November 2025
The Messenger
Fall Fellowship at FXBG Baptist!
Young Adult Retreat 2025 In early October, a few of our college students and young adults attended a Young Adult Retreat at Eagle Eyrie on the theme, “Becoming.” Along with young adults from River Road Church, Baptist, we engaged in dialogue and activities led by Rev. Val Fisk Hassard, a minister friend and retreat leader in the CBF world. We discussed spirituality as an ongoing process, and that it isn’t always linear. Through breakout sessions, we learned that we could engage and pull from different pieces of our faith and church life along the journey, and that it doesn’t have to look a specific way. Along with our sessions in the morning on Saturday, we played games Friday night and broke out of an Escape Room on Saturday evening followed by dinner together at a local restaurant. On Sunday morning, we ended our time with a closing devotional time centered on Romans 12:1-2:
Honor or Remember Someone with a Poinsettia This Advent Scan the QR Code to order online
On Sunday morning, we ended our time with a closing devotional time centered on Romans 12:1-2: 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, on the basis of God’s mercy, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable act of worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. Our young adults were able to reflect on how they don’t have to be perfect or reach a certain goal with faith and spirituality, but that we are always evolving and becoming something new, always transforming and renewing our minds toward something more like love.
MEMORIALS / HONORS Month of September and October In Memory Of Ministry Memorial Fund –for Patricia Frazer, given by Richard Frazer…for Shirley Onderdonk, given by Ray & Elizabeth Dameron…for Deanie Ryder, given by Ray & Elizabeth Dameron…for Jack Schweitzer, given by Bill & Nancy Young…for Mona Berry Spayde, given by Ray & Elizabeth Dameron; Van & Tammy Snellings; Martie Tuthill Organ Restoration Fund – for Shirley Onderdonk, given by Catherine Ryder…for Christine Ryder, given by Martie Tuthill Hospitality Ministry – for Jack Schweitzer, given by The Entheos Sunday School Class Music Ministry – for Mona Berry Spayde, given by The Entheos Sunday School Class Benevolence Fund – for Mona Berry Spayde, given by Vicki & Jerry Silver…for Kathy Valentine, given by Vicki & Jerry Silver CBF Global Missions – for Mona Berry Spayde, given by Kay & W. Rod Burrell In Honor Of Benevolence Fund – for Mary Anne Dent, on her birthday, given by Vicki & Jerry Silver…for Steve Gallahan, on his 70th Birthday, given by Ann & Jim McGlone…for The Strollo Family, given by Vicki & Jerry Silver Ministry Fund – for Rev. Jeanne Anderson, given by Martie Tuthill…for Rev. David Haun, given by Martie Tuthill…for Rev. Theresie Houghton, given by Richard Frazer
Our Financial Snapshot for October Many of us are enjoying the cooler Fall weather that has arrived. In addition to the outside temperatures, our giving in October also cooled a bit. With two months remaining in the year, now is not the time to let our gifts begin to wane. There is a lot going on in our church, so let’s make sure our giving gets heated up for the next two months! Ministry Budget Gifts to the Ministry Budget in October fell $10,000 behind last October’s gifts. October gifts this year totaled $86,354. The good news is that our revenue for the year totals $1,035,953, which is $25,000 ahead of this time last year. Now here is your challenge: To fully satisfy the Ministry Budget and make sure we pay all the bills for this year, we need to receive $488,000 in the next 9 weeks! Wow, that’s a big number you say. But we faced a big number at this time last year too, and because of your faithful and generous giving, we fully funded the Ministry Budget last year. Let’s all join together and do it again this year.
When the world feels like it’s unraveling—headlines full of chaos, change all around us, personal losses mounting—it’s easy to feel like we’re watching the end unfold. But what if that’s not the end of the story? This four-week series, It’s the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine), walks through some of the most unsettling yet hope-filled scriptures in the lectionary. Through the prophet Habakkuk, Paul’s encouragement to the Thessalonians, Jesus’ warnings in the temple, and his words from the cross —we’re reminded that endings are never the end with God. Jesus doesn’t promise comfort, but he does promise presence. He walks with us through fear, upheaval, and even death—and shows us how to wait with hope, endure with purpose, and live with deep trust. This series ends with Reign of Christ Sunday, reminding us that even in the face of destruction and despair, Christ is King—and his kingdom has no end. November 2 (All Saints Sunday): The Work of Waiting | Habakkuk 1:1–4; 2:1–4 November 9: Skipping to the End | 2 Thessalonians 2:1–5, 13–17 November 16: Full Disclosure | Luke 21:5–19 November 23 (Reign of Christ Sunday): Proving Who You Are | Luke 23:33–43
Watering the Roots Capital Fund The fund received $2,520 in October for a 2025 total of $25,491. The current balance of the fund is $327,978. Over the next ten years nearly a million dollars will be needed to meet anticipated capital needs, so please consider gifts to this fund over and above your gifts to the Ministry Budget. Benevolence Fund In October, the fund received gifts totaling $7,785, and $14,941 was spent, leaving a total deficit of $50,883 for the year. More and more of our friends and neighbors are facing difficulties in meeting their basic needs. It might come as no surprise that of the $14,941 spent to help individuals in October, $10,200 of that amount helped folks with their housing needs. Your gifts to the Benevolence Fund are life sustaining and appreciated. Remember that unless designated otherwise, all gifts received are applied to the Ministry Budget. If you make a gift to either the Benevolence Fund or the Watering the Roots Capital Fund, please make sure a notation is made on your check or online gift so it is applied as you wish. Should you ever have any stewardship or financial questions, please feel free to reach out to Dennis Sacrey.
Annual Business Meeting
Wednesday, November 19, 7:00pm, Youth Area You are invited and encouraged to attend the Annual Business Meeting. Agenda will include: Reports: Clerk's Report; Presentation of financial reports; Watering the Roots Capital Fund report; Trustee report including an update on membership revision Items for Action: Adoption of a Ministry Budget for 2026 Election of Trustees and Team Leaders/Members Recommendations from the Personnel Team regarding staff changes Our Bylaws now allow for participation in business meetings via ZOOM. We will not publish the ZOOM login information publicly for this meeting, but will provide the information upon request.
Upcoming Events Women’s Mission Group Meeting Monday, November 10th, 1 pm Please join us for the Women's Mission Group's meeting on Monday, November 10th at 1:00 in the Church's Blue Room. We meet on the 2nd Monday of every month. Most months we have a guest speaker and this month we will host Mr. Paul Scott. Mr. Scott will be sharing his experience in the U. S. Military. We also invite you to join our meeting. You can attend just for Mr. Scott's discussion or better yet, join us for our meeting. We'd love to see you! Contact Phyllis Marcom with any questions you may have. Youth Friendsgiving Sunday, Nov. 16th, 6-7:30 pm All youth (7th-12th grade) are invited to a Friendsgiving Dinner on Sunday, Nov. 16th at Pastor David's House! We will eat, play some games, and have good fellowship together. Pastor David will provide the main entree, and we will bring sides and desserts. Sign up at the QR code to attend and bring a side or dessert! Contact Beth Bailey at beth@fxbgbaptist.org for more details. Songs of Life and Love Sunday, November 16th, 7:30 pm The University of Mary Washington Choirs present Songs of Life and Love on Sunday, November 16th, 7:30 pm in Dodd Auditorium. Susan Graham will provide dinner before the concert at her home, and we will have a church bus to shuttle folks over to UMW in time for the concert. Much of the music in the concert was composed by our friend Kevin Thomson. The choir includes over 200 voices and is accompanied by a small chamber orchestra. The concert is free and open to all. For more informtion, contact Chris. Theology On Tap Tuesday, November 18th, 7-8:30 pm We will meet at Strangeways Brewing from 7-8:30 pm twice a month on Tuesday nights from September to November. Dates for the fall are Sept. 2nd & 16th, Oct. 7th & 21st, and Nov. 4th and 18th. Join us for thoughtful conversation around theology and current events. Topics will be based on current events of the week. Contact Beth Bailey for more details at beth@fxbgbaptist.org. Friday Fun Night Friday, November 21st 5- 7 pm Join us for Friday Fun Night—an evening of food, friends, and laughter for children in grades 2–6 (younger children are welcome with a parent). We’ll enjoy pizza for dinner together, then settle in for a movie, games, and plenty of snacks! The playroom will be open for our younger friends to play and explore. It’s a great way to end the week and start the weekend with fun and community!
Advent Workshop Sunday, November 23rd 4:30- 7 pm Save-the-date for our annual Advent Workshop on November 23rd! We will gather to prepare our church and our hearts for the season of expectant waiting. We encourage families and friends of all ages to join us for dinner, break-outs, and worship. More information about breakout sessions and sign-up will come in the next few weeks, but in the meantime, make sure to mark your calendar for this special event! Community Thanksgiving Breakfast Thursday November 27th, 7- 8:30 am Sign-up for any items still needed online at the FXBGbaptist.org website, Nov. 4- Nov. 22. All donations should be brought in on Sunday, November 23rd. We would love to have some volunteers on Thanksgiving morning. Volunteers are encouraged to arrive around 6:45 am when doors will open to the public. We can use help welcoming, serving at table, washing dishes and helping to clean up afterwards. If you would like to participate from home, we ask that you give thanks and ask God’s blessings for all! Ladies Ornament Exchange & Brunch Saturday, December 6th, 10 am All ladies are invited to an ornament exchange and brunch on Saturday December 6th at 10 am at the home of Susan Ellefson. We will gather for food and fellowship and get in the holiday spirit with an ornament exchange. Please bring a wrapped ornament for the exchange! You may sign-up with the QR code or by contacting Erin Silver. A Christmas Carol Performance Saturday, December 20th, 9:30 am Join us for a trip to Staunton to the Blackfriars Playhouse to see A Christmas Carol. We will meet in the church parking lot at 9:30 am and travel on the church bus to meet up with our dear friend Jane Sthreshley for lunch and then to the playhouse for a 2 pm performance. Tickets for the performance are $50 and lunch will be an additional cost per person. Please sign-up using the QR code or by contacting Erin Silver.
1019 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 fxbgbaptist.org | (540) 373-4402