FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF WALDOBORO

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1 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF WALDOBORO P.O. BOX Grace Ave. Waldoboro, ME Phone: (207) Fax: December 2010 Dear Church Family, Christmas is upon us. Thanksgiving is behind us and if you are anything like me, I like to put up a tree be- fore December begins. Stores are beginning to put up decorations and some retailers seem especially sensitive this year to make sure they include Christmas greetings and not merely say happy holiday. Of course as followers of Jesus Christ, we know that Christmas means a lot more than trees, decorations and presents. Christmas is when we place particular emphasis on the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ whom the Magi came to worship from afar, bringing gifts to show the regal nature of the King of kings and the Lord of lords, the God/Man Lead Story (Fully Headline God and Fully Man) who had come to take away our sin debt and given us a new life, even life eternal. History of the Advent Season The celebration of the Christmas season goes back as far as the Roman Christians in the fourth century having a time of preparation for Jesus Christ s birth. These believers wanted to have more than just one day to remember such a monumental event when God steps into our human world in flesh and blood, they wanted an entire month and it culminated with a great feast on December 25 th. The Sundays that came before December 25 th were used to mark the grandeur of the event. The Advent wreath which is made of greens, 4 outer candles and one white candle in the center (representing Jesus Christ and traditionally lit on Christmas Eve) originated in East Germany among Lutheran Christians. Their pre-christian forefathers had celebrated the month of December with the burning of lights and fires. Christians during the sixteenth century wanted to give Christian meaning to these fire traditions and so they burned one candle per week leading up the Christ s birth. The 4 candles represent the true Love, Joy, Peace and Hope that we have because God has sent the mediator, Christ Jesus into the world to save those who believe. The candles also remind us that Jesus Christ will come again a second time. Ad- vent means coming. During December, we celebrate His first coming (first Advent) when He was born in the manger in Bethlehem and look forward to his Second Coming (the second Advent). As we light the Advent candles each week during December, let us remember the true meaning of Christ s coming. He came to set the captives free. Captives held in captivity by their own sinfulness. It is only Jesus Christ that can take away our sin debt and make us truly free, fully acquitted of all transgres- sions before the Righteous judge of the universe. During this season and throughout the year, remember those who do not know God personally and be especially sensitive by sharing the hope that they can have in the Savior who has come once and who will come again. Serving the New Born King with You, PJV 1

2 Scripture readings to remember Jesus Christ s first coming and its significance (Advent means coming) The First Sunday Isaiah 2:1-5 Psalm 122 Romans 13:11-14 Matthew 24:36-44 The Second Sunday Isaiah 11:1-10 Psalm 72:1-7, Romans 15:4-13 Matthew 3:1-12 The Third Sunday The Fourth Sunday Isaiah 7:10-16 Psalm 80:1-7, Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-25 Scripture Readings for Christmas Eve/ Christmas Day Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 96 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-20 Isaiah 35:1-10 Psalm 146:5-10 or Luke 1:47-55 James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11 2

3 2011 OFFERING ENVELOPES can be picked up in the foyer December 5th and 12th. If you currently DO NOT have envelopes, and would like some, please call the church office and we will assign you a numbered box. First Baptist Church General Building Benevolence 001 Operation Christmas Child Lots of shoeboxes were brought in over the last week, and shipped to North Carolina!!! From FBC we collected 229 boxes, and from our relay area 1,035 boxes were collected!! Please continue to be in prayer for these boxes and for the lives of each child who will receive one. Thank you to each person who contributed to making these shoeboxes possible!!!! Christmas and Holiday Events 2010 Sunday, December 12th - CCNS Christmas Program - 3:00 p.m. Friday, December 24th - Candlelight Christmas Eve Service - 6:00 p.m. Friday, December 31st - New Years Eve Prime Rib Supper/ Communion/ Activities - 5:30 p.m. to? Fun and Games for the whole family. Sign ups are coming soon. Cost: TBA (watch your bulletin). Bring a hot dish and a dessert to share. The church will provide the meat, salad, bread, drinks, and tableware. Come and join us in celebration of our Savior s birth! 3

4 There is a sign up in the foyer at the church for anyone interested in donating items for the Christmas baskets. All items need to be in by December 19th!!!! For more information contact Dana Burnham The ongoing book drive for the Kazembe Orphange in Zambia, Africa continues until Dec.26. We are seeking modern, brightly colored picture books and reading books up through the third grade reading level. It would be nice if the books were Christian, but not necessary. They can be used or new. Why not give a Christmas gift to the children of Kazembe? For more information contact Cherie or Sarah Hunter at or Pam Meservey During the month of November, the elders- ~ Discussed plans to develop the 2011 budget ~ Discussed the annual review process for the church staff ~ Decided to talk to the architect about the possibility of putting a basement (with classrooms) under the proposed sanctuary ~ Discussed the creation of a church counseling ministry ~ Voted to present Jerry Morrison to the congregation (at the annual meeting) to become an elder ~ Met with several men to review the role of a deacon at FBC and ask them to pray about serving in that capacity ~Discussed how we could further support a group of individuals that are planting a church on Vinalhaven 4

5 Ladies. Mark your calendar! Saturday, January 22nd (7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the gym) Come and join other ladies in a time of fellowship and bring your craft that you are working on at home knitting, crocheting, scrapbooking, stamping etc. Craft along with us or just come and have a time of fellowship. Lunch will be on your own coffee will be provided! Call the church office or Laura at office@fbcwaldoboro.org to reserve your place (tables are limited, so call soon)! Chair Team Appreciation Brunch Chair Team Volunteers and their families and Sound Set-Up Volunteers and their families are invited to attend an Appreciation Brunch. When: December 4, 2010 Time: 9:30 AM Where: at FBC in the Gym Thank you for serving in this vital ministry!! Any Questions Please call Judy Bittel at New Ladies Bible Study beginning Tues. Jan. 4, 1011 at 9:00 a.m. "Escape the Coming Night" by David Jeremiah. This study of the book of Revelation is a video driven study and includes a workbook. Sign-up is posted on the Women's Ministry Board and will end on Dec. 12. CHURCH INFORMATION Staff s Pastor: jonvermilion@fbcwaldoboro.org Pastor of Administration: jason@fbcwaldoboro.org Youth Pastor: phil@fbcwaldoboro.org Bookkeeper: bookkeeper@fbcwaldoboro.org Secretary: office@fbcwaldoboro.org Church Information Phone: (207) Fax: (207) Website: Church Services 8:00 am: Worship Service 9:30 am: Child & Adult Sunday School 11:00 am: Worship Service 6:00 pm: Open Forum 5

6 Schedules for December Jr. Jr. Church (4 & 5 yr. olds) 12/5 Katie Hunt & Becky Moore 12/12 Alan & Angie Reed 12/19 Kenny & Amanda Spear 12/26 Pam & Grace Jameson Wednesday Night Meals 12/1 Hamburgers & Tossed Salad 12/8 Chicken Burgers & Tossed Salad 12/15 Sloppy Joes & Tossed Salad 12/22 NO MEAL!!! 12/29 NO MEAL!!! Greeters 12/5 Olsen/ Olsen 12/12 Olsen/ Olsen 12/19 Vose/ Meservey 12/26 Burnham/ R. Harris Official Chair Team It is SO nice to meet you!! Chair Team 12/4 Ostrander 12/11 Hafemann 12/18 Richardson 12/25 Ludwig Junior Church (1st and 2nd Grade) 12/5.Pam Morrison & Jaclyn Merrill 12/12..Sorterup Family 12/19..Faye Sorterup & Christa Sorterup 12/26..Matt & Bonnie Moody 6

7 December Birthdays Kim Brown 12/1 Larry Scott 12/1 Gregory Fowles 12/2 Breckenridge Holladay 12/2 Sydney Kurr 12/2 Pam Jameson 12/3 Zachary Allen 12/4 Christina McLaughlin 12/4 Cassie Townsend 12/4 Amanda Young 12/5 Brittany Kirkham 12/6 Jacob Rowe 12/6 Frank Capone 12/7 Wesley Daggett 12/7 Joshua Henley 12/7 Barry Jones 12/7 Heidi Shannon 12/7 Kelly Peaslee 12/8 TJ Harriman 12/9 Kim Sweetser 12/10 Austin Turcotte 12/10 Vick Pease 12/11 Taylor Holland 12/12 Sam Pease 12/12 Cole Bruno 12/13 Jayden Brown 12/14 Dave Ricker 12/14 Benjamin Rowe 12/15 Derek Hall 12/16 Willow Johnson 12/16 Matt Norton 12/16 Teri Peaslee 12/16 Brittney Guimond 12/17 Blaine Burgess 12/18 Tom Wade 12/19 Dorcelle Brown 12/20 Jesse Delano 12/20 Nick Dolloff 12/21 Samantha Norton 12/21 Levi Philbrook 12/21 Caleb Pease 12/22 Betty Greiner 12/23 Jamie Lovely 12/23 Jennifer Morris 12/23 Peter Gray 12/25 Christine Hilton 12/25 Lindsey Ward 12/25 Hope Lash 12/27 Sherry McCormick 12/27 Joshua Tung 12/27 Martha Violette 12/27 Cornell Welch 12/27 Allyson Ames 12/28 Sara Hafemann 12/29 Abigail Reed 12/29 Cathy Thornton 12/29 Austin Piper 12/30 Ali Turner 12/30 December Anniversaries! Allen & Cheryl Tomasello 12/01/1994 Wesley & Phyllis Daggett 12/01/1956 Robin & Jennifer Hafemann 12/04/2004 Jonathan & Jennifer Bubar 12/16/1995 Will & Lisa Truesdell 12/17/1994 Paul & Elaine Connolly 12/20/2001 Dick & Jean Vose 12/22/1979 Mike & Cathy Thornton 12/23/1983 Brad & Marcie Davis 12/24/2005 Dustin & Jen Oliver 12/28/1996 Mike & Lindsey Ward 12/28/2003 Dave & Sue Cole 12/30/1967 Ryan & Jasmine McNelly 12/30/2006 7

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