December Making Friends Forever...

Transcription

1 December 2015 Making Friends Forever...

2 From the Pastor s Heart December-a busy time as we close out one year and get geared up for a brand new year. I have to say, I am more excited about what God has planned for us in 2016 than I have ever been! Can you imagine over 1000 of us reading the same passage of Scripture every day, and studying the same passage of scripture every Sunday in Bible Fellowship Groups, and then studying the same passage of scripture in the morning worship as we read the week before? I hope you will make a commitment to Begin the Journey on Sunday, January 3, In preaching the gospel for 44 years, I have preached through many books in the Bible, except for one. Starting on Sunday night, January 3, 2016, at 6:00 pm, I will begin a verse-by-verse study of Revelation. Even though we will study prophecy and how it relates to today s headlines, we will focus on the main character of Revelation-Jesus! Plan now to worship Jesus Christ with the family at Englewood on Sunday mornings and evenings beginning in Sunday, December 6 th is our commitment day for serving the Lord through Englewood Baptist Church. If you are a follower of Jesus and a member of Englewood, then be prepared to bring to the altar your Lord, Use Me Commitment Card listing the different ministries in which you would be willing to serve. Know that on this Thanksgiving, one of the many things I expressed thanks to the Lord for, was the privilege you give me to serve you as your pastor. Thank you! Michael Cloer Christmas Holiday Schedule Dec Church Office Closed - No Wednesday Night Activities Dec Church Office Closed ~ 5:00 pm Christmas Eve Service Dec Christmas - Church Office Closed Dec 27-10:00 am service only that day Dec 28 - Church Office Closed Dec 29 - Jan. 1 - Church Office Closed (No Wednesday night activities on 30 th ) Dec. 31/Jan 1 - Praying In the New Year

3 Financial Peace University Begins Sunday, January 4:00 pm or Wednesday, January 6:30 pm Room M115 The Art of Marriage Begins Sunday, January 3 4:00 pm or Wednesday, January 6 6:30 pm Every marriage is unique, expressed by the colorful personalities of each spouse and textured by the circumstances at play in their lives. Blending these to make marriage work is a divinely inspired art form-challenging to master but definitely worth the effort. For more than three decades, FamilyLife has been helping couples discover God's plan for relationships. Now, in this study for small groups, we weave together expert teaching, engaging stories, man-on-the-street interviews, humorous vignettes and much more to portray the hope and beauty of God's design. Register in the church office. Money a little tight during the Christmas season? Worried about those bills that will be coming in January? We all need a plan for our money. Financial Peace University (FPU) is that plan! It teaches God's ways of handling money. Through video teaching, class discussions and interactive small group activities, FPU presents biblical, practical steps to get from where you are to where you've dreamed you could be. This plan will show you how to get rid of debt, manage your money, spend and save wisely, and much more! Classes will be held on Sunday afternoons at 4:00 pm beginning on January 3 rd and Wednesday evenings at 6:30 pm beginning on January 6 th in Room M115. Register on the church s website or in the bulletin. Starting January 3 rd, 2016, all Bible Fellowship Groups of all ages will embark on a 3 year journey through the Word of God called The Gospel Project. Beginning in Genesis will see how all of God's Word is a proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Every day there will be portions of Scripture for participants to read and meditate on in preparation for the lesson that will be taught on Sunday in their Bible Fellowship Group. Those daily reading portions will be posted in the weekly bulletin, on the website, and available in every Bible Fellowship Group. There will also be digital copies of each lesson posted on the website every week for participants to access. These can be used in Bible Fellowship Groups or in personal study every week. Check back each week to see that week s lesson posted. Our desire is to glorify God by making disciples of all nations. We believe that true, eternal discipleship will take place in our Bible Fellowship Groups as we study through the Bible with The Gospel Project. Come, join us!

4 PrimeTimers Christmas Gathering (55 yrs. & older) Thursday, December 10th 6:00 pm Englewood Baptist Church Lewis Building You are invited to attend this very special evening. Please bring your favorite heavy hors d oeuvres, enough to share with friends! We will be blessed with a special Christmas program by Unity!

5 Live Connections Class (Church Membership Class) Pastor Michael will lead a special membership class on Wednesday night, December 9th, from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm in Room M111. The class is called Live Connections and is for anyone 6th grade and older. Childcare is available. Please sign up in the Sunday Church bulletin or contact Julie Green in the church office. The Gift of Jesus includes daily devotions to help light your path and reveal how God wants you to live according to His holy Word. We have been given My Bible Adventures is a the magnificent gift of Jesus - to live in and through collection of prayers and devotions written by pastors and other church leaders including our very our lives. Each day features Scripture passages, a own Senior Pastor, Michael Cloer. Travel through devotion, and a prayer that reveal how the gift of God s Word all year long. The greatest stories in the Jesus can transform your life. Bible come alive for kids in My Bible Adventure through God s Word. Watch your children develop a Books are available for purchase relationship with God while reading amazing stories of in the Narthex and in the EBC Bookstore. faith each week. Cost is 2 for $25 These books will be available for purchase (2 for $20) or 1 for $15. at a table in the Narthex as well as the EBC bookstore. Get your children and/or grandchildren a copy of this precious devotional book. Conquerors Christmas Banquet Friday, December 4, :00 pm in the Lewis Building Tickets: $5.00 each (Conquerors get in free) Banquet open to everyone! Get your tickets today! Guest Speaker: Pastor Swane Holloman Musical Guests: King s Praise & Mission

6 Christmas SCAM ALERT Here is another scam that is hitting the streets now that the Christmas shopping season is on us. This is a Debit and Credit Card Security Code Scam Alert that is scamming individuals of all ages. If you haven't had the following scam happen to you yet, let this be word of warning. Scenario Someone calls you claiming to be a fraud representative from your card issuing company. The caller provides your credit or debit card number and says they noticed suspicious activity on your account. You are asked to verify a purchase and when you confirm that you did not make the purchase, the representative states that you will not be held responsible for the charge(s) and you will be issued a new account number. However, the caller requests that you provide them with your card's 3 or 4 digit security code as proof that the card is in your possession. Otherwise you may be held accountable for the charge(s). Your response should be: 1. Ask for the caller's name and employer information and END the call. 2. Place a call to your card issuer using the toll-free number located on the back of card and ask for fraud assistance to confirm the caller and the circumstances are legitimate. 3. If the call is determined to be a scam, indicate that your card number has likely been stolen and your card issuer will proceed to properly document the details and issue you a new card number. It s easy to fall for a scam like this, especially since the caller already has your credit card number and seems to be legit. Be prepared to respond with the appropriate questions and reach out to your card issuer promptly. Don t let these scams ruin the joy of this Christmas season. Tuesday, December 1 6:33 am & 6:33 pm in the Narthex But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness Matthew 6:33

7 Sunday Afternoon Bible Fellowship Group Begins January 3 rd at 4:15 pm Hey, we are beginning a new Bible Fellowship Group starting on January 3 rd, 2016! It will meet in Room M111 at 4:15 pm on Sundays. Pastor Jacob will be teaching this BFG. We are opening this up for anyone that can t attend a BFG on Sunday mornings: Children s BFG Leaders, Nursery Workers, Police Officers, EMS workers, Firemen, and for people who sleep in! UPCOMING STUDENT EVENTS A Journey To Bethlehem Hearts Haven Youth Ranch Town Creek Road, Elm City The event is FREE but the experience is PRICELESS!! The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord -- has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David. Come and take a Journey through Bethlehem the night our Savior Jesus Christ came into this world. Bring your family and friends. Youth Christmas Party ALL High School Students are Invited Gene & Carole s Home December 20 th at 7:00 pm We will meet at Gene & Carole s house following the Evening Worship Celebration. Bring your favorite Christmas snack and a $5.00 White Elephant gift. Middle School Christmas Party At Sky Vue Skateland December 12 th 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm This year's Christmas celebration with be at Sky Vue Skateland in Rocky Mount. Be at The Edge at 12:30 pm sharp or meet us at Sky Vue. Bring $2.00 for Compassion International. College/Young Singles Christmas Party Richard & Pam Strickland s Home December 19 th at 7:00 pm We hope you will make plans to join us for this fun evening of food and fellowship. All college and young singles are invited to join us as we celebrate Christmas together!

8 Praying In the New Year We had such a tremendous response to our Praying In The New Year for 2015! Now the same opportunity is available to pray in the New Year for 2016 starting on December 31 st at 6:00 pm and lasting through January 1 st at 6:00 pm in the EBC Prayer Room. You can sign up on the Global Prayer Hallway Bulletin Board for one or more of the forty-eight 30 minute time slots available beginning on Sunday, December 6 th. This is a great time for you alone, you and your spouse, family, or BFG class to take time to pray for our church as we pray out the past and pray in the New Year! Come join us as we give thanks to God for all His blessings this past year and pray for His glory to be displayed in our lives during