from the pastor’s pen december 2017 / january...

December 2017 / January 2018

From the Pastor’s Pen

First Baptist Church, 200 East New York Avenue, Southern Pines, North Carolina 28387

The Coming of Christ! The prophet Isaiah announces, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6, KJV). This beautiful promise is what the season of Advent celebrates. The Latin word adventus means to come toward. Advent signals Christ’s presence in this world. This year, our Advent theme is “Worship and Reflections for a Season of New Beginnings.” Each week, we’ll focus on a perspective on new beginnings:

December 3 “Beginning Again: The Gift of Repentance” December 10 “Beginning Again: The Gift of Peace” December 17 “Beginning Again: The Gift of Joy” December 24 “Beginning Again: The Gift of Light”

Each week, we gather around the sacred symbols of our Christmas faith, looking to God to reveal himself through the Christ child. Let us all seek his loving presence.

Grateful for Your Generosity in 2017! We have had a good year in stewardship through most of 2017, but we have slipped behind our giving goals in this last month, and we are facing our largest giving goals of the year in the month of December. So I want to ask all of us to review our pledges for the year, and do our best to meet those commitments. If we have been particularly blessed, it is a great time to offer to God a gift of thanksgiving for his steadfast goodness toward us. Our financial gifts support the good work of faith here at First Baptist, but they also are an expression of our deep gratitude to God for his manifold blessings in Christ. Thank you for your generosity!

The Christmas Offering. Christmas has always been a time to pray and support our missionaries. The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering of the Southern Baptist Convention and the Global Missions Offering of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship directly support Baptist missionaries across the globe. Our Christmas Offering Goal this year is $18,000. Let’s be generous and faithful to the work of Christ in this season of celebrating the birth of our Savior.

Family and Children’s Ministry. This past summer, we asked Bryan to be the staff leader to guide our ministry to families and children. Bryan has done an excellent job in this interim time. The Personnel Committee agreed to find a part-time person to help Bryan lead this ministry during the interim period. A few weeks ago, the Personnel Committee approved hiring Carolyn Helms to work 15 hours a week to assist Bryan in carrying out this ministry during this interim season. Bryan will be Carolyn’s supervisor, and they will work together to create a vision of ministry. We are grateful that Carolyn is willing to minis-ter in this way. I hope all of us will work alongside Bryan and Carolyn as they lead these ministries.

Merry Christmas! Carolyn and I want to wish each of you a blessed and very Merry Christmas. I can hardly believe that we have come to celebrate our 35th Christmas with the good folks of First Baptist. Each Christmas has been filled with such wonderful blessings and none greater than these Christmas seasons of worship and wonder. We’ve all, I suspect, faced challenges in the last year, but I pray that the words of Luke’s gospel will inspire each of us: “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed . . . And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord’” (Luke 2:1, 10-11). Let us all remember and ponder deeply these words of the angel, and, in so doing, may we be inspired to offer to God our unceasing adoration and devotion!

2 / The Tie / December 2017 / January 2018

CHRISTMAS EVENTS tà Y|Üá à UtÑà | á à V{âÜv{

Sunday, December 10

5:00 PM — Christmas Bells Presented by Sanctuary Bells, JuBELLation & TreBELLs

Monday, December 11 — 5:00 PM

Rolling Retirees Christmas Covered Dish Supper

Saturday, December 16 — 6:00 PM

Choir Rehearsal for College Students & College Christmas Dinner

Sunday, December 17 — 8:30 & 11:00 AM

College Students Share in Worship

the

WORD

FLESH

became

Sunday, December 17 — 4:00 PM

Created by Dan and Heidi Goeller • Arranged and Orchestrated by Dan Goeller

cÜxáxÇàxw uç SANCTUARY CHOIR AND ORCHESTRA

Sunday, December 3

5:00 PM — Hanging of the Greens Presented by One Voice and Our Children’s Choirs

Wednesday, December 6

5:15 PM — Church Family Christmas Dinner Reservations by 12:00 PM on Tuesday, December 5

6:00 PM — Preschool & Children’s Advent Celebration

Thursday, December 7 — 6:30 PM

Sonshine Learning Center Christmas Program

Sunday, December 24 — Christmas Eve

11:00 AM — Worship Service in the Sanctuary 5:00 PM — Christmas Lessons and Carols

7:00 PM — Christmas Candlelight and Communion

Thursday, December 21 — 10:00 AM

WOW (Widows or Widowers) Lunch at The Old Place

Sunday, December 31 — New Year’s Eve

9:30 AM — Sunday School

11:00 AM — Worship Service in the Sanctuary

Hospitalizations and Procedures

• Mike Bettini, Ed Lancaster, Peggy McKellar, Angela Jackson

Christian Love and Sympathy

• to Paul and Lisa Daley, and Joseph, Catherine, and Bethany Daley, upon the dying unto Christ of their beloved daughter and sister, Christy, on October 27

• to Bonnie and Vern Elhart and family upon the dying unto Christ of Bonnie’s mother, Betty Blue, on October 27

• to Elaine and Ricky Tucker and family upon the dying unto Christ of Elaine’s father, Gerald Spencer

Joys & Concerns

The Tie / December 2017 / January 2018 / 3

Welcome New Members!

Bill and Carolyn Loeser 500 Roundabout Road Whispering Pines, NC 28327 [email protected] [email protected]

Jane Kirby Cahill 150 Barton Hills Court Pinehurst, NC 28374 (804) 424-1677 [email protected]

Lisa Dishman Daughters: Maddie and Caroline 60 Whinhill Court Pinehurst, NC 28374 (804) 873-9654 [email protected]

Blake and Hannah Allen Daughter: Merritt 410 Stoneyfield Drive Southern Pines, NC 28387 [email protected]

STEWARDSHIP REPORT

Giving Goal for November 26, 2017 ..................... 26,990.00 Budget Offerings Received on 11/19/17................ 23,090.21

Giving Goal for November 2017 ......................... 109,360.00 Budget Offerings Received in November .............. 91,688.86 Giving Goal for December 2017 ......................... 144,360.00

Total Budget Offerings Received in 2017 ........ 1,142,004.37 Giving Goal through November 26, 2017 ........ 1,181,197.00 Receipts to Date Comparison with Goal ............... (39,192.63)

NOTE: Please use BLACK or BLUE ink when writing checks to the church. The equipment at the bank

cannot read RED ink. Thank you!

CHRISTMAS OFFERING FOR INTERNATIONAL / GLOBAL MISSIONS

Please remember to give generously to our Christmas Offering. Our goal this year is $18,000. Your gifts support

the work of Baptist Missionaries around the world.

Goal: $18,000

Member Information

There will be no Wednesday night supper or regularly scheduled activities on

December 13, 20, or 27. All Wednesday night activities will resume on

January 3.

IMPORTANT YEAR-END NOTICE

Donors must deliver personal checks or online banking

checks on or by December 31 in order to claim a charitable

deduction for 2017. This same rule also applies to our online

giving option. (Please note December 31 falls on the last

Sunday of 2017.) Checks placed in the offering plate in

January will not qualify for a charitable contribution deduction

for 2017, even if the check is predated or was actually written

in 2017. However, under the so-called “mailbox exception,”

checks written, mailed, and postmarked 2017 will be deducti-

ble this year though not received by the church until 2018.

If you are making a stock contribution before year-end,

please remember our stock account is with Stifel, Nicolaus &

Co., Inc. You or your broker will need to contact either Rick

Palmer or Chuck Davis at (910) 246-5352 in order to complete

your transaction. Also remember, for those of you 70.5 or

older, legislation passed two years ago made the exclusion for

direct charitable distributions from your IRAs permanent.

Your required minimum distributions, up to $100,000, must

be sent directly to the church from your IRA in order to be tax

free.

To avoid jeopardizing the tax deductibility of your

church contributions, do not file your 2017 tax return until you

have received and approved a written acknowledgment of

your 2017 contributions. Year-end statements will be mailed

prior to January 31, 2018. If you have questions, concerns, or

need additional information, please contact John Beith,

Church Treasurer, at (910) 692-8750 or [email protected].

FROM THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION


The Little Red Schoolhouse Perhaps you've seen the little red schoolhouse outside the Media Library on the upper wing of the Educational Building. The schoolhouse is provided by Moore Buddies Mentoring, a community mentoring program dedicated to youth in Moore County who are at risk of not reaching their full potential due to a variety of factors. Moore Buddies believes that one caring adult can make a significant difference in the life of a child and operates under the premise that when we impact a child's life in a positive way, we change the future. To promote reading at home and with parents, Moore Buddies Mentoring places book deposits at various locations in the community. You can drop off new or gently used books in the little red schoolhouse at any time. For more information about mentoring youth, log on to www.moorebuddiesmentoring.com.

Christmas in the Pines Nine Lessons and Carols An Ecumenical Worship Service in Support of Literacy in Moore County On Thursday, December 7, at 6:30 p.m. at the Fair Barn in Pinehurst, the Moore County Literacy Council will offer a service of Nine Lessons and Carols, patterned after the beloved service at the Chapel at King's College in Cambridge. Musical performances by several local choirs as well as JuBELLation, First Baptist's youth handbell ensemble, will perform. The service will be preceded at 5:30 p.m. by a Pearl Harbor commemoration and a cookies and cider reception. A limited number of tickets are available at the Missions Information Center outside the Prayer Room. There is no cost for the tickets, but a donation to the Literacy Council would be appreciated.

Our 2017-2018 First Baptist Campbell University Scholarship Recipients Congratulations to Dalton Garner, a senior at Campbell majoring in business. Dalton was active in our youth group during his high school years and was awarded the 2017-2018 Dr. James Addison Leslie, Lilly James Leslie Taylor, and Emma Florence Leslie First Baptist Southern Pines Scholarship. The scholarship was made possible through the generosity of Anthea Tate, in memory of family members. Priority is given to students from First Baptist or Moore County. Congratulations to Vickie Smith, a member of The Village Chapel in Pinehurst and graduate student at Campbell University Divinity School. Vickie was awarded the 2017-2018 First Baptist Southern Pines Divinity School Scholarship, made possible through the generosity of many donors at First Baptist. Priority is given to divinity students from First Baptist or Moore County. Both scholarships are awarded in the fall semester.

Business Meeting Update During our last church business meeting, the church unani-mously approved the 2018 proposed budget. Unanimous approval and blessing was given to Samuel Remble, who plans to pursue a Master of Divinity degree at Campbell University Divinity School in the coming year.

Church-wide Christmas Meal Our fall BridgePoints and Family Night Meals will end on December 6. To accompany our Children's Advent Celebration and help all of us continue to celebrate the season, Cheryl and Susan have a wonderful Christmas meal planned for us that evening. Be sure and make your reservations!

Thanks a million to Jim and Pat Dennis for coordinating our Operation Christmas Child shoebox collection again! First Baptist has been a collection site for many years, and Jim and Pat do an outstanding job coordinating our collection efforts for this ministry to millions of children.

Sunday School on Christmas Eve Day and New Year's Eve Day There will be no Sunday school on Sunday, December 24. One worship service will be offered at 11:00 a.m. along with our 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve services. On Sunday, December 31, adults are invited to gather in the Fellowship Hall at 9:30 a.m. for a devotional and time of fellowship. You're invited to bring leftover Christmas goodies to share. We'll provide juice and coffee. Preschoolers, children, and youth will attend their usual classes. There will be one worship service on December 31 at 11:00 a.m.

Read the Bible Through in 2018! Have you ever wanted to read the entire Bible? The Grand Sweep: 365 Days From Genesis Through Revelation, will provide a resource to help you reach that goal. Beginning with Genesis, you'll read short sections of two or three chapters each day, along with a daily devotional commentary. Psalms and Proverbs are scattered throughout the readings. By the time you finish your year of reading, you will have a better grasp of the biblical story from beginning to end. Along the way, you'll develop a daily reading spiritual discipline and a stronger devotional life. The author, J. Ellsworth Kalas, was a gifted preacher, teacher, writer, and United Methodist minister for 38 years. A copy of the book is located at the check-out desk in the Media Library for you to preview along with a sign-up sheet to reserve your copy. Books are $20. You may pay after your book arrives. Deadline to sign up to receive by Christmas is Thursday, December 7.

Coming in January: Financial Peace University Created by Christian financial planner and radio host, Dave Ramsey, Financial Peace University (FPU) provides partici-pants with simple and practical ways to take control of their finances and prepare for the future. First Baptist will be offer-ing FPU beginning Sunday, January 21. This nine-week series will meet on Sunday afternoons from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. in Room 215. The class is limited to 10 family units (single or couple). The $60 cost includes a workbook, Dave's bestseller, The Complete Guide to Money, and online access to a number of excellent resources. Childcare will be provided at no cost. Log on to the church website at www.fbcsp.org to register.


Youth HappeningsYouth HappeningsYouth HappeningsYouth Happenings December 2017 Schedule

Sunday, December 3 Sunday School 9:45-10:45 a.m. “Hanging of the Greens” (Youth and Children’s Choir Program) 5:00-6:00 p.m. No Youth after Program

Wednesday, December 6 “Children’s Advent Celebration” 6:00-7:30 p.m. (Preschool: Children’s Area, Grades 1-6: Youth Area)

Friday, December 8 Youth Shopping Trip to the Streets at Southpoint 4:30-10:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 9 Youth Trip to the Operation Christmas Child Warehouse in Charlotte 6:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 10 Sunday School 9:45-10:45 a.m. “Christmas Bells: A Gift of Love” (Youth Handbell Program) 5:00-6:00 p.m. Youth Dinner 6:00 p.m. Youth Bible Study (7-12) 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, December 13 Youth Bible Study 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 17 Sunday School 9:45-10:45 a.m. “The Word Became Flesh” (Adult Choir Program) 4:00-5:30 p.m. Youth Crazy Night Christmas Party 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Monday, December 18 Youth Advisory Committee Party at the Moores’ 6:30-9:00 p.m.

No Youth Bible Study on Sunday, December 24 and 31, and Wednesday, December 20 and 27

Youth Winter Retreat Friday, February 2—Sunday, February 4, 2018

This year, we will return to the snowy mountains of West Virginia and Winterplace Ski Resort. We will leave around 12 noon on Friday, February 2, spend all day Saturday on the ski slopes (including tubing), and finish up Sunday morning with a time of praise, worship, and reflection before we board the buses to return home. It will be an awesome weekend that you will not want to miss. The trip will be $245.00 plus $5.00 if you do not have your own helmet. The trip cost includes transportation, lodging, four meals, lift ticket, and ski rentals for Friday night and Saturday morning. Tubing can be substi-tuted on Friday night if you desire. Everyone going on the trip will be required to wear a helmet—no exceptions! NOTE: This trip is now full. If you are interested in being put on the waitlist, please see Bryan.

Youth BBQ Fundraiser Friday, February 9, 2018

Lunch: 11:00 AM-2:00 PM BBQ from Ron’s Barn — Eat In or Take Out NOTE: This year, we will only serve lunch. There will be no dinner pickups. Cost: $8.00 per plate (drinks provided with eat in only) Delivery available with purchase of 10 or more plates. Call Bryan at (910) 690-7142 to arrange delivery times. Money raised will go toward the Youth Mission Trip to Orlando in

January 2018 Schedule

Sundays, 1/7, 1/14, and 1/21 Sunday School 9:45-10:45 a.m. JuBELLation 4:00-5:00 p.m. Youth Choir (9-12) 5:15-6:00 p.m. Youth Bible Study (7-8) 5:15-6:00 p.m. Youth Supper 6:00-6:30 p.m. Youth Choir (7-8) 6:30-7:30 p.m. Youth Bible Study (9-12) 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Sunday, 1/28 Youth Crazy Night 4:00-6:00 p.m. Youth Choir (7-12) 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Wednesdays, 1/3, 1/10, 1/17, 1/24, and 1/31 Church Family Supper 5:15-6:15 p.m. Youth Bible Study 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Youth Parent Meetings

Monday, December 4 — 6:30 PM — Youth Room This is an important information meeting for ALL parents.

We will be going over the Christmas schedule and all of the details for the spring BBQ fundraiser. You won’t want to miss it! Please plan to attend.

Monday, January 8 — 6:30 PM — Youth Room

Please mark your calendars now! We will be organizing our spring fundraisers—the BBQ and Auction!

Christmas Greetings from the Allens As we enter our 20th year at First Baptist, our family wishes you a joyous holiday season as you gather and celebrate the gift of friends, family, and faith. This year saw new begin-nings for our family. Hannah graduated from NC State and married Zach Kunkel, so we have a new son-in-law this Christmas! Sarah continues her studies at Meredith College and enjoyed a summer ministering with the worship team, BeDoTell, at Fort Caswell. Beverly and I continue to be grateful for the foundation First Baptist provided for our children and for the good work we continue to do, together, for the cause of Christ. May we all find time to quiet ourselves and listen for the gentle cry of a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. We have you in our hearts.

Peace to all of you, Tom


NOTES

for SENIORS & SINGERS

Senior Adult Ministry

Contributed by Nancy Hopkins

Rolling Retirees will gather on Monday, December 11, at 5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall with Group 3 in charge of set up: Nancy Hopkins (Chair, subbing for Doris Bowman), Bob Hopkins, Mary McCulloch, Carol Hannah, Ron Crow, Calvin Howell, and Lynn and John Beith. Our church staff is invited to this month’s Christmas Party, so remember to put a little more in the covered dishes, and come and enjoy this special

time together. A gift of around $5.00 will help us have a fun time with the famous game we always enjoy at this time of the year as we pass the gifts around moving to the story of “Mrs. Wright and Mr. Left.”

A special event will happen on Thursday, December 21, when the church vehicle will take us to Bonlee to The Old Place where a delicious lunch will be catered. There is a sign-up sheet on the Senior Adult Bulletin Board for those interested in this event. This is sponsored by WOW, but all senior adults are invited. We will need at least 20 persons to go but would love much more to sign up. We will need to give a number to the Old Place one week before we attend. The cost is $15.00 per person, and that includes transportation, tip, and tax. Sounds like a deal and a great way to get together right before Christmas!

Music Ministry

Contributed by Dan Ridley

Music Ministry presents The Word Became Flesh by Dan and Heidi Goeller Saturday, December 16, at 10:45 a.m. and Sunday, December 17, at 4:00 p.m. Our Saturday morning “Open Dress Rehearsal” is open to persons who are not able to come on Sunday afternoon. A Worship Experience presented by the Music Ministry of First Baptist Church with orchestra

The Word Became Flesh begins with creation and God's perfect plan for fellowship with mankind. This divine plan, interrupted by The Fall, continues with God promising a Savior who will save His people from their sins. The story continues with a glorious celebration of the birth of this Savior, Jesus, the Word Incarnate. Through The Word Became Flesh, we also experience how Jesus comes alive through each of us in our daily walk with Him.

In this wonderful worship experience, the Congregation will participate with the Choir and Orchestra in singing favorite Christmas Carols. Larry Smith will dramatically weave the Christmas Story Narrative throughout the presentation.

Invite a friend or colleague and their family, or a family who lives on your street, to Celebrate Christmas with you on December 16 or December 17!

Musical Testimony by Melissa Bearfield I first became a part of the church music ministry when I sang Away In a Manger in a Christmas pageant at age 3. During my senior year in high school, I played organ for services at First Baptist Church in Hickory, I might add with much fear and trembling. I majored in Church Music and Voice in college, then married Don, a Minister of Music. We served churches together for nearly 50 years, and I will continue to be involved as long as God allows.

The Sanctuary Choir, Solo, and Instrumental music in the service are integral parts of worship, just as hymns, prayers, the sermon, communion, baptism, confession, and commit-ment. It (“music”) is not the entertainment portion of the service or a performance. Continued on page 7

June and the Fall Retreat to Caswell in November. If you are planning to go on these trips, you must sell a minimum of 10 tickets and sign up to help the day of the BBQ. We also need adults to help with deliveries and to serve, because we will be responsible for making plates. Any parents that can help the day of the BBQ, especially at lunch, please contact Bryan. Thanks for your support!

College Honduras Mission Trip May 13-20, 2018

We have set the dates for the college mission trip for next spring. We plan to return to Honduras from May 13-20, 2018, to help build a home for a needy family. If you are interested in putting your name on the list, have questions, or would like more information, email me at [email protected]. A deposit of $50.00 will hold your spot. The total cost of the trip is $600. This will be due by Sunday, April 29. Please let me know if you are interested.

Youth Mission TripYouth Mission TripYouth Mission TripYouth Mission Trip

Orlando! June 16-24, 2018

Next summer, our youth group will be on mission to Orlando! Our mission will be to share the love of Christ through construction projects, working in community centers, and serving meals to the homeless. We will combine this trip with One Voice and JuBELLation so that it will involve some opportunities to share the gospel of Christ through the medi-um of music. Signups are underway, and a $50.00 deposit is due by February 1 to hold your spot. This trip will fill up fast, so don’t wait to sign up. At this time, 35 people have signed up and paid a deposit. Details are coming together and will be shared soon. Plan to be part of this special adventure of being on mission for Christ!

NOTE: This trip is available for 8th grade through 12th grade students who have the required attendances and local mission projects. See me for details if you need to.


“The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together, and a little child will lead them.” — Isaiah 11:6

The prophet Isaiah clearly communicated that Jesus, the prince of peace, would usher in a season of transformation. It’s a season when every believer is given the opportunity to change and lead others into the peaceable kingdom. Don’t you find it fascinating that the prophet states that a little child will lead this transformation? Those of us who have benefited from loving Christian adults who have led us in the way of Christ are reminded that we are called to share our blessing with our care of the littlest ones.

The leading example begins at birth. Welcoming a child and their family with open, receptive love in the nursery area begins the journey of transformation.

Will you be part of this transformation and discipleship making?

Ministry: Disciple Maker (Preschool Nursery)

When: Four times a year during 8:30 or 11:00 a.m. worship

Requirements: Love God, desire to serve in Jesus’ name, believe scripture, and commit to live it out through welcoming the littlest ones and their families.

Please prayerfully consider joining a ministry group, either at 8:30 or 11:00 a.m. You may call me at (910) 692-8750 or email me at [email protected]. Thank you!

With gratitude, Carolyn Helms

FAMILIES Ministry

Royal Ambassadors

POST OFFICE

The Royal Ambassadors (RA) holiday post office is open for business! The post office is located in the hall behind the Sanctuary. Please support international missions by having your Christmas cards de-livered through the RA post office.

Drop off your cards and make a donation to the Christmas offering equal to the postage you might have used. Check the post office regularly throughout the season to pick up mail you might have waiting for you!

Merry Christmas from the RAs and their leaders!

SAVE THE DATE!

CHILDREN’S PARENT MEETING

Monday, January 22, 2018 6:30 PM

In the Youth Room

For Parents of Children in Grades 1-6

We, as church musicians, rehearse and prepare to make our offering the best possible gift to the Glory of God, to enhance the worship experience, and to bring us all closer to God, not for earthly praise or applause.

Our prayer is that our expression of music and words will enrich your spiritual life and impact your Christian service in a meaningful way.

Thank you for the opportunity to share our faith and partici-pate in our corporate worship experience. Contributed by Susan Ward

Hanging of the Greens — This year, we are combining our Children’s Choirs and One Voice in a very unique Christmas program. We will be decorating our Sanctuary for Christmas as we share carols, choral music, scriptures, and explanations of why we adorn our worship area with greenery and such. Please be present to support our youth and children’s music ministry as they share “the real reason for the season.” There will not be any childcare for this concert. All ages are encour-aged to attend the concert with their families. We’re never too old to learn new things!

Christmas Tidings, a service of handbell music, will be presented by our Sanctuary Bells, JuBELLation, and TreBELLs on Sunday, December 10, at 5:00 p.m. Everyone loves hearing bells ring at Christmas time! This will also be a first for us all in combining our three bell choirs for a very special night. Please invite your friends and neighbors to join us and enjoy the sounds of Christmas.

JuBELLation will also participate in the Literacy Council Lessons and Carols Service at the Fair Barn on the 7th of December. We will be sharing stories of that first Christmas with stories and music. Our youth will be sharing during the prelude time as well as during the service itself. The prelude begins at 6:00 p.m. that evening, and the service will conclude by 7:30 p.m. Please join us along with others from through-out Moore County as we share together in the true meaning of the season.

NOTES OF GRAT TUDE Dear Church Family, Thank you for the beautiful Peace Lily, an ongoing reminder of God’s presence and comfort. Especially, thanks for embracing Mama these past three years. Your friendships, visits, cards, encouragement, and sitting with us at Wednesday Night Suppers meant so much to us. Your overwhelming display since her passing has been amazing and, again, a constant reminder of our bond in Christ. Love and prayers of gratitude, Bonnie [Elhart] and family

Dear Church Family, Thank you for all the loving support shown to our family these past few months and in the “going home” of Christy. The prayers, cards, messages, calls, visits, gifts, meals, beauti-ful memorial service and reception, and the Peace Lily have been so appreciated by all of us. We are grateful. Love, Paul, Lisa, Joseph, Catherine, and Bethany Daley

Dear Church Family, Thank you for a very special service on Sunday, November 19, recognizing my 34 years on staff. It has been a privilege to serve at First Baptist Church. The flowers in the sanctuary were beautiful! I appreciated Tom’s kind words and the gift card to the Pinehurst Spa that I received from the church. The cards and expressions of appreciation have meant so much—thank you! We are blessed with a wonderful church and staff. I will miss being in the office but will continue to serve in other capacities. With love and gratitude, Brenda [Harrell]

WMU OPPORTUNITIES YÉÜ à{x _tw|xá Éy à{x V{âÜv{

Harvest Laborers

The December meeting will be on Tuesday, December 12, at Camp Duncan. We will be joining the girls for dinner and will meet at the church at 5:00 p.m. to ride the bus. Karen will need to know a number in order to let Tammy

know how many to expect for dinner.

Harvest Laborers meets on the second Tuesday of each month at various locations and times. For more information,

contact Nelda Cockman at [email protected] or (910) 673-2342, or Karen Griffin at

[email protected] or (910) 690-3274.

Mission Action Group

The Mission Action Group will meet on Monday, December 18, at 11:45 a.m. in Room 206.

The Mission Action Group meets on the third Monday of each month at 11:45 a.m. in Room 206.

For more information, contact Lorena Arnold at (910) 692-3275.


Back Pack Pals Needs Our Help!

The Back Pack Pals program has unfortunately not communicated with the church community for the 2017-2018 school year regarding assistance to help in the effort to reach children who have little or nothing to eat on the weekends. The Food Bank serves over 1,000 children in the Moore County school system each week. Their request for this year is for packets of peanut butter crackers or individual-size boxes of raisins or ramen packets. Any items collected each month and delivered to the Food Bank at 195 Sandy Avenue, Southern Pines, would be so appreciated. When you deliver your donations, please be sure to put your church name and address on the package. If you have any questions, please contact Michael Cotton, Sandhills Branch Director, at (910) 692-5959, ext. 2401, or [email protected].

Plastic Grocery Bags Needed!

We are still collecting plastic grocery bags for Meals on Wheels. On Fridays, Meals on Wheels volunteers deliver an extra bag to their customers with meals and snacks for over the weekend. We have placed a basket outside the Sanctuary for you to place your clean recycled bags. Thanks in advance for your assistance!

Operation Christmas Child

Thank you, church family and neighbors in our community, for the many shoeboxes that you packed with love and prayer for children all over the world. During collection week, we received a total of 3,817 shoeboxes with 463 of these from our church.

Thanks to our youth who packed 202 shoeboxes and to the GAs and RAs who came and helped in our collection room.

Thank you so much for your support, and we extend a special thank you to all who came to help during collection week! We give God the glory and thank Him for this opportunity to serve and share His love.

Jim and Pat Dennis

You are invited to honor, remember, or celebrate a special person or loved one by

contributing toward the sanctuary decorations this Advent Season. A minimum contribution

of $10.00 per tribute is suggested. Tributes will be printed in a bulletin insert on Sunday,

December 17. If the honoree is still living, we will be happy to send a card acknowledging

your tribute. If the tribute is a memorial, we can send an acknowledgement to a family, if

requested.

Please complete the form below, and submit it to the church office no later than

Tuesday, December 12. Please include your check for $10.00 per tribute, made payable to

First Baptist Church, and designate Christmas Decorations on the memo line. Be sure to

include the name and mailing address where an acknowledgement should be sent, if so desired.

Donor’s Name: ___________________________________________________________

In Honor of: _____________________________________________________________

In Memory of: ___________________________________________________________

In Celebration of: _________________________________________________________

(Optional) Acknowledgement to Be Sent to: ___________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

Address: ________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

(Please include street address or PO Box, City, State, and Zip Code.)

Remember to enclose a check payable to FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH in the

amount of $10.00 per tribute and write Christmas Decorations on the memo line. Thank you!

Amount of Enclosed Check: ________________

Check Number: ________________

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First Baptist Church www.fbcsp.org

200 E-./ N01 Y234 A50670, S27/8036 P960., NC 28387

T0:0;8260: 910-692-8750

=->: 910-693-1161

S26.8960 ?0-3696@ C06/03: 910-692-7912

NON-PRO=IT ORG

US POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT NO 16

SOUTHERN PINES NC

=IRST BAPTIST CHURCH

200 EAST NEW YORK AVE

SOUTHERN PINES NC 28387

C H U R C H S TA F F

David Helms, Senior Minister, ext. 223 — dheLmsMNcsO.orP

Tom Allen, Minister oQ EducaRon & AdministraRon, ext. 224 — taLLenMNcsO.orP

Bryan Moore, Minister oQ Youth & Students, ext. 225 — bmooreMNcsO.orP

Dan Ridley, Interim Minister oQ Music, ext. 229 — danridLey.raLeiPhMPmaiL.com

John Beith, Treasurer, ext. 234 — SrbeithMNcsO.orP

)isa Corbe*, AdministraRve Assistant, ext. 221 — LcorbeTMNcsO.orP

Debbie Faircloth, Pastor’s Secretary, ext. 233 — dQaircLothMNcsO.orP

Kathy Farren, Office Assistant, ext. 222 — officeMNcsO.orP

Susan Ward, OrPanist/Music Associate, ext. 226 — swardMNcsO.orP

Cheryl Burris, Coordinator oQ =ood Services, ext. 232 — cheryLanneburrisMyahoo.com

Susan Galbreith, Asst. Coord. oQ =ood Svcs., ext. 232 — susanPaLbreithMyahoo.com

Amy Chavis, Sonshine ?earninP Center Director, ext. 237 — achavisMNcsO.orP

February Issue of The Tie

There wiLL be no January issue oQ The Tie. IQ you have news

or inQormaRon Qor the February issue, contact ?isa in the

church office at (910) 692-8750 or LcorbeTMNcsO.orP. The

deadLine Qor the =ebruary issue is Wednesday, January 17.

Weekly Prayer Gathering

On the first Wednesday oQ each month, David HeLms Leads

a service oQ Orayer, communion, and heaLinP at 11:00 a.m.

in the Prayer Room. This monthLy Rme oQ Orayer Orovides

an oOOortunity to seek God’s Prace, Oray Qor others, and seek

God’s heaLinP. RePuLar Orayer services are heLd on aLL other

Wednesdays. Join us Qor this Rme oQ meditaRon and Orayer.

E-Blasts

WeekLy e-notes and news bLasts are sent to church members

and Qriends who have an e-maiL address on fiLe in the church

office. IQ you have not been receivinP these bLasts, contact

?isa in the church office at (910) 692-8750.

Sunday Worshi4 Bulle5ns

IQ you have news or inQormaRon Qor the weekLy worshiO

buLLeRn announcements, contact Debbie in the church office

at (910) 692-8750 or dQaircLothMNcsO.orP.

)arge Print Bulle5ns

?arPe Orint buLLeRns and hymns are avaiLabLe on Sunday

morninPs, iQ needed. PLease ask an usher Qor assistance.

_ÉÜwËá fâÑÑxÜ Sunday, December 3 8:30 and 11:00 a.m.

O F F I C E H O U R S 9:00 AM-4:30 PM — Monday, Tuesday, Thursday

9:00 AM-5:00 PM — Wednesday

9:00 AM-12:00 PM — =riday

SUNDAY SCHEDU)E WEDNESDAY SCHEDU)E

8:30 a.m. WorshiO Service 4:30 O.m. ChiLdren’s HandbeLLs

9:45 a.m. Sunday SchooL 5:15 O.m. Church =amiLy SuOOer

11:00 a.m. WorshiO Service 6:00 O.m. ChiLdren’s Choirs

4:00 O.m. JuBE??aRon (3 years-6th Prade)

5:15 O.m. HiPh SchooL Choir (9-12) 6:15 O.m. Nursery (Babies-2 years)

5:15 O.m. MiddLe SchooL BibLe 6:30 O.m. AduLt SmaLL GrouOs

Study (7-8) 6:30 O.m. Youth BibLe Study

6:00 O.m. Youth SuOOer 6:45 O.m. Mission =riends, RAs,

6:30 O.m. MiddLe SchooL Choir (7-8) and GAs (Grades 1-6)

6:30 O.m. HiPh SchooL BibLe Study (9-12) 7:30 O.m. Sanctuary Choir

TUESDAY SCHEDU)E

9:30 a.m. MusikParten (Babies 3-18 months)

10:00 a.m. MusikParten (ToddLers 18 months-3 years)

10:45 a.m. MusikParten (ToddLers / Music Makers 3-5 years)

from the pastor’s pen december 2017 / january...

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