INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

SUNDAY SCHOOL

INCENTIVE

2

THANKSGIVING

SERVICE

4

WOMEN’S DAY 5

HANGING OF THE

GREENS

6

BIRTHDAYS 9

STATE CONVENTION 10

NEW MEMBERS 11

SPECIAL POINTS OF

INTEREST: • In A.D. 350, Pope Julius I,

bishop of Rome, proclaimed

December 25 the official

celebration date for the birthday

of Christ.

• The traditional three colors of

Christmas are green, red, and

gold. Green has long been a

symbol of life and rebirth; red

symbolizes the blood of Christ;

and gold represents light as well

as wealth and royalty.

• Evergreens have been symbols

of eternal life and rebirth since

ancient times.

• Christmas is a contraction of

“Christ’s Mass,” Derived from

the Old English Cristes maesse.

The letter “X” in Greek is the

first letter of Christ and

“Xmas” has been the

abbreviation since the mid

1500s.

DECEMBER, 2013

VOLUME 3, ISSUE 6

letter as the

English letter X.

So, originally,

Xmas was

simply an

abbreviation of

Christmas.

Originally, this

was not a grand

conspiracy to take Christ

out of Christmas as my

mother had suggested, it

was simply an

abbreviation.

But there is no denying

that there is a conspiracy

these days to take Christ

When I was growing up

in the home of Christian

parents, it seemed as

though there was even a

war on Christmas then

just as it is now. People

would use the word

Xmas in place of the

word Christmas. My

mother was under the

impression that to say

Xmas was in fact a

blatant attempt to take

Christ out of Christmas,

and she taught us (her

children) the same thing.

But I’ve discovered that

while it is undeniable

that some use

Xmas as a way

of diminishing

Christ, the

actual origin

of the word

Xmas has

nothing to do

with taking Christ out of

Christmas.

In Greek, the original

language of the New

Testament, the word for

“Christ” is Χριστός,

which begins with the

Greek letter that is

essentially the same

THIS CHRISTMAS THIS CHRISTMAS THIS CHRISTMAS THIS CHRISTMAS ---- A WORD FROM FIRST LAA WORD FROM FIRST LAA WORD FROM FIRST LAA WORD FROM FIRST LADYDYDYDY

In today's world we are

inundated with images

of Christmas from the

media. We are told that

it is all about buying

expensive gifts for each

other. In today's

challenging economic

times it is a tragedy that

parents spend way more

than they can afford to

try to please their

children. The sad truth is

that, "money

can't buy you

love".

Christmas is

about the time

spent together

with loved

ones. It is

about gifts that come

from the heart, and most

importantly about the

greatest gift ever given.

The gift of Jesus! God

loved us so

much that he

gave us His

only begotten

son, there is no

gift greater

than that. So

this Christmas

instead of focusing on

what gifts you can or

cannot afford, focus on

the greatest gift ever

given. …

Rev. Charles R. Whitfield, Pastor

First Baptist Church

MessengerMessengerMessengerMessenger IS IT WRONG TO SAY 'XMAS' INSTEAD OF 'CHIS IT WRONG TO SAY 'XMAS' INSTEAD OF 'CHIS IT WRONG TO SAY 'XMAS' INSTEAD OF 'CHIS IT WRONG TO SAY 'XMAS' INSTEAD OF 'CHRISTMAS'?RISTMAS'?RISTMAS'?RISTMAS'?

FROM THE PASTOR’S PEN

out of Christmas. While …

CONT’D page 2 many are

attempting to make our culture

one of tolerance, inclusiveness,

and political correctness, some

are attempting to remove totally

the Christian origins of

Christmas—as if our society’s

materialism has not already

clouded the meaning of

Christmas. Whether they refer to

it as “Xmas” or “the holidays” or

something else, some will not be

satisfied until the celebration is

entirely secularized. So in

response to this, rather than

getting angry or complaining

about the use of Xmas, we

should make every effort as

believers to share the love of

Christ through word and deed,

and always point others to the

Christ who makes Christmas

possible.

Instead of worrying about what

gift to purchase, spend time

building memories that will last

longer than any of material gift

that could be given.

So this Christmas, let’s celebrate

the gift of Jesus and also

celebrate the gift of family.

There are no greater gifts that we

could ever receive!

Be Blessed,

Sis. Whit

THIS CHRISTMAS THIS CHRISTMAS THIS CHRISTMAS THIS CHRISTMAS ---- CONT.CONT.CONT.CONT.

CONT’D page 2 Focus on

celebrating the birth of Jesus.

As we celebrate, let us also

celebrate family. This Christmas

make it priority to spend with

family. Not just time, but

quality time. Let those closest to

you know that you love them.

The average American will spend $801 this Christmas, which is 6% less than last year. http://americanresearchgroup.com/holiday/

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH MESSENGER

IS IT WRONG TO SAY 'XMAS' INSTEAD OF 'CHIS IT WRONG TO SAY 'XMAS' INSTEAD OF 'CHIS IT WRONG TO SAY 'XMAS' INSTEAD OF 'CHIS IT WRONG TO SAY 'XMAS' INSTEAD OF 'CHRISTMAS'?RISTMAS'?RISTMAS'?RISTMAS'? - CONT.CONT.CONT.CONT.

PAGE 2

Sunday School Incentive

• Must be a member of First Baptist Church’s Sunday

School and attended a total of 36 Sundays. The

Sundays begin the 2nd Sunday in June until the 2nd

Sunday in July the following year.

• Students in grades K-12 are eligible.

• Students must present report cards to their teacher

by the required date to be turned in the committee

for consideration.

• Students must have an “A” or “B “as the final grade

in each subject. A grade of “C “or below in any

subject will disqualify the student.

• Students must be of good character at home, church,

school and in the community. They also must

maintain a “B “or above in Citizenship at all times.

Sunday School Award winners received a $25.00 incentive. The

2013 winners are— Elexis Dandridge, Ashton Gravely, Ethan

Morton, Evan Morton, Charity Whitfield, Tyrese Perkins, Chas

Whitfield, Savannah Brown, and Kemya Menefee.

PAGE 3 VOLUME 3, ISSUE 6

Gala Flyer

HAITI MOTORBIKE

All the gifts in “The Twelve Days of Christmas” would equal 364 gifts.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH MESSENGER

REFLECTIONS

PAGE 4

First Baptist Church celebrated its annual Thanksgiving Service on Wednesday November 27, 2013.

The service was uplifting with testimonies and songs from the saints. With each testimony reflecting the

blessings and goodness of our Heavenly Father. Pastor Whitfield gave those in attendance a word of

encouragement from Psalm 100. He explained how we as Christians should be thankful and how to exemplify

those actions by praising God, serving God, and worshipping God. We must always remember thankfulness is

an attitude we should express everyday and every hour, not just on Thanksgiving Day.

THANKSGIVING SERVICE

Pastor Whitfield,

On behalf of Bethanie Mission of

Haiti, I want to thank you for coming to

Haiti last July with Dr. Croston. Thank

you for giving the Motorbike to Brother

Junel Phanor. May God continue to bless

you and your ministry.

Pastor Ignace

December 31- New Years Eve Service @ 10:30 P.M.

January 19, 3:00 P.M. Pastor@ Shiloh

Baptist Church, Cascade

February 2- Pastor’s 16th Anniversary @ 3:00 P.M

PAGE 5 VOLUME 3, ISSUE 6

WOMEN’S DAY 2013

REFLECTIONS

First Baptist celebrated its annual Women’s Day Weekend on November 16-

17, 2013. The theme for the weekend was “Women of God Using Prayer

Effectively”. The Saturday morning event was more than those in attendance

anticipated. Caroline and the girls, along with Orlando

Marsh provided music. Each note of praise help worship in

the spirit from the beginning with the opening selection. Sis.

Carmela Whitfield gave an encouraging word telling the

women how we should go to God for all our needs and if we

have a developed relationship with our Father we can rest assure he will hear our

prayers and provide our needs. Following a great service the attendees dined on a

“manly breakfast” provided by the men of First Baptist.

On Sunday morning Minister Tamika Hairston was prepared and ready to bless the congregation with

the wonderful songs prepared by the Women’s Choir of First Baptist. The hard work and many practices were

evident from the wonderful songs the choir sang. The opening song “What a Fellowship” started the praises

going up but soon as the prayer chant “Fix What Is Broke” came forth the spirit was in complete control.

Minister Toni Ramey- Webster delivered the word of God from Nehemiah 8: 9-10 verses, entitled “I’m not

happy but I still have joy”. The entire weekend was an awesome weekend, to God be the Glory for

providing us with renewed faith, knowledge, and strength as we are encouraged to continue to walk this walk

with God.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH MESSENGER PAGE 6

O n Sunday December 1, 2013, the first day of Advent, First Baptist held its first

“Hanging of the Greens”. The vision for this service came from Sis Veronica

Dancy, who also served as overseer. The “Hanging of the Greens” is the

preparation for the celebration of Jesus birth. Through this service we learned the meaning of some of the

decorations we use every Christmas.

First we have the poinsettia. For some the star of the leaf represents the star that stood over the Christ

Child. The red flower reminds us of the blood of the male infants that King Herod had killed and the blood of

Jesus on the cross. Then we have the evergreen, a sign of everlasting love that our Savior has for us. Holly,

ivy, pine and fir suggest the everlasting life because they are ever-green, (ever-alive) even in the midst of

winter. They symbolize the eternal life God gives the believer. Christians reinterpreted holly, The red berries

represented the blood drops from the cruel thorns in the crown of Jesus. In Isaiah 60:13 we find these words:

"The glory of Lebanon shall come unto you, the fir tree, the pine tree and the box together, to beautify the

place of your sanctuary. Then we have our wreaths. When evergreens form wreaths, the endless circles

become joyous symbols of God's endless love and everlasting life though Jesus Christ, a circle of unending

Joy.

We also learned the origin of the candy cane A candy maker in Indiana incorporated several symbols

into the candy cane that represented the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus. He began with a stick of pure

white, hard candy. White symbolized the virgin birth and the sinless nature of Jesus, and hardness symbolized

the solid rock, the foundation of the church, and firmness of the promises of God. The candy maker made the

candy in the form of a "J" to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to earth as our savior. It could

also represent the staff of the good shepherd. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging

Jesus received, by which we are healed. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ on the cross so

that we could have the promise of eternal life. Unfortunately, the candy became known as a candy cane, a

meaningless decoration seen at Christmas time. But the meaning is still there for those who have "eyes to see

and ears to hear." May this symbol again be used to witness to the wonder of Jesus and His great love that

came down at Christmas and remains the ultimate and dominant force in the universe today

Last but certainly not least we learned about the candles and their colors.

Advent season is sometimes referred to as “the season of the lighting of candles”

During our service we lit 5 candles, 3 purple 1 pink and 1white. The first purple is

the Candle of Hope. The second purple is The Candle of Preparation. The third

candle Pink is The Candle of Joy. The fourth candle lit is the last purple candle, The

Candle of Love. Lastly and more important than any item or symbol used in the

"Hanging of the Greens" is the White Candle, The Candle of Christ The white

The Hanging of the GreensThe Hanging of the GreensThe Hanging of the GreensThe Hanging of the Greens

PAGE 7 VOLUME 3, ISSUE 6

The Hanging of the GreensThe Hanging of the GreensThe Hanging of the GreensThe Hanging of the Greens

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH MESSENGER PAGE 8

Moses

December

PAGE 9 VOLUME 3, ISSUE 6

PRAYER REQUEST

Bro. Anthony Dillard (VA Beach) Bro. William Dillard (Golden Living)

Sis. Ressie Beamer (Blue Ridge) Sis. Corine Hairston (Home)

Sis. Leutisha Hairston (Blue Ridge) Sis. Mable Hairston (Brian Center Rehab)

Bro. Ronnie Ramey (Golden Living) Bro. Jesse Millner (Stanleytown Rehab)

Sis. Dolly Ann Holland (Home) Bro. Stanford Hairston (Home)

Bishop Robert Moyer (Home) Sis. Jackie Devin (Home)

Bro. Coy David King, Jr #1057172 Bro. Matthew Brim (Blue Ridge)

(use KMCC correctional facility address)

Blue Ridge Nursing Home

300 Blue Ridge Street

Martinsville , VA 24112

Golden Living Center

1607 Spruce Street Ext.

Martinsville, VA 24112

KMCC

PO Box 860

Oakwood, VA 24631

Stanleytown Healthcare Center Nursing Home

State Rte 682 & 57-A

Stanleytown, VA 24168

VA Beach Rehab Center

1801 Camelot Drive

VA Beach, VA 23454

Brian Center Rehab

226 N. Oakland Avenue

Eden NC.

Larry O. Hodge 3

K’Sime Millner 4

De’Jah Williams 4

Elexis Dandridge 9

Ardaith Winslow 9

Marla Eldridge 12

Renee Brown 12

Kenneth Devin 21

Brooklyn King 21

Jerron Morton 22

Janette Smith 24

Patricia Walton 25

Alexis Wood 30

Benjamin Hairston 31

January

Blanche Scott 4

Brenda Hampton 5

Marguerite Wilson 8

Alfreda Brown 8

Leslie Brooks 8

Bruno Hodge 9

Chas Whitfield 12

Wayne Moore 15

Morris Geter 15

Leslie Simmons 17

Karen Carter 21

Gorrell Webster 24

Sybil T. Worrell 25

Dorethea Kirby 26

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH MESSENGER PAGE 10

The Virginia Baptist State Convention midyear session was held on November 12-13, 2013 at First

Baptist East Martinsville by regional Vice President Rev. Charles Whitfield and the members of First Baptist.

The regional midyear session was the first of its kind from the vision of immediate past President Dr. Mark A.

Croston whom felt like the convention should be brought to the local churches. The sessions last two days

with preaching and teaching provided. The classes included the Mission of the Church, and Affordable Care

Act. Pastor Whitfield stated, “His focus was to get the church back to its mission and mandate that Christ left

for us.” Rev. Eddie Spencer of Elon First Baptist was the speaker for Tuesday night. Wednesday Minister

Tamika Hairston taught “Women Walking In Our God Given Authority.”

The Virginia Baptist state convention is broken down into three regions throughout the state. There is

the central region, eastern region, and the western region. First Baptist is part of the Western Region. This

region is divided into four associations. The Smith River Association which includes churches in the Danville,

Martinsville, Pittsylvania and Henry county area. The Pigg River Association consists of Rocky Mount and

Franklin County churches. The Valley Baptist Association consists of the Roanoke Valley Baptist churches.

The fourth is the Clinch River Association which consists of South and Southwest Virginia churches. Each

region has its own Vice President. The convention was the first to be

held in the state and was a great success.

STATE CONVENTION

PAGE 11 VOLUME 3, ISSUE 6

NEW MEMBERS

Carla Thomas has joined with First Baptist as a Watch Care Member. She has

relocated here from Raleigh, N.C. to accept a job as a veterinarian. After moving

Carla decided to visit First Baptist while looking for a church to attend. During her

visit she seen she was being fed the word spiritually and we reminded Carla of her

home church, Pleasant Union Christian Church. After New Members Class she is

interested in working as an usher and anything concerning community

Elson Price has expressed his desire to join with First Baptist “if we would have

him.” Of course the congregation said yes! His reason for joining with us is because

he loved the atmosphere and the friendliness of the church. He is a retired furniture

worker with one child. Elson is a member of both the NAACP and FAHI. In his

spare time he really enjoys watching sports.

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Presents Its Annual Christmas Play

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Sunday, December 15, 2013,

3:00 p.m.

Dinner will be served afterward

The Meaning of “ The Twelve Days of Christmas”

"The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written in England as

one of the "catechism songs" to help young Catholics learn the tenets

of their faith - a memory aid. The songs gifts are hidden meanings to

the teachings of the faith. The "true love" mentioned in the song

doesn't refer to an earthly suitor, it refers to God Himself. The "me"

who receives the presents refers to every baptized person. The

partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

The other symbols mean the following:

2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments

3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues

4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists

5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the

"Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace.

6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation

7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven

sacraments

8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes

9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit

10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments

11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles

12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the

Apostle's Creed

Read more at http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/

music/12days.asp

“...to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.”

Ephesians 4:12

NEWSLETTER GUIDELINE MISSION STATEMENT:

• TO INFORM OUR CHURCH FAMILY AND COMMUNITY OF UPCOMING EVENTS WITHIN OUR CHURCH AND

COMMUNITY

• TO ACKNOWLEDGE F.B.C. MEMBERS AND THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Newsletter Staff

~ Cassandra Dandridge ~ Maria Turner

~ Kenya Gravely ~ Carrie Hairston

Scharlean David—Photographer

First Baptist Church East MartinsvilleFirst Baptist Church East MartinsvilleFirst Baptist Church East MartinsvilleFirst Baptist Church East Martinsville

1043 East Church Street1043 East Church Street1043 East Church Street1043 East Church Street

Martinsville, VA 24112Martinsville, VA 24112Martinsville, VA 24112Martinsville, VA 24112

276276276276----632632632632----1170117011701170

FBC24112@gmail.com FBC24112@gmail.com FBC24112@gmail.com FBC24112@gmail.com

www.fbcmartinsville.org (ONLINE)www.fbcmartinsville.org (ONLINE)www.fbcmartinsville.org (ONLINE)www.fbcmartinsville.org (ONLINE)

Rev. Charles R. Whitfield, M.DivRev. Charles R. Whitfield, M.DivRev. Charles R. Whitfield, M.DivRev. Charles R. Whitfield, M.Div....