Vol. LV December 15, 2017 No. 51

Schedule of EventsFIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

505 Community Drive • Seymour, IN 47274(812) 522-1909

If you need emergency pastoral care after office hours or on the weekend, please callRev. Larry Tingle at 812-603-2308. Leave a message and he will return your call as soon as possible.

Church web site: www.fbchome.orgOffice hours are 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. • Monday thru Friday

email Carol@fbchome.org; Jeanne@fbchome.orgBlended Worship in the Sanctuary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:00 A.M.Sunday School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10:10 A.M. Contemporary Worship Service in the Fellowship Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11:15 A.M.

Our Mission StatementGuided by Prayer;

Commi!ed by Faith;Empowered by God’s Spirit;

Working together to shareJesus Christ.

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him inbands of cloth, and laid him in the manger, because there was no

place for them in the inn.

Luke 2:7

Sunday, December 179:00 A.M. Blended Worship in the Sanctuary

10:10 A.M. Sunday School11:15 A.M. Contemporary Worship in F.C.5:30-7:30 P.M. The Attic(Jr. & Sr. Hi Youth Christmas Party)

6:00 P.M. Board of Finance & Stewardship

Monday, December 1811:00 A.M. Meals on Wheels

Tuesday, December 197:00 P.M. Worship Team

Wednesday, December 206:30 P.M. Voice of Praise

Sunday, December 2410:30 A.M. Combined Worship Service

Voice of Praise Cantata7:30 P.M. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

DEACON’S FUND/BENEVOLENCE FUNDContributions can be made to the Deacon’s Fund by using thepurple and yellow “My Offering for Benevolences” envelopes lo-cated in the pew racks. Funds received are used to help those inneed of a helping hand.

December 17, 2017Rev. Dr. Jeremy S. Myers, Senior Pastor; email Jeremy@fbchome.org

Rev. Larry Tingle, Assistant Pastor; email Larry@fbchome.orgPastor Mike Lyon, Pastor of Family Life; email Mike@fbchome.org

Pastor Nathan Parker, Pastor of Worship and Media; email Nathan@fbchome.orgMrs. Karla Shutters, Organist - Sharon Schulte Barnett, Pianist

If you have hearing difficulties, please contact an usher to receive a Williams Sound Personal PA Receiver.

9:00 A.M. BLENDED WORSHIP IN THE SANCTUARYPrelude: Hands of Praise

Angels Medley, We Three KingsWelcome & GreetingPraise & Worship

Angels from the Realms of Glory (#131)Lighting of the Advent Wreath

Sweet Baby Jesus Offering Prayer: Larry LeeOffertory: Hands of Praise

O Come, O Come, EmmanuelChildren (ages 4-Grade 3) can go to Children’s Church

Hark! the Herald Angels Sing (#133)Message: Christmas at the Movies

Christ Our LoveLuke 2:1-7Rev. Dr. Jeremy Myers

Song of ResponseO How He Loves You and Me (#513)

BenedictionPostlude

CD Recordings of worship services are available ($1 each) bycontacting the office.

TO OUR GUESTSThrough Christ’s love we welcome you to our services this morningat First Baptist Church. If you are a guest with us, please fill out oneof the pink “Guest Information” cards located in the pew rack in frontof you or on the table. Please drop the card in the offering plate whenit is passed. Before you leave today, please stop by one of our twoinformation desks conveniently located at the front and carport en-trances. We at First Baptist hope as we worship together you will ex-perience God’s presence, love and hope.

11:15 A.M. CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP SERVICEPreludeWelcome & GreetingPraise & Worship

Hark! The Herald Angels SingLighting of the Advent WreathOffering & Worship

God Rest Ye Merry GentlemenChildren (ages 4-Grade 3) can go to Children’s Church

Sweet Baby JesusMessage: Christmas at the Movies

Christ Our LoveLuke 2:1-7Rev. Dr. Jeremy Myers

Responding to GodThis is Love

BenedictionPostlude

HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURSThe church office will be open as usual except for December 25 andDecember 26. The office will also be closed on January 1.

CHILDREN’S CHURCHChildren’s Church will not be held on December 24 so the workersand children can enjoy the cantata.

A!endance:Wed. Eve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .959:00 A.M. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154Sunday School . . . . . . . . . .13411:15 A.M. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92

"e Lord’s Treasury:Tithes & O#erings . . .$8,738.00Designated Gi$s . . . . . . . . . .62.50Total Receipts . . . . . . .$8,800.50

I’M THINKING...SEASON OF SEARCHING

The old adage “out of sight, out of mind” is generally true,and never is that clearer than during the sprint from Thanks-giving to Christmas. A vast majority of the various itemsneeded to facilitate our holiday merriment are only neededduring this small window of time. So, for the 300 or so daysbetween when we take our decorations down and hide themaway in the predetermined place of perpetual darkness (box-ing day is the saddest day of the year) to the day we go to bringthem out again, we don’t even remember we own Christmasdecorations. We have been exceptionally slow getting all ofthe decorations up at Casa de Myers this year. One reason forour tardiness to the party is I struggled to find the box con-taining our Christmas lights. Now, our family has movedtwice over the course of the last twelve months so most peo-ple would give me a pass assuming I had simply misplaced myChristmas decorations. While there have been a great manythings we have lost track of during our moves, the Christmasdecorations do not fall into that category. I personally madesure all boxes containing Christmas goodness were stored ineasily-accessible locations within our garage. This providesme with the regular reminder throughout the year thatCHRISTMAS IS COMING!As is our way, I brought all of the boxes of Christmas decora-tions into our house at the appropriate time and we begancoating our house with Christmas. We have boxes withwreaths, boxes with trinkets, boxes with decorations for thetree, etc. But when I went to put the lights on the tree so wecould apply the decorations, the box with our Christmaslights was nowhere to be found. I searched my entire houseand garage for two days to no avail. The frustration waswelling up inside of me, and I was almost to the point of justbuying new lights, when out of the corner of my eye I noticeda familiar box. Our Christmas lights have been stored in aKeurig box for about ten years, and there in the midst of otherrandom appliances was a Keurig box with the words“CHRISTMAS LIGHTS” written across the front in big boldletters. My joy was nigh unto uncontainable. That for whichI had been searching had been found.

Christmas is often the season of searching. Perhaps like meyou’ve found yourself searching for Christmas decorations.Maybe you’ve been out looking for that perfect gift or the per-fect tree under which to place it. Or, it is both possible andlikely that you’ve been searching for time, time to decorate,time to shop, time to gather with friends and family, time tobreathe. Even in the midst of the madness of our searching,we are reminded of the Christmas story.In Matthew 2 we read the story of Magi or wise men whocame from the east. They had left everything behind and goneout in search of Jesus. These people had put the normalcourse of their lives on hold to search, find, and worship thepromised Messiah. In the midst of our searching may we bereminded to always search for Jesus, and may we trust thatthose who search for Him will find Him.

Grace and Peace,Dr. Jeremy S. Myers

WORKERS FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER:HOSPITALITY TEAM: 9:00 A.M. Doris Cooksey,Carol Kirk 11:15 A.M. Linda Wayman, Jeanne NicholsCHILDREN’S CHURCH: 9:00 A.M. AmyGreenawalt 11:15 A.M. Monica Lyon, Robyn Myers

WORKERS FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 17:DEACON OF THE WEEK: Larry Lee, 497-0213PASTOR’S PRAYER PARTNER: Deryk Baurle, 530-7503S.S. HOUR TODDLER NURSERY: Carol KirkUSHERS: 9:00 A.M. Jamie York, Chairperson; TimTritle, Deryk Baurle, Don Kirk, Chris Allman NURSERY WORKERS: 9:00 A.M. Angela Prewitt, Jolene Endicott 11:15 A.M. Connie Tingle, Tim &Stephanie Shipp BUS MINISTRY SUNDAY MORNING: 9:00 A.M.Don Kirk, 524-0008

WORKERS FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 24:DEACON OF THE WEEK: Elton Chambers, 859-338-1609PASTOR’S PRAYER PARTNER: Heather LeeS.S. HOUR TODDLER NURSERY: Judy Turner,Jeanne WaggonerUSHERS: 10:30 A.M. Jamie York, Chairperson; TimTritle, Deryk Baurle, Don Kirk, Chris Allman NURSERY WORKERS: Jill Baurle, Melissa Kaufman,Judy Turner, Jeanne WaggonerBUS MINISTRY SUNDAY MORNING: 10:30 A.M.Pete Burgmeier, 528-6420

CALL THE OFFICE AT 522-1909 TO SCHEDULE PICK UP FOR SUN-DAY BEFORE NOON ON FRIDAY. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL BUSRIDERS WILL ATTEND SUNDAY SCHOOL AND CHURCH BEFOREBEING TAKEN HOME ON THE BUS.

Received as of12/10/2017

$410,272.59Special giving envelopes for your

donations are available for pick up inthe Welcome Center areas

of the church.

Last Sunday, December 10, 2017

OUR CHRISTIAN LOVE AND SYMPATHY is extendedto Nicholas Anthony and Family on the death ofhis grandfather.

OUR KNOWN SICK: Kathe Caplinger, IU Med Ctr.;Dan Bohm, Schneck Medical Center.

LOCAL BIRTHDAYS January 4: Marissa Lillo, Libby FourmanJanuary 6: Betty ZikeJanuary 9: Tom WilliamsPlease contact the office and let us know your birth-date. We want to include all members and friendsof the congregation on the list.

WORSHIP SERVICE HELPERS NEEDEDSeveral persons are needed to help in the worship serv-ices. We need people to (1) advance the PowerPointslides on the screen for the 9:00 and 11:15 A.M. services;and (2) run sound for the two services. If you are inter-ested, please contact Pastor Nathan in the church office.

2018 FLOWER CHART & RADIO SPONSORSThe Flower Chart for 2018 is now posted on the wallacross from the church office. Regular flowers cost$12.50 per Sunday. A larger arrangement can besponsored for $35.00. If you would like to sponsorthe flowers, please sign up on the chart and indicatethe occasion. Also indicate if you want the small orthe large arrangement. If you desire a special arrange-ment, please contact the Flower & Decorating Com-mittee, Melody Hageman or Joellen Martin.If you would like to sponsor the radio broadcast,please call the office. The cost to do this is $40.00.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT DRIVER NEEDEDOur faithful Wednesday night bus drivers could usesome help! It would be wonderful if you could com-mit to taking a turn so they have an occasional nightoff. If you are willing to pick up the kids, please callthe office as soon as possible.

MISSIONARY OF THE MONTH FOR DECEMBER

Ingrid Roldan-Roman serves in Panama directing atutoring and feeding program in her home for ele-mentary and high school students who have fallen be-hind in their studies. She works with the students andtheir relatives in evangelism, social development andpastoral care.

ATTENTION VETERANSIf you are a veteran and your name is not listed on ourVeterans’ Bulletin Board in the hallway near the choirroom, please call Jo First, 523-7429.

DEACONS’ CHRISTMAS BASKET PROJECTThe Deacon’s Christmas Basket Project is underway!The Deacons will deliver food baskets on December 16.You may drop off donations of food items in the markedboxes in the Fellowship Center or the alcove. We are inneed of non-perishable items such as canned fruits andvegetables, soups, macaroni & cheese, etc. You mayalso contribute to the Deacons’ Fund for this purpose.Please note on your check “Christmas Baskets” on thememo line. The Deacons need your help for this to besuccessful.

T-SHIRT ORDERS ARE INWe have a wide variety of sizes in the office for adultsand kids. Pick some up for your family. $7 each

COMMUNITY NEEDSCommunity Provisions of Jackson County is in needof peanut butter, jelly in plastic jars, pasta sauce innon-glass jars, pancake syrup, ramen noodles, andcanned fruit. Your donations can be placed in themarked bins in the cabinets in the alcove or the Fel-lowship Center. Clarity needs Gerber Soothe orGentle Formula, baby wipes, and large sizes of di-apers.

SPECIAL ENVELOPES IN THE PEW RACKSContributions can be made to the Retired Ministersand Missionaries Offering (RMMO) by using theRMMO envelopes. Funds received are used to helpwith unexpected expenses or thank you checks tothose retirees. Christmas envelopes are also in thepew racks. Funds received in these envelopes go to-wards Missions.

ADDRESS AND EMAIL CHANGESPlease remember to contact the church office if youchange your mailing address, your email address, or yourphone number. Also, please notify us if you do not re-ceive The Messenger by email.

PRAYER CHAIN REQUESTSIf you have a prayer request for the Board of Deaconesses’Prayer Chain, please call the church office at 522-1909and your request will be forwarded to the Prayer Chainchairperson.

QUARTERLY BUSINESS MEETINGThe next business meeting will be held on Sunday,December 31, at 10:15 A. M. The election of 2018officers will be held, and the 2018 budget will be votedon.

VOICE OF PRAISE CANTATAThe Voice of Praise will present the cantata “TheSpirit of Christmas” on Sunday morning, December24, during a combined worship service at 10:30 A.M.Please invite your family and friends to come withyou. Sunday School will not be held on December24. A Christmas Eve Candlelight service will be heldat 7:30 P.M.