our advent carol for 2017 - constant...

Our Advent Carol for 2017

See, amid the winter's snow, Born for us on Earth below,

See, the tender Lamb appears, Promised from eternal years.

Chorus:

Hail, thou ever blessed morn, Hail redemption's happy dawn,

Sing through all Jerusalem, Christ is born in Bethlehem.

Lo, within a manger lies

He who built the starry skies; He who, throned in height sublime,

Sits among the cherubim.

Say, ye holy shepherds, say, What your joyful news today;

Wherefore have ye left your sheep On the lonely mountain steep?

"As we watched at dead of night,

Lo, we saw a wondrous light: Angels singing 'Peace On Earth' Told us of the Saviour's birth."

Sacred Infant, all divine,

What a tender love was Thine, Thus to come from highest bliss Down to such a world as this.

A Word from Travis Collins

Senior Pastor

For more than two centuries this family of faith—FBC,

Huntsville—has prioritized missions. Many of you have heard the

story that our church got kicked out of the first Baptist association

of which we were members! Baptist churches were popping up

across the Tennessee Valley and they formed an Association. We

were part of the Flint River Baptist Association when, in the

1830’s, the majority of churches in that association took an anti-

missions stance. There was a strong anti-missionary movement

sweeping Baptists nationally. It was short-lived but it was

ferocious. Churches in our area got caught up in it. They

embraced a hyper-Calvinism, meaning they believed God had

destined certain people for salvation and others for damnation and

thus to send missionaries was in violation of the divine plan. Our

church and others said Jesus died for everyone and wants everyone

to be saved. So we and five other churches were ousted from the

Flint River Baptist Association in 1838, because we were guilty of

wanting to send missionaries!

Well, you hold in your hand the prayerful thoughts of people who

are descendants of those mission-minded Baptists. Those who

wrote the words you are about to read believe the birth of Jesus

changed everything. They believe Jesus is the very

incarnation/embodiment of God. They believe his birth launched a

revolution of heavenly proportions.

As we prepare to celebrate the Lord’s birth, let’s read these

devotions with a renewed commitment to the Great Commission.

Let’s remember the words of Jesus during his first appearance to

his friends after his resurrection: “As the Father has sent me, I am

sending you.”

The Living Christmas Tree 2017

See, the Tender Lamb Appears Guest Artist, Steve Amerson, “America’s Tenor”

December 14-17, 2017

2017 PRESENTATIONS

Thursday, December 14, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, December 15, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 16, 11:00 a.m. “A Tree for the Children”

Saturday, December 16, 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 16, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 17, 3:00 p.m. Abridged Living Christmas Tree with highlights from this year’s Tree

Sunday, December 17, 5:30 p.m.

Christmas and Missions

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and Global Missions Offering

The World Missions 2017 Goal for First Baptist is $120,000. You

will have an envelope in your giving packet for both the Lottie

Moon Christmas Offering which is part of the Southern Baptist

Convention Mission effort and the Global Missions Offering

envelope which supports Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Missions.

Please give generously to these important funding agencies of

world missions.

Operation Christmas Child

Our First Baptist Packing Party on November 4 had approximately

150 people packing shoeboxes to go to children overseas with the

gospel message. Each child that receives a shoe box hears the

gospel and annually around 2,000,000 children accept Christ into

their lives. This year at the Packing Party 1,734 shoe boxes were

lovingly filled with toys, educational supplies, hygiene articles,

and sports items.

During the Collection Week, November 13 – 20, over 225

volunteers received 13,698 shoe boxes from churches, groups, and

individuals. That represents 13,698 times the gospel was presented

to children and their families. There is no other mission effort that

reaches that many children and their families. The overall OCC

goal around the world was 12,000,000 boxes.

The final count on shoe boxes from First Baptist Huntsville was

2,333, an increase of three fold over last year. We estimate our

volunteers gave over 1,125 hours to this effort. And there is no

way to estimate how many hours were spent in shopping and

finding just the right items to place in the shoe boxes.

Thank you for your time and effort for the Kingdom!

Sunday, December 3

The First Sunday of Advent

Neal Hadaway

Theme: Hope - Galatians 4:4

In the Fullness of Time God has a plan, and He’s never late. Ever since the Garden of

Eden, when Adam and Eve ‘jumped’ from God’s grace into the

wasteland of rebellion, God had the dilemma of bringing the

broken human race back into perfect fellowship with Him. But

how could He satisfy His perfect love (desire to save us) without

violating His perfect justice (sin must be paid for by death)? How

could sin-dead mankind appear before a holy God without

immediately being consumed?

God outlined His plan over the centuries through the prophets:

It would be a Child of the woman who would crush Satan’s

head (Gen. 3:15);

Through the Seed of Abraham all the families of the world

would be blessed (Gen. 12:3; Gal. 3:16);

God would provide the Lamb which would be the

substitute sacrifice (Gen. 22);

The believers would need to act in obedience to apply the

blood of the sacrifice as a sign of their faith (Exodus 12);

This Shepherd-King would come from the family of David

and rule forever (2 Samuel 7);

Isaiah told us this Immanuel would be born of a virgin

(7:14), a holy child called Prince of Peace and Mighty God

(9:6), who would bear our sins and willingly give His life

to justify many (chapter 53);

Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the

world (John 1:29) and gives eternal life (John 3:16). Hope

is trusting God with my future. The Son came that we may

be adopted as God’s children, indwelt by his Spirit and co-

heirs with Christ.

Monday, December 4

Charles Kingman

Theme: Hope – Psalm 130

Mephibosheth’s Hopelessness (and his Hope) “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet….He

is...at Lo-debar.”--II Samuel 9:3-4 - This excerpt from II Samuel

refers to Mephibosheth.

Some pertinent points about Mephibosheth:

He is the son of Jonathan, and grandson of Saul the king.

He is crippled in both feet. On the day the Philistines

killed his father and grandfather, his nurse, in her haste to

escape with the boy (five years old at the time), apparently

dropped him, damaging both legs, which did not heal.

He is living in Lo-debar, which more than likely, was a

desolate place and which many scholars believe was one of

the cities of refuge set up by the priests when they came to

the Promised Land. The exact site of Lo-debar is unknown

to us today, although it was certainly in what is now the

modern nation of Jordan. Traditionally the translation of

Lo-debar has been “no pasture”, but an alternate

translation, which is equally possible, is “no word”.

Some reasonable conjectures about Mephibosheth:

He doesn’t understand the nature of the king

(David). More than likely (perhaps he was advised on this

point) he thought David considered him a rival to the

throne of Israel...and, as such, would need to be killed. That

is why he stayed in Lo-debar.

He doesn’t understand his position...that he is a

beneficiary of all the riches of David’s kingdom! He

doesn’t understand that he is a legitimate participant in a

covenant Jonathan and David entered into. Although

Mephibosheth has done nothing to merit the benefits of the

covenant relationship with the king...nonetheless it is

available to him.

Parallels to the situation among the Syrian refugees in Jordan:

The Syrians (like Mephibosheth) have fled to a city of

refuge (which, coincidentally is in the Middle

East...perhaps in the vicinity of the ancient site of Lo-

debar.)

The Syrians, like Mephibosheth, have physical

problems--lack of housing, lack of food, lack of clothing,

lack of educational opportunities - lack of medical attention

The Syrians, like Mephibosheth, don’t understand the

nature of the king. The word “love” does not appear in

their holy book and the concept is lacking in their religion.

The Syrians, like Mephibosheth, don’t understand they

are potential heirs in the kingdom. They operate in a

system of trying to please a demanding and

incomprehensible god with their good works.

How was Mephibosheth given hope? And how can the Syrian

refugees be given hope? Very simply -someone has to go. Someone has to go to the place

where the refugees live and explain the truth about the king and

the riches of the kingdom that are available.

In II Samuel, someone went to Mephibosheth with this

information. Someone who knew the true nature of the king took

that information. Mephibosheth responded to it and as a result,

and he was adopted into King David’s family and “he ate always

at the king’s table”. Likewise, someone needs to go to the Syrian

refugees and explain the misconceptions they have about the

king...and his son Jesus Christ, and tell them they can be adopted

into the family of God.

Tuesday, December 5

Missy Ward Angalla

Theme: Hope - Isaiah 42:1-4

I minister among refugees in Kampala, Uganda. Oftentimes the

men, women, and children that we work with have been through

horrific situations of war, violence, and trauma. When they arrive

in Uganda, they often have lost hope and have high levels of

trauma in the midst of very complex living situations.

The ministry context that I live and minister shares many

similarities to the context in which the author of Isaiah was

speaking to. People who had been forcible displaced, oppressed

and traumatized. In the midst of these difficult hardships and so

much uncertainty, the author reminds the people that though there

are very difficult circumstances currently, the servant of the Lord

is coming, one who is much more powerful than the injustice and

hardship of their present circumstances. The servant of the Lord is

coming, who in faithfulness, will bring forth justice.

Over the last several years, I have seen God heal and transform the

lives of hundreds of refugees in incredible and miraculous ways.

Their lives are the testimonies of God’s incredible power, love and

faithfulness. No matter the life circumstances, no matter how deep

the grief and pain, God IS faithful to bring wholeness and healing

to our lives. As we anticipate the coming of Jesus this Advent,

remember the God who is with us in the wilderness, in the valley,

and the mountaintop. No matter where life has brought us this

year, it is through God’s unfailing love and faithfulness that we can

have hope.

Wednesday, December 6

Paul and Sharon Ward Bowers

Theme: Hope – Romans 5:1-5

Several years ago, Gesikhouwa, a Kuni speaker in southern Papua

New Guinea, was cutting bananas in her garden when she was

bitten by a deadly snake. As the venom spread through her body,

affecting her balance, vision, and consciousness, she had only

enough strength to call out to a nearby villager before she

collapsed. Lying in the bottom of a canoe as they paddled her

toward help, she had a vision of someone calling her by name and

reassuring her that she would not die. She recognized that God

was there, giving her hope.

In the following days as she recovered, many people visited and

tried to convince her that the tragedy had happened because

someone had placed a curse on her - a common assumption in

areas where witchcraft is practiced. However, Gesikhouwa wasn’t

buying it. She emphatically resisted, saying, “No! God is with me.

God knows our death, our end day. Only God knows, not us, and I

believe only God.”

Gesikhouwa, who has since fully recovered, is known for saying,

“When you have a hard testing, don’t leave God!” She clings

tightly to her copy of God’s Word in the Kuni language which

reminds her that God works all things together for good, using all

of our experiences to shape our character, build our faith, and mold

us into the people He wants us to be.

Thursday, December 7

Susan Tidwell Graham

Theme: Hope – Romans 8:15-22

For three nights, Bala Ke dreamed. In the dream, a voice from

Heaven told him to find the “Jesus man”. On the third morning,

Bala Ke woke up and told his wife about his dream and told her he

was going to find the man. Bala Ke walked a long, long way. Little

did he know that he was about to meet a missionary with a broken-

down truck. Mike was leading a well-drilling team headed to

another village when his truck just happened to stop as he was

about to pass a small village. Deciding to make the best of it, Mike

decided to show, The Jesus Film.

Bala Ke entered the village just as the movie started. After the

movie, he sought out Mike and told him he wanted to follow Jesus

and shared about his dream. Mike and Bala Ke talked about Jesus

and about what following Him means, and then Bala Ke prayed to

receive Jesus. Bala Ke returned to his village to share the Good

News with his wife and family and eventually led his wife to

Christ.

Bala Ke shared with everyone about Jesus. He even shared with his

brother-in-law who was the Iman, the Islamic religious leader, of a

village. His brother-in-law and the other men of the village tried to

shame him and even beat him and forbade him or his wife to return

to that village. In his home village, the people told him he was

wrong to turn from Islam. When two of Bala Ke’s children fell

sick, he and his wife prayed but the children died. The people of

the village said it was because they would not follow Islam. When

the couple refused to turn from Jesus, the village would no longer

allow them to stay. Bala Ke and his wife traveled for several days

when their third child fell sick and then his wife did too. They

found a village that would let them stay but although Bala Ke’s

wife lived, the child died. This village also told them they must

leave.

Bala Ke and his wife eventually made it to Kenieba. There, other

Christians joined together in praying for, studying the Bible with,

and helping support this young couple. Their marriage was

strengthened and their faith grew and in time more children were

born to them and they continued to minister to others throughout

the region.

All this happened because God’s people prayed, a man was given a

vision, a missionary’s truck broke down, and because God loved

Bala Ke so much that he chose to meet him and show He loved

him in an extraordinary way.

Friday, December 8

Lakshmi Nallamala

Theme: Hope – Acts 2:25-28

HOPE through JESUS

In Acts 2:25-26 David said about him: “I saw the Lord always

before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also

will rest in hope, because you will not abandon me to the realm of

the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay. You have made

known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your

presence.”

In these verses, Peter refers to words of David who proclaims

confidence, joy, and hope in the Lord. No matter what trials come

our way, we can have confidence in Him. Lord Jesus is at the right

hand of the Father and will not be shaken. His comforting presence

is available every moment of the day. We can rejoice and rest

because our God is with us and gives us hope for a future with

Him.

However, many people in our world feel hopeless. They feel alone,

helpless, and “stuck”. They do not have expectation for their

future. The greatest news we can share with others is the hope of

Jesus Christ and everything He has. Jesus came to give us life – an

abundant and eternal life. He came to change us. We who were

once dead and are now alive with Christ.

This advent, let us be motivated to share the gift of Jesus with

others. Over 25 years ago, someone did this for me, and my life

was transformed. We must press onward in the race set before us

so that all can hear the good news of the gospel – Jesus Christ

came to save and through Him we are reconciled to the Father. He

is the HOPE of the world.

Saturday, December 9

Bill McDowell

Theme: Peace – Isaiah 9:6-7 and Matthew 6:1-4

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men,

to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your

father in heaven.”

“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with

trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets,

to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their

reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left

hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may

be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret,

will reward you.” Matthew 6:1—4

The decorations are going up all over town. Banners are hung

on the light posts with the message of “Season’s Greeting” and

“Peace to All”. At homes throughout the community, friends and

neighbors are placing decorated trees and lights to welcome the

celebration of the birth of Jesus. The whole world seems to be

laying out the welcome mat, but was it that way back at the time of

Christ’s birth?

In a tiny obscure place, our Father decided to present us with a

gift that would allow us to be reconciled to Him. The gift of Jesus

Christ was given in secret with no fanfare, no celebration, just a

small stable where Jesus was born. The only ones present were

Mary, Joseph and the stable animals.

It is amazing what a secret gift can do. The world has been

changed forever and ever.

In the community of Terry Heights, we would like to thank you

for all the help and support First Baptist has given. Your gifts have

been given in secret and what a change they have made in the lives

of our neighbors. Now, moms and dads across the neighborhood

are in their homes celebrating the secret gift that our Father gave

many years ago. Praise be to God!!

Sunday, December 10

The Second Sunday of Advent

Beverly Brown

Theme: Peace – Luke 2:8-14

"Just some sheep herders camping in the neighborhood" according

to The Message, “guarding their sheep from danger.” Shepherds

performed tasks that were considered difficult and distasteful to

other people. Each time I've read this passage lately, the parents

and grandparents in the Lakewood community have come to mind.

I've thought about the jobs some hold - work that for many is

demanding, tiring, and often seen as tedious.

In all of God’s plan of announcing the Savior of the world’s birth,

it is the humble sheep herders who received the announcement of

the Christ child’s birth first! Amazing! It was delivered by an

angel and then the shepherds were surrounded by the glory of God,

accompanied by a huge angelic choir. God wanted them to know

that the Christ Child was available to everyone. Do the people in

the Lakewood community know this? Have they noticed that

Christ's love is shared with their children every time a tutor works

with their Study Buddy? Do they know the true, heartfelt peace

available to the recipients of God's grace? I believe they do. It's our

mission to share the message that was first shared with the

shepherds so long ago. May we be vigilant in doing so with

everyone we encounter.

"Glory to God in the heavenly heights! Peace to all men and

women on earth who please Him." The Message

Monday, December 11

Mike Kirk

Theme: Peace – John 14:26-27

Why Are You Afraid?

There is much to fear and be troubled about these days. The daily

news stories are about rogue dictators brandishing nuclear

weapons, mass shootings at concerts and churches, terror attacks

with vehicles, and moral failings in all walks of society.

At a time when the Romans, Herodians, Zealots, Greeks,

Samaritans and Jews lived in constant conflict with each other,

Jesus said to his disciples “do not be afraid.” He promised a peace

from God, a peace that the world could not offer. During this

Advent season, pray that our world might receive God's peace.

News stories aren't the only cause of fear. Sometimes, stairs

become fearful to navigate, or a leaky roof or damaged floor

causes a heart to be troubled.

It is my great joy to serve as the leader of an organization called

Baptist Builders. We are often seen around the church replacing

suspended ceilings or hanging blinds. We regularly engage the

community by helping numerous individuals and charitable

organizations. Our most rewarding work is seldom seen when we

assist our fellow church members who need a ramp or minor home

repair. Jesus taught that our response to troubled hearts and fear is

to love and serve each other. Fear not, be a blessing!

I will hold the Christ-light for you, In the night time of your fear.

I will hold my hand out to you; Speak the peace you long to hear. –

The Servant Song by Richard Gillard (1976)

Tuesday, December 12

John Noblin and family

Theme: Peace – Romans 14:13-18

In today’s passage of Scripture, God calls us to lift up our brothers

and sisters. This directive applies not only to those who are around

us every day (our families, friends, fellow church members,

coworkers, etc.), but also to those who are our brothers and sisters

around the world. One of the ways that many of our church

members are supporting missions around the world is through our

local chapter of Mobility Worldwide. We assemble self-powered

mobility carts, which are then shipped around the world in

conjunction with various mission organizations. The carts enable

people with mobility challenges to use their hands to

independently move around their towns or villages. As they no

longer have to rely on others to provide for their basic needs, their

independence can provide the opportunity for a more fulfilling and

peaceful life.

As the mission organizations with whom we partner share these

carts, they also share God’s love, joy, and peace with the

recipients. To date, more than 200 people have received mobility

carts made possible by our local Mobility Worldwide organization.

Please pray for our ministry as we continue to impact people

around the world, but also consider joining us in this practical, life-

changing ministry opportunity. As you experience this advent

season, may you be refreshed by a boundless understanding of

God’s love, joy, hope, and peace!


Gayla Kidd

Theme: Peace – I Peter 5

As we near the Holy, Holy time of the year celebrating the birth of

Jesus we are charged to remember those children of God who are

not as blessed as some. Having the awesome responsibility and

great pleasure bestowed upon me as the Director of Huntsville

Assistance Program, I see daily the faces of the underserved and

oft times forgotten ones.

Jesus' words recorded in 1st Peter, Chapter 5 says "Feed the flock

of God which is among you". We at HAP believe and follow this

to mean "feed" the entire person, physically, mentally, morally and

spiritually. There is not a person who comes into HAP that does

not get a hug. And we make sure to strive to get to the bottom of

any difficulty our clients may be going though.

Many just ask for short-term assistance but we try to explore the

origin and basis of the struggle each person may be encountering.

We have been greatly blessed in our mission to love and encourage

our brothers and sisters, God's children. With God's blessing and

guidance we will continue this mission with great fervor!

We give thanks to the over 70 churches and many, many

individuals who support HAP. We strive to make sure every gift is

used for God’s glory to meet the needs of the individual or family

who come to HAP for assistance.


Scott Day

Theme: Peace – Ephesians 2:13-14

The context of these two verses is centered on separation. Gentiles

separated from Jews, separated from birth, circumcised separated

from uncircumcised, separated from Christ, separated from Israel,

separated from God’s covenants, separated from hope. And then

Paul gives us verses 13 and 14, writing on the good news of the

atoning nature of Christ’s sacrifice. As the Church, our task should

be to work towards unifying what was separated by pointing others

to what Christ has done.

The term “reconciliation” seems to be a buzz word in our churches

today. But, this is exactly the work Jesus Christ is taking on in this

passage, and throughout history. Verse thirteen begins with, “But

now in Christ Jesus…” Don’t these five words change everything?

Because of Jesus Christ, everything is different. The separation

before of race, ethnicities, belief systems, and promises, became

reconciled when met with the blood of Christ.

There are two Hebrew words in this passage which are key. The

word in verse 14 for “destroy” literally means to loosen something

that has been tied together. The word for “peace” has a communal

meaning, standing for tranquility and rest for a nation or group of

individuals. Too often, we find ourselves tied to our old destructive

tendencies. They squeeze the life out of us and keep us

institutionally roped in. And in the midst of this destruction and

separation, Christ comes and unties the ropes holding us back. He

gives us, all of humanity, rest through only what He can do.

As the Missions Resident, my desire continues to be to reconcile

and transform lives towards Christ, while being reconciled and

transformed myself. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing the work

Christ is doing firsthand in Jordan, Butler Terrace, Lowe Mill,

through our Mosaic Service, and beyond. This is the aim of our

mission work and my prayer for the future of this church: to

demonstrate the love of Jesus, to reconcile what has been

separated, and transform lives as we are being transformed

ourselves.

Friday, December 15

Kim Quinn

Theme: Joy – Luke 2:14

Good News…Great Joy

As the angels were praising God more than 2000 years ago, the

GOOD NEWS of Jesus’ birth brings GREAT JOY to children

around the world with the delivery of every Operation Christmas

Child shoebox. The goal of OCC is to share the good news of His

birth and saving grace with children worldwide through shoeboxes

that are tangible expressions of God’s love. Each child that

receives a shoebox at an Operation Christmas Child outreach event

also receives a booklet called “The Greatest Gift” in his or her

language and learns about Jesus’ love for them at that event. The

child is then invited to participate in a 12-week discipleship course

entitled, “The Greatest Journey,” where they will learn who God

is, how to follow God, and how to tell others about God.

Operation Christmas Child is not just about the shoebox. It is

about sharing the eternal present, Jesus Christ, through a gift from

a stranger who cared enough about them to send it. Most of these

children have never received a gift and will experience such joy for

the first time when a shoebox is placed in their hands. The smiles

on their faces show just how excited they are to have a stuffed

animal or a toy. Those same smiles of joy appear when

approximately 2.1 million children per year accept the greatest gift,

Jesus. Thank you for your part in helping millions of children

around the world learn about God’s love for them.


Dennis Brooks

Theme: Joy – Isaiah 9:1-5

The Isaiah passages speak of joy. And in this season joy is always

central though the ministry and missions of First Baptist Church.

One of the great joys of serving in FBC is to be able to go to Perry

County the first week of June each year and assist many people

with needs in housing, community work, and help in our

partnership with Judson College.

We join with Sowing Seeds of Hope who provide support for our

work in this area. Frances Ford is the Executive Director and helps

provide many services to the people of Perry County. We stay in

Judson College dorm rooms and eat in their cafeteria during our

stay making it a low-cost mission and open to families. Flexibility

is important as workers from FBC can come one day, two of three

days, or for the whole week.

Much of the work we do is the result of Perry County’s

predicament of high unemployment. Over the years the agricultural

work that supplied many people with employment changed and

now Perry County and several surrounding counties have many of

its residents traveling an average of 26 miles one way to work.

As we prepare for Advent please pray for the Ministry of Perry

County.

Sunday, December 17

The Third Sunday of Advent

Dr. Jerry Graham

Theme: Joy – Psalm 16

As I write this I am preparing to take a team November 19- 25,

2017 into Haiti. How fitting to have these words of David in

Psalm 16 made fresh on my mind and see their applicability in this

work. Many weeks of preparation culminate into six busy days of

clinics seeing locals, dispensing medicines, eyeglasses, and

presenting Bibles and telling of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Psalm 16:3 There are "saints in the land in whom we delight". The

Convention Baptiste Nationale D'Haiti (National Baptist

Convention of Haiti) is our partner for this work in Petite Goave

Haiti. These pastors are believers who study God's word and live

out their beliefs. These Pastors CANNOT say, as Psalm

16:5, "you have given me my portion and my cup and my lot is

secure", when referring to their physical possessions but they are

secure in their spiritual lot and praise the LORD who counsels

them even at night.

Psalm 16:7 As we, the team members, climb up narrow rocky dirt

paths to reach "church" buildings which have no finished floors

nor complete side walls (this is good to allow natural light in for us

to read labels); we go only according to Psalm 16:8 "the LORD is

set before us and is at our right hand, we will not be shaken". We

have adversities such as being exposed to germs which our bodies

cannot easily combat. We become the sick trying to help those

more seriously sick. We have the adversity of seeing a rigid

broken ankle from a motorcycle accident which needs to be "re-

broken and reset" in surgery. We have the adversity of changing

work locations when the roads become impassable after rains. We

pray.

Psalm 16:9 At the end of the day "our hearts are glad and we

rejoice" securely knowing that our bodies will also have rest. We

are joyful each time we know we have the correct eye drops to

treat a serious eye infection. We show the love of Jesus in our

work and in his name we offer, Psalm 16:11 "the path of life filled

with joy in His presence". You are welcome to join us on this

Mission of JOY.

Monday, December 18

Scott Day


The Sacredness of Space

The Celtics refer to certain regions and moments as “thin spaces”;

places where the line between what is real and what is heavenly

becomes nearly indistinguishable and the presence of God is

almost tangible.

Psalm 30 narrates the path of faith within a metaphor: the

Jerusalem Temple. This is the place where God was thought to

reside, and is the dedication for Psalm 30. This place was

intrinsically holy, yet throughout this text we see God moving not

throughout the Temple, but within the life of David, weaving

through his struggles and joys. We see his pain (v. 3), and yet we

also see his worship (v. 5). Eugene Peterson translates the last

verse by writing, “You changed wild lament into whirling dance;

you ripped off my black mourning band and decked me with

wildflowers. I’m about to burst with song; I can’t keep quiet about

you.”

In David’s reflection, he sees God is in both the day-to-day

struggles, but also in all of eternity. This text reminds me of one

Jewish understanding of the story of the burning bush in Exodus. It

is taught the miracle was not a single bush aflame in the midst of

holy ground, but instead that every bush is on fire, all places are

holy ground, and the miracle was Moses seeing it for the first time.

As the Missions Resident here at FBC, I’ve begun to see all of our

ministries as holy ground; places where we can see God moving,

indwelling, and causing us to burst with joy at what God is doing

in and through us. David’s psalm shows us that when we look back

and see what God has done, through our spiritual deaths and

resurrections, the only reaction we can have is joy.

Tuesday, December 19

Rev. Alex and Vanesa De Rubeis


How beautiful it is to be able to find our refuge in the Presence of

God, what a great blessing it is to discover that in Him we have a

joy and a superior Strength, in spite of the trials that we can go

through. - Psalm 84

When we went as a family on our first missionary trip to New

Zealand, along with our little daughter who was barely two, we felt

a great expectation mixed with faith and lack of experience. We

had always served in our local church with people from our same

culture. We knew that we were entering a season of change

without knowing what to expect and knew we would be on a great

adventure. In the midst of such an enormous step of obedience we

would hold all things lightly. All the important things to us might

be taken away; our small apartment, our beloved families, being

without close friends for years. But when we arrived, all things

were put in perspective, because we knew what it is to be in the

perfect will of the Lord. It brought a joy, even when we might feel

that we would not succeed, we would experience what it says in

this Psalm 84. The Lord never took away the good, he heard every

prayer, and made us see how beautiful and renewing His

wonderful Presence is.

Today, as missionaries from Argentina in Alabama, we continue to

experience that joy that surpasses the difficult times and that joy

that brings strength. It compels us more than ever to share the love

of Christ, who is in us, the hope of Glory. On this day I invite you

to seek Christ. Go to Him and experience the joy that He alone can

give you in the midst of difficulties of your life. You will see you

can with all your soul let the praise and adoration of your Heart

flow. As the verse 2 of this psalm expresses, may your heart rest in

Hope that those who wait for the Lord, and learn to delight in Him,

will never be ashamed or confused.


Mike Pearce (written on behalf of a pastor overseas)

Theme: Joy – Philippians 4:6-9

This passage in Philippians is a magnificent passage for all in

difficult situations but also practical as I have this pastor in mind.

He and his family are wonderful servants of the Lord in a difficult

situation. We can say this about many who serve in countries not

open to Christianity. But this pastor has a heart of compassion for

all who have not heard the Good News. I admire his boldness in

visiting in homes of those who have never heard about Jesus and

sharing stories of God’s love. He diligently searches out those who

will listen and finds ways to bring many to Christ.

He has started two churches, many home churches where there are

few believers, and he has begun two schools to those without rights

to education where he is located. He travels many miles each week

to visit with other leaders and provides encouragement and

assistance where needed.

But now, he and his families and his church need your specific

prayers. He has been interrogated by the officials because of some

reports about him in the community. Because he is bold and

forthright he answered their questions with honesty and integrity.

Now, he is being asked to stop evangelizing people in the

communities in which he is working. He has told the officials he

will not.

So pray for peace, pray for the freedom to carry on his work, and

pray for his and his family’s safety.


Ann Smith and Tom Guffin

Theme: Joy – Luke 2:8-14

One of the greatest gifts God has given to mankind is the ability to

communicate through human tongues. This natural tendency to

create and understand not just individual words for objects, but

whole concepts of speech allows human society to function with

love, joy and fellowship. Not only can we learn and teach our own

language, we can also learn the tongues of other peoples. This

capability is a wonderful tool that every missionary is taught to

use.

In Luke 2, the Bible tells us the story of our Savior’s birth. In it,

the joy of human speech in the worship and praise of the shepherds

and kings, and the glorious music of the angels echoing across the

heavens is an important part of the narrative.

In our ESL classes, we see the same joy of language and devotion

to mission played out every day. We see the excitement of the

teacher/student relationship, the smile on a teacher’s face when a

student suddenly understands a concept and begins to speak

English. We see it again when the students quote a Bible verse in

English, and when the friendship between teacher and student

deepens. Another joy is the celebration of a student becoming a

citizen of our great land.

The joy of teaching English and participating in the many

opportunities to serve in the ESL program is exemplified in the

happy faces of the volunteers who keep the program going from

week to week

God bless our volunteers and students!

Friday, December 22

Rick and Kathy Nelson

Theme: Joy – Matthew 2:7-10

The dictionary defines joy as an emotion of delight. John Piper

says that Christian joy is a good feeling in the soul, produced by

the Holy Spirit… The wise men rejoiced in the certainty of the

child’s birth and the remarkable manner that brought them to

Bethlehem. Our mission team experienced great joy in October as

God brought medical/dental services to an estimated 600 Syrian

refugees in two Jordanian villages. In the clinics and in home

visits (apartment and tent) we shared medical and dental care, food

parcels, tea, gifts, conversation and prayer. To our great delight a

refugee woman prayed to accept our Father and a refugee man

accepted a copy of the Book in his language. We continue to pray

that the words of the Book will change his life and the lives of his

family. Some 2000 years have come and gone and His words

continue to bring true joy in dark places and dark situations. We

rejoice in the certainty that He is at work and we are so grateful

that we got to join Him.


Annie Gygax

Theme: Love – I John 3:16-18

When I read this passage, I’m reminded of so many moments and

stories of my experiences with the student ministry of FBC. It is no

exaggeration to say that the love that my FBC family has shown

me over the past year and a half has changed my life.

So many adults at FBC have made so many sacrifices for our

student ministry. They’ve done this by making and serving us

dinner at Liftoff on Wednesday nights. They’ve done this by

teaching our Sunday school classes. They’ve done this by taking

vacation time from work to chaperone at spring camp or on

summer mission trips. They’ve done this in so many other ways

we’ve probably never even noticed or given them credit. But they

do it because they love us and want to show us how much God

loves us.

In my time as a student at FBC, I had countless opportunities to

share material possessions with those in need. Whether this was

through serving on the line at Manna House on a Wacky

Wednesday, donating books or money to the book drive we

organized for Samuel Pennypacker School, or helping pack

shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, I shared of my time and

resources alongside my amazing brothers and sisters in Christ.

Throughout the fun and craziness of this Christmas season, take a

moment to just slow down and love on the people around you. If

you are able, share your resources or your time with a local

ministry or charity. And as always, keep the FBC student ministry

in your prayers. The students of FBC appreciate your prayers,

support, and mentorship more than you will ever know. Thank you

for being such incredible role models of how to love not only in

words and speech, but with actions and in truth.

Sunday, December 24

The Fourth Sunday of Advent

Christmas Eve

Mike Pearce, Minister of Missions at First Baptist Huntsville

Theme: Love – I Corinthians 13

The greatest of these is love. Everywhere in the Bible we see the

love of God resulting in the redemption of the people he loves. It

can only be God’s love that would allow His Son to endure the

punishment for our sins and allow us to receive His wonderful

grace. We see this as a dim visualization in the events of the birth

of the Christ-Child. All those events around his birth were

wonders. Mary and Joseph had just a glimpse of what God had in

store for all humanity through this child.

For me, I see God’s love most clearly through Jesus’s death and

resurrection. Jesus’ love for us is most vibrant when we consider

his suffering for us.

But I find in my favorite chapter in the New Testament, Chapter 13

of John’s gospel, a prime example and a wonderful look into the

window of God’s love. It is the chapter where Jesus washes the

disciples’ feet. In that moment of humbling himself, Jesus

demonstrated not only love but a perfect image of how important it

is that we become servants of God. The very idea of Jesus, God

himself, humbling himself before the disciples, showing all His

love in this simple action, brings a great wave of emotion spilling

over me. It is a stunning depiction of a magnificent God loving you

and me.

Please take time on this Christmas Eve to think of the great love of

God and how much he desires an intimate, personal relationship

with us.

Go with His love.

Monday, December 25

Christmas Day

Elaine Dickson

Theme: Love – Luke 2:1-7

I wonder how Joseph and Mary felt about leaving their hometown

to travel approximately 100 miles to Bethlehem. Did they resent

the journey, thinking that the timing could not have been worse, or

were they resigned to doing what was expected of them to fulfill

the census requirements? Whatever they felt, I am amazed that

Scripture was fulfilled in an extraordinary way, using ordinary

circumstances. A secular order was woven into the sacred order of

God’s plan to show His love for the world by sending His Son to

be our Savior.

At Christian Women’s Job Corps®, all of the women whom we

serve are on a journey. Their paths may be long, tedious, or even

dangerous. God manages to lead them to us through a variety of

situations, bringing them to a place where they can receive His

love. He has much more in store for them than learning computer

skills, creating a new resume, or receiving job training through an

internship. We often hear from our students that our ministry is so

much more than they ever expected. I believe this is because our

ladies learn that God loves them and has a plan for their lives.

When they experience the love of Christ and begin or grow in a

relationship with Him, they realize that the journey that led them to

Him was worth everything they encountered!

Pray that all of the women that we serve will experience Christ’s

love and His saving grace.

Author Biographies

Neal Hadaway – former missionary to Tajikistan for 12 years, and

now a missionary with the North America Mission Board. Neal

grew up in First Baptist Church, son of Bill and Joann Hadaway

Charles Kingman – former missionary to the Middle East

Missy Ward Angalla – Missionary to Uganda – ministers to over

500 women in need a week and provides multiple ministries to

help job skills in both men and women

Paul and Sharon Ward Bowers – Paul and Sharon work as

administrators with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Papua New

Guinea where nearly 300 language groups are still without any

scripture. Sharon grew up in First Baptist and is the daughter of

Ross and Nancy Ward

Susan Tidwell Graham – former missionary to Mali Africa –

Susan grew up in First Baptist – now a nurse and lives in

Tennessee

Lakshmi Nallamala - Executive Director, Lincoln Village

Ministry, a premier ministry that provides tools for that area for

community development. Our Baptist Builders have been working

in partnership, hand in hand with Lincoln Village for over 15 years

Bill McDowell - Executive Director of Second Mile Ministry. This

ministry sponsors Parent Initiatives in more than a dozen schools

to help parents help their children excel in school. They also

provide a preschool ministry to low-income single mothers along

with backpacks, clothing, furniture, and young children resources

during the year

Beverly Brown – Team Leader for the First Baptist partnership

with Lakewood Elementary – Beverly helps set up the “Study

Buddies,” provides wonderful teacher and staff appreciation,

support to the First Baptist “weekend food ministry” and many

other ways of caring to Lakewood community

Mike Kirk – Mike provides leadership to the Baptist Builders,

Perry County, and many work projects in our community and at

First Baptist

John Noblin and family – John has had a major role in helping

the Mobility Worldwide ministry (formally known as PET)

develop into a wonderful mission to people who do not have the

use of their legs all over the world. John served as President of the

Board for over three years during its formation period

Gayla Kidd – Executive Director of Huntsville Assistance

Program. She has provided leadership to this vital assistance

service to thousands of people in our community. They provide

help with utilities, rent or mortgage help, micro loans for dental

work, and in many other unique ways of ministry. She is

instrumental in making sure every person is served with Christ’s

love

Scott Day – Missions Resident – First Baptist Huntsville

Kim Quinn - Kim serves as the lay coordinator for First Baptist’s

work with Operation Christmas Child. She provides

encouragement for year-round collection and purchase of items to

be used in shoe boxes. Kim’s passion for the gospel being

presented to children around the world is profound and infectious

to all around her

Dennis Brooks – Dennis is the lead for the Perry County Mission

– He provides leadership and planning for all the projects and

works closely with Sowing Seeds of Hope, a ministry to residents

of Perry County.

Dr. Jerry Graham – Dr. Graham’s love for missions is evident in

his many years of taking multiple medical mission trips to many

places around the world but in the last several years has focused on

ministry to Haiti and to the Dominican Republic.

Scott Day – Missions Resident to First Baptist Huntsville

Alex and Vanesa De Rubeis - missionaries from Argentina and

Hispanic pastors of Aviva Church, Huntsville Alabama

Ann Smith and Tom Guffin – Co-Directors of English as a

Second Language – ESL is a wonderful gift to people from all over

the world who live in our area. This ministry provides help

understanding and speaking/writing the English language. Over 75

people from 31 different countries meet each Thursday. ESL

celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2018.

Rick and Kathy Nelson – Rick and Kathy have severed many

years in missions around the world and have been to the Middle

East on 10 mission trips. Their love for missions is reflected in

their passion to reach people for Christ. Kathy is also the First

Baptist WMU director.

Annie Gygax – Annie is a freshman at the University of Alabama

in Huntsville and active in the FBC Student Ministry.

Mike Pearce – Minister of Missions at First Baptist Huntsville

Elaine Dickson – Elaine is the Executive Director of Christian’s

Women Job Corp – a ministry devoted to helping women prepare

for employment though an educational, internship, and mentoring

process.

Advent Message Series Travis Collins, Senior Pastor

Advent 1: December 3

Sermon: Christmas and the Gift of Low Self-Esteem


Sermon: The Passover Lamb


Sermon: And the Winner is…the Lamb


Sermon: Three-Mile-an-Hour-God

Christmas Eve Service

More than you can imagine…all you will ever need

Christmas Eve Worship

First Fellowship and Sanctuary Worship will meet at the regular

times on Sunday morning, December 24. There will be no Sunday

Morning Bible Study on this day. The Mosaic Service will not

meet, rather everyone is invited to attend the Christmas Eve

Candlelight Communion Service at 5:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service

Sanctuary, 5:00 p.m.

The entire church family comes together for one service on this

Holy Night. We will observe the Lord’s Supper and light the

candles which remind us that the Light of the World has come into

our hearts this Christmas season.

Have a wonderful and Holy Christmas

and a Blessed New Year

See, the tender Lamb appears

600 Governors Drive SW

Huntsville, AL 35801 256-428-9400 | www.fbchsv.org

our advent carol for 2017 - constant...

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