Post on 25-Mar-2018
Amistad Cristiana
Anderson Creek
Angier
Angier Bapt. Fellowship
Anthem Mission
Antioch
Baptist Chapel
Baptist Grove
Broadway
Buies Creek First
Calvary
Chalybeate Springs
Church at the Creek
Coats
Crestview
Crossroads
Duncan
Dunn First
Dunn Second
Erwin First
Explore
Faith
Fellowship
Flatwoods
Friendship
Gourd Springs
Harmony
Hillmon Grove
Holly Springs
Intentional Love
Kennebec
LifePoint
Lillington
Macedonia
Memorial
Neill’s Creek
New Hope
North Clinton Avenue
Oak Grove
Overhills Community
Piney Grove Chapel
Pleasant Memory
Rawls
South Erwin
Spout Springs
Swann Station
Vessels Mission
Trinity
Westfield
Martin H. Dupree, Director of Missions Alice Davis, Missions/Ministry Coordinator Susan Stines, Administrative Assistant
December 2017
“The True Meaning of Christmas” - a summary
Christmas is a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ who was born nearly 2000 years ago. The first observance of Christmas on December 25th was in Rome in A.D. 336. What is it that makes Jesus so unique and Christmas so special? Let's look to the Bible and history for the answer. [READ Matt 1, Luke 2] Jesus had a miraculous birth, lived a miraculous life, and died a tragic death. Yet He conquered death by resurrecting from the grave. All these events were predicted hundreds of years before by Jewish prophets and can be read in the Old Testament. Following are a few of these prophecies and their fulfill-ment as seen in the New Testament. Old Testament New Testament His mother was to be a virgin Isaiah 7:14 Matt.1: 18-25 Luke 2:1-20
The Christ or Messiah was to be God in the flesh Isaiah 9:6 John 1: 1-18
He was to be born in Bethlehem Micah 5:2 Matt. 2:1-6 Luke 2:1-20
He was to be rejected by His own people Isaiah 53: 1, 3 Matt.26: 3-4 John 1:10-13
He was to die by crucifixion Psalm 22: 14-17 Mark 15: 20-25
He was to die as a sacrifice for sin Isaiah 53: 5-12 1 Peter 2:24-25
He was to be raised from the dead Psalm 16:10 Matt.28: 1-10 Luke 24:1-53
He is now at God's right hand. Psalm 110:1 Mark 16:19
Why did Jesus have to die for our sins? What is the significance of his death and resurrection? According
to God's word in the Bible, we have all sinned against a holy and just God and need forgiveness. "For all
have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Rom.3:23) "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift
of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom.6:23)
Jesus Christ is God's only provision for man's sin. We can not earn God's favor by living a good life or by
being religious. The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ was fully God and fully man. Because he was God and
sinless, He could die for an infinite number of sins. Because He was fully man He could die in our place as
our substitute. The proof that Jesus was God is evidenced by the resurrection. His grave is empty!
Although Jesus' shed blood is sufficient to pay for the sins of all people, it is only efficient for those who
personally place trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This involves repentance and faith. One must
place their faith not in their own good works, but in the work of the cross. "For by grace have you been
saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works that no one
should boast. For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works… " (Ephesians 2:8-10).
Salvation cannot be earned but must be given. It is a free gift but is not cheap. It cost Jesus his life.
If you were to die today, are you 100% sure that you would go to heaven? You can be 100% certain. "And
the witness is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His son. He who has the Son has the
Life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who
believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life." (1 John 5:11-
13) You can express faith in Jesus through prayer. The following is a suggested prayer.
"Lord Jesus I need you. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I repent and turn from my sin
and ask your forgiveness. I open the door of my life and receive you as my Savior and Lord. Thank
you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. I surrender control of my life and ask that you
would make me the kind of person You want me to be."
Remember, God promises eternal life and forgiveness of sin to all who repent and believe. God cannot lie
(Titus 1:2). Do not depend on your emotions but on the trustworthiness of God and His Word. So then this
is the true meaning of Christmas. God is not so concerned with the giving of gifts as He is that we receive
the greatest gift all, Jesus Himself.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes
in Him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
Merry Christmas!
For Full message, “The True Meaning of Christmas” Go to www.MartyDupree.org click Resources
Special Christmas Services in LRBA Churches
Church Date Time Event
Angier Baptist 155 S. Hickory St., Angier
27521
Dec. 3 7:00 PM Hanging of the Greens Service
Dec. 10 11 AM / 6 PM Adult Cantata; Fellowship following the 6pm service
Dec. 24 5:00 PM Christmas Eve Communion Candlelight Service
Antioch Baptist 6670 Old US Hwy. 421, Mamers
Dec. 13 6:30PM Antioch Kids Christmas Musical
Dec. 17 10:50 AM Adult Choir Christmas Cantata
Dec. 20 6:30 PM Carols & Candlelight Service
Dec. 24 10:30 AM Christmas Worship Anthem Church 455 W Depot St., Angier Dec. 31 7:30 PM New Year’s Eve Worship
Baptist Chapel Church 2413 Buckhorn Rd, Sanford
Nov. 26 11.00 AM Hanging of the Greens Service
Dec. 24 11:00 AM Christmas Worship Service
Baptist Grove Baptist 6140 Christian Light Rd., FV
Dec. 16 6:00 PM Christmas Program
Dec. 17 6:00 PM Christmas Program
Buies Creek 1st Baptist 118 Main St., Buies Creek
27506
Dec. 3 5:00 PM Christmas in the Creek
Dec. 10 11:00 AM Christmas Musical
Dec. 24 TBA Christmas Eve Service
Chalybeate Springs 238 Chalybeate Rd., FV
Dec. 10 6:00 PM Christmas Cantata, ‘The Hope of Christmas’
Coats Baptist 554 N. McKinley St., Coats
27521
Dec. 3 6:00 PM Children’s Musical, ‘The Colors of Christmas’
Dec. 10 6:00 PM Joyful Ringers present, ‘Joyful and Triumphant’
Dec. 17 6:00 PM Worship Ministry presents, ‘He Shall Be Called’
Dec. 21-23 7:00-9 PM Live Nativity
Dec. 24 5:00 PM Christmas Eve Candlelight & Communion
Dunn First Baptist 309 W. Broad St, Dunn 28334
Dec. 3 6:30 PM Hanging of the Greens
Dec. 10 6:30 PM Children & Adults Christmas Musical
Dec. 20 6:30 PM Station of the Nativity
Erwin First Baptist 300 S. 12th St, Erwin 28339
Dec. 10 6:00 PM The Children’s Community Choir
Dec. 17 11AM / 6 PM Handbell Choir preforms Christmas Music / Live Nativity
Dec. 24 11:00 AM
5:00 PM
Christmas Cantata ‘The Carols for the Eve of Christ’
Communion and Candlelight Service
Fellowship Baptist 1505 Ross Rd, Lillington
Dec. 17 11 AM / 6 PM Combined Choirs present, ‘Follow the Star’ followed by
a Christmas Fellowship after the 4pm service.
Dec. 24 11:00 AM Christmas Eve Worship
Gourd Springs Baptist 4575 Ray Rd., Spring Lake
Dec. 17 11:00 AM Christmas Cantata
Dec. 31 7:00 PM New Year’s Eve service with Higher Call Quartet
Hillmon Grove Baptist 384 Hillmon Grove Rd.,
Cameron, 28326
Dec. 17 5:00 PM Children’s Program ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Bethlehem”
Dec 22 7:00 PM Cantata ‘What Sweet Music’
Dec. 24 11:00 AM Cantata ‘What Sweet Music’
Holly Springs Bapt.Ch. 385 Holly Springs Church Rd
Broadway 27505
Dec. 10 11:00 AM Adult Choir Cantata, ‘The Greatest Story Ever Told’
Dec. 17 11:00 AM Preschool-Grade 2 Children’s Christmas Program
6:00 PM Grades 3-6 Children’s Christmas Program
Kennebec Baptist 9808 Kennebec Church Rd,
Angier, 27501
Dec. 17 6:00 PM Children’s Musical, ‘For the Glory of The King’
Dec. 24 4:30 PM Christmas Eve Service with ‘Come Let Us Adore Him’
LifePoint Church (see location)
Dec. 15 & 16 7PM—9PM Live Nativity at Adams Vineyard,—3390 John Adams Rd., Willow Spring
(Walk-through or Drive with Warm refreshments)
Lillington Baptist 210 W. Lofton St, Lillington
27546
11:00 AM Christmas Cantata Dec. 17
5:30 PM Live Nativity
7:00 PM Christmas Cantata (Fellowship following on Sun.)
Memorial Baptist 271 Leslie Campbell Ave,
Buies Creek 27506
Dec. 3 7:00 PM Children’s Christmas Program
Dec. 17 7:00 PM Fireside at Memorial—Christmas Fellowship around the Hearth
Dec. 24 11:00 AM Lessons and Carols
5:30 PM Carols, Candles and Communion
Neill’s Creek Baptist 4200 Neill’s Creek Rd.
Angier 27501
Dec. 3 11:00 AM Hanging of The Greens
Dec. 17 7:00 PM Children and Adult Christmas Cantata
Dec. 24 9:00 PM Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
North Clinton Ave. BC 507 North Clinton Ave,
Dunn 28334
Dec 3 5:30 PM Hanging of the Greens
Dec. 10 6:00 PM Adult Cantata, ‘I will be Home for Christmas’
Dec. 24 8:00 PM Candlelight Communion
Overhills Community BC 948 Overhills Rd., Linden
28356
Dec. 10 11:00 AM Children’s Christmas Musical
Dec. 17 6:00 PM Adult Cantata
Dec. 24 11:00 AM Christmas Communion Service
Piney Grove Chapel BC 4440-A Piney Grove Rd, Angier
27501
Nov. 26 6:00 PM Christmas Music Service
Dec. 10 11:00 AM Christmas Cantata
Dec. 17 6:00 PM Christmas Play
South Erwin Baptist 144 Old Cut-Off Rd., Erwin
28339
Dec. 3 11:00 AM Adult Cantata, ‘All is Well’
Dec. 10 6:00 PM Community Children’s Choir at Erwin 1st BC
Dec. 17 11:00 AM Children’s Christmas Play
Spout Springs Church 346 H.M. Cagle Dr., Cameron
Dec. 24 10:00 AM, 4 PM
5:30 PM Christmas Eve Services
Pray for ours serving away: K & K—Asia; R—N Africa;
J & B—S E Asia; M in M; Dias —Africa; M—Middle East.
2018 Summer Missions Applications due by Dec. 31. Go to www.BaptistStudent.org, click “Summer Missions”
THANKS! . . to ALL who contributed Boxes to Samaritin’s Purse, Crossroads + Baptist Grove Churches.
AND—to ALL who donated: deodorants in Oct. for Women’s Prison, and Nov. Christmas Cards to Men’s Prison
Week of Prayer & International Missions Emphasis ~ Lottie Moon Christmas Offering
Lottie Moon, the namesake of the International Missions Offering, was much like today’s missionaries; she was a hard-working, deep-loving Southern Baptist who labored tirelessly so that her people group could know Jesus Christ as Savior. Today, your giving enables missionaries to be sent to make disciples and multiply churches among unreached peoples and places for the glory of God. National Goal: $160,000,000 ~ Supporting 4,700 Missionaries
Little River Baptist Association P.O. Box 896
Lillington, NC 27546
phone: 910-893-4282, e-mail: missions@Lrba.net
website: www.Lrba.net
1004 Summerville Mamers Road Office Hours: Monday – Thursday
9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Articles need to be received by the tenth of each month.
LRBA Calendar December— Prayer for International Missions and
Lottie Moon Christmas Offering Month
4 Executive Committee Meeting at Fellowship BC, 7 PM
(1505 Ross Rd., Lillington) All Pastors + 1 church rep vote
5 Church Security Pastors’ Training—Gospel Centered
Buies Creek 1st BC, 118 Main St., Buies Creek—10 AM
7 Pastors’ & Wives Christmas Banquet, 6:30 PM / RSVP
Habachi & Co., Pine State St, Lillington / $12 per couple
25 Christmas Day †
24-31 LRBA office closed
January
1 New Year’s Day, LRBA office closed
18 Associational Council Mtg. at LRBA office, 7 PM
28 Baptist Men’s Day in the Churches. Enlist speaker now.
30 Executive Committee Meeting at TBA, 7 PM
February
8 VBS Early-Bird Clinic with LifeWay, LRBA office, 6:30 PM
11-18 WMU Focus & Week of Prayer / Heck-Jones Offering
13 WMU Pastors’ Appreciation Banquet, Ron’s Barn, 6:30 PM
13 Region 4 Baptist Men’s Mission Rally, Fairview BC, Apex
15 Baptist Foundation Scholarship Applications for 2018—Go
to www.ncbaptistfoundation.org/click scholarships or
call Lori Williams at 1-800-521-7334 [Open 1/1, close 2/15]
27 Disciple-Making Conf. / 9am-4pm / Center Grove BC —
Clemmons / BSCNC x 5632 or bupshaw@ncbaptist.org
Birthdays
Ministry Anniversaries
December
December
3 Ken Dalton
3 Sharon
McLaurin
3 Ed Beddingfield
Crossroads
Duncan
Memorial
14 Kevin Darnell Intentional Love
‘13
4 Cathy Keever Dunn First 28 James Taylor Fellowship ‘86
5 Danny Jarmon
5 Patsy Parsons
Macedonia
Harmony January
6 Leonard Keever
Dunn First
1 Clay Burgess
1 Danny Jarmon
1 Jeff Johnson
Connect ‘02
Macedonia
‘84
Westfield ‘14
14 Marshall
Johnson
New Hope 3 Larry Pittman
3 Nathan Redinger
Broadway ‘10
LifePoint ’10
17 Scott Yow Holly Springs 15 Alex Smith Bapt. Chapel ‘06
19 Crystal Yow
19 Marty Dupree
Holly Springs
Assoc. DOM
19 William Cox Dunn Second ‘05
‘"The True Meaning of Christmas’
Go to: www.MartyDupree.org click on "Resources"
22 Jane O’Quinn Calvary
24 Billy Stines N. Clinton
January
1 Scott Ellison Trinity
9 Timmy Blair Piney Grove
11 Renee Pearce Baptist Grove
23 Katheleen Davis Crestview
31 Robbie O’Quinn Calvary
Merry Christmas From your
LRBA Staff