FBC Raleigh News • December 21, 2021 |
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CHRISTMAS EVE
CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
(IN-PERSON AND
VIA YOUTUBE)
This is the evening for which we have been waiting for four long weeks. After a month of preparation and anticipation, reflection and devotion, the time has finally arrived to celebrate Christ’s birth.
As always, this service, which begins at 5pm, will include hymns and texts of faith, with 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. If you plan to join us virtually on Christmas Eve, you will find the service on our YouTube channel.
“O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,” our opening 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.”
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CENTERPOINT (IN-PERSON AND ZOOM) RESUMES WITH BIBLE STUDY
Centerpoint resumes in January with a three-week study entitled “Reading, Studying, and Being Transformed by the Bible” led by First Baptist member and Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at the Campbell University Divinity School, Dr. Barry A Jones. Covering some of the material in his 2019 book Gaining a Heart of Wisdom, Dr. Jones will use Psalm 90 as a concrete example. Week one will focus on the common sense of the text, with the idea that everyone can be a reader. Week two will focus on the critical sense, using the resources of scholarship to become active students of the questions that reading the Bible raises. Week three will focus on the canonical and contextual sense of the Bible as scripture that addresses us and shapes us. We invite you to join us in-person or via Zoom at 6:15pm on January 5, 12, and 19. We are privileged to have a distinguished scholar like Barry Jones in our church family.
Wednesday Night Children's Missions & Music Schedule:
6-6:40pm • Mission Friends/ RAs/Gas
6:40-6:50pm • Transition time/bathroom break for grade-schoolers; outside play for preschoolers
6:50-7:30pm • Music for Children
**Childcare provided from 5:45-7:30pm for babies to two-year-olds.
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WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUPPER
Each week, dinner will continue to be from 5-6pm, tailgating style, in the parking lot. If it rains, your family may come inside the building and we'll all spread out between the Fellowship Hall, Lewis lobby, and 301/302. We have returned to requiring reservations for Wednesday night dinners; reserve your spot at this link to the page on the church website or by calling the church office.
January's menus for Wednesday night suppers are as follows:
January 5: Curry chicken with rice, cabbage, and carrots
January 12: Breakfast: grits, sausage, eggs, biscuits, and potatoes
January 19: Hamburger steak with gravy and rice with peas
January 26: Grilled chicken, sweet potatoes, and broccoli
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CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE
The church office will be closed December 24, 27, 28, and January 3. There will be no Wednesday night activities on December 22 and 29. We will resume with Centerpoint and children's activities on January 5.
We know this Christmas will be different, but even still, we hope you are able to experience the peace, love, hope, and joy that comes through the gift of Christ into our world. Merry Christmas!
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FIRST NIGHT RALEIGH
As we have for many years, First Baptist will be a venue for First Night Raleigh on Friday, December 31. An all-access ticket is required for entrance. The easiest way to get a ticket is to visit a Triangle-area Harris Teeter or purchase one online at Etix.com. Tickets are $12 in advance for everyone ages 6+. On-site tickets will be sold for children ages 6-12 at $12, and $16 for those ages 13+. Admission is free for children under the age of 5. Vaccination or a negative COVID test within 48 hours is required to attend indoor venues, as well as masks inside the building. Children too young to get a test must be a accompanied by an adult who has had one.
First Night schedule at FBC:
Fellowship Hall
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7:45 and 9pm African-American Dance Ensemble
Sanctuary
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7pm Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble
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8pm Gregg Gelb Jazz Group feat. Chris Gelb, Steve Anderson, and Chris Mills
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9pm Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble
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10pm Open Jazz jam session with the Gregg Gelb Jazz Group
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DO YOU NEED OFFERING ENVELOPES?
If you have requested them, you will find contribution envelopes for 2022 on the first floor corridor leading to the Clothing Ministry; if you would like some but haven’t gotten any in the past, contact Wayne Hager and he will go over options with you. Giving patterns have changed so much during COVID and we want to be sure we meet the expectations you have for offering envelopes.
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GLOBAL MISSION OFFERING
All of us are eager for Christmas to come each year as we celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus. If you were in worship Sunday evening, December 5, the sights and sounds of our annual Hanging of the Greens service are still twirling through your mind. What a great way to begin this season of giving as we decorate our church and homes with symbols of God’s gift of a son that we might have eternal life! For some of us this season began early with Toy Joy activities and now December’s mission project will provide basic clothing for our Clothing Ministry. There are needs everywhere and our contributions matter.
For our CBF missionaries, the feeling of “Christmas in our hearts” is not just one day or one month, but all year long. Their lives are dedicated to telling the story of God’s love to those with no hope and showing God’s love through their actions as they help people find food, shelter, work, and a purpose for their lives. 100% of your gifts for the offering will support the long-term presence of CBF field personnel serving in the United States and around the world. This is truly a gift that keeps on giving. Please give generously and prayerfully to this offering.
Nancy Moore Phillips, WMU Director
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FBC SKI RETREAT
Our FBC Ski Retreat is coming soon! The dates are January 7–9, and it’s open to everyone! We will be staying in cabins at Pipestem National Park and skiing at Winterplace, all in West Virginia. The cost is $175, or $85 for those who don't wish to ski, with a $40 deposit to be paid by December 25. If you’d like to go on this retreat, please fill out this online form. If you have any questions, contact Michael Hood.
To pay with PayPal, click here.
To pay with Vanco Faith Mobile app, click here.
To pay with give+ on the website, click here.
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BIBLE VERSES FOR DAILY USE
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Tuesday, December 21: Psalm 113; Genesis 30:1-24; Romans 8:18-30
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Wednesday, December 22: Luke 1:46b-55; Micah 4:1-5; Ephesians 2:11-22
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Thursday, December 23: Luke 1:46b-55; Micah 4:6-8; 2 Peter 1:16-21
- Friday, December 24: Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2: 1-14, (15-20)
- Saturday, December 25: Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98; Hebrews 1:1-4, (5-12); John 1:1-14
- Sunday, December 26: 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26; Psalm 148; Colossians 3:12-17; Luke 2:41-51
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Monday, December 27: Psalm 148; Proverbs 8:32-36; John 21:19b-24
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Tuesday, December 28: Psalm 148; Isaiah 54:1-13; Revelation 21:1-7
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Wednesday, December 29: Psalm 147:12-20; 1 Chronicles 28:1-10; 1 Corinthians 3:10-17
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Thursday, December 30: Psalm 147:12-20; 2 Chronicles 1:7-13; Mark 13:32-37
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Friday, December 31: Psalm 147:12-20; 1 Kings 3:5-14; John 8:12-19
- Saturday, January 1: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13; Psalm 8; Revelation 21:1-6a; Matthew 25:31-46
- Sunday, January 2: Jeremiah 31:7-14; Psalm 147:12-20; Ephesians 1:3-14; John 1: (1-9), 10-18
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Monday, January 3, 2022: Psalm 72; Job 42:10-17; Luke 8:16-21
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DEACON ON CALL
December 19-25 • Betsy Neal (919-618-2637)
December 26-January 1 • Dan Roberts (919-815-2764)
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WEEK AT A GLANCE • DECEMBER 21-JANUARY 4 |
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Tuesday, December 21
10am Staff meeting (CR)
10:45am WMU Group 2 (Springmoor)
7:30pm Pathfinders SS (Zoom)
Thursday, December 23
7am Band of Brothers (Zoom)
6:30pm College Group (Garth/318)
Friday, December 24--Tuesday, December 28
Church office closed
Friday, December 24
5:00pm Christmas Eve service/reception (S/FH)
Sunday, December 26
9:45am Sunday School
11am Worship (S/YouTube)
11:15am Japanese Worship (Zoom)
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Tuesday, December 28
10:45am WMU Group 2 (Springmoor)
Thursday, December 30
7am Band of Brothers (Zoom)
Friday, December 31
First Night of Raleigh (see article)
Sunday, January 2
9:45am Sunday School
11am Worship (S/YouTube)
11:15am JBC Worship (302)
Monday, January 3
Church office closed
6pm MMIH Rehearsal (S Balcony)
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MATERNITY LEAVE DETAILS
We celebrate with Chad and Leah on the December 2 birth of Jennings Jett Reed. During her maternity leave, Leah will be checking email only sporadically, so please contact the following lay leaders, ministers, and staff who are taking over her ministerial duties with your questions or concerns:
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OUR FIRST FRUITS
STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN
During this time of stewardship, we ask you to:
- Recognize with gratitude the gifts God has given. Our gratitude motivates us to return our first fruits to God.
- Prayerfully consider your gift to FBC Raleigh and how God may use you in our ministries this year.
- Give from your first and best. The idea of first fruits challenges us to give intentionally from our first and best, rather than our leftovers. This means setting our intentions in advance of the year to come.
When pledges have been returned to the church, the budget will be presented again for approval by our congregation. A stewardship packet has been mailed. The proposed budget is also available in the members-only section of our website. You may also request a copy by calling the church office at 919-832-4485. You may pledge online here. As of 12/16/21 we have 148 pledges totaling $1,086,293.
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CHILDREN'S COATS NEEDED
As we approach colder temperatures, the Clothing Ministry is in dire need of children's coats of all sizes. This includes infants all the way up to youth sizes. You may place your donations in the bin at the back parking lot door, and make sure to take a tax receipt from the wall above the bin. Thank you for giving the gift of warmth to so many families
in our community!
Please note that the Clothing Ministry will be closed for guests and donations during the holiday Christmas and New Year's holidays (December 20-January 3). We invite you to bring your donations before or after these dates, saving them for a time when we have volunteers to process new inventory.
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DECEMBER MISSION PROJECT
During the month of December, we'll be supporting our Clothing Ministry. Below, you'll find the information on the chosen current needs (socks, underwear, gloves, winter hats/toboggans). If you prefer to shop online, click on this link to their wish list on Amazon. You may also write a check to FBC and put "Clothing Ministry" in the memo line. All donations should be placed in the bin inside the door to the rear parking lot.
Men
- Socks – black or white crew socks (Sizes 6-12 and 12-14)
- Underwear – Boxers (Sizes small thru 3X), solid colors
- Underwear – Briefs (Sizes small & medium), Black or colored
Women
- Socks – black or white ankle or crew, and thicker style (Sizes 9-11 and 10-13)
- Underwear – Briefs or mid-rise/hipster most popular (Sizes 5 thru 13, especially sizes 6 thru 10)
Boys
- Socks – Black ankle (Youth medium: 9-2 ½ or youth large: 3-9)
- Underwear – Briefs for toddlers (Sizes 2T-4T)
- Underwear – Boxer-briefs (Sizes 4 thru 16 – youth XS-XL)
Girls
- Socks – Ankle – colors or black - Youth medium: 9-2 ½ or youth large: 3-9)
- Underwear: Briefs for Toddler sizes (2T-4T) and Sizes 4/5 and 6.
- Underwear: Hipsters or medium rise (Sizes youth 8 – 16)
Gloves
- Men and Women- preferably black and thicker, sturdier material
- Children – Knit black or colors
Hats
- Toboggan style
- Black most popular for men; women and children prefer colors
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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 22; you may pick up your food in the FBC parking lot on Christmas Eve between 10am and 2pm.
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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 21-24!
(Closed December 25-January 4)
Lunch • church parking lot (11am – 1:30pm, Tuesday-Friday)
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AMONG OUR FAMILY
A link to the entire prayer list may be found below.
Please use your church directory for mailing addresses.
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THE RECORD WE WROTE
As of December 16, 2021
Current Week Revenue: $23,805.78
Month-to-Date Revenue: $58,548.37
Year-to-Date Revenue: $1,275,680.69
Month-to-Date Expenses: $58,791.23
Year-to-Date Expenses: $1,265,108.04
Global Missions: $1,548
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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.
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A link to the current and archived editions of the
Rose Window Weekly is available on the website.
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First Baptist Church Raleigh| (919) 832-4485 | 99 N Salisbury St, Raleigh NC 27603
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