DECEMBER > Check out... firstbaptistcumming.org. Your Pastor. Bob

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1 DECEMBER 2014 From the Pastor s heart... For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16 (HCSB) Our study of Paul s letter to the believers in Rome has taken all of Throughout this study the text has proved the timeless nature of God s Word. Solomon said, there is nothing new under the sun. Paul reminded us that there is nothing more powerful than the Son. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is God s power for salvation. I am so proud of a congregation that has encouraged me as we confronted tough issues week after week. I am thankful for your prayers. I was inspired by the questions you asked through s, phone calls, and personal conversations. You have tackled this book with me and our faith has grown. Thank you for being a congregation that is hungry for the Word of God. > Check out... firstbaptistcumming.org SCRIPTURE OF THE MONTH Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began 26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith 27 to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Romans 16:25-27 NKJV QUOTE OF THE MONTH The gospel is the only thing that will build a church. All that other stuff only builds a crowd. SBTS Twitter Feed DID YOU KNOW? After one year of giving to Greater Things we are half way to our $3M goal. Your generosity enables us to share the good news globally and serve our community locally. Thank you for giving yourself to the great commission with a great commandment heart. Merry Christmas. Seems like I said that last month, but an entire year has flown by since I last said that to you. We have a wonderful Christmas Season planned at First Baptist. Please remember that this is a great season of the year to talk to people about Jesus, to introduce them to the church, and to serve them in the name of Jesus. Bring them to the Ladies Extravaganza, the KidsTown Musical, the Celebration Choir & Orchestra Christmas Worship, the Christmas Eve Services, and to your various BFG and other church group Christmas fellowships. It can be the most wonderful time of the year. Imagine receiving the gift of God s grace and opening up a package that includes forgiveness from sin and hope for eternity! Do you have anyone on your shopping list that fits under the category the person who has everything? You simply cannot give a better gift than your testimony and everyone, absolutely everyone, needs God s grace. Wrap it up with a smile, some encouragement, lots of patience and prayer, and give it away to everyone you meet. Thank you! Thank you for being a church with One Vision to be one with God and each other in order to reveal Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Thank you for being the church that believes in the sovereignty of God, the sanctity of life, and the significance of the church. Thank you for being a church that worships God, reaches people for Christ, obeys God s Word, loves one another, and serves others. Thank you for being a church that carries out our mission with one attitude the attitude of Jesus who was obedient unto death. It is an honor to serve our Lord with you. I close with some great news: For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Everyday someone puts their faith in Jesus; the Savior is born in their life. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men! I look forward to lifting up the name of Jesus this Sunday and every Sunday with you at First Baptist Church. Your Pastor Bob.

2 > discipleship December = A Month for Listening It s an exciting time of year. But as your December calendar can attest, this is a very BUSY time of year as well with very little silence unless we are intentionally pursuing it. The irony is: this time of year offers us the opportunity to lean in close to Jesus and hear Him speaking to us in the pages of scripture. So this month, as the old familiar story penetrates our hearts once more and speaks afresh into our circumstances, let s commit to listen. Before the chaos begins, commit to make Bible study a priority during this month, carving out time alone with God each day. Commit Right now to engage, listen, and respond in courageous obedience to God s voice as He speaks to you throughout this month. Short-Term Discipleship Classes + Established Sunday Morning BFG s = Pathways to Growth This month, we ll be promoting our regular Sunday morning Bible Fellowship Groups as well as our Winter Discipleship semester. Look for brochures at the tables in the Atrium as well as information and registration online under Discipleship Classes. Take advantage of these spiritual growth opportunities. And invite a friend! With respect to our Discipleship Classes, we ve been pleased to introduce our new Discipleship Continuum Spiritual Growth Plan. It s designed to provide you an intentional growth process that will foster your spiritual development for wherever you are in your faith journey. Here s How it Works: There are 5 primary departments you ll encounter as well as 1 introductory stop. Each of the 5 departments has an Introductory (or 101) Class. The introductory 101 class gives you a feel for the entire department. If you are new to Christ or new around First Baptist, register for EXPLORE FIRST. The WORSHIP department is the basic starting point. All these classes are primarily aimed at growing your relationship with God. The BIBLE department strengthens your understanding of and commitment to God s Word. The LOVE ONE ANOTHER classes encourage God-honoring relationships as you demonstrate love for God towards others. The SERVE department equips you to discover spiritual gifts and put your faith into action. The SHARE department mobilizes you to share the love and message of Christ locally and globally. Cole Wilkins Minister of Discipleship & Young Adults >worship arts Christmas Worship Schedule December 14 Preschoolers sing in morning worship services December 14 KidsTown presents An Out-Of-The-Box Christmas, 6 pm December 21 Celebration Choir and Orchestra leading worship in both services with great Christmas music December 24 Carols, Communion, and Candlelight 3:30, 5:00, and 6:30 pm If you play guitar or bass guitar and want to play in the traditional service, please contact Darel or Gwenn. If you can play percussion or tympani, please call. For information about how you can serve in Worship Arts, feel free to call Gwenn Fox or Darel Robertson at the office at for further information or to ask any question. Blessings, Darel

3 > e v a n g e l is m & missions You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. (Jesus Christ) As an Acts 1:8 church, we have mission partners around the world, from Atlanta to Thailand. Will you partner with us as we seek to make and multiply disciples locally and globally? Will you be willing to pray, give, and go? God wants to use you to make an eternal difference! You can give to the Acts 1:8 Missions Offering right now by giving during the worship service or visit This year s goal is $275,000. By God s grace, we can do this! Your generous giving sends mission teams and supports our mission partners listed below: NORTH AMERICA (Atlanta, New York City, and San Francisco) Partnering with The North American Mission Board and other churches, First Baptist Cumming serves as the primary sending church for three church planters in the Atlanta area: Andy Hall (Redemption City Church), Kevin Mansoori (First Baptist Church of Iranians), and Mokhles Bekhet (Arabic Baptist Church of Suwanee). We also partner with church planters in New York City and San Francisco. INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS (London, Thailand, Belarus, Cuba, Ethiopia, International Mission Board) Partnering with the International Mission Board (IMB), First Baptist has the opportunity to engage lost people in global cities like London and in countries like Thailand and Ethiopia. Over 30% of the Acts 1:8 Missions Offering goes directly to support 5,000 IMB missionaries. Join me in giving generously, sacrificially, and joyfully for the cause of Christ and for the sake of the billions of people who do not follow Christ. Making a Difference Together, Michael O Neal Minister of Evangelism and Missions >ministerial staff Dr. Robert Jolly, Senior Pastor Robert@firstbaptistcumming.org Dr. Darel Robertson, Minister of Music Darel@firstbaptistcumming.org Dr. Michael O Neal, Minister of Evangelism & Missions Michael@firstbaptistcumming.org Cole Wilkins, Minister of Discipleship & Young Adults Cole@firstbaptistcumming.org Scott Carpenter, Minister of Youth Scott@firstbaptistcumming.org Kyle Connell, Minister of Middle School Kyle@firstbaptistcumming.org Brian Weaver, Minister of Children Brian@firstbaptistcumming.org Edna Bridges, Minister of Preschool Edna@firstbaptistcumming.org Ken Danuser, Director of Senior Adults Ken@firstbaptistcumming.org Tom Hayslip, Church Administrator Tomhayslip@firstbaptistcumming.org Andy Hall, Church Planter - Redemption City Church Andy.hall@firstbaptistcumming.org Kevin Mansoori, Church Planter Intern (NAMB) Kmansoori@palasys.com Mokhles Bekhet, Church Planter Intern (NAMB) mokhlessaed@gmail.com

4 1597 Sawnee Drive Phone Address Service Requested TOP OF LABEL >outreach events Ladies Christmas Extravaganza! PRESCHOOLERS SING IN MORNING WORSHIP Both services - 9:30 & 11 AM Dec 8th & 9th at 6:30pm An Out of the Box Christmas Tickets $15 Guest Speaker - Lisa Whelchel DECEMBER 14 KIDSTOWN CHRISTMAS MUSICAL 6 PM in Sanctuary DECEMBER 21 ADULT CHRISTMAS MUSICAL Monday Night, Dec 8 is Sold Out My Heart Longs for Christmas Both worship services - 9:30 & 11 AM For more information, contact Kristen DeBoard (Kristendeboard@yahoo.com) Jennifer Lamb (jlamb@bayatl.com) or Edna Bridges (edna@firstbaptistcumming.org) CAROLS, COMMUNION & CANDLELIGHT 3:30 PM, 5 PM & 6:30 PM in Sanctuary (childcare provided for birth 2 years old) DECEMBER 24 - Christmas Eve

5 Regular Sunday Activities 9:30 11:00 12:00 3:00 5:00 5:00 AM BFG & Contemporary Worship AM BFG & Worship PM HS Band Rehersal PM MS Band Rehearsal PM Handbells Rehearsal PM Orchestra Rehearsal Regular Wednesday Activities 5:00 5:30 6:30 6:30 7:15 7:30 PM Family Dinner Tutoring PM Middle School Dunamis PM High School Acts 2:42 PM Discipleship Classes PM AWANA PM Pastor s Bible Study PM Celebration Choir Rehearsal PM Orchestra Rehearsal PM Worship Band Rehearsal

6 > ne w m e m b e r s Welcome To The Family Crystal Carmenatty Son-Matthew Carmenatty 6720 Crossview Drive Cumming, GA Paula S. Gibson 6020 Rolling Oaks Lane Flora Hubert 3305 Hutchinson Drive Apt 7103 Sharon Mink 4425 Melissa Lane Eric Reisinger 3145 Pleasant Grove Road NEW MEMBERS IN 2014 Total - 96 (YTD through Nov 23) By Letter/Statement - 60 By Baptism - 36 BFG avg attendance through Nov > f i n a n c i a l s Figures YTD through Nov 16 Weekly Ministry Budget Needed $ 52,596. Average Weekly Offering $ 50,289. Debt Retirement $ 8,050. ACTS 1:8 Offering $ 360,685. Greater Things $ 1,364,133. IMPORTANT REMINDER: Internal Revenue Code requires that all charitable contributions, including Greater Things Gifts, be delivered or postmarked by December 31 st, 2014 or earlier to count as a deduction on your 2014 Income Tax return. Tom Hayslip, Church Administrator > s e n i o r a d u l t s Dear Senior Adults, Hey Seniors, Kaye and I wish you a blessed Christmas season and a Spirit filled New Year! We are looking forward to the excitement of Remember that we do not have any scheduled Senior events in December, but January will be awesome. Ray Shaw is coming for 50 plus and we are going to tour our State Capital. Look for the details in your BFG class. Please enjoy your family this Christmas time and remember whose birthday it is. Thank you Jesus! Bless you all. Blessings, Ken Danuser