The MESSENGER (USPS 591-280) is published weekly except the week of Christmas by

First Baptist Church, 600 Governors Drive, Huntsville, AL 35801. Periodical postage

paid at Huntsville, Alabama 31801-5178. POSTMASTER send change of address to THE

MESSENGER, 600 Governors Drive, Huntsville, AL 35801.

office: 256-428-9400

weekend minister on call: 256-428-9457

24-hour prayer line: 256-428-9460

The Messengerfbchsv.org

firsT bapTisT hunTsville

this sunday

knowing, lov ing, serv ing Christ...together

First Baptist Church

600 Governors Drive

Huntsville, AL 35801

Calling All Cooks

Our church family begins construction of the Living Christmas Tree on Sunday, December 4th and will

continue with decorating through Tuesday, December 6th. We like to provide snacks (sweet or salty) for

these workers. If you would like to help with this, please bring your goodies to the East Entrance that Sunday or

Monday morning.

Fellowship Club

December 9 at 10:00 a.m.The Hallelujah Choir will sing.

Menu: Turkey and Dressing, Mashed Potatoes, Green Peas, Rolls

Call JoAnn Allen at 256-534-1958 to make reservations.

Historical Marker

Replacement of the roadside historical marker near the Madison County Executive Airport, Meridianville,

marking the site of the 1809 establishment of the Enon Baptist

Church, FBC’s forerunner, was completed November 14. The original

sign, in place for a dozen years, was badly damaged by a wayward vehicle earlier this year. The history committee, under the leadership of

Jim Harrison, sent the sign for factory remanufacturing. It is now placed on a new all-metal post about four

feet farther from vehicular traffic and somewhat higher in elevation than previously. A new six-foot concrete base will also tend to protect it from

traffic abuse.

See picture in last week’s Messenger

Volume 62 / Week Number 47 / December 1, 2011

December 4, 2011Second Sunday of Advent

Hanging of the Green

Sermon“Let the Fires of Your Justice Burn”

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

Morning Bible Study - 9:15 a.m.Bible Study for all ages

Sanctuary Worship - 10:30 a.m.Music from:

Music Makers ChoirYoung Musicians Choir

Youth ChoirFBC Orchestra

Young Musicians HandbellsSanctuary Choir

Afternoon Construction of the Living Christmas Tree

First Fellowship: A Christmas Session5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall

FIrST THOugHTSDavid Hull, Pastor

In my sermon last Sunday I told the story of getting reconnected with a long-time friend on Thanksgiving Day. The visit was a wonderful surprise for me and a very rich and rewarding experience. But it never would have happened if I had not been outside of my normal routine. Because I was visiting my parents in Birmingham for a family gathering I was able to renew a long friendship with a visit. Sometimes we need to move out of our routines so that we can experience something new – or something very old – with people we do not normally see.

December is like that at our church. Every year at this time we have a Family gathering for worship. We will move out of our normal Sunday routines to provide opportunities for the entire church family to come together for worship and fellowship. Each Sunday morning in December there will be one worship service at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary. Think of this as a Family gathering at Christmas. For those who regularly attend the First Fellowship Worship this will be outside of the normal routine. Hopefully, the experiences of our Church Family coming together during this Holy Season will be as rich and rewarding as those trips that we make to see members of our own family during the month. Perhaps we can be surprised by some long-time friendships that are rekindled; maybe some new ones will develop. When January 1 arrives, we will resume the normal schedule of two morning worship services.

This Sunday morning we come together as a church family and decorate the Sanctuary. We call this Hanging of the green. The music of children, youth, and adults will add meaning to the beautiful symbols of the season that will adorn the room. Sunday afternoon will be the time that we assemble the Living Christmas Tree in the Sanctuary. Monday begins the opportunity for many to decorate the Tree with lights and greenery.

Sunday night we offer a new Christmas experience. The musicians who lead our First Fellowship worship service will be presenting a Christmas program at 5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. This will be a fun night for people of all ages in the church family to gather for refreshments, music, and the story of Christmas told in new and fresh ways. I am grateful to Jeremy and all of the First Fellowship musicians who will be singing and playing for us on Sunday night. So make your plans to come – invite friends to join you, and let’s gather for “The Christmas Session” on Sunday night.

“My Heart Shall Sing of the Day You Bring.” Is your heart singing yet? See you on Sunday.

CBF's Offering for Global Missions From Uganda to Miami and dozens of places in between, you will find God working and changing lives through CBF ministries. With the CBF Offering, you join God's mission by investing in life-changing ministries of more than 135 CBF field personnel who share Christ with the world's most neglected people.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering®The 2011 theme is “His heart, His voice, His hands – I am Southern Baptist missions.” It reminds us that as followers of Jesus, we – the Church – are called to be the body of Christ. We are His heart, His hands and His voice in the midst of a world filled with unreached peoples. We are part of the task to fulfill the Great Commission. And although we Southern Baptists have been praying, giving and going for 160 years, the task is far from finished.

2011 Missions OfferingGoal: $39,900

Watch the posters with the mosiac logo to see how we are doing in reaching our goal in supporting CBF’s Offering

for Global Missions and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions

fbchsv.org

ministry calendar

knowing, lov ing, serv ing Christ...together

Wednesday Night Dinner MenuWednesday, December 7

AdultsBreakfast for Dinner

Egg CasseroleHash Brown Casserole

Sausage and BaconBiscuits and gravy

Sweet rolls

SaladGrilled Chicken Salad

(Reservations for salad must be turned in by noon on Wednesday.)

STEWArDSHIP rEPOrT

11/20/11Year-to-Date goal $634,200.00Offering This Week $69,013.16 YTD $618,509.54Debt retirement This Week $645.00 YTD $4,995.00

Faith Steps to the Future: This Week $18,916.14 YTD $224,498.80 To Date: $3,453,032.93

www.fbchsv.org/give

ATTENDANCE

Sunday SchoolPreschool 59Children 78Students 117Adults 656Brookdale 18Visitors 30TOTAL 961

Worship ServicesFirst Fellowship 310Sanctuary Worship 501TOTAL 811

FAMILY MATTErS

OUR NEWESTRigsby Ruth Dixon, daughter of Ray and Lacy Dixon, born November 9, 2011. Proud great-grandmother is June Moore.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERSChris Hall2706 Dawson CircleHuntsville, AL 35811

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHYDaphine Collins in the loss of her brother-in-law, Derek Collins, Denise and Mark Carter in the loss of their uncle, Wesley Collins

Library Hours Sunday 9-9:15 AM | 10:10-10:45 AM | 11:40- 12:00 PMTuesday 10:00 AM-12:00 PMWednesday 4:00-5:00 PM

Performance dates are December 15-18

FREE TICKETS are available at the East Welcome Center. For questions

call the LCT Ticket office at 256-428-9422 or go online at

www.fbchsv.org/lct

Come help DECORATEthe Living Christmas Tree!

December 5, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. and 6–8 p.m.

December 6, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. and 6–8 p.m.;

December 7, 9 a.m.– 2 p.m. ONLY. Childcare and lunch will be provided

for all morning sessions.

Contact the Music Office at 256-428-9421 or musicministries@fbchsv.org

The Hallelujah Choir will extend our church’s Music Ministry in several wonderful ways during the next few weeks via Christmas music: December 5—Harbor Chase presentation December 9—Fellowship Club presentation December 19—Brookdale presentation

The Hallelujah Choir will enjoy a Christmas Party on December 12 at 11:30 a.m.

Experience the Blessing: Commitment Sunday

To date, we have received 336 financial commitments totaling $2,194,729. This represents 52% of our $4.2 million budget. In comparison, most recently our commitments have averaged 365 totaling again approximately 52% of the projected budget. There is still time to make a financial pledge to the ministry of this church, and as you P L A N

your financial priorities for 2012, note below the advice taken from the blog of Kevin DeYoung:

P – Pray for a generous heart. Make people a priority over prosperity. Don’t think: “How much do I have to give away in order to be obedient?” Ask: “Give me opportunities to sow.”

L– Lifestyle cap. As we earn more, we should give more. If you are wealthier than you used to be, have you done more to increase your standard of living or your standard of giving?

A – Accountability. Set goals and find someone you can trust who won’t be threatened by talking frankly about finances. Money–we don’t talk about it nearly as much as Jesus did.

N – No less than a tithe. Whether the Old Testament requirement is a binding prescription or not, I find it hard to imagine that Western Christians who have seen the glory of God in the face of Christ and enjoy great prosperity, would want to give less than was required of the poorest Israelite. Statistics consistently show that Protestants give less than 3% of their income to their churches. A tithe, for most churchgoers, would be a huge step in the right direction.

We have had a great start to our memorial giving of Celebrating Grace Hymnals. Giving a hymnal to our church to memorialize a friend or family member is appropriate for all ages and is a lasting gift. A hymnal gift is great for Christmas, but you don’t have to wait. Make your $20 donation now. Contact the Music Ministry Office (256-428-9421) or the Church Office (256-428-9400) if you would like to obtain the contribution envelopes or if you need more information.

The Children and Staffof the Alabama Baptist Children’s Home

cordially invite you toOpen House

to express our appreciationfor your prayers and support

SundayDecember 4, 2011

2 to 5 p.m.1404 16th Avenue, Southeast

Decatur, Alabama

Sunday, Dec. 4 Morning Bible Study 9:15 AMSanctuary Worship 10:30 AMLCT Const. Lunch/FH 12:00 PMLCT Construction/Sanct. 12:30 PMChildren’s Handbells 4:00 PMYouth Choir/CR 4:00 PMYouth Choir Snacks/241 5:00 PMYoung Ad. Bible St./107 5:00 PMThe Christmas Session./FH 5:00 PMLCT Const. Supper/242 5:00 PM

Monday, Dec. 5LCT Const./Sanct. 8:00 AM-9 PMLetter Writing/242 9:00 AMHallelujah Choir/CR 10:30 AMLCT Const. Lunch/FH 11:30 PMWomen’s Circle/241 12:00 PMBSF Classes 5:15 PM

Tuesday, Dec. 6LCT Const./Décor./FHStudent Prayer BreakfastTues. Morn. Intercess./242 7:00 AMLCT Construction/Sanct. 8:00 AMLCT Const. Lunch/FH 11:30 AMHYO Classes/140-141, 241 5:00 PMForum/118 6:30 PMHSO Reh./141 7:00 PMAdult Handbells 7:00 PM

Wednesday, Dec. 7LCT Construction/Sanct. 8:30 AMSupper/FH 4:45 PMMusic & Missions/2nd, 241, 242 5:00 PMPartnering to Remember/111 5:00 PMPrayer Meeting/FH 5:30 PMLCT Orchestra./Parlor 5:30 PMLCT Choir/Chapel 5:30 PMLift Off/309-310 6:00 PMLCT Orchestra/Sanct. 6:15 PMLCT Orc. Green Rm./Parlor 6:15 PMLCT Choir Green Rm./Chapel 6:15 PMLCT Reh./CR 7:00 PM

Thursday, Dec. 8SILK/107-109 12:00-8 PM

Friday, Dec. 9BSF Leaders/Parlor 4:30 AMFellowship Club/FH 10:00 AM

fbchsv.org

ministry calendar

knowing, lov ing, serv ing Christ...together

Wednesday Night Dinner MenuWednesday, December 7

AdultsBreakfast for Dinner

Egg CasseroleHash Brown Casserole

Sausage and BaconBiscuits and gravy

Sweet rolls

SaladGrilled Chicken Salad

(Reservations for salad must be turned in by noon on Wednesday.)

STEWArDSHIP rEPOrT

11/20/11Year-to-Date goal $634,200.00Offering This Week $69,013.16 YTD $618,509.54Debt retirement This Week $645.00 YTD $4,995.00

Faith Steps to the Future: This Week $18,916.14 YTD $224,498.80 To Date: $3,453,032.93

www.fbchsv.org/give

ATTENDANCE

Sunday SchoolPreschool 59Children 78Students 117Adults 656Brookdale 18Visitors 30TOTAL 961

Worship ServicesFirst Fellowship 310Sanctuary Worship 501TOTAL 811

FAMILY MATTErS

OUR NEWESTRigsby Ruth Dixon, daughter of Ray and Lacy Dixon, born November 9, 2011. Proud great-grandmother is June Moore.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERSChris Hall2706 Dawson CircleHuntsville, AL 35811

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHYDaphine Collins in the loss of her brother-in-law, Derek Collins, Denise and Mark Carter in the loss of their uncle, Wesley Collins

Library Hours Sunday 9-9:15 AM | 10:10-10:45 AM | 11:40- 12:00 PMTuesday 10:00 AM-12:00 PMWednesday 4:00-5:00 PM

Performance dates are December 15-18

FREE TICKETS are available at the East Welcome Center. For questions

call the LCT Ticket office at 256-428-9422 or go online at

www.fbchsv.org/lct

Come help DECORATEthe Living Christmas Tree!

December 5, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. and 6–8 p.m.

December 6, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. and 6–8 p.m.;

December 7, 9 a.m.– 2 p.m. ONLY. Childcare and lunch will be provided

for all morning sessions.

Contact the Music Office at 256-428-9421 or musicministries@fbchsv.org

The Hallelujah Choir will extend our church’s Music Ministry in several wonderful ways during the next few weeks via Christmas music: December 5—Harbor Chase presentation December 9—Fellowship Club presentation December 19—Brookdale presentation

The Hallelujah Choir will enjoy a Christmas Party on December 12 at 11:30 a.m.

Experience the Blessing: Commitment Sunday

To date, we have received 336 financial commitments totaling $2,194,729. This represents 52% of our $4.2 million budget. In comparison, most recently our commitments have averaged 365 totaling again approximately 52% of the projected budget. There is still time to make a financial pledge to the ministry of this church, and as you P L A N

your financial priorities for 2012, note below the advice taken from the blog of Kevin DeYoung:

P – Pray for a generous heart. Make people a priority over prosperity. Don’t think: “How much do I have to give away in order to be obedient?” Ask: “Give me opportunities to sow.”

L– Lifestyle cap. As we earn more, we should give more. If you are wealthier than you used to be, have you done more to increase your standard of living or your standard of giving?

A – Accountability. Set goals and find someone you can trust who won’t be threatened by talking frankly about finances. Money–we don’t talk about it nearly as much as Jesus did.

N – No less than a tithe. Whether the Old Testament requirement is a binding prescription or not, I find it hard to imagine that Western Christians who have seen the glory of God in the face of Christ and enjoy great prosperity, would want to give less than was required of the poorest Israelite. Statistics consistently show that Protestants give less than 3% of their income to their churches. A tithe, for most churchgoers, would be a huge step in the right direction.

We have had a great start to our memorial giving of Celebrating Grace Hymnals. Giving a hymnal to our church to memorialize a friend or family member is appropriate for all ages and is a lasting gift. A hymnal gift is great for Christmas, but you don’t have to wait. Make your $20 donation now. Contact the Music Ministry Office (256-428-9421) or the Church Office (256-428-9400) if you would like to obtain the contribution envelopes or if you need more information.

The Children and Staffof the Alabama Baptist Children’s Home

cordially invite you toOpen House

to express our appreciationfor your prayers and support

SundayDecember 4, 2011

2 to 5 p.m.1404 16th Avenue, Southeast

Decatur, Alabama

Sunday, Dec. 4 Morning Bible Study 9:15 AMSanctuary Worship 10:30 AMLCT Const. Lunch/FH 12:00 PMLCT Construction/Sanct. 12:30 PMChildren’s Handbells 4:00 PMYouth Choir/CR 4:00 PMYouth Choir Snacks/241 5:00 PMYoung Ad. Bible St./107 5:00 PMThe Christmas Session./FH 5:00 PMLCT Const. Supper/242 5:00 PM

Monday, Dec. 5LCT Const./Sanct. 8:00 AM-9 PMLetter Writing/242 9:00 AMHallelujah Choir/CR 10:30 AMLCT Const. Lunch/FH 11:30 PMWomen’s Circle/241 12:00 PMBSF Classes 5:15 PM

Tuesday, Dec. 6LCT Const./Décor./FHStudent Prayer BreakfastTues. Morn. Intercess./242 7:00 AMLCT Construction/Sanct. 8:00 AMLCT Const. Lunch/FH 11:30 AMHYO Classes/140-141, 241 5:00 PMForum/118 6:30 PMHSO Reh./141 7:00 PMAdult Handbells 7:00 PM

Wednesday, Dec. 7LCT Construction/Sanct. 8:30 AMSupper/FH 4:45 PMMusic & Missions/2nd, 241, 242 5:00 PMPartnering to Remember/111 5:00 PMPrayer Meeting/FH 5:30 PMLCT Orchestra./Parlor 5:30 PMLCT Choir/Chapel 5:30 PMLift Off/309-310 6:00 PMLCT Orchestra/Sanct. 6:15 PMLCT Orc. Green Rm./Parlor 6:15 PMLCT Choir Green Rm./Chapel 6:15 PMLCT Reh./CR 7:00 PM

Thursday, Dec. 8SILK/107-109 12:00-8 PM

Friday, Dec. 9BSF Leaders/Parlor 4:30 AMFellowship Club/FH 10:00 AM

The MESSENGER (USPS 591-280) is published weekly except the week of Christmas by

First Baptist Church, 600 Governors Drive, Huntsville, AL 35801. Periodical postage

paid at Huntsville, Alabama 31801-5178. POSTMASTER send change of address to THE

MESSENGER, 600 Governors Drive, Huntsville, AL 35801.

office: 256-428-9400

weekend minister on call: 256-428-9457

24-hour prayer line: 256-428-9460

The Messengerfbchsv.org

firsT bapTisT hunTsville

this sunday

knowing, lov ing, serv ing Christ...together

First Baptist Church

600 Governors Drive

Huntsville, AL 35801

Calling All Cooks

Our church family begins construction of the Living Christmas Tree on Sunday, December 4th and will

continue with decorating through Tuesday, December 6th. We like to provide snacks (sweet or salty) for

these workers. If you would like to help with this, please bring your goodies to the East Entrance that Sunday or

Monday morning.

Fellowship Club

December 9 at 10:00 a.m.The Hallelujah Choir will sing.

Menu: Turkey and Dressing, Mashed Potatoes, Green Peas, Rolls

Call JoAnn Allen at 256-534-1958 to make reservations.

Historical Marker

Replacement of the roadside historical marker near the Madison County Executive Airport, Meridianville,

marking the site of the 1809 establishment of the Enon Baptist

Church, FBC’s forerunner, was completed November 14. The original

sign, in place for a dozen years, was badly damaged by a wayward vehicle earlier this year. The history committee, under the leadership of

Jim Harrison, sent the sign for factory remanufacturing. It is now placed on a new all-metal post about four

feet farther from vehicular traffic and somewhat higher in elevation than previously. A new six-foot concrete base will also tend to protect it from

traffic abuse.

See picture in last week’s Messenger

Volume 62 / Week Number 47 / December 1, 2011

December 4, 2011Second Sunday of Advent

Hanging of the Green

Sermon“Let the Fires of Your Justice Burn”

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

Morning Bible Study - 9:15 a.m.Bible Study for all ages

Sanctuary Worship - 10:30 a.m.Music from:

Music Makers ChoirYoung Musicians Choir

Youth ChoirFBC Orchestra

Young Musicians HandbellsSanctuary Choir

Afternoon Construction of the Living Christmas Tree

First Fellowship: A Christmas Session5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall

FIrST THOugHTSDavid Hull, Pastor

In my sermon last Sunday I told the story of getting reconnected with a long-time friend on Thanksgiving Day. The visit was a wonderful surprise for me and a very rich and rewarding experience. But it never would have happened if I had not been outside of my normal routine. Because I was visiting my parents in Birmingham for a family gathering I was able to renew a long friendship with a visit. Sometimes we need to move out of our routines so that we can experience something new – or something very old – with people we do not normally see.

December is like that at our church. Every year at this time we have a Family gathering for worship. We will move out of our normal Sunday routines to provide opportunities for the entire church family to come together for worship and fellowship. Each Sunday morning in December there will be one worship service at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary. Think of this as a Family gathering at Christmas. For those who regularly attend the First Fellowship Worship this will be outside of the normal routine. Hopefully, the experiences of our Church Family coming together during this Holy Season will be as rich and rewarding as those trips that we make to see members of our own family during the month. Perhaps we can be surprised by some long-time friendships that are rekindled; maybe some new ones will develop. When January 1 arrives, we will resume the normal schedule of two morning worship services.

This Sunday morning we come together as a church family and decorate the Sanctuary. We call this Hanging of the green. The music of children, youth, and adults will add meaning to the beautiful symbols of the season that will adorn the room. Sunday afternoon will be the time that we assemble the Living Christmas Tree in the Sanctuary. Monday begins the opportunity for many to decorate the Tree with lights and greenery.

Sunday night we offer a new Christmas experience. The musicians who lead our First Fellowship worship service will be presenting a Christmas program at 5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. This will be a fun night for people of all ages in the church family to gather for refreshments, music, and the story of Christmas told in new and fresh ways. I am grateful to Jeremy and all of the First Fellowship musicians who will be singing and playing for us on Sunday night. So make your plans to come – invite friends to join you, and let’s gather for “The Christmas Session” on Sunday night.

“My Heart Shall Sing of the Day You Bring.” Is your heart singing yet? See you on Sunday.

CBF's Offering for Global Missions From Uganda to Miami and dozens of places in between, you will find God working and changing lives through CBF ministries. With the CBF Offering, you join God's mission by investing in life-changing ministries of more than 135 CBF field personnel who share Christ with the world's most neglected people.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering®The 2011 theme is “His heart, His voice, His hands – I am Southern Baptist missions.” It reminds us that as followers of Jesus, we – the Church – are called to be the body of Christ. We are His heart, His hands and His voice in the midst of a world filled with unreached peoples. We are part of the task to fulfill the Great Commission. And although we Southern Baptists have been praying, giving and going for 160 years, the task is far from finished.

2011 Missions OfferingGoal: $39,900

Watch the posters with the mosiac logo to see how we are doing in reaching our goal in supporting CBF’s Offering

for Global Missions and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions