The MESSENGER (USPS 591-280) is published weekly except the week of Christmas by

First Baptist Church, 600 Governors Drive, Huntsville, AL 35801. Periodical postage

paid at Huntsville, Alabama 31801-5178. POSTMASTER send change of address to THE

MESSENGER, 600 Governors Drive, Huntsville, AL 35801.

office: 256-428-9400

weekend minister on call: 256-428-9457

24-hour prayer line: 256-428-9460

The Messengerfbchsv.org

firsT bapTisT hunTsville

this sunday

knowing, lov ing, serv ing Christ...together

First Baptist Church

600 Governors Drive

Huntsville, AL 35801

Christmas Pictures Needed

We need pictures of your Christmas morning. If you have one or two favorite pictures from your Christmas mornings past, contact jeremy@fbchsv.org. They

will be used during our First Fellowship: A Christmas Session. Digital form is preferred, but all others are welcome.

Calling All Cooks

Our church family begins construction of the Living Christmas Tree on Sunday, December 4th and will

continue with decorating through Tuesday, December 6th. We like to provide snacks (sweet or salty) for

these workers. If you would like to help with this, please bring your goodies to the East Entrance that Sunday or

Monday morning.

Sarah Tate Angel Tree

The children from the Sarah Tate Reading Room who are still involved in our church will once again be placed

on our Angel Tree. The tree will be set up in the East Entrance this Sunday.

2011 International Missions Emphasis

Women on Mission Soup and Cornbread Lunch

Tuesday, November 29, 11:00 a.m. in room 118. Speakers are Todd and Susan Lafferty, missionaries to South

Asian peoples. Everyone is welcome to attend!

Volume 62 / Week Number 46 / November 24, 2011

November 27, 2011First Sunday of Advent

Sermon“My Heart Shall Sing of the Day You Bring”

1 Corinthians 1:3-9

First Fellowship - 8:15 a.m.Music from the First Fellowship Band

Morning Bible Study - 9:15 a.m.Bible Study for all ages

Sanctuary Worship - 10:30 a.m.Music from the Sanctuary Choir

Once In Royal David’s City – arr. Helvey

Music from the Adult Handbell Choir

Evening Activities - Missions Program5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall

Gene and Jane Roach, Southern Baptistmissionaries from Kenya will be our special

guests. The service will also provideinformation about the mission offerings.

FIRST THOuGHTSDavid Hull, Pastor

Our worship theme on Sunday mornings during Advent will be the same as the theme for the Living Christmas Tree. Based on the words from the song, “Canticle of the Turning” our theme reminds us of the heart songs that we sing in response to the special “day” that the Lord brings. This day is the birth of Jesus – it is also the second coming of Jesus. We sing in gratitude for the day that has been and in expectation for the day that is to come. My sermons during Advent will spring from the words of the refrain in this great song that our choir will be singing. As we explore these themes of Advent and Christmas, we hope that your heart

will sing as well. I look forward to beginning this holy season of Advent with you this Sunday morning in both worship services.

Refrain:My heart shall sing of the day you bring.

Let the fires of your justice burn.Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,

And the world is about to turn.

November 27 The First Sunday of Advent “My Heart Shall Sing of the Day You Bring” 1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Combined Worship Services for the month of December10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary

(First Fellowship will resume on January 1)

December 4 The Second Sunday of Advent Hanging of the Green “Let the Fires of Your Justice Burn” Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

December 11 The Third Sunday of Advent “Wipe Away All Tears” Isaiah 40:1-11

December 18 The Fourth Sunday of Advent “The World is About to Turn” Luke 1:46-55

December 25 Christmas Day “The HeartSong of Christmas” Luke 2:1-20

New Historical Marker complete November 14, 2011with help from County Commissioner Roger Jones and his crew.

fbchsv.org

ministry calendar

knowing, lov ing, serv ing Christ...together

Advent

Wednesday Night Dinner MenuWednesday, November 30

AdultsTaco Soup or Chili

Calico SaladMexican Style Cornbread Muffins

Apple Dapple Cake

SaladGrilled Chicken Salad

(Reservations for salad must be turned in by noon on Wednesday.)

STEWARDSHIP REPORT

11/20/11

Year-to-Date Goal $555,450.00

Offering

This Week $77,651.51

YTD $549,496.39

Debt Retirement

This Week $850.00

YTD $4,350.00

Faith Steps to the Future:

This Week $39,415.89

YTD $205,582.66

To Date: $3,228,534.13

www.fbchsv.org/give

ATTENDANCE

Sunday SchoolPreschool 61

Children 74

Students 115

Adults 640

Brookdale 11

Visitors 40

TOTAL 945

Worship ServicesFirst Fellowship 406

Sanctuary Worship 611

TOTAL 1017

THANK YOuA thank you note has been received from Martha

Phillips Morring. It has been placed on the bulletin board across from the church office.

Library Hours Sunday 9-9:15 AM | 10:10-10:45 AM | 11:40- 12:00 PMTuesday 10:00 AM-12:00 PMWednesday 4:00-5:00 PM

FAMILY MATTERS

OUR NEWESTDavid Isaac Hoppe-McQueen, son of Katheryn and Noah Hoppe-McQueen, born November 21, 2011. Proud grandparents are David and Lea Hoppe.

Staff Anniversary

This week we recognize Ollie Steger, one of our church’s custodial staff, for ten years of service with us at First Baptist Church. Ollie began work with us on November 1, 2001. He is responsible for cleaning and securing our church buildings on the weekends as well as cleaning all classrooms, hallways and bathrooms on the third floor. In addition to these responsibilities, Ollie assists other custodial staff as needed…he is quite busy. His careful attention to these areas allows our church and community to have a clean and comfortable place to worship and serve. Next time you see Ollie, express your words of appreciation and affirmation to him for his service among us.

Thursday, December 15, 7:30 p.m.Friday, December 16, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 17, 4:30 p.m.Saturday, December 17, 7:30 p.m.Sunday, December 18, 3:00 p.m.

(abbreviated for young children)and Sunday, December 18, 5:30 p.m.

(both Sunday performances will be interpreted for the Deaf and Hard of

Hearing)

FREE TICKETS are available by calling the LCT Ticket office at 256-428-9422 or online at

www.fbchsv.org/lct

Are you interested in helping with the Living Christmas Tree? From tree

construction, decoration, parking, and publicity; to food, tickets, ushers, and de-decking, there is a place for you! Contact the Music Office at 256-428-9421 or musicministries@fbchsv.org

Music and Worship during Advent

The Youth Choir will meet at 4:00 p.m. this Sunday, November 27

December 4 The Second Sunday of Advent 10:30 AM - Hanging of the Green, Sanctuary 5:00 PM - First Fellowship: The Christmas Session, Fellowship Hall December 11 The Third Sunday of Advent 5:00 PM- Student Night at Christmas, Chapel Led by the Youth Choir and Youth Band

Fellowship Club

December 9 at 10:00 a.m.The Hallelujah Choir will sing.

Menu: Turkey and Dressing, Mashed Potatoes, Green Peas, RollsCall JoAnn Allen at 256-534-1958 to make reservations.

Sunday, Nov. 27 First Fellowship 8:15 AM Sunday Morning Bible Study 9:15 AMSanctuary Worship 10:30 AMChildren’s Handbells 4:00 PMYouth Choir 4:00 PMYoung Adult Bible St./107 5:00 PMMission Focus Service 5:00 PMYouth FUN Nights/309-310 6:00 PM

Monday, Nov. 28MOPS/241 8:00 AMLetter Writing/242 9:00 AMHallelujah Choir/CR 10:30 AMWomen’s Circle/241A 12:00 PMBSF Classes/ Chapel, Parlor, 3rd FL 5:15 PM

Tuesday, Nov. 29Tues. Morn. Intercess./242 7:00 AMWomen on Mission/118 10 AM-1 PMHYO Classes/140-141, 241 5:00 PMForum/118 6:30 PMHSO Reh./141 7:00 PM

Wednesday, Nov. 30Supper 4:45 PMMusic & Missions 5:00 PMHanging of the Green Reh./Sanct. 5:00 PMPartnering to Remember/111 5:00 PMPrayer Meeting and Bible Study 5:30 PMLift Off/309-310 6:00 PMOrchestra/114 6:00 PMSanctuary Choir/CR 7:00 PM

Thursday, Dec. 1LCT Reh./CR 6:30 PM

LCT Tickets Monday- Friday, East Welcome Center 9:00 AM-5:00 PM

Our Sanctuary Choir is wearing NEW PURPLE CHOIR STOLES THIS

as part of our emphasison the use of theLiturgicaL calendar

Purple is the color of Royalty to welcome the

Advent of the King

Renovation Update- November 2011 The project is progressing well and remains on schedule and within budget. We appreciate everyone’s continued patience and cooperation as we work around the inconveniences necessary to bring about these wonderful new facilities. Most of the construction so far has involved digging! The new parking area in front of the church is nearly completed and ready for our use. It has received a “rough base coat” of asphalt and some temporary striping. A finish coat of asphalt and permanent striping will be applied near the completion of the project. The contractors have also been digging “footings” for the admin suite, the new gathering and student areas, and the part of the building by the chapel that will connect everything together. Footings are the deep trenches that are filled with a steel bar and concrete that the whole structure rests on. Some of ours are now deeper than originally planned because the footings on the existing building were deeper than shown on the old plans. That was one of a few “surprises” the backhoes dug up! There was also an unused diesel fuel storage tank, complete with several hundred gallons of old fuel (thankfully, no leaks in the tank.) The contractors also discovered a 16” terra-cotta (clay) drain pipe coming from the center courtyard area (shown in a different location on the old plans). That type of pipe cannot be used under the new building, and needed to be replaced with cast iron pipe. The correct iron pipe was used under the original building, which was good news for our committee to hear! Instead of these unexpected items causing major impacts, they will just become the good “remember when” stories. In coming days, the slabs will be poured, and the structure will begin to rise out of the ground. These are exciting times! Continue praying for the safety of the workers, and that this project will honor God in all ways.

FBC Building Committee

fbchsv.org

ministry calendar

knowing, lov ing, serv ing Christ...together

Advent

Wednesday Night Dinner MenuWednesday, November 30

AdultsTaco Soup or Chili

Calico SaladMexican Style Cornbread Muffins

Apple Dapple Cake

SaladGrilled Chicken Salad

(Reservations for salad must be turned in by noon on Wednesday.)

STEWARDSHIP REPORT

11/20/11

Year-to-Date Goal $555,450.00

Offering

This Week $77,651.51

YTD $549,496.39

Debt Retirement

This Week $850.00

YTD $4,350.00

Faith Steps to the Future:

This Week $39,415.89

YTD $205,582.66

To Date: $3,228,534.13

www.fbchsv.org/give

ATTENDANCE

Sunday SchoolPreschool 61

Children 74

Students 115

Adults 640

Brookdale 11

Visitors 40

TOTAL 945

Worship ServicesFirst Fellowship 406

Sanctuary Worship 611

TOTAL 1017

THANK YOuA thank you note has been received from Martha

Phillips Morring. It has been placed on the bulletin board across from the church office.

Library Hours Sunday 9-9:15 AM | 10:10-10:45 AM | 11:40- 12:00 PMTuesday 10:00 AM-12:00 PMWednesday 4:00-5:00 PM

FAMILY MATTERS

OUR NEWESTDavid Isaac Hoppe-McQueen, son of Katheryn and Noah Hoppe-McQueen, born November 21, 2011. Proud grandparents are David and Lea Hoppe.

Staff Anniversary

This week we recognize Ollie Steger, one of our church’s custodial staff, for ten years of service with us at First Baptist Church. Ollie began work with us on November 1, 2001. He is responsible for cleaning and securing our church buildings on the weekends as well as cleaning all classrooms, hallways and bathrooms on the third floor. In addition to these responsibilities, Ollie assists other custodial staff as needed…he is quite busy. His careful attention to these areas allows our church and community to have a clean and comfortable place to worship and serve. Next time you see Ollie, express your words of appreciation and affirmation to him for his service among us.

Thursday, December 15, 7:30 p.m.Friday, December 16, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 17, 4:30 p.m.Saturday, December 17, 7:30 p.m.Sunday, December 18, 3:00 p.m.

(abbreviated for young children)and Sunday, December 18, 5:30 p.m.

(both Sunday performances will be interpreted for the Deaf and Hard of

Hearing)

FREE TICKETS are available by calling the LCT Ticket office at 256-428-9422 or online at

www.fbchsv.org/lct

Are you interested in helping with the Living Christmas Tree? From tree

construction, decoration, parking, and publicity; to food, tickets, ushers, and de-decking, there is a place for you! Contact the Music Office at 256-428-9421 or musicministries@fbchsv.org

Music and Worship during Advent

The Youth Choir will meet at 4:00 p.m. this Sunday, November 27

December 4 The Second Sunday of Advent 10:30 AM - Hanging of the Green, Sanctuary 5:00 PM - First Fellowship: The Christmas Session, Fellowship Hall December 11 The Third Sunday of Advent 5:00 PM- Student Night at Christmas, Chapel Led by the Youth Choir and Youth Band

Fellowship Club

December 9 at 10:00 a.m.The Hallelujah Choir will sing.

Menu: Turkey and Dressing, Mashed Potatoes, Green Peas, RollsCall JoAnn Allen at 256-534-1958 to make reservations.

Sunday, Nov. 27 First Fellowship 8:15 AM Sunday Morning Bible Study 9:15 AMSanctuary Worship 10:30 AMChildren’s Handbells 4:00 PMYouth Choir 4:00 PMYoung Adult Bible St./107 5:00 PMMission Focus Service 5:00 PMYouth FUN Nights/309-310 6:00 PM

Monday, Nov. 28MOPS/241 8:00 AMLetter Writing/242 9:00 AMHallelujah Choir/CR 10:30 AMWomen’s Circle/241A 12:00 PMBSF Classes/ Chapel, Parlor, 3rd FL 5:15 PM

Tuesday, Nov. 29Tues. Morn. Intercess./242 7:00 AMWomen on Mission/118 10 AM-1 PMHYO Classes/140-141, 241 5:00 PMForum/118 6:30 PMHSO Reh./141 7:00 PM

Wednesday, Nov. 30Supper 4:45 PMMusic & Missions 5:00 PMHanging of the Green Reh./Sanct. 5:00 PMPartnering to Remember/111 5:00 PMPrayer Meeting and Bible Study 5:30 PMLift Off/309-310 6:00 PMOrchestra/114 6:00 PMSanctuary Choir/CR 7:00 PM

Thursday, Dec. 1LCT Reh./CR 6:30 PM

LCT Tickets Monday- Friday, East Welcome Center 9:00 AM-5:00 PM

Our Sanctuary Choir is wearing NEW PURPLE CHOIR STOLES THIS

as part of our emphasison the use of theLiturgicaL calendar

Purple is the color of Royalty to welcome the

Advent of the King

Renovation Update- November 2011 The project is progressing well and remains on schedule and within budget. We appreciate everyone’s continued patience and cooperation as we work around the inconveniences necessary to bring about these wonderful new facilities. Most of the construction so far has involved digging! The new parking area in front of the church is nearly completed and ready for our use. It has received a “rough base coat” of asphalt and some temporary striping. A finish coat of asphalt and permanent striping will be applied near the completion of the project. The contractors have also been digging “footings” for the admin suite, the new gathering and student areas, and the part of the building by the chapel that will connect everything together. Footings are the deep trenches that are filled with a steel bar and concrete that the whole structure rests on. Some of ours are now deeper than originally planned because the footings on the existing building were deeper than shown on the old plans. That was one of a few “surprises” the backhoes dug up! There was also an unused diesel fuel storage tank, complete with several hundred gallons of old fuel (thankfully, no leaks in the tank.) The contractors also discovered a 16” terra-cotta (clay) drain pipe coming from the center courtyard area (shown in a different location on the old plans). That type of pipe cannot be used under the new building, and needed to be replaced with cast iron pipe. The correct iron pipe was used under the original building, which was good news for our committee to hear! Instead of these unexpected items causing major impacts, they will just become the good “remember when” stories. In coming days, the slabs will be poured, and the structure will begin to rise out of the ground. These are exciting times! Continue praying for the safety of the workers, and that this project will honor God in all ways.

FBC Building Committee

The MESSENGER (USPS 591-280) is published weekly except the week of Christmas by

First Baptist Church, 600 Governors Drive, Huntsville, AL 35801. Periodical postage

paid at Huntsville, Alabama 31801-5178. POSTMASTER send change of address to THE

MESSENGER, 600 Governors Drive, Huntsville, AL 35801.

office: 256-428-9400

weekend minister on call: 256-428-9457

24-hour prayer line: 256-428-9460

The Messengerfbchsv.org

firsT bapTisT hunTsville

this sunday

knowing, lov ing, serv ing Christ...together

First Baptist Church

600 Governors Drive

Huntsville, AL 35801

Christmas Pictures Needed

We need pictures of your Christmas morning. If you have one or two favorite pictures from your Christmas mornings past, contact jeremy@fbchsv.org. They

will be used during our First Fellowship: A Christmas Session. Digital form is preferred, but all others are welcome.

Calling All Cooks

Our church family begins construction of the Living Christmas Tree on Sunday, December 4th and will

continue with decorating through Tuesday, December 6th. We like to provide snacks (sweet or salty) for

these workers. If you would like to help with this, please bring your goodies to the East Entrance that Sunday or

Monday morning.

Sarah Tate Angel Tree

The children from the Sarah Tate Reading Room who are still involved in our church will once again be placed

on our Angel Tree. The tree will be set up in the East Entrance this Sunday.

2011 International Missions Emphasis

Women on Mission Soup and Cornbread Lunch

Tuesday, November 29, 11:00 a.m. in room 118. Speakers are Todd and Susan Lafferty, missionaries to South

Asian peoples. Everyone is welcome to attend!

Volume 62 / Week Number 46 / November 24, 2011

November 27, 2011First Sunday of Advent

Sermon“My Heart Shall Sing of the Day You Bring”

1 Corinthians 1:3-9

First Fellowship - 8:15 a.m.Music from the First Fellowship Band

Morning Bible Study - 9:15 a.m.Bible Study for all ages

Sanctuary Worship - 10:30 a.m.Music from the Sanctuary Choir

Once In Royal David’s City – arr. Helvey

Music from the Adult Handbell Choir

Evening Activities - Missions Program5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall

Gene and Jane Roach, Southern Baptistmissionaries from Kenya will be our special

guests. The service will also provideinformation about the mission offerings.

FIRST THOuGHTSDavid Hull, Pastor

Our worship theme on Sunday mornings during Advent will be the same as the theme for the Living Christmas Tree. Based on the words from the song, “Canticle of the Turning” our theme reminds us of the heart songs that we sing in response to the special “day” that the Lord brings. This day is the birth of Jesus – it is also the second coming of Jesus. We sing in gratitude for the day that has been and in expectation for the day that is to come. My sermons during Advent will spring from the words of the refrain in this great song that our choir will be singing. As we explore these themes of Advent and Christmas, we hope that your heart

will sing as well. I look forward to beginning this holy season of Advent with you this Sunday morning in both worship services.

Refrain:My heart shall sing of the day you bring.

Let the fires of your justice burn.Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,

And the world is about to turn.

November 27 The First Sunday of Advent “My Heart Shall Sing of the Day You Bring” 1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Combined Worship Services for the month of December10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary

(First Fellowship will resume on January 1)

December 4 The Second Sunday of Advent Hanging of the Green “Let the Fires of Your Justice Burn” Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

December 11 The Third Sunday of Advent “Wipe Away All Tears” Isaiah 40:1-11

December 18 The Fourth Sunday of Advent “The World is About to Turn” Luke 1:46-55

December 25 Christmas Day “The HeartSong of Christmas” Luke 2:1-20

New Historical Marker complete November 14, 2011with help from County Commissioner Roger Jones and his crew.