Issue 12 Volume 75 December 2011 First Baptist Church Wilmington, North Carolina

Kingdom NEWS

IN THIS ISSUE

Page 7

CrossTraining

Seminars

Page 4

Christmas at

The Cove

Page 5

Nominating

Committee

Slate

Be sure not to miss Christmas at First Baptist Church! This is a special time to worship through

music, devotion and giving to others. This Christ-mastime celebration will be held December 9th,

10th and 11th at 7:30 p.m. The beautiful sounds of

the season will be led by the FBC Chancel Choir and 36-piece Orchestra. Bring friends and family

to this wonderful celebration and tradition for 18 years! Child care will be provided and be sure to

arrive early as seating is limited.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Join us on December

25th at 10:00 a.m. for

a special Christmas

Day worship service.

There will not be

Sunday School this

day.

Bring the whole family for an evening of Christmas Caroling on Sunday, December 4th! Meet at the Activities Center at 4:15 p.m. to join a team in caroling to members of the church that are homebound. This is a wonderful and meaningful way to have fun together and give the gift of song to our homebound and nursing home members.

Sunday, December 18th, at

8:50 and 11:10 a.m. we will

receive unwrapped toys to be

distributed to needy families

at Christmas at The Cove.

The full article on this

exciting Christmas event and

a list of gift ideas can be

found on page 4.

Join us on December 24th at 4:00

p.m., 6:00 p.m. or 11:00 p.m. for

this beautiful service of candles and

carols anticipating the coming of

Christ into the world. Child care

will be provided at the 4:00 p.m.

and 6:00 p.m. services.

FBC has many festivities for you and your family to celebrate this Christmas:

Page 2

Christmas

Offering for

Global

Missions

“To become, and

help others to

become, fully

devoted

followers of

Jesus Christ.”

Making a List, Checking it Twice

What kind of gifts are you

giving—thoughtful, perfunctory,

extravagant, or exchangeable?

Long before the pilgrims, Native

Americans observed the tradition

of circulating a sacred peace pipe

among the tribes. The pipe would

stay in one lodge for a while, but

sooner or later the tribe would

give the pipe away again. When

the first English settlers came, the

Indians invited them to share the

sacred ritual. As was the custom

they gave the pipe to their new

neighbors. The leader of the

settlers happily took the peace

pipe and put it on the mantle in

his cabin. There it stayed and

stayed and stayed. After a long

time, the Indians came for a visit.

It was soon apparent that they

were expecting something. A

translator explained that the

Englishman should offer them a

smoke and give them the pipe.

The English settlers were irritated.

Clearly the natives were too

primitive to understand the

concept of private property, and

so the Europeans coined the deri-

sive term “Indian-giver.”

During the Christmas season the

European belief that gifts are

meant to sit on the mantle is on

display in every mall in America.

We list, budget, procrastinate,

panic, shop, overspend, bag, box,

wrap, bow, tag, and hide as part of

a gift-giving consumer frenzy. At

best, bath oil beads are a way to

express our appreciation to the

aunt we don’t thank nearly

enough. At worst, our giving is a

victory for materialism over

genuine love. Bad gifts are

waiting under a lot of trees—

garden gnomes, memberships to

Weight Watchers, and solar

powered flashlights. (Is it any

wonder gift cards are now a $60

billion a year business?)

In the midst of deciding between

a basketball and flannel pajamas

(go with the basketball), we

should also imagine the possibili-

ties of “Indian-giving.” What gift

would make a

difference?

How can I give

myself? The

best gifts aren’t

stationary. They

aren’t meant for

the shelf, but to

be shared with others.

Make a better list. Skip the dull,

inert gifts that matter little to either

the provider or the recipient. Give

a gift that not only changes the life

of the receiver, but may change

yours as well. Provide a little

peace by giving food for the

hungry, clothing for the needy,

housing for the homeless, and

support for your church.

Give at least one bona-fide-peace-

pipe-of-a-gift-from-the-heart to

someone who doesn’t expect

anything. Give an anonymous gift.

Accompany your gifts to family

with a smile, hug and “This is for

you, my favorite elf.”

Give time and appreciation. Check

twice to see if these gifts are on

your list. Give a poinsettia for the

sanctuary. Participate in Celebrate

Christmas on December 3. Carol

on December 4. Hear the chancel

choir and orchestra on December

9, 10, or 11. Bring a toy for White

Christmas on December 18. Come

to church and share the sacred ritu-

als of worship on Christmas Eve.

Invite a friend who might be alone

on Christmas Day to come to

church.

Find time this month to take a walk

with someone you love to look at

the lights in your neighborhood.

Bake cookies. Make hot choco-

late. Watch It’s a Wonderful Life.

Read Henri Nouwen’s Advent

Meditations. Wonder at a nativity

scene. Read the story that started

it all. Prepare your heart for the

one who teaches us to give.

YearYear--End Giving Guidelines End Giving Guidelines FBC must comply with the IRS directive that requires all 2011

contributions to First Baptist Church be given by December 30,

2011. If the donation is mailed, it needs to be postmarked by

December 31st. All money received after the 30th will be

placed in our 2012 books. We appreciate your cooperation! If

you have questions, please contact Marie Lane at 763-2471 or

mlane@fbcwilmington.org

God’s Mission, Your Passion

Christmas Offering for Global Missions

Goal: Change the World with the $12,000 We Intend to Give

When Jesus saw a crowd of hungry people, he had compassion on

them and told his disciples to feed those who hungered. His

disciples marveled at his

demand and rebuffed that they

did not have the money nor the

means to provide for so many

people in need. Jesus became frustrated with them and asked,

“How many loaves do you have?” We have been blessed with so

much. As citizens of the United States, we have freedoms that are

non-existent for the majority of people that live in the rest of the

world. We discard more food and ignore more possibilities of

advancement than most humans can dream of. The poorest among

us live lives of material prosperity when compared to people that

live in countries we cannot pronounce. Among the members of

our church who have set as our mission to become and help others

to become fully devoted follow-

ers of Jesus, we have been

challenged by our leader and

guide to give a portion of that

with which we have been blessed

to poor people in order that they

might eat, be sheltered, clothed,

drink clean water, receive

medicine, be taught, and the list

goes on and on and on and on.

Jade and Shelah Acker serve in

Sub-Saharan Africa as missionaries under the umbrella of the

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. They work among child refugees

seeking safety and a better life after having fled war zones in

Uganda. Sheila and Arville Earl serve among Albanian children

in Skopje, Macedonia. Jason

and Angel Pittman provide a

place of safety and tutorial

help for children that live in

one of the poorest and most

dangerous zip codes in

Florida. The ministry center is

called Touching Miami with

Love and the doors stay open

because of the generosity of

churches like ours and Christians like us that give to the

Christmas Global Missions Offering of the Cooperative Baptist

Fellowship. There are hundreds of other missionaries with

thousands of similar stories of young and old people who are

desperate for food, shelter, clothing, water, safety, but most of

all-love. The time is now and the need is great. How many loaves

do you have? Will you share?

UPCOMING WORSHIP

SERVICES

December 4 Brett Younger

LET EVERY HEART PREPARE

“Preparing with Peace: Christmas

According to Mark”

Mark 1:1-8

December 11 Brett Younger

LET EVERY HEART PREPARE

“Preparing with Joy: Christmas

According to Luke”

Luke 1:26-38

December 18 Brett Younger

LET EVERY HEART PREPARE

“Preparing with Love: Christmas

According to John”

John 1:1-5, 14

December 24

CHRSITMAS EVE SERVICE Candlelight Communion at 4:00, 6:00, &11:00

Jayne Davis

"A Light Has Dawned"

Isaiah 9:2-7

December 25

CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE Jim Everette

“The Ultimate Gift”

Titus 2:11

January 1 Daryl Trexler

“A New Day”

Matthew 2:1-12

Community LIFE

Sharing Life Together “They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common

meal, and the prayers.” - Acts 2:42 (The Message)

Memorial Gifts The following gifts have been given for which

we are deeply grateful:

General Fund In memory of Theresa Linkous by

Mr. and Mrs. John W. Smith

Tom and Patty Head

Mrs. Ruby Bissette

Marcia Horton

Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Davis

Mrs. Carol Queen

In memory of Annette Bender by

Mr. and Mrs. John W. Smith

In memory of Louisa Lanier by

Mrs. Ruby Bissette

In memory of Major Canady by

Dr. and Mrs. Haywood Davis

In memory of Neill Freeman by

Dr. and Mrs. Haywood Davis

In honor of Interfaith Volunteers by

Dr. and Mrs. Haywood Davis

In memory of James E. Stancil by

Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Davis

In memory of Temby B. Poston by

Caroline N. Swails

In honor of Lawyn Williams ‘

Dedication by

Althea and Sydney McNairy

Local Missions In memory of Theresa Linkous by

Mr. and Mrs. Gene McIntyre

Thanksgiving Mission Project In memory of Linda Knotts by

Joan and Claude Marshall

Home Missions In memory Judy Everette by

Mrs. Ruby Bissette

Children’s Ministry In memory of Annette Bender by

Ann and Willis Brown

In memory of Ruth Doss by

Mae S. Spencer

Guatemala Homes In memory of Major Canady by

Mr. and Mrs. Ray Canady

Mr. and Mrs. Carl Long

Mr. and Mrs. Lonnie Causey

Mrs. Betty Williamson

Ms. Brenda Hunt

Chancel Choir In honor of Kurt and Jean Wachtel by

Willis and Ann Brown

Baptist Children’s Homes In memory of Theresa Linkous by

Mrs. Betty Stike

In memory of Larry Johnson by

Mrs. Lois Johnson

In memory of the mother of Mrs. Kate

Moyle by Mrs. Frances Westbrook White

Attendance

11/6 11/13 11/20 11/27

Sunday School 572 486 565 444

Worship 933 794 779 793

Giving

November Requirement $ 164,858.61

November Receipts $ 126,106.53

YTD Requirements 2011 $1,773,819.97

YTD Receipts to date $1,654,749.35

Baptist Children's Homes—Offering $ 3,973.00

OUR VISION:

“To become a community of

believers that is open and

welcoming to anyone, no matter where

they are on their faith

journey, and is intentionally joining

with Christ in his redemptive work and

purposes in the world.”

Continued on page 6

Approximately 200 needy family members will gather at the

Activities Center on December 19th at 5:30 p.m. to enjoy an exciting

evening that will make their Christmas a special one. Gifts donated

by members of First Baptist Church will provide parents a “shopping

experience” to handpick presents for their children. Families partici-

pating have been recruited from the Jo Ann Carter Harrelson Center

and other supported ministries, such as

Communities in Schools and Habitat

for Humanity. “I am so thrilled that

families of the Harrelson Center have

been invited to participate in Christmas

at The Cove this year. These families

are working hard to improve their lives

and this will be a true blessing to them”

says Vicki Dull, executive director of

the Harrelson Center. While the parents shop, the children get to

enjoy fun and games in the Cove led by students from the youth

group and they will have the opportunity

to dress up to take pictures with a nativity

scene. Light dinner will also be provided

for the families.

Volunteers are needed for this evening.

This would be a great project for a Sunday School class. Please con-

tact Annie Adams at (910) 442-6235 or annieadams08@gmail.com.

Please bring unwrapped gifts for these families

to the Sunday, December 18th service, at 8:50 and 11:10 a.m.

For the “Big Kids” (10+)For the “Big Kids” (10+) ¨ Gift cards to the mall, to the

movies, Lids, Footlocker, Forever 21

¨ Dick’s Sporting Goods ¨ Purses, jewelry ¨ Inexpensive digital cameras, CD players, MP3 players ¨ Bath & Body Works items ¨ CDs, DVDs & music cards

For the Boys (2For the Boys (2--10)10) ¨ Balls (football, soccer, basketball) ¨ Remote control cars ¨ Legos ¨ Trains ¨ Trucks ¨ T-ball or golf sets ¨ Action figures

*All elementary children are in need of school uniforms.

Christmas Eve Nursery Help

Needed!

Would you be able to give of your time this Christmas Eve?

Help is greatly needed in the nursery during the

4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Christmas Eve service. Contact

Jennifer Springer to let her know if you can help!

Jennifer Springer- 620-2538 | stonej4@yahoo.com

Tuesday Noon Speaker ScheduleTuesday Noon Speaker Schedule

Please join us for our mid-week “faith lift” on Tuesdays at noon

when a member of our ministerial staff brings a short devotion and

leads us in prayer for the concerns in our midst. Enjoy fellowship

around the table during lunch. Cost is $4.

December 6– Daryl Trexler

December 13– Christmas Banquet

December 20– No Service

December 27– No Service

For the Girls (2For the Girls (2--10)10) ¨ Purses ¨ Dress-up clothes/jewelry ¨ Play-Doh sets ¨ Baby dolls and strollers/ Barbies ¨ Disney DVDs ¨ Board games/art sets ¨ Small riding toys

For the Babies (under 2)For the Babies (under 2) ¨ Baby toys ¨ Bibs, socks, blankets ¨ Board books

Student Ministries Upcoming EventsStudent Ministries Upcoming Events

Sun. December 4

Youth Christmas Caroling and Party

5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

See mailer for more details!

Sunday, December 11

Youth Group Bonfire

5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

Location: Skip & Meredith

Everhart’s home

Sunday, December 18

Youth will help transport gifts to AC

after morning worship services, eat

lunch, and then help set up for

Christmas at The Cove. We will end

at 5:00 p.m.; NO Youth Group that

night!

Monday, December 19

Christmas at The Cove

Please come at 5:00 p.m. to

help out. Clean-up will be from

8:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Please

wear an Elf or Santa hat!!

Sunday, December 25 &

Sunday, January 1

No Youth Group in the

evening.

SR. ADULT / RETIREE TUESDAY NOON ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LUNCH

December 13th at 12 pm FBC Activities Center, Smith Hall

Join Us As We Celebrate The Christmas Season! We’ll have a great time together as we enjoy our Christmas

lunch, Christmas program and Christmas goodies…with a few surprises thrown in! Put on your Christmas colors and

join us for a great time!

PLEASE RSVP to the church office by December 9th Cost—$4

YOUTH MINISTRYYOUTH MINISTRY Julie Chappell ʼ12

Laura Currie ʼ12

Denise Griffin, Chair ʼ12

Tracy Hamlet ʼ12

Shannon Pipkin ʼ12

Scott Burrell ʼ13

Wes Davis ʼ13

Phil Mansfield ʼ13

David Peck ʼ13

Karen Srafford ʼ13

Dorothy Crumpton ʾ14

Scharlotte Eby ʾ14

Skip Everhart ʾ14

Wendy Knowles ʾ14

Donnie Norris ʾ14

*Unexpired term

Nominating Committee SlateNominating Committee Slate

OFFICERSOFFICERS Church Clerk – Susan Crocker

Historian – Ken Newland

Co-Treasurer – Ike Blaylock

Co-Treasurer – Travis Cooke

Co-Treasurer – Tim Davis

Co-Treasurer – Ed Fare

Co-Treasurer – Jim Phillips

Assistant Treasurer – Marie Lane

Secretary of Corporation–Judy

Brown

AUDITAUDIT Jack Bissette, Jr. ʼ12

Jeannette Woodruff, Chair ʼ13

Barbara Williams ʾ14

CHILDREN’S MINISTRYCHILDREN’S MINISTRY Jarrett Anderson ʼ12

Michelle Stine ʼ12

Heather Sutton, Chair ʼ12

Nicole Underwood ʼ12

Tracy Wood ʼ12

Brenda Cribb ʼ13

Beth Davis ʼ13

Lindsey Reiner ʼ13

Brooke Sumner ʼ13

Dawn Trexler ʼ13

Stacey Elvington ‘14

Janna Lennon ʾ14

Amanda Norris ʾ14

Kristen Shoffner ‘14

Jennifer Springer ʾ14

CHRISTIAN EDUCATIONCHRISTIAN EDUCATION Laura Blair ʼ12

Coleman Long, Chair ʼ12*

Paul Short ʼ12

Bud Edwards ʼ13

Gary Harris ʼ13

Lara Holt ʼ13*

Allyson Keffer ʾ14

Jeremy Reese ʾ14

Kristen Tucker ʾ14

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENTFINANCIAL MANAGEMENT Jon Mason, Chair ʼ12

Keith Miller ʼ12

Gary Winstead ‘12*

Tim Clinkscales ʼ13

Ken Dull ‘13*

Jon Rosborough ʼ13

Robert Boggs ʾ14

Courtney Burrell ʾ14

Brad Hudson ʾ14

MISSIONS AND MINISTRYMISSIONS AND MINISTRY David Barkley ʼ12

Mary Ellen Bowman ʼ12

Mary Margaret Brooks ʼ12

Mike Kincaid ʼ12

Jim Morgan ʼ12

Rudy Cobb, Chair ʼ13

Jim Currin ʼ13

Donna Murphrey ʼ13

Jeff Tanner ʼ13

Anna Tolan ʼ13

Connie Allegood ʾ14

Scott Bittler ʾ14

Robbie May ʾ14

Gene McIntyre ʾ14

Sandy Smith ʾ14

PERSONNELPERSONNEL Ben Ellenberg ʼ12*

Tony Stroud, Chair ʼ12

Mark Steelman ʼ13

Jimmy Wallace ʼ13

George Gates ʾ14

Stuart Hudson ‘14

RECREATIONRECREATION Eilene Kubes ʼ12

Jeff Johnson ʼ12

Twig Rollins ʼ12

Rich Brocchi, Chair ʼ13

Judy Dudeck ʼ13

Jonathan Everette ʼ13

Dan Armstrong ʾ14

David Ellegood ʾ14

Joe Sutton ʾ14

TRUSTEESTRUSTEES Sharon Huffman, Chair ʼ12

Berry Trice ʼ12

Meredith Everhart ʼ13

Carlton Fisher ʼ13

Buddy Burrell ʾ14

Lorraine Mason ʾ14

Join us on Saturday, December 3, for this

special family Christmas celebration. Parents

and children who are 2 years through 6th

grade are invited to attend. We begin with

breakfast at 9:00 a.m. in Fireside Hall, then

the children are all invited to participate in a

retelling of the Christmas story. The day

concludes with crafts and a special surprise at

the end of the morning! Help is also needed

for Celebrate Christmas. We need cooks,

servers, craft leaders, costume helpers and

registration workers. Contact Heather Sutton

at pnhsutton@gmail.com if you would like to

volunteer your time to make this a special

Christmas event for our children.

Heart Felt Thanks from the Harrelson Center Thank you to Betsy Beer, Pam Fallis, Glenda Currin, Brenda Cox and Jean Wachtel for their work

in our garden and Christmas decorating! Also, thank you to: Steve Harrell, Bryan Prince, McAben

Prince, Skip Everhart, Andy Motley, Mark Dudeck and Jeff Troutman of The Uncommon Men

Group for painting our Parking Signage! You are all awesome!

Interested in volunteering at The Harrelson Center? We are forming Volunteer Teams for 2012,

and we would love to have you participate. Just give us a call at 910-343-8212 or send an email to

Director@harrelsoncenter.org and let us know. We need help with Building Maintenance,

Fundraising Events, Partner Activities, Gardening and more!

Please save your leftover boxes, bows & wrapping paper from the holidays & bring to The

Harrelson Center between Tuesday, Jan. 3, and Friday, Jan. 6th.We are planning a gift wrapping

fundraiser for Christmas 2012! Let this be the last year you lose sleep wrapping presents!

The following individuals have been

asked, and have agreed, to serve on the

standing committees of the church.

Please support their work and the

mission and ministries of our church

with your continued prayers as we

prepare to carry out God’s mission for

the year 2012 in our church, community

and around the world.

Continued from page 3 Sharing Life Together

Christmas Poinsettias In honor of Mike and Bobbie Queen by

Dwight and Lynne Collins

In honor of Greg and Michelle’s 2nd

Anniversary by

Dwight and Lynne Collins

In honor of Our Children and

Grandchildren by

Dwight and Lynne Collins

In honor of Mr. Gilliam K. Horton, Jr. by

Marcia Horton

In honor of Mrs. Elsie Corbett Hatch by

Marcia Horton

In honor of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Grant

Hatch by Marcia Horton

In honor of Connie Vigus by

Marcia Horton

In honor of my Children and Grandson by

Donna Boylan

In honor of Claude Marshall by

Joan Marshall

In honor of Mary Helen Pike by

Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Pike

In honor of All the Grandchildren by

N. Paul Bender

In honor of Ernestine Canady by

Mark and Sharon Pool

In honor of Olivia Victoria Hoelzle by

Todd and Lindsey Reiner

In memory of Florence Gordy by

Tom and Lois Corder

In memory of Miriam Baggett by

Tom and Lois Corder

In memory of Mary Ann Fitzgerald by

Tom and Lois Corder

In memory of Betty W. Andrews by

Sarah W. Sawyer

In memory of Lorraine W. Jeffreys by

Sarah W. Sawyer

In memory of Steve H. Pipkin by

Sarah W. Sawyer

In memory of Buddy & Theresa Linkous

by Tom and Lois Corder

In memory of Bettie Merritt by

Tom and Lois Corder

Joe and Sharon Sutton

In memory of Major Canady by

Tom and Lois Corder

Mark and Sharon Pool

In memory of Etta P. Martin by

John, Jennifer and Grantland Adams

In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Gilliam K.

Horton, Sr. by

Marcia Horton

Mary & Chris McKeithan

In memory of Charles Porter & Lloyd

Bowden by

Elma P. Bowden

In memory of Richard Crowder by

Margie Hilburn

In memory of Ann Willard by

Margie and Hal Hilburn

In memory of Mr. & Mrs. S.H. Franklin

by Mr. & Mrs. Sam C. Franklin

In memory of Mr. and Mrs.

R.F. Campbell

by Mr. and Mrs. Sam C. Franklin

In memory of Mr. & Mrs. H.T. Pedigo by

Mr. and Mrs. Sam C. Franklin

In memory of Mary and Gurnie

McCollum and Bobby Hill by

David and Pattie Hill

In memory of my Parents and

Grandparents by

Donna Boylan

In memory of John C. Pike by

Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Pike

In memory of William F. Hilton by

Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Pike

In memory of Margaret Hilton by

Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Pike

In memory of Mrs. Emma Child by Mary & Chris McKeithan

In memory of Terry T. Ball by

Joan and Claude Marshall

In memory of Margaret McKeithan by Mary & Chris McKeithan

In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Joe LeGwin

by Mary & Chris McKeithan

In memory of Bill & Katherine Worrell &

Reed Niedentohl by

Ed and Dee Worrell

In memory of Annette Bender by

N. Paul Bender

In memory of Stanley Henderson by

N. Paul Bender

In memory of Madaline Henderson by

N. Paul Bender

In memory of Loved Ones by

Barbara Mullins

In memory of Wilton M. Barnes by

Joyce D. Barnes

In memory of Virginia E. Burnette

by Joyce D. Barnes

In memory of Helen Dobson by

Frances H. Clausing

In memory of Phil Jones, Jr. by

Maria, Philip and Catherine Jones

In memory of James E. Stancil by

Betty Stancil

In memory of Ann Lintner &

Rose Gray by

Nick and Tracie Jernigan

In Sympathy Christian sympathy is extended to

Amy Tanner on the death of her

father, Mack Hewett, on

November 2, 2011.

Christian sympathy is extended to the

family of Beulah Giddens on her

death on November 25, 2011. She was

a member of FBC for one year.

Parent/Child Dedication Jarrod and Cassie Williamson

dedicated their daughter Lawyn Ann

Williamson to the Lord on Sunday,

November 27, 2011 during the

Traditional worship service.

Brad Fly and Katie Watson

dedicated their son Henry Owen

Watson to the Lord on Sunday,

November 27, 2011 during the

Journey service.

Christmas Poinsettia Christmas Poinsettia Christmas Poinsettia

Orders Orders Orders

If you would like to place a plant

in the sanctuary in memory or

honor of a loved one, you may

contact the church office to place

your order. Order forms are also

in the Order of Worship. Plants

are $15 each. The order deadline

is Dec. 14th.

A Visit to Israel (And How It Changed Everything) The events and life of Jesus took place within a very small and

complicated piece of the world called Israel. Does this place still

hold significance for us? In this 5-week seminar, Daryl Trexler will

share how his recent visit to Israel changed his understanding of the

familiar stories of Jesus, while gaining an understanding of this part

of the world.

Get My People Going! A wellness program set in the context of the book of Exodus, Get

My People Going! invites participants to choose three lifestyle areas

that they want to focus on improving, such as rest, eating habits,

prayer, nurturing community, exercise, etc. Each week a different

presenter will speak to these wellness areas, using the story of the

Exodus and the idea of journey. Participants will set goals for

themselves, track their progress and receive and offer

encouragement along the way. Cost: Blood, sweat & tears.

Led by Rebecca Boggs.

Companions in Christ Part II of this powerful spiritual formation small group will focus on

exploring the depths of Scripture and experiencing new dimensions

of prayer. Led by Allyson Keffer & Kristen Tucker.

[If you would like to be part of a newly forming Companions group,

contact Jayne Davis.]

CrossTrainingCrossTraining Winter 2012Winter 2012

Beginner & Beginner &

Intermediate Intermediate

Shag LessonsShag Lessons Every Tuesday Jan. 3rd -31st

Beginner Class

7:00-8:00 p.m.

Intermediate Class

8:15-9:00 p.m.

Cost: $20/person

For more details

call Margaret at 799-7564

Real God, Real Word, Real Life: Reading the Gospel of

John as if It Matters (…and it Does) Jesus’ invitation in the Gospel of John is “Come and see.” And that

is the invitation to you. Come and see. If you find reading the

Bible difficult, Come and see. If God isn’t as real to you as you

want him to be, Come and see. If you are hungry for the peace and

power and purpose that you believe faith should bring to your day

to day life, Come and see. If you want to see Jesus face to face,

Come and see. …But expect to be changed, along the way. Bring a

Bible. Led by Jayne Davis.

Our Acquaintance with Grief Grief comes to all of our lives along the way. It may be the grief of

death, the grief of loss – a relationship or one’s identity. There are

many occasions for grief. Walking with others on that journey can

offer us comfort, peace, perspective and hope. This five-week

seminar will explore stages of grief and offer support to those in the

dealing with grief. Led by Frank Hawkins.

Does Love Win?

Taking a critical look at recent writings on heaven, hell and

universal salvation, this small group seminar will tackle challenging

these theological issues from a practical faith perspective. Not for

the faint of heart, these conversations unpack some of our

foundational beliefs, challenge some of our basic assumptions and

stretch our thinking about God and the life of faith. Book cost: $15.

Led by Stefanie Riley.

Experiencing God Experiencing God is a powerful small group study that helps

participants to know God more deeply and to step out in faith and

to join God in the work that He is doing in the world. If you are

ready for your eyes to be opened more fully and to put your faith

into action, be a part of this life-changing study. Book cost: $15.

Led by Barbara Williams.

ADULT SEMINARS January 18 – March 28, 2012

Sign up for these classes online at

www.fbcwilmington.org

January Preschool January Preschool

RegistrationRegistration First Baptist Christian Preschool

will begin enrollment for the

2012-2013 school year in

January. FBC members will be

able to enroll beginning

Tuesday, January 17th. For more

information please contact

Amanda Norris, FBC Christian

Preschool Director at

332-5732 or

anorris@fbcwilmington.org.

A Message from the Pastor Search Team The Pastor Search team would like to take this opportunity to wish

you and your family a very Merry Christmas. We are grateful for your

continued prayers, patience and faith. The team is working diligently

and making excellent progress toward meeting our objective. Thank

you to those who have forwarded a résumé or Pastor

consideration. Our deadline for résumé submissions

is Jan. 15th, 2012.

May the celebration of Christ's birth serve as encouragement to us all

that He is always near and has "plans to give us hope and a future".

-Jeremiah 29:11

411 Market Street

Wilmington, NC 28401

(910) 763-2471

Kingdom News is a monthly publication

of First Baptist Church of Wilmington, NC

USPS-295-400

411 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28401

Periodicals postage paid at Wilmington, NC