Cross ie MAGAZINE
Vol 3 | Issue 12 | December 2019
Christmas Eve 5:00 PM - Children and Family Candlelight Service 7:00 PM – Candlelight Communion
C ON N EC T W ITH US
SM OK ER I S EB A P T IST. OR G
facebook.com/ smokerise
OU R M IN I ST E R S
C O N T E N TS
Be c ky C a s wel l - Spei gh t Minister of Families, Faith Formation and Connection rspeight@smokerisebaptist.org 678.533.0546
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From the Pastor
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Worship
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Christmas Concerts
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Growing
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Serving
Je r e m y C o l l i v er Minister of Youth, Missions and Communications jcolliver@smokerisebaptist.org 678.533.0551 Ch r i s G e o r ge Senior Pastor cgeorge@smokerisebaptist.org 770.469.5856 Bar t M c N i e l Associate Pastor bmcniel@smokerisebaptist.org 678.533.0540
1 0 Caring 11
Generosity
1 2 Family Ministry 13
Youth
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Connecting
1 5 Monthly Snapshot
Ja me s S m i th Pastoral Care Associate jsmith@smokerisebaptist.org 404.405.5467
twitter.com/ smokerisebaptist.org SmokeRiseBC
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Smoke Rise
F RO M TH E PASTOR
Christmas, like Christ, is past, present, and future. The Incarnation did not come and go, but rather transformed the way we understand God’s work among us for all time. God is not only somewhere, out there, but dared to come near, dared to come here. God lived among us and God lives among us.
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CA R ING
Billy and Carolyn are models of Christian grace. They have faced significant change, big transitions and growing demands of health care with wisdom. They both have a radiant, melt-your-heart smile and are ready to visit and have fun when I drop by to see them. They set a Christlike example of relating and responding to the community where they now live.
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GEN ER OS ITY
The Legacy Society is grateful for Tom Jollay, who served an extended term of service as chairperson of the Endowment Trustee Board. Under Tom's leadership our Endowment Fund reached a historic threshold.
Dan n y Va n c i l Minister of Music and Worship dvancil@smokerisebaptist.org 678.533.0560
A B O UT S M O K E RIS E 5901 Hugh Howell Rd. Stone Mountain, GA 30087 Tel: 770.469.5856 Fax: 770.498.3598 Office Hours M-F 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Smoke Rise Baptist Church is a loving and caring faith community where people come to grow spiritually, worship communally and serve faithfully. We are committed to fostering authentic relationships and engaging in meaningful ministry in our congregation, our community and around the world. We partner with others in an effort to be about God’s work. We commit to love God with all our hearts, all our souls, all our minds and all our strength, and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. We seek to proclaim the Good News of Christ in all that we say and do.
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FRO M TH E PASTO R
CHRIS G E ORGE - Senior Pastor
John Killinger was my professor at Samford University and became a personal friend. His wonderful collection of Christmas sermons begins with this story: I was staring through the window of a beautiful little Christmas shop in Washington state. It was packed with Christmas items, even though Christmas was still six months away. There were exquisite creche scenes from Italy, Germany, and Norway. There were fuzzy-faced elves and jolly old Santa Clauses, sleighs and reindeer of every size and description, bells and trees, and music boxes. There were nutcrackers and candles and electric lights, angels and wise men and little drummer boys, stars and snowmen and gingerbread cutouts. The little shop was fairly bursting with Christmas, and a loudspeaker broadcast the melody of Yuletide tunes. It was infectious, even in the summertime. And down in the corner of the front door, where no one could miss it, was the neatest touch of all. It was a small sign that said, “Christmas Spoken Here.” In our society, Christmas seems to be a seasonal language. Salespeople know how to change their greetings from “Hello” to “Happy Holidays.” Stores change their recorded music and their window dressings. Cars have reindeer antlers. Bars have eggnog. But, Christmas is not a seasonal language in the Christian church. We know that “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). The Incarnation does not merely change something, but changes everything. So, Christmas comes once a year as a reminder of the experience that is available every day of the year. Christmas, like Christ, is past, present, and future. The Incarnation did not come and go, but rather transformed the way we understand God’s work among us for all time. God is not only somewhere out there, but dared to come near, dared to come here. God lived among us and God lives among us yet. In December, we prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christchild, recognizing that God’s great desire this year is to be born in you and me. Long ago, angels sang of “Peace on Earth and Goodwill to All” and this year we are called to be instruments of God’s peace and ambassadors of God’s good will. In Luke’s Gospel, before recording Jesus’ birth, the writer gives us all these blessed glimpses of Heaven. Zechariah’s duties in the temple are interrupted by an unexpected announcement, a sacred surprise. The priest is skeptical and then literally speechless for the next nine months. Mary is getting ready for her marriage when an angel delivers the news, “You will bear a son.” Great fear and great joy intermingle in these stories. Look closely and you will see rays of light – glimpses of eternity shining through even before anyone arrives at Bethlehem. My prayer this Advent season is that people around us will see Glimpses of Heaven in our lives. They will hear in our words and see in our actions that “Christmas is Spoken Here” at Smoke Rise Baptist Church.
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WOR S H I P I N G AT SM OK E R I SE
DA NNY VA NC IL - Minister of Music and Worship
Thank you,
Thank Smoke Rise You Baptist SRBC Church,
for a wonderful year of singing and worshiping God together. Love, Danny
Advent Sermons 2019
Glimpses of Heaven December 1 •First Sunday of Advent • A Glimpse of Hope • Luke 1:1-20 December 8 • Second Sunday of Advent • A Glimpse of Peace • Luke 1:26-38 December 15 • Third Sunday of Advent • A Glimpse of Joy• Luke 1:39-45 December 22 • Fourth Sunday of Advent • A Glimpse of Fear • Luke 1:57-66
Music Ministry Highlights for December Sunday, 12/1 at 9:00 AM – Advent 1 Worship featuring the Ensemble Sunday, 12/1 at 11:00 AM – Advent 1 Worship featuring Kathy Farmer, flute Sunday, 12/1 at 7:00 PM − Peter Mayer Sunday, 12/8 at 9:00 AM – Advent 2 Worship featuring the Ensemble Sunday, 12/8 at 11:00 AM – Advent 2 Worship featuring Children Choristers Sunday, 12/8 at 7:00 PM − Images of Christmas Wednesday, 12/11 at 6:30 − Nativity Pageant Saturday, 12/14 at 7:00 PM − Coro Vocati (ticket required) Sunday, 12/15 at 11:00 AM – Advent 3 Worship featuring the Youth Choir Sunday, 12/22 at 11:00 AM – Advent 4 Worship featuring the Sanctuary Choir Sunday, 12/29 at 11:00 AM – featuring the Sanctuary Choir Tuesday, 12/24 at 5:00 PM – Christmas Eve Worship for Families and Children Tuesday, 12/24 at 7:00 PM – Christmas Eve Candlelight and Communion Worship Sunday, 12/29 at 11:00 AM – Christmastide Worship featuring the Hallelujah Chorus
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CHR ISTM AS C O N CERTS Now Thank We All Our God Now Thank We All Our God Sunday, November 24
Coro Vocati is a group of professional singers Coro Vocatitois create a groupmusic of professional based in Atlanta, called at the singers in Atlanta, to createits music highest level ofbased choral artistry.called Celebrating 10that the highestCoro levelVocati of choral artistry. Celebrating its 10th anniversary season, was the first anniversary season, Coro Vocati was the first professional choir in Georgia to perform the professional choir in Georgia to perform critically acclaimed piece “Considering Matthew the acclaimed piece “Considering Shepard”, to acritically sold-out audience in June of this Matthew Shepard”, to a sold-out audience in June of this year. In 2018, the group performed at the Southern year. In 2018, the group performed at the Southern Division American Choral Directors Association Division American Choral Directors Association Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. Conference in Louisville, Kentucky.
IM AA GGEESS O IM OFF Reflections ofAdvent His Advent Reflections of His Impressions ofAnnunciation the Annunciation Impressions of the Scenes from His Nativity Scenes from His Nativity Portrait of Our Joy Portrait of Our Joy Presented by
Presented by
The Smoke Rise Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir with Orchestra
The Smoke Rise Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir with Sunday, December 8, 2019 • 7:00 PM Orchestra Sunday, December 8, 2019 • 7:00 PM
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GROW IN G AT S M O K E R I SE
B E C KY CASWELL- SPEI GHT- Minister of Families, Faith Formation and Connection
Ladies Holiday Event December 4 Advent Study - Fellowship Hall Fellowship Group - Library Yoga with Tracy Stroud - Room 230 December 11 Nativity Pageant - Fellowship Hall Grief Support Group with Adam Arnold - Room 220 December 18 No Wednesday Night Activities December 25 Christmas Day - No Wednesday Night Activities
Welcome Our New Members SRBC TRAVEL TEAM
CHRISTMAS TRIP
D E C E M B E R
1 2 T H
VISIT CHICK-FIL-A'S HEADQUARTERS WITH LUNCH AT THE CAPITAL GRILL TO FOLLOW The cost is $92.00 per person Please pick up a flyer by the welcome desk and return the bottom section to reserve
Jim & Dinah Watson Joined November 1
Quade, Kara and Killian Sewell Wayne and Betty Gresham Joined November 17 Joined November 17
your spot!
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SERVIN G ON M I S S I ON
J E R EMY C OLLI V ER - Minister of Youth, Missions and Communications
Smoke Rise Missions Year-in-Review I’m often asked how Smoke Rise does missions and sustains the number of partnerships that we have. My elevator speech is pretty simple: We give and go. Smoke Rise doesn’t just write checks and send them off to different groups of people we have never met. We write checks and send them off to people that we have built relationships with over 25+ years. We have not only watched the ministries grow from afar, but we have been there as people have been baptized and food has been distributed; we have danced as clean water come out of a well, and built relationships that are more like family than just ministry partners. Our Giveand-Go philosophy can’t be quantified simply in numbers; but the numbers can give us a snapshot of this past year. So here’s what has happened because of you: There were 118 people serving on mission through the Family Mission Trip, in Tijuana, New York, and Uganda.We had a countless number of people serve in our local mission partners at Lilburn Co-op and NETwork. Behind each of these numbers is a story, and each story is a way that Smoke Rise Baptist Church has been the hands, feet and mouthpiece of God this past year. Thank you for continuing to support the missions of Smoke Rise Baptist Church.
World Mission Offering
Neighborhoods of the World
World Mission Offering Update Goal: $50,000 Pledged: $15,535Offering Goal: $50,000 Given: $11,230 The Sixth Annual World Mission Offering will continue though March 30, 2020, All money over the goal will be rolled over into the Mission Development Fund.
Thank you for donating items to the Thanksgiving Baskets. With your help, we filled over 150 baskets!
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CA RIN G AT S M O KE R I SE
JAME S S MIT H - Pasto r al Car e Asso ciate
Someone You Should Know When our senior pastor asked me to preach recently, he requested that I choose a passage that communicates what we are doing in the area of pastoral care. I chose the topic of shepherding the flock of God. The joy of ministry often comes in tasks related to the shepherd’s role—walking alongside individuals and families through the various events and seasons of life. Ministers fulfill that role, not as ones with all the answers, but as ones who provide care and nurture, and, hopefully represent the presence of Christ. When I think of pastoral care at Smoke Rise, I often think of someone I have had the privilege to get to know. Billy and Carolyn Marchman grew up in a part of Georgia’s central Savannah River area and lived many years of their life in Sandersville, the county seat of Washington County. Both excelled in school in many ways. Billy especially excelled in sports and Carolyn excelled in academics. After many years of professional life away from Sandersville, the Marchmans returned to their hometown when they retired. But after many years in their beloved Sandersville and after some health
challenges, they decided to move back to the Atlanta area to be near their daughter, Mary Lynn Weatherly, former organist at Smoke Rise. They gave up their large home of many years and transitioned to an assisted living facility. They soon placed their church membership at Smoke Rise and now worship with us each week via live-stream. Billy and Carolyn are models of Christian grace. They have faced significant change, big transitions and growing demands of health care with wisdom. They both have radiant, melt-your-heart smiles and are ready to visit and have fun when I drop by to see them. They set a Christlike example of relating and responding to the community where they now live. It is a community of diverse cultures, backgrounds and people created in God’s image. I love their real life stories full of rich southern history. I appreciate their love for the Lord. Billy recently showed me a devotional book he uses daily. It was a gift from a Sandersville friend. Along with that book and several well-worn Bibles by his bedside, there is an old Baptist Hymnal. Pages of favorite hymns are paper-clipped. It is easy to see that his Bibles, books and hymnal are “workbooks” used frequently in prayer and meditation. When I leave, Billy and Carolyn graciously thank me for coming. I am the one who benefits most from the visit. The sheep have fed the shepherd. I am enriched, blessed and inspired. -Jimm 10 | SMOKE RIS E BAPT IST.ORG
Good Grief for the Holidays The most important thing to remember about grief and the holidays is that there is no right or wrong way to celebrate the holiday season after the death of a loved one. A few important mechanisms to cope with grief include the following: Plan ahead Some traditions you may wish to honor. Others you may find too painful. Give yourself permission to say both yes and no to events, gatherings and expectations of others. Get support from others. Surround yourself with people who love and support you. Accept help when it is offered. Take it easy. Allow yourself to feel joy, happiness, sadness or even anger. Experiencing these emotions is natural and does not mean you have forgotten or dishonor your loved one nor that you are neglecting loved ones still near.
GENEROS I T Y
Gifts to our general fund collected between November 17 and December 31 represent the largest block of donations in support of SRBC’s operating budget each year. As we close our 50th Anniversary Year, help us to begin our last fiscal quarter with 2020 Vision by collecting $450,000 towards our general operating budget and ministry plan. End-of-Year Giving Goal: $450,000 November 17 - December 31
Legacy Society Report The Legacy Society held its annual luncheon on All Saints Sunday at the Stone Mountain Inn. At this year's luncheon, new members joined us for food and fellowship, to learn more about the history and purpose of our Endowment Trust, and to celebrate the ministry and mission that earnings from the Endowment are supporting and will support in the future. The Legacy Society is grateful for Tom Jollay, who served an extended term of service as chairperson of the Endowment Trustee Board. Under Tom's leadership our Endowment Fund reached a $1,000,000.00 historic threshold and is now approaching $1,500,000.00 in value. Earnings from the Endowment Fund can be used to support ministry, mission and capital care needs of our church that arise outside of our operating budget. In 2019, the Endowment Fund contributed $17,000.00 to help offset costs associated with our 50th Anniversary. We are grateful for those who have left legacy gifts and life gifts to our Endowment Fund as a "forever" gift to the church both now and in the future.
MONTH OF SEPTEMBER Amount Given $178,893.26
Amount Spent $190,500.64
Negative Balance ($11,607.38)
FISCAL YEAR-TO-DATE
(April 1, 2019 - September 30, 2019) Amount Given Amount Spent Negative Balance $1,026,071.58 $1,116,478.75 ($90,407.17)
Endowment Fund Update as of November 1
Wellspring $738,751.12
Missions $378,237.04
Youth $119,932.16
Building $113,888.93
Children $85,360.53
Music $80,299.00
Endowment Fund Trust $1,496,468.78
MONTH OF OCTOBER Amount Given $157,054.05
Amount Spent $204,408.07
Negative Balance (47,354.02)
FISCAL YEAR-TO-DATE
(April 1, 2019 - October 31, 2019) Amount Given Amount Spent Negative Balance $1,183,125.63 $1,320,886.82 ($137,761.19)
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FAM ILY M I N I ST RY AT SM OK E R I SE B E C KY CASWELL- SPEI GHT- Minister of Family, Faith Formation and Connection
Birthday Party for Jesus
LET'S LIVE OUT GOD'S WORD TOGETHER
Sunday, December 15th during the Sunday school hour
SHEPHERD ON A SEARCH
OUR JOY MAKERS CHOIR WILL BEGIN THE CELEBRATION IN THE CHAPEL WITH A MUSICAL PRESENTATION.
Join Sheldon the Shepherd on his adventures throughout Advent. We will search for the new Infant Savior that Sheldon is hearing everyone talk about. We will learn how the shepherds were good neighbors by sharing Christ's love with the world. We will also learn what it meant for Sheldon and his friends who lived and worked in the fields, to be the first people to meet the Savior. Sheldon will teach us all about the Christ child and how He changed the world. Be sure to find Sheldon with your family in the Preschool lobby for a new adventure every Sunday and Wednesday throughout Advent..
NATIVITY PAGEANT WEDNESDAY, DECECEMBER 11, AT 6:30 MUSIC FRIENDS TO CHOIR ROOM @ 6 12 | SMOKE RIS E BAPT IST.ORG
YOU TH AT S M O KE R I SE
J E R EMY C OLLI V ER - Minister of Youth, Missions and Communications
DECEMBER 22 - 23
PROGRESSIVE DINNER & CHRISTMAS MOVIE MARATHON DNOW
WE'RE LOCKING OURSELVES IN TO BINGE CHRISTMAS MOVIES!
Youth Choir Winter Retreat
Holy Trinity House at Lutheranch Retreat Center Tallapoosa, GA January 17 – 19
Dates to Remember: December 15: Youth Sing in Worship December 22-23: Christmas Movie Marathon December 24: Christmas Eve Service January 17-19: Youth Choir Retreat June 5-8: Sing and Serve: New Orleans June 28 - July 3: Passport Missions; Deland, FL 13 | S MOKE RIS E BAPT IST.ORG
Sunday Schedule 9:00 AM Worship in the Chapel 9:45 AM Sunday school in the basement 11:00 AM Worship in the Sanctuary 5:00 PM Choir in the Choir Suite 5:45 PM Dinner 6:00 PM Vespers in the basement Wednesday Schedule 5:00 PM Dinner 6:00 PM Youth in the basement
CON N E C T I N G AT SM OK E R I SE
B E CKY CASWELL- SPEI GHT- Minister of Family, Faith Formation and Connection
Smoke Rise Weekday School at the Give More Store One of the ways that the Weekday School seeks to serve our community is through our scholarship fund. Families can apply for tuition assistance and each year we work to help as many families as possible afford to have their children enrolled with us. Throughout the year, we host a variety of fundraisers toward this fund, and also ask for donations. We will have a table at the Give More Store on December 1 where you can learn more and participate in our fundraising; or you are always welcome to give through a gift to the church designated to “SRBWS Scholarship.” If you would like to know more about our school or the other ways we seek to be a member of our community, stop by our office or call us at 678.533.0558. We would be happy to talk with you! - Stacey McNiel and Rev. Harrison Litzell, Co-Directors
Junior Elves Workshop We are gearing up for this year's Junior Elves Workshop. On December 7th, we are gathering our holiday craft supplies and heading to Smoke Rise Elementary for Holiday at Smoke Rise. This ministry allows us to connect with our community and gives parents the opportunity to do a little Christmas shopping without their little ones in tow. If you are available any time between 8:00 AM- 4:30 PM to help as a driver, craft helper, or gift wrapper, please email Becky at rspeight@smokerisebaptist.org.
Church-wide Christmas Caroling On Sunday, December 15th, meet us at Matthew's Cafeteria following the 11:00 am worship service for lunch and to spread Christmas cheer for all to hear!
Smoke Rise Academy of the Arts Fundraiser The Smoke Rise Academy of the Arts has been accepted to participate in the Junior Theater Festival Atlanta 2020. The Junior Theater Festival (JTF) is the world’s biggest and best celebration of young people performing musical theater. JTF brings together student musical theater troupes from all over the world for a weekend of musical theater excitement with adjudication by a panel of musical theater experts! The weekend also features professional development for teachers, workshops for students and parents, a New Works Showcase featuring new musical adaptations soon to be released and concludes with a grand finale concert headlined by Broadway’s best! The Junior Theater Festival is sponsored by Playbill, Disney Musicals and Music Theatre International. This amazing opportunity comes with a cost. To help offset some of this cost, students and parents will be selling Honey Baked gift cards, baked goods and perfect Christmas gifts just in time for the holidays at the Academy’s annual Holiday Showcase, 1:00 pm, December 14 in the Smoke Rise BC Fellowship Hall. Please come enjoy some holiday entertainment featuring music, dance and drama students from the entire Academy and help support these kids as they learn and perform at this prestigious festival. Perhaps you would like your Honey Baked gift cards before the December show. You may order your cards at https://honeybakedfundraising.com//fundraisers/Smoke
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MO N THLY S N A P S HOT
Octoberfest
Weekly Schedule Sunday 9:00 AM - Worship in the Chapel 9:45 AM - Sunday school for all ages
HOLIDAY SHOWCASE
11:00 AM - Worship in the Sanctuary 5:00 PM - Youth Choir 5:45 PM - Youth Dinner 6:00 PM - Youth Vespers Wednesday 4:45 PM - Dinner in the Fellowship Hall 6:00 PM - Journeys; Children's Activities; Youth in the basement 7:00 PM - Sanctuary Choir
Oil painting artwork by Luanna Petti
Featuring students and faculty from all departments of the Academy of Arts Smoke Rise Baptist Church Fellowship Hall December 14, 2019 at 1:00 PM Admission is FREE
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sign-up for PASSPORT
MISSIONS
January Schedule
June 28 - July 3 | $100 deposit Stetson University Deland, Florida
Fellowship Hall Series
January 8th - Intro to the Torah - Chris George January 15th - Intro to Genesis - Chris George January 22nd - Genesis - Bart McNiel January 29th - Exodus - Chris George
Small Groups January 8th Faith and Music - Joshua Speight - Room 223 Fellowship Group - Library Financial Roadmapping - Beth Smith - Room 230 January 15th Faith and Music - Joshua Speight - Room 223 Fellowship Group - Library January 22nd Faith and Music - Joshua Speight - Room 223 Fellowship Group - Library Grief Support Group - Adam Arnold - Room 220 Financial Roadmapping - Beth Smith - Room 230 January 29th Faith and Music - Bart McNiel - Room 223 Fellowship Group- Library Financial Roadmapping - Beth Smith - Room 230
Wednesday Evening Activites Resume January 8th We are excited about what we have planned for the new year and hope you will join us as we continue to learn and grow in this place.
Address Correction Requested
contact Jeremy or Laure to sign-up or sign-up online via www.eventbrite.com