E-Vision

November 2, 2022

Dear Friends,

This weekend we gain an extra hour of sleep because we set our clocks back for Daylight Savings. That means we should all be bright-eyed in Sunday worship! We pray for you and look forward to seeing you this week.

The holiday season is just beginning, but don't let that distract you from any of these announcements and stories about the life of your church family.

Sunday Worship

During each worship service this weekend, we will participate in the Lord's Supper, or Communion.

We will observe All Saints' Day on Sunday, November 6. During each service, we will light a candle for members who have passed away in the previous 12 months.

It is our tradition at FBC to take a Benevolence offering on Communion Sunday. The Benevolence Ministry serves those most in need in the local community.

Before the Holiday Rush Begins...

This Christmas season, we want to hit the "pause button" and take stock of a different kind of inventory when it comes to gift giving and holiday checklists. We invite you to learn more over the next few weeks (leading up to Advent) about a different kind of thinking — an approach to Christmas that will resonate more with the true Christmas story than anything you will find in popular culture. It's based on an international initiative called the Advent Conspiracy.

Please invite your friends and family!

The Seipp/Sheets Duo craft a unique, engaging, and entertaining concert experience with powerful and innovative videos that create connections to audiences of all ages. Music of Bach, Vivaldi, Handel to rock icon, Freddie Mercury, and inspirational patriotic selections that honor our country’s veterans will be presented.

If you are hesitant about driving at night and would like transportation to the concert, please respond with this link to let us know of your interest no later than November 14th at 5:00 p.m..

The Journey in Grace membership gathering is a basic introduction to our church family and is designed to clearly explain who and what our church is. This class provides an overview of our understanding of Salvation, our basic church beliefs, and our structure as a church. You will hear about the history of First Baptist Griffin and will learn a little about our understanding of what it means to be a “Baptist” congregation.

For more information about this class, please contact Steven Norris. If you would like to attend, please RSVP so we can have adequate materials on hand.

Ladies, we invite you to join us on November 28 for a delicious meal and inspiring speakers at our annual Advent by Candlelight event in Morgan Hall. The doors open at 6:00 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. There is no cost to attend, but we require a reservation before November 23. If you would like to host a table, we encourage you to let us know early and to refer to our website for more details.

XYZ AND WOM

The senior adult ministry, X'tra Years of Zest (XYZ), will meet on November 8 to share a traditional Thanksgiving meal and to hear the FBC Ukulele Ensemble perform. You can RSVP HERE.

Immediately following XYZ, the Women on Mission meet in the Hardee Hospitality Room (about 1:00 p.m.) to discuss the upcoming international missions focus for the church. Please bring fruits and vegetables to share with the Christian Women's Center.

Attention Campers!

Are you registered for our FBC Camping/Glamping trips?

February 19-23, 2023:

George L. Smith State Park



October 8-11, 2023:

Cloudland Canyon State Park 

Email Ellee if you are registered,

so she can plan the FBC meal for

one of the camping nights.

You know Advent is near when we start talking about poinsettias at FBC. This year, we will observe the traditional Hanging of the Green in the Celebration Service, where our Children's Choir will lead worship alongside the Sanctuary Choir and a special Trombone Ensemble.  In our Connexion Service, we will usher in the Advent season with a simple children's poinsettia processional as the congregation joins in worship. 

See you in the Student Center TONIGHT!

We're back in the basement for worship, games,  and Bible study starting at 6:3o p.m.

It won't be long now...

February 20-24, 2023

WinterPlace West Virginia

This annual ski trip is a highlight of the year for the Student Ministry. Students build memories that last a lifetime, learn more about Jesus, and have a lot of fun, too! The cost is $425 per student. This includes lodging, lift tickets, ski/snowboard rental, and lunch each day. 

Take note of a few important dates for Student Ministry:

Basecamp Summit — January 15, 2023

Ski Trip — February 20-24, 2023

Basecamp — July 17-21, 2023

Handbells

Rehearsal from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. on 11/2

Orchestra

Rehearsal from 6:00-6:45 p.m. on 11/2

Connexion Musicians

Vocalists rehearse at 6:30p.m. and full band rehearses at 7:00 p.m. on 11/2

Sanctuary Choir

Rehearsal begins at 7:00 p.m. on 11/2

Ukulele Ensemble

Rehearsal in the

Instrumental Room

Thursdays at noon

Beginning Ukulele

Instrumental Room

Tuesdays at 12:15

Community: FBC Around Town

Let Your Praises Ring!

Mark your calendars, because Santa is coming to town on December 2, and the Handbell Ensemble will be ringing in the season at the Historic City Hall in downtown Griffin! More details to come.

Missions

LifeSong Ministries

The current LifeSong class will graduate on Thursday, November 3, at 6:00 p.m. in Morgan Hall. You are invited to join these special women in celebrations of their accomplishments.

Thank you!

LifeSong Ministries is very grateful for the Levite Team of Bob Long, Jerry Johnson, Richard Riley and Jim Matlock. They climbed into ceilings and walls to run a network cable for a copier/printer that has been donated by Bill Middleton with M&H Duplicating. We appreciate their time and expertise given to our ministry that is providing job skills and resources to women in our community who are striving to improve their life and the lives of their families. Thank You!

The next LifeSong class will begin on February 27, 2023. If you know a woman that would benefit from the LifeSong program, please have them contact the ministry at 404-980-5549. You may also contact the program on behalf of a woman you would like to be considered for the program. Thank you for the prayer support and the love you show to these women. 

The Caregiver's Clothes Closet NEEDS Mens's coats sizes XL and above.

(They also need men's shoes and clothing.)

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Georgia Gets a New Moderator!

A number of folks from FBC Griffin will be traveling to Augusta this weekend (November 6-7) to participate in the CBFGA State Assembly. Please pray for their safe travel to and from the event.

Service

Are you a "detail" person? When visitors come to FBC for the first time, little details that regular attenders overlook may be very obvious to them. We are so grateful to those who give of their time to make attend to the details — to the changing of the many light bulbs in the Sanctuary chandeliers and even to the level of cleaning baseboards, doors, thresholds, and walls! 

If you have any questions, or if you would like to know how to get involved, please contact Seth Brown.

We are still looking for a few mentors! Please pray about your participation in this important program.

The mentor program through Griffin Spalding County Schools is looking for adults willing to serve as a mentor for a child at a minimum of 45 minutes a month during school hours (typically between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.). Mentoring takes many forms — reading a book, being read to, helping with school work, playing cards or board games, and even just being present and listening. To qualify to join our team of FBC Mentors, we need you to commit to there is a two hour training, a background check, and willingness to commit to meeting with your student for the rest of the school year. 

Year A lectionary readings, both daily and Sunday, will begin at the end of November. If you would like the Church Library to provide you with a lectionary packet for Year A, please sign up at the library circulation desk no later than November 16 on the clipboard provided there. Packets will be available beginning November 20 to those requesting them.

Library Hours

Sundays

10:00-11:30 a.m.

Wednesdays

6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Want to search the Church Library from your phone? Download the Librista app today! Sign in to First Baptist Griffin and you can see our collection. Contact the Church Libraryfor more information.

Other News & Events Around the Church

Chef Neel will be serving chicken and rice casserole, green beans, rolls, and dessert at our Wednesday night supper tonight. You can RSVP here. 

Have YOU Got the Look?

With the fall season upon us, wouldn’t you like something cozy to wear? Consider a fashionable vest, a long-sleeved hoodie, or a stylish jacket — all with an FBC logo! You can now preorder these shirts, which are embroidered locally. Check out the selection and order today! For more details, or to place an order, follow the link below.

The church will be decorated for Advent and Christmas with fresh poinsettias and wreaths. If you would like to make a contribution in memory or in honor of someone to go toward this expense, please place your gift of $15.00 (per listing) and the name(s) of the person(s) you are remembering or honoring in the offering plate by Sunday, December 11. Gifts received provide wreaths, poinsettias, and other supplies. You may give online and enter the name of the honoree in the memo space.

Baptism Photos from October 30

Nate Pruitt

Parents: Chad and Alexis Pruitt

Lincoln Jester

Parents: Brad and Liz Jester

Donna Heavener

Spouse: John Heavener

David Cordova

Welcome to Our Newest Members!

Monk and Leigh Ann Williams joined FBC on October 30. Please give them a warm welcome the next time you see them. We are excited you have joined our fellowship, Monk & Leigh Ann!

Nate Pruitt and Lincoln Jester became members of FBC upon their baptisms on October 30. We celebrate your declaration of new life in Christ, Nate & Lincoln!

Fall Festival Photos (October 26)

We want to send a hearty "THANK YOU!!" to our hostess, Ann Walker at Tobesofkee Farm for making us feel welcome on October 26. We are grateful to Toni Whatley, Betsy Simpson, Leslie Benefield, Meredith Willis, Ginger Hamilton, Robin Shepherd, and Lori Welborn for planning this hugely successful event, as well as to those who put in tireless labor to set up the event! Finally, thank you to all who came out to participate, to those who brought cakes, to those who donated candy (or money for candy), and to those who made chili (which was DEE-licious)!  

We don't have the space to share ALL of the photos here, but you can check out the larger collections on our Facebook photo album. For now, here is a brief recap of the night.

Upcoming Events and Meetings

Don't forget to share with us how we can be praying for you this week.