River Region's Journey December 20

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Help Alabama

Shine!

The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) is a joint research project between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Alabama Department of Public Health. Its purpose is to determine why some babies are born healthy and others are not in order to aid in the development and assessment of programs designed to identify high-risk pregnancies and reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes.

New mothers are randomly chosen from the state birth registry to participate in PRAMS. Surveys may be returned by mail or completed over the phone. Let your voice be heard!

“Happy to be part of this survey.”

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Actual comments from survey responses.

Moms who complete the PRAMS survey receive their choice of a cooler bag, diapers, or manicure set!

Responses are kept confidential to the extent of the law. For more information, please call us at 334-206-2923 or go to alabamapublichealth.gov/PRAMS ADPH does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender, age, religion, disability, state, or agency regulations and policies. Inquiries regarding 1 genetic information, and other federal, www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents nondiscrimination policies may be directed to Civil Rights Coordinator: ADPH CRC, RSA Tower, 201 Monroe Street, Suite 1010, Montgomery, AL 36104, Tel. 334-206-5226, or email crcomplaints@adph.state.al.us.

Volume 22, Issue 10

Feature Articles

DECEMBER 2 0 2 0 Columns page 2

Publisher’s Note

page 10

Jason Watson

Faith @ Work Terry Grant

page 4

Meet Terry Grant and be inspired by his beautiful testimony of God’s grace and redemption that changed him well into adulthood.

Pastor's Perspective Daniel Gillenwater, The Church at Eastern Oaks

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Moments with Kym Kym Klass

page 14

page 16

Ministry Spotlight:

Women Arising

Mercy House

Pastor Kemi Searcy

by Katie Blair

Discover a ministry in West Montgomery offering a place of hope and a path to success for the “least of these”. You can partner with them as they offer a variety of services including after school programs, clothing closet, providing school supplies for the children in the tutoring program and more.

page 21

Counselor’s Corner Christy Holding, LPC

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The Intersection Bob Crittenden

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Keeping Christ the Center of Christmas

by Mary May Larmoyeux

With the commercialization of Christmas making it difficult to focus on the true reason for the season, these 10 tips will help keep your family focused on Christ!

Dave $ays Dave Ramsey

In Every Issue page 6

Books to Read page 10

page 22

Faith @ Work

Christmas Planning Guide

page 26

Local churches offer a variety of opportunities for your family to celebrate the true Reason for the Season, even during COVID-19.

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Support Groups December 2020

River Region’s Journey

Our Mission...

We believe the Good News concerning the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is worth sharing with our friends and neighbors in the River Region. Each month we deliver this life-changing message to the centers of activity across our community in a user-friendly and relevant way to empower and equip all those seeking to grow closer to God. Join us in this mission by sharing a copy with your neighbor or by becoming an advertising partner starting next month.

Editor DeAnne Watson deanne@readjourneymagazine.com

Publisher

Jason Watson jason@readjourneymagazine.com

Associate Publisher Savannah Bowden

Research Editor Wendy McCollum

Contributing Writers Katie Blair Bob Crittenden Pastor Daniel Gillenwater Christy Holding, LPC Kym Klass Mary May Larmoyeux Dave Ramsey Kemi Searcy Dr. David Steele

From the Publisher I Hate Covid!

Covid-19, and what it’s brought, is dreadful!

I’ve often thought that it’s good for us to attend a funeral service a few times a year because of the clearer picture of life it gives us. Knowing we are not immortal, and that suffering is a regular part of our existence on earth, causes us to naturally long for help and a better life. 2020 has been kind of like a continual funeral service. Loved ones have suffered, even died, as has our way of life. We cry out, “When will this end?”

Did you know that longing to be rescued from our suffering and loss is why we celebrate Christmas? The Old Testament prophets told of a Messiah who would come and rescue God’s people. During those times, most of those in the Household of God only considered their present physical suffering under foreign rule and hoped for a King who would merely defeat their captors. But the Messiah, sent by God, was coming to deliver them from far greater oppression. He would conquer the death from our rebellious sin and its horrific curse in this life and the next.

At Jesus, the Messiah’s birth, Angels announced to the shepherds: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Advertising Opportunities Jason Watson ads@readjourneymagazine.com (334) 213-7940 ext 702

Digital Manager

In those verses, we see the words that have become synonymous with the Christmas season, Joy & Peace.

Our earthly sufferings do bring us pain and tears, but they also cause us to long for salvation and a better tomorrow, in this life and the next. During the struggles of a Covid Christmas may our heads be lifted and our eyes look higher to our greatest hope – Jesus the Savior.

Scott Davis

Ad Design

Tim Welch, Welch Designs

River Region’s Journey is published monthly by Keep Sharing, P.O. Box 230367, Montgomery, AL 36123.

For information, call 334-213-7940. River Region’s Journey is copyrighted 2020 by KeepSharing. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.

The opinions expressed in River Region’s Journey are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the owners, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products or services herein. River Region’s Journey has the right to refuse any content that is not consistent with its statement of faith.

River Region’s Journey

December 2020

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Pastor’s Perspective

by Pastor Daniel Gillenwater, The Church at Eastern Oaks

Socks & Underwear Reading over my son’s Christmas list, I was surprised to see two items… socks and underwear. Now, to be clear, my son has plenty of socks and underwear. What surprised me is that children usually fill their Christmas lists with the fun things, the flashy things, things they normally don’t get during the year. Usually socks and underwear don’t make the Christmas list. But if we’re honest…we all need socks and underwear. And while we might get some things we want for Christmas, those things are often lost, broken, or forgotten within months.

But the socks and underwear will still be there. We don’t always want socks and underwear, but we all need socks and underwear. Likewise, sometimes the things we need to hear are not the things we want to hear.

Before reading any further, I encourage you to stop and read Luke 2:1-7.

These verses record the birth of Jesus and here we find two important admonitions for this Christmas season. However, I want to warn you, these are “socks and underwear.” These are truths we NEED to hear, but don’t always want to hear.

Luke 2:1-5 tells us that Joseph and Mary were on their way to Bethlehem, which is where Jesus was born. But, why Bethlehem? Joseph lived in Nazareth.

Most people want to be near family and friends when their child is born. The last thing they would have wanted to do was pack up and take a 90-mile donkey ride across the country to some backwater, noname town. So, why Bethlehem? The easy answer is that they were required to go and be counted for the census. However, we know there was something more going on.

Hundreds of years earlier, the prophet Micah prophesied that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). From this, we are reminded we can always Trust the sovereignty of God. Like Joseph and Mary, God may have you on a journey that you don’t want to be on. You may not like what God is doing.

You may not understand what God is doing. However, you can always trust that God knows what He is doing, and His way is always best.

As we come to the birth of Jesus in Luke 2:6-7, the long journey to Call or stop by today to schedule a session with one Bethlehem is over, of our personal trainers. Child watch is available. but things don’t get easier. There isn’t a prattvilleymca.org • (334) 361-0268 room available, so Mary gives birth and places him in an

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animal feeding trough. These are not the accommodations anyone wants. This is not what anyone imagines for their newborn child. And, this is not what Jesus deserved.

He is the Messiah. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is the second person of the Trinity. He is the Divine Son of God! Yet, what we see is a beautiful picture of His humility. Jesus willingly left the glory of Heaven, came to earth, and was born in a manager. He did all of this for us.

The Apostle Paul reminds us that we are called to imitate this same humility (Phil. 2:2-7). Here we find a second admonition this Christmas, Humble yourself before God and others. If we’re honest, this is the quintessential example of “socks and underwear.” Humility is the epitome of something none of us want, but we all need. 2020 has been a humbling year. This is not a bad thing. We have all been reminded that we are not in control, God is. Therefore, let us humble ourselves before the Lord and trust He knows what is best. Let us also humble ourselves before others as we treat them with kindness and compassion.

The truth, most people don’t want socks and underwear for Christmas. We want flashy and fun things. But most of the time those things are quickly forgotten. The things that last are the things that are needed.

What is it we really need this year?

We need to put our trust in the sovereignty of God, humble ourselves before Him, and count others as more significant than ourselves.

Pastor Daniel and his wife, Hanna, have been on staff at Eastern Oaks since December of 2004.

Daniel was born and raised right here in Montgomery, Alabama. He was called into full-time ministry while attending Auburn University Montgomery, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s in Business Management. He then went on to receive both his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Beeson Divinity School. Daniel and Hanna have been married since January 2004, and have a daughter (Lydia) and son (Ford).

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December 2020

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Strangely Bright

Why Social Justice is Not Biblical Justice

Joe Rigney “Can you love God and enjoy this world?” This question drives Joe Rigney’s newest book, Strangely Bright. Such a question often generates more heat than light as many people are accustomed to downplaying earthly things and emphasizing heavenly things. After all, the well-known hymn encourages us to:

Scott David Allen In 1969, Francis Schaeffer warned, “There’s bound to be death in the city once people turn away from the base upon which our culture was built …

Death in the city will be increasingly all-consuming unless there is true reformation in the church and culture upon the foundation of God and His revelation.” Fifty years later, Schaeffer’s words ring true as professing Christians succumb to the spirit of the age. One example of this is the introduction of social justice. Social justice has creeped into the church, parachurch, and the academy. The accommodation of this ideology has inflicted untold damage and is deceiving people and leading them astray.

Scott David Allen’s book, Why Social Justice is Not Biblical Justice sets the record straight. At the outset, the author contrasts biblical justice with social justice: Biblical Justice: Conformity to God’s moral standard as revealed in the Ten Commandments and the Royal Law: ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’ Social Justice: Deconstructing traditional systems and structures deemed to be oppressive, and redistributing power and resources from oppressors to their victims in the pursuit of equality of outcome.

Careful readers will notice that the differences in these definitions are vast and wide. Biblical justice, which is an important aspect of God’s character is repeated throughout Scripture.

Make no mistake: All Christians celebrate the reality of justice.

The notion of social justice (what the author refers to as idealogical social justice) that many are embracing is not only unbiblical; it is anti-gospel. Scott David Allen skillfully shows why ideological social justice fails the biblical test and urges followers of Christ to steer clear from this worldly ideology.

For Christians, it is critical that we understand the worldview shift taking place before our eyes. We have slowly moved from a Judeo-Christian worldview that provided a framework for justice and established worth among all people. Why Social Justice is Not Biblical Justice is a landmark book. It should be devoured and discussed by Christians. The net gain will be a renewed interest in biblical justice and a reinvigorated passion to reach every person with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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December 2020

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full on his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace.

The admonition seems sound and even reasonable. But Rigney argues something that may run counter to conventional wisdom. His argument is essentially this: Enjoy God in everything and everything in God, knowing he is greater and more satisfying than any and all of his gifts.

The path that leads to Rigney’s conclusion is set up by examining the passages that help clarify the biblical tension. First, the author reveals the biblical texts that place an emphasis on complete devotion to Christ. Such passages are referred to as totalizing passages and include Colossians 3:1-2, Philippians 3:78, and Psalm 73:25-26. These texts are contrasted with things of the earth passages that include James 1:17, 1 Timothy 4:4, and 1 Timothy 6:17. These passages emphasize God’s good gift that creatures are meant to enjoy.

In the end, Rigney skillfully demonstrates how glorifying God and enjoying his good gifts are not at odds: “All of God’s gifts are invitations – they display who he is and invite us to know him and delight in him.” The author borrows a page from John Piper’s Christian Hedonism that was introduced in his book, Desiring God, that was first published in 1986. “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him,” argued Piper.

Strangely Bright is a stunning retelling of Piper’s original thesis. This is a thrilling and liberating book. It skillfully crushes legalistic tendencies and warns readers to steer clear from any form of idolatry. The author strikes the biblical balance and leads readers on a path that is sure to encourage many.

Highly recommended.

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December 2020

River Region’s Journey

Eastmont Baptist Church of Montgomery Welcomes New Senior Pastor Rev. Frank M. Bowling has been selected as Senior Pastor of Eastmont Baptist Church in Montgomery. He will begin his ministry at Eastmont on December 1, 2020.

Frank comes to Eastmont with more than twenty years of ministerial experience. For the past fourteen years, Frank has served as Senior Pastor of Medina First Baptist Church in Medina, TN. While at Medina FBC, Frank was actively involved in the Tennessee Baptist Convention and the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.

“We are thankful for Pastor Frank’s passion for teaching God’s word, as well as his heart for missions and the local church body,” said Brian Key, chairman, Eastmont Pastor Search Committee. “The Eastmont family is looking forward to Frank building on the strong foundation built by other ministers at Eastmont.”

Frank received his undergraduate degree from Middle Tennessee State University and has completed his Master of Divinity with Biblical Languages from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate of Ministry with a concentration in Evangelism and Missions from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

“I am excited about the opportunity to serve Eastmont and the River Region area,” said Frank Bowling. “Gina and I are convinced the church of the 21st century must seek to make disciples whose lives are being transformed by the power of the Gospel rather than the therapeutic influences of our day.”

Frank and his wife, Gina, have been married for 23 years and have three children, Emma (16), Eliza (13), and Joseph (6).

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Life Tree Project to Benefit First Choice Women’s Medical Center

Living Christmas Tree at First Baptist Church

As your family is making your lists and checking them twice this holiday season, please be on the lookout for the Life Trees from First Choice at participating locations November 23 - December 21!

It’s Simple! 1) Choose a tree ornament with a needed baby item you’d like to purchase. 2) Drop it off unwrapped at our center in Montgomery (380 Mendel Pkwy East)!

Have questions? Call us at 334.260.8010!

Look for trees at these places: BodyTrac - Chappy’s Deli Express at Baptist South - Chappy’s Deli at Peppertree - Chappy’s Deli at Perry Hill - Chick-fil-A at RSA Tower - CrossFit 2L2Q - Fringe Hair Salon - Rebar Performance - Taylor Road Baptist Mother’s Day Out & Preschool.

For further info, contact Rachel Thomas at 334.260.8010.

305 South Perry Street December 10-11 at 7 p.m. and December 12-13 at 4 p.m.

Performers will delight you atop the 40 ft. set resembling a Christmas tree on stage.

Limited seating and masks suggested.

Order online at www.thelivingchristmastree.org or call 334.241.5156.

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RRJ: Thank you so much for sitting down with us today and sharing with us. First of all, tell us how you came to know the Lord.

Terry: I grew up believing that God existed. I guess that is part of growing up in the “Bible Belt”. I had heard about God and about Jesus, although my family hardly ever went to church. My parents divorced when I was nine years old. My mom, brother, sister and I lived in a motel room for a couple years. My dad never paid any kind of child support and was not a part of our lives. Momma worked as a waitress at a bar, a grocery bagger, and she answered phones for the motel in exchange for us living there. Since she worked three jobs, we didn’t see her much either.

There was a church bus that would drive around the community and take kids River Region’s Journey

December 2020

to church. It was in this church where I was led through a prayer of Romans 10:9 and declared that I was “saved”. My life, however, did not change. As a matter of fact, at 14, I began to be very promiscuous, to drink a lot, to smoke pot and do various other drugs.

I lived the next 28 years of my life believing that I was a Christian although I did not own a Bible, I never prayed, and I never went to church. I was 40 years old, I yelled and cussed at my wife and kids, I got into fights all of the time, I played video games after getting home from work and was completely emotionally and spiritually absent from my family.

Everything changed when someone started taking my daughter to church and she begged us to go visit. We went really just to appease her, but we never stopped going. There was something about the people there and the messages that were being preached.

One day, about five Sundays into our church visit, the pastor preached on Matthew 7, where Jesus is explaining to his disciples that there will be a lot of people who die and stand before Him claiming they know Him and have done all kinds of good works in His name, but have never known Jesus and the fruit of their lives are proof of that. I knew that day that not only was I not a Christian, but I was one of those very people Jesus was talking about.

I was standing there after the sermon like a zombie. I told my wife I needed to talk to the pastor. The pastor took me into his office and I gave him a much briefer version of the story I am telling you.

He told me there was no verse to recite or magical prayer to pray in order to be saved. He told me I needed to be honest with God the way I was being honest with him. I needed to ask God to save me and, if God saved me, I would not need anyone to tell me I had been saved because my life would change.

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I prayed there in his office and I did not hear a choir of angels sing or have the hair stand up on my neck, but from that day forward everything has changed.

RRJ: As Christians, our primary purpose in life is to glorify God. In what ways are you able to glorify Him in your occupation or while at work?

Terry: We glorify God when we put on display to this world, His character and not ours. The way that we treat our coworkers, our customers, the way we perform our duties at work, can all bring glory to God because those things reflect how God would act.

RRJ: For many of us, family plays an important role in our lives. In what ways has your family been instrumental in your faith journey?

Terry: My daughter, of course, played a huge role in God pursuing me by begging us to visit church. As I mentioned, I had a bad temper and would yell and cuss at my wife and kids before God saved me.

Well, a month or so after God saved me, my pastor shared about his problem with anger and how it was tied to unforgiveness. I could not get this out of my head because I hated my dad for never being part of my life, and I took it out on everyone around me. About a month later, my dad called me, my brother and my sister out of the blue. I had not seen or spoken to him in 19 years and my siblings had not seen or heard from him in 24 years. Come to find out he always had our phone numbers because our mom had begged him to be a part of our life. He only called us because his sister, my aunt, was dying in the hospital and he had no transportation.

He only needed us for a ride. My brother and I went and picked him up and took him to see his sister before she died. On that trip, God gave me the opportunity to share

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the Gospel with my dad and forgive him.

Through that forgiveness, God has given me victory over anger. I am not perfect by any means, but I am a different person when it comes to anger and God used my family in that.

RRJ: What do you feel is the most important thing in sharing your faith with others, especially non-believers?

Terry: I think the most important thing is to actually share the Gospel... the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and to call on them to repent and believe. Delivery is also important. Someone can tell if you are disingenuous. Another thing that is important is that if you are afraid to get into a Gospel conversation with someone, the best cure for that is to go with someone who is confident in evangelism. Ask someone if they will help you.

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RRJ: What are some key things that have sustained your faith on the tough days?

Terry: What helps me when things are tough or I begin to see a pattern of sin in my life and begin to question if God loves me, is to recall the supernatural things that God has done in my life. He took away my filthy mouth on day one, He has given me victory over anger, and restored the relationships with my wife and kids. As I reflect on these things, I know who I belong to, and if I am Christ’s then all of the promises in the Bible apply to me. He loves me, even when things seem bad in my life. I know that God is going to be glorified and it will work out for my good.

RRJ: If you could give your younger self a piece of advice, what would it be?

Terry: I would tell my younger self what I tell so many other young people who come from broken homes. That is that you have to stop placing your trust and your faith in human beings because we only let each other down. Place your trust in the One who created you, the only One who can be a good Father to you and will never let you down.

Terry and his wife Toni have been married 22 years and are the parents of three children. They attend Redeeming Grace Fellowship. Terry works with AT&T as a digital technician. The couple reside in Wetumpka, Alabama, where Terry can be seen performing with the Wetumpka Depot Players.

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God Cares About Your Life...

Messes and All I imagine we all feel we live a messy life at some point.

Or during a lot of points.

We make mistakes, we take wrong turns, we can be led astray, our thoughts can be judgmental – as can our voices.

And during this time, we could easily feel God doesn’t care. That we must have it pulled together for Him to be a part of our lives. Or before we turn to Him. That our plans and outcomes must be lined up, everything tucked in and folded together perfectly at the end of the day.

With no foul words spoken, no mistakes, no slip ups.

But where does growth come from if we don’t get through these times with Him? He wants us, beautiful mess and all. He still wants us to come to Him. Our lives don’t need to be social-media perfect: smiling faces, luxurious vacations, new cars, always-happy children. Stylish homes.

He wants the “us” that struggles. That hurts. That calls out to Him in the hardest of times.

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” James 4:8 Do we not accept our own children as they are? Their heartaches, tears, their mistakes? Their unkept bedrooms? (Even that.) If they have a failing grade? Do we turn them away until they are perfect and without fault? Do we dismiss our own chilRiver Region’s Journey

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dren until they exhibit perfect behavior?

Do we do this with our friends?

Spouses? Do we turn them away because they’re not as filtered as pictures show online? Because they are not shades of “vivid warm” or “dramatic cool”?

Or do we welcome them with open arms, faults and all? With the reassurance that we love them no matter.

Yes. We are God’s children, and Jesus desires to embrace us during what we might consider our downfalls as well. Our failures. Even if we have unmade beds and clothes strewn about the floor.

“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” Romans 15:7 He loves us at our darkest (Romans 5:8), through times we feel broken and unworthy. Thankfully, right? And He wants us to come to Him during these times. The times we are not perfect. The times when we’ve made bad decisions. The times when we feel the world is against us.

He. Wants. Us. Always.

He is for us, on our side. Even when we’re ashamed. Embarrassed. There’s a quote I love reading that states, “Jesus Christ knows the worst about you. Nevertheless, He’s the one who loves you the most.” (A.W. Tozer) Can you imagine? Can you feel that?

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God knew before we were born that He would forgive our sins, our shortcomings. So, who are we to doubt His love for us when things aren’t perfect? Who are we to not seek Him when we sin? When we break promises, when our addictions lead us to poor choices and down wrong paths?

That’s when He wants us the most.

That’s when we need to remember He loves us, faults and all. It is never He who turns away, but us. You are loved, always.

His love for us is not conditional.

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin. Let us then ap-

proach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Hebrews 4:15-16 The next time we feel we’re not worthy of Jesus in our lives, or that we can’t go to Him, because we’re not perfect, let’s instead reach out to Him in thanksgiving that He loves us in spite of it all. That He has never stopped. That He has never stopped wrapping His arms around us, even in – especially in – times of messiness.

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one test two lives Get tested for HIV. For you and baby. for more information, visit alabamapublichealth.gov/hiv/hiv-and-pregnancy.html 13

December 2020

River Region’s Journey

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by Katie Blair

When you walk through the door of Mercy House, you are welcomed with a big smile and a warm hello, as if you are already a longtime friend. The fragrant smells of a recently served meal still linger in the air as your eyes adjust to the light streaming into the windows from the expansive backyard, where children’s laughter emanates as the afterschool program begins. It doesn’t take long to realize that you are in a special place, a place where hope and encouragement are served up alongside hot meals, warm showers, comfortable clothes and the knowledge that you are not alone. In fact, you are far from it.

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Located in West Montgomery, Mercy House is situated in one of the most impoverished communities in Montgomery, where love and the mercy of God are demonstrated in a more excellent way to the forgotten, marginalized, disenfranchised, poverty-stricken people of the Washington Park Community.

Started in 2018 with the help of Dean’s Army and New Walk of Life Church, this holistic ministry was started utilizing resources within the community to reach the people with love and mercies of God in hopes of redirecting lives.

Redirecting lives is something that Pastor Ken Austin, who serves as the Mercy House Executive Director, is passionate about. “I, who had eyes, could see both sides,” he shared. “I started as a child having clean clothes, home cooked meals, and someone looking over my shoulder and checking my homework. That all changed when I was 13 and my mom had a massive heart attack during a church revival.” After being sent to live with other family members, Austin found himself floundering with school and expectations. It took a visit with extended family in South Carolina to grab his attention and get focused on his future.

“I joined the Air Force and got stationed right back here,” said the Mobile native. “But God knew exactly what He was doing.”

Pastor Austin and his wife Thomasina, along with a small, dedicated staff, are the hands and feet behind Mercy House, where serving the least has always been a part of the church’s DNA. As Pastor Austin pushed open the door to the New Walk of Life Church building, he pointed out the sanctuary pews and the pictures of civil rights icons displayed just inside the door.

“The pews are original to the church,” he said as he checked in with an afternoon study session where elementary students were reading about the history of the first Thanksgiving under the tutelage of a teacher and their peers, who politely waited their turn to read aloud in strong, clear voices. “Those pews, where the children are now sitting, are where civil rights leaders sat and planned. It is important that our young children know they can be leaders and change this area for good,” he said with a satisfied nod to the children who smiled over their shoulders at him.

The children and their families know that Mercy House is a place they can turn to for homework help, assistance with business matters, computer skills and job training, and even checking out a book to read from the Uncle John’s Library, named after the

former owner of the is a springboard home in which the into the rest of Stats on Mercy House library is housed. It our ministry,” said is a guiding light for Madison Darling, As households have faced increasfamilies looking for who serves as the ing challenges in 2020, Mercy House ways out of poverty.

Director of Operahas responded to the increased needs That is where the tions. within the community. In 2020, Mercy Pathways Program “We invest House was able to provide: comes in. in our commu“Our Pathway nity’s future by Lunches = 18,958 (a 639% increase House is a house investing in our from 2019) on Council Street children,” Pastor Laundry = 190 that we’ve restored Austin explained.

Showers = 154 and filled with “We see that Clothing Closet = 359 programs providby breaking the Food Pantry = 895 bags/37,590 pounds ing a pathway out chains of genera(a 71.8% increase from 2019) of poverty. Like we tional poverty, we’ll Hygiene Bags = 658 (a 414.1% increase) said, we’re eradicateradicate poverty Snack Bags = 15,889 ing poverty, not in this community, Diapers/Wipes = 77 moving it to another we’ll keep it from part of Montgomery spreading to the or Alabama,” said Pastor Austin. communities around us, and we’ll see stron“It’s home to a library and reading incenger and stronger generations coming up tive programs to put books back into the behind them. New Walk of Life Church has community. It holds a business center with more than 100 children and youth from the the technological infrastructure our neighcommunity in its programs. We have tutoring bors don’t have. It also has a computer lab programs, after-school programs, and a where we conduct educational programs to big backyard where our kids get to be kids, increase access to jobs that proved a livable safely, for a few moments each day.” wage. It’s providing a path out of poverty.”

As the sun set over the rooftops of the “Our neighbors are hurting. Poverty homes lining Council Street, two young gendoesn’t leave people unscathed. We have tlemen called out greetings to Pastor Austin. few intact family-structures. Our children are “It’s good to see you,” he said and crossed committing acts of violence against each the road to join them in conversation, like old other. When facing this hurt, many of our friends, who had become family knowing that neighbors come to New Walk of Life Church, this is where hope is offered, day in and day because it’s known as a place where grace out, to all who come to Mercy House. and love and mercy can be found. It’s known as a place to turn when there isn’t a place to How You Can Partner With turn. Because of New Mercy House Walk of Life Church There are plenty of ways that residents and it’s benevolence of the River Region can partner with the work ministries, we’re able being done through Mercy House to elimito provide hope to the nate poverty, eradicate violence, and make hopeless by showing Christ known in West Montgomery. Donations grace where it’s least of snack bag items such as canned meats, expected.” small individual fruit cups, and individuIn addition to the ally wrapped snacks are always welcome.

Pathways Program, Gloves, hats, and blankets for the cold immediate needs of months are needed, as well. Children are in members of the comneed of tablets and Chromebooks for their munity can also be met through a warm meal schooling needs and incentives such as fast each day at noon, access to clean clothing food gift cards are always appreciated. If you from the clothes closet, periodic bags of would like more information for opportunities pantry staples, and access to showers and to volunteer or make a financial donation, laundry facilities. It’s a marker of hope in a please visit https://www.mercyhousemgm. community that is seated in deep poverty. org/ for more information.

“The Mercy House building is our day shelter and is where we care for people in the process of transforming this community. It allows us to bring people in need into our orbit, to establish trust with our neighbors, and to be in-tune with the needs of the community. It houses a clothing closet, two laundry/ dryer units, two showers, and a food pantry.

It meets immediate, basic human needs and 15

Katie Blair is a freelance writer who has a deep interest in sharing stories about everyday people living extraordinary lives for Christ. She lives in Wetumpka, Alabama with her husband Steve, and their dog, Rosie. She is the mom of two young adult children and serves as a children’s ministry partner with Frazer Church.

December 2020

River Region’s Journey

3

Rights vs. Entitlement: A Christmas Story A story tells of a king that left his throne, wandering incognito among his subjects. He dressed and ate like one of them, and experienced the hardships that many had. The elite of his day regarded him very poorly and he saw the inhumane treatment of many of his subjects. When the king returned to his throne, he denounced many lords in his kingdom, giving their lands to the upright lower class he had met. The upper class felt betrayed and thought the king was being unfair.

But that is where the story ends. We could imagine the titled upper class’ demise and how they protested. We could wonder about those in the lower class who did not receive the lands the king gave away. So, were the king’s actions fair?

The definition of fairness is “in accordance with the rules or standards.”

That seems simple enough but if these rules and standards are interpreted differently by people, fairness is subjective.

Many today are defending their idea of “fair” in demonstrative ways, both positive and negative. To understand what these people really want, we need to look at the subtle but important difference between “rights” and “entitlement.”

Rights are those moral or legal items given to you through law, societal norms, or by authorities. Rights can change in accordance with rulings from elected officials or whoever’s in charge. Our Constitution’s amendments have granted rights to slaves, women and others, according the principles of law.

Entitlement, on the other hand, is different in its origin and depth. Entitlement is what you deserve because of who you are, no matter what the law says. Our Constitution has awarded us the entitlement of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

River Region’s Journey

December 2020

This means that as a citizen of the US, you are entitled to be alive, be free, and work for your happiness.

Many use rights and entitlement interchangeably, including some dictionaries, but the difference between rights and entitlement is essential to interpret current events. Lives and property have been lost this year because of people who believe they are entitled to protest in any way they want. But their right to protest is only secure as long as they remain within the law.

That is what is fair.

In the same way, a few police officers have felt entitled to hurt people, some fatally, because of their badge. They were never entitled to do so. They have the right to arrest and detain people, and kill only in self-defense or to prevent the death of others, but only according to the law. This is what is fair.

This applies to the Christmas story. As part of the triune Godhead, Jesus’ throne was established before time began. As God, He is entitled to do and act as He wants, no matter what anyone says or feels. According to Philippians 2:6, Jesus gave up his throne and came to Earth as a man. He did much more than the king in our first story. Jesus came as a helpless baby. He took on a flesh and blood body that grew tired, hungry, and vulnerable to

heat and cold. He submitted to his parents and worked for a living. His ministry was accepted by the dregs of society and scorned by the elite. His disciples wanted Him to stage a coup over the government, but He didn’t. He was berated, tortured, and ultimately died like a criminal.

Why would an entitled Being give up every right He had? While on Earth, Jesus’ love for us moved Him to tears. His care for us caused His heart to reach out to anyone who would listen. His miracles went beyond earthly healing to spiritual eternity. Jesus didn’t die uselessly. He chose to pay the price for every sin we have ever done or will ever do.

Jesus’s treatment was monstrous! It wasn’t fair! His crucifixion shouldn’t have happened! But if it didn’t happen, we wouldn’t be allowed into heaven. It is by His blood that we are entitled to see God face to face. It is

by His grace that we have the right to be His children on Earth, blessing others.

When you hear people decry their condition, put it into perspective whether their actions are their rights or an entitlement mentality. If they have been treated wrongly, help change laws that will give them the right to be treated equally. If they are acting in an entitlement mentality, where the cause justifies any means necessary, help them see a better way, a Jesus way of working to be treated equally under the law. During the holidays we sing, “Sleep in heavenly peace.” Help us to sleep in heavenly peace this holiday season.

Now that’s fair…

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Telehealth brings the doctor to you.

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d See a primary care physician or specialist on your tablet, laptop or smartphone.

With our Telehealth service, The Jackson Clinic makes it simple and convenient to see a physician from the comfort of your home – or wherever you go. It’s available to the whole community, from Greenville to Prattville.

And new and current patients are welcome. Just visit us online and schedule your appointment to talk with a doctor on your video device. Primary care physicians as well as a full range of specialists are available. Whether you prefer to visit us virtually or in person, we’re here to help you and your family stay healthy. To learn more about Telehealth, visit JacksonClinic.org.

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December 2020

River Region’s Journey 7/24/20 10:29 AM

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We keep one of our family treasures in a white cardboard box, tucked in a corner of our attic - until each December. That’s when it’s carried down the stairs into our den.

After carefully removing the yellowed newspaper protecting the handmade figures, one by one the pieces are revealed: a shepherd, a wiseman, a donkey, an angel, a cow, Mary, Joseph, and of course…baby Jesus. It’s tradition.

River Region’s Journey

December 2020

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For more than two decades my husband and I have made certain that every figure is there. After all, our nativity would be incomplete if just one piece were missing. Can you imagine a nativity set without a figure of baby Jesus?

Can you imagine Christmas without Christ?

This Christmas, let’s keep Christ at the center of our celebrations. Here are ten ideas that can help connect hearts and homes to Him.

1. Bring the story of Christ’s birth to life. After reading Luke 2:120, locate Bethlehem on a biblical map.

You can use a map from the back of your Bible or a Bible atlas. Depending on the ages of your children, you may want to compare the biblical map with a current map of the world. (Bethlehem is near Jerusalem.) Also, look at the daily newspaper and discuss how this same area of the world is still in the news today. Encourage young children to reenact the story. Use sheets and blankets to make costumes.

You could cast the family dog as a donkey. A teenage son or daughter may enjoy directing the play.

2. Create a “Tree of Light.” Set a small tree/plant (live or artificial) on a tabletop. Fill a container with either handmade or purchased stars, and place it at the base of the tree. Children could enjoy decorating paper stars with glitter. (Attach a loop of string or yarn to the top of each star.)

As a family, read some Scriptures about Jesus being the Light of the world (such as John 8:12, John 9:5, John 12:46). Then, put the first star at the top of your Tree of Light.

Read Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”

Encourage family members to allow the love of Jesus to shine through them during the holiday season. Invite them to secretly hang a star on the Tree of Light whenever they allow Christ’s love to glow through them in a meaningful way. (Another option would be to hang stars when family members see others displaying the light of Christ.)

3. Share the Christmas message through What God Wants for Christmas. This resource from FamilyLife helps children understand not only the meaning of Christmas but the type of relationship God desires to have

Christmas HE SHALL BE

with us. Each evening for a week, open one of the seven What God Wants for Christmas gift boxes and read the accompanying section of the illustrated poem.

This can even be done long distance— over the phone. Last Christmas, I mailed the resource to our oldest granddaughter, and then my husband or I talked to her every evening for a week. It was such fun to read the What God Wants for Christmas narrative and then to ask her to “open the box.” Sometimes she just couldn’t wait for our call, so she’d call us.

4. Give “birthday gifts” to Jesus. Wrap a box in colorful holiday tissue and cut a slit in the lid. Fill a container with blank slips of paper and put it by the box. Brainstorm, as a family, about possible gifts for the Savior for Christmas (patience, love for a difficult person, sacrificial giving, ministry to needy person, etc.). Then ask them to write a description of the gift they’d like to give on a slip of paper and to drop it in the wrapped box—without names. Open the box on Christmas day and see what presents the family has given Jesus for His birthday.

AT F I R ST BA P T IST PR AT T V IL L E

The Songs of

CALLED ADVENT SERIES

Christmas

Christmas Eve

A N IGH T OF WOR SH I P

C A NDLELIGHT SERV ICES

Sundays 9:30 & 11:00 AM

December 12 & 13 5:00 PM

December 24 3:00 & 5:00 PM

fbcprattville.org/christmas 19

December 2020

River Region’s Journey

5. Begin “orangitude checks” during the holidays. Keep a bowl filled with oranges in the center of the dinner table. One evening, slice an orange in half and squeeze it into a glass. Ask a child to drink the juice that’s in the glass and then say, “What does it taste like?” (Of course, the answer should be orange juice.)

Then discuss, as a family, people’s actions during the sometimes-hectic Christmas season. What comes out when they are “squeezed”? Repeat this activity one or two more times during the holidays. Discuss family members’ experiences as they try to model Christ’s love, even when they are “squeezed.”

6. Prepare the manger for baby Jesus. Fill a basket with straw and place it near your nativity set. When family members do something special for Jesus (anonymously), they can leave a piece of straw in the manger—examples: being kind, sacrificial, generous, and patient. Another option is for family members to put straw in the manger when they see loved ones modeling the character of Christ during the holidays. Before the Christmas story is read on Christmas morning, Mom or Dad can lay

the figure of Baby Jesus on top of the straw bed that the family has prepared for Him.

7. Announce the birth of a king. After reading Luke 2:1-20, family members can share how they would announce the birth of a king. Where would they arrange for the infant king to stay? (You could make paper horns for the children to use for their announcements.) Then talk about the way Baby Jesus entered the world more than 2,000 years ago. Be sure that the children understand that He was placed in a manger, which held food for livestock. Ask them why they think Jesus was born in a manger - why was there no room for Him in the inn? Then read Revelations 11:15, “There were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.’” Talk about how Jesus will come again to reign and to rule as our King.

8. Consider the feelings of Mary and Joseph. For older children, read Matthew 1:18-25 and discuss: * How could Mary, a virgin, have felt when she discovered that she was pregnant?

* How could Joseph have felt when he learned of Mary’s pregnancy? * Who do they (and you) turn to when life is not what they anticipated? * Why can we always trust God even when His ways are different from ours?

9. As a family, adopt a needy child or family at Christmas.

Not only shop for their physical wants, but also give spiritual helps such as a Bible or a book with Christian themes. Pray for them throughout the upcoming year. Pray for their salvation, spiritual growth, and needs.

10. Record family prayer requests. Ask each family member to jot down personal prayer requests for the next year. Place the list inside individual envelopes (with names on the front). After your Christmas celebration, enclose the envelopes inside a box containing the nativity set or special ornaments. Next year, before you assemble your nativity set, take time to open the envelopes, praise God for answered prayer, and pray together for needs that have not yet been met.

Used with permission from FamilyLife.

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December 2020

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An Unusual Holiday Season

or 2020, the year of firsts, is quickly bringing us yet another new experience: our first Christmas with COVID-19. Usually, as we move into this time of year, each of us is filled with excitement, longings, and of course, stress with all that must be done for the holidays. This year, however, we are entering the season with more uncertainty than we have ever experienced.

Despite the past nine months of not knowing what even the next week holds, I’m not sure that this uncertainty is something we are going to be comfortable experiencing.

This year is going to be different for a lot of families. There are varying thoughts, ideas, and feelings about how to handle COVID in this nation, how to process the racial inequities of the country, and what to think about the political divide in America that has been seen on full display this fall.

And this is all before we even get to the differences in our own families.

Some families that cherish their annual get-togethers will not be enjoying them this year, at least not with the whole family. While some members of these families yearn to do whatever they can to preserve traditions, the fact is that others are uncomfortable gathering this year and will be remaining home. Regardless of which side one might fall on, this is the heartbreaking reality of what this year will bring to many families because of the bizarre circumstance we find ourselves

in. It may almost seem at times that we don’t even know these people anymore.

With these differences, it’s going to require copious amounts of love, patience, and understanding to navigate this terrain with people we love, but with whom we don’t always see eye to eye. We want to do our best to avoid permanent damage in these relationships.

While pondering how to find common ground during this divisive time, I am reminded of the truce of 1914 between some of the actively warring British and German soldiers. These complete strangers were told by their governments to kill the men on the other side of this battlefield. And yet, even in the midst of a world war, these sworn enemies were able to use the holidays as a time to literally lay down their weapons and come together to jointly celebrate Christmas, even to the extent of seeming like long-lost family.

They were reported to have sung Christmas carols, exchanged gifts, and played a friendly game of football during their two day truce. What a beautiful picture for us on how it is possible to set aside differences to celebrate the things we do agree on together!

So back to the holidays: how are we going to pull off celebrating a joyful and beauty-filled season despite all the inevitable differences this wild year has brought?

I think we first have to realize that we can have opposing thoughts and feelings about this holiday time that can somehow both be true. For instance, even as I write this, I’m fighting through a battle with my own family. I don’t know what the holiday will look like for me this year, but I want to find a way to trust God in finding purpose and joy during the end of 2020. So, while I am sad in anticipation of the coming weeks because I will not be with some of my loved ones, I am simultaneously aware that experiencing the truth and beauty of 21

these sacred holidays is still possible.

Secondly, we need to find a way to take the focus off of solely our own point of view and put it on others who need to feel the joy of the holidays so desperately this year. I encourage you to think of what it might look like for you to bring love and joy into someone else’s world. This may take the form of delivering a meal to someone in need in our community, dropping a note by a lonely friend’s doorstep, or simply focusing on a family member’s own struggles and triumphs this season rather than unloading your burden upon them. Once we allow ourselves to look outside our current needs, I am confident that the needs of those around us will become strikingly visible and will allow us to step in and support our neighbors.

Finally, the plain and simple fact is: we will not be able to do this alone.

Conquering the urge to fight against our selfish desires and go to battle for the souls and well-being of our fellow community members is going to take relying on someone who’s already done this Himself.

God offers his strength to us when we are weak and weary. (Hebrews 4:14) My prayer for us is that we will receive mercy and grace from the Christ Child so that we might be able to offer that back to both the folks we are around during this season, and our loved ones that we may not get to be with this year.

Christy Holding, LPC is a long time resident of Montgomery. She is a graduate of Trinity Presbyterian School. She received her undergraduate degree at Liberty University in 1976 and obtained her master’s degree in Counseling from Georgia State University in 1984. She graduated a BS in nursing in 1996 and has worked in hospice dealing with grief and loss. Christy’s practice at The Samaritan Counseling Center is primarily with those struggling with depression, anxiety disorders, and self-harming behaviors including eating disorders. Christy has a passion to see people walk in wholeness and freedom and experience the life they were created to live.

December 2020

River Region’s Journey

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1:00 a.m. on Sundays Wednesdays

6610 Vaughn Road, (334) 272.6152 www.aldersgateumc.org Symbols of Christmas – Christmas Carol Service. On Facebook Live and Live stream on our church website at Aldersgateumc.org.

Sunday, December 6 at 6 p.m.

The Christmas Song Musical by the Aldersgate Chancel Choir, Orchestra and Drama Team Featuring a Live Nativity with the Actors and Animals (camel, donkeys, alpaca and sheep) on the front lawn of the Church after the worship service.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Thursday, December 24, 3, 5 and 7 p.m.

Christ Community Church Liturgically Joyful

Founded Upon God’s Word

At Christchurch, Holy Scripture serves as the final authority for our teaching and preaching. Indeed, over the course of three years, almost the entire Bible is read aloud and preached upon.

At Christchurch, worship involves the entire congregation, as we offer God praise, thanksgiving and adoration using worship traditions that can be traced back to the earliest days of the Church. Our worship is not designed to entertain us, but to honor the true “audience” of worship, the Lord!

8285 Ryan Road, (334) 273.8110 www.christccm.net.

Candlelight Service and Communion Sunday, December 20th at 5 p.m. or watch Christmas Eve On Demand Facebook Sunday, December 24th starting at 3 p.m.

Facebook.com/christccm Warm and Loving Committed to Mission

By God’s grace and through His Spirit, the people of Christchurch enjoy the richness and joy of being a true family. We’d love for you to become a part of us! Regardless of who you are, you will always find a home at Christchurch.

The people of Christchurch respond to God’s Word by going out into the world proclaiming the good news of Jesus, and we joyfully serve as His hands and feet whether in places like Uganda and Guatemala or within Montgomery.

Christchurch

8800 Vaughn Road, Montgomery, AL 36117 www.christchurchmgm.net 334.387.0566

ad on page 3 8800 Vaughn Road, (334) 387.0566, ext. 203. www.christchurchxp.net Christmas Eve,

Thursday, December 24 4 pm, Holy Eucharist and Pageant, Outdoors and Livestreamed. 6 pm, Holy Eucharist (Indoors, Outdoors and Livestreamed with nursery available). 8 pm Holy Eucharist with Incense (Indoors, Outdoors and Livestreamed) Christmas Day, December 25 Holy Eucharist, 11 am (Indoors, Outdoors and Livestreamed). Search Christchurch Montgomery on YouTube for livestreamed events.

Christmas at Eastern Hills Baptist 3604 Pleasant Ridge Rd., (334) 272.0604 www.ehbconline.com Christmas Candlelight Service December 24, 3 and 5 p.m.

Church of the Highlands 4255 Taylor Road, (205) 980.5577 www.churchofthehighlands.com River Region’s Journey

December 2020

Dates to be announced on website.

Come join us for a service full of worship, prayer, and celebration as we honored the birth of Jesus Christ. Please visit our website for times and locations.

December 20 Advent 4 – Poinsettia Sunday Christmas Eve Services Thursday, December 24 Live on CBS at 5 p.m.

Dalraida UMC Christmas

Frazer Memorial UMC

ad on page 20 3817 Atlanta Hwy., (334) 272.2190 www.dalraidaumc.com Christmas Cantata December 20, 10 a.m.

Christmas Eve Caroling with Hot Chocolate and Cider Thursday, December 24 at 5 pm in the rear parking lot.

First Baptist Church

ad on Back Cover 305 South Perry Street, (334) 834.6310 www.montgomeryfbc.org The Living Christmas Tree December 10-11 at 7 p.m. and December 1213 at 4 p.m. Performers will delight you atop the 40 ft. set resembling a Christmas tree on stage.

Tickets go on sale beginning of November.

Christmas Communion December 20, 5:30 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service December 24, 3 pm and 4:30 pm Registration required for each event and masks required.

First United Methodist Church

ad on Inside Back 2416 West Cloverdale Park, (334) 834.8990 www.fumcmontgomery.org Sunday, November 29 Advent 1 - Hanging of the Greens Sunday, December 6 Advent 2 – Holy Communion Sunday, December 13 Advent 3 – Lessons and Carols 22

ad on page 7 6000 Atlanta Highway, (334) 272.8622 www.frazerumc.org Hanging of the Greens November 22-24 from 3-7 p.m.

“Candlelight Worship” Wednesday, December 23 at 5:30 or Thursday, December 24 at 3:30, 5:30 and 7 p.m. for Contemporary and Traditional.

Gateway Baptist Church ad on page 11 3300 Bell Road, (334) 272.9494 www.gatewaybaptist.com Candlelight Service and Communion Thursday, December 24, 5 p.m.

Heritage Baptist Church 1849 Perry Hill Road, (334) 279.9976 www.hbcm.net Christmas Eve Service December 24, Time TBD

Saint James United Methodist Church 9045 Vaughn Road, (334) 277.3037 www.sjlife.com Christmas Tree Lighting December 6 at 6 p.m.

Traditional Christmas Program Sunday, December 20, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Christmas Eve Services Thursday, December 24 Traditional Service, noon to 1 p.m. and Contemporary Service, 5 -6 p.m.

Vaughn Forest Church 8660 Vaughn Road, (334) 279.5433 www.vaughnforrest.com Christmas Services Thursday, December 24 with times to be announced.

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Prattville Centerpoint Fellowship Church Marriott Conference Center, 2500 Legends Circle (334) 356.3076 www.centeringlives.com Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Thursday, December 24 at 3:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

East Memorial Baptist Church 1320 Old Ridge Road, (334) 365.7500 www.eastmemorial.org “Behold the Lamb of God” December 6 at 10:30 a.m.

First Baptist Church ad on page 19 138 South Washington St., (334) 365.0606 www.fbcprattville.org He Shall Be Called Advent Series Sundays, 9:30 and 11 am.

Songs of Christmas Nights of Worship December 12 & 13, 5 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service December 24, 3 and 5 pm Please check with each church prior to attending for any changes and for Covid protection measures.

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River Region’s Journey

25: A Christmas Advent-ure (Call His Name) Each year, Faith Radio publishes an Advent Guide, which can be downloaded from the website at FaithRadio.org. The concentration this year is on the names of Jesus. These can be used each day in December, one per day, or you can incorporate the material into your weekly Advent readings.

What They Said 1 - JESUS “...for He will save His people from their sins.” Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 1:31, Matthew 1:21 2 - EMMANUEL “God with us” Matthew 1:23 3 - SAVIOR “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Luke 2:11 4 - CHRIST “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Luke 2:11, Matthew 16:16 5 - LAMB OF GOD “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

What Jesus Said 6 - THE WORD “...the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1:14 7 - SON OF MAN “For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.” Matthew 18:11 8 - BREAD OF LIFE “He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” John 6:35 River Region’s Journey

December 2020

9 - LIGHT OF THE WORLD “He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12 10 - I AM “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” John 8:58

government and peace There will be no end.” Isaiah 9:6 18 - PROPHET “The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear...” Deut. 18:15 19 - MESSIAH “...We have found the Messiah...” John 1:41, Daniel 9:25-26

Who He Is 11 - ROSE OF SHARON “I am the rose of Sharon, And the lily of the valleys.”

Song of Solomon 2:1

20 - MAN OF SORROWS “He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.”

Isaiah 53:3-5

12 - SHEPHERD “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1; Hebrews 13:20

13 - HEAD OF THE BODY “He is the head of the body, the church...”

Colossians 1:18 14 - CHIEF CORNERSTONE “...built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone...” Ephesians 2:20, 1 Peter 2:6 15 - OUR HOPE “...by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope...”

1 Timothy 1:1

Before He Came 16 - WONDERFUL COUNSELOR “...His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor...” Isaiah 9:6 17 - PRINCE OF PEACE “...Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His

When He Comes Again 21 - ALPHA AND OMEGA “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End...” Revelation 1:8,11 22 - LION OF JUDAH “...the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals...” Rev. 5:5 23 - KING OF KINGS “...He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords...”

1 Timothy 6:15 24 - LORD OF LORDS “...the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings...”

Revelation 17:14 25 - BRIGHT AND MORNING STAR “I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” Rev. 22:16 ** Scriptures from New King James Version

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Came for YOU, Merry Christmas!

Faith Radio would like to send you a FREE copy of our Ministry Magazine!

Our latest edition, centered on the names of Jesus, includes the Faith Radio Advent Guide. Please contact us for your copy.

Plus, the Advent Guide can be downloaded through our website.

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December 2020

River Region’s Journey

11/19/20 9:47 PM

Adoption

Location: Vaughn Forest Church, 8660 Vaughn Road, Montgomery APAC, Alabama Pre/ Post Adoption Connection Support Group: This group provides education and social interaction for adoptive families. Meets 3rd Tuesdays, 6-7:30 p.m. For more information call Jill Sexton at 409-9477.

Alcoholic / Addiction

Location: Caring Center of FBC, 52 Adams Avenue CrossRoads Support Group is for addicts/alcoholics and family members. Meets at 6 p.m.

Tuesdays and follows a Christcentered 12-step program.

Call 264-4949.

Location: Dalraida United Methodist Church 3817 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery An Alanon meeting is held at 9 am on Saturday mornings. Call 272.2190 for details.

Location: Grace Presbyterian Church, Corner of Bell Road and Atlanta Hwy. Alcoholics Anonymous and Alanon meetings are held Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, at 6 p.m. An Open AA Speaker meeting is held on Saturday at 6 p.m. An Alanon & AA held on Sundays at 2 p.m.

Location: Grace Point Community Church, 78223 Tallassee Hwy (Hwy 14), Wetumpka Celebrate Recovery- every Tuesday night- 6:15pm. All are welcome! These meetings are a safe and loving environment for individuals seeking to conquer their hurts, habits and hang-ups! gracepoint.info.

Location: Heritage Baptist Church 1849 Perry Hill Rd, Montgomery, AL Route1520 is a Christ-centered recovery movement dedicated to showing the way home for men impacted by sex and pornography addiction. Meets: Mondays, 6:30 – 8:00 PM CST. No Childcare Provided. Email montgomery@route1520.com, visit http://www.route1520.com/ men/groups-for-men/ or call 877.200.1520.

Location: Journey Church, 435 Sheila Blvd, Prattville Celebrate Recovery - Christ-centered 12-step for anyone struggling with addiction or life-challenging issues.

Mondays beginning at 6:15 pm. Childcare available.

Call John Pearse at 303-243-4308 or visit myjourneychurch.com.

Location: Landmark Church, 1800 Halcyon Blvd.

RSVP- This is a 12 step spiritual recovery program for

River Region’s Journey

December 2020

overcoming addictions. Using the steps and Bible we help build self-esteem, responsible behavior, the making of amends for our destructive actions, and to fill the void in our hearts in a loving relationship with God. Wednesday @ 6:30pm in Rm. 121 of the Life Center.

Location: Prattville Church of Christ, 344 E Main St. CASA - 12 step (Christians Against Substance Abuse) spiritual recovery program, for overcoming addictions.

Class begins each Wednesday evening @6:30 PM. Please call 334-365-4201 for additional information.

Location: St. James UMC, 9045 Vaughn Road Celebrate Recovery meets every Thursday night from 6-8 pm in the Youth Room. This is a Christ-centered 12-step group for anyone struggling with an “addiction or life-challenging issues.” For information, call Chris Henderson at 334-215-0427.

Location: First United Methodist Church, Wetumpka 306 W. Tuskeena Street ‘Fresh Start’ Recovery meets every Thursday, 6-8pm (meal included). In 2011, Fresh Start Motorcycle Ministry (FSMM) began when God laid it on the heart of a lifetime biker to minister to those with his background.

All are welcome, not a requirement to own/ride a motorcycle. For any information contact ministry leader, Paul Henderson, 334-201-5428.

Location: Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1728 S. Hull Street, Montgomery Route1520 is a Christ-centered recovery movement dedicated to showing the way home for men impacted by sex and pornography addiction. Meets Wednesday from 6:30-8 pm. For more information email riverregion@route1520.com, visit http:// www.route1520.com/ men/groups-for-men or call 877-2000-1520.

Alzheimer’s / Dementia

Location: First UMC, 2416 W. Cloverdale Park, An Adult Parkinson/Alzheimer’s respite ministry meets from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Lunch is served. Contact Daphne at 834-8990.

Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy An Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers’ Support Group meets on the first Thursday of each month at 10:30 a.m. in Room 3103. Call 495-6350 for more information.

Cancer

Location: Aldersgate UMC, 6610 Vaughn Rd Cancer Survivors Support Group is sponsored by Samaritan Counseling Center. We would love to have anyone (patient or family member ) join us.

Thursdays at 1 pm. Please call before attending just to make sure we are meeting that week.

Please call Debbie D at 4674578 or Ben W at 202-1912.

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Location: ChristChurch, 8800 Vaughn Road Cancer Support Group for general cancer. Tuesday afternoons at 1 pm. For more info, please call Christy Holding at 531-1390 or Debbie at 467-4578.

Location: Frazer UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy. Central Alabama Multiple Myeloma Support Group meets from 10 a.m. to noon the second Saturday of every month in Room 3105. We have guest speakers, video presentations, printed information and a group that welcomes sharing their journey with myeloma in an informal setting. Refreshments are provided. Contact Joe Crowley at 334-207-4385 or jpcrowl46@yahoo.com Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy. Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy. Women of Hope Breast Cancer Support Group, providing education, awareness, and mentoring for breast cancer patients/survivors, family and friends, meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in Room 8114.

Call 220-4599 or e-mail womenofhope@charter.net

Divorce

Location: First Baptist Church, 305 S. Perry Street Divorce Care Wednesday nights @6:30-8:00 pm in Room 405B. Child care is available. Contact Kathy Cooper at 241-5125 for information.

Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy Divorce Care meets each Tuesday from 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Come to the Library area. This group will provide support & guidance to assist you in working through the issues, pain & pressures surrounding divorce. Call 495-6350 or e-mail jan@frazerumc.org.

Gambling

Location: Cedarwood Community Church, 10286 US HWY 231 in the Wallsboro/Wetumpka community.

The church is 1 1/2 miles past Tutweiler prison.

Gamblers Anonymous, Saturdays at 6 pm. and Mondays at 6:30 pm. Call 567-0476.

Location: Mental Health of America, 1116 South Hull Street, Montgomery. Sundays @ 5 pm.

For more information about the GA meetings call 334-399-6918. For information about counseling services or to request a guest speaker please call the Alabama Council on Compulsive Gambling at 334-277-5100.

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Grief

Location: Cornerstone Christian Church, 301 Dalraida Road River Region Survivors of Suicide meets on the second and fourth Thursday of every month (excluding holidays) from 6:30-8:00 PM. This is an open group for those who have lost a loved one to suicide and welcomes anyone regardless of their religious beliefs. Contact Cheryl Vinson at riverregionsos@gmail.com with questions or for more information.

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Location: Eastmont Baptist, 4505 Atlanta Hwy. Compassionate Friends is a national self-help support organization for families grieving the death of a child meeting first Tuesdays at 7 pm. Call (334) 284-2721 for info.

Location: First UMC, 100 E. Fourth St, Prattville Grief Share, Wednesday evenings at 6 pm in the church parlor. Led by Michael Beatty. Call 365-5977.

Location: Frazer UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy Grief Recovery Support Group meets Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m., Rm 3105. Call 495-6350 for more info.

Location: Grace Baptist Church, 304 Old Montgomery Highway, Wetumpka Mourning to Morning is a Christian growth group for mothers who have lost a child, from before birth through adulthood. Meets the last Thursday night of each month.

For info, contact Alice Scarborough (334) 462-4775 or Gwen Ellis (334) 567-8754 or e-mail mourningtomorning@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook.

Location: Millbrook FUMC, 3350 Edgewood Rd Grief Share meets Sundays from 5-7 p.m. For more information or to sign up, please call the church office at 285-4114 or email churchoffice@mfumc.org.

Location: Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church 1550 E. Washington Street Grief support group meets every Monday at 6:00 P.M- 7:00 P.M. For additional information, please contact Alice Glover at (334)281-2754.

Mental Health

Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy Mental Health - NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) meets 2nd Monday of each month from 6:30 – 8:30 pm in Room 7205. Group provides understanding, education & information to family members & friends of those who suffer mental illness, Call Pat Cobb at 334279-8331 for more info. NAMI Connection Support Group for individuals with mental illness meets every Thursday evening, 6:30 – 7:30 pm, room 3104. Call Pat Cobb at 334-279-8331 for more information.

Parenting

Location: First Baptist Prattville, 138 S.Washington Moms LIFE (Living In Faith Everyday) meets twice monthly from 8:30 - 11:45 am in the chapel at the Church from Aug - May. We offer a time of fellowship, Bible study, musical guest, special guest speakers and a lot of fun!! Cost is $5 per meeting. For moms of all stages and ages of life.

Childcare provided by reservation. Call April Scott at 828-446-6666.

Location: First Baptist Church, 305 S. Perry Street MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) is a place you can share a good meal, make new friends, and find encouragement as you face the everyday challenges of raising your little ones. We have educational speakers, great conversation, and fun activities. Free childcare is provided. Meetings are every 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 9:30-11:30 a.m., September through May. Contact Tiffany Alewine at 241-5165.

Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy Frazer mom2mom is a playgroup to connect mothers of ages birth to 5 at Frazer UMC to share fun and inspiration in our journey together, with our children, and with Christ. Email Mom2mom@frazerumc.org for info.

Location: Landmark Church, 1800 Halcyon Blvd.

Single Moms Support Group, Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. in classroom 118. For information call 277-5800.

Location: Perry Hill UMC, 910 Perry Hill Road Single Moms’ Care and Support Group meets 2nd and 4th Thursdays from 6:15 - 8:00 PM. December meeting will be on the 11th. Free snack supper provided to moms and children. Child care for infants -16 years. Call 272-3174.

Location: Redland Baptist, 1266 Dozier Rd, Wetumpka A MOPS group will be held 1st and 3rd Tuesday’s of every month during the school year, and has scheduled play dates and moms nights out through the summer and beyond. While moms are in a MOPS meeting, their children are lovingly cared for in the MOPPETS program.

Email Denise Braswell at deniseorscott@yahoo.com.

Location: St.James UMC, 9045 Vauhgn Road Moms in Prayer International: This is a Christ centered interdenominational prayer ministry made up of moms, grandmothers, aunts or any woman who wants to gathers to pray for their children and schools. Meets every Sunday afternoon from 3:00-4:00. Call Annette Jones for more information on joining us or training to start your own group.

850-529-4730 or email Montgomerymipac@gmail.com.

Physical Challenges

Location: Aldersgate UMC, 6610 Vaughn Road Visually Impaired Support Group – Meets monthly on second Thursday 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. The group is called Outward Sight - Inward Vision and is for those with vision loss and their caregivers. Our mission is to assist those experiencing vision loss to maintain their independence. Call 272-6152.

Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy. Parkinson’s Support meets 4th Thursdays at 6 pm in Room 8114. Call 495-6350 for more info.

Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy. Ostomy Support meets every other month on the 2nd Sunday at 1:30 p.m. in room 3101. In 2018: Feb., April, June, Aug., Oct., Dec. Call 495-6350 for more info.

Location: Vaughn Park Church, 3800 Vaughn Rd. Montgomery Area Down Syndrome Outreach Group meets 2nd Friday of each month from 6:30- 8 PM. We have activities, speakers and special events throughout the year for the parents, siblings and children with Down Syndrome. Childcare is provided. Please visit www. montgomeryareadownsyndrome.com or our Facebook page (MADSOG) for information. .

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December 2020

River Region’s Journey

Get Dialed In

Q. My wife and I have two kids and one on

the way. We’re debt-free except for our home, and we have our emergency fund in place.

We’ve also been saving for retirement, with me putting 15% into a 401(k) and her putting 10 percent into her retirement account. On top of all this, we’re putting a little money toward college funds for the kids. We talked the other night, and after that we started thinking about pulling back from retirement saving and getting the house paid off. What do you think about that?

A. I teach people to start investing 15% of their household income for retirement after they’ve completed Baby Step 3, which is saving three to six months of expenses for an emergency fund. Baby Step 4 would be both of you putting 15% of your income into retirement, and you’re not quite doing that yet.

Saving for college comes next in Baby Step 5.

I don’t teach people to put less than 15% of their income into retirement in order to pay off the house a little earlier. It’s tempt-

ing when you’ve got the debt-free bug, but it’s not the shortest distance between where you are right now and wealth. The average person who follows my plan—the Baby Steps—can pay off their home in about seven years.

You’ve got offense and defense to think about. Defense is getting rid of debt, and the offense is building wealth. You don’t want to let your guard down on offense in order to just play defense and get the house paid off.

What you’re talking about is a normal reaction for lots of folks in your position, but it’s not what I would recommend right now.

I love your fire, but follow the Baby Steps as they’re laid out. My goal isn’t just helping people get out of debt. It’s to teach people how to become wealthy as a result of being out of debt and encouraging them be outrageously generous along the way!

How Can I Help My Mom-in-Law?

Q. My mother-in-law is 60. She works hard and has no debt, but she also has no savings or retirement accounts. However, she

owns a couple of paid-for rental properties that are worth about $350,000 each, and her home is worth $700,000. What can I do to help her plan for the future?

A. The best plan would be to first see if she’s already got a plan. I understand you’re worried about her not having any savings or retirement. That makes you a good son-inlaw. But it sounds to me like she’s got the makings of a pretty good retirement situation lined up, even if she didn’t go the traditional route to get there. You just told me she’s sitting on nearly $1.5 million in paid-for real estate. Dude, she’s a millionaire!

If the time comes where she decides she doesn’t like landlording anymore or just wants to retire, she can always sell the rental properties, invest that big pile of cash in mutual funds, and live off the income.

If you’re concerned about things, just sit down with her and let her know. Ask her if she needs any help with her money situation and plans for retirement. If she doesn’t want to talk about it right now, that’s fine, but making the offer shows you care.

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Join us in person for

Advent

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

sermon series:

DOWN TO EARTH SUNDAY WORSHIP 8:45 & 11:00 AM

LIVE ON CBS @ 5:00 PM

Services

FUMCMONTGOMERY.ORG/ADVENT

Watch Live 1

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Celebrating the Joy of Christmas And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”

— Luke 2:10 — — DECEMBER 6 —

— DECEMBER 20 —

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering Emphasis

Christmas Communion 5:30 PM // Main Sanctuary

8:30 & 11:00 AM // Main Sanctuary Special Guest: Dr. Paul Chitwood, President of the IMB

— DECEMBER 24 — Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship

— DECEMBER 10-13 —

3:00 & 4:30 PM // Main Sanctuary

The Living Christmas Tree In order to follow our social distancing guidelines, registrations will be required for each event.

Masks will also be required.

Thursday & Friday // 7:00 PM Saturday & Sunday // 4:00 PM Main Sanctuary

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER FOR THESE EVENTS, VISIT

MONTGOMERYFBC.ORG FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH MONTGOMERY 305 S PERRY STREET // MONTGOMERY, AL 36104 // 334.834.6310 MARK BETHEA, PASTOR 1

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