Rev. Rob Purdy Pastor December 2018/January 2019 Church Newsletter Joanne Wells Editor Cheryl Harrison Online Editor December/January Calendar 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. The stores have been prepared for Christmas since Halloween. With just a quick nod to Thanksgiving we are barreling towards Christmas. Television networks have already published the schedule of all the Christmas Specials. The Hallmark Channel is already playing Christmas movies. I ve heard some Christmas carols already being played and I know that beginning on Thanksgiving Day some stations will play Christmas music 24 hours a day until New Years. It would seem that we are more enamored with the build-up to Christmas and the trappings of the Season than we are with the actual reason for Christmas. At our home we ve simplified Christmas. Our Christmas decorations consist of a couple Nativity sets with sentimental value and a small table-top ornament tree adorned with ornaments that have special meaning to us. That s it. Oh and Jesus! Christmas is about Jesus. Christmas is about The Word (Jesus) becoming flesh (the Incarnation) and dwelling with us (Emmanuel). Our church sent it s first mission team to Senegal in Nov 2007. I was on that trip. Senegal is a 98% Muslim nation. You can imagine how surprised I was to see a billboard along the road with the words Joyeux Noel printed under a picture of Santa Claus riding a moped. Joyeux Noel is Merry Christmas in French. Can you also imagine how sad I was? Here was a Christ-less Christmas. Gifts are wonderful. There was given to man ONE GIFT that is above every gift. One Gift that dwelled among us, whose glory was as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. One gift that is the sole reason for Christmas Jesus Christ! Have you received this gift? It s the only one that matters. Happy New Year! 2019? Wow! 2018 was another awesome year for our church and I am so excited about the possibilities of 2019. We will see new mission fields open for us, new outreach efforts in our local community, more new believers and more baptisms! More Babies? Who knows! Of course, we re also going to see construction start on Hwy 146 and we will meet the challenges that presents. This I know for sure, whatever is ahead for us in 2019, the Lord will remain Sovereign and we will persevere as long as we keep our eyes focused on Jesus! Gerda and I are so blessed to be part of First Baptist Church of Seabrook! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Pastor Rob Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions Sunday, December 2 Lord s Supper s December 2 9 Week of Prayer for Lottie Moon Christmas Offering Saturday, December 8 YOUTH Spud Run Preparation Sunday, December 9 Spud Run Fundraiser Thursday, December 13 Ladies Lunch Bunch Christmas Gift Exchange Saturday, December 15 Youth ~ Houston Zoo & Zoo Lights Sunday, December 16 Youth Secret Santa Christmas Party CC & Pre-K Church Christmas Party December 21 January 4 Church Office Closed Sunday, December 23 One Combined Worship ~ Christmas Cantata Monday, December 24 Christmas Eve Candle Light No Men s Ministry Meeting Wednesday, December 26 No Evening Sunday, December 30 Combined Worship Hymn Sing Monday, December 31 No Men s Ministry Wednesday, January 2 No Evening January 3-6 Blast & Cast Rockport Sunday, January 6 Lord s Supper s Valentine Gram Fundraiser begins Monday, January 7 Men s Ministry resumes Hospitality Planning & Recruitment Meeting Saturday, January 12 Youth Serve at Houston Food Bank Wednesday, January 16 Church Council Calendar Info Due Sunday, January 20 February Newsletter Deadline Saturday, January 26 Youth Pizza & Movie Night
Weekly Schedule Sunday **One Combined 12/23 & 12/30 at 10:30 AM 8:15 am... Adult... 1506 Bayport Blvd., (Hwy 146)-Portable Bldg 9:15 9:30 am... 1st Adult Coffee Fellowship... 1506 Bayport Blvd., (Hwy 146) 9:15 10:30 am... 1st Nursery... 1506 Bayport Blvd., (Hwy 146) 9:15 10:30 am... Children s Church... **No CC 12/23 & 12/30** 1506 Bayport Blvd., (Hwy 146) 9:30 10:30 am... Berean Adult Fellowship... 1506 Bayport Blvd., (Hwy 146)-Portable Bldg 9:30 10:30 am... Youth... **No SS 12/23 & 12.30** 1506 Bayport Blvd., (Hwy 146)-Portable Bldg 9:30 10:30 am... 1st Worship... 1506 Bayport Blvd., (Hwy 146) 10:45 11:00 am... 2nd Adult Coffee Fellowship... 1506 Bayport Blvd., (Hwy 146) 10:45 am 12:00 pm... 2nd Nursery... 1506 Bayport Blvd., (Hwy 146) 10:45 am 12:00 pm... Children s Church/Pre-K Church... **No CC or Pre-K 12/23 & 12/30** 1506 Bayport Blvd., (Hwy 146) 11:00 am 12:00 pm... 2nd Worship... 1506 Bayport Blvd., (Hwy 146) 1:15 2:00 pm... Retirement Ministry Worship... Regal Estates, 500 Enterprise, League City Monday **Not Meeting 12/24 or 12/31 6:30 pm... Men s & Dinner Fellowship... 1506 Bayport Blvd., (Hwy 146) Wednesday **No Evening 12/26 or 01/02 6:30 7:30 pm... Youth Discipleship (6th-12th grades)... 1506 Bayport Blvd., (hwy 146)-Portable Bldg 6:30 7:30 pm... (1 Peter)... 1506 Bayport Blvd., (Hwy 146) 6:30 7:30 pm... Nursery... 1506 Bayport Blvd., (Hwy 146) Church Office will be closed December 24 January 4 Regular Office Hours Tuesday - Friday 9:30 AM 1:30 PM The Church office is open Tuesday through Friday, from 9:30 am - 1:30 pm. The main office phone number is 281-474-3281. If you call while the office is closed or after hours please leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible. December 2018 Tellers Dec. 02... John & Cheryl Harrison, Norma Keeler & Margie Minix Dec. 09... Mary Johnson, Kathy Slater & Pat Smartt Dec. 16... Gene & Heather Engel Dec. 23... Karen Broyles, Michelle Hazlett & Linda Long Dec. 30... Mary Johnson, Linda Long and Juliet Wall January 2019 Tellers Jan. 06... John & Cheryl Harrison, Norma Keeler & Margie Minix Jan. 13... Mary Johnson, Kathy Slater & Pat Smartt Jan. 20... Gene & Heather Engel Jan. 27... Karen Broyles, Michelle Hazlett & Linda Long Do you need prayer? We would love to pray for you! A look at the church finances General Funds October 2018.. $31,773.00 Thank you for your faithful giving! Click Here Page 2
Sunday, Dec. 2 & Jan. 6 Sarah Smith Steve Mewborn Barbara Sue Smith Cody Stewart Katy Wilk H. Scott Apley Pastor Rob Lori Forrest Eileen Morse Rayma Solis Ronda Rabalais Brennon Malone Joyce Fisher-Clark John Scott Bob Snow Tanya Langham Kathy Littlefield D. Benjamin Woleben Pat Broussard Lupe Rodriguez Lawrence Wall Bill Woleben Jackson Rawls Matthew Abernathy Rebecca Miller Don Clark Jr. Bobby Laird 9:30 & 11:00 AM Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions Week of Prayer: December 2-9 Generous giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering makes a massive difference in the world. Men, women, children and entire communities are transformed as a result of this offering. Your gifts enable thousands of missionaries to live among, serve and share the gospel with people who have never heard it until now. Every December since 1888, the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering has empowered Southern Baptists international missions work. At the beginning of this giving season, we start with a week of prayer dedicated to international missions. Please prayerfully consider how you can give to support International missionaries and their ministries. William Williams Azalee Treadaway Melanie Martinez Alice Joy Brown Mary Johnson Marianne van Leeuwen Andrea Harrington Daniel Clark Lucile Phelps Betty Coker Wayne Stewart Joy Moss Theresa Smith Carly Wells Holiday Schedule Changes Dec. 24 Jan 04 Church Office will be closed Sunday, Dec. 23 One Combined Christmas Cantata (*No Pre-K or Children s Church or Youth SS) Monday, Dec. 24 7:00 PM Christmas Eve Candlelight No Men s Ministry Wed., Dec. 26 No Wednesday Evening Sunday, Dec. 30 One Combined Worship (*No Pre-K or Children s Church or Youth SS) Monday, Dec 31 No Men s Ministry Wed., Jan. 2 No Wednesday Evening Page 3
R.E.F.U.G.E. Student Ministry (6 th through 12 th grade) R.E.F.U.G.E. Student Ministry Sunday School meets every Sunday, 9:30 10:30 am in the #1 portable building directly behind the main church building. (Not meeting on December 23rd or 30th as there will be only ONE combined worship service at 10:30 am on those day.) R.E.F.U.G.E. Student Ministry Wednesday Discipleship and Activities start at 6:30 pm, ends at 7:30 pm in #1 portable building directly behind the main church building. (Not meeting on December 26th or January 2nd) During the month of JANUARY, the youth will be collecting NEW baby items which will be donated to Anchor Point Pregnancy Center. Saturday, December 8 ~ Spud Run Prep The youth need to meet at the church at 10:00 am for our Spud Run Prep. It is important that everyone come help! The more help we have, the faster we get done! Sunday, December 9 ~ Spud Run Fundraiser The youth will offer fully loaded baked potatoes after each service for only $5/each. Proceeds will go toward the upcoming summer mission trip. Saturday, December 15 ~ Houston Zoo & Zoo Lights The youth will spend the day at the Houston Zoo and will stay for the Zoo Lights that night. There will not be a charge for admission to the Zoo; however, each youth will need to bring money for food/drink and any souvenirs. We will plan to meet at the church at 7:45 am and leave the church at 8:00 am. Sunday, December 16 ~ Youth Christmas Party The youth will meet in the youth room from 9 ;00 am for a Christmas Party. Before Sunday School. The youth will be drawing names and will bring their Secret Santa gifts on this day to exchange. Please keep gifts under $20. DECEMBER 23 ~ NO SUNDAY SCHOOL (One worship service 10:30) DECEMBER 26 ~ NO WEDNESDAY NIGHT DECEMBER 30 ~ NO SUNDAY SCHOOL (One worship service 10:30) JANUARY 2 ~ NO WEDNESDAY NIGHT Also, during the month of January, the youth will be selling their annual Valentine Grams which will be delivered on Valentine s Day. Please stop by our in the foyer during the month of January to order your personalized Valentine Gram. Saturday, January 12 ~ Houston Food Bank The youth will be serving at the Houston Food Bank. We will meet at the church at 6:30 am and will leave at 6:45 am. We should return to the church 1:00 pm. Everyone is invited to join us. There will be a sign-up in the hallway. Please sign-up if you want to go and Lori Forrest will get you registered. Saturday, January 26 ~ Youth Pizza & Movie Night The youth will enjoy a pizza and movie night in the youth room from 6:00 8:30 pm. There will be a sign-up sheet in the youth room for those wanting to attend. Sunday, January 28 ~ Teach Children s Church The youth will be teaching Children s Church during the 1st service. Please be there by 9:15 am. Page 4
Christmas Blessing Project December Collection FBC Seabrook Benevolence department s goal and ministry is to provide short-term financial assistance (rent, utilities, food pantry) to residents of the Seabrook community when the unexpected happens. As we visit with each client and their needs unfold, it is clear that if they are struggling with their basic living expenses then purchasing Christmas gifts for their children will be impossible. Here s where you can help...donate money, no amount is too small and no amount is too large ;-) If you can donate toward this project please mark your offering envelope Christmas Blessing. Gloria Henry and Heather Engel will be using all monies donated to purchase items specific to each families needs. If you have any questions please call the church office at 281-474- 3281 or speak with Gloria and/or Heather. Christmas Cantata Behold, A Savior! One Combined Worship Sunday, December 23 at 10:30 am Christmas Cantata Fellowship Hospitality will offer wassail, hot chocolate and cookies immediately after the cantata. Please plan to join us! First Baptist Church of Seabrook Ladies Lunch Bunch Red Hat Christmas Celebration All ladies of the church are invited! It s time to pull out your red hat regalia. We are going to change things up a little this year. Our December Lunch Bunch will be on December 13, (the 2nd Thursday, not the third), and we are meeting at Kelly s in League City. If you want to carpool please call Gloria at 281-474-3550, or the church office no later than 11:00 am on that day (12/13), or just meet us at the restaurant at 11:30 am. This is our annual Christmas celebration. Please bring a gift to enjoy in the form of a new gift for the left right game. The price of the gift should be between $5 and $10. Wear your red and purple regalia. This is a great time of laughter and fellowship for the ladies and friends of the church, please join in the fun the more the merrier! Men s & Dinner Fellowship Meets Every Monday (will not meet on 12/24 or 12/31 - resumes 1/7) 6:30 pm ~ Snacks 7:00 pm ~ Dinner fellowship immediately following study Monday, December 24 7:00 PM December 26 & January 2 One Combined Worship 5th Sunday Hymn Sing Sunday, December 30, 2018 at 10:30 AM We will all gather together for one service, which means there will be no Children s or Pre-K church and no Youth Sunday School. The nursery will be open for children ages 0-3, but all other children will get to stay with their parents for this special morning service. Page 5
Dec 18 / Jan 19 Lamplight How Can It Be Hospitality Committee Planning & New Member Recruitment Meeting Monday, January 7, 2019 7:00 PM The Hospitality Committee is recruiting new members. This is a fun way to get to know everyone and participate in planning activities for 2019. Contact Mandy Stilwell for additional information. Church Council Information Deadline Wednesday, January 16, 2019 The Church Council will be planning for the months of February, March and April. It is imperative that the servant leaders, administrative staff and all committee leads and directors plan ahead for these months. Please email information to the office no later than Wednesday, January 16th at fbcseabrook@yahoo.com Deadline for February 2019 I often wonder what it was like for Mary when she realized God s divine call on her life. I imagine many questions came to mind, but Mary s first query really does say a lot... How can this be? Obviously, Mary understood the impossibilities, because she was a virgin. But that didn t change the angel s message... Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end. ~ Luke 1:30-33 And thus, the questions begin... How can this be? That baby John leaped in Elizabeth s womb at Mary s greeting. That Elizabeth knew Mary was pregnant. That Zechariah s voice returned at the naming of John. That Joseph took Mary to be his wife even though she was pregnant. That Mary labored the birth of the King of Kings in a cave. The... Angels, Shepherds and Kings The praise... Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests. When Mary and Joseph presented Jesus at the temple, they marveled at all that was said about Him. They did everything required of them by God, and Jesus grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. ~ Luke 2:40 Through the years I imagine there were many more How can this be? moments, especially when the time came for Jesus to fulfill his purpose in this sinful, fallen world. It begs the same question from us all... How can this be? That Jesus would die for me? Hmmm, kind of reminds me of a song... I m forgiven, because you were forsaken. I m accepted, you were condemned. I m alive and well, Your Spirit is within me. Because You died and rose again. Amazing Love... How can it be? That You, my King would die for me? Amazing Love... I know it s true And it s my joy to honor you. Remember this, you are loved, and you are always in my prayers. Sunday January 20, 2019 In Christ, Cheryl Lyrics You are My King (Amazing Love); Billy James Foote; 1999 Page 6
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions Week of Prayer: Dec 2 9, 2018 Lord s Supper Last day to order 2019 calendars Youth Spud Run Fundraiser Youth Christmas Party and SS exchange @ 9 AM Children s Church & Pre-K Christmas Party 10:30 AM One Christmas Cantata & Cookies & Wassel following Cantata 10:30 AM One 5 th Sunday Hymn Sing 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 & Dinner Fellowship Spud Run Prep at 10 am 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 & Dinner Fellowship Ladies Christmas Lunch Bunch Gift Exchange 1 Youth to the Zoo and Zoo Lights 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 & Dinner Fellowship 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 7:00 PM Christmas Eve Candlelight No Men s Ministry 30 31 No Men s Ministry Meeting Christmas Day No Evening January 2019 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Youth Project NEW Baby Items Drive for Anchor Point Lord s Supper s Valentine Gram Fundraiser begins February Newsletter Deadline Youth to teach Children s Church 1 st 1 2 3 4 5 No Evening 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Hospitality Planning & Recruitment Mtg Ministry resumes December 201818 Office re-opens for regular office hours Youth Project 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Church Council Calendar Info Deadline is Jan. 16 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Christmas Blessing Project Collecting $$$ Through Dec. 14 Church Office Closed December 24 -- January 4 Blast-n-Cast ~ Rockport ~ January 3-6 Youth Pizza and Movie Night January Youth Fundraiser ~ Valentine Grams Stop by the Youth table and order for your loved one all month First Baptist Church of Seabrook 1506 Bayport Blvd., Seabrook, TX 77586 281-474-3281 www.fbcseabrook.org