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 6, 2006

 

                                                                

When they saw the star, they were overjoyed!

Matthew 2:10

________________________________________________________________________________________

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 

High Attendance Day!

HOPE THAT LIVES

1 Peter 1

Balloon Launch

Morning Worship Service

Parent – Child Dedication Service

WHEN THEY SAW THE STAR

Tidings of Comfort and Joy

Matthew 2:1-12

Evening Worship Service

CHRISTMAS CROSS TALK

Presented by the

Preschool and Children’s Choirs

Church-Wide Christmas Fellowship

Cookie Baking Contest and

A Visit from St. Nicholas

 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Darlynn Langdon, 12-10      Emily Edwards, 12-13

Duane Bailey, 12-12             John Ward, 12-14

Frances Pearson, 12-12        Kris Simpkins, 12-15

Clark Simpkins, Jr, 12-12   Thelma Patton, 12-16

Biff Knoke, 12-13                

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY

We extend our love and prayerful support to

JoAnn Waddell and Family

in the death of her mother, Sara Allene Hill.

 

Week of Prayer for

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS

Tell Me the Story of Jesus!

December 3 - 10

What will you do that others may hear of Jesus?

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering Goal:  $ 5,500.00

Received to Date:  $ 1,070.00

 

HIGH ATTENDANCE DAY IN

SUNDAY SCHOOL

A Place to Grow and Belong!

There is a place in Sunday School for everyone to grow & belong!  This Sunday, December 10 is High Attendance Day in Sunday School.  We want to involve as many people as possible in the study of God’s word.  A Sunday School Wide “Balloon Launch” in the courtyard is being planned for the conclusion of the Sunday School hour!  Come be part of the excitement!

 

Christmas Eve

CANDLELIGHT COMMUNION SERVICE

Sunday, December 24 * 5:00 pm

 

 

 

CHRISTMAS CROSS TALK

Presented by the Preschool and Children’s Choirs

This Sunday, December 10 * 6:00 pm

A Church-Wide Christmas Fellowship

will follow the service.

 

COOKIE BAKING CONTEST

This Sunday Night, December 10

You are invited to bake cookies for our annual Christmas Fellowship.  Sign up in the church office to enter the contest.  Donations of Christmas cookies will be accepted whether you want to enter the contest or not.  This will be a wonderful time of togetherness.

 

OVER AND ABOVE OFFERING

For the Paving of the Church Parking Lots

Fund Balance:   $32,029.19

 

GIFTS TO THE GLORY OF GOD!

Over and Above Offering

In Honor of Jessica Turner and Victoria Bailey

Thelma Patton

In Honor of Jo Granger and Lee Turner

Thelma Patton

 

CHRISTMAS CONCERTS

Our church is hosting the Christmas Concerts presented by the students of Woodruff High School and Woodruff Middle School.  All are welcome!

Choral Concert * Thursday, December 7 * 7:00 pm

Band Concert * Tuesday, December 12 * 7:00 pm

 

 

 

SENIOR ADULT FELLOWSHIP

At the home of Jim and Kay Young

This Friday, December 8  *  2:00 pm

Join us for a great time of food and fellowship.

We will travel by church bus from the church.

 

GOLDEN AGE FELLOWSHIP

Next 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.

 

CARE VISITS

Next 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!

 

CAROLING

Wednesday, December 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.

 

CHRISTMAS OUTREACH

The Middle School Acteens have adopted a child for Christmas and are seeking to pool their resources to be able to help.  If you would like to contribute, contact Lauren Orias or the church office.

 

CHRISTMAS CARDS

Bring your Christmas Cards for people in our fellowship to the Youth Post Boxes.  Money saved on postage will go toward the Over and Above Offering.

 

MID-WEEK SERVICE

This Wednesday  *  6:30 - 7:30 pm

We are studying the book of Chronicles!

 

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.

 

 

 

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.

 

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.

 

THE TRIVIA QUESTION

This week’s question:  When our church moved from its 5^th House of Worship to its 6^th 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?  Last week’s question:  Where did the name “Bethel” come from and what does it mean?  The name “Bethel” is first encountered in the Book of Genesis used to describe the area near where Abraham placed his tent.  In Genesis 28, Jacob gives the place it’s name after he has a dream of a ladder with angels ascending and descending.  “Bethel” means “House of God.”  The Bethel Association, formed in 1789, was one of the only associations in SC.  It was made up of churches across the Upstate.  Our church became the regular meeting place for the Association, so in 1798 our church changed its name to Bethel Baptist Church.  This remained our name until 1911 (113 years) when the church voted to change its name to “First” Baptist.

 

 

DAY BY DAY

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6

  9:00 am    MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers)

  5:15 pm   Fellowship Supper

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

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

                  Acteens, Challengers, Adult Choir Rehearsal

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7

  7:00 pm   WHS & WMS Chorus Concert

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8

  2:00 pm   Christmas Fellowship – Jim and Kay Young

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9

  8:00 am   Children’s Drama Rehearsal

  9:00 am   Children’s Choir Rehearsal

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10

  9:00 am   Handbell Practice

  9:45 am   Sunday School – High Attendance Day

10:30 am   Balloon Launch

11:00 am   Christmas Worship Service

  5:00 pm   Youth Christmas Praise

  6:00 pm   Christmas Worship Service: Christmas Cross Talk

  7:00 pm   Church-Wide Christmas Fellowship

MONDAY, DECEMBER 11

10:00 am   Morning Mission Group

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12

  7:00 am   Prayer Meeting

  7:00 pm   WHS & WMS Band Christmas Concert

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13

11:45 am    Golden Age

  5:15 pm   Fellowship Supper

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

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

                  Acteens, Challengers, Adult Choir Rehearsal

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

 

THANK YOU!

Dear First Baptist, Thank you for the wonderful Thanksgiving feast you provided for the community.  Through a gracious invitation we were able to enjoy the meal.  Thank you every much, The Custodial Staff at Woodruff Elementary School

 

Dear Church Family,  Thank you does not seem sufficient for all the love, prayers and support your have given me over the past two years.  You will never know how much I appreciate each of you on a daily basis.  I know I could not do without my loving church family.  Please keep me in your prayers,     In Christ’s love, Thelma Patton

 

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.

 

WORLD CHANGERS MISSION TRIP

Chesapeake, Virginia  *  June 23-30, 2007

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

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

 

 

FELLOWSHIP SUPPER

Wednesday, December 6

Hamburgers, Chips, Cookies, Tea     Cost:  $1.50

 

JANUARY BIBLE STUDY

Sunday Nights in January

1, 2 & 3 John