VISION
December 2009
Volume 26 Number 12
(A Monthly Publication)
Join us on
Sunday, December 20,
as our Adult Choir presents
“It’s the Most Wonderful
Time of the Year”
A Christmas Musical & Drama
at 10:30 am
and for our
Annual Christmas Dinner
at 6:00 pm
Meat & bread will be furnished for our meal. Members are asked to bring covered dishes and dessert.
A Word From Our Pastor
Why in the world would God send His one and only Son among us as a baby? Just think of almighty God waving His arms and legs and lying in one place till someone decided to pick Him up. Just think of our Savior getting hungry and needing changed. By our standards, this is not reasonable. But God has His own purposes. For centuries, God prepared people for the coming of His Son, our only hope for life. Yet, even the prophets who foretold of the grace that was to come longed to know more.
At Christmas, we celebrate the fulfillment of the promises God made- that He would make a way for us to draw near to Him. In this season of celebration and traditions, be sure that you reflect the promise.
Blessings,
Steven
Christmas Poinsettias
We will be taking orders for Christmas Poinsettias through Sunday, December 6. The cost is $13.00 per plant. Order forms are available in the church hallway or in the bulletin.
Children’s Christmas Musical Dress Rehearsal
There will be a dress rehearsal for all children participating in the Children’s Christmas Musical on Saturday, December 5. The time will be announced. The children will present the musical on Sunday, December 5, at 6:00 pm. Please make plans to attend this event and support our children.
Family Movie Night
Come join us on Saturday, December 5, at 6:00 pm for Family Movie Night. We will enjoy pizza, popcorn, hot cocoa and the movie “Polar Express.” The cost is $5 per family. Bring your beach chairs or blankets and dress the kids in their pj’s. A sign-up sheet is posted in the Children’s Building.
Chaperones Needed
If you are interested in being a chaperone for some of our Youth events (particularly our lock-in), please contact Eva Warren. A background check is required of anyone who works with the Youth at Congaree Baptist Church.
T-Shirt Design Contest
The youth are having a T-shirt Design Contest for new shirts. Please submit your ideas (on paper) to Jason Sturkie no later than noon on December 13. See Jason for more information.
Youth Committee Meeting
The Youth Committee will meet on Sunday, December 13, at 4:30 pm at the home of Joey & Lynn Langley. Minutes of all meetings are available by contacting Tim Wojcik.
Calendar Fundraiser
Our Youth will be selling calendars as a fundraiser throughout the month of December. Contact Misty Sturkie for more information.
Youth Progressive Christmas Dinner/Party
Our Youth will have a Progressive Christmas Dinner/Party on Tuesday, December 22. Please meet at the church at 6:00 pm. If you wish to exchange gifts, please bring a $5 to $10 gift.
Youth New Year’s Eve Lock-In
The New Year’s Eve Lock-In will return again this year! Mark your calendar and plan on spending the night with us!
Ski Trip
The Youth are planning a ski trip for the 3rd weekend in February. Mark your calendar now and look for more details to follow. Contact Jason or Misty Sturkie for more information.
Letters of Thanks
Thank you for all the food. It was a big help for the family. It means a lot that you all took time for us during our time of sorrow. Thank you for all of your prayers.
–The Family of Al Barbee
Thank you to the youth for donating canned goods which were collected by Trick-or-Treating for canned goods. Also, thank you to all who donated canned goods at our Fall Festival. These donations will really help with our food ministry.
– Renate Bruce, Crisis Ministry Director
Sympathy
Sympathy is extended to the family of Mrs. Margaret Ferree upon her death on November 6.
Sympathy is extended to Faye Smith, Ellen Chaney, and Karen Sawyer upon the death of their brother/father, Stanley Sawyer, on November 19.
Congratulations!
Congratulations is extended to Keith, Jr., & Anne Marie Sturkie upon the birth of their daughter, Kyleigh Marie, born on Monday, November 16. Congratulations also goes out to the new grandparents, Keith & Ancha Sturkie.
December Responsibilities
Deacon of the Month Jimmy Watford
Deacon Assistant Keith Sturkie
Nursery am (Birth to 2 years old) Lynn & Megan Langley
Nursery am (Ages 2-4) Gary & Janice Pelfrey
Nursery pm Shelvy Sturkie
Ushers Keith Sturkie, George Sturkie, Francis Kovach,Jimmy Watford
Church Office Hours
Monday & Thursday 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
October Financial Report
Budget Requirement $23,408.00
Budget Receipts $19,073.76
Designated Offering $6,686.00
Total Receipts $25,759.76
Debt-Retirement Balance as of 10/31/09 $64,523.05
Special Activities for December 2009
1 Upward Referee Training, 7:00 pm
5 Brotherhood Breakfast, 8:00 am
Upward Games, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Children’s Musical Dress Rehearsal, TBA
South Congaree Christmas Parade, 3:00 pm
Family Movie Night, 6:00 pm
6 Final day to order Poinsettias
Preschoolers Sing, 10:30 am
Building & Grounds Meeting, 11:30 am
Final Beth Moore Bible Study, 4:15 pm
Children’s Christmas Musical, 6:00 pm
7 Church Council, 7:00 pm
8 Loyalty Class Social, 5:00 – 9:00 pm
Deacons Meeting, 7:00 pm
9 Women on Mission, 9:30 am
Ladies Craft Group, 10:00 am
11 Children to “This Man Called Jesus,” 5:30 pm
12 Upward Games, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Secret Sister Christmas Tea, 3:00 – 5:00 pm
@ the home of Annette Havens
13 Deadline for Youth T-Shirt Contest
Staff/Deacon Christmas Luncheon, 11:30 am
Youth Committee Meeting @ Langley’s, 4:30 pm
Deacon Training Seminar, 5:30 pm
Evangelism/Soul Winning Class, 6:00 pm
18 Newsletter Deadline
Road Runners, 5:30 pm
19 Upward Games, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Christmas Drop-In @ Parsonage, 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Cantata Dress Rehearsal, 2:00 – 7:00 pm
20 Christmas Cantata, 10:30 am
Church-Wide Christmas Dinner, 6:00 pm
21 Sister to Sister Christmas Fellowship, 6:00 pm
@ the home of Niki Crolley
22 Youth Progressive Christmas Dinner, 6:00 pm
24 Christmas Eve
Candlelight Christmas Eve Service, 6:00 pm
25 Christmas Day
31 Youth Lock-In, TBA
New Year’s Eve Celebration, 11:00 pm
Upward Basketball
Games are each Saturday from 8:00 am – 1:00 pm. Practices are each Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Come out and show your support!
Secret Sister Christmas Tea
On Saturday, December 12, all ladies that are involved with the Secret Sister program will meet at the home of Annette Havens from 3-5 pm for a Secret Sister Christmas Tea. Ladies with the last name beginning with the letters A through M are asked to bring a sweet food and letters N through Z are asked to bring a savory food. Be sure to bring your Secret Sister a Christmas gift.
Secret Sister Program for the New Year
It’s time to sign up for Secret Sisters for the New Year. Forms are available in the main hallway. Please fill out a form if you would like to participate and return to the church office, Linda Lucas, Vicky McLain or Ancha Sturkie by December 9.
Sister to Sister Christmas Fellowship
On Monday, December 21, we will have our Sister to Sister Christmas Fellowship at the home of Niki Crolley at 6:00 pm. All “sisters” that participated in this program this year are invited to attend. More information to come.
2010 Women’s Lifestyle Evangelism Conference
This event will be held at First Baptist Church of Columbia on Saturday, January 30, 2010. Meal and registration is $20 or just registration is $15. You can register online at www.scbaptist.org/women or by contacting Linda Lucas at 894-3876 or 730-1110. Program guests are Beth Greer- Bible teacher, speaker, singer & worship leader; Kim Hardy- inspirational speaker & Bible teacher; Debbie Turner- Christian author & speaker; and Evie Morris- pianist.
Musical Notes
On Sunday, December 6, our children will be singing during our Morning Worship Service and will be presenting a Christmas Musical during our Evening Worship Service. On Sunday, December 20, our Adult Choir will present “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” during the Morning Worship Service. This is a musical and drama presentation to celebrate the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Please mark your calendar and plan to be with us during this Christmas Season.
For God’s Glory– Ronda
Senior Adult Ministry
The next Road Runners meeting will be on Friday, December 18, at 5:30 pm. We will meet in the Sanctuary for our program and then go to the Word of Life class for fellowship and finger foods. Our guest will be Bob Michalski who will play the saxophone. He is a personal friend of mine and a very fine musician. Please bring finger foods and don’t miss hearing Bob! You don’t have to be a “senior” to attend! –Doris Mooney
Staff & Deacon Christmas Luncheon
We will have our Staff & Deacon Christmas Luncheon following the Morning Worship Service on Sunday, December 13, in the large classroom in the Gym. This luncheon is for all paid staff and active & inactive deacons. Please bring a $5 to $10 gift for our gift exchange. Please sign-up on the sheet posted in the main hallway if you plan to attend. More information to come.
Christmas Drop-In at the Parsonage
You are invited to attend a Christmas Drop-In at the Parsonage on Saturday, December 19. Last names beginning with the letters A-H will come at 1:00pm; I-P at 2:00pm; and Q-Z at 3:00pm. Choir members may drop by anytime between 1:00pm and 4:00pm since they will be having their dress rehearsal that afternoon.
Adopt-A-Family for Christmas
The South Congaree Town Hall has families that are in need of help this Christmas. These families have been verified. If interested in adopting a family this Christmas, drop by the town hall and choose a family.
