Advent Booklet

ADVENT 2010 An informational guide as we journey to the manger

First Baptist Church Huntsville, Alabama www.fbchsv.org 256.428.9400

ADVENT Welcome to the season of Advent! First Baptist Church has a rich heritage of using these days before Christmas to prepare our minds and hearts for the celebration of the birth of Christ. This brochure will invite you to participate in the worship experiences during this holy season in preparation for the celebration of Christmas.

Advent comes from the Latin word meaning “to come.” This “coming” has three dimensions: (1) the coming of Jesus in the flesh at Bethlehem; (2) the coming of Christ into our hearts in the present; and, (3) the “Second Coming” of Christ in glory at the end of time. The Season of Advent includes the four Sundays prior to Christmas Day. These days form a special time for us to prepare for the coming of Christ in all of these dimensions.

Our theme for Advent and for the Living Christmas Tree this year is “Simplicity and Splendor.” The birth of Jesus was marked by stark simplicity – a stable, manger, common people, and the Son of God who “slipped down the backstairs of heaven.” At the very same time the birth of Jesus was welcomed by majestic splendor – angels singing from the heavens, wise men traveling from a distant land, a miraculous star that pointed the way to Bethlehem. Simplicity and Splendor – we find them in the birth of Jesus. Will you find them in your life this Advent and Christmas season?

Life can get very hectic in December. We rush around to Christmas parties, shopping, visiting with family, school activities, and a myriad of other events. We need to be reminded of simplicity – as we hear again the simple message of Jesus. At the same time we need to be drawn to something that is much greater than we are – the splendor of God’s Kingdom breaking into our lives with a sense of wonder that calls us to be more than we have ever dreamed of being.

With your Bible and this brochure in hand . . .

I invite you to make your way to the manger to worship The Child of Bethlehem in simplicity and splendor!

David W. Hull

YOU MIGHT LIKE TO KNOW… • The Advent Carol for our church this year is “Once in Royal David’s City,” a song originally written to help teach children some basics of our faith. Its text speaks of both simplicity and splendor.

• A daily devotional guide you might enjoy using during Advent is “Following the Star,” an online resource produced by Passport. www.followingthestar.org • Our Childhood Ministry Office has an “Advent Jesse Tree” family devotion resource available for families with children. Through symbols, scripture, and suggested activities, the Jesse Tree can help children and their families more completely understand the coming of Christ. The Jesse Tree resource can be picked up in the Childhood Ministry Office and found online at our church website. www.fbchsv.org • Our church has a World Mission Offering Goal of $50,000 this year. You can give to the Lottie Moon Christmas offering or the Global Missions offering.

• FORUM, a young adult ministry of FBC, is collecting new or gently used children’s books to be given to children and families throughout our community who need books. You are invited to add to the book collection! Books may be brought to FBC’s Adult Ministry Office through Christmas Eve. • Names of children from the Sarah Tate Reading Room who are still involved in our church can be found on our Angel Tree. You are invited to take a name and help provide Christmas joy.

• The Living Christmas Tree (LCT) features over 200 singers and instrumentalists and runs from Dec. 16-19. Tickets are free and are available from First Baptist members, or by calling the LCT Ticket Office (256-428-9422), or online at www.fbchsv.org/lct.

• The LCT is a churchwide project. You can assist with anything from construction/decoration to tickets and parking cars. New this year are LCT Invitation Cards, a handy tool for inviting others to attend. The cards contain complete information on the Tree and how to obtain the free tickets. Take advantage of the many opportunities to help touch our city with the Christmas message.

November 28: FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT Scripture Readings for the Week: Isaiah 2:1-5 Psalm 122 Romans 13:11-14 Matthew 24:36-44 Sunday Services: 8:15 AM First Fellowship Worship in Fellowship Hall 10:30 AM

Worship in the Sanctuary Music from the Adult Handbell Choir Message from the Pastor in both services “Are You Ready?”

Matthew 24:36-44

5:00 PM

“A Missions Mosaic” in Fellowship Hall We will gather in the Fellowship Hall to learn about missions as we begin the Week of Prayer for missions around the globe. Our church has a World Missions Offering Goal of $50,000 this year. Come learn about the needs around the world for the Gospel to be shared.

Other opportunities this week include: Nov. 28 Nov. 29 Nov. 30

Dec. 1 Dec. 3

Student FUN Night, 6:00 PM (immediately following Youth Choir) Living Christmas Tree (LCT) Ticket Office opens!

9:00 AM—5:00 PM weekdays through Dec. 17 Week of Prayer Soup and Cornbread Luncheon 11:00 AM, Room 118 Missionaries from Thailand, guest speakers Hanging of the Green rehearsal, 5:25 PM Parents’ Night Out, 6:00 PM

December 5: SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT Scripture Readings for the Week: Isaiah 11:1-10 Psalm 72:1-7,18-19 Romans 15:4-13 Matthew 3:1-12 Sunday Services: *Combined Morning Worship Service in the Sanctuary during December

10:30 AM

Morning Worship Service The Hanging of the Green Music from the Children’s Choirs, Youth Choir, Sanctuary Choir, and Orchestra Message from the Pastor “The Fruit of the Tree” Matthew 3:1-12

5:00 PM

“A Simple Christmas” in the Chapel Among the joy and busyness of the Christmas season it is easy to miss the entire point of Christmas – Christ himself.

Come celebrate with the family of FBC. We'll worship through scripture and song, keeping our focus on Christ.

Other opportunities this week include: Dec. 5 Dec. 6 Dec. 7 Dec. 6 - 8 Dec. 6 Dec. 8

Dec. 9 Dec. 10

Living Christmas Tree (LCT) construction begins, 12:00 noon Hallelujah Choir sings at Brookhaven, 10:30 AM Hallelujah Choir sings at Harbor Chase, 10:30 AM LCT decorating, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM; 6:00-8:00 PM FORUM joins the LCT decking team, 6:00-8:00 PM Christmas Party for Young & Median Adult Sunday School Leadership, 5:00-7:00 PM (come and go), Room 118 Last Student LIFTOFF and Children’s M&M for 2010 Children’s M&M party; RA Special Mission project FORUM Young Adult Christmas Worship Gathering, 6:30 PM Hallelujah Choir Christmas Program at Fellowship Club

December 12: THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Scripture Readings for the Week: Isaiah 35:1-10 Psalm 146:5-10 or Luke 1:46b-55 James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11 Sunday Services: *Combined Morning Worship Service in the Sanctuary during December

10:30 AM

Morning Worship Service Processional by Sanctuary Choir and anthem from the Balcony; Music from the FBC Orchestra and LCT Chamber Choir Message from the Pastor “When God Gets to Us” Isaiah 35:1-10

5:00 PM

“How Far Is It to Bethlehem?” in the Chapel Advent Worship led by our Youth and Youth Music Groups Youth Choir, Youth Handbells, Youth Band, and newly formed Youth Ensemble

Other opportunities this week include: Dec. 12

Dec. 13 Dec. 15 Dec. 16 Dec. 17 Dec. 18

Experienced Adult Sunday School Workers Appreciation; 8:45-9:15 AM (come and go), Adult Ministry Office Student Christmas Party, 6:00 PM, Student Big Room LCT Dress Rehearsal #1, 6:30 PM MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), 9:00 AM Hallelujah Choir Christmas Party, 12:00 noon Student Missions Night (projects by grades) LCT Dress Rehearsal #2, 6:00 PM FORUM Christmas Party, 5:30 PM LCT “Simplicity and Splendor,” 7:30 PM LCT “Simplicity and Splendor,” 7:30 PM LCT “Simplicity and Splendor,” 4:30 PM, 7:30 PM

December 19: FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT Scripture Readings for the Week: Isaiah 7:10-16 Psalm 80:1-7,17-19 Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-25 Sunday Services: *Combined Morning Worship Service in the Sanctuary during December

10:30 AM

Morning Worship Service Choir and Orchestra from the Tree A Meditation on “Simplicity and Splendor”

by Calvin Miller Message from the Pastor “Simple Grace” Romans 1:1-7 and Matthew 1:18-25

3:00 PM

A Tree for the Children (abbreviated program for young children)

5:00 PM

Final 2010 presentation of The Living Christmas Tree

December 24: CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE 5:00 PM

Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service in the Sanctuary Music from solo vocalists and instrumentalists Meditation by our Pastor

December 26: FIRST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS Scripture Readings for the Week: Isaiah 63:7-9 Psalm 148 Hebrews 2:10-18 Matthew 2:13-23 Sunday Services: *Combined Morning Worship Service in the Sanctuary during December

10:30 AM

Morning Worship Service Music by the Sanctuary Choir and soloist Message from the Pastor “Dream On” Matthew 2:13-23

No evening activities Other opportunities this week include: Dec. 27-29

LCT de-decking