Second Sunday in Advent

The second Sunday of Advent here at First Baptist will feature leadership by the following music groups: Early Worship at 8:45 will feature the SOS vocal ensemble and the youth sign language team. The 10:55 service will feature gathering music by Kathi Nixon and Hinton Edgerton; service music by the seventh grade instrumental ensemble, youth sign language team and Sanctuary Choir. Coming Sunday evening December 14: 7:00 p.m. Children’s Christmas Music with “The Good News Christmas Cruise.

CHURCHWIDE BUSINESS MEETING
Will be held December 14th following the 10:55 service
to vote on acquisition of property.

CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST
Join us Sunday,
December 14th at 8:30 a.m. for our
Church-wide Christmas Breakfast
Come enjoy lots of yummy, delicious, mouth-waterin’
good food, and fellowship.
Everyone is invited.

YOUTH NEWS
Middle School Christmas Outing – Mark your calendar and join us THIS SATURDAY December 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for our Mall Scaventer Hunt (bring a cell phone with a camera if you have one). Meet at the busses and bring $10 for lunch (sorry….no Christmas shopping allowed).

Senior High Progressive Dinner will be Saturday, December 13 beginning at 5:00 p.m. Meet in the Fellowship Hall. If you want, please dress as your favorite Christmas Character (e.g. Elf, Ralphy from “Christmas Story,” shepherd, etc.) Prizes will be given for best dressed.

ATTENTION PARENTS AND YOUTH – Don’t forget the Youth Parent cook-out and New Year meeting Sunday, January 4th at 6:00 p.m. Don’t forget to bring your insurance information.

For Girls Only - Sign up NOW for the “All Access” Revolve Tour, January 23 – 24th. The cost is $80.00. Cost includes transportation, lodging, and admission (you pay for 3 meals.) Call Tommy if you want to go.

For Guys Only - Join us for the “Guys” retreat, Mano E Mano, January 30-31 at Chestnut Ridge. The cost is $55 with a deposit of $25.00 due NOW. The cost includes 2 meals, housing, and High Challenge course (you pay for fast food meal on the way). ALSO, there is a form that MUST be completed by a parent before you can go. See Tommy if you need one.

Youth Lock OUT - Friday, January 9, Prices, Time and Locations TBA….. Just save the date.

Youth Fundraiser Luncheon after worship Jan. 11

IMPORTANT INFORMATIONAL SESSION
For Parents of Preschool, Children and Youth AND all interested Church Members, SUNDAY, January 11, 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall

DO WE NEED POLICY FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH?
Janice Haywood, Children’s Ministry Consultant

We are in the process of establishing policies for our children and youth that will help protect them as well as our workers. Before we do so, we believe that parents as well as any church member who has interest in children and youth ministry should attend this very important session led by Janice Haywood. Please put this date on your calendar and plan to join us as we make steps to make our facilities and programming a safe place for all children, youth, and volunteer workers.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUTREACH
AT CHRISTMAS
Angel Tree: If you picked up an “angel” please return your gift to the church office by or before December 7th. We will also host the Angel Tree Party in the Fellowship Hall on Saturday, December 13 from 10:00 a.m. until noon.
COULD YOU HELP
My name is Sarah Campbell and I am working on my Senior Project. I will be collecting food for the Backpack Ministry here at First Baptist. The following are items needed to fill the backpacks: cans of spaghetti, ravioli, beanie weanies, vienna sausage, non refrigerated fruit cups or pudding, juice boxes, breakfast bars or pop tarts. My goal is to collect enough food to fill the backpacks one week. If you can donate any of these items please bring them to the church office where I will have a collection box in the storage room.

My name is Lauren Daughtry and I am working on my Girl Scout Gold Award. I am collecting fabric for my Girl Scout Gold Award project. This material will be sent to the Baptist Seminary in Guatemala to help support the women’s ministry there. A collection box will be in the office storage room. Also, any individual or business that would be interested in sponsoring the shipment of these boxes please give me a call at 320-4941. (FYI the cost to ship a 20 pound flat rate box is $50.)

ATTENTION WOMEN
ATTENTION HUSBANDS…GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFT
The Coastal Women’s Retreat will be held February 20 – 22, 2009 at Caswell. All women are invited to attend. The theme is “A Heart Full of Praise” with guest speaker, Phyllis Elliott Elvington. Phyllis will make you laugh, cry, and inspire you to live each day with a heart full of praise! The cost for the weekend is $122.00. If you would like join us for this time of personal renewal and fellowship, please sign up and pay a deposit of $61.00 by Monday, December 29th. (We have to turn in numbers and don’t want to lose our house!) Brochures with more information are available in the church office and at the Welcome Center. If you have questions, please contact Sandy Baker at 934-8365.

ON MISSION
A group will be going to the Kennedy Home on Thursday, December 11 leaving the church at 3:00 p.m. They will be giving the Bunker Cottage boys a Christmas party. If you would like to go help please call Carolyn Tharrington at 934-3749.

CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL
The Prayer page of the FBC Website will feature a Christmas Devotional for the month of December beginning Thursday, December 4th. and changing each Monday morning . This will be a weekly highlight and will coincide with the weeks of Advent. This page can be reached by going to the FBC Website ( http://fbcsmithfield.org/ ) and clicking on the Prayer tab at the top of the page.

OUR KNOWN SICK
Marshall Campbell, (Carolina House), Jean Patterson (Home), Lee Colbert (Home), Max Creech (Duke)

THANK YOUS
Dear First Baptist Church Family, Thank you all for the cards, phone calls, visits and especially your prayers during the recent loss of my mother. A special thank you to my Sunday School Class (Bizzell) for the continued support during the last several months. I am blessed to be a member of this wonderful church family. May God bless each of you. Love, Joan Plowman

To the good cooks at First Baptist Church Kitchen. Thank you so much for the wonderful Turkey Day Food delivery. My mother thoroughly enjoyed her traditional plate. As always, your generous sharing is appreciated. We are thankful for you all. Deborah

WAYS YOU CAN HELP
Mission of Joy: Years ago my father received a Christmas tree made from a pine cone. He was so happy with his little tree. Join us for the last Pine Cone Christmas tree decorating party Saturday, December 6, 9:00 – 11:00 upstairs in Room 252. Bring your glue gun and glue sticks.
These trees will be distributed to nursing homes, shut-ins, and those who need a gift of joy during this season. The trees will be on display next Wednesday night in the Fellowship Hall.

Peanut Butter for Backpacks: We are collecting 18 oz. jars of peanut butter for the Backpack Program. If you can help, please drop your donations at the church office.

The Household Closet Needs Your HELP: The Household Closet needs the following items: plates, silverware, pots & pans, towels, and blankets. We are completely OUT! If you have any of these items you can donate, please bring to the church or contact Dianne Shirley.

DID YOU KNOW?
If you are older than 70 ½, you must take a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) each year from your IRA(s). Now, for all of 2008 and all of 2009, the IRS will allow you to send all (or part) of your RMD to a non-profit such as First Baptist Church. You do not receive a tax deduction; however, your accountant or financial advisor can help further explain this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and its benefits!

WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY
Wednesday Bible Study is in recess until January. Please see Sybil Edwards to get study material for the new year.

OPPORTUNITIES OF THE WEEK

* Nursery provided