THE EVANGEL
December 2025
First Baptist Church
218 N. 34th Street, Billings MT 59101; Phone: 406-259-6546
Email: fbcblgs@gmail.com Website: http://www.fbcblgsmt.com Facebook: First Baptist Church Billings, MT
Leading people to be transformed and renewed by the Holy Spirit to become Christ-centered servants.
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A Word from the Pastor
By Pastor Ross Lieuallen
Grace and Memories!
Several years ago, at a senior’s gathering, we were asked to share a childhood Christmas memory. Most chimed in with “something”: a gift received; decorating the tree; a surprise visit from someone, a special tradition unique to them. It is fascinating how we may not remember all we experienced at Christmas five years ago, but we surely remember those wonderful childhood Christmases. Many of you reading this right now may get “triggered” by some childhood grace Christmas memory. We cherish those. We should. They are from God. We never want to forget them.
Obviously, grace and Christmas go together! Christmas is God’s grace to us, sending His Son to be born in likeness of men for our salvation. Christmas also has a secondary message: His grace for us through others, and through us to others that we can never forget!
So, I focus on His grace through you in my last Evangel article, albeit at Christmas! Though far too many “graces” for this brief article but give me “grace” to reflect. We were called by First Baptist, a picture of grace, in January and began ministry in March 2000. For some reason I do remember how bright and sunny it was that day as I moved books into the office. We raised our children at First Baptist! They were graced to be around great role models of faith and joy in Christ! There have been a lot of weddings; funerals; baptisms; messages; studies; consultations; visits; plans; decisions; and of course, Sunday worship services! Whew! Sounds easy when the years are condensed into a few sentences, doesn’t it? But God wonderfully graced all the ministry through the years! Amen. We’ve experienced a lot together in Christ!
I will never forget His grace through you; I give thanks to God for the years being your pastor and for your grace to me as your pastor. . .and to our family! Whether you realize it or not, you have graced. How, you ask? Just to name a few more. . .You graced through. . .
Your love and devotion to Jesus and the Word of God. . .through trying new ministries, supporting a two service format for years; providing financial blessing for us to live and do ministry. . .your encouragement and friendship. . .your prayers. . .your concern for people outside of Christ whether next door or around the world. . .allowing freedom of spiritual gifts. . .and last, but not least, you graced through the years with your patience, love, and kindness.
Obviously, no ministry for the long haul is exempt from speed bumps; but God was always faithful, graceful, and you were as well!
As I close, when I was about 5 years old in our home church, I was Joseph in the Christmas play. I only had to recite a couple of lines. I am told I held the microphone in hand and really went off script! (But of course, I am claiming immunity; I really don’t remember this childhood Christmas memory.) I don’t know if I ever recited Joseph’s lines! We have all gone off script in some way. But we always found His grace awaiting us for a new beginning! Praise God for His grace through the years. Thank you.
May each of you have a blessed Christmas rejoicing in His grace for you! You will always be in my prayers for His richest blessings.
Grateful for His grace and you,
Pastor Ross
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DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
Pat Case-Threet Bob Hammond Nicole Avery Leighton Zeigler
Chubbins Davison Lois Princepe Rusty Davies Gary Pogue
Porter Kindsfather Jesus
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THE ADVENT WREATH
The Advent Wreath is an evergreen wreath with four candles around it and one in the center of it. The wreath, being a circle, is a symbol of God's unending lover It is evergreen to remind us of eternal life, which is a gift of His love. The light of the candles is symbolic of the light of the world breaking into the world of darkness.
The first candle that we light in Advent is called the Prophecy Candle. It represents the years from the beginning to the birth of Christ, the time during which the world waited for its Savior. The second candle is called the Bethlehem Candle. It represents preparation, God's preparation of the world to receive its Savior and our preparation to receive Him. The third candle is called the Shepherd's Candle. It represents the sharing of Christ- The fourth candle is called the Angel's Candle. It represents the joy our Savior's birth brings. The fifth candle, in the center of the wreath, is the Christ Candle. It represents the truth that Jesus is the light of the world.
The first three candles are purple to remind us that we wait for the birth of the King. Purple is the color of royalty. But purple is also the color of penitence. The first three candles also remind us that the first three Sundays in Advent are a time for confession of sin and repentance as we prepare ourselves for the birth of Jesus. The Angel's Candle is pink, for the fourth Sunday is a joyful time. The Christ Candle is white, symbolizing the light of purity and holiness that He brings.
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Let’s Celebrate JESUS by Reading and Meditating On Verses Honoring Him Every Day in December
1st Genesis 22:18 12th Matthew 1:1-17 22nd Luke 2:8-10
2nd Genesis 49:10 13th Matthew 1:20-25 23rd Luke 2:11-12
3rd Numbers 24:17 14th Matthew 2:1-6 24th Luke 3:23-38
4th Psalm 2:7 15th Matthew 2:25-26 25th John 3:16
5th Isaiah 7:14 16th Matthew 2:16-18 26th Luke 3:1-6
6th Isaiah 9:6-7 17th Matthew 2:13-15 27th John 3:23
7th Isaiah 42:1-4 18th Luke 1:13-15 28th John 1:14
8th Jeremiah 23:5 19th Luke 1:26-45 29th Romans 5:1
9th Jeremiah 31:15 20th Luke 1:32-33 30th Galatians 3:16
10th Hosea 11:1 21st Luke 2:1-7 31st Galatians 4:4
11th Micah 5:12
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STAFF CHRISTMAS
-in December we receive offerings to express appreciation to our church staff for serving the Lord at FBC. If you contribute, please make your check payable to First Baptist Church and note “Staff Christmas” on the memo line. Offerings can be made through December 21st. If you have questions, please contact Pat Case-Threet.
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You're invited to Our Pastor Ross Lieuallen's Retirement Lunch
Please join us for a luncheon
to honor and bless our Pastor
Rev. Ross Lieuallen
who has faithfully served our church
for 25 years.
First Baptist Church of Billings
Saturday, January 3rd at Noon
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Previously, I indicated Christmas Eve Service as our final ministry with you. I’ve been asked to remain with you through Sunday, December 28th. Most assuredly, “Yes, glad to.” ~ Pastor Ross
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