THIS SUNDAY AT FIRST BAPTIST

CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST
Join us this 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. See ya Sunday!
8:45 and 10:55 a.m. Morning Worship, The Second Sunday of Advent

JOIN US AT 7:00 P.M. FOR THE CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS MUSIC
Preschool choir will sing, and combined Younger and Older Children will Present

“Christmas at Bethlehem Gulch”
Join two cowpokes, a cook, Miss Diane (Kathi Nixon) and a bunch of city kids as they look at the Christmas story from a new perspective. The shepherds and angels are wearing cowboy hats! The sheep are singing to us while the shepherds sleep, and there’s a birthday cake for Jesus in the works. Don’t miss the fun!

YOUTH NEWS
Middle School Christmas Tree Ornament Search (a Christmas Scavenger Hunt), THIS Saturday, December 8, 11:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Meet at the busses and bring $ for lunch at CC’s Pizza.

Senior High Progressive Dinner Saturday, December 15th at 6:00 p.m. Meet in the Fellowship Hall. Please contact the church office by December 7th if you are coming!

MANO E MANO
Man to Man/One on One
A Youth Retreat for Guys only!!! January 11 & 12 at Camp Kanata in Wake Forest NC. Cost: $60 per person (Cost includes 3 meals, housing and High Ropes Course). Sign up by December 16 with a $20 deposit (balance is due on January 6.) At the retreat we will challenge each other to be the best men of God we can be as we play, laugh, encourage each other on the ropes course and take some time to flex our muscles for God!

AUCTION TO BENEFIT THE YOUTH MISSION TRIP!!!
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23rd
We’re looking forward to a great event for the church and our youth! The Youth Mission Trip Auction is the biggest fundraiser for the youth’s mission trip. We need items such as: Antiques, Professional Services, Cakes and Pies, Vacation Home Weekends, Gift Certficates, Homemade Quilts/Afghans, Sports Tickets, New Electronics, etc… AND IT’S NOT TOO EARLY TO CONTRIBUTE!!!
If you want to have contribution credit for year end 2007 for 2008 auction donations, merchandise must be received by or before 5:00 p.m. December 31st
Questions? See Art Andrews, Margie Crumley, or Tommy Cook

NATIONAL CHILDREN’S MEMORIAL DAY
National Children’s Memorial Day, light a candle in memory of all children who have died…that their light may always shine. Sunday, December 9, 2007, 7:00 p.m. (arrive by 6:45 p.m.) at Wilson’s Mills Christian Church, 179 Fire Department Road, Wilson’s Mills. The Candlelight Memorial is open to all families and friends to remember with love all children who have died, at any age, from any circumstance. If you need more information or if you would like your child’s name listed in the program, please contact Sheree Murray at 553-6000 or email to jcchildrenmem@aol.com.

HISTORY TIDBIT
After Mr. Cammack resigned, Dr. J. Larry Mayo came as pastor in June 1952. He and his wife, Lucille, who held a music degree, sang many solos and duets in the worship services. She directed the choir. During the Mayo era, many improvements were made in the new building, and the grounds were landscaped. Vacation Bible School was emphasized with parades on Market Street inviting all children to attend.
2007 CONTRIBUTIONS
Important Notice
To comply with tax law, contributors must deliver or mail (and postmark) checks on or before December 31, 2007 to claim a charitable contribution deduction for 2006. Checks that are given to the church after December 31st will not qualify for a charitable contribution in 2007. However, checks that are dated, mailed, and postmarked in 2007 will be deductible in 2007 even though they are not received in the church office until 2008. The church office will be open on December 31st until 5:00 pm to accommodate your needs.

Also, your 2008 offering envelopes are ready to be picked up. Feel free to pick up your envelopes in the church office Monday through Friday before 5:00 and or in the Fellowship Hall beginning December 9 before Sunday School or after the worship service. Any envelopes not picked up by Friday, December 23rd will be mailed. Please do not begin using these envelopes before Sunday, January 6th.

Thank you for your continued support of First Baptist Church and its ministries to continue God’s work. “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35)

MEDICAL SKILLS TEAM
If you are a medical professional (nurse, EMT, Doctor, etc.) and would be willing to be on the church Medical Skills Team to respond to emergencies on Sunday mornings, please contact the church office at 934-9771.

MUSIC NOTES
Special Sunday night services will be as follows:
? 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. 23 – 6:30 p.m. – Church-wide caroling outing followed by a dessert fellowship
? Dec. 24 - 7:30 p.m. – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

COMING FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS
A fellowship meal and planning for Student Day at Christmas will happen Tuesday December 18 at 11:30 a.m. at Mucho Mexico. All college students are invited to attend.

MUSIC IN OUTREACH
Praise Ringers Handbells, directed by Vertie Perry, are leading a worship service at our sister church, First Missionary Baptist, on Sunday afternoon December 16 at 4 p.m. They will be joined by the choir and congregation of that church. All are welcome to attend. Last Sunday, December 2 the WAM Youth Dowel Rod team led by Paul Burgess led worship at the Disciples of Christ church. The Baptist Blend and several individual church members performed as part of the Festival of Trees at the Medical Mall.

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

OUR KNOWN SICK
Joyce Smith (Home), Nellie Tucker (Home), Eunice Weeks (JMH), Lucille Stevens (Home), Maxine LaCarter (JMH), Gale Stanfield (Home), Selma Davis (JMH), Doug Strickland (JMH), John Hamilton (Home)

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!

MISSION NEWS
The Soup Kitchen will be open Christmas Eve from 11:30 – 12:30. We will deliver meals to senior citizens, or home bound persons needing a meal. What better way to spend an hour or two on Christmas Eve giving to others because we love them. Please come and help. Please call me, Anesha Johnson, 934-1601, if you can help.

M & M’s DECEMBER MEETING
The M & M’s December Meeting will be held Thursday, December 6th at the home of Shelley Gardner, 240 Carissa Drive, Smithfield, 934-9675. Bring your $10 ornament for the ornament exchange and items for our mission project. Also, bring your favorite appetizer or
dessert.

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.

FAMILY IN NEED
There is a needy family looking for a used set of bunk beds. If you have one you would like to donate, please contact the church office.

CROCK POT CANDY
16 oz. Salted Peanuts
16 oz. Unsalted Peanuts
12 oz. Milk Chocolate Chips
1 German Chocolate Bar
1-1/2 packages White Almond Bark (Wal-Mart)
Layer above ingredients in crock pot. Place lid on pot and turn on low. Cook for 2 hours, then stir until smooth. Using a teaspoon, spoon mixture onto wax paper. Yields approximately 11 dozen. It’s SO good!

ADVENT DEVOTIONS ONLINE
Following the Star, an online devotion site for Advent, can be found online. Scripture, prayer, and meditative thoughts, accompanied by gentle music, can be accessed every day at www.followingthestar.org. New devotions on the themes of Hope, Peace, Love, Joy, and Christmastide will be available daily through Epiphany Sunday, January 6. Make this unique meditative resource a part of your personal preparation for the coming Christ child. Following the Star is now part of the year-round devotion site, d365, a ministry of Passport, Inc. Visit www.d365.org for new devotions all through the year. Sponsored by Passport, Inc., the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, the Presbyterian Church (USA) and The Episcopal Church.

OPPORTUNITIES OF THE WEEK

* Nursery provided