Matt’s Musings… “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…” (Isaiah 9:6 ESV) It is an exciting December at First Baptist Church Omaha! Lisa, Levi, Josh and I cannot wait to celebrate the Advent season with our new baby, Oscar, at FBCO. There are many great ways for kids, teens, and adults to celebrate the birth of Jesus again this year: “UNPLUGGED CHRISTMAS” KID’S MUSICAL— Wednesday, December 10th—Enjoy the story of how a group of kids learn that all the “glitz” is not the real meaning of Christmas. Come and enjoy a light supper at 6:15pm (just $1). The program begins at 7:00pm. CHRISTMAS COMMUNITY FEAST AND MUSICAL CELE- BRATION—Sunday, December 14th—Come one, come all to the 2nd annual Christmas Community Feast! A delicious holiday meal will be served for FREE to the first 300 people. Seating times will be 4:30pm and 5:45pm. Reservations are required. A Christmas movie will be shown in the sanctuary between seating times. Afterward, everyone is invited to a fun-filled musical celebration in the sanctuary at 7:00pm. TRADITIONAL CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS EVE SER- VICE—Wednesday, December 24th, at 6:00pm—A great family tradition! Lots of terrific music, reflection on the Christmas story, and lighting candles to “Silent Night.” “MESA” MIDNIGHT CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE— Wednesday, December 24th, at 11:00pm—A more contemporary and intimate take on Christmas Eve for us night-owls: Guitars, Scripture, Candlelight, and Christmas Cookies. “CHRISTMAS FOR THE WORLD” SERVICE—Sunday, December 28th, at 11:00am—A special joint service with American Karen Baptist Church, celebrating the international and cross-cultural aspects of Christmas. This December 9th also marks exactly two years since my family arrived at FBCO. It was two years ago that we be- gan our study of the Luke’s Gospel. As we wrap up the end of the gospel narrative, it will give us an interesting perspective as we look back to the events surrounding Christ’s birth and the beginning of the narrative. In the midst of all of this excitement, may you and yours also experience the grace and peace of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas! -MAT December, 2014 COLUMNS First Baptist Church 421 Park Avenue, Omaha, NE 68131 PH: 402-345-5009; email: [email protected]www.omahafbc.org STAFF Matt Toupin, Lead Pastor Kyle Stanek, Youth Pastor Gabe Freeman, Worship Leader Jim Musick, Organist/Choir Director Karla Musick, Accompanist Phyllis Porter, Office Manager Ben Martinez, Building Superintendent SUNDAY SERVICES 9:45am Sunday School for all ages 11am Worship in the Sanctuary 12pm Coffee Fellow- ship in the Parlor 4:30pm MESA Español 5:30pm Café MESA 6:30pm MESA Young Adults
Transcript
Matt’s Musings…
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…” (Isaiah 9:6 ESV)
It is an exciting December at First Baptist Church Omaha! Lisa, Levi, Josh and I cannot wait to celebrate the Advent season with our new baby, Oscar, at FBCO. There are many great ways for kids, teens, and adults to celebrate the birth of Jesus again this year: “UNPLUGGED CHRISTMAS” KID’S MUSICAL—
Wednesday, December 10th—Enjoy the story of how a group of kids learn that all the “glitz” is not the real meaning of Christmas. Come and enjoy a light supper at 6:15pm (just $1). The program begins at 7:00pm.
CHRISTMAS COMMUNITY FEAST AND MUSICAL CELE-
BRATION—Sunday, December 14th—Come one, come all to the 2nd annual Christmas Community Feast! A delicious holiday meal will be served for FREE to the first 300 people. Seating times will be 4:30pm and 5:45pm. Reservations are required. A Christmas movie will be shown in the sanctuary between seating times. Afterward, everyone is invited to a fun-filled musical celebration in the sanctuary at 7:00pm.
TRADITIONAL CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS EVE SER-
VICE—Wednesday, December 24th, at 6:00pm—A great family tradition! Lots of terrific music, reflection on the Christmas story, and lighting candles to “Silent Night.”
“MESA” MIDNIGHT CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE—
Wednesday, December 24th, at 11:00pm—A more contemporary and intimate take on Christmas Eve for us night-owls: Guitars, Scripture, Candlelight, and Christmas Cookies.
“CHRISTMAS FOR THE WORLD” SERVICE—Sunday,
December 28th, at 11:00am—A special joint service with American Karen Baptist Church, celebrating the
international and cross-cultural aspects of Christmas. This December 9th also marks exactly two years since my family arrived at FBCO. It was two years ago that we be-gan our study of the Luke’s Gospel. As we wrap up the end of the gospel narrative, it will give us an interesting perspective as we look back to the events surrounding Christ’s birth and the beginning of the narrative. In the midst of all of this excitement, may you and yours also experience the grace and peace of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas! -MAT
STAFF Matt Toupin, Lead Pastor Kyle Stanek, Youth Pastor
Gabe Freeman, Worship Leader
Jim Musick, Organist/Choir Director
Karla Musick, Accompanist Phyllis Porter,
Office Manager Ben Martinez,
Building Superintendent
SUNDAY SERVICES
9:45am Sunday School for all ages 11am Worship in the Sanctuary 12pm Coffee Fellow- ship in the Parlor 4:30pm MESA Español 5:30pm Café MESA 6:30pm MESA Young Adults
Always Be Faithful in Prayer
Beverly Tompkins, Wanda Chandler, Nancy Clatterbuck, Velta Henson, Bob Snyder, Pat Buie, Pauline Borromeo, Marge Braman, Connie Payne, Charlene Howard, Vida Crosby, Inez Edwards.
Our men and women who serve our country here at home and overseas.
Our kids and youth.
The staff of FBCO and the members of the Cabinet.
Pray for continued growth of the American Karen Baptist Congre-gation that meets in our sanctuary every Sunday!
Pray for the new MESA ministry as we reach out to the Young Adults and Spanish-speakers in our neighborhood.
Pray for those in our church family who have lost loved ones in the past year.
With Deepest Sympathy
Our thoughts and deepest prayers are offered to Pat Fitl, Lynn Murray (John) and Jim Fitl (Amy) on the death of their father, James G. Fitl. Jim entered into rest on October 30. The service was held at First Baptist Church, November 4 with Pastor Toupin officiating.
Another faithful member of our church, Smokey (Earl) Stober passed away on November 11. A memorial service was held on November 14. Let’s continued praying for Smokey’s beloved wife, Elaine, and the entire family, as they reflect on the life of their loved one.
Also, Phyllis Palmer, a long time friend of First Baptist, passed away and a memorial service for her was held at the Westlawn-Hillcrest Funeral home on Friday, November 21st.
“Daughters Karen and Jackie
join with me to say thanks to
all our church friends for their
cards, visits and phone calls
during my recent hospitaliza-
tion. Your warm words of care and Christian encour-
agement were a balm upon my sore body as I re-
covered from my fall. Thanks also for your remem-
bering our week of anniversaries, Connie’s 91st and
our 69th.”
Thanks for your part at the coffee hour.
Jack Payne
International and Local Mission Focus:
Thanksgiving & Christmas Offerings
Each year our church receives a special offering during the
Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons to benefit mission pro-
jects in a very special way.
First, 1/4th of the offering will be contributed to our interna-
tional mission partners at the Emanuel Foundation in Cocha-
bamba, Bolivia.
Second, 1/4th of the offering will be used to underwrite the
cost of the Community Meal served every Saturday at our
own church. The Community Meal is an important service
designed to meet very basic material needs among some of
the most vulnerable individuals in our own society.
Third, 1/2 of the offering will go to help fund the general
mission of First Baptist Church Omaha, in recognition of the
fact that our mission begins at home, as we work out our
mission to be “Living the Gospel in Midtown and Beyond.”
Why a Thanksgiving & Christmas offering anyway? Well,
each Christmas season, our church sets up a table for every-
one to distribute their Christmas cards to other FBCO mem-
bers. This saves everyone a bunch of money on postage.
And so, traditionally, these offerings have been designed to
give folks a chance to add to your regular weekly contribu-
tion to the church whatever amount you would have used to
send Christmas cards to fellow members of FBCO. It’s a
great way to save money and make a difference all at the
same time!
So church, let’s be a blessing to others this Thanksgiving and
Christmas season both at home and abroad!
Welcome to the World! Baby Oscar Joseph Toupin was born on November 13th,
2014, to proud papa, Pastor Matt Toupin, and proud
mama, Lisa Toupin. He was dedicated to the Lord in the
presence of the church family, by Executive Minister Rev.
Robin Stoops, on Sunday, November 23rd. Oscar was a
big boy at 9 pounds, 3 ounces, 22 inches long! Matt, Lisa,
Levi, Josh AND Oscar wish to thank their
AWESOME church family for your prayers,
support, yummy food, and patience during
this time of great celebration and transition
for their family. God is so good!
Jingle bells Batman smells Robin laid an egg, the batmobile lost its wheel and Joker took ballet, Hey! Yes ladies and gentlemen, boys and girl, children of all ages it is “that” time of the year again. The time when all you hear is the faint sound of Christmas music everywhere you go and all you see are lights, Christmas trees, and advertisements trying desperately to get you to spend a ton of money on all kinds of various things. ‘Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la la la la la la la!
I will confess something to you all and that is your very own Pastor Kyle in fact is not a huge fan of Christmas music. Yes you read that right and yes I have been called Scrooge before. Not sure why but maybe because so much of it talks about snowmen and gifts and well just sounds cheesy to me. If you absolutely love it that is awesome, but a surefire way to pick on me (lovingly) would be to sing Christmas carols when you see me at church ha ha! All kidding aside we have a lot going on in the church this Advent season!
As far as the youth are concerned, we will be taking a trip in early-mid December to see the new movie “Exodus”: Gods and Kings starring none other than Christian Bale (hence the Bat-man reference earlier). I am really excited to see the movie and will have more details in the coming weeks. The movie doesn’t come out un-til 12/12 so we have some time to plan.
Once again thank you all for your amazing ser-vant hearts and continued prayers for this church and the staff. We truly appreciate it and love each and every one of you! Lastly I have one request before I finish. That request is sim-ply don’t overlook the greatest holiday ever to be a holiday which is Thanksgiving! If you haven’t already guessed it happens to be my favorite holiday. Blessings!
Pastor Kyle
$90,000
$80,000
$70,000
$50,000
$30,000
$20,000
$10,000
$0
$40,000
Capital Fund Drive
October 2014 Progress Report
July 2012 - June 2015
$60,000
Goal - $100,000
Contributions - $69,250
Expenses - $46,324
Amount Needed To Attain
Goal - $30,750
Category October YTD YTD Budget
Income $12,543 $132,390 X
Expenses $19,904 $171,859 $190,628
Variance -$7,361 -$39,469 $18,769
* Excludes non-budget, self-supporting, and designated categories
FBCO Finance Update
October 2014
Current Operating Income And Expenses *
$0
$5,000
$10,000
$15,000
$20,000
$25,000
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
Do
lla
rs
Month
2014 Monthly Operating Income And Expenses
Income Expenses
S.O.S. from
Electric Wednesdays!!
Our annual “Christmas Wrap” will be
on Wednesday, December 17th, at
which our Electric Wednesdays chil-
dren will be able to “purchase” gifts
they have earned for attendance, Bi-
ble memory, helping out, for their im-
mediate families to put under their
trees. We rely on our church family
to provide the gift items. Many of
the kids have no other opportunity to
do this kind of gifting. Could you shop
sales or use coupons you receive to
help us buy items to get us started?
We always need more men’s and boy’s
items than we receive, but will also
need women’s/girls’ items as well.
There will be a tub for you to deposit
your donations starting November
30th. All items will need to be gath-
ered by Sunday, December 14th.
Thanks in advance from the EW kids!
“UNPLUGGED CHRISTMAS” KID’S MUSICAL
The Electric Wednesdays children would
like to invite the church family to share in an
evening celebration on
Wednesday, December 10th,
featuring supper at 6:15 and
then enjoy their presentation
of “An Unplugged Christ-
mas”...a story of how some
children learn that all the “glitz” is not the real
meaning of Christmas. It will be a fun time of
fellowship, and your show of support of the kids
will be greatly appreciated!
Introducing Our New
Worship Leader!
Gabe Freeman is a Senior Worship Ministry major at
Grace University. He has been married for 1 1/2
years to his beautiful wife, Kamala, who is in Veteri-
nary school at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln.
They are true Husker fans, bleeding Husker Red!
With currently 5 years of worship through music ex-
perience, Gabe has a heart to humbly lead people
into God’s presence and honor Him.
Growing up in a very musical family, Gabe’s Father is
a band instructor and Mother is a piano teacher.
Cello is his main instrument, among many, and pre-
fers to play the acoustic/electric guitar when lead-
ing a time of worship.
Please don’t be shy to come around and say hi!
Please contact me if you are interested in joining the
worship band and make sure to find out more about
me at: facebook.com/GabrielFreemanMusic.
RMMO Offering
The RMMO Offering, an offering
administered by The Ministers
and Missionaries Benefit Board,
is taken annually as way of thank-
ing the many ministers and mis-
sionaries of the ABC-USA, who
are now retired, for their many
years of service. The funds are
also given as emergency and
other financial assistance based on need. We will be
receiving this offering the first two Sundays in January
On the Table… Are you a young adult (or young adult at heart) looking for a way to get connected at First Baptist Church? Then MESA is for you! We meet Sunday nights at 5:30pm for a light meal and then do Bible study and worship at 6:30pm. MESA Servicio en Español is also up and running, every Sunday at 4:30pm. This is a special Bible study time for Spanish-speakers and anyone interested in partnering in mission to our Latino community here in Midtown. Please pray for this ministry as it starts to grow. Follow us on Facebook at the new “MESA at FBCO” page. Watch for updates on signing up to bring food and what’s happening in general right there! We will be taking a break from MESA on December 21st and 28th. But join us for a special “MESA” Midnight Christmas Eve Candlelight service on December 24th, at 11pm. Bring some Christmas cookies to share! MESA is a new ministry and we need lots of help! Are you inter-ested in reaching the neighborhood with the gospel, helping with music, working with young adults, using your Spanish, set-ting up, cleaning up, running A/V, etc., etc.? Then contact Pas-tor Matt or Adam Cleveland and we will get you connected! Many thanks to Ken Pierce and Garion Dochstader, who have already answered the call!
Thanks everyone for your support of this innovative
new ministry!
Merry Christmas
from the staff of First
Baptist Church!
-Pastor Matt, Pastor Kyle, Gabe, Karla and Jim, Phyllis and Ben
Men’s Ministry Update
NO MEN’S BREAKFASTS THIS WINTER
We will be continuing our break this winter from our
monthly breakfasts as our Men’s Ministry “re-tools” for the
future. We are in the process of identifying leaders who
might be interested in serving on a “Leadership Team” to
help us better serve the needs of FBCO
men going forward. Interested in serving
in this way? Contact the Church Office.
“CHRISTMAS FOR THE WORLD” SERVICE Join us on Sunday, December 28 for a joint service With
the American Karen Baptist
Church. The service begins
at 11am. We will be cele-
brating the international
and cross-cultural aspects
of Christmas
De ce m be r Birthdays
1—Pat F it l 6—Phyllis Por ter 15—Bobby Murray 19—Tony Maresca lco 22—Mary Kay 25—Arlene Huber ty 28—Carole Walling 31—Austyn Ferrell
De ce m be r Ann ive rsaries 31—Darrell and Sue Reed
ATTENTION MINISTRY LEADERS!
Annual reports from each Cabinet member and Ministry
Leader are due in the church office NO later than January
place them in my mail box which is located in the Sunday
School office. The Annual Meeting is January 18th.
Many thanks! Phyllis
Welcome to First Baptist Church! There’s a lot going on around here, and here are just some of the ways you can get con-nected…
“UNPLUGGED CHRISTMAS”
KID’S MUSICAL Wednesday, December 10th—Enjoy the story of how
a group of kids learn that all the “glitz” is not the real meaning of Christmas. Come and enjoy a light supper at 6:15pm (just $1). The pro-gram begins at 7:00pm.
CHRISTMAS COMMUNITY FEAST & MUSICAL CELEBRATION
Sunday, December 14th—Come one, come all to the 2nd annual Christmas Com-munity Feast! A delicious holiday meal will be served for FREE to the first 300 peo-ple. Seating times will be 4:30pm and 5:45pm. Reserva-tions are required. A Christmas movie will be shown in the sanctuary between seating times. Afterward, everyone is invited to a fun-filled musical celebration in the sanctuary at 7:00pm. RSVP by calling 402-345-5009, emailing [email protected], on Facebook, or in person.
Traditional Candlelight
Christmas Eve Service Wednesday, December 24th, at 6:00pm—A great family tradition! Lots of terrific music, reflection on the Christmas story, and lighting candles to “Silent Night.”
“MESA” MIDNIGHT CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
Wednesday, December 24th, at 11:00pm—A more contemporary and intimate take on Christmas Eve for us night-owls: Guitars, Scripture, Candle-light, and Christmas Cookies.
“CHRISTMAS FOR THE WORLD” SERVICE Sunday, December 28th, at 11:00am—A special joint service with American Karen Baptist Church, celebrating the interna-tional and cross-cultural aspects of Christmas.
Upcoming Events 12/10 “Unplugged Christmas” Kid’s Musical (7pm) 12/11 Cabinet Meeting (7pm, Parlor) 12/14 Christmas Community Feast & Musical 12/17 Rebecca-Ruth Circle (1pm, Parlor) 12/21 MESA Cancelled 12/24 Christmas Eve Services (6pm & 11pm) 12/24 Electric Wednesday CANCELLED 12/25 CHRISTMAS DAY (Office Closed) 12/28 “Christmas for the World” Service (11am) 12/28 MESA Cancelled 12/31 Electric Wednesday CANCELLED 1/1 NEW YEARS DAY (Office Closed)
