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Dear Faith Family,
We had a wonderful time Sunday evening singing Christmas carols for the residents at Royal Manor Nursing Home. Smiles and tears of joy were witnessed as we blessed the staff and residents with the sounds of the season. Thank you to everyone who was able to join us. It was a joy to join together in song celebrating the gift of Jesus.
I’ve been thinking about Christmas music a lot lately. My special Christmas playlist (entitled Mom’s Christmas so other family members know not to mess with it!) ranges from classics like “The First Noel” to more recent songs like “It’s Finally Christmas”. If you asked me to pick a favorite song I’d have a hard time choosing one. I even have a few Christmas songs that appear on my regular, everyday playlist just because I like them so much, and, in all sincerity, who doesn’t need to be reminded of the hope of Christmas on a regular basis.
Recently, I came across the story of a carol we don’t hear too often, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”. You’ve probably heard of the famous American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. You may even be able to quote a few lines of his poems, but did you also know he wrote the words to “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” shortly after finding out that his oldest son had been seriously wounded while fighting in the Civil War? This was just a couple of years after losing his wife who died from serious burns after her skirt caught fire. As a widowed father of six children wrestling with all that was happening in and around him, he penned the words of the famous carol. Even in our world today, it can be easy to agree with Longfellow that “hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men.” I’m so thankful the song doesn’t end there but instead reminds us, “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; the wrong shall fail, the right prevail with peace on earth, good will to men.” We have reason to celebrate our Savior during this season and all year long!
“We are filled with hope, as we wait for the glorious return of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:13
Christmas Blessings,
Michelle Schlappe
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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
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- 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
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Every year, Southern Baptist churches collect an offering called the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. This offering is used to send and support missionaries around the world to those who have never heard the gospel. One hundred percent of these gifts are used to bring Gospel transformation among the unreached! If you would like to give toward the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, please designate the gift to Lottie Moon.
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Lottie Moon Post Office
Our Lottie Moon Post Office is available in the foyer 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. Please check the post office box in the foyer before Dec. 25 to retrieve your cards.
Branson Interest Meeting
Attention Adults 55+. We are planning a trip to either Branson (Sight & Sound Theatre) or to Kentucky (Ark & Creation Museum) in September 2023. We will be having an interest meeting on Wednesday, January 4th at 2pm in the HUB. If you are interested in either of these trips, please attend our interest meeting to find out all the details.
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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 today, 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.
We will vote on all nominations at our next regularly scheduled Quarterly Business Meeting on Sunday, January 8 @ 4 PM.
Ben Dever and John Hill are currently serving as Trustees.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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Financial Update
Monthly Giving Requirement: $67,632
December Giving Receipts: $23,410
Year to Date Required: $236,707
Year to Date Received: $226,717
Year to Date Surplus/Deficit: - $9,990
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