P.O. BOX 324 71 Grace Ave. Waldoboro, ME 04572

Phone: (207) 832-7659 Fax: 866-291-9919 www.fbcwaldoboro.org

FIRST THINGS FIRST

December 2011December 2011December 2011December 2011

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” -John 1:14 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The Word has indeed become flesh and made His dwelling among us. God has come down to us through Christ and revealed Himself—His nature, His character and His New Covenant—the terms for how we can be in relationship with Him. Not only have we beheld the glory of God through Jesus Christ (meaning we see God’s character and His good nature manifest to us as we walk with Him), we also continue to experience His goodness and His glory as we daily “taste and see that the Lord is good.” (Ps. 34:8) God’s glory is not just contained in the beauty and splendor of His creation, though that would be enough, but He has come down to where we are. Coming down means not only sharing our humanity, but redeeming our corrupt human nature. The writer of Hebrews speaks of Jesus as our Mediator, our High Priest, the one who has come to set things right between corruption and holiness-sinful humanity and God who alone is Holy. The writer of Hebrews states: “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Heb. 4:15) C. S. Lewis relates the following example to God becoming a man. “Lying at your feet is your dog. Imagine, for the moment, that your dog and every dog is in deep distress. Some of us love dogs very much. If it would help all the dogs in the world to become like men, would you be willing to become a dog? Would you put down your human nature, leave your loved ones, your job, hobbies, your art and literature and music, and choose instead of the intimate communion with your beloved, the poor substitute of looking into the beloved's face and wagging your tail, unable to smile or speak? Christ, by becoming man, limited the thing which to Him was the most precious thing in the world; his unhampered, unhindered communion with the Father.” C.S. Lewis.

I want to take this opportunity to give thanks to God for His Church in Waldoboro. Every genuine Church is a place where God dwells in and through His people and where spiritual gifts and ministries given by God are active for the building up of the Body of Christ and the Kingdom of God. But I have to say I absolutely love the eclectic nature of the saints God has gathered here, it is special and it cannot be found everywhere. We have a beautifully diverse group of lovers of God through Jesus Christ. We have the full gamete—artists, sports enthusiasts, outdoorsman, musicians, fashionistas, scholars, regular Joes, local Mainers, and people from away. Every week when I see the believers in our fellowship, I see the “Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” This December and everyday may we give thanks to God for the Word becoming flesh and the daily blessing Jesus is to us and to each other. May we also not keep the wonderful news to ourselves, but share it with others who are currently outside of the fold. One person put it clearly and succinctly giving the reason why God became flesh in Jesus Christ when he wrote: If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator. If your greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer. But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior. Warmly in Christ, PJV

Operation Christmas Child Lots of shoeboxes were brought in over the last week, and shipped to North Carolina!!! From

FBC we collected 271 boxes (up 42 over last year), from our collection

relay area 1099 boxes were collected (up 64 over last year), and from our

Central Maine Region, 7,640 boxes were collect (up1,522 over last

year)!! Praise the Lord!

Please continue to be in prayer for these boxes and for the lives of each child who will

receive one.

Thank you to each person who contributed to making these shoeboxes possible!!!

Chair Team Appreciation

Dinner and Movie Chair Team Volunteers and their families

and Sound Set-Up Volunteers and their

families are invited to attend a Dinner and a

Movie.

When: December 10, 2011

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Where: at FBC –in the Gym

Thank you for serving in this

vital ministry!! Any Ques-

tions… Please call Judy Bittel at

563-2422

CELEBRATE RECOVERY’s 5th ANNIVERSARY

DINNER ~ December 3rd ~ 6:00 p.m.

A church wide dinner to celebrate our 5th anniversary. This evening

will include a time of praise & worship, music, and testimonies.

PLEASE JOIN US!

Christmas and Holiday Events– 2011201120112011

Sunday, December 11th - CCPS Christmas Program - 3:00 p.m. Saturday, December 24th - Candlelight Christmas Eve Service - 6:00 p.m.

SUNDAY, December 25th—ONLY ONE WORSHIP SERVICE—10:00 a.m. NO Sunday School Saturday, December 31st - New Years Eve Prime Rib Supper/ Communion/

Activities - 5:30 p.m. to ? Fun and games for the whole family. Sign ups are coming soon. Cost: TBA (watch your bulletin). Bring a hot dish and a dessert to share. The church will provide the meat, salad, bread, drinks, and tableware.

CONGRATULATIONS to Jeff &

Krista Greiner on the birth of their

baby girl, Grace Elizabeth , who was

born November 10th at 8:53 p.m. She

weighed 8 lbs 1 oz.

There is a sign up in the foyer at the church for anyone interested in donating items for the Christmas baskets. All items need to be in by December 16th. The boxes will be put together and delivered on the 17th. For more information—contact Dana Burnham 832-7818

Please join us for a Memorial Blood Drive hosted in loving memory

of Pastor Jon Basner. Wednesday, December 28th

2:00—7:00 p.m.

Please call 1-800-RED-CROSS or log on to

www.redcrossblood.org to make an appointment. Walk ins are

welcome, but an appointment makes things easier!

Youth Christmas PartyYouth Christmas PartyYouth Christmas PartyYouth Christmas Party

WhereWhereWhereWhere: First Baptist Church WhenWhenWhenWhen: December 7th TimeTimeTimeTime: 5:00 pm– 8:00 pm You WONT want to miss this awesome time of fun, food, fellowship, games, pizza, cookies, and so much more!! Just sign up, bring $5.00, and a food item to share (cookies, chips, candy, etc.). PLUS we will be having a Yankee Swap. You MUST bring a “gift” to get a “gift” ~ $5.00 limit. We will also be putting to-gether gift baskets for local families. We will need sev-eral items that you can bring. A list will be coming soon. Any questions just ask!!

FREE

! FUN!

You are invited to…..

Home Grown Kids Home School Co-op Christmas Production

“Light it Up”

December 17th 4:00 p.m.

2012 OFFERING ENVELOPES can be picked up in

the foyer December 11th and 18th. If you currently

DO NOT have envelopes, and would like some, please

call the church office and we will assign you a

numbered box.

DISCARD any old envelopes from previous years.

IF YOU WOULD RATHER GIVE

ELECTRONICALLY, PLEASE SEE THE

SECTION BELOW ABOUT OUR

ELECTRONIC GIVING.

First Baptist Church

___ General ___ Building ___ Benevolence

001

We Now Have Electronic Giving

We have recently updated our website so you can give electronically online. This provides a safe and

convenient way to contribute your tithes and offerings. If you would rather not give online, but still

want to give electronically, you can set up recurring electronic gifts by filling out a form that is

available through the church office.

Why Should I Give Using Electronic Giving?

Electronic giving can be a convenient way for people to present their tithes and offerings. You can set

up recurring gifts, which allows you to give even if you are unable to attend the service.

How Can I Give Electronically?

Just follow these three steps on our website:

1. Create a Username

2. Provide contact and bank information

3. Indicate the amount, frequency and designation of your gift.

Is It Secure?

Yes. it uses the Automated Clearing House network, which is the same network used for Direct Deposit

and Electronic Bill Pay.

Do I Have to Give Electronically?

No, you can still give during the offering at the service.

What if I Change Banks or Need to Change the Amount of the Gift?

Once you have logged in, you can change your giving information.

PLEASE NOTE…. If you wish to have a printed giving statement for the year, you must

do electronic giving, offering envelopes, or bill pay (thru your bank). This is the only way

that we have record of your giving.

ALSO NOTE…. If you have any old offering envelopes, please

DISCARD the old ones and DO NOT use them in 2012. This is the only way to ensure

that your giving is credited to you and not to a new user of that envelope number!

Join us in decorating / lighting our outdoor trees on Saturday,

December 3rd at 4:00 p.m.!

Women’s Winter Bible Study HEAVEN by Randy Alcorn

Tuesday mornings(9-11 a.m.) starting early January. So, you think you know what Heaven will be like? Really? Come and discover what God’s Word says about this wonderful topic. Babysitting is available. The cost of the book and notebook is approximately $22.00, but do not allow the cost to deter you from coming, as some help with the cost is available if needed. Sign up closes Dec. 25th so books can be ordered. However, you are welcome to purchase your own books after that date and attend the study.

Church Information

Phone: (207) 832-7659 Fax: 866-291-9919 Website: www.fbcwaldoboro.org

Church Services

8:00 am: Worship Service 9:30 am: Child & Adult Sunday School 11:00 am: Worship Service 6:00 pm: Open Forum

Staff E-mails

Pastor: jonvermilion@fbcwaldoboro.org Pastor of Administration: jason@fbcwaldoboro.org Youth Pastor: phil@fbcwaldoboro.org Intern: nate@fbcwaldoboro.org Bookkeeper: bookkeeper@fbcwaldoboro.org Secretary: office@fbcwaldoboro.org

Wednesday Night

Meals

12/7 Chicken Burgers

12/14 Sloppy Joes

12/21 NO MEAL

12/28 NO MEAL

Jr. Jr. Church

(4 & 5 yr. olds)

12/4 Nicewonger Family

12/11 Hale & Jenn Morris

12/18

12/25 Cronkhite Family

Greeters 12/4 Wade / Wade

12/11 Hilton / Merrill

12/18 Vose/ Meservey

12/26 Burnham/ R. Harris

It is SO nice to

meet you!!

Junior Church

(1st and 2nd Grade)

12/4 Pam Morrison

12/11 Matt & Bonnie Moody

12/18 Sharon Richardson &

Mandy Luce

12/25 Sorterup Family

Chair Team 12/3 Ostrander 12/10 Hafemann

12/17 Richardson

12/24 Ludwig

12/31 Ostrander

Official

Chair

Team

Nick Dolloff 12/21

Samantha Norton 12/21

Levi Philbrook 12/21

Caleb Pease 12/22

Betty Greiner 12/23

Jamie Lovely 12/23

Jennifer Morris 12/23

Christine Hilton 12/25

Lindsey Ward 12/25

Kyle Olson 12/26

Hope Lash 12/27

Sherry McCormick 12/27

Joshua Tung 12/27

Martha Violette 12/27

Allyson Ames 12/28

Sara Hafemann 12/29

Abigail Reed 12/29

Cathy Thornton 12/29

Austin Piper 12/30

Ali Turner 12/30

Vick Pease 12/11

Taylor Holland 12/12

Sam Pease 12/12

Elisha Peaslee 12/12

Cole Bruno 12/13

Daniel Hendrickson 12/13

Charissa Boardman 12/14

Jayden Brown 12/14

Dave Ricker 12/14

Ben Rowe 12/15

Derek Hall 12/16

Matt Norton 12/16

Teri Peaslee 12/16

Willow Rogers 12/16

Brittney Guimond 12/17

Madison Main 12/17

Blaine Burgess 12/18

Tom Wade 12/19

Dorcelle Brown 12/20

Jesse Delano 12/20

Kim Brown 12/1

Larry Scott 12/1

Gregory Fowles 12/2

Breckenridge Holladay 12/2

Truett Campbell 12/3

Pam Jameson 12/3

Zachary Allen 12/4

Cassie Townsend 12/4

Amanda Young 12/5

Brittany Kirkham 12/6

Jacob Rowe 12/6

Frank Capone 12/7

Wesley Daggett 12/7

Joshua Henley 12/7

Barry Jones 12/7

Kelly Peaslee 12/8

TJ Harriman 12/9

Kim Sweetser 12/10

Austin Turcotte 12/10

Traci George 12/11

Kylie Harrington 12/11

John & Denise Poirier 12/01/2002

Allen & Cheryl Tomasello 12/01/1994

Wesley & Phyllis Daggett 12/01/1956

Robin & Jennifer Hafemann 12/04/2004

Nathan & Laura Thebarge 12/14/2007

Jonathan & Jennifer Bubar 12/16/1995

Will & Lisa Truesdell 12/17/1994

Paul & Elaine Connolly 12/20/2001

Dick Vose Jr. & Jean Vose 12/22/1979

Mike & Cathy Thornton 12/23/1983

Brad & Marcie Davis 12/24/2005

Dustin & Jen Oliver 12/28/1996

Mike & Lindsey Ward 12/28/2003

Ryan & Jasmine McNelly 12/30/2006

Dave & Sue Cole 12/30/1967