December 2007

FBC Informer – December 2007

Table of Contents

Pastor’s Column
Announcements
Thank You
Calendar
Schedule for Children’s Church Workers

Worshipping God

• Worship Schedule
• Special Worship Services
• Flower Calendar
• Children’s Worship

Growing Together

• Youth Ministry News
• Senior Adult Ministry News
• Stewardship
• “Suffering in Silence” support group
• Wednesday Night Activities

Serving Others

• Heifer International
• Christmas Dinner
• Deacon Ministry Teams
• Local Missions Opportunities

“Making Room for Jesus”

In the Christmas story, a favorite “whipping boy” for preachers is the imagined innkeeper at Bethlehem who tells Mary and Joseph that “there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7). In our haste to criticize the innkeeper, we fail to notice that in all likelihood, all rooms in Bethlehem were taken because of the census issued by Caesar Augustus that required all citizens in the empire to return to their home towns to register. Who can blame an innkeeper for rejecting potential guests if all rooms were already sold out and the “No Vacancy” sign was hanging prominently over the entrance? Can you imagine just how busy the innkeeper already was catering to the needs of all the guests-cooking meals, washing bed linens, cleaning and tidying? In the midst of such a hectic season and overbooked schedule, who would welcome in a pair of strangers, one of whom was visibly a “special needs” case? The Bible does not tell us how many innkeepers had already rejected Joseph and Mary, but thank God for this unnamed innkeeper, who literally made room for this couple, and in that small act, provided a place where Jesus, the incarnate love of God, can be born.

The Advent season is once again upon us, and in many ways, I feel like an innkeeper. In the Cheuk household, we are bracing ourselves for the flurry of activity that will descend upon us as we speed along toward Christmas. Decorating the house, attending parties, writing cards, buying presents, attending church activities, welcoming relatives, and preparing to travel are just some of the things on our to-do list. For so many people, the Christmas season is mostly a time of stress, a time of not having enough hours in the day to get everything done, a time where nerves are frayed and bodies are exhausted. During this hectic time, there isn’t much room “in the margins” of our lives.

So how do we make room for Jesus this Advent? In the carol Joy to the World, we sing “let every heart prepare Him room,” but how do we do that? First, we can slow down, and clarify and prioritize what is important during this season. It may mean attending fewer parties, buying fewer gifts and cooking less elaborate meals. Second, we can make room for Jesus by making room for the “strangers” in our midst. One small way that we can do that is to attend our church-wide Christmas dinner on December 9, and making a point of welcoming the guests we’ve invited to attend. They are the family members of our Christmas Angels, boys and girls who will be spending Christmas without a parent because that parent is in prison. We can make room for them to eat at our table and share conversation as well as food with us. And when we make room for the hungry, the thirsty, the imprisoned and the stranger, we make room for Jesus (Matthew 25:42-45). And who knows, in that small act, perhaps the incarnate love of God can be born in our lives and in our hectic world.

Yours in Christ, Michael

Welcome New Watchcare Members!

We welcome Longwood students Jordan Miles and Cameron Patterson to Farmville Baptist as Watchcare members! Jordan Miles (jmilesbcmt [at] gmail.com) joined on Nov. 4, and Cameron Patterson (cdp387 [at] longwood.edu) joined on Nov. 18. We welcome Jordan and Cameron into the Farmville Baptist family!

Dear Friends,
We are grateful for your kindness and concern for our family. Thank you for the lovely flowers you sent in memory of Joseph Stanley Gills (Lorraine Carter’s father). The time you spent with us was of great comfort.
Sincerely, Lelia Gills and family

Dear Fellow Church Members,
I would like to thank everyone who sent prayer cards and for your prayers. I appreciated the visits, the many get-well cards and for the dinners brought to me after my return home from the Moore Center. It is so comforting to have such a caring church family. Thanks again.
With Appreciation, Pattie Maples

Thank you for your kindness in remembering me in your prayer time! It gave me great joy to know that my name was lifted up in prayer. God is all I need to change the future and I pray that Christ will work through me in my sickness.
Love in Christ, Trish Gallamore

Dear Farmville Baptist Church Family,
I cannot begin to tell you how very much I appreciate your prayer cards. Just knowing that I am being lifted toward Heaven through prayer continues to give me the strength and desire to make it each and every day. Having friends is a wonderful gift, but having “Prayer Warrior” friends take that friendship to another level of appreciation of that friendship. I am blessed to have you in my life, I am humbled by your love, and I am renewed in my faith because of your faith.
Thank you for everything, Minister James Lyle

Dear Farmville Baptist Adult Sunday School Class,
Thank you, class, for the beautiful arrangement of flowers and cards you sent, and the prayers you offered for our family after the death of H. A.’s father.
Thanks, H. A. and Linda Saxtan

Upcoming Events for Your Calendar

Please mark your calendars with these upcoming events:

December 8 Youth Ice Skating

December 6 “Suffering In Silence”

December 9 Christmas Dinner and Caroling

December 13 “Suffering In Silence”

December 19-31 NO PRESCHOOL

December 20 “Suffering In Silence”

December 24 Christmas Eve Communion Service

December 24-25 Church Office Closed

Sunday Schedule for Children’s Church Workers

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December Worship Services

12/2 “A Place of Peace” – Psalm 122; Isaiah 2:1-5

12/9 “A Provision of Hope”/Communion – Psalm 72: 1-7, 18-19; Isaiah 11:1-10

12/16 “A Promise of Joy” – Isaiah 35:1-10

12/23 “A Person of Love” – Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Isaiah 7:10-16

12/24 Christmas Eve Communion & Candlelight Service, 5:00 p.m.

12/30 “The Obedient Father” – Matthew 2:13-23. Rev. Amanda Johnston to preach.

Hanging of the Greens Service, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m.

On Sunday, December 2, at 6 p.m. in our sanctuary, we will have our annual “Hanging of the Greens” worship service. This service combines scripture readings, carols and special music from our choirs as we decorate the sanctuary for Advent. Light refreshments will be served in the Fellowship Hall after the service.

A Service of Remembrance, Wed., Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m.

We will have “A Service of Remembrance” to remember our loved ones who are now with the Lord. The service will be held in our Fellowship Hall, Wednesday, December 5 at 6:30 p.m.

Christmas Eve Communion Candlelight Service, Dec. 24, 5:00 p.m.

We will have our traditional candlelight Christmas Eve service on Monday, December 24 at 5:00 p.m. We will also celebrate communion by intinction during the service.

2007-08 Calendar for Flowers in Sunday Worship

The 2007-2008 Flower Calendar is on the bulletin board across from the Sunday School office. Please sign up for the coming year to put flowers in the church in memory/honor of a loved one.

Poinsettias for Christmas

If you would like to purchase a poinsettia in memory of or in honor of a loved one to be placed in the sanctuary for the Advent season, please call the church office (392-5041). The cost is $13.00. It can be picked up after the Candlelight Service on Christmas Eve.

Children’s Worship Service

During our main worship service we are also offering a Children’s Worship Service, for children kindergarten to second grade, in the Fellowship Hall. Children in those grades will leave the sanctuary following the children’s lesson and will typically return to the adult service in the sanctuary during the offertory. Older children are welcome to sign up to be “guest readers,” serving as worship leaders on the specific Sundays for which they sign up. Children’s church will take place every week except the third Sunday of each month, when Edith Ann and Katherine Austin will continue to lead missions activities.

Youth Schedule for December

Sat., Dec. 8……3:00 pm….Ice Skating in Lynchburg

Sun., Dec. 9…..6:00 p.m…Christmas Dinner

……………………..6:30 p.m…Caroling

Sun., Dec. 16…5:00 p.m…Youth Choir

…………………….6:00 p.m…Youth Christmas Party

…………………….7:00 p.m…Youth Committee Meeting

Sun., Dec. 23..No Youth Group

Ruth Class Luncheon, Dec. 3, 12:30 p.m.

The senior adult Ruth Class will have a holiday luncheon in the Fellowship Hall on Monday, December 3 at 12:30 p.m.

Business Meeting Budget Vote report

On Sunday, November 11th the 2008 Church Operating Budget was presented by the Stewardship Committee and unanimously approved. This budget of $281,526 is again the largest in Church history!

The increase in the budget is driven by the outstanding response received during Consecration Sunday. The “estimate of giving” cards showed an increase by 9% over those received the previous year. So the Stewardship Committee has gone about spreading these new dollars in areas that reflect the ministry of the Church. Notable changes include another increase in our Missions Portion up to 9% of the total budget. In addition, we were able to fund some staff pay increase due to merit as well as cost of living. This is the first time in over five years we have been in a position to give out more than cost of living salary adjustments. We have a wonderful staff and are excited to be able to again compensate them for their work.

Gene Watson, Co-chair Stewardship Committee

Offering Envelopes Available for Pick Up after Dec. 9

The offering envelopes for 2008 will be available for pick up in the hallway leading to the office starting Sunday, Dec. 9. Please pick up your box of envelopes to help us with our mailing costs. And thank you for using your offering envelopes, which really helps Kathy in recording your contributions!

Service of Remembrance and Continuing Care through “Suffering in Silence”

On Wednesday, December 5 at 6:30 p.m. we will be having a Service of Remembrance. During the service we will recognize members of our church family who have passed away this year. We would like to send a special invitation to the friends and families of these saints. In addition this service is a time to reflect on the many losses we have all experienced. There will be an invitation to reflect on anything you might be struggling with this advent season (illness, depression, grief…).

There will also be an opportunity for continued care through the anonymous and confidential support group “Suffering in Silence.” This group will be led by our Associate Pastor for Congregational Care Amanda Johnston and will meet for the first time in the College Sunday School room on Thursday, December 6 at 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday Night Activities

Menus for December

COST: $4 for adults; $2.00 for children; $12 family limit.

Heifer International Christmas Mission Project

‘Wracked your brains for the perfect gifts for the family and still find yourself empty- handed at the mall? Wrestling with the annual frustration of too much commercialism at Christmas? Already tired of Christmas music but haven’t even been to the mall yet? If you answer yes to any of these questions, we’ve got the perfect solution for you: give yourself and your loved ones the gift of love – love that is shown by helping a family out of poverty – love deeply felt when you realize your small gift can feed, provide an income, and foster the sharing of resources for an entire village or community. For example, for $20 you can give a flock of chicks, $30 honeybees, $50 a share of a Heifer ($500 total). Your donation provides livestock, training and related services to small-scale farmers and communities world-wide. During the month of December the Missions bulletin board (located in the hallway outside of the sanctuary) will have more information posted. Stop by for details or go to www.heifer.org: click on ‘give’ and then click on ‘gift catalog’ to place your order. May God bless the recipients and the givers of all gifts this season!

Christmas Dinner and Caroling, Sunday, Dec. 9

All are invited to our church-wide Christmas Dinner on Sunday, December 9 at 5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Please bring your favorite dish to share for this pot-luck as the church will provide the meat. We will also invite the families of our Angel Tree program to join us at the Christmas dinner. Afterwards at 6:30 p.m., a FAB bus will take us out caroling and visiting our homebound members.

Deacon Ministry Teams

The following Deacon Ministry Teams are now in place to serve those in our congregation and others in our community. Information about these teams is posted on our Deacon Ministry Teams bulletin board on the main floor of the church. If you’d like to join one or more of these teams, please contact team leaders for more detailed information regarding each ministry team.

• Senior Adult Ministry: led by Jack Davis and Bobby Huskey
• Bereavement Ministry: led by Kathryn Copeland and Joyce Davis
• Casserole Ministry: led by George Carter
• Homebound Ministry: led by Drue Martin and Jack Davis
• Guests and New Members Team: led by Chuck Daniel

The Jail Ministry Team invites you . . .

On the first Sunday of each month from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m., a small team visits the Piedmont Regional Jail to lead the female inmates in a time of singing, devotion and prayer. This ministry requires no specialized talents, just an open and flexible spirit. Please contact Anita Lynn, 391-3751, for more information and to participate.

Meals on Wheels

SCOPE Meals on Wheels provide approximately ninety plus meals per day to local residents. It takes at least 10 drivers each day to make the deliveries. Currently there is a need for drivers. If you can help please call Hoke Currie at 434-392-8797. This is a great mission opportunity!