December 3, 10, & 17Music For A Season of JOY

11:15 a.m. Lunch12:00 p.m. Concert12:30 p.m. Lunch

December 12th

Advent Abendmusik7:00 p.m.

December 21st Worship Service at Primrose

11:00 a.m.

December 14th Trustee, Diaconate and

Christian Education Boardwill meet at 11:45 a.m.

December 17th Worship Ministries Board

meeting 4:30 p.m.

December 18th Finance Board meeting

5:30 p.m.Executive Council

6:30 p.m.

December 24th

Christmas Eve Service6:00 p.m.

1320 Arbor DriveDecatur, Il 62526

Phone 217.875.8034 Fax 217.875.8141

www.decaturfbc.com decaturfbc@comcast.net

December 2014Published MonthlyIssue Number 145 First

News

Our StaffLarry Mason

Interim Pastor

Mike WaltenbergerMinister of Music

mwaltenberger@comcast.net

Rory GreenYouth

rorygreen22@gmail.com

Tina ErwinOffice Manager

decaturfbc@comcast.net

Richard MoreauCustodian

richardmoreau@sbcglobal.net

Updated calendar on Webwww.decaturfbc.com

Christmas EveDecember 24, 2014Music and Worship

Worship service begins at 6:00 p.m. with music and will

be about 75 minutes in length. We’ll hear the

Christmas story, sing the beloved carols, light candles

and ring bells as we celebrate Jesus’ birth.

Please bring a bell to ring!

Bench Notes 2ABW, Birthdays, &Mission of the Month

3

Announcements 4Mission of the Month 5Calendar 6

Bench NotesAnticipation. Anticipation….it’s makin’ me wait.

Yes, my apologies to all Carly Simon fans. But her song from many years ago is rather appropriate for us as we enter again into this blessed Advent season. Waiting is not easy for us to do. Our culture dictates for things to be instant- we can buy what we want and have it now, and pay for it later (and seemingly….forever). Our electronic devices keep informed of everything from the weather to catastrophic world events. It feels in our age, like we are always “on.”

But waiting offers something else. While we wait, we think, we prepare, we make arrangements and we align things so that the special things that are ahead flow smoothly without hiccup. Waiting offers us opportunities for solace. While the demands of this season often offer anything but solace, waiting, if we let it, can work in us some pretty wonderful things.

First, the anticipation can be a sweet and wonderful time. While we are often anxiously hoping for the days when we can be together, look forward to sharing life and celebrations together, there is the knowledge that the time will come. The days before drag on too slowly and then often our times together fly by in a mere twinkling. But there is a special treasure here: be sure to enjoy the journey as we move into these days so that you are fully ready when Christmas comes.

Secondly, waiting gives us opportunity to prepare. We’re not just sitting on our hands being idle. This is the season that we can adequately focus upon the coming the Lord Jesus Christ. We can not only sweep clean our homes but also our hearts as we wait for His blessed arrival. There is the gift of time that allows us to focus our thoughts and energies beyond ourselves to that which is greater and eternal. Be sure to take inventory of your life and allow God to guide you into new truths and new things.

Thirdly, the anticipation of “things to come” gives opportunity for us to turn our attention to that which is permanent and eternal. For us as followers of Jesus, this season of year is often the most joyous as we think of the Lord coming to Earth. But our culture distracts us with all manner of things that would cloud our true focus. Self-indulgences, outdoing one another with gifts, parties, house decorations, dinner parties and other things would lead us from true celebration of Christmas…..the coming of Jesus to the earth. Advent….the word itself means “coming.” While all these temporal things can be enjoyed, it may be more important for us just to be: to quietly wait with that eager anticipation about what the Lord is going to do. We wait in wonder for One to come who will save us and lead us into eternal life.

My prayer for us as we wait, is that this Advent season is blessed like none others before it – that we truly experience Emmanuel – “God With Us” – in new and fresh ways. May our Lord bless you as you travel on this journey!

On other notes… Our Music For a Season of JOY Concerts begin Dec. 3. Concerts at 12 noon

with a complimentary lunch at 11:15 a.m. and following the music. Everyone invited! Dec. 3 Arthur T. Hinton 3 sing/violinDec. 10 Guitarist Manley MallardDec. 17 Mike Waltenberger at the piano

Special Event this year: ADVENT ABENDMUSIK (Advent Evening Music)

Friday, Dec. 12 @ 7 p.m. Organist/Comedian/ClergymanMark Gifford will share a seasonal Pops ConcertReception following the concert.

Christmas Eve Worship and Music begins at 6 p.m. Our Carillon Bell Choir will play, as well as other guests. We’ll sing the carols, hear the Christmas story and celebrate the birth of Jesus once again. Bring a friend/family members, and bring a bell to ring.

It’s so easy, Heavenly Father, to be consumed with the “to do” lists that come with this time of year. Help us to turn our attention to You, and the Marvelous Gift You have given in Jesus. Clear our sight that each day we live out Your grace to those around us and share the true meaning of Christmas. Be near us, Lord Jesus…..we ask in His name, amen.

- Mike Waltenberger

December 9th Ada Tharp Circle will meet at 1:00 p.m.

at the church.

Wednesday, December 3rd

Complimentary lunch11:15 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Concert 12:00 p.m.Singer and violinist Arthur T. Hinton III.

Wednesday, December 10th

Complimentary lunch11:15 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Concert 12:00 p.m.Guitarist Manley Mallard.

Wednesday, December 17th Complimentary lunch

11:15 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.Concert 12:00 p.m.

Pianist Mike Waltenberger.

Friday Evening December 12th

7:00 p.m.A Family Friendly Christmas Pops Concert with

renowned theatre organist Mark Gifford.

5 Jordan Reeder 6 Debra Morlock

Shelia PianfettiMaggye Smith

7 Yadier Juriga12 Tammy Luther13 Piper Parrish

Shallon Wright15 Autumn Stukins 16 Patti Smith

17 Jack Allen23 Elizabeth Cooley24 Lois Livesay25 Chrystal Schmit26 Justin Moreau

Cindy Perez31 James Jackson

Christ Our Savior Is

Born.

Merry Christmas,

First Baptist Staff,

Larry, Mike, Rory, Richard and Tina

December Mission of the MonthTeen ChallengeItems needed:

Blinds for the windows (either a gift card so we can get them or we'll have to provide measurements and quantities). This is our greatest need (privacy).

Bed pillows, Towels, Bake ware - cookie sheets, muffin tins, cake pans, etc.  Cookware - pots and pans, casserole dishes, etc.

If you are only able to do one thing we would really appreciate help with the blinds above everything else as that is a desperate need; the other items are desires.

If anyone is interested in blessing the students especially for Christmas we have come up with the following items that they could use:

1. Gift cards to Walmart/Target to help them get items they need (laundry detergent, health and beauty items, etc.)

2. Gloves/Scarves/Hats3. Filled Christmas stockings - small gifts, candy, lip balm, etc.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to call (423-9117).

Please place your gifts under the Christmas tree in the Gathering Hall.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday16:00 p.m. Carillon Handbell Choir rehearsal

29:30 a.m. Staff Meeting5:30 p.m. One Light to Remember at Decatur Memorial Hospital

3 Music For A Season of JOY11:15 a.m. Lunch12:00 p.m. Concert12:30 p.m. Lunch5:30 p.m. T 1356:00 p.m. Carillon Handbell Choir rehearsal7:00 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

4 5 6

79:30am Worship 10:45 am Bible Study 4:00 p.m. Awakening

8 99:30 a.m. Staff Meeting1:00 p.m. Ada Tharp Circle

10Music For A Season of JOY11:15 a.m. Lunch12:00 p.m. Concert

11 12Office closed7:00 p.m.Advent Abendmusik concert and

13

December 2014

12:30 p.m. Lunch5:30 p.m. T 1356:00 p.m. Carillon Handbell Choir rehearsal7:00 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

reception with Mark Gifford

149:30am WorshipCookie Walk 10:45 a.m. Bible Study11:45 a.m. Diaconate Board, Trustee and Christian Education Boards meet 4:00 p.m. Awakening

15 169:30 a.m. Staff Meeting6:00 p.m. Youth Bible Study

17Music For A Season of JOY11:15 a.m. Lunch12:00 p.m. Concert12:30 p.m. Lunch4:30 p.m. Worship Ministries Board meeting 5:30 p.m. T 1356:00 p.m. Carillon Handbell Choir rehearsal7:00 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

185:30 p.m. Finance Board meets6:30 p.m. Executive Council

19Office Closed

20

219:30am Worship10:45 am Bible Study11:00 a .m Worship at Primrose

22 239:30 a.m. Staff Meeting

24Christmas EveOffice Closed

6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service. Bring a Bell to Ring!

25Merry ChristmasOffice Closed

26Office Closed

27

289:30am Worship10:45 a.m. Bible Study

29 309:30 a.m. Staff Meeting

31New Year’s EveOffice Closed