First Baptist Festivities

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I am so thankful to have this church that provides so many ways to celebrate the holidays by having fun while still keeping "the main thing the main thing."

Here's a couple pictures of me with my co-servers of Latte Moon!

This year we added aprons and buttons, which I thought were really cute.

One Wednesday night, we all made cookies and Christmas cards to give out to people to share the true love of Christmas!  We had so much fun, and you can check out some more of it on instagram by searching the hashtag #EquipCookies

Above are the 4 that I made.

This is crazy Rob, our youth pastor!

He is all about serving and taking/posting awesome pictures.

My friend Tessa took this picture to capture the variety of cards created by the girls at my table.

These are the people I gave my #EquipCookies to!  Up in the right top corner, I promise I didn't give it to the dog.  I gave it to the dog's owner, my neighbor!

Peanuts always has a way to work some Christian ideas into almost everything it does, especially in Christmas themes.  Pastor Dean also found a way to work Peanuts into his sermon.  How cute!  Poor Chuck, though...getting yelled at by Lucy once again.

FBCMTN has done the Living Christmas Tree as many years as I have been alive! 
They it one weekend before Christmas, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  The lights and music are amazing, and it is great to hear so many songs of the season along with the Christmas Story.

Pastor Dean opens and closes and shares his love.

Baby Jesus, Joseph, and Mary

Mom and Dad got some extra tickets so I could take a couple friends.  These girls are Megan and Rachel!  After watching the tree, we went to TCBY to have a holiday treat.  Even though it may be cold outside, we all agree that it is always a good time for frozen yogurt.

Speaking the Language of College Students

http://www.anniearmstrong.com/lucasaube

Check out this awesome way missionaries are reaching out to college students. Their hunger for food isn't the only thing that is being satisfied. 

Latte Moon Coffee Station-Christmas Offering

Here is a photo from one of the activities at my church that I mentioned earlier.  This is one of our Latte Moon Coffee Stations we have set up during Sunday School.  We serve cups of hot chocolate, coffee, cappuccino, and apple cider for $5, and/or a tumbler with refills all month for $25.  All the money we earn goes to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for international missions.

This year's theme/slogan is Totally His 

with empasis on the "all"

 This is the most commonly displayed picture of Miss Lottie

All or nothing!  Give it all to the Lord.

All the world is meant to hear His glorious name, and this offering goes to support the international missionaries who travel worldwide to spread the gospel...The real reason for the Christmas Season!

 

Holiday Giving Opportunites

Don't forget that this is National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child by Samaratain's Purse!  Even if you did not get to take a box to a church's "shoebox parade" this Sunday, you can still drop them off throughout the week to be delivered.  Remember, you can always give up a few coffees, a few minutes shorter shower a night, a little less tv electricity, or less driving around using gas (and many, many ways to save yourself money) to spend on a child who has never gotten a Christmas present, and may never experience this kind of joy otherwise.  We get so tickeled when we receive gifts that we expect year after year.  Imagine how these kids will feel receiving their first (or best) gift yet, along with the message of Christ's love for them.

"...remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said:  'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"  Acts 20:35

"...for God loves a cheerful giver."  2 Corinthians 9:7

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."  2 Corinthians 9:8

This is another thing that I am super pumped about.  Last December, our youth group started a new way to encourage raising money for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.  We called it the "Latte Moon Coffee Station.  The youth volunteered to sell and serve coffee, hot chocolate, and apple cider along with all the condiments during the Sunday School time, with the money going to the offering.  We had a blast and raised so much money! This year we are also selling these tumblers pictured above.  I am definately getting one for me, too!