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

Volume 62 / Week Number 48 / December 8, 2011

December 11, 2011Third Sunday of Advent

Sermon“Wipe Away All Tears”

Isaiah 40:1-11

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

Sanctuary Worship - 10:30 a.m.The Sanctuary Choir will process in

and sing from the Balcony

A Savior From On High—Paulus

Birthday Carol—Willcocks

Music from an adult vocal ensemble

Born On The New DayDavid/arr. Knight with text from Lawson

The FBC Orchestra will play

Lighting of Our Advent Wreath Candles

Student Led Worship - 5:00 p.m. in the Chapel

“My Heart Shall Sing of the Day You Bring”Led by our FBC Students

Music from the Youth Choir and Youth Band

Message from Adam Thompson

FIrST THOugHTSDavid Hull, Pastor

Billy Orton and I were meeting together last week. We both confessed to each other that we had not made our donations for the new hymnals yet! Sometimes you stay so busy talking about something that you never get around to doing anything. It was time for us to get busy. Well, Jane and I have now made our donations of hymnals in honor of those that we love. I feel sure that Billy and his Jane are doing the same. If you are like us and you have waited around to do something, I encourage you to make your gift before Christmas.

gifts that are in honor and memory of our loved ones have a long tradition in our church. Every Sunday we have flowers placed in Sanctuary Worship for that purpose. Each year we give poinsettias at Christmas and lilies at Easter in honor and memory of friends and family. These gifts enhance the beauty of worship, but they also express gratitude for lives that are important to us.

The donation of a hymnal is done in the same manner. We give to enhance the worship experience in the Sanctuary. Celebrating grace: A Hymnal for Baptist Worship will be a wonderful resource for congregational worship. I look forward to singing the old favorite hymns that are included in the hymnal and to learning new hymns. The hymnal and all of the accompanying musical resources for choirs and orchestra will enrich our worship together.

A gift that is given in memory or honor of a loved one will be recognized on a label that will be placed in the front cover of the book. This will be a lasting tribute that will be present in our worship for another twenty years or so. In the same way that our existing pew Bibles have dedication labels and have been given in honor or memory, the new hymnals will contain a similar acknowledgement.

generosity and worship go together. Now you have an opportunity for them to meet together in the donation of a new hymnal. We have been talking about this long enough. Maybe you are like me – you just need a reminder to do something.

Speaking of worship, I look forward to our worship together this Sunday. We gather for one worship service at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary on Sunday morning and then again at 5:00 p.m. in the Chapel on Sunday night as our Student Ministry leads us.

“My Heart Shall Sing of the Day You Bring.” Let’s keep on singing!

The Carillon will be rung...

• EachSundayduringthenormalhours

• Monday—Fridayfrom4:30p.m.to5:30p.m.beginningDecember12-December25

• BeforeeachLCTperformance.

CarilloneursareDarrellEldridgeandMichaelMoore.FeaturingNoels,

CarolsandthemusicaltraditionsofChristmas.

TheLivingChristmasTree2011December15–18

withspecialguestAlvy Powell

BassbaritoneAlvyPowellhaswonacclaimforhisperformancesintheUnitedStatesandabroad,bothasasoloistwiththeU.S.ArmyChorusandinindependentvocal

performances.

InhisworkwiththeU.S.ArmyChorus,hefirstcametonationalprominence

singing“TheStarSpangledBanner”attheinaugurationofPresidentGeorgeH.Bush,andhewasthefeaturedperformerforthe60thweddinganniversaryofGeorgeand

BarbaraBushattheWhiteHouse.

BeingafavoriteoftheFordfamily,hewasrequestedtosingforthefuneralsofPresidentGeraldR.FordandFirstLady

BettyFord

Faith Steps 12 Month Update

Ourchurchrecentlyconcluded12monthsofgivingtoourFaithStepstotheFuturecapitalcampaign,thepurposeofwhichistofundtheChristianLifeCenterrenovationnowunderway.Keyfactsaboutourfirstyearofgivingare:

1.Contributionstodateare49.5%ofthecommitmenttotalof$5,322,000. (Thebenchmarkis40%bytheendofthefirst12months)

2.90+%ofthosewhomadeacommitmenthaveover-given,givencompletelyor arecurrentongivingtheircampaigncommitment.

3.Since2008,$289,171hasbeenreceivedasnon-committedgifts

4.Constructioncoststodatehavebeenpaidfullyfromcampaigncontributions andnoshort-termborrowinghasbeennecessary.

5.AcceleratingcampaigncontributionsinDecember (withorwithoutacommitment)willpushshorttermborrowingfartheroffand saveoninterestexpense.

6.Regulargivingtosupport2011-2012budgetedministriesisat97.5%todate.

ContactAlisonHoskins(alison@fbchsv.orgor256-428-9417)forinformationonspecialgivinginDecemberfortheministrybudget,FaithStepsorotherdesignatedofferings.

fbchsv.org

ministry calendar

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

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

Sunday, Dec. 11 Sunday Morning Bible Study 9:15 AMSanctuary Worship 10:30 AMChildren’s Handbells 4:00 PMYouth Choir/CR, 242 4:00 PMStudent Led Worship/Chapel 5:00 PMLCT Reh. /FH, Sanct., Parlor 6:30 PM

Monday, Dec. 12MOPS/241 9:00 AMPrayer Partners/Parlor 9:00 AMLetter Writing/242 9:00 AMHallelujah Choir/CR 10:30 AMLCT Tech Crew/Sanct. 5:00 PMBSF Classes/ FH, Parlor, 3rd FL 5:15 PM

Tuesday, Dec. 13Student Prayer Breakfast 6:30 PMTues. Morn. Intercess./242 7:00 AMHYO Classes/140-141, 241 5:00 PMLCT Techs/Sanct. 5:00 PMForum/118 6:30 PM

Wednesday, Dec. 14Supper/FH 4:45 PMPartnering to Remember/111 5:00 PMPrayer Meeting/FH 5:30 PMLCT Orchestra/Parlor 6:00 PMLCT/ Chapel 6:00 PMLift Off/309-310 6:00 PMLCT Reh./Sanct. 6:00 PMMission Comm.342 6:30 PM

Thursday, Dec. 15Forum Dinner/118 6:00 PMLCT Parkers/241 6:00 PMLCT gathering/FH, Parlor 6:30 PMLCT/Sanct. 7:30 PM

Friday, Dec. 16LCT Parkers/241 6:00 PMLCT/Parlor, FH 6:30 PMLCT/Sanct. 7:30 PM

Saturday, Dec. 17LCT Parkers/241 3:00 PMLCT gather/FH, Parlor 3:30 PMLCT/Sanct. 4:30 PMLCTPersonnel supper/FH 6:00 PMLCT/Sanct. 7:30 PM

THANK YOu

Thank you notes have been recieved from the Herndon family and from Queete Williams. They have been placed on the bulletin board across

from the church office.

Wednesday Night Dinner MenuWednesday, December 14

AdultsChicken Fried Chicken

Mashed Potatoesgreen Peas

rollsAssorted Desserts

SaladGrilled Chicken Salad

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

STEWArDSHIP rEPOrT

12/04/11Year-to-Date goal $805,875.00Offering This Week $111,650.89 YTD $730,160.43Debt retirement This Week $10,065.00 YTD $15,060.00

Faith Steps to the Future: This Week $48,698.60 YTD $273,197.40 To Date: $3,726,230.33

www.fbchsv.org/give

ATTENDANCE

Sunday SchoolPreschool 69Children 107Students 142Adults 658Brookdale 0Visitors 16TOTAL 995

Worship ServicesSanctuary Worship 1063TOTAL 1063

FAMILY MATTErS

WELCOME NEW MEMBERSStanandDebraFuller10117VersaillesDriveHuntsville,AL35803

VicandTammyMcCarnDaniel137TessieDriveOwensCrossRoads,AL35763

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHYDaniel & Rebecca Dean inthelossofhismother, Jacob Dean and Christina and John Hearneinthelossoftheirgrandmother,Lainey Hearne inthelossofhergreat-grandmother, Betty Dean

Forthelastfewweeks,ourSundaySchoolclassofPre-K4’shasbeentalkingaboutworshipandwhattoexpectinourworshipservice.TheclassesarecalledWorship

Helpers.HerearesomewaysyoucanbeaWorshipHelper:

• Greetthechildrenwhositonapewwithyou.

• Expressyourjoyinhavingthemaspartoftheworshipingcommunitybyanoccasionalsmileintheirdirection.

• HelpchildrenfindpagesinthehymnalandBibleandfollowtheOrderofWorship.

• Passtheofferingplatetochildren,notovertheirheads.

• Answerachild’squestion.(Itislessdisruptivetowhisperananswerthantoshushachild.)

• Expressappreciationtothechildren’schoirwhentheyhelpleadinworship.

• Remember-itisyourexamplewhichteachesachildhowtoworship.

...Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of

God as a little child will never enter it.Luke 18:16-17

SPECIALGIVINGOPPORTUNITIESINDECEMBER

GivingappreciatedassetstoFirstBaptistChurchisatax-wisewaytogive.

Ifyouownafinancialassetthathasgoneupinvalueaboveyourpurchasepriceandyougiveitdirectlytothechurch,youbypasspayingcapitalgainstaxontheassetifyouowneditlongerthanoneyear.Youalsoreceiveacharitabledeductionamountforthevalueoftheassetwhenitisgiventothechurch.Thechurchsellstheassetandreceivesthefullvaluewithnotaxobligationsincethechurchisnon-profit.

Anotherspecialgivingstrategyformemberswhoare70½yearsoldisgivingdirectlytothechurchfromyourIRAwithnoincometaxpaidupto$100,000ofyourgift.Becausethereisnotaxpaid,thereisalsonocharitablecontributiondeduction.

Thesegiftscanbedirectedtowardtheannualministrybudget,FaithSteps,specialMissionsOffering,orotherdesignatedofferings.

ContactAlisonHoskins,ChurchAccountant,atalison@fbchsv.orgor256-428-9417forassistance.

WORLD MISSIONS OFFERINGDavid W. Hull

December is our month for the World Missions Offering. You have the opportunity to select either the Lottie Moon Christmas offering of the Southern Baptist Convention or the Global Missions Offering of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. The offering is used to support missionaries who serve in places throughout the world that we can never go. Whichever channel of mission giving you choose, please know that your participation in this World Missions Offering puts hands, feet, and voices to the words and songs of hope, peace, joy, and love that we offer in our worship during Advent.

Our combined goal for world missions this year is $39,900. This goal represents a 10% increase over what we gave last year to the offerings. However, we can do much better than this! The world needs to hear the good news of Jesus proclaimed to everyone. Millions of people have never heard the wonderful story of salvation that we proclaim gladly every day. We must give so that missionaries are supported in their work and so that the gospel will be taken to the ends of the earth.

So I challenge all of us to greatly exceed our goal in giving this year! What is God leading you to give? Let’s reach our goal . . . and go far beyond. Will you be generous in your mission giving this year?

WORLD MISSIONS OFFERING GOAL -- $39,900

GIVEN TO DATE -- $16,429

fbchsv.org

ministry calendar

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

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

Sunday, Dec. 11 Sunday Morning Bible Study 9:15 AMSanctuary Worship 10:30 AMChildren’s Handbells 4:00 PMYouth Choir/CR, 242 4:00 PMStudent Led Worship/Chapel 5:00 PMLCT Reh. /FH, Sanct., Parlor 6:30 PM

Monday, Dec. 12MOPS/241 9:00 AMPrayer Partners/Parlor 9:00 AMLetter Writing/242 9:00 AMHallelujah Choir/CR 10:30 AMLCT Tech Crew/Sanct. 5:00 PMBSF Classes/ FH, Parlor, 3rd FL 5:15 PM

Tuesday, Dec. 13Student Prayer Breakfast 6:30 PMTues. Morn. Intercess./242 7:00 AMHYO Classes/140-141, 241 5:00 PMLCT Techs/Sanct. 5:00 PMForum/118 6:30 PM

Wednesday, Dec. 14Supper/FH 4:45 PMPartnering to Remember/111 5:00 PMPrayer Meeting/FH 5:30 PMLCT Orchestra/Parlor 6:00 PMLCT/ Chapel 6:00 PMLift Off/309-310 6:00 PMLCT Reh./Sanct. 6:00 PMMission Comm.342 6:30 PM

Thursday, Dec. 15Forum Dinner/118 6:00 PMLCT Parkers/241 6:00 PMLCT gathering/FH, Parlor 6:30 PMLCT/Sanct. 7:30 PM

Friday, Dec. 16LCT Parkers/241 6:00 PMLCT/Parlor, FH 6:30 PMLCT/Sanct. 7:30 PM

Saturday, Dec. 17LCT Parkers/241 3:00 PMLCT gather/FH, Parlor 3:30 PMLCT/Sanct. 4:30 PMLCTPersonnel supper/FH 6:00 PMLCT/Sanct. 7:30 PM

THANK YOu

Thank you notes have been recieved from the Herndon family and from Queete Williams. They have been placed on the bulletin board across

from the church office.

Wednesday Night Dinner MenuWednesday, December 14

AdultsChicken Fried Chicken

Mashed Potatoesgreen Peas

rollsAssorted Desserts

SaladGrilled Chicken Salad

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

STEWArDSHIP rEPOrT

12/04/11Year-to-Date goal $805,875.00Offering This Week $111,650.89 YTD $730,160.43Debt retirement This Week $10,065.00 YTD $15,060.00

Faith Steps to the Future: This Week $48,698.60 YTD $273,197.40 To Date: $3,726,230.33

www.fbchsv.org/give

ATTENDANCE

Sunday SchoolPreschool 69Children 107Students 142Adults 658Brookdale 0Visitors 16TOTAL 995

Worship ServicesSanctuary Worship 1063TOTAL 1063

FAMILY MATTErS

WELCOME NEW MEMBERSStanandDebraFuller10117VersaillesDriveHuntsville,AL35803

VicandTammyMcCarnDaniel137TessieDriveOwensCrossRoads,AL35763

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHYDaniel & Rebecca Dean inthelossofhismother, Jacob Dean and Christina and John Hearneinthelossoftheirgrandmother,Lainey Hearne inthelossofhergreat-grandmother, Betty Dean

Forthelastfewweeks,ourSundaySchoolclassofPre-K4’shasbeentalkingaboutworshipandwhattoexpectinourworshipservice.TheclassesarecalledWorship

Helpers.HerearesomewaysyoucanbeaWorshipHelper:

• Greetthechildrenwhositonapewwithyou.

• Expressyourjoyinhavingthemaspartoftheworshipingcommunitybyanoccasionalsmileintheirdirection.

• HelpchildrenfindpagesinthehymnalandBibleandfollowtheOrderofWorship.

• Passtheofferingplatetochildren,notovertheirheads.

• Answerachild’squestion.(Itislessdisruptivetowhisperananswerthantoshushachild.)

• Expressappreciationtothechildren’schoirwhentheyhelpleadinworship.

• Remember-itisyourexamplewhichteachesachildhowtoworship.

...Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of

God as a little child will never enter it.Luke 18:16-17

SPECIALGIVINGOPPORTUNITIESINDECEMBER

GivingappreciatedassetstoFirstBaptistChurchisatax-wisewaytogive.

Ifyouownafinancialassetthathasgoneupinvalueaboveyourpurchasepriceandyougiveitdirectlytothechurch,youbypasspayingcapitalgainstaxontheassetifyouowneditlongerthanoneyear.Youalsoreceiveacharitabledeductionamountforthevalueoftheassetwhenitisgiventothechurch.Thechurchsellstheassetandreceivesthefullvaluewithnotaxobligationsincethechurchisnon-profit.

Anotherspecialgivingstrategyformemberswhoare70½yearsoldisgivingdirectlytothechurchfromyourIRAwithnoincometaxpaidupto$100,000ofyourgift.Becausethereisnotaxpaid,thereisalsonocharitablecontributiondeduction.

Thesegiftscanbedirectedtowardtheannualministrybudget,FaithSteps,specialMissionsOffering,orotherdesignatedofferings.

ContactAlisonHoskins,ChurchAccountant,atalison@fbchsv.orgor256-428-9417forassistance.

WORLD MISSIONS OFFERINGDavid W. Hull

December is our month for the World Missions Offering. You have the opportunity to select either the Lottie Moon Christmas offering of the Southern Baptist Convention or the Global Missions Offering of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. The offering is used to support missionaries who serve in places throughout the world that we can never go. Whichever channel of mission giving you choose, please know that your participation in this World Missions Offering puts hands, feet, and voices to the words and songs of hope, peace, joy, and love that we offer in our worship during Advent.

Our combined goal for world missions this year is $39,900. This goal represents a 10% increase over what we gave last year to the offerings. However, we can do much better than this! The world needs to hear the good news of Jesus proclaimed to everyone. Millions of people have never heard the wonderful story of salvation that we proclaim gladly every day. We must give so that missionaries are supported in their work and so that the gospel will be taken to the ends of the earth.

So I challenge all of us to greatly exceed our goal in giving this year! What is God leading you to give? Let’s reach our goal . . . and go far beyond. Will you be generous in your mission giving this year?

WORLD MISSIONS OFFERING GOAL -- $39,900

GIVEN TO DATE -- $16,429

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

Volume 62 / Week Number 48 / December 8, 2011

December 11, 2011Third Sunday of Advent

Sermon“Wipe Away All Tears”

Isaiah 40:1-11

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

Sanctuary Worship - 10:30 a.m.The Sanctuary Choir will process in

and sing from the Balcony

A Savior From On High—Paulus

Birthday Carol—Willcocks

Music from an adult vocal ensemble

Born On The New DayDavid/arr. Knight with text from Lawson

The FBC Orchestra will play

Lighting of Our Advent Wreath Candles

Student Led Worship - 5:00 p.m. in the Chapel

“My Heart Shall Sing of the Day You Bring”Led by our FBC Students

Music from the Youth Choir and Youth Band

Message from Adam Thompson

FIrST THOugHTSDavid Hull, Pastor

Billy Orton and I were meeting together last week. We both confessed to each other that we had not made our donations for the new hymnals yet! Sometimes you stay so busy talking about something that you never get around to doing anything. It was time for us to get busy. Well, Jane and I have now made our donations of hymnals in honor of those that we love. I feel sure that Billy and his Jane are doing the same. If you are like us and you have waited around to do something, I encourage you to make your gift before Christmas.

gifts that are in honor and memory of our loved ones have a long tradition in our church. Every Sunday we have flowers placed in Sanctuary Worship for that purpose. Each year we give poinsettias at Christmas and lilies at Easter in honor and memory of friends and family. These gifts enhance the beauty of worship, but they also express gratitude for lives that are important to us.

The donation of a hymnal is done in the same manner. We give to enhance the worship experience in the Sanctuary. Celebrating grace: A Hymnal for Baptist Worship will be a wonderful resource for congregational worship. I look forward to singing the old favorite hymns that are included in the hymnal and to learning new hymns. The hymnal and all of the accompanying musical resources for choirs and orchestra will enrich our worship together.

A gift that is given in memory or honor of a loved one will be recognized on a label that will be placed in the front cover of the book. This will be a lasting tribute that will be present in our worship for another twenty years or so. In the same way that our existing pew Bibles have dedication labels and have been given in honor or memory, the new hymnals will contain a similar acknowledgement.

generosity and worship go together. Now you have an opportunity for them to meet together in the donation of a new hymnal. We have been talking about this long enough. Maybe you are like me – you just need a reminder to do something.

Speaking of worship, I look forward to our worship together this Sunday. We gather for one worship service at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary on Sunday morning and then again at 5:00 p.m. in the Chapel on Sunday night as our Student Ministry leads us.

“My Heart Shall Sing of the Day You Bring.” Let’s keep on singing!

The Carillon will be rung...

• EachSundayduringthenormalhours

• Monday—Fridayfrom4:30p.m.to5:30p.m.beginningDecember12-December25

• BeforeeachLCTperformance.

CarilloneursareDarrellEldridgeandMichaelMoore.FeaturingNoels,

CarolsandthemusicaltraditionsofChristmas.

TheLivingChristmasTree2011December15–18

withspecialguestAlvy Powell

BassbaritoneAlvyPowellhaswonacclaimforhisperformancesintheUnitedStatesandabroad,bothasasoloistwiththeU.S.ArmyChorusandinindependentvocal

performances.

InhisworkwiththeU.S.ArmyChorus,hefirstcametonationalprominence

singing“TheStarSpangledBanner”attheinaugurationofPresidentGeorgeH.Bush,andhewasthefeaturedperformerforthe60thweddinganniversaryofGeorgeand

BarbaraBushattheWhiteHouse.

BeingafavoriteoftheFordfamily,hewasrequestedtosingforthefuneralsofPresidentGeraldR.FordandFirstLady

BettyFord

Faith Steps 12 Month Update

Ourchurchrecentlyconcluded12monthsofgivingtoourFaithStepstotheFuturecapitalcampaign,thepurposeofwhichistofundtheChristianLifeCenterrenovationnowunderway.Keyfactsaboutourfirstyearofgivingare:

1.Contributionstodateare49.5%ofthecommitmenttotalof$5,322,000. (Thebenchmarkis40%bytheendofthefirst12months)

2.90+%ofthosewhomadeacommitmenthaveover-given,givencompletelyor arecurrentongivingtheircampaigncommitment.

3.Since2008,$289,171hasbeenreceivedasnon-committedgifts

4.Constructioncoststodatehavebeenpaidfullyfromcampaigncontributions andnoshort-termborrowinghasbeennecessary.

5.AcceleratingcampaigncontributionsinDecember (withorwithoutacommitment)willpushshorttermborrowingfartheroffand saveoninterestexpense.

6.Regulargivingtosupport2011-2012budgetedministriesisat97.5%todate.

ContactAlisonHoskins(alison@fbchsv.orgor256-428-9417)forinformationonspecialgivinginDecemberfortheministrybudget,FaithStepsorotherdesignatedofferings.