First Edition ▪ December 2012

$20,000

Christmas Benevolence Traditionally, the Community Food Bank has provided the items to prepare a Christmas dinner, and Sunday School classes have adopted some of the families with gifts. This year will be a little different. Individual church members or families can visit the “Angel Tree,” which will be located in the Fellowship Hall and choose a paper ornament that will include an identification number and a couple of items from a child’s wish list. By taking the ornament, you are committing to provide the gifts for that child. Please return the unwrapped gifts along with the identification tag to the church office by Sunday, December 16. The Community Food Bank will still be providing groceries to prepare the holiday meal. If you have questions regarding this missions project, please contact Jenni Cunningham or Joy Baker at 770/964-1431.

Monday, December 24 5:00 p.m.

Communion will be served.

The Pastor’s Desk Rev. Justin Terrell, Pastor ▪ justin@fbcfairburn.com

Reading Toward The Finish Line

The month of December marks the final month of the year when we celebrate our Lord's birth at Christmas. December is also the month that our church-wide Bible reading challenge comes to a close. This past January, I was so proud to have over a hundred of you commit to reading the entire Bible in 2012. We provided you with various Bible reading plans and you signed commitment cards to the Lord that you would faithfully read His entire Word. I trust that you have kept your commitments and have grown in knowledge and faithfulness as a result of reading all of God's Word.

As this year comes to a close and your Bible reading is finishing up, I want to encourage you to finish strong and complete what you started this past January. There may be some of you who have fallen behind, but I want to urge you to take time to make up lost ground and finish. For those who finish the entire Bible by the end of the year, we are hosting a special celebration dinner in mid-January to honor you for this wonderful achievement. You do not want to miss this evening. Be looking for an RSVP form in the bulletin in mid-December. I am so proud of you! You are almost finished. The finish line is in sight. Let's finish reading in faithfulness unto God.

Music Ministry Donny Thomas, Interim Worship Pastor ▪ donny@fbcfairburn.com

Greetings Church Family, December is here. This month is about so much more than shopping. As it is fun to give gifts, as well as receive, the greatest gift is Jesus. The Children’s Musical Celebration will be on Sunday, December 2, at 6:00 p.m. Then, come and celebrate with us on December 9 as the church is presenting the story of the birth of Jesus Christ as read from the book of Luke. Thank you to the Adult choir, handbells, set builders, drama personnel, and others for your hard work and preparation. This has been a great year! Also, don't forget our Christmas Eve service on the 24.

Music Ministry Schedule Sundays

11:00 a.m. Celebration Choir in Worship

4:00 p.m. Awakening Rehearsal

5:00 p.m. Handbell Rehearsal

Wednesdays

5:30 - 6:15 p.m. Children’s Choir & Student Choir

6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Life Group - Worship Matters Celebration Choir Rehearsal

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Deck the Halls with bows of Horry Fa-Ra-Ra-Ra-Ra-Ra-Ra! One of my favorite Christmas movies of all time is the “Christmas Story,” you know the movie about Ralphie and his Red Ryder B-B Gun? I always look forward to watching that movie and seeing Ralphie go through so much just for a toy. But it also reminds me of the world we live in, where we get caught up in shopping and presents… we forget that the reason we celebrate Christmas is because of Jesus! He is the most precious gift that any of us could receive! This holiday season, let us remember what Christmas is truly about; be thankful for Christ and the gift of eternal life that He offers.

Don’t forget students who are going to the Move Conference (December 28 and 29): That you must be paid up in full by Sunday, December 18, please see Russell Aguirre for info on your remaining balance. Also if you would like to go but didn’t sign up please see Russell Aguirre for information on a few spots available but please remember you will have to pay a late fee of $30. If you have any questions regarding the Move Conference Trip please see or contact Russell Aguirre.

4:12 Student Ministry Weekly Schedule: Sundays: 9:45 a.m. Connection Wednesdays: 5:30 p.m. Student Choir Wednesdays: 6:15 p.m. SOULED OUT

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! As we approach Thanksgiving and Christmas let us be sure to take time and thank God for everything He has blessed us with. We all have so much we can and should be thankful for. One is for what He “provides” for us every day! One night this month during Kids For Christ, the children learned about being “thankful” but also about giving to others. I’d also like to welcome Charli Eason, our new Children’s Associate. We are excited to have her join our church staff and look forward to seeing how God will use her when ministering to the children of FBC! Let us support her and pray for her ministry.

Don’t forget children and parents, that there are a lot of exciting events planned for the month of December, so please mark these dates on your calendar…

December 30th: I Love New Year’s Eve Lock-in! Join us this year for the I Love New Year’s Eve Lock-in here at FBC! This lock in will start at 7:00 p.m. and will end at 8:00 a.m. on December 31. Children definitely don’t want to miss this night! RSVP to Charli Eason for this event by December 23; cost for this event is $15 per kid, but don’t let money be an issue.

Children’s Weekly Schedule: Sundays: Children’s Sunday School - 9:45 a.m. Children’s Church - During Most Morning Services Wednesdays: Children’s Choir - 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Kids For Christ - 6:15 to 7:30 p.m.

Children’s Ministry ▪ Grades 1-5

Rev. Russell Aguirre, Student Pastor ▪ russell@fbcfairburn.com Charli Eason, Children’s Associate ▪ charli@fbcfairburn.com

Student News ▪ Grades 6-12 Rev. Russell Aguirre, Student Pastor ▪ russell@fbcfairburn.com

Greetings Church Family!

Words cannot express how truly excited I am to be the children's associate at FBC Fairburn! I love working with your children and am looking forward to seeing how God works in their hearts, this ministry, and our church! One verse that has really been on my heart recently is Hebrews 10:23. "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful". I am so thankful for God's faithfulness and am excited to see how He will be glorified as we seek Him first and hold to his truth! I'm looking forward serving with you all!

Charli

Super Supper is on Wednesday evenings from 5:00 to 5:45 p.m. The cost is $6 for adults and $4 for children with an immediate family maximum of $20. Reservations must be made by Monday at noon.

December 5 - Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Creamed Corn, Mixed Bread, Salad, Chocolate Éclair

December 12 - Barbecue Pork, Brunswick Stew, Cole Slaw, Roll, Salad, Blackberry Cobbler

The meals will resume on January 9, 2013.

Information for Members Only

December 2012 ▪ First Baptist Church of Fairburn ▪ 770/964-1431 First Baptist Church of Fairburn exists to worship Christ, grow in His word, serve His church, and reach our community!

WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE 5:00 p.m. Super Supper 5:30 p.m. Children’s & Student Choirs 6:00 p.m. Prayer Meeting (FH), Preschool Activities Worship Matters LG, 6:15 p.m. Souled Out (Youth), Kids For Christ 6:30 p.m. Life Group Classes

OTHER WEEKLY EVENTS

TUESDAYS 7:00 p.m. ESL Classes

THURSDAYS 1:15 p.m. The Silver Chords

FRIDAYS 6:30 a.m. Prayer Breakfast

SUNDAY SCHEDULE 8:30 a.m. Library Open 9:00 a.m. Coffee & Donuts, Orchestra Practice, Prayer 9:00 a.m. Orchestra Practice 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Morning Worship & Hispanic Service 4:00 p.m. Awakening 5:00 p.m. Handbell Rehearsal 6:00 p.m. Evening Worship

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30 31

11:00a Mary Amoss WOM

11:30a Jolly Elders’ Deacon Sponsored Luncheon

7:00p Mae Cook WOM

12:00p Gleaners Party

Evening Live Nativity

Merry Christmas!

Church Office Closed

5:00p Christmas Eve Service

Church Office Closed

No Activities

11:00a Special Guest, Bill Barker

6:00p Children’s Music

10:30a Open Door Class Brunch

10:00a “Latte Moon and More”

5:00p The Way Class Party

No Evening Service

Children’s Event - Lock-in

9:45a Preschool & Children’s Christmas Event

6:00p Celebration Choir & Drama Ministry’s Presentation

December 2-9 - Week of Prayer for International Missions

5:00p The Joy Class Party

Join A Group!Join A Group!Join A Group!Join A Group! Mae Cook WOM

Tuesday, December 4 ▪ 7:00 p.m. ▪ Fellowship Hall

Mary Amoss WOM Thursday, December 20 ▪ 11:00 a.m. ▪ Fellowship Hall

Young Ladies WOM Join us on January 28.

Women on Mission Be Obedient -

Be His Heart, His Hands, His Voice

Week of Prayer, December 2 - 9, 2012 Focus Scripture: Matthew 16: 24-25

(HCSB)

“Then Jesus said to His disciples,

‘If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny

himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For

whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but

whoever loses his life because of Me will find it.’”

Pastors brave threats and bombs in the Himalayas. In Central Asia, an IMB doctor's greatest concern isn't for safety, but that his ministry will make a difference for the Kingdom. A worker in war-torn Somalia of the 90's knew he would have to be willing to die for Jesus and spend years learning why believers in persecution grow unimaginably strong in the faith. Engaging people groups in the hard places comes with risk and sacrifices for all who obediently choose to be His heart, His hands, His voice. Most of us aren't persecuted because of our faith, but we need to be in prayer for those who are--not that persecution will end, but that believers in persecution will stay courageous and bold. Giving is also a call to obedience and sacrifice. The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering enables IMB missionaries to live and work at the forefront of lostness and extend our witness through their full-time ministry. Each of us and our churches are called to take the next step in our obedience so that Christ is glorified and to ask "What am I doing and what is my church doing to Be Obedient--to BE His hearts, hands, and voice, no matter the cost?" Week of Prayer: Day 1: Egypt Day 2: Embracing the Unengaged Day 3: Nepal Day 4: Beijing, China Day 5: Believers in persecution Day 6: Songhai of West Africa Day 7: Central Asia Day 8: Lottie Moon: The Call to obedience and sacrifice

2012 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering National Goal: $175 million Our Church Goal: $20,000

Week of Prayer for International Missions: Lottie Moon, Day 8. Called to Obedience By Erich Bridges Born into privilege on a pre-Civil War plantation in Virginia, rambunctious young Lottie Moon received the best education money could buy. But the difference between the fine words she heard from adults and the realities of plantation life troubled her. She once wrote home to the Foreign Mission Board, "Please say to the missionaries, they are coming to a life of hardship, responsibility, and constant self-denial." That has not deterred the thousands who have followed Lottie's example during these 100 years since her death--going just as boldly, obediently, and sacrificially. "You have such a love and burden for the people that there is a certain amount of trust you have to give away to God," says a modern-day missionary in East Asia. "It's hard . . . to let go." But God gave this young woman a clear "Yes, this is where I want you to go." And, like Lottie, she's dependent on Southern Baptists' gifts to support her. Lottie said it best more than 100 years ago: "How many there are . . . who imagine that because Jesus paid it all, they need pay nothing, forgetting that the prime object of their salvation was that they should follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ in bringing back a lost world to God." She followed to the end--and changed history. A new generation will change it again. Pray Southern Baptists would obediently be His heart, His hands, and His voice until the last people group on earth hears His name. Source: "Missions Mosaic." WMU. Birmingham, Alabama.

Party on! The following parties have been placed on the church calendar. Please contact the Sunday School teacher or ministry leader if you have questions. December 1 - Gleaners December 3 - Open Door December 6 - The Way Class December 8 - WMU’s “Latte Moon and More” December 14 - The Joy Class December 14 or 15 - Common Ground December 16 - Preschool & Children’s Sunday School Party December 18 - Staff Event

This year our Women’s Ministry & WOM ladies will be sponsoring our Christmas Post Office. Mail Christmas

greetings to active attendees. (If cards are made for inactive members, there is no guarantee that the cards will be received.) Alphabetize your cards, wrap them in small bundles, and place cards in or near the mailbox located in the downstairs hallway next to the Sanctuary. Place your

contribution in an envelope and drop it in the mailbox.

All donations are given to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.

Bible Reading Celebration! For those who made a commitment to read the Bible through in 2012, have you stayed current? Just a few more weeks to reach your goal! A celebration is being planned for Saturday, January 12, at 5:00 p.m. for those who have reached this achievement! Please contact the church office at 770/964-1431 to make your reservation. Remember this is only for the individuals who participated and not a family event; however, child

care can be available, so notify the church office.

January 1 - Happy New Year! Church Office Closed. January 6 - Sunday School Teachers and Workers’ Breakfast Meeting at 8:30 a.m. January 9 - Wednesday Night Activities Resume January 10 - Jolly Elders’ Covered Dish Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. January 12 - Bible Reading Celebration at 5:00 p.m. January 14 - Men’s Ministry at 6:30 p.m. January 15 - Ladies Night Out at Cracker Barrel in Fairburn at 6:30 p.m. January 17 - Mary Amoss WOM at 11:00 a.m. January 22 - Church Council & Finance Committee Meetings at 5:00 p.m.

The Common Ground Sunday school class is collecting new and gently used coats and jackets to be shared with those in need this winter. Please place your donations in the box in the back corner of the Fellowship Hall or bring

to the church office during the week.

First Baptist Church of Fairburn, Georgia 23 Malone Street SE Fairburn, Georgia 30213

770/964-1431 ▪ www.fbcfairburn.com

NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT NO. 4 FAIRBURN, GA

Rev. Justin Terrell Pastor

Rev. Russell Aguirre Interim Student Pastor

Donny Thomas Interim Worship Leader

Judy Crumley Music Associate & Pianist

Rev. Paul Vasquez Spanish Pastor

Charli Eason Children’s Associate

Joy Baker Ministry Assistant

Jenni Cunningham Receptionist

Mildred Cook Organist

Return Address Service Requested

Performances will be each night at 6:30, 7:15, and 8:00 p.m.