ADVENT GUIDE ADVENT 2021 FIRST BAPTIST GREENSBORO
PASTOR'S NOTE In Advent of last year I returned to the Sanctuary. I’d filmed, met, worshipped and worked there throughout the months of virtual church, but it was in the intimacy and beauty of our Communion and Blessing services the week of Christmas that I felt I was home again. That week, our family lost a dear friend who died from COVID complications. In fact, just hours after learning that Randy died, I arrived to the candlelit Sanctuary, put on my robe, and walked in to share a blessing with church members, George and Levonne Scott, who were first in line. Throughout the evening, I experienced the gifts of connection with dear church members, the retelling of the story, and the care of ministers and Deacons. All of it was home. All of it was Christ coming near. Throughout the hours of communion, music was provided by Doug and Baker, including one melody that moved me every time it cycled. Learning the name of the piece, “Where Shepherds Lately Knelt,” I listened to it as I drove away from the service, hearing lyrics that depicted the coming of our Lord out behind a Bethlehem barn. The refrain played, “There was room and welcome there for me.” In this season, we experience how God makes a home with us, to which we can always return. There was “no room in the inn” for the young travelers and the baby on the way, but there was plenty of room outside, beneath the expanse of the sky and amidst the wideness of God’s love. As so many travel to that scene this season, I hope you will experience the themes of home and return in the life we share as a church, from the recurrence of beloved traditions to the intimacy of God in Christ present to you through the love of this community. There is room and welcome here for you, and especially in this season when, in Christ, all people have a home.
WO R S H I P & M U S I C
Hope Joy
NOVEMBER 28
FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT LUKE 21.25-36 MUSIC BY SANCTUARY CHOIR
Peace love
DECEMBER 12
THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT LUKE 3.7-18 MUSIC BY CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH CHOIRS
Christmas Eve
DECEMBER 5
SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT LUKE 3.1-16 MUSIC BY SANCTUARY CHOIR
DECEMBER 19
FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT LUKE 1.39-45 MUSIC BY ADULT HANDBELLS AND BRASS, SANCTUARY CHOIR
DECEMBER 24
4:30PM & 6:30PM (IDENTICAL SERVICES) SANCTUARY SIGN UP FOR A SERVICE AT FBCGSO.ORG/CHRISTMAS-EVE-2021
December 19 at 4 pm | Sanctuary The familiar, beloved Carols in settings by John Rutter presented by the Sanctuary Choir and orchestra with plenty of congregational participation!
FO R M AT I O N ADVENT MIDWEEK
We have some special Midweek opportunities during the Advent season. Children’s Choir (5:45 - 6:45 pm) and Youth Open Gym & Cafe (5:45 - 7 pm) Handbells (6 – 6:45 pm) and Sanctuary Choir (7 – 8:15 pm) will continue on these dates.
Throughout the Advent season, the congregation is encouraged to join in meditating on the hope, peace, joy and love of the season together through our Advent Devotional. You can pick up a handheld guide at church, or each day you can tune in to Facebook or fbcgso.org for videos that accompany the day’s reflection.
2 | Advent Guide
December 1 | 5:45 pm - 6:45 pm | Atrium Come by the Atrium to hang out with cookies and hot chocolate! We will give you the name and address of a homebased member that you can carol to at your convenience during the Advent season.
December 8 | 5 - 8pm | Chapel You are invited to sign up to attend a brief 15 minute Christmas blessing and personal communion in the Chapel between the hours of 5:00 and 8:00 pm. The Chapel will be decorated and candlelit, and members of our Pastoral staff will be on hand to serve communion and offer a blessing to your household. Simply sign up for any available time slots provided at fbcgso.org/Christmas-blessing-communion
C H I L D R E N / YO U T H Wednesday, December 15, 6 pm Sanctuary IT’S BACK! By 6:15pm, parents bring children to the room at the back of the Fellowship Hall to pick out their costumes. They will get to choose from animals, shepherds, angels, and wise men. The children will then head to the sanctuary and find a pew at the front that is labeled with their “part.” The program starts at 6:30pm for all who are planning to attend. This precious event will be full of music, scripture, and wiggly children bringing the nativity story alive! DON’T FORGET YOUR CAMERAS! Sunday, December 12, 5-7pm Fellowship Hall We’re excited that our Youth Christmas Party is back this year and we can’t wait to eat great food, do our white elephant gift exchange, and hang out with each other. Details on what to bring and sign-ups can be found at fbcgso.org/youth
Friday, December 24, Noon Lake Daniel Park Everyone (youth, children and adults!) is welcome to join us at noon at Lake Daniel Park by the basketball court (at the entrance off Benjamin Parkway) for a fun game of touch football. All ages and abilities are welcome! This game happens rain, snow or shine.
PRESCHOOL First Baptist Preschool will host a Winter Open House for new and prospective enrollment in 2022-2023 on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at 10:00 am. All interested families, can respond to verify their attendance by visiting: fbcgso.org/ preschool/winteropenhouse. This is a great time to our daily program in action and meet our staff. If you’re interested, or you know someone who would be interested, we would love to welcome any and all. Photos from our Paper-bag Parade in October Registration for the 2022-2023 school year for FBC members will open on January 13th and close on January 21st. Current preschoolers for the 2021-2022 school year will be able to register from January 24th- February 2nd. After that, we will have open enrollment for all prospective families for the 2022-2023 until March 1st. After March 1st, enrollment will be on a first come, first served based on openings in particular classes. Contact Autumn (autumn@fbcgso.org) 336274-3286 ext. 106. Advent 2021 | 3
First Baptist Church Greensboro 1000 West Friendly Avenue Greensboro, NC 27401 fbcgso.org
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID GREENSBORO, NC NO. 179
MISSIONS & COMMUNITY FBC GIVING TREE
In a season of sharing, we offer the opportunity to share with others in our community in tangible and life-giving ways. Once again, the Missions Committee is sponsoring a Giving Tree, which will hold Angel tags listing Christmas wishes for families, children and partnership agencies assisting those in need. There are a variety of requests at various price points so we hope all can participate. Stop by the Atrium, choose a tag that speaks to your heart, simply sign your name and tag # on the list, and return the gift to the Atrium Giving Tree box by December 19. If you have any questions, contact Ashley Chandler (ashley@fbcgso.org) in the church office
HOLIDAY HONOR CARDS
Consider honoring a loved one this Christmas by remembering them with a gift that gives back to others. Honor Cards in support of FBC Missions Partners will be for sale on Sundays in the Atrium beginning Nov 28. You may also purchase them in the church office during the week. Cash or checks are to be payable directly to organizations (minimum donation of $5). To purchase, contact Alice Angell (angella2@gmail.com) or Ashley Chandler (ashley@fbcgso.org) in the office. Honor Cards are available for: