December 12, 2013

Church Leadership
Our ministers and lay leaders are available to answer any questions you may have to help you connect with the ministries of First Baptist Church. Rev. Matt Sturtevant Senior Pastor, x. 202 matt@firstbaptistlawrence.com Rev. Dr. Meredith Holladay Associate Pastor of Spiritual Formation, x. 204 meredith@firstbaptistlawrence.com Jenny Purvis Office Manager, x.203 jenny@firstbaptistlawrence.com Nathan Benfield Volunteer Building Manager, x.201 nathan@firstbaptistlawrence.com Jim Davidson Chancel Choir Director jamesrdavidson@ku.edu Holly Grassy Bookkeeper grassyclan@att.net John Pauls Moderator jphawk@yahoo.com Evelyn Falen Organist Buddy Langford Custodian Church Office: 785/843.0020 office@firstbaptistlawrence.com www.firstbaptistlawrence.com

Preparing for Worship December 15, 2013 third Sunday in advent

Rev. Matthew Sturtevant
Scripture: Isaiah 11.1-10 and 35.1-10

Coming Advent and Christmas Worship:

Dec. 22 One service at 11:00 a.m.

Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols

Led by FBC Chancel Choir Dec. 24 7:00 pm

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Worship Service with Communion and Candlelighting Rev. Matthew Sturtevant preaching Dec. 29 One Service at 11:00 am

Christmastide Service
Cody Knapik, pulpit guest Special music sung by Bokhee Min Christmas Carol Sunday (all the carols youve been waiting for!)

Additional Support Needed for Dezo

Dear friends of First Baptist, We need additional support for Dezo. The church as a whole is committed to raise funds for her education. However her daily needs require immediate and ongoing support. She will continue to stay at Travis and Dava Coopers in 2014, and they are (generously) committed to feeding her. But. We are hoping to collect at least $600 to help provide for daily living costs and incidentals. The money will be provided incrementally in Visa gift cards. Below is just a representative list, and certainly a list that $600 would not begin to cover fully; think about all the stuff where you spend money. We can (and should) help Dezo with these kinds of expenses. Doctors visits Medication if needed Toiletries and hygiene products Shampoos Body soap Hair products Toothpaste & new brush Salon visits Going out with friends Lunches at school (when she doesnt have time to pack a lunch or Dava is out of lunch type food) Gas money T-Bus fare Cards for friends and family back home & here Postage (Please do not go out and purchase these items! Many things she will need to pick out herself, and only when she is ready for them.) For those of you who already generously support Dezo both financially and prayerfully, we give thanks. Please be aware that these needs are above and beyond the costs of Dezos education. Because of the type of Visa she has we have to be careful as to how monetary gifts are given to her. You may give either cash or check written out to Dava Cooper, and she will be sure the funds are allocated to Dezo via the gift cards. We would like to give her one of the Visa Cards before December 18th. She is on her way to New Jersey to share her mission and testimony with some churches there via connections made at this years Biennial meeting. On behalf of the Dezo Support Team, Dava Cooper.

Cookies taste better with LOTS of icing!

Many thanks to those who helped organize the Cookie Decorating party held last Saturdaythank you Dava Cooper and Anne Munsterman! Over twenty adults and children enjoyed getting messy and having a plate of cookies and ornaments to take home or to share!

Remember in Prayer
Lois Reeves, recovering from heart surgery at KU Medical Cntr. International Ministries Missionaries: Nancy & Steve James, serving in Haiti. American Baptist Home Mission Society Missionary: ABC of Connecticut, Dr. Joseph Delahunt, serving in New Haven, Connecticut. Local congregation: Victory Bible Church

Its Not a Christmas Tree

Perhaps you noticed the imposing tree in the back of the sanctuary - its hard not to, as you make your way to your seat for worship. And perhaps you were listening during the childrens sermons last Advent. Our tree may look like your average Christmas tree, but our tree is another way we honor the Advent season of anticipation, waiting and preparing, which gives wait to the season of Christmas. On our tree you will not find handmade ornaments by children with foodstuffs. You will not find Hallmark keepsake ornaments. You will not find tinsel and twinkling lights. Okay, you will find twinkling lights. The ornaments on our tree have a special name - they are chrismons. Chrismons are symbols that help us remember the Christ for whom we wait during this season. Some of the symbols youll notice: Alpha and omega - the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, symbolizing that Christ is the first and last of creation. Star - star of David, which the magi followed to Bethlehem. Shepherds Crook - symbolizing the shepherds who came to the manger. We also remember that Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Fish - the ancient symbol for Christ (ICHTHUS), also reminding us of the people Jesus fed. Cross - representing Jesus death and resurrection. As you take a moment to notice some of these symbols this third Sunday in Advent, please also read a history, provided by Annie Merriam, about our particular Chrismon ornaments.

Wednesday Nights Beginning in January Mark your weekly calendars now!

Beginning January 8th, we will gather together every Wednesday evening for a community meal at 6:00! Programming will vary each week; stay tuned for details!

Sermon Series in January

Beginning at the End: The Book of Revelation in 2014. January 5 and 12.

First Baptist Church 1330 Kasold Drive Lawrence, Kansas 66049 785/843-0020 785/843-0021 (fax) www.firstbaptistlawrence.com

Life of the Church

Sunday, Dec. 15 8:30Worship 9:30Sunday School 11:00Worship 5:00Family Promise week begins Monday, Dec. 16 Family Promise Tuesday, Dec. 17 NoonAnnouncements due for newsletter Family Promise Wednesday, Dec. 18 7:00Spiritual Leadership Team meetings Family Promise Thursday, Dec. 19 7:30Chancel Choir rehearsal Family Promise Friday-Saturday, Dec. 20-21 Family Promise Sunday, Dec. 22 One service at 11:00 a.m.Nine Lessons & Carols.

Sunday Morning Volunteers

Nursery Extended Care Amy Munsterman Shane or Brenda Schenkel

Wednesday Night
Dec. 18 Spiritual Leadership Team Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

Staff Whereabouts
Pastor Meredith will be gone Dec. 13-19th visiting family for the holidays.

The Fifth Gospel: Isaiah and Waiting

Sometimes called the Fifth Gospel, due to its themes of peace and hope, the book of Isaiah is filled with images that we often associate with the seasons of Advent and Christmas. The root of Jesse. The Peaceable Kingdom. Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace. This Advent season, we will explore together the ways that Isaiah helps us to wait with anticipation for the Christmas celebration. Join us as we together wait, hope, and worship. December 15 Isaiah 7.10-16

New Years Eve Gathering

By the Numbers All are invited! RWR, 4:00 p.m. ? Bring snacks and board games. GENERAL OPERATING Weekly Receipts: 11,643 YTD Receipts: 326,197 YTD Expenses: 353,984

...recorded December 1

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN Weekly Receipts: 6,965 Cumulative Giving: 176,166