Blessings

In this issuePastor’s column. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 2

Toyland concert. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 3

Senior adult brunch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 3

Christmas in the Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 4

New mayor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 4

Reaching the Himalayas.. . . . . . . . . . p. 4

Assn’l prayer events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 5

Conference and supper. . . . . . . . . . . p. 5

Christmas presents for Pinehill.. . . . . p. 5

Candlelight communion. . . . . . . . . . . p. 5

Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 6

Monthly info. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 7

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. . . . . p. 8

A p u b l i c a t i o n o f B y r o m v i l l e B a p t i s t C h u r c h

D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 2

InsideThankful I’m redeemed. . . . p. 2

Newborns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 3

Help kids at Christmas. . . . . p. 3

Exciting speaker Nov. 4. . . . p. 3

Community service . . . . . p. 3

Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 4

Monthly info . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 5

Associational news . . . . . . . p. 5

Harvest Celebration. . . . . . . p. 6

Pictured are members of the FBIC

Sunday School Class at a class

party last month.

Page 2

Pastor’s column

Most Christmas decorhave Christian meanings

Like many of you mymind and thoughts aretowards the comingChristmas season. Thisweek we will begin toobserve the Advent andcelebrate the coming ofour Lord as the eternalgift from God. Often Iw o r r y a n d e v e ne x p e r i e n c e a n ge rt o w a r d s a l l t h ecommercialism thatrobs the spirit ofChristmas and thepolitical correctness

dampens the true spirit of the season. I came acrossthe following meanings behind some of ourChristmas decorations and it lifted my spirit so Iwould like to share with you. (source: CatholicChurch).

The colors red and green: Red symbolizes theblood of Christ, offered in sacrifice for our sins.Green is the color of life. Evergreens in the middleof winter give us hope that new life will come evenafter the cold of winter. To a world that was (is)dead in sin, Jesus Christ brings new life for all.

Wreaths: The circle shapesymbolizes the eternal natureof God. You trace the line of acircle, and it never ends. JesusChrist is the eternal son ofGod, without beginning andwithout end.

Christmas tree: This custom comesfrom Germany. St. Boniface was aCatholic archbishop in Germany in the8th century. He helped to replacepagan practices with Christian faith.There was a huge oak tree at Geismarthat was considered sacred by the

pagans. It was dedicated to the god Thor. In the year723 AD, Boniface challenged that pagan practice, inthe presence of hostile tribesmen, and cut down theoak tree and pointed to a little fir tree growing nextto it, and said: “this humble tree’s wood is used tobuild your homes! Let Christ be at the center of yourhouseholds. Its leaves remain evergreen in thedarkest days. Let Christ be your constant light. Itsbranches reach out to embrace and its top points toheaven. Let Christ be your comfort and guide.”

Ornaments on the tree: December24th used to be observed on theChurch calendar as the feast of Adamand Eve. In the middle ages, therewere religious plays called “mysteryplays” and the story of creation andAdam and Eve was taught. A prop forthose plays was a tree of paradise, afir tree with red apples on it. Theseevolved into our tree ornaments.

Star: It reminds us of the star that Godguided the Wise Men to where Jesus wasborn in Bethlehem.

Poinsettia flowers: These arenative to Mexico and CentralAmerica, and they bloom inthe short days of winter. Theshape of the bloom is like thestar of Bethlehem. The colorsare the traditional Christmasred and green. Flores deNoche Buena – flowers of the

holy night. In the Mexican Christmas tradition, ayoung girl wished to bring a present to baby Jesus,but had no money. The girl, Pepita, could only pickweeds along the road as she went to visit the Christchild. But as she neared the altar in the church topresent her Christmas gift, the simple weedssuddenly transformed into the vibrant, beautifulFlores de Noche Buena.

Candy canes: Their shape is that of ashepherd’s staff: to guide the sheep. Thisreminds us of the shepherds who were the firstwitnesses of the birth of Christ. Also, ChristHimself told us He is our good (continued)

Ed Sandefur

Page 3

shepherd. The prophet Micah said “he shall standfirm and shepherd his flock.”

Colors of the candy cane: White: symbolizes theVirgin birth and the purity of Christ, Red:symbolizes the blood of Christ, offered in sacrificefor our sins. The stripes, remind us of the marksfrom his scourging in his passion to save allmankind. In Isaiah 53 and in 1 Peter 2, “by hisstripes we are healed.”

Christmas holly: Prickly, pointedleaves are a reminder of Jesus’ crownof thorns. Red berries a reminder ofthe drops of His blood shed insacrifice for the sins of humanity.

Candles: Symbolize the fact that Christ is thelight of the world. He dispels the darkness ofsin.

Candles in windows: Havea specific history in Irelandduring the penal times, whenthe English governmentruled over Ireland, they tookover catholic churches, tore

down catholic monasteries, made it illegal tocelebrate the mass. Catholic priests were expelledfrom the country, and were subject to instantexecution if they were found. The Priests traveledin secret, and celebrated the mass in homes at night.During the Christmas season, Irish Catholicfamilies would leave their door unlocked andcandles in the windows, to signal to the priest thathe could come and stay and pray with them.

Nativity scene: It was invented by St. Francis ofAssisi for midnight mass in the year 1223, in thelittle town of Greccio, Italy. Live animals were usedand local people took the roles of the people in thegospel event. It was a very creative way to meditateon the mystery of Christmas.

As you decorate take time to look at Christmasdecorations, ponder the meaning and the history ofall those beautiful Christian customs. Share themwith others, and draw hearts and minds to Christ.

He is the Reason for the Season!

Bro. Ed

Come enjoy people in our community sharing theirperforming talents. Admission price is a new toy. Toys collected will be distributed in our communityto families whose children may not otherwisereceive anything for Christmas. After the concert,stay for a time of refreshments and fellowship. (BBC members please bring finger foods.)

It is good to be childrensometimes, and never betterthan at Christmas, when itsmighty Founder was a childhimself.

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Community news

Santa will make his annual trip to Groves Park inDowntown Byromville for our annual Christmas inthe Park. We’re starting a little early this year at5:00 p.m. Come kick off the Christmas Season inByromville with your friends and neighbors.

BBC member elected mayorCheryl Foster was elected mayor of Byromville inthe November election. Other BBC members in ourtown government include Suzy Grantham and KeithLamberth who are on the town council. Othercouncil members are Conshelloah Clayton, MaryOglesby and Eddie James Walker. A specialelection in March will be held to fill the council seatCheryl formerly held.

Reaching the Himalayas

Tibetans hear the Bible on $50 solar players

In the mountains and foothills of the Himalayas,men, women and children gather to hear the Gospel. Lottie Moon Christmas Offering dollars enableIMB representatives Tal and Janice Bratcher* toshare the Gospel more effectively. The Bratchersminister among Tibetans in Nepal.

Nepal is home to more than 24 Tibetan peoplegroups. The Bratchers often hike for days to the farreaches of Nepal to share the Gospel. Many of themen and women they encounter have never heardabout Jesus and His sacrifice. One of the Bratchers’national partners is from a people group who liveon the northern border of Nepal. “He also has thedesire to go back to his village and see the firstchurch ever planted among his people group,” Talsays.

Many of the people the Bratchers work with areilliterate. LMCO giving allows them to purchasematerials for oral learners. An example of thesematerials are picture flip books that tell Biblestories from creation to Christ. These picture bookscost $8.

The Bratchers say they use many audio-basedmaterials like the Papyrus Solar Audio Player. Thisaudio player is solar powered so it can be used inareas without electricity. These solar players cost$50. They also use “The Hope,” a DVD Gospelpresentation that has been contextualized for theTibetan Buddhist world. Copies of the video cost$10.

Will you help bring the Gospel to the lost in Nepal?

*Name has been changed.

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Associational news

Two prayer events plannedA prayer vigil has been scheduled for December 1at 2:00 p.m. across from the Lions Den in Unadilla. Those gathered will pray for the stores’ mangement,employees and patrons. A similar prayer vigil willbe held at the same time near the Love Stuff storenear Wenona. If you can’t join the onsite prayervigil, please pray that God will convict thoseinvolved with these stores and they will repent andturn to God.

For the third consecutive month, BBC will host aassembly of prayer for Dooly County on Dec. 4 at7:00 p.m.

Conference & supper Dec. 9The Brotherhood will host a churchwide supper inSaliba Hall after conference on December 9. Themain agenda item at the conference will be the 2013budget.

Christmaspresents

for Pinehill

Once again we are collecting Christmas presents forthe residents at Pinehill Nursing Center. Suggestedgifts are sleepwear, sweat shirts and pants and men’sbelts. Preferred sizes will be posted on the bulletinboard across from the nursery.

Please bring your gifts by December 16 and clearlymark on the outside of the gift exactly what is in thepackage including the size.

Christmas is based on an exchange of gifts; the giftof God to man–His Son; and the gift of man toGod–when we first give ourselves to God.”

–Vance Havner

December 2012Week of Prayer for Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and International Missions

WeeklySchedule

SUNDAY

Sunday School. . . . . 10:00AM

W orship. . . . . . . . . . 11:00AM

W omen’s Bible study. 4:30PM

W orship. . . . . . . . . . . 6:00PM

W EDNESDAY

Prayer Meeting. . . . . . 7:00PM

Nursery for all services.Children’s Church for

Sunday 11AM Worship

No women’s Bible

study

6:00pm Toyland

Concert

Birthdays

10:00am SeniorAdult ChristmasBrunch

5:00pmChristmas in the

Park, Groves Park

6:00pm CIAClass ChristmasParty, Terri andTracy’s House

6:30pm FBICClass ChristmasParty, Sally &Monta’s House

No prayer meeting

Blood Drive,

Saliba Hall,

Time TBA

6:00pm ChristmasCandlelightCommunion

11:00am Womenon MissionChristmas Party

6:00pmConferencefollowed byChurchwideSupper

7:00pm Dooly

County Assembly

of Prayer

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23

30

24

31

25

Christmas Day

26 27 28 29

12-4 Mindy Caroll

12-5 Tim Phelps

Nancy Stephenson

12-6 Justin Kirksey

Rebecca Powell

Roger Roney

Peggy Epps

12-8 Nate Kitchens

12-9 Christi Trimback

12-10 Sallie Jones

12-13 Kim Cavanah

Cecil James

12-15 Jimmy L. Hendrix

Bethany Powell

12-16 Sheryl Burnam

Sherry Bragg

12-20 Camryn Thompson

12-21 Davis W est

12-23 Kathy Kent

12-24 Stephanie Hancock

12-25 Andy Blankenship

Amber Morgan

Josh Peavy

Johnny Thompson

12-27 Jon-Michael Jones

Becky W illingham

12-28 Mary Jo Gauthier

12-31 Tripp Everidge

1-1 Bubba Hunter

1-2 Jimmy Barlow

Steven Lamberth

Connie Raper

Rebecca W orley

1-3 Noah W oodard

1-4 Dianne Thompson

Please pray for these folks

on their birthday.

Page 7

Schedule of Volunteers for DecemberPlease remember it is up to you to arrange coverage if you are unable to serve on your scheduled day.

Date Flowers Nursery AM Nursery PM Children’s

Church

Deacon of

the Week

Ushers

Dec. 2 Open Laura/Keith

Lamberth

Terri Gregory Terri Gregory

Tricia Kent

Jimmy

Lockerman

Daniel Thompson

George Massey

Dec. 9 Open Jenn/John John

Averill

Jill Brannen Clara Sandefur

Terry Horn

Arthur

Roney

Mark Smith

Quint Smith

Dec. 16 Open Katrina/Kylee West Rhonda

Youngblood

Tricia/Joe Kent Frank

Thompson

Monta Averill

William Preston

Dec. 23 Open Robin/Mark Peavy Paula Smith Vicki/Tori

Lamberth

Floyd

Tucker

Mark Peavy

Arthur Roney

Dec. 30 Open Jill/Sarah Averill

Brannen

Brenda

Lockerman

Robin/Mark

Peavy

Joe Kent Bob Latimer

Kyle West

November Sunday School Stats

Senior Adults 8FBIC 13CIA 4VOC 6Young Adults 1Older Youth (ages 14-17) 6Double Y (ages 11-13) 2Older Children (ages 8-10) 4Younger Children (ages 6-7) 1Older Preschoolers 0Younger Preschoolers 6Nursery 1General Officers 2TOTAL 53

Financial $ummary

October receiptsGeneral offerings $10,721.65Special–West Family 130.00Special–Mailbox Club 300.00World Hunger Offering 100.00TOTAL 11,251.65

October disbursementsGeneral expenses 7,272.07Mailbox Club 670.29State Missions 660.00Houston Baptist Association 1,105.86Cooperative P r o g r a m 2,875.24TOTAL $12,583.46

Christmas gift suggestions

To your enemy, forgiveness.To your friend, your heart.To a customer, service.To all, charity.To every child, a good example.To yourself, respect.

It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 25:35

Byromville Baptist Church713 Patterson Street ` POB 126Byromville, GA 31007www.byromvillebaptistchurch.com478-433-2505Pastor: Ed Sandefur

NONPROFIT

ORGANIZATION

POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT NO. 2

BYROMVILLE GA

31007

Blessings is published monthly by Byromville Baptist Church. Send news items and/or comments to Editor Brenda

Lockerman at POB 217, Byromville, GA 31007, email to brendalockerman@windstream.net or call 478-433-2791 .

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Page 8

$2000