VOLUME MMXVI, ISSUE XII

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

DECEMBER 2016

Advent Devotions 1

Capital Campaign Update Visual 5

CBF—Global Missions 3

Christmas Worship Opportunities 1 & 2

Church Staff Contact Information 6

Family Life Center & Conference Room Usage 5

FBC Calendar—December 5

Holiday Service of Remembrance-Munden’s 4

Local Emergency Fund 3

Gifts—October 4

Local Emergency Aid Fund 3

Looking Ahead 6

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering 3

New Sermon Series 4

Newsletter Deadline 7

Note from Financial Secretary 4

End-of-Year Contributions & Gifts

Expenditure Reimbursements

2017 Tithing/Offering/Gift Envelopes Offering Update 5

Poinsettia Order Form 5

Project Christmas Cheer 3

Salvation Army—Ring the Bell 6

Upward Basketball 5

Volunteer Schedule 5

White Christmas Food Boxes 3

Website Information 6

OUR VISION: We live to be disciples of Christ who exalt God, prepare people, and share Christ.

THIS MONTH at FBC … (See Below for Christmas Ministries)

05 Senior Adult Christmas Party 08 JOY-Makers Choir @ Brookdale 15 JOY-Makers Choir @ Snug Harbor 18 White Christmas 23 Office Closed thru December 27

Daily Online Advent Devotions www.d365.org

Scripture, prayer and meditative thoughts, accompanied by gentle music.

Sunday, December 4—4:00pm “THE GREATEST STORY OF ALL”

FBC Senior Adult Choir

Wednesday, December 7—6:30pm “THE MASTER’S PLAN”

Children’s Choirs Program & Church Christmas Party

Sunday, December 11—11:00am & 5:00pm “ALMOST THERE”

FBC Sanctuary Choir & Orchestral Ensemble

Saturday, December 24—4:00pm & 5:30pm 4:00pm: Family Christmas Eve Service

5:30pm: Christmas Eve Candlelight & Communion Service

Sunday, December 25—10:00am Christmas Day Worship Service

(See Page 2 for full information.)

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Churchwide Christmas Party Wednesday, December 7

Join us following the Children’s Choirs program for our church Christmas party. We will gather as a church family in the FLC for refreshments and Christmas fellowship.

Christmas Worship Opportunities “The Greatest Story of All”

The First Baptist Church JOY-Makers Choir Sunday, Dec. 4—4pm

The Greatest Story of All, presented by the JOY-Makers Choir, recounts the life-altering, indeed world-changing, birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ with a tapestry, of seasonal music that will take you from a humble Judean stable to the presence of Bethlehem's angels. Still the greatest story ever told, come join us

and experience the birth of Jesus anew this year.

Come join us for this special time of celebration as our senior adult choir presents the message of Christmas. Childcare will be provided for children ages birth -3 years.

“The Master’s Plan” Children’s Choirs Christmas Program

Wednesday, Dec. 7—6:30 pm

“Come on, you guys, pipe down! We’ve got to rest before our long trip tomorrow to get these sheep to the other side of Bethlehem.” Shepherds, angels, and sheep help tell the story of Jesus’ birth and God’s plan for bringing Jesus into our

lives!

Join the Wee Musicians, Music Makers, and Young Musicians as they present The Master’s Plan in the sanctuary. Child-care for children ages birth - 3 years will be provided.

“Almost There” The First Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir, accompanied by an orchestral ensemble

Sunday, Dec. 11—11:00am & 5:00pm

There are times when God leads us to places that seem impossible to reach, and calls us to do what seems impossible to do. Over 2,000 years ago, God called Mary on a journey that would lead her to deliver the long-awaited Christ Child in Bethlehem. “Almost There” invites you to experience the awe and wonder of Christmas as Mary did many years ago.

May this unique take on a familiar story draw your heart closer to the expectation of Christ’s coming and finally the angel’s joyful song of His miraculous arrival.

We welcome our church family, friends, and community to join us for this special musical offering. Childcare will be pro-vided for children ages birth – 3 years, and a love offering will be received at both presentations.

Christmas Day Worship Service Saturday, Dec. 25 at 10:00am

This Christmas Day, join us for one service at 10:00am. Come celebrate the true gift, Jesus Christ. Nursery for children ages birth-3 years will be provided during worship service. There will not be Sunday School.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Saturday, Dec. 24th at 4 and 5:30pm. Childcare is available for children ages birth—3 yrs.

Celebrate the eve of our Savior’s birth with the family of FBC in our sanctuary.

4:00pm: This earlier service will be more oriented towards families with younger children. During the service the children will be invited to come on stage to hear and act out the Nativity story.

5:30pm: Our traditional candlelight communion service.

White Christmas Food Box Ministry—Sunday December 18

First Baptist Church is planning on delivering food boxes to 35 families in our community this Christmas season. Boxes will already be packed and ready for delivery on Sunday, December 18 after each of our worship services and after Sunday School. Approximate cost per box is $55 and contributions to help purchase boxes may be made by Mon. Dec. 12 to the church office. Checks can be made payable to First Baptist Church indicating "White Christmas" on the memo line.

Volunteers are needed to help pack the food boxes. If you can help, please meet with us on Thursday, December 15 at 6:30pm in the Conference Room.

Southern Baptists have always focused on missions. From the beginning, they saw a need for people with experience to take the Good News of Jesus to those who’ve never heard. Decades of learning from successes—and failures—have fine-tuned a mandate to inspire, encourage, and send workers. Nearly 4,900 missionaries sent out through International Mission Board (IMB) are sharing their faith around the world. But they can’t reach the world alone.

Gifts through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering & Cooperative Program make all this possible. Southern Baptists’ faithful giving undergirds the thousands of missionaries sent from our churches, through IMB, and all for a single, eternal purpose: making disciples in the name of Jesus. This is what it means for all of us, together, to be totally His.

Because you gave... In recent years, the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and Cooperative Program

enabled missionaries and their national partners to: 1.75 million people have heard a gospel witness; 275,000 new believers were baptized; 21,000 leaders were trained to start new churches; 444,263 nationals met in on-going Bible studies.

LOCAL EMERGENCY AID FUND Help FBC help others. The monies available in our Local Emergency Fund are low. The Local Emergency Fund was established to help those in our community, who are temporarily in need of financial assistance to pay an electric bill, rent, or other need. Donations may be made to FBC and designated to the Local Emergency Fund on the memo line.

The CBF Offering for Global Missions is the way many CBF field personnel are

supported in ministry. Your gifts to the Offering are what

send them to the mission field and keep them there

to be and share the presence of Christ.

PROJECT CHRISTMAS CHEER OF CARTERET COUNTY Office Hours: Monday-Friday from 10am-2pm P.O. Box 1914 ♦ Morehead City, NC 28557 Telephone: 252-247-7275 ♦ Email: pccvicki@gmail.com

In 2015, YOU helped make a difference for 965 children, 671 adults, and 116 senior citizens at Christmas. In addition to the material things that you gave to those less fortunate, you also gave them the gifts of time, love, caring, and hope. You opened your wallets and you opened your hearts. On behalf of all of the individuals to whom you gave Christmas, our board says “Thank you.” We pray that you will continue that support during the 2016 season.

How to Adopt: You can adopt individual children in two ways: by visiting one of the Angel Tree locations and choosing one or more Angels from the Angel Tree at that location. by contacting the Project Christmas Cheer office directly.

We encourage you to be realistic and only adopt those you can assist. Once you receive information on the families or children you have chosen, you can contact the parents directly and find out what they need most, when and how to deliver it, and any other needed details.

These may be the only gifts received on Christmas morning by these children!

Donation Info: Project Christmas Cheer of Carteret County is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing Christmas assistance of gifts and food to families and children of Carteret County. Tax deductible financial assistance for the program is always needed and appreciated. A monetary donation can help provide for those families that were not selected to be adopted from the Angel Trees. For information on how you can make a donation, please call our office or email for details during our season of giving. Angel Tree Locations: Shepard of the Sea Lutheran Church, 201 East Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach Telephone: 252-726-7465 Wednesdays and Fridays: 1:00 – 4:00pm or Saturdays and Sundays: 12:00 – 3:00pm

One Harbor Church, 1605 Fisher Street, Morehead City Telephone: 252-422-2899 Tuesdays and Thursdays: 11;00 am – 2:00pm or Sundays: 8:30 – 9:00am, 10:15 – 11:00am, 12:00 – 12:30pm

One Harbor Church, 214 Turner Street, Beaufort Sundays: 8:30 – 9:00 am, 10:15 – 11:00 am, 12:00 – 12:30pm

Smyrna Pentecostal Church, 85 Highway 70, Smyrna Telephone: 252-528-0038 Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays: 10:00 am – 2:00pm or Sundays: 12:00 – 1:00pm

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October Honorarium & Memorial Gifts 2016 To the Youth Ministry in memory of Gary Coffey, Allison Burns, and Sarita Thompson By Judy Monroe

To the Sanctuary Restoration Project in honor of Wanda Pate’s Birthday By Joe & Judy Majstoravich

To the Sanctuary Restoration Project in honor of Judy Majstoravich’s Birthday By Journey Thru The Bible Sunday School Class

November Honorarium & Memorial Gifts 2016 To Family Promise in honor of Gail Whitley, Nancy Sharpe By Faith & Fellowship Sunday School Class

To the Homebound Ministry in memory of Ann Rady By John & Linda Rady, E. Dale Stone, Dennis & Jennifer Rady, Kenneth & Sandra Rady, Gordan & Carmen Rady, Kenneth & Joan Putnam

To White Christmas Ministry in honor of Kate Noe’s Birthday By Joe & Judy Majstoravich

To Martha’s Mission in memory of Ann Rady By George & Leatha Gilbert

2016 END-OF-YEAR CONTRIBUTIONS AND GIFTS All end-of-year contributions need to be turned in to Carol Reed in the church office by December 31 to be included in the 2016 Contribution statement. Please note the following: If mailed, check must be dated and envelope postmarked December 31 or a prior date. If online, contributions must be made by December 28 to show in the account by December 31.

You will receive written acknowledgment (or email if requested on Communication Card) of your contributions by January 31, 2017. If you moved during 2016 or changed your email, please be sure we have your current information on file. (Please call the Vonne in the church office if your address or email has changed during the year.)

All contributions to First Baptist Church are applied to the General Fund unless they are designated to another area specified by the contributor.

2016 EXPENDITURES THAT NEED REIMBURSEMENTS A Check Request form with attached receipts must be turned in to Carol Reed or the church office no later than December 20.

2017 TITHING/OFFERING ENVELOPES ARE HERE Your tithing/offering envelopes for 2017 are on the table in the central hallway. Please note that these need to be picked up as soon as possible but cannot be used until January 2017 as some of the numbers have been changed. There are two groups, weekly and monthly. The boxes are in alpha order and grouped per your request in either the monthly or weekly group. If you are not currently using a church tithing/offering envelope and would like to do so, please contact Carol Reed in the church office. The envelopes are helpful in recording your offerings or gifts.

HOLIDAY SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8 AT 6:30PM

Munden Funeral Home's Holiday Service of Remembrance has become an annual time to reflect on the loss of a family member or friend. This warm and comforting service will be presented on Thursday, December 8. If you would like, you may bring an ornament for the Remembrance Tree or a new, unwrapped toy for “Toys for Tots” in memory of your loved one. The open house, fellowship, and decorating of the tree begins at 5:00pm. Service begins at 6:30pm.

Previously Pledged Pledged Last Week Pledged To-Date

$1,922,253.90 69,635.35 $1,991,889.25

Honoring Our Past, Continuing Our Legacy

“I have seen you in Your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory.” -Psalm 63:2

The Gospel According to LUKE

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FBC DECEMBER 2016 CALENDAR

M ONTHLY S CHEDULE & S PECIAL E VENTS

Sat 03 2:00pm Senior Adult Christmas Party Sun 04 4:00pm JOY-Makers Choir Christmas Cantata

Mon 05 6:30pm Deacon’s Christmas Party

Wed 07 6:30pm Children’s Christmas Program & Church Party

Sun 11 11:00am Sanctuary Choir Christmas Cantata 5:00pm Sanctuary Choir Christmas Cantata

Sun 18 White Christmas Food Box Delivery Youth Christmas Party

Fri 23 Office Closed (thru 27) Sat 24 4:00pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 5:30pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service

Sunday

8:30am Worship Service 9:45am Bible Study for All Ages 11:00am Worship Service 6:00pm Youth—F6 No F6 Dec. 11-25 / Jan 1

Wednesday No Regular Wednesday Ministries December 2016 & January 4, 2017

GAMES BEGIN JANUARY 7

Now that evaluations are over and teams have been formed, volunteers are needed to help in the following areas during the Saturday games:

Referees Half-Time Devotions Concessions Clean-Up Snacks or lunch for the volunteers and referees on game days.

If you would like to help, please contact Darrell Williams at either 252-726-4142 or dwilliams@fbcmhc.org.

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Tuesday 7:00am Men’s Breakfast @ Cox’s 9:30am Senior S-T-R-E-T-C-H

No Senior S-T-R-E-T-C-H Dec. 20 & 27

Thursday—Choir Rehearsals 10:00am JOY-Makers Choir 7:00pm Sanctuary Choir

No Joy-Makers Choir Rehearsal December 2016—January 5, 2017.

No Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal December 15, 2016-January 5, 2017l

UPWARD B ASKETBALL PR ACTICE 5:00pm—Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday

No Practices December 22, 2016—January 3, 2017 Games begin January 7

PARLOR, CONFERENCE ROOM OR FLC ROOM USAGE

If you would like to use the Parlor, Conference Room or FLC

for an event or function, please contact Vonne in the church

office or pick up the usage forms in the church office.

First Baptist Church 2016 Poinsettia Form

I am ordering _____ poinsettia(s) at a cost of $10 each.

Given in loving memory of:

_________________________________________

Given in honor of:

_________________________________________

Given By: _________________________________________

The Memorial & Honorarium list will be published in the Christmas Eve service bulletin.

Poinsettia(s) will be used in the Poinsettia Tree through Sunday, Dec. 25. Please take your poinsettia home following the Christmas Morning service.

FRONT DOOR GREETERS 8:10 – 8:30 am 10:40 – 11:00 am 04 Fletcher & Kate Noe Demus & Carolyn Thompson 11 Ken Bobbitt & Pege Jennings Scott & Julie Foley 18 Bruce & Yvonne Howard George Lott 25 One Service 10:00am: Betty Morgan (9:40-10:00am)

SUNDAY SCHOOL GREETERS Pre-School Suite Sanctuary Stairs 04 Dana Luettich Rick Luettich 11 Marge Travis Judy Monroe 18 Wanda Bennett Sherrill Mills 25 NO SUNDAY SCHOOL

CHILDREN’S CHURCH POST GREETERS 04 Marty Ransdell 9:30am Joyce Creech 11 Maria Garner 12 Noon Valerie Blankenship 18 BJ Williams / Sheila Gateley 25 One Service 10:00am: Ashley Snipes

WORSHIP CARE 04 Sandra Phillips, Carolyn Thompson, Mike & Vivian Marshall 11 Jeff & Allison Williams and Rob & LeAnn Williams 18 Mike & Sam Chapoton, Troy & Tina Epps, Corey & Sarah Lewis 25 Mark & Emory Knight, Barrett & Beth Davis

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING 8:30AM 11:00AM 04 Leon Murdoch Kathryn Hill 11 Milton Laughton LeAnn Williams 18 Jerry Clonts Glenda Baker 25 One Service 10:00am: Judy Monroe

SAFETY TEAM—SUNDAY Wednesday Night Nursery 04 Carroll Rice & Leland Smith 07 Carolyn Thompson 11 Gordon Laughton & Joe Thames 18 David Foster & Ronald Stone 25 Dean Urquhart & Phil Haning

All forms and monies need to be turned in or mailed to the church office by Monday, December 19th. Please make checks payable to First Baptist Church and note ”Poinsettia” in the memo section.

Offering Update as of December 1, 2016

YTD Offering YTD Required $632,033.17 $675,180.00

2 Office Closed—New Year’s Day Holiday 7 Upward Basketball Games Begin 11 Wednesday Meals Resume 23 Church Council Meeting 24 Family Promise Week

Looking Ahead January 2017

810 Bridges Street Morehead City, NC 28557

Phone: (252) 726-4142 Fax: (252) 726-4784 Email: fbcmail@fbcmhc.org Website: www.fbcmhc.org

Office Hours

Monday—Friday: 8:00am—5:00pm

Sunday Worship Services & Bible Study 8:30am—Traditional Worship

9:45am—Bible Study for all Ages 11:00am—Blended Worship

Ministerial, Office and Custodial Staff

Dr. Nate Leonard - Senior Pastor nleonard@fbcmhc.org

Rev. Darrell Williams - Associate Pastor dwilliams@fbcmhc.org

Deborah Lockey - Director of Youth & Senior Adults Ministries

dlockey@fbcmhc.org

Diane Hawkins - Music Director & Organist dhawkins@fbcmhc.org

Lori Muns - Pianist lorimuns@yahoo.com

Vonne Lewis - Ministry Assistant vlewis@fbcmhc.org

Carol Reed - Financial Secretary creed@fbcmhc.org

Fran Welch - Head Custodian Sabrina Juarez - Custodian

Check out our website www.fbcmhc.org

Bible Readings & Study Tools Calendar of Events, Church News & Newsletter Children, Youth & Senior Adult Ministries Devotions Event & Ministry Photos FBC Beliefs, Story, Facility & Member Directory FBC Constitution & By-Laws Ministry Opportunities, Sign Ups & Registration Online Giving / Purchase Tickets for Events Upward Sports Vacation Bible School Wedding & FLC Usage Forms

DVD’s ($5) and CD’s ($3) of the various church

activities and sermons are available.

“CALLED” CHURCH BUSINESS CONFERENCE

The Budget & Finance Committee will present for vote the

proposed 2017 budget on Sunday, December 4 during a

“called” business session following both worship services.

Copies of the proposed budget are available in the office.

Wishing you a blessed and joyous Christmas, Pastor Nate, Darrell,

Deborah, Diane, Lori, Ginger, Carol, Fran, Sabrina,

and Vonne

May the spirit of Christmas fill your hearts with peace, joy, and love as we celebrate the

birth of our savior, Jesus Christ.

SALVATION ARMY RED KETTLE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED (THRU DEC. 24, NO SUNDAYS) Yes, it is time again to “Do the Most Good” to help our friends and neighbors! All monies raised through this ministry in the Carteret County area are used in local communities to help those in need during the Christmas holiday and throughout the year.

To sign up, you may go to www.redkettlevolunteer.org or you may call the Salvation Army office, 726-7147. Please share this information with your family, friends, church members, and organizations who may want to Ring the Bell.

Bell-ringing is for kids, teens, families, senior adults—everyone. Get a group together from your church, school, or place of employment, and volunteer for a day (taking 2-4 hour shifts), or volunteer as an individual, whatever your preference.

Deacon Ordination Sunday