THE  ENCOURAGER                    “…to prepare all God’s people for the work of Christian Service to build up the body of Christ.”  www.woodruff1st.org

                                First Baptist Church * Woodruff, South Carolina

                                                            April 30, 2008

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Senior Adult Day This Sunday, May 4 We give God thanks for His blessings through our Senior Adults! Lunch will be provided for our Senior Adults after the Morning Worship Service. Call to let us know if you will be able to join us for lunch!

Silver Anniversary Gala Spartanburg County Baptist Network This Sunday, May 4 * 6:00 pm Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium Guest Speaker: Dr Frank Page President, Southern Baptist Convention Call to reserve a seat on our Church Bus!

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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

PREPARING FOR SUNDAY!

Sunday School

APPRECIATE

Philippians 2:19-22, 25-30; 4:15-18

Morning Worship Service

Senior Adult Day

LEAD BY EXAMPLE

1 Corinthians 11:1

Senior Adult Day Luncheon

Evening Worship Service

SILVER ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Spartanburg County Baptist Network

Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

                    Pam Pattillo, 5-4 Carla Blanton, 5-7

                    Ben Brown, 5-6 Margaret Murphy, 5-9

GOLDEN AGE FELLOWSHIP

Wednesday, May 7 * 11:45 am

Our May program guest is Tom Crabtree from WSPA News 7. Join us for a great time of food, fellowship, and entertainment.

CARE VISITS

Thursday, May 15 * 8:30 am

Join with us as we visit our Care Residents that are in facilities across the upstate. We will eat lunch together between visits. All are welcome!

GRADUATE RECOGNITION

We are preparing for Graduate Recognition Day on Sunday, May 25. If you know of someone who could be included in this service, please contact the church office.

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.

PENNIES NEEDED!

The mission groups will be collecting pennies for the 2008 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Bring your pennies to your mission group or place them in the jar at the Welcome Center.

MAY CHURCH CONFERENCE

Sun., May 18, after the Evening Worship Service

If your group or committee would like to be included in the printed reports, please turn your information in before Wednesday, May 14.

Spartanburg County Baptist Network

25^TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

This Sunday, May 4 * 6:00 pm

Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium

Be part of this time of celebration & worship as the churches of our network come together. News Anchor Tom Crabtree will serve as host. Dr. Frank Page, President of the Southern Baptist Convention, will be preaching. Missions Exhibits will be on display before and after the program. All who can are encouraged to bring $25.00 for a special offering for a Disaster Relief Trailer. Call the church office to reserve a seat on the church bus. We will leave from our church at 5:00 pm.

MID-WEEK SERVICE

This Wednesday, April 30 * 6:30 pm

We will be studying Psalm 92!

OVER AND ABOVE OFFERING

For Sanctuary Heating and Air

Over and Above Fund Balance: $18,386.33

GIFTS TO THE GLORY OF GOD!

In Honor of the Neighborhood Work Day

Frances Pearson

Clark & Betty Simpkins

Over & Above Offering

In Honor of Rex Skinner

Sara Mudge

In Memory of Jake Hames

Kate Hames, Nita & Bob

In Memory of Mae Craig

Lenn, Cindy, Daniel & Lindsey Craig

In Memory of Blanche Blackford

Walter & Linda Garrett

Health Ministry

In Honor of the Health Ministry Team

In Memory of Blanche Blackford

Sarah Ewing

BIBLE STUDY & STEWARDSHIP:

SUNDAY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE April 27

Preschool 7

Children 18

Youth 17

Adults 117

Total Attendance 159

BUDGET April 27 2008

Needs $ 8,280.00 $140,760.00

Offering $ 5,648.54 $125,888.08

Over/(Under) ($ 2,631.46) ($ 14,871.92)

DESIGNATED FUNDS

Over and Above Offering $ 180.05

Designated Offering $ 170.00

Total Designated $ 350.05

TOTAL $ 5,998.59

SENIOR ADULT DAY LUNCHEON

This Sunday, May 4

All Senior Adults are invited to a special luncheon that will be prepared in your honor. Simply let us know if you are coming so that we will know how much food to prepare. We look forward to a great time together.

SOLDIER CARE BOXES

Items needed: Batteries (AA & AAA), Beef Jerky, Gallon Zip Lock Bags, Kool-Aid Singles, Cereal Bars/Granola Bars, Chewing Gum, Pocket Size Hand Wipes, Air Fresheners (no sprays), Funds for Shipping. Items will be shipped in June so that the soldiers can receive them the week of July 4^th. A collection box has been placed across from the Welcome Center.

GOD’S SHIELD OF PROTECTION

Peggy Joyce Ruth has written a devotional book and an accompanying workbook based on Psalm 91 for our troops, their families and for anyone who is in harm’s way. Please see Tommy or Lynne Morgan or contact the church office if you would like copies.

PROJECT SEARCH 2008

District Four schools are having a speech, hearing, vision and developmental screening on May 4 from 8:30 am – 2:00 pm at the Woodruff Primary School in Room BA3. Please call Lesa at 476-3186 to schedule an appointment.

WOODRUFF AREA SOUP KITCHEN

Sunday, May 4 * 2:00 – 4:00 pm

You are invited to a Kitchen Shower for the Woodruff Area Soup Kitchen located at 340 McArthur Street. Check out the bulletin board located outside of the church office for a list of suggested gifts to outfit the kitchen.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Outrigger Island: Living God’s Unshakeable Truth

June 9 - 13 * 9:00 am – 12:00 pm * Age 3 – Grade 5

Parents please mark your calendars and get ready for an incredible week! Contact the church office if you would like to help in this year’s VBS.

EVELYN HENDERSON OFFERING

During the month of May, the Spartanburg County Baptist Network is collecting an offering for missions in Spartanburg County. This year’s offering will be used to help purchase a Disaster Relief Trailer and will assist Hispanic Summer Missions. Special offering envelopes are available in the foyers and in the church office. There will also be an opportunity to give at the Network 25^th Anniversary this Sunday night. Each person is asked to consider contributing $25.00.

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

This Thursday, May 1 * 12:00 pm

Corner of Main & Hayne Streets

PRAYER! AMERICA’S STRENGTH & SHIELD

The LORD is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Psalm 28:7

COMMUNITY MEN’S BREAKFAST

Saturday, May 10 * Cornerstone Baptist * 8:00 am

Guest Speaker: Mike Ayers, Wofford Football Coach

Special Music: John Carroll

All are welcome!

MOTHER’S DAY OFFERING

Sunday, May 11, is set aside by our state convention for churches to give assistance to the South Carolina Baptist Ministries for the Aging. There are two retirement & nursing home centers affiliated with the SC Baptist Convention -- Bethea at Darlington & Martha Franks at Laurens. Both are wonderful places of ministry & care. This year’s offering will be used to benefit the long-term healthcare of retired SC pastors, missionaries, and their spouses. Special envelopes are available in the foyers & in the church office. Please prayerfully consider what you would like to do to help.

PRAYER MEETING

We meet for prayer each Tuesday morning from

7:00 – 7:30 am. All are welcome!

THANKS!

Dear Friends, Jim Davidson, Josh Turner, Luke Simmons, Ben Bailey and Mark & Kathy Soza, Words cannot express how very much I appreciated the yard work you did for me Saturday. It was a great blessing for me that you all took the time to do this. Also, thanks to the other group that came by before you finished and helped too.

                                        Thank you again, Rebecca Lanford

Dear Church Family, Thank you doesn’t begin to express how much we appreciate all the love and support you have given both of us before, during and after Phil’s surgery. Each prayer, phone call and card meant so much to us. Please continue to pray for us during this recovery period. We have been so richly blessed.  Love, Phil & Myra Wood

Dear First Baptist Friends, My sincere thanks to you for having me on your prayer list. Your card that came each week was comforting and reassuring. I am sure that your thoughts and prayers aided in my recovery.

                                                                Love, Shirley Stone

Dear Members, Thank you so much for your generous donation. It is because of your support that we are able to help those in need in our area. Thank you for helping us make a difference. Very truly yours, Sandra Page,

                                                Woodruff Free Medical Clinic

Thank you to the group who came to my house on Saturday. I really do appreciate all of your hard work. I go outside everyday and look at all the great work that was done. I also appreciate the beautiful flower you gave me.

Thank you again. Love, Docia Sloan

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.

CAR WASH AND HOTDOG SALE

Saturday, May 10 * 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Sponsored by the FBC Relay for Life Team

Come & have your car washed on the Saturday before Mother’s Day & enjoy delicious hot dogs. Take out plates will be sold for $4.00. The car wash will be for donations. Proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society to be used in the fight against cancer. This year’s Relay will be June 6-7 at Woodruff Middle School. Luminary bags may be purchased through your Sunday School Class or in the church office. If everyone in the church bought just 1 luminary bag for the Relay, it would make a fantastic contribution.

FELLOWSHIP SUPPER

Wednesday, April 30

Hot Dogs, Chips, Cookies, Tea Cost: $1.50

DAY BY DAY

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30

Life Walk - 2 Chronicles 33-36

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, Mid-Week Service – Psalm 92

THURSDAY, MAY 1

Life Walk - Ezra 1-3

12:00 pm National Day of Prayer – Main & Hayne Street

FRIDAY, MAY 2

Life Walk – Ezra 4-6

4:00 pm World Changers Depart for Camp McCall

SATURDAY, MAY 3

Life Walk – Ezra 7-8

10:00 am Selma Ladies Brunch

7:00 pm World Changers Return from McCall

SUNDAY, MAY 4

9:00 am Handbell Practice

9:45 am Bible Study for All Ages

11:00 am Morning Worship Service

12:00 pm Senior Adult Luncheon

5:00 pm Depart for 25^th Anniversary Celebration

6:00 pm Spartanburg Country Baptist Network Celebration

Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium

MONDAY, MAY 5

Life Walk – Ezra 9-10

TUESDAY, MAY 6

Life Walk – Nehemiah 1-2

7:00 am Prayer Meeting

WEDNESDAY, MAY 7

Life Walk – Nehemiah 3-4

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, Mid-Week Service

THURSDAY, MAY 8

Life Walk – Nehemiah 5-7

FRIDAY, MAY 9

Life Walk – Nehemiah 8-10

SATURDAY, MAY 10

Life Walk – Nehemiah 11-13

8:00 am Men’s Community Breakfast - Cornerstone

9:00 am Relay for Life Car Wash

SHARING THE MINISTRY

Sunday, May 4

Greeters: Z Orias, J Young (f), R Tipton (o), R Skinner (p)

Counting Team: M Elliott, K Murphy, G Cooper

Sound Booth: S Scott

Nursery: T & P Sumner

Welcome Center: T & T Sumner

B P Screening: - C Schlock

Ushers: S Rogers, K Schlock (f), C Simpkins, Jr (o), B Scott (p)

Children’s Worship: L Orias, M Fortner, R Wilson

Outreach Notes – L Garrett

Outreach Packets – M J Lanford

Outreach Calls – S Mudge

Outreach Visits – F Garrett, B Cudd