This Issue
 

Operation Christmas Child
Boxes Collected THIS SUNDAY!

This year you have another chance to bring a smile to a child’s face by filling a shoebox with small toys, candy, and hygiene items. The boxes will be delivered to needy children across the globe by Samaritan’s Purse, a project of Franklin Graham.
Pick up an informational brochure and gift list in the front foyer or the Welcome Center. Boxes will be collected in the sanctuary this Sunday, November 18. Don't have time to go shopping? Contact the music ministry at x201 for pre-made boxes that will help purchase a new set of handbells!

Winter Festival
Saturday, December 1, 3-10 pm; Sign-Up Now!

The Winter Festival is almost here! Once again, First Baptist will be opening its doors to offer restrooms, baby changing areas, and other hospitality services. Volunteers are needed to welcome and direct people to each of these locations. If you would be willing to volunteer, sign up in the Welcome Center, the church office, or your Sunday morning Bible study class, or contact Becky Liner at 591-3654 or beckyliner@comcast.net.

Happy Thanksgiving!
No Wednesday Evening Activities on November 21

 
 

This Sunday:

"Thankful For What?"
Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:10-18

 

Order Poinsettias Now!
It’s time again to order poinsettias to be placed during the Hanging of the Green in honor or memory of your loved ones. If you would like to purchase a poinsettia, envelopes will be available in the pews on Sunday morning or you can contact Lenoir at x201, lenoir@fbctlh.org. The cost is $8/plant.

Help Provide Christmas Dinner
for Needy Girls in Guatemala!

Last summer First Baptist embarked on our first mission trip to serve in Guatemala, and you have an opportunity to continue that ministry! By giving this Christmas season, you can provide a special Christmas dinner for the girls we worked with at the Manchen Girls Home. $7 per person will provide food, drinks, and dessert for the 100 girls and 12 caregivers who rarely receive such a treat. Those who contribute can also send a Christmas card and picture to the girls if you wish!
Make checks out to First Baptist Church, and designate them to the Guatemala Christmas Offering. Contributions need to be received by November 18. Contact Bob Pullen at 562-1466 or jobob3118@aol.com for more information.

Student Ministry Fundraisers

Boston Butt Fundraiser
Picked Up Tuesday, November 20

Delivered just in time for Thanksgiving!!! Price will be $21.00 again. You may purchase from any college student on Sunday mornings or Wednesdays. For more information contact Jeffrey at Jmc332983@yahoo.com or Karyn in the Student Ministry office at
222-5470 ext 421.


Thanksgiving Fruit Baskets
Picked Up or Delivered November 19 & 20

Big, beautiful fruit baskets just in time for Thanksgiving! You may purchase from any college student on Sundays or Wednesday or for more information contact Sarah at ICLONDON57@aol.com or Karyn in the Student Ministry Office at 222-5470 ext 421.

Order Your Pre-Made
Christmas Shoeboxes!

Purchase your Samaritan’s Purse Shoebox packed, wrapped and ready to go,and help our Bells of Praise buy a much-needed new set of handbells.

This year, there is a simple and convenient way for you to send love to a needy child overseas and support our own FBC Handbell Choir at the same time. Our Bells of Praise choir members are preparing complete Samaritan’s Purse shoeboxes, packed, wrapped and ready to go for a total cost to you of $35. This price includes the shipping fee requested by Samaritan’s Purse. The boxes will be ready and available in time for collection day on Sunday, November 18. Proceeds go toward the purchase of a new 5-octave set of handbells to replace our 35 year-old set. Call the music office at 222-5470 x201 to order yours now.

Make a Change with Soup Labels!
For many years First Baptist members have been collecting Campbell’s soup labels to send to our missionaries. The missionaries use these to receive various items for their work from the Campbell’s Soup Company -- after school supplies, games, computers, sports equipment, even much needed buses!
Campbell’s Soup Company still plans to continue this program, but they are now requiring that the UPC Bar Code symbol on the back of the soup label be sent in instead of the front label. Be sure to save your bar codes and give them to Jean Fernald or leave them in the church office. This is such an easy way to make a huge difference!

Florida Baptist Children’s Home
Gingerbread Tree Project

The Gingerbread Tree Project will begin October 22! Christmas gifts are needed for approximately 65 children, and you can help make the holidays special for them by purchasing a requested gift off the gingerbread tree. Gifts are needed in the price range of small ($10-20), medium ($20-50) and large ($50-75). Select a requested gift by stopping by the Children’s Home office, calling 878-1458 or emailing ckellogg@fbchomes.org. Gift cards or monetary donations are also accepted. Gifts are needed no later than December 17.

Florida Baptist Children's Home
NOVEMBER REQUEST: WAX PAPER, ALUMINUM FOIL, AND PLASTIC WRAP

FBC members donate items each month to the Tallahassee campus of the Florida Baptist Children’s Home (fbchomes.org), which has been helping children and families since 1904.
Thank you for your generous October donations of paper plates, cups, and plastic eating utensils. They will be most helpful for our quick snacks and drinks. We always appreciate the loving help of our First Baptist Friends.
This month we are requesting wax paper, aluminum foil, and plastic wrap. These are useful in food preparation and storage. We could also use large plastic bags in the 13 and 30 gallon sizes for disposal purposes. Collection bins are in the College Avenue foyer, the Welcome Center, and by the elevator on the first floor.

 

DivorceCare
Wednesdays, 6:00 pm, A-315

Find help and healing for the hurt of separation and divorce. DivorceCare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. Don’t go through separation or divorce alone. DivorceCare seminars and support groups are led by people who understand what you are going through and want to help. You’ll gain access to valuable DivorceCare resources to help you deal with the pain of the past and look forward to rebuilding your life. For location and/or more information, contact the Singles Ministry office at x221 or email singles@fbctlh.org.

Sign Language Classes
Sundays, 4:30 pm, C-2202
Beginner and Intermediate Classes are now being offered! For more information contact Nelda Tedder at 877-4825.

 
Breakfast in Bethlehem
Saturday, December 8, 9:00 am
 
Celebrate the season with a special family breakfast and dramatic presentation of the Christmas story! Cost is $10 per family. Make your reservations in the Children’s Ministry office by Sunday, December 2! Call the Children’s Ministry office at x501 for more information.
 
Youth and Parent Meeting
Wednesday, November 28, 8:15 pm
 
The youth and parents of youth will have a meeting discussing plans for Youth Camp 2008, Youth Choir Tour 2008, Winter Ski Trip and DNW 2008. Anyone who is interested in attending these events should be there! The meeting will be held in the CLC immediately following Youth Xtreme. If you have any questions, please contact Brett Brandewie at 933-8665.
 

College Bible Study Series
Wednesdays, 8:20 pm, Resuming November 28

Join us for a 4 week study led by Clint Purvis on Jonah, a story not about a BIG FISH but about a BIG GOD!!! There will be NO CBS this week, but join us November 28 for the message, “The Second Chance!”

College Girls Discipleship Group
Thursdays, 7:30 pm, CLC Upper Room

 
Crossroads Christmas Party
Saturday, December 15 6:30-9 pm, Fellowship Hall

All young couples are invited to join us for dinner, fellowship, and plenty of fun! $10 per couple; child care provided. RSVP by December 2 to Melissa Powers at 907-0753.
 

Week of Prayer for Global Missions Luncheon
Monday, December 3, Noon

This year’s Winter Mission Emphasis and Week of Prayer for International and Global Missions will be held December 2-9. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Phipps, former missionaries to Japan, will speak at both Sunday morning services and during the luncheon on December 3. Reservations are $5 and may be made through Women on Mission group leaders or by calling the church office at 222-5470. Deadline for reservations is Wednesday, November 28. Everyone is welcome. This year’s offering goal is $45,000.

November Group Meetings
Group 4, Round Table, will meet November 21 at 11:00 am at Cherry Laurel Retirement Center (1009 Concord Rd). Grace Brock will review Great Women in History, 37 Women Who Changed Their World. Lunch will follow at 12:30 pm for $5.

Upcoming Church-Wide Events
Sponsored by Women on Mission

November: Operation Christmas Child shoebox collection, Collecting Christmas cards for Leom County prisoners
December: Week of Prayer for International & Global Missions (December 2-9; Special speaker Richard Phipps, International Mission Board mssionary, will speak Sunday, December 2 during morning worship and on Monday, December 3 at a special luncheon at noon.)

 

Fall Activities at the CLC!
Visit www.fbctlh.org/clc.htm for more information!

Wellness Program:

  • Aerobic Classes
  • Pilates
  • Water Aerobics
  • Strength & Toning Classes
  • Workout Room w/ Nautilus Equipment, Free Weights and Cardio Equipment.

Sports & Leagues:

  • Winter Basketball League
  • Winter Inter-Church Volleyball League
  • Upward Basketball & Cheerleading
  • Basketball for Youth & College
    Thursday Evenings, 6 - 9 pm
  • Coed Volleyball
    Tuesday Evenings, 6 - 9 pm

Aquatics (in season):

  • Water Aerobics

Arts & Crafts:

  • Hobby Ceramics
    Tuesdays, 9 am - 2 pm & 6 - 9 pm
    Thursdays, 9 am - 2 pm
 
It’s a girl! Rilyn Claire Boueres was born to Adrienne and Joel Boueres on November 6. Proud grandparents are Howard and Mary Rhodes and Carlos Boueres and Kay Boueres, all of Tallahassee.

It’s a girl! Aashini Miley Shefferman was born to Adam and Andrea Shefferman on November 7. Proud grandparents are Richard and Janice Tudor.

It’s a boy! Jacob Christian Gilmer was born to Karen and Steve Gilmer on November 7. Grandparents are Robert and Rachel Gilmer of Tallahassee and Marte Mari Bean of Orlando.
 

With grateful hearts, we thank each of the volunteers who gave of their time and energies to buiild a wonderful deck and steps for our home. We would like especially to thank Mr. David Miles and Mr. Cecil Davis, the first volunteers who came some time ago to help us clean up the property. We are living on the deck and watching the birds and squirrels for the best part of the day. You have given more than you can imagine; it is truly a blessed gift. Thank you!
Bess Gruchy and Charlie Storey
A special thanks also goes out to Jim Dowling, owner of J.H. Dowling, Inc., who graciously donated the decking boards and sold the rest of the lumber at his cost.

Dear Church Family,
Just this small thank you can never express how much I appreciate your prayers. Your “praying” me on gave me the encouragement and strength that I needed every day. Also, the prayergrams, the cards, the calls and flowers were daily reminders from the staff, my Sunday School class, Women on Mission, the International group and all my friends that I was truly blessed. God provided comfort and peace through each of you. Thank you and God bless you.
Rosemary Jacobs

Dear Friends,
For ten months you have been praying for Joe and our family and your prayers have been answered. He is at home with Jesus. We thank you very much for the many things you did and are still doing to make our loss easier. May God bless each one of you.
Ann Boyd

 

 

First Focus
A weekly note from our Pastor

This Week :
"Truly Thankful "
Click here to read

 

Fellowship Meal
November 21
No Meal --
Happy Thanksgiving!

Finance Statement
Budget Needs
Year to Date:

$2,445,443.
Budget Receipts
On 11/04/07:
$65,834.
Total Receipts
Year To Date:

$2,158,667.

Security Schedule
Sunday,
November 18

8:30 - 10:00
Ben Hart
10:00 - 11:15
Phillip Hartsfield
11:15 - 12:30
Lorne Shackelford

Wednesday,
November 21

6:00 - 8:00
No Activities


This Week

Sunday,
November 18


8:00 AM, Median Adult III Bible Study Options, Adams Ground Floor

9:00 AM, Traditional Worship, Sanctuary

10:00 AM, Bible Study Options for All Ages, Churchwide

11:15 AM, Contemporary Worship, Sanctuary

11:15 AM, Preschool M&M's (Music & Missions), Duval

3:15 PM, Youth Handbells, A-211

4:30 PM
, Bells of Praise, A-211

4:30 PM
, Sign Language Classes,
A-200

6:00 PM, Youth Small Groups & Activities, CLC

6:00 PM, Anchor Group Bible Study, Chapel


Monday,
November 19

10:30 AM, First Joy Choir, A-200

5:45 PM, Self Defense Class, CLC Aerobics Room


Tuesday,
November 20

9:00 AM, Ceramics Classes, CLC Ceramics Room

5:30 PM, Ceramics Classes, CLC Ceramics Room

6:00 PM, Open Volleyball, CLC Gym



Wednesday,
November 21

NO WEDNESDAY EVENING ACTIVITIES


Thursday,
November 22

CHURCH OFFICE, CLC, AND WEEKDAY EARLY EDUCATION CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING


Friday,
November 16

CHURCH OFFICE, CLC, AND WEEKDAY EARLY EDUCATION CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING

Click here for the full weekly schedule!

 

TV Services
WTBC 65/
Comcast Channel 99
Sundays at 6 pm and Wednesdays at 9 pm

FBC Staff
To reach a member of our staff, call
(850) 222-5470
and then dial the extension.

Pastor
J. Douglas Dortch, Jr., Ph,D
x121

Associate Pastor
Fran Buhler
x131

Minister of Music
Michael R. Norris
x201

Associate Minister
of Music

Penny Folsom
x201

Minister of
Christian Life

Preston Odom
x401

Minister to Students
Clint Purvis
x421

Minister to Internationals
Marty Smith
x111

Minister to Children
Rhonda Smith
x501

Interim Minister
to Youth

Jane Wofford
x413

Minister to Singles
Jenna Young
x221

Administrator
Steve Wofford
x140

Communications Coordinator
Mandy Webb
x132


Submissions
Submissions can be dropped off at the church office,
emailed to mwebb@fbctlh.org,
or mailed to:
The VISION,
108 W College Ave, Tallahassee, FL 32301.
Deadline for submissions is 10 days before published Sunday date.
All submissions are subject to editorial revision.