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Vol. 9, Issue 1 Nuthin’ But Grace January 2015
First Baptist Church of Madison, North Carolina
The Epiphany
There is an interesting feature in the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ birth that is worth noting this time of year. While Luke tells the story from a very humble and human perspective Matthew tells the story of a royal birth foretold by the prophets – written in the stars. They are not
The Story We Love to Tell
Vol. 9, Issue 1 Nuthin’ But Grace January 2015
conflicting stories, but complementary accounts that help us understand the meaning of the One who came to redeem us from sin and death.
Now we are prone to conflate the accounts into one. Nowhere is this more evident than Christmas time nativity scenes. Gathered around the manger in a stable in Bethlehem are the shepherds, angels, three (not two, not four) kings, and animals. I particularly like the camels!
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Your Church – Your Ministry – Your Community
January at First Baptist Church
Church CalendarOur church calendar can be viewed at
FBCMNC
Do you have an activity you want announced in Nuthin’ But Grace? Please email or write a note to the church secretary and we will do our best to see the word gets out.
Weather Closings: For immediate information tune in to television Channel 8 or visit our web site.
Deacon Board will meet in the Library on Sunday evening, January 4th at 7:00.
Choir Practice will be held at 7:15 on Wednesday nights.
Back Pack Pals will load packs for hungry children at Madison Presbyterian Church at 10:00 am on Wednesdays during the school year.
Deacon Installation Service will be during the 11:00 Worship on Sunday, 11 January.
Early Worship will resume in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday, January 11th at 9:15 am.
GriefShare meets in the church library at 1:30-3:00 pm each Tuesday (except the first Tuesday each month).
Meals on Wheels volunteers this month will serve on January 5, 6, and 7.
Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet on the first Tuesday (January 6th) at 2 pm in the Fulcher’s home.
Ladies Bible Study meets to discuss and share the Bible. See Maxine Crane for schedule.
Family Night this month will meet on Wednesday night, January 7th at 6:15 in the Fellowship Hall. This month we will have a soup supper (donations will help support Prayer Shawl Ministry).
AA meets in the Fellowship Hall on Saturdays from 6:00-8:00 pm
Exercise Class is held at Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings at 6pm and Saturday at 8am in the Recreation Hall.
Baptist Men meet on the Saturday morning following Family Night. We gather for breakfast at Bob’s Restaurant at 8:00 and then work on various projects to help our church.
Vol. 9, Issue 1 Nuthin’ But Grace January 2015
The Story We Love to Tell
We love to tell that story! And it is a great story of love and redemption. Oh, and by the way just try to tinker with that account one little bit and you are likely to be called to question. Some may even accuse you of engaging in the “War on Christmas.” (Forgive them for they know not what they do!)
Well, all of that “traditional Christmas” stuff is fine to do as long as believers who have actually read their Bibles realize that there is a depth and drama to these stories that exceeds the Christmas shorthand with which most are familiar. That is why the Epiphany is so important to our faith.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH NON PROFIT ORG.P.O. Box 209 PERMIT # 45MADISON, NC 27025 MADISON, NC 27025
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
January Birthdays: Dick Boyer (2nd); James Martin (8th); Kenneth Penn (12th); Emily Angel & Joe Dillon (15th); Luke Spencer (16th); Nick Baker (20th); Janelle Conkle (20th); Mark Baker (24th); Nancy Carter (25th); Norma Elrod (30th): Janice Tate (31st).
*If your birthday is not listed please contact the church office.
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.”
Vol. 9, Issue 1 Nuthin’ But Grace January 2015
Matthew tells the story of magi (Persian astrologers) who without the benefit of Jewish tradition or scriptures were convinced that an event of divine significance had been revealed in the cosmos. It is an odd way to begin. After all astrology was forbidden to the Jews who saw it as a practice of false religion. Yet Matthew tells it anyway. Perhaps the intent here is more than meets the eye. Is God trying to tell us that he is actually the God of all people, even the pagan Gentiles who seek him errantly, but honestly? That is quite a statement… and it is right there in our Bibles; a message from God to all humanity that wise men and women who seek him will surely find him.
Epiphany means “discovery.” And Jesus was all about us discovering God. No matter if we are Jewish shepherds or pagan stargazers, He wants us all to find him. That is a story we should love to tell over and over again. The story of the God who comes for us no matter where we are or what we are doing. He seeks us out.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH NON PROFIT ORG.P.O. Box 209 PERMIT # 45MADISON, NC 27025 MADISON, NC 27025
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
We celebrate the lives and morn the deaths of Seba Crumpler, Ruth Mabe, Tuttie Davis (internet church) who went home to the Lord in December.
Blessings, Love, and Grace, Chuck
Vol. 9, Issue 1 Nuthin’ But Grace January 2015
Pastor: Rev. Dr. Charles “Chuck” McGathy Phone: 336-207-2055 Email: [email protected] Pastor: Jan Walsh Ph: 336-422-2717 Email: [email protected]
Church Web Site:www.firstbaptistchurchofMadison.orgChurch Office: 8:30 -12 noon (M-F) Ph: 336-548-6112Christian Education Superintendent: Dr. Herb LewisChildren’s Education Director: Rev. Marcia McQueenTeam Up Friends Director: Lloyd Brinson Children’s Worship Director: Millie CocklereeceYouth Director: Rev. Jan WalshMissions Director: Sylvia PerkinsMusic Director: Jane ScruggsChurch Secretary: Sylvia PerkinsFirst Baptist is located at 110 S. Franklin Street, Madison, North Carolina 27025 Services are held on Sunday at 9:15* and 11:00 am; Sunday School at 10:00 am; Family Night is held in the Fellowship Hall on the first
The following have recently received prayer shawls:
Lynn Purdy, Nathaniel Leftwich, The Malloy family, The Buskirk family, Anita, Mary Howard Goins, Jim & Amy Merriman, Isabel Stephens, Hospice, Help, Inc.
Upcoming meeting: Tuesday, January 6th at 2PM to be held at the Fulcher’s home.
The Prayer Shawl group meets on a regular basis to knit shawls and other woolen items. As they knit they consider the prayer needs and then lift these before God. Once completed the shawls are brought before the church and blessed and commissioned. When the shawls are delivered there is a note of encouragement attached expressing the love and prayers of the people of First Baptist Church. If you would like to participate or contribute financially to this ministry please see coordinator Joyce Fulcher.