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December 14, 2022

Dear Friends,

The Advent Conspiracy is giving each one of us something to think about this season. How are you approaching Advent and Christmas differently? Have you shared the tenets (worship fully, spend less, give more, and love all) with someone?

Conference Results

In addition to hearing reports on the ministries and activities of the church over the past year, attendees at the Church Conference on December 11 unanimously passed the 2023 budget and approved the Nominating Committee's recommended committee leaders for next year. If you missed the conference but would like to review the reports, please contact Lisa in the Church office.

Quiet Christmas

Christmas can be difficult for those who miss loved ones. If you are remembering someone dear to your heart this season, we invite you to join us for this special service to reflect, worship, and pray on the longest night of the year. The service begins at 6:00 pm. in Bramblett Chapel on December 21.

Christmas Eve Service

Bring your family to this traditional candlelight Christmas Eve service at 5:00 p.m. on December 24 as we anticipate once again the birth of the Savior. Childcare will be provided for this service for ages birth through 3 years.

Christmas Day

One-Church Service

Celebrate the birth of the newborn King with us on December 25th in Morgan Hall at 10:30 a.m.! As this service will be a One-Church service, we will not have Sunday school. Note that childcare will not be available for this service.

Journey in Grace Membership Class

If you are curious about FBC, or if you are considering membership at the church, please plan to join us for the next Journey in Grace class on January 8th at 10:15 a.m. in the Heritage Room.

Attention Campers!

Are you registered for our FBC Camping/Glamping trips?

February 19-23, 2023:

George L. Smith State Park



October 8-11, 2023:

Cloudland Canyon State Park 

Email Ellee if you are registered,

so she can plan the FBC meal for

one of the camping nights.

Journey to the

North Pole

Sam Knox will be leading this session TONIGHT at 6 p.m. in the FBC Gym. The cost will be $15 per child OR $10 per child with a donation item for the Spalding animal shelter. We will have cookies and hot cocoa at the event. Come out and stretch!

TONIGHT: The youth will hold their annual Christmas party in the Student Center on December 14th beginning at 6:30 p.m.

BAKE SALE DECEMBER 21

Let the Youth provide your Christmas dessert this year! Come out to the Common Grounds Coffeehouse on Wednesday between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. to buy baked goods! Your support helps the students raise money for their ski trip in February.

February 20-24: This annual ski trip is a highlight of the year for the Student Ministry. Students build memories that last a lifetime, learn more about Jesus, and have a lot of fun, too! The cost is $425 per student. This includes lodging, lift tickets, ski/snowboard rental, and lunch each day. 

Take note of a few other important dates for Student Ministry:

Basecamp — July 17-21, 2023

This Week in Music Ministry

Sanctuary Choir

Rehearsal at 7:00 p.m. in Choir Room

Instrumental Ensemble

No rehearsal

Connexion Praise Team

Rehearsals in Morgan Hall

Vocalists at 6:30 p.m.,

Band at 7:00 p.m.

Ukulele Ensemble

No rehearsal this week

Performance at Senior Center,

Thursday, Dec. 15 at 1 p.m.

Performance at FUMC

Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 11:30 a.m. p.m.

Handbells

Rehearsal at 4:30 p.m., Sanctuary

Performance Sunday morning

Celebration Service

(arrive at 8:00 a.m. to rehearse)

Missions

World Missions

As we continue to learn of the work of CBF on the international stage, it is important to hear these words from Mike, who is serving in Southeast Asia. "CBF's commitment to a long-term presence really makes a great impact on how effectively we work and serve in this community. To learn the language takes time. To learn the culture takes time. To develop relationships takes time. And in a community where the people are afraid to be direct, it takes time to develop deep relationships of trust, where they can tell us, "This is really what we need. This is how we really need you to serve."

CBF personnel (whom you're offering would support) encourage us to pray for them as well as give. They especially ask for prayers as they help meet the needs of families living in extreme poverty, those neglected by society, those rescued from at-risk situations such as human trafficking, and those who have been forced to flee their own countries due to violence and persecution.

The FBC Caregiver's Clothes Closet NEEDS Mens's coats sizes XL and above. (They also need men's shoes and clothing.)

Ways You Can Serve

Mentor Training will take place on December 8 at the church. If you have questions or would like to become a mentor, then please contact Seth Brown.

LifeSong Ministry

The next LifeSong class will begin on February 27, 2023. If you know a woman that would benefit from the LifeSong program, please have them contact the ministry at 404-980-5549. You may also contact the program on behalf of a woman you would like to be considered for the program.

If you would like to be involved in this Ministry, please contact the Church Office. Thank you for the prayer support and the love you show to these women. 

Thank you!

Thank you, Church Family!

On December 5 and 6 our church provided a dignified shopping experience for 37 families needing some assistance in providing Christmas gifts for their children. These families purchased two gifts per child for 110 children ages 12 and younger. We had approximately 70 volunteers from our church family who helped set up, run, and packed up the store. There were also many others who purchased toys and socks and provided monetary gifts. Our FBC Student Ministry prepared the pairs of socks for each child. The Toy Shop Planning Team thanks all those who gave and volunteered. We also thank our church Benevolence Team for providing a food voucher for each family and our Weekday program for the wonderful variety of canned goods and other food items from which the families could choose. A big thank you to all who assisted in making the 2022 FBC Christmas Toy Shop a great success!

The Christmas Toy Shop Planning Team: Carol Bowen, Lori Harvey, Jackie Lee, Joyce McCartney, Connie Riley, Patsy Stuart, and Karen Sutton

Thank you so much for the cards, food and visits over the past few months. I am grateful to have such a caring church family. I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

In Christ's Love,

Gwen Skrine

What's Been Happening?

Baptism

We welcome Emelia Kirkland as a new member at FBC following her baptism on Sunday, December 11.

Ukulele Concert

We can report to Santa that the Ukulele Ensemble has been extra good this year! They performed downtown on Saturday, December 10th before the Griffin Christmas Parade.

Dixieland Dulcimers Concert

Attendees at the December XYZ (X'Tra Years of Zest) meeting were treated to a host of Christmas tunes performed by the Dixieland Dulcimers. Our own Leigh Ann Williams sings with the group.

Weekday Christmas Program

If you have not had your "cuteness quota" filled for the season yet, then the next photo collage is sure to fix you right up. The Weekday students gave a spectacular rendition of the Christmas story this week to wrap up their fall semester.

Have YOU Got the Look?

Preorder something warm to wear for the winter months ahead. These items (and much more to choose from) are embroidered locally. Check out the selection and order today! 

Meetings

Special Notes

Your Help Requested

Please help us preserve the beauty and integrity of our worship space by enjoying your food and beverages outside the sanctuary. Thank you for helping us!

Don't forget to share with us how we can be praying for you this week.