ANGEL TREE GIFTS FOR CHILDREN
Right now, an estimated 2.3 million children have a mom or dad in prison. The number is huge – but so is the opportunity. Angel Tree is a ministry that reaches out to the children of inmates and their families with the love of Christ. At Christmastime, volunteers purchase gifts for the children of inmates in their parent’s name. Through Angel Tree, these children feel a parent’s love, despite their absence. Again this Christmas season we will be participating in the Angel Tree project. Sunday, December 2nd after the 10:55 service, please come by the Fellowship Hall and get an “angel” to help this Christmas. You can sign up for a child’s name to buy a toy or clothing for Christmas. Please only put $20.00 per gift. These families have several children and we do not want to give one child in a family more than another. Please wrap your gifts and return them to the church office by Wednesday, December 12. First Baptist will be the host church for the Angel Tree Christmas party on December 15 to share with these children our love and to help their parents provide Christmas for their children. What an opportunity for our church family to share the Gospel with these very special children in our community.

YOUTH NEWS
FBC Youth Group will meet Sunday, November 25th at 6:15 p.m. for Youth Pizza Night Thanksgiving Service.

A few spaces are left for REVOLVE TOUR winter retreat for Teen Girls. It is January 25-26 in Charlotte. If you are interested in going call Tommy.

HISTORY TIDBIT
At the time of the church fire in 1942, membership was 468. At the completion of the new church building in 1950, the membership was 704. The cost of the new church building was $200,000 all of which, except $60,000, had been raised.

175th CELEBRATION DVD
Would you like to purchase a DVD of the 175th Birthday Celebration? DVD sets are $15.00 and include a history DVD and a worship service DVD. Interested church members should call Chris Aker at 934-0402.

DECORATION DONATIONS
Donations of $10.00 are being taken to help with the cost of the Christmas decorations for our Sanctuary. You may give these donations in honor or memory of a loved one or a special friend. Drop off your donation at the church office.

COMING FOR RETIRED ADULTS IN DECEMBER
Two events specifically for retired folk have been planned in December: Tuesday, December 4, a Christmas shopping outing (Raleigh Mall), and Thursday evening, December 13, an outing to see local Christmas lights. Mark your calendars and make plans to attend. Call the church to sign up.

ATTENTION ALL MEDICAL PERSONNEL
A meeting for anyone willing to be available on a rotating basis in case of a medical emergency during Sunday School and church will be held Sunday, November 25th at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

THANK YOUS
Our Sincere Thanks. During this time of sorrow we learn how much our friends really mean to us. Thank you so much for your kindness and sympathy at a time when it was deeply appreciated. The family of Ione Hinton Cash Wilder.

My grateful thanks to all who extended to my family and me prayers and support during my recent surgery and recovery. God’s blessings to each one. Love, Bessie McElveen

During this Thanksgiving season, we are reminded how thankful we are for this church family both known & anonymous. Through three years of birth (Jacob), death (Tim’s Dad), and all limbo point in between, including life threatening illnesses, hospitalizations (7), surgeries (5) and life transitions, you have been keepers of the candle of hope in both tangible and intangible ways – all incredibly powerful and meaningful. Thank you. (God continues to answer prayers….Mary Ann’s heart has been pronounced “healed” while wellness and wholeness are gifts our family unwraps each day. We are grateful.) Tim, Mary Ann, Emily & Jacob Bradshaw
MUSIC NOTES
Advent begins on Sunday December 2nd with the lighting of the Advent candles in worship and this year a dramatic series entitled “Glowing with Advent.” Special Sunday night services will be as follows:
Dec. 2 – 7:00 p.m. – Hanging of the Green
Dec. 9 – 7:00 p.m. – Children’s Christmas Music Program including “Christmas at Bethlehem Gulch”
Dec. 16 – 7:00 p.m. – Sanctuary Choir Christmas Program including bells, instruments, older children’s choir
Dec. 22 – 6:30 p.m. – Church-wide caroling outing followed by a dessert fellowship
Dec. 24 - 7:30 p.m. – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

EARLY WORSHIP IN DECEMBER
The following musical groups will be leading at Early Worship (8:45 service) in December: 2nd-Ladies’ Trio; December 9-SOS; December 16-Baptist Blend Quartet; December 23—Sanctuary Choir.

OUR KNOWN SICK
Max Creech (Duke), Doug Strickland (home)

WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP?
Many people have expressed an interested in helping provide meals for Gale and David Stanfield. If you would like to help, please contact Jeanene Bowman at 934-3813.

FLOWERS IN THE CHURCH
Is there a special date you would like to put flowers in the church? Our Flower Committee would be glad to help you with this. Just call the church office and we will be glad to help you get in contact with the right person.

RELAY FOR LIFE
I am placing a sign-up paper on the Sunday School clipboards for anyone interested in working on a committee for our Relay for Life team in 2008. Please pray and consider being a part of this very rewarding experience. Thanks, Carolyn Jones

HISTORY BOOKS
The history books have arrived and are in the church office. If you would like one please come by. A donation of $5.00 is suggested.

COOKBOOKS HAVE ARRIVED!
Cookbooks have arrived and can be purchased from Shelley Gardner, Michelle Ball, any M & M member or in the church office. They will also be available Sunday mornings before Sunday School and Wednesday nights in the Fellowship Hall. The cost is $20. They would make great Christmas gifts!

PRIMETIMER’S PENNSYLVANIA
TRIP IS ALMOST HERE!
We have 37 persons, two bus loads, planning to attend the trip Nov. 30-Dec. 1 to Pennsylvania. If you are signed up to go, watch your mail for a letter with all the details. Two church staff, Kelley Garris and Lee Colbert, will be attending.

CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST
Join us Sunday,
December 9th at 8:15 a.m. for our
Church-wide Christmas Breakfast
Come enjoy lots of yummy, delicious, mouth-waterin’
good food, and fellowship.
Everyone is invited.

KENNEDY HOME OPEN HOUSE
The Kennedy Home open house will be Sunday, December 9, 2007 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. At 4:00 p.m. First Baptist Church, Kinston, will be performing a musical program at the Kennedy Home church. There will also be touring of the cottages and Cedar Dell Mansion. If you are interested in attending, please call Carolyn Tharrington at 934-3749.

A CHURCH FAMILY TRADITION:
HANGING OF THE GREEN ON DECEMBER 2
Mark your calendar to come help decorate the church Dec. 2. Be in the sanctuary at 6:30 p.m. to prepare for the 7 p.m. service. There is something for all ages to do; the nursery will be open for infants and young preschoolers. During the service we’ll have special music and congregational singing.

SYMPATHY
We express our Christian sympathy to Ruth Andrews in the recent homegoing of her brother.

We express our Christian sympathy to Grover Dees in the recent homegoing of his brother.

HOUSEHOLD CLOSET NEEDS
The Household Closet is in need of cookware and flatware. If you have any extras you can donate, please contact Dianne Shirley.

OPPORTUNITIES OF THE WEEK

* Nursery provided