802 South Caswell Street La Grange, North Carolina 28551 www.lagrangefwb.org Ronnie V. Hobgood, Pastor Joshua T. Hobgood, Youth Pastor

Welcome to Worship and Celebration!

Welcome to La Grange First Church on this Second Sunday of Advent. Today our Worship & Celebration will focus on the “Symbols of Christmas.” Symbols are intended to suggest meaning. A symbol represents something below the surface. This Christmas service will give special meaning to some of the symbols we all use at Christmas such as evergreens and the red poinsettia. Welcome to Worship!_________________________________________________________________________________

Opportunities for Service and GrowthSun. Dec. 6 Second Sunday in Advent

9:15am Partners in Prayer 9:45am Sunday School11:00am Worship & Celebration 4:00pm Hobgood Christmas Reception 7:00pm Dinner Theater Rehearsal

Mon. Dec. 7 7:00pm Wilson/Creech Circle 7:15pm Sunday Night Live Band Practice

Wed. Dec. 9 7:00pm Dinner Theater Rehearsal Thu. Dec. 10 11:00am Primetimers

7:00pm Dinner Theater Rehearsal Fri. Dec. 11 5:30pm Supper & Christmas Lights @ Mike’s FarmSat. Dec. 12 9:00am Teen Shopping Trip

Sun. Dec. 13 Third Sunday in Advent 9:15am Partners in Prayer 9:45am Sunday School11:00am Worship & Celebration

First Church Band 3:45pm Dinner Theater Rehearsal 7:00pm Journey to Bethlehem Dinner Theater

Mon. Dec. 14 7:00pm Journey to Bethlehem Dinner TheaterWed. Dec. 16 6:00pm Christmas Caroling

Supper will follow

Sun. Dec. 20 Fourth Sunday in Advent 9:15am Partners in Prayer 9:45am Sunday School11:00am Worship & Celebration

Christmas Play – “A Tree Lot Christmas”No Evening Services

Thu. Dec. 24 10:00am Christmas Eve WorshipFri. Dec. 25 Christmas DaySun. Dec. 27 First Sunday after Christmas

9:15am Partners in Prayer 9:45am Sunday School

11:00am Worship & CelebrationNo Evening Services

AnnouncementsHobgood Christmas Reception

All are invited to a Christmas Reception at the home of our pastor and his family on Sunday, December 6th from 4:00pm – 7:00pm. (203 Spence Street)

Christmas Lights @ Mike’s FarmOn Friday, December 11th a trip is plan to go and see the Christmas Lights at Mike’s Farm. The cost for the Christmas Lights is $8.00 each (ages 5 & up). We will leave the church at 5:30 pm and will eat supper on the way. If you would like to go, please sign the list on the bulletin board. Any questions, contact Josh.

Teen Christmas Shopping TripThe annual Teen Christmas Shopping Trip will be Saturday, December 12 th. We will leave the church at 9:00am. Any questions, contact Josh.

Journey to Bethlehem / Dinner TheaterOur annual “Journey to Bethlehem/Dinner Theater” will be Sunday, December 13th and Monday, December 14th @ 7:00pm. Make your reservations by contacting Tiffany Creech @ 252-286-5311.

Christmas Play - “A Tree Lot Christmas”The Kids of La Grange First Church will present a Christmas Play entitled: “A Tree Lot Christmas” on Sunday, December 20th @ 11:00am. Come and receive a blessing!

Christmas Eve WorshipThe Christmas Eve Worship service will be on December 24 th @ 10:00am. We hope everyone will plan to attend as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ!

Gift of Grand PianoThe gift of a K. KAWAI Classic Grand Piano has been given by Glenn Cherry in memory of Joyce Gilbert Cherry. Glenn and Joyce were part of this church family for over twenty-seven years. La Grange First Church expresses thanks to Glenn for the gift of this beautiful piano. At the present time the piano is located in the Fellowship Hall, however, as soon as some renovations can be made, it

will be located in the Sanctuary.

CHURCH WORKERS FOR DECEMBERDeacon of the Month: Jimmy D. Herring

Ushers for WorshipHead Usher – Jimmy D. Herring

6- Bruce Bannister, Carter Daniels, Jamie Daughety, Clifton Hardison13- Joseph Harrison, Ted Harrison, Travis Harrison, & Jerry Mills20- Brent Herring, Greg Herring, Jimmy D. Herring, & Royce Holmes27- Coburn Bigler, Jamie Ham, Brad Taylor, Wilbur Taylor

Greeters for WorshipNorth Vestibule South Vestibule Gathering Hall

6- Ushers Kathryn Hart C. J. & Dee Foster13- Ushers DeeAnn Maready Matt & Kim Wade20- Ushers Sue Shivar Jeff & Pam Thomas27- Ushers Edna Johnson Greg & Debbie Herring

Candlelighters 6- Travis Johnson 13- Luke Taylor20- Colby Creech 27- Matthew Ham

Children’s Church (ages 3-3 rd grade) 6- Symbols of Christmas 13- Guy & Janet Hines20- Christmas Play 27- Kendra Sullivan & Kim Wade

Infant Nursery (Birth – age 1 ) / Toddlers Nursery (Ages 1-2) 6- Ashley Holland, DeeAnn Maready, & Sarah Letchworth13- Christina Creech, Delores Foster, & Pam Thomas20- Joyce Harrison, Cassidy Hipkiss, & Irene Wilson27- Nelson & Susie Harrison__________________________________________________________

WE WISH YOU A HAPPY BIRTHDAY!12- 3 Irene Wilson 12- 4 Jacob Maready12- 8 Chris Roddy 12- 9 Mark Westbrook12-13 Angie Herring 12-13 Carrie Letchworth12-16 Bryce Harrison 12-18 Mitzi Hobgood12-19 Dean Johnson 12-19 Brody Soles12-20 Christine Parrish 12-21 William Sutton12-24 Tracey Roddy 12-26 David Letchworth12-27 Shannan Harrison 12-27 Vickie Singleton12-29 Aiden Wade 12-31 Brandon Harrison______________________________________________________

In the WORD - December OT: Ezekiel 40-48, Daniel - Malachi

NT: 2 Peter 3, 1,2, &3 John, Jude, & Revelation_______________________________________________________________

Attendance for November 29, 2015

Sunday School...................................................................................................106Worship & Celebration......................................................................................163Sunday Night Live...............................................................................................70

Prayer Ministry

PRAISE…Praise the Lord for the great and mighty things He has done! Joyce Martin and Steve Roman.HOSPITALHelen Harrison (VMC).SICK…Rex & Jeannie Bannister (Parents of Bruce Bannister), Hailey Bigler, Bill Barwick (Brother of Virginia Holmes), Patricia Bird (Aunt of Erica Mayberry), Scott Braswell (Uncle of Sara Maxwell), Jeff Carruth (Father of Kim Wade), Louisa Chrisco (Gale Yarborough), Estelle Creech (Mother of Pat Creech), Don Davenport (Susie Harrison), Laura Beth Daughety, Kari Elwart (Darlene Creech), Cindy Ervin (Friend of Hailey Bigler), Esther Flowers, Ethan Gallagher (Sue Shivar), Layton Graham (Edna Johnson), Barbara Sue Gray, Jill Gurley (Friend of Lucretia Creech), Rose Haddock, Holton & Mary Margaret Harrison, Martha Harrison, Henry Heath (Father of Jennifer Sutton), Angie Hickerson (Friend of Christie Westbrook), Marjorie Hines, Pat Hinson, Virginia Holmes, Carol Jones (David Letchworth), Christian Jones (David Letchworth), Robie Killette, Ronnie King (Sandra Rouse), Karen Kozel (Sandra Rouse & Gale Yarborough), Dickie Lane, Dixie Letchworth, Fay Letchworth, Mike Letchworth (Son of Dixie Letchworth), Cindy Lewis (Mary Gresham), Dot Lockamy (Sister to Ruth Scott), Linda Manning, Larissa Martin (Laura Eason), Rebecca Mix (Sister to Laura Eason), Cherish Naylor (Pam Thomas), David Nipple (Wade Family), Drew Owens (Darlene Creech), Elwood Padrick, Jerry Phillips (Friend of Bonnie Dail), Emily Pittman (Edna Johnson), Chuck Roman, Joey Sanders (Friend of C. J. Foster), Ann Smith (Aunt of Lucretia Creech), Scott Smith (David Letchworth), Robert Sorrell (Brother of Vernon Sorrell), Shirley Sorrell, Carol Stahl (Helen Harrison), Jean Suber, Linda Sullivan (Mother of Mike Sullivan), Avery Taylor (Niece of Sandra Rouse), Colby Tucker, Danny Tucker (Ted & Sheila Harrison), Cindy Wackerman (Sept-Mother of Chuck Wackerman), Crystal Wackerman, Ben Wade, Carolyn Walters (Crystal Wackerman), Charles Wetherington (Friend of Mike & Missy Johnson), Kim Whitley (Friend of Laura Eason), Veronica Wooten (Jennifer Sutton), and Laura Yarborough (Friend of Jessica Hobgood Moss).HOMEBOUND…Nan Fields, N. C. Holmes, Rev. J. B. Narron (Hobgood Family), Stan Rouse, & Enzie Singleton.CHURCH AND DENOMINATIONAL…First Church, Pastor, Youth Pastor, Deacons, Sunday School Leaders/Teachers, College Students, Convention of Original FWB, Denominational Ministries, Rev. Al Warrick (Convention President), Ronnie V. Hobgood (Convention Vice-President), Rev. Chris Singleton (Stop Hunger Now), the Lost, and all Christians.SPECIAL CONCERNS…Our military & their families, Josh & Holly Sutton Ballance, Alex Ferrell (nephew of Bethany Jones-service), Mike Hammond, Josh Ormond [Service / Texas (Son of C. J. & Dee Foster)], Revival in the church.CIVIC LEADERS…US: President Obama, Vice-President Biden, Cabinet, Congress, and the Supreme Court.

NC: Governor McCrory, NC Senators and NC Representatives.La Grange/Lenoir County: Mayor Gurley, Town Commissioners, County Commissioners, County & Private Schools, and Lenoir Community College.

Financially Speaking

Operating Account (As of November 2015)Year to date Budget................................................................$ 193,760.49Year to date Expense..............................................................$ 200,390.59Year to date Income................................................................$ 197,145.44Average weekly needed to cover proposed budget......................$4,313.77Average weekly donations received year to date.........................$4,381.01

(The above reflects the addition of Sanctuary Sound Up-date)

Building Fund (As of November 2015)Year to date Budget..................................................................$ 59,800.07Year to date Expense................................................................$ 60,641.40Year to date Income..................................................................$ 70,336.50Average weekly needed to cover proposed budget......................$1,254.55Average weekly donations received year to date.........................$1,465.34

Loan BalanceTotal cost of New Fellowship Hall.....................................................$ 800,015.00Cash from funds paid..........................................................................$ 307,183.00Loan Balance to Finance (Began October 2010)...............................$ 492,832.00Balance on Loan as of October 31, 2015.........................................$ 60,000.00

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Thank you for supporting the ministry of La

Grange First Church!

Christmas PoinsettiasLaura Eason & Children in memory of

Scott Eason and Sherry Whitehead

CJ & Delores Foster in memory of Carl Foster, Sr.

Fran Gibbons in memory of Terry Gibbons

Caitlyn Grady in memory of Grandma Ellen and “Mimi”

Cliff & Carol HardisonIn honor of Ken Fisher and in memory of Marjorie Fisher

Cliff & Carol Hardison in memory of Roy & Florence Hardison

Cliff & Carol Hardison in memory of LeRoy and Vivian Phillips

Aubrey & Kathryn Hart in memory of Joyce Cherry

Jimmy D. and Angie Herring in memory of their parentsMr. & Mrs. Rudolph Jones and Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Herring, Sr.

Steven & Lauren Hines in honor and memory of Grandparents

Steven & Lauren Hines in memory of Venita Hines

Frances A. Hinson in memory of Dalton Hinson

Royce & Elsie Holmes in honor of 52nd Wedding Anniversary

Elsie & Royce Holmes and Wayne & Sheri Carlyle in memory of Margaret Vail

Marian Kennedy in memory of Louie & Teeny Kennedy

Robie and Eloise Killette in honor ofRobie & Sybil Killette and Lou Woodard

Robie and Eloise Killette in honor of their childrenBrandon, Matt, Amber, Hoyt, and Steve

David Letchworth

In memory of Thurston Letchworth and in honor of Dixie Letchworth

Joyce Martin in memory of Leroy Martin

Erica Mayberry in memory of William L. Allison

Donald and Christine Parrish in memory of Sally Parrish

JoAnn Rigsbee in memory of Lula Belle Price

JoAnn Rigsbee in honor of Brenda Britt

Chris and Tracey Roddy in honor of Cooper Roddy

Chris and Tracey Roddy in memory ofHannah Beth Roddy and Kendrick Harrison, Sr.

Etta Rouse in memory of Jack R. Rouse

Sally Scott in memory of Leland Scott, Jr.Mr. & Mrs. Leland Scott, Sr. and Mr. & Mrs. J. P. Wade

Vernon and Shirley Sorrell in honor ofVicki and Greg and their families

Jake Suggs in memory of Mr. & Mrs. Harry Suggs

Carrol Suddreth in memory of Judy Parrish Ward and Sallie Parrish

James, Jennifer, Allen, and Olivia Sutton in memory ofJames Sutton, Sr. and Evelyn Heath

Jeff, Pam, Hunter & Payne Thomas in memory ofShaun Thomas, Muriel Murphy, and Vance Murphy

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JESUSThe Word of God became flesh…

The Son of God became man…

The Lord of All became a servant…

The Righteous One was made sin…

The Eternal One tasted death…

The Risen One now lives in men…

The Seated One is coming again!

Second Sunday of Advent_________________________________________________________________________________

December 6, 2015 The Lord’s Day Eleven O’clock

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Symbols of ChristmasPREPARATION FOR WORSHIP

Prelude OrganistWelcome and Announcements PastorQuiet Reflection with God PeopleLighting of the Candles Acolyte

CALL TO WORSHIPAdvent is a season of expectation. It is a season of promises awaiting fulfillment.

God, who never fails to keep His promises, promised His people a Savior.

God, who claimed us as His people, sent His gracious Son to be that Savior.

We thank you, O God of infinite love, for the few who recognized Jesus as the Messiah, the Christ.

INVOCATION Youth PastorCHRISTMAS CAROL

“O Come, All Ye Faithful”....................................................Number 145(Fellowship time with the Family of God)

The Advent WreathEtta Rouse

The Advent Wreath at our church is a symbol with a special meaning as we prepare for the Nativity of Christ. The wreath is round, with no beginning or end, testifying

to the never-ending love of God. The cuttings are evergreen, reminding us that all life comes from God. There are four purple candles in the wreath. Purple is the liturgical color for Advent. Purple symbolizes the royalty and majesty of Christ and the meditation and repentance of worshippers. The fifth candle, the Christ Candle is placed in the center of the wreath to symbolize the birth of Christ. This candle is white to represent purity. The lighting of the candles helps us to remember the One who said, "I am the Light of the World."

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLECHRIST - Love Brad, Angela and Charlie Taylor

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN

The Christmas GreensHilda Sutton

The needles of the pine and fir trees do not die each season like the leaves of most trees, the ancients saw them as symbols of things that last forever. The wreaths of evergreens are shaped in a circle, which has no end, to signify the eternal kingdom of Jesus, the Christ.In ancient times, the holly was considered the symbol of Christ’s passion; its prickly leaves suggested the crown of thorns, its red berries the blood of the Savior, and its bitter bark the drink offered to Jesus on the cross.

SPECIAL MUSIC“The Holy and the Ivy”.....................................................Brianna Creech

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Ronald JohnsonIsaiah 11:1-10

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.People: Thanks be to God.

The NativityTiffany Creech

The Nativity sets in the Vestibules, Gathering Hall, and Front Lawn remind us of the Nativity of the Lord. The Nativity of our Lord was first celebrated on December 25 in Rome sometime between 336 and 354. A pagan winter solstice festival, the birthday of the unconquered sun, was already celebrated on December 25. Christians adopted that date to celebrate the birth of the Son of God, the sun of righteousness. The name Christmas comes from the first service of the season Christ Mass.

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON PastorMark 1:1-8

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.People: Thanks be to God.

The Christmas FlowerMichele Hilling

The most popular flower of the Advent-Christmas season is the bright red poinsettia.

Actually, the red petals are not blossoms; the blossoms are the small yellow clusters found at the center. Somehow the red and green leaves of the plant give to Christmas an added touch that would not be the same without them.This beautiful flower speaks to us symbolically in several ways. First of all, the star-shaped formation of red leaves calls to mind the star, which shone at the first Christmas. In a less joyous sense, the color of the flower is blood red. This reminds us of the blood of the male infants killed by Romans soldiers as King Herod sought to eliminate any threat to his throne. We sometimes forget this part of the story, which made the trip of Mary, Joseph, and the Christ child to Egypt a necessity. The color of the flower also symbolizes the fact that the Babe of Bethlehem’s manger became the Savior of the world, as He shed His blood upon the cross of Calvary.

OFFERTORYOffertory Prayer LaityGiving His Tithes and Our Offerings PeopleOffertory Special: “Carols of the Bells” First Church Band

The Chrismon TreeCarol Hardison

The Chrismon Tree with its lights reminds us that Jesus Christ is the light of the Word. The many beautiful Chrismons and other ornaments are monograms of Christ. When you look upon the Chrismon Tree, let is call to mind the One who brings light to our darkness, healing to our un-wholeness and peace to all who will receive Him.

CHRISTMAS CAROL “Come On, Ring Those Bells”...............................................Number 154

TIME OF PRAYERSharing our Prayer Concerns LaityMorning Prayer

ANTHEM“Unto Us A Child Is Born”...............................................................Choir

MESSAGE FROM GOD’S WORD Youth Pastor"That One Thing" 1 Samuel 1

INVITATIONAL CHRISTMAS CAROL“It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” (verses 1 & 4)..............Number 128

ALTAR PRAYER AND BENEDICTION PastorPOSTLUDE Musicians

Glory to God in the Highest!

802 South Caswell Street La Grange, North Carolina 28551 www.lagrangefwb.org

Ronnie V. Hobgood, Pastor Joshua T. Hobgood, Youth Pastor

802 South Caswell Street La Grange, North Carolina 28551 www.lagrangefwb.org

Ronnie V. Hobgood, Pastor Joshua T. Hobgood, Youth Pastor

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Christ-First • Bible-First • Ministry-First

Christ is First at La Grange First Church.Everything we do grows out of our shared commitment to

Jesus Christ as Lord.

Bible is First at La Grange First Church.We believe the Bible was inspired by the Holy Spirit and is

God’s revealed word to man.

Ministry is First at La Grange First Church.Our calling is to nurture and serve the people of God.