Frank and to the Point

During the Sunday morning worship services in October and November, we’ve been blessed to hear a reminder of the commitments made and work accomplished as a part of our Building Bridges Mission Commitments. These reminders included a Sunday School testimony, a Habitat for Humanity celebration, an interview with a missionary, an announcement about the First Arts Festival, and an overview of the first year of involvement from Building Bridges Chair Kim Williams.

It’s hard to believe that we’ve been at it for an entire year, but I am thankful for the things God has allowed us to do since our trip to the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge one year ago. Now, with much work to do, we move from a year of organization to a year with even more execution. I hope you are finding your place under the steeple and in the community to build a bridge for Christ.

While we’ve been busy Building Bridges, we’ve also had a strong year financially. We are close to meeting expected budget gifts this year, and as the last month of 2007 gets ready to unfold before us I want to ask you to please be faithful and generous in your giving. Without a scheduled “First Fruits” Sunday to encourage tithing, we are dependent on your personal commitment to support the church with your gifts this year. I am praying that we will finish the year on a positive note and with your loyal participation, I am certain that we will.

The Lewis family wants to say thank you for making the past ten years as your pastor’s family a very special time in our lives. Both of our children were baptized in this church. Many of our personal friendships are found in this church. We have been prayed for by this church often. All of that is meaningful to us. Thank you for the basket of cards at our celebration in fellowship hall, the ten-year service recognition award, and the gift certificate for dinner at Mere Bulles restaurant.

Hanging of the Green Is Sunday, December 2

Christmas is a favorite time of year for so many at First Baptist Nashville. It is a season rich with traditions and expectations. We light candles, decorate “our house,” sing favorite carols and come together as a family of believers to celebrate once again the gift of God’s Son. In a world full of chaos and discord, we set aside this Advent season to remember God’s gift to us, to slow down, and to focus on the Prince of Peace who brings hope and love to our busy, disjointed lives.

The Advent season kicks off with the annual Hanging of the Green Service on Sunday evening, December 2. Led by our children’s, youth and adult choirs, we’ll gather for a time of worship and celebration. From the simpleness of a child’s song to the grandeur of the congregational voices joined together in praise, we’ll be reminded of the peace that Christ brings to each of us. Join us December 2 at 6:00 P.M. in the Sanctuary and bring a friend. You’ll both be blessed.

Service of Remembrance and Hope on December 9

The holidays can be a difficult time, especially for those new to the experience of grief. Our Service of Remembrance and Hope is planned to help families and individuals remember loved ones in a meaningful way while renewing the hope that is promised in Scripture.

This year’s Service of Remembrance and Hope is scheduled Sunday, December 9, at 6:00 P.M. in the Sanctuary. All members of the church family are invited to attend to support those experiencing grief. You may also invite a grieving friend to be your guest so that this service can minister to them.

2007 Advent Devotional Guide Available November 25

The Advent season is almost upon us, and it is once again time for a First Baptist tradition—our annual Advent Devotional Guide. This book of daily devotionals, coordinated by our Family Enrichment Committee, is written entirely by the membership of our church and is a very special and spiritual way to observe the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Devotional guides will be available beginning Sunday morning, November 25. The devotions will also be available in print and audio format online beginning December 1.

Send Christmas Cards and Support Missions at the Same Time!

RA POST OFFICE OPENS DECEMBER 2

Do you have fellow FBC members on your Christmas card list? Let the RAs make it easier for you. For all First Baptist folks on your list, just address their envelopes with their first and last names, then bring your cards and postage money to church anytime during the month of December. Place your cards and donation in the designated box in the foyer; the RAs will sort cards and place them by last name in the appropriately lettered mailboxes.

Money that you would otherwise spend on postage will instead go toward the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions, supporting missionaries around the world. FBC’s goal for the 2007 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is $60,000. The RA post office will remain in place throughout December.

Discipleship Opportunities

In 2008 we plan to launch a new discipleship curriculum in addition to our normal offerings, called LIVING FREE. This curriculum offers 26 different small group studies to help people address matters including: godly parenting; marriage enrichment/strengthening; single adult life; addictions; depression; peacemaking; caregiving for aging family; abortion recovery; handling loss/grief; mastering anger; restoring families; choosing sexual purity; authentic living in an artificial world; godly heroes; passionate pursuit of God; search for significance, and others.

We will need a number of trained facilitators and assistants. Training will be offered Friday and Saturday, January 11 and 12. Classes will vary from eight to 13 weeks in length, with ten persons per class maximum. Facilitators will be equipped to lead discussion from study materials provided. We know that on every pew (of many churches) sit people with broken hearts over the needs and challenges of life. We want to more effectively minister both inside our congregation and to others of our community. You may be just the person God has in mind to help!

Contact us for more information at 664-6001 or lori.towns@firstbaptistnashville.org.

New Church Directory

We’re having a new church directory made! If you haven’t already made your photography appointment, please either

(1) schedule it online—click here! (be sure to advance the calendar to DECEMBER or JANUARY to view available dates. There aren't any dates available in November.)

(2) visit the registration tables in the foyer after worship on Sunday mornings

Student Ministry Stuff

CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST

Sunday, December 2
Fellowship Hall
8:45 A.M.

The Student Ministry invites parents and their teenagers to attend the Christmas Breakfast on Sunday, December 2. Please make arrangements to be there because this will be a meeting you won't want to miss! We will be sharing some of the exciting things happening in the lives of students and in the Student Ministry. It will be a meaningful time together celebrating the birth of Christ.

JANUARY BASKETBALL

January 6, 13, 20 and 27
Rec Center
11:45 A.M. - 3:25 P.M.

Hoops time is here! Our student basketball league begins January 6 following the Sunday morning service. Invite all your friends to come to play some b-ball and share in a time of Bible study for four Sundays in January. This year we will also offer a discipleship class for parents of teenagers during a portion of the afternoon. We hope you will come be a part of this awesome time!

DISCIPLENOW

January 18 - 20

DiscipleNow will be an awesome time of Bible study, true discipleship and extreme fun! Students will stay in homes across the city Friday and Saturday nights, returning home on Sunday. Students will not want to miss this, so come and bring your friends!

ADULTS: we need lasagna and cars! Could you donate a frozen family sized Stouffers lasagna? Would you be available to help with transportation that weekend? Contact Bonnie if you can help at 664-6008 or send an e-mail to bon-nie.holmes@firstbaptistnashville.org!

MORE INFO?

More information about all of these events, registration and contact information is available online at:www.firstbaptiststudents.org

2007 Contribution Deadlines

You can bring your offering on Sunday, December 30 (or bring it to the church office on Monday, December 31). If you mail in your contribution, it must be postmarked by December 31 to count toward your 2007 contribution record. If you have questions about your contributions for 2007, please contact Mary Garrott at 664-6005 or mary.garrott@firstbaptistnashville.org.

Have you donated to the NBA Toy Store?

Nashville Baptist Association has a great tradition of providing toys and other gifts each year for families in East Nashville who cannot afford Christmas presents. Each family that comes to the toy store will also hear the Good News of Jesus.

Last year 7500 toys were distributed, with each child receiving 4 to 6 toys. Children were each given fruit and a bag of Christmas candy, and each family received a food item, as well as family gifts and wrapping paper. As a result of this ministry, 47 people last year made decisions to accept Christ.

This year the NBA Toy Store will once again be hosted by Shelby Avenue Baptist Church, December 10 – 14.

Here at First Baptist Nashville, we will collect new toys and winter clothing through December 2. Toy collection boxes, decorated by our RAs, are located at the McGavock entrance, by the church office, and in the main foyer area.

December Staff Birthdays

1 - Bonnie Holmes, Student Assistant

7 - Paul Clark, Interim Minister of Music

11 - Sandra Gentry, CDC Director

Pictures Worth 1,000 Connections

Sure, you have enough family pictures from the last few years to fill a warehouse! But what about those dusty pictures of ancestors your children wouldn't recognize, but without whom your present-day family wouldn't be the same? Setting aside time to view those pictures together enhances children's strong sense of family and identity.

A few years ago after Thanksgiving dinner, my husband Bob and I placed informal clusters of old photos around our living room. No one in our family has forgotten the results!

As we invited our children, Dan and Katy, into the "gallery," their eyes widened when they saw Grandma and Grandpa's wedding photos, Granddaddy's senior picture as high-school class president, and Grandmother as a 15-year-old basketball player. Then they were introduced to their ancestor who was the loudest "shouter" at her Primitive Baptist church; the farmer who planted maple trees still standing in West Tennessee . . . Sure, Dan and Katy smiled at the clothing fashions of each era, but that just added fun and a sense of history! We also pointed out who had owned the inherited furniture and family items that Dan and Katy see every day at home, making a connection with their everyday lives.

Family Picture Night is worth the effort! Ask to borrow ancestor photos from your parents and grandparents if you need to. Lifelong rewards result when children realize they're part of a human stream of unique, loving, fallible, and (if you're fortunate) godly family members.

Christmas Parade Activities on December 7

Jesus: The Greatest Gift

5:30 – 6:45 P.M.

Come enjoy an “evening breakfast” and hear the Christmas story told in a special way. This event for families with children age 4 years and up costs $10 per family. Contact Pam Nail at 664-6023 or pam.nail@firstbaptistnashville.org by Wednesday, December 5.

Hot Cocoa

6:00 – 7:00 P.M.

We’ll be giving away hot cocoa from 6 P.M. until the start of the parade at 7 P.M.

Christmas Parade

7:00 P.M.

The Nashville Christmas Parade begins around 7 P.M. You can watch from the church! You won’t want to miss seeing the First Baptist Nashville float!

Poinsettia Reservations Due Sunday, November 25

The Flower Committee will be placing poinsettias in the Sanctuary December 2 – 24. If you would like to place a poinsettia in honor or memory of someone, you may do so by submitting the information below. Cost of each plant is $10.00. Poinsettias may be picked up following evening worship on December 9 or 16 or following the Christmas Eve vesper services. A listing of donations will be printed in the December 9 Order of Worship.

Checks should be made payable to First Baptist Church and turned in with this form to First Baptist Church, 108 7th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203, Attn: Laurie Hall. The deadline for participation is Sunday, November 25.

Please submit the following information and include it with your check:

· Donor Name
· Address
· Phone Number
· Amount Enclosed
· In Memory of
· In Honor of

Hockey Night on December 8

December 8 AT 7:00 P.M.

NASHVILLE VS. ANAHEIM

We have reserved 50 seats for the Nashville Predators Hockey game on December 8. For $20 per person, we’ll provide parking, pre-game pizza, and a short lesson on the basics of hockey! This is open to church members and their guests. Please submit payment for the tickets by November 14. You’ll receive confirmation by mail. Reserve your seats by calling Sam at 664-6051 or e-mailing sam.sanders@firstbaptistnashville.org.

Global Missions Banquet

featuring global missionaries with Bobbye and Jerry Rankin, International Mission Board president and music by James Tealy. Cost is $5/person and childcare will be provided by reservation. Come be a part of what God is doing around the world! Questions, contact Bonnie Holmes, 664-6008