THE CONTACT: First Baptist Church of Burlington

First Baptist Church of Burlington FirstBaptistBurlington.com Phone:336.226.2433 [email protected] Choir and Instrumental Ensemble CHURCH STAFF

Dr. Terry E. Peele Christmas Musical

Senior Pastor Office: 336.226.2433 Cell: 336.213.4559 Home: 336-261-3069 Sunday, December 11, 2016

Rev. Joel N. Marshall 6:30 p.m., FBC Sanctuary

Associate Pastor of Music & Worship

Rev. Stacey L. Grimm You will enjoy the beautiful Associate Pastor of Admin. & Communication Christmas music of our choir and Rev. Cameron M. West Associate Pastor of Children, Youth & Families instrumentalists as they present

Gwen Mitchell Appalachian Winter by Joseph M. Martin. Church Secretary

Carol Burnett Join us for a reception afterward as we celebrate Financial Secretary Rev. Joel Marshall’s 30th year of ministry at FBC. Katherine Thomas Principal Church Accompanist

Belinda Wisterman Church Organist

Al and Patricia Paschal Church Custodians

Danny Scott Maintenance Technician

Lisa Moore Child Development Center Director December, 2016 Vol. 10, Issue 12 Advent Sermon Series Dr. Terry E. Peele

Something for Christmas

December 4 Starting Something Matthew 1: 18-25 Luke 1: 67-79 John 3: 19-21 Isaiah 9: 2-7

December 11 Believing Something Luke 1: 11-22; 26-38 Matthew 2: 1-7 Micah 5: 2-5

December 18 Seeing Something Matthew 2: 9-12 Luke 2: 8-16 Isaiah 40: 28-31

December 25 Receiving Something Luke 2: 25-32 John 3:16 Isaiah 46: 1-13 Hanging of

An Invitation the Greens From Sandy and Terry Peele

Each year we look forward to sharing Sunday, December 4 Christmas with you in our home. We hope you will drop by on the afternoon of December 18 between four and six pm to share the holidays 6:30 p.m. with us. Our Christmas is not complete without this time with you our Christian family FBC Sanctuary and friends. We count it an honor and privilege to live and serve among you. This is a beautiful service of song, decoration, Sunday, December 18 102 Bell Tower Court, Elon, NC worship and celebration! Join us afterward in 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. the Fellowship Hall for a time of fellowship.

World Missions Christmas Offering

Our Church Goal : $18,000.00 In the Great Commission we are told to go "unto all the World." Most of us cannot go in person, but we can go in spirit, through our prayers and financial support. At this time of year we especially think of our internation- al missionaries. They are becoming more and more dependent on our gifts to the Lottie Moon Offering, and the Global Missions Offering. You may contribute to the SBC Lottie Moon Offering or the CBF Global Missions Offering. Please specify to which offering you are giving. they once did. with them, are going to challenge But, I still believe this. And, I be- our thinking about how church lieve the Scripture bears this out. ought to be done, but let’s give The church will survive in the thanks to God that what we see in Ten Years world until our Lord returns. We the future while challenging to us When next we meet I’ll have com- may find ourselves looking, is welcoming to them. God pleted ten years of service with sounding, meeting, and doing knows what He is doing among us this congregation. Wow! That missions differently, but we will and through us. Let’s trust Him! happened very quickly! Thank survive. The challenge for us is to My life’s calendar shows that I you for letting me be your pastor believe this. All the work that has have less than a handful of years . . .and now a friend. . .to you. been done in the past has pre- to serve our Lord as I have for We’ve been through some chal- pared us for what is ahead. And, over forty-three years. But, as I lenging times together. We’ve what is ahead will be of God just look at what the future holds for lost some friends and loved ones as what is in the past has been. this church and for me, I am pro- along the way. We’ve gained The successes of past and the foundly grateful for the past ten some other friends whose pres- ones we expect in the future will years. And, I am excited about ence here among us is encourag- have this one thing in common... the years ahead for this church ing to us as we consider the future God is in them. He wants the that will extend beyond my own of the church. . .and of this church church to exist. Christ loved the time here. In some ways I feel like in this place. church and gave His life for it. It Moses standing on that mountain Friends, so much has changed in exists until He comes to claim it as looking at the land of promise. church life in America in His own. Though I may not live in that land just the past ten years. Attend- As we look into the future let’s once it is fully occupied, I am so ance trends in the vast majority of trust Him. We already see His glad to see what I see for the gen- churches are not encouraging. hand at work in our new initiatives erations that will live in that land. Giving to churches continues a with young families whose busy Sandy and I have been blessed to marked decline that is written lives bring them to us at times be among you for these past ten about everywhere. Church in that are non-traditional. Soon, years. For all that has been and America is in direct competition we will be expanding our reach the goodness in all that has been with secular activities and priori- and embrace of these young fam- . . .thank you. For what may lie ties for the time and resources of ilies. We are going to ahead for the remainder of our America’s families. It is a chal- acknowledge that their lives are time with you in service to our lenging time to be in ministry as hectic, in transition all the time, Lord. . .Yes!!! the church confronts new chal- and unpredictable. Ministries al- Blessed! lenges with strategies and expec- ready underway, for them and tations that no longer work as Christmas Events at First Baptist

Sunday, December 4 11:00 a.m. Worship Service, Sanctuary Second Sunday in Advent – Lighting of the Peace Candle Special Music by Sanctuary Handbells 6:30 p.m.—Hanging of the Greens Service and Fellowship A service of carols, decoration, and celebration– A Fellowship will follow service Special Music by Children's Choirs, Sanctuary Handbells, and the Sanctuary Choir

Sunday, December 11 11:00 a.m.—Worship Service, Sanctuary Third Sunday in Advent – Lighting of the Joy Candle Special Music by the Instrumental Ensemble Special Recognition for Rev. Joel Marshall’s 30th Anniversary at FBC 6:30 p.m.—Christmas Musical, Appalachian Winter Celebrate the Christmas Season with our Adult Choir, Orchestra, Narration and Soloists Everyone invited - Invite a friend or neighbor to join us! 7:30 p.m.—30th Anniversary Celebration for Rev. Joel Marshall Join us for this time of Fellowship and Celebration

Sunday, December 18 11:00 a.m. Worship Service Fourth Sunday in Advent – Lighting of the Love Candle Ingathering of Global Missions / Lottie Moon Christmas Offerings Special Music by Charlene Smith, Soloist 4:00-6:00 p.m. Peele Christmas Drop-in Terry and Sandy Peele invite you to a Christmas Drop-In 102 Bell Tower Court in Elon

Wednesday, December 21 No Evening Service or Church Activities

Sunday, December 25 10:00 a.m. Worship Service, Sanctuary Christmas Sunday – Lighting of the Christ Candle– Communion 10:00 a.m. Service only, No Sunday School Special Music and Worship Leadership by our Students No Evening Service or Activities

Wednesday, December 28 No Evening Service or Church Activities From Your 2016 Personnel Committee

Thank You to Our Church Staff!

It has been said that a church staff are like the prompters in a play – God is the audience, we are the participants in our worship, and the staff are the prompters, making sure we know what to do, reminding us when we forget something, and prompting us with prayers and songs and messages to think about how we might apply God’s word to our lives. The role of prompter requires three characteristics: they must know the words, they must love the words, and they must have no ego. Regardless of the role and the title, a church’s staff all share in the role of prompter, and help us, as the worship participants, give our best to God. Our church ministerial staff exemplifies these qualities. They are each students of the Word and they know the Word. Listening to any of them as they preach, pray, read scriptures and lead us in song makes it clear to all of us that they truly love the Word. And, I can honestly say that during my Christian walk, I have not seen a group of four who better exemplify the charac- teristic of No Ego. Their actions and efforts as they lead us to worship show clearly that none of them believes this is about them, everything they do is done to give glory to God. We are truly lucky to have this team to lead us. Thank You All!

Congratulations On Service Anniversaries!

When members of our staff reach service anniversaries, we need to recognize them and celebrate with them. This month, we have three staff members who have reached milestone anniversaries – Terry Peele and Danny Scott have each been with us 10 Years this month, and Joel Marshall has been with us an incredible 30 Years this month! Each of these fine men ministers to us all in their calling to our church and the service they bring to us.

Our Senior Pastor, Terry Peele, and his wife Sandy joined us in December of 2006. While most of us quickly rec- ognize the Spirit-inspired messages Terry brings on Sunday morning and during the Bible Studies on Wednesday nights, many may not be aware of the true shepherding nature Terry brings to us as our Senior Pastor. Over his ten years of service, hundreds of us could tell private stories of him sitting in the hospital with us or our loved ones in times of sickness and death and the comfort he brings, or his phone calls of support when life’s events come crashing down, or the visits out of the blue when he heard there was a private problem and we just need- ed a shoulder or a hand. Far beyond the messages from the pulpit or lectern, Terry’s Christian leadership and shepherding comfort have been there for all of us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Terry, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for truly being a Pastor, not just a Preacher, to us all.

Danny Scott, our Maintenance Technician also joined us in December of 2006. Most of us completely take Danny’s duties for granted – the church facilities are clean, functioning, and safe. Like all the best support team players, you never notice Danny’s work, it just all happens smoothly and just like it should. The fact that we are able to worship in our facility multiple times during the week and things are working like they should is testimony to Danny’s tireless and faithful service to us. We all owe him our gratitude for the service he provides to us all every week. Thank You Danny!

Joel N. Marshall, our Associate Pastor of Music & Worship, and his wife Becky also came to us in December of 1986, 30 years ago! In terms of length of service that likely will not be repeated by many staff ministers in the future, Joel and Becky have led, guided, taught, and developed the Music Program of our church so that it is one of the premier programs in the state. We all know Joel’s passion for getting it right and his attention to detail, and it is that passion and attention that make things seem so effortless to those of us participating in worship in the pews. Yet those who know Joel best know that his passion and attention lead to hours and hours of work that would seem impossible to most of us. There have been four pastors at this church during Joel’s tenure. His steadiness and faithfulness during times of transition, during times of strife, and during times of happiness in the church have been a rock that many of us have been able to count on. Regardless of what was happening all around him, Joel remains Joel, and we can count on his steady, calm, persistent nature to make sure there are constants in our church.

We’ve asked four members who have worked closely with Joel to share some of their memories and sentiments:

I have been a part of the music program at First Baptist Church for over 60 years. I was fortunate enough to be on the search committee when we brought Joel Marshall to First Baptist. When we interviewed Joel, we found he was an accomplished musician in Sanctuary, Young People, and Children’s choirs. He also plays trumpet, gui- tar, and other instruments. He was just what our church was looking for to carry on and improve our music pro- grams with instruments and hand bells already started. Joel is a very dedicated Christian and wonderful planner. He loves to use different styles of music to worship God. He came at the busiest time of the year for church mu- sic. Our music leader had planned the Hanging of the Greens with children, youth, and sanctuary choirs. Joel and Becky Marshall joined our staff in December 1986, 30 years ago. We felt that God led us to Joel as well as Joel and his family to us. Our choir has grown both spiritually and in numbers since Joel has come to First Baptist. Our music program is very well known in the state of North Carolina. He has helped train the musicians in our church through conferences such as Ridgecrest and Caswell. He has helped with the Baptist singers by conducting and singing. We are so fortunate to have Joel, Becky, and their family at First Baptist. We pray that God will continue to bless them all with us through music in the coming years. ---Nettie Day--- From Your 2016 Personnel Committee(Continued)

We’ve asked four members who have worked closely with Joel to share some of their memories and sentiments:

Joel and Becky, How the years have passed since we had that chance meeting and “dinner” at a fast food restaurant in western NC in December, 1986, while we were all traveling to visit our families. This was less than a month after you be- gan your ministry here at First Baptist Church. We were both starting our families: your Grant was just over one year old and our Emily was only five months old. Little did we all know of the wonderful journey that lay before us, but God did. Our children grew up together at FBC, nurtured by so many along the way through the good times and the not so good. It gave us great comfort to know that our children (along with so many others over the years) were not only receiving a great music education but also a solid foundation for their future Christian walk through your witness and caring leadership. And this is something that we, as well as all the others who have been involved with your ministry here, will always cherish. Joel, thank you for your thirty years of loyal ministry at First Baptist Church. We thank both you and Becky for all these years of unwavering friendship. May God continue to bless your ministry in ways we cannot even imagine. Well done, good and faithful servants. Our love and blessings, ---Derek and Dottie Hinton---

When Joel and Becky Marshall arrived in Burlington in 1986, none of us could imagine the changes that would come our way for the next 30 years. They have faithfully served all of us, lovingly using the talents God gave them to their best ability. I have the highest respect for them – personally and spiritually. Joel and Becky have stayed with us when it wasn’t easy, when difficulties came, when we were uncertain of our future. They are both such an integral part of our church and my life that I can’t imagine either without them. Joel serves us with integrity, humility, and great love. Ministry is his first priority; excellence is second. Hard work could be his middle name. Joel is highly respected in Baptist circles all across North Carolina for what he has accomplished in our music ministry at FBC Burlington. Becky has been the best example I have ever seen of what a minister’s wife should be like. She is one of the dearest friends God has ever given me. Becky and Joel have done these things, and at the same time raised 3 marvelous people to adulthood. Becky has built a successful business and is also highly respected in the community. We as a church have been richly blessed by God through Joel and Becky Marshall, and I am grateful. ---Charlene Smith--- Thirty years ago God called Joel and Becky Marshall to join the First Baptist Church in ministry. During these past 30 years, the Music Ministry at the First Baptist Church has thrived thanks to their leadership and devotion. Joel and Becky have invested their time and energy in nurturing musicians in our Church both young and old. They can be described as educators, leaders, mentors, encouragers, and steadfast, faithful servants. Their ministry has extended beyond the walls of the Church into nearby prisons, retirement facilities, hospitals, schools, and throughout this community. As I reminisce many of my favorite memories and experiences from the past thirty years it becomes very clear that the Marshalls and music have played a very big role in my life. I cherish my memories from music week at Ridgecrest, handbell festivals, instrumental festivals, FBC musicals, weddings, North Carolina Baptist Singers & Orchestra worship concerts, playing and singing at the prison, playing handbells at the hospital at Christmas, and much more. Countless lives have been touched by this tremendous husband and wife team serving hand-in-hand in ministry. Joel and Becky, thank you for all you have done, and continue to do, to share God’s love with so many people in this community and across the state. Alan and I treasure your friendship and are inspired by your ministry. Well done my friends. Well done. ---Janet Villanova---

Join us for A Day of Celebration to Honor Rev. Joel N. Marshall In Appreciation of his 30 Years of Ministry

Sunday, December 11, 2016

11:00 a.m. in our Sanctuary Rev. Marshall and his family will be recognized in our Sunday Morning Worship Service

6:30 p.m. in our Sanctuary Our Music Ministry will Present A Cantata for Christmas By Joseph M. Martin Appalachian Winter

7:30 p.m. in our Fellowship Hall There will be a reception to honor Rev. Marshall and his family

All are welcome to join us! A basket will be available for those who wish to bring a card expressing sentiments and gratitude. Thank You, First Baptist Burlington

Thank you for the Appalachian Backpacks Excitement is the word that describes the Appalachian Christmas Collection 2016. Saturday, Nov. 5, was a fun day when 6 churches brought backpacks to our Welcome Center: Northside, Mt. Zion, Haw River, Bible Baptist, Antioch Baptist, and Gibsonville First. When the processing was done on Wed., Nov. 9, we could easily imagine the delight for the children who will receive these gifts. Thanks to Dennis and Catherine Williams, Ray and Ann Munns, Bruce Ross, Terri Barker, Margaret Muegge, Barbara and Frank Mayo, Ressie Wheeley, Angie and Ken Barker, Frankie Beamon, Liz Kennedy, and Hoyle and Mary Alexander for the hard work of that day. On Sat. Dec. 10, 100 backpacks will be delivered to Highland Baptist Church, Taylors, SC, for distribution to the children of their neighborhood. 127 backpacks have already been taken to the Baptist Mission Camp in Shelby, NC, and from there they will go to various Appalachian sites. Of this total, First Baptist gave about 45 backpacks and enough money to pur- chase the Bibles, backpacks, and the truck rental for the Shelby trip. Would you like to go to Highland Baptist? We need to present a skit for the children at the Saturday evening party. Could you help? We also need a little more money to rent a vehicle to carry HEAVY backpacks. If you have not already contributed, this is another chance to do so. There is no doubt that your gifts will be used to tell children about the love of Jesus. Please con- tinue to pray for this mission.

Dearest Church Family, It is difficult to put into words the humbleness and thankfulness I feel for your outpouring of love for me and my family. Every day since you knew about my cancer, I have received cards (over 60 and they keep coming), phone calls, food, visits, gifts. Every one of these is God speaking to you and you responding to me. I feel His touch in each one. I treasure the prayers the most and know that is how I get through every day. All this has been a blessing as my faith has deepened and I see your faith demonstrated to me. I love you all so very much, Marnee

First Baptist Church, Thank you so much for your donation in honor of our beloved husband and father. Your gift and thoughtfulness was greatly appreciated by all of us. Love, The Crawford Family

Members of First Baptist Church: Thank you for your contribution to the renovation project at Our Sister’s House at Family Abuse Services. With your gift we were able to make our shelter a more welcoming and peaceful place for the women and children fleeing domestic violence. We have relied on the generosity of our community to make this dream a reality. Thank you again! Sincerely, Family Abuse Services

Our Deepest Sympathy

The ministers, staff, and members of First Baptist extend deepest sympathy to:

Walt & Lillian Henderson in the loss of their son, John Henderson

Julian Griffin in the loss of his son, Jonathan David Griffin

Our 2017 Deacons

Our newly elected Deacons, who will begin their term of in service in 2017, are David Aikins, Brenda Beam, Martha Fraize, Greg Grayson, Christine Landess, Roger Phillips, and David Smith. Margaret Muegge will fulfill a one year unexpired term. Please pray for them as they prepare to serve.

Called Business Meeting

There will be a called business meeting after our Worship Service on Sunday, January 1. The 2017 Deacon Committee Nominations will be presented for approval.

December Wednesday Supper Menus

Wednesday, December 7 Chicken Pie, Green Beans, Salad Bar, Yeast Rolls, Dessert

Wednesday, December 14 Baked Ham, Scalloped Potatoes, Lima Beans, Salad Bar, Yeast Rolls, Dessert First Baptist Church of Burlington Non-Profit Organization

Our Next Issue 400 South Broad Street US Postage P.O. Box 2686 PAID Burlington, North Carolina 27216-2686 Burlington, NC If you have information you would like Permit No. 189 to see in the next issue of The Contact RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED please send it, no later than December 15, 2016 to [email protected].

FBC Inclement Weather Policy In the event of inclement weather, we will follow these guidelines:

Wednesdays: In the event of inclement weather on a Wednesday, the decision to cancel activities will be made by 12:00 noon. If activities are canceled an announcement will be posted on WFMY News 2 and on wfmynews2.com. We will be listed as First Baptist Burlington—Broad Street. An announcement will also be posted on the home page of our church website, FirstBaptistBurlington.com. We do not always follow the school schedule, so please check for an announcement.

Sundays: In the event of inclement weather on a Sunday, the decision to cancel church activities will be made by 8:00 a.m. If activities are canceled an announcement will be posted on WFMY News 2 and on wfmynews2.com. We will be listed as First Baptist Burlington—Broad Street. An announcement will also be posted on the home page of our church website, FirstBaptistBurlington.com.

If the 11:00 a.m. Worship Service is cancelled, we will make every effort to broadcast a previous program or service over the radio. Services are broadcast each week on WBAG, 1150 AM.

Please note that anytime a decision is made to cancel activities, the building will be closed and all activities will be cancelled. This is to ensure the safety of all members.