Newsletter 12-19-18

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Volume 18

A Publication of First Baptist Ruston, Ruston, LA

December 19, 2018

Sunday Morning “The (Your) Christmas Story: Can It Get Any Worse?“

Midweek Worship “Jingle Jam” Candlelight Services “The (Your Christmas Story: God’s Gifts To You”

Memory Verse “For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:37 ESV

Church Theme “In the Heart of Ruston With a Heart for You!”

Church Purpose Statement We exist to LOVE, WIN, and GROW Ruston and the world for Christ.

Deacons of the Week Mic Baxter Ronald Crawford Joe Gilmore

March 11, 2018 at 2:00 am

Ministry Team: Dr. Chris Craig

Clayton Owen Wayne Bridges Josh Moore Merrick Nunn Josh Sanderson Ed Colvin Pam Flowers

Senior Pastor Brandon Ramsey

Ed./Admin./Singles Jamie Bolton Worship & Sr. Adults Xuan Liu Contemporary Worship Dr. Andy Johnson College Jeremy Magee

Brittany Jackson

Publications Assistant

Counselor

Kitty Carter

Receptionist

Media

JoAnn Barr

Music Secretary

Chinese Mission

Sylvia Roseberry

Church Hostess

Sr. Adult Emeritus

Bernard Gemelli

Building Superintendent

Missions

Sue Cruz

Building and Grounds

Youth Zach Yates

Young Married Associate

Jeff Moss

Building and Grounds

Children Braden Hilton

Middle School Associate

Marcus Spencer

Building and Grounds

Preschool Brenda Martin

Pastoral/Financial Assistant

Nesse Cooper

Building and Grounds

Church Event Schedule Sunday, December 23 8:45 am Traditional Service 8:45 am Contemporary Service (Depot) 8:45 am Children’s Worship 9:50 am Connection Groups 11:00 am Contemporary Service 11:00 am Children’s Worship Monday, December 24 Office Closed

December Teaching Series: UNDERCOVER CHRISTMAS – Make Others Your Mission Life App: COMPASSION – Caring enough to do something about someone else’s need. Memory Verse: God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIrV) SUNDAY, December 23 Bible Story: Start Spreading the News (Shepherds Visit) • Luke 2:8-20 Bottom Line: Share the good news about Jesus.

Tuesday, December 25 Office Closed Wednesday, December 26 8:00 am Prayer on the 3rd Floor No Wednesday Services Friday, December 27 7:00 pm Chinese Church

SUNDAY, December 30 NO Kids Worship January Teaching Series: OPERATING SYSTEM – Update the Way You React Life App: SELF-CONTROL – Choosing to do what you should, even when you don't want to. Memory Verse: God’s power has given us everything we need to lead a godly life. 2 Peter 1:3a (NIrV)

December 16, 2018, Weekly Attendance 8:45 am .......... 280 Depot.............. 57 11:00 am ........ 584 Echurch ............ 49

Connection Group.... 582 Off-Campus Study ... 77

NO 1stKids ACTIVITIES on Wednesday 12/26 or 1/2 NO Children’s Choir on Sundays 12/23, or 12/30

Total Bible Study .... 659

Total Worship.....970 Stewardship Report, December 16, 2018 Received…...…………………………$55,063.34

Children’s Building Fund Received…...…………………….…...$19,980.50 Lottie Moon

Challenge 2019 will be held January 18, 19 and 20. Registration is now open online at fbcruston.life.

Received…...………………………....$19,824.92 Goal …...……………………..….. …..$38,000.00 Decisions from December 16, 2018 3 people prayed to receive Christ as their Savior. 3 people renewed their commitment to Christ.

Year-End Giving It is the time of year that many of us consider our year-end giving to the church. We want to make it easy for you and still live up to the IRS requirements. Year-end gifts must be delivered to the office by noon on December 31 or postmarked no later than December 31 to be counted toward your 2018 contributions. If you desire to give stock or other convertible property, please contact Brenda or Clayton in the church office at 255-4628.

CHALLENGE

5:30 pm Children’s Choir

27

5:30 pm Children’s Choir

20

9:30 am 25th anniversary reception for Gemellis 5:30 pm Children’s Choir

13

5:30 pm Children’s Choir

6

Sun

29 12:00 pm Prayer on 3rd Fl. 9:30 am Weekday Program

22 12:00 pm Prayer on 3rd Fl. 9:30 am Weekday Program 5:00 pm GROW

21 Office Closed

28 8:30 am Pre K-4

15 12:00 pm Prayer on 3rd Fl. 9:30 am Weekday Program 9:30 am New Hope Book Club

30 31 8:00 am Prayer on the 3rd Fl. 9:30 am Weekday Program 9:30 am Weekday Program 5:00 pm First Family Meal 6:15 pm Midweek Worship

23 24 8:00 am Prayer on the 3rd Fl. 9:30 am Weekday Program 9:30 am Weekday Program 5:00 pm First Family Meal 6:15 pm Midweek Worship

16 17 8:00 am Prayer on the 3rd Fl. 9:30 am Weekday Program 9:30 am Weekday Program 5:00 pm First Family Meal 5:45 pm Stewardship Mtg. 6:15 pm Midweek Worship

10 9:30 am Weekday Program 5:30 pm Night To Shine Buddy Mtg.

9 8:00 am Prayer on the 3rd Fl. 9:30 am Weekday Program 5:00 pm First Family Meal 5:15 pm Deacon Ordination Mtg. 6:15 pm Midweek Worship

12:00 pm Prayer on 3rd Fl. 9:30 am Weekday Program 9:30 am Marmara Team 12:00 pm Kirkpatrick/Gilbert Team 5:00 pm GROW

Thu

2 3 8:00 am Prayer on the 3rd Fl. 10:00 Playland Open

Wed

1 Office Closed

Tue

14 8:30 am Pre K-4

7 8:30 am Pre K-4 11:00 am K.I.T.

Mon

7:00 pm Chinese Church

25

7:00 pm Chinese Church

CHALLENGE

18

6:00 pm KuhNO 7:00 pm Chinese Church

11

7:00 pm Chinese Church

4

Fri

26

19

12

5

Sat

January 2019

THE HEARTBEAT (USPS 447-820) is published weekly by First Baptist Ruston, except at Christmas. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to FBC 200 S. Trenton, Ruston, LA 71270. Periodical postage is paid at Ruston, LA 71270.

New Members: Jake Smith Member by Transfer of Letter

While planning your Christmas giving, please consider a gift to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for foreign missions. Church Goal: $38,000

John & Helen Robinson Members by Transfer of Letter

Julianna Roberson Member by Baptism

Christian sympathy is extended to Maxine Holtzclaw, and family and friends, on the passing of her husband Danny.

Congratulations to Cathy & Charlie Edwards on the birth of their grandson, Parker Colt Edwards.

Night To Shine is February 8, 2019. If you are interested in helping, we will have a buddy meeting on January 10 at 5:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall. If you would like to help in another way, then fill out the volunteer form on First Life under the Night to Shine card. Someone will be in touch soon to help get you plugged in.

No Family Meal December 26 or January 2

First Baptist Ruston 200 South Trenton Ruston, Louisiana 71270 Phone: (318) 255-4628 www.fbcruston.org