First Baptist Cove News

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First Baptist Cove News November/ December 2017 FBC COVE 300 W Ave B Copperas Cove, TX 76522 254-547-3717 fbccove.

The Lord instructed the Israelites to use their great festivals as an opportunity to pass on the faith to their children. When your children ask you, What does this ceremony mean to you?

Thanksgiving and Christmas give us opportunity to teach our children and grandchildren about all the Lord has done for us.

1 First Baptist Cove News November/ December 2017 FBC COVE 300 W Ave B Copperas Cove, TX fbccove.net NOTE FROM PASTOR MARK Our missional study has ended but let our missional lives (participating in the mission of God) continue. The holidays provide unique opportunities for missional activity. The Lord instructed the Israelites to use their great festivals as an opportunity to pass on the faith to their children. When your children ask you, What does this ceremony mean to you? you are to reply, It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, for he passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when he struck the Egyptians and spared our homes (Exodus 12:26-27). Thanksgiving and Christmas give us opportunity to teach our children and grandchildren about all the Lord has done for us. It also gives us opportunity to have spiritual conversations (one of those 40 cups of coffee) with friends, neighbors, co-workers and acquaintances. Let s make our celebrations distinctly Christ focused to both honor the Lord in our homes and provide opportunities to talk about Him with the lost around us. Be prayerful, thoughtful, and available for His mission. -Pastor Mark Take a look at each page to learn what s going on and insights into each stage of life. You might just be able to share what you ve learned with someone God puts in your path. Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Worship Adults Youth Youth Christmas Party Children Preschool Upcoming Events Christmas Events Heritage Family Emphasis Ways to love others Meal Ministry 1

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

You guessed it, this is the year. And as long as we re breaking with some of our church traditions (for good reasons, trust me), what change are you planning for?

2 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 WORSHIP Have you ever been to a Thanksgiving Potluck? This year you will have the opportunity to do so. Have you ever attended a Christmas Eve service in the morning? You guessed it, this is the year. And as long as we re breaking with some of our church traditions (for good reasons, trust me), what change are you planning for? How about the change you vowed to make about 10 months ago, when you were putting away the decorations from the previous holidays? Your change might be to simplify some part of your celebration, or it might entail recapturing a tradition that has been missing. Whatever the case, do consider adding at least one more church related event (fellowship / activity / worship) to your holidays, and include the family (or a friend). In this newsletter, you will find a number of events sponsored by your church family. You may be aware of other God-focused events sponsored by other groups. Here are some FBC Cove ones to consider: FBC Thanksgiving Potluck Community Thanksgiving Service Hanging of the Green Fresh Encounters, praying for the season Ladies Christmas Coffee Christmas Eve Services -Jim ADULTS The holidays are among us. This time of the year brings myriad of emotions. Some good and some bad. A lot may depend on if you are shopping or not or if you have a thousand things to do but don t know where to start. We must adjust our focus away from our milelong to-do list, but on the reason for the holidays and those we get to spend our time. I would recommend first is to have a plan. I know this may take some extra time, but in the long run, you will save time. The second recommendation would be to guard your time. It is easy to do the things we love and stay there much longer than we need to be. We must guard our time with the Lord, our spouse, our children, our workplace and our church. We only have 24 hours a day, spend them wisely. The third recommendation is to remember the reason for the season. We can get so busy that we forget what we are to be thankful for and miss out on many blessings. We can get so wrapped up in Christmas we forget to mention a child that entered this world to save it. Yes, I agree that presents are a nice gesture and eating some good tasting food with family are important but it is easy to get so busy getting things ready and making things perfect that you miss out on the very things God has given us. I hope this holiday season will be the best one yet for you and your family but please, do not miss out on what is most important in life. Share with your family your relationship with God, share with your family your time that you have and let them know they do not have to compete for your time and share with your family the reason for the seasons. I believe if you do these things, you will leave a legacy for your children and one they will apply in their lives for their family when that time comes. Psalm 46:10a Be still and know that I am God. -Chris Heritage Family Day February 11 Join us as we celebrate and focus on the blessing of family during Connection Groups, worship, lunch, and breakout classes in the afternoon. There will be something for all stages of family. 2

YOUTH As Thanksgiving and Christmas approach, I recall many wonderful memories of holidays spent with loved ones, many of whom have gone home to be with the Lord.

3 YOUTH As Thanksgiving and Christmas approach, I recall many wonderful memories of holidays spent with loved ones, many of whom have gone home to be with the Lord. I remember smiles and laughs and fun and a whole lot of love. I especially remember family traditions and how they were and are a focus of the holiday season. In the Simpson household, there were several things we did that made Christmas extra special for us all. Every Christmas Eve, we shared a special family supper together before we put the final touches on our gift wrapping. Later, we would each open a single gift as a kind of appetizer for the following day. On Christmas morning, my brother, sister, and I would line up outside our family room for a photo of our anticipation before we got to see what Santa brought us. Our most special tradition, though, is joining together and reading the Christmas story from the Bible. That is a tradition that we continue to this day, even if we can t do it on Christmas Eve because we aren t together. We have done it now for decades, no matter where on the planet we celebrated Christmas, no matter who we were celebrating with, and no matter what else was going on. For us, it has always been a great way to re-focus the excitement of the season back to Jesus birth. To put our attention where it belongs. To remember what and who we are celebrating. I am sure your family has great holiday traditions. I hope some of them are Christ-centered, and I know your children will continue them for decades to come. Here are some ideas your family could add to your traditions. -Peter Watch for details about youth events on our Facebook page: Mpact Student Ministries. WAYS TO LOVE OTHERS THIS SEASON Donate food or help sort food at Food For Families, 11/17 at HEB. Supports Baptist Benevolent Ministry. Give to the Lottie Moon Christmas offering. Ring Bells for Salvation Army contact Joan Manning at Pack an Operation Christmas Child Box, due 11/12. Process OCC boxes in Dallas on 11/21 with our church. Donate travel-size personal items or Bibles to the prison ministry. Contact Francie Robinson. Invite a widow or widower to dinner. Share a treat with your neighbors and tell them the reason you celebrate. Write Christmas cards to our church supported missionaries, contact the office for names and addresses. December 9 At the Brockett s house. Watch for more details. FUN AND FELLOWSHIP 3

4 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:18-19 Click here for more information and to sign-up to help. CHILDREN I remember my first Christmas as a newlywed and the realization that every family has their own ways of celebrating. David and I were both brought up to focus on Christ at Christmas but we also had very different ways of celebrating. David s family has always been big on showering others with gifts while mine is more about going out and experiencing things. Both are equally great! Well that first Christmas when we walked through the door I had three presents in my hands; one for each parent and one for my sister-in-law. Then I spotted the tree with an abundance of presents under it. Tag after tag read Melinda or David & Melinda. I had a huge panic attack. This was not what I was used to. I grabbed Dave and rushed him out to the store where we preceded to purchase several more little gifts for each family member. I am 100% sure, now, that my new family would have loved the single present they each received but I put the pressure on myself to do more. I write all this to say remember that our in-laws and extended families are a gift from the Lord so enjoy them and what they bring to the family. Focus on the Family has a great article about Christmas and the In-Laws that you can read here to help you navigate family traditions and expectations. -Melinda PRESCHOOL It s hard to believe that the holiday season is upon us already, but it definitely is! What used to be a joyful time for families to come together and celebrate their blessings and love for each other, has now become so commercialized, that we are bombarded every day with enticing products and toys that are certain to make us happy. But what are we teaching our children? Are we teaching them that they can expect all the newest toys, so that they can keep up with their friends, or are we teaching them about setting limits and recognizing that God already gives us everything we need? Are we training our children, or are they training us? This article and video by Dave Ramsey addresses this, and offers practical solutions for families who are unwilling or unable to shower multitudes of presents on their children. -Diane for ETC schedules 4

UPCOMING EVENTS Wednesday, Nov 1 Wednesday, Nov 1 Wednesday, Nov 15 Sunday, Nov 19 Sunday, Dec 3 Wednesday, Dec 6 Wednesday, Dec 6 Friday, Dec 8 Saturday, Dec 9 Sunday, Dec 24 Sunday, Feb 11 First

Industrial Ave), 6:00pm Hanging of the Green, Worship Center, 5:00pm First Wednesday Fellowship Supper, 5:30pm Fresh Encounters, Worship Center, 6:30pm Ladies Christmas Coffee, Fellowship Hall,

5 UPCOMING EVENTS Wednesday, Nov 1 Wednesday, Nov 1 Wednesday, Nov 15 Sunday, Nov 19 Sunday, Dec 3 Wednesday, Dec 6 Wednesday, Dec 6 Friday, Dec 8 Saturday, Dec 9 Sunday, Dec 24 Sunday, Feb 11 First Wednesday Fellowship Supper, Fellowship Hall, 5:30pm Fresh Encounters, Worship Center, 6:30pm Thanksgiving Potluck, Fellowship Hall, 6:00pm Community Thanksgiving Service, Saint s Center (801 Industrial Ave), 6:00pm Hanging of the Green, Worship Center, 5:00pm First Wednesday Fellowship Supper, 5:30pm Fresh Encounters, Worship Center, 6:30pm Ladies Christmas Coffee, Fellowship Hall, 6:00pm Widow/Widower Banquet, Fellowship Hall, 6:00pm Christmas Eve Services, Same service at 11:00am and 5:00pm Heritage Family Day, All day Offices closed November and December Christmas Eve Services Celebrate the birth of our Savior and Lord during one of two identical services. December 24, 11:00am or 5:00pm. Hanging of the Green Decorate the Worship Center & Fellowship Hall. After decorating we ll enjoy a time of fellowship. December 3, 5:00pm Ladies Christmas Coffee Celebrate the "Light and Life," that Christ brings to our lives with testimonies, music, sweet fellowship and our famous Christmas coffee food. December 8, 6:00pm 5

St. John UMC Satellite Invite * Relate * Nurture * Send forth

St. John UMC Satellite Invite * Relate * Nurture * Send forth A Note From Our Pastor.. December 2018 Choir Notes 2 Count Your Blessings United Methodist Men Knitting Fellowship 3 Puzzle 4 UMW 5 Outreach