FBC Newsletter December 2016 FBC Mission Statement Our mission is to glorify God by helping people know, love, obey, and exalt Jesus Christ A Monthly Source of News and Information for Members & Friends of First Bible Church Decatur Madison Annual Business Meeting Sunday, December 4th, 5:15 pm Decatur Campus FBC Vision Statement Our vision is to present Christ to Decatur, Madison and the world in a contemporary and creative way through equipped and mobilized believers who make disciples. December 18, 2016 5:30 & 7:00 pm Coming 31st Mission Conference March 3-5, 2017 Join us for a Christmas Celebration as both campuses gather to worship together in the Decatur Sanctuary. Childcare provided for ages Nursery - 3 years at the 5:30 service only. We encourage those who do not require childcare to attend the 7:00 p.m. service. FBC Newsletter 1 December 2016
Lynell Kukielski - Decatur Richard and Candi Andrews - Madison Parker Sparkman - Decatur GIGAS 2016 Christmas Musical 5:30 pm December 11, 2016 Join the GIGAS as they present their annual Christmas Musical Noelle, the First. This is the story of Noelle, a little angel who knew her created purpose was to praise and worship the Lord Jesus. Noelle is different from her friends-she s a little quirky and lots of fun! Though her friends, Joy, Gabe, Hope, and Michael, at times try to dissuade her, she longs to be all she s been created to be. Noelle and Lucy, her best friend, understand that true worship is giving back to God all the gifts and talents He s given them. Join them and Miss Gloria as they help remind us of the very first Christmas, which began in Heaven long ago. So join us on Sunday, December 11th at 5:30pm in the Field House. You won t be disappointed to add this to your must see Christmas list! We will serve refreshments after the program. Invite your unchurched friends! FBC Newsletter 2 December 2016
Looking Ahead with Steve Steve Bateman Here in December of 2016, we now know what God knew before the creation of the world. Donald Trump will be the 45th president of the United States. Even though Hillary Clinton won the popular vote, Mr. Trump garnered the necessary electoral votes to become the chief executive of the government of our angry and divided nation. In his victory speech, Mr. Trump said, Now it is time for America to bind the wounds of division, have to get together. it is time to come together as one united people. I pledge to every citizen of our land that I will be President for all of Americans I m reaching out to you for your guidance and your help so that we can work together and unify our great country." In view of this public pledge which was witnessed not only by Americans but by the watching and anxious nations of the world, I want to suggest that we as Christians and loyal subjects of Jesus Christ, the King of kings, make the following three-fold pledge: 1. Let us pledge to show honor to this president. Not because of his person, his platform, or his party, but because of the office he holds. Some Americans are saying, This is not my president. This notion would be surprising to the Founders of our nation. We are the United States of America. We have one government, one Congress, one Supreme Court, and one President. Just as Barak Obama is my president now, on January 20, Donald Trump will be my president, and Scripture commands us to show honor and respect to him for the office he holds (1 Peter 2:17; Ro. 13:1). Along these lines, John Calvin wrote, "The first duty of subjects toward their magistrates is to think most honorably of their office, which they recognize as a jurisdiction bestowed by God." 2. Let us pledge to hold President-elect Trump accountable to his pledge to serve all Americans. Indeed, he has made many promises throughout this election to various groups, including evangelical Christians, and now we shall see if he is a man of his word. He faces tremendous challenges in reaching out to various groups in our nation who fear a Trump presidency, based on what they heard, or thought they heard, from Mr. Trump over the last year. But I expect a lot of my presidents, and so should you. With the Founders, I expect a virtuous officeholder marked by verbal integrity, marital fidelity, and financial accountability. If he is like every other president we have had, there will be times when he is in violation of God s Word and when appropriate, I will publicly and respectfully disagree with him. As a pastor and a patriot, I love my country and I treasure the first amendment guarantees of religious liberty and free speech. While we must show honor and respect to our presidents, we do not place them above the Constitution or the Bible. No president is above the law. 3. Let us pledge to pray for President-elect Trump and Vice- President-elect Mike Pence. It is much easier to criticize than it is to lead. How many Christians spend more time criticizing our presidents than praying for them? God only knows. None of us can come close to understanding the immense responsibility and pressure that is about to be laid on these men. This job will age them as it has all others before them. People with ignoble motives will be quick to scrutinize their every move and even if they want to do the right thing, Mr. Trump and Mr. Pence will often be placed in situations where it is not clear which option is the right thing. So join me in asking God to give them profound wisdom to know what is right, and then for the political courage to do what is right. As President Trump selects his cabinet, let us pray that he be surrounded by good and wise counselors. For the glory of God and the advance of the gospel, Scripture commands us to pray for these men (1 Tim. 2:1 5). Let us obey Scripture. FBC Newsletter 3 December 2016
Operation Christmas Child - Decatur ~ Madison Helping Hands Load Truck FBCers Bring Packed Boxes Decatur - 720 Madison - 236 956 TOTAL! Madison truck arrives FBC Newsletter Thank You! 4 Ready for Transport December 2016
COMMON THREAD Friday, December 2nd 9:30-11 in Coffee Commons @ Decatur Campus Bring your own project OR come to learn how to knit or crochet. Bring whatever project you are currently working on at home and we will also be working on our crocheting skills! SATURDAY WITH THE SISTERS Saturday, December 3 9:30-12pm The Good and Perfect Gift boxes Decatur Campus- Room 202 then deliver to Wesley Acres Assisted Living Madison Campus- Madison Office then deliver to the Heritage Assisted Living Come join us for a service project as we assemble The Good and Perfect Gift boxes to deliver to selected assisted living homes in Decatur and Madison. Inside this box is a collection of everyday items that represent the supernatural gifts that we receive through Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. As an act of worship, we will learn about the meaning behind each object. As an act of service, we will assemble the boxes and deliver them to a Wesley Acres Assisted Living in Decatur and to Heritage Assisted Living in Madison. This is a wonderful service project to bring your kids to help show Christ s love to our neighbors!! BIBLE JOURNALING This is a monthly time for women to gather for a devotional on the chosen scripture, share ideas for illustrating the passage, and fellowship with each other while we apply the craft. Wednesday, December 14 5:30-6:45 pm room 202 Matthew 5 Let Your Light Shine FORGED PRAYER - MADISON December 7th, 14th 6-7 pm in Suite A, Madison Office. Please call Trish Switzer for more information 1-772-418-7155. They will NOT meet the weeks of December 21 & 28, or January 4 due to the holidays. It is about time to sign up for Titus 2 Discipleship groups!... Ladies! Are you interested in learning to think biblically about life and womanhood? Are you looking to grow in your relationship with the Lord and other women at church? Then... a Titus 2 discipleship group is the place for you! Titus 2 discipleship groups are small multi-generational groups of women meeting once a month with a mentor. Groups meet for three years to read and study True Woman 101 and 201 by Mary A Kassian and Nancy Leigh DeMoss on biblical womanhood the first 2 years. The third year will consist of practical applications. Sign ups for NEW Titus 2 groups will be January 15- February 5! FBC Newsletter 5 December 2016
FIRST BIBLE DEC 2016 We are excited to announce that Abbi Cambron (Hill) will be joining the Student Ministry Staff here at First Bible Church in January 2017 as our Discipleship Coordinator. Abbi grew up in FBC, worked as a summer intern in 2013 and 2014, and is a 2015 graduate of Auburn University. Abbi is married to Tyler, who also grew up in First Bible. We are very excited to welcome Tyler & Abbi to our ministry team! MATT DUBACH JEREMY GILBERT WEEKLY SCHEDULE Join us Sunday mornings for small group ministry during first hour. We will continue our Redemptive History series in the large group time where we will go through the entire Bible this year! 9:15-10:30AM Be sure to follow us on our social media avenues! We are on Instagram and Twitter as @firstbiblesm and on Facebook under the group name "First Bible Student Ministry." WE WILL NOT MEET FOR SUNDAY NIGHT OR WEDNESDAY NIGHT MINISTRIES UNTIL JANUARY FBC Newsletter 6 December 2016
FBC Newsletter 7 December 2016
Men s Prayer Breakfast Tuesday Mornings Decatur Campus 6:30 am at the church Madison Campus 6:30 am at FBC Office, 20 Main St. Madison Will not meet December 20 & 27 Sympathy Pray for the following families: Bill & Beth Rabb (their granddaughter, Kayleigh McClendon) Paula Schopp (her mother, Sara Bennett) Linda Collins (her husband, Dewayne Collins & Shannon Allred, her father) Dec 2 Common Thread 9:30 am Dec 2 Parents Night Out Dec 3 Saturday with the Sisters (Decatur & Madison) W3 Christmas Box Project 9:30 am Dec 5 Outreach Ministry Mtg. 5:30 pm Dec 8 Mission Committee Mtg. 5:30 pm Dec 9 MOPS Mtg. 9:15 am Dec 9 GIGAS Dress Rehearsal 6:00 pm Dec 11 Deacons Meet 3:00 pm Dec 11 GIGAS Christmas Musical and Reception 5:30 pm Dec 13 Elders Meet 5:30 pm Dec 18 Candlelight Service 5:30 pm and 7:00pm Dec 24 Christmas Eve Dec 25 CHRISTMAS DAY December Deacons of the Month Jason Vehrs Decatur Campus Christmas Sunday All AM Services The Same No ABF s, No Children s classes, No Student classes. DECATUR Nursery 3 yr. old 10:45 am SERVICE ONLY Joe Sanders Madison Campus MADISON Nursery & Toddler Rm Only 10:45 am SERVICE NO EVENING SERVICE Church Office Closed Friday 12/23 Monday 12/26 Friday 12/30 Monday 1/2/17 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:7 FBC Newsletter 8 December 2016