Weekly Update – December 23rd, 2021
Christmas is almost here. Some already have family who have come into town, others will connect with family over the weekend and in the few days that follow. Either way, many of us will have some sort of contact with friends and family members as we get together to share a meal, celebrate the holiday and remember the birth of Christ. The question that should come to mind is, “How can we make the most of the time?” It is easy to sit back and have surface level conversations or avoid anything that could be potentially uncomfortable. This year, why not be intentional instead. Let me suggest two ways to make the most of your time with your friends and family members this Christmas.
First, come to the Christmas Eve service. Studies show that more unchurched people will come to a Christmas Eve service than will go to an Easter service. There are many reasons for this. One is that most people, believer or unbeliever will be familiar with the songs and readings of the service. Most Christmas Eve services are rooted in tradition, so even for those who don’t regularly go to church, a Christmas Eve service typically does not tend to make them feel out of place. Plus, many unbelievers, more so than ever, are looking for a sense of hope during this time of year. Invite your friends and family members to come to our Christmas Eve service. Not only will we sing Christmas carols, but the full message of Christ will be proclaimed. It is at 6:00 pm and it will only last about a half hour.
Second, ask good questions. This suggestion might be a little bit harder as it requires more thinking. Even still, with a lot of thinking involved, questions to draw others out in deep conversations are not always easy to come up with. What I have listed below are 10 good conversation questions put together by Don Whitney that will help aid in forming intentional conversation around a Christmas activity:
- What’s the best thing that’s happened to you since last Christmas?
- When was your best Christmas ever? Why?
- What’s the most meaningful Christmas gift you’ve ever received?
- What was the most appreciated Christmas gift you’ve ever given?
- What was your favorite Christmas tradition as a child?
- What is your favorite Christmas tradition now?
- What do you do to try to keep Christ in Christmas?
- Why do you think people started celebrating the birth of Jesus?
- Do you think the birth of Jesus deserves such a worldwide celebration?
- Why do you think Jesus came to earth?
These questions are helpful conversational aids with close friends and family members or the casual acquaintance at a Christmas party. Either way they are only meant to be starting points. Pray, be perceptive and seek to point the conversation towards Christ through the responses that come.
When Jesus came to earth, he was born into a poor family. As he grew, he was raised in a normal town called Nazareth. Then in his ministry, he traveled only within Israel. Despite what seems to be a limited scope of influence, by God’s grace, he was intentional with every opportunity. As a result, people’s lives were changed. Jesus made the most of every situation and every conversation. I want to encourage you to the same this Christmas season. Be intentional. Make the most of the time. Don’t miss an opportunity.
Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson
Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson
Announcements:
Awana: No Awana on December 26th. Awana will resume on January 2nd.
Bible Study: No Bible Study on December 26th. Bible Study will resume on January 2nd.
Help Box: In the welcome center there is a new “Help Box” located on the right counter, under the book store. This box is designed to provide you with a form of communication if there is anything physical or practical that you might need help with. The box will be checked on a fairly regular basis and help will be organized as needed. There are communication cards on the side of the box.
First Wednesday Prayer: Join us on the first Wednesday of every month 7:00-8:00pm in the sanctuary for an hour of prayer. On these evenings, we will have a mixture of structured and less structured times of prayer as we seek the Lord to move for our sake, the sake of our church, as well as the sake of our community and world.
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. Join us in person this year and invite someone to come along with you. This service will also be available via livestream as well.
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). The goal of the IMB is to raise 185 million dollars this year. Our goal at First Baptist Church is to raise $9000. So far we have received $4599.62 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.
Year End Giving: Thank you for being so faithful to give this year. Your giving goes to practical matters such as keeping the lights of the church on and taking care of our staff, but your giving also does so much more. It funds outreach to children in Grandview, it supports women and children who are recovering from human trafficking, it provides benevolence for a needy family, it supports ministry all around the world, and most importantly it allows the gospel to be preached every single week. I want to encourage you to finish the year strong in this area. The last Sunday of this year is December 26th, but as long as checks are marked by December 31st or gifts are given online by December 31st, it will count towards 2021.
Fighter Verse for the Week
"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever." Psalm 23:5-6
Giving
To Give Online, Go HERE.
You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030
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 0-3 years is available during the worship hour.
Livestream
Continue to join us at 10:30am on Sunday mornings.
Facebook live: HERE.
YouTube: HERE.
Guide for Worship can be found 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.
Pre-K and Kindergarten meet in the nursery suite.
Grades 1st – 5th meet upstairs in U-5.
Grades 6th – 12th meet downstairs in the Youth Room.
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