A SAVIOR WHO UNDERSTANDSHebrews 4:14-16

Dr. Blake Gideon, Senior Pastorengagingthemind.org facebook.com/dr.blakegideon

Facebook.com/EdmondsFirst

FBCedmond.org 1300 E 33rd St.

405-341-0253 Edmond, OK 73013

edmond’sfirstbaptistchurch

Sermons Live on Sundays Plus Podcasting!Livestreaming at 9:30 AM at www.FBCedmond.org or “like”@EdmondsFirst on Facebook. Podcasting at FBCedmond.org/podcastor iTunes at “FBCedmond”.

Christmas EveCandlelight ServiceMonday, December 24

6:00 PM in the Worship Center

A Service for the Entire Family

Give PassionatelyAs the calendar year draws to a close we would like to take a moment tothank you for your faithful giving to the ministries of EFBC. The Lorddid so much in and through our church in 2018 and your faithfulfinancial support has contributed to that and we are truly grateful.

Weekly YTD YTD YTDDate Undesignated Budget Budget Budget

Receipts Received Required Deficit12/02/18 $ 64,508.09 $ 2,596,713.40 $ 2,894,307.84 $ (297,594.44)12/09/18 $ 41,547.34 $ 2,638,230.74 $ 2,954,605.92 $ (316,375.18)12/16/18 $ 72,045.95 $ 2,710,276.69 $ 3,014,904.00 $ (304,627.31)

Year-End GivingRemember, all contributions must be postmarked, processed online, orreceived in hand by Monday, December 31. The Church Office will beopen 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM on Monday, December 31, to receive yourlast minute contributions. You can also make year-end gifts online atwww.FBCedmond.org/online-giving or text-to-give at 405-276-2151.If you have questions, or need to make arrangements, please contactPaul Blankenship, pblankenship@FBCedmond.org. Finish Strong!

FBCedmond.org/online-giving

What are you grateful for? Are you filled with gratitude for all God hasdone for you? Here are some thoughts on gratitude.

• Gratitude is fundamental to stewardship and generosity. In theabsence of gratitude, stewardship can’t truly exist.

• Gratitude emerges when we comprehend the source of who we are, what we have, and all that is.

• Gratitude reminds us we are not self-made, but God-made. • Gratitude prompts us to see ourselves in community with each

other and, most importantly, with God. • Gratitude liberates us from the false notion of self-reliance and

moves us to reliance upon our Creator. • Gratitude does not evoke a sense of obligation or indebtedness but

feelings of humility and intense joy!• An expression of Gratitude is an acknowledgment of the bigger

picture and God’s place at the center of it. • Gratitude compels us to give back as an expression of thanksgiving

and moves us to connect more deeply with God. • Gratitude stirs our heart to give and giving makes us more like

Christ, the Supreme Giver...He gave His life. How will you respond to the gratitude you have towards God?

What is the Meaning of Christmas?Christmas is more than gifts for family and friends. It is a time whenfollowers of Jesus Christ come together to celebrate His birth, thegreatest gift. We celebrate Christmas because of this 'Good News', thebirth of Jesus. Why did Jesus have to be born and come to earth? At thevery beginning of time, Adam and Eve disobeyed God and that createda separation between God and man. God wanted to restore the brokenrelationship. So, he sent his one and only son. Jesus Christ was born in astable, laid in a manger, lived a sinless life, died on a Roman cross, wasburied in a borrowed tomb, and rose on the third day. He paid thepenalty for our disobedience. He now lives in Heaven, where you canlive eternally with Him.

All you have to do is accept His gift of an eternal and abundant life.

Celebration Worship Service December 23, 2018

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eek“Happy Birthday, Jesus” Parties (Birth – Kindergarten) TODAY | 9:30 AM| Children’s Wing “Happy Birthday, Jesus” Parties are a traditional time ofcelebration where boys and girls of all ages hear thewonderful good news of the best gift ever given, JesusChrist! Children will sing songs, play games, andcelebrate as only children can while learning moreabout the birth of Jesus. Be sure to join us for thisspecial celebration of the best gift ever given!

FATHERson Bowling (All Ages) Monday, January 7 | 6:30 – 7:30 PM | AMF Boulevard Lanes Join Jim and Josh for a casual evening of bowlingand a cool devotional for boys. $5.00 per familyincludes two games and shoe rental, including anyfriends you invite! Just show up and enjoy anevening with the guys! FBCedmond.org/FATHERson

Student Ministry (7th-12th Grade) • iGnition weekend 2019: Friday, February 22, through Sunday,

February 24. Ignition Weekend is designed to give students an opportunity to grow, worship, and serve. It is a joint effort with Quail Springs Baptist, Edmond’s First Baptist, and Henderson Hills.

• iCE Bowl: Save the date! Sunday, February 3, at 12:15 PM.

• Chicago Mission trip payment of $150 will be due next Sunday, December 30. Turn in to Greg Scheffe or Amy Blankenship.

• We will not be meeting on Wednesday, December 26. (the offices are open just no church activities) FBCedmond.org/students

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23, 20188:15 AM Connection Groups (Sunday School) Church Wide

Orchestra Rehearsal Worship Center9:30 AM Connection Groups (Sunday School) Church Wide

Worship Service Worship CenterBridges: Special Needs Connection Group Children’s Wing, 1st Floor, 119 & 133“Happy Birthday, Jesus” Parties (Birth - Kindergarten) Children’s Wing, 1st FloorKIDS Church (1st - 4th Grade) Children’s Wing, 2nd Floor

11:00 AM Connection Groups (Sunday School) Church WideWorship Service Fellowship Hall 106

MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2018Church Offices Closed

6:00 PM Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Worship CenterTUESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2018

CHRISTMAS DAY - Church Offices ClosedWEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2018

Church Offices open but no Wednesday actvitiesTHURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 201812:00 PM Men in Prayer for Revival Room 113

Men’s Ministry • Men in Prayer for Revival: Brothers, if we want to

do God’s Work, in God’s way, in God’s time, withGod’s power, in order to have God’s blessings, wemust first be men in prayer for Revival! Pray thisThursday, December 27, 12:00 noon in Room 113.

• Global Men’s Gathering: Saturday, January 12, 9:00 AM in Room 113.

Women’s Ministry NEW Bible Studies:

• Wonderstruck: awaken to the nearness of God by MargaretFeinberg, with leader April Pratt, begins Tuesday, January 8,6:30 – 8:00 PM. We will meet off site, contact April Pratt,405-812-5902, april.pratt@cox.net. You may join at any time.

• All Things New: a Study on 2 Corinthians by Kelly Minter, with leader Sena Whipple, begins Wednesday, January 9,6:00 – 7:00 PM, Room 115. Activities are available for theentire family. You may join at any time.

• Proven: where Christ's abundance Meets our Great need byJennie Allen, with leader Laura Corser, begins Thursday,January 24. Childcare is available for birth - 4 years, registerby January 17. Join this class by February 14.

NO Wednesday Evening Family Activities this WeekWednesday evenings have been cancelled for the Christmas break. Ournormal Wednesday night activities will resume on Wednesday, January 2,with the EFBC Fellowship Meal at 4:45 PM in the Fellowship Hall andfrom 6:00 to 7:00 PM, we have activities for the entire family. toPiCS areAdult Bible studies designed to provide relevant, practical answers toquestions about God and the Christian life. Visit toPiCS for more details.

ONGOING• Psalms: Communing with the HolY, Pastor Blake in the Fellowship Hall• Exploring the Bible: Genesis 25-50, Jerry Miller in Room 201

NEW, beginning wednesday, January 2• efbcMEN: Conquer Series resumes, Craig Ilschner in Room 111

NEW, beginning Wednesday, January 9• efbcWOMEN: all Things new, Sena Whipple in Room 115

NEW, beginning Wednesday, January 16• The Connected Child, Candi Hale in Room 112• Disciple Making Study of 2 timothy,

Bob Mayfield in Room 114• Financial Peace University, Phillip Cowart

in Room 113• Experiencing God, Dr. Ron Cruse in Room 108

FBCedmond.org/TOPICS

EFBC 2019 Committee MembersDuring the special called business meeting on December 5, the followingindividuals were approved to serve on one of our standing committees.These committees are charged with working alongside EFBC’s staff invarious areas of ministry and church operations. Committee membersserve a three-year term with 1/3 of the members rotating off each yearand new members being nominated to replace them. The number in the“( )” indicates the number of years remaining in their term.CoMMittEE on Committees

(3) Craig Ilschner(3) Barbara Dooley(2) Sara Brown(2) DeWayne Lackey(1) Richard Piatt (Chairman)(1) Sheryl Kennedy

MiSSionS Committee(3) Gary Williams(3) Sharan Yust(2) Nicki Klein(2) Bill Martin(1) Brent Womack (Chairman)(1) Jim Williams

PERSonnEl Committee(3) Joe McKenzie(3) Josh Brown(2) Tony Kennedy(2) Laura Piatt(1) Jason Offerman (Chairman)(1) Roberta Smith

PRoPERtiES Committee(3) Kent Whaley(3) Dwane Downs(2) Chad Inman(2) Randy Hendricks(1) Lon Fett (Chairman)(1) Brian Hurd

StEwaRDSHiP Committee(3) Allan Piatt(3) Lisa Ashford(3) Shannon Bural(2) Susan Dunkleberger(2) Dwight Adams(2) Eugene Fielder(1) Robert Shanley(1) Justin Klein (Chairman)(1) Dayna Williams

tRuStEES(3) Bob Gourley(2) Gary Ellis (1) Don Bailey (Chairman)

MerryChristmas

andHappy New Year

from the Staff ofEdmond’s First Baptist Church

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Deepest Sympathy to...New C.G. Members

Sunday’s DecisionsLETTER or STATEMENT: Ryan Sawyers (11/04) Hannah Sawyers (11/04) Eddy McDaniels (11/04) Mallory McDaniels (11/04) Brian Santiago (11/04) Alicia Santiago (11/04) Lon Critchfield (11/11) Sharon Critchfield (11/11) Emily Holmes (11/25)POF / BAPTISM: Shelby Alexander (11/18) Chelsea Webber (11/25)BAPTIZED: Cherie Falzone (11/18) Shelby Alexander (11/25)

Mobile Church App NoLonger SupportedOur Church App is no longerfunctional, so please use our mobilefriendly site, www.FBCedmond.orgfor all the latest news, ministryupdates, church calendar, andOnline Giving.

NOVEMBER 04 149. Abigail Pappas Phelps 150. Barbara Randall NorthcliffNOVEMBER 11 151. Judy Hensley Wulf 152. Blake Murray Welch 153. Mackenzie Murray Welch 154. Charlotte Koiner Northcliff 155. Brian J. Santiago 6th Grade “A” 156. Elena Santiago 4th Grade 157. Brett Santiago Preschool “2’s” 158. Luke Santiago Babies “A” 159. Jackson McDaniels Babies “A” 160. Ryan Sawyers Welch 161. Hannah Sawyers WelchNOVEMBER 18NOVEMBER 25 162. Michael Leistner Fielder 163. Gwen Leistner Fielder 164. Hubble Allen Babies “A”

Birth AnnouncementsWe thank God for the safe arrival of the

children listed below. Our church familywill join with their parents and family inpraying for their health and developmentaccording to God’s plan.

Finley Rupert, born Tuesday,November 13. Proud parents are Ryanand Kristen Rupert. Proud big brother isRowan.

Caleb McCarter Draper, bornThursday, November 15. Proud parentsare Stephen and Sarah Draper. Proudbig brother is Seth.

November’s End of Month Report MONTHLY YEAR-TO-DATEBUDGET REQUIRED $ 241,192.32 $ 2,834,009.76BUDGET RECEIVED 205,806.91 2,532,205.31BUDGET CREDITS 23,578.28 190,447.24DESIGNATED RECEIPTS 3,192.00 87,476.84WORLD MISSIONS 7,791.00 81,072.90OTHER MISSIONS 36,168.33 206,177.54BUILDING FUND OFFERING 22,449.27 459,555.96TOTAL RECEIVED $ 298,985.79 $ 3,556,935.79

MEMORIALS LISTED BELOW:BUILDING FUND: IN MEMORY OF: Irby Briscoe FROM: Bailey Connection GroupGENERAL FUND: IN MEMORY OF: Steve Wilkes FROM: Kathleen WilkesSENIOR ADULT MINISTRY: IN MEMORY OF: Ruth Young FROM: Boldin Connection GroupWORLD MISSIONS: IN MEMORY OF: Keith Barnum FROM: Wight & Joyce Jones IN MEMORY OF: Denise Stallard FROM: Wight & Joyce JonesOTHER: IN MEMORY OF: Keith Barnum FROM: Bill & Chris Brown

Phil and Janey Anderson, MonicaCrawford, and Michael Andersonand Family on the death of Janey’smom, Patricia Kitzmiller, onThursday, January 18.

Phil and Janey Anderson, MonicaCrawford, and Michael Andersonand Family on the death of Janey’sdad, Rod Kitzmiller, on Monday,October 29.

Paul and Amy, Zac, & WillBlankenship and Family on thedeath of Amy’s aunt, Debbie Pershall,on Wednesday, November 7.

J and Shelah, Anthony, andMorgan Riley on the death ofShelah’s mother, Donna Harper, onWednesday, November 7.

Betty Barnum, Shad and Sheri,Melody, & Aubry Hartley on thedeath of Betty’s husband, KeithBarnum, on Thursday, November 8.

Chad and Shelly, Quinn, and CoryCampbell on the death of Shelly’smother, Janice Parrish, on Monday,November 12.

Don and Donna, Dustin and Beth,Nolan, and Carly Parker, Jarad, DanaMcGregor, Maycee, and Malley Joneson the death of Don’s mother, OvalParker, on Thursday, November 22.

Allen and Patricia Box, and AliciaBox on the death of their daughter/sister, Kaila Box, on Thursday,November 22.

the Family of Hollis Morris, Sr., onhis death on Friday, November 23.

Scott and Susan, Davis, Tyler, andSydney Dunkleberger and Family onthe death of Susan’s mother.

Gift a Week of Summer this ChristmasGive a 2019 CrossTimbers or Falls Creek Summer Camp opportunity as aChristmas gift this year! Register and pay online before Christmas andreceive a free photo quality certificate to wrap.

CrossTimbers Camp – Monday, June 17 - Thursday, June 20, 2019• $160 per camper for kids completed 3rd through 6th grade

Falls Creek Summer Camp – Monday, July 1 - Saturday, July 6, 2019• $150 per camper for 7th - 12th grade FBCedmond.org/summer

Project Christmas Hope Update Through your generosity, EFBC providedChristmas gifts to 48 families, including100 children. Thank you to everyone whoadopted a family or purchased a gift card.You have provided a chance for these familiesto make this Christmas a season of hope.

Church Office Holiday Schedule The Church Office will be closed for Christmas, Monday, December 24,and Tuesday, December 25. It will reopen on Wednesday, December 26,at 8:00 AM; however, all Wednesday activities are canceled. The ChurchOffice will also be closed on News Years’ Day, Tuesday, January 1, andwill reopen on Wednesday, January 2, at 8:00 AM.

Beginning January 2019, the Church Office hours will beMonday through Thursday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

If you need a minister, please contact Jerry Miller, 405-473-6946, orBrian Frank, bfrank@FBCedmond.org.