The JIBC Plan for 2010

Dear friends,

Some of you may be wondering if JIBC has a “plan” for 2010. The answer is yes! It is the same plan we have had for many years now. We will strive with all our might to “glorify God upwardly through worship, inwardly through discipleship, and outwardly through evangelism.” Worship. Discipleship. Evangelism. That is the plan.

With the Lord’s help we will bring Him glory with genuine, authentic worship each Sunday morning. This worship will be characterized by God honoring variety in style and presentation. It will also be anchored in the simplicity of biblical worship such as: singing, praying, giving, preaching, the Lord’s Supper, and baptism.

With the Lord’s help we will bring Him glory with relational, biblical discipleship. This discipleship will be gospel-driven with a desire for people to love God more deeply by seeing Him more clearly in the scripture and experiencing a relationship with Him in their lives. Opportunities for discipleship will include: sermons, Sunday school classes for all ages, a variety of Bible studies, and courses at the Reformed Baptist Institute.

With the Lord’s help we will bring Him glory with bold, purposeful evangelism. This evangelism will be centered on the biblical truth that a relationship with Jesus Christ is the only way to be saved, to have a right relationship with God, and to inherit eternal life. We will proclaim this message in all our preaching and teaching, we will continue our support of missions and evangelistic outreach in our city and country, and we will strive to create opportunities for each member of JIBC to share the good news of Christ with others.

Friends, please pray for JIBC as we seek to do these things. Let’s beg God to bless our efforts. Also, make sure that you are involved in each area of the plan. Come to worship, get involved in discipleship, and be on the lookout for evangelistic opportunities. May the Lord bless the church for the glory of His great Name!

Your servant,

Stephen

Rev. Stephen St. John
Pastor/Elder

The Gift of Joy

And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever,
even as he said to our fathers.”
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. (Luke 1:46-56).

If you want to have joy in your soul, then you must seek joy the right way.

1. You must not look for joy in the wrong places.
2. You must find your joy in the merciful gospel of God.

Click here to listen:
Luke 1:46-56

Christmas Meditation and Testimony by Mr. Rod McKay

One of our men who was recently elected to serve as deacon at JIBC shared briefly during our Christmas worship service. Click here to listen:
Mr. McKay

Kalimantan Mission Trip Testimony

One of our young people, Joshua St. John, gave this brief testimony about his mission trip to Kalimantan. Click here to listen:
Kalimantan Testimony

Announcements for the Week of December 27

Our two Men’s Bible Studies will be taking a break until February when we will launch our new Men’s Ministry. More information will be coming soon!

Read through the Bible in a Year. See this morning’s Pastor’s Desk and pick up a Bible Reading calendar from the welcome table.

JIBC is incorporated as a non-profit entity in the State of Delaware. If you are a US tax payer, your contributions to JIBC can be tax deductible. Keep this in mind as you plan your year-end giving. Also, if you would like a 2009 giving record for tax purposes, then please contact Deacon John Suwardi or Mr. Tony Setiadi.

The next RBI course, Systematic Theology II is open for enrollment. You do not need the first course to join this one, so start today. Men and women are welcome to apply. For more information, pick up the flyer on the welcome table.

Pastor Stephen is available to meet with you on Sunday mornings from 9:15-10:15 AM. You can call in advance to make a formal appointment or just try to catch him during that time. The pastor is happy to answer your questions about God and the Bible or just to enjoy getting to know you better. You may also make appointments to visit with Pastor Stephen during the week by calling the church office.

Food Gathering Next week, to help our brothers and sisters in the need. We are supporting two street children’s ministries (1) is under Immanuel of Gereja Baptist Getsemani of Pasar Rumput and (2) Street children ministry under Youth For Christ (Ibu Edna) and the food gathering is to help our sister Indonesian congregation in their “Tolong Menolong Ministry” or Mercy Ministry. Don’t forget to bring non-perishable food items or cash donations.

Christmas: God’s Gift of Love

Dear friends,

The story is told of a television interviewer who was walking the streets of Tokyo at Christmastime. Although there are few Christians in Japan, Christmas shopping is a big commercial success there. The interviewer stopped one young woman on the sidewalk, and asked, “What is the meaning of Christmas?” Laughing, she responded, “I don’t know. Is it the day that Jesus died?” (1)

To many people, it does seem that Jesus is dead. No doubt there are unbelievers who feel the Christmas story is antiquated or irrelevant. Even believers may feel the message of Christ is so buried in materialism that it can only be described as dead. But no matter how people may feel, Jesus is very much alive. In fact, he is the one in whom life can be found: “In him was life and that life was the light of men” (John 1:4). Jesus was born in this world so that we could have a relationship with God and the abundant life that goes with it. He said, “I have come that they might have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).

The true account of Christ’s birth is found in Luke 2, but the central message of Christmas is summed up perfectly in that most famous of Bible verses:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

I pray that you have received this greatest of all gifts. If not, then may this Christmas be your time of salvation through faith in the Living Savior!

Your servant,

Stephen

Note: (1) Donald Deffner, Seasonal Illustrations, San Jose: Resource, 1992, p. 16.

Our two Men’s Bible Studies will be taking a break until February when we will launch our new Men’s Ministry.  More information will be coming soon!

At the Annual Business meeting last week the following men were affirmed to begin serving as deacon upon their ordination and installation: Ian Beech, Rod McKay, and Tony Setiadi.  Also, Uran The was affirmed to serve as elder, the changes to the JIBC Statement of Faith were approved, and the 2010 church budget was also approved.  Thanks to all who participated and praise God!

JIBC is incorporated as a non-profit entity in the State of Delaware.  If you are a US tax payer, your contributions to JIBC can be tax deductible.  Keep this in mind as you plan your year-end giving.  Also, if you would like a 2009 giving record for tax purposes, then please contact Deacon John Suwardi or Mr. Tony Setiadi.

The next RBI course, Systematic Theology II is open for enrollment.  You do not need the first course to join this one, so start today.  Men and women are welcome to apply.  For more information, pick up the flyer on the welcome table.

There are two new arrivals in our congregation! Stephen Speed Akoh Wangi was born to David and Reni on December 6 and Ethan Emanuel Ferguson was born the Beau and Jennifer on December 16.  Praise the Lord!

Lord’s Supper Next week. Dec 27 we will have the Lord’s Supper.

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