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Dear Church Family,

My Church Family Sunday is a challenge to us to gather together to worship and study God’s Word together on Dec. 6. I am issuing this challenge in light of the fact that there have been many things to pull us away from one another lately. And, as you know, even when there aren’t unusual distractions like weather and overtime work schedules, it is rare for most of us to be present on the same Sunday. So, let’s do all that we can to be here and to appreciate the wonderful opportunity it is to do so.

You know we are close to Christmas when we already have turned in and dedicated our boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Are you ready to enter the season in a manner that allows you to savor all that it means? One way to ensure that is to plan to give generously to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. This is the trademark offering of Southern Baptists in support of international missionaries. Our goal for our congregation is $15,000.00. That is merely a target which we hope to surpass! You will be hearing more about this year’s emphasis after the Thanksgiving holiday.

I hope you enjoy a wonderful time with your family, and for those of you who will be experiencing the painful reminder of who is not at your table, I pray God’s strength upon you. See you Sunday.

From Our Pastor

The Future by Fenelon

Christmas Celebrations

Prayer Gatherings

Note to Scholarship Recipients

Notes of Appreciation

New Ladies Bible Study

Jet Set

December Monthly Calendar

Volume 121 Number 17 December 2015

Ladies Bible Study

In This Issue

First Baptist Church, 2321 Avenue F, Bay City, TX 77414 Website: www.fbc-baycity.org

Christmas Special Events

Faithful, Abundant, True: Three Lives Going

Deeper Still

By Beth Moore, Kay Arthur and Priscilla Shirer

Beginning Monday, Jan. 11 6:00—7:30 pm

In Pearl Morton Hall

Cost: $10 for book Child Care Provided

All are invited and encouraged to attend this new Monday evening ladies Bible study. Come and join with us as we study God’s Word and grow together.

Worship Ministry

First Kids Children's Ministry

Here are some important dates … The last night of AWANA for 2015 is December 9th. We will return on January 13, 2016 ready to fill our hearts and minds with God’s Word!

No Children’s Church on December 27 and January 3.

Children & Family Christmas Celebration! Spending time with family and friends is worth more than any present so mark your calendars for this exciting event!

Sunday, December 20 5:00—6:30 pm

FBC Park

Weenie Roasting, Gaga Ball, Smores, Christmas lights, and outdoor games, and then afterwards, we will be joining together with other FBC families to carol at the homes of our widows and shut ins. It’s gonna be great; don’t miss out!

Jet Set

Jet Set

Jet Set Lunch El Zarape

Tuesday, December 15 11:00 am

Hope to see you there!

For more information, call Carolyn Hale at 245-5109

Deep & Wide Student Ministry

Hot Hearts Weekend January 22-23

Beaumont, TX (Ford Park Arena)

Sign up by December 20 for early registration cost of $40 We stay overnight @FBC Fannett. (Sat. breakfast & lunch provided) Leave Friday, Jan. 22 (2:00pm if you get out of school early or 3:45pm if you come after school); return Saturday, Jan. 23 at 8:00pm.

Adult sponsors are needed. Contact Chris or FBC Office. Bands: Newsboys, Colton Dixon, Clayton King, The Digital Age, & more

FBC Student Ministry

Dec 19 4:00pm Youth Christmas Party at Broken Triangle Ranch

Dec 20 6:30pm Youth & Family Christmas Caroling (after kids’ party)

Christmas at FBC means beautiful Christmas music! We hope you will take

the opportunity this Christmas season to experience the story of Jesus’ birth

anew through our congregational carols as well as special musical offerings from our choirs and ensembles. In addition to Sunday mornings during the

Christmas season, we hope you will join us for our Music Ministry’s Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 13, at 6:00 pm in the Sanc-tuary. Our children, youth, and adult musicians will offer their gifts to proclaim our Messiah’s birth! The first half will include a variety

of choirs and ensembles. The second half will feature the Celebration Choir’s presentation of The Silence and the Sound, a wonderful new musical setting of the Christmas story. FBC’s Christmas music will conclude with our special Christmas Eve service at 5 pm, fea-turing congregational carols alongside glorious music by FBC soloists and instrumentalists, a message from Bro. Mike, and a family reading of the Christmas story, with candlelight as the service draws to a close. You’ll want to be a part of these special opportunities at FBC this Christmas!

Fall semester transcripts

must be received in the church office no later than

January 11 in order for you to claim your

spring scholarship.

Reminder to Scholarship Recipients

Dear First Baptist Church Family,

We are so fortunate to be part of such a loving family at First Baptist Church. Dennis and I continue to be overwhelmed by the generosity and support we are being shown over and over. Thank you all so much for the prayers, visits, meals, and monetary gifts. Last, but not least, thank you to the group of men who helped with the bathroom demo. All of these things continue to lift us up and help us to move forward. We know that God is showing us his love through all of you. These last 5 months have been incredibly trying for all of us, especially Dennis. He is doing well at TIRR. He has been in a manual wheelchair for a couple of weeks which is helping him improve his upper body strength and balance. He has also been working on his slide board transfer. Soon he will be able to move himself from the bed to his chair and back on his own. He is very motivated by his progress. His spirit is good, he amazes me. We continue to pray for total healing of his spinal cord and to gain better function in his hands and function in his legs.

Sincerely, Leslie Gann

Dear FBC Family,

Thank you so much for your prayers, calls, visits and cards during my hospitalization and as I’ve continued to recover from knee surgery. It is such a blessing to be part of this loving and caring church family. Rodger and I continue to praise God for you. Thank you for being God’s loving arms in our lives.

In Him, Darlyne Ward

Dear Church Members,

Thank you for the cards and phone calls to me about my sister’s passing. I appreciate you all.

Mattie Sue Ringgold

Notes of Appreciation

Preston Weeks November 16, 2015

In Memoriam

Don’t be concerned about the future. The future belongs to God. He is in charge of all things and will take care of you completely. If you try to guess what is going to happen, you will only worry yourself and anticipate trouble. Live each day as it comes. Each day brings its own good and evil, but what seems evil becomes good if you leave it in God’s hands. Do not hold up His purpose by being impatient. God has a time for everything. Never second-guess Him. One of the most important things you must do is live in the present moment. It is not how fast you go, but how well you go. God will know just how long it will take you to get from one place to another. You needn’t always be rushing about. Simply follow God’s leading. All you need to do is prepare your heart by giving it completely to God, without reservation. He will do with you what He pleases. Close your eyes and follow Him. Walk, as Abraham did, not knowing where you are going. God Himself will be your guide. He will lead you through the desert to the Promised Land. You will be so happy if you let God take full control of your life!

The Seeking Heart; Francois Fenelon (b. 1651, d. 1715); Copyright by Christian Books Publishing House MCMXCII; Printed in USA; p. 115.

“The Future” by Fenelon

Prayer for the Nations Tuesday, December 1 7 pm in the Sanctuary

Prayer Gathering Tuesday, December 15

7 pm in Pearl Morton Hall

Prayer Gatherings in December

Bring a friend and your appetite and come enjoy the fellowship!

Men’s Breakfast

www.facebook.com/firstbaptistbc

The FBC Family extends sympathy to the following members and their families in the loss of their loved ones:

Marion Garcia—father Shannon Garcia– grandfather-in-law

Shirley Hart—son Norma McDonald—husband

Jean Weeks— husband Jessica Woolsey—grandfather

Billy Welborn– sister

Thinking of You and Sharing in Your Sorrow

With Heartfelt Sympathy

Sunday School Report

Date Enroll Attend

Nov 1 519 224 Nov 8 520 216 Nov 15 520 191

Average Sunday School Att. YTD = 213 (through Week 11)

Tithes & Offerings Report

Date Given

Nov 1 $20,398.10 Nov 8 $15,849.00 Nov 15 $14,477.79 YTD 2015 Needed: $802,666.42 YTD 2015 Given: $772,673.61

Designated Gifts

Love Gift Benevolence Operation Christmas Child Mary Hill Davis

Memorials

Carl Ogletree— Memorial John Hancock—Memorial

James Craft—David McCormick Scholarship Memorial

Information Center

Each Week

Extreme Salad Bar, Fruit, Dessert &

Drinks

December 2 Spaghetti, Green Beans, Garlic Bread,

Banana Poke Cake

Serving: Gina O’Neal Carl & Addie Townsend Cleaning: Allen Cumbie Marion & Rachel Garcia Bart Brown

December 9 Chicken & Dumpling Casserole, Vegetable Medley, Rolls

Cheesecake Cookies

Serving: Cheryl Swett & Darlyne Ward Cleaning: Jack & Janet Higgins Rodger Ward

Family Supper Resumes January 13

Why should we give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering? Because God deserves the worship of all people! And we — who are redeemed and made new in Christ — are compelled to proclaim the gospel, the only hope for the billions who have never heard of Jesus! Simply put, your giving enables missionaries, including our own Ryan and Susan, to be sent to multiply churches among

unreached peoples and places for the glory of God.

Thank you! Your faithful giving has changed lives and given hope to the lost across the globe! The challenge given in this year’s theme is for us to find our place in God’s story. What is your place and how will you support our missionaries as they share God’s hope in the world?

Because you gave to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering last year: 1.75 million people heard a gospel witness 275,000 became new believers 14,000 new churches and 4,000 new groups were formed 21,000 leaders were trained to start new churches 444,263 nationals met in on-going Bible studies

The 2015 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering goal is $175 million. One hundred percent of your gifts support missionaries and their ministries. THANK YOU for extending the love of Jesus to the world through your offering! From all your IMB missionaries

Week of Prayer: Nov. 29 - Dec. 6 National Goal: $175 million

FBC Goal: $15,000

You are invited to enjoy the holiday events of your FBC family. Plan to come & be blessed.

Adult 2 Christmas

Party

Thursday, December 17 6:00 pm

Home of James & Frances Duey 7 Stoney Brook Lane

Bring a side dish or dessert to share.

Meat, tea & coffee provided.

Adult 4 Christmas

Party

Friday, December 18 6:00 pm

Pearl Morton Hall

Catered by K-2 $10 per person

Appetizers, chicken-fried steak, mashed potatoes, green beans,

rolls and Cheryl & Dave’s cheesecake!

Adult 1 & 2 Christmas Brunch

Sunday, December 13 9:30—10:30 am

Pearl Morton Hall

Youth

Christmas

Party

Saturday, December 19 4:00—8:00 pm

Broken Triangle Ranch

Adult 6 Christmas

Party

Saturday, December 12 6:00 pm

Home of Chris & Allison Ferguson 901 Timberline Drive

Bring a side dish or dessert and an ornament to exchange.

Meat, tea & coffee provided.

Adult 3 Christmas

Party Brunch

Saturday, December 19 9:00 am

Home of Marvin & Molly Harvel 4909 Magnolia

Bring finger foods to share. Tea & coffee provided.

Adult 5 Christmas

Party

Friday, December 11 6:00 pm

Meet at Baytown Seafood then on to FBC Parlor

Bring an ornament to exchange and a dessert to share.

College Student Christmas

Party

Friday, December 18 7:00 pm

Bowlera

Bring one gender-neutral gift for the gift exchange.

Children & Family

Christmas Party

Sunday, December 20 5:00 - 6:30 pm

FBC Park

Come celebrate around the fire! Hot dogs, s’mores, gaga ball,

singing carols and much more!

Family Christmas Caroling

Sunday, December 20 Meet at the bus barn at

6:30 pm

Dress festive!

December 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

9:30am Ladies Bible

Study (PMH)

5 pm Ladies Ensemble (

Choir Rm)

5:45pm King’s Ringers

(BB 106)

7pm Prayer for the

Nations (PMH)

2

8am Fitness Class

5pm Family Supper

(gym)

6pm AWANA (gym)

6pm Encounter

6pm Intercessory Prayer

6:45pm Celebration

Choir (Choir Room)

7:30pm High School

Lead Team (Conf. Rm)

3

9:30am Jubilaires

10:30am Jubilaires

Ministry (Bay Villa)

6:30pm Game 7

Ministry (Gym)

4

8am Fitness Class

5

7:30am Men’s

Breakfast (Gym)

10 am Christmas

Choir Reh (Sanc/

Choir Rm)

6

LORD’S SUPPER

4pm Yth Praise Band

5pm JwC Choir

5pm Budget Q&A

(PMH)

6pm Girls/Guys

Bible Study

6pm Ad. Small

Groups

6pm Children’s

Choirs (CB)

7

8am Fitness Class

5pm Praise Band Reh

(Sanc)

6pm Ladies Bible

Study (PMH)

7pm Deacon

Council (Choir Rm)

8

9:30am Ladies Bible

Study (PMH)

5 pm Ladies Ensemble

(Choir Room)

5:45pm King’s Ringers

(BB 106)

7pm Personnel

Cmte (Conf. Rm)

7pm CDC Christmas

Program (Sanc)

9

8am Fitness Class

5pm Family Supper

(gym)

6pm AWANA (gym)

6pm Encounter

6pm Intercessory Prayer

6:45pm Celebration

Choir (Choir Room)

10

9:30am Jubilaires

6:30pm Game 7

Ministry (Gym)

11

8am Fitness Class

6 pm Ad 5 Christmas

Party (Baytown

Seafood, FBC Parlor)

12

8:30am Christmas

Concert Reh (Sanc/

Choir Rm)

6 pm Ad 6 Christmas

Party (Ferguson’s

Home)

13

BUDGET VOTE

9:30am Ad 1 & 2

Sunday School

Class Christmas Party

5pm Finance Cmte

(Conf Rm)

6pm Christmas

Concert (Sanctuary)

14

8am Fitness Class

6pm Ladies Bible

Study (PMH)

15

9:30am Ladies Bible

Study (PMH)

10 am Jubilaires

Ministry (Mat. House)

11am Jet Set Lunch

(El Zarape)

7pm Prayer

Gathering (PMH)

16

8am Fitness Class

6pm Encounter

6pm Intercessory Prayer

17

10:30am Jubilaires

Ministry (Mat. Rehab)

6 pm Adult 2 Christmas

Party (Duey’s Home)

6:30pm Game 7

Ministry (Gym)

18

8am Fitness Class

6 pm Ad 4 Christmas

Party (PMH)

7 pm College Class

Christmas Party

(Bowlera)

19

9am Ad 3 Christmas

Party Brunch (Harvel

Home)

6 pm Youth

Christmas Party

(Glass House)

20

5pm Children’s

Christmas Party

6:30 pm Family

Christmas Caroling

21

22

23

FBC Office Closed

CDC Closed

6pm Intercessory Prayer

24

FBC Office Closed

CDC Closed

5pm Christmas

Candlelight Service

25

FBC Office Closed

CDC Closed

26

27

One Worship Service

at 10:50 am

28

29

30

6pm Intercessory Prayer

31

FBC Office Closed

CDC Closed