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November 16, 2022

Dear Friends,

We are just over a week away from Thanksgiving. Turkeys all over the state are coming out of their deep freeze and will soon be basted to a lovely golden brown just like these that Chef Neel will be serving up tonight at our Wednesday meal.

As we near this holiday season, we want you to know how much we appreciate you and that we pray for you.

Please note that our Church Offices will close on Wednesday, November 23, at noon for the Thanksgiving holiday. Offices will reopen on Monday, November 28.

We have a lot of exciting activities going on. You will find them described below.

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.

This Should Be At The Top Of Your Wishlist...

Have you seen the signs posted or the insert in the bulletin? Are you curious about this Advent Conspiracy? Are you ready to reclaim Christmas for yourself and your loved ones? We invite you to watch Steven's video this week to learn more.

We will hold our annual, end-of-the-year Church Conference on December 11 immediately following the Connexion worship service. Lunch will be served in the gym before the conference. Those who wish to attend online should look for a link in the Sunday morning worship email. All members are encouraged to attend.

Are you a new member at FBC, or are you considering membership? We invite you to attend our Journey in Grace Membership Class, which meets the first Sunday of each month in the Heritage Room at 10:15 a.m.

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.

The reveal is here! Check out the new logo for the Children's Ministry.

Calling all 4th and 5th graders!

Bring your best game for this epic glow-in-the-dark dodgeball event! Oh, and come hungry, because we're having pizza!

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. 

TONIGHT in the Student Center at 6:30 p.m.!

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:

Christmas Party — December 14

Basecamp Summit — January 15, 2023

Basecamp — July 17-21, 2023

Handbells

Rehearsal from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. on 11/16 in the Handbell Room.

The Handbell Ensemble performs in the Sanctuary this Sunday during Celebration.

Members should arrive at 8:00 a.m. for rehearsal.

Orchestra

Rehearsal from 6:00-6:45 p.m. on 11/16 in the Instrumental Room.

Connexion Musicians

Vocalists rehearse at 6:30p.m. and full band rehearses at 7:00 p.m. on 11/16

Praise band will rehearse Monday, November 21, at 7:00 p.m.

Sanctuary Choir

Rehearsal begins at 7:00 p.m. on 11/16

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

Christmas Toy Shop 

The time is here for us to rally together in support of the Christmas Toy Shop. This ministry affords eligible families an opportunity to provide each of their children with two Christmas gifts. Your generosity and volunteer support shares the love of Jesus with these families. Please pray about the way you can best support this ministry. Here are the needs for the Toy Shop.

• On December 4th at 12:15 p.m. (following Connexion Worship), we need help setting up the Toy Shop. Lunch will be provided. Please call, text, or email Lori Harvey to sign up: 404-274-4824 or lorihharvey@gmail.com.
• On December 5th and 6th, the Toy Shop will be open. We need help assisting the Toy Shop clients. Volunteer sign ups will take place on November 20th and November 27th following the Celebration and Connexion services.

As part of the Christmas Toy Shop ministry this year, we will be holding a “Sock It to Me!” sock collection drive. For more information about this ministry, please contact Lori Harvey or Joyce McCartney.

Helping the Hungry

Members of the Benevolence team sorted canned good donations in the gym last week. These donations are bagged to share with those who need an extra bit of help during the holiday season. If you would like to assist, we invite you to join us.

Grace 127 Ministry

The Grace 127 Ministry created "Gotcha" Bags over the weekend for the foster children in the area.

Do you know a woman who could benefit from LifeSong?

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.)

Service

FBC Griffin and FBCYTH want to celebrate Sadie Pugh for not only having the vision to create a library in her neighborhood, build it, paint it, and collect all sorts of books. 

We also want to celebrate how she is showing all us how to love our neighbor well and how to let our light shine in this world. 

FBC Weekday children have been collecting canned goods for the hungry. Their donations has grown to over 1,000 items. Great work, kiddos!

Have you ever cleaned your walls and baseboards at home? It is not a task for the faint of heart. Did you know that Carol Potter, Carol Bohannon, and Sandra Burkhalter have cleaned the walls and baseboards of the Welcome Center, the Sanctuary, and the first floor of the Education Building over the past couple of weeks? Thank you, Ladies, for your selfless giving of time!

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. 

We hope you will drop by the Library to check out our newest display honoring veterans. While you are there, perhaps you can pick up a good read for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Thank you for supporting your Church Library.

Check out the newest children's books in the Church Library:

Trudy Ludwig, The Invisible Boy

Laura Numeroff, If You Take a Mouse to School

Jacqueline Rogers, Tiptoe into Kindergarten

Susan Rosson Spain, The Twelve Days of Christmas in Georgia

Jacqueline Woodson, Each Kindness

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! You will need to know your library number in order to sign in to First Baptist Griffin. Then you can see our collection. Contact the Church Library for more information.

Other News & Events Around the Church

Chef Neel will be serving a Thanksgiving supper tonight! Come out for turkey, dressing, green bean casserole, sweet potato souffle, rolls, and dessert. 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.

A Special Thank You...

We have been so overwhelmed with all the cards and prayers from all of our wonderful friends at FBC Griffin. We are so very blessed and thankful to all of you. We love you all and God bless you all,

Tibba and Bill Harwell

Despite the cold and rainy weather, we had a great crowd for the Seipp/Sheets Duo concert. Attendees were treated to an extraordinary musical experience with fascinating videos. Following the concert, the artists mingled with attendees at a small reception in the Welcome Center.

Upcoming Events and Meetings

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.)

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