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

February 25, 2009

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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

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PREPARING FOR SUNDAY!

Sunday School

BE AWARE

Nehemiah 1

Morning Worship Service

North American Missions Emphasis

LIVE WITH URGENCY

John 4:35-37

Evening Worship Service

Love as a Way of Life

HUMILITY:

Stepping Down so Someone Else can Step Up

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

Jason, Carrie & Jacob Ketterman

970 Ball Park Road

Enoree, SC 29335

Deacon: Skip Scott

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

                        Marianna Weathers, 3-1         Keith Reynolds, 3-5

                        Paige Sumner, 3-1 Ashlie Calhoun, 3-5

                        Katie Abercrombie, 3-2 Noel Lee, 3-6

                        Hugh Murphy, 3-2 Jane Robertson, 3-7

                        Elizabeth Smarr, 3-3          Christine Reynolds, 3-7

                        Gregg Thompson, 3-4

CONGRATULATIONS!

We congratulate Stan Hix and Jane Moore in the birth of their grandson, Noah Brennan Blizzard. He is the great-grandson of Bob & Gail Hix and Floyd & Cora Stewart. Noah was born to Joe and Leigh Blizzard on February 17.

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY

We express our love and prayerful support to

Cindy Kelly and family in the death of her father, Lloyd Jackson.

ASH WEDNESDAY

Community Worship Service

This Wednesday, February 25 * 7:00 pm

Emma Gray Memorial United Methodist Church

Bring your friends to this special service of worship hosted by the Emma Gray congregation, as we focus on what it means to die to self and live for God. Supper, Choirs, Lighthouse & Mission Groups will meet at First Baptist on an adjusted schedule. Parents, please pick up your children at 6:40 pm.

5:15 pm Fellowship Supper

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

6:10 pm Mission Fr., GA’s, RA’s, Acteens, Challengers

6:40 pm Mission Groups Dismiss

7:00 pm Worship Service at Emma Gray Memorial UMC

LIVE WITH

URGENCY:

Sowing Together

for Harvest!

Whether it is starting a new church, meeting the needs of the homeless, leading worship at a ski resort, or leading Back Yard Bible Clubs, missionaries depend on the faithful prayers and generosity of Southern Baptists. Though their stories and methods are different, they share a common urgency for sharing the gospel with North America. Please pray for our missionaries and give generously to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. Special prayer guides will be included with Sunday morning’s bulletin.

The Annie Armstrong Easter Offering

Goal: $3,500.00

OVER AND ABOVE OFFERING

Sanctuary Heating and Air Balance: $ 38,782.86

GIFTS TO THE GLORY OF GOD!

For the Work of the Church

In Memory of Debbie Wofford

In Memory of Elaine Huckaby

Jeff & Doniece Lanford

Over & Above Offering

In Memory of Philip LeRoy

Nancy Skinner

In Memory of Steve Stephens

Telewene Stephens

In Memory of Sue Pugh

Bob & Gail Hix

Walter & Linda Garrett

Anne Williams

Telewene Stephens & Cathy Grubbs

In Memory of Debbie Wofford

Walter & Linda Garrett

BIBLE STUDY & STEWARDSHIP:

SUNDAY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

Preschool 3

Children 33

Youth 16

Adults 135

Total Attendance 187

BUDGET February 22 2009

Needs $ 8,140.00 $ 65,120.00

Offering $ 7,143.05 $ 61,118.57

Over/(Under) ($ 996.95) ($ 4,001.43)

DESIGNATED FUNDS February 22

Over and Above Offering $ 195.00

Designated Offering $ 297.00

Total Designated $ 492.00

TOTAL $ 7,635.05

GOLDEN AGE FELLOWSHIP

Next Wednesday, March 4 * 11:45 am

Join us for great food and fellowship! All are welcome!

Our program guests will be

Four for Him:

Bobby Blanton, Mike Elliott, Bob Howard, John Ward

Hosts & Hostesses: Carolyn Culbreath,

Tony & Kathy Skinner, Koosje Smith, Ted & Brenda Hayes

Devotional: JoAnne Westmoreland

THE SEARCH FOR MEANING

Studies in Ecclesiastes

Next Wednesday, March 4 * 6:30 pm

MEN’S MONDAY NIGHT MESS

Monday, March 2 * 7:00 pm

Join us for great food and fellowship!

CHURCH NURSERY

Your help is needed in the church nursery. If you would be willing to serve, please contact Iris Elliott or the church office.

Woodruff Area Soup Kitchen

INDOOR YARD SALE

Saturday, March 7 * 8:00 am – 2:00 pm

Come out and support the Woodruff Area Soup Kitchen. Rent a table for $10.00. For more information, please call Carolyn Culbreath or Liz Mason.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Helping Hands Ministries has an urgent need for volunteers. If you would be willing to serve one morning a month, please contact our pastor.

THE LOVE DARE

A #1 New York Times Best Seller

The Love Dare is a 40-Day challenge for husbands and wives to understand and practice unconditional love. Whether your marriage is hanging by a thread or healthy and strong, The Love Dare is a journey that will enrich your life. Take the dare! Copies of The Love Dare are available in the church office for $8.00.

THE LOVE DARE BIBLE STUDY

Sundays at 9:30 am * Fellowship Hall

This marriage-centered experience for individuals & couples supports The Love Dare, a 40-day challenge for husbands & wives to understand & practice unconditional love. Lottie Caldwell, Mike Elliott, Peggy Gilliland, & Kris Simpkins are leading the sessions. The study begins at 9:30 am each Sunday with a time of fellowship and light refreshments. All are welcome!

BIG GOD ACROSS WOODRUFF

Sunday – Wednesday, March 15-18

District 4 Activity Center * 7:00 pm

Plan to take part in this Community Wide Celebration. Ken Freeman will be preaching. Dean and Gayna Forrest will be leading our praise and worship. Gary Cox will be directing a mass community choir. We will not hold our regular Sunday night service or Wednesday night activities that week so that we can take an active part. Please be praying that the Lord will use these services in a powerful way.

Community Choir

You are invited to be part of the Community Choir that will lead in worship each night of the Festival. The choir will meet one hour before the service each night for a fun time of fellowship and preparation. Gary Cox from ACross Festivals will be directing.

Counselor Training

Mature Christians (adults and youth) are asked to serve as counselors to those who respond to the invitation during the festival. The training will strengthen your desire to share your faith and will give you an orientation to the plans for the festival. You must attend one of the training sessions to serve as a counselor.

7:00 pm * Thurs., March 5 * Selma Baptist Church

4:00 pm * Sun., March 8 * Cedar Shoals Baptist Church

7:00 pm * Tues. March 10 * Bellview Baptist Church

7:00 pm * Thurs. March 12 * West End Baptist Church

WILD GAME DINNER

Sat., March 28 * 6:00 pm * Bellview Baptist Church

Sponsored by the Woodruff Community Men’s Group

and the Bellview Men’s Ministry.

Tickets are $10.00 and are available in our church office.

HEALING HEART

Grief Support Group

3^RD Thursday * Church Library * 7:00 pm

The group is open to all who have suffered a loss.

CHESS CLUB

Each Tuesday * 6:30 pm

Come learn how to play chess or just enjoy some healthy competition.

Contact Phil Wood for more information.

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.

Regular Office Hours:

Mon. - Thurs. 8:00 am – 5:00 pm * Fri. 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

YOUTH SUMMER BEACH RETREAT

June 5 - 10 * Garden City Chapel

Join us for a great week of Bible Study and fun in the sun.

Space is limited. See Kelly Smith for details.

SIMON SAYS

Our Young Musicians are working on a spring musical. The musical uses a court-room setting to examine eyewitness testimonies about Jesus. The children will be presenting the musical on Sunday night, March 22 at 6:00 pm.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Cards are available in the pews, foyers, and Sunday School boxes to write down requests for prayer. There is a place to check if you would like the request included on our printed weekly prayer sheet and if you would like our prayer groups to send cards of encouragement.

DAY BY DAY

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25

5:15 pm Fellowship Supper

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

6:10 pm Mission Friends, GA’s, RA’s, Acteens, Challengers

6:40 pm Mission Groups Dismiss

7:00 pm Ash Wednesday Service at Emma Gray UMC

SUNDAY, MARCH 1

9:00 am Handbell Practice

9:30 am Love Dare Bible Study – Fellowship Hall

9:45 am Bible Study for All Ages

11:00 am Morning Worship Service

4:30 pm Diaconate Meeting

4:30 pm First Place 4 Health Bible Study

6:00 pm Evening Worship Service

TUESDAY, MARCH 2

7:00 pm Men’s Ministry Monday Night Mess

TUESDAY, MARCH 3

7:00 am Prayer Meeting

6:30 pm Chess Club

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4

11:45 am Golden Age Fellowship

5:15 pm Fellowship Supper

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

6:30 pm Adult Choir, Mid-Week Service - Ecclesiastes 3

Mission Friends, GA’s, RA’s, Acteens, Challengers

THURSDAY, MARCH 5

6:30 pm Deacon Banquet, FBC North Spartanburg

7:00 pm Counselor Training, Selma Baptist Church

SHARING THE MINISTRY

Sunday, March 1

Greeters: J McAbee, C Simpkins, Jr (f),

P Elliott (o), R Rhodes (p)

Counting Team: R Skinner, DJ & E O’Hara

Sound Booth: R Smith B P Screening: K Fowler

Nursery: B & L Abercrombie pm: K & A Simpkins

Welcome Center: T & T Sumner

Ushers: T Horsley, J Lanford (f), J McAbee (o), B Lanford (p)

pm: R McAbee, J Skinner

Children’s Worship: K Smith, H Orias, R Wilson

Outreach Notes: M Elliott

DO YOU NEED A RIDE?

If you need transportation to the worship services or activities at the church, please call Bob Hix, Linda Rhodes or the church office.

MARCH CONFERENCE

Sunday, March 8 * 6:00 pm

If your group, ministry, or committee would like to be included in the printed reports, please drop them by the office, fax or email them by next Wednesday, March 4.

FELLOWSHIP SUPPER

Wednesday, February 25

Pizza, Corn, Cookies, Tea Cost: $2.00