Sunday

30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” Luke 1

Mrs. Faye Price continues to be in ICU at North Oaks. She may be a little better. As you pray for her, continue to pray for her family as they “hang close”.

There are still a number of people without electricity. The crews from the power company are working long hours to restore power. Pray for their safety as they work and for those without electricity to be understanding.

The Lottie Moon Christmas Tea was nice. If you missed being there, I hope you will attend next time.

The children of FBC, Kentwood will present their Christmas program at 6 P.M. tonight. You are invited to attend even if you don’t have a child or grandchild participating.

FBC, Amite will have four presentations of The Living Christmas Tree. The first performance is at 2 P.M. today followed by presentations Sunday through Tuesday nights. Bro. Dennis Walker and the choir always do a wonderful job. The lighting is spectacular.

Norma Marie Costanza
(November 1, 1923 – December 12, 2008)
Died at 9:38 a.m. on Friday, December 12, 2008 in Chesbrough, LA. She was a native of Picayune, MS and a resident of Amite, LA. Age 85 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Monday. Services conducted by Rev. Mike Foster. Interment Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite, LA. She is survived by her daughter, Amy Smith, Kentwood; 2 sons, Louis Costanza, Amite and Anthony Costanza, Amite; 5 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Louis Costanza; mother, Amy Rosto; father, James T. Taylor.

Christmas Scripture Quiz
http://www.makedisciples.com/Christmas/quiz.htm

How many wise men were there?
a. 3
b. 4
c. The Bible does not say.

(Answer below)

How has the shrinking dollar impacted missions?

Over the past year the U.S. dollar has lost as much as 15 percent of its value in the world marketplace. That means Southern Baptists must give $1.15 to the Lottie Moon offering in 2008 in order to match the buying power of every dollar given in 2007. Though 15 cents may not sound like much, in the scope of the International Mission Board’s $300 million budget, those extra pennies add up to $45 million.

Why does this matter? Because God continues to call record numbers of Southern Baptist missionaries to reach the lost. This year we anticipate sending out more than 900 new missionary personnel. They are faithfully responding to God’s call to carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Will we be faithful to send and support them?

How many wise men were there?

c. The Bible does not say.

Although tradition suggests there were three wisemen, as in the carol “We Three Kings of Orient Are,” the Bible actually does not give the number of Magi.

Luke 1:26-38
The Birth of Jesus Foretold

26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.28The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.37 For nothing is impossible with God.”

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

Jesus is the reason for the season!
Anna Lee