December Newsletter

Transcription

1 ZOAN BAPTIST CHURCH ZBC Rev. Jesse R. Booth Executive Pastor December 2016 Newsletter Rev. Jordan Medas Worship & Discipleship Rev. Jason R. Booth, Pastor 5888 Plank Road Fredericksburg, VA Small children were putting on a Christmas program. The entertainment proceeded without a hitch until near the end of the event. Each child held a large card with a letter printed on it. The letters were turned away from the audience. One by one each child turned the card he or she was holding to reveal a letter. First was the child with the C, then the one with the H, and so on down the line. When it was time for a little girl to hold up the M, it was upside down. The M appeared to be a W. Quiet giggles rippled through the audience. Nevertheless, the kids continued one by one to reveal the rest of the cards. When the last card was shown, the cards were meant to spell out: C H R I S T M A S L O V E

2 From Pastor Jesse s Study 3 Alexis Brubaker Ashlyn Trovinger (Boggs) 7 Larry Proffitt Glenna Witter 8 Jason Booth 9 Molly Medas 11 Ray Baldwin 17 Cheryl Coe 21 Lee Eustace 23 Art Proctor Tom Rorrer 25 JESUS 26 Billy Alexander Noelle Corrao 27 Audrey Rott 30 Barbara Eustace If your birthday has been missed we request your forgiveness, please let the secretary know. Russell Nagy's moving choral anthem "The Promise" contains these words: Silently by night, in mortal flesh enshrouded, He who framed the mountains draws first breath. Far from human sight, the Promise ne'er forgotten Is in love begotten to conquer death. The marvel of Christmas is that the Maker of the mountains took His first breath as a baby. The One who framed the universe assumed human flesh so He could save us. The incarnation is the astounding combination of who descended from heaven to earth, how He arrived, and why He came. "For by Him all things were created.... And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.... For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself... having made peace through the blood of His cross" (Colossians 1:16-20). When Jesus took His first breath on earth, a loving promise of God the Father was fulfilled. The Christ-child whom the angels announced and the shepherds proclaimed had come to die. The baby in the manger was "the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation" (v.15), "in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins" (v.14).

3 From Pastor Jordan s Study On Sunday, Dec. 4th, the congregation at Lake of the Woods Church in Locust Grove, VA will be voting on whether or not to call me as the next Pastor to Young Families. The Board of Elders voted unanimously to recommend me to the church and so the congregation will be voting at their congregational meeting this Sunday. While it's not official until they vote, I believe the vote will affirm the recommendation of the Elders. And if they vote to call me, I will accept the call, and they have requested that I start full-time on January 1st. So, with both a heavy heart and a heart anxiously expectant of what I feel God is asking of me, I write my final entry in the Zoan monthly newsletter. I have enjoyed writing these as I feel that I do a better job in written word than in person. It gives me the opportunity to pause and use 20/20 hindsight. As I use my 20/20 hindsight in reflecting on our family's time here at Zoan, a warmth fills my heart as our family says thank you to everyone at Zoan. Zoan is a special place and I thank God for the blessing that has been our time here. Lisa and I knew the first time we left the parking lot as visitors that Zoan was where He wanted us. The preaching is solid, the people are warm and friendly, and you feel like family from the moment you walk in. It feels like everything church should be. In the Bible, a place where special works of God occur, an altar is built. Truly the altar at Zoan is appropriately located where God is doing special works. Thank you, Jordan, Lisa, Jonah, Abby, Jessi, and Molly Sunday December 4th Tuesday Dec. 13th Ladies Night Out Olive Garden 6pm Van leaving at 5:30pm with Light Tour Please Sign Up Monday, December 12th at 6pm Board of Directors Meeting with a Question & Answer Session at Secret Sister Reveal Luncheon after Worship On Sunday December 18th Our Annual Sock Mitten & Scarf Tree is up. Items needed for hanging on the tree are socks, mittens, gloves, caps and scarves for adults. Collection will be through December 18th and the items will be sent to Hope Tree Family Services, in Salem, VA. Thank you for you help in this ministry. No meeting for the Month of December but your books are 1. Summer at the Comfort Food Café and 2. Christmas at the Comfort

4 December 2016 INTERNATIONAL MISSION EMPHASIS 12/4~9/11 LOTTIE MIOION CHRISTMAS OFFERING ~ $1,000 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat *Prayer Time 9:30pm-9:50pm Early & Worship 9am & 11am Sunday School 10am Children s Worship 4 * 5 Summit Academy Church in Use/6pm-9pm 11 * 12 Board of Directors Meeting 6pm 18 * Secret Sister Luncheon after Worship Fannie Johnson Circle 9am Ladies Night Out with Light Tour 6pm 7 Mary Coe Circle Church in Use/5:30pm- Summit Academy Church in Use/5:30pm Bible Explores SS Class Christmas Gathering McCord's 6pm Christmas Cantata 25 * One Service ~ 10am No Sunday School Church Office Will Be Closed This Week

5 Answer: D From Pastor Jason s Study For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6,7 What makes December so special? Is it the lights, trees, parties and gifts? Is it the traffic, shopping malls and Santa Claus? December is special because we celebrate the birth of the one true Messiah, Jesus Christ. This child whom was born would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace, Why? He is the Wonderful Counselor because He understands our struggles and guides us correctly. Your word is a lamp into my feet and a light into my path Psalm 119:105 He is the Mighty God because regardless of what we re facing, He s mighty enough to handle it. Jesus said; All authority in heaven and earth has been given into Me Matthew 28:18 He is the Everlasting Father because, He is the same yesterday, today and forever more Hebrews 13:8 Finally, He is the Prince of Peace because He is greater than the kayos we live in. Jesus said; Peace I give unto you, My peace; not as the world gives unto you. But peace where your heart isn t troubled. John 14:27 December is not about finding the perfect present. December is about finding the perfect gift, the gift of Jesus. During this holiday season enjoy hope, joy, peace and happiness, but do so in the one who called you out of darkness. The one called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. May your Christmas season be filled with Him. Look What s Cooking?? A recipe from our zbc Cook Book!!! Christmas Cake By Pat Booth 1 box white cake mix 1 (8 oz.) cream cheese 1/2 c. confectioners sugar 1 (16 oz.) Cool Whip 1 can cherry pie filling Make cake mix according to directions on box, make 3 layers. Cool cake completely. Mix cream cheese and sugar, add Cool Whip. Frost layers. Top with cherry pie filling. If you have a favorite recipe you would like to share with everyone send it to the secretary by the 15th of the month to be in a future Newsletter. A few zbc Cook Books are still available in secretary s office for $ How many wise men followed a star to Bethlehem to worship Jesus? A. two B. three C. four D. We don t know