NOVEMBER 26, 2017

The Bible Center AppUse the free app to look up or register for an event, submit a prayer request, or

let us know you visited. Download it from your usual app store or go to BibleCenterChurch.com/app.

Weekly NewsletterIf you'd like updates on what's going on at Bible Center, go to BibleCenterChurch.com and enter your email address at the bottom of the page.

@biblecenter@pastormattbcc

Welcome toBIBLE CENTER!

Matt Friend, Senior Pastor

Questions &Registrations:

Call (304) 346-0431 Register on the Bible Center appSubmit a Connection Card Go to BibleCenterChurch.com/registerEmail a staffer at (username)@BibleCenterChurch.com

Dear Friends,

The month of December is scheduled for delivery this Friday! I look forward to enjoying the Christmas season with you.

Have you already hung your Christmas lights? Enjoyed a peppermint mocha? Rinsed your Cousin Eddie moose mug? Perhaps you’ve already watched George Bailey discover a wonderful life, the Grinch try to steal Christmas, or Ernest try to save it? Maybe you’ve made your appointment with Buddy the Elf to “make snow angels for two hours, go ice skating, then eat a whole roll of Toll House cookie dough?”

Whether you are joyfully expecting a white Christmas or prayerfully burdened for a miracle on 34th Street, please don’t walk through the Christmas season alone. Check the bulletin, our app, or Facebook each week for details on: Sunday services, food distributions, brunches, parades, nights of worship, fireside gatherings, candlelight services, and caroling opportunities. We want to be your family, your community, and your support system this December!

Speaking of community… It’s a joy to have Mike Graham speaking for us today. Mike became our Pastor of Group Life back in July, bringing over 20 years of experience to our group and community ministries. I’ve known Mike since 2010 and have watched him develop armies of leaders, start dozens of community groups, and cast a discipleship vision for a growing church. He has already made a positive impact in Charleston, and I know you’ll be blessed by his preaching.

May today’s service encourage your heart!

For the city,

Bible Center in 5After today's service, a Bible Center staff member will take 5 minutes to share our church's vision and mission. If you’re new, you're invited to meet at the front right of the Worship Center.

Foster Care Informational MeetingTuesday, Nov. 28 • 6:30-7:30 PM • Family Rm. (3101/02) • Have you considered doing foster care, but don't know where to start? Do you wonder if it is something you can do? Is adoption in your future, whether local, foreign, or from foster care? Married, single, empty-nesters, young professionals–come and find out! Contact Michelle Thompson (mthompson) for additional details.

Christmas Parade FloatAnnouncing Bible Center's first year in the City of Charleston's Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 2! We are building a float to enter into the parade (and contest!) and will hand out hot chocolate at the parade. Anyone who would like to help build or decorate the float can contact Jane Jackson (jjackson) or sign up on the app.

OWLS Christmas Brunch & BasketsSaturday, Dec. 9 • 9 AM • Calling all OWLS! We will have a delicious breakfast and will assemble Christmas baskets to deliver to our elderly shut-ins and those with special needs in our church family. Monetary donations are being accepted. RSVP on the app or to Judy Mercer (jmercer) by Dec. 3.

Christmas Baskets for Shut-InsIf you know of anyone who would be blessed by some Christmas cheer, submit their name and address to Judy Mercer (jmercer). The OWLS will be preparing Christmas baskets for elderly shut-ins and those with special needs within our church family.

Men’s Breakfast at Shoney'sTuesday, Dec. 5 • 7:30 AM • Dutch treat • Guest speaker is Pastor John King. All men are invited!

Follow Along While the Word is Being ReadIf you'd like a Bible to follow readings, they are at the back of the Worship Center on either side.

Dodgeball Tournament (3rd-5th Grades)Saturdays in Jan. • 2-3:30 PM • Gather your friends, name your team, and sign up for our Dodgeball Tournament! Each team needs 6 players: all boys, all girls or mixed. Points will be awarded at the end of each game, and winners will be rewarded on the last week. The deadline to sign up your team is Sunday, Dec. 10. Contact Pastor Richard (rthompson) for questions.

Union MissionChristmas Food DistributionSaturday, Dec. 16 • 9 AM • Thanks to all who helped with the UM Thanksgiving Food Distribution! Many lives were touched and the love of Jesus was shared. Volunteers are needed for the UM Christmas Food Distribution on the 16th. Sign up online or on the app, or contact Sheri Skidmore (sskidmore).

A Fireside GatheringWednesday, Dec. 20 • 6:30 PM • Join us in front of the fireplace for an evening of Christmas music and celebration. In addition to a devotional from one of our pastors, we will enjoy special music, familiar Christmas carols, and delicious cookies and hot chocolate.

Fitness with FriendsJan. 9-Feb. 15 • 6-7 PM • Bible Center School RAM Center • This women's exercise class will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 6 weeks. Cost: $25. Come get fit with friends! Registration required.

Keep Up With the LatestBible Center is committed to com-municating events and important info, such as inclement weather

alerts. Make sure that the info we have for you is up-to-date. Click on the logo at the top of our website or call the church office. If you have questions about BC Central, contact Jessica VonCrist (jvoncrist).

Notes of Sympathy• To Angie Berry, whose father, Charles

Brumfield, passed away.• To Cindy Hawley, whose father, Elmer LeRoy

Harrell, passed away.• To Eddie Howie, whose sister, Nancy Brown,

passed away.• To Joe Pack, whose brother, James Leo

Pack, passed away.

NEXT SUNDAY:

Mary's Song of PraiseLuke 1:46-55

TODAY'S MESSAGE:

God's PresenceChanges Everything

Joshua 5

This Week's BookRecommendation

God's Presence Changes EverythingJoshua 5

Last in a 4-part series titled: Not Alone: Courage for the Journey

Pastor Mike Graham – November 26, 2017

1. You are mine! (vv. 2-7)

2. I have given you a new identity. (v. 9)

3. I have redeemed you into My family. (v. 10)

4. I am with you! (vv. 13-15)

Christmas is a time for music! Whether you prefer Pentatonix, Michael Bublé, George Frideric Handel, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, or Gwen Stefani... Christmas songs will fill your offices, your favorite stores, your supermarkets, and your radio stations. For a few short weeks, Christmas carols seem to unify the world.Join us this December as we look at the first four Christmas carols in history. Mary, Simeon, Zechariah, and the Angels have left us four of the most beautiful Christmas songs ever written. Fill your travel mug with your favorite apple cider or eggnog, and bring a friend!

December 3 Mary's Song of Praise LUKE 1:46-55

December 10 Simeon's Song of Promise LUKE 2:22-35

December 17 Zechariah's Song of Pardon LUKE 1:67-80

December 24 The Angels' Song of Peace LUKE 2:1-14

Where is GodWhen it Hurts?by PhilipYancey

– S U N D A Y S @ 9 A M –55+ Adults Family • Rm. 3105/06

Pastor Chad Cowan • Bible teaching emphasizing practical application for everyday life.

55+ Adults Victory • Rm. 3103Nick Munoz • Bible teaching in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

– S U N D A Y S @ 1 0 : 3 0 A M –20s-30s With Kids Converge • Rm. 2104

Mark Banyai, Blake Stevens • All married couples are invited to join us!20s-40s Without Kids Young Professionals • Rm. 3101/02

Wayne & Michelle Davis, Tim Abraham • A fun, interactive group with Biblical study and discussion. Frequent social activities.

45+ Adults Life Journey • Rm. 3101/02Mike DeTemple, Mitri Ghareeb, Paul Legg, Troy McClung, Matt Walker • For couples on the marriage journey. Intensive study and application of Scripture; fun activities.

50+ Adults Horizons • Rm. 3105/06Charlie McClung • A Bible study group for adults of all life stages.

– S U N D A Y S @ 6 P M –60+ Adults The Pursuers • Rm. 3105/06

Darwin Neddo, Joe Martin • Expository preaching and teaching to inspire those to pursue the lost around us and to minister to one another.

Calendar of Events

Child dedication is a special part of the service during which we seek to highlight parents' commitment to raise their children with a God-centered approach to parenting. This ceremony is not a sacrament or a means of salvation for the child, but a wonderful opportunity for the church and the parents to consciously purpose to raise our precious children in the fear and admonition of the Lord.

If you are interested in participating, you may register in one of three ways:

– Call (304) 346-0431 or email Michelle Thompson at mthompson@BibleCenterChurch.com;

– Register on the Bible Center app; or

– Fill out the Connection Card in a seat pocket near you, and place it in an offering basket or Response Box.

a Special Needs room & Equipment…

How you can help…

Christmas CardO F F E R I N G

As we start ministering more intentionally to families of children with special needs, we will be outfitting a designated classroom with equipment and safety items.

There are a number of ways you can give to this upcoming ministry: 1. Through the Bible Center app; 2. On BibleCenterChurch.com/give; 3. Placing your gift in the offering

basket during services; or by 4. Mailing or submitting a Christmas

card with your donation in it. Be sure to specify "Christmas Card Offering" on your gift.Funds given beyond what's needed will be used to help launch this ministry and to build an accessible playground on the South lawn.

Above: the "ladybug Room" as it Appears currently.