A Word of Gratitude for the 2019 Discipleship Offering

I am grateful—and pleased— to report that our Discipleship Day Offering was $65,125! That is easily the best offering we have had this year. In round The Heart and Hands of numbers, our weekly need is $20,000, so on one Sunday, we reduced our Ministry Plan deficit by $45,000—that is something to celebrate! At the same November 20, 2019 Volume LXX, No. 22 time, we are still behind our Ministry Plan (YTD) about $80,000. Remember, the plan for the Discipleship Offering was for it to be a good start to a strong finish in 2019. Let’s keep that momentum going and finish the year focused on the birth of the Savior and doing ministry in His name!

New FBC Logo Introduced at Annual Meeting

Sunday, December 1 For me, the highlight of this year’s Annual Meeting was the Hanging of the Green 11:00 am - Sanctuary introduction of our new church logo. The Hanging of the Green is a special service the church family shares which includes Almost a year ago, church leaders scripture, music, celebration, and the decorating of the sanctuary with greenery and light. began to envision and discuss a logo which would function in at least Sanctuary Preparation for the Hanging of the Green three ways. (1) It will quickly The various items used during the Hanging of the Green service and throughout identify materials or messages must be taken out of storage and put into place for the service on December 1. This which come from our church. (2) It includes decorating the Chrismon trees, hanging the star, attaching garland will provide graphic or visual unity to to the balcony rails, and arranging the wreaths and creche pieces so that they are easy our publications, correspondence, to pick up. The Worship Committee will be making these preparations on Sunday, website, et al. (3) Best of all, as it November 24, at 2:30 pm. All are invited to help with the Hanging of the Green preparation. becomes increasingly visible in our community, it will serve as publicity for our church and witness to our faith. A Beta group of about 30 church members—female and male, various ages, various tenures of membership—helped develop the logo. I want to thank them, the Advent Conspiracy and Offering for Global Missions Congregational Life Committee, and the Diaconate, all of whom played a role in Because of its remarkable success in recent years, in 2019 we will again combine the its adoption. But I especially want to thank Cindy Lindahl and Greg Anders. Offering for Global Missions with the Advent Conspiracy. The Advent Conspiracy is Their considerable graphic arts expertise and experience were the key to the both a movement and a book, and it proposes four simple steps to a more meaningful process, and they devoted countless hours to it along the way. . (For more info, check out The Advent Conspiracy from the church library, or As Greg describes our new logo: “The symbols of the logo reinforce the go online to adventconspiracy.com.) vision of the mission statement. The heart represents the heart of Jesus, toward which we all strive as Christians. The heart also symbolizes our love for God Worship Fully. Spend Less. Give More. Love All. and for others, because God first loved us. The two hands represent the hands of Jesus, whose mission on earth is furthered through the work and service of This year, our Missions Committee has designated Habitat for Humanity as the our hands. The hands also form doves, representing the Spirit of God, which recipient of our Advent Conspiracy Offering. The money will be applied to the house guides us as we do the work of God. The logo is tilted upward and outward, FBC is going to build in 2020 as we celebrate our 150th Anniversary. CBF’s Offering symbolizing the movement of our faith toward God and into the world in for Global Missions funds CBF’s missionaries and field personnel around the world. To ensure that the funds go where you want them to, please note: gifts marked service. The colors of the logo derive from the liturgical colors, which represent “Advent Conspiracy” or “Habitat for Humanity” will go to Habitat for Humanity; the importance of corporate worship for our congregation and signify our gifts marked “Global Missions” or placed in the OGM envelopes will go to CBF common identity within God’s larger Church in the world.” Global Missions. Gift cards are available, and gifts may be given in honor of or in If you were not at the Annual meeting, please stop by the office and pick up memory of someone. Bring gifts to the church office early to have your cards before a book mark, sticker, magnet, and sticky note pad which feature the new logo! Christmas.

Make plans to worship with the FBC family and friends from the community at the Community Thanksgiving Service, Committee Orientation Monday, November 25, 7:00 pm, at January 5, 2019 Madeline’s Christmas Main Street United Methodist Church. 3:00 pm Members of the FBC Chancel Choir will "Madeline's Christmas" is the Greenwood sing with the combined choir and special As a new church year begins, members Community Theater's show this will be provided by Palmetto Girls of the thirteen standing committees of season. The Children's Ministry will go Sing. First Baptist Church will meet for a time of No Children’s Church Saturday, December 7, at 2:00 pm (the orientation and planning for the new year. December 1 only matinee). Adult tickets are $15.00 and Thank You to the worship committee, and The 2020 Committee Orientation meeting children are $10.00. Please RSVP by the additional helpers from the is scheduled for 3:00 pm on Sunday, Since many children participate in the Friday, November 22, so Anna Burch can congregation, who will decorate the January 5. Everyone serving on a Hanging of the Green service, there will purchase tickets. Money is due by the sanctuary for the Hanging of the Green committee for 2020 is asked to gather in be no children’s church for children age December 7 to Anna. Checks can be service. The decorating will take place on the Fellowship Hall for orientation before K3 - K5 on December 1. Please made payable to FBC. The group will meet Sunday afternoon, November 24, at 2:30 spending time organizing with members encourage children to experience the joy at 1:40 pm in the outdoor area between pm and the Hanging of the Green service of respective committees. This is always of this special service that begins the the Arts Center and the theater and will will be on December 1. Thank You to a helpful time as committees begin their Advent season. (It is family friendly.) enter at 1:45 pm to find assigned seats. everyone who is providing for work for the coming year. Please mark Childcare will be provided for the babies the sanctuary during Advent. January 5 on your calendar. For and toddlers. - David Corbitt additional information or questions about the Committee Orientation, please Advent Labyrinth

WORSHIP—November 24, 2019 contact David Jennings by phone (229- 5557) or by email Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost The children have completed their canned ([email protected]). Inter-generational Movie Night Scripture: Colossians 3:15-17 food drive and were busy “can”-structing Sermon: “Thanksgiving” The Children's Ministry is hosting an during the Annual Meeting! The children Tony Hopkins Church-wide inter-generational movie night on Sunday, created a labyrinth for the church family to December 1, to watch “The Star.” The use during Advent. The labyrinth is Anthem: “For Simple Things” Schedule for the movie will be shown in the Fellowship Hall located in Room 116 in the children's Chancel Choir Holidays area. Directions and prompts are available from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm. The room will be set up for the Hospice's Festival of at the beginning of the labyrinth. The WORSHIP—December 1, 2019  November 25, Community Thanksgiving service at Main St. UMC, 7:00 pm Trees, so bring a lawn chair or blankets labyrinth will be available for use during First Sunday of Advent and pillows. Children and youth are church office hours (9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Hanging of the Green  November 27, No Wednesday evening activities because of Thanksgiving invited to wear their pajamas. Monday - Friday). Special Music by Children’s Choirs  December 1, Hanging of the Green and Handbell Ensemble Service, 11:00 am Connie Maxwell “Make My Life a Bethlehem”  December 4, Wednesday meal under the Family Ornament Chancel Choir Christmas Sanctuary due to Festival of the Trees Making Party December 5 - 7  Children’s Ornament Party, 6:30 pm WORSHIP—December 8, 2019 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm  December 11, Reindeer Games One of the traditions of the FBC Second Sunday of Advent  December 15, The Chancel Choir will lead Children’s Ministry is the Family  Enjoy the beautiful Sermon: by Chuck Moates worship–Canticles in Candlelight-11:00 am Ornament Making Party. The Ornament on a horse-drawn wagon ride through

Anthem: “Immanuel”  December 18, No Wednesday evening Party is Wednesday, December 4, 6:30- campus. Chancel Choir activities 7:30. The party will begin in the Backyard!  December 22, Youth Christmas Party  Warm up next to the fire with a WORSHIP—December 15, 2019  December 24, service: complimentary cup of hot chocolate. Third Sunday of Advent Meditation and Communion (5:15 pm), Cheerful Cherubs Worship (6:00 pm)  Watch the live nativity as well as Canticles in Candlelight Christmas Program  December 25 and January 1, other special concerts each evening. Chancel Choir No Wednesday Evening Activities with the Handbell Ensemble The Cheerful Cherubs Christmas program The church office will be closed November is Thursday, December 19, at 6:30 pm in Visit the Connie Maxwell event page Special music 28 and 29 for Thanksgiving, December 24 the Fellowship Hall. Come enjoy the (https://www.conniemaxwell.com/events/ Voices of Grace Youth Choir and 25 for Christmas, and January 1 for wonder of Christmas through eyes and event-detail/connie-maxwell-christmas- New Year’s Day. voices of preschoolers. 2019) for more information. Upcoming Youth Events November 24 December 1 Ushers: Ann Skinner Ushers: Wayne White November 24: “Sunday Night Live” at Greeters - Door A: Graham Whidden Greeters - Door A: Peggy Allen the Naves’ home (113 St. Andrews Lane), Door B: Diana Cox Door B: LIBRARY CORNER Door C: Pat Penn Door C: Pat Penn 5:00 pm-7:00 pm Door D: Lew and Pat Dorrity November 2019 Door D: Butch and Sandra Roberts December 22: Youth Christmas Party Babies: Shawn Snead, Lynn Timmerman Babies: Ashlee Atkins, Diane Chastain at the home of Greg and Cindy Anders The following new titles have recently Toddlers: Sherry and Casie Chandler Toddlers: Hannah Gantt, Laura Rude (131 Amherst Drive), 5:00 pm-7:00 pm been added to the church library Children’s Church: Kelly Rhodes, Nina Moore Children’s Church: Sonja and Richie Williams collection. Acolyte: MaryLila Sims Jackson Williams Bus Driver: David Jennings Acolyte: Sam Smith Adult Books: Office Volunteer: Alisha Watson Bus Driver: Hob Chandler Bass, Diana Butler, Grateful: The HelpingHands:(11/25) Claudia Stokes Office Volunteer: Paula Boone Transformative Power of Giving Thanks Deacon of the Week: Scott White HelpingHands:(12/2) Beth Hardage Deacon of the Week: Vaughan Free Dant, Jim, This I know The Sanctuary flowers will be given by Zach Lucado, Max, How Happiness Happens and Katherine Poston Tucker in honor of their Park, Jean Jones, A Promise Kept. (see wedding. December 15 Ushers: George Coleman comments below) Greeters - Door A: Bennie & Martha Roberts December 8 Door B: Don and Cille Bishop Children’s Books: Ushers: Jeff Burkes Blabey, Aaron, I Need a Hug Door C: Pat Penn Sunday Night Live Greeters - Door A: Tom and Jackie Moore Door D: Brown, Skila, Clackety Track: Poems Door B: Terry and Alice Gilchrist Babies: Diane Chastain, Shelby Reed Sunday Night Live returns Sunday, about Trains Door C: Pat Penn Toddlers: Michelle and Jess TImmons Door D: Bill and Barbara Heard November 24, 5:00 pm-7:00 pm at the Geisel, T.R., Green Eggs and Ham Children’s Church: Kelly Wash, Nathan Smith Babies: Kay Culbertson, Alice Gilchrist Naves’ home (113 St. Andrews Long, Ethan, Fangsgiving Acolyte: Blake Abernathy Toddlers: Ansley Keenan, Ellison Rowe Lane)! Make plans now to come for Lyon, George, Trains Run Bus Driver: Tommy Stoddard Children’s Church: Lisa Parker, Carson Nave some great food, games, conversation, Smith, Cherry, Sleepwalk Jones. Office Volunteer: Acolyte: Lake Atkins HelpingHands: (12/16) Barbara & Bill Heard and who knows what?! In order to have Bus Driver: Henderson Rowe Deacon of the Week: Nick Nichols an accurate count to plan for food, In A Promise Kept, Jean Park not only Office Volunteer: Anne Hancock please SIGN UP now at the top of the chronicles the lives of her in-laws, the HelpingHands: (12/9) Sandra Ridgeway current YouthNews or by contacting Greg Barratts and the Jordans, but she also Deacon of the Week: Lou Hilley Ministry Plan 2019 ([email protected]). Friends are gives most interesting historical November 10, 2019 welcome. information, in pictures and writing, of Weekly Need 19,854.52 Greenwood. Any Greenwood resident will Weekly Gifts 65,125,16 find this book a delightful experience. Ministry Plan Req’d YTD 893,453.40 Ministry Plan Rcv’d YTD 807,098.87 Operation Christmas Deficit (Under) (86,354.53) Child State Missions TD 4,265.00

Reindeer Games Global Missions TD 100.00 Please return filled Operation Sunday School Attendance 157 Christmas Child shoeboxes to the (Everyone can play, even Rudolph) Worship Attendance 219 church missions office no later than Heartfelt Christian sympathy is extended Sunday, November 24. Don’t forget to to: Anyone who enjoyed the Fall Kick-off Ministry Plan 2019 include a check for $9.00 for shipping for  the family of Nancy Fouche Fellowship will not want to miss FBC’s November 17,2019 Reindeer Games on Wednesday, December each box. One check may be written to  John Nave in the loss of his aunt, Weekly Need 19,854.52 11. The event will begin at 5:30 pm with free Weekly Gifts 13,865.00 cover multiple boxes or donations may be Norma Miley grilled hot dogs, chili and other trimmings, Ministry Plan Req’d YTD 913,307.92 made online to Samaritan’s Purse/ chips, and dessert. Around 6:15 pm, children Hospice House: Tom Wood Ministry Plan Rcv’d YTD 820,963.87 Operation Christmas Child. Thanks for 2K and under will go to childcare and Deficit (Under) (92,344.05) Births preschoolers and 5K will have fun with Anna supporting this Christmas project. State Missions TD 4,265.00 Frances Brabham’s great-grandson is in God’s Backyard while children in first - fifth Global Missions TD 180.00 grades, youth, and adults will participate in Levi Taylor Ravencraft.. The newsletter Sunday School Attendance 179 Community fun activities around the tables. The Reindeer staff apologizes to the family for the Worship Attendance 212 Thanksgiving Service multiple misspellings of the surname in Games and children’s activities will conclude the last newsletter. around 6:45 pm so that the Chancel Choir and Voices of Grace Youth Choir will have an Monday, November 25, 7:00 pm Last Newsletter of 2019 opportunity to rehearse. Sounds of Grace will December 11, 2018 Main Street United Methodist Hampton Michael Batson, son of Ashley NOT rehearse that afternoon. Children’s and Butter Batson, grandson of Wade and Church choirs will rehearse at 5:15 pm,. Articles are needed no later than noon on Delaney Batson. Thursday, December 5.

GFBC REGULAR ACTIVITIES

Never Grow Old (NGO) Sunday Monday Senior Adult Club 9:00 am Library Open 9:00 am Helping Hands “On with the Snow” 10:00 am Sunday School 4:00 pm Staff Meeting

11:00 am Worship 6:00 pm Scouts Tuesday, December 17, Sounds of Grace will present their 2019 Christmas concert. “On with Tuesday 10:00 am Library Open

the Snow” features both sacred and secular Profit Org. Christmas tunes. Beginning with a journey Wednesday - through the events in Old Bethlehem, the 4:15 pm Sounds of Grace Senior Adult Choir 5:00 pm Youth Lounge Opens

Non

Greenwood, SC concert concludes with several rousing songs 5:15 PM Children’s Choirs US Postage Paid

Permit Number 76 about snow, sleigh bells, and, of course, Fa-la- 5:30 pm Family Night Supper la-la-la! Library Open (until 6:30 pm) 6:15 pm The Grind Lunch (11:15 am) reservations ($8.00 per 6:30 pm Adult Bible Study, Chancel Choir, Grace St. person) must be made by Thursday, December Parents, CIAs, Infant and Toddler Childcare 12, by calling Polly Harvin at 223-3240. 7:15 pm Voices of Grace Youth choir

Honoring and

Remembering Sunday, November 24 at Christmas 10:00 am Sunday School 11:00 am Worship On Christmas Eve, FBC will publish a list of 2:30 pm Preparing for Hanging of the Green donors and those honored or remembered

5:00 pm Youth “Sunday Night Live” (Naves) ELECTRONIC SERVICE REQUESTED through a special offering during Advent. This year, honor and memorial donations may be Monday, November 25 designated for the purchase of poinsettias, for 7:00 pm Community Thanksgiving Service the missions offerings, or for the Ministry Plan. Main St. United Methodist Church

After worship on Christmas Eve, poinsettias

Wednesday, November 27

may be picked up by the donor or recipient.

No Wednesday Night activities at church

Flowers not picked up will be given to shut-ins.

Poinsettias are $16.00 each and must be Thursday, November 28

ordered by Sunday, November 24. Happy Thanksgiving—Church Office Closed

Donations marked missions will go to Offering Friday, November 29—Church Office Closed for Global Missions, unless they are designated for Advent Conspiracy. A form is in Sunday, December 1 the church office for donors to indicate where 10:00 am Sunday School the donation is to go and who is being honored 11:00 am Worship—Hanging of the Green

3:30 pm Intergenerational Movie: “The Star” or remembered.

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Monday, December 2

8051 3:00 pm Joann Gray Circle - 6:00 pm Rosemary Benjamin Circle

Wednesday, December 4

2561 Fax

- 8:30 am Contemplative Wednesday

5:30 pm Family Night Meal Group 7 Christmas Post Office Menu: Deli Sandwiches, Pickles, Chips’ (served downstairs)

2787

6:30 pm Family Ornament Making Party - The FBC Christmas Post Office, sponsored by the Rosemary Benjamin Circle will once again Thursday, December 5 be opened this year beginning December 1 10:30 am Sounds of Grace at Emerald through December 24. Please bring Gardens

unstamped Christmas Cards for active church Noon Peggy Hollingsworth Circle (864) 229

Cheerful Cherubs members to the post office in the Narthex. To Senior Pastor…………………...………... Minister of Music……………..……….…. Organist…………………………………... Interim Associate Pastor…………..…… Interim toMinister Students……………. Minister Administration………………. of Minister Children……………..………..to Director Cheerful of Cherubs Ministry Assistant………………………... Financial Assistant………….…………....

Website: www.fbcgwd.org

Friday, December 6 –Sunday, December 8

www.cheerfulcherubsfbc.com

5557 (864) 2295557 (864) “mail” cards at church, please make your check Hospice - payable to First Baptist Church and write in the Memo section “Advent Conspiracy.” Sunday, December 8 Place checks in the donation basket on the 10:00 am Sunday School table. To give a cash donation, please place 11:00 am Worship the money in an envelope along with your (864) 229

722 Grace Street Greenwood, SC 29649 722 Street Greenwood, Grace Monday, December 9 Helping Hands Ministry Information Line (864) 229 name for us to provide you with a tax donation 6:30 pm Laucis-Parham Circle receipt. Don’t forget to go by the “post office” each week and pick up cards addressed to Tuesday, December 10 you. Noon Buses take Sounds of Grace to Inn

on the Square to sing for Rotary Club Tony Hopkins……………….. Corbitt…………………David Josh Harrington…………….. Chuck Moates.…………...…. Greg Anders………………… David Jennings……………... Burch………………….Anna Claudia Burch………………. Mary Frances Thompson….. Linda Miller…………….….....