DECEMBER 2018

NEWSLETTER

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

PASTOR’S NOTES 1

CHOIR/CANTATA 1

CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON 1

LIVING NATIVITY 2

WMU 2

FINANCIAL CORNER 2

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

2

CHILDREN/YOUTH 2

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE

2

DECEMBER CALENDAR 3

MONTH-AT-A-GLANCE 4

LOTTIE MOON 4

2018 CONTRIBUTIONS 4

December 1 - Christmas in Cradock 9:30 a.m. IMB Prayer Brunch @ Calvary

4:00-6:00 p.m. Children’s Christmas Celebration

December 2 - Deadline to order Poinsettias

December 2-9 - IMB/Lottie Moon Christmas Offering Emphasis: Our goal is $500

December 4 - 7:00 p.m. Cradock Civic League Meeting

December 7 - 6:00 p.m. Deacons Meeting @ Kraatz’ home

December 9 - 4:00 p.m. Pajama Party

with Polar Express movie.

December 11 - 7:00 p.m. Dress Choir Rehearsal

December 14-15 - 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Living Nativity Scene

December 16 - 11:00 a.m. Christmas Cantata and Christmas Luncheon @ Zino’s (Dutch treat - you pay for yours)

Cradock Baptist Church . . . Helping people to connect with God & with each

W E ’R E O N TH E W E B h t t p : / / w w w . c r a d o c k b a p t i s t . o r g

96 Afton Parkway Portsmouth, Virginia 23702-2836

Phone: 757-485-3500 Fax: 757-485-3501

E-mail: office@cradockbaptist.org

CRADOCK BAPTIST

CHURCH

MONTH-AT-A-GLANCE December 17 - 6:30 p.m. PBA Pastors, Wives and Staff Christmas Dinner @ River Shore Baptist Church

December 19 - Newsletter Deadline

December 24 - 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service

December 25 - Happy Birthday Jesus!

December 31-January 1 - New Year’s Eve & Day

The Christmas season is here and so is all the commercialism that goes with it. This should be the most joyful time of the year for Christians as we celebrate the birth of our Savior. In all the hustle and bustle, how as Christians should we approach Christmas. Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent and we celebrate the Hope Candle. Christmas is truly the season of HOPE. When we contemplate all that our Savior has done for us it is most appropriate that we knee before the Almighty in worship and thanksgiving.

Outside of Bethlehem, there is a small cathedral that supposedly marks the birthplace of Jesus. Behind the high altar is a door that leads to a cave where Jesus was born. Embedded in the floor is a Star recognizing the birth of a King. But to get to the star, you have to stoop down because the door is so low you can not enter it standing up.

To experience Christ we need to humble ourselves before the Savior and get on our knees and submit ourselves to His Saving Grace.

At the birth of Jesus, the Jewish leaders were not looking for Him at all; the elite were too involved with themselves; the successful thought they needed no help; but the meek were kneeling, to worship the Savior. So how are you approaching Christmas this year? Whom do you celebrate and Who givers you HOPE for the New Year? Only Jesus!!!

In His Service, Dave

SUNDAY SCHEDULE 9:45 A.M. SUNDAY SCHOOL 10:00 A.M. ROBIN CLASS 11:00 A.M. MORNING WORSHIP

CHURCH STAFF DAVID L. PHILLIPS, PASTOR JACKIE PHILLIPS, MUSIC DIRECTOR TRISTI CHAN, ORGANIST/PIANIST DEBORAH BALCH, ADMIN. SECRETARY

Carols Old and New was the title of a cantata I read through several years ago. That title came to mind today as I was thinking about our Advent and Christmas music. Our choir will be sharing several new anthems with great messages and lovely new melodies - in addition to our standard favorites.

On Sunday morning, December 16, our guest musicians will be with

us. Sing We Now of Christmas is a service of worship for the choir,

orchestra and congregation. We will be singing many of our favorite

Christmas Carols. Also, the orchestra will perform several special

instrumental pieces for us. In addition, Toni Troxell will be reading

our narration and blessing us through song.

Following this special Worship Service, we invite everyone to meet us at Zino’s, 850

Old George Washington Highway, for a Dutch treat meal (everyone responsible for

own meal).

CHURCH FAMILY please remember to keep the choir and orchestra in your prayers

as we head into "This Most Wonderful Time of the Year."

Note the change to our usual fellowship luncheon:

Instead of our having to set up, prepare food, clean up, etc. on such a busy day, we’ll simply meet at Zino’s and enjoy the good food and fellowship together. The meal will be Dutch treat (you pay for yours). Please plan to join us there on Sunday, December 16, immediately following the morning Worship Service.

PASTOR’S NOTES

CHOIR/CANTATA

Remember that your end-of-the year

contributions must be postmarked and

dated by December 31st in order to receive

credit for this year.

Week of Prayer for the IMB Missionaries and Lottie Moon

Christmas Offering

December 2-9 is designated the Week of Prayer for our IMB Missionaries and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. A prayer guide and offering envelope will be in the bulletin on Sunday, December 2. Our goal is $500. What better way to start the Advent Season than giving a gift back to Jesus.

Dear Church Family,

I would like to express my appreciation for all the cards I received and the many prayers.

I am home and “Praise the Lord” getting better every day.

Love to all,

Irma DeLauri

PAGE 3 PAGE 2 DECEMBER 2018 NEWSLETTER

December Birthdays

4 Lucille Perry

15 Dolores Knight

22 Jack Carr

23 Bobby Hartsell

25 William Davis

December Anniversaries

6 Mike & Rita Coley

Again this year, we will be presenting the Living Nativity. It is scheduled for December 14 & 15, Friday and Saturday evenings, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.. Once more live animals from the Teeny Tiny Farm will be part of the nativity. Please make plans to join us for this unique outreach activity to the community and invite someone to share this experience. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served.

FINANCIAL CORNER

Financial Report (1/1/18 thru 10/31/18)

Income: $83,547.41

Expenses : $97,973.36

Net Income: ($14,425.95)

Summary: Expenses exceeded income by $14,425.95.

Thanksgiving Love Offering goal: $5,000 Contributions thus far: $1,243

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Monday, December 24th,

7 :00 p.m.

The Deacons will assemble together on Friday, December 7 at 6:00 p.m. for their monthly meeting along with a little Christmas food and fellowship at the Kraatz home.

Children & Youth Activities

During the month of December there will be some changes in the schedule of activities due to the holidays.

On Saturday, December 1, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. we will celebrate Christ’s birth with a party in the upstairs social hall.

We will have a Pajama Party on Sunday afternoon, December 9, at 4:00 p.m. The movie, Polar Express, will be shown.

There will be no regular children/youth programs on Wednesday evenings, December 19 and 26.

Acteens will meet on the first two Thursdays as usual and then will be on break until after the first of the year.

The Living Nativity will be Friday and Saturday evenings, December 14-15, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

Thank you to all who supported the Storehouse this Thanksgiving. We were able to help nine families. Each family appreciated the food provided to them for the holiday season. This act of kindness helped to make these families happy and grateful. Thank you again to everyone for your generosity and the love and Christian witness our church was able to share with those less fortunate.

Living Nativity

The IMB Prayer Brunch will be on Saturday, December 1, at 9:30 a.m. at Calvary Baptist Church. The cost is $2 per person and each church should bring a brunch dish to be shared. Our Lottie Moon Offering goal for the church is $500.

The Knitting Nights hats were turned into the PBA WMU and will be distributed to the Seamen’s Ministry, Standing Rock reservation and the Eastern Shore. Thanks to all the ladies for their dedication.