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 December 8, 2010
C. Andrew Shull, Pastor                                                                                                 Carol R. Morgan, Secretary Kelly R. Smith, Youth & Children's Director                                                                        Kay M. Young, Pianist  Robert L. Blanton, Jr., Music Director                                                                       James R. Skinner, Custodian

PREPARING FOR SUNDAY!

Sunday School

GO AND DO

Luke 10:25-37

Morning Worship Service

THE FIRST NOEL

Presented by the Adult Choir

Evening Worship Service

DO YOU NEED JOY THIS CHRISTMAS?

The prophecies of Christ

through the eyes of the Wise Men

Matthew 2:1-12; Zachariah 9:9;

Psalm 35:9; Isaiah 61

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Duane Bailey, 12-12 Clark Simpkins Jr, 12-12

Emily Edwards, 12-13 Biff Knoke, 12-13

John Ward, 12-14 Kris Simpkins, 12-15

Jeff Lanford, 12-16 Kathy Garrett Burton, 12-16

Madison Jacobi, 12-16 Hunter Patton, 12-17

Elaine O’Hara, 12-18       Angela Turner, 12-18

ARE WE THERE YET?

Facts About Lostness in Our World

Now is the time to take a fresh look at the challenges ahead and be ready to finish the task Christ has entrusted to us of reaching all peoples with the Gospel. Here’s a global snapshot of the work ahead of us:

· 3,724 people groups not engaged at all with the Gospel (as reported April 2010)

· 6,426 unreached people groups (those with less than 2 percent of people who profess to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ; as reported July 2009)

· 1.7 billion with little or no access to the Gospel

· 1.5 billion of Muslim heritage – 22 % of the world’s population

· 950 million of Hindu heritage.

There is much work to be done. With 45,560 churches in the Southern Baptist Convention and with partnerships with Christians world-wide, the task is doable, but it will take all of us. Please prayerfully consider your gift to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Goal: $5,000.00 * Received: $ 1626.00

THE FIRST NOEL

This Sunday, Dec. 12 * 11:00 am

Presented by the Adult Choir

There are many who may never experience a true Noel – a true Christmas – a celebration of the coming of the Savior. Christmas begins when the Christ of Christmas is born in the hearts of those who seek Him. He comes to us – He moves among us – not because of our merit, but because of His mercy. This could be your time to experience the miracle of Christmas – this could be your time to come to the hallowed manger ground. This could be your time to behold His glory – come & worship, you will not be turned away, this could be your First Noel.

Adult Choir Members are reminded of the special dress rehearsal Saturday, Dec. 11 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm.

OVER AND ABOVE

Kitchen and Fellowship Hall Renovation

Fund Balance: $ 10,607.96

MARTHA LEWIS MISSION GROUP

Next Monday, December 13 * 6:00 pm

At Carolyn Culbreath’s House.

Please bring a covered dish and a small gift.

GIFTS TO THE GLORY OF GOD!

Over and Above

In Memory of Bernice Meadows

Bill & Martha Jean Lanford

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

In Memory of Bernice Meadows

Gleaners Sunday School Class

Perry & Sara Ouzts

Tommy & JoAnne Westmoreland

Emily Harrison

In Honor of Tommy & JoAnne Westmoreland

Ellie Knoke

BIBLE STUDY & STEWARDSHIP:

SUNDAY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE December 5

Nursery 4

Children 19

Youth 17

Adults 107

Total Attendance 147

BUDGET December 5 2010

Needs $ 8,082.50 $ 396,042.50

Offering $ 11,840.64 $ 372,556.99

Over/(Under) $ 3,758.14 ($ 23,485.51)

DESIGNATED FUNDS December 5

Over and Above Offering $ 87.00

Lottie Moon Offering $ 1,418.00

Youth Retreat $ 540.00

Budget Designated Offerings $ 71.20

Total Designated $ 2,116.20

TOTAL $ 13,956.84

CARE VISITS & CAROLING

Thursday, December 16 * 8:30 am

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

HEALING HEART

MEMORIAL SERVICE

Thursday, Dec. 16 * 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.

CHRISTMAS DROP IN

Friday, December 17 * 2:00 – 7:00 pm

Everyone is invited to a Christmas Drop-In at the home of Jim and Kay Young, 323 Wilkshire Loop in Moore. If you would like to ride in the church bus, we will meet at the church parking lot at 2:00 pm and will return late afternoon.

Spirit of Praise Music Ministries Presents:

HIS STORY

This Saturday, December 11 * 7:00 pm

Woodruff Church of God

ROTARY CHRISTMAS

VARIETY SHOW

This Saturday, December 11 * 7:00 pm

District 4 Activities Center

You are invited to enjoy a wonderful Christmas program featuring people from our community and from our church. Tickets are $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for students. Proceeds will be used to help provide scholarships for students in District 4.

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 Changers Mission Trip.

HELP OUR COUNTING TEAM

We are grateful and give God glory for all the tithes and offerings that are given to the Lord’s work through our church. Because these gifts are immediately deposited at the bank, the information we retain in the church office is only what is written on the outside of the envelope. Our counting team tries to record any special designations from the memo section of the check on the envelope, but sometimes these get overlooked. Please help our counting team by writing any special instructions on the envelope. Thank you for all that you do to further the Lord’s work here in Woodruff and to the uttermost parts of the earth.

LIVE OUTDOOR NATIVITY

Next Sunday, December 19 * 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Presented by the Youth Group

CHRISTMAS EVE

Candlelight Communion Service

Friday, December 24 * 5:00 pm

STUDENT DAY AT CHRISTMAS

Sunday Morning, December 26 * 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.

2011 FLOWER CALENDAR

Call or come by the church office to reserve the Sunday you would like to put flowers in the sanctuary in 2011.

MEN’S MINISTRY CONFERENCE

Salt & Light: “I Am Not Ashamed!”

February 4 - 5 * White Oak Conference Center

Save $15 by registering before December 15. Early registration is $50 (materials & three meals, lodging is extra) or $30 (Saturday only, includes lunch). Contact the church office if you would like to register.

WOMEN’S LIFESTYLE

EVANGELISM CONFERENCE

What’s In Your Hand?

Thursday, January 27 * 9:30 am – 3:30 pm

Taylors First Baptist Church

Registration and lunch is $20.00. Contact the church office before January 9 if you would like to register.

AGAPE SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS

Beginning Sunday, January 2

The Agape Sunday School Class will begin meeting together the first Sunday of the new year. If you are not already involved in a Sunday School Class, come and take part. The class will be taught by Kris Simpkins.

CHESS CLUB

Chess Club will meet this Thursday, Dec. 8 at 6:30 pm and then resume in the new year on Thursday, Jan. 6. All are welcome.

TINY TOTS AND TUNES

Tiny Tots and Tunes, a parent-child interactive music activity for 18 month olds to 3 year olds, will resume in the new year on Tuesdays at 10:00 am, beginning January 12. See Marcia Ward for more information.

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

PRAYER MEETING

Each Tuesday Morning * 7:00 – 7:30 am

THANK YOU!

Thanks to all of you who prepared food for our family before our Mother’s funeral. We could tell the food was prepared with love and respect in memory of our dear Mother. She loved each of you as her church family. Again we are thankful for your ministry at First Baptist Church, Woodruff.

Sincerely, Bernice Meadows’ Children

Thank you so much for the Thanksgiving dinner. It was so nice of you to remember me. My wife passed away one year ago on the day you delivered. It was good to be thought of in a special way. God bless you for your loving act of kindness. Charlie C. Simmons

Dear First Baptist Church Family- Thank you for the food donations during last month’s scouting for food drive. Troop #48 collected over 700 lbs. of food to help people in Woodruff. We appreciate your willingness to help us and others. Thank you and we wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

Bobby, Christopher Abercrombie & Boy Scout Troop #48

Dear Andrew and Church Family – Thank you for the study Bible you presented to me in honor of my Eagle Scout Award. I enjoy serving in our church.  Sincerely, Chris Abercrombie

DAY BY DAY

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8

5:40 pm GA’s & RA’s, Mission Friends,

Youth Lighthouse

6:30 pm Wednesday Night Bible Study,

Adult Choir Rehearsal, Acteens, Challengers

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9

6:30 pm Chess Club

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11

10:00 am Adult Choir Rehearsal

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12

9:00 am Handbell Rehearsal

9:45 am Sunday School

11:00 am The First Noel - Adult Choir

6:00 pm Evening Worship Service

MONDAY, DECEMBER 13

6:00 pm Martha Lewis Mission Group –

Carolyn Culbreath’s House

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14

7:00 am Prayer Meeting

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15

5:40 pm Preschool & Children’s Choirs,

Youth Lighthouse

6:30 pm Wednesday Night Bible Study,

Adult Choir Rehearsal, Mission Friends,

GA’s, RA’s, Acteens, Challengers

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16

8:30 am Care Visits

7:00 pm Healing Heart Memorial Service

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17

2:00 pm Christmas Drop In at Jim and Kay Young’s

SHARING THE MINISTRY – DEC 12

Greeters: Z Orias, L Caldwell (f) J Lanford (p) D Bailey (o)

Counting Team: S Rogers, T & J Foster

Welcome Center: J Granger, J Harrill Outreach Notes: H Elliott

Children’s Worship: M Workman, C Blanton, J Westmoreland

Nursery: J Skinner, S Stribling pm: A Weaver, H Smith

Ushers: C Hughes, T Caldwell (f) S Cooper (p) C Simpkins, Jr. (o)

pm: R Majeska, P Wood

B P Screening: J Bowie Sound: J Young

FELLOWSHIP SUPPER

Wednesday, December 8 * 5:15 pm

Pizza, Corn, Cookies, Tea Cost: $2.00

WEDNESDAY NIGHT SCHEDULE

Dec. 8, 15 – Regular schedule

Dec. 22, 29 – Church Wide Bible Study 6:30 pm

Jan. 5 – Regular schedule

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR CHILDREN

Evelyn Bryson is coordinating a Christmas project for local children whose families are in need this Christmas. Please contact Evelyn if you would like to help.