Dedication Service: Mason Swanberg
Posted on December 14th, 2009
This Sunday, we had a Dedication Service for Bobby and Ann Swanberg and their son, Mason William Swanberg born August 7, 2009.
We were honored that many family members were at the service, including siblings Abigail and Carter; grandparents Jack and Edith Ann Austin, and Jerry and Carolyn Swanberg; aunts Katherine Austin and Heather Swanberg; and uncle Chris Swanberg.
We give thanks to God for bringing Mason safely into the world, and we pray God’s blessings on Bobby and Ann as they raise Mason, Carter and Abigail!
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Hanging of the Green
Posted on December 7th, 2009
On Sunday morning, December 6, we held our Hanging of the Green service. It was a wonderful service where we heard the biblical story prophecying and leading up to the birth of Jesus. The service was filled with readings and singing, while punctuated by the decoration of the sanctuary by various groups within the congregation. Many thanks to all who planned, prepared for, and participated in the service!
For more pictures . . . Read the rest of this entry »
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“Advent Conspiracy”
Posted on December 3rd, 2009
Pastor’s Column, published in The Informer (FBC’s Newsletter for December, 2009)
Starting last Sunday, the first Sunday in Advent, I began a new sermon series called “Advent Conspiracy.” Too often, preachers and Christians have complained that Christmas has become too commercialized, too much of the world and of the checkout line. Well, this year, I hope we can actually do something about that as we conspire against the prevailing powers of this world to live out and witness the true meaning of Christmas.
During these Sundays of Advent, we will learn how to worship more fully our true God and not the god of consumerism, because Christmas begins and ends with Jesus. We will also learn how to reorder our desires so that we’ll spend less on ourselves this Christmas in order to free our resources for things that truly matter. We will practice giving more to others of our presence, our hands, our words, our time, and our hearts. Finally we will be challenged to love all – the poor, the forgotten, the marginalized, the sick, in ways that make a difference – because after all, for God so loved the world, that He send His only begotten Son. And during our Christmas Eve service, we will collect an offering to give solely to our community, so that even as we receive God’s greatest gift to us, we may, in our thankfulness and joy, share that gift with those around us. Read the rest of this entry »
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12/24 – Christmas Eve Service
Posted on December 1st, 2009
We will have our traditional candlelight Christmas Eve service on Wednesday, December 24 at 5:00 p.m.
We will celebrate communion by intinction during the service, and we will collect a love offering to our community as a way to share the love of Christ with others.
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12/13 – Christmas Dinner & Caroling
Posted on November 30th, 2009
All are invited to our church-wide Christmas Pot-Luck Dinner on Sunday, December 13 at 5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
The church will provide the meat, green string beans and baked beans.
Please bring your favorite side dish and/or dessert to share for this pot-luck meal.
During the meal, we will write messages and sign Christmas cards that will be delivered to our shut-ins as we go caroling at around 6:15 p.m.
We will take our church van and carpool carolers to visit our homebound members and to the residents at The Woodlands.
Please join us as we celebrate the Advent season and spread the joy and love of Christ to members of our community through our songs and our presence!
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College-Led Worship Service
Posted on November 15th, 2009
This Sunday, students from Longwood University and Hampden-Sydney College led our morning worship service. Students read scripture and litanies, prayed, gave the children’s lesson (in rap form!), worked in our nursery, sang, played the piano, drew a picture, took up the offering and preached! Afterwards, the students and their adopted parents enjoyed lunch in our fellowship hall. We are so thankful for these students who are attending, serving, and leading here at Farmville Baptist!
For more pictures . . . Read the rest of this entry »
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11/15 – College Led Worship
Posted on November 4th, 2009
On Sunday, November 15, our college students from Longwood University and Hampden-Sydney College will lead our worship service.
They will be leading prayers and readings, skits and offering special music. Longwood junior Jake Luginbuhl will give the sermon titled: “Do Not Worry.”
After the service, our College Committee will host a luncheon in the Fellowship Hall for our students. All college students and “adoptive parents” are invited to attend the luncheon.
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Thankful for the Saints Among Us
Posted on November 4th, 2009
Pastor’s Column published in The Informer (FBC’s Newsletter for November, 2009)
November 1 is “All Saints Day” in our liturgical calendar and in our worship service that morning, we will remember the members of our congregation who passed away this year. In addition to that remembrance, we will also acknowledge three members of Farmville Baptist by presenting them with a “Good and Faithful Servant” recognition. This acknowledgement is not a competition, and this year’s recipients are not “more worthy” than others in our congregation. It is simply a way for our church to publicly express our thanks and appreciation to individuals who have made significant and sustained contributions to Farmville Baptist Church
This year, we will recognize Edith Ann Austin, who has served as a Sunday School teacher or department head since 1980. She has also served multiple terms on the Personnel, Constitution and Special Memorial Committees.
We will also recognize Janie Simpson, who has taught Sunday School since 1974, as well as served on the Audit, Personnel and Special Memorial Committees.
Betty Watson will also be recognized for her contributions as the Clerk for 26 years, for teaching Sunday School and being a Teller for over 20 years. Betty has also served on the Constitution, Stewardship, and Pastor Search Committees.
In addition to these three, we will also designate Peggy Cave as a Life Deacon in recognition for her four-term service as a deacon. Peggy sang in the choir for over 30 years and she also served as a volunteer choir director. She has served on the Personnel, Pulpit Supply, Library, Nominating, Music & Worship, Outreach, Preschool and Pastor Search Committees. She currently teaches a Sunday School class and leads the Wednesday night prayer time.
I am so thankful for these saints among us, and I hope you will be at church on November 1 to express your thanks to God for them.
— Yours in Christ, Michael
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Children’s Hayride Pictures
Posted on October 29th, 2009
Last Sunday, we hosted our annual Children’s Hayride. Over forty children and adults enjoyed a fun hayride on a beautiful October afternoon. Afterwards, they played games organized by our youth and enjoyed a hot dog supper. Many thanks to Wayne Wallace and Sara Thompson for organizing the hayride and food, and to Julie Gaines and the youth for coming up with games for our children to play.
For pictures of the hayride . . . Read the rest of this entry »
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11/1 – All Saints Sunday
Posted on October 29th, 2009
On Sunday, November 1, we will celebrate All Saints Sunday in our morning worship service at 11:00 a.m. in which we will remember the members of our congregation who passed away this year.
In addition to that remembrance, we will also acknowledge three members of Farmville Baptist by presenting them with a “Good and Faithful Servant” recognition. This acknowledgement is not a competition, and this year’s recipients are not “more worthy” than others in our congregation. It is simply a way for our church to publicly express our thanks and appreciation to individuals who have made significant and sustained contributions to Farmville Baptist Church
This year, we will recognize Edith Ann Austin, who has served as a Sunday School teacher or department head since 1980. She has also served multiple terms on the Personnel, Constitution and Special Memorial Committees.
We will also recognize Janie Simpson, who has taught Sunday School since 1974, as well as served on the Audit, Personnel and Special Memorial Committees.
Betty Watson will also be recognized for her contributions as the Clerk for 26 years, for teaching Sunday School and being a Teller for over 20 years. Betty has also served on the Constitution, Stewardship, and Pastor Search Committees.
In addition to these three, we will also designate Peggy Cave as a Life Deacon in recognition for her four-term service as a deacon. Peggy sang in the choir for over 30 years and she also served as a volunteer choir director. She has served on the Personnel, Pulpit Supply, Library, Nominating, Music & Worship, Outreach, Preschool and Pastor Search Committees. She currently teaches a Sunday School class and leads the Wednesday night prayer time.
After the service, there will be a celebratory pot-luck luncheon in our Fellowship Hall. All are invited to bring a dish to share as we give thanks to God for our new Life Deacon and our “Good and Faithful Servants”!
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