FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, HARRISON

DECEMBER, 2014 VOL. 59 NO. 12

Challenger FBC

The

JESUS, the True Gift of Christmas!

Tickets available through

Sunday, November 30th

$10 per person

for Adults and Youth.

Child care provided

for Children ages

Birth—6th grade

Must make Reservations by

November 30th.

CHRISTMAS at the Durand

December 7th 6:00 p.m.

Catered Dinner

Special Guest...Lyle Witcher sharing Truth in humor, storytelling, and true authenticity of who he is.

Lyle has a contagious love for Christ and enjoys sharing that love (and Truth) to others.

Lyle is a first generation pastor, ministry leader, and missionary. He lives in

Poplar Bluff, Missouri, with his wife Angela of 20 years. He has two precious children, Abigail and Aaron.

Don’t miss this wonderful night and this very special

Christmas Fellowship!

FBC Harrison

and FBC

Branson Choirs

have been invited to perform with the

Award winning Christian vocalist Sandi Patty for her Christmas tour

stop in Branson.

This is a wonderful opportunity for us.

You must join us this

December 4th, 5th, or 6th at the Oak Ridge Boys Theatre

in Branson for this one time event.

Tickets are discounted to $30 for FBCH

Please call the theatre for reservations.

This is a Broadway type production

and will be a GREAT start to your

Christmas Season.

Come support your wonderful FBCH Choir!

Proposed 2015 Budget Discussion

Sunday evening, December 14th

Vote on 2015 Budget Sunday morning, December 21st

Out of the Silence MUSIC

Out of the Darkness LIGHT

Out of Uncertainty PROMISE

Hope was born that Night!

May you have a blessed Christmas!

THE.ROB.BLOG

Here is THE #1 RULE at the Davis house…concerning Christmas decorations: NONE ‘til after

we finish Thanksgiving dinner. The #2 rule is NONE

that I have to help with while the HOGS or BAMA

play football that weekend. Of course, if either of

those games is going horribly wrong I might decide I

need the distraction. (I am nothing if not flexible.)

I’ve noticed the “the season” is…coming more

quickly every year. I was in a Wal-Mart in Rogers as

the employees were putting out Christmas

decorations and trees 3 WEEKS BEFORE

HALLOWEEN!!! The good news: soon we won’t

have to be embarrassed about leaving our Christmas

lights attached to our house year round. (“We” is used

descriptively not personally. Jonesy would never

allow that.) Yep, pretty soon the Christmas spirit will

be with us year round…the Christmas shopping spirit,

that is. Basically, it is making the grandest time of

year nothing special. The longer ‘it” is there the less

exciting “it” becomes. Methinks there is a subversive

plot going on here – but more on my conspiracy

theory another time.

So, how do we continue to…make it special??? I

think I can help with that. Don’t worry…I’ve been

deputized by the “Keep Christmas Special” organiza-

tion (Amy Breedlove Davis, President) to do just that. Here are my humble and amazingly profound

suggestions:

1. Let the thinking continue the thanking.

I am “reposting” an article

composed a couple of years ago

by a writer I greatly admire.

(A smileyface emoticon would be

appropriate here) Hope this will

jumpstart your Christmas.

Keep the forgotten holiday going. (Thanksgiving – for

those who forgot.) Daily re-live the purpose. Mary

pondered “all these things” in her heart. I suggest you

do likewise. Remember that the alternative is bitterness

– what you HAVE to buy, what you HAVE to do, etc.

2. Choose the best. Three things: Chores, Church, & Children. Don’t think

you have to do everything. Choose the best activities at

work. Church events are important without question.

However, it has been said that in a Baptist church you

can meet yourself coming back. Choose worship first

and then fill in with the rest of the best. Oh, and

parents…monitor your children’s calendar. You can

actually be robbing them while trying to give

them everything.

3. Say no to the rest. Manage your “margin.” Have a little down time.. That

alone will really help you remember the “Reason for

the Season.” I like to say “hectic promotes heresy.”

Christmas becomes something God never intended

when we become SO busy.

4. Return the gift. No, I don’t mean as in shopping but as in serving.

Make it personal. If no one else chooses to live this

way YOU will. Make is intentional. Determine your

purpose this season and do it as unto Him. Make it

meaningful. There are people out there with special or

particular needs. Think: target practice. Aim for it and

hit the target. You can’t do everything but you can do

something.

Wow! I may be on to something here! If each of us adopts this “policy” then, who knows????

We may just have the REAL Christmas spirit all year.

But, take the lights down. Seriously.

Your “dreaming of a right Christmas”

pastor… Rob

As a gift to our Community, we are showing the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”

at the Lyric Theatre on Sunday evening, December 21st, at 6:00 p.m.

Invite your friends, family and neighbors to join you in watching

one of the best loved classic Christmas movies ever!

Tickets are only $1 a person ... so join us and have a wonderful evening!

TOUCH THE WORLD SUNDAY

On Sunday,

December 7th, we are inviting you to come forward

and place your Offering on the altar.

This will be a time of deepening your

devotion and consecration to the Lord and to His

Kingdom’s work around the world.

Even if you can’t give financially

(or will be giving at a later time) you will be

able to present a commitment to pray for our

missions efforts in 2015.

EVERYBODY gets to participate!

Begin praying now about what God would have

you give to this offering.

Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone

will come after me let him deny himself

and take up his cross and follow me”.

When you give, you become part of

one sacred effort - God’s magnificent story of redemption for

mankind and for all to know Him.

You are sending and supporting

your missionaries,

advancing the Gospel to the nations—

and finding a place in God’s story!

Let’s help make a difference in this world —

together in one sacred effort!

In 1 Year

missionaries shared

His

Redemptive Story

with 1.7

million people

THANK YOU

Your faithful giving has changed lives and given

hope to the lost across the globe

In 1 Year

missionaries trained

23,000 nationals

to start new churches

and helped start 6,200

churches

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions

100% supports the work of Missionaries

What’s happening in

FBCH Student Ministry…? In November we have been studying on Wednesday nights

about a series called “Life on Mission”. This study has

challenged us to define the Gospel and then be challenged to

go practice living on mission for the Gospel. Our Fall

Retreat this year was great for our students. The group that

went had a great time learning about ‘The Harvest’ and then

being challenged to go be workers in the harvest.

During the weekend we experienced some great music,

preaching, teaching, team building, and most important

SALVATIONS for some of our students. Keep praying for

these decisions as they continue to grow in their

relationship to Christ.

FBCH

Students at Fall Retreat

December plans for student ministry are as follows:

December 10th

Special Christmas Party,

December 17th

Christmas Caroling,

December 24th

and 31st NO ACTIVITIES.

Enjoy time with your family and friends

over this great holiday celebration season!

Fresh Start University

I am so excited about our 2015 Spring Discipleship Schedule Fresh Start University! I can’t think of a better way to began a new year than deepening your relationship with your Heavenly Father. When people have been asked about their New Year’s Resolutions, the two most popular have been, 1) lose weight, and 2) get out of financial debt. So, in order to help in both of those areas we will be providing classes so that members of our church family can achieve both of those goals as well as grow in the Lord. Also, we will be providing classes for couples to strengthen their marriage and be better parents. And finally, we will have some wonderful Bible classes for our Adults and Youth. All classes will start on January 11 and will be held on our church campus. Start looking for sign up

sheets in the Atrium. LANCE

First Baptist Church

P.O. Box 996

Harrison, AR 72602

Return Service Requested

HARRISON, AR 72601

PERMIT NO. 73 NON-PROFIT ORG.

fbc@fbcharrison.org

FBC Harrison FBCH Students

www.fbcharrison.org

www.truelife.org

Our Purpose: First Baptist Church exists to help people develop

loving relationships with God and with others.

Our Staff: Rob E. Davis Jr. Senior Pastor Dave Hart Assoc. Pastor Music/Sr. Adults Lance Read Interim Assoc. Pastor Adult Education/Media

Ryan Puls Assoc. Pastor Youth/Recreation Susan Anderson Financial Secretary Betty Johnson Receptionist/Secretary Ron Pittman Facility Supervisor

Join us December 16 at 1:00 p.m. for a time of singing

your favorite Christmas songs and a musical performance by Annette Bailey

(Annette is the wife of Pastor Sam Bailey

of Tri Lakes Baptist Church in Mountain Home, AR)

Reception to follow concert ...DINO’S CAKES

Sponsored by North Arkansas Baptist Association Senior Adult Department

Love Offering will be taken

SENIOR ADULT LUNCHEON

Tuesday, December 16th 11:30 a.m.

> Lunch will be provided < Senior Adults from Mountain Home, AR

will be our special guests

Our

“Parent’s Night Out”

this Christmas will

be on Saturday,

December 13, from 5:30—8:30 p.m.

This will be our only time that childcare will be

provided for Sunday School class parties,

Christmas shopping, etc.

The deadline for childcare

reservations will be

Sunday, December 7.

There will be a sign up sheet on the Welcome

table. There will be no more additions after that

day as we will need plenty of time to provide

adequate childcare for Parent’s Night Out.

All end of the year

contributions must be

turned in to the

Church Office or

postmarked by

Wednesday, December 31st,

to be counted on your 2014 contribution record.

Thank You for your faithful giving to the FBCH Ministries.

ROC Ministry VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Friday: 6:30-8:30 am

Or let us know if you are willing and able to be on the

sub list

UPWARD BASKETBALL Please be planning ahead to volunteer when the sea-

son starts up on Saturday, January 24th.

We will need volunteers for concession stand, clock,

and refereeing.

Congratulations to: Travis & Denise West

on the birth of their triplet grandchildren...

Isaac West 3 lbs. 10 ozs.

Seth West 2 lbs. 10 ozs.

Anna West 2 lbs.

Born: November 13

(Parents: Erik and Lara West) Houston, Texas

A sweet baby boy is on the way!

Join us to bless Haley Hudson

Saturday, December 6th 1—3 p.m.

at the home of Amy Hudson….1001 Ridgeview

Hostesses: Paige Estes, Katie Holt, Amy Hudson, Lisa Hudson, Betty Johnson, Chris Reading, Karen Shrum, Becca VonderMehden

Registries at Target and Wal-Mart

BIRTHS

EXTENDED SESSION

WORKERS

MEMORIALS

Merle Milligan

July 7, 1924—October 25, 2014

United with our Church: June 8,1947

Dean Wilburn

June 4, 1937— November 21, 2014

United with our Church:

November 20, 1966

I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me,

though he die, yet shall he live.”

John 11:25

SUNDAY WORSHIP 10:00 a.m.

December 7th… Babies: Donna Sherman, Amanda Canady

1 Year Olds: Lisa & Isabella Huff

2 Year Olds: Jonathan & Reynet Engholm

3 & 4 Year Olds: Russell & Heather Rorie

December 14th… Babies: Freda Keller, Laura Waters

1 Year Olds: Jennifair & Olivia Ditmanson

2 Year Olds: Barbara & Stephanie Mason

3 & 4 Year Olds: Steve & Dixie Shrum

December 21st… Babies: Emily Crow, Jan Revard

1 Year Olds: Betty Johnson, Joyce Pittman

2 Year Olds: Steve & Renee Cates

3 & 4 Year Olds: Brandon & Laura Horn

December 28th... Babies: Heather Richardson, Annie Shinkle

1 Year Olds: Ryan & Laurie Oswalt

2 Year Olds: Trey & Amy Bell

3 & 4 Year Olds: Kelly & Coulter McCuistion

THANK YOU!! ... FOR GIVING

TO THE DIXIE JACKSON OFFERING FOR STATE MISSIONS

We reached and went over our Goal of $7,000

Total Offering Received: $9,116

Children’s Church Schedule for December

7th.. First Family Worship 14th.. Christmas Musical

21st.. Tom & Beverly Stokes 28th.. Marcus & Angela Jones

With Sympathy

Extended to the Family of

Merle Milligan on his passing.

Extended to the Family of

Dean Wilburn on his passing.

Extended to Martha Rose and Family

on the passing of her mother,

Mary Elizabeth Lamb, of Harrison, Arkansas.

Extended to James Morris and Family

on the passing of his nephew

and to Shannon Still and Family

on the passing of her cousin, Tom Morris,

of Delight, Arkansas.

Extended to Dorothy Cox and Family

on the passing of her brother-in-law,

Eugene Curtis, of Harrison, Arkansas.

Extended to Stan Bolding and Family

on the passing of his Father, Wilburn Bolding,

of Harrison, Arkansas.

Extended to Patsy Finley and Family

on the passing of her brother-in-law,

Bill Meyer, of Templeton, Texas.

Children

in Arkansas

Loved for a

Lifetime

Calling Christians to

answer the CALL to

help foster children.

James 1:27

If your small group or Sunday School Class

is looking for a ministry to help during the

Christmas season, the CALL needs under-

wear, socks, car seats, tear-free shampoo,

gallon zip lock bags, holiday meals for

foster families, or approved childcare for

foster parents while they Christmas shop

(if you are approved to work with

children at church, you are approved).

Contact Mark or Renetta Mistler

at 741-4972.

Sunday School… 8:50 a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship Service… 10:00 a.m.

Come Worship with Us!

I would like to

say a big

THANK

YOU

to all of those

who helped with

PUMPKIN

PATCH this year!

Whether you brought a bag of candy or

made 200 bags of your specialty candy.

Whether you donated 1 soda or 80.

Whether you worked a booth for 1 hour

or got stuck doing both shifts. Whether

you brought me a prop for the hayride

or were right beside me as I

attempted to secure hayride scenes

down in the blistering cold wind, rest

assured that no effort went unnoticed

by me!

Your efforts won’t go unrewarded

and if this ministry only touched the life

of one person, it was still worth all the

hard work and effort. That’s why I

made John 4:35 my theme verse for this

year’s Pumpkin Patch:

“...open your eyes and look at the

fields! They are ripe for harvest.”

Kate Hughes

YOU ARE INVITED

The Church Office and ROC

will be closed December 25 & 26

for the Christmas Holidays

and January 1 for New Year’s Day

May you rejoice

in the blessings

of His love this

Christmas

and always.

Special Christmas

Services Coming Up…

December 14th & 21st

Morning Worship

Christmas Music

Invite your friends and family

to join you

as we Celebrate the Birth

of our Savior Jesus Christ

December 21st

Our Christmas Gift to the Community

Movie at the Lyric

“It’s a Wonderful Life”

6:00 p.m. Tickets: $1.00

December 24th

Christmas Eve

Service

No other Activities

December 28th

Morning Worship only

No Sunday School

No Evening Worship

December 31st

No Activities

Sunday Monday Tues Wed Thursday Friday Saturday

1

2

3 4 5 6

7

8 9

10

11

12

13

14

2015 Proposed BUDGET

Discussion & Evening

Service 6:00 p.m.

15

16

17

18

19 20

21 Vote on

2015 BUDGET..AM

CHRISTMAS

MOVIE

at the LYRIC

6:00 p.m.

22

23

24 25

26 27

28

NO

Sunday School

Morning

Worship

Only

NO

Evening Worship

29 30 31

11PRAYPRAYPRAY

EVERY-EVERY-EVERY-

LUN

PRAY

EVERY

DAY...

PRAY

FOR ONE

ANOTHER! 5:30—8:30

CHRISTMAS

at the

DURAND

6:00 p.m.

11:30 a.m. CONCERT

1:00 p.m.

All Things are Possible through through Jesus! Make Him the center of your Life!

FBCH CHOIR sings with Sandi Patty in Branson at the Oak Ridge Theatre

each night 8:00 p.m.

2014

MEN & WOMEN

are invited to attend

The Annual Christian Women’s

Connection

Tuesday, December 9th

10:00 am– 12:00 pm First Baptist Church

Harrison

Speaker: Ron Hutchcraft

Special Music: Nona & David Grant A Christmas Concert

For reservations call: 741-5930

YOUTH

Share

Jesus!

The best

gift of all!

NABA ON MISSION CELEBRATION

EVENT December 6th

6:00 p.m. at the

Durand Center

featuring various

mission speakers

and an open house

with area missionaries

on furlough or retired

JOIN

US

at 5:15

for the

WEDNESDAY

NIGHT MEAL

$60

per

table

(catered meal)

If you have a

heart for

missions, you’ll

want to attend

this event.

CaLl… 741-3806

for details

6:00 p.m.

Budget Receipts...

Oct. 26th, Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23… $84,906.28

Receipts to Date: $815,834.08

Required to Date: $923,753.51