December 2015 full color by First Baptist News

December 2015

Volume LVIII No. 12

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By: Dr. Paul Baxley, Senior Minister We have begun another Advent season at First Bap st Athens! During the weeks marked by the four Sundays leading up to Christmas, we join with Chris ans of every denomina on in preparing for the many ways Christ comes in our lives. Obviously, we are remembering his coming in Bethlehem and celebra ng the remarkable grace God bestowed on all of us in the coming of Christ. We are also aﬃrming that Christ will come again, that God’s work in the world is moving toward a triumphant conclusion when only God’s love and grace will remain. We also know that Christ comes in our lives through the Spirit each day in so many ways. Advent is a me not just to prepare for Christ’s coming, but also to be focused and spiritually a,en ve. Each year, this call to focus on the presence and comings of Christ in our lives is challenged more and more by distrac ons around us and within us. There is so much that demands our a,en on in these weeks. So while we are being called to be more focused and a,en ve, we are also at risk for distrac on and exhaus on. (Pastor’s Reflections, continued on page 2)

This year during the Advent season we will offer three midweek opportuni es for worship. For the last several years, these services have been offered on Tuesdays at noon. This year, we will offer them at 5:30 p.m. in the hope of making the service available to a larger number of our members of our church and community whose schedules did not permit par cipa ng at midday. Childcare will be provided for children birth through age 5. Each service will include a carol, a medita on, a me of prayer and the receiving of an offering that this year will benefit the Coopera ve Bap st Fellowship’s Offering for Global Missions. The services will be held on December 1, 8 and 15 at 5:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Please plan to join us for a me of worship at midweek during the Advent Season!

O Come, Let Us Adore Him Worship and Communion on Christmas Eve 5:30 p.m.

(Pastor’s Reflections, continued from page 1.

How can we maintain focus on Christ’s comings during Advent? We need to give ourselves to regular worship, because worship (by its very nature) sharpens our focus on the presence of God. So make a commitment to join us as we gather for worship not only on Sunday mornings at 11:00 a.m. but also on Tuesday evenings (December 1, 8 and 15) at 5:30 p.m. and on Christmas Eve at 5:30 p.m. Establishing a weekly commitment to worshipping even more than usual during this season will help us focus on Christ and what Christ wants and needs us to do in this world.

M Paul A. Baxley Senior Minister

Frank Granger Minister of Christian Community

Randy Bri+ain Minister of Music

I encourage you to establish a commitment to worship during Advent in another way. Invite people you know who do not have a church home to join you as we worship! Advent is a perfect me to begin a new journey with Christ or renew faith in Christ. Surely all of us know people who are Chris ans who are not presently ac ve in a church family. This is a wonderful and faithful me to invite them to be part of our life!

Brandon Pendry Minister of Youth and Mission

Amanda Lewis Minister of College Students

Beyond worship, I encourage you to make other commitments that allow you to maintain focus on Christ’s presence and his comings. Set aside me every day to read the Scriptures and pray, and be helped in this commitment by our Advent devo onal guide! Give me to volunteer in one of our ongoing mission ministries and also make an extra commitment of me to some of the special opportuni es that come at this me of year. When we do what Christ asks us to do, and share Christ’s love with all people, we also experience renewed focus on Christ.

Anne Bri+ain Organist/Music Associate

Alan McArthur Pianist

Jon Appleton Pastor Emeritus

Advent is a me to focus on the comings of Jesus and renew our commitment to follow him. I look forward to seeing you as we worship, study, serve and pray during these weeks of expecta on and celebra on!

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At their regular November mee ng, the Deacons of First Bap st Church unanimously approved a mo on to authorize a Capital Campaign Steering Commi,ee to conduct a capital campaign in 2016. The funds raised in the campaign would be used in support of renova ons and new construc on contained in the phase one proposal approved by the Deacons in October and presented to the congrega on November 4. AAer the capital campaign is concluded (and before any actual renova on or construc on begins) a ﬁnal recommenda on will be brought to the congrega on. The slate of church members who have agreed to serve on the Capital Campaign Steering Commi,ee include: Alan Reddish, Campaign Chair

Jill Dawson, Campaign Manager

Pam Bickley

Sherri Divers

Ma, DuVall

Cindy Haygood

Al Henderson

Bill Hopper

Linda Lacy

Mark Sanders

Fred Young Paul Baxley (Senior Minister) will serve ex-oﬃcio.

Ruben Swint (Capital Funding Consultant) will serve ex-oﬃcio.

On Sunday, December 6, the church will be called into conference at the conclusion of the morning worship service to vote on this recommenda on. Please contact Robin O’Rear, Chair of Deacons, Helen Mills, Chair-Elect of Deacons or Paul Baxley should you have ques ons. 2

By the me you receive this newsle,er, we will be entering above and beyond giA averaging $437 per giver the final weeks of the calendar year, which is also the end (individual or family) would completely erase the of the church budget year. As we have reported to the shorIall we faced entering November. Some of us may congrega on before, our church’s historic giving pa,ern is not be able to make such a giA above and beyond what that we receive twenty to twenty-five percent of our we intended or pledged, but others of us may feel led annual income in the final weeks of the year. This means to do much more. Please prayerfully consider how you that we almost always enter the month of December with are led to give as the end of the year approaches. significant ground to make up if we are to meet all of our ministry and mission commitments. What are the benefits to our congrega on finishing strong? Obviously a strong financial finish enables us to fully fund As you learned in a le,er from Bill Hopper, FBC Finance all of our ministry and mission commitments in this Commi,ee Chair, this year is no different. We have community and around the world. But beyond that, a significant ground to make up in the final weeks of the strong financial finish also posi ons us to begin 2016 in a year. AAer all November contribu ons are received and be,er posi on than we began 2015. That would also posted, all church members will receive a statement strengthen our ability to do mission and ministry in the showing contribu on through the first eleven months. months ahead. Please contact Cheri in the church office if you have any ques ons about that statement. As you contemplate end of year giAs, please remember that we can receive contribu ons in the Sunday offering, We ask that all church members consider taking the by mail, or in person in the church office. In order to be following steps to make sure our financial year finishes counted as 2014 giAs, contribu ons must be received in strong: our office by 5:00 p.m. on December 31 or be postmarked 1. When you receive the final statement in early December 31. We can also receive giAs of stock. In order December, please make sure you complete your to insure that we receive the stock giAs in me to be pledge for 2015 by the end of the month. counted to this year’s budget, please ini ate the transfer 2. If you did not make a pledge in 2015 but intend to give, by December 15. Please contact Cheri in the church office please do so. if you have any ques ons about a stock giA. 3. If you are able to give above and beyond the amount you originally pledged or intended, please prayerfully Please begin praying now about how you can help us finish consider doing so. As Bill indicated in his le,er, an strong!

CHURCH FAMILY NEWS SYMPATHY

We express our Chris an love and sympathy to the family of Martha Poole who passed away on October 29, 2015. We express our Chris an love and sympathy to Joyce McHan, Diana Richardson, and Michael Richardson in the death of Frank McHan on Monday, November 9, 2015. N = M 7> A warm FBC welcome goes to Oscar and Emily Gertsch, and their children Owen and Charlo+e. We also welcome Roya and Kathy Segers. B 8 We extend our hearIelt congratula ons to: Claire and Travis Eggleston on the birth of their son, William Reece on Saturday, November 14, 2015. Daniel and Amy (Chason) Li,le on the birth of their son, Beau Hamilton on Monday, November 2, 2015. Beau’s proud grandparents are Wendell and Lane Chason. F M 7 Memorials were received for the Founda on Benevolent Fund in memory of Janey Cooley. 3

MISSION NEWS “Want to keep Christ in Christmas? Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, forgive the guilty, welcome the unwanted, care for the ill, love your enemies, and do unto others as you would have done unto you.” — Steve Maraboli Below are several opportuni es for you to be Christ in the world this Advent and Christmas season. Contact Brandon Pendry (Brandon@Ocathens.org) for addi onal informa on.

SalvaOon Army Bell Ringers

Christmas Caroling

November 30—December 4 Join us in suppor ng local ministries by signing up to ring the familiar Salva on Army Bell at the Epps Bridge Walmart. We will staﬀ the right side entrance from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day with the goal of raising over $2,000 to support ministries here in Athens. Sign up on the FBC website or by contac ng Phylis Nelson (pbnwngc@yahoo.com or 706-549-9312).

Sunday, December 6 Join us for this wonderful mission outreach to our homebound members at Christmas. We will meet at FBC at 3:00 p.m. and return by 5:00 p.m. for light snacks. Help us share the joy of the Christmas Season! Singing skills are not required.

Christmas Room at the Food Bank Toys, books, games, spor ng goods, and other items are needed for older children (ages 11-16). The items are being collected for distribu on by the Emergency Food Bank to their clients. Donated items can be brought to the Mission Room at FBC. Volunteer at the Food Bank beginning December 16.

Smart Lunch/Smart Kid Holiday Food Boxes Monday, December 21 Volunteers will gather at Milledge Avenue Bap st Church from 9:00 a.m. to noon to pack holiday food boxes for distribu on. From Noon un l 1:30 p.m., we will be delivering the boxes to families. The FBC Mission team has sponsored 25 boxes.

Angel Tree Project Benefits Clarke and Oconee County DFCS What do 6 month-old Marque,, 3 year-old Darius, 7 yearold Timothy and 15 year-old Jacob have in common? These children are all part of FBC’s 2015 angel tree list received from the Clarke County DFCS. There are over 200 children in foster care with Clarke County DFCS. There are 20 children in foster care in Oconee County. The Missions Commi,ee has adopted the Clarke County Department of Family and Children Services Angel Tree Project as a church-wide community missions project. FBC Athens has commi,ed to adop ng 35 children. This project provides an opportunity for church members to

adopt a foster child and help make their Christmas special. The foster child’s name, sex and age, and wish list will be available at the tree outside the fellowship hall. At scheduled mes beginning Wednesday, November 18, you can select your child and receive their wish list. All items should be returned to the Missions Room on the 2nd ﬂoor no later than Wednesday, December 9 at 4:30 p.m. For further informa on, contact Carol Rayburn Cofer (770-725-6655 aAer 6 pm). Please consider adop ng one of these 35 children and help them have a brighter Christmas.

Offering for Global Missions Update When you support what CBF is doing in the world — you're Our next hos ng providing ESL classes for Roma students and for adults. You’re providing clothing and materials for Roma children in a school week for the who don’t always have the same materials that their Slovak Interfaith peers have. You’re providing presence and Bible studies for Hospitality young Roma teenagers, boys and girls, to learn about God’s Network of word in a safe and caring environment. But above all, you’re Athens begins on providing Roma communi es the opportunity to share more of December 6. who they are with the world. Our goal this year is to raise Please sign up on FBC’s Mission $10,000 for Global Missions. To date, we have raised $2,500. opportuni es page on the FBC website. OGM offering envelopes are available on the mission board in the hallway. Envelopes may be returned to the church office.

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$10,000

$2,500

YOUTH NEWS December Youth Calendar 6 Youth Christmas Party @ Baxley’s House, 6-8 pm 1181 Arizona Bend, Bogart Bring a $5 funny gift for White Elephant 13 Christmas Banquet—Youth Serve 21 Serve with Smart Lunch Smart Kid Holiday edition, 9am-1pm @ Milledge Ave Baptist Church. Grab lunch after, bring $

Youth Mission Trip Summer 2016 June 5-10 in Atlanta, GA We will stay at the Lydia House in Atlanta and work with CBF Missionaries Jen & Trey Lyons for the week. We will be helping them prep for their summer literacy camp as well as interacting with their neighborhood kids and getting them excited about the rest of their summer. It will be heavy on work with kids and prep work around their facilities. We will also enjoy staying together in Atlanta and doing some different cultural experiences to introduce us all to a new side of Atlanta!

Why Youth Ministry Matters

by Brandon Pendry, Minister of Youth and Mission

I don’t believe many folks inside church life have qualms about doing ministry with teenagers. They’re at pivotal developmental points in life and have crucial changes going on in nearly all facets of their existence, so walking with them to ﬁnd Jesus is probably a good thing. But we don’t oAen get to see concrete outcomes for why this ma,ers for THEM and THE CHURCH. One former youth, now college senior, said to me recently how much they missed the community of the youth group, how much in par cular Youth Fall Retreat helped hold their life together in high school. Another former youth confessed how they wish they had skipped youth and church func ons less, because they didn’t realize how much it meant to them ll they were gone. And from a family member I heard a story of how some of their teenaged grandchildren par cipated in the Angel Tree ministry and out of that, decided they wanted to pick their own angel next year and start saving now to fund it themselves. These three stories indicate a deeper forma on happening in teenagers lives than any of us may know, and it’s extremely encouraging and important to note. Youth ministry ma,ers for the students because it oﬀers them a sense of community and place within the church that they otherwise would not have, and oAen do not get again upon leaving for college and/or careers. Having that community grounds them in not just any community, but in the community of faith in Jesus Christ, a place where they can be accepted, loved, and challenged to follow Jesus alongside adults. And the experiences within these communi es create deep bonds of faith, both amongst

teenagers as they grow in faith together and between them and God as they experience God powerfully in diverse and regular ways. These communi es also teach them that faith in Jesus means puSng others first, indicated by the students who, through Angel Tree, wanted to use their own savings to provide for someone else. These are vitally important reasons for youth ministry to con nue among students. Youth ministry ma,ers for the church because these teenagers found their sense of community, love, iden ty in the church, drawing them back to it when they aren’t sure where else to go to find these things. It means they care not just about their own faith, but how their faith was found and grown, within a community of believers. Our hope is that other faith communi es like ours will be places they con nue to seek and find Christ as they grow into adults. And our hope is that as they learn that their faith in Christ means serving others through love and prac cing jus ce, they will con nue to transform their new faith communi es into places where Christ is lived out in people’s lives and communi es. May we con nue to be a church where Youth Ministry ma,ers—because our teenagers need to know Jesus and become adults who want to be a part of communi es of people following Jesus. And just maybe, I suspect, in walking alongside teenagers, teaching them Sunday School and choir, laughing and crying with them, we also may come to know Jesus a li,le bit more through them. This is why Youth Ministry ma,ers.

WORSHIP NEWS An Advent — Christmas — Epiphany Primer

by: Frank Granger, Minister of ChrisOan Community

The Advent-Christmas-Epiphany cycle includes three seasons of the Church Year. This cycle serves as the beginning of the Chris%an Calendar Year for the church.

Christmas

The season of Christmas is actually a period of twelve days which begins on Christmas Day and con nues through January 5. We typically think of the season of Christmas as Advent beginning aAer Thanksgiving and concluding on December Advent begins with the Sunday closest to November 30, 25. However, for the Church, December 25 is the (this year it is November 29), and is observed for the four culmina on of the wai ng, and marks the beginning of Sundays prior to Christmas. Each of the four Sundays has a Christmas. The two liturgical colors for Christmas are theme: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. From the La n word, white and gold. adventus, Advent means "arrival" or "coming" and marks the coming of Jesus as human being into the world. The Epiphany early observances of Advent comprised a six-week period, Epiphany, from its beginnings, was probably "a (similar to the season of Lent). The city of Gaul, in the fiAh celebra on both of Christ's na vity and the events century, may well be the origin of this full six-week connected with it, and of his bap sm and first miracle at season. Through the years, the season was modified and Cana." (Cheslyn, p. 414) Christmas originated in the West, now comprises a four-week me of prepara on for the probably in Rome. But Rome does not seem to have coming of the Son of God to earth. From about the emphasized the bap sm of the Lord with its celebra on of middle of the sixth century, Advent has marked the Epiphany. The West commemorates the visit of the Magi. beginning of the church year and is the first season in the (Cheslyn, p. 414) This sheds some possible light on why we Chris an calendar. While our calendar begins with January in the Protestant tradi ons have less emphasis upon 1, the church year actually starts with Advent. The Epiphany than we do upon Christmas. Our January 6 expected return of Jesus Christ is referred to as the celebra on of Epiphany, as Chris ans, represents the "Second Advent." The liturgical color of Advent is purple. revela on of God to the world in Jesus Christ. The liturgical colors of Epiphany are white and gold.

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Christmas Banquet Program December 13, 2015 at 5:30 p.m

This year the children’s choirs will present The Manger Project as the musical program prior to the FBC Christmas Banquet. The musical takes place during a children’s choir rehearsal for a tradi onal church na vity play. As the children discuss the manger as an unsuitable place for a baby to be born, they explore ways that they can help ﬁll the manger with soA hay by leSng the hay represent kinds acts and deeds that they share during the holiday season. This leads the children to explore and discover the daily giAs that are given each day by our church family as we minister through Our Daily Bread, Interfaith Hospitality Network, the Food Bank, Smart Lunch/Smart Kids, the Salva on Army, the Slovakia Mission trip, and Watering Malawi. Come join the children as they sing, play instruments and help us prepare for the coming of the Baby Jesus as they present The Manger Project.

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Music Makers & Joyful Singers will have a special rehearsal for The Manger Project on Sunday, December 6, from noon to 2:30 p.m. Children will go to the Fellowship Hall right aAer worship for a pizza lunch followed by rehearsal. AAer the rehearsal the children will return to the Fellowship Hall to make their own special Christmas ornaments. Parents are to come to the Fellowship Hall at 2:30 p.m. to pick up their children. (Please note that only the Music Makers & Joyful Singers are to a,end this rehearsal).

Children’s Church Schedule for Grade 1 & 2 Advent includes special experiences in Worship provide unique opportuni es for children to see, hear, and learn about Christmas for us as Chris ans. Therefore, we believe our Grade 1 & 2 children beneﬁt from being included in these worship experiences. Nov. 29: NO Children’s Church —Sit with parents aAer singing Dec. 6: Children’s Church Dec. 13: NO Children’s Church —Remain for Lesson & Carols) December 20: Children’s Church December 27: No Children’s Church or Sunday School (Worship only on this day) 6

COMMUNITY NEWS

When perusing a list of Sunday School classes at First Bap st, it is not unusual to have a class name that needs a li,le explana on. The B & P Class is no diﬀerent. Started many years ago, the B & P Class stands for Business and Professional. “This class is made up of senior men who represent a wide range of backgrounds including military service and interes ng careers,” says John Marshall. But what Dallas Cannady thinks it stands for is family. “I have made a lot of very close friends in the B & P Class,” said Dallas in a recent interview. “There were a number of men in the church who were known to me, but un l the class, I didn’t really know them.”

John agrees. “Silent prayer for the pastor, the church staﬀ, and the congrega on has been a tradi on for beginning each session. The men reconcile changes and transi ons in their lives by valuing the Chris an brotherhood the class provides.” Another remarkable dbit is that the class has a very high a,endance rate. According to Dallas, the class typically has an a,endance of 80 to 90% each week. “The only me members miss is when they are sick or out of town.”

But the group doesn’t confine their me together to Sunday mornings. On the second and fourth Thursday of With four teachers on regular rota on and another for the each month, they gather for lunch at 11:30 a.m. at Rachel’s 5th Sunday, the B & P class studies the Bible with a Café in Watkinsville. Dallas emphasized that the invita on different perspec ve each week. “Each week it is very to lunch is for anyone in the church— not just men or interes ng because we study the Bible with a different members of the class, saying that they typically have leader. Every one of them their own style, and there are anywhere from 8 to 14 folks that share the meal. not two that are iden cal. So our study is engaging and makes you really think.” “Newer members find the class to be an easy transi on to our church’s other senior ac vi es such as the 50+ social One of the prac ces of the B & P Class is to begin each and service group,” according to John. The B & P Class Sunday morning with a two full minutes of prayer for the meets in Rm. E-109 each week. All men are welcome. John church. “We pray for the ministers and all of the ministries also went on to say that the class some mes even includes of FBC each week,” said Dallas. “Beginning each class with sons who join their fathers in a,ending the class regularly. two minutes of prayer is very powerful. I believe that Paul Teachers include Don Edwards, Ed Best, Joe Clark, Al Lee, Baxley coming to FBC was a direct answer to those and Dale Wade. prayers.” Dallas explained that the class prayed for the Lord to send the right minister and said, “I feel like we got him… God sent him to us.”

50+ T 7 N = On Thursday, March 10, 2016, the 50+ Team will sponsor a day-trip to the Biblical History Center at the Blue Willow Inn in LaGrange. The trip will depart FBC at 8:00 a.m. on a deluxe motor coach to arrive at the center in me to enjoy a Biblical Meal Experience learning about the Passover, the Last Supper, and meal customs of people in ancient mes. Par cipants will sample over 15 diﬀerent food items including salad, olives, hummus, grapes, apples, nuts and roasted chicken. AAer the meal, par cipants will experience ancient daily life of the Shepherd, the Farmer, the Village, and the Roman Market Street. In the late aAernoon, we will visit the Blue Willow Inn Restaurant and GiA Shop to enjoy a buﬀet style dinner. Entrance fees, transporta on, and all meals are included in the per person price of $129. AAer dinner, we will return to FBC at approximately 8:00 p.m. You do not need to be a member of the 50+ group to join us on this wonderful trip — all are invited! Full payment is due by February 1, 2016. Please submit checks payable to FBC Athens or pay online at www.goodnewstravels.com. Our tour name is FBC Athens LaGrange. If you have addi onal ques ons, please contact Lorene Horton (706-255-1120) for addi onal informa on. AddiOonal Dates • The 50+ Team will meet in the Aderhold Classroom on Thursday, December 3 at 10:30 a.m. • Save the date for "Dinner with Darrell Huckaby" on January 28, 2016. More details to follow. 7

JOIN US FOR WORSHIP IN DECEMBER Tuesday, December 1, 2015, 5:30 PM – Advent Vespers Service Medita on: “Prayers for Advent: A Prayer of Focus” Text: Psalm 25:1-10 Sunday, December 6, 2015 – The Second Sunday in Advent Sermon: “Advent’s Essen al Ques ons: What Should We Do?” Texts: Malachi 3:1-4, Luke 3:1-17 Tuesday, December 8, 2015- 5:30 PM – Advent Vespers Service Medita on: “Prayers for Advent: A Prayer for Love” Text: Philippians 1:3-11 Sunday, December 13, 2015- The Third Sunday in Advent Choral Music for Advent and Christmas Tuesday, December 15, 2015 – 5:30 PM – Advent Vespers Service Medita on: “Prayers for Advent: A Prayer of Availability” Text: Luke 1:38 Sunday, December 20, 2015 – The Fourth Sunday in Advent Sermon: “Advent’s Essential Questions: What Difference Will He Make?” Texts: Micah 5:2-5a, Luke 1:46-55, Hebrews 10:5-10 Thursday, December 24, 2015 – Christmas Eve Communion Service Medita on: “Mercy…for us!” Texts: Luke 2:1-20, Titus 3:4-7 Sunday, December 27, 2015 – The First Sunday a+er Christmas Sermon “As Usual” Texts: I Samuel 2:18-20, 26, Psalm 148, Luke 2:41-52 The CHRISTMAS BANQUET will be held in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday, December 13, following the Children’s Music Program which begins at 5:30 p.m. The cost of the meal is $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for children. RSVP by noon on Monday, December 7 by calling the church office (706) 548-1359, emailing heather@firstbap stathens.org, or submiSng the reserva on form available in the Branyon Foyer. Check or cash should accompany reserva ons. No money will be collected on the night of the banquet. Menu: Turkey and Dressing with Gravy, Sweet Potato Soufflé, Squash Casserole, Salad, Cranberry Sauce, Dinner Roll, Red Velvet Cake, Tea and Coffee.

CONTRIBUTIONS Weekly Needs:

$27,140.67

Received week of October 25 Received week of November 1 Received week of November 8 Received week of November 15 Received week of November 22

$ 7,461.00 $16,250.74 $23,023.35 $26,171.68 $13,541.10

Co-Deacons for the Weeks of: Nov. 29-Dec. 5: Evelyn Mar n, Helen Mills December 6 -12: Milton Mills, Don Nelson December 13-19: Phyllis Nelson, Ray Noblet December 20-26-: Robin O’Rear, Lori Ragsdale Dec. 27– Jan. 2: Carol Reddish, Kim Rogers Fellowship Team for December David Graves, Al Henderson, Andy Hogan, Charlie Hooper Usher Team for December Brad Las nger, Malcolm Skinner, Ches Smith, Kevin Price, Bill Horton, Larry Toole Welcome Center Team December 6: Branyon Foyer: Margaret Earnest, John Marshall Fanning Foyer: Sherri Divers, Joan Beckham December 13 Branyon Foyer: Connie Ivester, Martha Ivester Fanning Foyer: Beth Sanders, Janice Love December 20 Branyon Foyer: Sherri Divers, Joan Beckham Fanning Foyer: Margaret Earnest, John Marshall December 27 Branyon Foyer: Beth Sanders, Janice Love Fanning Foyer: Connie Ivester, Martha Ivester First Aid Phone: Pam Bickley

WEDNESDAY MENUS Adults $7.00; Children $3.50

A Memorable Christmas

December 2 Hot Meal: Oven Fried Chicken, Squash Casserole, Green Beans, Fruit Salad, Biscuit Children: Pizza December 9 Hot Meal: Oven Fried Pork Chops, Cabbage, Stewed Tomatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Cornbread Children: PIzza December 23 and December 30 No Wednesday Night Ac vi es or Dinner There is also a Salad Bar Op%on with Baked Irish or Sweet Potato. 8

Advent DevoOonal Guide Begins November 29

Our Advent Guide this year includes a collec on of personal stories wri,en by various members of our congrega on. They have shared a specific Christmas Memory that is meaningful and important. Prayers and reflec ons are also included each week as we prepare during the advent season. The Advent Guide is available in printed form, and will be sent by email to our membership. If you are not on this list but would like to receive these via e-mail , please send your name and email address to Frank Granger (frank@firstbap stathens.org).

DECEMBER 2015 1 12:00 noon Bible Study 5:30 p.m. Advent Worship 6:30 p.m. Trustee’s Mtg. 7:00 p.m. Boy Scout Troop

2 9:30 a.m. Flower/ Decorating Team 5:00 p.m. Wednesday Evening Activities

3 9:30 a.m. Flower/ Decorating Team 10:30 a.m. 50+ Team

6 12:00 noon College Lunch 12:00 noon Children’s Choir Dress Rehearsal 3:00 p.m. Christmas Caroling 5:00 p.m. IHN Hosting 6:00 p.m. Adult Handbells 6:00 p.m. Youth Christmas Party

7 2:00 p.m. Staff Meeting 5:00 p.m. IHN Hosting 5:30 p.m. Personnel Committee

8 10:00 a.m. IHN mtg. 12:00 noon Bible Study 5:00 p.m. IHN Hosting 5:30 p.m. Advent Worship 7:00 p.m. Boy Scout Troop

9 5:00 p.m. Wednesday Evening Activities 5:00 p.m. IHN Hosting 5:15 p.m. Property Mgt. Committee 5:15 p.m. Finance Committee

10 5:00 p.m. IHN Hosting

11 12 5:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. IHN Hosting Children’s Elf Workshop 5:00 p.m. IHN Hosting

13 8:30 a.m. Search Committee 5:30 p.m. Children’s Christmas Musical 6:00 p.m. Christmas Banquet

14 10:00 a.m. AIM Board Meeting 2:00 p.m. Staff Meeting

15 12:00 noon Bible Study 5:30 p.m. Advent Worship 7:00 p.m. Boy Scout Troop

16 12:00 noon Newsletter deadline No Wednesday Evening Activities

20 8:45 a.m. Missions Team Meeting 9:45 a.m. Sunday School Breakfast/Fellowship 6:00 p.m. Adult Handbells

21 2:00 p.m. Staff Meeting 6:00 p.m. Deacon Meeting

23 22 No Wednesday 9:30 a.m. Evening Activities Flower/ Decorating Team 12:00 noon Bible Study 7:00 p.m. Boy Scout Troop

24 Church Office Closed 5:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Worship

25 Church Office Closed

27 No Sunday School

29 12:00 noon Bible Study 7:00 p.m. Boy Scout Troop

30 No Wednesday Evening Activities

9:15 a.m. 9:45 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 5:15 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

Sunday Schedule Coﬀee, Donuts Sunday School Worship Youth Choir Youth Ac vi es Adult Handbell Choir College Bible Study

Wednesday Schedule 5:00 –5:45 p.m. Wednesday Dinner 5:45 p.m. Children’s Choir 6:00—6:50 p.m. Adult Discipleship 6:00—7:15 p.m. Youth Ac vi es 6:00 p.m. College Ac vi es 6:30 — 7:15 p.m. Mission Kids 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary Choir

Submit items for inclusion in the January edi on of FBC news by noon on December 16. 9

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O Holy Night A SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13 11:00 A.M. FEATURING THE CHRISTMAS CAROL ARRANGEMENTS OF JOHN RUTTER PRESENTED BY THE SANCTUARY CHOIR ACCOMPANIED BY WINDS, STRINGS, HARP AND ORGAN 10