F IRST BAPTIST CHURCH

NOVEMBER 2009 VOLUME 4, ISSUE 11

THE MESSENGER

CHURCH L IFE 2-7

MUSIC & WORSHIP 8-9

FAMILY L IFE 10-11

WEEKLY SCHEDULE 12

CALENDAR insert

IN S I D E TH IS IS S U E :

THANKSLOVING FEAST

Our church family has so much to be thankful for. So many of us have close family and friends to share the holidays. However, there are those in our community who aren’t as fortunate. Financially or socially the holidays can be a time of hunger and loneliness. For many years our church

has provided good food and Christian fellowship on Thanksgiving.

Last year we served over 250 meals from our church. We provided meals to those who have become regulars, to the homebound, and to Meals on Wheels participants.

This program is a sample of our church’s Christian love and outreach to the community. EVERYONE can be a part. You can donate a turkey, a dessert, your time, or money. If you wish to make a monetary contribution please make your check payable to First Baptist Church and mark on it “Thanksloving Feast.” Most of all we covet your prayers. Pray that this meal will touch our community. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for

me.” First Baptist Mission Team

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G IFTS G IVEN TO THE BUILDING FUND

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• In memory of Gloria Huskins by Richard & Kay Beam and Gene & Dale Barrow • In honor of Randy & Ginger McLean by Pam Burleson • In memory of Randy Broome by Gene & Dale Barrow and Frederic & Betty Marble • In honor of Jim & Ruth Reed by Cindy Reed • In honor of The Beloved Sunday School Class by Beverly Caldwell • In memory of Doris Helton by Cheryl Lineberger • In memory of Lawrence Flowers by Norma Flowers • In memory of Rachel Jones by Frederic & Betty Marble • In memory of Patsy Broome by Frederic & Betty Marble • In honor of Arnie Broome by Frederic & Betty Marble • In honor of Mr. & Mrs. Don Killian by Frederic & Betty Marble • In honor of Elizabeth Broome by Frederic & Betty Marble

W ITH CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY • Charlie Jenkins and Family in the death of her nephew • Gary Farmer and Brandi Stillwell and their families in the death of his father

and her grandfather • Kim Payne and Family in the death of her father

• In honor of Carly Roberts by Carl & Jean Baber Gifts given to the bus fund

If you are preparing a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child, please have it on the table in the hallway of the educational building by the end of the day on November 8. Shoeboxes and instructions for packing are available at the church.

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SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

Extended Care—Infants

Nov. 1-Neil & Alicia Robinson Nov. 8-Kim Moran & Denise Hawkins Nov. 15-Suzanne Griffin & Leah Allen Nov. 22-Tammie McGee & Jane Collins Nov. 29-Elaine Crosby & Dale Barrow Extended Care—Toddlers

Nov. 1-Chris & Diane Macdonald Nov. 8-Stewart & Mandy Hare Nov. 15-Todd & Joy Flowers Nov. 22-Derek & Tina Staton Nov. 29-Mary & Madison Collier Extended Care—Preschool

Nov. 1-Scott & Brandi Stillwell Nov. 8-Greg & LeAnna Fankhauser Nov. 15-Lisa Collier & VOLUNTEER Nov. 22-Derek & Sonya Helton Nov. 29-Mike & Robin Lewis

Church Security

Nov. 1-7-Byron Abernathy Nov. 8-14-Ricky & Beverly Wrenn Nov. 15-21-Jim Benfield Nov. 22-28-Jeff Dobbins Nov. 29-Dec. 5-Mark Batchelor

Mission Moments

Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet Thursday, November 5th at 7:00 p.m. in the parlor. Committed to God Mission Group will meet Sunday, November 22nd at 6:15 p.m. in the Parlor. “Compelled By Love” Mission Group will meet Monday, November 2nd at 10:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall.

September Records Totals

Sunday School Average 190 Total Receipts $45,299 Building Fund $7,010 Building Fund YTD $55,319 Other Designated $4,917 2009 Church Budget $442,589 Avg. Needs through 9/30 $331,942 Budget Receipts through 9/30 $350,241 Building Loan Balance $824,376

Homebound Members of the Month

Remember these this month with a card, visit or call.

Giles Clayton 311 Gaston Ave.

Mt. Holly, NC 28120-2311 704-827-2600

Birthday—November 15

Transfer of membership for Tony Rodden has been approved by the Admin Board.

Wednesday Night Suppers

Nov. 4-SPECIAL Nov. 11-Breakfast Nov. 18-Baked Ham Nov. 25-No Wednesday Meal

Please remember to turn in a registration form or call the church office by noon on Monday to be added to the Permanent or Weekly supper list so o u r c o o k t e am s c a n p l a n accordingly. Registration forms are available on various tables throughout the church building and in Adult Sunday School Classrooms.

Wednesday Night Supper Reminder

Reading of the Psalm

Nov. 1-(Mozart Requiem) Nov. 8-Paige Sisk Nov. 15-Mark McCall Nov. 22-(Children’s Sunday) Nov. 29-Mark Batchelor

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RECYCLING

LOTTIE MOON CHRISTMAS OFFERING

National giving for this international missions offering was down last year, but First Baptist Church exceeded its goal of $5,000. Let’s be a strong support again this year? OUR GOAL IS $7,000! This will support a missionary for two months. Please be in prayer about how you can help share the love of Jesus with those around the world. You may want to consider accepting one of the following challenges:

• $25-$49 Cartersville Challenge-Georgia town where Lottie Moon accepted missions call.

• $50-$74 Tengchow Challenge-Chinese city where Lottie Moon began evangelism.

• $75-$99 P’lingtu Challenge-Chinese city home to Lottie Moon’s most successful ministry.

• $100 or greater Manchuria Challenge-Ship on which Lottie Moon made her ultimate sacrifice, dying of starvation.

As you may know all plastic bottles and aluminum cans are now banned from landfills in North Carolina. We will try to comply with this law by placing recycling containers for your convenience throughout the church building. Please do not place plastic bottles and aluminum cans in the regular trash receptacles. Your cooperation is needed in this effort to help take care of our earth. Thank you.

COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING SERVICE

The Mount Holly Ministerial Association is sponsoring our Community Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, November 22 at 4:00 p.m. This very special service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Mount Holly. A fundraiser meal will be held around 5:00 p.m. following the service. Proceeds from the ticket

sales will go to the CRO. Tickets are available in the church office. Adults are $10 and kids 12 and under are $7. The deadline to purchase tickets is November 17.

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Compelled By Love Missions Group Opportunity……. Compelled By Love members will be going to the Samaritan’s Purse “Operation Christmas Child” Distribution Center in Charlotte on December 14 where we will work from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. We have made a commitment to bring 15 people. Members of Compelled By Love have first option for this missions opportunity, but if anyone else in the church would like to participate in this project, please call Verna Jo Ellis right away to see if space is available. We would like to have a waiting list of people who could go at the last minute if someone should have to cancel. Please call Verna Jo at 704-827-3054 if you are interested.

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Once again, our Youth Choir will be selling Poinsettias to help decorate the sanctuary during the advent season. The flowers are only $10 this year. You may place your order using one of the envelopes located on tables throughout the church. Just place them in the offering plate. If you wish to purchase them in honor or memory of someone, please indicate it on the envelope also. The deadline is November 15 and no late orders will be accepted.

The Mission & Vision Teams plan to bring back the Front Porch Mission Ministry. This mission will be to deliver information about our church and a few goodies to those who have visited our church the previous week. The information packet containing basic information about the church will be provided. You’ll supply the goodies. All that is required is to drop off the information and treats early in the week after they’ve visited our church. This is designed to be a simple thank you to folks who visit our church. You won’t have to go in and visit, or have a theological discussion. Please contact Mark Batchelor or Jane Collins if you’d like to be involved in this mission project or if you have any questions.

FRONT PORCH MISSION IS BACK

Poinsettias-A Youth Service Project

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Happy birthday

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Nov. 1-Beulah McEntire Nov. 2-Tammie McGee Nov. 4-Greg Fankhauser, Elsie Hilderbran, & Janet Smith Nov. 5-Doug Mullis, Savannah Piercy, & Linda Smith Nov. 6-Bill Abernathy, John Holloway, & Beverly Wrenn Nov. 7-Tyler Gann & Lois Huggins Nov. 8-Jimmy Arndt Nov. 9-Jo Anne Blankenship, Harold Helton, Kay MacIntosh, & Leslie Ramsey Nov. 10-Jean Baber Nov. 13-Al Rhodes Nov. 15-Giles Clayton, Barbara Hostetter, & Ann Huff Nov. 16-Kelbie Stillwell

Nov. 17-Travis Benfield, Karen Cauthen, Jill Morton, & Tina Staton Nov. 18-Brianna Burleson, Dale Moran, & Jeanne Newhart Nov. 19-Jonathan Reaves Nov. 20-Derek Helton Nov. 24-Rosalee Noles Nov. 25-Tressa Abernathy, Danny Featherstone, Mike Hinkle, & Larry Hostetter Nov. 26-Rick Eldridge Nov. 27-Dickie Hipps Nov. 28-Celeste Allen, Becky Beckham, & Luke Robinson Nov. 30-Trip Blair, Ruby Branum, Leigh Hicks, & Frank Rodden

Nov. 6-Tim & Vicki Cauthen Nov. 6-Frank & Evelyn Rodden (55 years) Nov. 21-Buddie & Beckie Hodges (45 years) Nov. 30-Scott & Myra Helton

Happy anniversary

To Bereavement Team: Thank you so much for what you do for the church, but most especially for what you’ve done for us with all the food, prayers, and support. Janet & Arnie Broome

Thank you

Advent Book

We are compiling information for the 2009 Advent Book. We need all calendar events between November 29, 2009—January 3, 2010 such as Sunday school parties, etc. Contact the church office with your information. The deadline is November 13th.

We will have a Quarterly Church Business Meeting on Sunday, November 8 after the worship service. Come to the fellowship hall for a fundraiser meal followed by the Business Meeting. All donations for the meal will go to Night in Bethlehem.

Church business meeting

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Pastor’s pen

Thankfulness…

As you all well know, I often end my sermons with the proclamation: Thanks be to God. Over the years, I have continually come back to the theme that we need to be ever thankful for all we have. We are a blessed people, and we need to remember the provider of our blessings.

I am not alone in this sentiment; I have pretty good company. The apostle Paul refers to the theme of thanks, thanksgiving, and thankfulness almost fifty times. Notice the theme as it permeates the following passages:

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! II Corinthians 9:15

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thessalonians 5:16-18

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7

November is a month with a theme of thankfulness. For most of us, whenever we think of this month on the calendar, images of Pilgrims and cornucopia come to mind. We are reminded of that band of Pilgrims that came to these shores and faced great loss of life for the promise of freedom for their religion. We share in a meal in memory of them and in thankfulness of God who was with them and is with us. However, Thanksgiving is not the only celebration of thankfulness this month.

November 1 marks All Saints Day. This day originally commemorated the death of the martyrs of the church but in the 9th Century became a day to remember all the saints – all of the dearly departed in God’s kingdom. It is kind of a Memorial Day for the church; we remember those that have gone before us and we are thankful for their witness to us and to the world. As we come to worship November 1, we will listen to our Sanctuary choir as they offer us Mozart’s Requiem. (Requiem comes from the Latin word for rest, and it is the first word sung in this service.) We will all have an opportunity to name a particular saint that we would like to remember. It may be a parent, spouse, or grandparent for whom we are thankful and we want to remember. We can come and be thankful for All the Saints.

Finally, the end of November usually marks the beginning of the Advent season, and we can celebrate the event for which we are eternally thankful: the coming of the Christ Child. November is a month of Thankfulness, and all I can say is: Thanks be to God. I hope you can too.

Grace and peace, Kendell Cameron

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NOVEMBER WORSHIP AT A GLANCE

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• November 1st——All Saints Day; “Requiem” by Mozart; Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra

• November 8th——23rd Sunday after Pentecost; Rev. Cameron Preaching—Mark 10:17-31, “The Church loves the Bible more than Jesus?”; Mr. Jeff Spargo, Children’s Sermon; Sanctuary Choir; Mrs. Ginni Poole, Piano

• November15th——24th Sunday after Pentecost; Rev. Cameron Preaching— I Corinthians 13, “The Church We Hope For”; Mr. Jeff Spargo, Children’s Sermon; Bellissimo; Sanctuary Choir; Mrs. Elaine Crosby, Piano

• November 22nd——Christ the King Sunday; Children-Led Worship; Children’s Choirs and Handbells, Mrs. Mandy Hare, Piano

• November 29th——1st Sunday of Advent; Rev. Cameron Preaching—John 5:10-15, “What Is Your Advent Song?”; Mr. Jeff Spargo, Children’s Sermon; Bellissimo, Sanctuary Choir; Mrs. Ginni Poole, Piano

HYMN OF THE MONTH NOVEMBER : “JESUS SHALL REIGN” 587 DUKE STREET

Our Hymn of the Month for November is based on Psalm 72. Isaac Watts worked his way through most of the 150 Psalms, paraphrasing them, injecting them with New Testament truths, and casting them in singing verse. In 1719, these were published as The Psalms of David Imitated in the Language of the New Testament This hymn played a role in the life of Eric Liddell, Scottish Olympic hero of the 1924 games in Paris, featured in the film “Chariots of Fire,” who became a missionary to China. At his departure from Edinburgh, his friends escorted him in in a festooned carriage from the Scottish Congregational Church to Waverly Station, where multitudes had gathered. Before boarding the train, Eric spoke to the crowds, saying, “Let our motto be ‘Christ for the world, for the world needs Christ!’” He then led the group in singing two verses of “Jesus Shall Reign Wherever The Sun.” Liddell served courageously in China until his death in 1945 in a Japanese internment camp.

Jesus shall reign where'er the sun Does its successive journeys run; His kingdom spread from shore to shore, Till moons shall wax and wane no more.

Children’s Sunday has become an annual event here at FBC. On Sunday, November 22nd, our children will lead in worship through missions moments, music, offering, and prayers. Our children learn how to worship from scripture reading and from experiencing worship with others. The purpose of Children’s Sunday is not to parade children in front of an audience. Instead, it is an opportunity to be led to the throne of heaven by young, faithful children of God. We know that many parents will want to preserve these special moments of young leadership, so parents are encouraged to take pictures and video during the children’s worship rehearsal at 9 a.m. This will help our children to focus on their task of leadership during the worship hour. Be in prayer for our children as they prepare to lead us in worship on November 22nd.

CHILDREN’S-LED WORSHIP NOVEMBER 22, 2009

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November 1 Mozart Requiem

14 Mount Holly Handbell Festival

22 Children’s Sunday/Community Thanksgiving Service

25 NO WEDNESDAY ACTIVITIES (Thanksgiving)

December 5 Community Choir Concert

Join us for a special service of worship on All Saints Day, November 1st as we celebrate and remember all that God has done through the saints past and present. Our sanctuary choir will be presenting “Requiem” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. This is truly one of the great works of all the choral repertoire. Our Sanctuary Choir has been preparing this masterwork since the beginning of August. The choral parts are accompanied by a full instrumental complement: Organ, woodwinds, strings, brass, and timpani. We have some of the finest musicians in the region scheduled to play with us. This is sure to be a memorable event! Plan to join us for this worship service and invite several friends as we celebrate the work of God through God’s people!

MOZART REQUIEM SUNDAY , NOVEMBER 1 , 2009 (ALL SAINTS DAY)

UPCOMING MUSIC AND WORSHIP EVENTS

MOUNT HOLLY HANDBELL FESTIVAL

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14TH

On Saturday, November 14th, First Baptist will host our first-ever handbell festival! During this event, ringers from local churches will come together to rehearse and polish music from throughout the church year. This weekend festival will culminate in a concert on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. in our Fellowship Hall. If you enjoy handbells, then this event will be a feast for your ears, with over ten octaves of handbells ringing together to make beautiful music. Plan to attend and invite your friends! Bellissimo is sponsoring this event as an outreach event for the community and a fundraiser for CRO. The concert is free but come prepared to give an offering for CRO.

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CHILDREN’S MISSION DAY Registration has now closed for the CBFNC’s Children’s Mission Day in Hickory that will take place on Saturday, November 7th. Children in grades 1-6 will be participating in activities throughout the day including: a mission project, Lego Mania, drama, cooking, crafts, worship, and stories from CBF Field Personnel. Children attending are asked to bring a couple of school supplies to be given to needy children.

Cost is $15 a person and it includes lunch from Chick-Fila. Please be sure to pay Jeff before November 7th. We still need three more volunteers to go as Chaperones. If you can help, please contact Jeff ASAP! There is no cost to attend as a Chaperone. Lunch is included!

As of January 1, 2010, the Baptist State Convention will no longer offer the multiple giving plans A, B, C and D. Note: this is a change from the Baptist State Convention; this is not a change we have instituted.

There will be one plan which will resemble the current Plan A and D combined. B & C will no longer exist. Also, the new Baptist State Convention plan will no longer fund many programs that have been receiving money in the past. The Baptist Retirement Homes of NC are already eliminated from this budget, and the five NC Baptist colleges will be by 2011.

As a church, we are faced with the option of giving 100% to the new plan or developing our own giving plans. Because we feel that members should have the option to give as they feel led, we have decided to create our own First Baptist “plans” which will be similar to the current Plans A, B and C. Our goal is to allow you to have giving options as similar to our present options as possible. We want to ensure you do not lose the freedom to choose the option to which you feel God is leading you.

The Finance Team, Mission Team, and Admin Board have been working together over the last few months to develop an approach for our 2010 Cooperative Program giving (the 2009 Budget amount was $10,000). We are still in the process of finalizing the percentages for these plans and will be communicating the finalized versions in late October or early November. We will present our giving plans in the business meeting November 8.

In His Love, The Finance Team, Mission Team and Admin Board

Coming Changes to Missions Giving Options

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For those who have signed-up for the Barn Dinner Theater we plan to meet at the church on Wednesday, November 4 at 10:30 a.m. to attend the show. This will be a Wednesday matinee. We may make it back to church for Wednesday night Bible study, but we cannot guarantee that. If you have not paid for your show and dinner, please do so as soon as you can.

This year’s A Night in Bethlehem will take place on Friday night, December 11th as a part of the City of Mount Holly’s Downtown Christmas Festival. FBC will once again take people back to streets of Bethlehem with interactive sites, smells, tastes, and sounds of the days of Jesus' birth. All members of the church, young and old, are invited to participate in bringing the Christmas story to life! On Sunday, November 8th, there will be a lunch prior to the business meeting as a fund raiser for A Night in Bethlehem. Details will be given soon as to what the luncheon will be. But no matter the menu, be prepared to come with empty tummies! If your Sunday school class has not yet decided what booth you’d like to do, please contact Paige Sisk or Jeff Spargo ASAP!

Night in Bethlehem

Reminder to seniors….

LET'S FIGHT THE BATTLE TOGETHERLET'S FIGHT THE BATTLE TOGETHERLET'S FIGHT THE BATTLE TOGETHERLET'S FIGHT THE BATTLE TOGETHER Join the Mt. Holly Middle School faculty and staff during our Black Ribbon Benefit. Please help us support our financial secretary, Pam Marsh, in her battle against Melanoma.

Graham’s Fish/Chicken Fry Thursday, November 5, 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

MHMS Front Lawn Cost is $8.00/plate

For more info contact Anna Czekaj at MHMS (704)827-4811 or annaczekaj@gaston.K12.NC.US

300 S. Main St. Mount Holly, NC 28120

Phone: 704-827-2481 Fax: 704-827-4525

E-mail: fbcmh@bellsouth.net Rev. Kendell Cameron, Pastor-704-812-8144 (Home) 704-214-1022 (Mobile) Rev. Brian Childers, Minister of Music-704-827-0796(Home) 704-460-4623 (Mobile) Mr. Jeff Spargo, Minister of Children-704-864-7038 (Home) 704-689-5992 (Mobile) Ms. Mary Lowder, Organist Mrs. Kim Payne, Secretary Mrs. Beth Lawing, Custodian

F IRST BAPTIST CHURCH

Sundays 8:55 AM Musical Preparation for Worship 9:00 AM Sunday Morning Praise Singing (Choir Room) 9:00 AM Library Open until 9:45 AM 9:45 AM Bible Study 10:55 AM Morning Worship 12:00 PM Library Open until 12:30 PM 3:30 PM Adult Handbells (Bellissimo) 5:00 PM Adult Ensemble (Witness) & Youth Deep Impact! 6:00 PM Youth Snack Supper 6:30 PM Youth Choir (Genesis) Tuesdays 11:00 AM Senior Adult Choir (Joy Choir) 2:30 PM Van Pick-up/Snack Time (Kindergarten-5th grade) 3:00 PM Tinkerbells (grades K-2), Bible Drill (grades 3-5) 4:00 PM Children’s Handbells, Bible Drill (grades K-2) 5:00 PM Dismissal Wednesdays 9:00 AM Staff Meeting 5:00 PM Library Open until 8:00 PM 5:30 PM Family Fellowship Meal (Fellowship Hall) 6:00 PM Children’s Choirs (age3-grade 5); Youth Handbells (Exodus1), Creative Arts Team II 6:30 PM Adult Bible Study 6:45 PM Mission Friends; RAs/GAs; , Youth Handbells (Exodus 2), Creative Arts Team I 7:30 PM Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

REGULAR WEEKLY SCHEDULE

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RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Staff E-mail kcfbcmh@bellsouth.net brianfbcmh@bellsouth.net jefffbcmh@bellsouth.net kimfbcmh@bellsouth.net bethfbcmh@bellsouth.net libraryfbcmh@bellsouth.net

Church Office Hours 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday

Closed for Lunch from 12:00-1:00 p.m.

If there is an emer-gency you may contact

Kendell at 704-214-1022 or Brian at 704-460-4623.