December 4 at 6:00 pm Hanging of the Greens Celebration. December 11 at 9:00 and 10:30 am FBC Worship Choir and Children's Choir

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1 DECEMBER Runneburg PO Box 354 Crosby TX December 4 at 6:00 pm Hanging of the Greens Celebration December 11 at 9:00 and 10:30 am FBC Worship Choir and Children's Choir presents Christmas! We Remember, Rejoice, Worship December 18 at 6:00 pm Evening Worship December 24 at 4:00 and 5:30 pm Christmas Eve Traditional candlelight services December 25 Christmas Day No Sunday School today Morning Worship Service at 10:30 am Childcare will be provided for babies-5 years. The church office will be closed for Christmas weekend: Friday, December 23 Monday, December 26; and on Monday, January 2, for New Year's Day.

2 THE BUTLER SERVES What might sacrifice mean to you? Every year about this time (the kick-off of our Lottie Moon International Missions Offering Emphasis) I circle back to this same place. And, this same place is wondering what sacrifice might mean for any of us, in our giving, to carry the Gospel of our Lord Jesus to the people who have not yet heard enough of the Gospel and the truth as it is in Jesus, to make a responsible choice to receive or reject Him. And, what it might mean for the furtherance of the Gospel, if we and another 45,000 Southern Baptist Churches across the United States, got the same issue settled. And, we all did something about it! And, that something was indeed sacrifice. Here is what I think: I think the believing, born again church in America can carry the Gospel to every people group on earth in the next quarter century if we did something in our giving that had the feel of sacrifice to it. Here is an example of sacrifice made to carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth: Picture a 25 year-old Adoniram Judson, in 1811, in a letter asking his father in-law to be for his permission to marry the man s daughter. I think this will amaze you: I have now to ask, whether you can consent to part with your daughter early next spring, to see her no more in this world, whether you can consent to her departure, and her subjection to the hardships and sufferings of a missionary life, whether you can consent to her exposure to the dangers of the ocean, to the fatal influence of the southern climate of India, to every kind of want and distress, to degradation, insult, persecution, and perhaps a violent death. Can you consent to all this, for the sake of Him who left His heavenly home, and died for her and for you, for the sake of perishing, immortal soul, for the sake of Zion, and the glory of God? Can you consent to all this, in hope of meeting your daughter in the world of glory, with the crown of righteousness, brightened with the acclamations of praise which shall resound to her Savior from the heathens saved, through her means, from eternal woe and despair? You see, the very basis of Judson s appeal is that God will be glorified though the sacrifice they all will be making to carry the Gospel to those who had no access to the truth as it is in Jesus. His father in-law approved, and in the end it did cost his daughter s life. Adoniram Judson served oversees for 38 years and while there, he buried two wives and seven children, all having died prematurely. Today there are nearly 4,000 Baptist churches with over 500,000 Christ followers in the heart of Buddhist Burma (Myanmar). I am not suggesting to you that you and your family, make anything like the sacrifice Adoniram and Ann Judson and their families made for the Lord Jesus and His work in this world. I am asking you to ask God to show you what sacrifice might look like in your life. And when He shows you, then do something about it. Be obedient to what God shows you to do, to the end that Name might be glorified among all the nations of the earth. To the end that every people group on the face of this earth will have a witness to the saving truth about Jesus Christ. Let s face it, business as usual is no longer acceptable. In fact, it never has been acceptable. It is just what we did. And last year we called home about 20% of our international missionaries because we did not have the money to keep them serving on the field to which the Lord Jesus had sent them. Changing horses, on the same old merry-go-round, will not get the job done. It is our time in the bright lights of eternity. Our time on the stage. Adoniram and Ann Judson played their part so very well. Will we? It is going to come down to sacrifice. Robin the Butler Our church goal: $ 26,000 Received so far: $ 2,570

3 GENE'S NOTES L.A.F.F./Music/Men's Ministries On the Calendar Dec 7 - Men's breakfast at 3 Sisters, 8:30a Dec 11 - Choir program, 9:00 and 10:30 am Dec Monument Inn (see below) Dec 14 - Men's breakfast at 3 Sisters, 8:30a " " Dec 18 - Ladies' lunch at Baytown Seafood, 11:30a - Business meeting, 7:00p Dec 20 - Shut-in meals prep/delivery, 10:30a Dec 21 - Men's breakfast at 3 Sisters, 8:30a Dec FBC closed Dec 24 - Christmas Eve services, 4p & 5:30p Dec 25 - Christmas Day, see front page Dec 28 - Ladies' lunch at Hungry Jack, 11:30a " " - Men's breakfast at 3 Sisters, 8:30a If you have ideas for a trip day trip or extended stay or for a ministry project, please call Jan in the church office. LIFE AFTER FIFTY FUN! CHRISTMAS PARTY Tuesday, December 13 at Monument Inn For anyone age 50 and better, and their spouse. We will take church vans and private vehicles. You must sign up: $5 for your meal. Place your money in an envelope with your name(s) and put in your Sunday School offering, church offering plate, or bring by the office no later than December 7th! Questions? Call Jan in the church office. Leave church at 10:50 am Nehemiah Brothers: Ministry of Helpers Our Nehemiah Brothers do small upkeep jobs in the homes of our Single Parents and Senior Adults. Sometimes you need a light bulb changed, or a faucet fixed. Contact John ( ) if you need help, or if you have a skill to provide help! Heirs of Adam & Eve! A group of men and women helps our seniors "cultivate and keep" their yards. If you're able to volunteer, call Dale ( ) or Bro. Gene ( ). Worship Tech volunteers for both Sunday morning services needed! Run Easy Worship just watch and click! Additional sound board operators ESPECIALLY in the 10:30 service! Camera operators for both services. This is a HUGE need! You'll be trained by the best! Health & Safety FBC Crosby is concerned about the safety and well-being of members and visitors while present on our campus for church-sponsored activities. For this reason, in 2017 we will be expanding our Health & Safety ministry to include a security team to serve as Watchmen in the spirit of Ezekiel 33:3. We are seeking volunteers among our membership who are licensed peace officers, either active or retired, who would be interested in serving in this ministry. Please contact Bro. Gene if you are interested in serving on this new team.

4 KIDS STUFF Mrs. Lee Ann and Mr. Josh KidZone: Wednesday nights at 6:30 3 years 5 th grade Games are played each Saturday, January 7 February 25 Awards Celebration is Sunday, February 26 This is the only interaction many of our participants have to a church activity. We need our members to serve in this important ministry! Positions include: Concessions // Half Time Devotions // Set-up & Clean-up Volunteer NOW! Contact: joshseale@fbccrosby.org or llcamp4@gmail.com CUIC Christmas Toy Drive is in full swing!! November 1 December 15 Each year Churches United In Caring, Crosby's local assistance center, gives food and gifts to qualifying families to help with Christmas. CUIC has asked for new age-appropriate items for babies to 14 years, but especially kids 9 years and older. Drop-off boxes will be around the church through December 15 th, where you may leave new toys and gifts (do not wrap items, please)! Suggested gifts: Bibles, story books, activity and coloring books, crayons or markers, toys, games, puzzles, sports equipment, Christian music CDs, family-friendly movies. CUIC has been in operation for more than 30 years. Volunteers come from the member churches, and there is a real need for more, especially interviewers! If you can volunteer for a few hours one day a week, please contact Lou Marek ( ), or just call Churches United in Caring at COOL Ministries of First Baptist Church Crosby presents Come join us for a fun morning of eating pancakes, enjoying games, crafts, and Santa! Saturday, December 10, :00 am 12:00 noon First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall 615 Runneburg Road, Crosby, Texas Don't forget to wear your favorite jammies! Please call Laura Taylor at for more information. Party is customized for our special needs children and family members. WE NEED LOTS OF VOLUNTEERS FOR A SUCCESSFUL EVENT! IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN HELPING, PLEASE CALL LAURA AT THE NUMBER ABOVE!

5 FBC CROSBY STUDENT MINISTRY PAYMENT SCHEDULE Nov. 6 $25 Nov. 27 $25 Dec. 27 $25 MIDDLE SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PARTY!! Wednesday night, December 21 at 6:30! Bring a $5.00 white elephant gift, and a snack to share! INVITE FRIENDS!! If you re not already signed up but would like to go, it s not too late! Please contact Kyle or Hayley in the church office for more info. ASAP! HIG H SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PARTY!! Tuesday night, December 20 at 6:30! Bring a $5.00 white elephant gift, and a snack to share! INVITE FRIENDS!! For more information on any of the information above, or on the regular church schedule, please call the church office and ask for Kyle Chapman or Hayley Dossey:

6 Welcome to our New Members! Elizabeth (Mia) Osborne Stephanie Adams Claire Chesser Katelynn Lee James Starett All Sunday School Leaders, Directors, Teachers, Workers: We will have our next leadership training on December 11 th, starting at 5:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. We'll be done before 7:00. Please be sure to mark your calendar now, and plan to attend. We now have Smart Giving Text GIVE to (713) And follow the instructions! A new secure and simple way to give through your Mobile Phone 1. Simply set up a secure account and connect it to any credit/debit card. Then text the amount you want to give to For example, text to that number and you have donated $10.00 to the general fund. 2. Get receipts, updates, and follow your giving, via text and Give to designated offerings and events through key words offered. For example, text 5.00 lottie and donate $5.00 to Lottie Moon Missions offering.

7 SPRING 2017 Sunday Night Discipleship Begins January 22! FAITH Evangelism Strategy (Faith first-timers will start January 15) General Bible Study with Bro. Henry Revelation Part 1" Inductive Bible Study over Colossians taught by Andrew Harpold Ladies Bible Study "All Things New", lessons on 2 Corinthians Bilingual Bible Study - Amanda Castro Small group leader training (1st 6 weeks)/ Mission trip preparation (2nd 6 weeks), taught by Bro. Jeff GriefShare: grief recovery, led by Bro. Gene Youth Faith/discipleship (7 th -12 th grades)

8 Regular Weekly Schedule Dec 2 MOPS, 9:30-11:30a Dec 4 Discovery Class, 10:30a " " Hanging of the Greens Service, 6p Dec 5 Upward Basketball & Cheer practice begins Dec 9 MOPS, 9:30-11:30a " " Adult & Children's Choirs final rehearsal, 7p Dec 9 Ladies' lunch at Baytown Seafood, 11:30a Dec 10 COOL Ministry Pancakes & Pajamas, 10a Dec 11 Choir Christmas musical, 9a and 10:30a " " Sunday School Leaders' meeting, 5p Dec lunch at Monument Inn, see inside Dec 14 Ladies' lunch at Baytown Seafood, 11:30a Sunday 8:00 am Sunday School: Adults (no child care) 9:00 am Worship with Praise Band/ culto de alabanza " " Sunday School: babies-4th grade, all Adults 10:30 am Worship Celebration with Choir " " Sunday School: every age, " " Escuela Dominical 6 pm Watch weekly bulletin for seasonal events Monday 7:00 pm HS Seniors/College/Young Adult Bible study Tuesday 6-8 pm High School Youth, Estudio de la Biblia 6:30p Wednesday Dec 17 Homeless ministry leaves for Houston, 8a 8:30 am Men's breakfast every week at '3 Sisters' Dec 18 Evening worship, 6p " " Business meeting, 7p Dec 20 Shut-in meals prepared & delivered, 10:30a Dec 23 Church office closed for Christmas Eve Dec 24 Christmas Eve services, 4p and 5:30p Dec 25 See front page for Christmas Day schedule 6:30-7:45pm 'KidZone' (3 yr-5th grade) 6:30-7:30pm Adult Prayer Meeting and Bible study 6:30-7:45pm Adult Choir rehearsal 6:30-8 pm Middle School Youth (6 th -8 th ) Thursday 7:00 pm Praise Band rehearsal Dec 26 Church office closed for Christmas Day Dec 28 Ladies' lunch at Hungry Jack, 11:30a Jan 1 Regular morning schedule, no evening Jan 2 Church office closed for New Year's Day Budget needs YTD: $1,187,362 Budget receipts YTD: $1,144,257 11/6/16 11/13/16 11/20/16 Thanksgiving week 11/27/16 Preschool 46 Preschool 44 Preschool 42 Preschool 39 Children 76 Children 71 Children 71 Children 70 Youth 61 Youth 66 Youth 56 Youth 69 Adults 264 Adults 254 Adults 264 Adults 239 Total SS 447 Total SS 435 Total SS 433 Total SS 417 Worship 400 Worship 359 Worship 453 Worship 391 Visit u s! y.net and on Facebook phone PO Box 354 (mail), 615 Runnebur g (physical), Crosby TX Ministerial staff: Robin Butler Senior Pastor Gene Talbot Associate Pastor/Music/50+/Counseling Jeff Holloway Associate Pastor/Business Manager Kyle Chapman Interim Youth Pastor Hayley Dossey Youth Associate Lee Ann Lee Minister to Children/Preschool /Counseling Josh Seale Children/Preschool Associate