December 14, 2014 11:00 a.m.
The Gathering of the Body of Christ THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Prelude…………...…………………………………………...…Pam Smith, pianist Welcome and Announcements………………………….…….....….Dave Anderson
Please fill out the friendship register and pass it along your pew. We would like to have a record of everyone’s attendance each Sunday. As the pad is passed, please note the other persons on your pew. If you do not know someone, be sure to introduce yourself. If you are visiting, please include your address and phone number. A list of those giving the poinsettias will be printed in the bulletin on December 21 21. Thank you to each one who purchased a poinsettia.
Opening Chorus…………..“Emmanuel”…..……………………….....Congregation
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*Invocation……………………………………………….…………….Matt Dodrill
As we look forward to January, 2015, flowers are needed for our sanctuary for the first three Sundays in the New Year. Sign up on the flower calendar just outside the church office. The flowers are still only $30, which can be paid directly to FBC.
*Hymn of Praise………..“Angels We Have Heard on High”………..……...No. 100 Lighting of Advent Candle………….…....{Insert}…………..….The Burnett Family Morning Prayer…………….………………………………….…....Dave Anderson
Pastor's Corner The Third Sunday of Advent
*Hymn of Sharing…................“The First Nowell”…………………..……...No. 85
ABe joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God=s will for you in Christ Jesus.
*Prayer of Dedication and Consecration……….…………..................Bob Mitchell
Do not put out the Spirit=s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.
The Receiving of God’s Tithes and Our Offering Offertory………..…… “Go Tell It on the Mountain”……………….arr. Tygerson Bob Davis, organist Doxology………………………..………………………………………..Old 100th Children’s Sermon……………………………………………….....Diane Thomas Scripture………………………Luke 2: 8-20……………………...Dave Anderson Anthem…………..………....“Tis a Wonderful Thing”……..…….…………arr. Rouse Chancel Choir Sermon………………..…….“God Wants to Be Found”………….Dave Anderson *Hymn of Commitment..….….“O Little Town of Bethlehem”……………...No. 86 Benediction …………………………………………..…............…..Dave Anderson *Postlude……………...“Ding Dong Merrily on High”………..……………..arr. Lau
*Those who are able, please stand.
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-24) It may be that our most neglected Christian obligation is that of Arejoicing@. The Bible commands us to believe and to love and it also instructs us to rejoice. On this third Sunday of Advent we are reminded of that often forgotten obligation. The command, taken from Paul=s letter to Arejoice always@ is a positive command. We are to keep it in all times and in all circumstances, not only when things are going well. This command reflects the will of God for those who come to Him through Jesus Christ. Life is not always rosy for followers of Christ, but there is always reason to rejoice. Life after death is a beautiful thing to anticipate. Our hope is not in this life only. That is why we are able to rejoice in good times and in bad, just as did Jesus. Advent is a time to spiritually prepare for the coming of the Lord. Questions: Do we spend more time decorating our homes or preparing our hearts? Are we more concerned with gifts to friends and family, or the gift of self to God? It=s not easy to rejoice always, but God always gives according to His commands. He is faithful, and He will do it in our lives. Advent Blessings, Dave
Weekly Opportunities Sunday, December 14 Third Sunday of Advent Diaconate Meeting in fellowship hall.….9:00 am Sunday Bible Study………….….…..9:45 am Worship Service………………...…11:00 am Cantata………………………………7:30 pm Monday, December 15 Children’s Choir……………...3:30-5:00 pm Tuesday, December 16 AARP Meeting…………………...10:30 am Wednesday, December 17 “Godly” Play for children…....5:15-6:15 pm Family Night Supper….………….....5:30 pm Bible Study………………....……….6:15 pm Youth Bible Study……….………….6:30 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal……………7:00 pm Thursday, December 18 No Men’s Fellowship Prayer Breakfast Keenagers fix fruit bags………..….10:00 am Friday, December 19 Downtown Missions………………7:00 pm FBWS Pre-School closed 12/19 to 1/6/15 FAMILY NIGHT SUPPER Wednesday, December 17
Breakfast Bar prepared by Ronnie & Joyce Green Reservations due by 10 am Tuesday …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Those Who Serve Today FBC AV/sound system volunteers: Chris Elliott and Matthew Rich Ushers: Ben Bridgers, L. F. Elliott, Gene Faucette, Hugh Gravitt, Garnett Shortt Acolyte: John Taylor Children’s Church Workers for December John & Angie Taylor Worship Nursery Workers: Stephanie Ferrugia & Betty Chumney
Worship Receptionists - December Barbara Speece & Nancy Ramsey Sunday School Receptionists For December: Tommy Nelson & Joy Burnett Deacons of the Month for December: George Hayes & Sherri Bee
The Cross You are encouraged to take a cross and display it in your yard to tell the world that you are a believer.
Outreach Person of the Week; Shirley Loy …………………………………………
Attendance & Offering Report
Prayer Concerns As a Church, please pray for one another. Please use this section to contact us regarding a prayer request, hymn request, address or phone number change, etc.
December 7, 2014 Sunday Bible Study…………………70 Number in Worship…………….….243 Offering Report 12/7/14 Offering………….……….....$11,182.39 Offering Year to Date……...$324,617.74 Budget Needs toDate…........$353,394.37 Expenditures to Date……….$334,420.72 Global Missions/Lottie Moon Goal………………………..…$2,000.00 Recd 12/7/14………………...….$455.00 Recd to Date……………..….….$455.00
UPCOMING EVENTS December 14 December 14 December 18 December 24
Cantata Bring Finger Foods for Reception after Cantata Keenagers prepare and deliver Christmas fruit bags Candlelight and Communion Service
The Candle of Joy THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Leader:
This season of preparation is half done, and today we light the third candle of our wreath. It is pink to remind us that there is so much about which we should rejoice.
Congregation:
In the midst of all the parties and merriment, we are a people seeking true joy in the arms of the One who comes to bring it. Even as night continues to lengthen, we sense the coming of light that will brighten our days, so we listen for the Word in the words of the prophet.
Leader:
A reading from the Prophet Isaiah, Chapter 61, Verses 1 to 4; 8 to 11. (will now be read)
Congregation:
We rejoice in the Anointed One who came and who comes. With joy-filled hearts, we join the energy of our life to the life whose birth we anticipate. With Christ, we, too, will bring good news to the oppressed, bind up the broken-hearted, proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, and proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
Leader:
For us, God has replaced our mourning with the oil of gladness, so we light this third candle and name it Joy.
2014 Christmas Offering for Global Missions ONE SACRED EFFORT FIND YOUR PLACE IN GOD’S STORY First Baptist has set a goal of $2,000. Envelopes are in both your box of offering envelopes, as well as in the pew pockets in the sanctuary. You may designate your gift for CBF Global or Lottie Moon.
==================================================== Please bring finger foods for the reception following the Cantata tonight. ====================================================
THANK YOU! YOU!
Thank you to the many people involved in the preparation of the retirement celebration for Dave last Sunday. The Planning Committee included: Sherri Bee, Donna Elliott, Barbara & Coleman Speece, Sid Young, Bob Mitchell, & Susan Davis. Many thanks also to the Celebration Team, the Special Events Committee, Pam Gordon, Diane Thomas, Nancy Dalton, Nancy Stillman, Mary Ellen Hupp, and Ernie’s for Catering the event. =========================================================
LIGHTING OF THE CANDLE KEENAGERS We will be preparing and delivering Christmas fruit bags for our homebound members Thursday, December 18 at 10:00 am. The fruit will be provided. Please bring other items to put in the bags. We will be preparing about 10 bags.
News from the Pastor Search Committee We received back approximately 55 surveys. We thank you for your time in filling out the survey. We are in the process of reviewing these and summarizing them so that we can get a good idea of what qualities we should be searching for in our next pastor. We appreciate your continued prayers and support. God bless each of you! The Pastor Search Committee
Sunday, December 14 7:30 pm
The Christmas Story A Classic Carol Celebration
NO MEN’S FELLOWSHIP PRAYER BREAKFAST THERE WILL BE NO MEN’S FELLOWSHIP PRAYER BREAKFAST ON DECEMBER 18. It has been cancelled for the month of December but will resume in January, 2015.
Presented by First Baptist Church and Main Street United Methodist Church Chancel Choirs Along with Children’s Choirs from both churches Will be held in the First Baptist Church sanctuary {A reception will follow in the fellowship hall. Please bring finger foods. We anticipate a large crowd.}
Christmas Eve December 24, 2014 at 5:00 pm Candlelight and Communion Service
First Baptist Church Mission Statement: First Baptist Church strives to be an innovative, inclusive Christian fellowship of friendly, caring believers committed to sharing God’s Good News.
Dear Church Family, Words cannot begin to express the depth of gratitude we feel for our friends and family here at First Baptist Church. Your expressions of affection and acts of kindness have simply been overwhelming and encouraging. Please know that as we depart we do so with much sadness and regret, over the necessity of leaving good friends and family in Christ. Thanks to all, for the tremendous “Retirement Celebration” which was so beautifully orchestrated last Sunday. The meal was terrific, the songs were appropriately humorous and touching, and your sincerely kind expressions filled Carol and I with thankfulness. God truly has blessed us by allowing us the privilege of serving with you these past five years.
Advent Blessing to You and Your Families, Dave, Carol, and Family
