Pastor Mike. Don t Give Until It Hurts. December 7, 2016 The Mosaic Volume 30 Issue 23

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1 December 7, 2016 The Mosaic Volume 30 Issue 23 Don t Give Until It Hurts We often hear the phrase, Give until it hurts. This saying has been attributed to both Mother Theresa and the Dalai Lama. Shouldn t we heed the advice of such seasoned spiritual and moral leaders? Usually organizations pronounce this platitude during stewardship campaigns, giving drives, and pledge seasons when more funds are needed. We are asked to give until it hurts. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, praising their charitable tithes to Jerusalem. He boasted about their generosity to Macedonia and Achaia. In 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 Paul claims, The one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. It seems to me that Paul is asking for Christians to love until it hurts rather than give until it hurts. We are to be cheerful and happy givers, not admired for our generosity or spurred by our guilt. We give because it reflects a loving and generous God who gave of the divine self to live among us and experience our pains and our blessings. Giving reminds us of who God is and what we can accomplish in the name of Christ. Although giving until it hurts would definitely solve our church budgeting issues while providing the resources for the good work Royal Lane Baptist Church accomplishes in Dallas, I hope we give because we are loving until it hurts, and that the pain of loving brings joy and cheer. In One Heart Full of Love, Mother Theresa tells of a gentleman who came to her house and said, There is a Hindu family that has eight children. They haven t eaten anything for a long time. She instantly took some rice they were going to use for supper and went with the gentleman to seek out that family. When finding the family, she could see the specter of hunger drawn on the faces of the little children. They looked like human skeletons. In spite of their need, the mother of this hungry family had the courage and compassion to divide the rice that they had brought into two portions. Then she went out. When she came back Mother Theresa asked her, Where did you go? What have you done? She said, They are hungry also. Mother Theresa asked, Who are they? It seems a Muslim family with the same number of children lived across the street. She knew that they were hungry, too. Mother Theresa s most captivating summation of her experience is her statement, I have found a paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love. I hope as we wrap up 2016 and enter 2017, that our giving to the budget of the church is done from cheerful hearts in hope that it brings more love into the world. Royal Lane Baptist Church has a lot of love to give in If you have already given all you can, thank you for spreading your gift of love to a hurting world. If you feel you can give more by making a pledge for 2017, completing your pledge for 2016, or increasing your 2017 pledge, consider making that statement of love and hope in this Advent season. Don t give until it hurts. Love until it hurts so there can be no more hurt, only more love. Pastor Mike The next issues of The Mosaic are scheduled for December 21, 2016 & January 4, The deadline for submissions will be 5:00 p.m. Tuesday prior to the date of publication.

2 Coming Events Sunday December 11 Third Sunday of Advent 8:30 am Deacons Meeting Portable 9:30 am Donuts, Coffee/Juice Family Hall 9:45 am Christian Education Christian Education Classrooms & Portable 1 10:55 am Morning Worship SMALL, Dancing LIGHT, presented by the Sanctuary Choir Sanctuary 12:15 pm Program Council Family Hall 12:15 pm Youth Lunch (12:15-1:30 pm) Wednesday December 14 5:30 pm Family Supper Chicken Pot Pie, Salad, Rolls, Cherry Fluff Family Hall 6:00 pm Youth Study Hall Youth Basement 6:15 pm Children s Choir Children s Building 6:15 pm Midweek Service Experiencing the Hymns of Christmas with Mike Gregg Family Hall 7:15 pm Adult Choir Rehearsal Sanctuary Saturday December 17 9:00 am WOC Gift Wrapping Home of Kelley Keith Sunday December 18 Fourth Sunday of Advent 9:30 am Donuts, Coffee/Juice Family Hall 9:45 am Christian Education Christian Education Classrooms & Portable 1 10:55 am Morning Worship Sanctuary Wednesday December 21 Mosaic [ No Wednesday Evening Activities Wednesday Evening Activities Resume January 4, 2016 The deadline for the order of service, the Midweek, and the Mosaic is Tuesday, 5:00 p.m. prior to publication. Like RLBC on Facebook or Follow RLBC on Twitter Royal Lane Baptist Church - Advent 2016 Highlights December 11 10:55 a.m. Third Sunday of Advent Worship Sanctuary SMALL, Dancing LIGHT an Advent service of word and song featuring the Sanctuary Choir, by Terry York & Taylor Davis. December 18 10:55 a.m. Fourth Sunday of Advent Worship Sanctuary December 21 No regular Wednesday activities December 24 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service Sanctuary Carols, Candlelight, and Communion (childcare provided) December 25 10:55 a.m. Christmas Day Worship Sanctuary No Christian Education December 28 No regular Wednesday activities Midweek activities will resume on January 4, 2017.

3 Vera Allen Robert Allen Henry Hall by Don Allen & Larry Mills Dick Arnswald Dorothy Stone by Babs Arnswald Dan Bohannan, Terry Kohutek, Chad Julian, & Angela Stevens by Shirley Bohannan Mark Stewart Brandon by Marcy Waters Brandon Richard &Betty Brown Robert & Lenora Spealman by Gordon & Lyn Brown Jack Nelson Doris Gene Nelson Diane Nelson Sloan Carpenter by Darlene Carpenter Doud Cox by Ray Cox Ed Howard Mel Daniel by Vickie Daniel Lynn Darden Margaret & Sam Furr Charles Engelman Kenneth Kunkel by Margaret Darden Lyn Darden by Joan Engelman Suzanne Groves, mother by Robin Fields Tommy Gene Fouse Jenny Lynn Skinner by Tom Fouse David Freemen by Sheryl Gambill Nell & Ed Thomas Jerry R. Thomas Emmie Lou & Otis Kerley by Betty Garrett Gerry Gunnin by Barbara Gunnin Pharis Hanes by Angela Hanes & Kids Anna Marie & Bruce Lowe by Paulette & Harold Harrison Poinsettia Gifts Poinsettias Given in Memory of: Calvin & Melton James Our parents by Shirley James Jesse Phillips by Mike Jones Katherine Smith by Michael Knight Jacque Neatherlin by Doug & Susie Leinneweber Mary Walker Roy Luckett Mark Walker by Jamie & Melissa Walker-Luckett Shirley Manning by Everett C. Manning; Pam & Marcy, daughters; Wendy, Lisa, Rebecca & Erin, granddaughters Donna & Billy Wood, Edna Wood Douglas Martin by Donna Wood-Martin & Scott Martin Dorothy Jane McCollum Lavette Epps by Patricia McNutt Charlie Bell by Marsha McRae Betty Bateman, my sister Bill McRae, my son Bob White, my brother by Jeane McRae-Bishop Roy & Ruth Moore and sons Pauline Salazar Zackey & Lorraine Meachum by Bettie Meachum Zackey & Lorraine Meachum Roy, Ruth, Scott, George, Charles, & Billy Moore Mary Katherine Roberts by Wayne Meachum Norman & Myrtie Miller, parents & grandparents Martha Breidenthal, cousin by Karen & Lauren Miller John V. & Ethel M. Pigg C. R. & Ione Mullinax by Judy & Jack Mullinax Cheri, my dog Charlotte Bevers, my friend by Shelley Mulry Mary Ellen Orwig Gene & Kathryn Vaughan Ricky Orwig by Melissa & Matt Orwig Ray & Alma Christian, my parents Leon Patterson, my husband by Emily Patterson Lonnie Harris by Maebelle Raiza Louis & Mary Lee Powers Robert Rempert June Brown by Ken & Rebecca Rempert Marianne Arnold Sapp by the children, grandchildren, & great-grandchildren of Marianne Sapp Dick George, Ed Jones, & Cliff Schultz Debbie Williams by Laurence & Janet Schultz Jim Sewell & Frank O. Whitaker by Anne Sewell M. R. & LaVerne Simmons, Lloyd B. Alexander by Terry & Karen Simmons Richard D. Stouffer by Dianna Stouffer Dr. Bill G. Chapman by Jane Stubblefield by Jordan Stubblefield Heidi Sumter Dorothy, George & Michael Gresham by Steve Sumter & Leonard Gresham Rev. H. B. Terry Jr. Louis Avila by Homer Terry Martin Tilden, Ralph & Elsie Stickler by Dorothy Tilden Dixie Taylor Jack Turnbull by The Turnbull Family

4 Edgar Francis Nadine Francis Bernice Vickrey Irian Vickrey by Ray & Sharon Vickrey Anna Walling By Cathy Walling & Tonyia Dotson Ron Washington Sue Washington Inez Washington Marcus Cannon Moore by Doug & Sandy Washington JJ Berrier & Terry Berrier by Babs Arnswald Shirley Bohannan by Clay Bohannan & Faith Julian Our new pastor and his family Our church staff My family & friends by Shirley Bohannan Sheryl Gambill by Darlene Carpenter Amanda & Mike Gregg by Margaret Darden Scott Bryant Members of Foundation Class by Dina DiMaria John Helms & Jack Mullinax by Formations Sunday School Class Tina Chapman Darlene Carpenter Sharon Bullard Hughes Mary Ann Wehring by Sheryl Gambill Porter Scott Soames, our grandson David & Sally, Analise & Charlie, our children The Middle Place Sunday School Class by Scott & Christine Gonzalez Dennis Hartley Waters by Lisa Waters, Rebecca Sparling, & Erin Waters Jim Sewell Ruth & Bill Logan by Charlotte Sewell & Brian Watson Wanda Lee Susie Lowe Raschke by Cathy Lee Webb & Carol Lowe Tabor Poinsettias Given in Honor of: Anna Lou & Glenn Brown The Clark-Soles Family Paulette Harrison Cookie Stokes Layne Smith Harry Wooten Ray & Sharon Vickrey The Amy & Ed Meier Family Don & Patsy Meier Garland Hamic by Peggy & Steve Gooch In thankfulness for our RLBC Family by Michael, Amanda, Annaleigh & Beatrice Gregg The Hammett Family Jeff, Jennifer, Jonah & Jacob The Keith Family Phil, Kelley, Claire & Owen by Paulette & Harold Harrison Ben, Kyle & Summer by Mike Jones Marie Coble, mother Elaine Coble, sister by Cynthia Kupres Michael Gregg & Family, PSC, Intentional Interim Transition Team & The Martha Hatcher Family by Doug & Susie Leinneweber Mr. & Mrs. A. H. Weilage, Mr. Kermit Moseman, Cecil Fletcher, & Josephine Hinze by Jordan Q. Weilage Orville & Elnora Wisdom Charles & Linda Spear by Garey Wisdom Mr. & Mrs. Ellis Reeves Mr. & Mrs. Howard Wooten Richard Reeves Irving Wooten by Harry & Nancy Wooten James C. Walker Zadie F. Luckett Amy & Aaron Stewart Amber & Kevin Seymour Luke & Rutledge Seymour Aidan, AJ & Avery Stewart Sharon & Ray Vickrey & Family Harry & Debi Wooten & Family Michael & Amanda Gregg & Family Matthew & Laura Keller & Family Tim Schaefer & John Duncan by Jamie & Melissa Walker-Luckett Jackie Martin Shirley Bohannan Paulette Harrison Connie Bechtol Nancy Ferrell by Donna Wood-Martin & Scott Martin Pastor Mike & Family by Patricia McNutt My children: Matt, Melissa, Brian, & Brianna by Marsha McRae Aubrey, Adam, Mary Katherine, & Mac Connatser Kurt, Amy, Kendall, Allie, & Ben Meachum by Bettie Meachum Kurt & Amy Meachum, Kendall, Allie, & Ben Aubrey & Adam Connatser, Mary Katherine, & Mac Suzanne Duvall by Wayne Meachum

5 The Gregg Family, Amanda, Beatrice & Annaleigh Our RLBC Choir Janet, Barbara, Rosa & Mike H. Laura, Tim, Harry, Mike G. by Melissa & Matt Orwig The Music Ministry of Royal Lane Our Children: Walt Pfeffer, Lora Margaret Pfeffer, Zack Visconti, Adam Visconti By Maryanne & Jack Pfeffer Grandchildren: Lena, Thea, Mia, Lauren by Maebelle Raiza Diane Rempert by Ken & Rebecca Rempert Fumiko Jones, Emelda Schultz & Families by Laurence & Janet Schultz The Sewell/Watson Family & Donna Sewell by Anne Sewell Babs Arnswald by Dianna Stouffer Ben, Annette, & Sawyer Terry Faye Terry Babs Arnswald JJ & Terry Berrier Shirley Bohannan Anna Lou & Glenn Brown Sheila & Ed Bright Barbara Gunnin Jan & Tex Quesada Melissa & Matt Orwig Maebelle Raiza Cookie Stokes Martha Hatcher Linda & Fred Binder The Nate Green Family Marge & Scott Bryant Mike Jones Bruce Luedke Janet & Laurence Schultz The Percy Parrish Family The Harold Harrison Family Daryl Willey The Brian Watson Family by Homer Terry Sandra Tilden, Scott Tilden & Family by Dorothy Tilden Kathy Peck by Cathy Walling & Tonyia Dotson Silas Washington, Soren Washington, grandsons Addison Birdwell Washington, granddaughter by Doug & Sandy Washington Donna Sewell Anne Sewell Grace, Emma & Sadie Watson by Charlotte Sewell & Brian Watsonñ The Pastor, Ministers and Staff of RLBC & their families Our Christmas Angels: Thomas, Addison, Landry, Kelsie, Austin, Brooklyn, Delilah & Kace by Cathy Lee Webb & Carol Lowe Tabor The Woody & Vanessa Weilage Family The Kristie Weilage Family Jann Bryd & Charlesetta Clemons by Jordan Q. Weilage Lorelei Wickstrom, my mother, & Jordan Weilage, my son by Kristie Weilage Brad Carter Linda Hueston The Wooten Family The Gregg Family by Garey Wisdom Harry Sr. & Nancy Wooten Polly Smith Brittany, Blair, Barrett, Jacquie, Harper, Turner & Harrison Wooten Janet Schultz, Barbara Merry, The Gregg Family, Laura Keller, Tim Schaefer, Mike Hurder, Danny Wesley Ray, Laura Benton by Harry & Debi Wooten Harry & Debi Wooten Barrett & Jacquie Wooten Brittany & Blair Wooten Harper, Turner & Harrison Wooten by Harry & Nancy Wooten Welcome to our new members, Angela Klement and Jonathan & Rachael Madden, who joined RLBC on December 4, 2016.

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7 that you only have to write one check if you want to donate to multiple ministries/projects at RLBC? You just need to notate the designations and corresponding amounts in the memo line on your check. The office will make sure to distribute the funds as instructed. If you prefer to donate cash, simply write the designations and corresponding amounts on the offering envelope. Hanging of the Green Chores for Chickens It is time to do some work and raise some money for needy families! Every December the children and youth of Royal Lane do chores for parents, grandparents, and family friends to earn money to donate to Heifer International. Heifer International links communities, and helps bring sustainable agriculture and commerce to areas with a long history of poverty. Many of the recipients of our gifts live in Central and South America, Africa, and Asia. Last year we donated around $200 worth of chicks, ducks, geese, and honeybees to needy families. We are taking donations now! Please mark your check Chores for Chickens. Christmas Cheer for Our Staff Sunday marks your last chance to give to those who have given so much. I m talking of course about our Ministerial and support staff that keeps our church running what often seems to be 365 days a year because we don t close for weekends! This last year during our interim our staff kept us running and as with any building over a quarter of a century old, our staff has had to give it extra TLC. Now s our chance to provide them some extra TLC. Please place your check in the offering plate on Sunday. Be sure your contribution is clearly marked Staff Love Gift. Thank You, David Doom, Deacon Chair

8 Prayer Requests: Rosa Barrientos on the death of her aunt, Maria Gomez Hernandez Fred Binder Elizabeth Briggs, step-sister of Danny Ray David Bryant, brother of Scott Bryant Laura Elledge, sister of Mike Hurder Jackie Etheredge Hampton, daughter of Bill & Burnell Etheredge Rusty Hatcher, son of Martha Hatcher Reed & Mary Sue Hoover, friends of Steve & Martha Box John & Diane Kranz, friends of Sharon Vickrey Nell Markle Forrest McKinney Dorothy Miller Trapper Pace on the death of his father, Perry Pace Robert Putman Maebelle Raiza, Maebelle s sister, Joan, and friend, Tahera C.C. Risenhoover, former member Marta Sloan, sister of Laura Keller Cookie Stokes Dorothy Tilden Wilma Turnbull, mother of Dennis Turnbull Karrington & Kingston Pope, twin great-nieces of Doug & Sandy Washington Jordan Weilage s friends: Ann; Carol; Darron, Darron s grandfather, step-father and mother; Jon Rabbe; Keyvan; Larry; Leslie & her father, Jerry; Robin; Ron; Ron s brother, Shahin; and Teri Rob Yale, colleague and friend of Ruth May Please continue to pray for: Ed Bright; Terry Burke, son-in-law of Dina DiMaria; Jerome Collins, friend of Mike Hurder; David Alan DeLaat, son of Gordon & Lyn Brown s neighbor, Frieda DeLaat; Steve Dolloff; Richard Holcomb, brother of Maebelle; Raiza; Thomas Jarvis, brother of Martha Box; Pete Johnson; Jordan Weilage; Mark White step-father of Jeff Hammett Remember the homebound: Faye Laney; Norman Morris; Libba Studdard Thank You Notes Thank you fluffers and poinsettia volunteers! You were awesome in conquering all the tasks in record time. Our sanctuary is beautifully adorned for Advent because of you! Thank you to all the leaders and volunteers who made the Hanging of the Green such a jubilant morning. The RLBC Staff November 29, 2016 Michael, Please express my profound gratitude to the entire Royal Lane community for the beautiful gesture of love and support that your letter presented. It is good to have friends like you to walk the road ahead. Grace & Peace George [George A. Mason, Wilshire Baptist Church] Experiencing the Hymns of Christmas Wednesday, December 14, 2016, 6:15 pm With Michael Gregg Whether it s memories of caroling, Christmas pageants, or Christmas Eve services, the hymns of Christmas are some of the most evocative parts of the season for many of us. They refocus our spirits and remind us of the holiness and mystery of God s incarnation. Pastor Mike Gregg will explore the history behind some of our favorite carols: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, Silent Night, Holy Night, O Little Town of Bethlehem, and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. Focusing on the ways in which words and music can speak to the core of our experiences, this Advent study will spend time in reflection, conversation, and simple enjoyment of these beloved hymns.

9 Deacons of the Week December 11, 2016 Daryl Willey [214] Charlotte Sewell [214] December 18, 2016 Nate Green [214] Cookie Stokes [214] Midweek Service 6:15 p.m. Wednesday December 14 in Family Hall Experiencing the Hymns of Christmas Mike Gregg Join us for a Fellowship Meal at 5:30 pm. In the Box-Hawkins Gallery thru January 27 Cecie Boschow Scriptures of the Week December 11, 2016 Isaiah 35:1-10 Luke 1:46b-55 James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11 December 18, 2016 Isaiah 7:10-16 Psalm 80:1-7, Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-25 Midweek Menu Wednesday, December 14 Chicken Pot Pie, Salad, Rolls, Cherry Fluff Wednesday, December 21 & 28 No Wednesday Evening Activities Happy Birthday! December Tim Schaefer... 8 Sean Berrier Linda Binder David Soames Kevin Hall Janet Schultz Jordan Simmons Mike Hurder Gallery open by appointment 10-4, weekdays, 10-5 Wednesdays To change mail or preferences for The Mosaic, contact Barbara Merry, , ext. 10 or bmerry@royallane.org.

10 Royal Lane Baptist Church 6707 Royal Lane Dallas, Texas The Mosaic is published twice a month Royal Lane Baptist Church 6707 Royal Lane Office Hours: Dallas, TX Monday - Friday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Wednesday Midweek: 6:15 pm Office: [214] Sunday School: 9:45 am Fax: [214] Sunday Worship: 10:55 am Rosa Barrientos, Housekeeping Laura Benton, Pianist Michael Gregg, Pastor Michael Hurder, Facilities Manager Laura Keller, Minister to Children Barbara Merry, Administrative Assistant Samuel Quesada, Video Technician Danny Wesley Ray, Organist Tim Schaefer, Minister to Youth Janet Schultz, Administrative Assistant Blake Vickrey, Sound Technician Ray Vickrey, Pastor Emeritus Harry Wooten, Minister of Music and Worship