(Continued on page 2)

A year ago we began an experiment. Remember? It was during Advent last

year when we first experimented with the simultaneous worship services schedule. We tried it during the four Sundays of Advent then took a few months to evaluate it and tweak it. We went over the proposed changes with the Deacons. After receiving their permission we launched the new simultaneous schedule on May 12. Has it worked to increase attendance in worship? Has it helped bring new people

to Christ? Are more people joining and being baptized? These are the big questions. Looking at the records we keep, the answer is “yes”. I know numbers can be boring and at times confusing, but I sense that you want to know if this new schedule is benefiting our church’s mission to reach people with the gospel. So here are some numbers that compare this Fall’s attendance with that of last year. During the Fall of 2012 we averaged 124 in the Freedom service, 226 in the Faith-Filled, and 20 in Preschool worship. There was also one combined

service last Fall. We averaged 356 in worship during the Fall of last year. Compare those numbers to Fall of 2013 in which we are averaging 132 in the Freedom service, 236 in Faith-Filled, and 33 in Preschool. There was no combined worship service this Fall. We are averaging 402 now. Or look at it this way: average worship attendance before moving the 8:30 contemporary service – 356. After moving the 8:30 contemporary service - 402. We have increased, on average, by 46 worshippers per Sunday since we moved to the simultaneous worship schedule.

Prayer & Bible Study at 6:00pm

December 1 - 10:30am The Prophet Promises Peace - Dr. Phillip Reynolds

December 8 - 10:30am Hanging of the Green The Prophet Promises Justice - Dr. Phillip Reynolds

December 15 - 10:30am The Prophet Promises Joy - Dr. Phillip Reynolds

December 22 - 10:30am The Prophet Promises Deliverance - Dr. Phillip Reynolds

December 29 - 10:30am Yet To Come - Rendell Hipps

MUSICAL NOTES

Advent Organ Recitals On the first three Wednesdays of December we will celebrate Advent with mid-day organ recitals. The programs begin at 12:05p.m. Our own organist, Florence Jowers, will play on December 4th; Adris Rozukalns, organist at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, will play on December 11th; and, Cory Westby, organist at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, will play on December 18th. After enjoying the noon recitals, you are invited to purchase your lunch at the Garden of Eaten Café in the Fellowship Hall.

Gloria! The Sanctuary Choir will be joined by a brass quintet, organ, harp and handbells to present an outstanding musical Christmas celebration on Sunday, December 15, at 3:00pm. You will want to invite your friends and family to come and hear this wonderful music of the season. When you come, bring at least one non-perishable food item to donate for the Hickory Soup Kitchen.

Children at Christmas On Wednesday, December 18, at 6:00pm our Children's Music Ministry will present its Christmas program in the Sanctuary. The children will be leading us in a Christmas Service of Lessons and Carols. Make plans to come and worship with our children's choirs (3 & 4 year olds through 6th graders) and handbells.

(continued) Also, more people are joining our church and being baptized this year than last. This year’s Fall Church Conference Membership Report shows that we had 8 baptisms and 8 other additions (16 total) from July through September 2013 as opposed to 0 baptisms and 4 other additions during the same period last year. As you can see, attendance is up significantly since we began the simultaneous worship schedule. Is this the only reason attendance is up? We cannot know for sure. I would guess that there are many factors contributing to our increase in attendance: there is a good and healthy spirit in the church these days, there are all kinds of attractive and challenging activities, groups, and missions to be involved in, and Bible study and music ministries are doing very well. But, I think it is undeniable that moving the Freedom service to 10:30 has definitely been a major factor in helping our church toward our mission of reaching as many people with the gospel of Jesus Christ as possible. Finally, I want to say thank you to the whole church for allowing this and making some sacrifices in order to carry forward our mission of reaching people for Jesus. Those in the Freedom service have given up having their Senior Pastor in attendance at the beginning of the service. Those in the Faith-Filled service have given up having their Senior Pastor with them after the sermon and during the invitation. I have given up the pleasure of remaining in either service. But I remind myself that sacrifice is an essential part of our faith. Christ gave up so much in order to reach us with His love. I can give up some of my routine to reach others with His love. We learn this way of life from Jesus and we are called to practice it. It is a thrill to sacrifice a little of my comfort zone and see that small sacrifice bring more worshippers before God and more souls into baptismal waters. This is working. This is the Lord’s doing, I believe, and it is marvelous in our eyes.

Phillip Reynolds Senior Pastor

SENIOR ADULT CHRISTMAS PARTY Mark your calendars now for Friday, December 6 from 6:00 - 8:00pm. Enjoy dinner and musical guests We Are Forgiven quartet. The cost per meal will be $7. We will end the evening with time together in fellowship.

Please contact Kathy Jachowski to make your reservation by Wednesday, November 27.

WEDNESDAY ACTIVITIES Please take note that on Wednesday, December 25 and Wednesday, January 1 all regularly scheduled activities are cancelled.

DEACON FAMILY MINISTRY If you are an ordained deacon at First Baptist but will not be serving as a deacon in 2014, please consider serving as a deacon family minister. You will work with a deacon or other family minister to serve the members of our church and Bible Study classes. If you would like further information, please contact Rendell Hipps by December 15.

MANY THANKS Thanks to all the helping hands with our Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box collection this year. From our children (some seen above), our families, our CDC classes (who donated 66 boxes themselves), to the daily volunteers and those who donated lunch for our workers. THANK YOU.

Angel Tree Gift Delivery Join our RA's as we deliver angel tree gifts on Saturday, December 14. We will leave FBC in the morning, time TBD. Please let Mr. Terry know if you wish to go.

Christmas Camp Saturday, December 7, 9:30am - noon, celebrate Christmas with your family as you build a gingerbread house, eat breakfast, make Christmas cards and share the Christmas story. Cost is $10 per family which covers breakfast and the cost of the gingerbread house. Please reserve your spot in advance by calling the office.

Children's Christmas Caroling Our children and their families are invited to spread the joy of Christ's birth on Sunday, December 1, 3:30 - 5:00pm at Trinity Village nursing home. Please meet in the lobby at 3:30 at Trinity Village (formerly Lutheran Home), 1265 21st Street, NE. This event is open to all children of all ages. Wear your festive attire. Afterward, families are free to disburse or may choose to share a meal together at a local restaurant.

FBCitykids Christmas Party Saturday, December 21 - This year's party will be off-site. More details coming soon. Volunteers needed.

White Christmas Basket Delivery Help us deliver 25 of our 50 White Christmas Baskets to some of our FBCitykids families. Delivery is set for Tuesday, December 17 after school. Call or email Amanda Holland to let us know you will help with delivery.

FIRST FRIDAY First Friday - December 6, 6:30 - 9:00 - We will celebrate Christmas with a singles' get-together in our Connection Center. Lots of food, fellowship, and fun. For all single adults in their 20's and 30's. Cost is $6 per person. Register online at www.fbc.cc/firstfriday

What do you believe about God? Why do you believe what you believe? Does what you believe really matter? In this engaging seminar, we will uncover why what you believe about God matters. We will consider topics such as: the inspiration of Scripture; creation and humanity; sin and evil; election, free-will, and salvation; the Holy Spirit; and end times. Taught by Rendell Hipps. Room 164. Childcare provided. Please register on-line before January 1, 2014 at www.fbc.cc/ChristLife or by calling the church office.

NEW MEMBERS We welcome to our church family Bill Totty on November 3 and David Totty who is awaiting baptism.

SABBATH SOUP Donations are needed for our Sabbath Soup Church-wide community outreach on December 29. The following items would be greatly appreciated. Pop-top items, peanut butter crackers, water, granola bars, gloves, socks, hygiene products and wash cloths. Sign up in Bible Study to help.

HANGING OF THE GREEN December 8 at 10:30am we will have a combined service to celebrate the Hanging of the Green. We will celebrate the season with music and scripture as we bring in the decorations for our sanctuary and get our sanctuary ready for the Advent and Christmas Season.

SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29 Come enjoy a continental breakfast in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday, December 29 at 8:45am. Combined Bible Study begins at 9:15am in the Fellowship Hall for all adult classes and youth. Children's Bible Study for 2nd thru 6th grade will meet in room 228. Preschoolers meet in their rooms on the Heartland Hall. We will worship together at 10:30am in the Sanctuary. Following worship, help us feed a hot meal to our neighbors at our quarterly Sabbath Soup in the Fellowship Hall.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 339 Second Avenue, Northwest Hickory, North Carolina 28601

Volume 13, Issue 12 Published Monthly by First Baptist Church, Hickory, NC

Return Service Requested Phone: (828) 328-2031 Fax: (828) 328-4789 Email: info@fbc.cc Website: www.fbc.cc

Phillip Reynolds, Senior Pastor Jerry Rodgers, Minister to Senior Adults and Church Administration Chris Gillespie, Minister to Students Rendell Hipps, Minister of Discipleship Jim Davidson, Minister of Music Ronny Skinner, Minister of Worship Arts Florence Jowers, Organist Staff email: (last name)@fbc.cc

Non-Profit U.S. Postage

PAID Permit # 85

This month’s photo features a glimpse of our 2012 Hanging of the Green Service. This year we will enjoy this service with combined worship on December 8.

YEAR END GIVING Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the end of the year are rapidly approaching. It is a good time to begin to review your financial support of First Baptist Church.

By law, contributions must be received in the church office by the close of business on Tuesday, December 31, or be postmarked by December 31 to be counted as a 2013 contribution. Please note the church office will close at 2:30pm on the 31 for the New Year holiday.

For those who transfer stock to be counted toward your 2013 giving, the transfer must be completed by December 31. It is the policy of First Baptist Church to sell all contributions of stock immediately, and not hold them for speculation. Please notify Jerry Rodgers or Kim Hutchison of all stock transactions so that we will know it is coming, know who gave it, and give the broker instructions to sell it immediately.

Making gifts of stocks, bonds, and/or mutual funds in the right way can bring extra tax savings. When making such gifts, always consider what the securities originally cost in relation to what they are worth today. When securities have increased in value, you should normally transfer them to First Baptist Church rather than sell them. When owned for more than a year, securities used to fund a gift can be deductible for income tax purposes at fair market value, not just the original cost. Giving in this way enables you to bypass capital gains tax that would otherwise be due if the donated securities were sold.

If you own securities that have decreased in value since you acquired them, consider selling those securities and making a charitable gift of all or a portion of the cash proceeds. In addition to the income tax deduction for the cash contribution, this creates a loss you may be able to deduct from other taxable income.

You may own real estate or other assets that could also be good choices for charitable gifts.

Please feel free to contact Jerry Rodgers or Kim Hutchison regarding your year-to-date giving to First Baptist Church. May God continue to bless us as we are generous and faithful stewards.

Our Special Members This Month

Jean Lambert - Kingston Residence #337, 904 Second Street NE, Hickory, NC 28601

Mrs. Gloria Carowan - Abernathy Laurels #903, 102 Leonard Avenue, Newton, NC 28658

Please keep these special members in your prayers. Send a card or visit them this week.

C A R E December 1 - Hinson, Faith & Hope, & Melton/Bost Classes December 8 - Allen & Foster Classes December 15 - Wachter Class December 22 - Blackwell/Woolf & Powers Classes December 29 - Faith & Hope Class

In Christian Love & Sympathy to… Louis Peak on the loss of his mother. Palmer Owensby on the loss of his brother. Barbara Eckard and family on the loss of their husband, father and grandfather

Thank You Notes Thank you notes have been received from Cooperative Christian Ministries and The Pregnancy Care Center. These notes have been placed on the board across from the chapel.

In Memoriam... Emily Roper - November 2, 2013

Patsy Barlow - November 16, 2013

December 1 Preschool Reception Volunteers: 9:00am - Sara Moore 10:15am - Sara Moore

Preschool Worship Care Infants — Fran Ballengee & Kara Wittenberg Ones & Twos— Julie Hampton, Kristen Keener & Jewell Mabery Threes & Fours— Sam Mabery & Ruth Hastings Fives— Family Day no preschool worship care for fives Coordinator: Ruth Ann Carreira

Children’s Church: Children in Worship

December 8 Preschool Reception Volunteers: 9:00am –Jan Rodgers 10:15am - Lydia Gillespie

Preschool Worship Care Infants — Becky Hedrick & Tera Booker Ones & Twos— Rebecca Peak, Noelle Wachter & Paid Worker Threes & Fours— Louis Peak & Lyndsay Watson Fives— David Wachter & Beth Miller Coordinator: Sandra Foster

Children’s Church Leader: Hanging of the Green/ Children in Worship December 15 Preschool Reception Volunteers: 9:00am - Beverly Crosby 10:15am - Betsy Reynolds

Preschool Worship Care Infants — Kim Buchanan & Judi Tucker Ones & Twos— Donna Burns, Lee Bogle & Susan Tallent Threes & Fours— Brian Bogle & Lisa Bowne Fives— Jeanne Davie & Woody Tucker Coordinator: Jennifer Summerlin

Children’s Church Leader: Norma Flores Faith-Filled Shepherd: Kelly Clark Freedom Shepherd: Mara Peters

December 22 Preschool Reception Volunteers: 9:00am - Diane Johnson 10:15am - Dana Woods

Preschool Worship Care Infants — Harriet Stephenson & Debby Cook Ones & Twos— Sandra Foster, Ashley Dyson & Jason Herring Threes & Fours— Angela Lawrence & Matt Dyson Fives— Frank Stephenson & Kristin Herring Coordinator: Mechele McCormack

Children’s Church Leader: TBD Faith-Filled Shepherd: Sheryl King Freedom Shepherd: Rene Stilwell December 29 Preschool Reception Volunteers: 9:00am - Sara Moore 10:15am - Sara Moore

Preschool Worship Care Infants — Steve Palmer & Robin Parish Ones & Twos— To Be filled, To Be Filled & Traci Palmer Threes & Fours— Eric Johnson & To Be Filled Fives— Linda Jones & Becky Icard Coordinator: Sally Johnson

Children’s Church Leader: Cindi Morrison Faith-Filled Shepherd: Lee Bogle Freedom Shepherd: One Service

MINISTER ON CALL

December 7 Rendell Hipps on call (228-8639)

December 14 Phillip Reynolds on call (455-8678)

December 21 Chris Gillespie on call (320-2741)

December 28 Jerry Rodgers on call (217-2597)

December 4 Blue Cheese Meat Loaf Green Beans Garlic Smashed Potatoes Salad Bar Rolls and Dessert December 11 Cranberry Chicken Broccoli and Cheese Sauce Rice Salad Bar Rolls and Dessert December 18 Baked Ham Sweet Potatoes Asparagus Salad Bar Rolls and Dessert Cheese Pizza and Chicken Nuggets will be available each Evening as an alternative

DEACONS FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 21 - 27

Tom Guthrie, Coordinator 256-8266 Kelly Clark 729-6793 Mark Knuckles 328-2476 Steve Palmer 304-0358

DEACONS FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 28 - JANUARY 3

Wink Gaines, Coordinator 874-0158 Jim Elliott 294-4747 Dennis Gaines 874-0158 Doug Frei 294-1428

Brenda Bost, Coordinator 294-0585 Lloyd Bost 294-0585 Ruth Ann Carreira 256-5616 Kara Wittenberg 234-9046

DEACONS FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 14 - 20

DEACONS FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 7 - 13 Ed Auten, Coordinator 324-5057 Peter Ballhaussen 326-9233 Doug Frei 294-1428 Alan Breazeale 294-1513

December Missions Goal $10,000 We have the opportunity to support the WMU Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and the CBF Offering for Global Missions during the month of December. Information and envelopes for both are available in the pews and around the church.