N o ve m b e r 2 7 , F i r s t S u n d a y i n A d ve n t : C h i l d r e n ’ s M e s s a g e and F a m i l y D e d i c a t i o n
First Baptist Church 212 Twelfth Street Post Office Box 828 Columbus, Georgia 31902 - 0828
First Baptist Youth Fall Retreat November 11 - 13 in Dahlonega
to the ministry of Columbus’ First Baptist Church Family SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT December 4, 2022 MESSAGE
An Amazing Purpose Isaiah 61:1-3 and 8-11 Dr. Jimmy Elder L I G HT I N G T H E A D VEN T CA N DLE O F PE A CE D E CE M BER 4
DEADLINE FOR RETURNING GIFTS TO THE VICTORY MISSION ANGEL TREE IS DECEMBER 11 ‘
Just a reminder of the instructions for gifts: Take a bear from the tree and replace it with an angel, after writing your name on it. Look on the bear for the suggested gift. Purchase the gift. Wrap the gift and tape the teddy bear to the outside. As you go through this process, please pray for the person who will receive the gift. Return gifts to the tree by December 11.
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH
MENU DECEMBER D E C E M B E R7 7
READINGS FOR DECEMBER 4 - 11, 2022 6th
8th
Genesis 42:18 - 43:34 Matthew 13:47 - 14:12 Psalm 18:16-36 Proverbs 4:7-10
Genesis 46:1 - 47:31 Matthew 15:1-28 Psalm 19:1-14 Proverbs 4:14-19
Genesis 50:1 - Exodus 2:10 Matthew 16:13 - 17:9 Psalm 21:1-13 Proverbs 5:1-6
5th
7th
9th
Genesis 48:1 - 49:33 Matthew 15:29 - 16:12 Psalm 20:1-9 Proverbs 4:20-27
Exodus 2:11 - 3:22 Matthew 17:10-27 Psalm 22:1-18 Proverbs 5:7-14
4th
Genesis 44:1 - 45:28 Matthew 14:13-36 Psalm 18:37-50 Proverbs 4:11-13
Web Address: www.firstbaptistcolumbusga.com / Like us on Facebook
10th Exodus 4:1 - 5:21 Matthew 18:1-20 Psalm 22:19-31 Proverbs 5:15-21
11th Exodus 5:22 - 7:25 Matthew 18:21 - 19:12 Psalm 23:1-6 Proverbs 5:22-23
Mushroom Chicken / Rice NO EVENING Green Bean Casserole ACTIVITIES Pickled Beets ENJOY Rolls /THE DessertTIME Children’s Menu: Hamburgers WITH FAMILY Remember AND FRIENDS. to call the church office Wednesday (706.322.4468) Regular to make or cancel reservations activities resume by noon on Tuesday. November 30.
Phone: 706.322.4468
Fax: 706.324.7422
8:30 A.M. Angela and Brad Gillespie Whitley and Mason Gillespie 11:00 A.M. Brooke and Will Thompson Savannah, Carolina, and Levi Thompson L I G HT I N G T H E A D VEN T CA N DLE O F JO Y DEC E M BE R 11
8:30 A.M. Charlotte and George Menzies 11:00 A.M. LeAnn O’Brien Brooklyn O’Brien DON’T MISS THE VICTORY MISSION CHRISTMAS PAGEANT TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13 6 P.M. 3 448 N ORTH LUMPKIN DR IVE View the 11:00 A.M. service live on WTVM News Leader 9 or on the internet by clicking the "Watch Live Streaming" link on the church website (www.firstbaptistcolumbusga.com).
Loving none more than Christ and loving others as ourselves, we strive to reflect God’s love to all.
2
As we transition from one holiday season to another, we carry with us our hearts of gratitude, and they are joined by hearts of anticipation. As a people, we have so much for which to be thankful; as we consider God’s love for us that was shown in His desire to be with us, thus sending His Son, our Savior, into the world to participate in life with us, we cannot help but be amazed by God’s grace. A child is born to us! The dynamics of the gift of new life have touched our family in a special way. J.C. and Kat (our son and daughter-in-law) have been foster parents to a number of children over the past years. One in particular won their hearts; and on my birthday this year, they adopted him. He was 2 years old and had been with them for about 18 months. He turned 3 the next day. I watched the miracle of life coming into that part of our family. The other three children were so excited about this young man officially becoming their brother. The judge for the proceedings was gracious and amazing as she involved the children in the process. It was beautiful to see what a difference the little boy made in the family. He instantly had their hearts and ours, instantly had a place in their lives, instantly impacted the quality and joy of life, and instantly was attended to by everyone in the family. He came, and life will never be the same. We began a journey with a young man whose future was secured by this adoption and who experienced a grace beyond anything he could have done for himself. He also brought a unique love that could come only from him. Roxann and I are overjoyed with the new addition to our family. As I thought about that beautiful moment and my commitment to keep the focus of this time of year on the Christ of Christmas, I began to see parallels in the stories. We anticipate what we know is coming, and we watch during this Advent season as there is a true miracle in the coming of the new life into the world. When Jesus was born, everything changed. God had come in person to His creation, and He began a journey of love and grace with us, unmatched in all of human history. God blessed so many people with the gift of being included in the proceedings that resulted in the birth of Jesus— Mary, Joseph, shepherds, wise men, and angels. Everyone who experienced the moment was changed in some way. Everyone found a sense of belonging to God in a different way. They had seen God’s face in the face of the baby in the manger. This child instantly had an impact on the quality and joy of life. He would change the world and invited all who met Him to be attended to by His love and grace. The human family was expanded in a mighty way; and hope was restored to the bruised hearts of humanity. Our new baby has a smile that will melt your heart. If you ever had a down day, seeing his smile would lift your spirits. So it is with the baby in the manger. We see the loving smile and eyes of Jesus draw us into the arms of God’s love. As I noted in my sermon last Sunday, When God wants an important thing done in this world or a wrong righted, He goes about it in a very singular way. He doesn’t release thunderbolts or stir up earthquakes. God simply has a tiny baby born, perhaps of a very humble home, perhaps of a very humble mother. And she puts it in the baby’s mind, and then — God waits. The great events of this world are not battles and elections and earthquakes and thunderbolts. The great events are babies, for each child comes with a message that God is not yet discouraged with humanity but is still expecting goodwill to become incarnate in each human life. Christmas is the time when God reminds us that we are His beloved children. That is an amazing and wonderful gift. May our hearts continually be centered on Jesus. Your Pastor, Jimmy
FAMILY MATTERS
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
(pthompson@firstbaptistcolumbusga.com)
MISSIONS MINISTRY
Weeks at a Glance
(hhooper@firstbaptistcolumbusga.com)
James, the brother of Jesus, wrote that every good and perfect gift comes from God; but the best gift God ever gave was Jesus. From the beginning, God has had a plan to rescue the world from the consequences of sin. Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s perfect plan. Because of Jesus, it’s possible for us to have a relationship with God that will last forever. As we remember the Christmas story, we take time to celebrate God’s greatest gift.
The Victory Mission Christmas Pageant is coming! We are excited to share our version of the Christmas story, Oh Holy Night, on Tuesday, December 13, at 6:00 P.M. If you have never had the joy of seeing our Victory Mission children and youth in their annual performance, then you need to join us at 3448 North Lumpkin Drive. I promise you will be blessed; and you’ll leave the Mission in the true Christmas spirit! By the way, we still need mini-bus drivers for Tuesday evenings (2 hours once a month). Please see or call me if you can help! #firstonmission #charliebrownchristmas #prayforvictorymissionactivities
December 4 - 9, 2022
BY STATEMENT:
BY STATEMENT:
Denise Coburn BY BAPTISM:
Dana and Chris Kirkland
David Coburn
Not Pictured: Luke (2)
YOUTH MINISTRY ADOPTION CONGRATULATIONS TO Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Elder in the adoption of a son, Braiden Joseph, November 15. Proud grandparents are Dr. and Mrs. Jimmy Elder. Great-grandmother is Mrs. June Nobles. IN MEMORY OF
Mr. and Mrs. Holden Baggett Mrs. Jane Jones Mr. Richard Hagler Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Dennis Mr. and Mrs. Walker Garrett Mr. and Mrs. James Howell Jo Anne Rogers and Family Mr. Wayne Hardy Agape Bible Study Class Mr. James Durham, III Mr. and Mrs. H. Allen Hicks Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Price Mr. and Mrs. William Reid Mr. and Mrs. Michael Szabo IN HONOR OF Mrs. Melanie Wright Mr. and Mrs. Ben McCosh
PLEASE DONATE TO THE CHURCH DECORATION FUNDRAISER The poinsettias and greenery that adorn our church are a special part of the celebration of Christmas. Donations to cover the cost of the decorations at Christmas and throughout the year may be made in honor of or in memory of family members and friends. Names of donors and honorees will appear in the orders of worship Sunday, December 18. You may pick up donation envelopes in the church foyer Sundays or in Fellowship Hall Wednesday evenings. Deadline for donating is Tuesday, December 13.
(dpotter@firstbaptistcolumbusga.com)
With the Advent season upon us and our heading towards Winter Break from school, it's time for the return of a pre-COVID youth favorite December event: the great Holiday Whoobie Whatty! For those unfamiliar, the Holiday Whoobie Whatty is our annual Christmas party and lock-in. Although we celebrated it in smaller/different forms the past two years, we'll be back to our old tricks for the 2022 edition! This year's HWW will be Friday, December 16. More details will be shared in the coming days, and there will be an RSVP link for youth to register. In the meantime, if you're someone who's brave enough to come hang out all night, please let me know! We can always use adults on hand to help make this awesome event possible. It's sure to be a wonderful evening and a great kick-off to Winter Break.
MUSIC MINISTRY (kfranklin@firstbaptistcolumbusga.com)
We are entering a time of year when we are blessed to experience many gifts from our congregation. Musically, we will hear from choirs, soloists, instrumentalists, and ensembles that will remind us of the greatest gift in Jesus. I hope that we never take for granted the time and effort that our gifted musicians expend to lead us in worship each week and for special events. Thank you for your encouragement and support.
THE FOOD CLOSET NEEDS HELP TO PROVIDE CHRISTMAS ITEMS Please bring dressing mix; canned sweet potatoes, turnip greens, collards, soups, fruits, Vienna sausages, ravioli, SpaghettiOs, and cranberry sauce; bite-sized candies; and fabric bags to the church office Monday - Thursday 9 A.M to 4 P.M.
CITY MINISTRY (secondstoryfbc@gmail.com) [Brandon Strozier]
As most of you have surely heard, I am leaving my position at Second Story in an official capacity at the end of the year. It is quite bittersweet that I am departing this incredible ministry we have all worked so hard to build over the last seven years. While I am sad to leave, I am so thankful the Lord has provided the perfect replacement in Nico Moyer. I could never say thank you enough to the church as a whole - as well as all those in leadership positions - who allowed me to earn and complete the job of a lifetime. Second Story is in excellent hands, and my family is so thankful we are able to continue to join you all in day-to-day and week-to-week ministry at First Baptist Church. I truly appreciate all your words of support and love during this time of transition; and I look forward to seeing you all even more in the pews on Sunday morning! Love, Brandon
SUNDAY
Second Sunday in Advent 8:30 AM 9:15 AM 9:45 AM 11:00 AM 6:00 PM 9:30 AM 4:00 PM
10:00 AM 5:00 PM 7:00 AM 5:15 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 6:45 PM 6:45 PM 6:45 PM 7:00 AM 7:00 AM 7:45 AM
9:30 AM 12:00 PM 7:00 AM 7:45 AM
TUESDAY In His Presence Prayer Group (111) Victory Mission WEDNESDAY Dan Ross Study Group (Panera BP) Fellowship Supper (FH) Prayer Around the Tables (FH) Preschool Choir (110) Children’s Choir (206) The Circle Maker Coed Study (111) Ladies’ Drop-in Devotions (118) Ladies’ Bible Study (117) Pastor’s Bible Study (FH) Youth Wednesday Night Live! (YAB) Adult Choir (Music Suite) Preschool Mission Friends (109) GAs for Girls in Grades 1-5 (213) RAs for Boys in Grades 1-5 (209) THURSDAY Men’s Bible Study (SafeHouse) High School Prayer Breakfast (Chick-fil-A Midland) Middle School Prayer Breakfast (Chick-fil-A Midland) Food Closet Young in Heart Lunch/Meeting (FH) FRIDAY High School Prayer Breakfast (Chick-fil-A Manchester Expressway) Middle School Prayer Breakfast (Chick-fil-A Manchester Expressway)
December 11, 2022
EDUCATION MINISTRY (mdouglas@firstbaptistcolumbusga.com) Not only are we in a holiday season, we are also deeply into a travel season. Babbs and I were blessed to travel for Thanksgiving and be together with both of our children for the first time since 2019. It was a wonderful gathering. I hope you will have similar happy gatherings in the coming days. I also hope that, when you are not traveling, you will remember to gather with your family of faith for Bible study and worship. That, too, can be a wonderful experience. See you Sunday. Blessings.
WORSHIP SERVICE (Sanctuary) Victory Mission Sunday School Bible Study WORSHIP SERVICE (Sanctuary) Youth Evening Fellowship MONDAY Food Closet Missions Committee at the Home of the Hoopers
SUNDAY
Third Sunday in Advent 8:30 AM 9:15 AM 9:45 AM 11:00 AM 6:00 PM
WORSHIP SERVICE (Sanctuary) Victory Mission Sunday School Bible Study WORSHIP SERVICE (Sanctuary)
From the Realms of Glory Adult Choir Christmas Program (Sanctuary) )
PIANO FUND DONATION UPDATE Gifts to Date: $193, 000