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

                                                            May 7, 2008

_________________________________________________________________________

---

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

COMMUNICATE

Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 2 Samuel 14:23-24, 28-33

Mother’s Day Worship Service

SURRENDERING YOUR HEART

1 Samuel 1-3

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

        Geraldine Atkins, 5-12     Daniel Craig, 5-15

        Vickie Brown, 5-12     Connor Reynolds, 5-16

        Rob Stone, 5-12     Billie Jean Rogers, 5-16

        Jane Turner, 5-14 Evelyn Burns, 5-17

        Robert Bradley, 5-14 Todd Caldwell, 5-17

        Harley Brown, 5-14 D J O’Hara, 5-17

GOLDEN AGE FELLOWSHIP

This Wednesday, May 7 * 11:45 am

Our May program guest is Tom Crabtree from WSPA News 7. Join us for a great time of food, fellowship, and entertainment.

CARE VISITS

Thursday, May 15 * 8:30 am

Join with us as we visit our Care Residents that are in facilities across the upstate. We will eat lunch together between visits. All are welcome!

GRADUATE RECOGNITION

We are preparing for Graduate Recognition Day on Sunday, May 25. Contact us if you know of someone who could be included in this service.

DO YOU NEED A RIDE?

If you need transportation to the worship services or activities at the church, please call Bob Hix, Linda Rhodes or the church office.

PENNIES NEEDED!

The mission groups will be collecting pennies for the 2008 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Bring your pennies to your mission group or place them in the jar at the Welcome Center.

MAY CHURCH CONFERENCE

Sun., May 18, after the Evening Worship Service

If your group or committee would like to be included in the printed reports, please turn your information in before Wednesday, May 14.

SOLDIER CARE BOXES

Help encourage our soldiers by bringing items for the Soldier Care Boxes. A collection box has been placed across from the Welcome Center. The boxes will be shipped in June.

MOTHER’S DAY OFFERING

Sunday, May 11, is set aside by our state convention for churches to give assistance to the South Carolina Baptist Ministries for the Aging. There are two retirement & nursing home centers affiliated with the SC Baptist Convention -- Bethea at Darlington & Martha Franks at Laurens. Both are wonderful places of ministry & care. This year’s offering will be used to benefit the long-term healthcare of retired SC pastors, missionaries, and their spouses. Special envelopes are available in the foyers & in the church office. Please prayerfully consider what you would like to do to help.

CHELSEA REYNOLDS

1^st Place Winner * My Favorite Baptist Essay Contest

We extend our congratulations to Chelsea Reynolds whose entry in the South Carolina Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s My Favorite Baptist Essay Contest won First Place in the Middle School Division. Chelsea has been awarded a $250 Best Buy gift card. We are proud of Chelsea and the work she did to accomplish this achievement.

OVER AND ABOVE OFFERING

For Sanctuary Heating and Air

Over and Above Fund Balance: $18,846.33

GIFTS TO THE GLORY OF GOD!

In Honor of the Neighborhood Work Day

Jessie Smith

Over & Above Offering

In Honor of Kate Hames

In Memory of Jake Hames

Paul, Wanda & Brad Lanford

In Honor of Aurelia Brock

Nancy Skinner

BIBLE STUDY & STEWARDSHIP:

SUNDAY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE May 4

Preschool 7

Children 26

Youth 20

Adults 120

Total Attendance 173

BUDGET May 4 2008

Needs $ 8,280.00 $149,040.00

Offering $11,277.60 $137,165.68

Over/(Under) $ 2,997.60 ($ 11,874.32)

DESIGNATED FUNDS

Over and Above Offering 460.00

Evelyn Henderson Offering $ 25.00

Designated Offering $ 671.20

Total Designated $ 1,156.20

TOTAL $ 12,433.80

The American Cancer Society’s

RELAY FOR LIFE

This year’s Relay will be June 6-7 at Woodruff Middle School. Luminary bags may be purchased through your Sunday School Class or in the church office. If everyone in the church bought just 1 luminary bag for the Relay, it would make a fantastic contribution.

CAR WASH AND HOTDOG SALE

This Saturday, May 10 * 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Sponsored by the First Baptist Relay for Life Team

Come & have your car washed on the Saturday before Mother’s Day & enjoy delicious hot dogs. Take out plates will be sold for $4.00. The car wash will be for donations. Proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society to be used in the fight against cancer.

SOUP AND SANDWICH LUNCHEON

Sunday, May 18 * After the Morning Service

Sponsored by the First Baptist Relay for Life Team

Come and enjoy good food and fellowship. Proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society to be used in the fight against cancer.

MISSIONS & MUSIC CELEBRATION

Next Sunday, May 18 * 6:00 pm

Join in as we celebrate the great things that God has done in the lives of our children through our school year Wednesday night programs. Each person is asked to bring a canned good with them for Helping Hands as they come to the service.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Outrigger Island: Living God’s Unshakeable Truth

June 9 - 13 * 9:00 am – 12:00 pm * Age 3 – Grade 5

Parents please mark your calendars and get ready for an incredible week! Contact the church office if you would like to help in this year’s VBS.

MEGA MESSY MANIA

Wednesday, May 14 * 6:30 pm

RA’s and GA’s are reminded to wear old clothes

as they prepare for the festivities.

AIR CONDITIONING

We are in the process of changing over from heat to air-conditioning at the church this week. On unseasonably cool days, please wear a sweater or bring a blanket.

SC SINGING CHURCHMEN

Thursday, May 22 * 6:45 pm * Roebuck Baptist

The South Carolina Singing Churchmen is made up of over 50 Ministers of Music from across the state. The concert will include selections representing many different musical styles. All are welcome!

COMMUNITY MEN’S BREAKFAST

Saturday, May 10 * Cornerstone Baptist * 8:00 am

Guest Speaker: Mike Ayers, Wofford Football Coach

Special Music: John Carroll * All are welcome!

EVELYN HENDERSON OFFERING

At the 25^th Anniversary Gala for the Spartanburg County Baptist Network this past Sunday night, an offering was received that will be used to help purchase a Disaster Relief Trailer and will assist Hispanic Summer Missions. If you were unable to attend and would like to contribute simply write ‘Evelyn Henderson’ on the envelope. Each person that is able is asked to consider contributing $25.00 in honor of the Network’s 25^th Anniversary.

FOUR FOR HIM - IN CONCERT

Sunday, June 1 * 6:00 pm

We give thanks for the way our quartet leads in worship. They are preparing to present a concert for our church and community on Sunday night, June 1. After the concert we will enjoy a “Homemade Ice-Cream Fellowship.” Four For Him is made up of Bobby Blanton, Mike Elliott, Bob Howard, and John Ward.

THANKS!

Dear WFBC Family, We simply cannot thank you enough for the wonderful meal that you provided our local college students! You certainly blessed us by not only taking the time to prepare and bring the food, but by also staying to fellowship with us. May God continue to bless your body of believers as they bless others. Thanks again for giving.

                                                In His Love, Suzanne Bachelor

Thank you so much for the yard work and the flower you brought me. I was so blessed. Mildred Owings

Dear Church Family, Thank you all so very much for the many ways you blessed me while I was so sick and in the hospital. All the cards, calls, visits, and other acts of kindness are very much needed and helped in my recovery.

God bless each of you, Aurelia Brock

Dear Church Family, You can’t help it, it’s just your nature to be kind and generous and I am just so grateful. Thank you.

Love and Prayers, Brenda Culbertson

Just a note to thank each one that came to my house and worked. They did a great job. Thank you again and God bless each one.  Thanks again, Blanche Painter

Great appreciation is expressed to Pam Scott, Tommie Jo McAbee, Koosje Smith, Skip Scott and Bobby Scott who worked to make the Senior Adult Day Luncheon a wonderful success. A great time was had by all!

We would like to thank everyone who had a part of in the Sr. Adult luncheon this past Sunday. The meal was wonderful and we enjoyed it so much. We are blessed to be a part of such a loving church family.

                                      With love, Bobby & Mary Dell Scott

Dear Church Family, I am truly blessed to have such a caring and loving church family.  Thank you especially for all the prayers for me during my heart cath and surgery.  I still have a ways to go so please keep praying. But, I do thank God for each of you. Peggy Gilliland

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

THE ENCOURAGER

If you are not receiving a newsletter and would like to start receiving one each week, please call our church office, 476-8171. Every Tuesday the newsletter is added to our church web site – www.woodruff1st.org.

MOTHER’S DAY SCHEDULE

In keeping with long-standing tradition, we will not meet for an Evening Worship Service or for any activities this Sunday night.

TRIP TO STRAWBERRY HILL

This Friday, May 9 * 8:00 am

Join us for great food and fellowship as we enjoy breakfast and shopping together. Sign up at Golden Age or call and let us know if you would like to go.

GOD & COUNTRY & FAMILY

Lottie T. Caldwell Solo Exhibition

May 20 – 26 * Woodruff Library

The opening reception will be

Thursday, May 22 * 6:00 – 8:00 pm

DAY BY DAY

WEDNESDAY, MAY 7

Life Walk – Nehemiah 3-4

11:45 am Golden Age Fellowship

5:15 pm Fellowship Supper

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

6:30 pm Mission Friends, GA’s, RA’s, Acteens, Challengers

Adult Choir, Mid-Week Service – Psalm 95

THURSDAY, MAY 8

Life Walk – Nehemiah 5-7

FRIDAY, MAY 9

Life Walk – Nehemiah 8-10

8:00 am Strawberry Hill

SATURDAY, MAY 10

Life Walk – Nehemiah 11-13

8:00 am Men’s Community Breakfast - Cornerstone

9:00 am Relay for Life Car Wash & Hot Dog Sale

SUNDAY, MAY 11

9:00 am Handbell Practice

9:45 am Bible Study for All Ages

11:00 am Mother’s Day Worship Service

MONDAY, MAY 12

Life Walk – Esther 1-2

10:00 am Morning Mission Group

TUESDAY, MAY 13

Life Walk – Esther 3-4

7:00 am Prayer Meeting

WEDNESDAY, MAY 14

Life Walk – Esther 5-7

5:15 pm Fellowship Supper

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

6:30 pm Mission Friends, GA’s, RA’s, Acteens, Challengers

Adult Choir, Mid-Week Service

THURSDAY, MAY 15

Life Walk – Esther 8-10

8:30 am Care Visits

7:00 pm Healing Heart Grief Support Group

FRIDAY, MAY 16

Life Walk – Job 1-3

SATURDAY, MAY 17

Life Walk – Job 4-7

SHARING THE MINISTRY

Sunday, May 11

Greeters: Z Orias, J Young (f), R Tipton (o), R Skinner (p)

Counting Team: M Elliott, K Murphy, G Cooper

Sound Booth: Z Orias

Nursery: P Miller, L Morgan

Welcome Center: J Granger, J Harrill

B P Screening: - Z Orias

Ushers:

C Simpkins, Sr, K Smith (f), A Weathers (o), S Stribling (p)

Children’s Worship: K Smith, C Fortner, J Turner

Outreach Notes – J Granger

Outreach Packets – J Lanford

Outreach Calls –S Mudge

Outreach Visits – F Garrett & B Cudd

FELLOWSHIP SUPPER

Wednesday, May 7

Pizza, Corn, Cookies, Tea Cost: $1.50