FBC Carthage E-News for December 15, 2009

FBC Carthage E-News
December 15, 2008

Good morning,
It’s only ten days until Christmas! That may seem long to some but I am beginning to feel the pressure of un-bought gifts. I feel a shopping trip coming on this week.

The Open House was a great blessing as so many from the church and community came by to visit. Thanks you to all those who brought cookies and goodies. A special thanks to the ladies who helped serve. It was a lot of fun and we look forward to doing it again next year. However, don’t wait until next year to stop by and visit. I can’t promise everything will be perfectly in order if you drop by but you will be welcome.

The “Christmas Is Jesus” Christmas service was a great blessing yesterday in both services. The choir did a wonderful job in leading us to worship the Lord. They will present the music and lead us once again this Wednesday night, December 17 at 7:00 PM. This “extra” service is for especially designed for you to bring friends and family members to hear the true meaning of Christmas. Invite at least one person to attend the service with you this Wednesday night. They will receive a blessing and so will you.

Welcome to our newest members: Lisa, Zachary and Marissa Anderson

Congratulations to our students who graduated from college this past weekend:
Darren Shiverdecker graduated from Middle Tennessee State University
Tyler Hodge graduated from Tennessee Technological University

If you know of other graduates please e-mail me the information at tfrank@fbccarthage.com.

I have attached the information on the upcoming mission trip (December 29-30, January 1-3) at the end of this E-News. We need to have sign-ups completed by this coming Sunday, December 21. If you are planning on going and have not signed-up please e-mail me or call the church office at 735-1929.

This Sunday, December 21 we will receive a special “Love Offering” for Jim Wilburn as he completes his ministry here at First Baptist and prepares to move to Long Island, New York. Jim has been a great blessing to me as I know he has been to you and we want to say to he and Karen, “God bless you” as we send them out from our church to serve in another place. In addition, there is opportunity for “hand’s on” blessing to Jim and Karen as we help them move January 16-19. If you are available to help here or if you can go up with them on that weekend contact Jim.

Have a wonderful week and spend some time this week with the Lord in prayer and Bible study.

Your Pastor,
Bro. Tim


Here’s the news for the week:
1. All ladies are reminded of the Christmas Ornament Exchange Fellowship tonight at 6:30 PM in the Christian Life Center. Bring a small wrapped ornament and finger foods.

2. This is Mid-Term Exam week for the students in the Middle Schools and High Schools. Remember them in your prayers.

3. Sunday night, December 21 at 5:30 PM will be our annual White Christmas and Ornament Service. Bring an ornament that is special to your family to hang on the tree. Also, bring canned goods and non-perishable items wrapped in white paper to give to the Help Center.

4. With the special Wednesday night services for the next two weeks, we will not be serving supper at church. No Wednesday night meals on December 17 or 24.

5. Our Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is 1/3 of the way to it’s goal. As of Sunday, we had received $2569 toward our church goal of $7500. Consider the gift you give to missions as a gift given to Jesus on His birthday. All money given through this special offering goes directly to mission work around the world through the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Give so people may hear the “good tidings of great jot that shall be to all people.”

6. The Personnel Committee has begun receiving resumes for the Minister of Music position. If you know of persons who might be qualified and interested in this Part-Time position have them send their resume to First Baptist Church, 409 Main Street N, Carthage, TN 37030.

7. The sign-up continues for the Mission Trips during Christmas break. You can also sign-up by e-mail to the church office or directly to Tim Frank tfrank@fbccarthage.com.

Holiday Missions Trip
December 29-30, January 1-3
Cost $30 per person (for January 1-3 portion)

Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home in Franklin, Tennessee
December 29-30
We will mainly be doing painting and light renovation work for one of the Children’s homes. Danny and Amy Calves are the House Parents and will be coordinating the work. Both days we will leave from FBC Carthage at 7:30 AM and return around 7:00 PM.

Big Creek Missions Center in Leslie County, Kentucky
January 1-3, 2009
This will be a great way to begin a new year, on missions. Leslie County, Kentucky is in the heart of Appalachia with many needs, both physical and spiritual. We will be working with the Big Creek Missions Center and their director, Kevin Rogers. The work will include renovations on the old school building which the Mission uses as it’s center. Weather permitting, we will go into the community and minister to the people of the area.
Lodging: Sleeping Bags and Air Mattresses
Food: We will be preparing our meals in their kitchen facility.
Transportation: The church van and private vehicles.
Tools Needed: Light construction and painting

8. Christmas Is Jesus – Last night after watching “The Nativity Story” during the evening service, I went home and watched a little TV before going to bed. There were several Christmas programs on so we watched them (all at the same time if you know what I mean). They were fun and festive but never once did they even mention the true meaning of Christmas. No mention of the baby Jesus in the manger, Mary, or Joseph. If left to the world, Christmas would become just another non-religious, all-inclusive, non-offensive holiday. As believers in Jesus Christ, however, we have the commission to share the real meaning, that “a Savior has been born who is Christ the Lord.” Tell the good news to someone this week. Invite a friend of neighbor to the choir program on Wednesday night. Send a card that reflects Jesus. Let’s keep our focus on the One whose birthday we celebrate, Jesus. Christmas is Jesus.