The Announcer | January 3, 2023

Last year, I was able to journal a few reflections about my Bible reading each day. Most days I only jotted down a few sentences or a brief prayer, but I was amazed at what happened. By slowing down each day, I was able to discover themes I had never seen before and make new connections. My Bible reading was no longer about checking a box, but about seeing, hearing, and obeying. When we seek God's word like a hidden treasure, God is faithful to reveal it to us (Proverbs 2). I want to invite you to journal your way through the Bible this year. If you only have time for two or three sentences, that's a good place to start. We have a stack of journals to give away if you're interested. Pick one up at the discipleship resource shelf in the atrium next time you're at the church. Also, check out this website with loads of ideas for engaging in the Word with brothers and sisters this year: abfboone.org/discipleship/resources.

-Michael Talley, Discipleship Pastor

Discipleship Groups Interest Meeting

Sunday, January 8 | Immediately following 10:45am service

What is a discipleship group? In short, it's groups of 3-4 men or women who come together to talk about their learning in God's word. Join this meeting if you're interested in leading or being part of one. More information here: abfboone.com/discipleship.

Weekender

Friday & Saturday (January 13 & 14)

The Weekender is your on-ramp to the life of Alliance Bible Fellowship. You will have the opportunity to meet our elders & staff, ask questions about our church, and share a home-cooked meal with other members of our church.

Core Course: The Cross

New beginning Wednesday, January 18 | 6:00pm

The cross of Christ is the primary focus of the New Testament. The four gospel writers spent a considerable amount of time describing the final hours of Jesus, and the rest of the New Testament set out to explain his sacrificial death. For the first 1900 years of church history, the cross was central to the church's worship, discipleship, and mission. But in recent history, modern Christians have attempted to sanitize the religion by deemphasizing the message of the cross. In an effort to attract a new generation of Christians, difficult terms like propitiation were scrubbed from our modern Bible translations. Songs with blood were removed from our hymnals. This has left many Christians wondering how the death of a Jewish man 2,000 years ago has anything to do with their modern life. Join us on Wednesday nights this winter as we explore what exactly Jesus accomplished on the cross and how his death directly impacts our lives.

Baptism

Sunday, January 22 | Both Services

Believers are called to be baptized as a symbol of belief in whole-heartedly following Jesus Christ. The biblical church of Jesus Christ is called to make disciples and to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Athanasius, the Nicene Creed, and Why It Matters

Sat, Feb 4 | 9:00-11:45am

Some people have heard the slogan “Athanasius against the world,” and a few have even heard it claimed that Athanasius saved Christianity in the fourth century. Who was this remarkable person? What was “the world” that he was against? And how could one person save Christianity? In this forum, we’ll look at the extraordinary times in which Athanasius lived, his immense role in opposing Christianity’s greatest heresy and upholding the biblical truth about Jesus Christ, and the part he played in paving the way for the Nicene Creed.

Women's Spring Bible Study: God of Freedom

Beginning Thu, Feb 2 | Morning and Evening

Every book of the Bible tells us what is true about God. In Exodus, we see Him as our strong Deliverer who sets us free from sin and death to worship Him through obedience. Through this 10-session study of Exodus 19-40, Jen Wilkin revisits the familiar scenes of the giving of the Ten Commandments, the idolatrous worship of the golden calf, and the intricate details of the tabernacle. With fresh perspective, we learn to trace the promise of Christ throughout to ask what these stories teach God’s children today about how to live as those set free.

Women's Weekend Retreat

March 24-26 | Price varies

You are invited to join us for a restful, restorative, super fun weekend where you can truly get away with other amazing women. We’ll spend time in God’s Word, worship, and prayer. We’ll laugh a lot, and enjoy great food, recreation and rest. And mostly, we’ll deepen our relationship with the Lord and others and hopefully make a few new friends! More details at abfboone.org/women.

*Please register by Tuesday, February 14.

Discipleship Groups

Consider creating or joining a Discipleship Group this year! These are small groups of 3-4 men or women committed to meeting together for a determined period of time to read, apply, and memorize Scripture. The goal is to see disciples making disciple-making disciples. Learn more: abfboone.com/discipleship

Receive Weather SMS Text Alerts

Occasionally, we need to cancel an event because of inclement weather. Be the first to know when an event -- like a Sunday morning service -- is canceled because of weather.

Yearly Overview Report

The Lord has blessed Alliance tremendously in 2023. View the digital version of the report here: abfboone.org/year.

Set Your Financial Goals for 2023

Article by Jim Loscheider (Elder)

Goals are the starting point for lifelong habits that lead to success. Financial goals are no different. Check out a recent article about setting financial goals for 2023.

Bible Reading

Let’s start the year off right and read the Bible together. Here’s a 2023 Bible Reading Plan to help you stay committed to the daily reading of the Word. 

Support Missionaries

Each year during the Christmas season, we have the opportunity to bless our missionaries with a monetary gift. Please consider how you can encourage our missionaries, many of whom are far away from their families and their Alliance community. You can either make a donation on Sunday Morning (mark your donation “Missionary Christmas”) or click the link above.

New Member!

Please welcome Tyler Diehl as new a member of our church! Say "hello" when you see him!

Wednesday Night Activities will Resume Jan 18

DivorceCare

Wednesdays (Beginning Jan 18) | 6:00pm | Alliance

Are you a woman who is separated or divorced? There’s help! DivorceCare is for LADIES ONLY. They meet weekly for 13 weeks. Please register on divorcecare.org. Once at the website enter 28607 in the “Find a Group” box then click on Alliance Bible Fellowship register. Please email Jennifer Mecho (jkmecho@gmail.com) with questions.

Training Sessions in Audio, Video, & Lighting (AVL)

Beginning Sunday, January 22 | 2:00-4:30pm

Are you interested in serving behind the scenes on a Sunday morning? We would love to have you join our AVL team. Those who serve on the AVL team are responsible for putting lyrics on the screen, running the cameras, turning on the microphones, and operating the lights. These training sessions begin Sunday, January 22, and run for several weeks. Each week will be a different system in the church. After, you will have the confidence to turn it on/off and operate the equipment for any event. Click here to sign up and view the list of training sessions.

Respite Nights

Friday, January 20, 6:00-8:30pm

The ABF Special Needs Ministry invites children and adults with special medical or developmental needs, and their siblings, to participate in the next Respite Night. Activities include a large motor area, a playroom for younger children, a sensory area, a craft, a movie, and a light snack. Experienced volunteers will hang out with the kids while mom and dad can enjoy a couple of hours away. Please contact Ronny and Anne Margaret Wright, rawright@skybest.com, with any questions. CLICK HERE to sign up to come. CLICK HERE to serve at Respite Nights.

Hearing Loop in the Auditorium for Hearing Aid Users

Did you know... ABF has a hearing loop installed in the lower level of the auditorium? This extension of our sound system allows hearing aid users with a telecoil to pick up a signal directly from the stage. Check your hearing aid settings to see if you have a "T" or telecoil mode. **Note: This feature is not available in the raised seating in the back of the room.** We also have wireless packs with headphones which can be picked up from the welcome center or sound booth. Talk with Clayton Thornton to learn more.

Post-Abortion Therapy Group with the Hope Center

The Hope Center is offering a free Post-Abortion Therapy group. This group led by Meagan Brunson, PhD, LCMHCS and Kelsea Fox, MA, LCMHCA is intended for any woman who has experienced abortion at any time in her past. Our goal is to provide a safe, confidential, and compassionate space for women to process their varying thoughts, feelings, and experiences around abortion. The group will meet at The Hope Center. Call or text 828-265-4357 for more information.

Childcare Workers for Blueprint

Alliance is seeking to fill paid part-time childcare worker positions for Blueprint in the Spring. If you’re interested in applying, please contact Heather Hayes at hhayes@abfboone.org.

Alliance Classifieds Facebook Group

Check out the Alliance Classifieds Facebook page for Alliance members and attendees to discuss, ask questions, and buy/sell.

General Fund

$3,020,472.83

Debt Reduction

$176,600.66

Missions

$344,443.31

Benevolence

$$139,949.03