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December 7, 2022

Dear Friends,

"It's the most wonderful time of the year..." Are you feeling it yet? We pray that you are taking our Advent Conspiracy to heart. Be intentional about slowing down, noticing others, serving, and worshipping as we prepare to receive the baby Jesus. We look forward to doing life together with you in many of the events described in this newsletter.

Free Lunch!

(and important conference stuff)

This weekend, we will hold our annual, end-of-the-year Church Conference immediately following the Connexion worship service. Lunch will be served in the gym beginning at 11:30 a.m., with the conference to follow.

Families with young children are encouraged to RSVP below if you would like child care during the conference. Lori has arranged for the kids to have a grilled cheese, chips, and popcorn—along with a movie—so parents can participate in the conference.

Those who wish to attend online should look for a link in the Sunday morning worship email.

Friday Night Coffeehouse

Christmas Sing- Along!

The Staff Infection Band returns Friday night to celebrate the Christmas season with us at the Coffeehouse Christmas Sing Along! Wear your favorite Christmas attire and come at 6:30 p.m. to warm up your singing voice with a hot cocoa or coffee. The show starts at 7 p.m. Bring a friend along! Kids are welcome!

Lessons and Carols and Baptism

O, come and worship the King! Through scripture reading and carols we will lift up our praises together during this traditional, beautiful worship service in the sanctuary. Service begins at 9:00 a.m. this Sunday, December 11. We are delighted to bring Emelia Kirkland forward for believer's baptism during this special service.

Tonight is our last Wednesday Meal for 2022! Chef Neel is serving spaghetti, garlic bread, salad, and dessert tonight. We hope you will join us.

Christmas Poinsettia memorials are due by December 11. Please indicate the name of your loved one in the notes field of your $15 donation, whether in person, in Sunday's offering, or online.

We invite you to check out Lori's video where she discusses the Advent Conspiracy focus of spending less.

Advent "At A Glance"

12/7: Children's Birthday Party for Jesus, 6 p.m.

12/9: Friday Night Coffeehouse Christmas Sing Along, Common Grounds Coffeehouse,

7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.)

12/10: Ukulele Ensemble, pre-parade music in front of Bank Street (Griffin Christmas Parade) from about 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

12/11: Lessons and Carols, Celebration Service, 9 a.m.

12/21: Quiet Christmas, 6 p.m., Bramblett Chapel

12/23: Carols and Communion at Brightmoor Nursing Home & Assisted Living Center, 2 and 3 p.m.

12/24: Christmas Eve Service, 5 p.m., Sanctuary

12/25: Christmas Service (One Church), 10:30 a.m., Morgan Hall (no Sunday school)

1/1/23: New Year's Day Service (One Church), 10:30 a.m., Sanctuary

X'Tra Years of Zest (XYZ): Our Senior Adult Ministry will meet at 11:30 a.m. on December 13th. Special guests and entertainment for the day will be the Dixieland Dulcimers. They play several genres of music, including gospel, bluegrass, traditional mountain music, and good old fashion toe tappin' tunes.

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.

Birthday Party for Jesus

On Wednesday, December 7th at 6:00 p.m., our KIDMIN program will be celebrating Jesus' birthday with cupcakes, games, crafts, and a service project.

Journey to the

North Pole

Sam Knox will be leading this session on December 14th at 6 p.m. in the FBC Gym. The cost will be $15 per child OR $10 per child with a donation item for the Spalding animal shelter. We will have cookies and hot cocoa at the event.

December 14: The youth will hold their annual Christmas party in the Student Center on December 14th beginning at 6:30 p.m.

February 20-24: 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 other important dates for Student Ministry:

Basecamp — July 17-21, 2023

This Week in Music Ministry

Sanctuary Choir

Rehearsal at 7:00 p.m. in Choir Room

Instrumental Ensemble

Rehearsal at 6:00 p.m. in

Instrumental Room

Connexion Praise Team

Rehearsals in Morgan Hall

Vocalists at 6:30 p.m.,

Band at 7:00 p.m.

Ukulele Ensemble

No rehearsal this week

Performance at Stepping Stones,

Thursday, December 8 at 10 a.m.

Performance before the Christmas Parade, in front of Bank Street

4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Handbells

Rehearsal at 4:30 p.m., Handbell Room

Missions

World Missions

The Lottie Moon Christmas offering is another way to share Christ with the world this season. This offering supports health care missions. These offerings open doors to people around the globe. We know many are in ned of physical healing but they also need spiritual healing that can only come from the Father.

Because of health care missions, the lost were reached in North Africa. Despite government guards keeping a close eye on these clinics, people heart the gospel of Christ. This happens in spite of these being hostile to the truth.

IMB missionaries Patrick and Anne Stein are present in North Africa and hundreds of people are responding to these clinics. Their physical pains are healed and spiritual questions are answered.

Share in the joy of spreading the gospel through either or both Christmas offerings. Offerings to CBF or Lottie Moon may be done online, in person, or mailed to: FBC, P.O. Box 908, Griffin, GA 30224. Thank you for choosing to support these missions this year.

The FBC Caregiver's Clothes Closet NEEDS Mens's coats sizes XL and above. (They also need men's shoes and clothing.)

Church Library

Community: FBC Around Town

Upcoming Performances

The Ukulele Ensemble will perform for the children and staff at Stepping Stones Educational Therapy Center on Thursday, December 8 at 10 a.m.



You will also find the Ukulele Ensemble performing in front of Bank Street Cafe before the Griffin Christmas Parade from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.this weekend:

Saturday, December 10.

Ways You Can Serve

Mentor Training will take place on December 8 at the church. If you have questions or would like to become a mentor, then please contact Seth Brown.

LifeSong Ministry

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.

If you would like to be involved in this Ministry, please contact the Church Office. Thank you for the prayer support and the love you show to these women. 

What's Been Happening?

NEXT!

While Santa was greeting the many children lined up for blocks to see him at Historic City Hall, the Handbell Ensemble was ringing all the favorite Christmas tunes of the season (including "Carol of the Bells"). Thanks to all who came out to support them!

These pictures hardly do justice to the amazing Christmas Toy Shop experience created by dedicated volunteers at FBC. On December 5 and 6, families were able to shop with dignity for their children to have toys for Christmas. Families also took home canned goods and a Bible. We thank the planning team and volunteers for months of hard work preparing this event! Thank you to all who donated toys!

Helpful Upgrades

The next time you are on the third floor, you may notice very helpful hand rails that have been newly installed by our Levite Ministry. Thank you, Levite Team, for making our hallways more accessible!

This work took the better part of a week and a number of volunteers.

We are pleased to announce that the new Cherails on the stairwell were officially blessed and dedicated to Cheryl Matlock, who requested them. The hallway rails were not formally named, but were also dedicated. Those were requested by Janet Protho.

Other News Around the Church

Would you like your picture to be included in the FBC Member's Directory? If we have 25 (or more) individuals or families interested in having pictures made, we can schedule the photographers to come to the church. Let us know your thoughts by clicking on the Photos button. (Note: participants would have the opportunity to purchase their photos after the session. Updated directories would be available to all members of the congregation.)

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.

Meetings

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