A publication of Heartland Baptist Church

What’s INSIDE

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Heartland Baptist Church.

Pastor Jim, Tim, Steven, Jeanie & Sarah

2 Pastor Jim’s Gems

3 Discipleship/Family Ministry

4 Music & Women’s Ministry

Inserts—Calendar/Volunteer Sch.

5 Heartland KIDS/Nursery

6 Announcements

7 Announcements

The HeartbeatThe HeartbeatThe Heartbeat

December 2015/January 2016

"Today in the town of David,

a Savior has been born to

you; he is Christ the Lord."

Luke 2:11

Pastor Jim’s Gems

2

Lovingly, Bro. Jim and Kathy

As the wind howls outside I am reminded

that the days are getting both colder and shorter.

The leaves on the trees have changed colors and

fallen to the ground. The fields are all harvested

and I have winterized the outside of the house.

Yes, as much as we would like not to think of

another year passed, the fact of it is undeniable.

True the year is not completely over, but for some

reason I find that as our lives move into November

and December, they seem to catch speed, and the

next thing I know, we’re in a new year. This fall we

have been able to launch our new Sunday school

curriculum – D6. We have also launched our Royal

Ambassadors and Girls in Action groups. The

unexpected event of replacing the sanctuary roof

became a demonstration of your love for the house

of God and generous giving. [We’re not done, but

getting close to paying it off]

It is good to have a New Year and reflection

on a passing one. The older I get, the more I think

about things I did or did not get accomplished. I

look over my calendar and think about all the

unplanned events that took place. It seems the

church calendar is much like mine. Yet even

though many things were unplanned, they made up

our year of living. Before we [I] close 2015 chapter,

we still have some good things planned ahead. We

will have already celebrated our Annual

Thanksgiving dinner. But Christmas is still to come.

There will be plenty of class parties and family times

ahead, that’s for sure. Mark your calendar for

December 13th, when Steven Trask will present his

Christmas musical. Of course we will have the

Candlelight Lord’s Supper December 20th, which

always makes for a great time of church family

worship.

The New Year will bring a special service

where we will reflect back on all that the Lord has

done in Heartland’s ministries; that date is January

3rd. Oh, and Steven will take all the digital photos

you may have taken at our ministry events to

assemble a photo collage for us to enjoy.

I will be bringing a Christmas sermon series

called, the “Songs of Christmas” adapted from the

Gospel of Luke. Christmas is such a singing time

for believers as we celebrate the incarnation and

birth of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. I know that

much is in turmoil this year around the globe, but

there is always Hope at Christmas time for me that

maybe, for just a few days all can be right in the

world. I know that sounds so idealistic, but I can

Hope can’t I?

When I think back over the months, and

reflect on trips to Saskatchewan, Canada, Kansas

City, Louisville, and Orlando; I think of all the

churches and people that love the Lord and want

their Churches and communities and nation to

come back to the Lord. The geographical location

may change, but the heart felt desire of God’s

people is for a Great Revival. There is a lot of

unrest in America and the world, with terrorist and

senseless killing. It is very easy to enter into the

Holy Days of the Christian faith a bit demoralized

and depressed. I want to leave you with an

encouraging word – “Do you not know, have you

not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the

Creator of the ends of the earth does not become

weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable.

He gives strength to the weary, and to him who

lacks might He increases power. Though youths

grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men

stumble badly, yet those who wait on the LORD Will

gain new strength; they will mount up with wings

like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will

walk and not become weary!”(Isaiah 40:28-31)

Rejoice your King is still on His throne and

one day Your King will come in great power,

authority and glory. Until then “Therefore, my

beloved brethren, be steadfast, immoveable, always

abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that

your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians

15:58)

Merry Christmas and God Bless You!

The HeartbeatThe Heartbeat

3

FAMILY MINISTRY

Let’s be honest. It’s not always easy to

study scripture with your kids. You know that it’s

something you’re supposed to do. It’s pretty clear

that as parents we are the primary spiritual

influence in our Kid’s life. That means that we

can’t completely “outsource” teaching our kid’s

Scripture to the ministers at our church. We’ve got

to get involved in teaching our kids Scripture as

well. So how can we teach our kids the Bible in a

fun and enjoyable way? Here’s a great idea that

you can try this week with your kids. This

approach to studying the Bible adds some

creativity and interaction to the process. This

strategy works best with the narrative stories in the

Bible. What’s this amazing Bible Study strategy?

Act it out! That’s right just start a “Bible

Study Theatre” in your house. Here’s 4 great ways

to act out Bible stories with your kids:

First, assign the roles. Go through the

Bible story and pick out the main characters. Write

the name of one of the characters for every

member of your family. Then put those characters

in a bowl, and let each family member pick out

which role they’re going to play. Some times it

might be fun to let an object be a character. For

example, if you’re acting out Noah and the Ark,

someone can be “the Ark”. That could lead to

some funny moments.

Second, dress it up. After you assign the

roles, give everyone 5 minutes to run around the

house and put together the best costume they can

find. Encourage everyone to be creative and not

to over think this process. The point is to just have

a little fun throwing together an outfit for their

character.

Third, let the Narrator read the story while

everyone acts out their part. If the character in the

story says something, pause and give your family

member a chance to say their lines.

Fourth, discuss the story. Here’s the best

part. Teach your kids that the stories are TRUE.

They really happened, and God wants us to learn

from each of these stories. Ask questions like,

“What do you think this character was feeling

during the story?” “Can anyone re-tell the story in

their own words?” or “What do you think God was

teaching us in this story?”

There are many ways you can teach your

kids the Bible, but by acting it out you can have

fun, be silly together, and get your kids involved in

the process. And the best will be that your family

will be studying the Bible together! I hope this

stimulates some thought of how to incorporate

some Bible time within your family.

Tim Weihrauch

Family/Discipleship Minister

The HeartbeatThe Heartbeat

A Fun Way To Study Scripture With Your Kids/Grandkids

4

MUSIC MINISTRY

WOMEN’S MINISTRY

We are looking forward to our next Renewal

of Secret Sisters at Kathy Grant's house on

Tuesday,

December 1 at

6:30pm. We

ask that

everyone bring

12 cookie/treat

bags to

exchange. We

will draw for our new secret sister that evening. If

you are unable to attend, please complete a form for

all your favorites. If you have any questions, please

see Karen Harris, Kathy Grant or Bridget Perkins.

Early next year, our women's groups will be

changing to build more relationships. If you aren't

already in a group, please sign up. You are always

welcome to bring friends too. We want to thank

everyone for a great year. We have enjoyed getting

together with everyone, whether we play games or

just sit and talk. God continues to bless us in many

ways.

Karen and Bridget

We are quickly moving into the holiday

season, with Thanksgiving just days away and

Christmas following close by. As we approach

these times let's not only remember what Christ has

done for us, and think of things for which we should

be thankful, but let's celebrate these things. Let's

show that we are overjoyed by the things Christ has

done for each and every one of us throughout the

year, and for the things he is preparing for the years

to come.

We are focusing on celebration this

Christmas season. Not simply keeping Christmas

as a somber time, but a time to proclaim with

excitement that Christ is king. We will be having an

evening of "A Christmas Celebration" December 13,

at 6:00 pm at the church. We will hear testimonies

of biblical accounts, personal accounts, as well as

music. Please come join us in this celebration, and

have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Steven Trask

Music Minister

The HeartbeatThe Heartbeat

5

HEARTLAND BRRRRR winter is here! It is amazing to

praise God even in the cold. It is nearing Christmas

and already the kids are starting to get excited and

energized. As we take time to remember the birth

of our Savior, we are looking forward to the gifts we

will give others. I urge you to take time to read

Luke 2 with your family this year. This is a tradition

my own family started years ago and has become

my favorite. When the boys

were toddlers we would act out

the story with our Little People

nativity set. As they grew we

would read it aloud taking turns.

But even now they still want to

use the nativity set.

We will be hosting a

Parent’s Night Out December 11

from 6:30-9:30pm. We invite

anyone who is in need of time to wrap/purchase

gifts without little ones peeking to come join us. We

are going to make ornaments, play some reindeer

games, and drink hot chocolate while watching a

holiday classic. There is a sign-up sheet in the

foyer for both attendees and workers.

Everyone seems to be settling nicely into

the Sunday night classes. The RA’s are having fun

learning basic maintenance and safety. The GA’s

have just finished up celebrating their support of our

troops and looking forward to a church wide slumber

party for girls only. The mission friends are having

fun learning about missionaries in San Diego,

Cambodia, and Colorado.

In Christ Service

Jackie Parish

NURSERY MINISTRY

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from

your Nursery staff!

Our newest little sprout, Abel, has arrived

and we are busy spoiling him-when Mama and

Grandma will let us!

Finnley has almost promoted himself to

Miss Karol and Miss Karla's room and Payson

continues to make us laugh!

This has been a busy year, our transition to

D6 has been smooth for all of us. As Christmas

approaches we are telling our babies and toddlers

about our Jesus and His birth, giving them pictures

of the tiny baby Jesus in a manger in the City of

David, Bethlehem.

The snow

will soon be flying,

the wind blowing

and furnaces

running; but all

that points us

toward spring and

green things!

Thank you, Father God, for your promise of

renewal and rebirth! Amen

Hazel Morgan and Mary Burger

The HeartbeatThe Heartbeat

WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS!

Joe & Anna Herrington

6

The Heartbeat The HeartbeatThe Heartbeat

WMU CHRISTMAS CLOTHING TREE The WMU ladies traditional Christmas Clothing tree is in the Fellowship Hall beside the fireplace. Church families are asked to purchase winter outerwear such as gloves, scarves, hats, etc. for preschoolers, as well as 4 and 5 year old children. These items will become the decorations on the tree. Before severe weather these winter clothing gifts will be delivered to children in need. If you have any questions please contact Minnie Johnson at 466-1368.

MONTHLY DEACON’S MEETING

December 6 at 4:30pm January 31 at 5:00pm

If you have a need or know of someone who needs assistance, has become ill or hospitalized, please

contact the church office or Mike Harris at 972-9145.

GOAL-$55,000

$50,000

$45,000

$40,000

$35,000

$30,000

$25,000

$20,000

$15,000

$10,000

$5,000

$47203 11-22-15

ROOF REPAIR GIVING

BAROMETER

The Key Family Missionaries from Bulgaria

The Key Family will be here at Heartland

on Sunday, December 6 at

6:00pm.

SPECIAL CALLED BUSINESS MEETING

Sunday, December 6 following Morning Service the church will be voting on the 2016 Budget,

Calendar and Nominations

7

The Heartbeat

A Christmas

Celebration

Sunday, December 13 at 6:00pm

The HeartbeatThe Heartbeat

Candlelight ServiceCandlelight Service Sunday, December 20 at 6:00pmSunday, December 20 at 6:00pm

MIDMIDMID---WEEK BIBLE STUDYWEEK BIBLE STUDYWEEK BIBLE STUDY

Warning and JudgmentWarning and JudgmentWarning and Judgment Beginning January 6Beginning January 6Beginning January 6

11:30am11:30am11:30am———LunchLunchLunch NoonNoonNoon———Bible StudyBible StudyBible Study

JANUARY BIBLE STUDYJANUARY BIBLE STUDY Sunday nights at 6:00pmSunday nights at 6:00pm

beginning January 10beginning January 10 Please sign up at the Welcome Center.Please sign up at the Welcome Center.

END OF YEAR GIVING All contributions you would like to be included in your 2015 Giving Statement must be received by December 27, 2015.

Thank You for your cooperation and understanding.

Jeanie Farrow, Financial Secretary

Heartland Baptist Church 4500 Humbert Rd Alton, IL 62002 www.hbcalton.com

DATED MATERIAL

If your address has changed, Please notify the church office.

Church Staff

Senior Pastor Dr. Jim Grant

pastor@hbcalton.com

Discipleship & Family Minister

Tim Weihrauch family@hbcalton.com

Music Minister Steven Trask

music@hbcalton.com

Financial Secretary

Jeanie Farrow financial@hbcalton.com

Church Office

Sarah Neuhaus office@hbcalton.com

preachbetweenthelines.com