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Come “Ring in the Season!”
Saturday, December 1, 3:00 pm
You won’t want to miss the 10th annual gathering of handbell choirs from around the community to “Ring in the Season.” Treat yourself, your friends and your family to a visual and musical delight as six bell choirs combine to fill the FBC sanctuary with the songs of the season. This is a perfect opportunity to bring a guest to church. Come early - Winter Festival will also be starting at 3:00 and you will need to park off-campus.

Hanging of the Green
Sunday, December 2, 6:00 pm
Join the First Baptist family as we begin the season with an inspirational and interactive service. As we prepare our own hearts and lives for the coming of the Christ child, we will participate in helping to prepare our church building for the celebration. The congregation will be asked to place the Chrismon ornaments on the tree, hang wreaths on the doors, place poinsettias in the sanctuary, and much, much more. Don’t miss this fun-filled evening of hands-on worship! And be sure to plan to stay for the fellowship after the service. Bring your favorite Christmas goodies to share!

Winter Festival
Saturday, December 1, 3-10 pm; Last Chance to Sign Up!
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.

Christmas at a Glance
Saturday, December 1
First Baptist Serves at the Winter Festival
3:00 pm “Ring in the Season” Handbell Concert

Sunday, December 2 (First Sunday in Advent)
Week of Prayer for Winter Missions
9:00 am - Guest Speaker Richard Phipps, Former SBC Missionary
11:15 am - “Joy at His Judgment.” Scripture: 1 Chronicles 16:23-33
6:00 pm - Hanging of the Green

Monday, December 3
12:00 pm - Women on Mission Luncheon with Richard Phipps

Sunday, December 9 (Second Sunday in Advent)
9:00 & 11:15 am - “Strength in His Joy.” Scripture: Nehemiah 8:10-12

Sunday, December 16 (Third Sunday in Advent)
9:00 & 11:15 am - “His Consolation Brings Joy.” Scripture: Psalm 94:16-19
6:00 pm - 2007 First Baptist Church Christmas Festival

Sunday, December 23 (Fourth Sunday in Advent)
10:00 am - No Sunday Morning Bible Study
10:30 am - Combined Worship, “The Wells of Joy.” Isaiah 12:1-6

Monday, December 24 (Christmas Eve)
4:00 pm - Family Christmas Eve Service
6:00 pm - Candelight Christmas Eve Service

Sunday, December 30
10:00 am - No Sunday Morning Bible Study
10:30 am - Combined Worship

Christmas Cards for Leon County
Jail Inmates
“I was in prison and you came to me...” (Matthew 25:36)
We need 2400 religious Christmas cards that include a meaningful Christian witness to give to the 1200 inmates in the Leon County jail. Each inmate will be provided two cards to send, along with a tract telling them of God's gift of love to them. Collection boxes are in the church welcome center and church office. Collection bags will also be provided in Sunday School classes. Bring your cards by December 9 to help bring hope to those in our local prison.

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.

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.
This month we are in need of several items used daily in our cottage kitchens. Wax paper, aluminum foil, and plastic wrap would be a great help in our 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.

College Bible Study Series
Wednesdays, 8:20 pm
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!!! This week's message: “The Second Chance!”

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

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.

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

Shoebox Success!
The Bells of Praise and Music Ministry want to thank you, First Baptist family, for your incredible support for our Samaritan’s Purse Shoebox fundraiser. Through your generosity, we were able to sell and send all 200 shoeboxes we prepared! You enabled us to extend the love of Christ to 200 children throughout the world, and at the same time to raise a significant amount of money towards the purchase of our new handbells. If you would still like to make a contribution to help us toward our goal, you may wish to consider making a donation in honor of or in memory of a friend or loved one at Christmas. These donations will be listed in the “Poinsettia” issue of the Vision. Thank you again for your support!!

Guatemala Christmas Offering
Thanks to all who contributed to the Guatemala Christmas offering. Your generous gifts were more than sufficient to provide a Christmas meal for the girls at the Manchen Home in Antigua. These contributions will be used to bring the Joy of Christmas and the Love of Christ to the young girls that have so many needs and so little hope. Because of your caring and sharing there will be no hungry girls on Christmas day. They will enjoy food they seldom receive and will have all they can eat, a Christmas gift that is very special!
The deadline to send Christmas cards and photos to the girls is Wednesday, November 28! Any church member, whether they contributed or not, can participate. Contact Bob Pullen at 562-1466 or jobob3118@aol.com for more information.

First Love
Dear Friends,
Our campus is sparkling! You all are incredible! Your help with the privacy fence at Carlton cottage, the painting and rescreening of our pavilion, the new screen doors, the clearing out and making ready for a concrete floor to the bike shed, and the clearing out of bushes, small trees and debris around our pond have made us realize what servant hearts you all have. The basketball goal you installed at one of our foster homes is being greatly enjoyed as is the landscaping done at another one of our foster homes. We are so grateful for all you have done...thank you so very much.
Sincerely,
Larry Griffith, Director of Residential Services,
Florida Baptist Children’s Homes