Connections. First. The Monthly Magazine of Nashville First Baptist Church

Transcription

1 Connections First The Monthly Magazine of Nashville First Baptist Church December 2017

2 Grow Frank and to the Point Dr. Frank R. Lewis, senior pastor Nashville First Baptist Church begins celebrating the birth of Christ in December, and we invite you to celebrate it with us! There are so many ways we can discover, connect, grow, and serve in the name of Jesus throughout the year, but we find more ways to do this in December than any other time of year. Most of us are struggling to make any sense at all of the myriad of difficult, heart-breaking realities that greet us daily. We live in a culture that shows itself more violent, less confident, and increasingly secular with every breaking news story. We find strength and encouragement to make it through times like this when we gather for worship and look to God s Word for direction. You ll discover this in December as we begin a series of messages on The Five Candles of Christmas. December 3 THE CANDLE OF HOPE Romans 15:12-13 December 10 THE CANDLE OF PEACE Luke 1:67-79 December 17 THE CANDLE OF JOY Matthew 2:1-12 December 24 a.m. THE CANDLE OF LOVE John 3:16-19 December 24 p.m. THE CHRIST CANDLE Luke 2:1-20 Christmas gives us a chance to push back the darkness in our world. Let me invite you to do this in any number of ways this year: Invite a friend to one of our worship services. Join us for the Nashville Christmas Parade, and help us love on our city. Be here for TubaChristmas, and help us welcome our guests. Give a box (or a dozen) to Operation Christmas Child. Give a financial gift through our Christmas Offering to International Missions to support the work of our missionaries who are pushing back the darkness in places around the world. Help us host Room In The Inn as we care for those facing a hard time. Bring a warm coat, work boots, a bag of socks and underwear, and other clothing items to the Christ Closet. Become a part of our Extended Care Ministry so that a young mother or father can attend services at our church and hear a message that will give them hope. Be more generous than usual. Be kinder than necessary! Reconcile. Forgive. Cut some slack. Lighten up. With the Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love of Christ Merry Christmas! Bring someone with you to one of our December music events. 2

3 December 24 (evening): The Christ Candle (Luke 2:1-20) Frank R. Lewis Connect December 3: The Candle of Hope (Romans 15:12-13) December 10: The Candle of Peace (Luke 1:67-79) December 17: The Candle of Joy (Matthew 2:1-12) December 24 (morning): The Candle of Love (John 3:16-19) December 24 (evening): The Christ Candle (Luke 2:1-20) The Five Candles of Christmas is the theme of our 2017 Advent Celebrations as we reflect upon the historical meaning of the candles which comprise the Advent Wreath. Each candle represents an important aspect of our preparations for Christmas Hope, Peace, Joy, Love, and Christ. Christmas at First/The Hanging of the Green familiar carols, along with extraordinary holiday classics such as Here We Come A-Caroling, The Snow Lay on the Ground, A Stable Prayer, and Go Tell It on the Mountain will thrill your heart with the joyous sounds of Christmas. Please utilize these Ministry through Music events as evangelistic/outreach opportunities by inviting your family, friends, neighbors, and associates to celebrate with us the birth of Jesus Christ our King. Joy to the World! The Lord is come! Sunday, December 3 6:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary Bring your friends and family as we experience Christmas at First on Sunday, December 3, 2017, featuring our Children s, Youth, and Sanctuary Choirs along with The Sanctuary Orchestra and the traditional Hanging of the Green. Glorious music of the season will be employed to powerfully convey that Jesus has come to save the world. Warm your heart with the wonder of Christmas as we celebrate Christmas at First! Keyboards at Christmas Sunday, December 10 6:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary Six grand pianos, 528 keys, 24 hands, The Sanctuary Choir, and some of First Baptist Nashville s most talented instrumentalists will present Keyboards at Christmas on Sunday, December 10, All ages will delight at the sights and sounds of this festive musical evening as we celebrate Christmas on a truly grand scale. Christmas Eve Worship Services Carol-Candlelight Celebration Sunday, December 24 5:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel The Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra will present a CarolCandlelight Celebration on Sunday, December 17, They will share majestic music of the season which will draw you afresh to the manger as we worship together the Christ of Christmas. Exquisite arrangements of Join us at Nashville First Baptist for our Christmas Eve Worship Services Carols, Candles, and Communion. The 5:00 p.m. service will feature soloists and great carols of the season. The 8:00 p.m. service will feature music of the season with a contemporary flair. Bring your family and friends for these special times of worship designed to draw us closer to the Christ of Christmas. Sunday, December 17 6:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary 3

4 Have You Met the Jean Emmanuel Family? by Joan Lehning Back row: John Baptist, 10; Rosette; Emmanuel; John Amani, 16. Front row: Innocent, 2 yrs; Moses, 4; John Paul, 7. Sitting: John Pierre, 13 In March of this year, a group of eight Nashville First Baptist members joined forces to become a Good Neighbor Team for the family of Jean Emmanuel Mwangobwoba*. The family arrived in the United States as refugees in October, Ethnically, they are Congolese, but Emmanuel and his wife Rosette spent 20 years living in a Ugandan refugee camp while raising their six boys and waiting to learn their ultimate destination. Not long after we met Emmanuel and his family, they expressed to us their desire to visit the church responsible for sending their team of supporters. After worshiping at Nashville First Baptist for the first time on April 16, the family fell in love with the service and Bible study classes. Every single Sunday since, they have asked to come with us! As brand new Americans, Emmanuel s family offers our team many service opportunities. At this time, our team feels it is appropriate to reach out for some additional assistance. Emmanuel s family has many transportation needs, but does not own a vehicle. The family lives in an apartment complex near the intersection of Old Hickory Blvd. and Nolensville Rd. We are looking for individuals who can assist with transportation. In addition, Emmanuel s family is very interested in finding alternate housing. As a team, we could use the advice and guidance of anyone who has experience with housing for low-income families, or anyone who has leads to help us find such housing. If you are interested in helping, please contact the team leader, Joan Lehning, jlehning@comcast.net. Look forward to 2018 MEN/YOUNG MEN S RETREAT Led by General (Retired) William Shelton, U.S. Air Force Friday evening, February 2 Saturday morning, February 3 NFBC THE TRUE MEASURE OF A MAN, BY RICHARD E. SIMMONS III You don t have to be a business executive or professional to be driven by an insatiable desire for recognition and success. Men from all walks of life are prone to competition and comparison. Richard Simmons presents new parameters, coupled with a surprising paradox, for assessing your worth as a man. It s more important to build personal qualities that can weather the storms of life than outward achievements, which fall woefully short. AN EVENING FOR FATHERS AND DAUGHTERS FEBRUARY 13 No matter your age no matter your daughter s age, join us for an evening to celebrate this most special bond. SPORTSMAN OUTREACH MARCH 3 A day of safety training for parents & kids CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP CONCEPTS DISCIPLESHIP CLASSES Training men in Christian faith & leadership New classes are forming for For more information: ChristianLeadershipConcepts.org/CLC. Contact Pastor Tom, Tom.Crow@NashvilleFirst.org, or John Galloway, John.Galloway@dwcinteriors.com, for more information. Stay tuned for further details. You don t want to miss any of these opportunities. *According to Congolese tradition, each family member has a different last name. 4

5 GROW Welcome to Our New Members! The Week of Prayer for International Missions December 3 10 LUNCHEON ON DECEMBER 5 Women on Mission will gather on Tuesday, December 5, at 10:30 a.m. to hear Mary Mangrum, recently retired IMB missionary to Panama. She will speak about her 35 years on the mission field. She spoke at the Mary Martha Group in October, and many said she was inspiring and informative. Grady Jean Lunch is provided for $6. Please call Linda McDugald at to make lunch reservations. Bring a friend and your Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. PASTOR TOM SPEAKS ON RUSSIA Wednesday, December 6 6:00 p.m. Fellowship Hall Pastor Tom has been to Russia several times, which is the focus of this year s International Mission Study. He will share his experiences being on mission in Russia. Mark your calendar to be there. December Staff Anniversaries 1 Shannon Meadors (2009) 8 years Lily Bankston We Make It Easy to Give For your ease, whether in town or out of town, you can contribute to the Lord s Work through Nashville First Baptist Church: First Connections Give online with your smart phone NashvilleFirst.org. Schedule an electronic contribution as frequently as you like using bank draft. Mail a check, or place it in your Bible study or worship offering. Contribute cash in your own sealed envelope. 5

6 Connect An Arabic Language Revival from Tusculum Hills to the World by Wes Turner Revivals have profoundly influenced my life. I professed Christ at a Revival. Two Revivals during high school set a course for lifetime commitment. The historic character of our nation can be traced back to the First and Second Great Awakenings and later national and regional movements. My father told me of the post-world War II Youth Revival Movement that raised up a generation of church leaders. The 1969 Asbury Revival beginning at Asbury College in Kentucky and the Jesus Movement from California, which swept the nation in 1970, ignited spiritual flames which still burn for many of my generation. With this background, I was eager to attend the Great Physician Arabic Language Revival in October at Tusculum Hills Baptist Church. Part of the Global Outreach Partnership between Tusculum Hills, Forest Hills, and Nashville First Baptist Churches, and supported by Begin Anew, the revival was also sponsored by many Arabic evangelical congregations. Several Nashville First members attended and others worked in child care. I am thankful that our church is a part of the Tusculum Hills Global Outreach Partnership. This initiative ministers in the name of Jesus and fulfills the Great Commission among immigrant and refugee families in Nashville. It was born from recognition that the Lord is drawing people from around the world to himself, through Tusculum Hills. This has been confirmed in the multitude of Partnership Ministry points, the Arab American Friendship Center, Children s Freedom Choir, Summer Music Camp, Vacation Bible School, youth after-school tutoring and mentoring, Good Neighbor Support Team, ESL classes, purchase of land for community gardens, and the Language Missions of Tusculum Hills, among others. But, back to the revival. Tusculum Hills Pastor Paul Gunn asked that I assist in praying and counseling those coming forward. I wondered how this would work, since I speak no Arabic, but readily agreed. Each evening began about 6:30 with music, excellent Middle Eastern music, both performance and congregational. When the meetings began, possibly a third of the sanctuary was filled. As the 6 nights went on, the room was packed. The evangelist, Dr. Zakaria Estawro of Egypt, preached and gave an invitation. The services ended about 9:00 p.m. For part of the services, I listened to a sporadic English translation on a headset. Both nights I was there, a young Egyptian American boy came over and asked for my headset, which I was happy to give. Like me, he didn t understand Arabic. After that, I didn t understand any of the words, but I had heard enough to know that Dr. Estawro did not sugarcoat the gospel. He called for sinners to leave their sin and unbelief and turn to Jesus, the only Doctor who can heal your terminal sin disease. Then came the invitation. The altar was filled. Fortunately, they spoke English. I prayed with a young man to receive Christ. I prayed with three young believers who wanted to turn away from sin in their lives. I prayed with a young pharmacist whose green card was mired in bureaucracy. Pastor Gunn prayed with twelve people to receive Christ. The response in the room was the tip of the iceberg. Each night, the revival was broadcast into Saudi Arabia and the entire Muslim world, indeed the entire world, via the Alkarma TV Christian satellite network. Millions could see the broadcasts, most in countries where meetings like these would not be possible. Al Karma is Arabic for The Vine. Jesus said, I am the vine, you are the branches. Apart from me, you can do nothing. The language of the Arabic Language Revival was different, but the message and response were familiar. Just like revivals of years ago, people encountered the Living Christ. Planning and organization are important, but as the old revival hymn says, All is vain unless the Spirit of the Holy One comes down. What does our nation, our church, need? What do we need? Lord, send a revival, and let it begin in me we re overdue. First Connections

7 First Events The Nashville Christmas Parade Outreach SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2 7:30 A.M. 11:00 A.M. Thousands will attend Nashville s Christmas Parade or watch it on TV, and Nashville First will once again proclaim the birth of Jesus! In addition to our nativity-themed float, we will serve our community from the corner of 7th and Broadway, offering hot chocolate, candy canes, clean restrooms, and free parking. For more information or to volunteer, contact Tom Crow, Tom.Crow@NashvilleFirst.org. NBA Toy Store Each year the Nashville Baptist Association hosts a Christmas Toy Store for families living in the area of Nashville. Families that are invited to shop also hear the good news of Jesus! If you would like to volunteer at the store the week of December 4 at Shelby Avenue Baptist Church, please contact JoAnn Howard at Visit NashvilleBaptistAssociation.org for additional information. Christmas Eve Morning COMBINED WORSHIP 10:30 A.M. SANCTUARY NO WORD & TABLE SERVICE OR 9 A.M. BIBLE STUDY NO ACTIVITIES ON CHRISTMAS DAY New Year s Eve COMBINED WORSHIP 10:30 A.M. SANCTUARY NO WORD & TABLE SERVICE OR 9 A.M. BIBLE STUDY NO ACTIVITIES ON NEW YEAR S DAY Parents Night Out DECEMBER 8 6:00 10:00 P.M. BABIES GRADE 6 $25 PER FAMILY This month at PNO, children will celebrate all the joys of Christmas with pizza, crafts, stories, and games. Children will end the night with milk and cookies and a special Christmas movie. Payment and RSVP are due by noon Thursday, December 8. You may register online at NashvilleFirst.org/pno. Contact: Mary Bunn, , Mary.Bunn@NashvilleFirst.org GAs Serve for Lottie Moon ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT, DECEMBER 13, our girls in grades 1 6 will be on mission during the Fellowship Meal. They will bus tables, refill glasses, and wait on you for tips to go to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. Contact: Mary Bunn, , Mary.Bunn@NashvilleFirst.org Bible Drill Kick-Off JANUARY 7 12:00 2:30 P.M. ROOM 360 Bible Drill is a challenging, yet fun, semester for Grades 4 6. It is designed to develop skills to navigate, memorize, and apply the Word of God. Each independent year, preteens memorize 25 Bible verses, 10 key Bible passages, and learn to locate any book of the Bible in less than 10 seconds! Combined with lunch, game time, and parties, Bible Drill is a total thrill! Contact: Mary Bunn, , Mary.Bunn@NashvilleFirst.org Winter Gala/Dinner Theater FEBRUARY For more details and audition information, visit NashvilleFirst.org/ WinterGala. The Christmas Post Office Throughout December, church members can send Christmas cards to each other through the Royal Ambassador s Christmas Post Office. It s easy! Just place the cards you want to send in the mailbox along with your donation to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. The RAs suggest that you donate the amount you would have spent on postage to this important mission offering. Our RA boys and leaders will sort the cards by last name for pick-up. Please stop by the post office each Sunday to check the mailbox. Even if you do not choose to send cards through the RA Post Office, cards may be sent to you! Contact: Matt Malone, mm.malone71@ gmail.com 7

8 108 SEVENTH AVE SOUTH NASHVILLE, TN Wishing You a Blessed Christmas and a Victorious New Year! With Love, Your Church Staff