FBC E-News - 11/23/22

Newsletter for

November 23, 2022

The First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg exists to help people experience God's gift of life in Jesus. We invite people into a dynamic Christian gathering to...

-meet GOD,

-connect with one another, and

-embrace opportunities to impact our world for the good.

The First Sunday of Advent

Hanging of the Green

November 27, 2022

Songs of Worship

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Lo, He Comes With Clouds Descending

O Little Town of Bethlehem

Least of These

What Love Is This

Joy To The World (w/ Our God Saves)

Sermon

"The One Who Comes with Hope"

Isaiah 2:1-5

Ben Winder

WATCH HERE ON OUR WEBSITE

WATCH HERE ON FACEBOOK

WATCH HERE ON YOUTUBE

Short-term Adult Discipleship Options

Sundays - 9 a.m.

Fall Session 3 | November 20-December 18

The Birth Narratives of Jesus

Teacher: Ben Winder | Room 204

We will look at the Christmas story as told by the Gospel writers and explore how the familiar, cozy nativity scenes hold subversive claims of the messianic lordship of Jesus.

Advent 2022

Advent means "coming" or "arrival". Advent is a season of the church year observed as a time of expectant waiting and preparation both for the birth of Jesus at Christmas and the return of Christ.

During the four Sunday's preceding Christmas, we'll focus on how Jesus Christ is

"The One Who Comes" with Hope, Love, Joy, & Peace.

Each Sunday of Advent will bring with it something special!

November 27 we will reflect on the spiritual meaning of our beautiful Advent/Christmas decorations with a Hanging of the Green Reflection.

December 4 we'll celebrate communion together in worship and share a church-wide Fellowship Lunch together after.

December 11 the Kids Choir will join the Adult Choir for a special Christmas presentation.

December 18 we will have a Day of Commitment and our Annual Church Conference.

December 24 is our beautiful and meaningful Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.

December 25 we will have a Church Family Christmas Morning Worship Service.

It will be a full and meaningful Advent season at First Baptist. Be sure to join us!

Monday Fun Day - Carols & Lunch

December 5 |10:30 a.m.

Come celebrate the season with a yuletide lunch here at the church. The magic of Christmas never ends when you’re in the company of beloved friends and family!

Music will be led by our very own Michael McCarthy. Lunch will be Spiraled Honey Ham, Mouth-watering Green Beans, Mac n’ Cheese, Au Gratin Potatoes, and Dinner Rolls. Bring your appetite!

*Please bring one dozen Christmas cookies to share

Monday Fun Day Sign Up

Family Promise Hosting Week

December 11-17

Family Promise is a ministry which allows families experiencing homelessness to remain together rather than splitting up into various shelters by staying in the building of partner congregations utilizing a rotational shelter model.

Our next opportunity to host families in our building is December 11-17. If you would like to help with this effort there will be many ways to do so. Many of you contributed to our last week of hosting by praying, cooking a meal, filling the refrigerator, making a kid smile, setting up rooms, overseeing the DayCenter, or staying overnight.

Your kind acts of love were noticed and appreciated - thank you!

We need your help to make this next week of hosting go smoothly!

There's also opportunities to be a serve as a dinner or overnight host - those having direct contact with guests need to a couple of easy online trainings and complete a free background check.

If you are interested in being a direct-contact volunteer and need access to the online training, or have any other questions about Family Promise, email Cynthia Kidd.

Remember we will have something for everyone to do!

Volunteer at Our Partner School Lynch Elementary

Our partner school, Lynch Elementary, needs volunteers for field trips, book fairs, picture day, and other events. They also have students waiting to be matched with a lunch pal! If you are interested in volunteering on their campus occasionally for special events, or weekly by having lunch with a student, email Aimee Hobbs for more information.

Email Aimee about serving at Lynch

First Baptist Happenings

Blood Pressure Clinic | Get your blood pressure checked by our Health Ministry team next Sunday, December 4 from 10-10:25 a.m. in Room 12.

Monday Morning Prayer | All are invited to a time of prayer and praise led by our deacons each Monday morning at 9 a.m. in the Narthex. You may submit prayer requests online.

Ceramics Ministry | You are invited to a weekly ceramics class each Monday at 1 p.m. in Heritage Hall. This ministry makes gifts for those in our congregation that are homebound, welcoming new babies, or facing illness. No experience needed! For more information, contact Terrie Minkow (terrienorma@gmail.com | 727.560.0422).

Quilting Ministry | The quilting ministry meets on Mondays at 1 p.m. in Heritage Hall Room 4. Fabric & equipment are provided - all they need are willing volunteers! For questions or more information, contact Linda Sample (813.422.8998).

Coffee & Pastries | All are invited to a time of fellowship in the Narthex each Sunday before worship. November's refreshments are sponsored by an anonymous giver in honor of this intergenerational community gathering.