THE ENCOURAGER   "…to prepare all God’s people for the work of Christian Service to build up the body of Christ.”

First Baptist Church * Woodruff, South Carolina

November 26, 2008

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                                                                    C. Andrew Shull, Pastor

Kelly R. Smith, Youth & Children’s Director         Robert L. Blanton, Jr., Music Director

Debra J. Fortner, Secretary                                                                  Kay M. Young, Pianist

James R. Skinner, Custodian                                                 Thomasene Owensby, Organist _____________________________________________________________________________

THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Sunday School

MY ONGOING MISSION

Romans 15:14-21, 30-33; 16:25-27

Morning Worship Service

THE WISDOM OF CHRISTMAS

Joseph and Mary

Luke 1:26-38; Matthew 1:18-25

Evening Worship Service

HANGING OF THE GREENS

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

                    Ann Henson, 12-1       Bobbie Cudd, 12-6

                    Dawson Skinner, 12-1 Paul Lanford, 12-6

                    Blanche Painter, 12-1 Bobby Scott, 12-6

                    Tanya Jacobi, 12-5      Randa Wilson, 12-6

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY

We express our love and prayerful support to:

The Family of Russell Easler.

GO TELL

the story of Jesus!

For more than 150 years, Southern Baptist missionaries have sought to carry the Gospel to the lost. Despite their sacrifice – and that of generations of Southern Baptists who’ve given faithfully to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering – our Great Commission task is not yet complete.

More than 5,900 of the world’s nearly 11,600 people groups continue to live and die in spiritual darkness. Among these least-reached peoples there are few if any, Evangelical Christians, and no one working to plant new churches.

Closing this gap will require a missionary force 8,000 strong – some 3,000 new missionaries – partnering with stateside churches, national Baptists and other Great Commission groups.

Sending this unprecedented number of missionaries will require extraordinary giving on behalf of Southern Baptists.

Our national Lottie Moon Christmas Offering goal is $170 million. The task is doable; God has given us the resources.

Will we be found faithful?

Preparing our hearts

and our church home for Christmas!

This Sunday, November 30 * 6:00 pm

Join us for this unique, informal and active worship service. Children, youth and adults will be given decorating tasks as we sing the familiar carols of Christmas. The service will conclude with candle lighting on the front steps as we hang Wreaths of Welcome on the front doors of our church. Come and share in this time with your church family.

2009 FLOWER CALENDAR

Call or come by the church office to reserve the Sunday you would like to put flowers in the sanctuary in 2009.

TUESDAY MORNING

PRAYER MEETING

Each Tuesday, 7:00 – 7:30 am * All are welcome!

Season of Prayer for

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS

Go Tell the Story of Jesus!

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Goal: $5,500.00 * Received: $365.00

OVER AND ABOVE OFFERING

Sanctuary Heating and Air Balance: $ 36,194.98

GIFTS TO THE GLORY OF GOD!

For the Work of the Church

In Honor of Andrew Shull

Ruby Waddell

BIBLE STUDY & STEWARDSHIP:

SUNDAY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE November 23

Preschool 2

Children 29

Youth 25

Adults 136

Total Attendance 192

BUDGET November 23 2008

Needs $ 8,105.00 $387,060.00

Offering $ 7,467.50 $367,393.77

Over/(Under) ($ 637.50) ($ 19,666.23)

DESIGNATED FUNDS

Over and Above Offering $ 247.64

Designated Offering $ 631.29

Total Designated $ 878.93

TOTAL $ 8,346.43

CHRISTMAS CARDS

Bring your Christmas Cards for people in our fellowship to the Youth Post Boxes. Money saved on postage will go toward the World Changer Mission Trip.

GOLDEN AGE FELLOWSHIP

Wednesday, December 3 * 11:45 am

Join us for great food and fellowship! All are welcome! Our program guest is the Southern Gospel duo:

2 for 1 (Eddie Henderson & Steve Quinn).

Hosts and Hostesses: Bob & Gail Hix,

Hazel McPhaul, Marie Wood, Loretta Burdette

Devotional: Molly Love

CARE VISITS & CAROLING

Thursday, December 18 * 8:30 am

We will visit the care homes where our members live in the upstate and enjoy lunch together. All are welcome!

WEDNESDAY NIGHT SCHEDULE

November 26 – No services or regular activities

December 3 – Regular schedule

December 10 – Regular schedule

December 17 – No services or regular activities

December 24 – Candlelight Communion

Christmas Eve Service (5:00 pm)

December 31 – No services or regular activities

January 7 – Regular schedule

NUTCRACKER PERFORMANCE

The GA’s are going to see The Nutcracker on Saturday, December 20 at 3:00 pm. Our own Sarah Workman will be performing. Tickets are $15.00. They will be going out to eat after the performance. Advanced registration is required. The deadline to sign up to go is Wednesday, December 3. Please see Pam Scott or Heather Elliott for further details. Everyone is welcome to go!

FOREST HILLS

MEMORIAL SERVICE

Tues., Dec. 16 * 7:00 pm * Forest Hills Funeral Home

You are invited to this special Memorial Service. It is open to everyone, especially those who have lost loved ones and will include a candle light memorial.

HEALING HEART

MEMORIAL SERVICE

Thurs., Dec. 18 * 7:00 pm * First Baptist Church

You are invited to this special service sponsored by Healing Heart, a grief support group ministry. It is open to everyone, especially those who have lost loved ones and will include a candle light memorial.

PASSPORT TO WORSHIP

Presented by the Preschool and Children’s Choirs

Next Sunday, December 7 * 6:00 pm

Join us as our preschoolers and children lead us in a wonderful time of worship.

CHRISTMAS FELLOWSHIP

Next Sunday Night, December 7 * After the Service

Join us for a time of joy and celebration. We will have a special visitor from the north who will have something to give every child who is present.

COOKIE BAKING CONTEST

Next Sunday Night, December 7 * After the Service

You are invited to bake cookies for our annual Christmas Fellowship. Sign up in the church office to enter the contest. Christmas cookies (and other yummy treats) will be accepted whether you want to enter the contest or not. This will be a wonderful time of togetherness.

THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS

God’s Greatest Gift * Our Greatest Choice

Sunday Morning, December 14 * 11:00 am

Presented by the Adult Choir

Traditional carols, inspirational ballads and joyous gospel songs breathe life into our celebration. Every person who took part in the wondrous Christmas event was faced with choices. May we choose to worship, honor, and serve this Savior who is Christ the Lord!

CHRISTMAS STORY NIGHT

Sunday Night, December 14 * 6:00 pm

This will be a special night for children and adults alike as we enjoy some of our favorite Christmas stories and the eternal truths they teach.

YOUTH NIGHT AT CHRISTMAS

Sunday Night, December 21 * 6:00 pm

Youth are invited to lead this Christmas worship service. We will rehearse Sunday night, December 14 at 5:00 pm.

Christmas Eve

CANDLELIGHT COMMUNION SERVICE

Wednesday, December 24 * 5:00 pm

STUDENT DAY AT CHRISTMAS

Sunday Morning, December 28 * 11:00 am

Our college and graduate students are invited to help lead our worship service. Please call the church office if you would like to participate.

OUR LIVES ARE IN HIS HANDS

A service of prayer & renewal as we enter the New Year!

Sunday, December 28 * 6:00 pm

Thanksgiving Schedule

The church office will be closed Nov. 27-28. The Community Meal will be from 11:00 am - 12:30 pm on Wednesday, November 26. No services or activities will be held at the church this Wednesday night, November 26.

Regular Office Hours:

Monday – Thursday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Friday 8:00 am – 12:30 pm

Email: office@woodruff1st.org

Web site: www.woodruff1st.org

Telephone: (864) 476-8171

Fax: (864) 476-3141

THE ENCOURAGER

If you are not receiving a newsletter and would like to start receiving one each week, please call our church office, 476-8171. Every Tuesday the newsletter is added to our church web site – www.woodruff1st.org

THANK YOU!

Dear Mrs Scott, As the new school year begins it is comforting to know that the school, students, faculty and staff is on the prayer list of such a loving church family. You generous donation of school supplies for the students of District Four is greatly appreciated. With your help the less fortunate will be well prepared for school. Thank you and your church family for your loving support of “our children.”

                        Denise D Brown, WMS Principal

To the workers on Saturday, November 8, Mr & Mrs Orias, Mr Soza & Chelsea Reynolds, thank you so very much, it was so helpful to me and I do appreciate your generosity. Frances Garrett

DAY BY DAY

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26

Life Walk – 2 Corinthians 10-13

11:00 am Thanksgiving Outreach Meal

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27

Life Walk – Galatians 1-6

Office Closed – Happy Thanksgiving!

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28

Life Walk – Ephesians 1-6

Office Closed

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29

Life Walk – Philippians 1-4

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30

Life Walk – Colossians 1-4

9:00 am Handbell Choir Rehearsal

9:45 am Bible Study for All Ages

11:00 am Morning Worship Service

6:00 pm Hanging of the Greens

MONDAY, DECEMBER 1

Life Walk – 1 Thessalonians 1-5

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2

Life Walk – 2 Thessalonians 1-3

7:00 am Prayer Meeting

6:30 pm Chess Club

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3

Life Walk – 1 Timothy 1-6

11:45 am Golden Age Fellowship

5:15 pm Fellowship Supper

5:40 pm Preschool & Children’s Choirs, Youth Lighthouse

6:30 pm Mission Friends, GA’s, RA’s, Acteens, Challengers

Adult Choir Rehearsal - The Heart of Christmas

Mid-Week Service – Proverbs

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4

Life Walk – 2 Timothy 1-4

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5

Life Walk – Titus 1-3

6:30 pm Deacon / Staff Christmas Gathering – Simpkins’

6:30 pm Fellowship Class departs from the Church

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6

Life Walk – Philemon

9:30 am Preschool & Children’s Choir Rehearsal

6:30 pm Current Events Class Christmas Gathering -

                Walker’s

6:30 pm Builders Class Christmas Gathering – Young’s

SHARING THE MINISTRY

Sunday, November 30

Greeters:

J McAbee, S Rogers (f), C Walker (o), T Culbreath (p)

Counting Team: S Scott, W & L Garrett

Sound Booth: S Scott

Nursery: E Knoke, G Nash pm: C Culbreath, J Bonds

Welcome Center: A Henson, K Brown

B P Screening: B Powell

Ushers: T Westmoreland, H Woodfin (f),

C Simpkins, Jr (o), R Rhodes (p)

pm: R Rhodes, J Skinner

Children’s Worship: M & M Workman, R Wilson, S Hix

Outreach Notes: J Howard

Outreach Packets: J Davidson

Outreach Calls: L Garrett

Outreach Visits: R Rhodes & P Scott