CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE

As we continue our journey through Advent, you are invited to join us on Tuesday, December 24, at 5pm for our Candlelight Christmas Eve service. This season is more than lights, and gifts—it is a holy invitation to remember Emmanuel: God with us. In a world that often feels dark and uncertain, Christmas assures us that God’s light has entered our lives and will never be overcome. Celebrate the birth of the Christ child as we share in carols, scripture readings, and the celebration of the Lord's Supper. No childcare will be provided, so children of all ages are welcome to join us in the sanctuary! Whether you're a longtime member or visiting for the first time, we look forward to welcoming you. 

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS STORY

Our children shared the story of Jesus’ birth in a fine way Sunday evening! As scripture was read and sung, the scene was built by precious children who temporarily set aside their individual personas and stepped into their roles as barn animals, angels, sheep, shepherds, and wise men who built the nativity scene around Gabriel, Mary, and Joseph.     

During the offertory, gifts of warmth were placed around the manger — all of which will benefit clothing ministry clients as well as women who find emergency shelter at our church on below-freezing nights. The gifts were overwhelming: 23 blankets, 35 toboggans, 56 pairs of gloves, 97 pairs of socks, two scarves, nine winter coats or warm pullovers, two sets of long underwear, and $80.20, which will go towards buying more toboggans to give to the women sleeping in our fellowship hall over the holidays.    

CHURCH CONFERENCE TONIGHT

Our regularly scheduled church conference will be held Wednesday, December 18, at 6:15pm. The Zoom link is below, as well as a call-in number for those who would rather join via phone. Our by-laws require 50 members in attendance (in-person and Zoom) in order to transact business. Please make plans to attend so we can vote on important matters for our church. 

Church conference agenda

Finance chair summary report

Finance report 

Draft minutes of November church conference

View via Zoom with this link

meeting ID: 850 6201 7518, passcode: wDefe3. 

To view the speaker throughout the presentation, click the three dots

on the right portion of the screen and choose "pin this video." 

If you would prefer to call in,

use 646-558-8656, meeting ID: 850 6201 7518 Passcode: 490422.

CASSEROLE CARAVAN

FOR THE REEDS

Let's celebrate the upcoming arrival of baby boy Reed by having a Casserole Caravan! Join us on Sunday, January 12, floating from 2-4pm in room 301/302. Bring your best casserole ready to go in the freezer. Please put instructions on your dish for warming up later, and place it in a container that you do not need back. If you would prefer, you can give the Reeds a gift card to a local restaurant. Let's shower Leah, Chad, and Jennings with love and comfort food, as they prepare for another baby boy!

DR. BARRY JONES HIRED AS THE NEW DEAN OF CUDS

Beginning June 1, 2025, our very own Dr. Barry Jones will begin as the new Dean of Campbell University Divinity School. Jones joined the faculty at Campbell University in 2000, following his undergraduate studies at Campbell, graduate work at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and PhD from Duke University. Before joining the staff at Campbell, he taught at Mars Hill University and served as pastor of Park View Baptist Church in Durham. At Campbell, Jones has taught courses in Biblical Hebrew and Old Testament literature, including the prophetic and poetic books. He has also created specialized courses focusing on Exodus, Jeremiah, and Psalms. An ordained minister, he has served as an interim pastor, preacher, and Bible study leader in churches across North Carolina. Over the last twelve years of their membership in our congregation, we have been recipients of the many gifts of Beth and Barry, as they have served our community of faith in a variety of ways. We are thrilled for Campbell Divinity School, and celebrate this news alongside the Joneses!

CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR'S OFFICE HOURS

As we celebrate Christmas next Wednesday, the church office will be closed Tuesday, December 24, through Thursday, December 26. We will close Wednesday, January 1, for New Year's. If you have an emergency need during this time, please call the church office and follow the prompts to get in touch with the minister on call. There will not be a Rose Window Weekly for the next two weeks, so the next publication will come out on January 8.

May the peace of Christ fill your hearts, the joy of new life brighten your days, and God's love overflow into every corner of your life. On behalf of our entire church staff, we are wishing each of you a very Merry Christmas!

TOY JOY THANK YOU

Toy Joy 2024 was once again a successful event in no small part due to our committed church and community! Everything went smoothly on November 16, and I know our guests were well taken care of. Your kindness in serving is most appreciated. We rely on so many people to pull this event off — from the Prayer Shawl group knitting prayer squares, the WMU group who put together the prayer square bags, to the Thirty-Niners who assembled gift wrap kits, to the Japanese Ministry who sorted and filled food bags for each family, To Music Made in Heaven who shared their gifts of ringing Christmas tunes that morning, to all the hands who helped by donating toys and supplies, worked to transform our space into a room filled with toys, cared for our guests as they were shepherded through the space to make their selections, offered hospitality by way of a treat as they departed, and gave up their Sunday School hour the next morning to clean up and reset our fellowship hall — you were the face of Jesus to our guests. Hundreds of children will have a happier Christmas due to your efforts.  From our Toy Joy planning team, we are grateful that you continue to support this vital ministry.  Thank you and may your Christmas be filled with hope, peace, joy, and love! --Sabrina Tyndall

To see the slide show of the event, log-in to the Members Only section of our website.

SPREADING KINDNESS

Recently, the 2/3s Mission Friends class spent a Wednesday night painting and placing kindness rocks around the church building to learn about showing kindness and compassion to others as God tells us to do. This shows that even the youngest members of our congregation can find a way to make our church just a little more welcoming! -Elizabeth Riley

CLOTHING MINISTRY DONATIONS PAUSE

As usual, our church and community have responded quickly and with care to help us restock our supplies for men's clothing and coats across our department! We are grateful for these continued donations throughout the season to help us meet the needs of those whom God brings to our door each week, so thanks to each of you for continuing to support this vital ministry.

As we look to the holidays, we will pause receiving donations through January 5 in order to give our volunteers a break for the Christmas season, and take time to reset and plan for the upcoming year. We appreciate your help with this as our storage spaces are currently quite limited.

If you have any questions, please contact Sabrina Tyndall.  

HOSPITALITY + COMMUNITY

LUKE 14:12-14

Dear Church Family,

At FBC, hospitality is at the heart of everything we do. We strive to create a warm and welcoming space each Sunday, where our worship is filled with love and openness. We offer meaningful activities for families, connecting the youngest to the oldest in fellowship that strengthens our bonds with one another.

And our commitment to serve extends beyond our walls.

Through ministries like And Also With ’Cue, we feed those who are hungry, offering more than just a meal but also friendship and care. Our clothing ministry ensures that everyone has the dignity of clean, warm clothing regardless of their circumstances. We are proud that Toy Joy continues to make Christmas brighter for families, and when lending a hand on Habitat for Humanity homesites, we are helping create homes and hope for those in need. And when our youth participate in mission trips and the annual CROP Walk, we are passing on this tradition to the next generation.

Your past gifts make these ministries and many others possible.

In Luke 14:12-14, Jesus teaches us the importance of inviting all to the table—especially those who cannot repay us. This call to hospitality mirrors what we aim to do at FBC. Every act of service, every welcoming hand, is a reflection of our collective commitment to follow Christ’s example and embrace all who seek Him.

This year, our stewardship campaign theme reflects these values of community and hospitality. This fall, our youth choir sang “Crowded Table” by The Highwomen on World Communion Sunday. Like the song says, we envision a church that makes space for everyone. We believe in a table where everyone is welcome, where there’s plenty of love and fellowship to go around, and where we serve our neighbors together in faith.

But we need your continued support for this vision to become a reality.

Our approved 2024-25 budget is $1,738,000. With your pledge, we can confidently move forward, ensuring we have the resources to continue serving one another and our broader community. Your generosity allows us to provide a space for worship, growth, and outreach—where all are truly welcome.

We invite you to prayerfully consider your pledge for the coming year. Every gift helps deepen the roots of our church, allowing us to grow in our ministry and impact. Please return your pledge card by November 30, or you can easily pledge online.

Thank you for being a vital part of this community. With your continued support, we can ensure that FBC Raleigh remains a place where all are invited to the table and God’s love is shared in word and deed.

With deep gratitude and hope,

FBC Raleigh Stewardship Committee

**As of December 12, we have received 85 pledges totaling $766,340.



A MESSAGE FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

Dear Members of the First Baptist Church Congregation,

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends. As our thoughts turn to Advent and the Christmas season, and as we look forward to the Hanging of the Greens celebration on Sunday, I am writing to ask that you prayerfully consider including the church in your end-of-year giving plans.

On behalf of the Finance Committee, I want to thank all of you for your dedicated support of our church through your giving. Our prayers are that you will continue that strong support in December to help our church end the year in a strong financial position. We deeply appreciate those who have faithfully pledged their support during our 2024 stewardship campaign. The outstanding pledges totaling $57,292.05, as of December 17, will be instrumental in helping us meet our budgetary goals. We eagerly anticipate receiving these contributions. Your end-of-year gifts will help us to continue to provide vital ministries and programs for our congregation and community. We are committed to using your gifts wisely and responsibly to make a difference in the lives of others

As we look towards Christmas and then on to a new year, the Finance Committee is heartened by the congregation's response to the 2025 Stewardship campaign. We are grateful for the generous support that so many of you have already given. As of December 12th, we have received 85 pledges totaling $766,340. This is a wonderful start, but we still need your help to reach our goal of 80% of the proposed budget.

If you have not yet made a pledge, I encourage you to do so today. Every gift makes a difference and helps us plan the Church’s budget for the new year.

Thank you for your continued support of First Baptist Church.

Sincerely,

Ryan Willis

Chair, Finance Committee

ISSUE SEVENTEEN OF

FIRST FOUNDATIONS

The new issue of our First Foundations magazine is hot off the press, and ready for you to read! Magazines are currently available in the Lewis building lobby by the elevators. There are also copies of the magazine located at all entrances to the sanctuary for you to grab on your way out of worship. Feel free to get an extra copy for a neighbor who might like to know more about who we are, as we continue to reach beyond our walls. We are so grateful for all of our contributors (in order of their articles) — Anne Bullard, Michael Hood, Stan Crocker, Philip Lingafelt, Claire Willmschen, Holly Ivel, Carolyn Dickens, and Mary Hauser. A special thanks to our First Foundations magazine team that makes every publication come to life — Jen Foster, Anne Bullard, Claire Willmschen, Ginger Graves, and Leah Reed. You may access this issue on the church website, along with previous issues of our magazines. If you would like to receive a copy of First Foundations in the mail, please email Deborah. We hope you enjoy reading about Home from a wide range of voices from our community of faith!

VOLUNTEERS FOR MEALS ON WHEELS NEEDED!

These are such busy times with so many activities at FBC! This past week at our Thirty-Niners' meeting, our program was led by a volunteer and board member of Meals on Wheels, Mr. Sid Jones. He reminded us that Meals on Wheels of Wake County was created 50 years ago with the goal being that our homebound neighbors not be left alone and hungry as they grow older. Mr. Jones explained that there are 2500 seniors who are frail and hungry who need our help, even though Meals On Wheels delivers 380 meals daily. There are 11 cafés around the county for seniors to go to and participate in programming to meet their needs as they enjoy their meal. For those unable to go to a designated café, volunteers deliver their meals to their homes.

Volunteers are divided into 25–30 teams of two. Perhaps you would want to invite a friend or neighbor to be your partner—one of you would drive and the partner would give directions. Directions are outlined and printed out for you to take with you, and they are also available on a phone app. Our FBC Circle participates in this opportunity with 5–6 teams on the fifth Monday of the month. We need more FBC teams! Some of our members go twice weekly. OUR SENIORS NEED US! The opportunity is yours as Wake MoW invites you to volunteer, donate, visit a senior in the program or some elderly person that lives near you. If you would like to participate, please contact Margaret Clary or Nancy Phillips or contact the FBC office for more information.

THIRTY-NINERS GATHERINGS

Come join us Thursdays at 10:30am in the fellowship hall for interesting speakers, mission projects, and once a month, a program that's a little out of the ordinary. We also have an outing each month, but mostly we enjoy spending time together, learning something new and useful, and always ending with a meal.

DECEMBER  

19 Thirty-Niner family Christmas luncheon: bring a gift for White Elephant exchange 

26 NO MEETING

JANUARY

2 NO MEETING

9 New Year’s Resolution: chair yoga lesson (Phyllis Kritz, Instructor from Jewish Community Center of Raleigh)

16 Friendly Family Feud (member participation)

23 LUNCH OUTING: Taverna Agora Greek restaurant (326 Hillsborough Street; 12pm reservations or meet at FBC at 11:45am to ride in vans)

30 What We Should Know About Our Medications: Get Your Questions Answered

(Myra Brickell, pharmacist)

FEBRUARY

6 Super Bowl Bingo (FBC member participation)

13 Cardinal Singers performance; Volunteer Women’s Chorus

20 LUNCH OUTING: Meadow Restaurant Seafood Buffet (NC Hwy 50, Benson; meet at FBC at 11:45 to ride in vans)

27 Japanese Ministry and Community (Rev. Jun Matsuzaki, pastor FBC Japanese Ministry)

MARCH

6 Sharing our Stories (member participation)

13 Selling Your Home? What to expect! (Ruth Ann Dyer, Fonville Morrisey Realtors)

20 LUNCH OUTING: Hibernian Pub (311 Glenwood Avenue; meet at FBC at 11:45am to ride in vans)

27 Clothing ministry project (Sabrina Tyndall, coordinator)

APRIL

3 NO MEETING  

10 Easter cards to homebound members (member participation)

17 My Year in Washington, DC (Dr. Dorothy Holley, Einstein Grant)

24 LUNCH OUTING: Piccolo Italia (423 Woodburn Road, Cameron Village; meet at FBC at 11:45am to ride in vans)

MAY

1 CPR presentation and refresher

8 Wedding Mishaps: Ours and Others’ (Carolyn Dickens and Lynn Loomis)

15 LUNCH OUTING: Captain Stanley’s (3333 South Wilmington Street; meet at FBC at 11:45am to ride in vans)

22 NO MEETING

29 End-of-year celebration; year in review/summer sign-ups 

WHAT'S FOR DINNER?

We would love for you to join us for a mid-week meal! The supper line is open each Wednesday night, 5:15–6:15pm. You may reserve your spot at this link on the website or by calling the church office. Please note that every person eating Wednesday night supper must check-in with our volunteer collection team before getting their meal. Even if you have pre-paid online, please check-in with our volunteer. We accept cash, checks, or credit cards.



Ages 0–3: Free

Ages 4-12: $4

Adults (over 12): $8

Family cap (over 3 people): $24

The menus for upcoming Wednesday night suppers are as follows (all meals come with salad and bread):

December 18: vegetarian chili with cornbread

January 8: chicken fried rice with veggies; non-meat option: mock chicken fried rice; kids: egg roll.

January 15: beef stroganoff and green beans; non-meat option: mock beef stroganoff; kids: buttered noodles.

January 22: breakfast for dinner. 

January 29: sweet and sour meatballs with macaroni and cheese and baby carrots; non-meat option: mock meatballs. 

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, ham, ribs, and sides too. Orders will be accepted through Saturday, December 21; you may pick up your food in the FBC parking lot on Thursday, December 24, between 10am–2pm.

A NOTE OF THANKS

Dear Church Family, 

Thank you for your prayers and cards during this past month. After a heart catherization, a heart valve repair (TAVR), and vascular surgery for a pseudo aneurysm, I am doing much better. I still have a long recovery and appreciate your continued prayers.

Thank you, Mary Frances Ellington