Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Were celebrating Christmas in a lot of ways this year, and you can see throughout this edition of The Signal how many opportunities you and your family have during the season for authentic worship. Christmas is also perfect for sharing your faiththeres no better time for inviting your friends to come to church with you. Just take a look at some of the celebrations going on through these next few weeks and pick a few that you know will connect with people in your circles. Wouldnt it be great if this Christmas season was the time when someone you care about found Jesus? Ill be preaching a special sermon series during December called, Simply Christmas. Well be talking about ways to simplify our lives in order to get back to the simple, authentic meaning of the season. Heres some news for all of our men: our regular December 14 mens breakfast will be the last Saturday get-together for our mens ministry. Instead, beginning in January, were re-launching our mens ministry in some exciting ways.There will be several ways our men will be able to connect with the Lord and with each other in some simple and easy ways: Well have a monthly Bible study on the last Friday morning of the month, dealing with the issues that all of us face on a daily basis. Watch for more information on this coming up soon. Were pouring more into mens accountability groups, to give men the opportunity to connect regularly with others for friendship, encouragement and prayer. If youre interested in learning more about accountability groups, get in touch with our Mens Ministry leader, Chuck McDaniel (charleswmcdaniel@gmail.com) Im beginning a texting ministry to our men, with some special encouragement on a regular basis. You men can get on board by texting LBCMEN to 313131 to sign up. I also had a great time recently ministering to men at one of our local prisons. Thanks to your faithful giving to the Global Impact Fund, we are able to impact people in Lexington and around the World for Jesus. I had the honor of baptizing this dear brother in Christ as he came to faith through the workings of our prison ministry. For more information on getting involved in our Fishers of Men prison ministry, contact Phil Stallings at newlife146@windstream.net. Have a blessed Christmas season!
308 East Main Street, Lexington, SC 803.359.4146 www.LexingtonBaptist.org 24-Hour Prayer Line: 803.808.7729
PASTORAL STAFF
Dr. Mike Turner Senior Pastor Steve Foxworth Associate Pastor (Administration) Dan Williams Associate Pastor (Worship) Alyce Gilliam Associate Pastor (Missions) Ian Geimer Associate Pastor (Next Generation Ministries) Jerry Freeman Associate Pastor (Senior Adults & Congregational Care) Maegan Bolding Childrens Ministries Director (Birth - Grade 5) Daniel Walker Middle School Ministry Director (Grades 6 - 8) Jon Foster Recreation Ministry & Facilities Director Jessica Wyndham Communications Director
To hear more from Pastor Mike, make sure to follow his blog at miketurnerblog.com.
LBC Endowment
As we approach the end of a calendar year and you are thinking about charitable donations, would you consider a tax-deductable gift to the LBC Endowment? The funds we raise in the endowment will ensure on-going ministry in the areas of missions, children and youth, as well as improvements to our buildings and grounds, regardless of budget giving. Want more information? Call Patsy Simpson, Finance Director at 803.996.8805 to talk or set up an appointment.
3
You will receive your tax statements containing all documentation required by the IRS early in January. Reminder: Tax rules require written documentation before filing your tax return. For any questions, please call 803.996.8817.
On October 30, LBC held our annual Light Up the Night event right outside in our main church parking lot. This years event drew thousands of people- our largest attendance year ever! We had dozens of creatively decorated trunks for children to visit for trunk or treat, rides, games, food, live music and so much more. Our entire community was invited to attend, and this was a fantastic opportunity for reaching families in our town with the name of Jesus. Thank you for volunteering your trunks, for donating hundreds of bags of candy, for dedicating your time and also for attending and having fun. We appreciate our entire church family and your involvement each and every year. With your help, we can continue to make disciples of Jesus Christ in Lexington and around the World. Were already looking forward to next year!
Christmas Expectations
I love Christmas! I love the parties, Christmas movies, decorating the tree and celebrating our Saviors birth. Sometimes, I try a little too hard. This is certainly the time of year I focus on making lasting memories with my family, especially now that we have a one year-old in the house! I try to incorporate so many Christmas things into the month of December that by the 25th I feel drained, stressed and ready for a fresh start. We get caught up by all that we have to do and miss out on truly celebrating the reason we celebrate at all. Celebrating Christmas with too many expectations can lead to stress. The best laid plans dont always turn out the way we expect. If we approach the season with joy, laughter and patience, we can create wonderful memories for our families. Christmas is a joyful season. Its a time to remind ourselves and our children of the perfect gift God gave when he sent Jesus to be born in a manger, a long-awaited gift delivered in a most unexpected way!
And the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. (Luke 1:30-31)
2013 has been such an amazing year for this Student Ministry. We have seen students come to know Jesus, students travel the world through missions and watched God move our students into deeper walks with Him. This Christmas season is filled with great opportunities for families to get connected and celebrate Jesus. The Student Ministry would like to invite all of our families to join us during this time. We kick-off everything with a Christmas Family Dinner on Wednesday, December 4th. Pick up your tickets for this free event in the foyers or at the main office. We are also excited for our second-ever Christmas at the Barn event on December 13th and 14th. This is open to the community and would be a great opportunity to invite your neighbors to this fun, purposeful event. If you ever need information or questions answered about the student ministry, feel free to email me. Merry Christmas and have a blessed new year.
Ian Geimer Associate Pastor Next Generation Ministries Ian@LexingtonBaptist.org
December 4*
Carved Roast Beef Chicken Cordon Bleu Oven Roasted Potatoes Green Beans
Childrens menu: Chicken Strips, Pizza Rolls *See details to the right
We are hosting our first ever LBC Family Christmas Dinner as a great way to kick off the Christmas season with the entire church family. This free dinner is meant to be family-friendly, and we encourage you to bring your whole family. The evening will feature dinner, live Christmas music, an Angel tree and even a family-friendly craft. We invite you to join us on Wednesday, December 4 for one of two seatings: at 5:00 AND at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Choose which one suits your schedule, and make sure to pick up the appropriate ticket in the foyers or at the main church office. Tickets are free but required, and everyone that eats needs a ticket (kids, too!). Check our website for more info at lexingtonbaptist.org.
Serve
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.
(Matthew 22:36-39) If you love God above all else, loving everyone seems more natural because when you love someone, you want to please them, and nothing else pleases God more than when you love Him and share His love with others. In December, we will once again adopt an Angel Tree family to bless during the Christmas season. Our children will receive Quarter Catchers the first Sunday in December and will be asked to spend the next three weeks collecting quarters that will be used to buy our Angel Tree family gifts. Our goal is to collect $700 in order to adopt the largest family on the tree. You may turn in quarter catchers during your childs Sunday School class or in the Childrens Ministry Building through December 23.
~ Janice Bennett
A Quarter Catcher like the one your child will receive this month
A Band of Shepherds
Childrens Musical Sunday, December 15 7:00 pm in the Worship Center
The final meeting of Worship Arts & Music for 2013 will be for the A Band of Shepherds musical on December 15.
Dan Williams Associate Pastor, Worship Dan@LexingtonBaptist.org
10
11
A God-filled Christmas
Each Christmas Season is filled with bustling days that seem to slough out the time needed to concentrate on celebrating the birth of Jesus. But projects such as Adopt-a-Family bring into focus a means of providing a God-filled Christmas to many. The program gives individuals and Sunday School classes the opportunity to show Gods love by sharing material and spiritual blessings with families who need extra help. Lexington Baptist will again sponsor this simple and exciting way of reaching out and touching hearts. Thats discipleship on Christmas Day. ~ Eloise Hiers
Adopt-a-Family
Expecting Nothing in Return
In our experience, Adopt-A-Family has been an amazing way to reach beyond the walls of our church and impact members of our community. While it may seem like a superficial task to give dolls, trucks and puzzles to local children, it penetrates so much deeper. It not only impacts their holidays, but also their hearts. Not once while visiting have the recipients been quick to accept the gifts and let us leave. Theyve almost always needed an ear to bend. Its about more than the gifts; its about the strength of a connection. Even a simple one. A silly conversation between our kids and theirs. A prayer shared between strangers. A moment taken just to listen. Those small yet powerful connections add up to an experience that leaves both parties, no matter their circumstances, taking a moment to thank The Lord for His many blessings. And while they may be the ones receiving the physical gifts of toys and clothes, we as a class, dont walk away empty-handed. Our hearts are full of Gods joy that comes from loving those from whom we expect nothing in return. ~ Matt and Holly Warren Young Families class teachers
Scholarships Available
The Mary Margaret Taylor Ministry Scholarship Fund provides limited financial assistance to Lexington Baptist Church students who are attending college or seminary and pursuing a career in a church-related vocation. Applications for the 2014 winter/spring semester are available by contacting Robin Inman at 803.996.8803 or at rinman@lexingtonbaptist.org. Completed applications must be returned to the church office no later than Monday, Dec. 9, 2013.
13
O, come little children and snuggle up near. Tis the story of Christmas you wanted to hear? All comfy and cozy and nestled right in; but wait just a moment before I begin. A log on the fire I must carefully place, to see flames reflecting on each precious face. Mama, bring my slippers to warm my cold feet, and a plate full of cookies might add to our treat. The house is so quiet, and all is sostill, but wait... is that singing outside on the hill? Angelic sweet voices drift up to the sky; I hear glad hosannas can you tell me why? Hush now dear children, and maybe well hear. I think they are singing theres nothing to fear! Theyre singing of shepherds that followed a star, the words tell of wisemen who traveled afar. Theyre singing of Christmas of long, long ago, the very first Christmas, I want you to know. The night filled with music as angels did sing, Behold all you people, Your Saviour, your King! Come near to the stable, behold the bright star, your blessed Redeemer has come from afar. A babe wrapped in swaddling asleep on the hay, come give Him your heart, receive Him today. The baby Lord Jesus, a gift from above, to show us Gods mercy, to show us His love. So now little children the story you know, the story of Christmas so long, long ago. The fire is dying, the embers burn low. To bed little children I think we should go! The nights quickly fading, and soon will be dawn, and then little children twill be Christmas morn!
DECEMBER 2013
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Sunday
8 am Adult Bible Study 9 am Blended Worship Vertical (Contemporary Worship) Adult & Student Sunday School Childrens Sunday School (All Ages) 10:15 am Blended Worship Adult, Student, & Childrens Sunday School (All Ages) 11:30 am Vertical (Contemporary Worship) Childrens Sunday School (All Ages) 4 pm Praying for Prodigals Group 4:45 pm Missions Prayer Team 6 pm WAM Childrens Choirs
7 pm O Holy Night!Concert
1
7 pm There is Peace in the World TonightConcert
4
No Fellowship Meal
7 pm MOPS Meeting
6
6 pm Senior Adult Christmas Banquet 6:30 pm Christmas at the Barn (Harmons)
7:30 am Mens Ministry Breakfast
Monday
6 pm
Tuesday
8:30 am 9:30 am 6:30 pm 7 pm
Precept: Covenant Precept: Gideon Ladies Bible Study Mens Bible Study
8
7 pm A Band of ShepherdsChildrens Musical
10
11
No Fellowship Meal
12
13
14
Wednesday
3 pm Senior Adult Choir Rehearsal 7:30 pm Adult Choir Rehearsal Orchestra Rehearsal
Thursday
2 pm
15
16
Christmas Eve Service 7 pm
17
Christmas Eve Service 5 pm Christmas Eve Service 7 pm
18
Christmas Day
19
20
21
22
ONE SERVICE ONLY 10:15 The Lords Supper (No Sunday School)
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
PAID