Volume 17, Issue 21 October - December 2015

Christmas God’s Rescue Plan!

Luke 19:10 NCV says, “The Son of Man came to find lost people and save them.”

If you don’t understand the purpose of Christmas, you might as well skip the Christmas lights and decorations this year. You might as well forget about buying Christmas presents. You might as well forget Christmas

dinner.

If you don’t know why we celebrate Christmas, all the

festivities are pointless.

To find the purpose of Christmas, you have to fast forward beyond the manger, the Wise Men, and the shepherds. Jesus told us the reason he came to Earth on the first Christmas. Luke 19:101 NCV says, “The Son

of Man came to find lost people and save them.”

Quite simply, Jesus came because people are lost without God. To be spiritually lost means to be separated from God, disconnected, and out of whack. Without Jesus, every person in the world is lost—no

matter how much power, wealth, or fame they have.

And our lostness has immense ramifications on our lives. To know why Jesus came to Earth, we must understand what it means to be lost. Without God,

we’ve lost:

Our direction. We’re bound to have little understanding of where we should go and what we

should do in this life.

His protection. We’re on our own when we’re not under the Lord’s protection. That’s a huge reason many people are stressed out. They’re trying to live under their own care and protection instead of

God’s.

Our potential. We’ll never know half the gifts and talents

we have if we’re not in a relationship with him.

Our happiness. We can have all the money and power in

the world, but without God we will never have true joy.

Our home in Heaven. God allows us to rebel while we’re here on Earth, but there’s no rebellion in Heaven. But no one who is lost has one ounce of value to God. Even if you don’t have a relationship with him, you have immense value to God. Lostness implies value. Whatever someone is willing to spend to recover something that’s lost shows

how valuable that item is.

In the most famous verse in the Bible, Jesus clearly explains our value: “God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). The Good News is God loved us so much he sent his Son to Earth on the first

Christmas to seek and save us.

That’s a reason to celebrate Christmas.

How can you keep a perspective this Christmas that goes beyond the holiday season and helps you remember the meaning of God’s gift of Jesus? What changes for you when you understand that Christmas is about God seeking and saving the lost? How will you celebrate

different?

Be Blessed until next time.

Pastor’s Words of Encouragement

Caring Connection Ministry

Atherton Baptist Church

“We Care for You “ Quarterly Newsletter

Volume 17, Issue 21 October - December 2015

I Release That Which No Longer Serves Me. My Spirit Is Restored.

With the start of a new year, I eagerly anticipate doors opening wide with new possibilities. I am grateful for new beginnings. I welcome the opportunity to release that which no longer serves me, knowing that life can begin anew for me. I open my heart and mind to receive my good.

While I may or may not make New Year’s resolutions, I resolve to focus my attention on “being” rather than “doing”. This year, I allow myself the gift of reflection. By tuning in each day to the Divine Presence within me, I find my spirit is restored and my vision for myself is expanded. I am able to create the life that I desire. By staying in the present moment, I see the Truth of me--and I am a joyful new creation.

I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. –Revelation 3:8

Our Daily Word

“BEGIN ANEW”

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

Happy Birthday or Happy Anniversary to everyone celebrating their birthday or anniversary during October,

November and December.

NEW MEMBERS

We Welcome You to our ABC Family with

Friendship and Love

Romans 8: 26-28 (NASB)

26 In the same way the Spirt also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for

us with groanings too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for

the Saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for the good of

those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Johnnie’s Corner

May God touch each member

in times of tribulation, sleeping

each night in His keeping,

waking each day with His blessings,

and filling each heart with

His Holy presence.

Volume 17, Issue 21 October - December 2015

YOUTH MINISTRY – LOL3 “a time to laugh” and laugh we did on Friday, October 30th at the 3rd Annual Laugh out Loud

presentation.

MEN’S MINISTRY – The 2015 Men’s Conference was held at ABC on October 3rd, 2015. Kingdom Agenda based on Matthew 6:33 “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need” was the theme. Various workshops were held covering these topics– Kingdom Marriage, Stewardship, Ministry, Time, Fitness, Prayer, Preparation, and Kingdom Mentoring Servants / Leaders. More than three hundred men attended

the conference.

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY –ABC Children’s Ministry hosted the 2nd Annual Child Health Awareness Day on October 4th, 2015, in the Annex after the 8am and 11am services. It was an informative meeting dealing with Technology: The Effects

on Our Children’s Health.

If your child needs a quiet place to study or help with their homework or an upcoming test, tutoring is available on

Monday and Thursday’s from 6pm until 7:30pm in room 211.

14TH PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY— On two Sunday’s, November 8th and 15th 2015 we celebrated and honored our Pastor and First Lady with outstanding Preaching, Overseer Jawane Hilton “Can You Wait On God”, Pastor William Tyler “Destined to Serve, Determined to Develop the People of God in the Word of God”, Pastor Darnell Dyson “The Profile of the Preacher” and Pastor Curtis Monroe “Do it Now”. The Music was amazing from the choice of songs to the ministry of them. And the Showering of Love was over the top. Pastor Larry Weaver and First Lady Patricia, expressed their

gratitude for everything that was done.

THANKSGIVING BLESSINGS– Atherton Families, Schools and Individuals in the community, were blessed by the food give-a-way on the week of Thanksgiving. The Outreach Ministry along with volunteers bagged and distributed over

100 Turkeys with all of the trimmings to help those in need.

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY– “It was the day after the Christmas Celebration and I’m sure “Arthritis”, “Rheumatism”, and “Oh My Aching Feet” came a calling on some of the over 300 attendees of the Annual Christmas Party after they danced all night. At one time it seemed that just about everyone was on the dance floor. It was a beautiful celebration with special guest, The Men of Atherton (MOA) Dancers, The Temptations, Diana Ross and The Supremes, and Etta James. The Mistress of Ceremony and the Roving Reporter were good too. Senior Saints you did it again good food, good fun, and a very good night. The Party was held at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Torrance, on Friday, December 11th, 2015 at 7 pm. PRAYER MINISTRY – Everyone is welcome, there is power in prayer and more power in praying together

every Tuesday at 7 pm in room 111.

BIBLE STUDY – Real Talk Bible Study is held every Monday at 7:00 pm, taught by Bro. Ron Williams in

Rm 111.

Adult Bible Study is held on Wednesday’s at 12:30

pm taught by Sis. Valarie & Jacqueline.

Minister Linda Howard teaches every Wednesday at

6:00 pm in Rm 111.

Children’s Bible Study, taught by Sis. LaShonda is

held every Wednesday at 7:00 pm in Rm 213.

Youth Bible Study, taught by Pastor Fears is held

every Wednesday at 7:00 pm in Rm 109.

Young Adult Ministry is held every Wednesday at

7:00pm in the Annex, taught by Bro. DeAndre Harling.

Pastor Weaver’s Bible Study based on Psalm 119 is held every Wednesday at 7pm. He is teaching on “The Power of the Word.” All are welcome to attend and

learn.

WOMEN’S MINISTRY – Women’s Bible study taught by Sis. Weaver is held every Thursday at 7pm in room

111.

ABC Ministries & Activities

Volume 17, Issue 21 October - December 2015

Dorothy Cox & Family - Husband, Jerry Wesley Charlene Porter & Family - Son, Michael Porter Rachel Bolton & Family - Sister, Wanda Russell Annie Croom & Family - Niece, Liz Gaines Dorothy Tate & Family - Sister, Gladys Whitfield The Family of Rev. John Williams, Brother-in-Law of Shirleen Williams Debra Cash & Family - Husband, Clarence Winn, Step-Father of Dana McKinley and Grandfather of Kameron Stills Darlene Thomas & Family - Father, Lonnie Washington Catherine Ford & Family - Father, Cleo Mosley Sheryl Quaintance & Family - Mother, Maurice McCray, Grandmother of Lindsay, Jason & Gloria Evans Karen Nelson & Family - Aunt, Bernice Stella Nelson Song “Gina” Ellis & Family - Husband, Claude Ellis, Father of Tina & Marc Annie Croom & Family - Nephew, James Hicks Nadine Nettles & Family - Father, James Nettles, Grandfather of Leketa Montgomery

Adams, Theresa

Barrett, Charles

Blunston, Derica

Brown, Jimmie Jr.

Burfict, Dorothy

Burks, Exie

Burnham, Tammye

Cole, Norman

Collins, Yvonne

Croom, Annie

Curry, Myrna

Dent, Katari

Dickerson, Sherman

Dixon, Joyce

Ellis, Gina

Epps, Diane

Edwards, Marie

Ford, Demetrise

Fuller, Ben & Gloria

Ginn, Elizabeth

Givens, Thomas

Hall, Edith

Harris, Teresa

Hayes, Barbara

Hayes, Joel

Hines, Jalisa

Hudson, Barbara

Hughes, Horase Dea.

Jelks, Louis

Jelks, Verna

Jenkins, Etta

Johnson, Charles

Johnson, Lula

Johnson, Mary

Jones, Clara

Jordan, Mearl

Langston, Minnie

Love, Brenda

Martin, Carla

McDowell, Rita

Montgomery, Lketa

Moten, Gloria

Moore, Gregory & Gwen

Moore, Mary

Palacios, Esther

Player, Kermit & Christine

Reed, Ethel

Reed, Evelyn

Robinson, Rosalea

Sam, Louise

Sawyers, Elizabeth

Shelby, Albert

Sims, Tina

Smith, Charles

Stenson, John Dea.

Stinson-Pleasant, Beverly

Stewart, Molly

Talley, Idella

Tate, Dorothy

Tate, Gloria

Taylor, Mary

Thomas, Tracy

Turner, Althia

Vernado, Velma

Ward, Roberta

Watson, Ernestine

Webb, Minnie

White, Nellie

Whitehurst, LaQuency

Williams, Jo P

Wilson, Jerome

May God touch each member in times of tribulation, sleeping each night in His keeping, waking each day with His blessings and filling each heart with His Holy Presence.

For Prayer and Visitation Contact Minister Frank Phillips

at 323.757.3113 Ext. 113

Please come and join the Caring connection Ministry

If you would like to contribute information

for our next Newsletter, place it in the Caring connection Ministry

mailbox, located in the Copy Center.

Cole, Norman Doss, Marcia Jones, Judith McMillion, Queenie Stewart, Leon Stinson, Ruthie Stuart, Thomas (Deacon) Young, Preston