Ancient City Baptist Church

27 Sevilla Street  St. Augustine, FL 32084
904-829-3476
Pastor Fred O. Pitts
    The Pitts Stop

Christmas Is...

Christmas is the joyful sound of familiar carols. Christmas is piling in the car and riding around town looking at the lights and sights of creative displays. Christmas is "Nights of Lights" here in St. Augustine. Christmas is listening to Johnny Mathis' Merry Christmas album over and over, as my family has done as long as I can remember (which is getting to be a long time). Christmas is the lighting of Advent candles, preparing our hearts for the coming of Christ. Christmas is giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas offering so that, through the support of our international missionaries, others can find out what Christmas is. Christmas is trimming trees and wrapping gifts. Christmas is special music that touches the heart in special ways. Christmas is a time for parties. Christmas is good cheer and a special smile to all you see. Christmas is the story of Saint Nicholas and his example of the spirit of giving. Christmas is children with their wonder that warms the heart and delights the soul. Christmas is candlelight and communion on Christmas Eve. Christmas is a time for wonderful meals and delicious goodies. Christmas is exchanging gifts with family and friends. Christmas is watching TV specials and favorite movies of the season. Christmas is an open house and an invitation to all. Christmas is time for meditation on the meaning of life and what is really important. Christmas is "peace on earth" and "good will to men." Christmas is the ringing of bells. Christmas is helping the needy. Christmas is time for solemn worship. Christmas is time to "shop 'til you drop." Christmas is family get-togethers. Christmas is a time for forgiveness. Christmas is the time for a new beginning. Christmas is a tiny baby born in a barn. Christmas is God's great gift to us so that we might "not perish but have everlasting life." Christmas is the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christmas is "good news of great joy" for "all the people." Christmas is Jesus. Christmas is so wonderful-only God could have thought of Christmas!
Christmas at Ancient City Baptist
Come and Join Us!

Christmas at Ancient City Baptist is always a wonderful time of the year.  This Sunday, December 3, is the first Sunday of Advent.  Pastor Fred will begin his Advent messages following the theme, "I'll Be Home for Christmas."  Don't miss any of these touching messages! This Sunday night our choir will be presenting the cantata, "A Ceremony of Candles" at 7:30 pm. This year's cantata comes from Joseph Martin and is filled with the wonder and light of Christmas. It is an imaginative new work which uses carols and candlelight to embody the hope of Christ. 

On Sunday, December 10, the Night of Lights Trolley tour leaves from our church at 6 pm.  Lots of close fellowship, fun and singing followed by a reception at the church afterward. Seats are limited, so call the church office to reserve yours. 

On Wednesday, December 13, our usual Wednesday night Prayer Service will be combined with a Christmas carol sing-along. The following night, December 14, our Women's Ministry, Heart-2-Heart, will host a potluck dinner for ladies. 

On Wednesday, December 20, Pastor Fred and Cindy will host a Christmas Open House at their home at 262 Roaring Brook Drive between the hours of 4 and 7 pm. You are invited to drop by anytime during these hours and stay as briefly or as long as you would like! There will be no services at the church building that evening.

Christmas Eve falls on Sunday this year. Our regular  Morning Worship will be held at 11 am, and our annual Christmas Eve Candlelight worship will be held  at night. Always well attended, this service begins at 6 pm and is highlighted by candles and communion. The community is cordially invited to all events. Please come and join us as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!






Academy News
On Friday, November 17, the Academy children and their families enjoyed their annual Thanksgiving Dinner. As in the past, there was an abundance of turkey and ham along with all the traditional vegetables.  For the children, there was also plenty of popcorn chicken!  Deserts required their own table and were both delicious and beautiful. We appreciate those from the church who came out to meet these young families and enjoy the children. 

The Academy will have its annual Christmas program on Wednesday, December 20 at 9:15 in the church sanctuary.  After the program, cookies and milk (coffee for adults) will be served in the fellowship hall. Church people are encouraged to come out and become acquainted with these young families and their children. 








      
Primetime Singers Minister

The Primetime Singers are sharing the joy of Christmas over the next few weeks in Senior Adult Living Communities.  These pictures were taken on November 28 at Silver Treasures located near Schooners Restaurant on US 1 North.








      
Heart 2Heart
Women's Ministry
DECEMBER
Wednesday
 December 13
6:30 pm

Prayer Meeting followed by 
Christmas Carol Sing Along
Bring your favorite holiday traditions, recipes or scriptures .
EVERYONE IS INVTED
DECEMBER
Thursday
December 14
6:00 pm

Testimonies
 Bible trivia
 Prizes
Fun

For more information, contact
Rosemary (904.703.7358) or Mavis (904.614.5615)
Nursery Schedule

Date
9:30-10:45
10:45-12:15
December 03
Dot Barnes
Betty Lee
Cindy Athanaseas
Ruth Mull
December 10
Jeanette Booth
Ashley Booth
Sandra Caraway
Linda Parrish
December 17
Brad Burnsworth
Louise Meade
Polly Burnsworth
Ruth Mull
December 24
Loise Trivette
Linda Crosby
Joanie Steele
Mary Perry
December 31
Dot Barnes
Betty Lee
Cindy Athanaseas
Linda Parrish

   


December
  
Carolyn Blake
Carolyn Calhoun


     
December 03
Tom Walsh
Mark Hall
December 10
Brad Steele
Larry Sheaffer
December 17
Larry Sheaffer
Jimmy Meade
December 24
Bob Booth
Paul Thoreck
     December 31
Tom Walsh
Ken Mull

Vol. 5 No. 4 
2017

In This Issue

Weekly Schedule

SUNDAY

9:40 am
 Adult Bible Fellowship
& Sunday School
f or children

11:00 am
 Worship

Following worship
Get Acquainted Time
in the Fellowship Hall  

TUESDAY

10:30 am
Prime Time Singers
Visiting Senior Living Centers
 
Soup, Salad and Scripture
Holiday Break

WEDNESDAY

6:30 pm
Prayer Meeting/Bible Study

7:30 pm
Sanctuary Choir
Practice




Upcoming Events




December 3
1st Sunday of Advent
11:00 am message:
"The Home of Your Dreams"
-also-
Christmas Cantata
at 7:30 pm

December 10
2nd Sunday of Advent
11:00 am message:
"Running Away from Home"
-also-
Nights of Lights
Trolley Tour
at 6:00 pm

December 13
Christmas Carol
Sing Along
following prayer
6:30 pm

December 14
Heart-2-Heart
Potluck Dinner
for the ladies
6:00 pm

December 17
3rd Sunday of Advent
11:00 am Message:
"Father Knows Best"

December 20
Academy Christmas Program
9:15 am
Church Sanctuary

Pastor's Open House
4:00-7:00 p.m.
262 Roaring Brook Dr.

December 24
4th Sunday of Advent
11:00 am message:
"Home for the Holidays"
-also-
Christmas Eve 
Candlelight Communion
Service at 6:00 pm



 

CHURCH STAFF

Fred O. Pitts
Senior Pastor

Larry DuBose
Associate Pastor

Mark Hall
Church Administrator
Email Mark
 

Cutis Powell
Director of Music

Pat Hampton
Office Manager

Cindy Lewis
Volunteer Coordinator
   
Join Our Mailing List
Larry DuBose
Ancient City Baptist Church
904-829-3476