THE “INFORMER”

							The INFORMER Senior Adult Happenings The Baptist Church at McAdory December 2007
“It’s Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas”—“It’s The Most Wonderful Day of the Year!”
These are the words of two secular Christmas Songs that remind us that the special time is near. The malls are all decked out – we are now playing Christmas Music and there’s a Sweet, Sweet spirit in this place! Lot’s of special days here at The Baptist Church at McAdory, so watch your bulletins, listen to the announcements and read your Voice and the Western Star. But, remember that “He (Jesus) is the reason for the season!” We recently read an article regarding the Twelve Days of Christmas. Each element in the carol is a code word for a religious truth. May we share it with you! It goes like this…

The Twelve Days of Christmas
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. The partridge in the pear tree is Jesus Christ. The two turtledoves are the Old and the New Testaments. The three French Hens stand for Faith, Hope and Love. The four calling birds are the four Gospels. The five golden rings recall the Torah (law), the first five books of the Old Testament. The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of the week. The seven swans a-swimming represent the sevenfold gifts of the Spirit. The eight maids a-milking are the eight Beatitudes. Nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5). The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments. The eleven pipers piping stand for the eleven faithful disciples. Twelve drummers drumming symbolize the twelve points of belief in the Apostles Creed. There you have it; the hidden meaning of the Twelve Days of Christmas!

J.O.Y. Fellowship – 2nd Anniversary – January, 2008
A very special day has been scheduled for January 22, 2008. If you recall, all three churches had dissolved their Sr. Adult Fellowships. Mrs. Phyllis Mayfield (Pastor’s wife at the time) requested that we organize a new Senior Adult Fellowship for The Baptist Church at McAdory. The first meeting was held on January 15, 2006, in the fellowship hall at the old First Baptist Church building in Bessemer. We had 33 present at that first meeting. The Lord blessed our efforts, and now we are averaging 75-80 at our monthly meetings. A record attendance of 124 was present for our July meeting this year.

And now, with your help, we want to set another record when we observe our Second Anniversary on January 22, 2008. Special Guests will be Jerry Ryan and his buddy “Blue”. Jerry & Blue were with us last year and many of you said “Let’s have them back!” Request granted! With this in mind, would you plan on being here and bring a couple of guests with you! It promises to be a great day!

SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS!
To our “B” Team Angel – Mrs. Mary Beth Carr.
She was given this award by the “B” Team Angels during their presentation for our meeting in October. Thanks, Mary Beth, for your sweet Christian Spirit, that you exhibit here at The Baptist Church at McAdory! We appreciate the many things that you do for us here. God bless you! (Editor) Thanks to many of you who expressed appreciation for the program presented by the “B Team Angels. Also, congratulations to Dot Naftel as she celebrated her 97th birthday in October. We understand that there were 30 plus present for her Birthday Celebration at the home of Betty Blackerby, which was presented by the W.M.U. and her Sunday School class. We love you Dot and want you around for many more of these special days!

December is full of wonderful activities for you. We will not have a scheduled monthly J.O.Y. Fellowship meeting in December, but we encourage you to get in on all the activities going on here during the month. Get out your calendars, and circle these dates….

December 2nd – 7th Week of Prayer and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering emphasis. Our church goal this year is $5,000.00 nd December 2 “OPEN HOUSE” from 1:00 – 3:00 pm, followed by a concert performed by the Birmingham Community Concert Band. th December 9 CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS AND MUSICALS AM Service – Adult Worship Choir presents “Peace on Earth” PM Service – Children’s Department presents “All I Want For Christmas”, with a fellowship following the evening performance. th December 16 Community Christmas Caroling after a brief evening service. rd December 23 Believers Baptism and Communion Service - Morning Worship (No Evening Service) (Also, no Wednesday night services on December 26) th December 30 Fifth Sunday Music Special – Evening Service
Well folks, that’s about it for this month (and year!). It is our prayer that you and yours will have a “Blessed Holiday Season” and always remember…

GOD LOVES YOU AND SO DO WE!! Betty Blackerby, President, J.O.Y. Lloyd Jones, Program Director, J.O.Y.

Thought for today: “The Joy of the Lord is our strength.”