FBC Carthage E-News for November 30, 2010

FBC Carthage E-News
November 29, 2010

Good Morning,

I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. There is an excitement during this season of the year as families gather together, decorations begin to be put in place, and people reflect on the true values of life. During the next four weeks I encourage you to take some extra time alone with God and focus on the truly important things in life.

Thank you for your prayers for me and my family during the visitation and funeral for my brother, Morris Frank. The funeral service was a great tribute to a life lived for the glory of God and the salvation of people through faith in Jesus Christ. Everyone who shared in the service made mention of my brother’s overwhelming desire to see people accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. One man shared of a “Most Wanted” list he saw in my brother’s pocket. Turns out, that list was ten men over 65 who my brother was praying for and seeking to share Jesus with before they passed away. Please continue to pray for us, especially my nieces and nephews, as they work through the grief of the deaths of their mom and dad within just a few months.

We had a team of five leave this morning for a day of serving at Lighthouse Christian Camp. They had a van load of gifts for the girls’ and boy’s Christmas parties. You did awesome in bringing gifts for the children. It was amazing to see how much was given. Thank you for your gifts. Remember, the Christmas parties are the next two Saturdays, beginning at 8:30 AM. Going and helping in one or both of the parties will be a highlight for you and your family this Christmas. For more information on these Christmas parties, send me an e-mail or contact me at 735-1929.

Speaking of giving, this is the Week of Prayer for International Missions. Listed below is a link for you to visit each day to read and learn about specific missionaries serving around the world through the Southern Baptist International Missions Board. Today, the focus is on prison ministry in Thailand and the work done in the name of Jesus Christ: http://www.imb.org/main/pray/page.asp?StoryID=5624&LanguageID=1709

As you consider your Christmas gifts this year, remember to include a special gift to the Lord Jesus Christ. I always think of my gift to International Missions as my Christmas gift to Jesus. I want the gift I give Him to be the best I can give. It is His birth we celebrate. I encourage you to give a special Christmas gift to Jesus this year through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. We give so that the world may hear and know Jesus as their Savior and Lord.

In the service, yesterday, I mentioned the call to pray and adopt one of the 6,426 people groups of the world who are 2% or less Christian. Many of these people groups have no evangelical witness. Check out the information below on the Inuit people group of Northern Canada. As Zeke and I were considering the groups of the world we both felt a leading to this group. I have several links below of information:
Basic Information
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inuit
http://www.ih.k12.oh.us/ps/inuit/maininuit.htm
http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/cultural/northamerica/copper_eskimo.html

Videos of the Inuit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UIrgAFW3aQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hmSofw5SKk&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtNuELl5he0&feature=related

On a personal note, Fran, Jill, Sara, and I will have a Christmas Open House on Sunday, December 12 from 2-4 PM at our home, 607 Main Street. We would love for you to stop by, visit, and some refreshments.

Have a blessed week,

Bro. Tim


Here’s the news for the week:
1. Remember the Christmas parade tonight, November 29. The youth and parents will gather at the parking lot across from Save a Lot at 5:00 PM. Everyone else is invited to join together at the church for Carols on the Steps at 5:30 PM. We will have hot chocolate and coffee, as well as singing familiar Christmas carols before the parade. After the parade, everyone is invited to a special time of connecting with the community at the courthouse.

2. Speaking of the parade, the Smith County Noon Rotary Club will be collecting children’s toys during the parade tonight for the Help Center’s Christmas toy give-away for needy families in the community. Bring a gift and give it tonight. The Rotary will be just in front of Santa.

3. Begin now inviting family and friends to join you for the Christmas Celebration Service on Sunday, December 19 at the Smith County High School auditorium. The service will begin at 10:00 AM and will feature a special Christmas presentation by the choir and a Christmas message.

4. The children’s choir will present their Christmas musical this Sunday, December 5 at 6:00 PM. This will be a delightful service and we will have finger food refreshments after the service.

5. The Church Council will meet Sunday, December 5 at 4:00 PM and the Deacons will meet at 5:00 PM.

6. Make sure you have all the special December events on your calendar:
December
4 & 11 Lighthouse Children’s Christmas Parties @ 8:30 AM
5 Children’s Choir Program and Refreshments @ 6:00 PM
12 Christmas Singing and Share Service @ 6:00 PM
19 Christmas Celebration at Smith County High 10AM
Youth Caroling and Christmas Party @ 6:00 PM
24 Christmas Eve Service @ 5:30 PM
25 Christmas Day
31 New Year’s Eve Family Night and Midnight Service

7. The church offices will be closed on the following days during Christmas and New Year: Friday, December 24 & Monday, December 27; Monday, January 3.

8. Here is a recent blog post from Ron and Karen Cockerham in Haiti. They shared one Wednesday night: http://ronandkareninhaiti.blogspot.co

9. Here is a Christmas week mission opportunity through the Tennessee Baptist Convention:
Connie Bushey, news editor of the Baptist and Reflector, is considering leading a small group to help a Baptist church in Wayland, Iowa, December 26-31. "The pastor, Greg Stacy, of Our Church Community Church, needs more meeting space and is renovating a former barn on his property where the church meets.He needs drywall, drywall hung, plywood hung, recycled barn wood hung, recycled tin hung on the ceiling (12 ft. ceilings). He has scaffolding and tools. He is a former contractor. Some might need to bring nail guns and power screw drivers.People also could provide activities for children who are out of school while there.Bro. Greg also has a furnace but can't afford to install it (about $4,000) and the duct work I believe. He is opting for using portable heaters."If you are interested, please contact Connie Bushey directly at (615) 371-7928 or cbushey@tnbaptist.org.