Forerunner … · Sunday, Jan. 3 -All Children’s Activities Resume Gary Palmer Wednesday, Jan. 6 - TeamKid Resumes ALL Wednesday Night Activities Resume Van Driver -December 27

Forerunner Emmanuel Baptist Church

Chad Hardbarger . Pastor Paul DeRousse . Associate Pastor / Senior Adults Harold Ashcraft . Minister of Music Dalton Lewis . Minister of Youth Denise Griffin . Children’s Director

YVol. 64 Wednesday, December 23, 2015 50

Minister of Music Associate Pastor / Sr Adults

CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE

No Wednesday Night Activities or Service December 23

Christmas Eve, December 24 - Office Closed

Christmas Eve Service 6:00 p.m. (No Nursery)

Christmas Day, December 25 - Office Closed

Sunday, Dec. 27 - No Children’s Activities

NO Forerunner the Week of December 30

No Wednesday Night Activities or Service December 30

New Years Day - Office Closed

Sunday, Jan. 3 - All Children’s Activities Resume

Wednesday, Jan. 6 - TeamKid Resumes

ALL Wednesday Night Activities Resume

Van Driver - December 27

Burt Grubbs

996-3333

Van Driver - January 3

Gary Palmer

(318) 286-2075

Christmas Eve Service

Thursday, December 24 6:00 p.m.

The church nursery will be closed for this service.

We’ll tell the Christmas Story through Scripture and song, observe the Lord’s Supper and sing Silent Night by candlelight.

LOTTIE MOON MISSION OFFERING

Goal: $ 20,000.00

Total Received to Date: $16,203.05

A child is born to us, a son is given to us, and authority will be on his shoulders. He will

be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, prince of Peace. [Isaiah 9:5-7]. This scripture passage is from the Common English Bible setting. How we love to read this divine promise that Christ is on the throne and all authority is on his shoulders! In these frantic and confusing days we live in, how vitally important it is to all of us as believers to know our heavenly father is in the control tower and watching over us. Our preacher said some time back concerning Jesus, “you can’t elect him and you can’t impeach him!” Glory Hallelujah! That ought to make you shout with joy! Jesus Christ is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end! He is our Bright and Morning Star! All authority rests on his shoulders. One day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. May I say thanks to the Adult Choir for their sacrifice in rehearsing many hours for the just completed Christmas Cantata. And to those of you who have expressed your love and support over the past six months to the Ashcraft family, may I say thank you and we love you all in Jesus.

Harold

Thanksgiving. Christmas. New Year’s Day. These days are to our calendar like three bright stars defining a constellation in the sky. They are, if you will, a trinity of special days. Thanksgiving should awaken us to the blessings of a Loving God and lead us to bow our knees to Him in gratitude. Just as Thanksgiving shows His willingness to shower us with blessings, Christmas reminds us that He gives us the greatest gift of all, His own Son, the power of the Infinite sent in weakness and humility. On the heels of these days observing His love and benevolence towards us, New Year’s Day encourages us to make changes (to repent, in Biblical terms) in our lives. These changes could result in greater dedication to Him and His purposes. They can encourage us to make changes that would benefit others. They can also awaken in us a desire to make changes that would benefit ourselves – physically, mentally, emotionally. Two thousand years have come and gone since Jesus came to earth in human form. “Peace on Earth” seems as far from fulfillment as it ever has been. Yet if we read the angels’ blessing carefully, it was not a blanket promise of peace to all, but to those “with whom He is pleased.” As we observe this constellation of special days, may we find peace as we become more and more, through the power of His Spirit, those with whom He is pleased. May you and yours be greatly blessed in these coming days. Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly!

Bro. Paul

Our Sincere Sympathy to . . .

Mary, Ashley, Johnathan and Mattie in the loss of

John Mitchell.

JANUARY COUNTING COMMITTEE

Alan Law Carl Morgan George Smith

Youth Ministry Children’s Ministry

Christmas Blessings -- Thank you for all the sweet cards and Christmas wishes. Bob and I wish Christmas blessings to all our Emmanuel family and pray for God to bless each one and His church above and beyond what we can imagine throughout the next year.

”Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Holiday Schedule for Children's Activities: Wed., Dec. 23 -- NO TeamKID Sun., Dec. 27 -- NO Discipleship Training; NO Bible Drill Wed., Dec. 30 -- NO TeamKID Sun., Jan. 3 -- Discipleship Training & Bible Drill RE-START Wed., Jan. 6 -- TeamKID RE-STARTS

We are saved to serve! Denise

Childcare Worship Volunteers: 1st Sunday, Jan. 3 Babies: Carole Pacheco, Cheryl Procell Toddlers: Penny Duncan, Kaye Kiihnl Twos/Threes: Darlene Thomas, Christie Lee 2nd Sunday, Jan., 10 Babies: Glenda Johnson, Laura Richardson Toddlers: Patsy Shaw, Brenda Waldrip Twos/Threes: Rhonda Lewis, Peggy Mott 3rd Sunday, Jan., 17 Babies: Alda Sayles, Diane Denny Toddlers: Mike Johnson, Kay Asher Twos/Threes: Brenda Collins, Imogene Thompson 4th Sunday, Jan. 24 Babies: Holly Carpenter Toddlers: Kimm Blankenship, Shirley Law 5th Sunday, Jan. 31 Babies: Laura Johnson, Allison Lane Twos/Threes: Debbie Frey, Vivian Shirley

Join me in praying for the ongoing, day to day work at the MITC in Cordoba, Mexico. The first time I went to the Mexican Indian Training Center many years ago, I was amazed in the first ten minutes of arriving at their beautiful grounds. The group from Emmanuel arrived close to 11 PM, after a very long day of travel. We were walking around the complex getting our tour and we came upon the dining room. In the room were 18 to 20 year old students spread out through the large room intently reading. Upon asking our tour guide what was going on, he said the students were spending time with God. On second glance it was apparent that is exactly what they were doing. They were oblivious that we were outside observing them. They were focused. It was a beautiful introduction to the amazing work the Lord is doing through Dan Hall and his team. We have a team going there, January 16-23. Godspeed to them. Parents - Each Sunday night starting January 10th through the 31st, I will lead a Discipleship Class for parents of teens or parents with children who will reach the teen years in the near future. I will be pointing to the biblical model of family and contrast that with the way our culture says teens should be raised. This will be very practical and hopefully encouraging and inspiring. I will point out what to be concerned with and cultural trends that are trivial and fleeting. I will show you some ways to keep your youth safe in the world in which they find themselves. We will meet in the room that the college students have Bible Study in on Sunday mornings. It is the first room on the right in the youth wing of the Family Life Center. Rummage Sale Plug - In the next few days we might feel the urge to get rid of something in our homes that is not needed or in the way after Christmas. We have rooms set aside for your stuff and would even be willing to come get it. Also there are a few needs that I know of that you might be able to meet. There is a ministry starting in Shreveport that is looking for a Dinette Set (a small kitchen table) and a twin bed. Also, there is a poor family that I am trying to help. They need a couple of dressers, a couple of night stands, and a couple of lamps. Call me at 573-8499. Thank you!!

Blessings! Bro. Dalton

WINTER BIBLE STUDY / January 29 - 31, 2016 with Dr. Bill Tolar

This year’s study will be Second Corinthians: The Church’s Ministry Handbook

Friday and Saturday, Jan. 29 - 30 / 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 31 / 10:45 a.m.

EBC FOOD PANTRY – We are collecting non-perishable food for our food pantry to help members and people from our community who are experiencing financial hardship. Please bring food items to the box in the main hallway.

Fund: Lottie Moon In Memory of: Carrie Dillman, James Dillman, Randy & Tab Grigsby By: Wayne Dillman In Memory of: Bro. Bill Stowell By: Jimmy & Linda Gentry In Memory of: Joyce Doucet, Janice Ramsey, Ralph Babb, Katherine Aldridge, Ron Armstrong, Stan Bowden By: Alan & Shirley Law In Memory of: John C. McCarty By: John & Virginia McCarty In Memory of: Joyce & Donnie Lodatto By: Sharon Wheless In Memory of: Becky Folks By: Charles & Vivian Shirley

MEMORIAL GIFTS MEMORIAL GIFTS

Fund: Lottie Moon In Memory of: Fred & Ellen Forester By: Harry Forester Fund: Brazil In Memory of: Betty Lou May By: Rose Turner Fund: T W B In Memory of: Tom & Christine Owen By: Sharon Wheless

HONORARIUMS

Fund: Lottie Moon In Honor of: EBC Deacons By: Rose Turner In Honor of: Dalton & Rhonda Lewis By: Melissa Robinson In Honor of: James Franklin By: Patsy Williams

FORERUNNER Emmanuel Baptist Church 5850 Buncombe Road Shreveport, LA 71129 Phone: (318) 686-7548 Prayer Line: (318) 686-9898 Visit our Home Page: www.ebcshreveport.org

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Shreveport, LA

Permit #1325

Learning To Love God’s Word

Military Prayer List If any of your family or loved ones need to be on this list

please call the office. 686-7548

Jeremy Barton Jonathan Chavanne Michael Fields James Fuller Jonathan Hill Dustin Jones Brad Mathis Robert Mitchell Rachel Pacheco Andrew Rust Paul Taylor

Brice Brock Charlie Dalton Branston Flanagan Samuel Glass Jimmy Hyatt Ronnie Losey Greg Mathis Samuel Mott Tony Pacheco II George Smith Matt Tisdale Abbie Tuggle

David Daugherty Michael Frey Benjamin Hackenburg Tony Jerrell Matt Maberry Jason Matthews Patrick Muse Peter Price Keith Richmond Erik Sonnenberg Calvin Torbet Christian Viers

Weekly Opportunities

Sunday, 12-27-15 Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

Morning Worship Service 10:45 a.m. Evening Worship Service 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, 12-30-15 No Wednesday Night Supper

No Evening Activities

Thursday, 12-31-15

New Years Eve

Office Open

Friday, 01-01-16

New Years Day

Office Closed

Prayer Concerns Prayer List Home

Jimmy Alexander Margaret Alexander Dorothy Bagley Joye Byrd Dorothy Cleveland Inez Coleman Arneta Davis Elaine Doyal Brenda Hall Red Hay Penny James Betty Kelly Ruth Murray Nita Owen Betty Parks Lloyd Rainer Mable Reed Nell Seeger Lewis Stephens Dub Sturdivant Hazel Sturdivant Nathan Tabor Bill Taylor

Hospital List

WK South George McLain (Heritage Manor So)

WK North Merlen (Mike) Martin

Special Prayer Needs Jim Anderson David Ardoin Gloria Brawley Charlotte Crawford Janine Dunlap Rodney Fletcher Norma Gholson Dwayne Martin R.C. Martin Philip Ormston Clair Pittman

Out-of-Town Prayer List

Tyler Allen, Forney, TX

Jimmy Ambrose

Ruby Bamburg, Coushatta Marie Bedsole, Mansfield Gary Blades, Greensburg Rebecca Blades, Amite, LA Brenda Bryant, Lafayette Sherry Calhoun Lenora Davis, Iowa Jervais Day, Baton Rouge, LA Gary Ferguson, Baton Rouge Charles & Edie Goodwin Austin Griego Janey Cook, Tulsa, OK Eddie Darsey, Arlington, TX Jeff Hogan, Ohio Yolanda Estes, Kentucky Walter Hix, DeBerry, TX Donald Joiner, Tyler, TX Cole Kaufman, W. Monroe Cherie C. King, W. Monroe Lauren Kyzar, Webster, TX Bill Magee, Argyle, TX Elliott Martin, Glen Allen, VA Angel McCurry Raymond Millerna, LA Debra Palmer, Greensburg, LA Jake Sellers, Alabama Rudy Thigpen, Nolensville, TN Becky Wilson, Clinton, LA

December 20 Adult 195 Youth 18 Children 18 Preschool 22 TOTAL 253

DT - NO Report

Budget Statistical Report - As of Dec. 13 Budget Receipts This Week $ 12,155.10 Budget Needed Weekly $ 17,115.44 Actual Budget Received to Date $ 781,940.07 Needed to Date $ 864,003.00

Thursday, December 24, ‘15 Haggai 1-2; Revelation 15 Friday, December 25, ‘15

Zachariah 1-3; Revelation 16 Saturday, December 26, ‘15 Zachariah 4-5; Revelation 17 Sunday, December 27, ‘15 Zachariah 6-8; Revelation 18 Monday, December 28, ‘15

Zachariah 9-11; Rev. 19 Tuesday, December 29, ‘15

Zachariah 12-14; Rev. 20 Wednesday, Dec. 30, ‘15

Malachi 1-2; Rev. 21

Thursday, December 31, ‘15 Malachi 3-4; Rev. 22

Friday, January 1, ‘16 Genesis 1-3; Matthew 1

Saturday, January 2, ‘16 Genesis 4-6; Matthew 2:1-12

Sunday, January 3, ‘16 Genesis 7-8; Matthew 2:13-23

Monday, January 4, ‘16 Genesis 9-11; Matthew 3 Tuesday, January 5, ‘16

Genesis 12-14; Matt. 4:1-11 Wednesday, January 6, ‘16 Genesis 15-17; Matt. 4:12-25