1070 S Quarterline Rd Muskegon MI 49442 (231) 773-5476 www.miFBC.com

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December NEWSLETTER 2016 Dedication 1871

________________________________________________________ 2016 Pastor’s Pen December 8, 2016

It is December! Finally! Now we can listen to Christmas carols on our car radios and in other formats without feeling “guilty” because we are cheating the Thanksgiving holiday out its appropriate recognition. As I mentioned in one of my sermons recently, a local radio station in Grand Rapids changed its format by not beginning to play Christmas music until the actual week of Thanksgiving (close enough, I guess!), and that they did so because they had received many requests from their listeners to delay Christmas music until a more appropriate time of year. Well, I’m going do something similar by perhaps jumping the gun on an upcoming holiday season. While we are very much in the throes of the Christmas season, I want to say a few things about . . . New Year’s Day. Now there are a lot of things that we think about when we consider the new year. Many of us will probably write “2016” on checks and other documents for a few months before our instincts kick in and we automatically realize it is 2017 now. We will also think of football! Lots and lots and lots of football! College football – despite the fact that my Michigan Wolverines just missed out on the national championship playoffs. NFL football because – Can you believe it? – the Detroit Lions are in first place in the NFC North Division, and they only need to win two of their remaining four games to clinch the Division championship and guarantee themselves a spot in the playoffs! When was the last time we said that? And resolutions! With apologies to Terry Gleason and Sue Bradish, we are going to see lots of commercials about losing weight – not just from Weight Watchers, but from a myriad of other weight loss companies, some of them legitimate (like Weight Watchers!) and others perhaps not so much (For some reason, just the name Medical Weight Loss kind of scares me, whether it should or not!). But what ultimately captures my attention is the concept of newness. A new year! A chance to get a fresh start, to rethink and reprioritize. I teach at Cornerstone University, and there is something really encouraging about ending one semester in mid-December and beginning another in mid-January. It’s sort of a mindset that says, “This semester, I’m going to do things right! I’ll get my assignment list (called a syllabus) ready well before the semester begins, I’ll create engaging and interesting class presentations and lectures, I’ll keep current with my grading of student assignments, papers, and exams (always a challenge for me and my colleagues), and just generally have a “new” outlook on life as I walk with the Lord for another, if Jesus tarries, and if God continues to give me life. But the greatest use of the concept of “new” is found in Scripture. And it occurs a great many times. A couple that come to mind include the following. When the angel released Peter from prison in Acts 12, he told him to go and tell people about this “new life.” In Romans 6, Paul tells the Roman believers that our “old self” has been crucified with Christ – meaning that a new, risen life in Christ is now available for those who believe. Jesus also described a life of faith in himself as “new wine” that cannot fit into “old wineskins” because the new life in Christ is so different from our previous life. But the one that excites me the most is when John tells us “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’” (Revelation 21:5) How amazing is it to think that Jesus has told us that he will make all things new? No more death. No more disease. No more suffering. No more pain. And John assures us that these words are trustworthy and true! So when you think of the new year 2017, think how much greater things when be when, once and for all, Jesus makes all things new! Praise his holy Name!

From the Front Desk Events Ugly Sweater Luncheon Dig out those sweaters, ladies, and join us on December 10th at 12:00 noon in Fellowship Hall. Bring a dish to pass and a $5.00 gift for the gift exchange. Stephanie Montalvo is the coordinator for this event. Thank you, Stephanie. This her first time sponsoring so let’s get behind her ladies. Sorry guys you can lend a sweater but you can’t come. Annual Meeting The Annual Business Meeting will be December 14th. Please try to attend. We elect officers, go over and vote on the budget, vote on any proposals, and look to the future. Candlelight Poster in this publication Children’s Program Poster in this publication Christmas Day We are going to combine with Calvary Church for a Christmas Day service. This will be a wonderful time of Joy and Fellowship. Open a couple of gifts then come and be a part of the Celebration, that God came into the world as an infant in a stable. We will be meeting in the Family Center and will have a short cookie fellowship time following the service. In February, we will have been a community for almost two years.

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS 1st

Karolyn Rollenhgen, Angie Gassman

3rd

5th 7th 8th 10th 11th 12th 13th 15th 16th 22nd

Debby Tadlock Betty Malsam, Quinn Alderink Bev Ritter Cynthia Powers, Selena Montalvo Marvin Bell Steve Bradish Sandra Butler Sue Bradish Theresa Carlson Amy Parker Gabrielle Monterusso, Tessa VanderWal

25th 28th 31st

Donna Norwood Iris Pierce Penny Burnes, Liam Huizenga

1st 4th 5th 10th 11th 13th 14th 18th 21st 22nd 23rd 24th 26th 28th 30th 31st

Curtis Scott Mike McGettigan Megan Hannon Lee Haynes, Chris McFail Josh Silvis David Pollice, Lisa Hoofman Long Carolyn VanderWal, Abby Monterusso Deanne Estelle, Peggy Eaton Robert Christie Nancy Stott Randy Grinwis, Elaine Sikkenga Delia Scott Krista Cadriel Gail Brogren, John Roamones Tom Brogren Austin Carlson

56th Annual FBC Candlelight Service December 18, 2016 6 p.m. This will be a beautiful service in which the telling of the story of Advent is intertwined with music. Hear of the birth of Christ through the spoken word and song. This year’s program will feature anthems and musical numbers by all portions of the music department as well as traditional congregational advent numbers for the congregation to participate in. This will be a moving program that you will not want to miss. Pre-service background music will start at 5:40 p.m. with the service starting at 6 p.m. There will be light refreshments in the Family Center immediately following the program. This year’s candlelight service will surely help put us in touch with the reason for the season. Remember to mark your calendars for December 18. See you there…… Denny Powers, Music Director

CELEBRATING FREEDOM IN CHRIST

First Baptist Church For Information 231-773-5476 Web Page MIfbc.com E-Mail [email protected] SUNDAY 10:30 am Worship 11:00 am The Message 11:00 am Adventure Land Pastor’s Message may be viewed on line MIfbc.com MONDAY 9:30 am Walking in Family Center 11:00 am & 7:00 pm Women’s Bible Study 6:30 pm Band of Brothers TUESDAY 11:00 am Sr. Bible Study 1:15 pm Shuffle Board 7:00 pm Volleyball

WEDNESDAY 9:30 am Walking in Family Center 4:45pm Men’s Prayer Meetings 4:45 Children’s Choir practice THURSDAY 5:30 pm Bell Choir practice 6:30 pm Choir rehearsal FRIDAY 9:30 am Walking in Family Center

This newsletter is a Monthly Publication of the news and information for our family and friends of First Baptist Church.