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1 First Christian Church P. O. Box 90 Water Valley, MS (662) website: ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> Speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15 NIV) December, 2010 David Freeman, Minister Kevin Herrera,Youth Minister ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>><><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> Jesus and Joy But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11, NASB95 One of most important pieces of information attached to the birth of Jesus is that the news reporting that he was born would be news of great joy. I can remember the births of my two daughters. The oldest was born in Japan. Back then you had to make an appointment to make a phone call to the States. I waited impatiently for the operator to call back saying my connection back home was ready. I can also remember the joyful experience relating the news to our relatives. My second daughter was born in Texas, so the phone call wasn t as difficult to make. But the news was just as joyful. Births are like that. What was it about the birth of Jesus that was so joyful? Luke explains by quoting the angel who announced the birth:... Today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. There it is. Did you catch it? Two things in particular stand out. First, a Savior was born. Second, that Savior was also the Christ, the Messiah, the anointed one for whom Israel had long waited. Today, we probably don t get the thrill that ran up the spines of shepherds receiving that birth announcement, but we should at least learn to appreciate their joy. Whether we can fully appreciate the impact of the angels words to the shepherds may not be ultimately important. But we shouldn t miss the point. Something significant happened. Something that God had promised had now happened. The Savior had arrived. No matter that full understanding might be clouded by political, sociological, or nationalistic ideology. Something wonderfully good had happened in little Bethlehem, so good that heaven s choir broke into song, and an angelic messenger brought the news. Personally, I think that it is this idea, however factually compromised it is sometimes expressed, that is the basis for our modern celebration of Christmas. Frankly, we get too tied up in trying to tie Christmas to pagan holidays, or asserting that the Bible never teaches us to celebrate the birth of Jesus. What we do know is that Jesus was born on a starry night in Bethlehem. Angels came to announce his birth to shepherds out in the fields with their sheep. A celestial chorus sang because there was such joy. The entire event was described with one word that serves to punctuate it with power - joy! The life the baby Jesus would grow up to live was not always something one would describe with the word joy. Running to Egypt while still a baby just to escape murder; the insignificant and mundane life of a carpenter s son in Nazareth; the evidently normal years of growing into manhood; the sudden entrance into popularity as a Rabbi; the ultimate opposition from leaders and people; finally rejected, falsely accused, and killed by crucifixion. Most of that holds little joy. Then, there was the empty tomb, and suddenly the Son of God who had entered life as a baby in Bethlehem showed what it really meant way back at the angel s announcement. The anointed one proved himself being raised from the dead. The Savior showed his power. What appeared to be anything but joy when he was rejected and killed, turns out to be the most exciting thing ever! The baby who had arrived with such promise, now delivered a reason to rejoice.

2 You can like or not like a lot of the trappings associated with Christmas. But don t miss the joy. If you do, you ll miss the best news ever heard. A Savior was born, who is Christ the Lord. Dr. Bill Denton Greeter: Terry Denton Serving On Sunday December, 2010 Communion Preparation: Polly Reed Accompanists: Organ: Rachel Bell Piano: Lou Ann Holt Sound and Video Projectionist: Tim Hughes Worship Team: Deniece Fowler & Mary Freeman Sunday Night Songleader: Jerry Holt Nursery Workers: Sunday Morning Worship: 5 Ronda Chapman & Genna Berry 12 Betty Potts & Stephanie Greer 19 Dena Hardy & Joni Barrett 26 Sonya Lafayette & Pat Sansom Sunday Night: Shirley House Wednesday Night: Volunteer needed Communion Meditation: 12 Kevin Herrera 26 Neal Eubanks At the Table: 5 Billy Wilbourn, Lee Eubanks, Steve Hardy, Daniel Barrett, Neal Eubanks, Al Reed, Lee Jones, Pete Eubanks, Jerry Hill, Jerry Holt 12 Donny Guest, Larry Bell, Al Reed, Lee Jones, Jerry Hill, Ronnie Stark, Steve Hardy, Neal Eubanks, JW Tutor, Pete Eubanks 19 Jerry Holt, Eddie House, Neal Eubanks, George Lambert, Pete Eubanks, Donny Guest, JW Tutor, Bill Bo Samuels, Larry Bell, Al Reed 26 Bill Bo Samuels, Bobby Cox, JW Tutor, Daniel Barrett, Pete Eubanks, Jerry Holt, George Lambert, Ronnie Stark, Billy Wilbourn, Lee Eubanks [Name in bold will have the Offertory Prayer.] Round Up Man: Al Reed More wealth than we can treasure, More love than we can earn, More peace than we can measure, Because one Child is born. Unknown Once again this year we will be having a Chrismon Tree here at First Christian It s almost Church! that For those time new of to us, or if you have memory problems, year again a Chrismon Tree is a Christmas tree that honors Jesus Christ. Many have Christmas Time! donated ornaments or figurines for our collection but there is always room for more! If you would like to add an ornament or figurine bring it with you this Sunday morning, December 5. Remember, it has to be white or gold or a combination of both colors. It needs to have a symbol of Christ on it, or be a symbol itself. It can be store-bought or homemade. You will be given the opportunity to hang your ornament at the beginning of our Morning Worship Service. The lighting of our Chrismon tree signals the start of the Christmas season here at First Christian Church! Support Your Local School! Do you remember your school days? I dare say each of us do, whether we have fond or not so fond memories! However, we would not have gotten very far had it not been for loved ones providing us with our school supplies. Because of cuts in funding here in Mississippi our teachers need our help in providing basic school supplies for the students and classrooms. So, our Ladies Sunday School Class has proposed a Blessing Box for Davidson Elementary School. Between now and the end of December there will be a box in the Fellowship Hall where you can deposit assorted school supplies. Items especially needed are: Clorox Wipes, Hand Sanitizer, Brooms and Dust Pans, Loose Leaf Paper, Composition Books Pencils, and Facial tissues (Kleenex). Let s all be generous in our giving for This Sunday, December 5, 2010 is our ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING! This will be held following the Morning Worship Service. At this meeting you will be asked to vote on the proposed 2011 Church Budget. Plus, we will have an election of officers. Please make this meeting a matter of prayer and plan now to attend. The Wonder of Christmas More light than we can learn,

3 CHURCH SIGN A church was preparing for Christmas services. The minister decided he wanted a banner made for the entryway and had a deacon call the Sign Company. The deacon told the man on the phone the message he wanted and the dimensions needed for the entryway. The sign came back a few days later... "Unto Mary Jesus was born, six feet long and two feet wide." A Groaner What did Adam say on the day before Christmas? It's Christmas, Eve. Thanks to the ladies who volunteered to serve on a Kitchen Team! Teams will take turns with set up and serve responsibilities. Everyone one will pitch in for clean up responsibilities. Volunteers are welcome to help! Set Up Responsibilities: Set up tables and chairs with the help of the men. Tell them how many and the way you want them set up. Put white paper on serving tables and eating tables. Put our silverware, cups, plates, salt & pepper shaker, napkins, serving spoons, dessert plates, bowl, [whatever is needed]. Buy rolls/bread if needed and wanted. Anything else you can think of in this area! Serve Responsibilities: Keep food warm in the ovens. Put spoons in dishes. Cut pies, cakes, and other desserts. Get desired drinks [Tea, soft drinks, Kool-Aid, water, etc.] Cut meat if needed. Get some drinks started by pouring into cups [later, people will serve themselves]. Anything else you can think of in this area! TEAM A Carol Brown, Co-captain Rachel Bell, Co-captain Barbara Brown Viola Moore Betty Potts Polly Reed Pat Sansom Inez Tutor TEAM B Cheryl Pass, Co-captain Bea Tidwell, Co-captain Deniece Fowler Mary Freeman Lou Ann Holt Teri Rounsaville Calling All Ladies! The FCC Ladies Circle Christmas Party will be held at the home of Mary Freeman, 1015 North Main Street on Tuesday, December 7 at 6:30 p.m. You are asked to bring finger foods to share and a $5.00 passing party gift. Come enjoy this wonderful time of fun, food, and fellowship! All ladies are welcome! Youth News Congratulations to Hannah Higdon! Hannah was the Project Coordinator for the Cans For A Cause Food Drive at Davidson Elementary School! Jacob Marker! Jacob won 2 nd place in the Lions International Peace Poster Contest! Olivia Pratt! Olivia was named third grade STAR student for October at Davidson Elementary School! David s Dab "Now let me think," she began. "Thanksgiving. That's the day when we think about all the stuff we have. And how we want more things than anybody else has. And how we don't care about anybody but ourselves. And..." "No!" the preschool kids were starting to chorus! "No-o-o!" Then one little guy in the middle of the pack looked up and chirped, "That's not Thanksgiving, Miss Michelle. That's Christmas!" Well, at least he is honest! What is your Christmas celebration like? Things are sure different NOW than they were THEN! NOW Santa comes at night presents are opened as soon as everyone wakes up. THEN On the 1st Christmas ONE GIFT was presented to the Shepherds while everyone else was asleep. THEN Wise Men came from the EAST. NOW Santa comes from the NORTH Pole. THEN Gifts were brought by CAMELS. NOW Gifts are brought by a sleigh with REINDEERS. THEN A STAR led the way for the Wise Men. NOW A reindeer with a SHINING NOSE leads the way. NOW We have a CHRISTMAS TREE with lights and decorations the smell of turkey, egg-nog & hot apple cider. THEN A LOWLY STABLE with hay and animal smells. NOW We have Jingle Bells. THEN The cry of a mother in pain, giving birth. NOW We go in DEBT buying presents. THEN The payment for our sin was given as a FREE GIFT. God had a PLAN. The ANGELS may have had a DIFFERENT PLAN: ANGELS - They may have wanted 10 s of 1000 s of TRUMPETS to announce His birth. GOD Only wanted 1 angelic messenger. ANGELS Probably wanted a fireworks display of shooting stars to light the sky. GOD Only wanted 1 star over Bethlehem. ANGELS Probably wanted to open the windows of Heaven and pour out untold wealth on this new King. GOD Chose only 3 gifts from the Wise Men. ANGELS Probably wanted a birth announcement sent

4 to Royalty and Religious Leaders. GOD Chose to announce it only to some poor Shepherds. Will you have a modern-day Christmas where Jesus Christ is hardly if ever mentioned? Or will you have an old-fashion Christmas where Jesus Christ is the guest of honor and the focus of the celebration? Join us here at FCC for a Christ-Centered Christmas Celebration! and hear the Christmas story. Plan now to join us for this special evening. The following Teams are asked to lead: Set-up, Team A; Serve, Team B. Youth Christmas Musical December 12! Join us Sunday, December 12 at 6:30 p.m. as our youth present the Christmas musical, Arrest These Merry Gentlemen. The peaceful little town of Bethlehem is being disturbed and the Bethlehem Peace Officers will have none of that! The musical is under the direction of Kevin Herrera. Following the musical we will have a Finger Food Fellowship! Please bring extra food for our guests. Team B is in charge of Set-up and Team A is in charge of Serving for this evening. During our fellowship time Santa will try to stop and give out special treat bags for all the children present. Please, no presents! Worship Jesus Christ with us here at First Christian Church during this Christmas season! Just as the Magi followed the star that led them to the place where Jesus was, so you are encouraged to follow the stars that highlight our special Christmas programs, all of which will honor Jesus Christ! Your attendance will encourage those who have worked so hard to bring these programs to you. As always, visitors are welcome, so feel free to invite your friends, family, and acquaintances to join us here at First Christian Church! Adult Choir Christmas Cantata December 19 You are invited to a special Christmas Worship Experience as our adult choir presents, Glory in the Highest A New Hallelujah! The choir will be sharing some traditional Christmas carols as well as some newer contemporary Christian songs woven together to create a beautiful worship experience as experience the Glory of God and then become reflectors of that Glory! The choir is under the direction of Mrs. Marilyn Blankenship and is accompanied by Mrs. Lou Ann Holt. We will be looking for you at 6:30 p.m.! Following the cantata we will have another Finger Food Fellowship! Please bring extra food for our guests. Team A is in charge of Set-up and Team B is in charge of serving. Chrismon Tree Lighting This Sunday, December 5, at the beginning of our Morning Worship Service we will open our Christmas Season with the lighting of our Chrismon Tree! As you may remember, this is a Christmas tree that honors Jesus Christ. Our Chrismon Tree is the centerpiece of our Christmas decorations! Christmas Eve Candlelight Service You and your family are invited to join us on Christmas Eve, December 24, at 6:30 p.m. for a brief, but beautiful service of Scripture readings, carol singing, special music, and a special Christmas message. Your spirit will be drawn closer to Jesus Christ as we worship together. ******* Candlelight Christmas Supper This Sunday evening, December 5, at 6:30 you are invited to come enjoy the quietness and peace of a beautiful candlelight supper here at First Christian Church! We will be eating and fellowshipping by candlelight in our beautifully decorated Fellowship Hall. The Ham, Turkey, Dressing, and Drinks will be provided but you are asked to bring the rest of the meal. Following our meal we will sing some Christmas carols

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