F i r s t B a p t i s t C h u r c h

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1 F i r s t B a p t i s t C h u r c h Volume 11, Issue 11 December 7, 2014 From the Pastor It is always the season to be jolly and to praise God for all of his wonderful graces. It is indeed a pleasure to say to you once again don t worry, be happy. God has given us another chance to celebrate the Christmas season and in so doing we are to remember that it is about Jesus and not us. Jesus came to earth to seek and to save that which was lost and thank God he found all of us and saved us from sin and the penalty of sin. Jesus has given us this grand and glorious life of freedom and we are to live it to the fullest. I want to bring to your attention that if you are having trouble making the necessary adjustments to the difficulties that you are presently facing, all you have to do is try resting in Jesus. Now the best way to get to this place of rest is to engage oneself in the Spiritual Disciplines. You should try meditation, prayer, fasting and the others. I am convinced that if you seek after God you will surely find him and he will reward you for doing so. It is so wonderful that we have been allowed to move once again into this celebration time of spreading joy in the world. Let us be about the business of being a help to as many people as we can. Carry these thoughts with you throughout this season and always. Who can I help? How can I help them? Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Love you like a rock! What Christmas Means to Me By Tara Ward Turner Jesus is the reason for the season; it s the birthday of a special child! Christmas is a time to be thankful and grateful just knowing the Savior lives. Yes the lights, toys and gifts are nice. However, to me, spending time fellowshipping with your family and love ones is the next best reason. It is a time you sit around enjoying the food the seasoned family members have prepared with love. And it s a time for the next generation to learn all of the family recipes and traditions. I can remember the aroma of the Christmas meal as it was being prepared, for example: Dressing, Collards, Chocolate cake, Red Velvet cake, fresh Coconut cake, Sweet Potato Custard, etc. This Christmas tradition, in my opinion, is very important because it holds the family together to share love for each other and Jesus.

2 FBC Excel Page 2 FBC Veteran s Dinner State Rally Top Contributing Teams Team Members: Charles Milligan, Jr., Taylor Milligan, Corbi Milligan, Diane Milligan, Charles Milligan, Sr., Adriane Milligan, Tara Milligan, Sydney Dennis Team Members: Pastor Clarence Sams, Eugenia Sams, Alexis Heard, Titus Heard, Wanda Heard, Zsa Zsa Heard, Charde Franklin, Marcus Franklin, Robert Franklin, Jr., Robert Franklin, Sr., Symone Franklin, Terry Franklin Team Members: Chelsea Anderson, Johanna Anderson, Desmond Anderson, Latasha Anderson, Tobias Anderson, Arlinda Anderson, Raleigh Anderson, Raleigh Anderson II, Latoya Woodyard, Serenity Woodyard, Christopher Brooks Congratulations to our winners and special thanks to the team leaders and members for your contributions.

3 Volume 11, Issue 11 Page 7 COOKING WITH THE COXES With winter rushing in and the holidays fast approaching, here are two of our favorite recipes we both enjoy. Easy Seafood Stew to warm you up in cold weather and Sweet Potato Pecan Pie for the holiday feast. Try them and enjoy! EASY SEAFOOD STEW Low in fat and RICH IN PROTEIN, this speedy stew delivers a serving of red tomatoes, which lower your risk of heart disease and certain cancers. 2 tsp. olive oil 1 lg. yellow pepper coarsely chopped 1 med. onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, pressed 1 can (14.5 oz.) stewed tomato 1 c. spicy tomato-vegetable juice 1 lb. skinless cod fillet, cut into 1 in. chunks 8 oz. shelled and deveined med. shrimp 1. In 4-quart saucepan, heat oil over med. heat until hot. Add yellow pepper and onion, and cook 5 to 6 min. or until softened and lightly browned, stirring frequently. Stir in garlic and cook 1 min. stirring constantly. 2. Stir in stewed tomatoes, vegetable juice, ½ cup water, and ¼ teaspoon salt, cover and heat to boiling on high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, 10 minutes. 3. Stir in cod and shrimp, cover and simmer 3 to 4 minutes or until cod and shrimp just turn opaque, gently stirring once. Ladle stew into 4 large soup bowls. Makes about 7 cups. SWEET POTATO-PECAN PIE Sweet Potato Layer: Two 9-inch pie shells 2 cups mashed cooked sweet potatoes (skin removed) ½ teaspoon fresh lemon juice ½ cup light brown sugar 4 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 egg, beaten until frothy 2 ½ tablespoons evaporated milk 2 ½ tablespoons butter, softened 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract ½ teaspoon ground allspice Pecan Layer 1 ½ cups granulated sugar 1 ½ cups dark corn syrup 4 eggs 3 tablespoons butter, melted 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract 1 ½ cups pecan pieces or halves 1. In med.-size bowl, combine all sweet-potato- layer ingredients: beat on med. speed, about 2 minutes. In another med. bowl, combine all pecan ingredients except pecans at med speed, about 1 min. Stir in 1 cup pecans. 2. Heat oven to 325 F. Fill each pie shell ¾ full with sweet potato filling: Pour pecan layer filling on top, arrange remaining pecans on top. Cover edges of crust with foil to prevent burning. Bake 1 ½ to 2 hours. Let cool. Submitted by Calvin & Shirley Cox

4 F i r s t B a p t i s t C h u r c h 204 Fannin Street P.O. Box 1464 LaGrange, Georgia Phone (706) Fax (706) FBC MISSION STATEMENT To win the lost to Christ through preaching, teaching, worship and fellowship. FBC Excel Newsletter Staff Delores Brewer Dorsey Brewer Shirley Cox Kim Kendall Candace McGhee June Nelson Dr. Clarence Sams, Pastor Carmen McGhee, Youth Representative Volume 11, Issue 11 Deacon Broderick Stargell Callaway Middle School Teacher of the Year Deacon Broderick Stargell has been named Teacher of the Year at Callaway Middle School, where he teaches Career Connections. He also serves as Team Leader. He has been teaching at Callaway Middle School for the last five years. He began working for the Troup County School System in 1996 where he previously served as the Pre-K Resource Coordinator. Deacon Stargell is the founder of the mentor program Straight Talk at Callaway Middle School. He earned his bachelor s degree in political science from Tuskegee University and his Masters of Arts in Teaching from LaGrange College. Deacon Stargell is married to Elizabeth and they have three children, Hakeem, Hassan, and Haliah. He is the son of Deacon Nellie Stargell and Floyd Stargell. December Events 17 Christmas & Kwanzaa Celebration 31 Watch Night 10:00-12:00 FBC CAREER SPOTLIGHT Deacon Diane Milligan Customer Service Manager Deacon Diane Millligan is employed at Wheelabrator as a customer service manager. She has been employed at Wheelabrator for 19 years. As a customer service manager, Deacon Millligan supervises/manages five customer representatives for the United States and International market. She also coordinates business for Wheelabrator USA, France, Hong Kong, and Mexico. She attended West Georgia Technical College where she received her associate s degree in accounting. At West Georgia Technical College, she was a charter member of the national honor society. Deacon Milligan is also a cum laude graduate of LaGrange College with a bachelor of arts degree. Deacon Milligan has been recognized for the most Million Dollar Weekly Sales recorded. She was also awarded the Tom McGraham Award by the CEO for being an outstanding employee. She has been a member of First Baptist Church for thirty years. She is married to Deacon Charles Milligan. The Milligans are the proud parents of three children; they also have four grandchildren. The Excel staff will make every effort to see that information submitted by the deadline is published.

5 FBC Excel Volume 11, Issue 11 Congratulations to Dr. Lorraine Jackson and the staff of Berta Weathersbee Elementary School for being named a 2014 Reward School for Highest Progress by the Georgia Department of Education.

6 FBC Excel December 7, 2014 Born on October 20, 1997, David Artis is a junior at La- Grange High School. While attending LHS, David participates in weight training. He realizes the importance of increasing his muscular strength, size and endurance to remain healthy and strong. David is also an avid reader, which he considers his spiritual gift. The month of December has some really special and fun days to celebrate. Along with a three week winter break from school, festive parties and gatherings, gift-giving, and the ultimate, birth of baby Jesus, David is blessed to be celebrating his five year anniversary of accepting Jesus into his heart. David credits Jesus for the changes in his life. Since joining First Baptist Church in December 2009, David has remained active in numerous ministries. These include FBC LEAP Program, Sunday School, Bell Choir, Literacy Ministry, Voices of First Baptist Choir and Young Men of Faith. David utilizes his spiritual gift (reading) quite frequently during worship service as he leads the congregation in the Responsive Reading. Travelling to Washington, D.C. with the church is David s fondest memory. Even though David s future dreams consist of using his spiritual gift as a news anchor for ESPN, he would love to plan a trip to Nigeria, Africa. FAVORITES Food/Restaurant: Chicken Wings/Zaxby s Hobbies: Reading, Basketball, Football TV Program: Master Chef By Carmen McGhee

7 Volume 11, Issue 11 Page 5 Mind, Body and Soul Lafayette Garden Inn, LaGrange, GA Sponsored by First Baptist Church Fannin Street Daughters of Imani (5-11) & The Sisterhood (12-17) West GA Council of Christian African American Women Sisterhood Mentoring Ministry (18-35+) Friday, December 19, 2014 (7:00PM)-Saturday morning (10:00AM), December 20, 2014 *$40.00 (cash) per person Due 12/6/14 Bring your baby picture for the Oh, Oh Baby slideshow!! Space Is Limited! An Updated Flyer with Learning Sessions and Happy Hour Fun Activities Coming Soon! Contact: Shirley Cox (706) or cox312@att.net Diane Milligan (706) or diane.milligan@noricangroup Johnnie Freeman (706) or johnniefreem@aol.com Eugenia W. Sams (706) or eugenasams@yahoo.com

8 FBC Excel Page 6 GOD WITH US It s Christmas and God s love is real; It s Christmas and God s Love is here; It s Christmas and Christ has come that the world may know, the love of the son! For the message of Christmas is the love of Christ; Who came into this world to light up our life; And His spirit brings peace; His spirit brings joy; His spirit brings the love of God into this world. So this Christmas may you receive God s peace; May you receive God s joy; May you receive the love of God, Jesus Emmanuel, God with us. Christmas & Kwanzaa Celebration 2014 Jesus Our King Our annual Christmas and Kwanzaa program will be on Wednesday, December 17, 2014 at 7:00PM. The theme is Jesus Our King. The VOFB, bell choir, dance ministry and various individual poems, soloists, and readings will be a part of this glorious program. Remember adults and children: bring a Swadii (gift) for the Kwanzaa gift exchange as we learn and practice the seven principles of Kwanzaa. C ome and C e lebrate JESUS our KING!