Publication of Evangeline and Gulf Coast Baptist Associations of the Louisiana Baptist Convention

Entre Nous
Bert Langley, Director of Missions Weldon Moak & Nathan Rush, Moderators
Elizabeth A. Langley, Office Administrator Debbie Jeffreys, Administrative Assistant
VOL 39, NO. 10 CHANGING LIVES IN CHANGING TIMES

Lonnie Cleveland, Evangelism Strategist Mary Langford, Counselor

DEC 2012/JAN 2013

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Entre Nous

Volume 39, Issue 10

DOM Lines
Only the Gospels of Matthew and Luke tell us about the birth and early childhood of Jesus. Luke alone tells us of His birth in a stable and the announcement of His birth to a band of shepherds. The shepherds are watching over their flock at night in the neighborhood of Bethlehem when a most unusual event takes place. One can only imagine what this special night must have been like. For most of us the idea of being outside in the dark at night is frightening enough. In addition to the normal fears of darkness, Scripture tells us An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. (Luke 2:9) The Greek word translated terrified literally means that the shepherds feared a great fear. On a scale of 110, 1-representing the least amount and 10-representing the greatest amount of fear, the shepherds were at 10 plus. When God would send an angel to someone in the Bible, they were most often terrified by his presence. How comforting this angels words must of have been when he said, Do not be afraid. After calming their fears, Gods messenger announced he was bringing them good news of great joy that will be for all the people. The good news is a child has been born. The great joy was found in the fact that the baby was Christ the Lord. The Greek word Christ was the equivalent to the Hebrew word Messiah. Gods promised Savior had arrived. Before they could ask a question, and as suddenly as the angel of the Lord appeared, a heavenly host (a word in the Greek which describes a band of soldiers) appeared praising God and announcing peace for all who would rest in Gods favor. The Bible tells us When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them (2:17,18) I have read this story over and over for more than sixty years and the wonder of it has never ceased to amaze me. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords is born in a stable for animals and God chooses to reveal this most marvelous event to a lowly band of shepherds on the outskirts of the community. They were privileged to be the first visitors Mary and Joseph would receive. I still get excited every time I read it. Awesome! Deedy and I pray that all the wonder and joy of this time of the year will be your experience as you celebrate the birth of Jesus. May HIS presence with you bring blessings and peace in 2013. We truly love you.

Director of Missions

Bert Langley

Bert and Deedy

Counselors Corner
Im writing this just after Thanksgiving, still almost tasting the cornbread dressing, green beans, pecan pie, and thinking about ways to use all the leftover turkey. We shared our meal with family and friends and expressed heartfelt gratitude for Gods goodness to each of us. We had plenty for ourselves and enough to share with the less fortunate. Some at our table told of special blessings the Lord had bestowed on them in the past year. I hope the scene at your house was similar. Now we can almost hear the jingling bells and see the twinkling lights of Christmas. How will we celebrate? Will we wear ourselves out with shopping, cooking, programs and parties? Or will we take time to really savor the old carols and to consider what it was actually like for Mary and Joseph to travel in such a difficult way and then be unable to find a place to rest and for her baby to be born? Will we imagine the stench of the stable and the sounds of the animals which crowded around the little stranger in their manger? Will we find a quiet time amidst the busyness to marvel and give thanks to the One who left the grandeur of heaven to become one of us, to show us how to live, and then to die so that through Him we might be united with his Father? We will have to make some deliberate choices if that is the kind of Christmas we want to have. And then, very soon, we will be greeting the new year. Our musician son sent us a CD of an a cappella hymn which I play often, and I want to share with you the words to the first song. I wish you also could hear the beautiful melody, but my hope is that the words will comfort and inspire you, as they do me, as we look toward the opening days of 2013: Another year is dawning, another year with Thee Another year is dawning, Dear Father, let it be, In working or in waiting, another year with Thee. Another year of progress, another year of praise, Another year of proving, Thy presence all the days. Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace, Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face. Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast, Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest. Another year is dawning. Dear Father, let it be On earth, or else in Heaven, Another year with Thee. May each of you have a blessed Christmas, and may you be aware of His loving presence each day of the new year.

Mary Langford Counselor

Mary Langford

Entre Nous

Volume 39, Issue 10

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Evangeline Association
December, 2012

2-9

Week of Prayer for International Missions & Lottie Moon Christmas Offering 7 EBA Pastor/Staff/Council/Wives Christmas Fellowship ~ Petroleum Club, 6:30 PM 24 & 25 Christmas Holidays (Office Closed) 31 New Years Eve (Office Closed)
January, 2013

1 8 10 21

New Years Day (Office Closed) EBA Ministers Conference ~ Place TBA, 10:30 AM EBA Missions Development Meeting ~ EBA Office, 10:30 AM EBA Council/Executive Board Meeting ~ Petroleum Club, 11:30 AM
Gulf Coast Association
December, 2012

2-6 17 19 20 25-26 27 28 28-29 29 28-31 30-31

January Bible Study Baptist State Youth Choir Audition ~ Lafayette & Morgan City Pre-Teen Invasion ~ LA College Sanctity of Human Life Sunday Hymn Praising Festivals Day of Prayer for the SBC LBERA Dinner ~ Evangelism Conference LBC State Evangelism Conference ~ FBC, Lafayette Senior Adult Luncheon ~ Evangelism Conference Disaster Relief Directors Meeting, New Orleans Baptist Doctrine Study Preview
Baptist Collegiate Ministry

2-9 3 24-25 31 1 4-5 19 26

Week of Prayer for International Missions & Lottie Moon Christmas Offering GCA Pastor/Staff and Wives Christmas Fellowship ~ Immanuel, Morgan City, 6:30 PM Christmas Holiday New Years Eve
January, 2013

3 4 25 31 1 16 22 23 25

Final Exams UL, Lafayette Commencement Christmas Day Passion Conference

December, 2012

January, 2013

New Years Day Pastors Retreat ~ TBA GCA Brotherhood Breakfast ~ Calumet , 8:00 AM GCA Baptist Mens Wild Game Supper ~ Bayou Vista, Morgan City, 6:00 PM
Louisiana Baptist Convention
December, 2012

New Years Day UL, Lafayette Classes Begin REVOLUTION a Night Worship ~ 6:00-7:00 PM (Every week at BCM) Noon Lunch ~ 12:00 NOON 1:00 PM (Every week at BCM) Small Groups ~ 1:00 - 2:30 PM (Every week at BCM)
Acadian Baptist Center
December, 2012

2-9 25 31 1

Week of Prayer for International Missions & Lottie Moon Christmas Offering Christmas Day New Years Eve New Years Day
January, 2013

6 14-15 25 31 1

ABC Board & Appreciation Banquet ~ ABC, 6:00 PM ABC Christmas Youth Retreat Christmas Day New Year Holiday
January, 2013

New Years Day

State Evangelism Conference January 28-29, 2013

First Baptist Church
1100 Lee Avenue, Lafayette LA

CHURCH NEWS . . .
Bayou Vista, Morgan City ~ Presenting Silent Night, Holy Night on

Block Party Trailer News . . .

Party Trailer Users......We have not been receiving the paperwork needed to confirm your use of the Party Trailer. It is imperative that all paperwork especially insurance coverage for liability for date, time and location of your event be received in our office prior to your event. Without this we will be unable to confirm your reservation because our insurance requires this information. Looking for a positive way to get your Saints involved in outreach your search is over. Our Apartment Ministry has an opening for two of our churches to adopt these complexes for ministry. There is a need for weekly Bible study, occasional children and youth activities, plus the possible opportunity, possibly for compassion ministry and others. Pray about this and call me for more information. Also, if you would like, I would be glad to come and challenge your church to take advantage of this chance to get involved in multi-housing ministry. Reaching your Jerusalem for Christ, Lonnie

December 8 and 9 at 6:00 PM, 411 Field Road.

FBC, Lafayette ~ Presenting The Singing Christmas Tree Christmas in

New York on December 7, 8, 9 and 10. For times and more details call 337-593-3757 or www.fbclaf.org 6:00 PM.

FBC, Morgan City ~ Presenting Because of Bethlehem December 9 at

Sermon CDs Needed . . .

If you have any sermon CDs to donate to our Truck Stop Ministry, please call Larry Baldridge at (337) 250-3954.

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Merry Christmas And Happy New Year

From the Evangeline Association Office: Bert Langley Mary Langford Elizabeth Langley Debbie Jeffreys Lonnie Cleveland

Birthdays Birthdays
December
1 2 7 10 15 15 16 16 21 22 23 23 27 28 30 Mike Walker, East Bayou, Laf Heather Moore (Mrs Jonathan), East Bayou, Laf Tammilee Kelly (Mrs Steven), Bayou Vista, MC Janice Downs (Mrs Ed), FBC, New Iberia David Mitchell, FBC, Youngsville Lonnie Cleveland, LBC Nick Peters, FBC, Carencro Julie Holloway (Mrs Lyndale), East Bayou, Laf Rebekah Garner, Northside, Lafayette Ron Dubois, FBC, Lafayette Ellen Romero (Mrs Marty), Friday Night Church Beau Guidry, FBC, Milton Steve Younger, Emmanuel, Laf Jan Gaudin (Mrs Mark), Youngsville Marilynn Burney (Mrs Luther), FBC, Laf 1 2 6 8 12 13 15 19 24 25 26 26 26 28 29 -

January
Mary Langford, Lafayette, Counselor, EBA JoAnn Thornton (Mrs Red), Highland, New Iberia Dana Belmore (Mrs Scott), BCM Brad Gill, FBC, Lafayette Rodney Chitwood, FBC, Breaux Bridge Robert Burdeaux, Parks, Parks Betty Dufrene (Mrs Dan), Retired Lonnie Budd, Retired Jamie Thibodeaux (Mrs Chad), Vatican, Cankton Mark Gaudin, FBC, Youngsville Dore Langley, Retired Noah Langley, Retired Toby Ryder, Duson Wallace Primeaux, Esther, Esther Gale Graham (Mrs Chili), Loreauville, Loreauville