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 19, 2007 - January 2, 2008

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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!

December 23

Sunday School

CELEBRATING THE SAVIOR’S BIRTH

Luke 2:1-10

Worship Service

Fourth Sunday in Advent

UNSPEAKABLE JOY!

Presented by the Adult and Children’s Choirs

No Evening Service or Activities

December 30

Sunday School

BOWING BEFORE THE SAVIOR

Matthew 2:1-12

Morning Worship Service

Student Day at Christmas

FULL COMMITMENT

2 Chronicles 16:9

Evening Worship Service

HEAR OUR PRAYER

2 Chronicles 6:19

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Jean Harrill, 12-23 Joanne Kiser, 12-30

Richard McAbee, 12-24         Greg Cooper, 12-30

Ken Morrison, 12-24         Jack Rhodes, 12-31

Tina Osborne, 12-25         Ashton Osborne, 12-31

Jim Young, 12-26         Brooks Osborne, 12-31

Rita Hunt, 12-27         Becky Godfrey, 1-1

Miranda Brown, 12-28         Marie Wood, 1-3

Emmie Workman, 12-28         Kevin Murphy, 1-3

Mary Turner, 12-28         Altonia Skinner, 1-4

Becky Westmoreland, 12-28 Mae Craig, 1-4

Lane Robertson, 12-29 Nancy Harris, 1-5

Gavin McTeer, 12-29

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY

We express our love and prayerful support to:

Jim Young and family in the death of

his mother, Obera Young;

Virginia McTeer and family in the death of

her sister in law, Mavis Fillyaw;

Wanda Lanford and family in the death of

her aunt, Judy Sellars.

MINISTRY ANNIVERSARY

We congratulate Jim Skinner as he completes his 22nd year of service. Thank you, Jim, for all you do and for your dedicated service in ministry at First Baptist.

Presented by the Adult Choir

This Sunday Morning, December 23

Join us as we celebrate the joy that the

Babe of Bethlehem has placed in our hearts!

CHRISTMAS EVE

Candlelight Communion Service

Monday, December 24 * 5:00 pm

GIFTS TO THE GLORY OF GOD!

For the Work of the Church

In Memory of Patricia Jenkins

Sammie Jenkins

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

In Memory of Lillie Belle Beason

Roger and Priscilla Miller

In Memory of Lillie Belle and Roy Beason,

Essie Sims and E. J. Lanford

Bill and Martha Jean Lanford

In Memory of Charlie Scott

Walter and Linda Garrett

Over & Above Offering

In Memory of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Schmatt,

Mr. and Mrs. Eldo Knoke;

In Honor of Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Westmoreland

Gary and Jan Schmatt

In Memory of Lois Burdette

Tommy and Jo Anne Westmoreland

ATTENDANCE AND OFFERING:

Sunday School Attendance December 16

Preschool 3

Children 26

Youth 24

Adults 118

Total Attendance 171

BUDGET December 16 2007

Needs $ 7,969.00 $398,450.00

Offering $ 5,884.46 $380,478.46

Over/(Under) $ 2,084.54 ($ 17,971.54)

DESIGNATED FUNDS

Over and Above Offering $ 112.00

Lottie Moon Offering $ 305.00

Budget Designated $ 246.00

Total Designated $ 663.00

TOTAL $ 6,547.46

STUDENT DAY AT CHRISTMAS

Next Sunday, December 30 * 11:00 am

Full Commitment * 2 Chronicles 16:9

What would happen if our lives were fully committed to the Lord? Our college and graduate students are invited to help lead our worship service. Please call the church office if you would like to participate.

HEAR OUR PRAYER

A special service of prayer and renewal

as we enter the New Year!

Next Sunday, December 30 * 6:00 pm

Plan to participate as we lift up prayers of commitment for each area of our lives and for each aspect of our church’s ministry.

Season of Prayer for

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS

Tell Me the Story of Jesus!

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Goal: $6,000.00 * Received: $2,839.00

Visit the Lottie Moon Display located across from the Welcome Center for Prayer Guides, Maps, Magnets & other material that will equip you as you pray.

“I LOVE MY CHURCH!”

“Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.”

Please continue to demonstrate your love for God and for His church through your financial faithfulness. We are presently $17,971.54 behind in reaching our budget for 2007. Your help and continued encouragement is needed!

OVER AND ABOVE OFFERING

For Sanctuary Heating and Air

Over and Above Fund Balance: $7,727.54

MID-WEEK SERVICE

This Wednesday, December 19 * 6:30 pm

We will be studying Psalm 37, 38, & 39!

WEDNESDAY NIGHT SCHEDULE

Wednesdays during the Holidays

December 19 – Adult Choir Rehearsal, 6:00 pm

Mid-Week Service, 6:30 pm

December 26 – No services or activities

January 2 – Mid Week Service, 6:30 pm

January 9 – Wednesday night programs resume

PRAYER MEETINGS

Our Tuesday Morning Prayer group will not meet on Tuesday, December 25 and Tuesday, January 1. We will resume the next Tuesday, January 8 at 7:00 am. All are welcome!

COLLEGE & CAREER

CHRISTMAS GATHERING

Thursday, December 20 * 7:00 pm

At the Home of Andrew Shull

ADULT I CHRISTMAS DROP -IN

Sunday, December 23 * 3:00 – 5:00 pm

At the Home of Rex and Jan Skinner

JANUARY BIBLE STUDY: ROMANS

Each Sunday Night in January!

PUPPET MINISTRY

Sunday, January 6 * 5:00 pm * Grades 3^rd – 8^th

Children and Youth are encouraged to come and take part in this fun-filled ministry.

GOLDEN AGE FELLOWSHIP

Wednesday, January 9 * 11:45 am

Join us for great food & fellowship. Our program guest will be magician & ventriloquist, Steve Holt. We are meeting the 2^nd Wednesday in January due to the New Year’s Holiday. Mark your calendar & plan to be with us.

SALT AND LIGHT!

Men’s Ministry Conference

January 19 * Riverland Hills Baptist Church

Authentic Manhood: Winning at Work and Home

Featuring: Ron Barker, Barry McGee and over 37 different resource conferences. Registration is $25 and includes lunch if received before January 2.

UNASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL!

Women’s Lifestyle Evangelism Conference

January 24 * First Baptist Church, Taylors

January 26 * First Baptist Church, Columbia

Featuring: By Design, Debrah Cannada, Mary Krulikowski, Evie Morris, Kimberly Sowell and Thelma Wells. Registration is $20 and includes lunch if received before January 9.

READ THE BIBLE THROUGH IN 2008

Commit now to reading the Bible through in the coming year. Readings will be listed each week in The Encourager and in the Sunday bulletin.

2008 FLOWER CALENDAR

Call or come by the church office to reserve the Sunday you would like to put flowers in the sanctuary in 2008.

NEWSLETTER

The Encourager will not be published next week.

The next edition will be Wednesday, January 2, 2008.

Email: office@woodruff1st.org

Web site: www.woodruff1st.org

Telephone: (864) 476-8171

Fax: (864) 476-3141

THANK YOU!

First Baptist Church, Thank you so much for your prayers and for adding me to your church prayer list. When I received your prayer card, it meant so much to me. May God richly bless you! Love, Jeannine Kelly Smoak

Dear Church Family, A special “thank you” to all the Sunday School Classes & Staff for the Christmas Greetings that were sent to me. Thank you so much! They brightened my day! In Christ’s love, Nelle Waddell

To The First Baptist Church Family, Your kindness brought more pleasure than words can express, and this comes to thank you for all your thoughtfulness.

The Jenkins Family

Many, many thanks for every expression of love during this Christmas season and all throughout the year. It is a wonderful privilege to serve as your pastor.

With love, Andrew Shull

Great Appreciation is expressed to Hugh and Margaret Murphy who donate the materials and coordinate the Christmas Card Ministry from the Sunday School Classes.

Many Thanks to the members of the Decorating Committee whose work with the decorations and poinsettias adds so much to our worship experiences during the Christmas Season.

DAY BY DAY

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19

6:00 pm Adult Choir Rehearsal

6:30 pm Mid-Week Service – Psalm 37, 38, & 39

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20

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

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23

9:45 am Bible Study for All Ages

11:00 am Worship Service – Unspeakable Joy!

3:00 pm Adult I Christmas Drop In – Rex and Jan Skinner’s

MONDAY, DECEMBER 24

OFFICE CLOSED

5:00 pm Christmas Eve Service

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25

OFFICE CLOSED – Merry Christmas!

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26

OFFICE CLOSED

No Meetings or Activities

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30

9:45 am Bible Study for All Ages

11:00 am Morning Worship Service - Student Day

6:00 pm Evening Worship Service – Commitment Prayers

TUESDAY, JANUARY 1

Life Walk – Genesis 1-2

OFFICE CLOSED – Happy New Year!

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2

Life Walk – Genesis 3-5

6:30 pm Mid-Week Service – Psalm 40 & 41

THURSDAY, JANUARY 3

Life Walk – Genesis 6-9

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4

Life Walk – Genesis 10-11

SATURDAY, JANUARY 5

Life Walk – Genesis 12-14

The Church Office will be Closed:

Mon. – Wed., December 24 – 26 & Tues., January 1

Regular Office Hours:

Mon. – Thurs. 8:00 am – 5:00 pm * Fri. 8:00 am – 12:30 pm

SHARING THE MINISTRY

Sunday, December 23

Greeters: R Rhodes, Z Orias (f), P Elliott (o) R Skinner (p)

Counting Team: J Young, T & J Foster

Sound Booth: S Scott Nursery: A Smith, N Skinner

Ushers: L Robertson, L Fowler (f), R Smith (o), T Skinner (p)

Welcome Center: R & L Tipton B P Screening: J Howard

Sunday, December 30

Greeters: R Rhodes, Z Orias (f), P Elliott (o) R Skinner (p)

Counting Team: J Young, T & J Foster

Sound Booth: S Scott Nursery: G Nash, N Skinner

Ushers: J Cannon, T Westmoreland (f), B Lanford (o), H Woodfin (p)

pm – R Rhodes, M Elliott

Welcome Center: A Henson, K Brown

B P Screening: J Howard

Children’s Worship: L Orias