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

                                                          November 28, 2007

_________________________________________________________________________

---

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

RECOGNIZING THE SAVIOR

Isaiah 53:1-12

Morning Worship Service

WHS Girls Ensemble

FEAR NOT

Luke 1:13; 1:28; 2:10; Matthew 1:20-21

Evening Worship Service

HANGING OF THE GREEN

Presented by our Preschool and Children’s Choirs

Church-Wide Christmas Fellowship

Cookie Baking Contest and

A Visit from St. Nicholas

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Tony Brown, 12-5 Randa Wilson, 12-6

Bobbie Cudd, 12-6 Harold Brock, 12-8

Paul Lanford, 12-6 Samantha Conyers, 12-8

Bobby Scott, 12-6

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY

We extend our love and prayerful support to:

The George Wittaker Family and

The Patricia Jenkins Family.

WHS GIRLS ENSEMBLE

The Woodruff High School Girls Ensemble will be our guests, leading in worship, this Sunday morning. They are under the direction of Carla Blanton.

COOKIE BAKING CONTEST

This Sunday Night, Dec. 2

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 (and other yummy treats) 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 Sanctuary Heating and Air

Over and Above Fund Balance: $6,507.00

TELL ME THE STORY OF JESUS!

When the Soviet Union collapsed, 15 nations across 12 time zones, representing more than a half a billion people emerged from the ashes of the communist superpower.

HANGING OF THE GREEN

Presented by our Preschool and Children’s Choirs

This Sunday, December 2 * 6:00 pm

A Church-Wide Christmas Fellowship

will follow the service.

Join us as our preschoolers and children lead us in a wonderful time of worship as we prepare our sanctuary and our hearts for the Christmas Season. There will be a special rehearsal on Saturday, December 1, for children at 9:30 am and for preschoolers at 10:30 am.

TELL ME THE STORY OF JESUS!

Since the Soviet Union fell, Central Asian churches have grown from 0 to more than 1,400, yet Central Asia still has one of the lowest ratio of believers of any region in the world. There is just 1 Christian for every 2,700 people.

GIFTS TO THE GLORY OF GOD!

In Memory of Lois Burdette

Nancy Skinner

In Memory of Mary Wall

Ruth Earnhardt

Capital Needs Fund

In Memory of Mary Wall

Mr. & Mrs. Curtis Derrick, Jr.

Choir Robe Fund

In Memory of Kathryn Cox Hill

Jessie Smith

Over & Above Offering

In Memory of Mary Wall

Carolyn Culbreath

Ted & Susan Culbreath

In Memory of Calvin Willard

Carolyn Culbreath

Ted & Susan Culbreath

ATTENDANCE AND OFFERING:

Sunday School Attendance November 25

Preschool 5

Children 21

Youth 11

Adults 106

Total Attendance 143

BUDGET November 25 2007

Needs $ 7,969.00 $374,543.00

Offering $ 6,071.60 $356,081.05

Over/(Under) ($ 1,897.40) ($ 18,461.95)

DESIGNATED FUNDS

Over and Above Offering $ 228.00

Capital Needs Fund $ 15.00

Choir Robe Fund $ 50.00

Budget Designated $ 85.00

Total Designated $ 378.00

TOTAL $ 6,449.60

Week of Prayer for

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS

Tell Me the Story of Jesus!

December 2 - 9

Special Prayer Guides will be included with this Sunday’s bulletin. What will you do that others may hear of Jesus?

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Goal: $6,000.00 * Received: $1,115.00

WORSHIP IN SONG AT CHRISTMAS

You are invited to share with your family of faith through testimony or song at this informal Christmas gathering, Sunday night, December 9. Contact Bobby Blanton if you would like to take part.

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 and 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!

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!

Pray for Brad and Lori Stamey as they seek to help plant churches in Moscow, a city of 15 million people. Many areas of Moscow are still without a single church.

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!

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.

TUESDAY MORNING PRAYER MEETING

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

GOLDEN AGE FELLOWSHIP

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.

TELL ME THE STORY OF JESUS!

Within the former Soviet Union there are 350 different people groups, more than 280 million people, who have not been reached with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

YOUTH PUPPET MINISTRY

This Sunday, December 2 * 5:00 pm

Children’s Church Room

MID-WEEK SERVICE

This Wednesday, November 28 * 6:30 pm

We will be studying Psalm 31 & 32!

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.

JANUARY BIBLE STUDY: ROMANS

Each Sunday Night in January!

2008 FLOWER CALENDER

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

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!

Pray for Mel and Nancy Skinner who have served longer in Russia than any other SB missionaries. They helped found a church in Ivanovo that averages more than 150 people each Sunday and is pursuing new church starts elsewhere in the city.

FIRST BAPTIST BLOOD DRIVE

This Wednesday, Nov. 28 * 3:00 – 7:00 pm

POINSETTIAS

You are invited to help decorate our sanctuary during the Christmas Season by placing a poinsettia In Memory of or In Honor of a loved one. The last day to place your order is today, November 28. The poinsettias will be in our sanctuary beginning the second Sunday of December. Come by the church office to sign up. The cost is $10.00.

TELL ME THE STORY OF JESUS!

Uzbekistan’s government is increasingly targeting believers and banning Bible studies. “We have seen some of the leaders take a stand for the Lord. It is not easy, but if they can make it through, they will be stronger.”

DAY BY DAY

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28

3:00 pm Smoky Mountain Retreat Group returns

3:00 pm FBC Blood Drive

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 1

9:30 am Children’s Christmas Program Rehearsal

10:30 am Preschool Christmas Program Rehearsal

6:30 pm Deacon / Staff Christmas Gathering - Simpkins

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2

9:00 am Handbell Practice

9:45 am Bible Study for All Ages

11:00 am Morning Worship Service

4:30 pm Deacon’s Meeting

4:45 pm Preschool and Children’s Choir Rehearsal

5:00 pm Youth Puppet Ministry

6:00 pm Evening Service: Preschool & Children’s Choirs

7:00 pm Christmas Fellowship & Cookie Contest

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4

7:00 am Prayer Meeting

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

SHARING THE MINISTRY

Sunday, December 2

Greeters

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

Counting Team Sound Booth

J Young, T & J Foster J Young

Nursery

K & A Simpkins, K Soza

Ushers

C Simpkins, Sr, G Cooper (f), C Shaver (o), J Davidson (p)

pm – C Simpkins, Jr.

Welcome Center Blood Pressure Screening

T & T Sumner J Bowie

Children’s Worship

L Orias

FELLOWSHIP SUPPER

Wednesday, November 28

Pizza, Corn, Cookies, Tea * Cost: $1.50