Volume 3 Issue 12
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
...A SAVIOR HAS BEEN BORN TO YOU; HE IS THE MESSIAH, THE LORD.
Pastor Mark Bryant
Ministerial Staff Senior Pastor
Mark Bryant [markbryant@ssfbc.org]
Associate Pastor
Fred Lewis [fredlewis@ssfbc.org]
Worship Pastor
Neal Terwilliger [nealterwilliger@ssfbc.org)
Associate Worship Pastor
Darren Gray [darrengray@ssfbc.org]
Minister of Education
Bruce Welch [brucewelch@ssfbc.org]
Minister of Recreation & Outreach
Mike Armstrong [mikearmstrong@ssfbc.org]
Youth Pastor Heath Anderson [heathanderson@ssfbc.org]
Minister to Children Brit Fisher [britfisher@ssfbc.org]
Director of Preschool & Kindergarten Tracey Cody [traceycody@ssfbc.org]
Business Administrator
Tommy Johnston [tommyjohnston@ssfbc.org]
Director of Technology Scott Singleton [scottsingleton@ssfbc.org] La Primera iglesia Mission Pastor Amadeo Miranda
Worship Service on Sunday, December 23 Normal AM Services and Sunday School. No PM activities or service. Sunday, December 30th Normal AM & PM Services
A Word From Your Pastor... I can hear it in my head, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year”. This song along with hundreds of others will play constantly between Thanksgiving and Christmas. There are songs about decking the halls, harking herald angels, and jingle bell rocks. Definitely, no shortage of the songs we often call “Christmas Carols”. Now I must admit that I really enjoy Christmas! I enjoy music that is about Jesus no matter what the season. I could end on that statement but there needs to be some clarification. I love to celebrate the birth of our Lord and our Savior Jesus Christ, and I enjoy having the time to be with family and friends. But every year it is more and more frustrating to fight through the commercialization of the birth of Jesus and end up hearing less about Him and more about the “stuff” that will make our lives complete. Every time you watch a commercial, it seems the goal is to make us think that we are missing life. Our culture has missed the real hope and joy of life. Isn’t it great to know that no matter what is in the stocking or under the tree that life can be complete without all the stuff? For those who are not content in finding their joy in Jesus, how many of us are able to tie a bow on a Lexus and put it in the front yard? Imagine the disappointment and the despair! There is no way to keep up with all the trends, all the gadgets, and all the styles. However, there is good news. We do not have to because Jesus is seeking after us. In reality, Christmas should be about giving to those in need. John 3:16 has always been my favorite Christmas verse. God loves so much that He gave his life for those who had nothing, no hope and no help by offering the privilege of gaining everything that matters as we turn and follow Him in faith. I want to encourage you to make sure that this Christmas is one where you give as well as receive. Make Christmas a time where our eyes are opened by the Holy Spirit to see the real needs of people all around us. That is what Jesus did. May we see the needs, both physical and certainly the spiritual, and make the decision to be like Jesus and come to the aid of those who have no hope. He is the Hope for all. The angel told Joseph, “He will save His people from their sins”. May we all be a part of advancing His work through this season. Please remember the privilege and the opportunity that we have to give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. You cannot go wrong as you become a part of sending the gospel to the ends of the earth. We will receive this offering through the months of December and January. Let me be the first and hopefully not the last to say, “MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Be Blessed, Pastor Mark FirstNews is a monthy publication of
First Baptist Church 116 Oak Avenue Sulphur Springs,Texas 75482 (903) 885-0646 www.ssfbc.org
December Events Congratulations to Shirley Bland for her 25 years of service.
Christmas Eve LORD’S SUPPER
$50,000
Monday, December 24th 5:00 & 6:30 pm Wo r s h i p C e n t e r
Saturday, December 8th 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm at the ROC Sunday, December 9th 6:00 pm at the ROC Featuring the Worship Choir, Swing Band, Drama & Dessert! Tickets are required and available in the church office and the Welcome Center.
Upcoming @ SSFBC.................. First Kids Important Dates!
Grades 4& and 5
The Gospel Project for Kids iPhone app gives parents a view of what their children are learning. The app also provides additional resources that will allow parents to daily reinforce lessons at home using video, music and games.
February 8-9
State Bible Drill Grades 4-6 April 12-13
VBS July 24-28
Zone 45 Preteen Camp July 11-13
Grades 1-3 Kids Camp August 5-7
Middle School & High School... dates to remember in January Youth Activities resume January 9th Rise/Ignite/Thirst resume January 13th Missions Preview Meeting January 27th
SAVE THE DATE! TTTTTT Middle School
eTrue
Love waitsf
February 8-9, 2013
(There wll be a High School “review” session) Middle School & High School
Middle School Holiday in the Park December 15
Leaving at 10:00 am; sing at 8:00 pm, return approximately 11:45 pm.
Cost: $15 includes dinner.
Please bring spending money for Six Flags and “fast food” lunch.
Disciple Now Weekend 7th - 12th Grade February 22-24
Save the Date 2013...
First Family Camping Trip/May 2-5/Twin Oaks, Lake Cypress Middle School & High School Camp/June 9-15/Student Life Camp @ Estes Park, CO Austin Mission Trip/June 30-July 6/Austin, TX RISE Choir Tour/July 14-20/New York Milwaukee Mission Trip/Week of July 22 Upward Basketball and Cheerleading has arrived. If you are not a part of this ministry, it is not too late. There are many ways that you can contribute. Contact Mike Armstrong if God is leading you to invest in the lives of the children of our community. Volunteer workers are needed for HeBrews on Sunday mornings. Please contact Tim Armstrong for more information. Adult 55+ Trip to Christmas Musical at FBC Mt. Vernon and Vaughn’s to eat dinner
Items need; soccer balls, baseballs, softballs, bats and gloves. Clean out your closet & bring used items to Mike at the ROC.
The church office will be closed on
Monday, December 24th & Tuesday, December 25th
Friday, December 14 Bus leaves at 4:30 pm. Sign up in the church office.
Sports equipment is needed for the Dominican Republic. We are partnering with a school in Jarabacoa, DR in an effort to provide used sports equipment.
End of Year Contribution In order to be counted as a 2012 tax deduction, contributions must be in the church office by Noon on Monday, December 31st or postmarked by December 31st.
If you would like to help with this ministry, please contact Karen Potter at potterdvm@yahoo.com.
Follow Up from Trunk or Treat
Original Amount Total paid Paid on Principal Int. Paid Loan Balance
$2,250,000.00 $278,630.00 $220,742.52 $57,887.48 $2,029,257.48
Diamond Set Christmas Meal Tuesday, December 11th Cost: $4.00 Fellowship Hall Special Music by Mary Dicken
Christmas Village Saturday, December 8 At the ROC 9am-12pm Please bring new or gently used toys to the box in the Welcome Center.
ROC Note Information
Thank You FBC, for donating food to the HCCA Community Food Drive.
We need you to visit with people who indicated on their registration card they were interested in knowing more about Jesus and/or more about FBC. Contact Mike Armstrong.
Thank you for all the candy and time donated to Trunk or Treat! It was a huge success!
116 Oak Avenue Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482
Non-Profit Organization U.S Postage Paid Permit No. 174 Sulphur Springs, Texas
Address service requested
First Baptist Church Sulphur Springs
Merry Christmas from