2012 Theme. The Year of Fruitfulness

Transcription

1 2012 Theme The Year of Fruitfulness December 16, 2012 Galatians 5:22 23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law. MOBC Core Values 1. Radical Hospitality 2. Passionate Worship 3. Intentional Faith Development 4. Risk Taking Mission & Service 5. Extravagant Generosity DECEMBER 2012 MINISTRY MEETINGS Mon. 17 Called Church Meeting WFC Women s Ministry Room 6:00 PM Tue. 18 No Noon Day Bible Study Will resume January 8, 2013 Civic Ministry Room 6:00 PM Deacons Ministry Room 140 Historical Ministry Room 139 Male Ushers Sanctuary Wed. 19 Senior Ministry Conf. Room Pre Christmas Guest Preacher: Rev. Rickie Hopkins, Pastor Total Praise Worship Center Thu. 20 Music & Arts 6:00 PM Church Office will be Closed for the Christmas Holiday from December 24 26, 2012 Sat. 29 Olive Branches Ushers 9:00 AM Mon. 31 Early Bird Watch Night 12 Noon Watch 10:00 PM Our Vision Statement "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Luke 4:18 19 (NKJ) It is the vision of Mt. Olive to be a church that is intentional in its efforts to identify and meet the needs of broken, hurt and oppressed people in the greater Glen Allen area through the message and ministry of Jesus Christ. From the Pastor's Desk "His name shall be call Immanuel, which is translated God with us." It is wonderful to know that God is with us. No matter what you are facing receive strength and courage from the fact that God is with you and is able to do the impossible in your life. Continue to walk by faith as you give God the glory due His name! Love, Pastor Thompson s 8:00 AM & 11:00 AM Church School & Christian Arts Christmas Production Four Gospels: One 9:30 AM ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This is the Third Sunday in! Wreath Lighting Ceremonies Begins Today we light the Light of Joy

2 General Theme For This Quarter: We hope that you will join us as we are focusing on: This is a five lesson study of Ephesians. The emphasis in these lessons is on the exaltation of Christ over all principalities and powers from the beginning to the end of time. This first two lessons proclaim the power of God as revealed in and through Christ. The third lesson considers the images of the Church as the body with Christ as the head. Lesson 4 focuses on Christ as the Light of the World. Lesson 5 looks at another metaphor for Christ's relationship with the Church as its bridegroom. THIS WEEK S LESSON: MOBC FAITH DEVELOPMENT!! advent season December 2 December 24, 2012 (The pulpit attire is Purple) The Christian Year opens with the season. means coming or arrival. This season emphasizes expectancy and preparation expectancy of the coming of Christ and preparation for His coming again. The color for is purple; it speaks of penitence and is associated with Christ as King, purple being a royal color. NEXT WEEK S LESSON: December 23, 2012 LIVE IN THE LIGHT John 1:1 5; Ephesians 5:1 2, 6 14 People sometimes think their thoughts, fears, and actions are hidden or that they re secret from others. The writer of Ephesians tells us that as Christians, we always live in Christ s light that overcomes all kinds of darkness, and the wise men received a light into their lives when they found the baby Jesus and were overwhelmed with joy. Sermon Highlights: December 9, 2012 Points: 1) Peace is about the presence of God. 2) Peace is about the purpose of God. 3) Peace is about the power of God. JESUS IS LORD This quarter has three units that detail the early church s teaching about Christ. These lessons from Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians draw us toward a deeper understanding of who Christ is and what it might mean for us to imitate Christ in our lives. VICTORY IN JESUS? UNITY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST Ephesians 4:1 16 UNIT #1 The writer of Ephesians says that, although we bring different gifts, we find true unity as we grow in Christ, who is the head of the whole body. Title: What Is Peace All About? Text: Matthew 1:18 25 Main Idea: Peace is more than a concept. Peace is a sense of well being knowing we have all that we need in Christ. The text teaches that: For the full message order a CD or DVD of the service from the Media Ministry. CDs $5.00; Double CDs $7.00 ; VHS $15.00; DVDs $12.00 DAILY BIBLE READING * MONDAY: Light Dawns for the Righteous Psalm 97 * TUESDAY: The Way of Darkness Ephesians 4:17 24 * WEDNESDAY: Putting Away the Old Ways Ephesians 4:25 32 * THURSDAY: Be Careful How You Live Ephesians 5:15 20 * FRIDAY: We Have Seen His Star Matthew 2:1 11 * SATURDAY: We Have Seen His Glory John 1:6 14 * SUNDAY: Light Shines in the Darkness John 1:1 5; Ephesians 5:1 2, 6 14 HOW TO ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST INTO YOUR HEART Perhaps while reading the announcements you realized you have never made a Christian commitment. Don t delay that decision! We encourage you to embrace God s love today and receive the salvation that only Jesus Christ gives. Here are five simple steps you can take to find assurance of salvation. 1. Recognize your need. The Bible tell us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Rom. 3:23) All of us are sinners, and we must admit our need for a Savior. 2. Repent of your sins. Our sins create a wall that separates us from God. By confessing our sins and turning from them, you will find forgiveness. The Bible promises: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). 3. Believe in Jesus. God sent His only Son to die so that He could pay for all our sins. Put your faith in Him and believe in His power to save you. The Bible says, For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16). 4. Receive His salvation. God has given us a great gift in His Son, but we must receive His gift. Thank Him for loving and forgiving you, and ask Him to live in your heart. His promise to us is clear: But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God (John 1:12). 5. Confess your faith. The Bible assures us: If you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Rom. 10:9). You have been born again and are now part of God s family. Tell someone else what Jesus has done in your life! 2

3 Dec. 19 Dec. 23 Upcoming Events Pre Christmas Guest Preacher: Rev. Rickie G. Hopkins, Pastor Total Praise Worship Center, Ashland, VA Church School & New Members Class Dec. 30 Super Sunday Worship Celebration Church School & New Members Class Dec. 31 MOBC COMMUNITY NEWS!! Early Bird Watch 12 Noon Watch 10:00 PM Church Office & Buildings Closed Tuesday, January 1, 2013 To Our Mt. Olive Baptist Church Family: Each small kindness, like a seed, grows tall in memory. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers during our time of bereavement. May God continue to bless you all in a very special way. God Bless! Jay, Kelli, Eric, Donovan & Rock Johnson Ladies and Gents Get Ready For A New Year s Challenge! Join our Line Dancing Class Beginning: Tuesday, January 8, 2013 from 7:00 PM 8:00 PM Thursday, January 10, 2013 from 11:30 PM 12:30 PM Six Weeks Sessions Cost: $30.00 per session or $50.00 both sessions A sign up sheet is on the information table in the education wing for all those who are ready for this challenge. For more information, please see Sis. Ann Lawson or Sis. Joyce Johnson. Attention! All Leaders And Potential Leaders INTERCESSORY PRAYER Sick & Shut ins Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me? Jeremiah 32:27 John Harris, Jr. Doris Harris Hazel Morse Alice Mitchell Muriel Coleman Bertha Mesmain Sandra Moore ALL MINISTRY LEADERS Request for 2013 Calendar We are requesting all ministries to submit meeting/events dates for the year Please turn in your calendar to the Church Secretary by December 20, Dorothy Robinson Alma Tarry Frank Threatts, Jr. Rev. Violet Watson Bernard Williams Bernice Winston Betty Jo Williams Please join us for a Leadership Development Workshop during our Leadership Council Meeting on Monday, January 7, 2013 at 7:00 PM. Our guest facilitator will be Bro. Ron Keith. Bro. Keith is the president of Cross Dynamics, a Training and Consulting firm located in Chesterfield Virginia. Wreath Lighting Ceremony MEANING OF THE FIVE CANDLES: Dec. 2, st Sunday in HOPE (Purple) Jeremiah 33:14 16 Dec. 9, nd Sunday in PEACE (Purple) John 13:33 35 Dec. 16, rd Sunday in JOY (Pink) Isaiah 12:2 6 Dec. 23, th Sunday in LOVE (Purple) Micah 2:5 14 Christmas Eve in CHRIST CANDLE (White) Luke 2:5 14 The light has finally come bringing HOPE, PEACE, JOY AND LOVE to all mankind. Gather around the wreath As we re light the candles of HOPE, PEACE, JOY and LOVE, we light the center candle the CHRIST candle to remind us that Christ Jesus as the One who came as the Light of life in a dark world. Christ came to show us the Way, the Truth and the Light we are to share with all near and far.

4 December 2012 Events Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 1stSunday in 3 6:00pm Mime Ministry 6:30 pm Christmas Production Rehearsal 7:00 pm Leadership Council Meeting MP Building Room # 1 4 7:00 pm Trustee Min. Rm :00 am Morning Prayer 10:00 am Senior Min. 6:30 pm Bible Institute 6:30 pm Prayer & Praise 7:00 pm Bible Study 7:00 pm C&Y Bible Study 7:00 pm New Members Class 6 6:00 pm Pastoral Relations Rm :00 pm Hospitality Min. Rm nd Sunday in Baby 11:00 AM Christmas 4:00 PM 10 6:00 pm Congregational Care Min. Room 138 6:30 pm Christmas Prod. Rehearsal 11 12: 6:00 am Morning Prayer 6:30 pm Prayer & Praise 6:30 pm Bible Institute 6:30pm Young Adult Mentoring Fellowship 7:00 pm Adult Bible Study 7:00 pm New Members Class 13 6:30 pm Official Board Meeting Room :00 pm Associate Ministers Fellowship Conf. Room 15 HealthCare Min. Brunch Off Site 16 3rd Sunday in Church School Christmas 9:30 AM 17 6:00pm Mime Ministry Call Church Meeting 18 7:00pm Historical Ministry Rm :00pm Male Ushers Sanctuary 7:00 pm Deacons Min. Room :00am Senior Min. Conf. Room Pre Christmas Rev. Rickie Hopkins 20 Music & Arts Ministries Christmas 6:00 PM th Sunday in Holy Communion Church School & New Members Class New Members Fellow 30 Super Sunday Worship Celebration Baby Dedication 24 Christmas Eve :00 am Olive Branches Ushers Church Office will be closed in observance of the Christmas Holiday, Mon. 24 Wed. 26th :00 PM Watch Night Celebration Church School & New Members Class

5 Wreath Lighting Ceremony MEANING OF THE CANDLES The Five Candles: First Sunday in HOPE (purple) Jeremiah 33:14 16 December 2, 2012 Second Sunday in PEACE (purple) John 13:33 35 December 9, 2012 Third Sunday in JOY (pink) Isaiah 12:2 6 December 16, 2012 Fourth Sunday in LOVE (Purple) Micah 5:2 5a December 23, 2012 Christmas Eve in CHRIST CANDLE (White) Luke 2:5 14 The light has finally come bringing HOPE, PEACE, JOY AND LOVE to all mankind. Families that would like to conduct Services in their homes may use the guide found on the information table outside the church office. In addition, Calendars are available on the information table. Please take only one per family. Two Seasons of the Christian Year and Christmas The Christian Year opens with the season. means coming or arrival. This season emphasizes expectancy and preparation expectancy of the coming of Christ and preparation for His coming again. Beginning on the Sunday closest to November 30, St. Andrew s Day, continues for a total of four Sundays. The four Sundays emphasize (in order) his coming through accents upon creation, the Bible, the prophets, and the forerunner, John the Baptist. His first coming was as a baby in Bethlehem, His final coming will be as judge of the quick and the dead, and His repeated comings to His people generation after generation, are all part of proclamation of. The color for is purple; it speaks of penitence and is associated with Christ as King, purple being a royal color. Though it has not always been so, is one of the chief festivals today. More emphasis was placed upon the ministry, death, and resurrection of Christ in the early stages of church history. It was considered pagan to observe birthdays. Martyrdom caused the church to celebrate the date of death rather than the date of birth of the saints. The origin of was probably in Gaul, possibly Spain or Italy. It was being celebrated in these places by the 5th Century, and in the 6th Century was given a permanent place in the church calendar by Gregory the Great. It was in the 9th Century that it took its present form and place. Christmas (and Christmastide) Christmas is the next celebration in the Christian Year and includes from one to two Sundays depending on the day of the week that Christmas Day falls upon. Christmastide (the time between Christmas and Epiphany) is a 12 day festival, beginning on the day after Christmas. The emphasis is the Incarnation and its relation to the Christian hope. The color used is white, suggesting godhead, purity, joy and victory. A separate celebration for the birth of Christ did not appear before the 4th Century; until this time it was combined with the celebration of Epiphany, traditionally the time for the baptism of Jesus. The name Christmas came into use in the 12th Century as a contraction of Christ s mass. There was serious doubt as to the exact date of the birth of Christ. December 25 does not appear in records as the birth date before the middle of the 3rd Century. It seems that, either consciously or unconsciously, this particular date was chosen to help offset pagan festivals and practice.