November 20, 2018 Volume LV No. 11-c

Getting Ready for Advent Party! Wednesday, November 28, 2018

6:00 p.m. in Cherry Fellowship Hall

We will have opportunities for all ages to prepare

for the season!

There will be no Wednesday evening services, activities or

meal on November 21st.

The ECM and Church Offices will be closed on Thursday,

November 22nd and Friday, November 23rd for

Thanksgiving.

Hanging of the Green December 2, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.

First Baptist Sanctuary

A reception will follow in Cherry Fellowship Hall.

Give to the Children’s Christmas Party

& Friends of Jesus Fund!

Beginning in October each year, we work with

area schools to gather names of children in need.

The Youth of First Baptist then invite 40 of these

children to our annual Children’s Christmas

Party. Each child who attends this event will

shop with one of our youth for a few necessities

and a toy, then enjoy a fun time at the party, and

leave with a few items for the whole family. We

hope to spend about $125 per child who attends.

The Friends of Jesus Class is also accepting

donations to buy gifts for their annual Christmas

Party.

Please give generously to help us make these

gifts possible. The Children’s Christmas Paryt is

December 15th. The Friends of Jesus Christmas

Party will be held December 10th.

Christ the King Sunday November 25, 2018

Jeremiah 7:1-11

Luke tells the story of Jesus healing ten lepers. As Jesus

approached these ten individuals call out to him and

plead for mercy. Jesus responded by telling them to go

and show themselves to the priest and as they went they

were made clean. One of the lepers then turned back to Jesus, fell

at his feet and thanked him. The others went on to the priests and

to do as they were told. Jesus was grateful for the man’s gratitude

and told him that his faith had made him well.

I have heard, read and preached a few sermons on this text. Many

of the sermons I have heard focus on an appeal to be like the one

person who turned and gave thanks. I try the best I can to return to

the Lord each day to thank him for all my blessings. I recently read

a slightly different take on this text that is challenging me to rethink

my gratitude. In a prayer, Thomas Pettepiece wrote… “Lord, only

one in ten returned to give thanks. It is tragic but I confess, that is

probably my percentage compared to the times I ought to be

thanking you.” I had not thought about this story quite like this

before. I am grateful, but do I thank the Lord for all the ways I am

being made new?

I will not pretend that 2018 has been an easy year. In all honesty, it

has been one of the more difficult years of my life. Still, I know

that despite the loss of my brother, a hurricane (or two) and the

challenges our church faces, God has graced me in countless ways.

I don’t always notice the ways God is holding and healing me in the

midst of difficulty, but as I think about the year I am grateful for

little things like…

The promise of a Camp Puzzle Piece camper to take care of

Jesus in heaven one day.

A surprise anniversary celebration and each of your

thumbprints

The theme song at PassportKids that reminded me that God is

always “Enough.”

Morning and evening walks with Bella

Conversations with my spiritual director, Larry Williams

A bird’s song at a wedding

Three churches in one building

I am so richly blessed, and you are too. I know some of you have

suffered great loss this year and for the first time in my life I can

say I have too. I miss my brother every day, but I know God is near

and I know God is providing great and small graces every day with

that will heal me as I go. I just need to remember to turn around

and say, “thank you.”

Peace,

David

Children’s Night at Christmas December 5, 2018

6:00 p.m. (Family Night At Prayer)

5:00 p.m.

This Week. . . Sunday, November 25

8:45 a.m. Worship 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship 4:45 p.m.. Youth Bells 6:00 p.m. Youth Bible Study Adult Bells 7:00 p.m. Hanging of the Green Rehearsal (Youth)

Monday, November 26

9:30 a.m. Staff Meeting

Tuesday, November 27 7:00 a.m. Men’s Prayer Circle

Wednesday, November 28

5:15 p.m. Family Night Supper 5:45 p.m. Music Makers Choir Young Musicians Choir 6:00 p.m. Getting Ready for Advent Party 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

For the Record Budgeted 2018 ................................... $700,000.00

Weekly Need (2018) ........................... $13,461.54

Received November 18, 2018 ............. $12,102.61

Need to date ....................................... $619,230.77

Received to date ................................. $551,988.60

Over (Under) Budget ........................ ($67,242.17)

Children’s Christmas Party Goal—$5,000

Collected to date—$2845

Friends of Jesus Christmas Party Goal—$5700

Collected to Date—$1565

Sunday School Attendance,

November 18, 2018—208

Family Night Supper Menus

November 28—Red Ticket: Baked Chicken, Scalloped Potatoes, Fried Squash, Rolls, Salad, Apple Pie (sugar-free)

Blue Ticket: Hot Dogs, French Fries, Fruit

December 5—Red Ticket: Barbecue Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, Rolls, Salad, Cake

Blue Ticket: Chicken Nuggets, Chips, Fruit

December 12—Red Ticket: Hamburger Steak, Rice & Gravy, String Beans, Rolls, Salad, Chocolate Cake (Sugar-free)

Blue Ticket: Pizza, Chips, Fruit

December 19 & 26—No Family Night Supper

‘Tis the season to collect donations for the annual Hanging

of the Green! We would like to include your honorariums/

memorials in this year’s program. Please complete this

form and return it to the church office no later than

Monday, November 26th.

I would like to contribute $ ______ to the Hanging of the

Green Greenery and Poinsettia Fund.

Please print names exactly as they should appear in the

program.

In memory of: __________________________________

And/or

In honor of: ____________________________________

Given by: ______________________________________

Phone: ________________________________________

Baptist Women’s Luncheon December 3, 2018 at 11:45 a.m.

In the Activity Building

We will be stuffing stockings with gifts

for the Children’s Christmas Party and we

will collect an offering for Lumberton

Christian Care Center. Bring a sandwich!

Community Café Volunteers Needed for 2019! Groups are needed to host our Community Café on the 3rd

Saturday each month. Host groups provide a meal, devotion

and fellowship for Community Café guests.

If your Sunday School Class, Mission Group, etc. would like

to host please contact the church office (739-4336 or

daphnefletcher@fbclumbertonnc.org).

Servants this Sunday, November 25, 2018

ETC—8:45 a.m.—Casey Williamson & Dianne Britt

11:00 a.m.—Casey Williamson

Welcoming —Jeanne & Wayne Stevens, Dianne Britt

Entrance Greeters

Children’s Building —Shirley Hickman

Walnut Street—Mildred Kinlaw

6th Street—Miriam & Wilson Edwards

Senior Entrance—Jim Driscoll

Security Monitor —Jim Driscoll

Sound—Ross Driscoll

Coming up. . .

Nov. 28—Advent Party

Dec. 2—Hanging of the Green

Dec. 3—Baptist Women’s Luncheon

Dec. 5—Children’s Night at Christmas

Dec. 9—Christmas Memorial Service

Dec. 10—Friends of Jesus Christmas Party

Dec. 11—ECM 2&3 year olds Breakfast

Dec. 13—Fun & Fellowship

ECM 4 year olds Program

Dec. 15—Children’s Christmas Party

Community Café

Dec. 16—Sanctuary Choir Christmas Musical

Dec. 17—Finance & Deacons Meetings

Dec. 19—Chapel Service

Youth Progressive Dinner

Dec. 20—Staff Christmas Party

Dec. 24-26—ECM & Church Offices Closed

Dec. 24—Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Dec. 25—Christmas Day

Dec. 26—No Services

Dec. 30—College Sunday

Jan. 1—ECM & Church Offices Closed

Jan. 2-4—College Ski Trip

Jan. 6—Communion Sunday

12th Night Concert of CHURCH STAFF

Contact us at 739-4336 or

daphnefletcher@fbclumbertonnc.org

www.fbclumbertonnc.org

Mrs. Nancy Bass — Financial Coordinator

Rev. Erin Collier — Associate Pastor of Families and Worship

Dr. David Elks — Pastor

Mrs. Daphne Fletcher — Administrative Assistant

Rev. Tim Little — Minister of Music and Facilities

Mrs. Kandace Ramsey — Administrative Assistant

Rev. Doug Reedy — Associate Pastor of Youth, Young Adults and Missions

Thursday, December 13 at 11:00 a.m.

In the Activity Building

Lunch will be served.

Person of the Week

Catherine Lee

1008 Pine Run Dr.

Lumberton, NC 28358

Send a card, letter, or other remembrance

to our special person this week.

Christmas Memorial ServiceChristmas Memorial Service

December 9, 2018December 9, 2018

5:30 p.m.5:30 p.m.

First Baptist SanctuaryFirst Baptist Sanctuary