First Baptist Church

Discover the Love of Christ

Frostproof, Florida
Pastors Remarks Dear Church Family, The Christmas season is upon us. Once again we will soon be busy with all the activities that compete for our time. It really is a wonderful time of the year and I enjoy it, but the older I get, putting up the lights is not one of my favorite things anymore. I like looking at someone elses. Lights were an important part of that first Christmas. The angels had a brilliant light show when they appeared on that hillside, as the shepherds went to Bethlehem to see baby Jesus. Then the wise men saw a bright light (star) in the sky and followed it until they found the Christ child. Light is a major theme throughout the Bible. Jesus said, I am the light of the world. He also said, I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer wander in darkness. Jesus was not talking about physical darkness, but personal darkness. We all go through dark days. Sometimes life is disappointing, especially in these times of doubt, stress, and uncertainty. The great truth about Jesus is that He dispels darkness. We need to remind ourselves that He is a very present help, here to strengthen, guide, and meet our needs. He will make the darkness disappear and fill your life with His love, peace, joy and truth. What a Savior! May we rejoice in Him this Christmas. Remember that this is a great time to invite the unchurched or neverchurched to attend your Bible studies, worship and especially parties and times of food and fellowship. Be sensitive for the opportunities that surround you to connect with others, as you do ministry and outreach. Merry Christmas,

December 2013

Inside this issue:

Pastors Remarks 1 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering 2

Student Ministry

Kidz-Korner News

December Calendar December Birthdays

Bro. Darrol
FBC Ministry Service Schedules Thank You Note 6

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DISCOVER THE LOVE OF CHRIST

Dear Prayer Partners, Can you explain to me briefly, just exactly what your message is? Adrian, a government official, was helping me with some required paperwork when he began to ask me about my work. After a couple of minutes, he asked me the question above and then set things aside as he listened to my response. I had the chance to share the Gospel with him as well as touch on a couple of the biggest roadblocks we encounter in this culture. A week later, we were able to put a Bible in his hands and he promised to read it carefully. Would you join me in praying for Adrian? Would you pray that the Holy Spirit would convict him of the Truth and his need for salvation? As we start moving toward the Christmas season, we will see several of the larger pagan festivals take place here in our province. Businesses here are already gearing up for the Christmas shopping season. The frenzy of activity grows larger and larger while completely crowding out the Savior whose birth we celebrate. As we get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas in the coming weeks, let me share a few things with you Two weeks ago, as darkness came; I was on the road (okay, dirt trail) that leads to San Isidro. The road was dark and, thanks to a recent rain, the frequent dust bowls had been converted into great big mud holes. In one of the mud holes, I bottomed out. Instead of spending the night there, I just reached over and hit the 4WD button on the truck and continued on to our destination. That truck, with 4WD, is direct results of your giving through the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Last night, I spent the night in a house made available by your CP and Lottie Moon gifts. It is huge blessing to have a place like this and I am reminded of that each time I come back in from a few nights in a tent or on the floor of a schoolhouse in the interior. This Christmas, two college students will be home for the holidays. Without you, Elizabeth and Bill would not be home for Christmas this This would not happen without your CP and Lottie Moon gifts. This month, we complete 10 years on the mission field. You know what? In ten years, I have not had to leave my work here one single time to travel to the United States to try and raise support for our work. You, as Southern Baptists, have faithfully held the rope and allowed us to dedicate 100% or our time to the ministry God has given us here in northern Argentina. Once again, youre CP and Lottie Moon gifts have been such a key part of what God has placed us here to do. A month ago, I aggravated an old back injury and was pretty stove up. Because of our health insurance, in less than a week, I had seen a specialist, taken x-rays, had an MRI (and received the results), seen the specialist again, and was back moving around at near-normal levels. How is something like that possible? Oh, yeah, that would be Gods blessing once again through your CP and Lottie Moon gifts. Oh, yes. That Bible I mentioned giving to Adrian at the beginning of this letter? You got it. That Bible wouldnt have been available without you and your support. Are you getting the picture? You, along with Southern Baptists across the US, are an indispensable part of our team. Surely, all of the glory and credit belongs to the Lord and thank you for letting Him use you as part of His great plan. Our situation would be radically different without your partnership. By the way, did I remember to say Thank you!? In Him, The Cooks

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Dear Church Family, As we go into this Christmas season, let us all keep in mind why we are celebrang. It is very easy to get caught up in the fesvies and excitement and forget the real reason for this me. We do understand that December 25th isnt the actual date of Christs birth, but it is the me we have set aside to honor His rst humble coming. Christ must remain the reason for the season. Please do not allow the fear of oending someone or the pressures for polical correctness keep you from proclaiming the birth of our Risen Savior! On a dierent note, we are excited about the upcoming acvies for our students in this holiday season. Below is a list of special events for students or events where students will be involved. Please take note of these special acvies and support our student ministry with your prayers and aendance when appropriate. Sunday, December 15th Sunday, December 18th Wednesday, December 18th - Operaon Christ Child Christmas Drama 11:00 am - Sanctuary Choir Christmas Cantata 6:00 pm - Student Ministry Christmas Party/Gi Exchange 6:00 pm

Please note that there will be NO REFUGE on Christmas night and NO LINK Thursday, October 26. Students and young adults should take that me to spend with family and reect on the reason for the season. Lastly, PLANET WISDOM is returning to Florida in January 2013!! We are excited that Planet Wisdom with Mark Matlock and the Skit Guys will be in Winter Haven on January 17th and 18th. This two day event for students is one of the best discipleship training and evangelisc events bar none. The price for this event will be $54.00 per student. If you have a teenager in 7th-12th grade who would like to aend please get in touch with me as soon as possible. Also, if you would like to sponsor a student or students to aend Planet Wisdom 2013, please contact me directly at the oce. Registraon is due no later than Wednesday, January 8, 2014. Keep shing,

Bro. Brian

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KidZ~Korner News
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13

As the Christmas season approaches I find myself reading and meditating more on scriptures containing messages of Hope, Peace, and Joy. Words found on seasonal greeting cards but are much more than just a Hallmark sentiment. The families I minister to daily fall into 3 categories. 1. They experience Hope, Peace and Joy through their faith in God regardless of their circumstances. 2. Some know Jesus personally but due to overwhelming events beyond their control they have lost the Joy and Hope they once had and are unable to feel the Peace that comes from knowing God is in control. They need reminding and encouragement from stronger Christians. 3. Others have never experienced the Peace and Joy of knowing Jesus as Savior. They lack the faith to look beyond their current situation and are without the Hope of the resurrection or a better tomorrow. We cannot buy Hope, Peace or Joy and give it as a gift. God the Father did this through His Son Jesus. What we can do as is to show them Jesus by helping them to find a little Joy. If you are able to provide for a needy child or family this year, please see me, or remove an angel from the tree located in the foyer. Please bring your UNWRAPPED gift by the office by December 20. If you are unable to shop you may purchase a gift certificate or give a monetary donation to First Baptist Church-designating it KidZ-Korner Angel Tree. We also need non-perishable food items, full size personal hygiene products, and Bibles. In His name-For His KidZ,

Diane Cannon

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2013
Sun
1
Deacons serving: John Cavanaugh Garry Talley Business Mtg. 6pm

Mon
2 Joy Class Mtg.
7pm Smith Bldg.

Tue
3
TKD 5pm

Wed

Thu

Fri
6

Sat
7 Joy Class Social Homers 2:00pm

Smith Bldg.

4 Student Refuge 5 Prayer Team & Awana 6pm 6pm Smith Bldg. Bible Study 6:30pm Choir 8pm

2013 Week of Prayer for International Missions December 1-8

8
Deacons serving: Larry Ogburn Ed Butler

10 WMU Sewing
9am Fellowship Hall TKD 5pm Smith

11 Student Refuge 12 Prayer Team & Awana 6pm 6pm Smith Bldg. Bible Study 6:30pm Choir 8pm

13 Joyful Connection Class Social Smith Bldg. 6pm

14 Choir Rehearsal 8am Sanctuary Deacon Luncheon Smith Bldg. 12:00 21 Prayer Breakfast 8:30 Fellowship Hall

15
Deacons serving: Bill Rankin Gene Graves
Christmas Cantata 6pm

16

17
TKD 5pm Smith Bldg

18 Student Refuge 19 & Awana 6pm Bible Study 6:30pm Choir 8pm

20

22
Deacons serving: Freddie Senterfitt Doyce Cotton

23 Office closed at noon

24

25

26

27

28

29
Deacons serving: Cliff Lightsey Larry Blackwelder

30

31

Happy Birthday to
1 3 4 5 8 10 11 12 14 17 19 20 21 22 24 Marie Moreland Mary Ann McLean, Josh Brown Cameron Sousa Larry Ogburn Joyce Strickland Carole Anderson Mandy Long, Kerry Wood Breanna Robarts Betty Crews, Buck Smith Briana Rivers Brittany Wilkerson Mary Phyl Koloze, Amanda Troughton Courtney Jones Joshua McCawley Alan Lee, Aaron Gross

27 29

30

Marilyn Piatt Johnny Brantley, Beverly Scarborough, Kimberly Davis Joe Piatt, Walter Schilg, Stephanie Huckle

But the angel said to them, Dont be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. Luke 2:10-11 HCSB

Discover the love of Christ!

First Baptist Church Ministry

Gods Vision For FBC: He desires us to be a church that impacts our community with the Gospel.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

96 West. B. Street Post Office Box 327 Frostproof, Florida 33843-0327
Phone: 863 635-3603 Fax: 863 635-6923 E-mail: fbchadden@verizon.net Website: www.fbcfrostproof.org

Gods Mission For FBC: Making disciples, leading believers to become fully devoted followers of Christ. Gods Strategy For FBC: Connect with God through worship and with others through relationships. Grow spiritually and numerically through small group Bible study. Serve others by joining a team engaged in ministry.

Service Schedules
Sunday Life Group Classes 9:45am Celebration Worship Service 11:00 am Tae Kwon Do Ministry 4:30 pm Worship Service 6:00pm Tuesday Tae Kwon Do Ministry 5:00pm Connecting with God! Wednesday Children and Student Programs 6:00 pm Adult Bible Study 6:30pm

Connecting with God! Connecting with Others!

December 2013

Connecting with Others!

Thank You Note

Dear Friends, Sometimes simple words are the best. Thank you for praying for our Mother, Myrtice Isom. Your kindness touched our heart. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, Carolyn, Faye, Joann and Danny Isom Thank you from the Family of David Crosby Perhaps you sent a lovely card, or sat quietly in a chair. Perhaps you sent a funeral spray, If so we saw it there. Perhaps you cooked a dish with love, Or served us with a loving smile. Perhaps you shared a comforting hug, Or just sat quietly gazing down the aisle. Perhaps you spoke the kindest words, As any friend could say; Perhaps you were not there at all, Just thought of us that day, Whatever you did to console our hearts, We thank you so much whatever the part.

The family of Bob Patton acknowledges with grateful appreciation your kind expression of sympathy. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the beautiful arrangement, your love and your prayers. Nancy and family