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-FirstChrist 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.

AdventThe Season of Expectancy

Advent is the season that begins the Christian Church year in preparation for the celebration of the nativity of Christ and Christmas. The word "advent" means "coming to" and refers to God's coming to mankind through the birth of Christ.

Advent is a season of preparation and expectancy and is often referred to as "winter lent." Edward T. Horn in his book, The Christian Year, states, "Advent has come to have a threefold meaning for the church:

(1) The advent of our Lord in the flesh at Christmas.(2) The advent of our Lord in Word and in Spirit.(3) The advent of our Lord in glory at the end of time."

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The Advent Wreaths at our church are symbols with a special meaning as we prepare for the Nativity of Christ. We have five wreaths, four purple candles representing the four Sundays of advent. Purple is the liturgical color for Advent. The fifth candle is white and symbolizes the birth of Christ.

Purple symbolizes the royalty and majesty of Christ and the meditation and repentance of worshipers. This white candle represents purity. The wreaths are round, with no beginning or end, testifying to the never-ending love of God.

The nativity scene represents the night that Christ was born in Bethlehem.

The lighting of the candles helps us to remember the One who said, "I am the Light of the World."

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 First Sunday of Advent. In this holy season, we remember that God keeps His promises. Let us rejoice in the covenant of God’s love. _________________________________________________________________________________

Opportunities for Service and GrowthSun. Dec. 2 First Sunday in Advent

8:30am Kids Christmas Play Rehearsal 9:15am Partners in Prayer 9:45am Sunday School11:00am Worship & Celebration

Kids Christmas Play 4:00pm Choir & Drama Rehearsal – Fellowship Hall 6:00pm Christmas Candlelighting Service

Mon. Dec. 3 7:15pm Band PracticeSat. Dec. 8 6:30pm NO CRIB

Sun. Dec. 9 Second Sunday in Advent 9:15am Partners in Prayer 9:45am Sunday School11:00am Worship & Celebration 4:00pm Hobgood Christmas Reception 7:30pm Choir and Speaking parts – Dress Rehearsal

Tue. Dec. 11 11:00am Women 3:18 6:00pm Tree Lighting at the Community Center 7:30pm Dinner Theatre Rehearsal

Wed. Dec. 12 7:00pm Dinner Theatre Rehearsal

Sun. Dec. 16 Third Sunday in Advent 9:15am Partners in Prayer 9:45am Sunday School11:00am Worship & Celebration 4:00pm Choir Rehearsal – Fellowship Hall 7:00pm Journey to Bethlehem / Dinner Theater

Mon. Dec. 17 7:00pm Journey to Bethlehem / Dinner TheaterWed. Dec. 19 6:00pm Christmas Caroling Fri. Dec. 21 Last Day of School / 2018

Sun. Dec. 23 Fourth Sunday in Advent 9:15am Partners in Prayer 9:45am Sunday School11:00am Worship & Celebration

NO Evening Service

Announcements

Candlelighting ServiceTonight we will have a Christmas Candlelighting service. The focus of this service will be preparation for the birth of Christ. This service will include Scripture readings, Christmas Carols, prayers, and end with a candlelighting service.

Children’s Christmas PlayThe Kid’s Christmas Play, “Signs of Christmas” is today @ 11:00am. Thanks to everyone who has helped with the play.

Hobgood Christmas ReceptionEveryone is invited everyone to a Christmas Reception at the home of Ronnie and Mitzi Hobgood, December 9th. The reception will be from 4:00pm-7:00am. (203 Spence Street, La Grange).

Community Tree LightingThe Community Tree Lighting will take place on Tuesday, December 11th @ 6:00pm. Our choir along with other church choirs will be singing. Come out and support our community of La Grange.

Journey to Bethlehem / Dinner TheatreOur annual “Journey to Bethlehem/Dinner Theater” will be Sunday, December 16th and Monday, December 17th @ 7:00pm. Make your reservations by contacting Tiffany Creech @ 252-286-5311. ________________________________________________________________

Attendance for week of November 25, 2018Sunday School...........................................................................................................75Worship & Celebration...........................................................................................140

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 Harrison12-16 Bryce Harrison 12-18 Mitzi Hobgood12-19 Dean Johnson 12-19 Brody Soles12-20 Christine Parrish 12-20 Kim Johnson12-21 William Sutton 12-24 Tracey Roddy12-26 David Letchworth 12-27 Shannan Harrison12-27 Vickie Singleton 12-28 Lee Taylor12-29 Aiden Wade 12-31 Brandon Harrison________________________________________________________________

Deacon of the Month: Jimmy D. Herring

Greeters for Worship North Vestibule South Vestibule Gathering Hall 2- Ushers Ted Harrison Anna & Luke Baird 9- Ushers Lucille Harrison Matt & Kim Wade16- Ushers Angela Taylor Greg & Debbie Herring23- Ushers Tanya Craft Asa & Tiffany Creech30- Ushers DeeAnn Maready Dawn Stroud & Family

Ushers for WorshipHead Ushers – Jimmy D. Herring & Royce Holmes

2- Jamie Ham, Matthew Ham, Rob Stroud, Tony Parrish 9- Royce Holmes, Jimmy D. Herring, Curtis Henderson, Wilbur Taylor16- Luke Baird, Allen Sutton, James Sutton, Royce Holmes23- Brent Herring, Greg Herring, Jimmy D. Herring, & Jacob Maready30- Joseph Harrison, Ted Harrison, Travis Harrison, & Jerry Mills

Candlelighters 2- Leanna Kivett 9- Luke Taylor16- Logan Sullivan 23- Skylar Harrison30- Travis Eason

Children’s Church 2- Children’s Play 9- Emily Daniels & Christine Parrish16- Kim Hipkiss & Susie Harrison 23- No Children’s Church30- Josh & Sara Hobgood

Infant Nursery (Birth – age 1 ) / Toddlers Nursery (Ages 1-2) 2- Asa & Tiffany Creech 9- Nelson & Susie Harrison16- Kim Wade & Emily Daniels 23- Darlene & Christina Creech30- Tracy Sutton & Carol Hardison

Prayer MinistryPRAISE…Praise the Lord for the great and mighty things He has done! Karol Goebel (Rex (Mother of Diane Marx), Pat Hinson (UNC-Lenoir), Sara Hobgood (Friday – VMC).

SICK…Jerry Aldridge, Robin Avery (Hobgood Family), Eleanor Baker (Mother of Sandra Rouse), Judy Barnett (Sister of Cliff Hardison), Jeannie Bannister (Mother of Bruce Bannister), Louis Barrow (Sue Shivar), Billy Bonham (Father of Sherry Carlyle), Patricia Bird (Erica Mayberry), Pat Bogey (Laura Eason), Faye Boyette (Christy Smith), Glenn Bowman (Terry & Gale Yarborugh), Colby Creech, Ed Creech (Brother of Asa Creech), Sandi Crews, Elaine Denny (Brad & Angela Taylor), Tracey Edmundson (Angie Herring), Andy Estal (Friend of Ray Kennedy), Barbara Sue Gray, Jerry Gray (Sue Shivar), Maura Ham, Heather Hardison (Cliff & Carol Hardison), Michael Hardison & fiancé Shelby (Cliff & Carol Hardison), Donna Hardy, Aubrey Hart, Kathryn Hart, Joshua Harrell, Clifton Harrison, Donnie Harrison, Helen Harrison, Carolyn Heath, Charles Hill (Mary Gresham), Dempsey Hill (Brad & Angela Taylor), Sue Hill (Bethany Jones), Pat Hinson, Carol Jones (David Letchworth), Clifford Jones (David Letchworth), Jan Lancaster, Tom Landon (Friend of Sherwood Shivar), Ernie Langston III (Christy Smith), Fay Letchworth, Cindy Lewis (Mary Gresham), Joyce Martin, Tommy Millen (Christy Smith), Josh Moye (Sue Shivar), Kelly Poole (Laura Beth Daughety), Asef Quader (Darlene Creech), Chuck Roman, David Roman (Brother of Chuck Roman), Selena Royal (Friend of Laura Eason), Sharon Smith (Mother of Lucretia Creech), Robert Sorrell (Brother of Vernon Sorrell), Shirley Sorrell, George Strickland (Holmes/Johnson family), Erika Stokes, Ron Sutton, Jeff Taylor (Nephew of Edna Johnson), Brody Thornburg (Tommy & Sandi Crews), Chuck Wackerman, Crystal Wackerman, Lee Wiggins (Susie Harrison), Jeff Williams (Nephew of Edna Johnson), and Carolyn Willis (Mother of Anthony Willis).

HOMEBOUND…Nan Fields and Esther Flowers.

CHURCH AND DENOMINATIONAL…First Church, Pastor, Youth Pastor, Deacons, Sunday School Leaders/Teachers, College Students, Convention of Original FWB, Denominational Ministries, Ronnie V. Hobgood (Convention President), Josh Whitfield (Convention Vice-President), Rev. Donald Fader (Director of FWB Minister’s Program & Church Finance), Rev. Chris Singleton (Rise Against Hunger), the Lost, Persecuted Christians, and all Christians.

SPECIAL CONCERNS…Military & their families: Camren Betts (Service/Sara Hobgood), Jordan Betts (Service/Sara Hobgood), Revival in the church.

CIVIC LEADERS…US: President Donald Trump, Vice-President Mike Pence, Cabinet, Congress, and the Supreme Court NC: Governor Cooper, NC Senators and NC Representatives.

La Grange/Lenoir County: Mayor Gurley, John Craft (Town Manager), Town Commissioners, County Commissioners, County & Private Schools, and Lenoir Community College.

Worship & Celebration_________________________________________________________________________________

December 2, 2018 The Lord’s Day Eleven O’clock_________________________________________________________________________________

Worship & Celebration

Prelude Musician

Welcome and Announcements Pastor

Call to Worship 134 (sing twice)...............................................“Emmanuel”

Invocation Pastor

Lighting of the Advent Candle The Prophet’s CandleMatthew Ham, Grayson Sullivan, Olivia Sutton, Cooper Roddy

Christmas Carol 123................................“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”(Fellowship time with the Family of God)

Time of Prayer

Scripture Lesson Jeremiah 33:14-16 & Luke 21:25-36

Offertory

Kid’s Christmas Play “Signs of Christmas”

Christmas Carol 138....................................“Go, Tell It on the Mountain”

Altar Prayer and Benediction Pastor

Postlude Musician

Celebrate Jesus!

Signs of Christmas

Co-Directors.................Vicki Bannister, Conner Craft, & Marian Kennedy

Assistant........................................................................................Anna Hull

Sound & Lights..........................................Carter Daniels & Josh Hobgood

Projection................................................................................Matthew Ham

Children...................................Fawn Creech, Griffin Daniels, Maura Ham,Abigail Hull, Abigail Westbrook, John Titus Westbrook, Luke Westbrook, and Mark Westbrook

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Responsive Reading(For the Lighting of the Advent Candle)

“Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit.

The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.

And He will delight in the fear of the LORD, and He will not judge by what His eyes see, nor make a decision by what His ears hear;

But with righteousness He will judge the poor, and decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth; and He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips will slay the wicked.

Also righteousness will be the belt about His loins, and faithfulness the belt about His waist.

And the wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little boy will lead them.”

“May Your loving kindnesses also come to us, O LORD, Your salvation according to Your promise.”  Isaiah 11:1-6; Psalm 119:41