In the year 2000 I came to the state convention office in Tennessee. I distinctly recall the months leading up to Advent and Christmas that year because it was the first time in twenty-six years that I was not serving in a specific local church as the music minister. I remember thinking that I would visit as many Christmas programs as possible that year just be-cause I could. Among those I attended was the Carol-Candlelight Service at First Baptist. I was not surprised that the musical presentation was outstanding, but I was surprised in that service nevertheless. I was surprised by the power of simplicity. There was not much pageantry, not a lot of fanfare. There was a fine choir accompanied by some outstanding instrumentalists, and a group of students who assisted in lighting candles at a point in the service. Though the programming was not complicated it was profound.

Fast forward to 2007, and here I am in the midst of preparations for this very special season of the year at First Baptist. I recognize that I have entered into important traditions that are a part of what makes the church recognizable for those outside and familiar to those inside its fellowship. I am being educated on the fast track as to how each of the weekly services through this season have served for many years--from Hanging of the Green and other special evening services as well as the Sunday morning worship times through Advent. Of course, of special note for me will be that Carol-Candlelight Service that first introduced me to some of the meaningful celebrations in which the church engages.

The wonderful truth is that the message of Advent and Christmas is the same in 2007 as it was in 2000. We live in the tension between so much darkness in our world and the faith we have as believers in the Light of the world. We live in a world that cries out for peace, and we find ourselves in celebration of the coming of the Prince of Peace. In keeping with the theme, Prince of Peace, Child of Peace, which will pervade the worship services through the Advent and Christmas season at First Baptist, special music presentations will address the theme as well.
We will try to present music that captures a glimpse of the tension between the notion of a Prince and the notion of a Child. We have selected pieces that we trust will reflect something of the mystery of the Incarnation, when God became man and lived among us (John 1). In-deed this is among the most glorious and mysterious of truths. We trust that music in its inexplicable way can help us grasp something of the hope issued in with the coming of our Messiah.

I hope you will join us Sunday night, December 16, at 6:00 P.M., and that the music will assist us all as we worship gathered around the Prince of Peace, who became the Child of Peace.

December 9 at 6:00 P.M.

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.

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!

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; care-giving 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.

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

Already Made Your Appointment?

The photo sessions for the directory will be held in the rooms near Room 150 in the basement of our 7th Ave. education building. You may park in the lower gated lot and enter through our new entrance. Then just walk down the hall to our photography area.

You will be asked to fill out an information card before moving to the photo room. You will choose from the digital proofs your free 8 x 10 (which will also be the photo in the book) and will be shown options for other purchases, if desired. Please be on time.

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

DiscipleNow / Winter Warm-Up 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 Stouffer's 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!

MORE INFO?

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

One of the goals of the 2007 History Committee was to acquire recognition by the Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County Historical Commission for First Baptist as a historic site through the acquisition of a historic marker.

Toward this goal church member Bill McKee, who serves as a Commissioner on the Historical Commission, provided guidance and direction to the committee as they made their way through the almost year long application and approval process .

The culmination of these efforts was realized when the marker was erected on November 9,2007, on Broadway near our tower! Due to the fact that the focus of many Metro historical markers is the architectural significance of the location being recognized, the inscription includes reference to and a drawing of the 1887 building, which stood on our current site until 1967.

While the marker's inscription is not intended to reveal all that God has done at First Baptist Nashville in the last 187 years, it may bring passersby to a stop at our tower for a few moments to read and ponder the fact that Christians have been gathering for worship and service at the corner of 7th and Broadway for over a century. Take time to view the marker soon!

Pictured are Rus Roach, the committee's church staff liaison, and committee members Fred Turner, Mary Bostic, Deloris Foust, Ejay Vidrine, Steve Sparks,chairman, and church member and consultant for the project, Bill McKee.

Now that Chaney is a junior in high school, I appreciate even more the time we spend together as a family playing, traveling, and relaxing. Since Chaney is an only child, Tambi and I have always been his primary playmates. We have played board games, dominoes, cards, baseball, football, basketball, golf, and countless other games. As any good parents would do, we encouraged Chaney to do his best and have fun. Most of the time we would let him "win" the contest or competition but those days are distant memories. Now it takes all we have to be competitive and, with a few breaks, we may have a chance to win.

For our family, the definition of playing has also expanded to include watching professional baseball. During the last 17 years, we have visited 16 major league stadiums, 20 minor league parks, and the Baseball Hall of Fame. We have collected foul balls, miniature bats, bobble-head dolls, tee-shirts, and many other game-day giveaways and souvenirs. But the greatest things we collected are memories that will be with us for a lifetime. (Be sure to ask us about our favorite.)

Another much anticipated activity is our annual October weekend camping trip to Big South Fork River and Recreation Area near Jamestown. No matter what the weather may be (the cooler the better) or what our schedules are like (usually busy), we look forward to this time when we slow down, relax, and enjoy fellowship with friends while admiring the beauty of God's creation.

God has blessed our family in many ways and, as stewards of His gifts, we have tried to honor Him by building strong relationships with each other. Regardless of the activity or the outcome, the intentional time together has been and continues to be our greatest investment that yields immeasurable rewards.

You may bring your offering on Sunday, December 30 or bring it to the church office by Monday, December 31. (Note: church offices will be closed December 24, 25 and January 1). 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 via e-mail .

What’s on God’s heart this season? THE WORLD!

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” (John 3:16)

JOIN HIM IN LOVING THE WORLD!

Pray for missions—during the Week of Prayer for International Missions and beyond December 2 – 9, 2007.

Give to missions—National Lottie Moon Christmas Offering goal: $165 million. Church goal: $60,000.

Go!—Check out the many volunteer trips available in 2008.