The ImmanueLight

Rev. Gerald Frederick
Minister of Music

Mrs. Betty W. Moore
Ministry Assistant-Finance

             This Sunday, December 1, at the 6:00 evening service, there will be a time to focus on the importance of international missions.  Hear how God is moving throughout China in spite of Satan’s barriers. 
            Our church goal for the Lottie Moon Offering for International Missions is $6,000 (an envelope is enclosed in this ImmanueLight).  You are asked to bring your Lottie Moon Offering to the 5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service if you plan to attend, or you may give it any time during the month of December.
            It is because of God’s great love for us that we share His passion:  that all people, everywhere, will know Him.
 

                Greetings in the wonderful name of Jesus! God is continuing to bless Immanuel in so many wonderful ways:

                First, if you were not in church last Sunday, you missed a wonderful baptismal service where those who placed their faith and trust in Jesus followed Him in baptism.  The first step of obedience as a believer in Jesus Christ after you receive Him as Savior and Lord is to follow Him in baptism.  If you have asked Jesus into your heart and have not followed Jesus in believer’s baptism, you are not in God’s precious will.  God has clearly revealed to you and me in His word that people were baptized after they asked Jesus to be their Lord and Savoir.  That is why it is called believer’s baptism.  God is blessing Immanuel with so many who want to do it right by following Jesus in baptism.  Praise God! 
               Second, I want to tell you how God has blessed the budget.  You may be asking “How does God bless a budget?”  I am so glad you asked.  Last Wednesday we had a special called business meeting where the budget was to be discussed.  There were a lot of people who were in attendance.  I had been told that in the past some of the worst business meetings have occurred during budget proposals.  I prayed and prayed and I know that many of you also prayed that God would be glorified at the meeting.  And guess what?  God showed up at the meeting and blessed!  Everyone there was in one accord.  We did not have one person that even asked a question.  The stewardship committee and the deacons and all who attended were all in one accord.  There were several people who came up to me and said that they had been at Immanuel for many years and have never seen such a wonderful spirit at a budget meeting.  Then on Sunday, the vote was 100 Yes; 3 No.  It could only be God. Praise the Lord!!!
               Last, “Together We Build” is another area that God is blessing.  I was so excited when I left the stewardship meeting because they could see a need to start a long range planning committee and start the “Together We Build” stewardship campaign.  This is a stewardship campaign so we can begin to recapture a vision that this church had over 30 years ago.  A very important part of this campaign is building a Family Life Center with a gymnasium.  The Family Life Center could be used to reach out to Florence and make a great impact for the glory of God.  Remember what God tells us in Proverbs 29:18:  “Without a vision My people perish.”  Glory be to God!

Pastor Willie and Church Family,
             Thank you for all your visits, flowers, cards, but mostly for your loving prayers.  Rick and I feel truly blessed to be a part of God’s family at Immanuel Baptist Church.
                                         Love In Christ,  Terri Howze