Taneytown baptist church
GATHER GROW GIVE GO
december 2024
Good News
One of the most enduring images of the birth story of Jesus is the pronouncement of His birth to the shepherds by the heavenly host of angels. A thrilling, if not terrifying sight to these laborers out in the fields watching over the flocks at night. The words still pierce our hearts every time we read them. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people…
Good news is a term we use all the time in churches. We use it synonymously with the word “Gospel”. Sometimes though because we hear it so often, we treat the good news like it is old news. In the 24 hour news cycle we live in, it isn’t surprising that we move from one thing to the next. However, it is imperative that we treat the good news of the coming of Jesus and His sacrifice and resurrection as though they are the most important stories of the day…because they are!
Part of the reason we need to remember this is we all have an expiration date. One day we all will stand before our maker. Whether the Lord tarries and we pass or whether the time comes for Him to return, we must remember that how we respond to the good news makes all the difference. In reality, the good news is only good news if we accept it. May we be like the Shepherds who heard the good news, saw the Child, and then spread the word to everyone!
In His Service,
Pastor Jared
Youth finished the book of James and started a curriculum of how we can make disciples of ourselves and others. They enjoyed fun, fellowship, and learning more about Jesus.
When youth returns in January they will continue to learn about the Prayer-Care-Share model that Jesus demonstrates in the Bible. They will begin to learn about how to show God's love by caring for others.
Kids Club is pushing through earning their badges. They enjoyed their bowling night here in town and also made several video clips for the church service. They are an amazing group of kids who love to have fun and learn about Jesus!
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP ~ 10:30 a.m.
Current Sermon Series: Luke: An Ongoing Journey With Jesus
Next Sermon Series: TBD
(The services are also streamed on-line on Facebook at Taneytown Baptist Church at 10:30 a.m.)
BUSINESS MEETING
Monday, Dec 9th 7 p.m.
The business meeting will be held in the sanctuary with safety measures in place. Masks are required if you are not vaccinated. Please come out, help plan and vote for the best course of action for your church. If you have an article that you would like included in the business meeting package, please email it to the church office no later than noon on Monday, Dec 9th.
Choir
Want to praise the Lord in song on Sunday mornings? If so, you are invited to join TBC’s choir. They will be meeting every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. See Marcia Edwards for more information or sign up on the bulletin board.
Volunteers Needed for the Nursery & Children’s Church
Children’s Church is held during the Sunday morning worship service and is for children age 4 through Grade 5. Children will go into the worship service and then get dismissed before the sermon.
We also have a toddler nursery for kids 18mo to 3yrs and an infant nursery for kids birth to 18mo.
Dec List
Date Infant Nursery Toddler Nursery Children’s Church
1st Pastor Les & Sandy G Nancy M Robin F & Linda J
8th TBD Sarah P Becky M & Maggie U
15th Liz M & Linda J Sheri B Lynn & Mark W
22nd Rachel S Kathy L Sarah P
29th Maggie U Rachel S Sarah P
Current Small Groups
“Luke” Led by Maggie Utz
Sandy Green will be leading the study.
Meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 1 p.m.
Adult Bible Study Led by Pastor Jared
Meets on Wednesdays at 6:15 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall
christmas
Written by Vi Roop
A day when Jesus came to earth,
When a virgin named Mary gave birth.
In a stable where the animals lay,
Jesus was born on Christmas day.
God sent His son to pave the way,
So we could have this Christmas day.
The angels sang to proclaim His birth,,
While the star shone down from heaven to earth!
To guide the shepherds on their way,
As they came to the stable where He lay.
God knew that we were lost,
So Jesus was born to go to the cross!
Our choice is made from within,
So that our lives would be free from sin.
Thank God for that Christmas day!
Without Jesus we would lose our way!
So celebrate Christmas and praise His name,
And your life will never be the same!
God’s blessing to all on this special day
Sent to you from far away!
OWLS Gathering
Today was another wonderful and fun day with the OWLS at TBC. Sharing talents and Bingo were both big hits today. Honoring our Veterans through song, bird house building, basket making, gnome making, flower information, impersonations and blowing bubbles were all types of talents that were shared. Our pot luck lunch and dessert was delicious and enjoyed by all. Our Christmas Party and Birthday Party will be our next two OWLS Gatherings. Happy Thanksgiving to All! Blessings, Nancy
The latest Men's Breakfast was held on November 9 with 12 in attendance. Deacon Tom Miller presented his testimony on how God has worked in his life, especially through health issues.
The last Men's Breakfast of 2024 will be held on December 7 at 8 am. As always all men, children, grandchildren and neighbors are invited to come enjoy breakfast. Deacon Bill Derr will present the December message.
- Mark Wivell
Tithe / Offering - How Can I Give?
A question often comes up from both old and new church members on how to give and what and where does my giving go for.
Biblically we are required to give or tithe. The word tithe means “tenth.”
The Bible says that tithing was a central part of God's law in the Old Testament, but the New Testament does not command or recommend a legalistic tithe system for Christians:
Old Testament
Leviticus 27:30: "A tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain or fruit, is the Lord's, and is holy"
Numbers 18:26: "Speak to the Levites and say to them: 'When you receive from the Israelites the tithe I give you as your inheritance, you must present a tenth of that tithe as the Lord's offering'"
The tithe was a way to recognize God's provision and to prevent class warfare and unequal taxes
New Testament
1 Corinthians 16:2: "As he may prosper"
2 Corinthians 8:3: "According to their means"
2 Corinthians 9:7: "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver"
The New Testament does not designate a percentage of income to set aside, but instead says gifts should be "in keeping with income"
The Bible also says that giving is important because it:
Puts love for God before love for money
Supports the church in spreading the Gospel and teaching the Bible
Shows appreciation for God.
Throughout the Old Testament, Israelites were expected to give 10 percent of their resources to God. That tithe or “tenth part” was a requirement of the law. And that's already a little misleading, because when you factor in all of their required giving, Israelites actually gave around 23 percent of their income.
So, how can I give? You can give your TIME, TALENT and RESOURCES to further the work of the church.
Giving your TIME to help in the nursery, be a teacher, help with the kids and youth programs. Serve on committees and other behind the scenes work done in the church.
Give your TALENTS by singing in the choir, playing an instrument or offering your skills in maintaining the church property and various needs that the church needs to carry out the work of reaching others, doing the work that Christ commanded.
Giving your RESOURCES. Well, here is what happens and the various ways that your TITHES go and how you designate what they are to be used for.
REGULAR Sunday Offering. This is where you main giving “Tithe” should go as this is what keeps the church operating and what the church budget is based on. It pays the salaries, operating expenses and the churches tithe to the BCMD and Mid-Maryland Baptist Association.
BUILDING FUND – This is for new construction and expanding the church facilities. Recent expenditures from this fund went to pay for the new pavilion and playground.
Other funds were designated for a short-term expense that was not budgeted for such as the ROOF Fund to help pay for a new roof. The CARPET fund to help pay for new carpeting.
DEACON Fund - This fund is used exclusively by the deacons and is entirely under the deacons’ control. This fund is used to help members of the church and community who face a short-term problem. This includes buying food, help with paying rent or utilities. Sudden expenses that may be deemed an emergency that will help an individual or family get back on their feet. Whatever the circumstances the deacons pay the bill BUT never give cash. Requests for help can be submitted to the deacons and pastor for consideration.
One last thought on RESOURCE giving. Did you know that if you are required to take a RMD, (Required Minimum Distribution) from an IRA type account you can make arrangement with your financial advisor to transfer the RMD directly to TBC and avoid paying taxes
Bill Derr
Deacon Chair
We collected 698 boxes! Thank you to everyone who helped in the collection of shoeboxes. This ministry is so wonderful and we love to see Jesus’ Word and love spread to kids around the world. Please pray for these boxes as they make their next part of their journey.
FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY
Each month we will be collecting:
Small Canned Fruit for Carroll County Food Sunday
Place items in the collection box in the vestibule.
Free Community Meals for Adults
Every Thursday - 9:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church
38 W. Baltimore Street
Rear Parking Lot
Also Bags of Food!!!
December January
7th - Riley P 10th - Bette E
9th - Gina M 10th - Kyle G
9th - Race L 10th - Nevin S
10th - Chase G 11th - Brittany D
16th - Lucas P 11th - Bud L
17th - Teresa M 14th - Shirley S
19th - Will P 21st - Adam M
22nd - Fatima K 21st - Kate C
22nd - Ed M 25th - Isaac Lee L
24th - Amy M 25th - Walter L
26th - Emma G 30th - Aaron G
27th - Ellen C 31st - Mason M
31st - Taylor L
Anniversaries
December January
1st - Nowell & Norma C 7th - Bob & Bette E
10th - Tom & Nancy M 7th - Ed & Jill M
21st - Bob & Maria R 12th - Les & Shirley S
27th - Will & Terry P
