More Videos

FBC Children's Choir 

Videos!

I'm guest blogging!  I have this video from the Hanging of the Greens.  If you have a video with a better angle, please email it to me and I'll update this post.

Hanging of the Greens

The kids did an AMAZING job on Wednesday night for our Hanging of the Greens service.  A special thank-you to all of those leaders who take time each week to work with our little ones.

So Many Activities

Just a quick glimpse of some of the activities going on at FBC during Advent!  Call me if you have any questions about any of the programs.

11/28/12 - Preschool Choir sings at the Hanging of the Greens 6:00 pm (nursery provided)

12/2/12 - Christmas music at both services presented by Youth/Parent choir and Children's Choir

12/23/12 - Las Posadas for children during Sunday School

12/24/12 - Christmas Eve services at 4:00 and 6:00 (nursery provided for both)

I'll post more information as we get closer to each event, but go ahead and mark your calendars.

Merry Christmas!
Sharon

Children's Choir Thanksgiving Performance

How cute are they?!?!

Great job guys!!!

Children Choir Performs

Don't forget that our Children's Choir will perform THIS Sunday at the 8:45 service and at the beginning of the 11:00 service.  Thanks for letting your kids help lead in worship!

Operation Christmas Child

Thank you guys so much for your help making Operation Christmas Child a success.  We had over 300 boxes ready on Sunday morning and we couldn't have done it without you!!

Parents' Night Out

Don't forget that Parents' Night Out is this Friday (November 9th) from 5:15-7:30.  If you are coming, please sign up in the breezeway or let me know.  You can leave a comment here or call the church office.  Our older kids are going to Jumping Jax in Jacksonville and our younger children will be having fun at the church on riding toys!

Come enjoy a few hours for yourself while we have fun with your kiddies!

See you there!
Sharon

Operation Christmas Child Information

We are planning a Family Ministry Event on Sunday, November 11th.

You and your child/children are invited to participate in Operation Christmas Child through First Baptist Children’s Ministry. This is an opportunity for you to share with your child/children the importance of missions through sharing with children around the world.

We see this as a two-step partnership ministry:

Step One: Your family signs up to purchase gifts to be included in Operation Christmas Child boxes. Please include your child in shopping - talking with him/her about this mission endeavor. We will provide the boxes.  You will need to include $7 per box for shipping costs or you may go to the OCC website at http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/followyourbox/ to make the donation and print out special EZ-Give boy/girl labels for your shoe box gifts. This will allow boxes to be tracked so you can find out the destination of your shoe box gifts. You may like to bring a picture of your child or family to include as well.

Step Two:  On Sunday, November 11th, we will meet in the Family Life Center during Sunday School (10:00 – 10:45).  We will watch a short video presentation and then prepare boxes for Operation Christmas Child. There will be stations for you to construct your boxes, write a letter to the child that will receive your box, and tables of items to fill your box. We will then take the boxes into the 11:00 Worship Service for dedication. This will be at the beginning of the service and you may leave following the dedication prayer (if you attended the 8:45 service).

Please mark next Sunday on your calendar and plan to be with us. This event is our way of supporting you in encouraging your child’s heart for missions. If you need more information, please contact Kate Graham, Casey Wallace or me.

I look forward to being on mission with your family,

  

Sharon Bender

638-5691 (office)

sharon@fbchurch.com

Reverse Trick or Treating Photos!

Reverse trick or treating was a blast!  It was so much fun to pass out bags to unsuspecting residents at community senior citizen homes.  Thanks for coming out!!

Fall Festival Pictures

Thanks everyone for coming out and supporting the youth group at the Fall Festival.  

I really loved all the cute costumes!

Fall Festival THIS Wednesday

Don't forget the Fall Festival is THIS Wednesday starting at 5:15.  Dinner will be available for a VERY reasonable price including chili, hot dogs, and desserts.  There will be tons for the kids to do including a cake walk, games, and costume parade.  Tickets will be available to purchase so that you can play all of the fun games.  All of the proceeds help our youth group reduce costs for mission trips.  It is a great way to have fun with the family and support our youth at the same time.

See you there!  Can't wait to see all of the fun costumes!!
Sharon

Consecration Sunday Schedule

Don't forget that we do not have Sunday School this week.  The schedule is:

8:45 Service followed by the Celebration Brunch 
11:00 Service followed by the second Celebration Brunch (at noon).

Nursery is provided for the worship service, but kids are invited to join their parents for the brunch!

Let me know if you have questions.

We look forward to seeing you there,
Sharon

What is Consecration Sunday?!?

Many of you may be wondering what Consecration Sunday actually is.  You may have heard of the various things going on in our congregation as a way to celebrate this particular Sunday as a church family. Consecration Sunday is a Sunday where, after prayerful consideration, we commit a portion of our resources to the church.

You might wonder why this is necessary?  Well, this year alone we have purchased a new building (because of our growing numbers), expanded our missions giving, and we hope to do more to reach the community and world with Christ's love.  In gratitude, as families, we will make a monetary commitment for the upcoming year.  As you prepare for this Sunday, start to ask, "What is God calling me to give?"

Church congregations that approach financial stewardship from a biblical perspective don't view the money given to the church as way to pay its bills.  Instead, financial stewardship is seen as a way for us to grow spiritually in our relationship with God by supporting our church's mission and ministry with a percentage of our income. 

During this Sunday's service, we are asking our regular attendees and members to make their financial commitments to our church's missionary, benevolent  and education ministries in this community and around the world by filling out a commitment card. No one will feel personal embarrassment if he or she chooses not to fill out a card.  There will be no follow-up visits or phone calls. 

As a church family united in all of our ministries and desiring to fulfill God's purpose for First Baptist, we are encouraging everyone to participate in this first ever Consecration Sunday.

If you have any more questions, please do not hesitate to call me!

See you Sunday!
Sharon
252-259-7771

Operation Christmas Child

If you are out and happen to see a GREAT item for Operation Christmas Child - go ahead and pick it up.  We will be having our family ministry event on Sunday, November 11th during Sunday School. Our goal is to pack 100 shoe boxes that morning.  I will have sign up sheets in Sunday School for you to decide what items you would like to bring.  But you are more than welcome to go ahead and start looking for items. We always need things like toothbrushes, wash cloths, brushes, hair bows, small toys for boys and girls, crayons, pencils etc.

Looking forward to serving with you!
Sharon

No Sunday School This Week

Hey guys!
Don't forget we do not have Sunday School this week because of MumFest!  We will have a service at 8:45 and another "late" service at 10:00.  Nursery is provided for both.

See you there,
Sharon

Reverse Trick or Treating

Alright fifth and sixth graders - get ready for some serious fun!  We are going reverse trick or treating on Halloween from 5:30-7:30.  We are really going to mix things up by knocking on doors and HANDING OUT candy instead of ASKING FOR candy.  This ought to make some people laugh.
Maybe you have some questions...

1.  Do you need to wear costumes?
YES!  We will give out a prize for the best costume so get creative!
2.  Do you need to bring candy?
Nah, I'll have that for you.
3.  Do you need to be ready to laugh?
YES!  This is going to be hilarious.

So be ready on October 31st from 5:30 - 7:30 for the most fun you have ever had on Halloween.

See you there!

Sharon

Pictures from Parents' Night Out

We had such a great time at Parents' Night Out!  Thank you for letting us hang out with your kids and we hope you enjoyed a free minute as well.  Here are a few pictures from our time together.  The older kids did some park hopping and the younger children had so many riding toys to choose from.  Stay tuned for details on our next Parents' Night Out!

The Blog is Here

We hope that you find this blog useful as a way to stay up to date on all the fun things we have going on.  You can sign up to follow the blog so that you receive emails whenever there is a new post!  Thank you so much for all you to make First Baptist great!

Sharon