The December 2017 Anchor We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul...heb.6:19a First Baptist Church, 215 Ann Street, Ravenswood, WV 26164 ~ 1-304-273-9910 Pastor Mark Gerstell ~ 1-304-377-2812 ~ www.fbcravenswood.org Thinking of the joyous Thanksgiving celebration we recently held with family, I felt saddened by the thought that this holiday s meaning may have been diluted for many. Thanksgiving for some has become not what was intended, but a mere beginning of the Christmas holiday shopping season. I recently received a nice Thanksgiving card which on the front had the expression Faith, Family, Friends matter at Thanksgiving. I feel this is a beautiful reminder of what matters most each day of our lives. For many, the traditions of Christmas are blended into the traditions of Thanksgiving. My mind turns to the shopping for gifts. I think an argument could be made that take away the dinner, Thanksgiving is not the holiday it once was. Preparations for Christmas have kind of taken away the time reserved to spend quality time with family. God instituted marriage and the family unit. He knew of the support and value this would bring to people, yet today many families fail to find the quality time to support each other, yes even at Thanksgiving. We now move forward towards the celebration of our most sacred holiday of Christmas. This is a time of the year packed with traditions that are time honored in many families. The favorite recipes come out for those food items we eat only at Christmas. The card address book reminds us of the old friends we like to stay in touch with - at least once a year. Travel plans are made to visit our parents, grandparents, etc. I think Satan likes us to be a busy people. Busy people can become like ships passing in the night. We see each other on the outside but fail to truly know the person living inside. About the time of Thanksgiving we might have the conversation of what would you like for Christmas? I can think of better questions to ask. What are you thankful for in your life, what can I do different to be there for you more than I have been? These are just a few but enough to get the point across. We need to know truly how to help and care for each other. So we now begin the countdown for Christmas. The ultimate excitement of Christmas morning rests truly in remembering what Jesus Christ has done and is doing in our lives. Let s be careful to not let the material gifts being received on Christmas day dilute the true meaning of this sacred day on our church calendar. Let s share our hearts with God and make an extra special time to give Him homage for the bountiful gift of salvation given to everyone who calls out His name. Jesus Christ is the perfect gift from the creator to His creation, resulting in eternity with Him for all who believe. This holy season, my prayer is for friends and family to unite to celebrate in Christian love. Many Christmas Blessings, Pastor Mark
As we head into one of the most holy times of the year as Christians, we are reminded that the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was the beginning of God s plan to bring us back into fellowship with Him. It was His life that eventually led to the cross and His death, and ultimately His resurrection and salvation for you and me. But His coming, should have not come as a surprise. The Bible foretold in Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Can we really grasp the context of that scripture remembering that it was said about 700 years before Jesus came on the scene? God was sending prophecy foretelling of the coming of our Lord. When we skip over to Luke, we see that prophecy fulfilled when Mary, who was a virgin, became pregnant. That s just how amazing God is! He keeps his promises. Speaking of promises, one of greatest things we can teach our children and grandchildren is the importance of telling the truth and keeping their word. This holiday season gives us the opportunity to spend quality time with our kids. Why not make this year special. Remember, character traits count, and when people see our young people tell the truth and keep their promises, it says a lot about who they are. These traits are biblical too. The Bible says to let your yes be yes and our no, no. Plus, one of the commandments is to not lie. These character traits can be lumped into one cache called honesty. The next time you are having a heart to heart with your young person, take a few moments to talk about the importance of honor. It s a conversation they will not forget. Speaking of youth, Captivate will have a busy month in December. We have committed to a 2-hour window of bell ringing at Food Fair in Ravenswood during FBC s day of bell ringing. We are inviting all youth in the church who want to ring the bell to stop by during the 2-hour window. They can stay for 15 minutes, 30 minutes or the entire time. We hope to give out candy canes to everyone who walks by. Additionally, Captivate will be going to the Sky Zone trampoline park in Charleston on December 16, followed by their annual Christmas dinner. This is a time we celebrate a great year and look forward to next year. As we start thinking about how to begin the New Year, think about where you are in your relationship with Jesus. Are you in a good place or do you have room for improvement? Where are you kids in their relationship? Why not make a commitment together to get more involved in Sunday School and youth programs at church. Having the influence of church on your child s life will go a long way in, not only helping build character and love for the Lord, but also a chance to mix and mingle with others who might be different than they are, but share the same love for Jesus. In closing, let me just wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas season this year. I find myself in awe, when I think about how great a church we have. You are such a blessing to me and my family. One of the greatest joys I have is serving you and your children. Thank you for allowing me to fill the pulpit in Mark s absence. Your cards, texts and emails of support have meant the world to me. May you be fully blessed in the coming year, and may you prosper with better health, and even more happiness. May God fully and richly bless you like none prior. In His service, Pastor Toby
Monthly Meetings & Activities Dec 2 Adult Progressive Dinner @6 pm Dec 3 RMMO Begins Advent begins Dec 4 Trustee Meeting @ 7 pm Dec 7 Gaither Christmas Concert Dec 8 Evening Shop / Movie Night Dec 9 Salvation Army Bell Ringing 10-7 Dec 11 BOCE @ 7 pm Deacons @ 8 pm Dec 13 Church Wide Caroling Dec 16 Walk Thru Bethlehem @ 6 pm Sky Zone Trampoline Park Dec 17 Children &Youth Christmas Program Dec 22 Church office closed Dec 24 Christmas Eve Cantata & Candle light Service @ 7 pm Dec 25 Merry Christmas * Office Closed Dec 31 New Year s Eve Communion 6-7 pm Nursery Workers Dec 3 Deb Lyons Dec 10 Connie Staats /Tina Wolfe Dec 17 Jessica Morgan Dec 24 Cindy & Katelyn Rupert Dec 31 Leigh Ann Kerns / Samantha Legg Children s Church Dec 3 Leanne Thompson Dec 10 Jennifer Wagoner Dec 17 Deb Lyons Dec 24 Helen Johnson Dec 31 Andrea Crow CommUnity Kitchen Dec 2 Susan West crew Dec 9 FUMC Dec 16 Burt Lyons Dec 23 No CommUnity Kitchen Dec 30 No CommUnity Kitchen Focus on Sunday School: I would like to encourage all parents to come to Sunday School AND bring your children and/or grandchildren. Make Sunday morning a habit of learning and worship. Susan Interesting Christmas Trivia The Bible does not tell us there were only 3 wise men. The wise men did present 3 gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh. We can all be wise by giving our hearts to Jesus. We can bring the King of Kings our gifts no matter how big or small they may be. Nowhere does the Bible say Jesus was born on December 25. But any day of the year is a great time to celebrate our Lord and Savior. The Bible does not mention Jesus was born in a stable only that there was no room in the inn and He was born in a manger. No matter where Jesus was born, He is still the Son of God and worthy of our praise! This season, why not join us in Sunday School and hear the about the real story of Christmas! Have you made a habit of Sunday School yet? Please do. You won t be disappointed. Attend Sunday School. For the Lord gives wisdom, from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6
Pizza, Games and a Movie!! Limbo and Leap!! Fun at the Youth Fall Rally!!
FBC Upcoming Activities Walk Thru Ringing Bells for Salvation Army Once again this year FBC will participate in ringing bells for the Salvation Army in front of Food Fair. We will be there from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. Stop by and say hello to our bunch of Santa s helpers. Christmas Eve Cantata On Saturday December 16, we will be going to Hometown, WV to experience Walk Thru Bethlehem. This activity is free. However, they do accept donations to help feed the animals. They also are collecting nonperishable items for the Union Mission Food Pantry. If anyone is interested in going, please contact Rhonda Ritchie or the church office. We will leave from the church at 5:00. Your Christmas Eve is missing something if you don t spend at least an hour in worship at church listening to the Christmas Eve Cantata and sharing the Light of Christ. This year s cantata is The Heart of Christmas by Mike Speck. Abbi Woods will be conducting the choir as we share the story of Jesus birth that holy night so long ago. The cantata starts at 7:00. Everyone is invited to come. Praise Band & Wild West Christmas The Youth and Children s Departments will be performing their annual Christmas program on December 17 at 6:30 in the church sanctuary. Ann Johnson will direct the Youth Praise Band in songs. This year the kids will be presenting Wild West Christmas. Jane Moore will be directing the production. Sounds like we will be having a rootin tootin time of celebrations!! Everyone is welcome to come and share in the festivities.
Church Wide Caroling Each Christmas Season, First Baptist Church travels around Ravenswood singing Glory to God and on earth, peace. Join us as we sing to the elderly and shut-ins on December 13 starting at 6:30. We will be visiting the nursing homes as well as some of our own members homes. Wear something warm and be prepared to warm the hearts of our listeners. Following our journey, we will enjoy hot chocolate and cookies in the Fellowship Hall. All ages are welcome to come. Bell Choir Performing The FBC Bell Choir, under the direction of Ann Johnson, will be performing on Christmas Eve Sunday morning during the morning worship. The practices for the bell choir will be December 10 from 6-6:30 and December 24 in the sanctuary at 10:15. Anyone interested in playing, please come and enjoy the activity. Evening Shop and Movie Night On Friday, December 8, FBC will be hosting an Evening Shop and Movie Night for the family. Sunday morning, December 3, kids will be given 2 tickets that will allow them to shop for mom, dad or a loved one on Friday. We have volunteers lined up to help the kids wrap their presents. This allows children the chance to buy that special item on their own and surprise their parents on Christmas morning. The shopping will take place between 6 and 6:30. Following this event, we will all settle back and watch the holiday movie, The Christmas Project. Everyone is invited to come and enjoy an evening out. Adult Progressive Dinner Question: When is the only time FBC people are encouraged to steal? Answer: Well, during the Adult Progressive Dinner Ornament Exchange, of course! The Progressive Dinner is a time of food, laughter and tons of fellowship! This year the fun begins at the home of Alan and Gusta Arrington on Nu Chance Drive. There we will partake of appetizers of all varieties. From their home we will travel to the home of Doug and Debbie Bashaw on Watkins Lane in Sherman to enjoy the delicious desserts that are available. At the Bashaw s we will settle back and watch as the war of ornaments commence. What fun to see who will end up with the treasure of the night!
Dr. Michael Sisson New Executive Minister for WVBC In a special called meeting on November 11, 2017, the Executive Board of the West Virginia Baptist Convention, acting on the recommendation of the Executive Minister Search Committee voted to hire Dr. Michael B. Sisson as the Executive Minister for the West Virginia Baptist Convention. Sisson will begin his duties on April 1, 2018. Until that time, Dr. Michael Stephens will continue in the interim role. Sisson is currently the senior pastor of Crab Orchard Baptist Church (Greenbrier- Raleigh). He has served in that position for eight years. Prior to coming to Crab Orchard, he served the pastorates of Sutton Baptist Church (Elk Valley) and New Life Baptist Church in Shady Spring. Sisson's passion for ministry is directed toward the transformation and strengthening of the local church. He strives to use the gifts God has equipped him with as leader, teacher and communicator to assist the local church and its leaders to become missional-minded, intentionally sharing the love of God and the message of hope found in Jesus Christ in their local communities. Sisson said, "I am deeply humbled by the opportunity to serve the West Virginia Baptist Convention and appreciate all the prayers and encouraging words I have already received. It was the early Baptist Missionary, William Carey, who is quoted as saying, "Attempt great things for God; expect great things from God." These words no doubt formed his ministry and mission as he stepped onto an unknown mission field in India and as he undertook the monumental task of translating the Bible into at least seven new languages. Carey's words describe the excitement and anticipation I feel as I look forward to working with a gifted Convention staff in serving the many wonderful churches of the West Virginia Baptist Convention! We worship a God of endless possibility, expectantly looking to Him to guide us into the future." Sisson currently resides in Crab Orchard, with his wife of 34 years, Lorie, their dog, Abby and cat, Sam. The West Virginia Baptist Convention has 371 churches in the state and is involved in ministry around the world through International Ministries and its mission partnerships. Ravenswood First Baptist Church welcomes Dr. Sisson and prays for wisdom and guidance for his journey as he leads our state for the Lord.
FBC in the Community Baptist Women s World Day of Prayer FBC Walks Thru the Bible Kathy Hudson was the main speaker at this year s Women s Day of Prayer. She spoke of her mission journey to Russia. The Day of Prayer was held at Calvary Baptist Church with First Baptist doing the service. Many thanks to Carolyn Torris and Helen Johnson for organizing the program. Calvary held a reception following the service. Carolyn gives the welcome Amy Starkey provided a Bible study Others who participated were Jenny Wise, who played the music; Susan West opened in prayer; Gusta Arrington read scripture; Helen Johnson led the prayer; Sharon Adkins and Geraldine Wright helped with offering. Thank you Calvary Baptist for hosting the event and for the reception.
THE DEVIL WILL NOT BREAK US He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness 2 Corinthians 12:9 I ve come to believe God uses tragedy, along with other afflictions, as HIS chisel for sculpting our lives. Felt weakness deepens our dependence on Christ for strength each day. The weaker we feel the harder we lean. And the harder we lean, the stronger we grow spiritually. There is no way to put in words the loss of a loved one, especially a child. The events of a small community in Texas, especially in a house of God, is beyond comprehension. Some wounds go deeper than others. The devil loves pain and he uses it to blind us and get us lost. We can get so overwhelmed that we lose sight of the fact that God often uses our pain as part of our personal journey. Going through times of suffering allows us to have mercy on and help others who are in pain. It also helps us to depend on God. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 2 Corinthians 12:9 It s not the good times that teach us to depend on God. It s the rough times, the times when we are pressured beyond our ability, that teaches us to depend on God. It is when we are weak, God s strength is made strong in us. I believe God never wastes a wound. He uses them to teach us wisdom and show us how to avoid going through those things again. He uses them to draw us back to Him. We also take the comfort we receive from God and in turn comfort others. There are seasons in our lives when God allows sadness to touch us. It s this sadness that tests our strength in HIM, I believe. I believe HE s not committed to our comfort, but to deepening our trust in HIM. There are times of light and times of darkness. God will come through time and time again for you. Trust Him to bring about HIS will and purpose to your life. God sees you. HE is with you in the midst of it all. You will get through it. I think God uses all things good and bad to draw us closer to HIM. Lord, allow us peace as we go through times of light and darkness. AMEN Submitted by: Burt Lyons
announcements Bible Book of the Month December 2017 John Do you know where this is in the church? December 2 @ 6:00 Adult Progressive Dinner May your Christmas be Blessed!! Trustee Meeting Monday December 4 @ 7 pm Evening Shop & Movie Night Kids to Middle School age Invited! December 8 @ 6:00 Meetings BOCE 12/11 @ 7 Deacons 12/11 @ 8 New Year s Eve Silent Communion Service 6:00-7:00 pm Praise Band & Children s Play Wild West Christmas December 17 @ 6:30 December Birthdays Megan Watkins 12/2 Tom Stephenson 12/8 Mark Gerstell 12/14 Jo Hendricks 12/22 Jesus 12/25 Do you have a birthday next month? Let Susan know. Church Wide Caroling December 13 @ 6:30 Cookies and hot cocoa Walk Thru Bethlehem December 16 @ 5:00 Have you checked out the prayer calendar today? Christmas Eve Cantata and Candle Light Service 7:00 pm
CHURCH PRAYER CALENDAR Prayer for our fellow members is an important part of our relationship with the Lord and helps us to grow closer as a church family. Each day during this month there is a different individual or family that you are asked to include in your prayers. December 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 Taylor Woods Geraldine Wright 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Brandon & Ashlee Wyant, Anne Adkins Sharon Adkins Alan & Gusta Arrington Micah Arrington Jack & Anna Bailes Larry & Jackie Bailes Connor, Beckett 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Doug & Debby Bashaw Joshua Bashaw Aaron & Melissa Bennett, Blake, Gloria Blackhurst Carolyn Brown Jason Brown Sue Brown Beau. Cass 17 Jamison & Mackinze Cooper, Dalilah 18 Linda Conley 19 Dave & Carol Crow 20 Bryan & Andrea Crow, Benjamin 21 Brandon & Anna Davis 22 Marie DeLong 23 Bryan & Andrea Donahue, Xavier 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Darylene Dow Gloria Easter Rodney & Sheila Eskins Jim & Mona Eubanks Annabelle Flesher Jeff & Venisa Flesher Nathanael Flesher 31 Jim & Kathy Frazier And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Matthew 21:22
May the Joy of Christ be with you and your family during this Holy Season of Jesus Birth. Merry Christmas Everyone From the Staff of First Baptist Church