december 14, 2018 T O U S A Bring your friends and family this Christmas Eve as we celebrate our Savior s birth. Christmas Eve Services December 24

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1 THE Briarwood Weekly december 14, 2018 F O R U N T O U S A Child is Born A D V E N T Bring your friends and family this Christmas Eve as we celebrate our Savior s birth. Christmas Eve Services December 24 Family Candlelight Service 5:00 & 7:00 p.m. Candlelight Communion Service 11:00 p.m Briarwood Way Birmingham, AL info@briarwood.org briarwood.org

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3 Hark! the Harold Angels Sing, Glory to the New Born King! Praise the Lord for how He worked at our Walk Through Nativity 2018 in bringing 7,046 people to walk through and view the 14 scenes depicting the life of Christ and hear the Gospel message. We trust God to use the seeds that were planted in the lives of those who attended to bear fruit, especially for the over 4,500 non- Briarwood members who attended. Those who came heard the Gospel of Christ and experienced His love. One lady shared that this was the first time that she had ever heard that the coming of Christ was prophesied in the Bible hundreds of years before Jesus was born and fulfilled all these prophecies. She asked many questions about Christ and the Good News she heard. A young man shared that he was so glad that his friend invited him to attend. He learned a lot about Jesus and desires to know more. A parent with young children shared his thankfulness. He said that the beauty and excellence of the presentation at each scene kept his children involved and listening. They asked questions about the cross and the empty tomb. He was able to explain the great news of the Gospel to his children. Many thanks to the over 900 members who volunteered to make this year s Walk Through Nativity a success! And thanks to all who invited friends and family to attend. God used you in a great way to reach many people with the Gospel of Christ! Let s all praise God for the wonderful things He has done and pray for all our guests who attended. Praise God for sending His one and only Son, you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21) Benny Youngblood Shepherding Team Pastor Birmingham Boys Choir in Concert All are invited to a free concert of Christmas favorites, Thurs., Dec. 20 at 7:00 p.m. in the Worship Center. Britten s Ceremony of Carols and other sacred Christmas songs will be featured. Don t miss this chance to hear this nationally-renowned choir!

4 Lord s Day Worship Services Sunday Morning - 8:00 and 10:55 a.m. III. Advent in Biblical Perspective Isaiah and the Coming of Christ So, What Is His Name? Isaiah 9:6, 7 Dr. Harry L. Reeder III Sunday Evening - 6:00 p.m. For Unto Us a Child is Born Briarwood Christmas Festival featuring Briarwood Music, Ballet, and Drama Ministries Serving in the Nursery Sun., Dec. 16 Legacy Prayer Focus Prayer Focus Norman & Julie Beck Briarwood MTW International Cherokee, OutreachNC Pray for Norman and Julie Beck working with the Cherokee Nation in North Carolina. Pray for the growth of their Grace Community church plant, the friendships they have developed, and for God to be evident in the life of each student attending their youth group. Dec 14 Dec 15 Dec 16 Dec 17 Dec 18 Dec 19 Dec 20 John & Jan Sherard CRU South Carolina Larry & Rita Sherbondy Navigators Pennsylvania Wes & Nancy Simmons RUF Alabama Pat Singletary Navigators Alabama Keith Silliman Briarwood Elder Steve Mace Briarwood Deacon Eric Reebals Dir. of Discipleship Leadership Team Noeun & Tiffany Non Navigators US/Intl Kirk & Anna Norris Mission to the World Ukraine Haruaki & Asami Odate MTW Japan Michael & Pearl Oh Mission to the World Japan Carter Ralph Briarwood Deacon Andrew Wilder Briarwood Deacon Better Basics

5 Ask the Pastor Vlog Watch Pastor Reeder s explanation of and invitation to Advent activities here at Briarwood now at briarwood.org/askthepastor. December Nursery SIGN-UP needed for any Sunday night event in Dec. including the 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Services. Make reservations at briarwood.org/nursery. Christmas Eve Nursery Volunteers Needed If you are willing to help keep our little ones for the 5:00 p.m. service, contact Alison Craig at acraig@briarwood.org. Wrap Gifts for Grace House Help this holiday season at the Riverchase Galleria on Dec. 14 and 18. Go to briarwood.org/women and look under Outreach. Embers to a Flame Conference If you enjoy hosting, serving, and making others feel welcome, consider joining our volunteer team for this Jan event! Contact Kim Vice at kvice@briarwood.org or th Annual Meadow Brook Runs Sat., Dec. 15 to benefit the Jesus Video Project of Alabama. Start times: 5K at 9:00 a.m. and 1-mile Fun Run at 10:00 a.m. Walkers and pets on leash welcome. Go to meadowbrookruns.org. Dementia Caregivers Support Group Join us Tues., Dec. 18 from 11:00 a.m. noon in A201 to share concerns and practical strategies for dealing with the behaviors and communication difficulties of dementia patients. Call the Pastoral Care office at Sun., Dec. 23 Schedule Please note the church s regular Sunday schedule will be observed on Dec. 23 with the exception of the evening service which will not be held in preparation for our three services of worship on Christmas Eve at 5:00, 7:00 and 11:00 p.m. Stocking Stuffers Give the man in your life a ticket to the Sportsman s Blast, coming Feb. 15. Popular speaker Dr. John Morgan will be our guest. Tickets now in the Bookstore and online at briarwood.org/blast. Give the woman in your life a ticket to the women s retreat in Huntsville, coming Feb Tickets available now at briarwood.org/wocretreat. The sacrament of the Lord s Supper will be celebrated on Mon., Dec. 24 in the 11:00 p.m. Candlelight Service. An alms offering for the Mercy Ministry will be received. Elements are gluten-free. PCA Christmas Offering will be taken at Christmas Eve Services. Through the Ministerial Relief Fund, The Christmas Offering provides monthly supplemental income to our retired and disabled pastors, missionaries, church lay workers, their widows and dependent children who have low income and meet the Relief Fund guidelines. Special offering envelopes will be placed in the pews on Christmas Eve for your gift. Ambassador Holiday Soccer Camp Dec from 9:00 a.m. noon. All ages 6 12 register at or briarwoodsoccer.com. Cost $60. Open to the public.

6 Seminary Jan Term Eschatology on Jan. 3 5 (Thurs. Sat. at Briarwood). Doctrine of Salvation on Jan (Thurs. Sat. in Huntsville and via video conference). Church History in America on Jan (Thurs. Sat. in Montgomery and via video conference). Go to bts.education or call Trailblazers Spring Trip Join us as we travel to Savannah and Amelia, St. Simons and Jekyll Islands this coming Apr Sharon at sjohnston@briarwood.org or see the brochure at briarwood.org/trailblazers for details. Women s Retreat February 1 3, 2019 in Huntsville, AL. For more information and to register online before January 9, go to briarwood.org/wocretreat. As 2018 Comes To an End The Accounting Office will close for the year Dec. 31 at 5:00 p.m. Contributions received in the mail must be postmarked or cancelled by Dec. 31 to qualify as a gift in the year Contributions with Jan postmarks will be considered 2019 contributions. Stewardship When giving gifts of securities and to insure your contribution is processed accurately and efficiently, please notify Matt Moore at at the time of your gift. Briarwood Christian School Sneak Peek Briarwood members are invited to tour the school s kindergarten and elementary programs and see this blessed ministry of the Church. For information contact Kelly Mooney, Admissions Director at or kmooney@bcsk12.org. Interested in serving? Go to briarwood.org/urban for information on volunteering with our local ministry partners. Officer Election In accordance to the Book of Church Order the following men were elected by members of Briarwood Presbyterian Church on Dec. 9, 2018 for the offices of elder and deacon. Deacons Class of 2021: Phillip Adams, Phil Black, Hucks Buchanan, Jamie Burns, Michael Bush, Brett Butler, Chris Cain, Matt Carrick, Tom Cartledge, Jason Cole, Tom Cordell, Matt Denard, Randy DeRieux, Jonathan Drescher, Sam Duffey, Jimmy Dugal, Phillip Dye, Josh Etress, Thomas Garner, Terry Grill, Nicholas Hill, Lewis Jones, Kyle Kingery, Kevin Lindsay, David Marshall, Brad Mathews, Daniel McClurkin, Jason McMillian, Jim Millican, Ed Monroe, Russ Morgan, Ben Neill, Brandon Pendegraft, Duane Pritchett, Doug Robertson, Aaron Shealy, Bill Shimer, Seth Steelman, Barry Stephenson, Greg Thompson, Graham Travers, Stephen Wadsworth, (Class of 2019) Josh Calhoun. Elders Class of 2021: Brad Ainsworth, Bill Armistead, John Bentley, Jim Blackmon, Jim Carlson, Wes Cline, Mark Edwards, Bruce Evans, Jeff Flannery, Greg Harris, Mark Hess, Hugh Jacks, Mike Lanier, John LoVoy, Keith Miller, David Moore, Jeff Noel, Wayne Pate, John Phillips, Lance Radbill, Dick Richard, Terry Steelman, Jay Whitt, Bryan Word, Will Worrell, (non-voting elder) Bryan Wintersteen.

7 Christmas Shop With Us The Bookstore is be open special holiday hours Mon. Fri. from 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. through Dec. 21, and Sun. from 9:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. A favorite from Cindy Reeder On Sale $9.99 limited stock briarwood.org/bookstore Job Openings (more at briarwood.org/employment): Young Business Leaders Office Manager. Full time position needed to manage banquets and fundraising events, coordinate outreach efforts, write specialized correspondence, and track donations and financial reporting. Ability to use Shelby and Microsoft Office essential. résumé to Phil Reddick at preddick@ybl.org. Administrative Assistant for Briarwood International Outreach. Seeking a Briarwood member for a part-time position in the Missions office. Knowledge of Microsoft Office is necessary. Please send résumé or inquiries to Heather McDougall at hmcdougall@briarwood.org. College Women s Coordinator. Full-time ministry staff position requiring the ability to shepherd, disciple, and connect with college-aged women. Contact Rachel Laster at rlaster@briarwood.org to submit résumé. See details on other positions and how to apply by going online to briarwood.org/employment. Briarwood Families Our love and sympathy to Margaret and Bruce Evans and family on the death of their sister and aunt, Janet Wallis, on Dec. 2; and to Elizabeth Ray and family on the death of her mother, Marie Neighbors, on Dec. 6.