Thanksgiving and Christmas are my absolute favorite times of the year. The food and fellowship are incredible, and many Christians just seem to be more joyful this time of the year. The reason, of course, is we are more focused on giving honor and thanks to God (Rom 1:21). During Thanksgiving we concentrate on the blessings graciously given to us and joyfully give thanks to Him. We then spend the next 4 Advent weeks celebrating Jesus, our Savior, who came to save His people from their sins and who will return to reign in righteousness over all creation. I encourage you this Christmas to not just celebrate and remember the Babe in the manger but also all of Gods promises. God is faithful; what He begins, He completes!
I ask that you continue to pray for me and your church staff that we would be strengthened to serve and emboldened in His Spirit to run the race set out for us (Heb. 12:1). Pray also for the church family - that disciples are made and perfected through the study of His Word and the daily denial of 'self'. Pray for the purchase, renovation, and future ministries of the new building. God has blessed us in that we are only $55,000 away from paying for it in cash! I ask that you pray and see if God would have you give above and beyond your tithe so we can quickly begin to use the new building to enhance our current ministries that are reaching this community for Christ.
THANK YOU for allowing me be your pastor and for being willing to hear hard truths that come from studying His Word. Remember, though, it is the TRUTH that ultimately sets us free in Christ! My family and I wish you all a blessed and joy-filled Christmas season. Have a very Merry NOEL!
Be Strong and Courageous (1 Cor. 16:13)
Pastor Jeff
CURRENT/UPCOMING MINISTRIES & EVENTS
Bible Study/Discipleship
Adult Bible Study
Tuesdays 6:00 to 7:15 p.m.
Pastor Jeff leads this John Piper study exploring reasons why the Bible is the infallible Word of God. Study ends Dec. 13th.
Ladies' Bible Study
Saturdays @ 9:00 a.m.
Sept. 17th - May 13th Jennifer Ling will lead the ladies through a study of the Book of John. There is not class Dec. 31st.
Sundays @ 9:45 a.m.
There are classes for all ages. This is a wonderful opportunity to get connected with a small group.
Bible Study/Discipleship
RIOT
Wednesdays @ 6:00 p.m.
Calling all youth grades 7th - 12th! Come join us from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. for an evening of great fellowship and the study of God's Word. There will be no meetings Dec. 21st & 28th.
ADVENT
Nov. 27th - Dec. 24th.
There are Daily Family Advent Devotionals available on the hallway table. Just a daily 10 minute devotion time can change your whole perspective of the Christmas season!
Awana!
Sundays 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
We have classes preschool up to Jr. High. This is an energetic evening of Scripture memorization, fellowship, Bible study, games and snacks. Christmas party is Dec. 18th. No Awana Club Dec. 25th or Jan. 1st. 2nd semester begins Jan. 8th.
Ministries & Missions
December 3rd - 10 to 3
Please tell your friends and co-workers about our free clothing closet. There are all sizes of quality clothing available.
Volunteers are needed to help tear-down Dec. 3rd @ 3:00.
April 22nd - 29th
Please pray for our mission team of 18 as they prepare for this upcoming evangelistic adventure. Pray for Pastor Fidel and the Biblica Iglesia Church as they make preparations for our team..
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Family Food Boxes
Thank you to all who support these winter Family Food Boxes we send out to 10 local families each month Oct. - March. Food and financial donations are always appreciated.
Ministries & Missions
Home
Groups
The O'Malley home - Dec. 14th Wednesday @ 6:00 p.m.
The Fishbaugh home - Every Thursday @ 6:30 p.m.
Christmas Party @ the Dobberpuhl home Dec. 22nd.
OCC Shoeboxes
November 2016
THANK YOU to all who helped with the boxes. Our church sent out 564 boxes and collected another 625 from the community. A record 5,090 boxes was flown out of Fairbanks!
Homeschool Co-op
Fridays - Noon to 2:30
If you are a home school family, you are welcome to join us. We will have a 2nd semester planning meeting Dec. 16th at Noon.
Ministries & Missions
Prayer Warriors
We have a faithful group of prayer warriors at our church who regularly lift up the prayer needs of our church family. If you have a request, please call or email the church.
Intercessory Prayer Group
If you would like to take part in a powerful intercessory prayer group, we meet each Wednesday morning at 6:00 at the altar. All are welcome.
Feeding the Ice-Carvers
December 5th - 7th
If you would like to help feed the multi-block ice carvers, there is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board.
Christmas Happenings
Ladies' Carol Sing
Dec. 5th @ 7:00 p.m.
This year's 25th anniversary of the Ladies' Carol Sing will be held at Missionary Chapel. All ladies' are invited to enjoy an evening of worship, music, and fellowship.
Children's Music Program
The children will perform a Christmas Music Program December 18th during the 11:00 service. Invite your friends and family!
Christmas Caroling
December 17th
Join us at Eagle's Wings 1 at 4:00 and at Holiday Heights at 5:00. Children will perform music program followed by group caroling. Volunteers are needed to bring treats.
Christmas Happenings
December 24th @ 6:00 p.m.
All are invited to join us for a beautiful Candle Light Service followed by a Cookie Fellowship. Each family is asked to bring a dozen Christmas treats to share.
December 25th
There will be a Church Family Breakfast at 9:45 in lieu of Sunday school (please sign up on bulletin board) followed by a Christmas Morning Service at 11:00.
Christmas Party!
December 18th
Awana Club will be closing out our 1st semester with a party. There will be a story from Pastor Jeff, crafts, cookies, and caroling.
Other Happenings...
2017 Church Budget Vote
Copies of proposed 2017 church budget will be available Dec. 4th for review, and church members can vote Dec. 11th after morning service.
January 8th, 15th & 22nd
9:45 a.m.
If you are interested in becoming a member of our church family, the next series of New Member classes will be in January. Please sign up on bulletin board.
The church office will be closed December 23rd and 26th for Christmas and December 30th and January 2nd for the new year. If you need to contact us during those days, please email Julie at jwatsonfbc@gmail.com.
