Please join us
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
At 7:30 p.m.
For the Christmas Eve Candle Light Communion Service

We will enjoy Instrumental, Vocal and Choir Specials, And Lighting of the Christ Candle

CHURCH-WIDE CAROLING
Gather your family and join us for a church-wide caroling on Sunday, December 21. Meet in the Fellowship Hall at 6:30 p.m. Hot Chocolate and cookies provided by the church afterward.

The Church Officewill be CLOSED December 24th, 25th, 26th and January 1, 2009

The Church staff wishes you a joyous, Christ filled ChristmasAnd a Happy New Year!

YOUTH NEWS
ATTENTION PARENTS AND YOUTH – Mark your calendar for 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 Fundraiser Luncheon after worship Jan. 11

Coming in January….Starting the SECOND SUNDAY of every month, we will have PEANUT BUTTER SUNDAY! Everyone is encouraged to bring an 18 oz jar of peanut butter. We would like to send at least one jar of peanut butter a month (that’s 100 jars of peanut butter). You can drop off the jars in the Fellowship Hall.

Lock-Out rescheduled.
The date of the lock-out will most likely be on Feb. 6, moved from the 9th due to exam preparation. Keep looking for more info.

However…..
Ride with us to Fayetteville for the …..
Winter Jam 2009 Tour Spectacular on January 10, 2009 at Crown Coliseum. Only $10 at the door! NO tickets required. Artists include: tobyMac, Hawk Nelson, NewSong, Francesca Battistelli and speaker Tony Nolan! Get there early for newcomer Stephanie Smith and the Precious Girls Club pureNRG pre-jam party. Bus leaves at 4:30. Sign up by January 4.

AUCTION TO BENEFIT
THE YOUTH MISSION TRIP!!!
SATURDAY, JANUARY 31ST
We’re looking forward to a great event for the church and our youth! We need items such as: Antiques, Professional Services, Cakes and Pies, Vacation Home Weekends, Gift Certificates, 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 2008 for 2009 auction donations, merchandise must be received by or before 5:00 p.m. December 31st
Questions? See Art Andrews, Margie Crumley, or Tommy Cook

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.

WAYS YOU CAN HELP
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.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE FLOWERS?
If you would like to put flowers in the Sanctuary in honor or memory of a special person, please call the church office to check the calendar for a special date.

NEW ARRIVAL
Congratulations to Dustin and Marie Mobley on the arrival of their infant son, Seth Gabriel.

2008 CONTRIBUTIONS
Important Notice
To comply with tax law, contributors must deliver or mail (and postmark) checks on or before December 31, 2008 to claim a charitable contribution deduction for 2008. Checks that are given to the church after December 31st will not qualify for a charitable contribution in 2008. However, checks that are dated, mailed, and postmarked in 2008 will be deductible in 2008 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 2009 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 or in the Fellowship Hall before Sunday School or after worship service. Any envelopes not picked up on Sunday, December 21st will be mailed. Please do not begin using these envelopes before Sunday, January 4th.

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)
CALLING ALL PRIMETIMERS FOR WINTER/SPRING TRIP
Let’s go to Myrtle Beach for some shows, shopping, and fun! Tuesday and Wednesday March 3 and 4. Cost of $135 per person includes: gas, double occupancy room one night at Fairfield Inn, continental breakfast, two shows (“The One” on Tuesday evening and “Le Grand Cirque” on Wednesday morning) We will travel home Wednesday afternoon. Departing Tuesday morning, shopping Tuesday afternoon. On your own: two lunches, one supper. Sign up and pay deposit of $50 by Jan. 16, balance due by Jan. 30.

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!

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.

KENLY DISASTER RELIEF OPPORTUNITY
The Johnston Baptist Association has committed to oversee four home projects over the next several months to serve those impacted by tornadoes in November. Our church’s first scheduled work day is Saturday, January 17th. We will have additional work days and information coming soon. If you would like to participate on our workdays or at other times, contact Joyce Wright (934.3547.)

OUR KNOWN SICK
Max Creech (Duke), Harold Tharrington (Home), Wendy Kelly (Home), Loretta Langdon (Home), Marie Mobley (Home)

JOHNSTON HOSPICE HOUSE
If you would like to make a donation to the new Johnston Hospice House, you may submit your check to the church and we will be happy for forward it on.

FYI
The Visitor will not be published next week

OPPORTUNITIES OF THE WEEK

* Nursery provided