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 30, 2011

PREPARING FOR SUNDAY!

Sunday School

RECOGNIZE GOD’S GIFT

John 1:1-4, 10-18

Morning Worship Service

Special Guests: WHS Girls Ensemble

IS THERE ROOM?

Matthew 2:3

Evening Worship Service

International Missions Emphasis

HIS HEART, HIS HANDS, HIS VOICE

Led by the Mission Friends, RA’s, GA’s

Challengers, Acteens and the Martha Lewis Group

Church-Wide Christmas Fellowship

And A Visit by St. Nicholas

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

                            Tanya Jacobi, 12-05 Bobbie Cudd, 12-06

                            Bobby Scott III, 12-06 Paul Lanford, 12-06

                            Randa Wilson, 12-06 Samantha Conyers, 12-08

                            Harold Brock, 12-08

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY

Wednesday, November 30 * 6:30 pm

The Case for Christmas

Consulting experts on the Bible, archaeology, and messianic prophecy, Lee Strobel searches out the true identity of the Child in the manger. Join us as we look carefully to at the Biblical accounts of Jesus’ birth.

The Eyewitness Evidence:

Can the Biographies of Jesus be trusted?

WHS GIRLS ENSEMBLE

The Woodruff High School Girls Ensemble will be our guests, leading in worship, this Sunday morning. They are under the direction of Carla Blanton. The Ensemble includes: Summer Cudd, Faith David, Jenelle Dawkins, MJ Dill, Karrie Edwards, Carli Frady, Jordan Garner, Daiona Gilliam, Chey Gwinn, Brooke Hawkins, Brandi McDonald, Hannah Orias and Asia Thomas.

HIS HEART, HIS HANDS, HIS VOICE

International Missions Night

This Sunday, December 4 * 6:00 pm

If you are a follower of Jesus, you are part of the task to fulfill the Great Commission. Paul says, “All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:27. Jesus has commissioned us to be His heart, His hands, and His voice. Join with us as our Mission Friends, GA’s, RA’s, Acteens, Challengers and the Martha Lewis Mission Group present stories of how Christians all over the world are seeking to follow Christ. On average it costs around $3,890.00 to support one missionary for a month. Our Lottie Moon Christmas Offering goal is $5,000.00.

OVER AND ABOVE

Kitchen and Fellowship Hall Renovation

Fund Balance: $17,789.48

GIFTS TO THE GLORY OF GOD!

For the Work of The Church

In Memory of Rita Hunt

Jeff & Doniece Lanford

Over & Above Fund

In Memory of Rita Hunt

Bob & Gail Hix

Carolyn Culbreath

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

In Memory of Rita Hunt

Kent & Tommie Jo McAbee

In Memory of Martha Lewis

Carolyn Culbreath

BIBLE STUDY & STEWARDSHIP:

SUNDAY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE November 27

Nursery 4

Children 14

Youth 13

Adults 89

Total Attendance 120

BUDGET November 27 2011

Needs $ 8,143.90 $ 390,907.20

Offering $ 6,295.00 $ 355,383.81

Over/(Under) ($ 1,848.90) ($ 35,523.39)

Additional Offerings Given for Special Accounts

Over & Above Fund $ 289.00

Lottie Moon $ 55.00

Payments Received for Trips, Books, Meals & Activities

2012 Winter Youth Retreat $ 100.00

2012 World Changers $ 160.00

Christmas Poinsettias $ 158.00

Reimbursement $ 87.00

CHRISTMAS FELLOWSHIP

This Sunday Night, December 4 * After the Service

Family Favorite Christmas Desserts

Join us for a time of joy and celebration. Each family is asked to bring one of their favorite family desserts. We will have a special visitor from the north who will have something to give every child who is present.

GOLDEN AGE FELLOWSHIP

Wednesday, December 7 * 11:45 am

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

Our December program guest will be: Bill Drake

Hosts and Hostesses: Carolyn Culbreath,

Peggy Gilliland, Koosje Smith, Ted & Brenda Hayes

Devotional: Molly Love

SING WE NOW OF CHRISTMAS

Presented by the Preschool and Children’s Choirs

Sunday, December 11 * 11:00 am

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

A CAROLINA CHRISTMAS

Sunday, December 11 * 6:00 pm

First Baptist Church

Join us for a wonderful musical presentation of the Christmas story presented by Lockhart First Baptist Church. Skip and Bobby Scott have played with this group the last few years. We are delighted to host the service here in Woodruff. Carolina Christmas will also be presented at the Saluda Mountain Jamboree on Sunday, Dec. 4.

FOREST HILLS MEMORIAL SERVICE

Tues., Dec. 13 * 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.

FIRST BAPTIST BLOOD DRIVE

Wednesday, December 14 * 4:00 – 8:00 pm

Give a gift of life! * Receive a T-Shirt!

HEALING HEART MEMORIAL SERVICE

Thursday, Dec. 15 * 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.

LIVE OUTDOOR NATIVITY

Sunday, December 18 * 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Presented by the Youth Group

DOWN FROM HIS GLORY

The Love Story of Christmas

Sunday, December 18 * 11:00 am

Presented by the Adult Choir

Most people can tell you who was born in the manger the first Christmas, but the vast majority of them still miss the meaning of Christmas. The real story of Christmas is why He came. Why did God leave His throne in Heaven and come to earth? Why did He become one of us? When we understand why He came, we realize the Christmas story is the greatest love story of all time.

CHRISTMAS EVE

Candlelight Communion Service

Saturday, December 24 * 5:00 pm

CHRISTMAS DAY

Worship and Celebration * 11:00 am

We will meet together as a family of faith for a wonderful time of worship, praise, & dedication. Regular activities, including Sunday School and the Evening Service, will not be held.

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR CHILDREN

IN THE WOODRUFF COMMUNITY

Evelyn Bryson is coordinating an effort to help provide children’s Christmas gifts for qualifying families. She is accepting financial donations and donations of toys. See Evelyn if you would like to help.

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.

2012 FLOWER CALENDAR

Call or come by the church office to reserve the Sunday you would like to put flowers in the sanctuary in 2012.

PRAYER MEETING

Each Tuesday Morning * 7:00 – 7:30 am

MEN’S MINISTRY CONFERENCE

Salt & Light: C.A.M.O. - Calling All Men Out

February 4 * Gateway Baptist Church, Irmo, SC

Save $10 by registering before December 16. Early registration is $40 (conference, materials & lunch). Contact the church office if you would like to register.

YOUR GIVING MATTERS!

Think your gift to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering® won't make a difference? Every penny given to Lottie Moon is used to help support more than 5,000 Southern Baptist missionaries serving overseas. Last year, those missionaries reported 360,876 baptisms and 29,237 new churches. The lost are believing because you give! To God be the glory!

THANKSGIVING MEAL REPORT

Great appreciation is expressed to all who had a part in providing Thanksgiving Meals to those in need in our community. Around 400 people were fed. Thank you for donating turkeys, providing funds, cornbread, desserts, and to all who cooked, served, delivered and provided hospitality. Special thanks to Kris Simpkins who coordinated the event and to Betty Rhodes who cooked all the turkeys.

JOIN THE CELEBRATION

Please join the 95^th Birthday Celebration of Dr. Lynwood D. Jordan, Sr. with family and friends. There will be a “drop-in” on Sunday December 4 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Emma Gray United Methodist Church. No presents, please. He will turn 95 on December 6^th.

PRAYER GUIDES

Missionaries depend on your prayers as they take the Gospel into the hard places. Dec. 4-11 our church will join thousands of churches to pray for missionaries working to tear down the barriers to the message of Christ in pockets of lostness around the world. Prayer guides will be included with this Sunday’s bulletin that feature testimonies and prayer requests. Please use them next week during your daily quiet time.

THANK YOU!

Dear First Baptist Church, The Board of Directors of the Woodruff Area Soup Kitchen acknowledges with thanks the Thanksgiving dinner you prepared last Wednesday. Sincerely, WASK Board

DAY BY DAY

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30

5:00 pm Senior Adults return from trip

5:15 pm Fellowship Supper

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 1

6:30 pm Chess Club

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4

9:00 am Handbell Choir Rehearsal

9:30 am Instrumental Ensemble

9:45 am Sunday School

11:00 am Morning Worship Service

4:00 pm Diaconate Meeting

5:00 pm Spirit Works (Youth Choir)

6:00 pm Evening Worship Service

7:00 pm Christmas Dessert Fellowship

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6

7:00 am Prayer Meeting

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7

11:45 am Golden Age Fellowship

5:15 pm Fellowship Supper

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 8

6:30 pm Chess Club

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9

6:00 pm Deacon / Staff Christmas Gathering

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10

8:45 am Preschool and Children’s Choir Rehearsal

SHARING THE MINISTRY

December 4

Greeters: Z Orias, D. J. O’Hara (f),

D Bailey (o), J Lanford (p)

Counting Team: R Smith, T & J Foster

Children’s Worship: V Brady, H Smith, H Foster

Nursery: K Simpkins, K Abercrombie pm: A & J Turner

O Notes: J Davidson

BP Checks: J Howard Sound: S Scott

Welcome Center: T & T Sumner

Ushers: K Schlock, B Scott (f)

M Workman (o) S Jacobi (p)

pm: D.J. O’Hara, J Ketterman

FELLOWSHIP SUPPER

Wednesday, November 30 * 5:15 pm

Corn Dogs, Baked Beans, Slaw & Chips Cost: $2.00

JANUARY BIBLE STUDY

Sunday Nights * January 8, 15, 22 & 29

The Pursuit: Chasing Answers to Life’s Questions

Studies in Ecclesiastes