In this Issue. Annual Wildlife Banquet. Order Your Christmas Tree to Help the Youth Ministry! First Baptist Church. Wilmington North Carolina

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1 Kingdom News Issue 11 First Baptist Church Volume 77 Wilmington North Carolina November 2012 Annual Wildlife Banquet Sunday, November 18th 6:00 p.m. at the Activities Center Join us in this wonderful time of fellowship together as a church family. This annual treasured tradition brings us together to enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner and communion together. The food will be plentiful with turkeys, hams and other foods provided by hunters of the church. Everyone please bring at least two side dishes or a side dish and dessert, enough for several people. Please contact Margaret at if you would like to prepare a ham, turkey or other meat. Volunteers are needed to help make this dinner a success, such as setting up, decorating and cleaning up. Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes will be collected this evening. There will also be a special Aloha Christmas performance from the children in J-Crew. Make plans to gather with your church family and kick start the holidays! In this Issue Page 3 Celebrate Christmas Page 7 Thanksgiving Offering Page 8 Operation Christmas Child Order Your Christmas Tree to Help the Youth Ministry! We hope everyone will consider placing a pre-sale order on a North Carolina Frasier Fir Christmas tree or wreath before Wednesday, November 14, with one of our teenagers. This youth fundraiser helps teenagers earn money that will allow them to lower their cost for the variety of camps, retreats, and other events they will participate in during Thank you for your continued prayers and support of the FBC Youth Ministry.

2 God s Hands at Work in Guatemala The fall trip to Guatemala was terrific. Five families received a brand new home complete with a concrete floor (vs a dirt floor). All of the five families were extremely grateful and expressed their thanks with tears and many Mucho Gracias. Over 144 soccer balls were given out thanks to the Senior Project of Hoggard senior Maggie Miller and the generosity of our FBC members. At our food distribution site, over 500 men, women and children were given food that will give them nourishment for the next month. One night we went to worship with a local Guatemalan Baptist congregation. Thank you to all FBC members who supported the group with their prayers and financial gifts. Next summer we will take a group on July 25 to August 1. Make plans to join us where God is at work. OUR VISION: To become a community of believers that is open and welcoming to anyone, no matter where they are on their faith journey, and is intentionally joining with Christ in his redemptive work and purposes in the world. OUR MISSION: To become, and help others to become, fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. In God We Trust We worship a giving God. Our November sermon series, In God We Trust, focuses on our need to live into and out of God s generosity. CORPORATE CHALLENGE - The Generosity Experiment We become what we do regularly. If we are to become generous people, we need to practice generosity. What is the Generosity Experiment? Saying Yes to requests for money for 30 days. Panhandlers, charities... Now most of us like to feel like we are generous people. But let s face it, giving that produces the character of generosity is challenging. It requires intentional awareness of the needs of others, a sacrifice of time and resources beyond what comes naturally, and a good bit of risk. Some people may take advantage of us. It may cost us something. The reality is, Jesus was more concerned with what money does to us than what others do with our money. Saying Yes is an exercise in unclenching our hand. It is creating a muscle memory in our heart that is more open than self-protective. It is allowing God to transform us. God is not asking you to give more than you have, but rather to look at your life and realize that you have more than you think. Preparing to say Yes Generosity comes through planning in advance to say, Yes. Here are some ways to be prepared to say Yes : Pray. Ask God for a vision of how He wants to grow His generosity in you. What are the biggest barriers for you and how does He want to address them? Set aside money at the beginning of the 30 days that is for others. Pray about how much that might be. Keep it with you so that you can meet an unexpected request. Tithe your grocery bill. If you buy $100 in groceries, purchase a $10 grocery store card and keep it with you to give to someone else when the opportunity arises. If your budget for groceries is $100, put a couple things back on the shelf this week as an act of sacrifice, making room for that $10 gift card for others who are hungry. If you are uncomfortable giving cash to a stranger, buy gift certificates for a fast food restaurant so that someone who is hungry can get a meal. If, at the end of the 30 days, you still have some of the money that you had set aside, or grocery store gift cards or restaurant gift certificates left over, find someone who needs them. Take them to a shelter or to Good Shepherd House or Christian Women s Job Corps. Give them to folks who come to eat dinner at the Tuesday Night homeless ministry. Installation Service for Dr. Matt Cook Sunday, November 4th, at 3:00 p.m. We hope you will make plans to be a part of an important worship experience as we gather as a congregation to install Matt Cook as the new Pastor of First Baptist Church. Join us Sunday, November 4th, at 3:00 p.m. for this time as we join to commit to continue walking in ministry to this community under Matt s leadership. Nursery care will be provided. Check out Dr. Cook s article in the Star News, which is posted on the FBC Facebook page! You can also visit Heart Felt Thanks

3 A Special Christmas Celebration Your family is invited to attend Celebrate Christmas on Saturday, December 1, from 9:00 am until 11:30 am. The celebration will begin with breakfast at 9:00 am in Fireside Hall. After breakfast, every child will be invited to participate in a dramatization of the Christmas story. The day will end with creating several age appropriate keepsake crafts. This is a great time to invite a friend! Parents and children (2 years through 6th grade) are invited to participate. Please register you, your children and guests by Monday, November 26 by calling or visit As part of our on-going mission partnership with Alderman Elementary School, please bring new children s cold weather items such as winter hats, scarves, gloves, and ear muffs. These items will be gifted to students to keep them warm this winter. Volunteers Needed! Are you able to give your time to help out during Celebrate Christmas?? Volunteers are needed to help with serving breakfast, registration, helping the children get ready for the play and assisting with crafts. This is a great volunteer opportunity for the whole family or your Sunday school class! Please contact Heather Sutton at or Nicole Underwood at if you can give your time. A new command I give you; Love one another. As I have loved you, so that you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. -John 13:34-35 Mission Pals Kick-OFF Mission Pals for the new year kicked off on Sunday, October 14th with an ice cream social for young girls and ladies of our church. Everyone had tons of fun through games, songs and getting to know their prayer pal. Christmas Poinsettias The sanctuary will be filled with red poinsettias during the Advent and Christmas seasons. If you would like to place a plant in the sanctuary in honor or memory of a loved one, you may contact the church office to place your order. Order forms are also in the Order of Worship. Plants are $15 each and the deadline to order is December 16th.

4 L Sharing Life Together e teaching of the apostles, the life together, elves to th the co s m e h t mmo ed ommitt nm They c eal, and t Welcome New Members! he pra y er s. Ac ts 42 2: Katie Witmer Katie embodies the Fruit of the Spirit, JOY! She is so excited to share that she has professed her faith in Christ and can t wait to be baptized. Katie s twin sister Claire and her big brother Jamie share in that excitement along with her mom, Lori. She is in the 5th grade and attends Codington Elementary. Natalie Faulk Natalie s small body holds a very big heart. She has made a decision to follow Christ and couldn t be more excited about being baptized. Natalie s parents are Brian and Julie and her big brother Christopher and big sister Olivia celebrate with her! Natalie is in the 5th grade at Bradley Creek Elementary, and she loves gymnastics and girl scouts. Claire Witmer Claire is making a difference already in her school and community by being the hands and heart of Jesus to those in need. Claire s decision to follow Christ is one she takes very seriously, and she is thrilled to share her faith commitment and to be baptized. Lori is Claire s mom and big brother Jamie and twin sister Katie share in her happiness. She is in the 5th grade and attends Codington Elementary. Caitlin Tuttle Caitlin s love for softball is great, but her love for God is even greater. Recently she professed her faith in Christ and is excited about letting God be her guide every day. Caitlin is in the 5th grade at Gregory Elementary, and her parents are Curtis and Jennifer Tuttle. Katelyn Cartrette Caleb Cartrette Katie s love for Jesus shines for Caleb has an adventurous spirit others to see daily. She is excited with his involvement in the Boy about being baptized and Scouts and playing baseball. sharing her decision to follow Caleb s decision to follow Christ Christ with her church was taken very seriously at the family and friends. Katie has youth DNOW fall retreat at Casa big brother Caleb, and her well. He is excited to be baptized parents are DeLane and Joanna. alongside his younger sister Katelyn She is in the 5th grade and and is looking forward to the great attends Ogden Elementary. adventure that God has in store for his life. Caleb s parents are DeLane and Joanna, and he is a 7th grader at Noble Middle School. Jamie Witmer Jamie is a loyal friend to those at school and his buddies at church and brings a lot of energy to the FBC Youth Ministry. Jamie is excited about being baptized with his two younger sisters, Katie and Claire. Jamie accepted Jesus call to follow him at the youth DNOW fall retreat at Caswell. Jamie s mother, Lori Herring, also shares in his excitement. Jamie is a 7th grader at Noble Middle School. Will Hartman Will s peers unanimously say that Will demonstrates the fruit of the spirit kindness. Will s smile and laugh always light up a room. It was neat to see how personal Will s decision to accept Jesus was at the youth fall retreat at Caswell. He is looking forward to his baptism at FBC with the support of his parents, Judd and Keri, older brother Davis, and older sister Leyton. Will is a 7th grader at Noble Middle School. Rick & Cherry Mitchell We welcome the Mitchells to our church family upon transfer of their membership from a church in the Raleigh area. They have retired from careers in real estate and banking and relocated to Wilmington to be nearer to their adult children. Cherry and Rick were introduced to FBC by their neighbors that live in The Reserves. Welcome them to Wilmington and FBC.

5 Memorial Gifts The following memorials have been given generously, and we are deeply grateful: General Fund In memory of Jean McCall Gray by Mrs. Ruby Bissette In memory of Carol Queen by Mr. and Mrs. Bill Hance, Jr. Charlie and Eleanor Patterson III John and Harriet Smith Linville and Mary Jon Roach In memory of Earl Hendricks by Brady and Ann Morrison Janet H. Monterose Douglas and Carla Davidson Loretta W. Williford Deak and Donna Walden Promise and Purpose In memory of Jean McCall Gray by Tracy and Nancy Formy-Duval Baptist Children s Homes In memory of Ethel Elliot by Dobson Sunday School Class In memory of Dick Gough by Lois Johnson Local Missions In memory of Larry West by Carolyn S. Pearce Fellowship Fund In memory of Earl Hendricks by Jane and Jack Davis Music Ministry In honor of Jean Wachtel by Myra Norris In memory of Florence Gordy by Mrs. Bettianne Harris In honor of Nancy and Frank Davis by Mrs. Ruby Bissette Bereavement Fund In memory of Dick Gough by Mary Gough Dick and Vivian Gough, Jr. In Sympathy Christian sympathy is extended to Al Clyburn on the death of his father, James Leo Clyburn, on October 12, 2012 in Raleigh. Christian sympathy is extended to Betty Hendricks and Kim Williford on the death of Earl Hendricks, their husband and father respectively, on October 7, He was a member of FBC for 5 years. Christian sympathy is extended to Tom West on the death of his brother, James West, on September 29, 2012 in Greensboro, NC. Christian sympathy is extended to Susie Greene on the death of her father, Steve Vuksanovich, on October 2, 2012 in Winston-Salem, NC. Birth Announcements Congratulations to Andrew and Melissa Fallis on the birth of their son, Banks Andrew, on October 22, He weighed 7 lbs. Congratulations to Jason and Amanda Hendrix on the birth of their daughter, Beatrix Carol, on September 11, She weighed 6 lbs. 10 oz. Giving YTD Requirements $1,680, YTD Receipts $1,470, Budget Shortfall/Overage $(-209,635.38) October Requirements $167, October Receipts $140, Oct. Shortfall/Overage $(-26,330.31) World Hunger $1, Attendance Oct Oct Oct Oct Worship Sunday School Tuesday Noon Join us each Tuesday as we enjoy a meal, prayer time and a brief devotional in Smith Hall at the Activities Center. The service starts at noon, and everyone is invited to attend. No reservations are required. Cost of the meal is $4. Here is what s in store for the month of November: November 6 Speaker: Daryl Trexler Menu: Farmhouse dinner casserole with steamed veggies, dinner roll and dessert November 13 Speaker: Jim Everette Menu: Jimmy Wallace s Cooking Day November 20- No Tuesday Noon November 27 Speaker: Stefanie Riley Menu: Ham, mac n cheese, green beans, dinner roll and dessert You can always check the FBC website for the menu each Tuesday at

6 BAPTIST WOMEN S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER Monday, November 5, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. Continental breakfast will be served. CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH 423 North 23rd Street, Wilmington, NC Speakers: Richard and April Rivenbark and Christian Humanitarian Aid Workers serving in Pakistan, currently living in the WBA Mission House. Alderman Elementary Needs Our Help Our church has made a commitment to assist in enhancing the educational experience of the children that attend Alderman Elementary School (across the street from our Activities Center). We have already assisted in beautifying the grounds and classrooms on the campus through our involvement on Mission Possible Day a few months back. Some of our Sunday School classes have provided snacks for the children and sweet surprises of appreciation for the teachers. We have opened our Activities Center to the staff and students for recreational and athletic opportunities. Because the students are required to wear uniforms to school each day, we have assisted by providing tee shirts, belts and socks to the Social Worker/School Counselor to be shared with those students that are in need of such. We assisted with Back to School supplies and back packs for students. Below is a list of additional ways you can make a difference in the education of children that attend our school. 5 Easy ways to support the students and faculty of Alderman Elementary: 1.Donate school supplies by placing them in the Alderman Elementary donation box at the Activities Center. 2.VIC cards (Harris Teeter) can be linked for the Together in Education program. By linking your VIC card to Alderman Elementary, they get a percentage of your Harris Teeter spending! Stop by the Customer Service counter at your Harris Teeter, hand them your VIC card and ask them to link it to E. A. Alderman Elementary School (Alderman s ID# is 2085). You can also link online at harristeeter.com. It s a simple FREE way to support any local school! 3. Clip Box Tops for Education and drop them in the jar in the Alderman Elementary donation box at the Activity Center. ( for a list of brands) 4.Volunteer an hour or two a week in the school- reading, running copies, tutoring, or eating lunch with a child! 5.Pray for the school, staff and students each day! Thanksgiving Offering for Baptist Children s Homes of NC Baptist Children s Homes (BCH) of NC began as one orphanage over 125 years ago and has evolved into campuses across our state where hurting children are cared for and shown the unconditional love of Christ in incredible ways by committed Christian child care professionals. The children who populate the campuses come from virtually every county of North Carolina including the Cape Fear region. The children are suffering emotionally, physically, socially and some of them are adult children with developmental disabilities. Some of the children come into the care of BCH because of family challenges or the adults in their lives have let them down. Some of the children are runaways, and others have been thrown away. 70% of the children that find themselves living on one of the campuses or therapeutic camp settings of BCH come into the care of BCH possessing no faith base whatsoever. They see, hear and experience the presence of Jesus in the administrators, therapists, social workers and house parents that pick up the broken pieces of their lives and put them back together. It is the blessing of our church to have a part in helping these hurting children and healing the broken families from which they come. We have been a support system of BCH since its earliest days by sending missionaries to serve as staff, clothes and food for the children, finances used to care for and shelter the children, trustees that have helped to guide decision-making and prayers that are lifted up daily for the children and staff of Baptist Children s Homes of North Carolina.

7 Don t Miss These Great November Events! Upcoming Worship Services Seagrove Pottery Festival The Seagrove area is known worldwide for its pottery. There are well over 100 potters in the vicinity, and at least 60 of them will be displaying their wares at the festival. On Saturday, November 17th, we will have a day full of pottery enjoyment. We will leave the Activities Center at 5:30 a.m., and the cost is $20 per person for the bus and entrance to the festival. Southern Christmas Show On Thursday, November 8th, we will take the bus to Charlotte to the Southern Christmas Show. This event fills three buildings at the former Merchandise Mart and includes new and vibrant ideas for holiday decorating, shopping and entertaining. The cost for your transportation and ticket to the show is $20. We will leave Wilmington at 5:45 a.m. and stop for breakfast on the way to Charlotte. Get your name on the list soon! In God We Trust November 4 Worshipping a Giving God Deuteronomy 8:1-20 Dr. Matt Cook November 11 Shaped by a Giving God Philippians 2:1-11 Dr. Matt Cook November 18 Giving God, Generous Church Acts 4:32-37 Dr. Matt Cook November 25 Extravagant Generosity Matthew 25:29 Dr. Jim Everette Senior Adult & Retirees Boat Trip On October 23rd, FBC senior adults had a great time on the Wilmington Boat Tour. It was a beautiful day to enjoy lunch and a boat cruise on the Cape Fear River! Nathan Tuttle Official Youth Minister Rev. Nathan Tuttle is now our official Minister to Students after being a part on our pastoral staff in an interim capacity for the past year. With the decision of our Personnel Committee to invite Nathan to join our staff, he and his wife, Tara, have joined our church by transfer of their membership from a sister church in Wilmington. Our church and staff are made stronger by the addition of the Tuttles and we look forward to a long tenure of their serving with us. They are already helping our church grow in that they are expecting the birth of their daughter, Charlotte, in the next few weeks. Congratulations, Tara and Nathan, and welcome.

8 Kingdom News is a monthly publication of First Baptist Church of Wilmington, NC USPS Market Street, Wilmington, NC Periodicals postage paid at Wilmington, NC 411 Market Street Wilmington, NC One Small Box Makes One Big Difference Operation Christmas Child is one program that brings smiles to children all over the world. Millions of shoe boxes will be delivered to children everywhere this December. Materials are available at the church or can be downloaded at Shoe boxes will be collected at the Wildlife Banquet on November 18th. Please include a $7 donation for shipping (payable to Samaritan s Purse). If you do not have time to pack a shoe box, you can donate $20 and a shoebox will be prepared for you ($13 for supplies and $7 for shipping). If you have a shoe box prepared for you, please donate by November 11th. Envelopes will be available in the church pews for Operation Christmas Child. Shoe boxes can also be dropped off at Southside Baptist Church (3320 S. College Rd.)