This Issue
 

2007 Christmas Festival
Sunday, December 16, 6:00 pm

Join us as the Festival Choir and Orchestra, the Praise Team, Youth Choir, Children’s Choir and Bells of Praise present the greatest story ever told in a program that will seamlessly intertwine traditional and contemporary music for the season. There should be something for everyone...so come early and bring your friends! This a great opportunity to invite your unchurched friends and neighbors! The program will be approximately ninety minutes in length. Childcare is provided for preschool children.

Winter Offering for International Missions
2007 Goal: $45,000

Missionaries across the globe are in need of your support to continue sharing the Good News of Christ! First Baptist supports both the Southern Baptist Convention’s Lottie Moon International Missions Offering and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s Global Missions Offering. Offering envelopes will be available in the pews through December.

Christmas Eve Worship
Monday, December 24
Family Christmas Eve Worship, 4:00 pm

Interactive worship is perfect for children of all ages as they discover the Christmas story through music and stories presented by the Children’s Ministry.
Candlelight Christmas Eve Worship, 6:00 pm
A long-standing tradition at First Baptist, our candlelight Christmas Eve worship is an evening of music and reflection on the birth of our Savior. Preschool childcare is available.

 

Sermon Series:
"How Great Our Joy!"

We speak of joy a lot in faith, but too often we confuse it with mere happiness. There’s a big difference. Ironically, many people don’t greet this season with either, but the promise of Immanuel reminds us that while happiness may come and go, joy stays with us because of all that God has brought to pass in Jesus.


December 9: "Strength in His Joy" Scripture: Nehemiah 8:10-12

December 16: "His Consolation Brings Joy" Scripture: Psalm 94:16-19
December 23:"The Wells of Joy" Scripture: Isaiah 12:1-6
 

Christmas at a Glance

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

 

Towels for the Homeless
We still need over 100 towels!

The CLC will be open to the homeless on Christmas Day for showers, and we are in need of new and lightly used towels and washcloths! Towel donations can be dropped off at the CLC. For more info or to volunteer, contact x401 or preston@fbctlh.org.

Year End Contributions
The final church offering for 2007 will be taken at the 10:30 service on December 30, 2007.

For those who cannot attend the morning service, contributions deposited in the church office mail slot prior to 5:00 pm on December 31 will be recorded as 2007 contributions. Contributions received by mail after December 31, but postmarked prior to January 1, 2007, will also be included on the annual contribution statements that will be mailed to members no later than the third week in January. IRS guidelines prohibit all churches from listing contributions received in 2008 on 2007 contribution statements, regardless of how the check is dated.
The Church is able to accept non-cash gifts of securities and real estate. Under most circumstances, an income tax deduction is allowed for the entire fair market value of donated stocks, bonds, or real estate. By donating assets that have increased in value, no tax will be paid on the appreciation. Therefore, it is very advantageous to transfer appreciated assets to the Church, rather than to sell the assets and donate the cash received from the sale.
If the transfer of securities or real estate is of interest to you, please contact Church Administrator Steve Wofford prior to December 21 in order to complete the transfer by year-end. Steve can be reached at church x140, or by e-mail at swofford@fbctlh.org.

Christmas Fruit Baskets
Picked Up or Delivered Monday, December 17

Big, beautiful fruit baskets just in time for Christmas! 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. Baskets are $25 if picked up, $30 if delivered by a student.

Honor a Loved One with Flowers
The 2008 Flower Calendar is located in the Welcome Center.

Take advantage of a clean calendar and sign up to place flowers in the sanctuary in honor or memory of a loved one. Questions? Call Lenoir at 222-5470 ext. 201.

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
DECEMBER REQUEST: WHITE SPORT SOCKS

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.
It’s time for socks! Cooler weather is here and the children are wearing socks more often. We are requesting white sport socks for both boys and girls, children and adult sizes, ankle or low cut. We would welcome your help in replenishing our sock supply. 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.

 
2006 FBC Christmas Festival CD
Now Available!

Just in time for the holidays, enjoy the sounds of the season with First Baptist’s festival choir, festival orchestra, praise team, youth and children’s choirs, and handbell choir. CDs are available for $20 each from the music ministry. Contact Lenoir at x201 or lbrewer@fbctlh.org for more information.
 
Finals Study Session
Wednesday, December 19, 7:00 pm

There will be NO Xtreme on December 19; however, at 7:00 pm, Youth Associaties will be here to help any students who come to the CLC that want help studying for exams.
 

Graduating from College?
Are you graduating this semester? Please let us know your name, the school you are graduating from, your degree and future plans! Email them to the Student Ministry at karyn@fbctlh.org so we can recognize your achievement!

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.
 

January Group Meetings
Groups 1 & 2 will meet Tuesday, January 8 at 9:30 am in the Chason Conference Room to prepare sheets and roll bandages to be used by the Baptist Medical Center in Ghana, West Africa. A light lunch will be served. Everyone is welcome!
Group 4, Round Table, will meet Tuesday, January 15 at 11:00 am at the 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. Everyone is welcome.

 

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
 

Mr. and Mrs. Terrell Lee Stone
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter

Casi Leigh Stone
to
Rev. Robert Chaney, Jr.

on Saturday,
the twelfth of January
Two thousand and eight
at six o’clock in the evening

First Baptist Church
Tallahassee, Florida

 
It’s a boy! Joseph Aidan Hall was born to Kendra and Josh Hall on November 30. He joins siblings Grace, John and James. Proud grandparents are Ken and Glenda Wilson of Tallahassee, Kenny and Susan Hall of Jacksonville, and Sally Larkin Hall of Jacksonville.
 

Dear Congregation,
We at Refuge House are so appreciative of your recent contribution to our good work. Without you, and others like you, we would be like “a voice crying in the wilderness.” Just knowing that you are continuously interested in us is wonderful support.
-Anne Phipps
Board of Directors, Refuge House


Dear Friends,
Every year we are truly amazed at what you are able to accomplish in a day! Thank you for your commitment to the Florida Baptist Children’s Home. Thank you for your tireless efforts to make a difference on our campus. The paint jobs, the privacy fence, the new bike shed, the work around the pond, the landscaping at a foster home and the new basketball goal are just a few of the projects you have helped us with through the First Love Event! Thank you!
We love you all and thank God for you,
Julie Boyd, Staff and Children

 

 

First Focus
A weekly note from our Pastor

This Week :
"God Loves a Cheerful Giver!"
Click here to read

 

Fellowship Meal
December 19
Chicken Tetrazini, Spiced Apples, Green Beans, Salad Bar, Rolls, Dessert

Finance Statement
Budget Needs
Year to Date:

$2,662,815.
Budget Receipts
On 12/09/07:
$56,337.
Total Receipts
Year To Date:

$2,387,548.
Total Winter Missions Offering As Of 12/9:
$12,450.


Security Schedule
Sunday,
December 16

8:30 - 10:00
Tom Wagner
10:00 - 11:15
Art Pitts
11:15 - 12:30
Steve Kazmirski

Wednesday,
December 19

6:00 - 8:00
Bob Pullen


This Week

Sunday,
December 16


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

10:00 AM, MEAD III & SRAD Brunch, Fellowship Hall

11:15 AM, Contemporary Worship, Sanctuary

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

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

6:00 PM, FBC Christmas Festival, Sanctuary


Monday,
December 17

10:30 AM, First Joy Singing Out

5:30 PM, Winter Basketball League, CLC Gym

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


Tuesday,
December 18

9:00 AM, Ceramics Classes, CLC Ceramics Room

5:30 PM, Ceramics Classes, CLC Ceramics Room

6:00 PM, Open Volleyball, CLC Gym


Wednesday,
December 19

4:45 PM, Fellowship Meal, Fellowship Hall

6:00 PM, Church Business and Prayer Meeting, Chapel

6:00 PM, Preschool Childcare & Learning Activities, Duval

6:00 PM, Transformers (Grades 1-5), Duval 2nd Floor (3-5 Graders Singing Out)

7:00 PM, Sanctuary Choir & Chamber Players Christmas Fellowship, A-200

7:00 PM, Youth Study Session, CLC

7:15 PM, Singles MP Bible Study, A-317


Thursday,
December 20

9:00 AM, Ceramics Classes, CLC Ceramics Room

5:00 PM, Upward Basketball Practice, CLC Gym


Friday,
December 14

5:00 PM, Upward Basketball Practice, CLC Gym

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.