Dedicated to bringing

Christian faith and Life

together through

Worship, Outreach,

Education, and

A Caring Community

First Baptist Church, West Hartford, Connecticut 06107 December 2017

Sunday, December 24

9:30 am Worship

7:00 pm Christmas Eve Service

Saturday, December 2

11:30 am Purely Social visit to the Festival of Trees

5:00 pm Hanging of the Greens

Sunday, December 10

9:30 am Gifts & Blessings Sunday

4:00-6:00 pm Open House @ the Emersons

Thursday, December 14

11:30 am Lunch Bunch Christmas party

Sunday, December 17

9:30 am Intergenerational Christmas Pageant

11:00 am Christmas Caroling

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” ~ Romans 15:13

Advent is here and Advent begins with hope, even extreme hope. Without it, Advent wouldn’t be Ad-vent. It is hope that Mary would give God her “Yes.” Hope that Joseph will stand faithfully by her side. The angels sing hope for peace on earth and the shepherds hope for good news. Like the characters in the narratives of Jesus’ birth, we hope for many things: for a changed life, for new resolve, for courage, for clarity. This kind of hope is powerful. It opens something in the human heart and lets light shine on possibility.

As people of faith, we are called to love, to serve with joy, and to proclaim hope. God asks of us this and more—to live in the world on faith; to trust there is meaning and purpose for our lives; to sense the sa-cred pattern and presence around us—in each other, in the stranger, in ourselves; to follow a God who lives in layers of mystery.

This Advent, may hope be our song as we open our eyes and hearts and minds to the very presence of God breaking into our realities to transform our lives and to bring about peace on the earth.

Grace and peace to you,

Pastor Stacy

On December 15th, we will view the family films “A Charlie Brown Christmas” (rated G) and “Elf” (rated PG). Come and join us for this double feature of Christmas classics, new and old! The first is about Charlie Brown learning the true mean-ing of Christmas. The second is about a man raised as an elf at the North Pole who is sent to New York City in search of his true identity. Come and join us for some Christmas cheer!

Cinema and the Sacred

Exploring faith and culture, through the art of film and community conversation

6:00 pm December 15

Our heartfelt sympathy to Mary Kunz and

her family on the passing of her brother, Maurice

Beals.

The First Baptist Church,

West Hartford, Connecticut An American Baptist Church

FBC CHURCH STAFF

Reverend Stacy Emerson, Senior Minister

Melinda Shilansky, Music Director

Neil Shilansky, Accompanist

Elizabeth Miller, Children’s Music Director

Bill Albert, Facilities Manager

Michael Deak, Custodian

Kris Hanko, Administrative Secretary

90 North Main Street

West Hartford, CT 06107-1924

Church Office Hours

Tuesday - Friday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Phone 860-521-9460

Email whfbc@yahoo.com

www.http://fbcwesthartford.org

Follow First Baptist Church West Hartford on

Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

The Focus is a monthly newsletter

of First Baptist Church

Editor Faith Geist

Dave Crockett's contact number is his cell #: 860-539-8696.

December Anniversaries

Duane & Joy Adams December 7 49 years

Walter & Carol Eells December 20 65 years

December Birthdays

Sally Hurlbert December 8

Michael Deak December 16

Jean Pierce December 24

David Dunnells December 26

Rev. Emerson and her family in-

vite you to the Parsonage for Christ-mas festivities. All are welcome!

Sunday, December 10

4:00-6:00 PM 10 Hawthorne Road

West Hartford

With the season changing and the potential

for inclement weather, please remember to

watch WFSB Channel 3 or NBC Channel 30

for cancellations or postponements. Please

also check your email, and FBC News, for

changes in scheduled events.

December 3

Isaiah 64:1–9

Psalm 80:1–7, 17–19

1 Corinthians 1:3–9

Mark 13:24–37

December 10

Isaiah 40:1–11

Psalm 85:1–2, 8–13

2 Peter 3:8–15a

Mark 1:1–8

December 17

Isaiah 61:1–4, 8–11

Psalm 126 1 Thessalonians 5:16–24

John 1:6–8, 19–28

December 24

2 Samuel 7:1–11, 16

Luke 1:46b–55 Romans 16:25–27

Luke 1:26–38

Christmas Eve

Isaiah 9:2–7

Psalm 96

Titus 2:11–14

Luke 2:1–14 [15–20]

December 31

Isaiah 61:10—62:3

Psalm 148

Galatians 4:4–7

Luke 2:22–40

“Out and About Town”

Join Pastor Stacy “out and about town” as we get to know our neighbors in West Hartford.

Our consultant, Paul Nickerson, reminds us that being out in our community is essential

as we reach new people. So, join Pastor Stacy for lunch on

Friday, December 8th

@ 12:15 PM

A.C. Petersen’s on Park Road

and

Tuesday, December 12th

@ 12:15 PM

Noodles and Company at Bishop’s Corner

Please RSVP to 860-521-9460.

See you “out and about town”!

The Journey to Bethlehem: We Make the Road By Walking

Stopping in Bethlehem: “A kitchen, a field, a barn…”

An Intergenerational Christmas Pageant

On December 17th, we will worship with an “Intergenerational Christmas Pageant.” People of all ages who wish to participate can sign up beginning on November 26th. See Pastor Stacy after worship and sign up for a part. Some parts will speak a line or two and some will not…so there IS a part for you! There will also be an opportunity to just arrive and participate on the 17th. There will be no re-hearsal but everyone should arrive at 8:45 on that Sunday morning to get ready to tell the story of the birth of Jesus in this creative pageant!

PAGEANT PARTICIPANTS:

HOLIDAY LUNCH BUNCH

THURSDAY, DEC 14 11:30 in the KITCHEN

Just a holiday get-together! No projects. Nothing educational. Just relax and enjoy….

Back by popular request: the Yankee Gift Swap. Everyone gets a number and #1 opens a gift. Number 2 opens a gift and decides if she wants hers or #1’s gift. And so it goes: everyone chooses between her gift and all the gifts already opened. Poor #1, who had no choice, gets the last word. She chooses from all the gifts! Word is out that the gifts move around a lot….

Bring a small wrapped gift under $5. No need for a trip to the mall. Holi-day goodies from the supermarket are great. Or make or bake at home, or make a gift certificate for future goodies!

Hostesses are EDIE CASTAGNO and FAITH GEIST. First-timers don’t have to bring a dish. It’s very informal and everyone is invited!

Voice 1 Voice 2 Voice 3 Voice 4 Voice 5 Mary Baby Jesus Angel Gabriel Elizabeth Joseph Herod

Herod’s General Shepherds Sheep or other animal Innkeeper Inn Staff Person Magi 1 Magi 2 Magi 3 Narrator 1 Narrator 2

HANGING OF THE GREENS

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2

5:00 PM

This annual intergenerational event includes a light

meal, crafts, decorating the church building for the

Advent and Christmas seasons, and “Sharing of the

Christmas Story”. For more information, please

contact the church office @ 860-521-9460.

Each year the congregation is offered the opportunity to share in the beauty and joy of the Christmas

season by providing plants. You may designate your plant(s) in honor or memory of a loved one.

The cost of each plant is $15.00. However, a donation in any amount is appreciated. If you would like

to join in this celebration, please return this sheet to the church office/or put it in the offering plate

with your check payable to First Baptist Church Flower Fund, no later than December 15, 2017

Please check any that apply:

____I/We will take our plant(s)

____I/We will not take our plant(s)

____I/We will be happy to deliver to a shut-in.

Plant is in memory of _________________________________________________

or

Plant is in honor of ____________________________________________________

Your Name __________________________________ Phone __________________

Number of Plants _______________ Amount attached ________________

Please return this form with your payment by December 15, 2017

MISSIONARY VISIT IN DECEMBER

Tim Long, missionary in Mexico, will speak at FBC on Friday, December 8. The evening begins with a pot-luck supper at 6:00 PM in Gilbert Hall. Please bring a main or side dish. The Missions Committee will sup-ply beverage and dessert. At 7:00 Tim will give a presentation on the work he and his wife are doing in Mexico.

Patti and Tim Long began their mission service in Ba-ja California, Mexico, in July 1996. Patti ministers as special education teacher and resource specialist at the Monte Horeb Baptist Grade School in Tijuana, a school that reaches out to the most vulnerable of the city's young population, its children with special needs. She also coordinates the STEP scholarship program for students at the school. Tim serves in leadership development through the Baja Baptist Seminary, teaching present and future church lead-ers, both at its Mexicali campus and extension cen-ters located throughout Baja California. He also co-ordinates a scholarship program for seminary stu-dents.

Ways to give this Christmas at First Baptist Church:

Alternative Gift Fair – Give hope around the world

through the Alternative Gift Fair (Church World Ser-

vice , Kiva, Heifer International). Share (David

Roones or Billie Lanz)

Christmas Offering — This year our Christmas Offer-

ing will go towards rebuilding efforts for Puerto Ri-

co through One Great Hour of Sharing.

Warm Tree in Fellowship Hall – Can you knit? Make

caps, mittens, or scarves to decorate the Warm

Tree. (Or buy some.) They will all go to Shiloh Bap-

tist Church for their outreach to the homeless. (Edie

Castagno/Faith Geist)

FBC Greeting Card Board – Post your Christmas card

or letter on the FBC Greeting Card Board in Fellow-

ship Hall for all to read. (Sally Hurlbert).

Christmas Gift Tags – For your personal holiday gifts,

choose tags hand-made by women of FBC from recy-

cled Christmas cards. You’ll save money and the

small donation for them pays for cards and postage

throughout the year on holidays and birthdays for all

FBC shut-ins. (Carol Wylie)

Loaves & Fishes Christmas Dinner – Thanks to those

who are giving to this dinner!

CT Baptist Homes – At CBH they recognize the im-

portance of tradition and celebration, and they also

realize that not all of their residents have families

who are able to supply the little extras that add to

the festivities at this time of year. At their annual

Christmas party, Santa and his helpers give each res-

ident a gift bag, filled to the brim with Wish List

items that have been donated. You can help them

make this a special day for everyone through your

donations. A copy of their wish list & and a box will

be available in Fellowship Hall on Sundays.

(Katherine Fagerburg)

Sun Mon. Tue Wed Thu Fri. Sat

Nov 26 9:30 FBC Worship 10:30 Fellowship Time 11:00 Christian Educa-tion for Children & Youth 11:00 Alt Gift Fair 12:30 CBC Worship 8:00 AA

Nov 27 Nov 28

Nov 29 10:00 Staff Mtg 11:00 Mission Committee 1:00 Knitting 7:30 Al-Anon

Nov 30 Dec 1

Dec 2 11:30 Purely Social @ Wadsworth Atheneum

5:00 Hanging of the Greens

Dec 3 9:30 FBC Worship 10:30 Fellowship Time 11:00 Christian Educa-tion for Children & Youth 12:30 CBC Worship 8:00 AA

Dec 4

7:00 Trustees

Dec 5 10:00-12:00 White Cross

7:00 Reaching New People Team Conf Call 7:00 Personnel

Dec 6 9:30 Staff Mtg 10:30 Loaves & Fishes 1:00 Knitting 7:30 Chancel Choir 7:30 Al-Anon

Dec 7 Dec 8 9:00 Social Action 12:15 “Out & About Town” @ AC Petersens 6:00 PM Potluck with Missionary Tim Long

Dec 9

Dec 10 9:30 FBC Worship/Gifts & Blessing Sunday 10:30 Fellowship Time 11:00 Christian Educa-tion 12:30 CBC Worship 4:00-6:00 PM Open House @ the Parsonage 8:00 AA

Dec 11 10:00 Service @ Cedar Mountain Commons 1:30 Adult Chris-tian Ed Comm

Dec 12

12:15 “Out & About Town” @ Noodles and Company

Dec 13 9:30 Staff Mtg 1:00 Knitting 7:30 Chancel Choir 7:30 Al-Anon

Dec 14

11:30 Lunch Bunch

Dec 15

6:00 pm Cinema & the Sacred

Dec 16

Dec 17 9:30 FBC Worship/Intergenerational Christmas Pageant 10:30 Fellowship Time 11:00 Christmas Carol-ling 12:30 CBC Worship 8:00 AA

Dec 18 Dec 19

Dec 20 9:30 Staff Mtg 1:00 Knitting 7:30 Chancel Choir 7:30 Al-Anon

Dec 21 Dec 22 Dec 23

CHRISTMAS EVE Dec 24

9:30 FBC Worship 10:30 Fellowship Time 12:30 CBC Worship 7:00 Christmas Eve Service 8:00 AA

CHRISTMAS Dec 25

Dec 26 Dec 27 9:30 Staff Mtg 11:00 Missions Mtg 1:00 Knitting 7:30 Al-Anon

Dec 28 Dec 29 Dec 30

NEW YEARS EVE Dec 31

9:30 FBC Worship 10:30 Fellowship Time 12:30 CBC Worship 8:00 AA

Jan 1 Jan 2 Jan 3 9:30 Staff Mtg 1:00 Knitting 7:30 Chancel Choir 7:30 Al-Anon

Jan 4 Jan 5 Jan 6