FBC Carthage E-News for November 28, 2011

FBC Carthage E-News

November 28, 2011

Good Rainy Monday,

It may be raining outside, but I am feeling the cheer of the Christmas season on the inside. Yesterday began the Christmas services at FBC Carthage and they were great services. Last night’s “Hanging of the Greens” service was a great way to begin the special Sunday nights of Christmas. I want to say “Thank You” to everyone who participated. The classes all did a wonderful job in presenting the special service and decorating the sanctuary. It looks beautiful. I want to say a special “Thank You” to the Flower Committee and the Young Women’s Sunday School class for all the preparation for this service. There was a lot of work done behind the scenes and I appreciate to effort. Several special individuals gave tremendous direction to the night and to them I say “Thank You.”


I hope you are planning to be present for each service during this season. It truly is “the most wonderful time of the year.” Here is a listing of the special services and events for the Christmas celebration:
December 3 Lighthouse Christian Camp Girl’s Christmas Party
4 Children’s Christmas Program @ 6:00 PM
“Arrest These Merry Gentlemen”
4-11 International Mission’s Week of Prayer
5  Carthage Christmas Parade and Singing on the Steps @ 5:30 PM
7 Senior Adult Ladies Luncheon @ 11:30 AM
10 Lighthouse Christian Camp Boy’s Christmas Party
11 Shut-In Caroling and Services @ 6:00 PM
13 Senior Adult Christmas Luncheon @ 11:30 AM
18 Christmas Celebration Service at SCHS @ 10:00 AM
Heart Strings Harp Ensemble Christmas Service @ 6 PM
24 Christmas Eve Service @ 5:30 PM
25 Christmas Morning Service @ 10:45 AM
No evening services.
29-30 Mission Project: Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes


The theme for our Sunday morning services will be “Christmas Is…” and will focus our attention on the true meaning of Christmas. Yesterday, the focus was on “Christmas Is Hope.” There is hope for living because of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. Be ready this week, this month, to offer a reason for the hope you have in Jesus to those you meet. There are many in our community who need a word of hope. Jesus is that hope.


Have a blessed week,
Bro. Tim




Here’s the news for the week:


1. The Carthage Christmas Parade is re-scheduled for next Monday, December 5 at 6:00 PM.  We will have coffee and hot chocolate in the front yard of the church and Christmas carols on the steps. Join us at 5:30 PM for this community event.


2. The Children’s Choir will be presenting their Christmas musical, “Arrest These Merry Gentlemen,” this Sunday night, December 4 at 6:00 PM in the Christian Life Center. This will be a “new” setting for their special program. Bring a finger food with you for a time of fellowship following the program.


3. We are collecting toys for the Smith County Help Center “Toyland” for needy families in our area. Bring a gift and place it in the collection box near the office area on the bottom floor of the Educational Building.


4. This coming Sunday begins the Week of Prayer for International Missions and our collection of the Lottie Moon Offering for International Missions. This is our annual focus on the work of our missionaries who serve in the nations of the world. One of our distinctives as Southern Baptists is the great mission effort done collectively and in cooperation through the more than 40,000 churches in the Southern Baptist Convention. The mission study provides a glimpse of this mission effort and the Lottie Moon Offering provides a large percentage of the funding. I have considered this offering for international missions as my Christmas gift to Jesus as the missionaries touch the lives of the “least of these” around the world.


5. During the Christmas season, there will be many Christmas parties and fellowships of Sunday School classes and ministries in the church. Please contact Deborah in the church office 9735-1929) with the date and time of your events, even if they are taking place at someone’s home. This helps in our communication and information flow within the church.


6. One of the special events for the month will be a two-day mission project at the Baptist Children’s Home in Franklin, Tennessee. We will drive back and forth from Carthage on Thursday and Friday, December 29-30. This is a great project for individuals and families and there is no cost to be involved, only your time. This is a great project for students to be involved in missions during your Christmas break. To sign-up, simply reply to this e-mail or stop by the Connection Point on Sunday.


7. Speaking of Christmas events, all adults 60 and above are invited to a covered dish, Christmas Luncheon on Tuesday, December 13 at 11:30 AM in the Christian Life Center. We will have great food, a festive program, and great fellowship. Invite friends, neighbors, and family to join you for this event. It is hopeful that this can be the beginning of an active senior adult ministry in our church. If you would be interested in helping in this ministry, contact Bro. Tim.


8. The Church Council will meet this Sunday at 4 PM and the Deacons will meet at 5 PM.


9. For your information: The weekly FBC Carthage E-News and the Sunday sermons are posted at http://www.ontheword.blogspot.com/.


10. Here is a special rendition of the “Hallelujah Chorus” on video from the Inuit people: http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=LyviyF-N23A