Lottie Moon Offering for International Missions...our ultimate authority, God, as days to reflect upon Him and His greatness and goodness. In many ways Christmas has become both a

From the Pastor’s Study

“Holiday” or “Holy Day” – which day is

Christmas for you? Holidays are set aside by

the authorities in our lives as days to celebrate

and remember. Yet Holy Days are set aside by

our ultimate authority, God, as days to reflect

upon Him and His greatness and goodness. In

many ways Christmas has become both a

holiday and a holy day. Yet as Christians it is

critical that we celebrate the holiness of

this day!

The holiness of Christmas cannot be cele-

brated without Christ. Imagine what Christ-

mas would be if Christ had not come. Author

Tim Keller in an article titled, “Why Christ-

mas Matters” wrote:

“If Jesus didn't come, the story of

Christmas is one more moral paradigm to

crush you. If Jesus didn't come, I wouldn't

want to be anywhere around these

Christmas stories that say we need to be

sacrificing, we need to be humble, we

need to be loving. All that will do is crush

you into the ground …

[But] if Jesus Christ is actually God come

in the flesh, you're going to know much

more about God … If Jesus is who he says

he is, we have a 500-page autobiography

from God, in a sense. And our under-

standing will be vastly more personal and

specific than any philosophy or religion

could give us. [Because of Christmas]

look at what God has done to get you to

know him personally. If the Son would

come all this way to become a real person

to you, don't you think the Holy Spirit

will do anything in his power to make

Jesus a real person to you in your heart?

Christmas is an invitation by God: Look

what I've done to come near to you. Now

draw near to Me. I don't want to be a

concept; I want to be a friend.”

As we celebrate the holiness of Christmas, we

can rejoice as we recognize that God did draw

near to us, so that we can draw near to Him.

God took the first step toward us, when we

had no way of drawing near to Him. Jesus

came, He lived, loved, died, and rose again, so

that we can experience God and His love,

forgiveness, and salvation. This is the “Joy”

that comes with Christmas. God loves us and

sent us His Son.

Sunday we will celebrate Christmas as we

worship together. This Sunday morning we

will receive our gifts toward the Lottie Moon

Christmas offering. Our goal is $55,000. Also

we will focus on “The Greatest Christmas

Gift” which God has given to us all, Jesus.

Sunday evening our Adult Choir will present

the Christmas Musical “Light Out of the

Darkness.” It’s going to be a great day! I hope

that you plan to join us in this celebration!

For God’s Glory!

Bro. Fred

The MESSENGER

First Baptist Church, Andalusia, Alabama

We are a family of faith striving to be passionately devoted followers of Jesus Christ

December 18, 2015 Fred Karthaus III, Pastor Vol. 56, No. 26

Lottie Moon Offering for International Missions FBC Goal: $55,000 Ingathering: This Sunday, December 20

_________________________________________

LIGHT! Out of the

Darkness

Christmas musical by the Adult Choir

This Sunday, December 20, at 6 pm

_________________________________________

Christmas Eve Candlelight Lord’s Supper & Handbell Concert Thursday, December 24 5:00 pm [NOTE different time]

STUDENT MINISTRY UPDATE

Please be reminded of the following:

1. We will have a progressive supper for all students in grades 7-12 on Dec. 20. The progressive supper will begin at 4 pm and conclude at 9:30 pm. We will travel to various homes for appetizers, salads, and desserts. We will be back at FBC church for the adult choir musical at 6 pm and then the main course meal at 7 pm in the youth building. We are asking all students who participate to bring canned food items, or nonperishable food items, for the Christian Service

Center that evening.

2. Please do not forget to turn in your $50, non-refundable deposit, for Wayfarer Camp as soon as possible. The cost for camp is $309 and that price applies through January 31. After January 31, the price increases to $319. These prices do not include our

transportation costs, which depend upon the number of students going to camp. The camp dates are July 18-22, 2016, in Asbury, Kentucky.

Thank you students for your praise to Jesus this past Sunday morning as you sang Jesus, Joy of the Highest Heaven, with the adult choir. It was a beautiful expression of our thanks to

Jesus in accepting us by His coming into the world. I would like to say thank you to all, students, parents, and all church members, who make this a joyous time of the year as we focus upon Jesus’ birth. Your love for Christ as you continue to share His salvation, His gospel, as you invite others to know Him by making Jesus known, is a blessing to my heart. May the Lord continue to bless you by giving you numerous opportunities to share about Jesus in this Christmas season.

This Sunday morning we will study Matthew 2:1-15. This passage is the story of the wise men’s visit to the child, Jesus. The wise men were seekers of the King of the Jews, the King of kings, our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. The wise men desired to worship Jesus, and they would do so (see Matthew 2:11). King Herod, who they went to, to find out where Jesus was, was one who denied Jesus as King, his Savior, and his Lord – he wanted to kill Jesus (see Matthew 2:13-18). The reality of this passage is that it is true for every person today – we are either drawn to Jesus to

enthrone Him upon our hearts as Savior and Lord of our lives, or we reject Him and refuse Him as who He is, the Son of God and the only One who can save us from our sins. We must all make the choice to either accept Jesus or reject Jesus. The time for that decision is in this life now – while we are alive and can. My prayer is that you have asked Jesus to save you from your sins. My prayer is that if you know family members or friends who do not know Jesus you will invite them to Bible study this week so that they can hear about Jesus being the Savior of the world, who came to the earth to die for sinful man. Be a seeker of Jesus and one who leads others to seek Jesus too. You will be considered

wise in the eyes of God! See you this Sunday at 9:15 in the youth building!

Blessings,

Eric

Philippians 3:10-11

To receive updates & announcements about Student events… Follow us on Facebook on the Ignite Student Ministry page

Follow us on Twitter: ignitefbc

Church office – closed Thursday &

Friday, December 24 & 25, for Christmas

– closed Friday, January 1, for New Year’s Day

NO Messenger the weeks of Dec. 21 or Dec. 28

GAs Collect Money for

Lottie Moon Offering At the recent Sensational Soup & Sandwich

Supper the Girls in Action waitresses

collected $964 in tips to give to the Lottie

Moon Offering for International Missions. Our GA

waitresses were Hannah Grace Blackstock, Addison

Owen, Karson Owen, Ashli Parker, Erin Riley, Maecy

Starnes, Marion Starnes and Caroline Turner.

A huge THANKS to all who prepared food as well as to

all who participated. We couldn’t do this without you!

You are invited

Birthday Celebration for Buddy Brunson – Saturday,

December 19 – 1-3 pm – FBC fellowship hall

A thank you note has been

received from Nancy & Jimmy Shelton – it is

posted on the bulletin board near FBC office

Memorial Gifts Given In memory of Doolie Hogg by Paul & Jenny Rogers

In memory of Jimmie Vee Watson by Paul & Jenny Rogers

In memory of James & Mary Pouncey by Paul & Jenny Rogers

In memory of Jackie Gantt by Paul & Jenny Rogers

SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY – great teaching,

wonderful fellowship, powerful praying

Turn in Messenger Request in Sunday

School, in offering plate or to FBC office

If you are a member of Facebook, to join FBC page

go to www.facebook.com/andalusiafirstbaptist and

choose the LIKE button

FBC services – live on Sundays on Andy Cable

channel 12 at 10:30 am & 6 pm

Extended Teaching Care church office: 222-5152

DECEMBER 20 – 10:30 am (arrive at 10:15)

3 year olds –

4 year olds – Gayle Craft & Catherine Wiley

6:00 pm (arrive at 5:45)

1-3 year olds – Larry & Mary Avery

DECEMBER 27 – 10:30 am (arrive at 10:15)

3 year olds – LeAnn Riley

4 year olds – Glynn & Kim Ralls

No evening service

Education News Remember that we will have the ingathering for the

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering this Sunday. I trust that you will give according to the Lord’s leading as we “hold the ropes” for our missionaries serving in various parts of the world. Thank you to all of the GA’s, their leaders, helpers, and all of those who brought food for your service at the Lottie Moon Soup and Sandwich Supper. Those donations you were serving for will help missionaries all over the world in their work of spreading the Gospel. Thank you for serving in Jesus’ name! From the Blackstock family to our church family here at First Baptist, we hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

In Christ,

Judson

Visitation Will not meet December 22 or December 29

Do you need prayer? Does someone you know need

prayer? Call the FBC community-wide Prayer Line at (334) 582-

5155 & tell others about it

Deacons in service – December 20 Dodd Riley (488-0883) & Ed Short (222-6407)

December 27 Lex Short (222-7772) & John Smith (222-2144)

Ushers – December 20 Front Door Back Door

Steve Frazier Sandy Boyd

Nan Pike Kyle Dalton

Claude Pike Paul Darnell

Bill Rabren Becky Garner

December 27 Front Door Back Door

Bill Law Wynne Glenn

Jenny Pitts Shannon Glenn

Mickey Pitts Martha Griffin

Ann Pugh

Offering – December Jerry Andrews, David Brantley, Herb Carlisle, Jay Farrington,

Bob Harry, Duane Mooney, Jeff Moore, Ed Short

Light/Sound/TV – December 20

Sound Light/Computer TV Operator Tripp Bass Will Black/Colby Lee am-James M./pm- Bob H.

December 27 Sound Light/Computer TV Operator Lex Short Will Black James Mitchell

Women’s Ministry FBC Cookbooks – available for Christmas gifts – $18

New Discipleship Class – Armor of God by Priscilla

Shirer – begins January 10 – book: $14 – bring money

to FBC office to have a book ordered

Community Women’s Event – January 29-30, 2016 –

Friday: 6:30-8:00 pm – Saturday: 9:00 am-3:00 pm –

speaker: Courtney Reichley of Wayfarer Camp – at

Andalusia City Hall – ticket: $20 [includes lunch on

Saturday] – tickets available in FBC office

CONGRATULATIONS! to Tammy Holley Nall on her

16th anniversary as our Financial

Administrative Assistant

to Sonia Crigger on her 5th anniversary as our

Accompanist

Groceries for CSC

in December

DECEMBER is one of FBC’s months to

help stock the Christian Service Center food pantry

Please pick up a sample food list & an empty box in foyer

& hallway for your family to fill with non-perishable food

items during December & then bring back your filled box

in December

End-of-Year Gifts Many church members make generous gifts for

the Lord’s work before the end of the year.

Such gifts can bless the church and its ministries. Your

gifts can be made to the church budget (undesignated) or

designated for missions or ministries through the church.

Our Finance Office wants to be sure your gifts are

posted in 2015 if that is your desire. Please help us help

you by turning in your offering gifts by WEDNESDAY,

DECEMBER 30

Children’s Choirs

will NOT meet in December start again Tuesday, January 12, 2016 – 2:45-4:00 pm

Offering envelopes

for 2016

Please pick up your box of envelopes for 2016 in the hallway by the fellowship hall

THIS SUNDAY – To be sure your offering is posted to your envelope number, please use your offering envelope every time you give

Christmas season

schedule changes Wednesday, December

23 – no fellowship sup-per or evening activities

Sunday, December 27 – Bible study at 9:15 am – worship at 10:30 am – no evening activities

Wednesday, December 30 – no fellowship supper or evening activities

THE MESSENGER (USPS 700-520) is published bi-weekly except Christmas week & July 4th week by First Baptist Church, P O Box 788, 700 E. 3-Notch Street,, Andalusia, Alabama 36420 Periodicals Postage paid at Andalusia, Alabama EDITOR: Cindy Benson

CHURCH TELEPHONES - 222-5151 & 222-5152 PRAYER LINE - (334) 582-5155 CHURCH WEBSITE - fbcandalusia.org

CHURCH STAFF Fred Karthaus III Pastor [email protected] Judson Blackstock Associate Pastor/Education [email protected] Dwight Crigger Associate Pastor/Music [email protected] Eric Searcy Director of Student Ministries [email protected] Gordon Vickers Director of Senior Adults [email protected] Jeanne Bozeman Supervisor of Admin Services [email protected] Cindy Benson Education Admin. Assistant [email protected] Tammy Holley Nall Finance Admin.Assistant [email protected]

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES Sunday Sunday School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:15 a.m. Morning Worship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:30 a.m. Discipleship Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:00 p.m. Evening Worship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:00 p.m. Wednesday Fellowship Supper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5:00 p.m. RAs, GAs, Mission Friends, Students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:00 p.m. Adult Prayer Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:00 p.m. Ladies Bible Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:00 p.m. Adult Choir Rehearsal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:00 p.m.

Our Record A LOOK AT LAST WEEK…

Sunday School enrollment 723 Sunday School attendance 266

Visitors 8

AND THE CHURCH GAVE…

Budgeted offerings this week $19,882.48

Offerings received this week $12,113.36

Budgeted offerings to date $994,124.00

Offerings received to date $916,470.66

Fix-up Fund

$18,669.57 – account balance as of December 13

In the hospital LUVERNE HEALTH & REHAB.

Wesley Smith

Christian sympathy

is extended to:

the family of Trudy Vickers at her

death

the family of Georgette Pass at her death

Christmas

blessings to you

from your

church staff

Bro. Fred, Tammy, Dwight, Eric, Jeanne,

Judson, Gordon, Cindy

Wednesday Night Reminder There will be NO Fellowship Supper, Missions Acti-vities,

Youth Activities, Prayer Meeting, Sunday School Workers

Meeting, Bible Study or Adult Choir Rehear-sal two

Wednesdays, December 23 & 30 – Next fellowship sup-

per will be January 6, 2016

Voice Mail extension numbers Fred Karthaus 324 Jeanne Bozeman 326 Judson Blackstock 334 Cindy Benson 332 Dwight Crigger 327 Tammy Holley 323 Eric Searcy 325 Gordon Vickers 333