jesus birth and baptism on Epiphany, January 6. Only in the fourth century did Roman Christians appropriate a pagan festival to celebrate what we now call Christmas a contraction of Christ Mass. But the origin of when we celebrate Jesus birth doesn t detract from the day s holiness. In fact, God has always transformed things of the world to serve his purposes and show his glory. The festival honoring the Unconquered Sun, held on what was then considered the winter solstice, was deemed the perfect time to praise the sun of righteousness (see Malachi 4:2). By claiming this day as our own, Christians profess that earthly darkness winter s seasonal darkness and the darkness in our hearts and lives is brightened not by a heavenly body that will one day cease to shine but by Jesus, the real unconquered and unconquerable Light of the world.

9 Love came down on the first Christmas Eve Love came down for you and me Love came down to set us free Love is born on Christmas day. -Author Unknown Merry Christmas From the staff of MABC Pastor Laura Lee Strawser Linda Wieferich, Administrative Assistant Al Ferrell, Caretaker John Rickert, Director ofmusic Mark Rethman, Organist Sarah Egerer, Nursery Attendant

10 MICHIGAN AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH Event Cancellation Policy In the event that the cancellation of the worship service or any other public church activity may be warranted, the following procedure will be followed: The Church Moderator shall consult with the Pastor, the Chair of the Worship Team, and any other persons who might provide pertinent information for making the decision, such as Team chair of the Finance, Christian Education, Music Director, church maintenance staff, etc. Should the Moderator determine that cancellation is warranted, s/he shall notify WNEM-TV (Channel 5), WEYI-TV (Channel 25), and WSGW Radio, (790 am) for public announcement. Reasons for the cancellation of worship or other church activities include (but are not limited to) power outage, boiler malfunction, inclement weather or other natural disaster, declared emergency by local officials, and medical emergencies. Note: The policy does NOT apply to internal meetings, such as board and team meetings, music rehearsals, and youth group meetings. CHRISTMAS LOVE GIFTS FOR CHURCH STAFF MEMBERS If you would like to give a Christmas Love Gift to our staff members, please fill out this form and return it with the amount indicated to Nancy Lewis no later than Sunday, December 15, If giving by check, please make your check out to Nancy Lewis. Thank you. Nancy Lewis Worship Team Chairperson Laura Lee Strawser, Pastor $ John Rickert, Director of Music $ Mark Rethman, Organist $ Linda Wieferich, Administrative Assistant $ Al Ferrell, Caretaker $ Sarah Egerer, Nursery Attendant $ TOTAL $

11 2014 CONTRIBUTION ENVELOPES Your NEW 2014 contribution envelopes will be ready for you to pick up during the month of December. They will be located at the back of the sanctuary on the usher s table. Please pick up your contribution envelopes to save the church the postage of mailing them. If you do not have a contribution envelope box and would like one, please contact the church office. Annual Reports are Due Sunday, December 30, 2013 Annual Reports are due from All Team Chairpersons Sub-Team Chairpersons Moderator Church Clerk Church Treasurer Financial Secretary Mission (Benevolence) Treasurer Historian Pastor Director of Music If you would like to submit your report before the due date, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your help. YEAR END NOTES A reminder if you want your 2013 contributions to be included on your 2013 giving record, it must be received in the church office no later than Sunday, December 30, Please submit any and all bills for payment and/or reimbursement no later than 9:00 a.m., Monday, December 15, ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING 7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 30, FLOWER CHART If you would like to provide flowers for the worship service signifying a special date in your life, or just because, you are welcomed to sign your name noting the significance of the date. Please call the church office if you would like to have this date mentioned in the announcement section of the church bulletin.

12 150 th Anniversary Celebration Messiah Sing Concert MICHIGAN AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH The Reverend Laura Lee Strawser 203 S. Michigan Avenue Saginaw, Michigan Church Office: (989) Website: Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Sat. 1 First Sunday of Advent Second Sunday of Advent Christmas Potluck 2:00 Messiah Sing Rehearsal 2 5:30 p.m. Christmas Caroling 6:15 p.m. Bible Study 9 6:15 p.m. Bible Study Rehearsals Rehearsals 5 5:30 p.m. Prayer Team Meeting 12 5:30 p.m. Prayer Team Meeting 6 7 9:30 a.m. Women s Christmas Breakfast :00 a.m. Men s Breakfast 15 Third Sunday Of Advent :00 a.m. Scrapbooking 7:00 p.m. Messiah Sing Concert 22 Fourth Sunday of Advent 6:15 p.m. Bible Study Rehearsals :30 p.m. Prayer Team Meeting Annual Reports Due 7:00 p.m. Worship Service :30 p.m. Prayer Team Meeting Wednesday Choir Rehearsals 6:30 p.m. Belle Aire Handbell Choir 7:30 p.m. Latham Burrows Choir Sundays at MABC 9:30 a.m. Church School for all 10:45 a.m. Worship Service 12:00 p.m. Fellowship

13 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS 06 Rose Johnson 09 Carol Ellsworth 09 Janet Leaman 10 Brent Eads 14 Sara Wilson 15 Aileen Kushon 18 Dorothy Annear 21 Sally Egerer 22 David Garn 23 Renee McGregor 26 Christopher Lewis 27 Thomas Carr 28 Sandra Sauvie 28 Audrey Cooper 30 Roger Ellsworth 31 Arlene Leary If your birthday has not been listed, please contact the church office at (989) with your birth date. We d like to wish everybody a Happy Birthday during their birthday month. Please contact the church office should you have a change of address. We want to keep our records current. Thank you.