Vol. 31 No. 49 12/10/14

www.�csimpsonville.org Church O�ce: 864.967.8591 Call Help Center: 864.963.3334

Connecting to...Your Community

One of the “C”s in our Connect4 small group structure is to connect to

your community. Our C4 classes were encouraged to do this the week

leading up to Thanksgiving. Many of you participated in this effort, with

one class even sending several from their class to New York on a

Samaritan’s Purse mission trip. They were able to participate in the

dedication of two homes while they were there! A rare opportunity for

sure. Another class packed “blessing bags” to hand out as needed during the

holidays. Another class supported the Foster Youth Independence lunch in November

by providing food and serving lunch to about 40 kids who are aging out of the DSS system soon.

Several classes are planning things for the Christmas season and even more than that have

ongoing mission efforts throughout the year.

I am so grateful to serve at a church whose missional heartbeat can be felt

through its small group ministry. For all of you who serve others and share the

mission of hope...your community will never be the same.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

- Ashley Moore, Minister of Discipleship

Open Positions

College students interested in applying for a position as a 2015 Summer Intern for Students, Recreation, Children or Media should visit our website for application requirements. All completed

application information should be submitted to ttanner@fbcsimpsonville.org by Friday, December 12.

We are accepting applications for a Part-Time Ministry Assistant position. A working knowledge of Word, Excel and Publisher is preferred. Employment application, available on our website, and resume

A Theology of Christmas

Most of us do not think of theology when we are rushing around to decorate trees, purchase wonderful gifts, or celebrate around a Christmas dinner. But at the heart of the Christmas story, and hopefully at the center of our Christmas spirit, is a wonderful lesson in theology. This theology is summarized fully in Philippians 2:5-11. The story of Christmas begins with a loving and holy God actively seeking out sinners who have lost their way and now stand in danger of eternal judgment. We see a Savior, chosen, willing,

and humbled to the point of death as a substitute for sinners. Then we see an admonition for those who are rescued to live in the same way as their Rescuer, humbly serving God and people.

A number of years ago, Kenneth Kantzer wrote an article for “Christianity Today” entitled “The Way Up is Down” (December 1, 1978). “The infinite God of heaven was born into the human race,” not to make us better, or more productive, or even happier. He came to enable us to be the kind of humans we were created to be: ones who love and glorify Him fully and who will enjoy Him forever. Kantzer concludes by saying, “And this is what the biblical story of Christmas tells us about the Christian life. And this is what it means to live in the spirit of Christmas.” As the Apostle Paul reminds us, “For me to live is Christ.”

- Dan Taylor, Minister of Senior Adults

Upcoming The Story Sunday Morning Worship Plan

12/28– Chapter 13: The King Who Had It All

1/4– Chapter 14: A Kingdom Torn in Two

1/11– Chapter 15: God’s Messengers

1/18– Chapter 16: The Beginning of the End (of the Kingdom of Israel)

We will have a Church Conference on Wednesday, December 17, following MidPoint

Prayer Service, to vote on the upcoming ordinations of three ministers– Jim Dawson,

Ryan Leasure and Luke Abrams.

FOR THE RECORD

“The Heartbeat” (USPS Periodical # 021858) is published weekly except July 4th week and Christmas week by First Baptist Church of Simpsonville, Periodical Postage paid at Simpsonville, SC 29681. Postmaster: Please send address changes to “The Heartbeat,” 3 Hedge Street, Simpsonville, SC 29681.

First Baptist Church 3 Hedge Street Simpsonville, SC 29681

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

MINISTER/DEACON ON CALL

December 8-14

Minister: Bob Felts 395-5056

Deacons: Larry Sosebee 967-2783

Bob Tanner 380-5968

December 15-21

Minister: Rhonda Li�leton 254-8115

Deacons: Paul Taylor 444-9630

Tom Taylor 399-9795

Revenue Year-to-Date.................................................. $3,920,768

Expenses Year-to-Date................................................ $3,946,880

Net Total Year-to-Date................................................. ($26,112)

Total Capital Debt Reduction Receipts This Week ...... $2,628

Please note that financial information is reported in The Heartbeat a week later. All financial information listed is as of November 30, 2014

Total GroupLife Attendance.......................................... 1,518

Total Sunday Morning Worship Attendance................. 1,866

2014 Weekly Budget Requirement.............................. $84,358

Total Budget Receipts................................................ $71,983

Year-to-Date Receipts UNDER Budget Goal............... ($128,427)

Make a Lifetime Tribute– If you would like to make a beautiful, lifetime tribute in honor or in memory of a

loved one, you may purchase a gorgeous silk poinsettia that will be displayed annually in the Lobby of the

Downtown Worship Center or the Foyer at the West Campus. If you purchased one for a speci�c person

during the past three years, there is no need to purchase another one for that person. Each silk poinsettia

is $15. Please bring your payment, or mail it, to the Church O'ce (3 Hedge Street Simpsonville, SC 29681) or

place it in the box at the Welcome Desk in the Lobby Downtown on Sunday mornings. Please do not place it

in the o�ering plate. Please include your name, the location you attend, if it is in memory or in honor of

someone, and the name of the person you are honoring. If you have any questions, please call the Church

O'ce at 864-967-8591.

First Baptist Simpsonville’s Christmas Celebration

THIS Sunday will be our Christmas Celebration, “Come and Behold Him,” at

4:00 and 6:30pm in the Downtown Campus Worship Center. This will feature

our Worship Choir and Orchestra, the Wilma Jones Ringers Handbell Choir,

our Enterchange 11:15am Worship Team, a solo handbell selection by Georgina

Mayfield, and our Children’s Choir (grades 1-5). You don’t want to miss this,

and you will certainly want to invite others to come!