Blog - First Baptist Church Danville, PA

It’s a Christmas takeover!

Posted on Dec 18, 2015 in Blog |

Christmas will be here in just a week. And I absolutely love it! I am a huge fan of Christmas. My heart echoes the sentiment: “it’s the most wonderful time of the year”. I’m the kind of person that starts listening to “Let it snow” and other Yuletide classics on the radio as early as possible. One who watches a different Christmas movie every day of December leading up to the advent Day. The kind that considers many of my Christmas ornaments among my most precious possessions. One who has honest moments of sadness in the first week of December when thinking about Christmas being over, even though it hasn’t even arrived yet. And, yes, the kind that would leave the Christmas lights and decorations up until Memorial Day.

Given the choice between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I’m sorry but I’d have to forego Thanksgiving. I’m sure many people would be on the same page. But I’m beginning to think that maybe I need to change my mentality.

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Posted on Dec 18, 2015 in Newsletter |

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES

You are invited…

5:30 PM: Family Service with children participating

7:30 PM: Candlelight & Carols

Please join us!

Please pray for our Haiti Team members as they pack luggage and make final plans this week. Continue to pray for health, safety, and their ministry from December 28 – January 5. Thank you to everyone who has helped purchase sports items and craft supplies for our ministry to children in Haiti.

The poinsettias in the sanctuary are in memory and honor of many loved ones. If you placed a flower you may pick it up after the
7:30 PM Christmas Eve service. Thanks to everyone who participated. Special thanks to those who supplied the beautiful Christmas Tree
and Advent wreath.

The Nominating Committee has been meeting and a list of nominees is posted on the ramp bulletin board. Please direct any questions or concerns to a member of the committee.

A Family New Year’s Eve Celebration will be held on December 31st. A meal catered by Fu Star will start the evening off at 6 PM. The movie, “The War Room,” will be shown at 7 PM. Dessert, Devotions & Prayer for the New Year will finish off the evening. Reservations for the catered meal are needed. Please sign up on the ramp bulletin board, in your SBS class, or call the church office. Suggested donation for the meal is $5 per person or $15 per family. Please bring a dessert to share.

New Year, new calendar: Ministry Leaders, please contact the office to confirm your dates for 2016 so we can be sure the bulletin is correct, facilities are not double booked, or NOT booked when they could be, etc.

A BIG THANKS to all of our musicians who have led us in worship the past two Sundays to help prepare us for our Christmas Celebration of Jesus’ birth!

Exploring FBC, a class for those interested in finding out more about our church, baptism, and/or membership, is being planned for the last three Sundays in January. Please contact Pastor Dawes if you are interested in attending.

Our Ministry of the Word next Lord’s Day

9:00 AM & 10:30 AM Missionaries ~ Tim & Jackie Faulkner will share in both service10:30 AM ~ Adult Fellowship II ~ Chapel

No Evening Bible Study or Sr. High Youth next Sunday, December 27

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

Posted on Dec 11, 2015 in Newsletter |

Today : 9:00 AM ~ Praise & Worship; Sunday Bible School for ALL Ages
10:30 AM ~ Praise & Worship
Practice for 4 year olds – 6th grade during Children’s Church.

So that Adult Fellowship II may attend the special Christmas programs, they will not be meeting at 10:30 (during second service) until Dec. 27.

5:00 – 7:00 ~ Caroling (Meet at church at 4:30 to help prepare cookie bags)

Cookies needed for caroling. If you have cookies that you would like to donate for distribution by our carolers, please have them to the church today by 4:30.

ATTENTION YOUTH PARENTS & GUARDIANS: We will be meeting in the BFLC/ Youth Room following the 10:30 service. Lunch provided; Discussion: Young Life Info & Millennials.

Midweek Meal ~ Please join us for our Midweek Family Meal on Wednesday, December 16. The menu for this week is Celestial Chicken, Merry Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Holly Green Beans, and Jingle Bell Desserts. Please sign up by Monday, December 14 on the ramp bulletin board, your SBS class, or by calling the office. Suggested donation for meals is $3 per person/$10 per family. If you would like to take a meal to a shut-in there is no charge. Desserts are provided on a volunteer basis. Please bring one to share anytime.

The Christmas Offering this year will go toward an audio visual system upgrade to improve our worship services and radio transmission. Offering envelopes for this gift are available in your bulletin this morning, and will be in the pew racks during the month of December.

Stop by the Tract Rack to find Christmas devotionals, and many Christmas tracts to use throughout the season.

More blankets needed for Syrian refugees: If you would like to help, please place new & gently used blankets (all sizes) in the white barrel near the Chapel.

New Prayer letters are available in the chapel hallway from our missionaries. Please stop by and pick up letters that will give you updates and current prayer requests.

HAITI CHILDREN GIFTS – You can help provide these gifts without shopping…27 gift envelopes are left on the display in the foyer. Please choose a gift that you would like to purchase – Take a gift envelope from that pocket – Put the money in the envelope – Drop it in the gift box on the table. PLEASE RETURN GIFT ENVELOPES BY NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2015

NEXT SUNDAY ~ DECEMBER 20
9:00 AM ~ Birthday Party for Jesus, Sanctuary, Refreshments following in the BFLC
10:30 PM ~ Christmas Drama, Pastor Harry WonderlandNo Evening Services

Christmas Eve Services:
5:30 PM ~ Early family service with children in mind.
Pre-school children will participate in the Nativity Story and
school age children will share some of their songs from the Birthday Party for Jesus.
7:30 PM ~ A second Christmas Eve Service with special music, candles and carols.

A New Year’s Eve Celebration is being planned. A catered dinner by Fu Star will be served at 6 PM, followed by the movie

‘war Room” shown at 7 PM. Devotions and Prayer for the New Year will finish the evening at 9 PM.

Sunday, December 6, 2015

Posted on Dec 4, 2015 in Newsletter |

Today is Barnabas Sunday. Items will be donated to the Danville Community Christmas Tree Program. Please see suggested food and other items on the ramp bulletin board if you would like to participate.

Please join us tonight at 6 PM for a baptismal service. A reception will follow.

Community Events hosted at FBC this week: Monday, 1:00-6:00 ~ Red Cross Blood Drive/BFLC
Tuesday, 9:00-1:00 ~ Vaccine Clinic/Chapel ~ flyers at Information Desk. If you do not have insurance to cover flu shots and shingles shots, please check out this service. Appointments are required.

Midweek Meal ~ Please join us for our Midweek Family Meal on Wednesday, December 9. The menu for this week is meatloaf, scalloped potatoes, corn and desserts. Please sign up by Monday, December 7 on the ramp bulletin board, your SBS class, or by calling the office.

Stop by the Tract Rack to find Christmas devotionals, and many Christmas tracts to use throughout the season. New missionary letters are available in the chapel hallway downstairs.

Poinsettias may be ordered in honor or memory of a loved one. The suggested donation is $7.00. If interested, please contact the church office at 570-275-1511 by Wednesday, December 9th. The poinsettias may be picked up following the Christmas Eve Service.

Mini Trips to GAiN Warehouse ~ A van will going to the GAiN Warehouse on the following dates to help pack used clothing for Syrian refugees: Dec. 9, Jan. 19, Feb. 20, March 9, and March 18. If you would like to go along please contact the office.

Every year we collect gifts for a special project or ministry at our Birthday Party for Jesus. This year the gifts are designated for Haitian children and will be used in the Children’s Ministry on the upcoming Haiti Mission Trip. In addition to craft items, we need some items to play games with the children. These will be left with the church for their continued use. Please stop by the display board in the foyer. Choose envelopes for various gift items with amount needed to purchase that item. Place money in envelope.
Drop money in gift box by December 20th.

Thanks to all who have taken ornaments from our Tree of Love located in the kitchen foyer. If you would still like to help, please stop by and take a foam ornament. Bring back the upwrapped gift to the church office by December 13. Please keep the ornament with the gift so it goes to the right person.

The Ministry of The Word the NEXT Lord’s Day Sunday, December 13:

9:00 AM ~ “Celebrating the Season” with Music & Worship Message ~ Pastor Dawes

10:30 AM ~ “Sounds of Christmas” ~ Adult Choir & Praise Band Message ~ Pastor Dawes

11:45 AM ~ Youth Parent Lunch & Meeting 4:30 PM – meet at church to pack cookies for caroling

5:00-7:00 PM – Caroling for all ages

Sunday, December 20

9:00 AM – Birthday Party for Jesus for all ages. Please meet in the Sanctuary for program, followed by refreshments in the BFLC.

10:30 AM – Christmas Drama ~ Combined Worship Service

CHRISTMAS EVE

5:30 PM ~ Early Christmas Eve Service with children in mind.
Pre-school children will participate in the Nativity Story and school age children will share some of their songs
from our Birthday Party for Jesus.

7:30 PM ~ A second Christmas Eve Service with special music, candles, and carols.

NEW YEAR’S EVE

A New Year’s Eve Celebration is being planned. A catered dinner by Fu Star will be at 6 PM, followed by the movie “War Room” shown at 7 PM. Devotions and prayer for the New Year will finish the evening at 9 PM.

Sunday, November 29, 2015

Posted on Nov 25, 2015 in Newsletter |

Next Sunday is Barnabas Sunday. This month we will be taking food items to the Danville Community Christmas Tree Program. Staple food items, winter clothing, infant supplies or monetary gifts are being accepted at the Danville Ballroom starting Tuesday, December 2. (Tuesdays through Fridays 3-7 Pm and Saurdays 9 Am – 4 Pm)

MIdweek Meal: Join us for our Midweek Family Meal on Wednesday, December 2. The menu for this week is spectacular spaghetti, super salad, bountiful bread and delicious desserts. Please sign up By Monday, November 30 on the ramp bulletin board, in your SBS class, or by calling the office. Suggested donation for meals is $3 per person.$10 per family. If you would like to take a meal to a shut-in there is no charge. Desserts are provided on a voluntary basis. Please bring one to share anytime.

THANK YOU! The Daughters of the Divine would like to thank the youth and their leaders for their help at the Jubilee Kitchen. Your servant hearts made a big difference.

Everyone is invited to go Caroling on Sunday evening, December 13, from 5:00-7:00 PM. Meet at the church by 4:30 if you want to help with the cookie plates that we will hand out throughout the evening.

Calling all youth parents & guardians: Lunch & discussion on December 13 after church.

Jr. & Sr. High Youth Christmas Party: December 6, 4:30-9:00 PM. Bring a white elephant gift. fruits cups as a donation and dress like an Elf!

Haiti Opportunity – Next Sunday there will be a display where you may choose a specific item to buy for the children in Haiti. The mission team that is going to Haiti after Christmas will deliver these gifts. You may bring these gifts to our Birthday Party for Jesus on December 20.

Poinsettias may be ordered in honor or memory of a loved one. The suggested donation is $7.00. If interested, please contact the church office
at 570-275-1511 by December 9. The poinsettias may be picked up following the Christmas Eve service.

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS SERVICES

Sunday, December 6

~ 9:00 AM, Celebrating the Season with Music & Worship
~ 10:30 AM, “Sounds of Christmas”, by Adult Choir and Bells of Joy

Sunday, December 13
~ 9:00 AM, Celebrating the Season
                            with Music & Worship
   ~ 10:30 AM, “Celebration of Christmas”
                by Adult Choir and Praise Band

Sunday, December 20
~ 9:00 AM, Birthday Party for Jesus for all ages.
Please meet in the Sanctuary for program,
followed by refreshments in the BFLC.
~ 10:30 AM, Christmas Drama ~ Combined Worship Service

Sunday, December 27
Regular Schedule with Guest Missionaries
~ Tim and Jackie Faulkner
~ 9:00 AM, Traditional Service & Sunday Bible Classes
~ 10:30 AM, Contemporary Service & Adult Fellowship II

As you prepare for Christmas, we want to let you know of several

opportunities for giving through our church and community so that you may participate in those you choose.

Christmas is a time of giving! In that spirit, the Sunday School is sponsoring a Tree of Love. You will find the tree in the kitchen foyer.
Each foam ornament represents a person and a Christmas gift. As God leads you, please take an ornament from the tree and return it
with the designated unwrapped gift to the church office by December 13. Please keep the ornament with the gift so it goes to the right person.
Thanks for caring!

The Christmas Offering this year will go toward an audio visual system upgrade to improve our worship
services and radio transmission. Offering envelopes for this gift will be available during the month of December.

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Posted on Nov 13, 2015 in Newsletter |

Count Your Blessings…name them one by one. Please add what you are thankful for to the bulletin board outside the Sunday School Office (downstairs). Let’s fill up the board with notes of thanks!

Mission Report: We welcome missionary Stan Brown to our services today. He will be giving a mission report at 6 PM in the BFLC. Please plan on attending and bring a dessert to share.

A Baptism Service is planned for December 6 at 6 PM in the Sanctuary. If you are interested in being baptized, please talk to Pastor Dawes, or circle “B” on your connect card.

Good Samaritan Center is in desperate need of girls clothing, (sizes 4,5,6) Please drop off donations on Tues, Wed, or Thurs. Open
from 9:00 – 4:30.

Please continue to pray for the Persecuted Church. To stay informed of current prayer needs, go to www.icommittopray.com. Stay informed and pray for our missionaries by picking up letters in the chapel hallway. New ones are added weekly.

Flu/Shingles shots will be available at FBC on Nov. 19th & Dec. 8th when the PA Dept. of Health hosts clinics in the chapel. Please see the flyers posted on the ramp bulletin board or pick up a flyer at the Information Desk. Appointments are required.

Stop by the ramp bulletin board or the Information Desk to pick up a flyer on the need for foster families in our community.

CHRISTMAS GIVING OPPORTUNITIES

As you prepare for Christmas, we want to let you know of several opportunities for giving through our church and community
so that you may participate in those you choose.

Our Christmas Offering this year will go toward an audio visual system upgrade to improve our worship services and radio transmission. Offering envelopes for this gift will be available in December.

Soon you will see our Christmas Tree of Love in the kitchen foyer. There will be suggested gifts on ornaments for families in our own church and community. Please let one of the pastors know if you know someone who could use a gift.

Many gifts will be needed to take on the Haiti Mission Trip (Dec. 28-July 5). A list of items and drop off spots will be available soon.

Our November & December food donations are going to help with the community efforts to provide Christmas dinners for people in our community. We will also soon have information regarding the Danville Community Christmas Tree that will collect gifts for people in our community.

In December you will be given the opportunity to purchase poinsettias in memory or honor of a loved one.

~ MARK YOUR CALENDARS ~

November 25 ~ Thanksgiving Eve Service

November 29 ~ First Sunday of Advent & Communion Sunday

December 6 ~ 6 PM ~ Baptism Service & Reception

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Posted on Nov 6, 2015 in General |

Midweek Meal: Join us for our Midweek Family Meal on Wednesday, Nov. 11. The menu for this week is Patriotic Chicken Parmesan, Celebration Chicken pieces, Special Scalloped Potatoes, Commemorative Corn, and Dazzling Desserts. Please sign up by Monday, Nov. 9 on the Ramp Bulletin Board, in your SBS class, or by calling the office. Suggested donation for meals is $3 per person/$10 per family. If you would like to take a meal to a shut-in there is no charge. Desserts are provided on a volunteer basis

Midweek Ministries: 6:00-7:30 ~ Awana, Jr. High Youth, Adult Studies

Mission Reports: Tonight Frank Auker will be sharing in the chapel about his recent trip to Cuba. Next Sunday we will welcome missionaries Stan & Tami Brown. They will be sharing a greeting in the morning services, and giving a mission report at 6 PM in the BFLC. Please plan on attending and bring a dessert to share.

November 21st is First Baptist’s turn to host the Jubilee Kitchen. Please call the office if you have questions.

Good Samaritan Center is in desperate need of girls clothing, (sizes 4,5,6). If you can help, please drop your donations off on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Please continue to pray for the Persecuted Church. To stay informed of current prayer needs, go to www.icommittopray.com.

~ MARK YOUR CALENDARS ~

November 20-21 ~ Youth 30 Day Famine
November 21 ~ Jubilee Kitchen
November 22 ~ Turkey Bowl
November 25 ~ Thanksgiving Eve Service

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Posted on Oct 30, 2015 in Newsletter |

TRUNK OR TREAT – A special thank you to the crew of volunteers for all of their hard work. Thanks also to everyone who donated candy. At least 900 people enjoyed Trunk or Treat at our church this past week.

Today is Barnabas Sunday. This month we will be taking food items to “Feed A Friend” to help provide Thanksgiving Dinners for people in Montour County. If you would like to give a monetary gift, please make checks out to “Feed A Friend”.

Midweek Meal: Join us for our Midweek Family Meal on Wednesday, Nov. 4. The menu for this week is wunderbar pork and sauerkraut, herrilch potatoes, and schmeckts gut desserts. Please sign up by Monday, Nov. 2 on the Ramp Bulletin Board, in your SBS class, or by calling the office. Suggested donation for meals is $3 per person/$10 per family. If you would like to take a meal to a shut-in there is no charge. Desserts are provided on a volunteer basis. Please bring one to share anytime.

Volunteers Needed: UPWARD’S second registration/skills drill will be held Friday night, November 6 (6:00-8:00 PM) and Saturday, November 7 (9:30 AM-1:30 PM). There is a job for everyone, and many volunteers are needed. Please call the office if you can help. UPWARD participants may register online, but MUST still attend this skills drill, if they didn’t go to the one in October.

First Baptist Church will be hosting the Jubilee Kitchen on November 21st. Please call the office if you would like to give a monetary donation, or can provide dessert.

Did You Know? There are several ways to hear a sermon if you are unable to hear it during church, want to hear it again, or share it with a friend…

Listen live ~ 9:00 Traditional Service broadcast on WPGM 1570 AM ; 10:30 Contemporary Service broadcast on WPGM 96.7 FM
Request a copy on CD (forms available at bottom of stairs in coat room at back of sanctuary).
Listen to it on-line from our web-site.