Certainly, all of you reading the last SRBC newsletter of the year could say that it has been a whirlwind year. There have been a lot of firsts this year in the life of the church, but probably in your family as well.
The Christmas story is full of firsts also, and in our preaching, for this month,
I’d like to highlight some of the firsts of the Christmas Story: The first to recognize Jesus as both human and Divine, the first to recognize him as Savior, the first to recognize Him as Lamb of God and the first to recognize Him as King.
Yet, with all of the joy and excitement of the Christmas season, inevitably, we must face some sorrows, too. As Simeon spoke to Mary and Joseph (Luke 2:34)
“Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, His mother: ‘ Behold this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against.’“
The beautiful account of Jesus‘s birth is also mixed with some sorrow.
The glad news and the sad news. The birth of the Christ Child who came to
die for the sins of the world.
Within our congregation, this past year, a number of our folks have preceded us into the glories of heaven. That’s glad news. Yet families remain here and experience the sad news, which is especially felt at Christmas time.
In an effort to address the grief that some of our families are experiencing,
we have been able to begin a grief support group, and during our first meeting (12 folks), we were able to talk about the need for an ongoing meeting of this nature. This has been very timely as Thanksgiving and Christmas have come upon us, so our next meeting will be on December 3 from 5 PM to 6 PM in the prayer room behind the piano in the sanctuary. We will be using Stephen Ministries materials, and all are welcome to join.
May you all receive “Comfort and Joy “ this Christmas season as we celebrate the birth of the Savior.
Your Interim Pastor, Steve Tufts
The Christmas story is full of firsts also, and in our preaching, for this month,
I’d like to highlight some of the firsts of the Christmas Story: The first to recognize Jesus as both human and Divine, the first to recognize him as Savior, the first to recognize Him as Lamb of God and the first to recognize Him as King.
Yet, with all of the joy and excitement of the Christmas season, inevitably, we must face some sorrows, too. As Simeon spoke to Mary and Joseph (Luke 2:34)
“Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, His mother: ‘ Behold this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against.’“
The beautiful account of Jesus‘s birth is also mixed with some sorrow.
The glad news and the sad news. The birth of the Christ Child who came to
die for the sins of the world.
Within our congregation, this past year, a number of our folks have preceded us into the glories of heaven. That’s glad news. Yet families remain here and experience the sad news, which is especially felt at Christmas time.
In an effort to address the grief that some of our families are experiencing,
we have been able to begin a grief support group, and during our first meeting (12 folks), we were able to talk about the need for an ongoing meeting of this nature. This has been very timely as Thanksgiving and Christmas have come upon us, so our next meeting will be on December 3 from 5 PM to 6 PM in the prayer room behind the piano in the sanctuary. We will be using Stephen Ministries materials, and all are welcome to join.
May you all receive “Comfort and Joy “ this Christmas season as we celebrate the birth of the Savior.
Your Interim Pastor, Steve Tufts
YAC ~ Tuesday, December 2 @ 7:00 pm
Men’s Breakfast ~ Saturday, December 13 @ 8:30 pm
Women’s Breakfast ~ Not meeting this month
Team Meetings ~ Tuesday, December 16 @ 6:00 pm
Church Council ~ Tuesday, December 16 @ 7:00 pm
On Sunday, December 7, 2025, we will be
live-streaming the Cedarville University Christmas program. This is a program that never disappoints. Join us at 6:00 pm in the sanctuary for a night of Christmas music presented by the Cedarville University music department.
Please join us for Christmas Eve Candlelight Service December 24 @ 6:00 pm.
AWANA MINUTE
The Program that teaches and trains kids that rock for Jesus!
This fall has been full of excitement in AWANA! Kids have been finishing Start Zones, receiving new uniforms, making friends, and digging into their handbooks each week. It’s such a blessing to watch them grow—learning God’s Word and beginning to apply it in their everyday lives.
We are incredibly thankful for our dedicated leaders and the supportive families who show up week after week. Your time, energy, and prayers make this ministry strong!
Each club spends time discussing the lesson, memorizing verses, playing games, praying together, and drawing closer to God through AWANA. Praise the Lord for this powerful
weekly outreach!
This past month, our clubbers were busy giving back! We collected non-perishable food for the food pantry.
Our clubs helped assemble shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.
On November 12th, clubbers came decked out in red, white, blue, and camo to honor
the brave men and women who have served our country. It was a great night of appreciation and learning!
On the 19th, Journey, Trek, and T&T clubbers teamed up with their leaders to help assemble 33 Thanksgiving baskets for families in need—made possible by your generosity. Thank you for helping us share God’s love in our community!
We took a short break on the 26th for Thanksgiving. We hope everyone enjoyed a joyful holiday spent with family, friends, and maybe a little too much food!
When clubbers return on December 3rd, they will find the AWANA Store open for business! They shop (or save) using the points they earned through hard work, participation,
and verse memorization.
We’ll wrap up our fall semester on December 10 with Christmas parties and the Christmas Shop. On December 17, clubbers will help assemble Christmas baskets for local families.
AWANA will resume on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 6:05 PM.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!
Because kids matter to God!
Cool with Christ
Tere Sharp,
Co-Commander
The Program that teaches and trains kids that rock for Jesus!
This fall has been full of excitement in AWANA! Kids have been finishing Start Zones, receiving new uniforms, making friends, and digging into their handbooks each week. It’s such a blessing to watch them grow—learning God’s Word and beginning to apply it in their everyday lives.
We are incredibly thankful for our dedicated leaders and the supportive families who show up week after week. Your time, energy, and prayers make this ministry strong!
Each club spends time discussing the lesson, memorizing verses, playing games, praying together, and drawing closer to God through AWANA. Praise the Lord for this powerful
weekly outreach!
This past month, our clubbers were busy giving back! We collected non-perishable food for the food pantry.
Our clubs helped assemble shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.
On November 12th, clubbers came decked out in red, white, blue, and camo to honor
the brave men and women who have served our country. It was a great night of appreciation and learning!
On the 19th, Journey, Trek, and T&T clubbers teamed up with their leaders to help assemble 33 Thanksgiving baskets for families in need—made possible by your generosity. Thank you for helping us share God’s love in our community!
We took a short break on the 26th for Thanksgiving. We hope everyone enjoyed a joyful holiday spent with family, friends, and maybe a little too much food!
When clubbers return on December 3rd, they will find the AWANA Store open for business! They shop (or save) using the points they earned through hard work, participation,
and verse memorization.
We’ll wrap up our fall semester on December 10 with Christmas parties and the Christmas Shop. On December 17, clubbers will help assemble Christmas baskets for local families.
AWANA will resume on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 6:05 PM.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!
Because kids matter to God!
Cool with Christ
Tere Sharp,
Co-Commander
You’re invited to “Merry Christmas”—a special Children’s Christmas Program presented by the children, youth, and adults of SRBC!
Join us for a hilarious and heartwarming Christmas play featuring fun interactive Q&A moments that the whole family will enjoy. Sunday, December 14 @ 7:00 PM at SRBC Sanctuary. Our children, youth, and adults have been working hard to bring you a joyful and meaningful Christmas presentation.
Following the program, please join us in the Fellowship Hall for a festive reception as we celebrate the season together.
Mark your calendars for December 14th and plan to celebrate the evening with us!
Join us for a hilarious and heartwarming Christmas play featuring fun interactive Q&A moments that the whole family will enjoy. Sunday, December 14 @ 7:00 PM at SRBC Sanctuary. Our children, youth, and adults have been working hard to bring you a joyful and meaningful Christmas presentation.
Following the program, please join us in the Fellowship Hall for a festive reception as we celebrate the season together.
Mark your calendars for December 14th and plan to celebrate the evening with us!
Here at SRBC, we collect a Fellowship Offering on the 3rd Sunday of every month. This offering is used for emergency needs and financial assistance for those in need. This has been a great ministry of our church through the years, and we just want to remind you that we are continuing to collect this offering. We will focus on the offering on the 3rd Sunday, but you may give at
any time.
Join us for our first Grief Support Group meeting, Wednesday. December 3, 2025, from 5-6 pm in the prayer room behind the piano in the sanctuary. We will be using Stephen Ministries materials, and all are welcome to join us.
Join us for Christmas Caroling,
Sunday, December 21.
We will meet at the church at 6:00 pm
Scioto Hills Summer Camp 2026 DATES
ALPHA/NEW FRONTIER 1
June 7-12
ALPHA/NEW FRONTIER 2
June 14-19
ALPHA/NEW FRONTIER 3
June 21-26
REVOLUTION
June 28 - July 3
FAMILY CAMP 1
July 5-10
2026 PRICING
On or Before January 31st: $365
On or Before March 31st: $390
After March 31st: $415
Impact Christmas Party
‘Tis the season for food, fun, friends, and celebration! IMPACT Youth Group will have their Christmas party on December 21, from 6 pm – 8 pm. All 7th – 12th-grade students are invited to come hang out with us for games, worship, and a whole lot of Christmas joy!
We’ll have a fun White Elephant Gift Exchange! Please bring a gift that does not exceed $10.
We’ll see you there!
‘Tis the season for food, fun, friends, and celebration! IMPACT Youth Group will have their Christmas party on December 21, from 6 pm – 8 pm. All 7th – 12th-grade students are invited to come hang out with us for games, worship, and a whole lot of Christmas joy!
We’ll have a fun White Elephant Gift Exchange! Please bring a gift that does not exceed $10.
We’ll see you there!
GIFT WRAPPING EVENT
Get your Christmas gifts wrapped with love!
Friday, December 12th and 19th, 5 pm – 7 pm the Impact Youth Group will be hosting a gift-wrapping event!
We look forward to wrapping your Christmas gifts for you!
Get your Christmas gifts wrapped with love!
Friday, December 12th and 19th, 5 pm – 7 pm the Impact Youth Group will be hosting a gift-wrapping event!
We look forward to wrapping your Christmas gifts for you!
Following God’s call often comes with sacrifice. Many retired ministers, missionaries, and their widowed spouses have served faithfully, yet often lack the resources to fully prepare for life’s later seasons. Health challenges, the loss of a spouse, or isolation.
These are the people who have poured into our lives. Pastors who prayed with us, missionaries who served where we could not. Their dedication helped shape the American Baptist Churches USA into the vibrant, faithful community it is today.
Your offering is more than a donation; it’s a heartfelt expression of love and gratitude. It allows us to provide emergency assistance and a “Thank You” check to those who have devoted 15 or more years of their lives to God’s service.
Thanks to your generosity, in 2024 we raised $932,122, resulting in 3,331 checks sent to retired ministers, missionaries, and widowed spouses.
These gifts meet real needs and offer comfort in life’s most vulnerable moments: “I am so humbled and thankful for your generosity. I was so surprised when I checked my account and saw your kindness displayed. I will remember my family in Christ and the love you’ve shown.” — Retiree from Ohio
“Thank you so very much for the Thank You check from MMBB. What a lovely gift— just when my laptop was on its last legs. It couldn’t have come at a better time. Thank you! Our affiliation during these 40-plus years has meant more to me than you could imagine. — Retiree from Virginia
Each time a check is received, it’s more than financial support; it’s a reminder that they are still part of a loving church family that sees them, remembers them, and honors their service.
These are the people who have poured into our lives. Pastors who prayed with us, missionaries who served where we could not. Their dedication helped shape the American Baptist Churches USA into the vibrant, faithful community it is today.
Your offering is more than a donation; it’s a heartfelt expression of love and gratitude. It allows us to provide emergency assistance and a “Thank You” check to those who have devoted 15 or more years of their lives to God’s service.
Thanks to your generosity, in 2024 we raised $932,122, resulting in 3,331 checks sent to retired ministers, missionaries, and widowed spouses.
These gifts meet real needs and offer comfort in life’s most vulnerable moments: “I am so humbled and thankful for your generosity. I was so surprised when I checked my account and saw your kindness displayed. I will remember my family in Christ and the love you’ve shown.” — Retiree from Ohio
“Thank you so very much for the Thank You check from MMBB. What a lovely gift— just when my laptop was on its last legs. It couldn’t have come at a better time. Thank you! Our affiliation during these 40-plus years has meant more to me than you could imagine. — Retiree from Virginia
Each time a check is received, it’s more than financial support; it’s a reminder that they are still part of a loving church family that sees them, remembers them, and honors their service.
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