First Baptist
Church December 2012
Dear Children of God,
The Christmas Season is upon us. I face it with a
strange mixture of, “I can't believe its here already.” And, “Why does it take
so long to get here?” With Thanksgiving just past it seems there's little time
to catch our breath for more festivities.
But, I'd like to take another opportunity to say
“Thank You!”
First, I give thanks to God for his unfailing,
overcoming, overflowing love. This has been expressed in forgiving my many sins
through Jesus stepping down from his throne in heaven, taking on humanity and
sacrificing himself on the cross. This alone would have been enough to warrant
my undying love for him but he continues to love and to give gifts and to bear
with my continued failings.
I think sometimes that, if I were God, I'd do things
differently. But at the end of the day, I have to admit that I would not pass
my own test for right living. That endears him to me even more.
Secondly, I am thankful for my parents for providing a
good and stable home for me to grow up in.
Thirdly, I am thankful for my wife, who has stood by
me through thick and thin. (Though you wouldn't know it to look at me, there
has been some thin!)
Fourthly, I am thankful for all of you. You have been
warm and gracious and welcoming from my first contact with you. Karen also has
this wonderful sense of your love and acceptance. (That's no small thing!)
Lastly, two through four are all gifts from God as
well. So my thanks to God is multiplied again and
again.
As we ponder the love of God in his Son, Jesus the
Christ, let us recognize the magnitude of that love and renew our love and
faith to him.
Pastor Steve
December Events
Wish
These Friends a Happy December
Birthday
1 – Marge Moulton 17
– Paul MacDougall
4 – Kyle Miller 31
– Daryl Johnson
15 – Joyce Slocum 31 – Virginia
DeLooza
Community Chorus Christmas
Concert
“And On Earth, Peace” - Sunday, December 2nd
at 3 pm, in our sanctuary.
Annual Reports – Annual meeting
Board members, your annual reports are due to the
church office by January 2, 2013.
The annual meeting will be held on Sunday, January 20,
2013, at 11:00 am followed by a pot-luck luncheon.
Starshine – December 7th ….“What Can I Do To Help?”
Once again this year First Baptist
Church has the
opportunity to be a main part of Starshine (Dec. 7th)
as events will be held in and around the church. What a way to let people know
about our church!
As a fundraiser we are assembling theme baskets and
will be selling hot
cocoa, bottled water, and baked goods. Cindy Ovens is in charge of the baskets,
call her at 536-2485 if you can help. Cathy MacDougall is in charge of the
baked goods, call her at 531-8390 between 9 am to 8 pm if you would like to
help out with that. Just call and say, “What Can I Do To Help?”
Ralph Wilkes Memorial
Service
There will be a memorial service for Ralph Wilkes on
Saturday, December 8th at 2:00 pm at the Norton Chapel at Keuka
College.
Mary & Martha luncheon
The annual Mary & Martha luncheon will take place
on Tuesday, December 11th. This year we will be going to La Trattoria. Call the church office at 536-9821 by December 6th,
if you plan to attend.
Christmas Eve Candlelight
Service - 7:00 pm
Our traditional Christmas Eve service. Come
experience the wonder of the evening as the lights are dimmed, the candles are
lit and we join our voices in the singing of “Silent Night, Holy Night”. Pastor
Steve will deliver a special message of hope and the choir will lift their
voices in a joyful sound. Come, join us on Christmas Evening.
Opportunities to Serve
Handicap Bus
We need “riders” for the Sunday Council of Churches
Handicap Bus for the month of January. Please call the church office at 536-9821 if you
can help out.
Steering Committee
We are searching for a person to step forward to serve
as a FBC Representative on the Food for the Needy Steering Committee to help
maintain this important mission of our church. Speak with a member of the Bd of Trustees to obtain more information on this or to let
them know if you'd like to participate.
For those wishing to help
Hurricane Sandy
Victims:
To date $15,000 of OGHS funds have been allocated to
our Mission Partners in the Carribean. OGHS funds will be going to USA areas as soon as all data is
in. We have heard that 70-90 ABC/USA churches have suffered damage.
If you wish to help through the OGHS give your check
to FBC Penn Yan marking the tag OGHS Carribean Hurricane of OGHS Hurricane Sandy for the USA.
Another way to help is to donate through the Dundee Youth
Center. They are
collecting TP, shampoo, baby clothes, diapers, coats and blankets. The center
is open daily till 6 pm
Mission Reports
Retired Ministers and
Missionaries Offering
Dear Friends: Each year we take the RMMO. Part of the
RMMO gives each retired minister, retired missionary and their widowed spouses
a financial gift as a way of saying THANK YOU for their commitment, service and
spiritual guidance. “THANK YOU” checks went out to over 3,300 recipients last
year. The remainder of the RMMO is put into an endowment fund from which
emergency funds are given for unexpected needs. Large hospital and doctor
bills, new furnaces, new roofs, eyeglasses and dental needs are just a few of
the types of situations that strain some retiree's finances. This year, we are
asking you to meet a goal of $700 for the RMMO. If you can, please give
generously.
Your Bd of Missions
Bd of Missions Report –
HALLELUIA!!
HALLELUIAH!! HALLELUIAH!! You are to
be commended for your generosity! We set a goal of $1000 for the WMO. You
surpassed it by giving $1032 to the WMO.
You have also been very faithful with your pledges. As
of 10/31/12 we have a balance of $1006.
Our last special offering of the year will take place
on 12/16/12 when we receive the RMMO. The Retired Ministers and Missionaries
Offering provides special funds for those who have served us so well in the
past. We challenge you to raise $700 this year. Please read the special RMMO
letter elsewhere in this newsletter.
Your Board of Mission
Vick & Pathfinder Camp
and Conferences
In 2012, our CAMPING PROGRAM served over 1,610 people
in New York State. Our CAMPING PROGRAM gave $30,217
in non-reimbursed scholarships and waived fees. At the same time our CAMPING PROGRAM became an American
Baptist Mission Organization. In four years
our CAMPING PROGRAM must become SELF-SUPPORTING. Help form ABC/NYS is being
phased out. $75,000 in 2012, $50,000 in 2013, $25,000 in
2014. In 2015, our CAMPING PROGRAM is on its own. Your Bd of Mission
needs your ideas and support in determining how we help in this endeavor.
Please let us know how you can help and tell us what you want us to do.
Your Bd of Mission
Other Reports
Highlights from the
November Bd of Trustees Meeting
~ Effective December 1, 2012, Sandy Howard from the
ARC will be joining our staff as a part time custodian. Be sure to give her a
warm welcome when you see her.
~ Stewardship Drive: Our stewardship campaign is well
under way. Please be sure to fill out your pledge card if you haven't already
and return it ASAP.
The proposed budgets are enclosed in this newsletter
to help you while you consider your pledge
Thank You
Thank you for hosting
Roberta Stephens during her week that she was here in the Finger
Lakes Association.
I was pleased at the
response to her visit. As members of an association we have a common experience
and connection to unite us around her ministry and support. If you would like
to be a part of her Missionary Partnership Network to receive her newsletters
and offer prayer support, and have not already signed up, please send me your
name, address, email and phone number, and I will see that Roberta receives
them.
Please remember that
Roberta continues to rely on our prayer support and also our financial support
for her next two years in Japan.
Financial contributions can be considered part of the World Mission Offering if
you wish – just mark the gift “designated for Roberta Stephens”. Our prayers
and financial support make her efforts less stressful and more productive.
Again, many thanks, and God
bless you! ~ Ruth Spencer
Thank You
We wish to extend a special thank you for your
participation in the first annual Can Hunger event
held at First Baptist Church.
Over 2,000 food items were donated as well as $138. Events of this type are a
great addition to our community and help support emergency food for our
struggling community members. In October we provided emergency food to over 300
families. We so appreciate the kindness extended by your willingness to Can Hunger. Many, many thanks again.
George Schaeffer - Food for the Needy: Serving the
needs of Yates County
Book Report
Notice to all of you that are concerned with or
interested in MONEY! Our library has a new book “MONEY ON
PURPOSE” - Finding a Faith-Filled Balance by Shayna
Lear. Shayna is a successful Certified Financial
Advisor who approaches finances from a Biblical view point. She presently is
pursuing a Master of Divinity at Palmer Seminary and a Master of Economic
Development at Eastern
University.
Shayna is an African-American writing for an
African-American audience. However, her thoughts, insights and suggestions on
the topics of
SPENDING, SAVING, GIVING and INVESTING are applicable to readers of any race,
gender or age. This book is written in plain English so that her concepts are
crystal clear. Even if you do not have any money problems, this book will give
you plenty of ideas to think about.
Give A Memorial
Poinsettias
It's that time of year again
when we decorate the sanctuary with poinsettias. To place a plant
in honor or in memory of your loved one, we ask that you purchase your own
flower and bring it to the sanctuary by Sunday, December 16th.
Please remember to label your plant for easy retrieval after the Christmas Eve
Service when you may take it home with you. Fill out the form below and turn it
into the church office or place it in the offering plate. All forms need to be
in by Wednesday, December 19, in order for your information to be included in
the Christmas Eve bulletin.
Given by: ___________________________________
In Memory of: ________________________________
In Honor of: _________________________________
Memorial
Bulletins
Now is the time to indicate
your preference for Memorial Bulletins for next year.
This is a special way for you
to honor your loved ones. The cost is $10, and monies raised will go to help
defray some of the church's operating costs.
Printed in the bulletin will be the information you provide below. Send
this form to the church office along with your payment or you may leave it in
the offering plate.
I would like to recognize my
loved one on the date of: _________________________
In memory of: _______________________________________
In honor of: ________________________________________
From: ___________________________________________
Meaning of the Advent Wreath
The Advent wreath is a circular piece representing
eternity. On that wreath, five candles are arranged; 3 purple, one pink and one
white. During the season of Advent one candle on the wreath is lit each Sunday
as a part of the Advent services. Each candle represents an aspect of the
spiritual preparation for the coming the the Lord,
Jesus Christ. As a whole, these candles represent the coming of the light of
Christ into the world.
~On the first Sunday of Advent, the first purple
candle is lit. This candle is typically called the Prophecy Candle in
remembrance of the prophets, primarily Isaiah, who foretold the birth of
Christ. It represents hope of expectation in anticipation of the coming
Messiah.
~The second candle represents love. Some traditions
call this the “Bethlehem
Candle”, symbolizing Christ's manger.
~The third candle is oftentimes called the “Angels
Candle,” it represents peace.
~The pink candle is called the “Shepherds Candle” and
it represents joy.
On Christmas Eve, the white center candle is lit. This
candle is called the “Christ Candle” and represents the life of Christ that has
come into the world. The color white represents purity. Christ is the sinless,
spotless, pure Savior. Also, those who receive Christ as Savior are washed of
their sins and made whiter than snow. Celebrating with an Advent wreath during
the weeks prior to Christmas is a great way for Christians to keep Christ at
the center of Christmas.
Three Wise Women would have...
Asked directions,
Arrived on time,
Helped deliver the baby,
Cleaned the stable,
Made a casserole,
Brought practical gifts and
There would be Peace on Earth.
Santa's Prayer
On Christmas Eve I heard a sound I'd
never heard before.
A voice was softly speaking and I wanted
to hear more.
So very quietly I arose from the bed
where I was laying
I tiptoed to the living room where I
heard Santa praying.
“Dear Jesus, It's your birthday and I
just want to say,
Thanks for letting me be
a part of your very special day.
I always have believed in you I know
that you are real.
But there are some who don't believe and
how sad that makes me feel.
Some houses have no Bible they have no
manger scene.
Some people speak of Christmas but forget
what it really means.
I pray someday they will know what Your love's worth and then
I know that they will understand the
importance of your birth. Amen”
I always knew Santa brought toys like my
truck and my sister's doll
But on this night I understood why Santa
is the jolliest of all.
It is because he helps to spread good
will and Christmas cheer.
And he helps Jesus celebrate His
birthday every year.
Then I quietly returned to my room and
snuggled back in my bed.
Knowing I'd always remember the words
that Santa had said.
In the morning I remembered what I had
heard and seen.
But I wasn't sure if it was real or just
a wonderful dream?