In this issue: Christ in Christmas Church Staff Gifts Thank You 1 Christ in Christmas continued 2 Christ n Christmas conlcuded Christmas Eve Service 3 December Church Calendar Church Open House 4 5 Christ in christmas Christ in christmas College Hills Baptist Church College Hills Baptist Church The Messenger The Messenger The Messenger DECEMBER 19, 2012 Volume 2, Issue 46 Youth Ministries College Ministries 6 Children’s Ministries Kids’ Choir Schedule AWANA Schedule 7 Ministries Contact Information 8 Christ in Christmas. I had an old comfortable sweater that had a loose thread that I wanted to remove. So I started scratching and pulling at it. To my amazement the whole sweater started unraveling by me pulling on that one, I thought, errant string. We were packed at the Ft. Concho Elementary School gym for their annual Christmas program. I was there because of our grandson Seth who is in first grade. The children sang with gusto song after song led by their affable music teacher. While I enjoyed getting to see Seth be a part of his school Christmas program, I was saddened by what I thought was the absence of any song that mentions “Jesus” or “Christ.” Maybe I just missed it because I was chasing one-year old Greyson around. More from Lakan on page 2 We appreciate so much each one of you who so generously shared with us thank you notes, cards, gift cards, money gifts, and goodies. We are so blessed to minister alongside such a wonderful local family of believers. May each of you and your loved ones enjoy a blessed holiday season and a Merry Christmas! Your Church Staff
Transcript
In this issue:
Christ in Christmas
Church Staff Gifts Thank You
1
Christ in Christmas continued 2
Christ n Christmas conlcuded
Christmas Eve Service
3
December Church Calendar
Church Open House
4
5
Christ in christmasChrist in christmas
Co
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ge
Hil
ls B
ap
tis
t C
hu
rc
hC
oll
eg
e H
ills
Ba
pt
ist
Ch
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The Messenger
The Messenger
The Messenger
D E C E M B E R 1 9 , 2 0 1 2 V o l u m e 2 , I s s u e 4 6
Youth Ministries
College Ministries
6
Children’s Ministries
Kids’ Choir Schedule
AWANA Schedule
7
Ministries
Contact Information
8
Christ in Christmas. I had an old comfortable sweater that had a loose thread that I wanted to remove. So I started scratching
and pulling at it. To my amazement the whole sweater started unraveling by me pulling on that one, I thought, errant string.
We were packed at the Ft. Concho Elementary School gym for
their annual Christmas program. I was there because of our grandson Seth who is in first grade. The children sang with gusto
song after song led by their affable music teacher. While I
enjoyed getting to see Seth be a part of his school Christmas program, I was saddened by what I thought was the absence of
any song that mentions “Jesus” or “Christ.” Maybe I just missed it because I was chasing one-year old Greyson around.
More from Lakan on page 2
We appreciate so much each one of you who so generously shared with us thank you notes, cards, gift cards, money gifts, and goodies. We are so blessed to minister alongside such a wonderful local family of believers.
May each of you and your loved ones enjoy a blessed holiday season and a Merry Christmas!
Your Church Staff
Christ in Christmas continued
The one question that seemed to be asked most often in the aftermath of the
tragic shooting in Newtown, Connecticut last week is “Why did God allow this to happen?” This was the question that a Foxnews anchor asked her guest, a priest,
Saturday. From the anchor's facial expression and tone of voice, it did not seem to
me like she was asking the question as a journalist but more as an individual. There is a sense that when something catastrophic happens we are all looking to Someone
who transcends our world for answers.
Jesus is not the errant thread that needs to be cut off or removed from our comfortable culture. The Christmas, or should I say, the Holiday program at Ft.
Concho is a microcosm of what has been happening in our culture for a while. We do
not want to offend one person by overtly singing Christmas songs that mention Jesus even though Christmas is, by its very nature, about Jesus Christ. The persistent and
often-asked question “Why did God allow this to happen?” tells us also that while the culture seems to be trying to remove God from the marketplace, the culture almost
always defaults to an acknowledgment of God during times of disaster.
So what should a follower of Christ do? First, we ourselves must be convinced that Jesus is the thread that holds all things together.
“He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold
together.” Colossians 1:15-17
“Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through
the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the
Son he created the universe. The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power
of his command.” Hebrews 12:1-3a
The sustaining that Jesus does is not just in our physical world. It is also in our theology and everyday life. The gospel stands and falls on Jesus Christ. And the
believer's life stands and falls on Jesus Christ.
Second, we must take advantage of every opportunity to share Christ with people.
We are not trying to win a debate. We are trying to win people to Christ. We cannot forget that Jesus “came to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10) while we interact with
people at our children's school, at the grocery store, the soccer fields, and our neighbors down the street.
Third, we need to tell our children the story of Jesus. Let them see you reading
Jesus' story from the Bible, not just during Christmas, but during the year. A biblical worldview will insulate them from wrong teachings. Prohibition against prayer in
schools will not stop children from praying if these children grow up in praying families.
Concluded on page 3
Christ in Christmas concluded
The world will always be scratching and pulling at Jesus Christ to try to remove
him from our culture. The scriptures assure us that will never happen. The strength and confidence that believers have are not based on what the world
does. Jesus warned us it will be tough. “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I
have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). We know the end of the story. So our focus must be on our Lord and we must find our joy and satisfaction in him so
that our lives are not unraveling. “The joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)
Keep the Jesus thread intact in your life.
Lakan
December Calendar Events: 1st— Monthly Men’s Breakfast at 7AM
God’s Gardeners’ Class Party at the Pool’s home
3rd— Women’s Ministry Cookie Baking Night (6PM in Fellowship Hall)
4th— Final Fall Precept (introduction to 2 Timothy)
7th— Final Redeeming Marriage Conference Session at 6:30PM
8th— Monthly Women’s Breakfast at 8AM
Youth One Day Retreat: Unity Project
Still Young Adults Class Party at the Weber’s home
Work in Progress Class Party at Gayle Bryan’s home
9th— College Graduation Recognitions
BodyLife Christmas Parties
11th— Church Office Christmas Open House (10AM—2PM)
12th— Youth Christmas Caroling at Nursing Home
15th— Children’s Cookout and Hayride 5-7PM
16th— Kids Choir Musical “Signs of Christmas” at 5PM
followed by Christmas Fellowship in the Foyer
(everyone bring your favorite Christmas Goodies to share!)
19th— Love and Joy Class Party at 11:30AM at Zentner’s Daughter
AWANA Baby Shower for Jesus at 6PM
Youth Christmas Party at 6PM
24th— Church office closed
Christmas Eve Service at 6PM
25th— Have a Blessed Christmas!
Church office closed
26th— Family Week (No Evening Activities)
30th— Agape Sunday
31st— Church office closed
Youth New Year’s Eve Lock In
1st— Church office closed
Thanks so very much to all those who helped us have such a
wonderful Open House this week! We appreciate each of
you who provided food and a special thanks to those who
jumped in and helped with setup and cleanup, and to those
who were so hospitable to our friends at Crockett by taking
time to sit down and visit with them!
YOUTH MINISTRIESYOUTH MINISTRIES
Sunday School: Sundays at 9:30AM CHBC Upstairs
Home Groups: Sundays at 6:00PM Various Homes
Outbreak: Wednesdays at 6:00PM CHBC Upstairs
Weekly Meetings
COLLEGE MINISTRIES WEEKLY MEETINGS:
Sunday School: Sundays at 9:30AM (in the College Room)
Home Groups: Sundays at 6:00PM (Various Homes)
Pause: Wednesdays at 8:00PM (Siefker’s Home-1734 Weston) FMI: Contact Ryan Connel at 227-1778 or church office at 949-5788
Thank you so much to all who came to our Christmas Musical this past Sunday evening. It was such a blessing to us and we trust to you also. We will resume our Kid’s Choir on Sunday, Jan 6th.
WEEKLY MEETINGS:
Sunday School: Sundays at 9:30AM Classes for all ages Preschool—5th Grade Kids on Fire Choir: Sundays at 6:00PM CHBC AWANA room Grades K-5th Grade AWANA Clubs: Wednesdays at 6:00PM Preschool—5th Grade FMI: Contact Philip Cross at 277-7980 or the Church office 949-5788
Club Calendar: 12-19—Baby Shower for Jesus 12-26—No Club—Christmas 01-02—No Club—New Year’s 01-09—Hot Chocolate Night 01-16—Backwards Night 01-23—Snowman Night 01-30—Super Bible Book Bowl (Jersey Night)
AWANA CLUBS MEET WEDNESDAYS 6-7:30PM ALL STUDENTS K-5TH GRADE ARE WELCOME! AWANA stands for "approved workmen are not
ashamed". This wonderful, international children's pro-
gram provides a clear, consistent presentation of the
gospel through--
• Bible memory – our cornerstone
• Circle games exclusive to Awana
• A fun approach to learning God’s Word
• Leadership training that is second to none
• The church leaders of tomorrow trained to serve today
• Evangelistic focus designed to reach unchurched youth
and their families
HOW TO CONTACT US:
By Mail: College Hills Baptist Church 2102 Johnson Ave San Angelo TX 76904
These men are responsible for hospital visitation and are available to anyone who has needs. Elder Fred Rike…….…...227-4208 Deacon John Bilberry……....942-1012 Elder Rex Stephenson.942-9537 Deacon Charles Harrison....653-4386 Elder Andrew Siefker…212-4410 Deacon Jerry Walls………..…944-1876
We appreciate all our extended session workers. Please be in your place by 10:20AM so you can be there before the children arrive. Please call Cathy Blair at 405-496-5769 if you are unable to work your extended session or if you have any questions.
1’s and 2’s: 3’s & 4’s: 12-09 Jackson/Allie Rike Ashley Minor/Avery Brown 12-16 Brittany Guevara/Cameron Cross Brad & Michon Grissom 12-23 Special Volunteers 12-30 Special Volunteers
EXTENDED SESSION WORKERS:
We’re missing two of our long white tables! Please look around your house and see if you may have borrowed them and forgotten to return them.
It would help us out if everyone would remember to check out all borrowed equipment and supplies through the church office.
