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 5, 2007

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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

GETTING READY FOR THE SAVIOR!

Luke 1:1-13, 57-79

Morning Worship Service

Second Sunday in Advent

Parent-Child Dedication Service

THE GLORY OF THE LORD!

Luke 2:9, 14, 32; John 1:14; 2 Corinthians 3:18

Evening Worship Service

WORSHIP IN SONG AT CHRISTMAS!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

        Duane Bailey, 12-12 Emily Edwards, 12-13

        Frances Pearson, 12-12 John Ward, 12-14

        Clark Simpkins, Jr, 12-17   Kris Simpkins, 12-15

        Biff Knoke, 12-13

WORSHIP IN SONG

At Christmas!

This Sunday, December 9 * 6:00 pm

You are invited to share with your family of faith through testimony or song at this informal Christmas gathering. Contact Bobby Blanton if you would like to take part.

PUPPET MINISTRY

This Sunday, December 9 * Church Sanctuary

Grades 3^rd – 5^th - 5:15 pm

Grades 6^th – 12^th - 5:30 pm

GOLDEN AGE FELLOWSHIP

This Wednesday, December 5 * 11:45 am

Join with us for a wonderful time of food and fellowship. Turkey and dressing will be provided. Our program guests will be the Woodruff High School Girls Ensemble.

MID-WEEK SERVICE

This Wednesday, December 5 * 6:30 pm

We will be studying Psalm 34 & 35!

CHRISTMAS EVE

Candlelight Communion Service

Monday, December 24 * 5:00 pm

TELL ME THE STORY OF JESUS!

Russia’s Muslim population has increased by 40% since 1989, to about 25 million. Moscow has the largest Muslim population of any city in Europe.

JANUARY BIBLE STUDY: ROMANS

Each Sunday Night in January!

PARENT – CHILD

DEDICATION SERVICE

December 9, 2007

David Michael Ward

son of

John & Marcia Ward

GIFTS TO THE GLORY OF GOD!

In Memory of Mary Wall

Emily Edwards

Jack & Ware Washam

Jane Young Poster

Over & Above Offering

In Memory of Calvin Willard

Dickie & Jane Turner

Lottie Moon Offering

In Memory of Essie Sims & E J Lanford

Jeff & Doniece Lanford

In Memory of Everett Pearson & Our Parents

Frances Pearson

In Memory of Mr & Mrs Toy Waddell

Randy & Linda Rhodes

In Memory of Bud Kiser

Joanne Kiser

TELL ME THE STORY OF JESUS!

“The number of missionaries we are able to send is directly related to the gifts we receive through the Cooperative Program & the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.”

 Jerry Rankin, President, IMB

OVER AND ABOVE OFFERING

For Sanctuary Heating and Air

Over and Above Fund Balance: $6,708.00

ATTENDANCE AND OFFERING:

Sunday School Attendance December 2

Preschool 3

Children 25

Youth 15

Adults 123

Total Attendance 166

BUDGET December 2 2007

Needs $ 7,969.00 $382,512.00

Offering $ 11,579.95 $367,661.00

Over/(Under) $ 3,691.95 ($  14,851.00)

DESIGNATED FUNDS

Over and Above Offering $ 201.00

Lottie Moon Offering $ 640.00

Budget Designated $ 800.45

Total Designated $1,641.45

TOTAL $ 13,221.40

Week of Prayer for

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS

Tell Me the Story of Jesus!

December 2 - 9

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

Goal: $6,000.00 * Received: $1,755.00

GIFTS!

Youth Christmas Program

All youth are invited to join us on Wednesdays for Youth Lighthouse, Acteens & Challengers, and a time to work together on the Youth Christmas Program. The program will be presented Sunday night, December 16, and will focus on the gifts we have received and the gifts we can give. Use your gifts for the Lord!

VIDEO INTERVIEWS: GIFTS!

Our youth would like to record a short interview with you about an unusual or meaningful gift you have given or received. The interviews will be used during the Youth Christmas Program on Sunday Night, December 16. Contact Lauren Orias or stop by the Welcome Center this Sunday before or after Sunday School if you would like to participate.

UNSPEAKABLE JOY!

Presented by the Adult Choir

Sunday Morning, December 23

Join us as we celebrate the joy that the

Babe of Bethlehem has placed in our hearts!

TELL ME THE STORY OF JESUS!

In Kazakhstan, Christ’s gospel is received with openness,

and today there are more than 11,000 Kazakh believers.

Pray for them as new Bible study groups are formed.

HEALING HEART MEMORIAL SERVICE

Thursday, Dec. 13 * 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 18 * 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.

CARE VISITS & CAROLING

Thursday, December 13 * 8:30 am

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

TUESDAY MORNING PRAYER MEETING

Each Tuesday, 7:00 – 7:30 am * All are welcome!

TELL ME THE STORY OF JESUS!

Over 50,000 copies of a Central Asian Russian Translation of the Bible have been distributed, but many more are needed. Please ask God to provide the resources

so that more Bibles can be printed.

BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS

The Health Ministry Team urges everyone to have their blood pressure checked regularly. Stop by the Health Ministry Room before or after Sunday School.

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

The Health Ministry Team keeps a closet of equipment that is available to be loaned out when needed. At present we have: bedside commodes, shower chairs, an oxygen concentrator, adult crutches, walkers (stationary, folding & with wheels), & wheelchairs. Please call the church office if you need to borrow any of these items. The team can also assist if glucose meters or other equipment is needed.

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.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT SCHEDULE

Next Wednesday night, December 12, will be our last night on the school-year schedule for 2007. Wednesday night programs will resume on January 9.

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

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

TELL ME THE STORY OF JESUS!

More than 1,900 evangelical churches have been planted in the Ukraine since 1991. Missionaries from the Ukraine can enter countries that are closed to Americans. Pray that more Ukrainians will answer God’s call to serve.

THANK YOU!

Dear Church Family, Thank you very much for making the G.A. Food Drive such as success. We were able to deliver Helping Hands quite a bit of food and personal care items which they are in great need of this time of year.  We are so glad to be a part of a caring and loving church. We love you all!

The Girls In Action Mission Group (G.A.’s)

I want to thank you for a wonderful Thanksgiving meal.

L C Garrett

Dear Church Family, I would like to thank each of you for your calls, cards, concern, transportation to and from the hospital and doctor appointments, and especially your prayers. My heart is filled with love for my church family.

Ruby Waddell

TELL ME THE STORY OF JESUS!

Arrests, beatings and torture are a reality for many Turkmen pastors. Ask the Lord to free Turkmen believers from fear and to build leadership and unity within the Turkmen church.

DAY BY DAY

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5

11:45 am Golden Age Fellowship

5:15 pm Fellowship Supper

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

6:10 pm Youth Christmas Program Preparations

6:30 pm Mid-Week Service, Adult Choir Rehearsal,

       Mission Friends, GA’s, RA’s

6:45 pm Acteens, Challengers

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8

10:00 am Decorating Committee

6:30 pm Current Events Sunday School Party – Walker’s

Builders Sunday School Party – Young’s

Agape Sunday School Party – Simpkins’

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9

9:00 am Handbell Practice

9:45 am Bible Study for All Ages

11:00 am Morning Worship Service

5:15 pm Children’s Puppet Ministry - Sanctuary

5:30 pm Youth Puppet Ministry - Sanctuary

6:00 pm Evening Service: Worship in Song!

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10

7:00 am Prayer Meeting

10:00 am Morning Mission Group

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12

5:15 pm Fellowship Supper

5:40 pm Preschool Choir, Youth Lighthouse, RA’s, GA’s

6:10 pm Youth Christmas Program Preparations

6:30 pm Mid-Week Service, Adult Choir Rehearsal,

       Mission Friends

6:45 pm Acteens, Challengers

7:00 pm Children’s Choir Rehearsal

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13

8:30 am Care Visits

7:00 pm Healing Heart Memorial Service

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15

10:00 am Youth Christmas Program Preparations

SHARING THE MINISTRY

Sunday, December 9

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

Counting Team Sound Booth

J Young, T & J Foster S Rogers

Nursery: E O’Hara, CA McAbee

Ushers

T Culbreath, T Foster (f), L Craig (o), J Davidson (p)

pm – J Ward, P Elliott

Welcome Center Blood Pressure Screening

J Granger, J Harrill K Fowler

Children’s Worship

K Smith, H Orias, C Reynolds

FELLOWSHIP SUPPER

This Wednesday, December 5

Chicken Rings, Creamed Potatoes, Green Beans,

Cost: $1.50