First Street Weekly - December 09, 2022

12.09.22

Dear Faith Family,

Last Sunday, I had the privilege of running in my first half-marathon. It was an incredible experience. I am so thankful for the many folks who encouraged me along the way. The truth is, I never could have done it on my own!

In fact, there were several points during the race when I wasn’t sure I was going to make it to the finish line. You see, three days before the race, I got what I assume was the flu or at the very least - a really bad cold. I had a fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, dizziness, and a chest full of congestion. I honestly thought that the only thing that might be running on race day was my nose. I was so disappointed!

The good news is, about 24 hours before the race, my fever finally broke. I was no longer contagious, but I wasn’t exactly in any condition to run 13 miles. However, I knew that I wanted to try.

Last Sunday, I realized that running a race is not always easy. Life doesn’t always give you ideal conditions. And, the journey is often longer than you expect. So…. If you want to finish the race - you better know why you are running, whom you are running for, and surround yourself with people who will encourage you to keep going!

This is what I love about the Church! The Church gives us our “who” and our “why"! But, it also provides us with the support to be more than we could be on our own!

Paul writes in Philippians 1:3-6, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

I am so thankful for our church family!

A quick shout-out to Clayton Knight! Not only did he preach for me last Sunday, but he is celebrating his 1 year anniversary as our Youth Minister! We are so thankful for Clayton and Ruthie! Take a moment to congratulate him on his work anniversary at First Hewitt!

You are loved!

Pastor Chris Sammons

PS. I can't wait to celebrate the 3rd week of Advent this Sunday. It is the week of JOY!

Advent, meaning coming, is a season of reflecting on and anticipating the birth of Jesus and his second coming. Use the link below to download a family advent guide which includes a weekly devotion exploring the themes of peace, joy, hope, and love. Family discussion questions and a nativity craft are also included. Copies will also be available in the children’s building. click here for children's family advent

You can also access John Piper’s daily advent devotional, Good News of Great Joy, by using the following link: click here .

May these resources deepen your longing for the coming of Jesus.

“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

Sunday, December 11 - Family Christmas Caroling - 5 PM
Sunday, December 11 - Last night of Life Groups for the Fall semester
Friday, December 23 - Office Closed
Saturday, December 24 - Christmas Eve Service - 6 PM
Sunday, December 25 - No Sunday School - Worship ONLY @ 10:45 AM
Monday, December 26 - Office Closed
Friday, December 30 - Office Closed
Sunday, January 1 - No Sunday School - Worship ONLY @ 10:45 AM

Lottie Moon Post Office

Our Lottie Moon Post Office will be available in the foyer beginning next Sunday for those that want to give Christmas cards to those that regularly attend on Sunday mornings. There will be a post office box on the counter to give your offerings to the Lottie Moon Christmas offering instead of mailing your cards.

Ladies Holiday Brunch
Saturday, December 10 at 10:00 - 11:30
Wrapped Ornament Exchange $10 Limit
Call 254.666.2741 to RSVP

Families of all shapes and sizes are invited to join us on December 11^th for an evening of Christmas caroling at Royal Manor Nursing Home. Join us from 5 to 6 p.m. for a time of blessing the residents with the sounds of the season.

Church Trustee Needed

Hewitt First Baptist Church is in need of a third church Trustee. This Trustee will serve for a three-year term. This Trustee will again be able to be re-elected for another three-year term.

This trustee will be selected by the entire church membership by a vote taken during a regular or called church business meeting. Candidates for this vote can be nominated by any First Baptist Hewitt Church member. These candidates will be placed on the ballot along with a candidate selected by the church Deacon Body. All church members will be considered by the Deacons for their final recommendation of the person to also be placed on the ballot. The nominee receiving the greatest number of votes will be declared a duly elected Trustee. That person will begin serving the three-year term on the day of the election. Thus the by-laws requirement of three trustees will be satisfied.
Click HERE for the link to Constitution & by-laws:

Nominations shall be accepted from any church member until noon December 16, 2022, by calling the church office 254-666-2741 or e-mailing gayle@firsthewitt.org

The Deacon Body members can nominate a person by calling or e-mailing the Deacon Chairman at r.talley1812@sbcglobal.net or calling him 254-716-8567.
The date, time, and place of the election will be determined by the Senior Pastor Chris Sammons.

Ben Dever and John Hill are currently serving as Trustees.

IMPACT WEEKEND - January 13-15

It’s that time again for one of our students’ favorite events, IMPACT Weekend. This year’s theme is TOGETHER. In our culture today, there is more division than there is unity. In all the division, the Gospel speak a profound truth: In Christ, we are united. We are together. We want to teach the students to embrace a Christ-Centered Community. We will be partnering with a few other churches in the area to encourage unity and togetherness in Christ. Those churches are Brazos Meadows BC, FBC China Springs, and Columbus Avenue BC.

To sign up your students, click HERE.

All Payments will go to Brazos Meadows. To pay for your student, click HERE. Choose Impact 2023 under FUNDS and list the students name(s) in the Memo.

If you would live to volunteer for the weekend, then please sign-up HERE.

When: Jan 13-15
Cost: $60

Faith Family,

We want to be a church that continually lifts each other up in prayer. If you have a prayer request, share it with us by clicking below:

PRAYER REQUEST

December Prayer Focus & Bible Reading Plan

Each month, we as a church family are seeking to consistently read God's Word and pray for the Gospel to be known in different parts of the world. Our December edition of Together for the Gospel is now available at the church or by clicking here.

Our prayer focus for the month of December is: Kyrgyzstan

As we approach the end of 2022, we are so thankful for the generosity of our faith family! God has proven his faithfulness to us time and time again! You are such a huge part of what God is doing, and every contribution is helping to spread the gospel both near and far.

Just a quick reminder that your year-end gifts are an important part of our funding strategies. We'd love to end the year with strong momentum, and you can help! All contributions must be postmarked by December 31, 2022, or in the office by Thursday, December 29th. Our offices will be closed on Friday, December 30th.

Financial Update

Monthly Giving Requirement: $67,632
December Giving Receipts: $23,410

Year to Date Required: $219,780
Year to Date Received: $217,862
Year to Date Surplus/Deficit: - $1,918

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