Weekly Update – December 4th, 2025
The Christmas offering that we as Southern Baptists participate in every year is named in honor of a woman named Lottie Moon. On July 7, 1873, the Foreign Mission Board (now International Mission Board) of the Southern Baptist Convention appointed her a missionary to China. Lottie spent most of her missionary years in Tengchow and P’ingtu, China where she taught at mission schools and ministered to women. Through having immersed herself in Chinese culture, Lottie earned respect among many Chinese people and her missions work won many to Christ.
While in China, Lottie wrote letters to the Foreign Mission Board and Baptist women to plead for more missionaries and monetary support to continue and expand missions work among the Chinese people. From her persistent efforts grew the Christmas Offering, first collected by the Woman’s Missionary Union and given to the Foreign Mission Board to fund missions in China. In 1918 the Christmas Offering for China was renamed the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for China at the suggestion of a woman named Annie Armstrong. In 1926 the offering was renamed the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for Foreign Missions. (You can find more information about Lottie Moon HERE)
Now the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering provides the largest portion of the International Mission Board’s income (up towards 54 percent) and gives Southern Baptists a chance to support their missionaries through 100 percent of their gifts. Since the offering’s inception, more than $5 billion has been given to the cause of international missions, with every penny you give used to support missionaries as they share the Gospel overseas.
Here are some results of the Lottie Moon Christmas offering from 2024:
- 3,577 missionaries supported on the field.
- 68,268 people baptized.
- 144,904 new believers.
- 2,409 additional churches were planted.
- 1,609,869 people who have heard the gospel.
There is still work to be done though:
- 3000 unengaged people groups
- 155,000 people dying daily without Christ.
- 4.5 billion unreached people in the world.
Southern Baptist churches partner with their associations, state conventions and the SBC to do more through the Cooperative Program than they could ever do alone. This year the SBC has set a goal of $210 million for international missions. This may sound like a lofty goal, but it is a goal that through the power of God, we as Southern Baptists can meet. Our goal at First Baptist Church is $5,000. Will you give for the sake of the gospel to spread all over the world? I pray that as you prepare for Christmas this year that you will consider how you might partner with countless others in praying and funding international missions for the spread of the kingdom of God.
Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson
Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson
Fighter Verse for the Week
"...he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."
- 1 John 4:4
Announcements:
Congratulations!: Walker Roy Wood was born to Ryan and Lucia on Monday, November 24th. Walker was 7lbs and 7oz.
Advent Devotionals: There are three options for Advent devotions available in our Welcome Center. The first one is free and it is titled, Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus. The second one is $10 and it is titled, Gifts of Grace. The last one is also $10 and it is titled, Come, Let us Adore Him. For an online resource, you can check out Advent is for Adoring Jesus by John Piper. Also, if you are looking for a family Advent devotional, check out The Jesus Storybook Bible Advent calendar and reading plan.
Advent Music: Check out this Advent playlist from the Gettys: Spotify. Here is an Advent playlist from The Gospel Coalition: Spotify or Apple Music.
Prepare Him Room: On Saturday, December 13 from 10:00am-1:00pm, there will be a ladies’ Christmas event with Kelly Minter. Ladies, plan to join this event at the church for food, fellowship and worship, as we celebrate the Christmas season. There is a sign up sheet and more information in the hallway.
Lottie Moon Christmas Offering: Every year at this time, we raise funds to support missionaries all over the world who are serving with the International Mission Board (IMB). Our goal at First Baptist Church is to raise $5,000. If you haven’t already, will you consider partnering with us by giving, as we seek to support international missions? You can give on Sunday mornings through one of our offering boxes located in the foyer or the welcome center. Just mark your envelop as “missions” or “Lottie Moon.” Or you can give online HERE. Choose “missions” under the Fund tab. You can find more information about this offering HERE.
Members’ Meeting: Our regular potluck lunch and members’ meeting will be held following the morning service on Sunday, December 14th.
Christmas Eve Service: Our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will be held on December 24th at 6:00pm. On this evening, we will read the Christmas story, sing Christmas Songs together and hear a short Christmas message. Make plans to join us and invite your family and friends.
Building Remodel: We have officially kicked off our fundraiser! There are commitment cards available in the sanctuary as well as in the welcome center. Feel free to pick up one and return it to one an available basket. If you would like to give a one time or a reoccurring gift, you can do so HERE and select “building remodel.” You can also give through one of the offering boxes at church. Be sure to mark your envelop, “building remodel.” Check out a video highlighting the work done so far.
Men’s Study: On the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, from 8:00-9:15pm, the church hosts a men’s study through the book, The Measure of a Man. See Clint Blankenship for more information.
Food Pantry: The food pantry is currently in need of some food items. For a complete list of food pantry needs, click HERE.
Awana Bible Club
Awana Clubs are held on Wednesdays throughout the school year. Dinner is at 6:00pm with Awana Clubs starting at 6:30pm. Children can be registered HERE.
Equipping Hour
We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. “Firm Foundations” meets in the Sanctuary, a study in Isaiah in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the New Testament meets in the classroom next to the nursery. You can find more information HERE.
Giving
To Give Online, Go HERE.
You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030
Home Groups
Home Groups typically meet on the first and third Sunday of each month. Please contact Pastor Michael if you would like to join a Home Group. You can find more information HERE.
Prayer
An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE.
Prepare for Sunday
Guide for Worship can be found HERE.
Worship Service
Worship Service begins at 10:30am on Sunday mornings. Nursery care for children ages 0-4 years is available during the worship hour.
Livestream
Continue to join us at 10:30am on Sunday mornings.
YouTube: HERE.
Join us and invite a friend or family member to watch with you.
Sunday School
Children and Youth Sunday School take place at 9:15am on Sunday mornings.
Ages 0-2 and 3–k meet in the nursery suite.
Grades 1-3rd meet upstairs in U-5.
Grades 4th-6th meet upstairs in U-6.
Grades 7th-12th meet downstairs in the youth room.