FBC Raleigh News • December 20, 2022
TWO OPPORTUNITIES TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS
 
After a month of preparation and anticipation, reflection and devotion, the time has finally arrived to celebrate Christ’s birth. This year we will have two opportunities to do so, both of which will be in-person and livestreamed on our YouTube channel.
 
The first service will take place Christmas Eve at 5pm. It will include hymns and texts of faith, the lighting of candles, and the celebration of communion. We invite those who are joining us at home via YouTube to prepare bread or crackers and wine or juice so they can partake of these joyous elements with us when the time comes, as well as to prepare a candle to light with us as we sing of Christ’s birth at the end of the service.
 
The second service will take place Christmas Day at 11am, our usual worship time. There will be no extended session, but worship bags for children will be available in the Gathering Room. Children of all ages are invited to join us for worship.
 
Also, in lieu of Sunday School Christmas Day, we will share a time of intergenerational fellowship with bagels and cream cheese, fruit, coffee, and water (and any goodies you’d like to share) in fellowship hall, beginning at 10am.
 
“O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,” the familiar carol proclaims, “O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem! Come and behold him, born the King of angels; O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.” We invite you join us as we celebrate this sacred truth together as a church family.

A CHRISTMAS STORY RECAP

On Sunday afternoon, our children proclaimed the story of Jesus’ birth in a wonderful and experiential way, from the prelude to reading a compilation of the biblical narrative to building the scene visually. We also gave gifts of warmth which will help to keep our clothing ministry friends warm this winter.  Thank you to Mary, Joseph, Gabriel, our narrators and musicians, and all of our wise men, shepherds, sheep, angels, and barn animals who made the story come alive!
DECEMBER MISSION PROJECT

This past weekend at our annual telling of the Christmas Story by our children, we asked everyone to bring an offering of warmth (gently used blankets or jackets, scarves, mittens, or toboggans) to be our offering for the night. This offering is also serving as our December mission project, so if you were unable to attend Sunday night, please consider giving, as we strive to meet this huge need of our neighbors this winter. You may place your donations in the drawer in the Lewis Building cabinet or in the clothing ministry cart at the back door any time during December. All donations will be given out to our clothing ministry guests. 
INCLEMENT WEATHER

Cancellation information about scheduled activities will be noted on a recorded greeting obtained by calling the office at 919-832-4485. Information will also be supplied to: WRAL-TV (1st Baptist, Salisbury St), WTVD-TV (First Baptist Church–Salisbury St.), and posted on our home page and on social media (Twitter, Facebook and Instagram). 
END-OF-YEAR GIVING & OFFERING ENVELOPES
 
We are thankful for the financial support First Baptist Church has received this year. As we near the end of the calendar year, we know you have many options to consider for charitable giving. We hope you will prayerfully consider your giving to First Baptist Church. Giving options, including stock gift instructions, are located here.
 
2022 financial year gifts must be post-marked or given electronically by December 31 in order to be recorded on your 2022 contribution statement. Gifts brought to the church office must be in the office by December 30 since the 31st is a Saturday. The last Sunday to bring an offering is December 25.  If you have a question about your giving in 2022, please contact Kathy Rattie.

If you have used offering envelopes this year or have requested them for 2023, you will find contribution envelopes for 2023 on the first floor corridor leading to the Clothing Ministry. If you would like some but have not requested them, please click here.

2023 STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN

A young boy, in the middle of a large, hungry crowd, is asked to share his meager lunch. The question no doubt entered his mind — how can this little amount I have to offer really help? But his small basket of bread and fish fed thousands of people that day through Jesus’ miracle. We rightly focus on the amazing miracle in this story, but can you imagine the wonder, joy, and fulfillment the boy must have felt watching Jesus magnify his gift?

Throughout the Bible we see this repeated countless times —- one small gift making a dramatic difference for others. And in each story the “giver” ends up receiving so much more than they give.

Today, we have the same opportunity to experience the wonder, joy, and fulfillment that come through giving. Your pledge of support to FBC Raleigh powers the programs, missions, and ministries that make a significant difference in our lives and the lives of our neighbors near and far.

The FY23 budget reflects a 5.7% increase over the prior year, allowing the church to meet the challenges of these times without sacrificing our commitment to our congregation, community, and staff.

During this time of stewardship, we ask you to prayerfully consider your gift to FBC Raleigh knowing in full faith that God will use your offering to transform lives.

A stewardship packet has been mailed out which includes a budget and a pledge card. If you have not received a packet and wish one to be mailed to you, please contact Wayne Hager. For your review, the proposed budget is available in the members-only section of our website. You may also request a copy by calling the church office at 919-832-4485.

As of December 15, 86 stewardship cards totaling $615,770.00 have been received.  

You may pledge online here.

BECAUSE PRESENCE MATTERS

Each year in December we launch the Global Missions Offering which supports CBF field personnel around the world, usually hearing from one of these personnel. This year, we heard from three of our own members — Libby Barnes, Sheila Jordan, and Nancy Moore Phillips — who had just returned from partnership mission work in Romania, helping provide food relief for people living with war in Ukraine. That presence; however, was only for a week and would not have been possible without the personnel and programs already in place.

As we enter the season of giving, please put this offering at the top of your gift list. 100% of your gifts for this offering will support the long-term presence of CBF field personnel serving in the United States and around the world.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUPPERS
 
We invite you to join us for a mid-week fellowship meal Wednesdays at 5:15pm. Reserve your spot at this link to the page on the church website or by calling the church office.

The menus for upcoming Wednesday night suppers are as follows (all meals come with salad and bread):
January 4: Hibachi Night (chicken with vegetables); non-meat option: hibachi mock chicken; kids: pizza rolls.
January 11: Korean BBQ; non-meat option: vegetarian BBQ; kids: meatballs.
January 18: Seafood pot pie; non-meat option: vegan pot pie; kids: fish sticks.
January 25: Taco night; non-meat option: vegan tacos.
SALT SHAKERS 2023

It is time to sign up for Salt Shakers 2023! This is a great way to know people in your church family with whom you might never spend an evening otherwise. We'll go back to four dinner dates scattered throughout the year. These dates are not set in stone. Alternative dates can be determined by the participants of the group, and if you still can't make it on the date chosen by your group, a sub can be found. Each individual or couple that signs up will be assigned to a dinner group with three other individuals or couples, and the groups will change for every dinner. You will only host once, and don't let hosting keep you from participating — if that is not an option for you, we will easily figure that out. Please email Jessica Helms by January 10 to sign up.

HONDURAS 2023

For nearly twenty years, FBC has been sending mission teams to Honduras as part of Baptists on Missions Honduran ministry. This year's trip is scheduled for February 6 –13. The cost is $500 per person (covers food, lodging and ground transportation) plus airfare. Once again, our project is house construction. Picture a large pile of sand, bags of cement, two metal windows and two metal doors, tin roofing sheets, and 800 concrete blocks. Then imagine five days later presenting keys to a family so they now have a place to call home. If you are interested in going, or have an interest in future mission trips to Honduras, please contact Steve Brown at 919-349-4984 or John Baldwin at 919-600-9124.  

BIBLE VERSES FOR DAILY USE
  • Tuesday, December 20: 1 Samuel 2:1-10; Genesis 21:1-21; Galatians 4:21-5:1
  • Wednesday, December 21: 1 Samuel 2:1-10; Genesis 37:2-11; Matthew 1:1-17
  • Thursday, December 22: Luke 1:46b-55; Isaiah 33:17-22; Revelation 22:6-7, 18-20
  • Friday, December 23: Luke 1:46b-55; 2 Samuel 7:18, 23-29; Galatians 3:6-14
  • Saturday, December 24: Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14, (15-20)
  • Sunday, December 25: Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98; Hebrews 1:1-4, (5-12); John 1:1-14
  • Monday, December 26: Psalm 148; Wisdom 4:7-15; Acts 7:59-8:8
  • Tuesday, December 27: Psalm 148; Proverbs 8:22-31; 1 John 5:1-12
  • Wednesday, December 28: Psalm 148; Isaiah 49:13-23; Matthew 18:1-14
  • Thursday, December 29: Psalm 20; Jeremiah 31:15-22; Luke 19:41-44
  • Friday, December 30: Psalm 20; Isaiah 26:1-9; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
  • Saturday, December 31: Psalm 20; 1 Kings 3:5-14; John 8:12-19
  • Sunday, January 1: Isaiah 63:7-9; Psalm 148; Hebrews 2:10-18; Matthew 2:13-23
  • Monday, January 2: Psalm 20; Genesis 12:1-7; Hebrews 11:1-12
DEACON ON CALL
December 18–24
Alan Taylor (919-604-2473 m or 919-367-9269 h)
December 25–31
Carolyn Dickens (919-601-5598 m or 919-781-2067 h)
CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE

The church office will be closed December 23, 26, 27, and January 2. There will be no Wednesday night activities on December 21 and 28. We will resume with Centerpoint and children's activities on January 4.

We hope you experience the peace, love, hope, and joy that comes through the gift of Christ into our world. Merry Christmas!
WEEK AT A GLANCE • December 20–January 4
Thursday, December 22
7am Band of Brothers (Zoom)

Friday, December 23; Monday, December 26; and Tuesday, December 27
Church office closed

Saturday, December 24
5pm Christmas Eve service/Communion (S/YouTube)

Sunday, December 25
11am Worship (S/YouTube)
11am JBC worship (226)

Tuesday, December 27
10:45am WMU Group 2 (Springmoor)

Thursday, December 29
7am Band of Brothers (Zoom)

Saturday, December 31
7pm First Night (FH)
Sunday, January 1
9:45am Sunday School
11am Worship (S/YouTube)
11am JBC worship (226)

Monday, January 2
Church office closed

Tuesday, January 3
10am Staff meeting (CR)
10:45am WMU Group 2 (Springmoor)
7pm Properties Committee meeting (Zoom)

Wednesday, January 4
5:15pm Meal served (FH)
5:45pm Children's missions (PS/CS)
5:45pm Handbell rehearsal (302)
6:15pm Centerpoint (FH/Zoom)
6:30pm Children's music (301,307,311)
7:30pm Adult choir rehearsal (310/S)
AAWC'S WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Each week, we post And Also With 'Cue's weekly schedule here in Rose Window Weekly as well as on our Facebook page to let you know our lunch schedule and if there will be outside events on the weekend for you to attend.

Come eat with us this week,
December 20–23!

LUNCH:
Tuesday–Friday in church parking lot - 11am-1:15pm
AAWC CHRISTMAS PREORDERS

And Also With 'Cue is now accepting preorders for Christmas. Skip the long lines at the grocery store and countless hours in the kitchen and let David With cook for you!

All preorders are available on their website where you can select from Boston butt, brisket, BBQ, turkey, ham, chicken, ribs, and sides too. Orders will be accepted through Wednesday, December 21; you may pick up your food in the FBC parking lot on Friday, December 23, between 10am and 2pm. 

AMONG OUR FAMILY

A link to the entire prayer list may be found below.
Please use your church directory for mailing addresses.

THE RECORD WE WROTE
As of December 15:
Current Week Revenue: $44,565.45
Month-to-Date Revenue: $70,906.68
Year-to-Date Revenue: $1,416,453.50
Month-to-Date Expenses: $80,550.78
Year-to-Date Expenses: $1,411,552.56
Global Missions: $1,162.00

To facilitate your giving to FBC, use the QR codes below to link to the website
for our main electronic giving, VANCO Faith, and the page that lists
all our e-giving options and instructions.        
Use this QR code to e-give
to FBC on line.
Use this QR code to e-give through
Paypal and other options.
SUBMIT A ROSE WINDOW WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENT

Do you have an announcement that you would like to include in the Rose Window Weekly? All information must be submitted by Thursday at noon, to be included in the following Tuesday's edition. Just fill out the Google form in the link below, and we'll make sure to include it in next week's publication. For any questions concerning the Rose Window Weekly, contact Jennie Herrick. Email Jennie here.