Rev. Tim Burnham, Pastor

Rev. Dean DeMarra, Worship Pastor

Brendon Murphy, Student Director

216 East Live Oak Avenue

DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435

First Baptist Church, DeFuniak Springs FL

Phone: 850-892-2722

Fax: 850-892-2381

E-mail: firstbaptist@gmail.com

A Fellowship of Encouragement

View this newsletter

and other info at:

www.fbcdfs.org

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid DeFuniak Springs, Florida

Permit No. 68

SCHEDULE OF WEEKLY

SERVICES/ACTIVITIES:

Sundays:

Sunday School 9:15 AM

Morning Worship 10:30 AM

Evening Worship Service 6:00 PM

High School Bible Study

Wednesdays:

Kidz Choir 4:30 PM

Fellowship Buffet 5:00 PM

Prayer Meeting, G.A.s, 6:00 PM

R.A.s, Youth

Adult Choir Rehearsal 6:50 PM

Fridays:

JFMS 3:00—5:00 PM

Join us at 5:00 PM for the all-you-care-to-eat

Wednesday Fellowship Buffet catered by

McLain’s Family Steakhouse Restaurant.

Every Wednesday the menu features:

Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Rolls, Salad, Dessert.

Additional menu items are featured as follows:

Dec. 6: Smothered Steak, Broccoli w/cheese, Blackeyed Peas

Dec. 13: Baked Ziti, Lima Beans, Corn

Cost: $5.00 youth/adults; $3.00 children (ages 4-10);

children ages 3 and under dine free.

There will be no Prayer Meeting or Fellowship Buffet on Dec. 20 or Dec. 27.

Join us on Dec. 3

Comparative Religion

Bible Study:

Islam, the One No One

Talks About, at 6 PM.

Inside this issue:

The Encourager Firs t Bapt is t Church, DeFuniak Spr ings, FL

FCA, Deacons, PSC; 2

FCP, Student Ministry; 3

In Honor/In Memory, 4

Kidz Choir Musical,

Worship Choir Musical;

Sunday School Report, 5

Sympathy Notes,

Young Ladies Fellowship,

Lottie Moon Offering,

Offerings, Birthdays;

Daily Bible Readings, 6

Flower Calendar,

Thank You Notes;

Church Calendar 7

From Your Pastor

In the busyness of the Christmas season may we be reminded that Jesus is the center of Christmas.

CHRISTMAS REMINDERS May the Christmas presents remind you

of God’s greatest gift—His only begotten Son.

May the Christmas candles remind you of Him who is the light of the world.

May the Christmas tree remind you of another tree on which He died for you.

May the Christmas cheer remind you of Him who said, “Be of good cheer.”

May the Christmas feast remind you of Him who is the bread of life.

May the Christmas snow remind you of the cleansing power of Christ.

May the Christmas bells remind you of the glorious proclamation of His birth.

May the Christmas carols remind you of His glad tidings which we are to proclaim to all mankind.

May the Christmas season remind you in every way of Jesus Christ your King.

May your Christmas season bring Joy, Peace and Hope.

Merry Christmas, Pastor Tim

Cate Campbell joined 10/29/17, by letter.

Michelle Garrison joined 11/19/17, by statement.

Beth Henderson joined 10/29/17, by letter.

Tom Henderson joined 10/29/17, by statement.

Bill Kohnen joined 11/19/17, by letter.

Marie Kohnen joined 11/19/17, by letter.

Gabriel Wiley Luster joined 10/29/17, by baptism.

Bob Price joined 10/24/17, by letter.

Andrea Silvestri joined 10/29/17, by letter.

Lori-Ann Sivley joined 10/29/17, by letter.

Daniel Stevens joined 11/19/17, by letter.

Connie Strickland joined 10/29/17 by letter.

WE LCOME

Page 2 The Encourager

December

OF THE WEEK:

3: *Zach Hinote, 520-4242;

James Hurley, 951-3540

10: *Ron Kelley, 892-7830;

Robbie Kroll, 859-2817

17:*Dylan Laird, 399-1188;

Bob Lancaster, 892-6565

24:*James McHenry, 892-2365;

Hunter Page, 892-4406

31:*Joel Paul, 836-4084;

Jerry Stafford, 859-2115

* Morning Prayer

Pregnancy Support Center

Merry Christmas from the staff of the Pregnancy Support Center! We have had a wonderful 2017 and look forward to all God has in store for the Center in 2018. We are also making plans for the annual Sanctity of Human Life Sunday in Jan. and launching the "Baby Bottle Boomerang" Fundraiser. If you will like to be added to our mailing list, please contact us with your information.

Sharon Taylor, Director

295 Hwy. 90 West, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435

(Tel: 850-892-7400) Email: pscfbc@outlook.com

First Christian Academy

One of the special blessings of teaching

a Christian curriculum is that during the

upcoming weeks, FCA can focus upon

the wonderful "Reason for the Season"

and share that truth to our students. We pray that someone

who needs grace for Christmas will make that important

decision and trust in Him as their personal Savior. That first

Christmas morning, grace in all its abundance was wrapped

up in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Jesus is our

most precious gift of all. He is much better than the biggest

and prettiest gift wrapped under the tree,

Here are some upcoming events happening

during the month of December at FCA:

December 19 - Gingerbread House Decorating and Silent

Dessert Auction - 10:00—11:00 am in the Fellowship Hall

(Any dessert donations would be greatly appreciated)

Dec. 20 - Jan. 2 - Christmas Break

Merry Christmas to all of you from First Christian Academy!

Cherelle Weeks, Principal

First Christian Academy

850-520-4604 www.fcadefuniak.com

December, 2017 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, DFS, FL Page 7

December 2017

Sun

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

Sonshine Group Annual Young Ladies

Fellowship 6 pm

2

3 Deacons’ Mtg

4:30 pm

Comparative Religion Bible

Study: Islam, The

One No One

Talks About, 6 pm

4 FCA Board

Meeting 4 pm

5 Stewardship Mtg

12 pm

6

7 First Thursday Circle 9 - 11 am

8

9 Youth

Christmas Bingo

10 Men’s

Bicycle Ministry

Kidz Choir Musical “A Country Christmas”6 pm

11 FCP Board

Mtg 4 pm

12 Grateful

Hearts 9 am

Murray Burke

11 am

Deadline

for Dec. 17th

13

Business

Meeting 6 pm

Youth

Christmas Party

14

15

Deadline for

January Newsletter/ Dec. 24 & 31

Bulletins

16

17 Vote on

Budget

Worship Choir Musical

“Adore” 6 pm

18

FCP—VPK

Christmas

Caroling

Chautauqua Rehab 10 am

19 FCA

Gingerbread Event 10 am

Sonshine Group at Bogeys 6 pm

Young Adult Bible Study Party

20

NO EVENING SERVICE

21

22

NO JFMS

23

24

NO EVENING SERVICE

31 NO EVENING SERVICE

25

26 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED

27 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED

NO EVENING SERVICE

28

29

NO JFMS

30

The Month At - A - Glance

Celebrate Christ’s birth while honoring friends and loved ones.

Poinsettia orders are due by Dec. 6, cost is $7. They may be taken home,

at the end of the Christmas Eve Service.

Youth Xtreme Winter Trip to Gatlinburg, TN — December 31—January 2

Read the Bible Through in 2017!

December:

1—1 Chronicles 9-11

2—1 Chronicles 12-14

3—1 Chronicles 15-16

4—2 Chronicles 1-4

5—2 Chronicles 5-9

6—2 Chronicles 10-13

7—Galatians 1-3

8—Galatians 4-6

9—Ephesians 1-3

10—Ephesians 4-6

11—Philippians

12—Colossians

13—1 Thessalonians

14—2 Thessalonians

15—1 Timothy

16—2 Timothy

17—Titus - Philemon

18—Hebrews 1-6

19—Hebrews 7-10

20—Hebrews 11-13

21—James

22—1 Peter

23—2 Peter

24—1 John

25—2 John - Jude

26—Revelation 1-3

27—Revelation 4-8

28—Revelation 9-12

29—Revelation 13-16

30—Revelation 17-19

31—Revelation 20-22

Page 6 The Encourager

FLOWER CALENDAR

Next Available Dates:

December 3, 10, 31;

January 7, 14, 21, 28

Make your reservations on the

calendar at the reception desk in the mall.

Thank You Notes …

Dear First Baptist Church Family, Being surrounded by caring and loving people in our church family gives life a brighter touch. Jack and I want to say to each of you—thanks very, very much for remembering us in so many special ways. We felt your prayers which were reinforced through the precious prayer letters we received. We welcomed your calls and visits, shared the beautiful flowers with nay caregivers at Brookwood, needed the encouraging words in your cards, and loved the bountiful meals you provided. When faced with difficult experiences, encouragement from those who love the Lord is uplifting; and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. Romans 8:28 NIV

Jack and Carolyn Bludworth

Dear Church Family, Thank you for all of the cards, phone calls, prayers and visits. Your love and con-cern for my family, upon the passing of my brother, is much appreciated.

May God Bless you all. Barbara Coffield

Thank you so much for honoring our family with the beautiful plant during our celebration of her life and her final farewell. She was truly a grand loving lady and loved her Lord. She is truly missed already but one day soon we will join her in our heavenly home. What a glorious day that will be.

The Ellis Family

Dear Ladies of First Baptist Church, Thank you and bless you! Through your “servant’s heart” faithfulness in provid-ing a covered dish when called upon, you have participated in one of Jesus’ minis-tries—caring for and responding to the needs of those who have lost a loved one. 1 Peter 4:10-11 During the 2017 church year, 13 families were touched by your individual food preparation which enabled us to serve a complete meal here at the church or in one’s home and to prepare fruit baskets, snacks, and desserts for home or travel. As a committee, may we collectively extend to each of you our sincere apprecia-tion and many thanks; and may we also extend to you the thanks and appreciation for your efforts expressed by these receiving families.

FBC Bereavement Committee

You expect it from family, but when the church does it, it’s extra special. The food, the love, the prayers! God bless all of you. Thank you so very much. Mom is in Heaven and out of pain now.

Thanks again, The Holley Family

Church Family, Thank you so much for your gift to the Children’s Home in memory of Francis. We do appreciate it. Thank you for your care and concern. Your prayers mean so much.

Love, Ann & family

We are blessed beyond words for your sacrifice and dedication. It took each of your efforts to "pull off" our Thanksgiving meal. Your service is greatly appreciat-ed.

Leonard Thorn, Chairman

First Baptist Church, Thank you for everything for my mom, Jean Yarbrough. She really loved her church. The tree will be planted in the yard of our new house and I will look at it and will remember how loving her church family was to her. Thank you also for the contribution to the Florida Baptist Children's Home in her memory! She is truly missed and left a blessing wherever she was.

Thank you and God Bless, Timothy, Tammy Zarnay and Family

Murray Burke Circle, Thank you so much for the contribution to the radio station in memory of my mom. She loved being there and having time to do her cross stitching. She is truly missed.

Thank you and God Bless, Timothy, Tammy Zarnay and Family December, 2017 Page 3

Dear Church family,

FCP collected 466 items for

Operation Christmas Child for the month of November!! So thankful for our students

and families

FCP love, April Murphy,

Director

First Christian Preschool would like to wish our church family a

Very Merry Christmas!!

FCP closures: Dec. 20th - Jan. 1st

STUDENT MINISTRY

Thank you to

everyone that

volunteered to help

with the Operation

Christmas Child

Shoebox Ministry.

There were 992

boxes collected!

Brendon Murphy,

Student Director

Page 4

Donations Given In Memory/In Honor during the weeks of Oct. 29 - Nov. 19

The Encourager

BUILDING FUND

In memory of James “Douglas” Adams

by Lois Nall

In memory of Jack and Mary Alice Hicks

by Wilburn and Mary Jo Hendrix

In memory of Francis Sanders

by Lois Nall

In memory of Jean Yarbrough

by Lois Nall

FIRST CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL

In memory of Dewayne Bartlette

by Jan Adams

FOOD PANTRY

In memory of James “Douglas” Adams

by Donnie and Sharon Richardson

In memory of Connie Chandler

by Jan Adams

In memory of Selma Ellis

by Nina Lane

In memory of Gaylon Harrison

by Billie C. Rice

In memory of Gladys Holley

by Paul and Peggy Carter

In memory of Mr. Pierce

by Nina Lane

A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS With a City Twist-mas

Everyone celebrates Christmas a little differently, some more than others. This musical by the FIRST KIDZ CHOIR will serve as a humorous and loving reminder that no matter our backgrounds or culture, we can embrace our differences — all because a baby came into the world! Sunday, Dec. 10, at 6:00 PM. Bring a Friend!

Come Let Us

ADORE!

This musical/drama will share the story of a young woman whose heart will be forever

changed because she has been drawn close to Christmas through an amazing Nativity scene.

The WORSHIP CHOIR will awaken our sense of worship through new anthems and

traditional carols and lead us to relive the

miraculous story of Christ’s birth!

Sunday, Dec. 17, at 6:00 PM.

FOOD PANTRY (continued)

In memory of Jean Yarbrough

by Paul and Peggy Carter

by Jean Paulk

by Leonard and Sue Thorn

GENERAL BUDGET

In memory of James “Douglas” Adams

by Ruth Gray

In memory of Gladys Holley

by Wilburn and Mary Jo Hendrix

by Ann Sanders

In memory of Francis Sanders

by Ann Laird

In memory of Jean Yarbrough

by Ann Laird

LOTTIE MOON

In memory of James “Douglas” Adams

by Steadfast Sunday School Class

PREGNANCY SUPPORT CENTER

In memory of Selma Ellis

by Jean Paulk

In memory of Mr. Pierce

by Jean Paulk

WAKJ

In memory of Jean Yarbrough

by Kenneth Jackson

by Nina Lane

December, 2017

Budget Offering $ 43,982.63

Designated Offering $ 10,823.87

Total Offerings $ 54,806.50

Total Budget Received To Date $ 488,063.60

Building Fund Offering Received $ 1,035.25

Balance in Building Fund $ 85,019.66

Report of Offerings October 29—November 19

Sunday School Attendance Report

Page 5

October 29 — 153

November 5 — 151

November 12 — 151

November 19 — 132

December Birthdays:

1 - Greg Brack

2 - Tanner Cruikshank

3 - Rob Capps

4 - NONE

5 - Dianne Howell

6 - Gillian Infinger

7 - Caleb Bell, Randall Infinger, Annette Jones,

Stacey Marshall

8 - Dakota Hardesty, Brandon Pickard, Nick Price

9 - Kenny Byrd, Carter Douglass, Gray Lawrence

10 - Charlene Burnham, Robert Merritt, Libbi Thomas

11 - Rosheen Blackmon, Debbie Burney, Greg Douglass

12 - Libby Douglass, Ian Smith

13 - Brooke Bennett, Brittany Bennett, Rosemary McHenry

14 - Destin Hanks, Allison Weeks

15 - Savannah Russell

16 - Carston Cole

17 - Melanie Barker, Ruth Evans, Sarah Martin

18 - Kip Baker, Blaire Foster, David Rhodes

19 - D.J. Cruikshank, Frank Pannell, Clyde Rhodes,

Glendoris Washington

20 - Letha Hinote

21 - NONE

22 - Deja Campbell

23 - Ann Jones

24 - Shad Adkinson, Mary Thomason

25 - Terri Lee Bulan, Mary Laird, Billie Merritt,

Luis Rodriguez

26 - Andrew Ellis, Leonard Matthews

27 - Nathan Thomas

28 - Marilyn Bryan, Lea Cruz, Caroline Perez

29 - Steve Kent

30 - Chuck Stevenson

31 - Catherine Trotman

In Deepest Sympathy

We extend our deepest love and Christian

sympathy to:

Betty Coleman in the loss of her brother, James Boatright.

The family of Gladys Holley at her death, on November 13, 2017.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Goal: $4,500

Week of Prayer : December 3 - 10

Annual Young Ladies Fellowship

(Ages: 18 - 40 years old)

December 1st, at 6 PM.

Fun, Food & Fellowship, sponsored by Sonshine Group.

Sign-up in mall area.