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LAKE PARK BAPTIST CHURCH NEWS

December 2023

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FROM YOUR PASTOR – 

Merry Christmas! It’s the time of year we celebrate the birth of Jesus! We’ve heard the story many times, but I’d like for you to read it again as if it’s your first time of hearing it with all the wonder and awe that fills children at Christmas. It is an awesome event. Jesus left heaven and came to earth for you and me! “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. John 3:16-17(NASB) God sent Jesus so you and I could be saved!

Christmas: ¹⁸Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit… ²⁰an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. ²¹She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” ²²Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: ²³“ BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.” ²⁴And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, ²⁵but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus. Matthew 1:18-25(NASB)

¹Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the…earth… ³And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. ⁴Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David. ⁵in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. ⁶While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. ⁷And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. ⁸In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹And angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. ¹⁰But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; ¹¹for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹²This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. ¹³And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ¹⁴”Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” ¹⁵When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. ¹⁷When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. ¹⁸And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. ¹⁹But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. ²⁰The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them. Luke 2:1-20 (NASB)

— Some thoughts on the Christmas story from Susan’s time in the hospital recently. Thank you for your prayers and love at time.

One of the first sounds we heard after arriving at the hospital in Florence, was a loud voice in the hall going room to room proclaiming Jesus… just as the angels boldly and loudly shared the Good News. Other nurses & staff quietly shared Jesus & praised Him. We too should be declaring the Gospel message. Quietly sharing, boldly sharing… both please God who sent His Son to save the lost.

Nurses, and many of you, prayed for and with us and shared how God worked in their lives. We, too, need to recognize & share how God has worked. People need to hear Jesus is alive. People need to know we believe and care enough to pray for them.

What can you do this Christmas? Worship God. Share the Good News. Love others. Be the hands and feet of Jesus here on earth.

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DECEMBER EVENTS –

Tuesday, December 5th DDM Home Christmas Meal Lake Park Fellowship Hall Come meet the 4 Ladies we minister to and make their Christmas brighter by bringing a small gift for each and their caregivers if you like. Bring finger foods to share with all. See Pat or Steve Dent for info.	Sunday, December 10, 11 AM 2024 Budget Vote Pick up a copy of the budget to prayerfully consider and talk to a member of the Stewardship Team (listed on the budget) before the vote if you have any questions.
Sunday December 10, noon Covered Dish Christmas Dinner Bring your favorite dish(es) to share  as we eat and fellowship together. Sunday December 17, 11 a.m.	Sunday December 17, 11 AM Choir Christmas Special Invite friends to come hear the Christmas message.
Sunday December 24, 9:45 AM Joint Sunday School for all Bring snacks to share!
WEEK OF PRAYER FOR INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS Pick up a Week of Prayer Guide & pray for our missionaries during the Christmas season or go to https://www.imb.org/pray/week-of-prayer/ to learn how you can pray.	LOTTIE MOON CHRISTMAS OFFERING FOR INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS Lottie Moon was sent as a Southern Baptist missionary to China from 1873 to 1912. She saw firsthand the world’s greatest problem –LOSTNESS & that compelled her to write letters describing the need & pleading for increased prayer & financial support to send more missionaries. This challenge became known as the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Your 2022 gifts led to 3,521 missionaries being supported, 178,177 new believers, 21,231 new churches planted, 67 new people groups/areas engaged, 102,417 baptisms & more. You may give directly at: Lottie Moon Christmas Offering® – IMB Generosity

Give generously so others may hear the Good News of Jesus & Salvation.

HOLIDAY MINISTRIES – We want to give to others at the holidays because God gave us the greatest gift ever: Jesus! Here are just a few of the ministries you can help. You can give to one or more. You can give to a totally different ministry as God leads, but be generous.

Broad Street Ministry Center helps those in need locally and shares the Gospel with every client. Donate at bsmcaugusta.org

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SERVING TIME JAIL MINISTRY

Serving Time Ministry offers Bible study, Bibles, & more to those who are serving time. You can help share the Gospel in area jails by praying, giving, volunteering.

Learn more and/or donate at https://www.servingtimejailministry.org

Talk to Joyce McIntosh about how you can get involved!

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INFANTS, TODDLERS, CHILDREN

Childcare procedure at Lake Park 

SUNDAY SCHOOL: Families with children (infants – teens) will meet & learn together in the Fellowship Hall during Sunday School on Sunday mornings at 9:45 am. Parents can bring quiet toys/drawing supplies for their children. Some materials are available in a basket on the pew in the fellowship hall. The nursery area will be available, not manned, for parents to nurse, change, rock babies.

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP: Infants & children will be with their parents in the sanctuary during the Sunday morning worship. Enjoy the blessing of seeing children worshiping with their parents! There is a nursing/changing/crying area for parents & babies in the classroom across from the choir room. Signs are posted to direct the way. This will keep everyone in one secured building.

SUNDAY EVENING: Families will worship & study together in the fellowship hall on the Sunday evenings services are held at 5 pm. Though these services are scheduled for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Sunday evenings, please check the church calendar or website for any schedule changes. As on Sunday mornings, the nursery will be available, but not manned, for parents to tend nursing, changing, crying babies.

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Pray for the eyes of all to be opened to God’s truth.

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SUNDAY SERVICES:

Sunday Morning
Sunday School:    9:45 am 
Worship:            11:00 am 

Sunday Evening
December 03: Evening Service 5:00 PM
December 10: No Evening Service
December 17: Evening Service 5:00 PM
December 24: No Evening Service
December 31: No Evening Service

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SIGN CREW:
December: The Mansfields
January:   The McIntoshes

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Remember, whenever you give to Lake Park, a portion of those funds go to ministries in Georgia, in North America, & internationally for disaster relief, clean water, food, healthcare, evangelism, prayer, & more.

Please let the pastor know your prayer needs 

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BIRTHDAYS
Send a card, text, Facebook greeting, or make a call to wish these a Happy Birthday. Say a prayer for them on their special day.

Reach out to these & others in our church family especially those who are unable to attend at this time. Mail a card. Make a call. Send a text… And always pray for one another!

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:21-23

WORSHIP & GIVING  

1 Chronicles 16:29 (NASB) Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering and come before Him; Worship the Lord in holy array. 

Worship God with us on Sunday mornings at 11am in the sanctuary where every other pew has been closed to allow for social distancing OR worship Him from the safety of your home. It’s not as important where you worship Him, but that you worship Him.

Please stay at home until you feel safe resuming in-person worship especially if you are over 65 years old or have health issues.

Our worship services include a time to share and pray for needs, to study the Sunday School lesson, a time of musical worship, and a time to hear the Word preached. All completed in only 1 hour.  After the worship service, take time to visit with your church family 6 feet apart on the grass lawns leaving the sidewalks open for people to walk on.

There are needs at the church, in Augusta, and world-wide that you can meet by giving to Lake Park. Part of the monies received pay expenses that continue at Lake Park. Part go to meet needs at various ministries throughout the world. That is the beauty of the Cooperative Program as Southern Baptists combine gifts to meet needs and share God’s love.

You can bring your offering to church on Sunday morning and drop it in the offering box in the foyer or mail it to the church at 211 Milledge Rd, Augusta, GA 30904, or drop it in the mail slot on the office entrance door anytime.

Pastor Bob: ready to Baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Need answers to life’s questions about:

                    Evolution   Evil   Mormonism   Jehovah’s Witnesses   Become a Christian
                                                                         and many others? Visit Truelife.org

 Pastor’s Page – Click HERE

To Share a PRAYER REQUEST CLICK HERE  

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