Trust in the Lord!

RCFBC.ORG

First Baptist Church

707 St Patrick St

Rapid City, SD 57701

Non Profit Org.Non Profit Org.Non Profit Org. U.S. PostageU.S. PostageU.S. Postage

PAIDPAIDPAID

Rapid City, SDRapid City, SDRapid City, SD

PERMIT NO. 307PERMIT NO. 307PERMIT NO. 307

Return Service Requested

9:00am 9:00am 9:00am --- WorshipWorshipWorship

10:15am 10:15am 10:15am --- Feasting on the WordFeasting on the WordFeasting on the Word

Every Sunday!Every Sunday!Every Sunday!

Worship on Wednesday

5:30pm - 6:00pm - Dinner

6:00pm-6:40pm - Adult Choir Practice

6:00pm-7:30pm - Children’s Classes

6:00pm-7:30pm - Youth Group

6:30pm-7:30pm - Adult Opportunities

6:45pm-7:30pm - Praise Team Practice

7:30pm-8:15pm - Bell Practice

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

NOTE FROM VONNIE 2

MUSINGS FROM OUR

MODERATOR

3

CHILDREN’S BAZAAR 4

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 6

CHURCH DIRECTORY 7

VANCO 8

BIRTHDAYS/

ANNIVERSARIES /

USHERS

10-11

WIINTER 2017

When you look at the picture, what’s one word that comes to mind? If you thought of the word, random, you’re not far from where my thoughts landed. The word random has penetrated pop-culture so recklessly and so thor-oughly that examples can be found in English-speaking markets all across the globe. Most likely you’ve heard someone say, “That’s so random!” Ken Ringle, from the Washington Post, declared we live in the age of random.

As an adjective, random is defined in the Oxford English Dictionary as follows: “Having no definite aim or purpose; not sent or guided in a particular direction; made, done, occurring, etc., without method or conscious choice; haphazard.”

From some perspectives, the birth

of Jesus brought together a lot of ran-dom circumstances. Think about the people involved: Mary, Joseph, Eliza-beth, Zechariah, shepherds, Herod, and wise guys from a distant land. Are these all just a random collection of dis-connected lives woven into a unified story? Or is the seemingly random not so random at all?

This year during Advent, we are going to look at these characters and our own lives from this point: Perhaps the seem-ingly random circumstances of our lives are really not so random at all. While we may not have written our own life story in the way things are turning out, perhaps there’s more rhyme and rea-son to the events of our lives than we’ve seen.

I hope you’ll join us for this year’s Ad-vent series, “The Not So Random Christ-mas.”

Thank you for the privilege of serving among you!

First Baptist Church

December 2017

Message from Gregg

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

A NOTE FROM VONNIE:

PAGE 2

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house

they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. (Matthew

2:10-11)

Christmas is not just about acknowledging Jesus, but adoring him. It is not first about witness, but about worship. So,

come, all ye faithful. Come, joyful and triumphant. Let us adore our Christ. But beware your standard of who can come

in worship. At Jesus' own birth, it wasn't the squeaky-clean, religious elites of biblical faith who bowed their knee in wor-

ship. Rather, they bowed their back, and it was the dirty pagans who streamed in to adore him.

All Ye Faithful We need look no further than the magi of Matthew 2 for our model of the "faithful". To call them "three

kings" is overstated. "Wise men" is a positive spin. These guys are more like sorcerers. They are star-gazing, pagan

astrologers, watching for who-knows-what in the skies, rather than the Scriptures, and God in His grace comes to them

through the very channel of their sin. Even here at Jesus' birth, he is making wizards into worshipers worldwide. Even

from the priestly class of pagan religion. Don't miss the message of the magi: If such sinners as these can approach

the Christ and fall down in worship, so may all, a stunning emblem announcing that all sinners may come.

Joyful and Triumphant Matthew piles up the joy language in the passage above so that we don't miss it. They didn't

just rejoice, but did so exceedingly. And added to that, they did so "with joy” and even more, "great joy". Perhaps we

would have thought of the shepherds in Luke 2 as the crazy emotional types, while these “wise men” keep calm and

collected. But the joy language explodes here in Matthew 2. Our wicked wizards, Matthew says, "rejoiced exceedingly

with great joy".

Come and Behold Him And such robust joy is not disconnected from their worship of the baby Jesus. Exceeding great

joy is the stuff of true adoration. The essence of worship is not physical actions and mere motions of homage. At its

heart, worship is in "spirit and truth.” But what does it mean here that the astrologers "worshiped" this child? Did they

know he was God in the flesh? It seems more is going on here. You see, "worship" is what is going on in their hearts as

they see this newborn king who will reign not only over Israel but the whole world.

We Worship All the More Since we Christians now know more, we adore Him all the more, and come to Christmas

with no less joy than these emotionally enthused magi. Our Advent worship is more like that of these star-gazing wise

men than it is that of the scrupulous Jerusalem religious elite, who know their Scriptures, but won't bow their knee. We

come as sinners, struggling, unclean, unimpressive.

But it doesn't mean we come joyless. Sinners come, even in star-gazing rebellion so great as ours, and we adore

Christ the Lord with joy rejoicing exceedingly with great joy.

Come, let us adore him.

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gifts! 2 Corinthians 9:15

Vonnie Houchin

*Excerpt from Worship Initiative

DECEMBER USHERS December 3

John Boersma

Todd Carda

Bernie & Peg Christner

Diane Kirchhevel

For questions about worship, email questions4fbc@gmail.com

PAGE 11 WIINTER 2017

Website…………………..………....www.rcfbc.org Gregg…………………..........fbcgregg@gmail.com Nate…………………...nateiswelcome@gmail.com Vonnie……………….…..…fbcvonnie@gmail.com Heidi………………………….fbcheidi@gmail.com Angela…………..……. .. firstbaptistrc@gmail.com

First Baptist

Church accepts

electronic

donations. If you

would like to

donate electronically, please

go to the church

website (www.rcfbc.org) and

follow the link!

If you have an event, announce-

ment, or anything else that you

would like included in the

January newsletter,

please send it to

Angela by 10am on

December 15th!

firstbaptistrc@gmail.com

December 10

Gary & Carol Misterek

JB Marks

Ruperto Reyes

Mike & Jeannene Woods

Mike Brewer

December 17

Lee Blanchard

Erik Olness

Cyndy Strand

December 24

John & Margie Wrede

Jerry & Linda Ross

Jeanette Nilson

Tracy Koskan

STAY CONNECTED BY E-MAIL Stay on top of

all the current events happening at First Baptist

Church with just a click! To be added to our

weekly MailChimp, fill in your email on the

welcome sheet or contact the office.

For daily inspiration and updates, make sure to

like us on Facebook.

December 31– Youth Group

Thatcher Koskan 1

Pat Shermer 2

Faith Larson 2

Tatiana Collins 3

Danielle Wiebers 4

Carly Fallat 4

Ricarte Nuno 4

Chris Bilbrey 7

Alan Johanssen 7

Lloyd Farber 8

Beau Boerman 8

Monte Hartl 8

Dennis Johnson 9

Nathan Sales 9

Jerry Ross 10

Carol Carpenter 15

Macario Sales 17

Reba Eichler 22

Ken Carpenter 23

Harold Fromm 24

John Boersma 29

John Osburn 29

Bernie Christner 31

December 17

Jerry & Linda Ross

December 29 Doug & Helen Pelton

December 30

Tim & Donna Skinner

DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare

and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

PAGE 10

“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” This quote is attributed to Mother Teresa and it came to mind as I was strolling the isles of a local department store perus-ing the toy section and won-dering what Barbie was wear-ing this year since I have a couple of young great-granddaughters. I considered the time that would be spent on the quest for gifts. I let my mind wander as I continued my journey around the store for ordinary stuff like paper towels and mittens. I thought about the gift of time--the do-ing of small things with great

love. I thought of the projects on my sewing table that will be sewn for other grand-kids. And then, I thought of our church. My mind will make connec-tions like that sometimes, as it follows a thread of thought that often has a spirit-filled ending. What came to me as I thought of our church, was a hope. A hope that while we gather around the manger as a church family during advent, we commit to giving our devo-tion to Christ. Not all of us can do great things but, because

May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. Psalm 20:4

PAGE 3 WIINTER 2017

MUSINGS FROM OUR MODERATOR

Worship on Wednesday

5:30pm - 6:00pm - Dinner

6:00pm-6:40pm - Adult Choir Practice

6:00pm-7:30pm - Children’s Classes

6:00pm-7:30pm - Youth Group

6:30pm-7:30pm - Adult Opportunities

6:45pm-7:30pm - Praise Team Practice

7:30pm-8:15pm - Bell Practice

He came into the world, we can do small things with great love! Our church fam-ily needs you! We need each other; doing small things with great love for each other, our church, and our neighbors. Blessings to you this Christ-mas season, Sally

My family and I would like to thank the congregation for your generosity during Pastor Appreciation Month. We are hum-bled and grateful for your generosity. We continue to learn from you and are blessed to be among you. Thank you so much.

-Gregg, Diane, Ainslee, and Eli Hemmen

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH PAGE 4

The Safeway grocery store chain offers a program to non-profit

organizations like churches where we (the church) can receive

5% of our grocery and gas purchases back in cash! The leader-

ship here at First Baptist wants to encourage you to take part in

this program with us. Contact Angela at 343-0342 for more in-

formation or to purchase a gift card.

JOIN US FOR 5TH SUNDAY

BRUNCH AFTER SERVICE ON

December 31st.

NO FEASTING ON THE WORD.

PLEASE BRING A DISH

TO SHARE!

Our children's annual Christmas bazaar will be December 6th.

Our church has been very generous in donating items for this event

each year. Once again we ask for your help.

The children can shop at no charge for their family. It is a time when

children learn the importance of giving.

We are in need of items you have at home. We need toys, knick-knacks,

gifts for men, kitchen items and anything that would appeal to our little

shoppers as a gift for a family member.

We also need scotch tape, gift bags, gift boxes, wrapping paper and

name tags. We also need many helping hands that night to wrap gifts, so

please consider helping us out that night.

All donations can be left in the craft room downstairs. We would like any items dropped off no earlier

than DECEMBER 1st.

Thank you for supporting this fun night for our youth.

No Sunday

School or

Feasting on

The Word

December

24 and 31.

New Year's Ball Holiday Past The original ball lowered in Times Square on New Year's Eve back in 1907 was made of iron and wood and deco-rated with 100 light bulbs.

Holiday Present The modern New Year's ball is made of Waterford crystal, covered with 696 light bulbs, 96 strobe lights, and 90 rotating pyramid mirrors. A Tree of Lights Holiday Past In 1949, the tree at Rockefeller Center was strung with 7,500 bulbs.

Holiday Present Now more than 25,000 bulbs are strung on the tree - that's more than 5 miles of lights! Artificial Trees Holiday Past Artificial Christmas trees were on the market by 1900. They were available by mail from Sears, Roebuck and Company, and cost 50 cents for 33 limbs or a dollar for 55 limbs.

Holiday Present Most artificial trees are now man-ufactured in Korea, Taiwan, or Hong Kong and contain non-biodegradable plastics and met-als. They usually range in price from $200 to $2,000.

The Origins of Rudolph Holiday Past In 1939, an advertising employee at the department store Montgom-ery Ward wrote the story of Ru-dolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer for a store promotion. That year the store gave away 2.4 million copies of the story.

Holiday Present Ten years later, Gene Autry rec-orded the song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." Since then it has sold over 80 million copies. Ru-dolph has definitely gone down in our holiday history!

The Eyes of a Child

The eyes of a child reflect to me...all that

is good and true...aglow with loving ten-

derness...that’s wonderful to view… the

eyes of a child are filled with faith...and

hope in things to be...possessing magic

that can bring… the saddest heart some

glee… the eyes of a child are dreamer’s

eyes...ever searching for something

strange… to childish eyes the moon and

stars… are never out of range… the eyes

of a child can paint a smile… upon the

face of life… a single glance from youth-

ful eyes… dispels all worldly strife… the

eyes of a child are godly eyes… so pure,

warm and sincere… each time I’m

blessed to look at them… I feel that

heaven’s near.

By Ben Burroughs

1Corinthians 12:27 “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it”

PAGE 9 WIINTER 2017

TRADITIONS: HOLIDAY PAST VS HOLIDAY PRESENT

DECEMBER CIRCLE MEETINGS

Mary Martha Circle

Tuesday, December 12, at 6:00 p.m.

Hostess: Linda Johnson

Ann Judson Circle

Wednesday, December 13, at 1:30 p.m.

Hostess: Deloris Millar

Roll Call: Bring a recipe

December’s Mission Meal This month’s Mission meal will be on Monday, December 18.

The following folks are signed up to serve:

Chairs: Gregg & Diane Hemmen

Ken and Carol Carpenter, Deloris Millar, Bev Horner, Jerry & Linda Ross, Al and Paula Johannson

For any questions, please contact one of the Mission

Ministry members.

ISI GIFT BAGS

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH PAGE 8

VANCO ONLINE GIVING

A growing number of individuals and families in our congregation now give their tithes and offerings through the VANCO online giving options – direct withdrawal from a checking account or an authorized credit card transaction. In both cases there are fees charged for each transaction. Although small, these fees do add up and the cost is borne by the church.

Please be aware that using your credit card, rather than an “Automated Clearing House” (ACH) or direct withdrawal transaction from your checking account, nearly triples the cost of each transaction. For exam-ple, if your family gives $250 monthly via credit card, the expense to the church would be (2.75% times $250 plus $0.45/transaction) or $7.28. The same giving using a direct or ACH withdrawal from your check-ing account would be (1.00% times $250 plus $0.45/transaction) or $2.95. A savings of $4.33.

Our VANCO online giving program has grown in popularity and is a significant part of our stewardship effort. If using your credit card for your tithes and offerings works better for you, then by all means, con-tinue to give as God leads – but if switching to a direct withdrawal is easily managed, know that you would be contributing in another way to the overall financial health of our church.

Only By His Grace,

Ken Wrede

If you are interested in purchasing items for the ISI gift bags, please see Peg Christner or Cyndy Strand for more information. All bags will be delivered by December 10.

Merry Christmas! So many times we hear those words and we get excited. Trees, presents, family, all the things that remind us of this time of year. I love Christmas and everything that goes along with it, so I am not a Scrooge. I hear quite often this time of year the words “Keep Christ in Christmas”. I do agree with this but at times I don’t think we know what all this would take! For some of us, the tree is a hurdle to get past, “Its not Christmas without a tree!” Maybe its lights, gifts, wrapping paper, dinners parties, or something else we “need” for Christ-mas. When we say keep Christ in Christmas these are the things we tell ourselves that we need to get past. Not to focus on these things but remember the true meaning is the birth of our Savior! All of this is true, but what if it is not enough? This birth of a Savior was for the ENTIRE world, anyone who is willing to listen. One thing I think of is who all God used in this story. Think of the wise men: “Now after Jesus was born in Bethle-hem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." When Herod the king

heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and as-sembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, "In Bethle-hem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:” “'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Isra-el.'"” -Matthew 2:1-6 ESV Now we often hear them called magi, but the only people to go by this in those days were Persians associated with Zoroastrianism. An ancient religion that used as-tronomy to look at the past, the future, and everything of the world. It would be the modern day equivalent of scientists. They were against all things that had to do with sorcery so they weren't doing anything against God, but they didn't necessarily believe in God. And yet this is who God chose to use to be led to the birth of Christ and kneel at His feet! So keeping Christ in Christmas, how are we reaching out, as God did, to those who do not know Him this Christ-mas? Another thing to think of is the innocent lives that were lost for Christ to be born? Herod, thinking that his power was being threat-ened, had children killed! “Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Beth-lehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, ac-

cording to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.” -Matthew 2:16 ESV This Christmas season let take a few minutes to remember these lives that were taken so we could have a Savior. We know God has taken care of these children and that they rest at the right hand of the Father. So take comfort in that but let us not forget what it took to be saved! This Christmas I will be lis-tening to Christmas music, dec-orating a tree, hanging lights, buying and wrapping presents. I'm not a Scrooge! But as I do so I will remember to keep Christ in Christmas. That it was messy at times, that it was for all, and that it took a sacrifice on a deeper level than what we see on the surface! Nate Sales

PAGE 5 WIINTER 2017

WORDS FROM NATE

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DECEMBER 2017

PAGE 6

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

ABW Exec

11:30am

2

3

4

Christian Ed

Meeting

4:00pm

5

WOW

Christmas

Baazar

7 8 9

10

Stewardship

Meeting

6pm

Tech Meeting

6:00pm

12

Morning

Bible

Study10am

Mary Martha

6:00pm

13

Ann Judson

1:30pm

WOW

14

15

Cornerstone

Mission Meal

6pm

Deacons

Meeting

4:00pm

Morning

Bible

Study10am

NO WOW

21

22

Christmas

Eve Service

5:30pm

31 Potluck

Happy

Birthday

Jesus!

No

Morning

Bible

Study10am

27

NO

WOW

28

2

9

30

6

17

16

19 18 20

11

25 24

23

Morning Bible

Study10am

Physical

Maintenance

6:30pm

26

Be a hope others see!

Wicksville Church Speaker Schedule:

Services begin at 10:30am.

DEC. 10, 2017 BOB HAYFORD

DEC. 17, 2017 TERRY PULSE

DEC. 24, 2017 CONGREGATION

DEC. 31, 2017 REV. BILL SHERMER

Communion will be held every

fourth Sunday.

If you would like to be involved with others and be praying for our church family and nation, please feel free to join the Mighty Warriors here at the church on Thursday mornings at 8:15.

PAGE 7 WIINTER 2017

CHURCH DIRECTORY UPDATES

Updated Church Directories will be available January 1st. If you are interested in having an updated one call Angela at the office 343-0342 or email her at firstbaptistrc@gmail.com. If you are wanting your information added please contact her as well with that information. The information will be used to post birthdays and anniversaries in the bulletin as well as address and phone information for other church family members. We have had a new system the past year so if you are not seeing your birthday or anniversary in the bulletin or newsletter it is because Angela has not been given the okay for your information to go public.