Dear EBC Family,

This Sunday, I will begin a new sermon series on the Gospel of Matthew. I'll be preaching on the genealogy that opens the Gospel of Matthew in Matthew 1:1-17. This text is essentially a list of names, and one might wonder why we would bother taking the time to look at it in detail on a Sunday morning. Before I ever began in pastoral ministry, I made a commitment that I would seek to preach through all of God's Word, just as the Apostle Paul told the Ephesians that he "did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:27).

It can be very easy to only focus on texts that have the message that I want to share. Or it can be easy to focus only on those passages of Scripture that I think other people will want to hear. But all of God's Word is worthy of our attention and is applicable to our lives, as Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

According, to Paul, all Scripture is God's Word, and therefore, all Scripture is useful for the Christian life. Even genealogies! As we look at a long list of names this Sunday, I am praying that God would speak directly to you in a way that can only happen through this text of Scripture.

Sunday Worship Guide

Sunday morning worship is a Saturday night decision! One of the best ways to get the most out of our time together in corporate worship is to come prepared, going to bed early on Saturday night, and by reviewing the sermon text, our song list, and our responsive readings. To help you prepare for Sunday worship, I've provided each element of our worship below for your review prior to Sunday.
Sermon Text – Matthew 1:1-17
Song List
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3P97yj-f4sc&list=RD3P97yj-f4sc&start_radio=1)
O Come All Ye Faithful (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nu48M8kHMkk&list=RDNu48M8kHMkk&start_radio=1)
O Come O Come Emmanuel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQP0JsxEdPo&list=RDxQP0JsxEdPo&start_radio=1)
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDLaC0N-coU&list=RDrDLaC0N-coU&start_radio=1)
Go Tell It on the Mountain (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwLvk1c_OyM&list=RDqwLvk1c_OyM&start_radio=1)
Lighting of the 2nd Advent Candle

Announcements
International Missions Meal – Please join us this Friday, December 7, at 6 PM, for our international missions meal! We will be having various international dishes, and we will have the opportunity to listen to guest speakers, Rick and Jill Thompson, as they shares about their experience as missionaries in Brazil.
Wednesday Nights – Next Wednesday we will have our monthly Member's Meeting and fellowship meal. Attached are the meeting agenda and the ministry team list along with team job descriptions that we will be voting on.
Bible Reading Plans – As we approach the new year, it is time to start thinking about your Bible reading plan for the next year. The church has made some Bible reading plans that you are welcome to take. This is a great way for us to read through God's Word together in the coming year.
Holiday Meal – Join us on Sunday, December 14, immediately after church at 11:30 AM in the fellowship hall for our Holiday Meal. The church will provide meat. Please bring a dessert or a side dish.
Treasurer Position – We are currently in need of a treasurer. If you have a financial background, and if you are interested, please contact me or Annette Reid directly.
Theology for Breakfast – This is a men's discipleship group that meets on the 1st & 3rd Fridays of the month at 6:30 AM at The Coffee House South. We spend time sharing our struggles and prayer needs with one another, and then we spend the rest of our time discussing a book that we are reading together. If you are interested in joining, please let me know.
Trail Life/American Heritage Girls – Trail Life and AHG meet at the church each Thursday night at 6:30 PM. If you are interested in serving as mentor/volunteer, please contact Tom or Michelle Gidley.
Classical Conversations – The homeschool group, Classical Conversations, meets at our church on Tuesdays from 8:00 AM–3:30 PM.
Bible Study Fellowship – The women's BSF group meets at our church on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 PM. If you would like to join the current study, visit bsfinternational.org, click "Find a Group," locate the Excell Baptist Church group, and click "Request to Join."

Upcoming Events
December 5 – International Missions Meal
December 14 – Holiday Meal

In Christ,

Hunter Hanson