Merry
Christmas!
November ended with Susan and I spending a week in California celebrating Thanksgiving with our son and his family. Our Thanksgiving meal was a special time shared with Marine families, some whose loved ones were deployed. The church Rusty attends honored their mlitary members as hundreds of volunteers prepared a feast and served the families. We ended our stay in California with a day at the beach - watching a Pacific sunset. That night, we acted out the Christmas story with our grandchildren. It was important for us to emphasize Jesus as we start the Christmas season, because so much in the world can distract us from the real reason for the season. December at First Baptist is set up to do the same thing. There is so much in the world going on at this season of Christmas that the most important event can be neglected. I am not against all the fanfare of lights, presents, decorations and the story of “The Night Before Christmas.” However, I want us to see again, for the first time, that God sent Jesus to save us from our sins (John 3:16). Our December church events are designed to help you and your family experience the birth of the Christ child. Childrens Choirs and the Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra will present the Christmas story in song and play. Opportunities will be made available to help others in their time of need. The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering gives us a chance to reach people in far away lands. My sermons during this season, will focus on who Jesus is and why He came. One of my favorite Christmas activities is to gather on Christmas Eve to celebrate the Lord’s Supper. We have moved the service to 5:00pm so families can still have their time on Christmas Eve. It is a Luke 2 moment you don’t want to miss. In fact, it is a good jump start to fathers reading the Christmas story to their families before they go to bed that night. A Luke 2 family tradition can influence generations. Susan and I thank God for our First Baptist family. You have blessed our lives. We wish for each of you a very Merry Christmas. May the Lord fill your hearts with a fresh sense of His presence and renew the wonder of God’s love for us. Merry Christmas from your pastor and wife. Your Pastor, Jerry Luke 2:11
Welcome to the First Family Retha and John Ray Join by Letter 512 Bartlett, Fairhope His: 334.216.2048 Hers: 334.316.1655
Janet Hamilton Joins by Letter 25942 Royalty Dr. 571.217.0312
Kurt Robinson Joins by Profession of Faith 254 George St 918.814.5186
Henry Nicoles Rainer Joins by Profession of Faith Son of Mendolyn and Clay Rainer
Kathy and Greg Ulland Join by Letter P.O.B. 1222, FH His: 601.323.0543 Hers: 251.776.8043
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Preschool Christmas Program
Wednesday, December 9 at 6:00pm in the Sanctuary The Children will share a precious Christmas play with drama and singing.
Thomas Hospital Christmas & Carols
Wednesday, December 9, at Thomas Hospital, our Children’s Choirs, First Praise & Charis will be presenting seasonal selections at this community music event. (6:00pm-7:30pm)
Student Christmas Music
Sunday, December 13 at 6:00pm Christmas music featuring ReSound, Selah, One Way, soloists, and instrumentalists.
Begin at the Manger
Saturday, December 19 & Sunday, December 20 at 7:00pm each night. The Sanctuary Choir with full Orchestra, Adoration, First Praise, Selah, and Children’s Choir will lead a musical journey of discovery and hope.
Church-wide Christmas Caroling
Tuesday, Dec. 22 at 5:30pm Call Laureen Davis at the church office, 928-8685, or email her at ldavis@fbcfairhope.org, to sign-up. Children must be accompanied by a parent.
Widow & Widower Luncheon Sunday, December 20 11:15 AM, Social Hall
Menu: Ham/Turkey, Green Beans, Salad, Dressing, Cakes by Brenda Saltz, Bread, Beverage. Please sign up by contacting Sharon Pippin at 928.8685 or email her at spippin@fbcfairhope.org.
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Ingathering for the offering is December 20
NEED LUNCH Fish Fry for Blake Bauer
Lunch to Go Fundraiser
church with a quick drive thru pick up. (Fried Fish, Two Sides and beverage for $10) Blake was recently diagnosed with a rare cancer. He is a Corrections Office and volunteer Reserve Officer with Fairhope Police. Proceeds will help Blake’s family with medical costs and travel expenses. This is sponsored by the Fairhope and Foley Police Departments.
Enjoy a tasty lunch and help our own Food Pantry and Ecumenical Ministries. The Fairhope United Appeal Fund will be receiving donations for each lunch. The lunch will be prepared by Chef Vann Saltz and will include Chicken Fingers, Mac & Cheese, Green beans, roll and cookie. NOTE: Checks need to be made payable to the Fairhope United Appeal Fund.
Sunday, December 6th, 11am-2pm at parking Sunday, December 13 lot of Rambo’s Garage. Stop by on the way home from Sponsored by the Fairhope United Appeal Fund
First Hope making Christmas Ministry Plans It’s not too early to think about giving less fortunate families a Merry Christmas. First Hope has a number of families and children both in the church and in the community that need help this holiday season. If any individuals or Sunday school classes would like more information please call Marjorie Ballantyne at 251284-1092 or email at jwbmjb1@gmail.com. You will be blessed as you bless others. If there are any church families who need a little extra help with Christmas gifts for their children please let Marjorie know (information is confidential).
Warm up those in Tent City
Moms2Moms is collecting clean, gently used coats and jackets, scarves, gloves, hats, blankets and/or sleeping bags as a part of their community outreach project next month! The collected items will be distributed in Mobile in a homeless area know as “tent city”. Participating in the Coat and Blanket Drive is an easy way for you and your family to pass along coats, jackets and blankets you no longer need while helping those most vulnerable to the upcoming winter weather! DEADLINE is DECEMBER 11 Questions: email Tammy Henry at tmmylhenry@yahoo.com.
Perspectives
Missions Class Interest Meeting
Monday, December 7, 6:30 PM SOCIAL HALL
We are hosting a FREE DINNER and INTEREST MEETING here at FBC on Monday, December 7 for the upcoming PERSPECTIVES CLASS ON THE WORLD CHRISTIAN MOVEMENT. Come and learn more about the class that is a college level class on Missiology that features weekly teachings from missionaries. You can visit their website to learn more about the class at: www.perspectives .org. TO SIGN UP: Contact LaSha Powell at 928-8685 or lpowell@fbcfairhope.org.
2016 Mission Trip Opportunities Maybe this is the year God is calling you to consider being a part of one of our Mission Teams as we seek to fulfill the Acts 1:8 Challenge. Here are the trips that are planned so far and the dates. For more info, please contact the appropriate Team Leader.
Victoria, Canada on May 2 – 9,
to work with North American Missionary Ashley Austin and the Canvas Church as part of their annual Family Fest outreach event. Team Leader: Brent Shaw (928-8685 or bshaw@fbcfairhope.org). NOTE: A $300 non-refundable deposit is due by January 10 for air fare.
Greenfield, Wisconsin on May 28 – June 4
with our Builders for Christ Team to help build a new worship building for a growing church. Team Leader: Don Hill (604-2574 or hill@zebra.net).
Missions Trips and Information on related mission events may be found under the “Missions” tab (http://fbcfairhope.org/mission-trips)
on our website and on the church app.
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Brazil Mission Trip on July 17 – 26
to work with Pioneer Missions in helping build a chapel, conduct VBS, health assessment clinic and more. Team Leader: Bubba Bosarge (802-2484, 928-2487 or arthurbosarge@bellsouth.net). If you are an active member of FBC the cost of the trip is $2250. If you are not an active member of the church the cost is $3250. There will be a yard sale and golf tournament to help with the cost of the trip. A $200 non-refundable deposit is due 1/18/2016. You will be required to go through Evangelism classes taught by Bubba Bosarge We will be going to Vitoria, Espírito Santo. This is the city where missionaries Tony and Karen Gray , construction leader Marcos and his wife and family, and one of the workers Val and his family live. The trip will include chapel construction, VBS, Health Assessment Clinic(taking blood pressures and blood sugar levels, giving out reading glasses and sun glasses to adults and sunglasses to kids, and possible fluoride treatments to children){no medical training needed for the clinic} and Door to Door evangelism.
LifeSouth Blood Drive Wednesday, December 2 4:0-8:00 in the back parking lot
From The Learning Tree
Our pilgrims and Indians enjoyed feasting together and learning about The First Thanksgiving. During Chapel time Ms. Jennifer shared, “As you go through life make this your goal; be thankful for the donut and not the hole.” What a great lesson for everyone!
5:00 in the
Sanctuary
Deacons –
both “old” and “new”!
The Deacon’s last meeting of the year is also training/fellowship for those rotating off and on. Our training time will be different than in the past. I will need a lot of discussion from you all as we consider new opportunities for 2016. We will start on 12/6/15 at 4:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall and run until 5:30 at which time wives will join us for a quick fellowship before evening service. Kerry Flowers, Chairman
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