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 8, 2006

 

                                                                

 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

LIVE IN LIGHT, NOT DARKNESS

Isaiah 8:18 – 9:7

Morning Worship Service

GOD IS FAITHFUL

1 Corinthians 1:9

Evening Worship Service

STANDING ON THE PROMISES

2 Peter 1:4

 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

                Kim Fowler, 11-12                         Kelly Smith, 11-16

                Caylee Ann Simmons, 11-13          Shelba Scott, 11-17

                Joann Laster, 11-14                       Susan Raines, 11-17

                Telewene Stephens, 11-16             Jackie Siatkowski, 11-18

 

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY

We extend our love and prayerful support to:

The Family of Margaret Compton;

 

Liz Tipton & Debra Fortner and family

in the death of their great uncle, Rollin Johnson;

 

Frances Grant and family in the death of her

sister-in-law, Ruby Grant.

 

“CATCH UP” SUNDAY!

November 19

We give thanks for all the tithes and offerings that are given to carry on the Lord’s work through His church.  At the moment, we are about $5,000.00 behind.  The deacons have asked that each person consider giving a special “Thanksgiving” offering on November 19 to help our church fulfill the opportunities God has given us to minister together.

 

2007 MINISTRY SUPPORT BUDGET

The proposed budget was presented for discussion at our Church Conference this past Sunday night.  We will vote on the budget without discussion at the beginning of the worship service this Sunday morning.  Copies will be available in the church office.  If you will not be able be with us in the worship service, absentee ballots are available during church office hours.

 

FIRST BAPTIST SUNDAY SCHOOL

A Place to Grow and Belong

All teachers are asked to meet with our S. S. Directors on Nov. 19 at 5:00 pm in the Adult II Assembly Room.  We are making plans for High Attendance Day, Dec. 10.  There is a place in Sunday School for everyone to grow & belong!  We congratulate the Children’s I Department (Age 4- Grade 2) who had 95% of their enrollment present this past Sunday.

 

 

OPERATION:  CHRISTMAS CHILD

Bring Your Boxes This Sunday!

Each gift-filled shoe box will be sent to a child in a troubled country.  Please pick up the information flyer this week so that you can fill a box before Sunday.

 

 

 

        

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 November 22.  Come by the church office to sign up.  The cost is $10.00.

 

Middle School Acteens

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.

 

CARE PACKAGES

We are putting together care packages to send to our college students.  Please call the church office if you would like to help with this project.

 

OVER AND ABOVE OFFERING

For the Paving of the Church Parking Lots

Fund Balance:   $32,599.51

 

GIFTS TO THE GLORY OF GOD!

In Memory of Lucille Cook

Doris Anderson

 

Over & Above Offering In Memory of Emily Martin

Kate Hames

 

ATTENDANCE AND OFFERING:

                          SUNDAY SCHOOL

Preschool                                        7

Children                                        24

Youth                                           21

Adults                                        114

Total Attendance                        166

 

BUDGET                   November 5                    Year to Date

  Needs                          $   7,555.00                    $339,975.00

  Offering                     $ 12,917.85                     $334,922.43

 Over/(Under)                $   5,362.85                   ($   5,052.57)

DESIGNATED FUNDS           

  Over and Above Offering      $   185.00

  Designated Offering               $2,059.44

  Total Designated                    $2,244.44

TOTAL                                                                    $15,162.29

REACHING PEOPLE

          Lifeway recently published a study of 469 “formerly churched adults” – people who regularly attended church as an adult but no longer do so.  Here were the top 10 reasons they gave for not being in church:  1) Simply got too busy; 2) Family responsibilities; 3) Moved;  4) Work; 5) Church people seemed hypocritical; 6) Church people seemed judgmental; 7) Felt that going to church did not help them grow spiritually; 8) Stopped believing; 9)Church run by cliques; 10) Got divorced.  More than 80% of those surveyed checked that they did not have a strong belief in God.  62% said that they were not actively looking for a church but were “open” to the idea of attending regularly.

          All of us realize that if you are looking for an excuse, it is easy to find one.  Church commitments are not an exception to that.  The bottom line is -- people do what they want to do and they make time for the things that are important to them.  It was interesting that “busyness” came out as the #1 reason people stopped going to church and that the majority of those surveyed did not have a strong faith in God. 

          Another study was recently published by The Barna Group.  1005 adults were given 17 activities and asked which ones they really looked forward to doing.  The number one activity (71%) was sleep.  55% listed spending time with friends. 40% listed attending church (the fourth most appealing activity); 16% listed shopping for clothes.

          These studies give us much “food for thought” as well as food for prayer.  We too feel the strain and stress of the “busyness” of life.  We need to hear the words our Lord spoke to Martha, “You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.” (Luke 10:41)  What can we do as a church to help people focus on the things that really matter?  What can we do to strengthen people’s belief in God?  If people don’t have a hunger and a thirst for God then it is no wonder that church is a low priority.  We want people to know our amazing, incredible, miraculous God and to experience His life-changing presence.  We want to reach people for Christ!

______________________________________________________________ 

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

This Saturday, November 11  *  9:00 am  – 1:00 pm

Support our Acteens by contributing craft items, homemade jams, jellies, relishes or baked goods for the Bazaar.  Items for the bazaar can be dropped off in the church office. Tickets ($5.00 each) are available in the church office for the hot dog plates (1 hot dog, baked beans, slaw, chips & cookie.)  Delivery will be available with a minimum of a 5-plate order.  Please call the church office if you would like to have delivery.

 

THANKSGIVING OUTREACH MEAL

Wednesday, November 22

Each year we prepare a Thanksgiving Meal for the people of our community.  We do this especially for those who are in need.  Would you consider donating a turkey?  Sign up if you would like to help in the kitchen that day, help deliver meals, or make desserts/cornbread.  Join in this wonderful ministry.

 

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.

 

You are invited to

A COMMUNITY-WIDE CELEBRATION

of love and appreciation for

Reverend Deborah Williams

Sunday, November 19 * 2:45 pm

Beaverdam Baptist Church

Sponsored by the Lanford Grove Church Family

 

 

COMMUNITY

THANKSGIVING SERVICES

Emma Gray Memorial United Methodist Church

Sunday, November 19  *  7:00 pm

First Baptist, Emma Gray Methodist, and First Presbyterian have shared together in a service of Thanksgiving for many, many years.  The service will be held on the Sunday night before Thanksgiving.  This will take the place of our regular Sunday evening service on that night.

 

Bellview Baptist Church

Tuesday, November 21  *  7:00 pm

Planned by the Woodruff Baptist Association, the service will be led by individuals from churches across our community.  Come and join in as we express our thanks to God!

 

Woodruff Community

CLOTHES CLOSET

In 2006, October was our church’s month to staff the Clothes Closet.  Appreciation is expressed to everyone who gave of their time to serve in this ministry.  In 2007, January is our church’s month to staff the Clothes Closet.  If your class or mission group would like to “claim” a Saturday in January to serve, please contact the church office.  The Closet is in need of children’s clothes, especially baby clothes.

 

WORLD CHANGERS MISSION TRIP

Chesapeake, Virginia  *  June 23-30, 2007

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

 

Veteran’s Day

Saturday, November 11, 2006

We give thanks for those who have

served our country!

 

DAY BY DAY

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8

  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

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11

  Veterans’ Day

  9:00 am   Christmas Bazaar

11:00 am   RA’s leave for Furman

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12

  9:00 am   Handbell Practice

  9:45 am   Sunday School

11:00 am   Morning Worship Service

  5:00 pm   Youth Praise

  6:00 pm   Evening Worship Service

  7:00 pm   Youth SNAC

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13

10:00 am   Morning Mission Group

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14

  7:00 am   Prayer Meeting

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15

  9:00 am   Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS)

  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

 

 

ACTEENS FOOD DRIVE

The Acteens are sponsoring a food drive for Helping Hands during the month of November and have placed a box in each of the Sunday School classes with specific food items.  Thank you for helping out!

 

 

PRAYER MEETING

Each Tuesday Morning * 7:00 am * All are Welcome!

 

 

 

NEWSLETTER ON THE WEB

Our newsletter is posted on our church web site.  Send us an email if you would like to be notified each week when the newsletter is updated. 

 

 

THIS WEEK’S TRIVIA QUESTION

In our church cemetery, some of the oldest graves are not marked with inscriptions.  The tombstone with the oldest inscription is for Anney Alexander who died in 1796.  She immigrated to South Carolina in 1778.  What country did she come from?

 

 

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

 

SHARING THE MINISTRY

Sunday, November 12

Greeters

L Turner, J Young (f), B Howard (o) L Harrill (p)

                   Counting Team                                    Sound Booth

             S Ramey, W & L Garrett                           J Young

Nursery

K Soza, R & D Langdon

Ushers

T Culbreath, T Foster (f), L Craig (o) K Reynolds (p)

pm –  K Smith, M Orias

       Welcome Center                      Blood Pressure Screening

                 J Granger, J Harrill                       J Cooper, C Schlock

Children’s Worship

K Smith, M Sumner, A Smith

 

FELLOWSHIP SUPPER

Wednesday, November 8

Chicken Rings, Creamed Potatoes, Green Beans,

Cookies, Tea                      Cost:  $1.50

 

MID-WEEK SERVICE

Each Wednesday  *  6:30 - 7:30 pm

This week we begin a study of Chronicles!