THE TIDINGSGOD’S MISSION FOR TEMPLE BAPTIST CHURCH IS TO LOVE HIM FULLY AND FOLLOW HIM FAITHFULLY.

THE TIDINGS (USPS #020005), Published Weekly except Christmas by:Temple Baptist Church, Periodical Postage Paid, Ruston, LA 71270

Postmaster send address changes to:Temple Baptist Church, 1515 South Service Road West, Ruston, LA 71270

Phone: (318) 255-3745 • Fax: (318) 255-0134Website: temple.life

THE TIDINGSDecember 2, 2020

Vol. 73 No. 49

“We will never cease to be thankful for the members of Temple and for all they have meant and still mean to us. If you have not heard, we have received funds from the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering so we can begin building a hospital in Jibla. We are in the process of making the plans and hope to start building this spring or summer. Not yet on hand are funds to equip the hospital, and we want to apply the $500 gift toward this—as a matter of fact toward an anesthesia machine for one of our two proposed operating rooms.” This paragraph opened a letter from Dr. James M. and June Young to our former pastor, Dr. Robert Magee, on February 2, 1966. The Youngs had transitioned from their mission work in Gaza to the country of Yemen, where they hoped to establish a gospel witness that would resonate throughout the land. And how they did that! Even to this day, I receive reports of the Lord’s faithfulness to what the Youngs began there in Jibla. People continue to come to faith through the gospel seeds that were planted there years ago. And what’s more? You as a church made it possible through your generous, even sacrificial, giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering (LMCO) over fifty years ago. I’m convinced that is why the Youngs were such champions of that offering when they returned home. I remember sitting in their living room and sharing with them how our LMCO goal had been met. Mrs. June’s infectious, sweet smile would break across her face. Now that she has finished her race on earth, the baton of faithfulness falls to us. We must issue the clarion call of support for missions around the globe.

I give thanks daily to be a part of our church that embraces missions and supports it through praying, giving, and going. For example, this month is an opportunity for us to rally around international missionaries in prayer and financial support. I hope that we have specifically committed time to lift up our brothers and sisters in

Christ who serve areas overseas. Many are in cultures that are openly hostile to the gospel, yet we believe that the Holy Spirit is powerful enough to convict and transform rebellious hearts. I say we should pray in faith to that end! And don’t stop there. Pray for God to grant safety, physical strength, wisdom, and spiritual empowerment to those missionaries. In addition, consider how you can give sacrificially to support our international missionaries and their ministries. This coming Sunday morning, we will be challenged by our former Minister of Missions, John King, who served in Central Asia as well as other areas here in the States, and we will be asked to participate in our March for Missions, where we visibly affirm our support by bringing our mission offerings to baskets around the Sanctuary and Gathering Space. Every dollar that we give to this LMCO goes to assist the field missionaries of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through our selfless giving, we will not only reach our $160,000 church goal, but we will far surpass it. And even greater than that, we will advance the gospel to the nations!

James M. once remarked, “How grateful I am for a Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for Foreign Missions that make it possible for any church to have apart in making our entire missionary program around the world a reality. And how especially thankful June and I are for having had a church to grow up in which nurtured us in its activities, which challenged us to do God’s will. We have indeed been blessed.” No doubt, we at Temple have been blessed with a spiritual heritage! For that, I say thanks! But we must not simply memorialize that history; rather, we ought to allow it to motivate us to greater heights! And we can! Let’s seize the opportunities that God gives us as we pray, give, and go! See you Sunday!

The Pastor’s PerspectiveDr. Reggie Bridges

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

(Isaiah 9:6, NIV)

What a joy to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, during this Christmas season! While ministry looks a little different right now, we still want you to experience the sounds and the music of the season. In place of our regular Christmas cantata, our Worship Ministry will present Christmas music on the Sundays of December 13 and 20, Christmas Celebration Sundays. Our orchestra and vocal ensemble will be leading in worship and presenting several “Christmas favorites” during those Sundays. I hope your heart will be encouraged and strengthened as we sing together songs of expectation, joy, hope, and peace. And the only reason that we can have those attitudes is because Jesus has come. And He will come again! This Christmas, my prayer is that the sons and daughters of The King of Kings will keep our eyes focused on Him, His work, and His Word. He is faithful through every season, and we have so many reasons to rejoice. Let’s sing and celebrate together Christ the Lord!

Congratulations to:Brian and Carole Aston on the birth of their grandson,

Tucker Wayne Hogan. Proud great-grandparents are Ed and Margaret Aston; Jacob and Tori Davis on

the birth of their daughter, Julia Kate. Proud grandparents are Bill and Laura Davis.

The flowers in the Sanctuary are poinsettias purchased by members of the Temple family in

memory of or in honor of loved ones.

Basketball & Cheerleading!

Volunteers Needed: Coaches, Referees, Greeters, and Half-time Devotion Leaders

Contact: Family Life Center (255-6184) or Emma (emma@temple.life)

Music MinistryMusic MinistryJeremy Asher

UPCOMING SCHEDULE OF EVENTSDecember 24, 25, & 28

Church Offices Closed for Christmas Holidays Wednesday, December 23, activities are canceled.

December 279 a.m. Combined Worship | Lord’s Supper

Sunday School is canceled.January 1

Church Offices Closed for New Year’s Day Wednesday, December 30, activities are canceled.

The Life Tree Project(to benefit Life Choices of North Central Louisiana)

Month of DecemberLife Trees are located by Guest Services,

across from Missions Hub & the Gathering Space foyer.To Participate: choose an ornament, purchase item listed on back, and then return item and ornament to the box located by the Church Office or donate to Life Choices at

loveliferuston.com.

In accordance with IRS regulations, contributions for 2020 must physically be in the church’s possession OR postmarked by Thursday, December 31.ALL contributions submitted on Friday, January 1, 2021,

will appear on 2021 contribution statements.

This is one of my favorite times of the year. I love when people are still basking in the goodness of Thanksgiving and looking forward with excitement to Christmas. It’s an amazing thing to be eating Thanksgiving leftovers and listening to Christmas music – especially when those leftovers include Vickie Nugent’s crawfish dressing!

As I’ve thought about what I’m thankful for in this strange year, there are lots of easy answers when I think of my family. When I think of my church family, I’m always thankful for the amazing Sunday School teachers who volunteer their time and energy to minister to teenagers. Our youth Sunday School teachers really are the best. They genuinely love students and eagerly lead them closer to God every chance they get. If you know a teenager who needs to experience genuine and Godly community, send them to one of our Sunday School classes.

Thanksgiving reminds me of what I’ve received, and Christmas makes me think of what I can give. One thing I’m determined to give to students this year is our Princess & Warrior Weekend. Covid has ruined lots of things, but we’re going to find a way to have our most impactful event of the year. Right now we’re planning on using Southland Christian Camp to host our retreat, but we’re constantly monitoring all the circumstances and have some other plans in place if we need to change things up. We’ve got amazing leaders ready to come in and teach teenagers what the Bible has to say about things like absolute truth, relationships, God’s will, mental health, racism, relationships with parents, and much more. Teenagers need Biblical answers for these tough questions, and I’m looking forward to giving them the opportunity to see what God has to say to them through Princess & Warrior Weekend. You can sign up and get more info about Princess & Warrior Weekend at PWW.templebcstudents.org.

the family of June Young, mother of Kay (Gene) Lueg, grandmother of Carmen Lueg;

the family of Linda Echols, mother of Amy (Shannon) Allen and Shane (Carmen) Echols,

grandmother of Katie and Jack Echols.

Temple’s Newest Membership Candidate

Brooklynn Bissell

Youth MinistryYouth MinistryJohn Nugent

THE TIDINGSGOD’S MISSION FOR TEMPLE BAPTIST CHURCH IS TO LOVE HIM FULLY AND FOLLOW HIM FAITHFULLY.

THE TIDINGS (USPS #020005), Published Weekly except Christmas by:Temple Baptist Church, Periodical Postage Paid, Ruston, LA 71270

Postmaster send address changes to:Temple Baptist Church, 1515 South Service Road West, Ruston, LA 71270

Phone: (318) 255-3745 • Fax: (318) 255-0134Website: temple.life

THE TIDINGSLabel here

Core Values: Authoritative Truth • Strengthening Worship

Authentic Community • Intentional TransformationHands-On Missions • Relational Evangelism

Compassionate Servanthood

Vision: To become authentic, loving followers of Jesus,

who are experiencing life transformation through God’s Word, For the purpose of impacting our world.

Week-at-a-GlanceSouth LA Church Rebuild Mission Trip ~ December 9-12

Sunday, December 6 (March for Missions/Lottie Moon Offering)9 a.m. - Blended Worship (Sanctuary); livestream at live.temple.life (Blended Worship); the gathering Worship (GS); Sunday School for all ages10:30 a.m. - the gathering Worship | Baptism (Sanctuary); livestream at live.temple.life (the gathering Worship); Sunday School for all ages4 p.m. - Christmas Program Rehearsal (Sanctuary)5 p.m. - The Springs Worship (Outside at The Springs)

Tuesday, December 810 a.m. - Senior Adult Bible Study (Sanctuary)6 p.m. - Women’s Cookie Decorating Fellowship (FH)7:30 p.m. - Upward Coaches Meeting (FLC)

Wednesday, December 95:45 p.m. - Children’s M3 (Missions) Christmas Party (JP); Junior High Worship (Youth Rm)6 p.m. - Prayer Meeting/Bible Study (Sanctuary); livestream at live.temple.life; The Springs Bible Study (Springs Sanctuary); livestream at live.thesprings.life (The Springs Worship); 6:30 p.m. - Temple College Freshman Bible Study (GS)7 p.m. - Senior High Worship (Youth Rm)8 p.m. - Midweek (Sanctuary)

Thursday, December 1012 p.m. - Myrtle King Lunch Bunch (FH - Speaker: Chelsea Cole, HISET)2 p.m. - GriefShare (Rm 76)

How can we help? Our staff is here to serve. You can

contact them by calling the Church Office (255-3745)!

We are navigating unprecedented times, but we believe our God is still in control and can use us to share the Gospel in creative and powerful ways!

Church family, we LOVE you and are here to serve you!

Broadcast Hours: Sundays: 9 a.m. Channel 11 (KAQY); 9 and 10:30 a.m. livestream (live.temple.life)Family Life Center Hours: Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Wednesday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday: 8 a.m.-1 p.m.