FBC Carthage E-News for December 7, 2009

FBC Carthage E-News
December 7, 2009

Good Morning,

It’s beginning to look, sound and feel a lot like Christmas. The sanctuary and front entrance are beautifully decorated with the look of Christmas. The children’s choir program last night made tears come to my eyes sweet, beautiful songs of Christmas. The snow and colder weather over the weekend had the feel of Christmas. This is a wonderful time of the year.

Thanks to all who have worked in many ways this week in the celebration of Christmas. A special thanks to all who came out for the Christmas Parade, carols and refreshments. That is a great community outreach and a lot of fun at the same time.

Lighthouse Christian Camp’s Girl’s Christmas Party was an overwhelming success. There were 491 girls, in addition to over a hundred helpers. Wow! It was quite an exciting day. That was the largest group they have ever had for the Christmas Party. The Boy’s Christmas Party is this Saturday, December 12 and there are two areas of need:
· With the large number of girls they had to use many of the gifts they had held back for the boys. The Camp needs additional toys and gifts. If you would like to respond to this immediate need you can bring items by the church and we will get them delivered on Thursday.

· There is also a need for workers on Saturday with the Boy’s Christmas Party. If you can help you will need to be at Lighthouse Christian Camp in Smithville by 8:30 AM. The Party lasts until around 4:00 PM. It will be one of the highlights of your Christmas this year as you share in the lives of so many. There is something special about Christmas and children.

Be praying for our special Christmas Sunday service on December 20. We have requested the Smith County Board of Education to have our service in the Smith County High School Auditorium. We will have only one service that morning from 10:00-11:30 AM. The choir will be presenting their Christmas musical and we will celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. Because of the special service and location we will not have Sunday School on that Sunday. It will be a great blessing to be together for this celebration and to have plenty of seating for friends and families from the community. Begin spreading the word and invite those you know, especially those you are praying for, to come with you for this Christmas Celebration Service.

Have a great week as you share the joy of Jesus with people around you this week.

Bro. Tim


Here’s the news for the week:
1. The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering has received approximately $2750 toward our goal of $8000. Every penny of this offering goes to the work ogf missions around the world through the International Missions Board. Click on this link as my friend, Jeff Slaughter, shares a little about Lottie Moon and the special missions offering named for her: http://www.imb.org/main/downloads/flashvideos.asp?filename=/files/72/7225/7225-40611.flv
For more information about the International Mission Board and stories from our missionaries click on: www.imb.org

2. The Ladies’ Ornament Exchange will be tonight at 6:30 PM in the Family Life Center. All ladies are invited to attend, bring and ornament to exchange and a finger food/desert to share.

3. The December business meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 9 at 6:30 PM. We have had several suggestions for the Personnel Manual that need the Personnel Committee’s review before it is brought to the church. Thanks for the thoughtful input on this important document.

4. Everyone is invited to the Frank’s home this Sunday, December 13 for our Open House from 2-4 PM. We will have refreshments and this will be a chance to visit and say “Merry Christmas”.

5. The Youth Christmas Party has been scheduled for Sunday Night, December 20 at 7:00 PM following the Evening Service. The fellowship will be at Mark and Gina Dillon’s home at 102 Morris Drive.

6. Be making your Christmas Eve plans to attend the Christmas Eve service at 5:30 PM. This service will include carols, communion, candlelight, and the Christmas story. Bring your family and friends and come as you are for this special service around the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

7. We are making plans for a two-day Mission Trip to the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home in Franklin, Tennessee. We will be doing some painting and projects on one of the cottages in which the children live. We will plan to leave each morning from the church parking lot at 7:00 AM and return each evening around 6:00 PM. You can sign-up for this Mission Trip by sending an e-mail to tfrank@fbccarthage.com , calling the church office at 735-1929, or making a note on the Attendance Register this Sunday. Everyone is invited, however, children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult, preferably a parent.

8. The poll results are in concerning the New Eve Activities. We will begin around 9:00 PM with volleyball, games and refreshments in the Family Life Center. At 11:00 PM we will go up to the Sanctuary for a time of praise and worship, thanking the Lord for a wonderful year and preparing for the year to come. We will welcome in the New Year with prayer. Make your plans to join in the festivities and fun.

9. Here is a good reminder for each of us during the holidays and everyday, sent to me by a good friend, Bro. Billie Friel:

A poor little street girl was taken ill one Christmas and carried to the hospital. While there she heard the story of Jesus coming into the world to save us. One day she whispered to the nurse: “I’m having real good times here. Suppose I’ll have to go away from here just as soon as I get well; but I’ll take the good time along—come of it anyhow. Do you know about Jesus being born?” “Yes,” replied the nurse, “I know. Sh-sh-sh! Don’t talk any more.” “You do?” the little girl said, “I thought you looked as if you didn’t, and I was going to tell you.” “Why, how did I look?” asked the nurse, forgetting her own order in her curiosity. “Oh, just like most folks—kind of glum. I should think you’d never look glum if you knew about Jesus being born.”

May the joy you have, because of the birth of Jesus Christ, be contagious.