In Our Community And Beyond

Transcription

1 USBC News In Our Community And Beyond Pastor: Pastor: Dr. Dennis Gayle Felder Clifton Volume 21 Issue 12 December 2017 NO CHRISTMAS! O U R M I S S I O N : To Re-Present Jesus Christ What would we be doing on December 25 th if Christ had not yet come into the world? It is hard for us to comprehend not celebrating Christmas because it has always been part of our lives. We have always prepared for the festive season by trimming the tree with sparkling lights, wrapping presents with colorful paper, and baking delicious goodies to eat during the heartfelt celebration. But what would we be doing for Christmas if Christ was not born? I deeply pondered this question as I was preparing to celebrate this joyous time of year. If Jesus, the promised Messiah, had not yet come, I would be bound. I would be tied to Old Testament rituals. Instead of decorating a Christmas tree, wrapping presents, or baking treats; I would be preparing a lamb to sacrifice. I would not be experiencing the joy of what it means and feels like, knowing that Christ was born. My day would consist of satisfying the law rather than experiencing liberation. Freedom was on its way when the angel Gabriel came to Mary and said, Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus (Luke 1:30-31). Soon, after this miraculous announcement, the world would realize that the way life was lived in the past would be changed forever. Today, there is no need to seek a priest for forgiveness, there is no need to sacrifice an animal to cleanse our sin, and there is no need to anticipate the coming of the Christ child. You see, Christmas freed us from a host of obligations and shifted our life to one of celebration. This historical transformation has enabled me to experience Christmas with true joy and excitement. Therefore, if I ever feel a wave of the Christmas blues creeping into heart and soul, I remind myself what it would be like if Christ had not yet been born. So, be grateful that we now have the opportunity to celebrate not only the cradle, but the cross. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

2 CHAIR PRAYER The USBC Chair Prayer took place on Saturday, November 18, 2017 and it turned out to be a tremendous success. You might be asking, what was the Chair Prayer all about? Well, let me tell you. On November 18 th, the church was open for 7 hours for anyone to come to the church and pray. Specifically, the prayer time took place in the Sanctuary. At assigned times, members from our church family went into the Sanctuary to pray over the chairs. God already knows who will be sitting in those chairs and what their needs will be. Therefore, we wanted to lift up that person in prayer before they ever sit in one of the chairs. I asked the ones who participated in the Chair Prayer to pray about 4 things. First, that our church will be effective in reaching the needs of the ones that God will place in the chairs. Second, that each person who sits in the chairs will experience God in a powerful way. Third, that we see each chair as an opportunity to reach someone for Jesus Christ. Fourth, that the chairs will give the church a clear vision as to what God wants for our future. In the future, USBC will be providing other opportunities to partner with us in prayer as we faithfully serve the Lord. So next time, join in and experience the blessing and power of prayer. THERE WAS LIGHT And let there be light! Light became a reality at USBC on Wednesday, November 15 th. As the sun began to set on this late Wednesday afternoon, something happened at our church that has never happened before. Shining light illuminated onto the church s parking lot and main walkway that leads you to the front doors of our church. The new light fixtures that illuminate our church s grounds became a reality because of generous gifts that were received in memory of Sam Brake, Phyllis Watkins, and Hazel Woodfield. These lights will not only remind us of these beautiful lives, but they will also remind us of the guiding light that Jesus Christ brings to a darkened world. You see, light is a wonderful symbol and reminder of Christ and our salvation. Jesus said in John 8:12, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. So, when you walk by these lights that are all aglow, remember that we no longer have to live in darkness. The LIGHT has come! PASTOR APPRECIATION On behalf of my family and myself, I want to express a big THANK YOU to my wonderful and caring church family. The cards, the gifts, and the encouraging words were heartfelt and uplifting as you expressed your appreciation during Pastor Appreciation Month. It is a joy being your Pastor.

3 ANGEL TREE As we celebrate the wonderful birth of Jesus Christ, we have decorated our church to reflect this joyous Christmas season. The colorful lights are strung, the poinsettias are in bloom, and the nativity scene is in place. However, there is something else that is of great importance during this Christmas celebration. Remembering the children who are in need. In the main lobby of the church we will once again have our Angel Tree. The Angel Tree will have information about children who are seeking to have a wonderful Christmas. Please take an angel from the tree and help make a child experience the joy of Christmas. The angel will have information pertaining to your specific child (Example: Boy or girl, age, clothes size, or toy.). Purchase the gift, gift wrap the present, tape your angel to the wrapped gift, and return the gift no later than December 17 th. CHILDREN S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM On December 24 th, the USBC Children will be presenting a program before the choir s cantata. The kids will be doing a play and will sing songs about the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. Please come and encourage our young people as they share God s love. Our kids are the future of our church and I know that you will enjoy seeing them on stage! CHRISTMAS CARDS If you would like to give Christmas Cards to members of your church family, we invite you to bring them to church for distribution and collection. Church directories will be available at church so that you can label your cards appropriately. WEATHER POLICY December 3, 2017 Sermon Title: Jesus, the Light of the World Scripture: John 1:1-14 December 10, 2017 Sermon Title: Mary s Little Lamb Scripture: Exodus 12:1-13 December 17, 2017 Sermon Title: He is Lord Scripture: Luke 2:10-17 December 24, 2017 Children s Program & Christmas Cantata December 31, 2017 Sermon Title: One More Christmas Gift Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 If the church cancels any service or activity due to inclement weather or wintery conditions, a message will be placed on the church s voice recorder to inform you of such changes or cancelations. If you are in doubt if a particular service or activity is canceled, please call the church before you travel to the event. If no message is stated notifying you of any changes, this means the service or activity remains as scheduled. We will only post a cancelation message if a service or activity is canceled or postponed. The church s phone number is (301)

4 USBC NEWS Upper Seneca Baptist Church Davis Mill Rd. Germantown, MD God s Plan Of Salvation Trust Jesus Christ today! Here's what you must do: 1. Admit you are a sinner. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Romans 3:23) 2. Be willing to turn from sin (repent). Jesus said: "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:5) 3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you, was buried, and rose from the dead. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) 4. Through prayer, invite Jesus into your life to become your personal Savior. What to pray: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13) Dear God, I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin. I am willing to turn from sin. I now invite Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Savior. Editor s Note: Next Newsletter Deadline December 17, 2017 Included in this newsletter is the USBC Church Birthday Calendar showing the dates of birthdays of our church family, but we don t always have the information to include. So, if we miss YOUR date, we are sorry! Why not fill out a connect card and place it in the offering plate with your name and birthday noted so that it can be included in our calendar. Also, if you have something to be included in the newsletter, an announcement, an article, a cartoon.we are always looking for information and new ideas! Church Office: Fax: (Call First) USBC1@comcast.net Web Site: Facebook:

5 TREASURE FROM HEAVEN The time has come. USBC has officially launched our new informative witnessing tool to reach our community for Christ. This new tool is entitled, Treasure from Heaven. The Treasure from Heaven consists of a dollar bill, informational cards, and Scripture cards placed in a clear zip lock bag. Each of these share packets will be placed in various locations of your choosing (within the communities near the church). Below are some suggestions of where these share packets can be placed: Beside a gas pump Place between parking spaces in a parking lot On a bathroom counter in a public place On the ground in a heavy traveled foot traffic area Leave on a table in a restaurant Any setting to where it can be found by someone else. When a person comes by and sees this dollar bill visibly shining through the clear zip lock bag, they will inevitably pick it up. Upon opening the zip lock bag to examine what else is in the share packet, they will realize that it is all for them. That is their Treasure from Heaven. We will encourage everyone to take a handful of these share packets and help spread the good news of Jesus Christ in an easy and simplistic way. So, be ready to play your part in reaching people for Christ. COFFEE SHOP USBC is excited to announce that we are going into the coffee business. This Fall, the church will be creating and building a special coffee bar in the lobby/foyer. The coffee bar will provide coffee, juice, and refreshments for all church attendees on Sunday mornings. The coffee bar will be appropriately named the HIStory CAFÉ. Although, the HIStory CAFÉ will be modern and up-to-date with equipment and furnishings, it will also reflect the history of USBC. Throughout the HIStory CAFÉ, there will be mementos and historical artifacts on display to celebrate the wonderful history of USBC. As one sips on their beverage and nibbles on their Danish, they can be reminded of the commitment that so many have made to make USBC a lasting presence in our community. However, for the HIStory CAFÉ to become a reality, USBC needs your support. First, I encourage you to lift this new endeavor up in prayer. This specialized café will afford us a wonderful opportunity to have important fellowship with one another and with our guests that God brings to our church. Second, I ask that you volunteer to be a special greeter in the café and to help keep it well stocked with coffee, juice, and refreshments. Lastly, I am asking that you help financially. To renovate the church lobby/foyer to make the HIStory CAFÉ a reality, it will take sacrificial giving. The projected cost to make these meaningful and needed additions will be about $10,000. At first, this figure may be, sort of a sticker shock. However, let me share with you about how God is already providing for such an endeavor. First, God put in place an outside donor that contributed $5,000 for the coffee shop. Second, there is another person who will equally match every gift that is given. For example, if you give $100, the matching donor will put an additional $100 toward your contribution. In other words, your gift of $100 immediately turns into a $200 donation. So remember, any gift you give, large or small, will be doubled. You see, God is already at work, but we must all step up and do our part financially. Currently, we are about $1,250 away from reaching our $10,000 goal. It is amazing what we have done with God s blessing to make the HIStory Café a reality. So, please keep giving sacrificially so that we can reach this worthy goal.

6 SUPER SENIOR LUNCH On Tuesday, November 14 th, the Super Seniors met at the IHop in Mount Airy for the first time. It was so much fun eating and laughing together. We were especially glad that Adele Stokes and her brother-in-law, Lenny, were able to join us. Laney was excited that Timmy came with Adele. The food was good but the fellowship was even better! Please join us on December 12 th at the Cracker Barrel in Frederick for our next Super Seniors Luncheon. I guarantee you will be blessed! CHRISTMAS MUSICAL On December 24 th, the USBC Choir will be presenting a cantata entitled Best Gift of All (Arranged by Russell Mauldin). The choir has practiced long and hard in order to sing praises to God for sending His Son to be born in Bethlehem. Come and hear the Christmas message in music. You will be reminded that the best gift of all is Jesus! CHRISTMAS CAROLING USBC will be going Christmas Caroling at Lorien Assisted Living in Mt. Airy on Saturday afternoon, December 9 th, (time to be determined). Following our cheerful singing, we will go to a local restaurant for some good food and warm fellowship. We will bring Christmas cheer wherever we go. CHRISTMAS PARTY I love a good Christmas party and USBC will be hosting such a celebration. We invite all to attend the church s Christmas Party on Saturday, December 16 th at 5pm. To feed the hungry, the church will provide light refreshments and drinks. In addition to the good food, we will play some fun Christmas games, make crafts with the kids, and sing some joyous Christmas music. LADIES TEA TIME On October 28 th, Mae Settles transformed the fellowship hall into a beautiful and elegant tea room for the USBC Ladies to have a Tea Time. There was a big variety of foods and desserts all prepared by Mae herself. What really amazed me was the way the food was displayed and the beautiful tea sets Mae brought. There was not an empty chair in our U-shaped group of tables! Each lady had the opportunity to make her own hat to wear. After all, a proper tea time requires a proper hat! We all had a great time admiring each other s creations and fellowshipping together. Sandy Rogers gave a beautiful testimony about how God cares about all the details in our lives and provides what we need just at the right time. I had the privilege of bringing a devotion about what it means to be a true sister in Christ. We are planning to have another Ladies Fellowship in the near future. Please don t miss it! You will truly be blessed.