FBC Crathage E-News for November 17, 2008

FBC Carthage E-News
November 17, 2008

Good Morning,

The sun is shining, the weather is brisk and this is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. These next two weeks we will think a lot about Thanksgiving and giving thanks. As Christians it is a blessing to always be able to be thankful for who we are in Christ, what Jesus has done for us on the cross and the great gift we have received of eternal life through our faith and trust in Him. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

I am still excited about the great Community Thanksgiving service we had last night at the Ag Center. There was a good crowd from many churches throughout Smith County. I enjoyed the creative movement team from Christ Community Church and the special music. I hope everyone who attended was blessed. It is good to join together with Christians from other churches and feel the common bond we have through faith in Jesus Christ.

For those who were out yesterday morning, Jim Wilburn read his letter of resignation effective December 29, 2008. He will be moving to pastor a church on Long Island, New York in the town of King’s Park. You can click on the following link to see it on the map: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=kings+park+long+island+new+york&um=1&ie=UTF-&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&resnum=1&ct=image
Let’s be praying for Jim, Karen and their soon-to-be-delivered child. Jim will preach Sunday, December 28 in both morning services and then we as a church will have his ordination service that evening at 5:30 PM.

Speaking of two services, I remind you of the additional service at 8:00 AM beginning this Sunday, November 23. A special thank you to the choir, instrumentalists, preschool workers, and children’s church for the extra effort going into this additional service. The purpose for two morning services during the holiday season is to provide room for you to invite and bring friends, family, neighbors and co-workers. Let’s seize the moment and take this opportunity to reach out to those around us. They will come if we will invite them.

On a personal note, the work on the house is coming to a close and we are excited about our Christmas Open House for you to come by and visit on Sunday, December 14 from 2-4PM. If you would like to bring some Christmas Cookies to share that will be fantastic. We look forward to your coming to our home for Christmas. You are welcome to bring friends and family with you.

Have a blessed week and remember to give thanks for all the Lord has done in your life.

Bro. Tim


Here’s This Week’s News:
1. The big news is two morning services this Sunday, November 23. Through the Thanksgiving and Christmas season the morning schedule will be as follows:
8:00 AM Worship Service in Sanctuary
9:30 AM Sunday School
10:45 AM Worship Service in Sanctuary

2. We began a visitation blitz to every home in Carthage and South Carthage delivering an invitation to the special services at FBC Carthage. There are several areas left to visit. We have door hangers that you leave on the door or give to the families if they are home. Michael Key and I visited one section of homes yesterday in a little over one hour. If you would like to go with someone, call the church office at 735-1929 and talk to me (Bro. Tim). We will work out a visiting team for you to be a part of this Holiday Blitz.

3. Yesterday in the service we also distributed Offering Envelopes for you to use as you give your tithes and offerings. As you use your envelopes I remind you of the passage we studied Sunday in Malachi 3:10 that says, “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “ If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.”

In addition, an added benefit of using the offering envelopes is that the church can provide you with a Contribution Statement at the end of the year to submit with your Income Tax Report.

4. Dr. Gary Rickman referred to three mission sending entities yesterday that we directly support through the Cooperative Program. You may want to take a look at these web sites to know more about the work of Southern Baptist at home and around the world:
Tennessee Baptist Convention www.tnbaptist.org/
International Mission Board www.imb.org
North American Missions Board www.namb.net/

5. This Sunday, November 23 will be our Thanksgiving Dinner at 5:30 PM in the Family Life Center. The church will be providing the turkey, dressing, bread, and drinks. Everyone is asked to bring vegetables, salads and desserts.

6. The Women on Missions continue to collect items for the Study Bags for our college students. Bring snack items this Sunday and place them in the collection boxes at the doors.

7. Listed below is a reminder list of the events for Thanksgiving and Christmas at First Baptist Church. Don’t miss a single blessing. Make your plans to attend every service. In fact, you can double your enjoyment by inviting someone to attend with you. Why come alone when you can bring a friend?

Schedule of Special Services for the Season

November 23 - Thanksgiving Dinner at 5:30 p.m.

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 - Communion Service at 5:00 pm.