When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."  John 8:12

 Worship Services

    8:30 a.m. - Sanctuary

    9:40 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. - Sanctuary

  11:00 a.m. - Journey, The Loft

  11:00 a.m. - Hispanic Service, Chapel

  Bible Study

    8:30 a.m. & 9:40 a.m. 

As the year comes to a close, please remember that you can give your tithes and offerings right up to the end of the year. While most people give checks or cash, there are many other ways to support Dawson and its ministries.  If you give stock, please contact Rowan Smith, Business Administrator (rsmith@dawsonchurch.org or 871-7324), to confirm your gift and specify its distribution. Dawson’s stock account is at Raymond James & Company, and the contact person is Scott Simpson at 874-4345. Remember that a stock transfer might take a few days, so please give yourself plenty of time in order to ensure that your gift is received by the church no later than December 31, 2013.  If you have been giving through our online giving feature on the Dawson website, please initiate any 2013 contributions prior to December 15, 2013, to ensure that your contribution is received by the church no later than December 31, 2013.

For your convenience, the Church Office will be open on Tuesday, December 31, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. If you are unable to get your contribution to the church by 5:30 p.m. or have it postmarked by midnight, December 31, please call and we will assist you in any way that we can. Please remember that 2013 contributions must be received by the church or postmarked no later than midnight, December 31, 2013. Thank you for your faithfulness in giving to God’s ministries through Dawson in 2013 and your financial commitments for 2014.

Saturday, January 11, 2014

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat." In Matthew 25:35 Jesus explains that those for whom he will attest before the Father are those who have loved the least in our world. When we feed the hungry, Jesus says it is as if we are feeding him. The Dawson Family of Faith wants to provide food for thousands of starving children around the world.

On January 11, individuals, families, Life Groups, and Sunday School classes will have the opportunity to help us pack 100,000 meals in one day to be shipped to starving children in over 70 countries around the world. You will be assigned one portion of an assembly line process that will allow us to quickly fill MannaPacks. These are scientifically designed bags that each provide 6 meals with necessary vitamins and proteins many children would otherwise never receive. Join us for our "Feed One Hungry Child" event! All volunteer registration will be done online by going to www.feedonehungrychild.com.

Sunday, December 15, 4:00 p.m., 256 North

On Sunday, December 15, at 4:00 p.m. come and learn the details about Dawson’s next mission project in Haiti. From March 15 to March 22, 2014, a Dawson mission team will conduct a medical clinic in Gressier, Haiti, at The Joy House. Dawson’s primary task will be to conduct a medical clinic, but volunteers with various skill sets are needed. If you are interested in learning more about the project, please attend this informational meeting on Sunday, December 15, or contact Ben Hale at bhale@dawsonchurch.org. In addition to the information session, the team will be preparing supplies for a January 7 blood pressure clinic in Haiti.

We have babies who need rocking while their parents attend the Candlelight services! Would you consider attending one service and serving in the nursery during the other? Are you a student who needs service hours? We have many preschoolers who need care during the services - please consider helping!

Paul exhorts believers in 2 Corinthians 9:6, "Remember this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously." Today the mission field is ripe for the harvest with about 6,900 people groups where evangelical Christians make up less than 2 percent of the total population. Join with other Southern Baptists in supporting missionaries to ensure that the harvest workers will not be few. Every follower of Jesus has a personal role in God’s mission to make His name known among the nations. Prayerfully consider giving to the Lottie Moon Offering for International Missions.

Thursday, December 19, 11:45 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Social Hall

The Men’s Bible Study Luncheon, led by Dr. Fenton, takes place at Dawson on the third Thursday of every month. The fall theme, "Leadership Prep," comes from the book of James and is geared toward Christian men in the workplace. Please join us each month and invite your friends and co-workers. The cost for lunch is $6. Reservations are not required but are helpful.

New studies await our adult women beginning the week of January 12. Tuesday evenings are targeted to our single adult women. These studies are led by Jan Kennamer Hart and Shannon Lindsay.

Wednesday morning, Wednesday evening, and Thursday evening studies are for women of all ages and stages of life. These studies are taught by talented and knowledgeable women and cover a wide variety of subjects such as the following: Precept – an inductive Bible study method, Idol Addiction; the new Beth Moore Study "Secrets"; and many more. Please visit the website and watch your mail for specific details of times, locations, and topics.

With the holidays upon us, it is not easy to think of January 2014, but take a moment and put on your calendar the Moms & More meeting date of January 7 AND the important childcare reservation deadline of December 31. End 2013 with making plans to attend the first 2014 Moms & More. Learn from our Bible study leader, Alta Faye Fenton, and make new friends who will help you journey on the road of motherhood. Please contact Donna Allan at dallan@dawsonchurch.org to make your childcare reservations.

Today Ben and Candi Williams, international missionaries in Africa, share their story of the peace found in Jesus’ presence. Though being a missionary in a foreign country can be taxing, Ben and Candi tell of a recent incident where a co-worker was put in jail for sharing the gospel and how the peace of God was a very real and powerful thing.

As we light the second candle of Advent, we remember that God gives us the gift of peace when we turn to Him in faith. Through John the Baptist and the prophets of the Old Testament, God asks us to prepare our hearts so that Christ may come in. We light this candle today to remind us of the peace He brings to all who trust in Him.

Sunday, December 8, 6:00 p.m., Sanctuary

A festive night of music celebrating newborn King Jesus will usher in the season of Advent and Christmas. A 200-voice choir and Dawson soloists accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra will announce in a dramatic way the coming of Christ to the world. Thrilling new arrangements of favorite Christmas hymns and carols will highlight the evening. Also included are exciting African American spirituals and Calypso tunes. The congregation will also sing a medley of favorite carols accompanied by the orchestra.  Please take this opportunity to invite your friends, family, and work colleagues to a beautiful night of music and worship.

Sunday nights in December at Dawson are filled with the sounds of beautiful music celebrating the birth of Jesus. Here’s a look at what is still to come:

Carols to the King

Sunday, December 8, 6:00 p.m.: Our 200-voice Sanctuary Choir accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra will open the Christmas season.

Climb to the Top of the Highest Mountain

Sunday, December 15, 6:00 p.m.: Dawson’s children and students in Grades 1-12 will sing together in this special night of worship. A church-wide "Missions Market" in the Fellowship Hall will follow the service.

Candlelight at Dawson

Saturday, December 21, and Sunday, December 22, 5:00 p.m. (Doors open at 4:15 p.m.): Join us for a Birmingham tradition of choirs, carols, candles, and celebration.

Let the songs of Christmas fill your heart. Please invite your family and friends to attend one or all of these musical events with you.

Sunday, December 15, 6:00 p.m., Sanctuary

The Chapel Choir, Middle School Choir, and all Children’s Choirs of Dawson combine to present "Climb to the Top of the Highest Mountain" for Christmas this year. In praise of the coming Christ, these students have prepared an eclectic time of reflection, inspiration, and celebration for Dawson and the Birmingham community. This year the music will be enhanced by images of mission as music and missions converge with a renewed focus on serving the world in the name of Christ. A church-wide "Missions Market" in the Fellowship Hall will follow the service.

Friday, January 17-Sunday, January 19

DNOW is a weekend retreat for students in grades 6-12 to be strengthened spiritually through focused discipleship by creating community and to sustain friendships through shared experiences. The retreat will be held January 17-19, with Aaron Keyes leading worship and Matt Petty from Burnt Hickory Baptist Church as our guest speaker. The cost is $70 through December 15 and $85 from December 16 to January 5. Please stop by the Church Office or the Student Welcome Desk to register.

Registration has begun for Dawson’s next Healthy Lifestyle Class which will begin in January. The program will include both nutrition classes and an exercise program. The common goal for each participant will be a desire to lose at least 20 pounds. The weight loss and the lifestyle changes made during this program will benefit those concerned with their hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, and other major health issues.  Enrollment is limited. Please call today to reserve your spot. For full details please contact Debbie Moss.

January 8 & 9, 2014

The Dawson Family of Faith will have a unique opportunity to hear Dr. Rebekah Naylor share her story of God’s call on her life as a missionary surgeon in Bangalore, India. Her life story will encourage us to move out of our personal comfort zones into new areas of service for Christ. Dr. Naylor will be one of the primary speakers at Dawson’s "Go Beyond!" emphasis.

Dr. Naylor will speak during K.E.Y. Bible Study on Wednesday, January 8 (at 11:00 a.m. and 6:15 p.m.), and to Dawson’s medical professionals at a lunch and dinner on Thursday, January 9. Please mark these dates on your calendar and plan to attend.

Start gathering your favorite recipes for submission to Seasons of Grace, the new 2014 Dawson cookbook. You can submit your recipes online beginning January 19 through February 23, 2014. More information is to come, so please watch the Together and your class e-mails for details. The cookbook will be available for purchase in the fall of 2014.

Read "Fenton's Friday Five" for observations and insights about being faithful at www.dawsonchurch.org/fridayfive.

Sealy Michele Nast, daughter of Landon and Ryan Nast, will participate with her family in dedication this Sunday during the 11:00 a.m. worship service. Sealy was born on July 15, 2013. Her grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Rory McKean of Montgomery, Mr. and Mrs. David Nast of Huntsville, and the late LeeAnn Nast. Her great-grandparents are Ms. Sue Paulk of Montgomery, Ms. Martha Cromer of Alexander City, and Mr. and Mrs. Rudene Nast of Tallapoosa, GA

Virginia Greene Hoffman in the death of her husband, Henry Hoffman; and Dennis Hoffman and Austin Hoffman in the death of Dennis’s father and Austin’s grandfather

LeAnne and Sandy McCay and family in the death of Sandy’s father

Henry Harland Hoffman ~ November 28, 2013

The flowers in the Sanctuary are from the wedding of Bethany Lauren Inman and Marshall Caller Horton on December 7 in loving memory and honor of their grandparents.

Matt & Selena Foster

           (William, Katherine)

Sunday sermons, by Dr. Gary Fenton, are available on CD in the Marketplace (located in the Foyer) immediately following the 11:00 a.m. service ($4 each). 

Dawson’s 11:00 a.m. Sunday Worship Service is broadcast (one week delayed) on CBS 42, Sundays at 10:00 a.m.