PREPARING FOR SUNDAY! CHRISTIAN BELIEFS Eve A Release-Time Course for Woodruff High School Candlelight When school begins again on January 3, we will be Communion Service providing a semester course for 23 senior students at Saturday, Dec. 24 * 5:00 pm Woodruff High School. Students will explore the beliefs

of the Christian faith, examine why we believe what we CHRISTMAS DAY JANUARY BIBLE STUDY believe and how those beliefs effect our lives. The course Worship and Celebration * 11:00 am Sunday Nights in January Beginning January 8 will also include reading the New Testament, a survey of We will meet together as a family of faith for a wonderful In this last book of the Old Testament God challenges His the Old Testament, and learning how to exegete passages December 25 time of worship, praise, & dedication. Regular activities, people to renew their love for Him as He prepares them of Scripture. Worship Service * 11:00 am including Sunday School and the Evening Service, will for the coming of the Messiah – . God uses questions, answers, & arguments to shake the people The class will meet at our church each school day WILL YOU BE CHANGED BY CHRISTMAS? not be held. from their complacency & turn their hearts to Him. from 2:10 – 3:10 pm. Please be praying that the Lord Luke 2:20; Matthew 2:12-13 NEW YEAR’S DAY SCHEDULE would use this opportunity in a powerful way. We will Christmas morning brought incredible change for Malachi is 55 verses long but contains 27 questions. Join Sunday School * 9:45 am us as we examine our attitudes & actions in light of God’s be providing the students with books for the course that some of our favorite fictional characters – Ebenezer will be a great resource for them now and in the future. Scrooge, The , & The Winter Warlock, but Worship Service * 11:00 am love, holiness, & unchanging purposes for His people. The New Year is ahead and will offer many challenges If you would like to help with the cost of books simply these changes pale in comparison to the way Christmas mark an envelope ‘WHS Course’. See our pastor if you changed the real life Shepherds & Wisemen & and opportunities. We hope everyone will start the New THE LOTTIE MOON Year with Christian friends and come to Sunday School would like to help provide snacks for the students. especially Mary & Joseph. Will you be changed by CHRISTMAS OFFERING Christmas? and the Worship Service on January 1, 2017. What a The Gospel Resounds beautiful way to honor our Savior and Lord! It is a good OVER AND ABOVE time to focus on God’s will for our lives in 2017 and to Your prayers and gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Sanctuary & Office Carpet Fund Balance: $19,528.95 pray for His guidance as we seek Him first in the New Offering will help the gospel resound throughout the Year. Be in thought for things you want us as a Church nations as you send and sustain missionaries and their GIFTS TO THE GLORY OF GOD work. Below are some examples of what your gifts will to pray for in 2017 and we will all pray for a peaceful and Over & Above Fund Christ filled year of service and love to Him. be used for: In Memory of Paul (Johnny) Taylor $1 provides a hot meal for a refugee Carolyn Taylor January 1 DON’T FORGET YOUR $1.50 a Vietnamese New Testament Work of the Church Fund In Honor of Andrew Shull & Church Staff Sunday School * 9:45 am CHRISTMAS CARDS $2 SD card with an audio Bible & Bible lessons GOD’S WORD IS ALWAYS RELEVANT $10 evangelistic packet with a gospel tract & dvd Gary & Jan Schmatt Don’t forget to check the post office boxes located in the Psalm 119:89-96 $25 tank of gas to travel by boat in Mozambique Chair Fund back foyer for your Christmas cards. Thank you for your In Memory of Billy Holmes Worship Service * 11:00 am donations to our youth ministry. $26 provides gardening tools and seeds Curtis & Nancy Walker A FUNERAL FOR KING HEROD $28 buys a diabetes test kit and strips Children’s I Department Matthew 2:1-23 DON’T FORGET YOUR POINSETTIA $36 hires a sewing teacher for a class of 15 In Memory of Jack & Mozelle Pearson When the calendar changes it prompts a desire for a Appreciation is expressed to all who placed poinsettias in $120 a month of language study in Ghana John & Jennifer Pearson fresh start, but unfortunately we carry many of our sins the sanctuary during the Christmas Season. Please carry $3000 covers production of a gospel film in new & struggles over to the new year. In the Christmas your poinsettia home with you at the conclusion of the languages SUNDAY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE Dec 11 Dec 18 story, King Herod represents many of our worst service or the Christmas service. Nursery 5 5 “We don’t have time to stay stagnant, much less shrink qualities. What if we made a clean break by saying Children 20 14 goodbye to our old destructive patterns as through faith DECORATING COMMITTEE back. The Gospel is too good and our God is too great.” Youth 11 19 we claim the newness of life found only in Jesus Great appreciation is expressed to our Decorating - IMB President David Platt Adults 100 93 Christ? Total Attendance 136 131 Committee for their beautiful work during the Christmas season. It adds so much to our times of CHAIR FUND BUDGET Dec 11 Dec 18 2016 HAPPY BIRTHDAY! worship and fellowship. Funds are being collected to purchase white folding Needs $ 8,371.58 $ 8,371.58 $426,950.58 Jim Young, 12-26 Nick LaPolla, 12-26 chairs for the church. The chairs cost about $20 a piece. Offering $ 6,489.73 $ 7,670.00 $410,543.49 Mary Turner, 12-28 Becky Westmoreland, 12-28 GOLDEN AGE FELLOWSHIP If you would like to help with this project, simply write Over/(Under) ($ 1,881.85) ($ 701.58) ($ 16,407.09) Additional Offerings Given for Special Accounts Rosemary Leake, 12-29 Greg Cooper, 12-30 Wednesday, January 4 * 11:45 am “chair fund” on any contribution envelope. So far Jack Rhodes, 12-31 Becky Godfrey, 1-1 Over & Above Fund $ 350.00 Join us for great food and fellowship! $2,075.00 has been contributed (about 103 chairs.) The Marie Wood, 1-3 Kevin Murphy, 1-3 goal is to purchase about 200 chairs. Lottie Moon $ 3,026.00 All are welcome! Local Missions $ 170.00 Addalynn Lee, 1-6 Cheryl Smith, 1-7 Pam Scott, 1-7 Program guest: John Fowler Youth Fund $ 474.00 Storyteller, Musician, Author, Ballad Singer SAFETY AND SECURITY Chair Fund $ 435.00 CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY Hosts & Hostesses: Priscilla Miller, Molly Love Each Sunday our ushers are locking all of our outside Use of Church $ 100.00 doors after the morning worship service has begun - Wednesday Night Supper $ 277.80 Our church family grieves the death of Michael Powers. Charles & Kay Brown except for the front doors to the sanctuary. If you arrive Biltmore House $ 400.00 We extend our love and prayerful support to his family Devotional: Mary Dell Scott late, please use the front sanctuary doors. Titus 2 Women’s Paint Class $ 30.00 and friends.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUPPER DAY BY DAY 5:00 – 6:00 pm WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21 THE 6:30 pm Wednesday Night Bible Study Wednesday, Jan. 4 * 5:00 – 6:00 pm SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24 Taco Soup, Grilled Cheese, Fritos, 5:00 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service Dessert, Salad Bar, Drink ENCOURAGER SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25 - Merry Christmas! “…to prepare all God’s people for the work of Cost: $3.00 11:00 am Worship Service Please turn in a Reservation card or call (476-8171) MONDAY, DECEMBER 26 Christian Service to build up the body of Christ.”

or email us ([email protected]) by Tuesday OFFICE CLOSED afternoon, Jan 3 so that we will know how much TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27 www.woodruff1st.org food to prepare. OFFICE CLOSED WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28 Think about people who often eat alone that you OFFICE CLOSED could bring with you to these wonderful meals. First Baptist Church * Woodruff, South Carolina 6:30 pm Wednesday Night Bible Study SUNDAY, JANUARY 1 – Happy New Year! December 21, 2016 – January 3, 2017 LADIES BIBLE STUDY 9:45 am Sunday School 11:00 am Worship Service Next Meeting will be Tuesday, January 3 MONDAY, JANUARY 2 10:00 am * Prayer Meeting Room OFFICE CLOSED Ladies are invited to come and be part of this wonderful TUESDAY, JANUARY 3 Bible study taught by Peggy Gilliland. 10:00 am Ladies Bible Study

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4 MARTHA LEWIS MISSION GROUP 11:45 am Golden Age Fellowship The next meeting will be Jan. 16. All the ladies of the 5:00 pm Wednesday Night Supper church are invited to attend. 5:30 pm Preschool & Children’s Choirs, Youth Lighthouse 6:30 pm Wednesday Night Bible Study – Nursery Provided, 2017 FLOWER CALENDAR Adult Choir Rehearsal, Mission Friends, Call or come by the church office to reserve the Sunday GA’s, RA’s, Acteens, Challengers you would like to put flowers in the sanctuary in 2017. The Church Office will be Closed: STOP BY FOR COFFEE Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday Next Sunday, Jan 1 at the Welcome Center Area December 26, 27, 28 Self service begins at 9:30 am. & Monday, January 2.

ONLINE GIVING WEDNESDAY NIGHT SCHEDULE Secure online giving is available Dec. 21, 28 – Wed. Night Bible Study (only) on our church web site: www.woodruff1st.org Jan. 4 – Regular Schedule Resumes

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY THE ENCOURAGER Each Wednesday * 6:30 pm The Encourager will not be published next week. (We will continue to meet during the Christmas season) The next edition will be Wednesday, January 4, 2017. SHARING THE MINISTRY – Dec 25 Counting: J Ward, T & J Foster O Notes: M Wood THANK YOU! Children’s W.: Lisa A, Silas H, Mackenzie C Dear Andrew & Church Family, Thank you for your Nursery: Z & R Lanford prayers, cards, and meals during my recent hospital stay Ushers: B Abercrombie – Captain, Jason K – Co Captain and as I continue to recover at home. Ann and I felt the C Simpkins, Sr, T Foster (f) T Culbreath (p) Gregg T peace, love and healing from your lifting us up in prayer. Outside Ushers: S Stribling, G Chumley, L Craig We are so blessed to be a part of this wonderful church family and to have you, Andrew, as our pastor.

SHARING THE MINISTRY – Jan 1 Love in Christ, Ronnie Henson

Counting S Cooper, T & L Morgan B Pressure: E Knoke C. Andrew Shull, Pastor Regular Office Hours: Dear Pastor Andrew, The Woodruff Rotary Club wishes W Center: R Smith, Z Orias O Notes: K Brown Robert L. Blanton, Jr., Music Director Monday – Thursday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm to express our sincere appreciation for all that your Children’s W.: Amanda W, Jimmy W, Emilee T Steven P. Ramey, Associate Pastor for Youth Friday 8:00 am – 12:30 pm Nursery: J Waddell, C Hang church and you did in making our Christmas program Lisa C. Abercrombie, Ministry Coordinator Email: [email protected] Ushers: Milton S, Bill S (c) Lenn C, Don S (f) possible. Your generosity in the use of your facilities, as Carol R. Morgan, Secretary Web site: www.woodruff1st.org Ray S (p) Duane B (o) well as the beautiful decorations, added so much to the Kay M. Young, Pianist Telephone: (864) 476-8171 Fax: (864) 476-3141 Outside Ushers: Z Orias, W Wood, B Abercrombie program. Sincerely, Pat Taylor/Woodruff Rotary Club James R. Skinner, Custodian Address: 801 Cross Anchor Road, Woodruff, SC 29388