FBC Carthage E-News for November 24, 2008

FBC Carthage E-News
November 24, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!

It is always an exciting time as we come into the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. Some of my most precious memories are of family gatherings at this time of year at 712 Riverside Drive in Carthage, Tennessee. I remember my dad, mom and all our family as we would gather together and celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas. I look forward to creating many new holiday memories with Fran and the girls at 607 Main Street in Carthage, Tennessee. It is good to be back home.

One of the Christmas traditions we are looking forward to starting is an annual Christmas Open House. We invite you to come to our house on Sunday, December 14 from 2:00 – 4:00 PM as we share the joy of Christmas. As you know, we have been doing a lot of remodeling to our home and will finish this week! The Open House will be a fun way to have you come and visit us. If you would like to bring something you can bring a couple dozen Christmas cookies to share with the other guests. If you know of others in the community who would like to come by feel free to bring them with you. You can introduce us to your friends and family. Our home is located at 607 Main Street North, just across from the Methodist Church.

Last night was a great time of fellowship and food as we had our Thanksgiving Dinner. Thanks to the ladies on the Fellowship Committee for the Turkeys and Dressing and all the work in setting up and decorating. Thanks also to the great cooks of FBC Carthage for the wonderful meal. As we shared things we are thankful for I was reminded of how blessed we are and how thankful I am for a loving church family that has opened their hearts and welcomed us in such a loving way. I am thankful for you.

Before I get to the news of the week I must tell you about my successful deer hunt on Saturday. Better than that, you can click on the link below to see the picture of the happy hunter. Click on: http://ontheword.blogspot.com/2008/11/congratulations-deer-hunters-2008.html

If you have a deer picture you would like to post on my blog site simply e-mail it to me at tfrank@fbccarthage.com

Have a safe and blessed Thanksgiving.

Bro. Tim


Here’s this week’s news:
1. Sunday, November 30 begins our celebration of Christmas. The theme for this year will be “Christmas Is Jesus.” Below is a listing of special events for the season. You may want to cut and paste this list into an invitation to send to your friends and family.

Schedule of Special Services for the Season
November 30 - Christmas Celebration begins
December 1 - Join us for caroling on the front steps of the church before the
Carthage Christmas Parade.
December 7 - Children’s Choir presentation at 5:30 p.m.
December 14 - FBC Choir presents Christmas is Jesus at 8 and 10:45 a.m.
December 17 - FBC Choir presents an encore performance of
Christmas is Jesus at 7:00 p.m.
December 21 - Annual Ornament service and White Christmas for the
Smith County Help Center.
December 24 – Christmas Eve Service at 5:00 pm.

2. We had a great start to the two services this past Sunday. Having the new service at 8:00 AM really opens up a lot of space for you to invite family and friends to join you for Christmas services. If you know people who are just getting off work or are headed to other events encourage them to come to the early service as they are. I love to look out and see them come.

3. Sunday, November 30 begins our emphasis on International Missions and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. Our goal this year is $7500. That is approximately $1.50 for each of our 5000+ Southern Baptist missionaries serving in countries around the world. Sunday night in the 5:30 PM service we will have Jesse and Betty Rushing who have recently returned from the mission field and live in Cookeville. They will share in the service and then be our guests for a reception and light refreshments.

4. Speaking of missions let me tell you about a great mission trip we are planning for the week after Christmas. December 29-30 we are planning a trip to the Baptist Children’s Home in Franklin to help with fix-up projects in one of their homes. We will then be home for New Year’s Eve and the Wednesday evening service. January 1-3 we will go to Big Creek Missions in Leslie County, Kentucky and work with the Director, Kevin Rodgers. There are many details to be worked out and I hope to have them for you on Sunday.

5. The Church Council will meet Sunday, November 30 at 3:30 PM for a special calendar planning session. All ministries and committee leaders are asked to attend or bring your event dates to Tim Frank by Sunday morning.

6. Gospel music fans will want to note that Legacy Five will be doing a benefit concert at Stevens Street Baptist Church in Cookeville on Friday, December 5 at 7:00 PM. Tickets will be $5 at the door and a love offering will be taken. Proceeds of the benefit go to the Highland Rim Christian Academy in Cookeville.

7. Senior Adults (55+) are reminded of the trip to Watermelon Moon Farm for lunch on Wednesday, December 3 at 10:45 AM. The cost is $18. Call the church office or contact Carol Wilmore by this Wednesday, November 26 for reservations.

8. If you haven’t seen the church web site recently check it out at www.fbccarthage.com. The link of the week on the home page will be the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. There are great stories of our mission work around the world. Check it out.

9. The church office will be closed for the Thanksgiving holidays on Thursday and Friday. If you have information for the bulletin contact the office by Wednesday. For crises you can contact Tim Frank at 735-9615.

10. Please pray for the Personnel Committee as they begin to receive resumes for the Minister of Music position. The position will be part-time and interested persons may send a resume to First Baptist Church, 409 Main Street North, Carthage, Tennessee 37030.