Wake Forest Baptist Church, 107 E. South Avenue, Wake Forest, NC 27587 www.wakeforestbaptistchurch.org

Dear Wake Forest Baptist Church Family,

Welcome to your 2017 Advent Devotional Guide! The older I get the more I often find myself saying, “I can’t believe that Christmas is already here!” or “Where did the time go, I’m not ready for Christmas yet!” But this year is different for me. The heart-breaking events of 2017 have left me eager, even desperate, for Advent. In the midst of all the pain of natural disasters, mass shootings, acts of terrorism, threats of nuclear war, and tragic stories of abuse, I need the Advent of Christ in my world. I’m anxious for some Good News. I can’t wait to hear and experience again the hope, peace, joy and love of the Christ Child born at Bethlehem.

This Advent Devotional Guide is an opportunity for you and for me to rediscover the hope, peace, joy and love of Christ. Two thousand years ago God sent His Son into a world that was experiencing more than its fair share of pain, brokenness and despair. From the very beginning the story of Christmas was a “true-to-life” story embracing the realities and brokenness of humanity. The Christ Child came as a helpless babe born to ordinary peasants and was laid in a borrowed manger. The holy family fled the wrath of the political powers of their day and lived as refugees. The angels shared the good news with the shepherds—outcasts of society who were rejected by the religious leaders of their day and all of this in a nation controlled and oppressed by foreign powers. If the Christ Child could be born in such a world, surely He can speak to us in our times of brokenness and despair.

So I invite you to open your hearts to the transforming spirit of God as you read this devotional guide. May the time we spend with God this Advent season empower us to live and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to a confused and hurting world. May God’s hope, peace, joy, and love be ours to share on our Advent journey. In the midst of our busy lives can we make room for what we need the most—a Savior, Christ the Lord.

Many thanks are due to Esther Austin, Kristi Gupton and Johnna Matthews for their outstanding leadership of this project. Thank you to Julie Vito for proofreading for us and to each of the artists and writers for pointing us to Christ through your devotions and art. May the hope, peace, joy, and love of God be yours as you seek Him this Advent/Christmas season.

Because He came,

Rev. Bryant L. Moxley Minister of Music and Worship

—Linda Burrell

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(Cover art by Laura Wolfe)

Wake Forest Baptist Church 2017 Advent Calendar

December 1 and 2 Decorating of the Sanctuary December 2 12:30-5:45 PM Hanging of the Greens Rehearsals December 3 The First Sunday of Advent: Hope 9:30 & 11:00 AM The Worship of God Sermon: The Magic of Christmas Scripture: Matthew 2:1-11 4:30 & 7:00 PM Hanging of the Greens Worship Service December 6 5:30 PM Wake Forest Baptist Family Christmas Celebration December 10 The Second Sunday of Advent: Peace 9:30 & 11:00 AM “Make My Life a Bethlehem” presented by the Chancel Choir December 13 6:00 PM Church-wide Christmas Caroling December 17 The Third Sunday of Advent: Joy 9:30 & 11:00 AM The Worship of God Sermon: The Message of Christmas Scripture: John 1:1-4, 10-12 Parent/Child Dedication Service December 24 The Fourth Sunday of Advent: Love 9:30 & 11:00 AM The Worship of God (No Sunday School) Sermon: The Mission of Christmas Scripture: Luke 2:15-20 5:30 PM Family Christmas Eve Service 10:00 PM Candlelight Communion Service December 31 Christmastide Sunday 9:30 AM Combined Sunday School 11:00 AM The Worship of God

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December 3, 2017

HOPE IN UNEXPECTED PLACES

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18 (NIV) A tattoo inked into the underside of the young woman’s forearm simply read “Romans 8:18”. “Why that verse?” My intrusive question was answered with a kind smile, “I was looking for something and this just fit for my life right now.”

Wow, little did this young woman know that my friend, who was with me that day, had been in town staying at a facility helping her work through the depression she has been battling most of her life. Little did this young woman know that I have been suffering with metastatic cancer for over six years. Little did this young woman know that her tiny Romans 8:18 tattoo would have a profound effect on two sufferers.

I’d never given much thought to permanently inking something into my skin. But if I’m being perfectly honest, if I knew I could give hope to people, comfort people, or teach people about Jesus with a simple word and a couple of numbers without ever opening my mouth, would I? Could I? Should I? Would you?

Hope can be found in the most unexpected places at the most unexpected times. Even on those days when you know your thoughts, heart, and eyes have not been fully focused on Jesus, He is continually seeking you, reminding you of the hope that can be found in Him. Sometimes it’s found in something as simple as a stranger’s tattoo.

Tricia Homan, and her husband Mark, and their two boys, Jake and Andrew, have lived in Wake Forest for 11 years. They have been members of WFBC since May 2008.

Artwork by Ansley Parker

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December 4, 2017

HOPE FOR THE AGES

Happy is he that hath...God, for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God...which keepeth truth forever. Psalm 146: 5-6 (KJV) As I have been a part of the writing of the Wake Forest Baptist Church history, I am struck by the hope that has persisted throughout our development. We have not been afraid to hope for things that seemed impossible, and to work to make our hopes reality. Our first members were 16 students and two professors, who felt God's spirit moving in their midst and, despite their youth, hoped they could form a body of Christ that would spread His message throughout the world. Matthew Yates, our first missionary (and the first North Carolina Baptist missionary), hoped that he could help bring salvation to the Chinese. Sophie Lanneau and many others sent throughout the world followed in his steps, surviving many hardships. Walter Johnson, our pastor in the early 1900's, hoped that Wake Forest Baptist Church could build a sanctuary that would bring praise to God and risked his health to bring that hope to fruition. Recently, our congregation hoped that we could somehow expand our facilities and our outreach. God sent us miracles of the highest order to show us that our hopes were not in vain. Today we are the product of those first students, the legacy of those missionaries, the beneficiaries of our beautiful buildings, and the participants in our many outreach programs. But our hope is not finished. God has much more in store for us. There is work to do.

Hallie Arrington Hearn grew up in this church, where her 3x great-grandfather, Samuel Wait, was the first pastor. She is currently a member of the church’s History Committee and the JOY Singers.

—Linda Burrell

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December 5, 2017

NANCY’S FLAME

...we have put hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people... 1 Timothy 4:10 (NIV) In the chill of the December morning, we made it to early worship. It wasn’t just any morning; it was the beginning of Advent. The

fact that December 1 was on a Sunday got me rather excited. Christmas Advent – a time dedicated to remembering the Christ

Child, once again, and waiting for His coming. Jesus gets the whole month!

Christians everywhere are putting priorities in place, celebrating from the first day of this special month – Hope, Peace, Joy and

Love.

This day was about HOPE.

The reverence of our early service brought me to a prayerful state. When we arrived I noticed a long line of votive candles on the

front altar table, with only one lit, dimly. My husband, Ron, played the greeting music, “Away in a Manger” and “What Child Is

This” simply, beautifully interpreted on the black and white keys. In the program it stated: “As the quiet music plays, you are

invited to pray at the altar and/or light a candle at the altar to signify a personal prayer concern.”

No one seemed to notice the invitation, but I immediately thought of a friend, my dear friend Nancy. HOPE for Nancy – a candle lit

in her honor and for HOPE that her life will continue to be vibrant in the midst of her long trial with cancer. HOPE that she has

another full and wonderful year of thriving instead of just surviving. That’s Nancy! That’s God’s joy and power and hope instilled in

her very being as she has fought back for these last 10 years.

I walked up, without hesitation, picked up one of the long matches, and lit it from the single faint candle. The newly lit one glowed

brightly, with assurance. It represented so well the light in her own life, bright, sure, and significant. Hope for Nancy.

As the service continued, it was time for the ceremonial lighting of the Advent candle. A young couple with a small child walked

up. Much to my surprise and delight, the dad lit his candle of HOPE, not from the originally-lit votive, but from the second in line,

Nancy’s flame! He then shared the glowing fire with the large candle of hope, for all to see.

I felt such an assurance from the Lord that my prayer had been answered. That the God of Hope was letting me know that my

cherished friend of over 35 years had more of her wonderful life to share with the world, and that God was present, giving hope

through the battle.

Nancy lived almost 3 years longer, after the 2013 Advent season. She went to be with her Lord on November 10 last year.

Have you lost a loved one this past year, or in past years, near the Christmas season? This can be so difficult. The God of Hope

wants to give you assurance that His presence and love is with you. We can put our hope in the living God who is our very present

help.

Jesus gave us Hope as He entered into this world, and still brings Hope today.

“To a tiny stable lowly, long time ago, came the Son of God most holy; long time ago. Light we now Advent candle, candle of Hope,

Jesus Christ was born to bring us, bring us the light of Hope.” (From the carol “Long Time Ago”)

Dorothy Bowman is a retired visual arts teacher. Dorothy and her husband, Ron, just celebrated 35 years of marriage and have two grown children, Jonathan & Emily. Jonathan lives in Nashville and Emily and her husband Rob live in Raleigh. Since her retirement, Dorothy has loved working with the people of Uganda through organizing and leading mission trips.

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December 6, 2017

ALWAYS KEEP LOOKING

Now faith is the confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) I went walking recently and came across some ferns surrounded by striking red flowers. So I wanted

to take a picture of them. I do that sometimes. That’s the great thing about smart phones—pictures

are free.

It wasn’t a great work of art but I’ve enjoyed looking back at it. Looking at the picture helps me

remember the walk and that I have seen something beautiful. A picture can also remind me that on

my next walk there’s more to look for. Faith, for me, is to keep looking.

This year I’m thinking of Christmas a bit like that photo. Christmas is a picture, a reminder to us of

something beautiful. Many faiths believe in the creator God. As Christians we share that faith and

we also know that God is not distant. He has revealed Himself to us in a special way. He entered into our history and became us.

He would only do that if we meant a lot to Him and He has plans for us.

This will be a different Christmas for me. It is the first Christmas since my sister passed. If you have lost a loved one I hope that

you can remember the pictures of your past Christmases with happiness. More importantly, I hope the picture of the first

Christmas also reminds you: we have seen something beautiful. There is reason to keep looking.

Brian and his wife, Kathy, are long time members of WFBC where Brian has served in Teaching, Garden and Deacon Ministries. Brian spends much of his spare time reading, running, and looking for his keys.

HOPEFUL LIVING

The dictionary defines the word hope as “desire accompanied by expectation of fulfillment.” It can be either a noun or a verb. Either way, it is wanting something, waiting for it, and knowing somehow, some way, it is going to happen. Luke 2:21-38 gives us a sketch of one person whose name could appear in the dictionary as an example of hope. The narrative begins with the events surrounding the presentation of Jesus in the temple following his birth. After the pronouncement of Simeon that this child was the promised Savior, the spotlight shifts to Anna, a prophet living in the temple. She had been married for seven years and then widowed. Some translations say she was an eighty-four year old widow and some say she had been a widow for eighty-four years. Either way, she was old! Old and widowed sounds depressing regardless of the century, doesn’t it? But it depends upon the attitude. Anna had made the temple her permanent home. She made worship, prayer and fasting her occupation. She had known sorrow but she had not grown bitter. She had never ceased to hope. She had been waiting for the Messianic Kingdom with hope and expectation. When she saw the child Jesus and heard Simeon’s words, she gave thanks to God and spread the good news “to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” Has life caused you to become bitter? Have you lost hope? Or are you being patient to see God’s will play out? Are you practicing “hopeful living”? As we prepare to celebrate Christmas and the birth of Jesus, let’s pray that we will experience a reawakening of the hope Jesus brings to our lives.

Katie Hill is wife to Wayne and mother to Jonathan. She is learning to live “hopeful”. She has been a member of WFBC for six years.

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December 7, 2017

PONDERING THE SEASON OF ADVENT

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:13-19 (NIV) Mary was a young girl, a teenager chosen to carry the son of God. Here was affirmation of what the angel told her— the shepherds and the angels coming, the glory of the Lord shining throughout the night. And so the good news spread, and all were amazed. Ponder and be amazed by the season of lights: how even a small match can bring light to the darkness. In that is Hope and as I ponder John 1: 5, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it,” I think about a star, shepherds, and angels bringing the good news. I also think of a lowly, frightened teenage girl who ponders what has come and what will be, and all of these things that she treasured in her heart. During this season of Advent, let us all ponder and treasure all the words of His coming for all the world.

Karen is married with two children and four grandchildren. She has lived in the Wake Forest area for 28 years and has been a member of WFBC since 2010.

THE GOD OF HOPE

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NIV) God’s plans are always better than ours, and when we trust Him we can find peace in knowing that He has power over all things and will mold the outcome to His plans. Even though we may not always like or understand things that happen, when we trust God we can be free of fear and worry, and have a confident joy and hope knowing that all is well in God’s hands.

Tom Roper lives in Wake Forest with his wife Dianne and daughter Shelley (age 13), and has been a part of Wake Forest Baptist Church since 2006.

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December 8, 2017

THE HOPE OF A CHILD

My daily devotional took me to 1 John, and what a trip the Holy Spirit took me on! The epistle is infused with “my dear children”, “dear children”, “child of God” and “dear friends”. Immediately the story of a friend's child came to mind. This unusual child taught herself to read at the age of three and was led to understand and receive salvation at a similarly young age. She was a prodigious reader, including her Bible, in which she wrote many marginal notes and comments which were discovered after her tragic death at the age of nine, along with her diary. One of the entries in her diary reads “Jesus, I just love you so much. I love you more than daddy!” Her comments and questions were so honest and innocent! In Matthew 19:14 Jesus said "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." John seems to be imploring us to have the complete, honest, and innocent faith of a child. That young child's brief life impressed me greatly as being such a model of that kind of faith and I feel myself reading an old familiar passage with new eyes! Dear children, we have an advocate! Obey Him. Dear friends, walk in the light. Dear children, this is the final phase, be faithful! Dear children, abide in Him. Then WOW! How great is the love that the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God! And that is who we are....Dear friends, now we are the children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is! Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. What powerful stuff! And on it goes...Dear children, don't be led astray. Dear children, love one another—not in words or with your tongue but by actions and in truth. Dear friends, obey. Don't be gullible. Dear children, greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. Dear friends, God is love, and if we love each other, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us! I look forward to meeting that sweet child in heaven, but most of all, the Jesus of Christmas that we both love best. Dear Lord, help me to see the hope of the Christmas story with new eyes!

Dave Shannon was raised in a Christian home, and responded to the call of Christ at age seven. At the age of 17 he rebelled against his religious upbringing until 17 years later when he found himself on a mountaintop many miles from the lights of civilization, enjoying the amazing clockwork of our galaxy. Upon that mountaintop, Dave begin his journey back to the Triune God and with the help of his wife, Diane, and many others, God patiently brought him back into a relationship with Him. The Father is faithful, no matter how faithless we become. Love came down at Christmas!

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—Carrie Bailey

December 9, 2017

HOPE IN MANY FORMS

Webster’s dictionary defines hope as “to cherish a desire with anticipation: to want something to happen or be true: to desire with expectation of obtainment or fulfillment: to expect with confidence.” Matshona Dhliwayo writes, “Life kept throwing me storms, but I kept finding rainbows.” We experience hope in many forms over the course of our lives. It can be hope that we have for ourselves, hope that we have for our families, or hope that we have for others. It can be serious and at times even funny. One summer night a few years ago, we decided to go to Goodberry’s. While we were waiting for our order I went into the restroom on the side of the building. As I was leaving, the lock on the inside of the door came apart in my hands. The door would not open and I was trapped. I had no hope of getting the door open without assistance and could only hope that Stacey would answer her phone so she could get the manager. As luck would have it she did, and the manager unlocked the door to let me out. Funny now, not funny then. The last 17 years of my career were spent in the MICU at Duke University Hospital where I was privileged to take care of the very sickest of patients and work with the most amazing and gifted health care practitioners anywhere. As professionals, we hoped that we would be able to provide the care needed. Their families looked to us for hope of a recovery and some return to normalcy in their lives. I hoped for love and happiness in my life. God blessed me with a gift named Savannah and a heaven-sent wonder named Stacey. I hope in my retirement that I continue to work through God’s plan for me. Over the door in my daughters’ room is a sign that says simply “Hope is stronger than fear.” So much of our life is driven by hope. John 3:16—17 says “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” Hope. It is a cornerstone of our lives and a gift from our God.

Tate Bennett is a retired Respiratory Care Practitioner and ECMO Specialist at Duke University Hospital. He lives in Wake Forest with his wife Stacey and daughter Savannah. They have been members of WFBC since 2009.

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December 10, 2017

LEANING ON GOD

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) Two years ago Jeff and I were expecting our second child. We found out we were having a boy and could not be more excited for the addition, making us a family of four. After David was born, the neonatologist came back into the operating room after checking him over and told us our son had physical signs for Down syndrome. This was later confirmed by a karyotype. Although we were happy and in love with our son, we were also scared, sad, and angry. We wondered why God would do this to our son. What would his future be like? In the following weeks, God showed us that he had been building a support system around us for a while. People that had entered our lives when Charlotte was a baby four years earlier had connections to Down syndrome. A mom of one Charlotte's classmates had a sister who was the director of Triangle Down Syndrome Network. There were so many other stories like this, along with the constant support from family, friends and our church family. God has given us peace at many times during this journey. We don't know what the future holds for David and our family but we are learning to lean in to Him. The following is an excerpt from the book A Good and Perfect Gift that Dr. Slater gave us after David was born.

Jesus cooked Peter breakfast. He forgave him. He gave him a purpose. And then He told him that he would suffer. But reading back over those words, I noticed that Jesus didn't ask Peter to embrace his suffering. He was honest that Peter would be taken where he did not want to go. There was no sentimentality. No false piety. No stoicism. Just a statement of reality: The road ahead would be hard, but this is the road where I will be with you. Follow me where you do not want to go. Penny would have Down Syndrome no matter what. The call to me was to follow Jesus down that road rather than trying to navigate it on my own. And to trust that the rocky parts would be smoother with Him as a guide, and that the scenery would even be beautiful much of the time.

Maegan Spontak is married to Jeff Spontak and they have two kids, Charlotte and David. She is a stay at home mom and enjoys volunteering in the community.

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December 11, 2017

CAN YOU HEAR THE WIND BLOW?

During one recent Sunday morning, our Sunday School class was studying a lesson about building individual personal spiritual strength. The writer of the lesson told a story of a man who had come to a farmer asking for work. The farmer asked the man what he could do. The man thought for a minute and replied, “I can sleep when the wind blows.” Even though the farmer thought this was a strange answer, he needed help so he hired the gentleman anyway. A couple of weeks later, the farmer was awakened by a terrible storm that was threatening his farm. He knew there were fences that needed mending, the chicken coop was broken, and the barn door was off its hinges. So in the middle of the night, the farmer gets up and goes to check on these things to protect his livestock. Lo and behold when he goes to check, everything has been fixed and he understood finally what the man had meant when he replied, “I can sleep when the wind blows.” As we enter the season of Advent we understand peace, love, joy and hope. But today, I want us to ask ourselves the question: “can we sleep when the wind blows?” Because we know along with hope will come despair, along with peace will come turmoil, along with love will come hatred, and along with joy will come sadness. Our challenge is to understand the four great gifts our Lord gave us, while at the same time being prepared for what adversity may enter into our lives. Those four great gifts are embedded in our Christian hearts. Our further challenge is to actively pass those gifts on to the people we encounter and deal with every day. Keep in mind that these gifts did not cost us anything; they were given freely for our benefit and use. How easy is it to give someone a smile, to give someone a hug, to give someone a gentle touch to let them know they are on your mind and in your prayers? These gifts we have we often take for granted, unless we work every day to pass them on to the people we come in contact with. CAN YOU SLEEP WHEN THE WIND BLOWS? Lastly, have you given your gifts away lately? You know practice makes perfect. I would encourage you to get prepared by studying the book of Matthew, specifically chapter 25, and understand the valuable lessons Jesus is teaching us in this scripture about preparedness. Everyone can be better prepared to take these great gifts, utilize them and pass them on, not just during Advent season but every single day of the year.

Jim Adams has been a member of Wake Forest Baptist Church since May of 1978. He has actively taught Sunday School for 25 years. Jim and his wife Gayle have been married for 48 years and are very active in the Wake Forest community. They have two children and four grandchildren. They enjoy traveling, going to the beach at Manteo and spending time with the grandkids.

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December 12, 2017

THE LIGHT OF JESUS

White Christmas lights are one of my favorite things about the Christmas season. I enjoy the peace that comes with sitting in a dark room lit only by the white glow of the Christmas tree. Sometimes we leave the lights of the tree turned on during the day. They do not glow as brightly during the day as they do in the darkness of the night. Perhaps this is a reminder that sometimes we need to endure the darkness to see the fullness of the Light of Jesus. I leave my peace with you. I give my peace to you. I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be troubled. And do not be afraid. John 14:27 (NIRV) I have come into the world to be its light. So no one who believes in me will stay in darkness. John 12:46 (NIRV) Dear God, thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus. May we find peace in His light during this Advent season and throughout the year.

Susan is married to David Leonard. They met through the Baptist Student Union while attending UNC. They have two children, Rachel and John.

—Sarah Krepp

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December 12, 2017

PRAYERS ANSWERED

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (KJV) In January, 1990 my father died, leaving my mother alone in the family home in south Raleigh. Pastor Wayne Simpson from Carolina Pines Baptist Church was a frequent visitor after that, along with other members of the church that helped less mobile members remain connected. Prayers for peace and comfort were often the order of the day, and my mother craved these visits and every visit from family, friends, my sister, and me. While she was living exactly where she wanted to be, she was at all times surrounded by the things and people that reminded her of my dad. In early spring of 1992 her health began to fade and she was soon hospitalized due to chronic COPD, which had troubled her seasonally since childhood. This time was different though, and quickly took its toll, soon weakening mom until she and the doctors knew she would soon be leaving this earth. Pastor Simpson visited her regularly and prayed with her and with me and with whoever was with her. We were all seeking some way to be at peace with the idea of her passing on. After some time in the hospital, she decided she wanted to go home, the doctors, and the Pastor and I knew she had chosen to spend her last days at home. Once we got her situated in her home, she thanked me and I could see and feel the peace growing in her eyes and in her spirit. Pastor Simpson came to the house and prayed with me fervently in the kitchen, holding my hand, and asked God for comfort and peace for mom and for all of us who were caring for her there. He prayed with mom privately, and came out and told me she was happy to be home and that he felt she would soon pass on. With my hand in his, I felt a terrific and powerful spirit that swept over and through me and gave me a deep peace with her decision to be at home when that time came. All of my family was involved in this heartrending situation and was very supportive of Mom and me when she left this earth on Mother's Day, 1992. God had provided peace to us all and we were glad that her time of suffering had ended and that she would be in heaven and with my dad for eternity. This experience transformed me. I decided I wanted to know God better and to be a better father, friend, son, etc.

God can and does transform lives everyday. The path to receive such a transformation is through prayer. The peace within will grow only through asking for His involvement in your life.

Tommy Killebrew, wife Judy, and daughters Emily and Katie have been actively involved at WFBC for over 16 years. Tommy has taught children's Sunday School, volunteered at the church office, helped reinvigorate the Handyman Ministry, helped lead the youth's Christmas Tree lot efforts, participated in youth and adult mission trips, and is currently Missions Council Leader. Tommy retired from the telecommunications industry after 43 years, and enjoys family time, WFBC, Wake Forest Lions Club, and supporting the Relay for Life.

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December 13, 2017

FINDING PEACE IN THE HARVEST

As the rain and snow come down from heaven and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth; it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10 (NIV)

I love food. I love everything about food. I love planning a menu, going to the market to get the ingredients, preparing the meal, and finally eating the meal. In the last couple years I have really embraced growing my own food. If you are going to prepare and eat a good meal, it all begins with great ingredients. And there is nothing better or fresher than the ingredients you have grown yourself and harvested from your own yard. (Of course supporting our local farmers at a market near you is great too!) As I have become more involved with my backyard garden, I have learned so much – not just about growing food, but about life in general and so much more about God’s promises found in His Word. I recently came across the above verse again, and after reading it was washed anew with a sense of peace. There are so many references to “growing” in the scriptures. All you have to do to understand life is to plant a seed and watch it grow! It is a mystery and a miracle in one! Just as we plant a seed in the ground, God plants his Spirit in us. If the soil is good and healthy, just as if we are good – able to hear the Word and understand it, growth will begin. (Reference the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13:1-23) There will be struggle, for the plant pushing through the ground, searching for sun and water, and for us as we study God’s word and strive to obey God’s commands. But as hardships and struggles are endured, we can find peace in the promise that a harvest will come! 1 Corinthians 3:7 reminds us that only God can make things grow. In John 15:1 Jesus says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” Ecclesiastes 3:1. How wonderful is that? We are God’s garden and all we have to do is keep our soil good and He will make things grow! Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, and whose hope is in the Lord. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. (Jeremiah 17:7-8) We can find peace in trusting God’s promises will be fulfilled. Just look at the miracle of a garden! (Shout out to the Community Connections Garden!). Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. John 14:27 (NIV)

Marcia Erwin has been a member of Wake Forest Baptist Church for over 12 years. She has been married to John for 26 years. They have three children—Katie, Rachel and Mark. Marcia is a graduate of Penn State and the University of South Carolina. She loves to garden, cook, sing, and practice yoga!

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December 14, 2017

FIX YOUR THOUGHTS ON GOD

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in YOU, all whose thoughts are fixed on YOU. Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)

How often do you really stop and evaluate your thoughts? For many years I didn’t realize the impact my thought life had on my words, my decisions, my relationships, my walk with God and my peace. Proverbs 23:7 says “As a man thinks in his heart, so does he become.” Is your mind consumed with worry or fear, dwelling on the what-ifs or the if-onlys in life? Jesus said that we would have trouble in this world. We don’t have to look far to find it: family, friends, work, finances, health, our nation and our world. So how do we experience the peace that Jesus promised to us? We keep our thoughts fixed on Him….trust Him. Let us remember that although Jesus told us to expect trouble, He also told us to “take heart” because He has overcome the world. When we truly know His character, remember that He is a good and loving God who is sovereign, we can live in peace in all circumstances. One way we can keep our thoughts fixed on Him is through knowing His Word. As hard as we may try, it is difficult to simply will ourselves to stop dwelling on our troubles. Philippians 4:8 tells us to fill our minds with those things that are good and deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely and honorable. When negative thoughts enter our mind we must be intentional about rejecting them and replacing them with God’s promises. When we love His teachings we will find true peace and not be defeated (Psalm 119:165). Praying continually is another way we can keep our thoughts fixed on Him. That may sound daunting but really it just means talking to God often. Give Him your concerns. Surrender your thoughts to Him asking Him to renew your mind and give you His peace. Then…thank Him and trust Him. Father, I thank you for your promise of peace. I confess that my mind is often focused on worries and other negative thoughts. I want to trust You completely remembering that You are in control. Help me to make all of my thoughts obedient to You so that I can live in Your peace. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Other scripture references:

Sherry Upton, a Wake Forest native, is married to Jerome and they have two children, Graham and Emma. Wake Forest Baptist has been her church home since 1979. In the past she has served on the new member committee and played in the handbell choir. She currently serves as an interpreter to our deaf members and as a facilitator for the King’s Daughters Women’s Bible Study. She also enjoys being a part of the Heritage Moms in Prayer group. Her hobbies include reading, walking with her friends, watching Hallmark movies, and spending time with her family.

John 16:33 John 14:27 2 Corinthians 10:5

Romans 12:2 Psalm 23 Romans 15:13

2 Thessalonians 3:16 Philippians 4:6-7

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December 15, 2017

THE MANGER OF MY HEART

Make my life a Bethlehem a manger of my heart, Let me hear the angels sing and let the music start. May I fall in simple faith and wonder to my knees, In the manger of my heart let Christ be born in me. In my life there is a place that’s scattered with the straw of every disappointment, Each regret and every flaw. In this dark and dismal place my beasts of burden lie Weary from the heavy load they long to lay aside. Come and sweep this stable clean and swaddle it with light, And let the Child be born in me upon a starlit night. For though He’s born a thousand times in far-off Bethlehem, Until the Savior’s born in me I cannot worship Him. Pamela Martin, lyrics; Craig Courtney, music

These lyrics are from an anthem our choir will be sharing during Advent. It is a beautiful anthem that will reach deep into your heart from the first time you hear it. Our first rehearsal of this piece began with the invitation to read the words and reflect on what they meant to each of us. These words reached off the page and spoke to me.

During the past year, I have been taking purposeful steps toward getting my life in order. I won’t say that it was in disorder, but it was time to be more focused. From finances and responsibilities, to prioritizing and redefining what is important to me, I have found great joy in overcoming some of the debris in my life. The constant in my life has always been prayer. And who was always there to be my friend? Through gentle tugs on my heart, a whispered moment in my ear, or an outward sign that He was there, God has guided me, challenged me, comforted me, and continues to be my source of inspiration.

Quickly I realized that my journey was also my road to Bethlehem. Best of all, there is peace waiting for me at the manger. And though I know that God was there all along, it brings profound awareness to me that now I have more space for Him in my heart. And with more space, comes the opportunity for more hope, more grace and more love. Through your own journey in Advent, perhaps you may also find different ways to prepare for the manger in your

heart.

As I read Ephesians 3:14-21, I’m reminded of the lyrics of the song, “may I fall in simple faith and wonder to my knees, in the manger of my heart let Christ be born in me.”

Jeanine Skinner is our church organist and pianist. She lives and works in Wake Forest where she enjoys her sister’s family, her music studio, and her two fur-children, Sophie and Penny.

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December 16, 2017

GOD IS IN CONTROL

Before his death, Jesus talked with his disciples about what to expect. He explained how the Holy Spirit would be with them, and taught them how to pray in His name. He then said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Life is a journey, and we have been traveling this journey together for 42 years. We’ve experienced great joy, some regret, and much uncertainty. When faced with Wanda’s illness in 2005, we came to realize that God isn’t going to let us see the distant scene, so we may as well quit looking for it. He promises a lamp unto our feet, not a crystal ball into the future. We do not need to know what will happen tomorrow. We only need to know he leads us and “we will find grace to help us when we need it” (Hebrews 4:16). 1 With John’s recent diagnosis, we have peace knowing that God is in control. We are blessed with an “abundant life,” and want to see each day as an “adventure with God,”2 a God who is concerned with our everyday life and wants to impact every aspect of living. Christ’s peace is not about the absence of conflict, but about a confident assurance in any circumstance. With Christ’s peace, we have no need to fear the present or the future. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (John 14:26).”

Heavenly Father, during this Advent Season and throughout this entire journey of life, may we rejoice in you always. When faced with uncertainty and anxiety, help us to present our concerns to you in prayer and petition so that your peace, which transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 3 Amen

1 Max Lucado, Traveling Light, The Promise of Psalm 23 2 John Ortberg, The Life You’ve Always Wanted 3 Philippians 4:6-7

John grew up in WFBC; He and Wanda, as a couple, have been members since 1976.

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December 17, 2017

GIVING CHEERFULLY

The holiday season is a joyous time. We have many opportunities as Christians to give of our time and talents to help spread that joy. In Paul’s letter in Corinthians 9:1-15 he talks about the willingness of the church in Corinth to give freely and joyfully to another church in need in Jerusalem. He states in verse seven, “Everyone should give whatever they have decided in their heart. They shouldn’t give with hesitation or because of pressure. God loves a cheerful giver.” As church members, we have many opportunities to give this way throughout the year, but even more opportunities during Christmas. My Mother epitomized this cheerful giving talked about by Paul. Unfortunately she was taken home more than fifteen years ago, but I still recall with fondness the feeling she instilled in each of us about the joy of giving during Christmas. She loved the feeling of giving presents to her family so much that she found various ways to expand the amount given. Each year my sister and I would watch with anticipation as presents were wrapped, labeled and placed under the tree. Over time, she started to wrap individual pieces of one present into multiple gifts, which caused our assortments to swell. We were limited to a “one person unwrapping a gift at a time” rule. Due to this, and the amount of packages, I recall sessions that started in the morning and continued after our meal in the afternoon. She so enjoyed sharing herself with her family that she wanted this time to last as long as possible. Just as my mother found immense joy in giving to her family, God wants us to have that same joy in giving to the church. Our gifts result in glory, praise and thanksgiving to God. It is part of our privilege and responsibility as members of Wake Forest Baptist Church. Do we look upon what we give, and marvel at the amount? Do we beam with joy at what we lay before God’s table? Give cheerfully, like my mother, because God has put it on your heart to give.

Larry Barnes builds homes in North Raleigh with Arthur Rutenberg Homes. He and his wife, Charlotte, moved from Greensboro to Wake Forest two years ago. Their oldest daughter, Margaret (20), is a junior at Appalachian State University. Will (17) is a senior and Ginny (13) is a freshman—both at Heritage High School. Larry enjoys riding his motorcycle and singing in the WFBC choir.

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December 18, 2017

WHERE DO YOU FIND YOUR JOY?

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy… 1 Peter 1:8 (NIV) How exciting was that first meeting, at least the first one you actually remember? You know, the first time you saw that white beard; the first time you noticed that red velvety suit; the first time you sat on his lap and told him how much you wanted that hand-sewn leather football signed by the greatest football coach of all time, Bobby Bowden. No? Was that one just me? Well, you know the feeling and the excitement of telling that pleasantly plump man your Christmas wish; it was a feeling of pure joy. I often equate the joyous meetings of Santa each year as a child to the joy I am certain we will feel when we see Jesus. But, as Peter tells us, by simply knowing Jesus we are filled with a joy that cannot be explained. The King James Version calls this joy ‘unspeakable’, the Good News Translation says it is a joy ‘which words cannot express’. We feel this joy because of our faith, the faith we have in Jesus and the ultimate gift He has given us. I imagine the joy of actually seeing Jesus is immeasurable by comparison. As we enter this Advent season, think of all the joyous occasions this time of year brings. Now imagine how much more joy you will experience when you allow Jesus to be a part of the celebrations.

So, where do you find your joy?

Mike has been a member of Wake Forest Baptist Church since 2008. He was an avid singer, until his wife and kids asked him to stop, and he knows three chords on the guitar. In addition to teaching Sunday school, Mike enjoys watching Jeopardy and was runner-up in his school spelling bee in fifth grade.

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December 19, 2017

JOY IN THE MIDST OF SORROW

When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought me joy. Psalm 94:19 (NIV) But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. Jeremiah 17:7 (NIV) I have many joyful memories of growing up in Wake Forest Baptist Church. I can remember the joy of meeting new friends in WEE Care, the joy of going on children’s retreats to Camp Oak Hill, the joy of being saran-wrapped to my bed on my first youth group Fall Retreat, and the joy of helping others—both in Wake Forest and across state lines—on youth group mission trips. Now I experience the joy of attending services when home visiting my family and seeing those who I have considered family for nearly my whole life. In the summer of 2014, I unexpectedly lost my grandma, or “Mom” as I called her. I was closer with “Mom” than I was with anyone in the world, and most members of the youth group knew that. Mom passed away the day before my seventeenth birthday. One of my most joyful memories of growing up in Wake Forest Baptist Church came on that day—my seventeenth birthday—when over thirty members of my youth group showed up at my house to celebrate my birthday on what was otherwise a very tough day for me and my family. Psalm 94:19 reads “When anxiety was great with me, Your consolation brought me joy.” Because of the kindness expressed by members of the youth group, I was able to feel joy on a day that otherwise would not have been joyful at all. Because the kindness expressed by members of the youth group, I was encouraged to seek God’s Word during this difficult time, and “His consolation brought me joy.” This advent season, while we are consumed with thoughts of what gifts to buy our friends and family, where we will be traveling, and making other holiday preparations, let us pause to be thankful for our Wake Forest Baptist family. Let us also be joyful that we can lean on and rely on God during trials, and that His consolation can bring us joy.

Bobby Austin, who has attended Wake Forest Baptist Church since birth, is currently in his junior year at North Carolina State University, majoring in Sport Management and minoring in Business Administration. A bullpen catcher/student manager on NC State’s Baseball team, Bobby is passionate about baseball, college football and basketball, and enjoys spending time with family and friends at the beach.

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December 20, 2017

THE JOY OF GIVING

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45 As we enter the holiday season, “joy” is a word we often hear, meaning “a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.” We sing “Joy to the World”, and experience joy in the knowledge that God loves us so much He came in human form to be with us. He gave us His son. He continued giving to the point of giving His son’s life to atone for our sins. And He gave us a risen redeemer. My hope for each of us is that we know a joy that goes well beyond the joy from the Christmas gifts we receive. I believe one of the greatest joys we can have comes from serving and giving to others. We are told in Romans to present our bodies as a living sacrifice. St. Francis of Assisi said that it is in giving that we receive. Christ commanded us to love our neighbors as our self. We are in a church that offers a myriad of opportunities to give of ourselves by serving others. If you attended the recent ministry fair, you saw row upon row of tables with church members sharing about the ministries of Wake Forest Baptist. Through these and many other ministries, we have many options to give to those in our communities and to people around the world. As we go about our ministries, I believe it is critical that we not lose sight of the importance of sharing the good news of Christ with those we come in contact with. What better gift can we give someone than this good news? Who would take a candle and hide it under a basket? While working on the new missions display featured in the fellowship hall lobby, I was moved by the large number of people in our church who have devoted their lives to going to the far reaches of the world to share the gospel. We are not all called to go to a foreign country as a missionary, but we are all called to give out the good news of Jesus Christ.

Remember what we say at WFBC: Every member a minister. So I challenge us all to go into the new year with a desire to give, both in a hands on manner and in sharing the good news of Jesus. I think we will find more joy in giving than receiving, but we may be surprised in what we receive when we give!

Mike Dishman has been a member of WFBC since 2007 and enjoys being active in the church. One of the happiest days of his life was this past summer when his son Benjamin made the decision to put his faith in Christ and be baptized.

—Benjamin Dishman

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December 21, 2017

DECORATING WITH GOD

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14 (NIV) A few years ago, I found myself not looking forward to decorating the Christmas tree. In fact, I was dreading it. Growing up, I could hardly wait to put up the tree. It was an activity shared by the whole family. We always chose a tree together, and when we got it home, Daddy would help put the lights on and then Mama, my brother, and I would decorate it. I always enjoyed spending that time with them. Buck and I continued the tradition. We picked out the tree and put it up together. I recall with a smile how the bottom of the tree was loaded with ornaments in the early years of Taylor’s decorating. He put them where he could see and enjoy them best, after all. So why did I dread decorating the tree this year? As usual, we chose the tree together (at the WFBC Youth tree lot, of course), and Buck had gotten it into the stand and put the lights on. Now it was time to decorate, but Buck was busy with another project, and Taylor was back at college. I was left alone to decorate the tree. I brought boxes of ornaments from the attic with a not so joyful attitude, but as I opened each box, my attitude changed. In those ornament boxes, I found crocheted snowflakes, a gift from Mama, made by a sweet lady from my home church. I found bells Mama had made. There were beaded angels, wreaths, crosses and snowflakes made by my dear Aunt Lina. These sweet, hardworking and godly women had been in heaven many Christmases already, but their ornaments reminded me of our special times and how they each lived their faith in God. I found ornaments commemorating our wedding, Taylor’s birth, and his early Christmases. These ornaments reminded me of God’s faithfulness. He gave me a loving husband and son, and in doing so, answered my prayer to be a wife and mom. I hung ornaments that Taylor made in preschool and thought how he has grown physically and spiritually and how his dear preschool teachers loved and cared for him. A pretty ceramic star with J-O-Y on it given to me by my friend, Sherry, reminded me of a Bible study we shared and its message to respond with joy by trusting God when faced with life’s challenges. Many more ornaments flooded my heart and mind with joy-filled memories of people I love. As I reflected on how my dread had turned into a blessing, I realized that decorating the tree this year was a gift from my heavenly Father. I had not been alone; I never am. Jesus was called Immanuel (God with us). God is always with me, and He used this quiet, just-the-two-of-us time to remind me once again of His faithfulness and love for me. He reminded me how He has blessed me with loving family and friends, and has always been with me each step of my way. Father, thank you for the gift of your son Jesus, my Savior. Thank you for loving me so much that long before I was born, you gave your one and only Son, born in a manger in Bethlehem, to be the ultimate sacrifice for my sins. Thank you for your constant presence and your never-ending love and care for me. In Jesus’ Name I Pray. Amen.

Deborah and her husband Buck moved to Wake Forest 24 years ago and joined WFBC soon after. Their son Taylor is a junior at East Carolina University. Deborah volunteers as vice president and treasurer of ChurchNet Foundation, and serves in various roles in the church. She enjoys studying the scriptures with other women and serves as a facilitator of the King's Daughters Bible Study group.

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—Tom Warren

December 22, 2017

A BIGGER POT

Be strong and courageous. Don’t tremble! Don’t be afraid of them! The Lord your God is the one who is going with you. He won’t abandon you or leave you. Deuteronomy 31:6 (GW) For most people, change is difficult. It takes courage to try something new, especially when you have been doing what you're doing for a long time. Comfort zones are nice places to be and it is hard to step out of them. For me, this was the case with my job. I am one who goes somewhere and stays. I make the most of my time, work hard, and try to keep a positive attitude. I am an educator, so I easily get attached to people and am loyal to my school. Over the past couple of years, I felt that I was at a plateau. I had accomplished everything that needed to be accomplished and had grown my team into an amazing, collaborative group. With new leadership, I felt the focus shift to data rather than relationships, something I truly value. Was it time for me to walk away and start a new chapter in my life? I prayed each day on the way to work asking God to open a door for me if it was His will. A former administrator had told me once to think of myself as a flower in a pot. Sometimes, the flower gets larger and needs a bigger pot. He told me that if the plant is not repotted, its growth is stunted and it is not able to flourish. I gave that much thought. After lots of prayers and some research, an opportunity presented itself to me. It was in a place where strong, proven leadership was needed. Fortunately, I opened myself up to this and decided to replant myself into a bigger pot. And my, how I am growing! It took courage and strength to try something new, but it is making me feel fulfilled every day. There is so much work to be done at my new school and in God's kingdom. I am so glad that He gives us the courage to take risks. Change can facilitate growth, strength, and courage. But we must be willing to trust God and jump when He opens doors. God, thank you for going with us on new adventures. Thank you for never abandoning or leaving us. Help us to trust you and replant ourselves when you give us the opportunity.

Laura Inscoe is a Jesus-loving wife and mother who has been a member of WFBS for several years. She enjoys family time, walking her dog, reading, and being on the water.

REJOICING IN SONG As Christians we sing these hymns, but do we ever wonder or stop to dwell on the meaning of the words or concepts? At this Advent and Christmas season we sing “Away In a Manger” and rejoice that Jesus our Savior came from Heaven, was born as a human to reveal God’s love to us. It was His death on “The Old Rugged Cross” that bought our forgiveness and salvation. We experience such “Amazing Grace” when God in Christ by His mercy forgives our sins and provides eternal life to those who believe in Him and accept Him as the one true God. “Because He Lives”, we live also! During this Christmas season as we sing “Silent Night, Holy night,” let us sing with conviction and thankfulness for the gifts we have received through Christ our Lord.

JoAnn Peyton and husband Neal are long time members of WFBC. They served as missionaries with the deaf under the Home Mission Board, and Neal worked with the NC Baptist State Convention while JoAnn served the community as a professional sign language interpreter. They have been active in disaster relief and mission trips out west. JoAnn and Neal love serving God through the many ministries of WFBC.

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December 23, 2017

THE QUEST FOR JOY

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the raced marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV) I’m going to be honest. I had this great Advent story written for you to read. I wrote about my family’s journey this past year. How when we found out we were pregnant with surprise baby number four we decluttered our lives. It was a good lesson for our family. We learned that less IS more. This experience taught me that you will only find joy through your relationship with Jesus Christ. The end. The Advent story I had written first made it seem as if life is grand now and joy is easy for me to obtain. But it is not. It is true less is more, and you do find joy through your relationship with Jesus Christ. But I must be real and honest. As I typed those words, the only thing that came to mind was how terribly I struggle with being joyful. Joy has always been conditional for me, meaning that I must have certain things or experiences for me to have it. Those who are close to me have heard me joke about how God’s path and my path don’t ever seem to align. Every time I finally think I get things right, He throws me a curveball that knocks me off my path. When I start out on a path, I have the best intentions! I even do noble things like disposing of half of my possessions with the goal of finding joy and experiencing life the way God intended it to be. All great things, but I’m left feeling like joy is still just out of my reach. One of the things that keeps me persevering and pursuing my relationship with Jesus Christ is hindsight. Hindsight really is ALWAYS 20/20. When I look back, I can clearly see where God was leading me. He has diverted me from destruction a time or two…or three. In hindsight, I can see how God has so visibly worked in my life. This has given me faith beyond measure that He will continue to do things even if I don’t yet know what they are. When I forget that He is in control or don’t consult Him, God throws me another curveball to get my attention. My latest curveball is a little baby named Avaleen Christine. She has brought so much love into my heart. But love aside, the fact is now I’m lost. My plans have been diverted. Right now, I don’t exactly know why or what path I am to take. My experience with hindsight tells me God’s plan is far better. God has been teaching me a lesson for a long time now. Joy is not conditional, and I have been looking for it in all the wrong places. I have found that I have pure joy because I know God is in control and have faith that He will lead me on a better path than I can choose for myself—even when my path seems so right. Not all the curveballs God throws are cherished like my daughter is, but I’m grateful He has decided to divert my plans with this precious child of His. My prayer today, Lord, is keep me focused on things above, so I don’t get wrapped up in things below.

Annette is married to Matt Byrne. They have four crazy, loving, adorable,

stress inducing children, Mason (six), Amora (four), Aralynn (two) and

Avaleen (two months).

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December 23, 2017

HOPE AND JOY WHILE WAITING

So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. I Corinthians 3:7 (NIV) Having spent a portion of my early childhood in California where persimmons are plentiful and inexpensive, I thought I might introduce a sample of my childhood—persimmon cookies—to my own children. What began as a whimsical venture became a lesson on waiting. For starters, I found out that few stores even carry persimmons; of those stores that did, those persimmons were the wrong kind. (There are two kinds.) When I finally tracked down the needed type of persimmon, I paid a ridiculous amount for three very unripe persimmons. (In California, one could ‘pick a peck of perfect persimmons’ (sorry!—couldn’t resist) from off of a tree for a few dimes—well, 50 years ago anyway.) Considering I had two weeks before Thanksgiving, I figured I still could have persimmon cookies for that day. Thanksgiving came and went, then Christmas and New Year’s—still no ripe persimmons. Nothing seemed to work—not setting them on the windowsill nor the bagging them in a paper bag. By mid-January when I was about to toss those persimmons, I felt the tender softness for which I had been waiting. During the months of waiting, I hadn’t bothered praying for those persimmons to ripen (probably should have), but I did think a lot about fruit and waiting. Since God Himself is all about desiring good fruit, I can rest assured that He is always at work to bring such about. I can also be confident that He is ready to supply me with hope and joy while I wait for the seeds I’ve planted and watered to bear good fruit. And for sure, while I long for good fruit to be borne in another, God is at work cultivating more robust fruit within me. Lord, I trust You to do Your good work and to bring about good fruit in Your time and in Your way. Breathe into me hope and joy as I wait. Amen.

Cindy is married to Farel, and they have two young adult sons, Jamin (with our soon-to-be daughter-in-law Coreen) and Reilly. Besides teaching high school English Language Learners at North Raleigh Christian Academy, Cindy enjoys reading, playing piano, and hiking—especially in national parks. Cindy and Farel have been attending Wake Forest Baptist Church for over two years and so enjoy singing in the Chancel Choir.

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December 24, 2017

THE LIGHT OF CHRIST’S LOVE

While I was fortunate to grow up in a Christian family, our church never held Christmas Eve services—unless of course Christmas Eve happened to fall on a Sunday! So when Renee and I became members of Wake Forest Baptist Church, Christmas Eve services were a new experience for me. When our children were very young, we began attending the Family Service each year. (I think Dr. Slater has described that service as “divine chaos”, which is pretty accurate.) As our children grew older and matured, we graduated to the Candlelight Communion Service. My favorite part of that service is when we sing “Silent Night”, while the flame from the Christ candle is shared with each person in attendance. When all the candles are lit, the lights are out, and we sing a capella, it’s definitely a God moment. I see Christ’s love in the reflection of light on the faces of everyone in the room. Experiencing that with my immediate family, as well as my church family, never gets old. What also never gets old for me is the light of Christ’s love. I am reminded of John 8:12 (NIV): “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’ ”. I am also reminded Jesus has called me to share His light, in how I see and treat those around me every day. I pray His light will shine especially bright to - and through - you this Advent season.

Steve and his wife Renee have been members of WFBC since 1986, and have been privileged to serve in a number of different capacities. Currently Steve is a member of the Leadership Council and the Long Range Planning Committee, while Renee is a Trustee and heads up the Teller Committee. They are members of the Barnabas Sunday School Class.

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December 25, 2017

THE CHRISTMAS STORY Luke 1:1-20 (NIV) 1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to their own town to register. 4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Letʼs go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

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—Tom Warren

December 26, 2017

WHERE IS THE PEACE, JOY, LOVE AND HOPE

The year is 2017 and it is the Advent season, a time to prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. A time to focus on peace, joy, love and hope. Yet when we turn on the news tragedies abound—devastation from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Jose, Katia, Maria and Nate; violent acts of the Vegas shooter—the worst assault by a single individual on an innocent crowd in our time. We see numerous forest fires in California destroying lives, homes and acres of land. We are threatened by the banter of war between our president and Kim Jong Yung as North Korea is testing missiles to carry out mass destruction of millions of lives that will radically change the world as we know it. We live in what would appear to be the most politically divided time of our country. We have radical groups like ISIS conducting acts of terror that disregard any value of human life. We also see our loved ones, friends, and acquaintances battling various types of cancer and illness at epic growth rates. We have so much to be thankful for, yet we wake up every day and see so much injustice it seems as though we are going to self-destruct. All we witness today begs the question, “How do we change course; what can we do to bring unity to the divided, food to the hungry, shelter to the homeless, and healing to the sick?” The answer is “Jesus”. Jesus is where we find our peace, joy, love and He is our hope. Peace: Our souls thirst for God and He is where we find our Peace. We only need to spend time with Him to seek his guidance, and to be a servant to our fellowman. There we will find our peace. Psalm 29 The Lord will give strength unto His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace. In John 16: 33 Jesus says “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Joy: The things of this world that we seek to give us joy are temporary. Our true joy comes from Jesus and the promise of eternal life. We find joy in service to others. Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in song and thanksgiving. John 16:22 So also, you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. Love: There is no greater example of love than Jesus Christ. John 3: 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son That who so ever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. Jesus was asked this very question by a Pharisee who was considered to be “an expert in the law” (Matthew 22:34–36). Jesus answered by saying, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments” Our quest for peace, joy, love and hope are summed up in these four verses. God sent Jesus so we may have eternal life. Jesus tells us to love God with all our heart and all our soul and to love our neighbors as ourselves. How do we do that? If we put God first in our lives and put our neighbors before ourselves, then we start moving in the right direction. It may not happen in this life but God has promised everlasting life through Jesus dying on the cross and this is where we find our hope. 36

For every parent grieving the loss of a child, every child grieving the loss of a parent, every spouse grieving the loss of a soul mate, and every child of God losing the battle against terminal illness, we have the gift of eternal life. We will experience grief, suffering, and heartache, but it is only temporary. What may seem like forever is a blip on the radar. We will reunite with every loved one we have ever lost and spend eternity in paradise together. In the meantime, our joy in this life is found in loving and serving each other. As we approach the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ may we give Him the gift of obeying his commandment of loving each other.

Wayne Bailey is a native of Raleigh, NC. He currently lives in Wake Forest with his loving wife Carrie and their 11-year-old son Ian. Wayne has a grown daughter Catherine and a grown son Nathan. Catherine has given him two grandchildren Isaiah and Noah. Wayne has been an active member of WFBC for over seven years. He loves to travel and spend time with his family.

—Sally Ishikawa

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December 27, 2017

A CALL TO FAITHFULNESS

Read Luke 1:26-38.

The Christmas season is here once again and many people are probably busy thinking about decorating their tree, hanging ornaments, sending cards to loved ones, baking those special Christmas goodies or preparing for that long standing family holiday get-together. Some of us might even find ourselves consumed by work, getting that last minute project wrapped up, and looking forward to a little much needed downtime. In today’s world which is routinely filled with endless distraction, it is very easy to become consumed by the noise of life, often leaving little time for important family moments, quiet self-meditation, or for deep meaningful prayer time. As I read Luke 1:26-38, I picture a very different time from the one we live in today. I cannot help but wonder what life must have been like for Mary and her people so long ago. What would their daily routines have been like? Then I ponder what Mary might have been thinking in that moment when Gabriel spoke to her; what unspoken thoughts raced through her mind? We each know this story well. You can very likely sense the love Mary had for God through her unending faithfulness to His calling. What about today? Are we each living our lives filled by faith in God? Are we truly prepared to faithfully respond as we receive messages conveyed to us through God’s chosen ones? Do we each hear His message and faithfully follow his guiding instruction throughout our lives, or are we somehow overlooking this heavenly gift and falling into our world of distractions?

Dear Heavenly Father, what greater love could there be than a gift that saves us from our own actions. Help us, Lord, to remember the gift of Jesus Christ and to faithfully share His message with our family and friends. Fill us each with lives that always center on You. Amen.

Allen Overton has been married to Martina (Marty) for 37 years. He has two adult,

married sons (AJ & Tim) and five grandchildren. He moved to North Carolina from

Virginia in 1998 and joined our WFBC family in 2005. They feel blessed to be able to

share their love for God!

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December 28, 2017

LOVE CONQUERS EVIL

1 Peter 4:8 says, “ Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” It seems like there has been no good news in the world recently. We look around and all we see are news stories about destruction, deception, and despair. We see stories of evil coercing our neighbors and maliciousness forcing itself into strangers’ lives. In these troubling times, it is important to remember what drives these evil forces away. The only force in our world that can outdrive evil is love. “Love covers over a multitude of sins.” Close your eyes, and picture evil and negativity as a dark cloud in the sky, casting shade over everything and turning the ground dark. Now, picture the only thing powerful and bright enough to pierce through this darkness: the sun. Love works like the sun does on a dark, cloudy day. It shines through the clouds, dispelling the darkness and providing brightness to the world below. We must remember that the only force that can rid the world of dark evil is love: our love for ourselves, our love for God, and most importantly, our love for others. When we show others love, we prove that sin has no power over our lives. “Love covers over a multitude of sins.” The more love that is put into the world, the less chance that sin has to prevail. When we show love for others despite their sins and evils, we show that we accept them for their wrongdoings and love them anyway. Show love to people you don’t agree with or even dislike, and not only will they feel special and loved, you will realize you feel more full of happiness and love as well. There should not be room in our hearts for hate, only love. So remember: only love can dispel the evils in the world. Love shines through the darkest of times. As we use the power of love to overcome negative forces, we take the power away from the evil and show that only love can improve our lives and the lives of those around us. Amen.

Rebecca Perry is a sophomore at University of North Carolina Wilmington. She is studying psychology with a minor in Spanish and is also exploring a minor in journalism. Rebecca’s hobbies include travel, yoga on the beach, and a newfound love for racquetbal l with her friend and fellow WFBC member Carson Brewer.

—Caroline Arnold

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December 29, 2017

CONNECTED THROUGH CHRIST

What is a connected family? I grew up in a small town with a large family. Both of my grandparents lived within three blocks of where I grew up. I had 10 sets of aunts and uncles from next door to no further than 15 minutes away and most went to the same church. You get the picture: small town and lots of relatives. My parents never paid for a babysitter; there was always a family member willing to help. Dinners consisted of the entire family sitting down together. After church on Sunday we would often have a large extended family group sitting at the table(s) together and hanging out for the afternoon. Of course, life had its challenges, but the pace seemed manageable. This was normal to me; my life and family were connected. Fast-forward to a time of technology where computers, internet, smart phones, advancements in communication and travel have given us many new possibilities. This has also brought forth an era where parents and children often feel the extreme pressure of having to succeed in school, sports, extra-curricular activities, jobs...the list goes on. The arrival of this technology has also provided many opportunities that have made us a more transient society. You can relocate to another city, state, or even country, and still stay in touch with your loved ones. In short, you can still stay “connected”. I was one of the first in my family to leave our small town and pursue life’s opportunity in a larger city. This was the first of 3 moves, each locating me to a different city with no immediate relatives. It is hard to understand the loss of hometown family connectedness until you experience it yourself. I started my new life, including job, marriage and children, all away from the small-town family environment that I grew up having. What options are there for people in this situation? For me, church family was the key. My wife and I have been blessed to be welcomed and adopted into several church families in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and now North Carolina. We have experienced many joys and sorrows, and through all those times our extended church family has been there. I don’t know if I have adequately expressed my thanks and love to my extended family, but they (you) have made a difference in my life. Don’t underestimate the effect you have on others just by being welcoming. You never know when a smile, a greeting, a conversation, or an invitation can lead to a new family member in Christ. God gives each of us the ability to be welcoming. “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” Romans 15:7. God wants us all to be a part of his family. Ephesians 1:5 says, “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.” I feel very fortunate to have a big family. Certainly, my immediate relatives were the start of that, but when you become of member of the body of Christ your family grows exponentially. What is a connected family? My connected family started in a small town and has grown to encompass brothers and sisters in Christ everywhere, including Wake Forest, North Carolina.

Tony Icenhour and his wife, Kristin, moved to Wake Forest in 2006 with their children Shannon, Derek and Kevin. Their daughter Shannon graduated from University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill and is in the physical therapy doctorate program at Western Carolina. Kevin is a sophomore at Wakefield High School. Derek passed away in 2014 and is greatly missed. Both Tony and Kristin are graduates of Virginia Tech and in addition to being Hokies they are Pittsburgh Steelers fans. They have been attending Wake Forest Baptist Church for five years.

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December 30, 2017

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control... Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV) God gives Christians the fruit of the spirit as a gift so that we can live lives that are pleasing to Him. When we accept Jesus into our hearts, God plants these seeds and they begin to grow so that others can see what His love looks like. As we become God’s instruments to show His love to others, the qualities of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control grow stronger in us. On Wednesday nights WFBC Kairos children, preschool to 6th grade, are studying the fruit of the Spirit. As I study and prepare to teach the children each week, I feel challenged by God to focus on and demonstrate these attributes more in my own life. It is through us that God shows His love to others. That may sound simple, but it’s pretty amazing that He would use us in that way. In all that we do, we have the opportunity to reflect the face of God. This is an awesome responsibility and one in which we are to be very intentional. What fruits are we allowing His spirit to grow in us? What are we filling our hearts and minds with? Are we being purposeful in seeking His righteousness in our own lives? The responsibility of being His, is far greater than we often realize. To embrace this responsibility allows God to fully use us for His glory and eternal purposes. May God bless us this Advent season with a yearning to show love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in all that we do. May we desire to live for Him and serve His beloved people. Through Advent, as we wait in anticipation of Christ’s birth and the fulfilling of God’s promise, may we wait no longer to draw close to Him. By intentionally seeking God through prayer and scripture, our lives will be full and will show the love of our Holy Father who gave the ultimate gift of love, His Son Jesus Christ. What a gift we have been given in Jesus!

What a gift we have been given as God moves in our lives and the fruit of His spirit is shown through us! May these holy gifts be our focus this Christmas. We will never find a more perfect gift to give, than that which is given when the fruit of God’s spirit overflows from our hearts into the lives of others.

Lauren Harris is a homeschooling mama who lives in Youngsville with her husband Tommy and daughters Adelyn(10) and Anna Morgan(six). Lauren serves in the Children’s Ministry and Women’s Ministry and is blessed to be part of the WFBC family. In her spare time, Lauren prays faithfully for a laundry fairy!

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Explanation of the Advent Wreath

The word Advent means coming or arrival. The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ in his first Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his second Advent. In this double focus on past and future, Advent also symbolizes the spiritual journey of individuals and a congregation, as they affirm that Christ has come, that He is present in the world today, and that He will come again in power. The circle of the wreath reminds us of God Himself, His eternity and endless mercy, which has no beginning or end. The green of the wreath speaks of the hope that we have in God, the hope of newness, of renewal, of eternal life. Candles symbolize the light of God coming into the world through the birth of His son. The four outer candles represent the period of waiting during the four Sundays of Advent, which themselves symbolize the four centuries of waiting between the prophet Malachi and the birth of Christ. The color of the candles vary with different traditions, but there are usually three purple or blue candles, and one pink or rose candle. Purple and blue both are colors of royalty and are used to welcome the Advent of the King. Pink symbolizes joy at the Advent of the Christ. The center candle is white and is called the Christ candle. The central location of this candle reminds us that the incarnation is the heart of the season, giving light to the world. The light of the candles itself becomes an important symbol of the season. The light reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world that comes into the darkness of our lives to bring newness, life, and hope. It also reminds us that we are called to be a light to the world as we reflect the light of God’s grace to others (Isaiah 42:6). The progression in the lighting of the candles symbolizes the various aspects of our waiting experience. As the candles are lighted over the four-week period, it also symbolizes the darkness of fear and hopelessness receding and the shadows of sin falling away as more and more light is shed into the world.

By Dennis Bratcher “The Season of Advent: Anticipation and Hope” Christian Resource Institute, 2004 (last modified November 21, 2004)

—Megan Harvey

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What do you know about Chrismons? Chrismons began as an offering to God. God blessed the offering, and it became a song of praise and thanksgiving to Him. It continues as a witness to His love and His glory, as a proclamation of His holy name through His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. “Chrismon” is a combination of parts of two words: CHRISt and MONogram. A Chrismon is just that—a monogram of Christ. The dictionary definition of a Chrismon is the Chi Rho monogram of Christ. A Chrismon may be a monogram, a sign, a symbol, a type or a combination of such figures. The only requirement is that it refer primarily to our Lord and God. All Chrismons are made in combinations of white and gold. White, the liturgical color for Christmas, refers to our Lord’s purity and perfection; gold, to His majesty and glory. By using tiny white lights on the tree, it points to Christ as the Light of the world. One of the first Chrismon trees went up in Danville, Virginia around 1957 at The Lutheran Church of the Ascension. It was decorated by Mrs. Frances Kipps Spencer and still draws crowds from all over the country to see it. May these symbols continually remind us of God’s greatest gift to us all, Jesus Christ.

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—Ryan Keith

Artists: Carrie Bailey is originally from New York. Her husband, Wayne, and son, Ian, are the joys of her life and in her spare time, she enjoys the outdoors, traveling, working in their yard, and spending quality time with family. Dorothy Bowman is a retired visual arts teacher. Dorothy and her husband Ron just celebrated 35 years of marriage and have two grown children, Jonathan & Emily. Jonathan lives in Nashville and Emily and her husband Rob live in Raleigh. Since her retirement, Dorothy has loved working with the people of Uganda through organizing and leading mission trips. Linda Burrell owns Sunflower Studio and Gallery in downtown Wake Forest. She teaches children ongoing art lessons, holds birthday painting events, and workshops for ages six & up. Linda’s favorite medium is watercolor but she also does acrylic on canvas. She has been a member of WFBC since 1992 when her family was relocated here from Charlotte. Linda has two grown children, a wonderful fiancé and an old spoiled Chihuahua. Megan Harvey is a student at Wake Technical Community College studying graphic design. She plans to transfer to ASU next year . Megan has been a member of Wake Forest Baptist Church for 10 years and last year she was corecipient of the Dana Jordan Scholarship Award. When she’s not busy with school, Megan enjoys spending time with friends. Kairos Children Sarah Krepp is a North Carolina native who enjoys portrait and travel photography. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and cooking. Tom Warren is happily married to Tamar Harris-Warren and is the father of Ruthie and Olivia Warren. He has attended Wake Forest Baptist Church since childhood and was baptized by Pastor Emeritus Tom Jackson. Tom’s hobbies are playing on the church’s kickball and softball teams, and raising his daughters. Laura Wolfe has been a member of WFBC for 20 years. She has been on the preschool staff for 13 years, and just retired from being the chef for Wednesday night suppers for six years. Laura and her husband, Tom have three children, Thomas (26), Sawyer (22), and Anna (20). Laura loves the beach, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Writers: Hope Tricia Homan Page 5 Hallie Hearn Page 6 Dorothy Bowman Page 7 Brian Van Voorhis Page 8 Katie Hill Page 8 Karen Brewer Page 9 Tom Roper Page 9 Dave Shannon Page 10 Tate Bennett Page 12 Peace Maegan Spontak Page 14 Jim Adams Page 15 Susan Leonard Page 16 Tommy Killebrew Page 17 Marcia Erwin Page 18 Sherry Upton Page 19 Jeanine Skinner Page 20 John & Wanda Wooten Page 21 Joy Larry Barnes Page 23 Mike Tedder Page 24 Bobby Austin Page 25 Mike Dishman Page 26 Deborah Moye Page 27 Laura Inscoe Page 29 JoAnn Peyton Page 29 Annette Byrne Page 30 Cindy Becker Page 31 Love Steve Shaw Page 33 Wayne Bailey Page 36-37 Allen Overton Page 38 Rebecca Perry Page 39 Tony Icenhour Page 40 Lauren Harris Page 41

Thanks and Blessings to our Contributors

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