Central Baptist Church

Central Baptist’s 2008 Christmas Offering is designated for our mission partners: Anchorage Children’s Home and Kodiak Baptist Mission in Alaska.  Please use the Christmas envelope in offering box or designate offering.  We will receive this special offering during our Christmas Eve services.

December 31 is the deadline for all donations to be included on 2008 Statements of Giving.  Please give on-line, by mail or in the offering plates.  To ensure the deductibility of your Church contributions, please do not file your 2008 income tax return until you have received a written acknowledgement of your contributions from the Church.  You may lose a deduction for some contributions if you file your tax return before receiving a written acknowledgement of your contributions from the church.

Box set offering envelopes for 2009 will be available on Sunday, December 28 in the Heritage Room.  Please pick up your box before January 7, 2009.  Please contact me if you have questions.

Jim Mealiff,  Stewardship Secretary

Greetings from the offices of the Baptist World Alliance on this Wednesday, December 17th.   Here are two prayer points for your congregation to consider:

1. Two weeks ago, a new church under construction by Burmese student leaders was destroyed by a military junta in Tayawati Town, Sagaing, Myanmar. Pray for them and the new BWA Division of Freedom and Justice that focuses on Christians affected by persecution and injustice.   Since the inception of the BWA in 1905, issues of human rights and justice have been a priority.
2. Praise the Lord for the three-month evangelistic campaign that planted 48 new congregations in Ukraine.  This was a cooperative effort between Ukrainian Baptists and American Baptists.  Approximately 4,000 people made a decision for Christ.  Pray that the new churches continue healthy growth.

Also, this week’s highlight of our Baptist Unions brings us to pray for the Baptist Union in the Gambia. As always, through the power of prayer, thank you for coming alongside your brothers and sisters in Christ around the world.

Donald E. Sewell, Baptist World Alliance Consultant to Mission Advancement

The Baptist World Alliance is a fellowship of 214 Baptist conventions and unions comprising a membership of more than 37 million baptized believers and a community of 105 million.  The Baptist World Alliance began in London, England, in 1905 at the first Baptist World Congress.  The Baptist World Alliance’s mission is “Networking the Baptist family to impact the world for Christ.”  Central Baptist Church is a member congregation of the Baptist World Alliance.  Find more information about the BWA at www.bwanet.org.

Don’t miss out on this fun for all ages!  The All Church Christmas Program is Wednesday, December 17, and it starts with a special Chuppers meal of pizza at 4:30 p.m.  (Note the earlier time for Chuppers; don’t forget to make a reservation!)  Immediately following Chuppers, the program festivities will begin at 6:15 p.m.  All the Sunday school classes, the Awana groups, and the youth group have been busy preparing an evening of entertainment, so come and enjoy a variety of Christmas songs, skits, and short stories that are sure to please.

The 2009 Men’s Bible Camp will be Wednesday, April 15 through Sunday, April 19.  Men’s Bible Camp is a five day faith and fishing adventure for twelve men at Bennett Spring Mo State Park near Lebanon, Missouri.  The Pastor will lead daily devotions, serious Bible study,  interactive learning exercises and  prayer sessions.  Men interested in attending Men’s Bible Camp should attend an organizational meeting on Wednesday, January 7 at 5:30 p.m. in the Church Lounge.  A $100.00 deposit will be collected at the meeting.   Please call the Church Office for questions, concerns and information.