FBC Carthage E-News

December 17, 2012

Good Morning,

The Christmas events and services are quickly moving us toward the day we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  It always seems that the week or two before Christmas are filled with so many activities it is easy to become distracted from the main focus of Jesus’ birth.  For this past week, I have been enjoying a daily e-mailed Christmas devotional from www.biblegateway.com which gives a reminder each day of Jesus’ birth.  The key is to keep our focus on Jesus, The Gift of Christmas.  Here is a “tongue-in-cheek” reminder of how easy it is to get our focus off of Jesus: http://skitguys.com/videos/item/its-the-most-wonderful-time

This Sunday, December 23 is our Christmas Sunday Celebration at 10:00 AM.  We will have only one morning service on this special day and we will be meeting at FBC Carthage.  The choir will be leading us in this special service and it will be a great blessing to you and your family.

Another special service will be the Christmas Eve service on Monday, December 24.  It will begin at 5:30 PM and will include carols, candle lighting,  and observance of the Lord’s Supper.  This service has become a favorite for me as we pause and remember Jesus, His birth, and His purpose for coming to the earth.  This Christmas Eve service will also include a tribute to Lottie Moon, the Southern Baptist missionary who passed away on Christmas Eve in China, 100 years ago this year.  Our mission offering is named after her.

This has been a great year in our giving, both through the offerings and through the gifts you have brought for the children in AWANA, Lighthouse, the Help Center’s Toyland, foster children, the Hispanic Mission, and Operation Christmas Child.  Thank you for your generosity toward the children.

Speaking of giving, on this Sunday, December 23 the offering will be given to our missionaries through the Lottie Moon Christ Offering for International Missions.  The Lord has richly blessed our church and we give our very best Sunday to Him.  It is His birthday and let us all bring our tithes and our special offerings to Him this Sunday.  May this offering be the largest ever received at FBC Carthage as we reach the world for Jesus Christ. 

This has been a sad weekend, watching the news and hearing the reports of the tragic shooting at the elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut.  We had special prayer for the families, the school, and our nation yesterday during the services.  I urge us to pray this week for those whose lives have been devastated by this killing.  I also call us to prayer for our teachers and students in Smith County.  Let us not forget the important role our teachers and schools play in the lives of our children.  Send a note, make a call, give a hug, and let a teacher know you are praying for them.

Have a blessed week as you celebrate the birth of Jesus,

Bro. Tim

Here’s the news:

1.      Congratulations to the following students graduating in December:

          Michelle Piper                Union University, Jackson

          Andrea Qualls                MTSU, Murfreesboro

          Taylor Reece                  MTSU, Murfreesboro

2.     Zeke and Layne Tomaselli will be with us on Sunday, December 30 in the morning services.  Zeke will be sharing an update on the church planting process and the plans for Ohana Church to be started in 2013 in Hilo, Hawaii.  Be praying for Zeke and Layne as they continue to follow Jesus.

3.      Pray for Marty and Shelia Dodge as they travel back from their Mission Trip to Poplar, Montana beginning today. 

4.     Ring out 2012, Ring in 2013 ON MISSION!

Our annual mission trip to the Tennessee Baptist Children's Home in Brentwood is scheduled for Monday, December 31, 2012 and Tuesday, January 1, 2013. What better way to complete this year and begin the new year than ON MISSION! There will be opportunities to paint, do work on the grounds (weather permitting) and prayer walk. See the display in the Connection Point for more details and to sign up for the day or days God calls you to serve. (This is not an overnight trip; we will depart from and return to Carthage each day.) Prayerfully consider how God leads you to spend the final day of 2012 and the first day of 2013. In service for His Kingdom is always a good choice.

5.     We will be having Sunday night and Wednesday night services through the Christmas and New Year holidays.

6.      Speaking of Wednesday nights, the Wednesday Night Family Meals will begin again on January 2.  The meals are served from 5:00-6:00 PM and provide a great time to fellowship and get to know other members of FBC Carthage.  They are also a great help for working parents bringing their children to Wednesday night activities.  In addition, the meals are available for delivery to shut-ins in our church and community.  If you know of a shut-in who would benefit from a meal on Wednesday night, contact Melody Tackett or call the church office at 735-1929.

7.     The Youth are planning the annual Ski Retreat for January 19-20.  You can get more information and sign-up in the Youth Room on Wednesday nights or contact Phillip Slagle.

8.     We will be having volleyball in the Christian Life Center on Thursday afternoons in January from 4:00-6:00 PM for anyone interested in a little exercise and activity.  Come on down and enjoy the fun.

9.      The Skit Guys are always a good way to close out the E-News.  Here is a great Christmas video from them:   http://skitguys.com/videos/item/its-the-most-wonderful-time