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 29, 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 

                                                 FAITH THAT WORKS 

                        Hebrews 10:32 – 12

                  Morning Worship Service

                        WHS Girls Ensemble

                     BE JOYFUL IN HOPE!

                  Tidings of Comfort and Joy

                             Luke 1:26-56

                  Evening Worship Service

                   Music Night at Christmas

                HANGING OF THE GREENS

 

 

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:

Sharon Meadows and Family

in the death of her father, Rondall Rhodes;

Kaitlin Brown and Family in the death of her

great-grandmother, Myrtle Lee Brown.

 

Week of Prayer for

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS

Tell Me the Story of Jesus!

December 3 - 10

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:  $5,500.00

 

FIRST BAPTIST SUNDAY SCHOOL

A Place to Grow and Belong!

There is a place in Sunday School for everyone to grow & belong!  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 on High Attendance Day.  Come be part of the excitement!

 

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.

 

Christmas Eve

CANDLELIGHT COMMUNION SERVICE

Sunday, December 24 * 5:00 pm

 

HANGING OF THE GREENS

Preparing our hearts and our church home for Christmas

This Sunday, December 3  *  6:00 pm

Join us for this unique, informal and active worship service.  Children, youth and adults will be given decorating tasks as we sing the familiar carols of Christmas.  This will be our “Music Night at Christmas” service.  Individuals and groups that would like to sing are asked to contact Bobby Blanton.  The service will conclude with candle lighting on the front steps as we hang Wreaths of Welcome on the front doors of our church.  Come and share in this time with your church family.

 

CHRISTMAS CROSS TALK

Presented by the Preschool and Children’s Choirs

Sunday, December 10 * 6:00 pm

A Church-Wide Christmas Fellowship

will follow the service.

 

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

 

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.

 

YOUTH CHRISTMAS PRAISE

Rehearsal this Sunday and next Sunday *  5:00 pm

 

OVER AND ABOVE OFFERING

For the Paving of the Church Parking Lots

Fund Balance:   $33,511.26

 

ATTENDANCE AND OFFERING:

                                     SUNDAY SCHOOL

Preschool                                        9

Children                                        20

Youth                                            14

Adults                                         118

Total Attendance                        161

BUDGET                   November 26                 Year to Date

  Needs                         $   7,555.00                    $362,640.00

  Offering                      $   4,903.00                    $358,624.12

 Over/(Under)              $   2,652.00)                  ($    4,015.88)

DESIGNATED FUNDS           

  Over and Above Offering       $   93.00

  Lottie Moon Offering             $   25.00

  Total Designated                    $ 118.00

TOTAL                                                                     $ 5,021.00

 

COMMUNITY MEN’S BREAKFAST

This Saturday, December 2 * 8:00 am

Cavins Baptist Church

Rev. Curtis Terry from the Woodruff Church of God will be the guest speaker and will lead in worship.

 

 

Special Community Prayer Meeting for

VICTORIA PATTERSON AND FAMILY

Monday, December 4 * 6:00 pm

Woodruff Church of God

 

 

SENIOR ADULT FELLOWSHIP

At the home of Jim and Kay Young

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.

 

 

COOKIE BAKING CONTEST

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.

 

 

GOLDEN AGE FELLOWSHIP

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 & CAROLING

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!

 

 

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.

 

 

NATIONAL ACTEENS CONVENTION

If you are interested in going to NAC in Kansas City, Missouri, July 9 – 14, 2007, a non-refundable deposit of $100 is due by this Wednesday, November 29.

 

 

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!

 

 

HOLIDAY GET AWAY

Please pray for the 36 adults that will be traveling during this special trip to Myrtle Beach.  The group will leave this Monday at 9:00 am and will be returning on Wednesday afternoon.

 

OUR GIVING PATTERN IN 2006

Month    Budget Needs     Budget Offerings        Percentage

January      $    37,775.00       $    34,914.24                  92.4%

February    $    30,220.00       $    30,791.75                101.9%

March        $    30,220.00       $    33,369.38                110.4%

April          $    37,775.00       $    37,315.36                  98.8%

May           $    30,220.00       $    27,879.60                  92.3%

June           $    30,220.00       $    26,119.11                  86.4%

July            $    37,775.00       $    36,972.90                  97.9%

August       $    30,220.00       $    30,925.80                102.3%

September $    30,220.00       $    29,182.48                  96.6%

October     $    37,775.00       $    34,533.96                  91.4%

November $    30,220.00       $    36,949.54                122.3%

Total         $  362,640.00       $  358,624.12                  98.9%

We give thanks for the faithfulness of God’s people!  It is your generous support that enables our church to meet and serve together in Jesus’ name!

 

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.

 

THE TRIVIA QUESTION

This week’s question:  Our church has had at least 5 different names.  For 113 years (1798 – 1911) our church was known as The Baptist Church of Bethel.  Where did the name “Bethel” come from and what does it mean?  Last week’s question was What gift to our church was instrumental in the church planning a public funeral service for a little boy’s dog?  In 1888, the Ladies Missionary Society gave a large bell to the church purchased from their “butter and egg money.”  (The bell was used in our 5^th & 6^th Houses of Worship and hangs in our steeple today.)  The bell was tolled to let people know of a death in the community.  Ruth Drummond wrote this account that is preserved in many of our written histories.  “One day after James Darwin’s dog, ‘June,’ died, Jim went to the church, climbed the ladder to the belfry and pulling it up behind him, tolled the bell long and dolefully.  The members of the church gathered in groups to find out what citizen had departed this world, and Captain A. B. Woodruff, who was crippled in the War Between the States, hobbled all the way to the church to investigate.  The members could find no one there, and it was late in the afternoon before the mystery was solved.  When discovered, Jim was asked if he knew who was dead, and he replied, ‘Yes, my dog, June.’  A public funeral was held and the dog’s remains were placed in the family plot of the church cemetery.”

 

 

DAY BY DAY

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29

  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, DECEMBER 2

  8:00 am   Community Men’s Breakfast – Cavins

  9:00 am   Children’s Drama Rehearsal

  6:00 pm   Deacon/Staff Christmas Gathering – Young’s

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3

  9:00 am   Handbell Practice

  9:45 am   Sunday School

11:00 am   Christmas Worship Service

  5:00 pm   Youth Christmas Praise

  6:00 pm   Christmas Worship Service: Hanging of the Greens

  7:00 pm   Youth SNAC  /  Deacons’ Meeting

MONDAY, DECEMBER 4

  9:00 am   Holiday Getaway Group Departs

  6:00 pm   Victoria Patterson Prayer Meeting –

                                                                Church of God

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5

  7:00 am   Prayer Meeting

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

 

THANK YOU!

 

Dear Church Family, As the great hymn says, "How can I say thanks for the things You have done for me,” I know that this refers to the blessings our Lord places upon us but, I feel the same about the love you have shown us as we pass into this new area of ministry.  I have never felt as much love as I did during my ordination service.  You will be in my prayers daily as I thank God for our time together.  You have helped mold the lives of Beth and I, and most importantly, our children.  We will miss our time together weekly but hope to continue our fellowship as the Lord allows.  We love you.  In Christ,

                                             The Rameys

 

 

Dear Church Family and Andrew, Thank you so much for your prayers, cards, & good wishes and most of all for caring!  You truly are a community of caring for Mother and me.  God blessed me with positive results after the surgery.  I thank Him most of all for being able to continue my normal life.  My sincerest thanks for all your concern,    Thomasene Owensby

 

Thoughtfulness is a special art that shows the warmth in a caring heart.  This comes especially for you with warmest thanks to say the memory of your thoughtfulness will last for many a day.  Thank each and everyone for the delicious meal, prayers and thoughts during our loss. 

William & Linda Godfrey & Family

 

Willie Mae Roper & Ginny Suggs wish to thank FBC for the delicious Thanksgiving meal!  We extend our grateful appreciation to each person who participated in preparing a delightful meal for our community.  Blessings to All!

 

 

Thank you so much for the wonderful Thanksgiving meal!  Appreciation is expressed to everyone who had a part in it!

Steve, Telewene, Tommy, Kathy, & Lewis Stephens

 

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, December 3

Greeters

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

                   Counting Team                            Sound Booth

         L Turner, T & J Foster                          S Scott

Nursery

N Skinner

Ushers

S Lawson, C Simpkins, Sr (f), A Weathers (o) G Cooper (p)

pm –  C Simpkins, Jr, C Willard

      Welcome Center                      Blood Pressure Screening

         T &T Sumner                              J Bowie, L Turner

Children’s Worship

K Smith, B Scott, M Fortner

 

 

FELLOWSHIP SUPPER * NOV. 29

Pizza, Corn, Cookies, Tea     Cost:  $1.50