Message from Dr. Rusty Brock

Christmas Magic

Pg. 2

Hanging of the Green Service & Reception

November 30 6:00 PM

Pg. 4

Message from Dr. Rusty Brock…………………………………….………….…...pg. 2

Congregational Life…………………………………………………………………......pgs. 3-7

FBC on Mission……………………………………………………………………………..pg. 8

Senior Adults Ministry — Ecclesia……………..………………………………...pg. 9

Youth & Preteen News………………………………………………………………...pg. 10

Kids for Christ & Preschool News……...……………………….…..……….…..pg. 11

Music News……...………………………………………………………………………….pg. 12

Earth Care Ministry…………………………………………………………………...…pg. 13

December Calendar of Special Events & Ministry Meetings….….....pg. 14

Serving………………………………………………………………………………………...pg. 15

January Calendar of Special Events..…………………………………………….pg. 16

Highlighted Inside This Issue

Volume XLII December 2014 Number 11

THE TIE

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Getting it Right

Christmas Magic

I love the Christmas season and although I hope our culture will still "carve"

out a place for Thanksgiving, I will be ready to "deck the halls" a soon as I

have my first sandwich from the leftover turkey. Then again, "decking

the halls," means getting in the attic and pulling out all the Christmas

decorations, re-arranging the attic, putting away the "regular" nicknacks that

have to be moved, and untangling the strands of lights that tangle

themselves no matter how you put them away. Yes, the tedious and often

frustrating work that is required to usher in the Christmas season does

temper my eagerness and give me pause to delay this annual season of

Yuletide.

I know from previous years that there will be that moment of truth, when I

walk upstairs, open the attic door, take a deep breath, and venture into the

land of Narnia, I mean Christmas boxes. Once inside, regardless of the

work, the magic (is that another word for insanity) of Christmas will

envelop me and our house will be transformed and our spirits will become

lost in a world where Angles sing, stars shine brighter, trees sparkle, and

reindeer fly. So even though the thought of opening the attic door and

entering the abyss of Christmas boxes might be making you weary already,

trust the magic and miracle that lies within and comes alive in our hearts

each year.

Grace & Peace,

Rusty

Seeking Following Serving

First Baptist Church Welcomes Our New Members

First Baptist Church of Clemson - CONGREGATIONAL LIFE

We welcome into our church membership Carson Dooley. He is the son of Mary Dooley and his grandparents are Larry & Susie Dooley. Carson joins on Profession of Faith. His deacon is Kelly Durham.

Joined 11/09/14

It passed like the blink of an eye. Back in 2007, we called a new pastor. He and his family arrived for the beginning of Advent, a time of great celebration for our Church and our faith. It is the Advent season once again. This year, in addition to our celebration of the Christ Child, we also mark the seventh anniversary of the arrival in Clemson of Rusty, Kerry, Peyton and Kathryn Brock. While Rusty’s leadership has been most visible, from guiding us through a complex visioning process to helping us grow our budget and expand our outreach, Kerry, Peyton and Kathryn have been busy making their own contributions to our congregation. Kerry serves as a shepherd with children and is co-chair of the Arts Enrichment Team. Peyton is active in our Youth ministry and serves as a worship instrumentalist. Kathryn stays busy with our Children’s

program and helps light our way as an acolyte. Happy Anniversary to Rusty, Kerry, Peyton and Kathryn. Thanks for the many gifts you share with all of us and for the difference you make!

We welcome into our church membership Matthew McCaskill. He is the son of Rock & Cecila McCaskill. Matthew joins on Profession of Faith. His deacon is Kelly Durham.

Joined 11/16/14

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Wednesday, December 10 2 PM TO 4 PM You're Invited

2014 Christmas Drop-in Clemson Downs — Ernie Corley Activities Center

In lieu of our First Sunday lunch, please join us for a Christmas Banquet at 6:00 PM in the FLC. Chef Louis will provide two scrumptious meal options:

Option 1. Boneless Chicken Breasted topped w/Honey Dijon Cream Sauce Option 2. Salmon Filet topped w/Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing

Option 3. Children’s Menu, Chicken Fingers

Served with baked potato, green beans, salad, rolls and red velvet cake w/cream cheese topping.

Please choose from one of the two options listed above. Families are also asked to sign up and decorate a table. We hope you and your family will join us as we celebrate the season together. Entertainment will be provided by FBC Musicians.

Please make reservations by Wednesday, December 3. Childcare will be available for children 4 years old and younger, contact Lauren Evans.

Sign up sheets will be available throughout the month or you may call the church office to RSVP.

Sunday night, November 30 at 6:00 PM we will adorn our sanctuary for the Advent season during our annual Hanging of the Green Service. The intent of this service is to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of the Christ child. Invite your family and friends to attend this unique service as we begin the Advent season. Immediately following the service the Social Ministry Team will be hosting a church-wide fellowship in the Family Life Center. Church members are asked to bring cookies, small sandwiches, chips & dips, cheese ball & crackers, or individual dessert (sweet or salty). Please bring these items to the church the morning or the afternoon before the service on the 1st. Make sure all items brought in are on a serving tray.

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CHRISTMAS MEMORIALS If you would like to donate a poinsettia in honor of or in memory of a loved one, please call the church office. You may write your check for $8.00, which covers the cost of the plant, to First Baptist Church. Donations and written information to be placed in the bulletin must be received by Friday, December 12. A listing of donors will be printed in the worship bulletin on Sunday, December 21.

The Service at the Downs will be held o n W e d n e s d a y ,

December 3 at 11:00 AM.

Service at the Downs

CONGREGATIONAL LIFE

at 6PM

Church-wide

Sunday, December 7

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Midweek Ministries Join us each Wednesday evening starting at 5:00 PM for our Midweek Meal & Ministry.

Menus for Midweek Meal: December 3 Boneless chicken breast topped with an orange marmalade vinaigrette dressing, macaroni & cheese, yellow rice, salad, rolls, and German Chocolate Cake. December 10 Italian sausage, onions, and peppers in a red sauce over linguine, salad, garlic bread, lime or orange sherbet. December 17 Baked ham sweet potatoes, broccoli casserole, salad, rolls, and apple cobbler w/vanilla ice cream.

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12/3 - "Christmas Tree or Christmas Treason" by Gene Wilder from his book Magic and Mangers

2

12/10 - "Charlie's Blanket" by Wendy Miller from the book Christmas in My Heart, compiled by Joe Wheeler

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12/17 - "Christmas Cards" by Ace Collins from the book Stories Behind The Great Traditions of Christmas.

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Wednesday Night Suppers resume January 7th

Adult Discipleship Join us as Rusty shares Christmas stories that unwrap

our hearts and offer us the gift of Bethlehem.

CONGREGATIONAL LIFE

Women’s Christmas Breakfast Sunday, December 21

The Women's Annual Christmas Breakfast will be Sunday, December

21st. Come and have fellowship around the tables during this time of

Christmas celebration. Doors will open at 8:30 AM. Women of all ages

are welcome. Call the church office to make your reservation.

Wednesday December 24

Thursday, December 25

Friday, December 26

Wednesday, December 31 closes at noon

Will be available for pickup

outside the church office in the

Welcome Center by Monday,

December 8.

Monday Morning Bible Study

Monday, December 8 @ 9:30 AM (#212)

Sarah Cooper Group

Tuesday, December 16 @ 3:00 PM (At the home of Sallie Box)

Sarah Cooper Group

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We hope you and your family

will be present for this special

service of celebrating the birth of

Christ.

Dr. Rusty Brock will present A

Christmas Eve Story.

Childcare will be available

starting at 5:45 PM.

CONGREGATIONAL LIFE

English as a Second Language (ESL) Tuesday, December 2 @ 10:00 AM (Basement) English as a Second Language (ESL) Tuesday, December 9 @ 10:00 AM (Basement)

English as a Second Language (ESL)

Christmas Party hosted by WMU Groups

Tuesday, December 16 @ 11:00 AM (Basement)

No Sunday School Sunday, December 28

All childcare volunteers and workers should arrive at 10:00 AM. Sunday School Class rooms will be open for those who would like to meet.

Pickleball

Monday, December 8

6-8PM

Family Life Center

Come join us. All games are

open play.

All ages welcomed!

Volleyball

December 27—January 1

Family Life Center

Come join us. All games are

open play.

All ages welcomed!

A Note From Al Fitch...

WEIGHT LOSS MANAGEMENT

The last three years have flown by, and I’ve enjoyed them all. As I am

beginning my fourth year as FBC’s volunteer counselor, it dawned on me

that some of the things I used as a school counselor can also be used with

adults. One of those things is weight loss management. With overweight

teens, I used a “One Percent Plan”. One percent of anything is not much,

and if a person tries to just lose one percent of his overweight at a time, he

is much more apt to gradually lose the weight he wants to lose, and keep it

off, because this allows your body’s “set weight” to gradually go down as

you lose weight. Most weight loss plans take off the weight too fast, and

when they reach their goal, people often experience a bounce right back to

their old weight, with maybe just a bit more than before, because their body

has a “set weight” that it unconsciously wants to maintain. My job with the

teens was to be their “Cheering Section”, and to encourage them to keep

at it, and give some helpful pointers along the way.

If this sounds like something you would be interested in, give me a call a

654-1578, or email me at n2650lima@yahoo.com, and I’ll be glad to explain

to you how it works. In the meantime, I currently have time to work with

new counselees, and my specialties are marriage and family counseling. All

counseling is free, is done only at FBC, and full confidentiality.

CONGREGATIIONAL LIFE

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FBC ON MISSION

CLEMSON COMMUNITY CARE Holiday Meals

Beginning November 17th through the Christmas season, CCC is distributing holiday food to members

of our community. Items needed for a holiday meal are (frozen turkeys, stuffing mix, corn muffin mix, pie crust mix, flour, sugar, pumpkin or fruit pie filling, canned fruit, cranberry sauce, chicken broth, corn, green beans, and evaporated milk.) CCC would greatly appreciate all donations. We will need everyone's help to provide these holiday meals for the many needy families in our community.

Second Helpings

Sunday, December 14 is Second

Helpings Sunday. The following

items are needed by Clemson

Community Care:

Canned meat, canned fish, canned vegetables, juice, dried beans, pork and beans, powdered or canned milk, oatmeal, macaroni pasta and mac and cheese dinners, cereal, flour and cornmeal.

January 11—17, 2015 First Baptist Church will host

families from Family Promise.

Upcoming Ecclesia Events Mark these dates on your calendar!

SENIOR ADULT MINISTRIES

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Kudos to Becky Jo and Ed Clark! They opened their beautiful beach home for the first 3 weeks in November to four groups of Ecclesia members—each for a 4-night/5-day stay. Those of us

who spent time with the Clarks or the Cox’s at the home were so fortunate.

When we arrived, we were welcomed with a big bowl of homemade chili, and each day we had excursions to sites in the surrounding area. The sunrises were so beautiful, the

company and fellowship were superb, and it all ended too quickly.

Many thanks, Becky Jo and Ed, for a wonderful getaway!

Senior Follies The Senior Follies are coming in March!!! Crossie is ordering 40 tickets for the Follies which are scheduled for March 19th- March 22nd, 2015. More information to come.

What’s been happening?

Upcoming Events for

January:

Midweek Ministries begin

Wednesday, January 7

Sunday evening activities resume January 11

December Church Schedule

Sunday School at 9:15 AM &

Wo r s h i p a t 1 0 : 3 0AM

(December 7, 14, & 21)

Wednesday Night Bible studies

(December 3, 10, 17) at 6:00

PM

Wednesday, December 24

Christmas Eve Service 6:00

PM

Youth Christmas Party

Friday, December 19 from 4:00 PM to Saturday, December 20 at 8 AM

We will join with the youth from Trinity Baptist Church for games, worship, food, and service during

this lock-in.

Worship Participatio

n

Youth Choir to lead in worship on

Sunday, December 7!

Maddy Swedberg and Elizabeth

Walden will be sharing their

gift of dance in worship

during this Advent Season

YOUTH NEWS—TIFFANY HAMILTON

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CHILDREN - LAUREN EVANS & PRESCHOOL—BECKY DEWITT

Mission Friends During December, our Mission Friends will continue to learn about the town

of Emmaus, South Africa. Families live in mud brick homes on one to two

acres of land, which they borrow from a Zulu king. Due in large part to the

HIV/AIDS epidemic and the spread of tuberculosis, there are more than 4.5

million orphans in the country of South Africa. Through stories and activities,

preschoolers will extend their compassion and perspective as they think

about the experiences of orphaned children and those who seek to care for

them.

In January Mission Friends will hear stories about children living in the

colonias near the Texas-Mexican border and about the CBF partnerships that

share God's love with them. The pre-schoolers will learn that when they love

God with their whole hearts, they will want to share that love with others.

Fellowship and Service On Wednesday evening, December 3rd, the Children are going Christmas Caroling at Clemson Downs!

We will meet at church and have supper in the FLC beginning at 5:00pm. We will load the bus at 5:40pm, and return to church by 7:00pm.

KFC Midweek Ministry We will meet for our Wednesday evening Supper

and Bible Study on December 10th and 17th. 5-6pm – Supper in the FLC

6-7pm – Bible Study in Room 206 We will resume our Midweek Ministry in the

New Year on Wednesday, January 7th.

KFC on Sunday Nights – Change of Schedule

We will not have our regular Sunday

evening activities during the month of

December.

We will resume Sunday evening Bible

Study and Choir Practice in the New

Year on Sunday, January 11th

.

Preschool News During our recent Sunday Fun Day, the preschoolers heard the story, "The Mitten", by Jan Brett. They also helped set up our mitten tree in the preschool area. We ask that children (and anyone else who would like to help), bring mittens or socks of any size to decorate the tree. These items will be donated on Wednesday, December 17, to a Greenville char-i t y t h a t a s s i s t s the homeless.

Have a Saw? The Children’s Ministry needs several 2x4s

cut into blocks.

The children will use these blocks to make a manger scene.

Contact Lauren if you are able to help. 654-2347 or leevans@g.clemson.edu

Hanging of the Green On Sunday, November 30th, the

children will sing and take part

in the Hanging of the Greens’

Service at 6pm. What a gift it

will be to hear their voices, and decorate our

church together!

Kids' Night IN / Parents' Night OUT!

Who: Children (Infants-5th grade)

What: Children's Gift Night & Christmas Party (Parents' Date Night)

When: Friday, December 12th, 5:30pm-8:30pm

Where: FBC Children’s Chapel and Nursery Area

$5 per child / $10 per family

Signup and pay by Friday, December 5th.

Questions? Contact Lauren Evans, leevans@g.clemson.edu

Buttons Have any buttons that you don’t need? We could use them for a craft on Children’s Gift Night!

Please bring them to the church office by Friday, December 5th.

Old Puzzles Have any old puzzles that you don’t need? It’s ok if pieces are missing.

Please bring them to the church office by Friday,

December 5th. 11

MUSIC NEWS

12

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How many commercials for Christmas shopping did you see before Thanksgiving this year? Or even before Halloween? How many catalogs have stuffed your mailbox? Just how much STUFF do we need to buy??? Not to mention fancy paper or bags to put it all in? Try something different -- and simpler -- this year. (Or next year, if you shopped early.) For those on your list who are beyond the "toy" stage, send a gift somewhere in the world where it is actually needed. Samaritan's Purse, Heifer International, and World Vision all provide opportunities to help the truly needy with life-saving supplies. World Vision even includes people here in the US. Plus you will be giving a gift to the earth by NOT using paper and synthetic bows as wrapping and gas while shopping. Let Heaven and Nature sing!

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Image by goggle.com

Monday, December 1 *Men Morning Bible Study at 7:30 AM (#102) *Monday Night Men’s Basketball at 7:30 PM (FLC) Tuesday, December 2 *ESL (English Second Language) at 10:00 AM (Basement) *Clemson Christmas Parade at 6:00PM (Downtown Clemson) Wednesday, December 3 *Service at the Downs at 11:00 AM (Clemson Downs) *Midweek Fellowship Supper at 5:00 PM (FLC) *Midweek Ministry Programs at 6:00 PM *Children Christmas Caroling at 6:00PM (Clemson Downs) *Christmas Choir Rehearsal at 7:00 PM (Choir Room) Thursday, December 4 *ROMEO (Retired Old Men Eat Out) at 8:30 AM (Dyar’s Restaurant) *Cooperative Student Fellowship at 6:45 PM (FLC) Sunday, December 7 *Sunday Diners at 11:30 AM (Dyar’s Restaurant) *4th –5th Grade to Downtown Greenville at 11:30AM *Leadership Council at 12:45 PM (OCR) *Church-wide Christmas Banquet at 6:00 PM (FLC) Monday, December 8 *Men Morning Bible Study at 7:30 AM (#102) *Monday Morning Bible Study at 9:30 AM (Room #212) *Pickleball at 6:00PM (FLC) *Monday Night Men’s Basketball at 7:30 PM (FLC) Tuesday, December 9 *ESL (English Second Language) at 10:00 AM (Basement) Wednesday, December 10 *Christmas Party at the Downs at 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM (Ernie Corley Center—Clemson Downs) *Midweek Fellowship Supper at 5:00 PM (FLC) *Midweek Ministry Programs at 6:00 PM *Christmas Choir Rehearsal at 7:00 PM (Choir Room) Thursday, December 11 *ROMEO (Retired Old Men Eat Out) at 8:30 AM (Dyar’s Restaurant) *CEC Christmas Program at 5:00PM (FLC) *Trent Sunday School Christmas Party at 6:00 PM (Basement) Friday, December 12 *Children’s Gift Night (Parents’ Night Out) at 5:30PM to 8:30 PM (FLC) Saturday, December 13 *Christmas Choir Rehearsal at 6:00 PM (Sanctuary) Sunday, December 14 *Christmas Choir presents—God Is With Us at 10:00AM (FLC) *Sunday Diners at 11:30 AM (Dyar’s Restaurant) *Personnel Ministry Team at 5:00 PM (#102) Monday, December 15 *Men Morning Bible Study at 7:30 AM (#102) *Monday Night Men’s Basketball at 7:30 PM (FLC)

Tuesday, December 16 *ESL (English Second Language) at 10:00 AM (Basement) *ESL & WMU Christmas Luncheon at 11:30 AM (Basement) *Sarah Cooper Group at 3:00 PM at (Ernie Corley Center, Clemson Downs) Wednesday, December 17 *Midweek Fellowship Supper at 5:00 PM (FLC) *Midweek Ministry Programs at 6:00 PM Thursday, December 18 *ROMEO (Retired Old Men Eat Out) at 8:30 AM (Dyar’s Restaurant) *Arrington Sunday School Christmas Party at 5:00PM (FLC) Friday, December 19 *Youth Christmas Party Lock-in & OCC Distribution Center Sunday, December 21 *Women’s Ministry Christmas Breakfast at 8:00AM (FLC) Monday, December 22 *Men Morning Bible Study at 7:30 AM (#102) *Monday Night Men’s Basketball at 7:30 PM (FLC) Wednesday, December 24 *Church Office Closed *Childcare available at 5:45 PM *Christmas Eve Service at 6:00 PM (Sanctuary) Thursday, December 25 *Church Office Closed Friday, December 26 *Church Office Closed *Volleyball—Open Play (FLC) Sunday, December 28 *No Sunday School *Sunday Diners at 11:30 AM (Dyar’s Restaurant) *Volleyball—Open Play (FLC) Monday, December 29 *Volleyball—Open Play (FLC) *Men Morning Bible Study at 7:30 AM (#102) *Monday Night Men’s Basketball at 7:30 PM (FLC) Tuesday, December 30 *Volleyball—Open Play (FLC) *Church Office Closes at 12:00 PM Wednesday, December 31 *Volleyball—Open Play (FLC) *Church Office Closes at 12:00 PM

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THOSE SERVING SUNDAYS IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER

DEACON ON CALL

Rob Hubbard December 7 653-4615

Jerry Kerns December 14 907-0009

Tom Dickens December 21 886-9237

Lana Todd December 28 882-6032

EXTENDED CARE WORKERS

December 7

Jason & Erin Richardson Caroline McDowell

December 14 Mike & Stephanie Moore

Andrea Acorn

December 21 George Bennett Nancy Bennett

December 28 Joy Boatwright

Harriet Simmons

ORDINANCE COMMUNION December

Tim & Bev Sevick Johnny & Karol Williams

ORDINANCE BAPTISM December

Tim & Bev Sevick Johnny & Karol Williams

CHILDREN’S WORSHIP

December 7

Teresa Jones Jane Gilbert

December 14 Judith White Susie Dooley

December 21 Irene Hinson Bill Wooten

December 28 Roger and Linda White

HEAD USHER & UNLOCKING DOORS December 7 December 14 George Bennett Craig Williams December 21 December 28 Chuck Lee Frank Cox

DECEMBER ACOLYTES Kathryn Brock

Maggie Simmons

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Sunday, January 4 This Sunday the church family will gather in the FLC after worship for a covered dish luncheon. This will be a wonderful opportunity to interact with other members, students, and visitors. The main course will be sausage with peppers and onions. Church members are asked to bring side dishes and desserts.

Church-wide Luncheon

The 2015 Flower Calendar is open to place flowers in the Sanctuary: The Flower Request Forms for 2015 are available outside the church office

in the Welcome Area. If you are interested in placing flowers in the church,

please fill out a form and return it to the green flower box.

Open Flower Dates

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2015 Deacon Officers Bill Swedberg, Chair

Lana Todd, Vice Chair Gail Marion, Secretary

Thursday, January 1 Church Office Closed

Sunday, January 4 Church-wide Luncheon

January 5 - 16 Holy Land Trip

Wednesday, January 7 Service at the Downs

Midweek Ministries begins

Thursday, January 8 Cooperative Study Fellowship (CSF) begins

January 11 U18 Sunday night activities begins

January 11—17 Family Promise

Sunday, January 18 Deacon Ordination Service

Wednesday, January 14 Quarterly Business Meeting

Tuesday, January 20 Sarah Cooper Mission Focus & Bible Study

@ 3PM (Ernie Corley Center)

Wednesday, January 21 Cord Classes begin

Tuesday, January 27 Seekers Group (at the home of Gail Marion)

QUARTERLY BUSINESS

MEETING REPORTS The Fourth Quarterly Business Meeting will be held

on Wednesday, January 14 at 6:00 PM. Reports

are due in the church office by Thursday,

January 1. Please email your report to Donna at

fbccsc@aol.com.