Volume 69 Week of December 25, 2016 Number 52 Office: Prayer Line:

Transcription

1 First Baptist Church Montgomery Beacon bring them in...build them up...send them out Volume 69 Week of December 25, 2016 Number 52 Office: Prayer Line:

2 CONNECTIONS from your Pastor s Heart See and Be God s Light! Jesus proclaimed, I am the light of the world. He who follows Me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life. (John 8:12) Then add to God s equation of illumination His affirmation, The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:5) Christmas celebrates the glorious fact that God has shared with us His priceless gift of LIGHT. God invites you to take Him by a hand of faith and walk with your guiding Heavenly Father into a fabulous future of following His illumination. The Lord wants us to SEE and BE His light in this dark world. Every person travels through seasons of darkness. The darkness may be linked to a personal failure, a family feud, a financial flop, a fickle friend, a tenacious sin, a painful sorrow, or a fear-causing sickness. These patches of darkness cause us to wonder if evil will win? My friend, today, RIGHT NOW, it is time to begin again! It is time to stop being a victim of this fallen world s darkness and start walking as a victor in the Lord s light! In the midst of the deadly darkness of sin, God sent Jesus into the world to shine a great light a light so bright that it would guide and provide transformation for all who follow the radiant Redeemer. Furthermore, Jesus assigns His children the privilege of being His light: You are the light of the world, let your light so shine among men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16) This Christmas let s embrace Christ s invitation to walk in His illumination. After you SEE His light, promise to BE His light: proving yourself blameless and pure, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse world, among whom you shine as children of the light. (Philippians 2:15) Always Shining TOGETHER, FBC Faithfulness Sunday, December 18, 2016 ATTENDANCE Bible Fellowship Enrollment 5150 Bible Fellowship Attendance 1560 Weekly Attendance 2095 Discipleship Attendance 248 OFFERING Required Weekly $125, Received Sunday $177, Required To Date $6,399, Received To Date $6,106, Building Fund Sunday $ Building Fund to Date $33, Lottie Moon Christmas Offering $168, Under Budget $293,504.74

3 FBC Holiday Schedule Sunday, December 25 Merry Christmas! 10:30 AM \\ Christmas Worship Service Monday, December 26 FBC Offices Closed Wednesday, December 28 No Evening Services or Activities Sunday, January 1 Happy New Year! Regular Morning Schedule No Evening Services or Activities Monday, January 2 FBC Offices Closed Ministry Announcements Children s Ministry GAs and RAs will begin again on Sunday, January 8 at 5:00 pm. Don t miss the opportunity to be a part of these exciting groups. Bible Drill begins on Sunday, January 8 for all 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students. Join us at 6:00 pm in room A311 as we learn the books of the Bible, the location of key scripture passages, and memorize scripture. Student Ministry Save the Date for Disciple Now on Friday, January 13 through Sunday, January 15. Register online at Adult Ministry The January Bible Study will take place on Monday, January 23 through Wednesday, January 25 from 10:00 am to Noon in Stakely Sanctuary. The study will be Complacency Exposed, a study of the book of Malachi. Missions Ministry The 2017 Missions Menu is now available! You can pick up your copy in the main sanctuary foyer or visit A special prayer event, Journey of Prayer, will take place on Sunday, January 8 at 5:00 pm in the fellowship hall. This event is your opportunity to start the year in an attitude of worship and intercession. For more information, contact Brian Gay at or briang@montgomeryfbc.org. Start the New Year with an emphasis on missions! You are invited to the Amy Year-End Giving The Church Business Office is here to serve you as we approach the end of the year. All gifts must be postmarked by Saturday, December 31 in order to go toward your 2016 giving record. If you are gifting appreciated assets, please make the business office aware of those gifts and the designation of the gifts. Please contact Patti Shoemaker at or Gwen Keene at for more information.

4 Cooper Women on Mission Lunch Meeting on Monday, January 9 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm in the Huff Building Fellowship Hall. Jared & Sarah McCrory will be our special guests sharing about Children s Hope ministries. Bring a sack lunch, a guest, and join us for a time of fellowship, inspiration, and mobilization! Call Karen Quimby at for more information Save the Date for the Global Impact Celebration (GIC) on Wednesday, February 15 through Sunday, February 19. For more information, visit In preparation for Global Impact Celebration (GIC 2017), we re producing The Purpose Podcast. In this audio podcast you will hear inspiring conversations with guests that will be coming to the GIC from the US and all around the world. Visit to learn more or listen today. FBC Foundation As you review your financial plans at year end, it is a great time to review your estate plans, as well. You may want to consider leaving a lasting legacy to the First Baptist Foundation through your will, trust, or life insurance policies. You can also make a meaningful future gift while generating income, immediate tax savings, and other benefits today. For more details, contact Alissa Parrish at airvin@montgomeryfbc.org or visit leaving-a-legacy. New Members By Baptism John Tillman Clements 1739 Croom Drive Montgomery, AL Emma Grace Thomas 3112 Fitzgerald Circle Montgomery, AL By Letter/Statement of Faith Miss Shelby Scott 3639 Honeysuckle Road Montgomery, AL Mr. Dennis White Mrs. Dennis White (Brenda) 3107 Lancaster Circle Montgomery, AL Our Church Family If you would like to add someone to the prayer list, contact Carolyn Bryan at Sympathy Extended to Mr. & Mrs. Eddie Lancaster (Bonita) in the death of their grandson Miss Jillian Jordan in the death of her grandmother Mr. & Mrs. Jay Tidwell (Michele) in the death of her father; Joshua, Rosemary, Jacob, Ruby Jean & Charlie Tidwell in the death of their grandfather; Mr. & Mrs. Cole Smith (Jessica) in the death of her grandfather Baptist East Harold Snyder Jackson John Hendrix Louise Walker Capitol Hill Healthcare Kathleen Stitt HealthSouth Gwen McGriff John Knox Rehab Pat Stewart Congratulations Extended to Mr. & Mrs. Calvin Wyatt (Samantha) in the birth of a daughter Children s Hope Looking for a way to bless and help children and communities in need with a year-end gift? Check out the Gift of Hope initiative at giftofhope. It provides multiple ways that you can meet specific ministry needs in Haiti. If you would like to give in honor of a friend or family member, we have cards you can send them to let them know of your impactful gift. May the Lord bless you as you enter into 2017! Churchwide News & Events There will be no Churchwide Visitation on Sundays, December 25 or January 1. Travel with First Baptist Church on the Ark Encounter Tour, May 29 through June 4, See the full-size replica of Noah s Ark located in Williamstown, Kentucky. This agenda is packed with touring/sightseeing in Chattanooga, Lexington and Nashville. For more information, visit There will be NO Beacon printed the week of January 1.

5 FBC Stewardship Goal: $6,642,000 Pledged to Date :: $6,037, (90.89%) Remember, it s never too late to make your commitment! Winter 2017 FBC Discipleship Classes For a complete list visit Ladies Bible Study: Armor of God Tuesdays, January 10 through April 11 9:30 am Bell Chapel The Five Love Languages Wednesdays, January 11 through April 26 5:45 pm B402 DivorceCare Wednesdays, January 11 through April 19 6:45 pm B405 ABC S of Evangelism Sundays, January 15 through March 12 4:30 pm 413 Ladies Bible Study: Entrusted, A Study of 2nd Timothy Sundays, January 15 through February 26 4:30 pm B402 Soul Care 101 Sundays, January 15 through March 12 5:00 pm B415 DiscipleMaker Mentor Training Sundays, January 15 through April 16 5:00 pm B401 & B417 Wednesdays, January 18 through April 19 5:30 pm B417 Return to Mayberry Sundays, January 15 through April 30 5:00 pm B405

6 This week at FBC Montgomery For the complete calendar, visit Sunday, December 25 Merry Christmas! 10:30 Christmas Worship Monday, December 26 FBC Offices Closed Tuesday, December 27 Wednesday, December 28 No PM Activities or Services Thursday, December 29 Friday, December 30 Saturday, December 31 New Year s Eve Sunday, January 1 Happy New Year! 8:30 Worship Service 9:45 Bible Fellowship Classes 11:00 Worship Service Monday, January 2 Passion Conference Tuesday, January 3 Passion Conference Wednesday, January 4 Passion Conference No PM Activities or Services 12:10 War Room Prayer Emphasis Thursday, January 5 9:00 Conversational English 10:00 Caregivers Support Group Friday, January 6 6:45 Friday Morning Men s Group Saturday, January 7 In Home Ministry Member :: Jeanette Martin 404 Daphne Lane Montgomery, Alabama Morning Worship (10:30 am) Lottie Moon Christmas Offering Away in a Manger Melanie & Naomi Hudson Offertory The Kenny Hall Family Message Jay Wolf Evening Worship (5:30 pm) Merry Christmas! No PM Service CrossRoads Broadcast Schedule for the Living Christmas Tree Watch the sermon at the time below or online at Frazer Channel 13 (Montgomery & Prattville) Brighthouse Channel 122 (Elmore County) Sunday, December 25 1:30 pm & 6:00 pm Tuesday, 7:30 pm; Thursday, 9:30 am & 6:00 pm WSFA-TV Channel 12 Sunday, December 25 10:30 am & 12:30 pm The Beacon (USPS # ) is published and printed weekly by First Baptist Church, 305 South Perry Street, Montgomery, Alabama Periodical postage paid at Montgomery, Alabama. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Beacon, 305 South Perry Street, Montgomery, Alabama South Perry Street Montgomery, AL FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH montgomery