WELL….WE ARE OFFICIALLY IN THE FULL SWING OF THE Christmas Season. This past Sunday morning I began a series entitled, “The Manger, The Staff, and The Gift.” I dealt with the meaning of the manger and a brief look at the Baby in the manger. I want to encourage you to do your best to be in church every time the door is open this month. Our designated focus for this whole month is “H-I-M.” Our attempt is to make everything focus on Him. The more you know Him, the more you love Him, the closer you draw to Him….only makes your life better and fuller. This coming Sunday morning I will deal with “The Staff.” Shepherds always had a staff. It was for the good of the sheep. You’ll have to be here to find out the “rest of the story.” Wednesday night I will be looking at the “peace” that Christ brings. Isa. 9:6 says that one of the names of the coming Christ child would be “Prince of Peace.” Exactly what does that mean? How else did Christ show or speak peace? Be here Wednesday at 7:00 P.M. to find out! THIS WEEK-END we will be doing our Annual Christmas Production entitled “HIS STORY.” What a wonderful experience we have had over the past 14 or 15 years presenting the Good News of Christ’s birth, life, death, and resurrection. This year will be no different. Although the story never changes, the presentation of that story is always taking on a new look and a new sound. This keeps it fresh and alive for both cast and congregation. If you’ve seen “His Story” before, you’ve never seen it like this ! Please, please, please….do not allow ANYTHING or ANYONE to keep you from being at these performances. Most importantly, invite a lost friend, neighbor, or family member to attend with you. These performances are FREE and only cost your time and effort to be here. THANKS TO TODD AND VICKIE PORTER for all their hard work, and to all the countless cast and crew who’ve spent hours upon hours of manpower pulling out staging, setting up, building, dressing up, rehearsing, recording, etc. Without all of you, this would not be possible. Please know that I am so thankful for your willingness to do whatever it takes to reach this harvest field. From the bottom of my heart……. THANK YOU! th
DECEMBER 20 , during the 10:30 A.M. Service, our Children’s Department will be presenting their Annual Christmas Program. Our children are always excited to show their gifts and talents through drama and singing. I know it will be a wonderful time for all. Special thanks to Jonathan and Angela Atkins and to their Children’s Church Staff for providing this program for and by our children. Make your plans to come join our children as they present the Christmas message.
DECEMBER 22nd , which is a Tuesday night, we will have a special “candle light service.” It may not be your typical “candle light” service, but it will be something you don’t want to miss. This service will replace the Wednesday service for that week. After that, we will be back on our regular schedule. Thank you for making this change on your calendar. CLIP AND SAVE…..As per our church policy, should there be inclement weather on Sunday, we will have only one service at 2:00 P.M. We will do our best to inform you by the phone tree system (please make sure our office has your current phone number), website, and local radio and TV stations. We encourage you to use your best discretion in attending. However, to cut down on any confusion as to what we do, we will follow this policy. SEVERAL WEEKS AGO we gave you an opportunity to express whether you wanted to use funds at Christmas to provide fruit bags to the congregation or use the money for benevolence purposes during December. You voted 2 to 1 in favor of helping others. Thank you for your concern and compassion. Please know that we will do everything possible to see that those “truly in need” receive help. Please be reminded that as you help those in need, you have done it unto the Lord. I know He is well pleased! PRAYER LIST: Sybil Vinson, Bobby Watson, Phillip Pruitt, Kay Brandenburg, Pat Chappell, Grace Sloan, Houston & Brenda Cobb, Kaylyn Pearson, Paul Bell, Beatrice Hendley, Miranda Williams, Kenny Rutter, Harley Hawkins, Norma Green, Carley Hines, Brian Clark, Carolyn Owings, Odell Phillips, Keith Miller, Carolyn Godfrey, Melanie Koon, James Hunter, Teresa Johnson, Mary Sherbert, Lisa Brown, Nancy Hostettler, Martha Hughes, Abby White, Shut ins and Those in Nursing Homes.
YOUTH DEPARTMENT has coffee, hot chocolate, and gift sets for sale. See Jason Fowler for details. ALSO….ZAXBY’S at Five Forks will donate 10% of total sales on Tuesday, December 15th, from 5 - 8 PM to our Youth Department. Stop by, enjoy a delicious meal, and help our youth with this fundraiser effort. COMMUNITY CANDLE LIGHTING MEMORIAL SERVICE is Thursday, December 17 th, at 7:00 P.M. at First Baptist Church, sponsored by Healing Heart Bereavement Support Group. This service is especially for those who have lost a loved one this past year. Everyone is invited.
F.R.E.E.D. 12 Step Addiction Support Group will meet Tuesday, December 15 th at 6:30 P.M.
ALL SENIOR ADULTS….A Christmas party is planned for th Saturday, December 19 . Plan to leave the church at 5:00 P.M. and go to Captain’s Cap Seafood in North Carolina. This is a Dutch treat meal, and cost is less than $12. Sign up sheet is on the bulletin board in the main hallway. NEW ITEMS IN THE L.M. OFFICE INCLUDE Pocket Calendars, holiday wrapping paper, cheese ball mix, dip mixes, baked potato soup mix, cheddar broccoli soup mix, and black bean chili soup mix. All are delicious and easy to make. Cost will range from $2 - $4 each. “HIS STORY” Reminders: WEDNESDAY, December 9th, ALL CHOIR MEMBERS please meet in the CLC at 6:30 P.M. Thursday, December 10th at 6:30 P.M. ALL CAST AND CHOIR will rehearse the first seven th scenes, and dress rehearsal will be Friday, December 11 , at 6:30 P.M. We will be video taping. Attendance is MANDATORY! Performance Saturday, December 12th, is at 7:00 P.M. and Sunday, December 13th at 6:00 P.M. CHOIR WILL WEAR Christmas colors Sunday, December 13th.
* Greeters - Saturday - Jeanette Bragg and Libby Hyman Sunday - Marion and Vernell Simmons * Sunday School Greeter - Robert Sloan * CLC Greeter - Paul Lundberg * Head Ushers - Charles O’Shields and Bobby Brown * Usher Team # 3 - Tracy Grant, Buddy Arnold, Lamar Crowe, Clint Letourneau, and Marion Simmons * Finance Committee - Ryan Ballard, Bobby Brown, and Sam Garrett * Nursery - Wednesday - Lori Crocker Saturday - Ann Knight and Marilynn Sykes Sunday A.M. - Ann Knight and Beth Arnold P.M. - Annette Richards and Sharon Roszkowski * Music - Wednesday - Korey Hawkins Sunday A.M. - Brantley Burnett P.M. - “His Story” ** Maroon Praise Team
TRUE CHRISTMAS Christmas isn’t showy gifts Or glittering decoration, It’s honoring our Savior, Jesus Christ In humble adoration. It’s serving those less fortunate Meeting their needs before our own, It’s making sure at Christmas time That no one is alone. It’s taking what we would have spent On things that No one needs, And using it to help someone With service and good deeds. Our Savior showed us how to live With charity, faith, and service It makes the holidays a joy, More peaceful, and less nervous. So let’s remember Christmas is About our Savior’s birth. That’s the way to happiness The way to peace on earth.
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