DECEMBER 2013 // www.fb cgso.org // 336.274.3286

fi rst baptist church greensboro p 4-5

Emphasizing worship, spiritual development, fellowship, and ministry to our city and our world.

John 1.9 NIV

The true light that gives light was

coming into the world.

Advent@FBCWaiting for the birth of Christ

2 | Connections

Kelly Stephens, Managing EditorCommunications Directorkelly@fbcgso.org / x223

Gloria Koster, Design ManagerEducation Ministry Assistant

gloria@fbcgso.org / x288

Steve Sumerel, Supervising EditorAssociate Pastor - Adult Learning

steves@fbcgso.org / x233

Teresa Allen, Media Library Directorteresaa@fbcgso.org / x229

Ginny Carpenter, Weekday School Directorginny@fbcgso.org / x240

Steve Cothran, Associate Pastor - Youth/Familiesstevec@fbcgso.org / x235

Dolores Donahue, Administrative Assistant - Financedolores@fbcgso.org / x226

Jane Anne Hayber, Music/Worship Assistantjaneanne@fbcgso.org / x239

Monica Hix, Pastoral Assistantmonica@fbcgso.org / x231

Marty Kellam, Food Services Directormarty@fbcgso.org / x245

Rosemary Kellam, Operations Directorrosemary@fbcgso.org / x225

Kate Kitchen, Homebound Ministry Directorkatek@fbcgso.org / 202-5757

Scott North, Business Administratorscott@fbcgso.org / x222

Steve Pressley, Associate Pastorstevep@fbcgso.org / x231

Virginia Reynolds, Assistant Pastor - Preschool/Childrenvirginia@fbcgso.org / x241

Alan Sherouse, Senior Pastoralan@fbcgso.org / x231

Marion Smith, Facilities Supervisor, x243

Doug Vancil, Associate Pastor - Music/Worshipdoug@fbcgso.org / x237

Terri Vancil, Assistant Pastor - Music/Worshipterri@fbcgso.org / x238

Shelly Worsley, Childcare Directorshelly@fbcgso.org / x293

www.fbcgso.org // 336.274.32861000 West Friendly Avenue

Greensboro, NC 27401

January Connections Deadline: December 16Email news to kelly@fb cgso.org or bring it to the church offi ce.

December 2013 3 Fireside Chats with Alan Sherouse Greensboro Urban Ministry Holiday Honor Cards Global Missions Off ering Christmas Eve Off ering

4-5 FBC Advent Calendar

6 Connect with Missions – WE! Shelter Needs Volunteers

7 Connect with Business – FBC 2014 Budget Narrative

8-9 Connect with One Another

10 Coming Up in January 2014

11 December Calendar

12 November Church Conference Update October 2013 Financial Update

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the

people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign

for you: you will fi nd a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2.10-12)

December 2013 | 3

Fireside Chats are one hour gatherings of 10-20 people for the purpose of conversation with Alan (and Jenny too, when possible). Alan is interested in getting to know our congregation better and hearing about our experiences and hopes related to First Baptist. Th ese chats will occur throughout the fall and winter months within Alan’s fi rst six months as Pastor. Chats can occur in a variety of settings - in a home, at the church, in the First Baptist cafe, etc. You might host a dessert or pre-dinner gathering on a weeknight, order lunch on a Sunday post-service, coordinate an early Sunday evening gathering, hold a conversation aft er Wednesday evening activities, etc. If you’re interested in hosting a Fireside Chat in conjunction with your Sunday School class or another interested group, email Pastoral Assistant Monica Hix ( monica@fb cgso.org ) with potential dates/times.

firesidechatswithAlan

Give Greensboro Urban Ministry Holiday Honor Cards for Christmas! Th e Honor Card is a marvelous way to recognize a friend, family member, client or employee, while at the same time giving a meaningful gift to someone in need. Your minimum donation of $5 per card allows you to show your support for the community while acknowledging others during the holidays. What better way to show you care during the holiday season than to show your support of the community? What greater gift than to help those in need? Cards are available for purchase in the church offi ce. Make checks payable to: Greensboro Urban Ministry.

Global Missions Off ering Th e special off ering for December is the CBF Global Missions Off ering. From Bali, Canada, Malaysia, and dozens of places in between, you will fi nd God working and changing lives through CBF ministries. Th e CBF Off ering for Global Missions provides funding for the powerful ministries of more than 130 CBF fi eld personnel. Your gift s to the Off ering are what sends them to the mission fi eld and allows them to remain there to be and share the presence of Christ. CBF has an Off ering Goal of $4.8 million this year, and you are a vital part of reaching that goal and keeping fi eld personnel in ministry. If you believe in the unique Baptist approach of keeping workers on the mis-sion fi eld, spreading the gospel through words and works, then please give gener-ously to the CBF Off ering for Global Missions during December. Send checks to the FBC fi nance offi ce with “Global Missions” in the memo fi eld or give online. Th ere is also a special off ering envelope in your monthly envelope packet.

Christmas Eve Off ering will support Greensboro’s StepUp Ministry FBC has a strong missional history of caring for the homeless in our community. We have passionately met the immediate needs of the homeless through our WE Shelter and providing meals at Grace Fellowship. Our Christmas Eve Off ering will go towards Step Up Ministry, an organization that provides hope and promise of a more stable future by focusing on a long term solution for homelessness through job training and life skills classes for homeless, unemployed and low income people. Job training workshops are provided the fi rst full week of each month and they have a 50% job placement rate for participants.

4 | Connections

Advent Credo

It is not true that creation and the human family are doomed to destruction and loss—

THIS IS TRUE: For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life;

It is not true that we must accept inhumanity and discrimination, hunger and poverty, death and destruction—

THIS IS TRUE: I have come that they may have life, and that abundantly.

It is not true that violence and hatred should have the last word, and that war and destruction rule forever—

THIS IS TRUE: Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, his name shall be called wonderful councilor, mighty God, the Everlasting, the Prince of peace.

It is not true that we are simply victims of the powers of evil who seek to rule the world—

THIS IS TRUE: To me is given authority in heaven and on earth, and lo I am with you, even until the end of the world.

It is not true that we have to wait for those who are specially gifted, who are the prophets of the Church before we can be peacemakers—

THIS IS TRUE: I will pour out my spirit on all flesh and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions and your old men shall have dreams.

It is not true that our hopes for liberation of humankind, of justice, of human dignity of peace are not meant for this earth and for this history—

THIS IS TRUE: The hour comes, and it is now, that the true worshipers shall worship God in spirit and in truth.

So let us enter Advent in hope, even hope against hope. Let us see visions of love and peace and justice. Let us affirm with humility, with joy, with faith, with courage: Jesus Christ — the life of the world. From Testimony: The Word Made Flesh

by Daniel Berrigan

CredFirst Sunday of Advent Isa. 2.1-5 Psalm 122 Romans 13.11-14 Matt. 24.36-44

Second Isa. 11.1-10 Ps. 72.1-7, 18-19 Rom. 15.4-13 Matt. 3.1-12

Th ird Isa 35.1-10 Ps. 146.5-10 or Luke 1.47-55 James 5.7-10 Matt. 11.2-11 Fourth Isa 7.10-16 Ps. 80.1-7, 17-19 Rom. 1.1-7, Matt. 1.18-25

At the close of my installation service in October I shared a benediction from William Sloane Coffi n that includes the line, “Th is world is too dangerous now for anything but truth.”

We know all too well the danger that exists in our world. We have experienced loss, grief, and heartbreak. We have hoped for peace and looked for the day when soldiers are home and swords become ploughshares. We have worked for a community where basic needs are met, even as so many of our neighbors remain vulnerable. We have prayed for the kingdom of God to come to earth, all while watching 24-hr news and sometimes feeling the kingdom is a distant dream.

And sometimes, the danger overwhelms. Sometimes the despair can seem the only truth.

We are entering a season – Advent – where we declare again a deeper truth. We will sing and speak and worship together the greatest truth we have to proclaim: the truth of Immanuel. God-with-us.

Th is truth is captured beautifully in the poem Advent Credo by Father Daniel Berrigan. Fr. Berrigan is an American Catholic priest, peace activist, and poet. His poem acknowledges full well the danger we see and the despair we can feel, but it also urges us to remember what is true. A credo is a statement of belief, and Fr. Berrigan’s Advent Credo urges us to state our belief in the hope of Advent. I encourage you to read it as we enter this season. His words will serve as a theme and guide for us throughout worship this Advent season as we proclaim together, this is true.

Th is Advent season at First Baptist Greensboro provides us many chances to focus our hearts and minds on what is true. Multiple opportunities stretch before us and the pages of this newsletter provide the details. We have opportunities to love our neighbors through service, to gather with our friends and small groups for holiday cheer, to participate in annual traditions like the Love Feast and the Family Christmas Sing. Our calendars are full.

But in all that we do as a community of faith, we are not simply enjoying warm traditions or embracing holiday nostalgia. We are proclaiming and declaring a much deeper and older truth: the light shines in the darkness and it is not overcome.

Th is is true.

o

December 2013 | 5

First Sunday of ADVENT December 1 10:30 a.m. Worship - Youth Choir

Festival of Lights Friday, December 6 6-7:30 pm - Youth Bell ChoirsCome downtown to the 300 block of South Elm Street (parking lot beside Ham’s Restaurant) to hear our youth bell choirs play for the Greensboro community.

Second Sunday of ADVENT December 810:30 a.m. Worship - Adult Handbell Choirs, Young Musicians and Sanctuary Choir

Hanging of the Green December 8 6 p.m. Youth Choirs and Youth Handbell ChoirsA relaxed, family friendly service to decorate the Sanctuary and ready our hearts and minds for the Advent season. Contact Terri Vancil (274-3286, ext 238, terri@fb cgso.org) if you would like to participate in decorating or readings in the service.

Third Sunday of ADVENT December 1510:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary Choir

Christmas Caroling and LoveFeast December 153 p.m. Everyone is invited on Sunday aft ernoon to carol to our shut-ins and those in retirement communities and nursing facilities. Sign-up on Sunday School department lists or by contacting Terri Vancil (274-3286, ext 238, terri@fb cgso.org ). Carolers will meet in the Atrium at 3 pm to gather into groups and receive routes. Aft er caroling, return to the Chapel for a special performance by the Grimsley High School Madrigals as we celebrate and share our stories in the Moravian LoveFeast tradition.

Family Christmas Sing Wednesday, December 18 6:15 pm Service - Children’s ChoirsTh e whole church family gathers at the manger as children’s choirs present the Christmas story through song, costume and scripture.

Fourth Sunday of ADVENT December 2210:30 a.m. Christmas Oratorio by J. S. Bach - Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra

Christmas Eve Worship Tuesday, December 245 p.m. Carols, Communion and Candlelight

Advent Worship, Services & Opportunities

6 | Connections

BY CATHERINE SCOTT-LITTLE

“Oh, the weather outside is”…cold, and members of our community are homeless. Our church stepped forward fi ve years ago to provide shelter and food for women, and once again we have the opportunity to work with the YWCA and other congregations to support the Winter Emergency! (WE!) Shelter for Women. Th is year the shelter will host 20 women, and there is an opportunity for everyone to be involved. You may wonder why our congregation has committed to this ministry. First and foremost, it’s an opportunity to follow Christ’s command to feed the hungry and provide shelter to those in need. In addition, it is a way for us to be involved in our community’s eff ort to provide a safety net for our fellow community members. It is also an opportunity for us to share in blessing while we seek to bless others with Christ’s love. Carla and Stephen Porter have been actively involved in the shelter ministry, serving food and providing volunteer support. Carla writes, “Th e WE! Shelter is a way to share and experience Christ’s love. I do not volunteer to receive gratitude from the women. Instead I volunteer because it puts me in a position to fellowship not with someone I choose but whom God has chosen. I also get to know other church members.” Serving through the shelter ministry can truly be a blessing. But the shelter ministry is not just for adult members of our congregation. Working at the shelter gives families an opportunity to minister together. Parents can show their children what ministry is like and why it’s important. Children see all of

WE! Shelter Ministry: An Opportunity for Everyone

Connect with Missions

us carry out our calling, and they have a chance to contribute to the ministry too. Th e Porter family volunteers together, including Hannah (age 8) and Alex (age 6). Carla sees the shelter ministry as a great opportunity teach our children about Christ’s call for us to minister to the poor. She writes, “Volunteering sets a good example for my children. I bring my daughter, Hannah, and am reminded through her to be child-like. Th e women there love her because she is not judgmental and not scared. She loves them unconditionally with child-like love.”

Hannah agrees with her mom that working at the Shelter is an opportunity to bless and to be blessed. When asked about her time at the shelter, she

said, “I like helping at the WE! Shelter because you meet a lot of people and can make new friends! Helping people is just something I like to do!“

WE! Shelter Volunteer OpportunitiesFBC is responsible for Sunday, Tuesday & Friday nights from December thru March 31:

Check-in/Greeter (1/night): Open the shelter and welcome each resident (5:30-7:30 pm)Hospitality Volunteers (2/night): Greet residents and assist with various needs (5:30-9:30 pm)Dinner Hosts (2-3/night): Prepare dinner off site, deliver and serve dinner for 25-30 (arrive 6:15)Breakfast/Lunch Bags (20/night): Prepare a picnic-style lunch bag for up to 20 (deliver by 8:00 pm)Morning Encourager (1-2/night): (optional) Assist with greeting residents and closing shelter (6:00-7:30 am)Shelter Location: 1807 E. Wendover Avenue (east of Hwy. 29 before English Street)

Training for volunteers is available.

See the FBC website for additional information. Click on WE! Shelter and use the SignUp Genus hot buttons to sign up to serve.

Contact Catherine Little (856-0623 or CatherineScottLittle@gmail.com ) or Geneva Metzger (288-1877 or mizzometzger@yahoo.com ) for further information.

So, pray about how you and your family can support the shelter. Singles, couples, youth, and even children—there’s an opportunity for everyone. We need to fi ll approximately 130 volunteer slots each month (December through March) to provide food and shelter for our guests. Won’t you answer the call to be involved—just see how you can bless and be blessed through this ministry!

Th e Porter family volunteers together, including Hannah (age 8) and Alex (age 6).

Serving through the shelter ministry

can truly be a blessing.

December 2013 | 7

Connect with Business

FBC 2014 Budget NarrativeTh e proposed budget is being considered by the Diaconate and will be voted on at their regular meeting on December 9. Any changes to this published information will be communicated to the congregation in advance of the budget vote on Sunday, December 15, 2013. Th e following is a summary of changes in the proposed 2014 budget compared with the 2013 budget.

GENERAL• Th e total budget stays level at $1,765,000 from 2013 to 2014.• Th e personnel committee recommends a 2.1% increase in staff salaries. Along with an 8.37% increase in group

insurance premiums, the total compensation and benefi ts is project to increase from $1,054,362 to $1,082,187, or $27,825.

Changes other than compensation and benefi ts from 2013 to 2014 are noted below:

PASTORAL CARE• Although there were many adjustments in line items due to the pastoral transition, overall expenses in this section

remained almost level. Expenses were transferred out of the salary line in the past and will now be transferred back to the salary line in 2014.

MUSIC & WORSHIP• Th e increase in this section is related to the High School Choir Romania mission trip and the Middle School and

Children’s Choir musical collaboration with Ken Medema and youth of FBC Asheville in March and June.

CHRISTIAN DEVELOPMENT• Most of the changes in this section were related to line item reallocation. A signifi cant reduction was made to the

Literature line item in Adult Education. Increases in youth, children’s ministry, and recreation relate to increases for the Romania trip, professional development, and small increases in curriculum and maintenance of equipment.

COMMUNICATIONS• Th e net increase in the line items is related to continuing promotional eff orts on television advertising.

PROPERTY • Expenses for general building maintenance and equipment repair have exceeded our expectations in 2013.

Th us, we have increased those line items for 2014. Utility costs should remain relatively constant budget to budget as we manage usage compared with increasing rates. Th e major maintenance/capital expense account was reduced in order to allow needed increases in ministry areas. Th is account will still receive an additional $20,800 in 2014 from previously scheduled special fund allocations.

ADMINISTRATION & FOOD SERVICES• Costs in the administrative areas are slightly lower due to continued savings in postage and offi ce supplies and printing.

MISSION PARTNERSHIPS• Total allocation to our Mission Partnerships

increased by $4,000. • Signifi cant changes in the missions’

accounts included the addition of Backpack Beginnings for $4,000, Hope Academy for $5,000 and Baptist Children’s Home for $2,000. Changes also included an increase in spending of $2,500 for Grace Community Fellowship and a decrease in the amount of transfer to the Great Commission Fund of $5,100, and a decrease in the Church Construction account in the amount of $4,300.

8 | Connections

1. Jennie Counts, Lucy King, Millie Power, Ethan Schneider, Vivian Schneider, Cynthia Stone

2. Beth Absher, Robyn Cothran, Ann Leonard, Mary Rakestraw, Betty Stockton, Ann Vaden

3. Holden Biffl e, Jerri Edwards, Scott Lyle 4. Leary Davis, Todd Garcia, Helen Gardner 5. Andrew Marsh 6. Blanche Hodge, Ryan Powell, Kathy Simmons 7. Nancy Gee 8. Dot Melton, Autumn Rainey, Ann Teague,

Anthony Webb, Gayle Wiley 9. Sandra Canipe, Don Cunningham, Jim Fogleman,

Steven Key10. David Garrett, Timothy Newman, Nelle Wimbs11. Lee Blakely, Casey Cranford, Marietta Mobley 12. Ray Anderson, Ginny Young 13. Evelyn Anderson, Morgan Hall14. Sue Bias, Robert Curlee, Sr., Betsy McLean, Holly Messick,

Coolidge Porterfi eld, McKenna Stutts, Ruth Ward

Keep up with FBC through social media:

Important Notice to Facebook Group Members:

FBC will be consolidating our Facebook presence at the beginning of the new year and will only have a Facebook Page. Please “LIKE” our Page so you are able to stay in touch with what’s happeing. Th ank you for working with us on this transition to more effi ciently communicate with you. NOTE: Th e Group will be deleted aft er the new year and we cannot transfer members from the Group to the Page.

First Baptist Church GreensboroFBC Greensboro Youth

FBCGreensboro @fb cgso

15. Tobie Pierce, Josh Sumner 16. Beverly Broach, Raleigh Cothran, Margaret Wilson 17. Kate Stephens 18. Shirley Headspeth, Lois Hutchison, Ty Lindsay,

Susanna Trotter 19. Emerson Culbreth 20. Patrice Justafort, Dianne Nickles, Hannah Porter 21. Clyde Collins, Erin Stephens 22. Lynn Donovan, Randi Harned, Reid Hix 23. Ted Barlow, Agnes Moore, Ann Powell, Elias Rainey,

Tony Rider24. Mary Apple, Catherine Pressley 25. Jack Cagle, Ed Parkerson, Jeff Smith 26. Phil Barbee, Melissa Sample, Janelle Snider 27. No FBC Birthdays 28. Gladys Boroughs, Richard Hardy 29. Pamela Baggett, Curtis Griffi n, Rick Schneider,

Everett Sheffi eld 30. Polly Norris, KatyBeth Schmid31. Steve Cothran, Larry Pegram, Rachel Shackelford

December Birthdays

MAIN LIBRARY

• Th e Canopy by Angela Elwell Hunt• Th e Distant Hours by Kate Morton

Th e House at Riverton by Kate MortonTh e Longest Road by Philip Caputo

• Th e Queen Mother: Th e Offi cial Biography by William ShawcrossTh e Secret Keeper by Kate Morton

• Teacher Man: A Memoir by Frank McCourt

• A Test of Wills by Charles Todd• V Is for Vengeance by Sue Graft on• Winter of the World (Book Two of

the Century Trilogy) by Ken Follett

New Library BooksYOUTH SECTION in MAIN

• Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett• Th e Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of

Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall

• Th ree Days by Donna Jo Napoli

CHILDREN’S LIBRARY• Little Doe by Angela McAllister• Muddypaws and the Birthday Party

by Deborah Chancellor• Muddypaws Goes to School

by Peter Bently• Muddypaws’ New Friends

by Steve Smallman

BY TERESA ALLEN

The FBC Library is open to everyone to

check out books, DVDs, audio books,

and magazines.

Stop by - Check it out!

EMAIL - - Make sure the church offi ce has your up-to-date email and contact information so you can receive important and timely news about what’s happening in the life of FBC! Send any contact changes to Rosemary Kellam at rosemary@fb cgso.org .

Connect with One Another

December 2013 | 9

Connect with One Another

Bereaved

• Judy Ryan in the loss of her brother, Willis Lockamy, on October 26

• Th e family of Tom Fuqua, on October 28

• Th e family of Betty Th orne, on October 29

• Th e family of Tom Luper, on November 1

• Dale Bias in the loss of his father, Charles Bias, on November 3

• Becky Livengood in the loss of her niece, Lisa McNeely, on November 16

College BirthdaysAutumn Rainey 12/82209 Lannigan Drive, Greensboro, 27406elias12@hotmail.com

Raleigh Cothran 12/164 Country Woods Court, Greensboro, 27410 / raleighguy@me.com

Susanna Trotter 12/18109 Stadium Drive, Parker - Room 218Chapel Hill, NC 27514 sctdeac@gmail.com

Reid Hix 12/22Unit 2040, 2730 Wolf Village WayRaleigh, NC 27607jrhix91@gmail.com

Welcome New Babies!

Graycen Rebekah VenableBorn October 28

Stephen & Danielle VenableGrandparents: Richie & Lori Barmer

Great Grandparents: Danny & Kathy EdwardsGreat Great Grandparents: Cecil &Becky Livengood

Julie Gray Williams Born November 11

Ragan & Allison (Upchurch) WilliamsGrandparents: Gary & Frances Upchurch

Declan Hicks Born: November 11

Michael & Jessica HicksGrandparent: Martha Hicks

Stephen Rich(on November 17)

By Profession of Faith and Baptism

Kyleigh Pegram(on November 10)

By Profession of Faith and Baptism

Jenny Milynn(on November 17)

By Statement

Fridin Mihindou(on November 17)

By Profession of Faith and Baptism

Ginny Barnes(on November 10)

By Profession of Faith and Baptism

Mason Lewis(on November 10)

By Profession of Faith and Baptism

Responding to the Invitation

10 | Connections

Winter Youth Ski Retreat

January 10-12, 2014, Winterplace, WV

Remember to ask Santa to make your reservation for the Youth Ski Retreat! A $75 deposit saves your spot. To-tal cost is $165/person and includes skiing Saturday/Sunday and 4 meals. Register online: www.fb cgso.org/youth . Deadline to sign-up: December 27.

Coming Up in January 2014

Sunday School Studies for January:

{Formations–“Encounters with the Living God” is the name given to the fi ve Formations Bible Study lessons for January. Pastoral

Counselor, Chris O’Rear, develops this theme as he takes you through the rich textured stories of I Samuel. According to O’Rear the student will encounter God “throughout these passages (as we) learn much about God’s priorities, our responsibilities, and a proper attitude toward God.”

{Nurturing Faith–Dr. Cartledge moves from a Christmas theme to a series on the Epiphany in a unit called “Th ings Th at Matter.”

Dr. Cartledge will take participants through a study of I Corinthians, as Paul addresses key elements of the faith in which Christians should be fully invested.

{A Gathering Community–January will be a month of transition for the Gathering Community class. As they end their

discussion on prayer, they will begin their study of Willard and Locy’s book, Veneer: Living Deeply in a Surface Society. Watch for the exact date of the start of this study.

Warm Up to Winter Bible Study with Todd Still

January 24-26Baylor University’s Todd D. Still will join us on the weekend of January 24-26 for a congregational study of Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. Dr. Still serves Baylor’s George W. Truett Th eological Seminary as Professor of New Testament. A specialist in Pauline studies, Todd spoke of the Apostle to a standing-room-only breakout session during this past summer’s Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly meeting in Greensboro. He fi nds Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi especially noteworthy, in that its author claims to have discovered the secret of contentment—even while enduring the rigors of imprisonment. Tentative plans call for Friday and Saturday evening study sessions, preceded by dinner in the Fellowship Hall. Todd will speak twice more on Sunday, once to a plenary adult and youth Sunday School gathering, and then during the morning worship service. First Baptist members and friends should mark their calendars now, and plan to “Warm Up to Winter Bible Study”—and overcome the post-holiday blues!

New Wednesday Night Access Classes:

{Acting on Our Faith–Our congregation got a taste of the vast amount of mission activity we engage in during the October Mission

Fair. In January we will begin the journey to understand these ministries in greater depth. Th e “Acting on Our Faith” seminars will seek to put a face on the major societal diseases of our community, such as poverty, addiction, hunger, and homelessness; and then move to the mission activity of our congregation to combat these social ills. Week aft er week you will be invited to come alongside and touch the many ministries that are being conducted by our people. Plan to be a part of this time of education, support, and prayer. (January 8, 15, 22, 29)

{Bible Study: Th e Th ree Kings of the Old Testament– From January through March the Wednesday Chapel Bible Study will

focus on selected passages from the Old Testament books of Samuel, Kings and Chronicles. “Good Kings, Bad Kings” will consider what may be learned about the three monarchs of Israel’s United Monarchy—Saul, David and Solomon. What were their spiritual legacies? What went wrong with King Saul? In what ways was David both great and weak? Was Solomon as wise as his reputation suggests? Steve Pressley will serve as Bible teacher and session leader.

December 2013 | 11

Key: •Adults •All Ages •Children •Seniors •Weekday School •Worship •Youth

Regular Weekly Schedule

December Fellowship Meals Wednesdays, 5-6:30 pm

4: Th eo’s Famous Fried Chicken,

Baked Sweet Potato, Squash Casserole,

Salad Bar Kids: Chicken Leg

11: Grilled Pork Loin, Mac & Cheese, Stewed Apples,

Salad Bar Kids: Chicken Fingers

18: Pecan Encrusted Tilapia, Baked Potato, Cole Slaw,

Salad BarKids: Fish Stix

• Monday, December 2– PrimeTime. 9 am - Lunch (See ad below)

•Friday, December 6– Festival of Lights. 6 - 7:30 pm (See pages 4-5)

• Sunday, December 8– Hanging of the Green. 6 pm (See pages 4-5)

• Sunday, December 15– Special Called/Regular Church Conference. 10:30 am Worship• Sunday, December 15– Churchwide Caroling. 3 - 5 pm & LoveFeast. 5 - 5:45 pm (See pages 4-5)

•Wednesday, December 18– Family Christmas Sing. 6:15 pm (See pages 4-5)

•Sunday, December 22– Christmas Oratorio/Bach. 10:30 am (See pages 4-5)

•Sunday, December 22– Youth Christmas Party. 6 - 8 pm (See ad below)

• Tuesday, December 24– Christmas Eve Worship. 5 pm (See pages 4-5)

• December 25-26– Church offi ces closed.

Sunday AM @FBC• Bible Study - 9:15 am• Worship - 10:30 am•Guest Reception - 11:45 am (209)

Wednesdays@FBC(No Wednesday night activities

December 25)

•Fellowship Meal - Dinner is served between 5-6:30 pm•Kids’ Access - 6 pm•Youth Forum - 6:15 pm•Adult Access Classes - 6:15 pm• Sanctuary Choir - 7:15 pm

Youth Christmas PartySunday, December 22, 6 - 8 pmOur Youth Christmas Party will be at the home of Emily and Elliott Bennett: 1605 Red Forest Road (314.7783).• High Schoolers bring an appetizer• Middle Schoolers bring a dessert(If you want to participate in our White Elephant gift exchange, please bring a gift from home for less than $5.)

PrimeTime December 2 “Christmas at the Organ”with Doug Vancil9 am: Ceramics, Gym; 9:30 am - Prayer Shawl Knitting, 108-A; 11 am - Bible Study “Prayers of the Bible” with Dr. Pressley, 218; 12 noon - Lunch, 108 Sunday PM @FBC

(No Sunday night activities December 22 & 29)

•Following Christ, 3:30 pm• Youth Bells I & II, 4 pm• Children’s Bells, 5 pm• Children’s Bible Drill, 6 pm• Youth: MS Discipleship &

HS Choir, 5 pm• Youth Snack Supper• Youth: MS Choir &

HS Discipleship, 6 pm• Adult Bells I, 6 pm• Sanctuary Choir, 7 pm• Instrumental Ensemble

(3rd Sundays), 7 pm

First Baptist Church Greensboro1000 West Friendly Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27401www.fb cgso.org

NON-PROFIT

ORGANIZATION

US POSTAGE PAID

GREENSBORO, NC

NO. 179

October 2013 Financial Update Receipts & Distributions Actual Budget Last YearOctober Budget Receipts $98,539 $130,328 $118,725YTD Budget Receipts $1,278,122 $1,404,299 $1,411,701YTD Budget Disbursements $1,491,311 $1,460,613 $1,379,432YTD Diff erential ($213,189) ($87,012) $32,269

The monthly Church Conference took place on Sunday aft ernoon, November 10, 2013 in the Fellowship Hall. Church Moderator, Jack Swanson,

presided. Th e following actions were taken–Blake Absher, Finance Committee Chair, made the following motions:• Motion #1: On behalf of the Missions Committee, the

Finance Committee, and the Deacons, I move that up to $200 be distributed from the Great Commission Fund to buy hot dogs for a cookout that the New Arrivals Institute is sponsoring. Action: Th e motion was approved.

• Motion #2: On behalf of the Missions Committee, the Finance Committee, and the Deacons, I move that $6,000 be distributed from the Great Commission Fund to support a mission trip to Los Laureles, Chile to rebuild a church there, with $3,000 being used to help pay for the costs of food, travel, and other incidentals for the 3 members of First Baptist Church who will be making the trip and $3,000 to pay part of the cost of the construction materials for the church building. Action: Th e motion was approved. (Note: Th e three FBC members going on this mission trip are Scott and Molly Lyle, and Fred Binder)

• Motion #3: On behalf of the Missions Committee, the Finance Committee, and the Deacons, I move that the Missions Committee be given authorization to approve expenditures of up to $750 from the Great Commission Fund without requiring any additional approvals from the Finance Committee, Deacons, or the congregation, with the condition that all such expenditures shall be reported to these groups. Action: Th e motion was approved.

Dr. Laura Lomax, Deacon Chair, made the following motion:

• Motion #4: On behalf of the Deacons, and with the prior approval of the Personnel Committee, Rev. Sherouse, and the Pastoral Discernment Council, I move that Dr. Steve Pressley be granted a sabbatical leave of 12 weeks and 3 days from September to December, 2014, and that the funding of approximately $15,000 for this sabbatical is to come from Account 2036, Sabbatical Fund. Action: Th e motion was approved.

November Church Conference