First Baptist Church of Elon. The Courier

Transcription

1 First Baptist Church of Elon The Courier December 2011 Points of Interest Advent Youth Events Senior Events HOPE What s My Motivation? Mark s Advent sermons will look at the implications of the birth of Christ through the eyes of some of the supporting cast of the Christmas story: Gabriel, David, Herod, and the sheep. Global Missions Offering Here in the United States and around the world, CBF missionaries are sharing hope and the good news of Jesus Christ with our world. During December, we have the opportunity to support their work and ministry through our support of the Global Missions Offering. Our collection will take place on Sunday, December 18 during the morning worship service. PEACE Christmas Carol Dinner On Saturday, December 10, don t worry about what to fix for dinner! Our youth will be providing a special dinner in the Fellowship Hall, with food and decorations inspired by some of your favorite Christmas carols. Stop by anytime between 5 & 7 PM. Proceeds from the night will support our Youth Ministry. A Song in the Air You will want to invite all of your friends and family to join you at church on Sunday, December 18 at 6 PM as our Music Ministry pleases the ears, warms the heart, and reminds us that this season is a celebration of the birth of the Prince of Peace! Get your Christmas Cards today. Available in the foyer. Inside this issue: Children s Team Formations Team Missions Team Worship Team Music Notes Senior Adults Announcements 2 3 Youth News 4 Collection 5 Calendar Birthdays 6 Gifts /Memorials 7 LOVE Toy Ingathering Each Christmas, the Orange County Prison Ministry provides a toy store where inmates can shop for toys to give their children at Christmas. You can help one of these men let their child know how much they love them by bringing a new, unwrapped toy to church with you on Sunday, December 4. Christmas Caroling On Wednesday, December 21, everyone is invited to meet in the Fellowship Hall at 6 PM as we join together for caroling at the homes of some of our church members. What a fun way to share some love and cheer with our fellow brothers and sisters here at First Baptist Elon! JOY Christmas Eve Communion Start your celebration of Christmas by gathering with your family and friends around the Lord s Table at our Christmas Eve Communion service at 5 PM on December 24. Canned food for our local community food pantries will be collected at this service as well. Christmas Morning Worship Come join us for worship on Christmas morning at the special time of 10 AM. This service of word and song will focus on the announcement of the reason for the season and the foundation of our life: Jesus Christ and his incarnation on earth. The service will be a little different and little shorter than normal, but every bit as meaningful!

2 Children s Team Ministry Team News Do you like to build snowmen? Do you like to spend time with family and friends? Do you like to help other people? Mark your calendars to attend Winter Wonderland on January 28, 2012 from 1-4! Groups of people, be it a family group or a group of friends, are invited to come out and build a snowman made out of cardboard using a variety of materials, from glitter to fabric. There will be some materials provided; you are encouraged to bring any materials you want to use. There will be a $5 charge and 5 donated canned goods per group as an entry fee. We will also judge which snowman is the "best dressed" by donating change, which will be donated to the Homeless Shelter. There will be sign up sheets in the Sunday School classes and in the vestibule. Please see a member of the Children's Team if you have any questions! Formations Team Sunday School Great Light Seminar: Fit 4: Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength A study of Christian wellness led by Janie Brown and Alec French Beginning January 8 in the fellowship hall Missions Team Homeless Shelter Responsible for the meal for the Homeless Shelter for Wednesday, December 7: Michael & Marie Allison, Tommy & Liz Hill, John & Kathy Hines, Kevin & Kay McCloskey. Total stew sales: $1, Girls in Action (Amy Harrison, Susan Harrington, Liz Hill) - the GA's would like to thank everyone who donated a box for Operation Christmas Child. We collected 66 boxes! We really appreciate you making a difference in the life of a child and spreading God's love - the boxes will be delivered to children in 133 different countries! Worship Team To enhance the lighting of the Advent candles this year we will be using several different art forms to remember the coming of Christ to the world. For our first Sunday of Advent we will use a readers theater titled Prince of Peace ; the second Sunday, Harold Brammer will tell us how he expresses his gift through an original art piece; the third Sunday, Jennifer Durham, will present a monologue Through Mary s Eyes and the fourth Sunday, Grace Hill will share an original poem about Simeon titled My Imagination. Thank you! The Worship Team would like to express a sincere thank you to Kodell Maney, Susie Lowder, Patsy Vick and all who helped with decorating the Sanctuary and Chrismon Tree for our Advent season. Page 2 The Courier

3 Music Notes There is a song in the air- a song of celebration, a song of worship, a song of proclamation. It s Christmas and we have so much to sing about. We are blessed at FBC Elon with excellent musical talent and many will be sharing their gifts of Christmas Carols and songs to bless your hearts during each Sunday this year. On Dec. 18 at 6:00 PM the Worship Choir, PraizKids and SHINE! will present A Song In the Air. This season I pray that you will hear and sing the joyful songs of the good news of Christ s birth. Following the presentation we will enjoy a time of fellowship with delicious finger foods. (Everyone please remember to bring something) On a personal note - Thank you for the opportunity to lead our congregation for another year in our Christmas Celebration. May your celebrations be blessed with joy of family, love of friends and a sense of peace through Christ our Savior. - Margaret SENIOR ADULT MINISTRIES Senior Adult Breakfast - Tuesday, December 6 8:30 am Fun and Fellowship Trip to Tanglewood Lights - Tuesday, December 6 4:45-7:30 pm Circle of Friends - Wednesday, December 7 9:30 am Youth "Christmas Carol Dinner" Fund-raiser - Saturday, December 10 5:00-7:00 pm Elon Roundtable Meeting - Sunday, December 11 5:45 pm Choir Program - "A Song in the Air" - Sunday, December 18 6:00 pm Heart 2 Heart Christmas Party - Tuesday, December 20 6:00-8:00 pm December Birthday Luncheon - Wednesday, December 21 12:30 pm Church-wide Christmas Caroling - Wednesday, December 21 6:00-7:00 pm Christmas Eve Communion Service - Saturday, December 24 5:00 pm Christmas Day Family Worship - Sunday, December 25 10:00 am Announcements Craft Night Fellowship On Saturday, December 17, bring your current craft projects, from scrapbooks to cards and jewelry to scarves, to the fellowship hall and work on your projects from 3 to 9 pm. Come out to share your projects and fellowship with fellow crafters! There will be sign up sheets in the Sunday School classes and in the vestibule. COUPON CLUB Ministry Update Thank you for participating in the Coupon Club! Take advantage of the coupons that are available by stopping by and checking the boxes out. With the large number of coupons coming in each week, it would be EXTREMELY helpful for the Senior Adult Team if individuals would PRECUT their coupons before placing them in the box. This will help the team keep the ministry effective and efficient. Thank you! Church Office Closed: Dec. 23, 26, 27 & Jan. 2 Inclement Weather Policy Watch WFMY News 2 for information it will be listed as First Baptist Church of Elon - Haggard Ave. Also, you can check the church s facebook page for weather updates. December 2011 PLEASE UPDATE YOUR DIRECTORY Delrees Hughes & Ida Mae Sawyer 368 North NC 87 Hwy. Burlington, NC Page 3

4 Youth News Just a thought... It is that time of year again! It s the time of year where my wife and I battle over the stereo system and the music that will echo through out our house. When it comes to this time and this issue, we are polar opposites. You see, I am a person who does not want to hear Christmas music until AFTER Thanksgiving. I want to fully honor the seasonal celebration of giving thanks, and only once this time is complete, then we turn our direction towards Christmas. My wife, like so many others, LOVES Christmas music. She would listen to Christmas music all year round if she could. She enjoys the department stores switching their music to Christmas music as soon as the calendar strikes November 1. On this issue, we disagree. But I have been doing a lot of thinking about Christmas music recently. Maybe its the playing of Christmas music as I strolled through Kohl's the other day, or maybe its hearing Christmas music echo through the halls at church during the day. Christmas music, especially the carols, has POWER. The music transforms our ordinary life to a time of family, celebration, comfort, peace, love, and joy. Whether its the familiar words or the memories of singing the carols with family and friends of the past, Christmas carols are inspiring. With these feelings in mind, I want to invite you and your entire family to a "family gathering" centered on the carols. On Saturday, December 10, our youth will be providing your family a dinner, but not just any dinner. This dinner is themed around those inspirational Christmas carols that we love to sing. Each table will be decorated or themed after a Christmas carol, with each table's food being "inspired" by the song. Come enjoy a night of food, fellowship, and let's not forget, our favorite Christmas carols. Join us from 5 to 7 pm on December 10 for this event. We hope you will share your appreciation with a donation to support the youth ministry at FBC Elon. I look forward to seeing you on December 10! And I promise to leave my "scrooge" at home! - David Upcoming Youth Ministries 2012 YOUTH SUMMER BEACH RETREAT July 21-28, Days of Missions Work, 6 Days of Sand and Sun, 7 Days of God Growth! **Deadline to sign up with $50 deposit is Sunday, January 8!** Youth and Parent Luncheon Ministry Teams and 2012 Consent Forms Sunday, January 8 DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS Josh Barefoot - December 2 Justin Mofield - December 8 Emily Prichard - December 11 Patrick Moody - December 24 Ellie Harris - December 28 Savannah Howard - December 30 Page 4 December Youth Ministries Emerge - Sundays at 9:45 am December 4, 11, and 18 Consuming Fire - Sundays at 5:30 pm December 4 and 11 "The Breakfast Club" Wednesday, December 7 6:45 am "Christmas Carol" Dinner Fund-raiser Saturday, December 10 5:00-7:00 pm Shopping for Christmas Cheer Family/ Goodie Bag Assembly for RM House Saturday, December 17 10:30 am - 3:00 pm Choir Program - "A Song in the Air" Sunday, December 18 6:00 pm Heart 2 Heart Christmas Party Tuesday, December 20 6:00-8:00 pm Continued on next column. Church-wide Christmas Caroling Wednesday, December 21 6:00-7:00 pm Christmas Youth Hang-Out Friday, December 23 6:00-9:00 pm Video Games, Food, and Fun! Christmas Eve Communion Service Saturday, December 24 5:00 pm Christmas Day Morning Worship Sunday, December 25 10:00 am Goodie Bag Delivery to Ronald McDonald House/ Lunch at Hanes Mall in Winston Wednesday, December 28 11:00 am - 4:00 pm Youth Christmas Party! Thursday, December 29 5:30-9:00 pm Dinner at Texas Roadhouse, Dessert/ Dirty Santa at the Evans'! The Courier

5 CHURCH WIDE CHRISTMAS COLLECTION Youth Christmas Team (Liz Hill, Marie Allison, Landon Hines, Daniel Coble, Julia Allison) - the Youth Christmas Team is collecting items for the Ronald McDonald House in Winston-Salem. The wish list of the families is listed below, there will be a box outside of David's office if you would like to donate. We will deliver the wish list items on December 28th, we will collect until December 25th. Thank you for supporting our youth and the Ronald McDonald House. FAMILY WISH LIST FOR THE KITCHEN Single-Serve items: cereal, pop tarts, fruit cups, granola bars, cookies, chips, trail mix, and crackers Microwavable Single Serve Meals: Soup, Easy Mac, Stew, Pasta s, etc Powdered creamer Sugar and sweeteners Canned meats Milk Fresh Fruit Tea Bags: Caffeinated, Decaffeinated & Herbal HOUSEHOLD & CLEANING Drawstring garbage bags 13 gallon Foil and plastic wrap Ziploc Bags, all sizes New plastic food storage containers Liquid hand soap in 7 oz dispensers Dishwasher Detergent (powder) Clorox Wipes and Disinfectant Spray Laundry Detergent Disinfectant cleaner (spray bottle) Floor Dusting Sheets (Swifter) Batteries 9 volt & size D New Queen Sheet Sets PAPER GOODS Cups Hot & Cold Knives, Forks & Spoons sturdy plastic Toilet Tissue Coffee Stirrers Paper Towels Plates - sturdy paper Bowls - sturdy paper Paper Napkins December 2011 Page 5

6 Ushers & Greeters: Michael Allison, Ed Dupree, Dave Harris, John Hines, Jeff Prichard, Bobby Roach, John Russell, Judy Tickle Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Worship Opportunities 9:30 AM Deacons Prayer 9:45 AM Sunday School 10:55 AM Morning Worship 4:00 PM SHINE! 5:00 PM Fellowship Supper 5:30 PM Youth - PraizKids & Missions 6:15 PM RA s, GA s No Children s Church this month FH - Fellowship Hall 1 11:30-12 PM Prayer & Praise FH reserved 10:30am-8:30pm 2 3 FH reserved for Celestial Class - pm 4 Toy Ingathering 4-5 PM Bonus Christmas Reh. 4 PM Church Council Mtg. 11 Handbells play 5:45 PM Elon Roundtable Mtg. 5 6:30 PM Joyful Ringers 7 PM Elon Bronze 12 7 PM Handbells to Cedar Ridge 6 8:30 AM Senior Adult Breakfast at Ramada Inn 10 AM Happy Hearts to Blakey 4:45-7:30 PM Fun & Fellowship Trip to Tanglewood Lights 13 FH reserved 5:30-9:30pm 7 6:45 AM Breakfast Club 8:30-10 AM Career Net 9:30 AM Circle of Friends 6:45 PM Prayer & Praise 7:30 PM Choir Reh 14 No Career Net FH reserved 5-8 6:45 PM Prayer & Praise 7:30 PM Choir Reh 8 11:30-12 PM Prayer & Praise 2:30 PM Happy Hearts to Edgewood 15 Newsletter Due 11:30-12 PM Prayer & Praise 6 PM Career Net Christmas Party in FH PM A Christmas Carol Dinner :30 AM-3 PM Youth Shopping 3-9 PM Craft Night Fellowship 18 Ingathering for Global Missions 6 PM Choirs present A Song in the Air Refreshments 19 FH reserved 6pm PM Heart 2 Heart Christmas Party 21 Winter begins No Career Net 12:30 PM Sr. Adult Birthday Lunch Ramada 6 PM Church wide Christmas Caroling Church Office Closed 6-9 PM Youth Christmas Hang-Out 24 5 PM Christmas Eve Communion & Candlelight Service 25 Christmas 10 AM Carols & Scripture Service No Sunday school or PM Ministries 26 Church Office Closed 27 Church Office Closed AM-4 PM Delivery to Ronald McDonald House No Career Net No PM Ministries 29 5:30-9 PM Youth Christmas Party Joshua Barefoot 6 th Pat Allison 8 th Justin Mofield 10 th Joyce King 11 th Emily Prichard 12 th Amy Prichard 13 th Sandy French 2 nd 18 th Lucy Butler 22 nd Diana Ledbetter 23 rd Susan Dupree 23 rd Bonnie Kerr 23 rd John Farnham 24 th Patrick Moody 26 th Susan Harrington 28 th Ellie Harris 30 th Savannah Howard 31 st Susie Lowder 31 st Michael Allred 31 st Sam Pickard

7 First Baptist Church of Elon 621 E. Haggard Ave. P.O. Box 778 Elon, NC Phone: Fax: Rev. Mark Mofield, Pastor Rev. David Durham, Associate Pastor Margaret Miller, Minister of Music Janice Somers, Adm. Assistant We re on the Web! www. fbc-elon.org Gifts & Memorials... The church appreciates the following gifts. Building Fund: Anne Uzzell In honor of our Church Families, December Birthdays & Anniversaries. In memory of Bobby Roach s uncle & aunt, in memory of John Moody s uncle, Allene Atwood s uncle. M/M John Jennings In memory of Earline Mann s sister. YOUR STAFF APPRECIATES THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS YOU SHARE WITH US ALL YEAR LONG. MERRY CHRISTMAS! Music Fund: Nancy Bowling In memory of Earline Mann s sister. Thanksgiving Offering: Anne Uzzell In memory of Jud Uzzell.