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 12, 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

BEING CHANGED BY THE SAVIOR

Luke 1:26-50

Morning Worship Service

Third Sunday in Advent

THE CHRISTMAS HEART

Luke 2:16-19; Matthew 2:11

Evening Worship Service

GIFTS!

Youth Christmas Program

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

        Thelma Patton, 12-16         Ruskin Casey, 12-21

        Jeff Lanford, 12-16         Mary Lanford, 12-21

        Hunter Patton, 12-17        Conn Mason, 12-22

        Elaine O’Hara, 12-18        Charles Hembree, 12-22

        Angie Turner, 12-18

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY

We express our love and prayerful support to:

Tom Foster and family in the death of

his brother, Bruce Foster;

Bobby Scott, Sr. and family in the death of

his father, Charles Scott;

Edith McIntyre and family in the death of

her cousin, Marjorie Putnam;

Bill Scott and family in the death of

his niece, Janet Cunningham.

CARE VISITS & CAROLING

This 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!

UNSPEAKABLE JOY!

Presented by the Adult Choir

Next 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

STUDENT DAY AT CHRISTMAS

Sunday, December 30 * 11:00 am

Our college and graduate students are invited to help lead our worship service. Please call the church office if you would like to participate.

GIFTS!

Youth Christmas Program

This Sunday, December 16 * 6:00 pm

Join in this Sunday night as our youth lead us in worship. The program will focus on the gifts we receive and the gifts we can give and will include puppets, interpretive movement, instrumental and choral selections and recorded interviews with many of you. We look forward to a great time of worship and fellowship.

All youth are invited to and reminded of the rehearsals for the program. We would love for everyone to take part.

This Wednesday, December 12 * 5:40 pm

This Saturday, December 15 * 10:00 am

This Sunday, December 16 * 5:00 pm

GIFTS TO THE GLORY OF GOD!

In Memory of Mary Wall

Mr & Mrs John Cothran

In Memory of Calvin Willard

Mr & Mrs William Bradey

Over & Above Offering

In Honor of Bobbie Cudd’s Birthday

Gleaners Sunday School Class

In Honor of Mr & Mrs Tommy Westmoreland

Gary & Jan Schmatt

In Memory of Mary Wall

Gleaners Sunday School Class

In Memory of Lois Burdette

Henry & Jean Woodfin

In Memory of Mr & Mrs Charles Schmatt

In Memory of Mr & Mrs Eldo Knoke

Gary & Jan Schmatt

Lottie Moon Offering

In Honor of Walter & Linda Garrett

Anne Williams

ATTENDANCE AND OFFERING:

Sunday School Attendance December 9

Preschool 3

Children 26

Youth 22

Adults 126

Total Attendance 177

BUDGET December 9 2007

Needs $ 7,969.00 $390,481.00

Offering $ 6,933.00 $374,594.00

Over/(Under) $ 1,036.00 ($ 15,887.00)

DESIGNATED FUNDS

Over and Above Offering $ 302.00

Lottie Moon Offering $ 779.00

Budget Designated $ 499.80

Total Designated $1,580.80

TOTAL $ 8,513.80

YOUTH CHRISTMAS GATHERING

Sunday, December 16 * After the Christmas Program

Youth are invited to a great time of food and fellowship this Sunday night. Please bring a wrapped ($10) gift for the gift exchange game.

COLLEGE & CAREER

CHRISTMAS GATHERING

Thursday, December 20 * 7:00 pm

at the Home of Andrew Shull

Season of Prayer for

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS

Tell Me the Story of Jesus!

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Goal: $6,000.00 * Received: $2,534.00

WHO WAS LOTTIE MOON?

December 12, 1840 – December 24, 1912

Charlotte Diggs Moon served as a missionary in China. At first, the people distrusted her, calling her names like “devil woman.” Lottie responded by baking cookies. 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 and was an advocate for allowing them to receive an education. 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.

“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 $15,887.00 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: $7,615.54

MID-WEEK SERVICE

This Wednesday, December 12 * 6:30 pm

We will be studying Psalm 35 & 36!

TUESDAY MORNING PRAYER MEETING

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

WEDNESDAY NIGHT SCHEDULE

This 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

JANUARY BIBLE STUDY: ROMANS

Each Sunday Night in January!

PUPPET MINISTRY

Will resume 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.

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

HEALING HEART

MEMORIAL SERVICE

Thurs., 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.

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.

DAY BY DAY

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12

5:15 pm Fellowship Supper

5:40 pm Preschool Choir, RA’s, GA’s

    Youth Christmas Program Preparations

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

        Mission Friends

7:00 pm Children’s Choir Rehearsal, Acteens, Challengers

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

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16

9:00 am Handbell Practice

9:45 am Bible Study for All Ages

11:00 am Morning Worship Service

5:00 pm Youth Christmas Program Preparations

6:00 pm Evening Service: Gifts!

7:00 pm Youth Christmas Party – Youth Room

MONDAY, DECEMBER 17

6:30 pm Martha Lewis Mission Group

                    Christmas Party – Hix’s

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18

7:00 am Prayer Meeting

7:00 pm Forest Hills Memorial Service –Funeral Home

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19

6:00 pm Adult Choir Rehearsal

6:30 pm Mid-Week Service

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20

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

SHARING THE MINISTRY

Sunday, December 16

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

Counting Team Sound Booth

J Young, T & J Foster S Rogers

Nursery: S Stribling, J Skinner

Ushers

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

pm – J Skinner, B Scott

Welcome Center Blood Pressure Screening

T & L Morgan L Turner

Children’s Worship

L Orias, R Wilson, J Westmoreland

FELLOWSHIP SUPPER

This Wednesday, December 12

Hot Dogs, Chips, Cookies, Cost: $1.50

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.

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.