Volume 69 | Week of December 18, 2016 | Number 51

First Baptist Church MontgomeryBeaconbring them in...build them up...send them out

www.montgomeryfbc.org | Office: 334.834.6310 | Prayer Line: 334.834.4585

FBC Faithfulness | Sunday, December 11, 2016ATTENDANCEBible Fellowship Enrollment 5149 | Bible Fellowship Attendance 1934Weekly Attendance 2469 | Discipleship Attendance 596

OFFERINGRequired Weekly $125,480.77 | Received Sunday $224,780.73Required To Date $6,274,038.46 | Received To Date $5,928,903.75Building Fund Sunday $140.00 | Building Fund to Date $33,471.13Lottie Moon Christmas Offering® $104,287.46

Under Budget | $345,134.71

CONNECTIONSfrom your Pastor’s Heart

The Fabulous Forever Fruit of God’s Living Christmas Tree The verdict is in: our 2016 Living Tree produced an extraordinary amount of eternal fruit!

Our beloved Ed Cleveland and the 500 person LCT team exalted the Savior, edified the Saints and evangelized many Seekers through our signature event. God graciously answered our fervent prayers. We estimate that over 8,000 people attended which constitutes our largest gathering ever. We hosted thousands of visitors and they not only came from all over our region but they came from many different states and countries.

The music drew us into God’s presence as Ed skillfully crafted a moving musical message that took us from Bethlehem’s manger to Calvary’s cross. 107 dear friends recorded decisions that included 18 precious people committing their lives to Christ and 46 affirmed they were renewing their walk with the Lord! I am convinced that the recorded decisions represent only a small fraction of the Tree’s impact for Christ. Plus, the television broadcast will take the gospel message into thousands of additional homes and hearts.

The unity, bonding, intercession, gospel witness and synergy created from the Body of Christ working harmoniously together on the Tree produces blessings beyond measure. Thank you for supporting God’s work through our Living Tree with your prayers, tithes, invitations and attendance.

We are extremely grateful to all of those FBC teammates who worked diligently for months to bless us with this Christ-honoring offering of excellence and love

Let’s Keep Serving King Jesus Every Dayand in Every Way TOGETHER,

Ed Cleveland and Jay Wolf

Ministry AnnouncementsPreschool Ministry

Join us as we celebrate our Savior’s Birth at a Happy Birthday Jesus Party on Sunday, December 18 at 9:45 am in room B112. All 3, 4 and 5 year olds will be in B112 during the Sunday School hour. For more information, contact Nancie McQueen at 241.5166 or nmcqueen@montgomeryfbc.org.

All preschool children are asked to Help Decorate the Christmas Tree that will be at the preschool registration desk. We want to fill it with socks, so please bring a new pair (or bag) of socks to cover our tree. The socks will be donated to the Caring Center to help children keep their feet warm this winter. Please bring your present to your SS Class on or before Sunday, December 18.

Children’s MinistryChristmas is all about Jesus and on Sunday, December 18, the first through third graders will have a Happy Birthday Jesus Party! Also, this is the day we give presents to families in need at the Caring Center. For more information, contact Glen Leathers at 241.5164 or gleathers@montgomeryfbc.org.

GAs and RAs will begin again on Sunday, January 8 at 5:00 pm. Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of these exciting groups.

FBC Holiday Schedule Sunday, December 18

Regular Morning Schedule5:30 PM \\ Vesper Service & Lord’s Supper

Wednesday, December 21No Evening Services or Activities

Friday, December 23FBC Offices Closed

Saturday, December 243:30 & 5:00 PM \\ Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship

Sunday, December 25Merry Christmas!10:30 AM \\ Christmas Worship Service

Monday, December 26FBC Offices Closed

Wednesday, December 28No Evening Services or Activities

Sunday, January 1Happy New Year!Regular Morning ScheduleNo Evening Services or Activities

Monday, January 2FBC Offices Closed

FBC Offering Envelopes are now sent quarterly. The first quarter of 2017 will be mailed in December. Please contact Jill Johnson at 241.5183 or Patti Shoemaker at 241.5181 if you requested envelopes and do not receive them.

Bible Drill begins on Sunday, January 8 for all 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students. Join us at 6:00 pm in room A311 as we learn the books of the Bible, the location of key scripture passages, and memorize scripture.

Student MinistrySave the Date for Disciple Now on Friday, January 13 through Sunday, January 15. Register online at www.montgomeryfbc.org/event-registration.

Adult MinistryJoin Jay as he continues a new round of his Pastor’s Class on Sunday, December 18 at 10:00 am in the main sanctuary. The 13-week class, open to everyone, will be an overview of the Bible.

The January Bible Study will take place on Monday, January 23 through Wednesday, January 25 from 10:00 am to Noon in Stakely Sanctuary. The study will be Complacency Exposed, a study of the book of Malachi.

Missions MinistryThe 2017 Missions Menu is now available! You can pick up your copy in the main sanctuary foyer or visit www.montgomeryfbc.org.

A special prayer event, Journey of Prayer, will take place on Sunday, January 8 at 5:00 pm in the fellowship hall. This event is your opportunity to start the year in an attitude of worship and intercession. For more information, contact Brian Gay at 241.5131 or briang@montgomeryfbc.org.

Save the Date for the Global Impact Celebration (GIC) on Wednesday, February 15 through Sunday, February 19. For more information, visit www.gic2017.com. In preparation for Global Impact Celebration (GIC 2017), we’re producing The Purpose Podcast. In this audio podcast you will hear inspiring conversations with guests that will be coming to the GIC from the US and all around the world. Visit www.thepurposepodcast.com to learn more or listen today.

FBC FoundationAs you review your financial plans at year end, it is a great time to review your estate plans, as well. You may want to consider leaving a lasting legacy to the First Baptist Foundation through your will, trust, or life insurance policies. You can also make a meaningful future gift while generating income, immediate tax savings, and other benefits today. For more details, contact Alissa Parrish at airvin@montgomeryfbc.org or visit www.montgomeryfbc.org/leaving-a-legacy.

Children’s HopeBecome a part of the new Hope Through Education student sponsorship initiative. For $25/month, you can cover the education costs of one of the 930 students

New MembersBy Baptism

Mrs. Luisana Guevara Stakely8378 Longneedle Drive | Montgomery, AL 36117

By Letter/Statement of FaithMs. Jan Bartlett3267 Fairfax Road | Montgomery, AL 36109

Mrs. Brenda King304 Donna Drive | Montgomery, AL 36108

Mrs. Mickie West3100 Hemon Road | Montgomery, AL 36106

Our Church FamilyIf you would like to add someone to the prayer list, contact Carolyn Bryan at 241.5120.

Sympathy Extended toMr. & Mrs. Barry Holt (Hope) in the death of her motherMr. James Blake in the death of his wife, LouiseMrs. Terry Brown (Jean) in the death of her husband; Mr. & Mrs. Sonny Wills (Meredith) in the death of her father; Miss Caroline Brown in the death of her fatherMs. Madeline Williams in the death of her sisterFamily & Friends in the death of Margaret ReynoldsMr. Scott Lamb in the death of his mother, Kathy Oatfield

Baptist SouthGwen McGriff • Pat Stewart

Baptist EastFrank Wells

JacksonJohn Hendrix • Reba Stabler

Capitol Hill HealthcareKathleen Stitt

Congratulations Extended toDr. & Mrs. Rick Dobbs (Charlotte) in the birth of a grandson

Year-End GivingThe Church Business Office is here to serve you as we approach the end of the year. All gifts must be postmarked by Saturday, December 31 in order to go toward your 2016 giving record. If you are gifting appreciated assets, please make the business office aware of those gifts and the designation of the gifts. Please contact Patti Shoemaker at 241.5181 or Gwen Keene at 241.5185 for more information.

in Children’s Hope schools in Haiti. Visit childrens-hope.com/givehope to learn more and become a partner, or contact Jared McCrory at jared@childrens-hope.com for more info.

Churchwide News & EventsThere will be no Churchwide Visitation on Sundays, December 18 or 25.

Travel with First Baptist Church on the Ark Encounter Tour, May 29 through June 4, 2017. See the full-size replica of Noah’s Ark located in Williamstown, Kentucky. This agenda is packed with touring/sightseeing in Chattanooga, Lexington and Nashville. For more information, visit www.montgomeryfbc.org/ark.

This week at FBC MontgomeryFor the complete calendar, visit www.montgomeryfbc.org.

5:30 Women’s Support Group6:00 Narcotics Anonymous

Wednesday, December 21 Mission Project: Haiti (College) No PM Activities or Services

Thursday, December 22 Mission Project: Haiti (College)10:00 Caregivers Support Group

Friday, December 23 FBC Offices Closed

Saturday, December 24 Christmas Eve3:30 Candlelight Worship Service5:00 Candlelight Worship Service6:00 Narcotics Anonymous

Sunday, December 18 Mission Project: Haiti (College)8:30 Worship Service 9:45 Bible Fellowship Classes11:00 Worship Service International Worship Service4:15 Reflections Ensemble4:30 One Heart & One Voice Choirs5:30 Lord’s Supper Vesper Service6:30 Single Adult Christmas Caroling

Monday, December 19 Mission Project: Haiti (College)5:30 Men’s Bible Study6:30 Freedom in Christ Recovery Larry Chapman Foundation Event

Tuesday, December 20 Mission Project: Haiti (College)

The Beacon (USPS #046-620) is published and printed weekly by First Baptist Church, 305 South Perry Street, Montgomery, Alabama 36104-4292. Periodical postage paid at Montgomery, Alabama. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Beacon, 305 South Perry Street, Montgomery, Alabama 36104-4292.

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Morning Worship (8:30 & 11:00 am)

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering®

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen | Ichthus Ensemble

Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee | Thomason Bryan

Message | Jay Wolf

Evening Worship (5:30 pm)

Lord’s Supper Vesper Service

In Home Ministry Member :: Jeanette Martin404 Daphne Lane | Montgomery, Alabama 36108-5608

CrossRoads Broadcast Schedule for the Living Christmas Tree

Watch the sermon at the time below or online at www.montgomeryfbc.org.

Frazer Channel 13 (Montgomery & Prattville)Brighthouse Channel 122 (Elmore County)Sunday, December 18 | 1:30 pm & 6:00 pm

Tuesday, December 20 | 7:30 pm

Thursday, December 22 | 9:30 am & 6:00 pm

WSFA-TV Channel 12Sunday, December 18 | 10:30 am

FBC Stewardship Goal: $6,642,000Pledged to Date :: $6,037,164.00 (90.89%)

Remember, it’s never too late to make your commitment!