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

December 13, 2006

 

 

 

Presented by the Adult Choir

Sunday Morning  *  11:00 am

 

The Lamp Lighter

Presented by Youth Praise

Sunday Evening  *  6:00 pm

                                                                 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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 

 LOVE THAT LASTS

1 Corinthians 13

Morning Worship Service

CHRISTMAS IS JESUS!

Presented by the Adult Choir

Evening Worship Service

THE LAMP LIGHTER

Presented by Youth Praise

 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

      Hunter Patton, 12-17      Ruskin Casey, 12-21

      Elaine O’Hara, 12-18     Conn Mason, 12-22

      Angie Turner, 12-18       Charles Hembree, 12-22

      Mary Lanford, 12-21      Jean Harrill, 12-23

 

CHRISTMAS CARDS

Bring your Christmas Cards for people in our fellowship to the Youth Post Boxes located in the church foyer.  Money saved on postage will go toward the Over and Above Offering.  Don’t forget to stop by and see if there are cards for you.

 

LOTTIE MOON OFFERING

What will you do that others may hear of Jesus?

Goal:  $ 5,500.00         Received to Date:  $ 1,612.00

 

WHO WAS LOTTIE MOON?

December 12, 1840 – December 24, 1912

     For 39 years, Charlotte Diggs Moon reflected the Love of Christ for the people of China.  At first, the people distrusted her, calling her names like “devil woman.”  Lottie responded by baking teacake cookies.  The smell of the cookies attracted many children. Soon she was known affectionately as the “cookie lady.”

     She fought many battles on behalf of the Chinese.  She was a leader in the effort to ban the foot binding of young girls.  She broke down barriers against the education of girls.  Her influence also extended back home, where her pleas for support inspired the formation of the Woman’s Missionary Union and the offering that bears her name.

     In her greatest act of empathy, she gave away her own food to the starving during a major famine.  Malnourished and fatigued, she died on Christmas Eve aboard the ship that was to bring her home.

     We give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering as an act of love so that a lost world may hear the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

WORLD CHANGERS MISSION TRIP

Chesapeake, Virginia  *  June 23-30, 2007

A deposit of $50.00 is due on or before January 6.

 

CARE VISITS

This Thursday, December 14  *  8:30 am

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

 

OVER AND ABOVE OFFERING

For the Paving of the Church Parking Lots

Fund Balance:   $65,678.40

 

OVER AND ABOVE GIFT

Our church has received a gift of stocks for the parking lot project that have been sold for $31,539.47.  We give thanks for this generous gift and pray that the Lord will use it for His honor and glory.

 

GIFTS TO THE GLORY OF GOD!

In Memory of my father, Paul “Johnny” Taylor

& my sister, Cheryl B Hammond

Kriste T Henderson

 

In Memory of Lucile Cook

Doris Anderson

 

Over & Above Offering

 

In Honor of Frances Pearson’s Birthday

Gleaners SS Class

 

In Memory of Sara Allene Hill

Steve, Telewene, & Lewis Stephens

Wallace & Cathy Grubbs

 

Lottie Moon Offering

 

In Honor of Frances Pearson

In Honor of Bobbie Cudd

Gleaners SS Class

 

In Memory of Frances Brown

John & Kim McAbee

 

In Memory of R Bruce Suggs, Kyle R Suggs,

John J Cape, James E Cape, C B Cape

Ginny Suggs

 

            ATTENDANCE AND OFFERING:

                                        SUNDAY SCHOOL

Preschool                                  12

Children                                    35

Youth                                        20

Adults                                      142

Total Attendance                     209

BUDGET           December 10        Year to Date

  Needs                $   7,555.00            $377,750.00

  Offering             $   6,596.19            $376,171.08

 Over/(Under)     ($      958.81)         ($    1,578.92)

DESIGNATED FUNDS           

  Over and Above Offering      $2,187.99

  Lottie Moon Offering            $   612.00

  Designated Offering              $   261.00

  Total Designated                    $3,060.99

TOTAL                                                        $ 9,657.18

GOLDEN AGE FELLOWSHIP

This Wednesday, December 13 * 11:45 am

Join with us for a wonderful time of food and fellowship.  Turkey and dressing will be provided.  Missionaries Mike & Mary Robinson will be with us to provide some “Christmas Bluegrass” and carol singing.

 

WEDNESDAY NIGHT SCHEDULE

This Wednesday night, December 13, will be our last night on the school-year schedule (supper, children’s choirs, youth lighthouse, mission groups, adult choir rehearsal) for 2006.  Wednesday night programs will resume on January 10.

Wednesdays during the Holidays

         December 20 – Join us for Caroling, 6:00 pm

         December 27 – No services or activities

         January 3 – Mid Week Service, 6:30 pm

 

COMMUNITY MEMORIAL SERVICE

Thursday, Dec. 14 * 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.

 

FOREST HILLS MEMORIAL SERVICE

Tuesday, December 19 * 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.

 

                          

CAROLING

  Wednesday, Dec. 20 * 6:00 pm

Come and join us as we travel through the Woodruff Community bringing Christmas cheer!  If you live near the church and would like for the “Carolers” to come by, please call the church office.

 

SHARE THE WARMTH

The Boy Scouts are collecting blankets, coats, jackets and sweaters that are new or in good condition.  Please bring donated items to the church this Sunday, December 17.

 

Woodruff Community

CLOTHES CLOSET

January is our church’s month to staff the Clothes Closet.  If your class or mission group would like to “claim” a Saturday in January to serve, please contact the church office.  The Closet is in need of children’s clothes, especially baby clothes.

 

Looking Ahead

Next Sunday, December 24

Sunday School * 9:45 am

JESUS, GOD’S GREATEST GIFT

Luke 1:36 – 2:7

Morning Worship Service * 11:00 am

GREAT JOY!

Tidings of Comfort and Joy!

Luke 2:8-20

Evening Worship Service * 5:00 pm

CHRISTMAS EVE

Candlelight Communion Service

 

 

SALT AND LIGHT

Men’s Ministry Conference

January 20 * Lexington Baptist Church

Speaker:  Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee

Over 50 Resource Conferences will be offered.  Registration is $25 and includes lunch if received before January 4.

OVERFLOW!

Women’s Lifestyle Evangelism Conference

January 25 * Taylors First Baptist Church

Featuring:  Donna Douglas, Leighann McCoy, Babbie Mason, Ashley Smith, and Sherry Cuenca.  Registration is $20 and includes lunch if received before January 10.

PROMISE KEEPERS

August 3-4 * Columbia, SC

Registration is $69.00 from now until January 31.

 

THE TRIVIA QUESTION

This week’s question:  From its earliest days our church has been an advocate of education.  Our 1st House of Worship also served as a one-room school house for the community.  As the population grew, our church continued through the years to provide buildings and land for schools until the State of South Carolina assumed responsibility for public education.  In that year, our church presented a “deed of conveyance” to the directors of Woodruff High School giving them 4.96 acres of land.  What year did this take place?

Last week’s question:  When our church moved from its 5th House of Worship to its 6th House of Worship in 1911, a new church was begun using our old church building.  This building provided a meeting place for the new church for almost 25 years.  What is the name of that church?  Answer:  The new church was called “Old Bethel” but the name was later changed to “Mills Mill,” and then to “Cornerstone.”

DAY BY DAY

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13

11:45 am    Golden Age

  5:15 pm   Fellowship Supper

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

  6:00 pm   Adult Choir Rehearsal

  6:30 pm   Mid Week Service, Mission Friends, GA’s, RA’s,

                  Acteens, Challengers

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14

  8:30 am   Care Visits & Caroling

  7:00 pm   Community Memorial Service

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16

10:00 am   Youth Christmas Praise Rehearsal

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17

  9:00 am   Handbell Practice

  9:45 am   Sunday School

11:00 am   Christmas Worship Service – Adult Choir

  6:00 pm   Christmas Worship Service – Youth Praise

  7:00 pm   Youth SNAC

MONDAY, DECEMBER 18

  7:00 pm   Martha Lewis Mission Group

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19

  7:00 am   Prayer Meeting

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20

  6:00 pm   Caroling

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21

  7:00 pm   College & Career Gathering – Shull’s

 

THANK YOU!

Dear Friends at First Baptist Church, We were truly reminded of God’s presence and love because of your thoughtfulness.  The Thanksgiving meal was delicious and we enjoyed and appreciated it.  We wish each of you a Merry Christmas and a New Year that brings many blessings.  In Christ’s Name,

                                    Doris Varner & Martha V Montjoy

Great appreciation is expressed to everyone who brought cookies and had a part in Sunday night’s Christmas Fellowship.  A great time was had by all!  Pictures are available on our church web site:  www.woodruff1st.org

 

JANUARY BIBLE STUDY

John’s Letters:  How to Grow in Loving God

Sunday Nights in January!

We would like to offer classes for each age group.  If you can help, please contact Carolyn Culbreath, Julia Howard, Curtis Walker or the church office.

 

COLLEGE & CAREER

CHRISTMAS GATHERING

Thursday, December 21 * 7:00 pm * Andrew Shull’s

 

GLEANINGS FROM GOD’S WORD

Daily devotionals to help you

 read through the Bible in a year.

By Gene & Jean Phillips

Purchase a book ($10) from an Acteen or through the church office.  Funds raised will help our Acteens attend the National Acteens Convention this summer.

 

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

 

SHARING THE MINISTRY

Sunday, December 17

Greeters

R Rhodes, Z Orias (f), P Elliott (o), J Davidson (p)

                   Counting Team                            Sound Booth

            L Turner, T & J Foster                        Z Orias

Nursery

J Waddell, P Miller      pm – N Skinner

Ushers

K Schlock, S Stribling (f), M Green (o), D Bailey (p)

      Welcome Center                      Blood Pressure Screening

                               T & L Morgan                                   J Bowie

Children’s Worship

L Orias, S Conyers, A Smith

 

FELLOWSHIP SUPPER

Wednesday, December 13

Chicken Rings, Creamed Potatoes, Green Beans,

Cookies, Tea               Cost:  $1.50

 

2007 FLOWER CALENDAR

Call or come by the church office to reserve the Sunday you would like to put flowers in the sanctuary in 2007.