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. 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 Growth

Sun. Dec. 7 Second Sunday in AdventSymbols of Christmas

9:00am Choir Rehearsal 9:15am Partners in Prayer 9:45am Sunday School11:00am Worship & Celebration 4:00pm Hobgood Christmas Reception 6:30pm Dinner Theater Rehearsal

Mon. Dec. 8 7:15pm Sunday Night Live Band PracticeTue. Dec. 9 7:00pm Dress Rehearsal for Dinner Theater Wed. Dec. 10 7:00pm Dress Rehearsal for Dinner TheaterThu. Dec. 11 11:15am PrimetimersFri. Dec. 12 6:00pm Christmas Light ViewingSat. Dec. 13 8:30am Teen Christmas Shopping TripSun. Dec. 14 Third Sunday in Advent

9:15am Partners in Prayer 9:45am Sunday School11:00am Worship & Celebration 3:45pm Choir Rehearsal – Fellowship Hall 7:00pm Journey to Bethlehem / Dinner Theater

Mon. Dec. 15 7:00pm Journey to Bethlehem / Dinner TheaterWed. Dec. 17 6:30am Teen Breakfast @ Kens

6:00pm Christmas Caroling

Sun. Dec. 21 Fourth Sunday in Advent 9:15am Partners in Prayer 9:45am Sunday School11:00am Worship & Celebration

Children’s Christmas ProgramNO Evening Worship

Wed. Dec. 24 10:00am Christmas Eve WorshipThu. Dec. 25 Christmas Day!

Sun. Dec. 28 First Sunday after Christmas 9:15am Partners in Prayer 9:45am Sunday School11:00am Worship & Celebration

6:00pm NO Evening Worship

AnnouncementsSymbols of Christmas

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 evergreens and the red poinsettia.

Hobgood Christmas ReceptionAll are invited to a Christmas Reception at the home of our pastor and his family today from 4:00pm – 7:00pm. (203 Spence Street)

PrimetimersThursday, December 11th, the Primetimers will have its December outing beginning at 11:15am.

Christmas Light ViewingOn December 12th at 6:00pm we will load the church van and go see Christmas lights in our area!

Teen Christmas Shopping TripThe church van will leave at 8:30am for the annual teen Christmas shopping trip. We will be going the triangle area. Please let Josh know if you are planning to ride the van.

Journey to Bethlehem / Dinner TheaterOur annual “Journey to Bethlehem/Dinner Theater” will be Sunday, December 14th and Monday, December 15th @ 7:00pm. Make your reservations by contacting Tiffany Creech @ 252-286-5311. Help is needed for the Dinner Theater. Please see the lists on the church bulletin board and sign the areas where you can help.

Christmas CarolingWe will leave at 6pm to go Christmas caroling. After caroling we plan to stop for pizza. Please join us!

Children’s Christmas ProgramThe Children’s Christmas Program will be Sunday, December 21st @ 11:00am. If you would like to participate in the program, please contact Marian Kennedy.

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 Savor, Jesus Christ!

In the WORDMemory Verse for 2014 - Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV

Book of the Month for December - Luke

November Bible Readers - Revelation

Vicki Bannister, Fran Gibbons, Carol Hardison, Ronnie Hobgood, Elsie Holmes, N. C. Holmes Virginia Holmes, Edna Johnson, David Letchworth, DeeAnn Maready, Christine Parrish, Shirley Sorrell, and Vernon Sorrell.

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_________________________________________________________________________________

CHURCH WORKERS FOR DECEMBER

Deacon of the Month: Jimmy D. Herring

Ushers for WorshipHead Usher – Jimmy D. Herring

7- Brent Herring, Greg Herring, Jimmy D. Herring, & Royce Holmes14- Colburn Bigler, Jamie Ham, Brad Taylor, Wilbur Taylor21- Allen Sutton, James Sutton, Jimmy D. Herring, Royce Holmes28- C. J. Foster, Chuck Roman, Vernon Sorrell, Jeff Thomas,

Greeters for Worship North Vestibule South Vestibule Gathering Hall 7- Ushers Fran Gibbons Matt & Kim Wade14- Ushers Sue Shivar Jamie & Laura Beth Daughety21- Ushers Irene Wilson Robie & Eloise Killettee28- Ushers Ted Harrison James and Jennifer Sutton

Candlelighters 7- Janie Beth Harriosn 14- Dallas Mayberry21- McKinnon Wade 28- Bodie Taylor

Children’s Church (ages 3-3 rd grade) 7- Kim Hipkiss & Tanya Craft 14- Asa & Tiffany Creech21- Children’s Play 28- Ted & Sheila Harrison

Infant Nursery (Birth – age 1 ) / Toddlers Nursery (Ages 1-2) 7- Bailey Sutton, Tracy Sutton, & Carrie Letchworth14- Helen Harrison, Kendra Sullivan, & Judy Parrott21- Lucretia Creech, Laura Eason, & Sybil Killette28- Mary Gresham, Ruth Scott, & Shirley Sorrell________________________________________________________________

Attendance for November 30, 2013

Sunday School.....................................................................................................97Worship & Celebration......................................................................................201Candlelighting Service........................................................................................58

Christmas PoinsettiasWayne Carlyle in Memory of Christie Carlyle

Darlene & Pat Creech in Memory of Kenneth Creech, James & Lottie Morris

Bonnie Dail in Honor of Sybil and Robie Killette

Carter & Emily Daniels in Honor of Griffin Daniels

Jamie & Laura Beth Daughety in Honor of our Parents

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

Jeff, Pam, Hunter & Payne Thomas in Memory of Shawn Thomas

Jeff, Pam, Hunter & Payne Thomas in Memory of Vance Murphy

Jeff, Pam, Hunter & Payne Thomas in Memory of Muriel Murphy

Fran Gibbons in Memory of Terry Gibbons

Ben Wade & Mary Gresham in Memory of Gwen Wade

Bed Wade & Mary Gresham in Memory of Mark & Cora Pelletier and Joe & Sally Wade

Jamie & Heather Ham in Memory of Evelyn Carlyle

Cliff & Carol Hardison in Memory of Marjorie Fisher

Cliff & Carol Hardison in Memory of Florence Hardison

Cliff & Carol Hardison in Memory of Roy Hardison

Cliff & Carol Hardison in Memory of Vivian Phillips

Kendrick & Helen Harrison in Memory of Hannah Beth Roddy

Lucille Harrison in Memory of Faye Sutton

Cleo Hinson in Honor of Donnie & Lucille Harrison

NC & Virginia Holmes in Memory of Hannah Beth Roddy

NC & Virginia Holmes in Honor of Chris, Tracey & Cooper Roddy

Wayne Carlyle, Elsie & Royce Holmes in Memory of Margaret Vail

Edna & Dean Johnson in Memory of Flossie Johnson and Andrew & Louise Shepard

Bethany & Jimmy Jones in Honor of our Families and In Memory of Margaret Vail

Marian Kennedy in Memory of Louie & Teeny Kennedy

Sybil & Robie Killette in Memory of Margaret Sutton and Joel Sutton

Joyce Martin in Memory of Leroy Martin

Jerry and Avery Mills in honor of Annie Ruth and Harold Herring

Ellie and Adam Mills in honor of Ted and Sheila Harrison

Donald and Christine Parrish in memory of Sally Parrish

Preschool Sunday School Class in memory of Hannah Beth Roddy

Chris, Tracey, and Cooper Roddy in honor of our church family

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 ofGreat-grandson Colton’s 1st Christmas

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

Carrol Suddreth in memory of Judy Parrish Ward

Mike, Kendra, Grayson, Logan SullivanIn memory of our sweet Hannah Beth Roddy

Hilda Sutton in honor of Kathryn HartAnd in memory of Marvin, Ruby, and Clifton Gray

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National Pearl Harbor Remembrance DayNational Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, which is observed annually on December 7, is to remember and honor all those who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. On August 23, 1994, United States Congress, designated December 7 of each year as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.[

On Sunday morning, December 7, 1941 America's naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii was attacked by aircraft and submarines of the Imperial Japanese Navy, killing 2,403 American military personnel and civilians and injuring 1,178 others. The attack sank four U.S. Navy battleships and damaged four more. It also damaged or sank three cruisers, three destroyers, and one minelayer. Aircraft losses were 188 destroyed and 159 damaged.

The day after the attack, the United States declared war on Japan and entered World War II. President Franklin Roosevelt, in a speech to Congress, stated that the bombing of Pearl Harbor is "a date which will live in infamy." J. L. Wilson of our church family is a Pearl Harbor Survivor. Today he will be sharing in lighting the Advent Candle with his niece, Irene Wilson.

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Prayer MinistryPRAISE…Praise the Lord for the great and mighty things He has done.SICK…Tommy Allen (Brother-in-law of Irene Wilson), Rex and Jeannie Bannister (Parents of Bruce Bannister), Joyce Cherry , Steve Corbett, Estelle Creech (Mother of Pat Creech), Lou Criscola (Friend of Ray Kennedy), Laura Beth Daughety, Kari Elwart (Darlene Creech), Cindy Ervin (Friend of Hailey Bigler), Jill Gurley (Friend of Lucretia Creech, Helen Harrison, Kendrick Harrison, Sr., Martha Harrison, Mary Margaret Harrison, Angie Herring , James Herring (Grandfather of Braxton Holland), Marjorie Hines, Dalton Hinson, Pat Hinson, N. C. Holmes, Virginia Holmes, Carol Jones (David Letchworth), Lester Jarman (Harrison Family), Christian Jones (David Letchworth), Robie Killette, Ronnie King (Sandra Rouse), Karen Kozel (Sandra Rouse & Gale Yarobrough), Barbara Lambert (Friend of Bethany Jones), Dickie Lane, Janet Langston (Vicki Bannister), Tiffany Langston (Zack & Alex Liles), Bob and Nancy Lee (Brother-in-law of Vickie Singleton), Fay Letchworth, Cindy Lewis (Mary Gresham), Jayden Manning, Linda Manning, Roger Mewborn, Cherish Naylor (Pam Thomas), David Nipple (Wade Family), Drew Owens (Darlene Creech), Jack Rouse (Brad & Angela Taylor), Glennie Rumschlag (Herring family), Riley Sasser, Christy Smith, Jean Suber, Gene Taylor, Danny Tucker (Ted & Sheila Harrison), Wade Tucker (Dalton & Frances Hinson), Gerale Turner (Sue Shivar), Crystal Wackerman, Cindy Wackerman (Step-mother of Chuck Wackerman, Christopher Whiting (Ray Kennedy), and Veronica Wooten (Jennifer Sutton).HOMEBOUND…Joyce Edwards, Nan Fields, Rev. J. B. Narron (Hobgood Family), Stan Rouse (Husband of Sandra Rouse), Enzie Singleton.CHURCH AND DENOMINATIONAL…First Church, Pastor, Youth Pastor, Deacons, Sunday School Leaders/Teachers, College Students, Convention of Original FWB, Denominational Ministries, Convention President, Rev. Al Warrick, Convention Vice-President Ronnie V. Hobgood, Rev. Chris Singleton (Interim Minister @ Friendship Church), the Lost, and all Christians.SPECIAL CONCERNS…Our military & their families, Josh & Holly Ballance [Korea (Son-in-law of Hilda Sutton)], Alex Ferrell (nephew of Bethany Jones-service), Adam Harrison (Service - Jordan), Mike Hammond, Josh Ormond [Service / Texas (Son of C. J. & Dee Foster)], Sons Family (Service – Ray Kennedy), 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.

(As of December 5, 2014)

802 South Caswell Street • La Grange, N. C. 28551Ronnie V. Hobgood, Pastor Josh Hobgood, Youth Pastor

Second Sunday of Advent

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December 7, 2014 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 WORSHIPIsaiah 7:14 & Psalm 95:6 Youth Pastor

INVOCATION Youth PastorCHRISTMAS CAROLS

“Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” (Verses 1 & 2)...........................Number 143“How Great Our Joy! (Verses 1 & 2)......................................Number 144“O Come, All Ye Faithful” (Verses 1 & 2).............................Number 145

(Fellowship time with the Family of God)

The Advent WreathChristina Creech

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 CANDLEWaiting for How Long? J. L. Wilson & Irene Wilson

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN

The Christmas GreensLogan Shivar

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.

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Sue ShivarPsalm 85:1-2, 8-13

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

The NativityErica Mayberry

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 Youth Pastor2 Peter 3:8-15a Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.People: Thanks be to God.

CHRISTMAS CAROL“Away in a Manger”.........................................................Number 157

The Christmas FlowerLucille Harrison

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.

TIME OF PRAYERSharing our Prayer Concerns LaityMorning Prayer

The Chrismon TreeChristine Parrish

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................................................“O Christmas Tree”O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, How lovely are your branches. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, How lovely are your branches. Your boughs are green in summer's time, They do not fade in winter's snow. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, How lovely are your branches.

OFFERTORYOffertory Prayer LaityGiving His Tithes and Our Offerings People

ANTHEM“Beautiful Star of Bethlehem”........................................Choir & Band

MESSAGE FROM GOD’S WORD Pastor"Knowing Peace" Mark 1:1-8

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

The altar of the Lord is always open at First Church for those who desire to receive Christ as Savior, rededicate their lives, pray, or transfer their church membership. Our prayer is that you follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit in your life. We also ask that no one leave during this time.

ALTAR PRAYER AND BENEDICTION Pastor

POSTLUDE 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.