December Reverend Ford will not be here December 28th. We have the special treat of Reverend Dick Martin leading our service that day!

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1 Franklin First Baptist Church Franklin, Indiana December 2014 It s Christmas time! We will be celebrating Christmas together on Sunday, December 21, the 4th Sunday of Advent. Our Christmas Service will be at our normal meeting time of 10 a.m. Following the service, there will be no classes, but a Christmas dinner downstairs in Fellowship Hall. Meat and drinks will be provided, but please bring a dish or two of your favorite holiday dish to share with the rest of us! Following dinner, we will be having a Christmas program! We are looking for volunteers to participate! Acting, singing, playing a musical instrument, sharing a special reading...any of these things would be wonderful additions to our holiday program! Please see Alice if you would like to share your talents with us! We also need volunteers for the last installment of the Advent readings, which will take place during our Christmas program, rather than the following week. Please let Homer know if you would like to lend your voices! Reverend Ford will not be here December 28th. We have the special treat of Reverend Dick Martin leading our service that day!

2 Pastor s Corner December 2014 We are coming into the time of the Church calendar called Advent. It is a time we set aside to prepare for the celebration of the birth of Christ. Much of the rhythm of the Christian life is the contrast of these two exercises. In the preparation and in the celebration we are called to be intentional about how we live. The preparation calls us to orient our lives in a certain direction. It is the focusing of our lives on what is central to who we are in Christ. Life, though, is not all about preparation, it is about lifting up significant events in our history that have changed who we are or that have made us who we are. We celebrate our birth, graduation, and wedding. We also celebrate the birth of our nation and events that unite us as a county. Over all of these celebrations come events that are of an eternal nature. In many ways, Christmas and Easter are connected. One is about birth and the other about death but goes on to bring life. Jesus coming into the world is by itself noteworthy but it is the mission of Christ to go to the cross and resurrection gives Jesus life direction. God gave His best gift to us in Jesus, a sure sign of His love and presence with us. Emmanuel. The M + M Offering During the month of December, we will be receiving the RMMO, or Retired Ministers + Missionaries Offering. Our goal for this special offering is $1, In Sunday s bulletin, there was an insert that talked about its importance. RMMO provides financial support for the retired ministers, missionaries and widowed spouses who have helped build our churches. The assistance provided by RMMO restores that lifeline and ongoing connection to the ABC family. Like anyone else, retired ministers and missionaries experience anxiety and worry when unforeseen expenses arise. RMMO exists to alleviate the stress and hardship of unexpected expenses. RMMO recipients have used their funds to: Pay for medical expenses not typically covered by Medicare; expenses that include hearing aids, dental services and vision care. Pay for emergency medical procedures for themselves and their families. Purchase prescription medication not covered under health insurance. Make emergency home repairs. GROW IN FAITH; GO OUT TO SERVE

3 Community Christmas Events Grace United Methodist Church will be having a Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day that is free and open to the public! You can receive dinner three different ways: by delivery, carry-out or dining in. The times are as follows: Delivery 12 2 p.m.; Carry Out 2 4 p.m.; and Dine In 5 6:30 p.m. Call (317) between December 2 20 only to request carry-out or delivery of meals or to request transportation to dine in. Grace United Methodist is located at: 1300 East Adams Drive, Franklin IN Their website is: Help our Food Pantries! McDonald s is selling 2015 Coupon Calendars for $10. You are both buying and giving a gift when you purchase one of these, because a portion of the proceeds benefits our local Interchurch Food Pantry, as well as The Lord s Locker in Trafalgar and the Brownstown Area Ministerial Association. The coupons from these calendars can be used at three locations: Franklin (2080 E. King Street, off of I-65, Exit 90), Brownstown (321 N. Main Street), Trafalgar (706 W. Trafalgar Pointe Way). Hearts Mark Friend reminded us that we used to have a section of the FOCUS newsletter devoted to sharing news of accomplishments and other good happenings in the lives of our folks here at FBC. We are bringing it back! So, if you have things of this nature you would like to share in the newsletter, please them to Malokia or Homer at the office FranklinFBCoffice@gmail.com. NOTE: THIS IS OUR NEW ADDRESS! Or you can write them down on your blue slips, and specify Hearts.

4 Correspondence! Last month, we had a special visit from The Franklin Women s Study Club. They have been visiting churches of historical significance. We received a thank-you card from one of their members. It reads as follows: Reverend Ford and the Baptist Church, We would like to thank you for allowing The Franklin Women s Study Club to visit your church. We are studying Historic Churches in the Franklin area and felt like the Baptist Church certainly meets that criteria. Sincerely, Carol Wertz On a related note: Talk about history! Betty Chastain asked me to type of the brochure for their visit, and I, as a newbie, had NO IDEA how important FBC has been in our community! Did you know that the Interchurch Food Pantry started here? Or the Annual Free Community Thanksgiving meal? That we have been right here on this corner since 1831? I feel a lot of pride going to FBC, but felt even more so learning all of this. I can make a copy of the brochure for anyone who would like to have one. Please me and I will send it to you or print one up for you, if that is what you would prefer. - Malokia Mrs. Martha Kitchen On a sadder note, we lost longtime member Mrs. Martha Kitchen. We received two cards from her family that read as follows: First Baptist Church friends, Thank you for extending so much love and support to our family during this very difficult time. I appreciate the warm thoughts and the many fond memories of mom s church life. Love, Amy Kitchen First Baptist Church, I want to thank the church for the wonderful flowers that it sent. They are a great tribute to Martha. From the Family of Martha Anne Kitchen

5 December s Bible Quiz (Answers are found on Page 10, below December s birthdays) 1 Which of the following was not a gift the wise men brought the baby Jesus? a) gold b) diamonds c) frankincense d) myrrh 2 What man blessed Mary and Joseph as they presented the baby Jesus to the Lord? a) Phanuel b) Joseph c) Simeon d) Jairus 3 What animal shared its name with Jesus? a) bull b) lamb c) ram d) dove 4. In what town did Jesus spend his youth? a) Jerusalem b) Bethlehem c) Tyre d) Nazareth 5 What was the vocation of Jesus earthly father? a) priest b) shepherd c) carpenter d) farmer 6 How many siblings, the natural children of Mary & Joseph, did Jesus have? a) 6 or more b) two c) four d) none 7 Jesus said, I am the way, the truth and the what? a) life b) door c) Lord d) bread 8 What was the name of the angel who told Mary she would give birth to Jesus? a) Solomon b) Rafael c) Gabriel d) Michael 9 According to the book of Hebrews, Jesus is a high priest in the order of whom? a) Joshua b) Melchizedek c) Isaiah d) Jeremiah 10 According to Paul, how many people saw Jesus after His resurrection?

6 Alice Myers As you all know, our dear Alice will be leaving us soon to make a new start in the great state of Illinois. On November 16th, we celebrated her service and dedication to the church, as a pianist and a worship leader. She also is the one who created our Facebook page! These are just a few of the things that she has done for FBC. We send with her our love, support, gratitude and prayers as she starts this new chapter in her life. Bob Doles took some great pictures from the 16th. We would like to thank him for making sure to document the occasion! Left: Alice with her cake; Above: Robin, Alice and Ann singing A Closer Walk ; Below left: Rebecca, Jillianna and Alice; Below right: The paparazzo himself, Bob, with Alice. Bob took over 30 pics, and there are a lot of good ones. If anyone would like for me to the lot to them, please me at the office Malokia

7 Upcoming Events 2015 In celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. On Sunday, January 18, we will have our normal worship service at 10a.m., after which we will go to Second Missionary Baptist Church to celebrate with them. On Monday, January 19, there will be a Day of Celebration, sponsored by Franklin College. FBC is just one of the Community Partners associated with the day, including The City of Franklin, The Rotary of Franklin, Bethlehem Apostolic Church and First Baptist church of Greenwood. There are several activities and events taking place on campus and throughout the community, from morning through to evening. There are fliers with a list of events on the table in the Coffee Fellowship area, one on the Information table and one on the circular corkboard. For more information, please contact Terri Roberts-Leonard, Director of Diversity & Inclusion at Franklin College, at troberts@franklincollege.edu or at (317) CHILE MISSION ENCOUNTER 2015 April 23- May 8 You are invited to be a part of a mission team of individuals traveling to Chile to support and encourage Dwight and Barb Bolick and to partner with them in ministry. The dates are from 4/23 5/8. The cost for this 16 day mission experience is $3, per person and includes round trip travel and expenses from Atlanta, GA. APPLICATION DEADLINE - DECEMBER 15, 2014 For further information or to request an application packet, contact Dr. Lee Riggs by at rev.riggs@gmail.com or by phone at SAVE THE DATE MISSION SUMMIT - JUNE OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS The 2015 Mission Summit is a national gathering of American Baptists Churches. If you are planning on having 2 or more people from your church attending the Mission Summit you can save money by registering now. Individual registrations will open in February For more information, contact American Baptist Churches of Indiana and Kentucky by phone at (317) , at abcin@abc-indiana.org, or online at

8 2015 Officers of the Church Our new 2015 Officers have been named and are as follows, yet in no particular order of brilliance, because they all are! Moderator: Mark Friend; Clerk: Robin Bratton; Treasurer: Ray Scott; Financial Secretary: Beverly Gibson; Worship: Bob Doles, Co-Chair: Jan Fredbeck; Discipleship: Eddy Teets; Mission: Nancy Patton; Congregational Care: Ann Allen; Stewardship: Marshal Bratton. Our next Leadership Board meeting will be on Sunday, December 14. We ask that all members, from 2014 AND 2015, please attend this meeting! We also ask that those of you who served in 2014 please be working on your annual reports. Reverend Ford would like to have these by mid-january, by the end of the month at the very latest! Thank you all for everything that you do! Dave Ramsey s Financial Peace University FBC will be offering Dave Ramsey s Financial Peace University starting Sunday, January 18th. It will be a 9-week course, led by Pastor Ford, offered in the evenings. The cost of the materials is $100, but the Leadership Board has made funds available for scholarship assistance for those who might need help with that cost. If you would like to learn more about him, there are a lot of resources online, including videos on YouTube, and at his website, daveramsey.com.

9 Jo. Co. Community Meals Program Below is a list of the day, time and location where free meals are offered within the community. Mondays: Greenwood Christian Church Thursday: Under the Sun Cafe Dinner from 5 7 PM Dinner from 5 7 PM 2045 Averitt Road, Greenwood 250N US 31, Whiteland Tuesdays: Greenwood United Methodist Friday: Grace United Methodist Church Lunch from 11 AM 1 PM Dinner from 5 7 PM 525 N. Madison Ave., Greenwood 1300 E. Adams Dr., Franklin Tuesdays: Turning Point Church Friday: Resurrection Lutheran Church Dinner from 5 7PM Dinner 5:30 7 PM 3600 N. Morton St., Franklin 445 E. Stop 11 Rd. NO MEALS SCHEDULED ON WEDNESDAYS! Special events/meals for the month of December: Saturday, Dec. 6: Potato Drop Free 20-lb bag of potatoes Grace United Methodist 8 AM NOON Monday, Dec. 15: Greenwood 1st Presbyterian Church Dinner 6 8 PM 102 W. Main St., Greenwood (There is a dinner here every 3rd Monday of each month) Plus, don t forget about Grace United Methodist Church s special Christmas dinner. See page 3 of this month s FOCUS newsletter for more detailed information!

10 The Tai Chi class continues to meet every Tuesday & Thursday, AM, downstairs in the dining room. Questions should be directed to Bill (317) Our next Leadership Board meeting will be on Sunday, December 12:15 after Discipleship Class and Sunday School. All 2014 and 2015 members are requested to attend! The next ABWM meeting will be Thursday, December 18. Sarah will be the hostess and Ann is the Program Presenter. NOTE: Like all events this winter, this is if weather permits! December Anniversaries: The Smiths December 21 The Bridges December 30 December Birthdays: Ann Allen December 1 Shirley Craven December 2 Olivia Norris December 7 Mary Alice Medlicott December 10 Bob Doles December 14 John Allen December 23 Phillip Norris December 29 Eric Fredbeck December 31 Quiz Answers: 1) B 2) C 3) B 4) D 5) C 6) A 7) A 8) C 9) B 10) D

11 First Baptist Church 201 E. Jefferson Street Franklin, IN NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID FRANKLIN, IN PERMIT NO. 172 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED First Baptist Church July/August 2014 Worship Schedule 10:00 AM Worship Service 11:00 AM Coffee Fellowship 11:15 AM Discipleship Classes Pastor...Homer Ford Pianist.Alice Myers Building Superintendent.Rick Poe Office Administrator...Malokia Steele-Cooper Office Website: Office phone: (317) Office Hours: M-TH 9AM Noon Fridays by appointment only