Dr.

Hayes Wicker, Senior Pastor

The Living Christmas Trees
As we approach the Christmas season, the great carols, which are time-tested and theology-filled, remind us of the first coming of the King of Kings. However, some music can have a different effect than what was originally intended. For instance, some Australian restaurants that stay open all night, such as McDonalds, have started playing classical and opera music to keep teenagers from hanging out there for very long. One establishment even plays Barry Manalow to run off the kids! I seem to hear playing in my head the words of our Naples resident, Bob Seger, as he belted out, There is only one sure way to get me to go, stop playing old time rock-n-roll. Each to his own taste. As our choir, orchestra, drama, and choreography teams exalt Jesus in the Living Christmas Trees, people will be drawn to the Lord. The script of this years presentation, Searching for the King, will resonate with many. We pray that thousands will be drawn to Christ. An official description of this story describes the theme: The questions faced by two travelers are universal in time and scope. Benjamin, a young, presentday American soldier stationed in the Middle East, searches for answers to questions raised by the harsh reality of war and the tragic loss of a personal friend. Mordecai, a young first-century Magi apprentice, seeks truth by studying the night sky and by listening to the lessons taught by his wise instructor, Melchior. They find their answers in a Christmas journey to the place where the Son of God was born, and where He would ultimately die on the cross and be raised from the dead. Like the Magi (wise man) of old, we must also claim Gods promise that when we search, He will be found: You will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:12, 13). Scripture and the Spirit guide us today instead of a star, as with the Magi. Be in prayer for Dr. Todd Stearns, our staff, and the dozens of volunteers, along with the choir, orchestra, and actors. Pray for the many who help with so many things such as make-up, costumes, parking, ushering, greeting, food service, technical equipment, and many more things. Many will hear the gospel and discover that God has plans to give them a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). I particularly ask that you pray for me as I give a brief presentation of the plan of salvation and relate it to the script at each presentation. You can still join our prayer team and be involved as the Lord leads. Invite your unsaved friends. Its the wisest thing that you can do this Christmas.

Churchwide

Lighthouse Bookstore After Thanksgiving Sale

This Weekend Only

Christmas Ministry Opportunities

Begins this weekend and runs through entire month of December

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

30% off your entire purchase. Excludes consignment items. Sale ends this Sunday.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH NAPLES WORSHIP CHOIR

THE NATIVITY SYMPHONY

Enjoy our wonderful FBCN Choir with this new CD, The Nativity Symphony. CDs will be available for just $10 each. These also make great Christmas presents.

Available Beginning Friday, December 6

New FBCN Choir CD

Dr. Hayes Wicker, Sr. Pastor Dr. Todd F. Stearns, Worship Pastor

Give the perfect gift this season...LIFE! The Blood Mobile is coming back to our church parking lot. Every pint you give saves three lives! Please call 596-8600 x259 or email sgraham@fbcn.org to schedule a time.

Sunday, December 22 in the Church Parking Lot

Blood Drive

Lottie Moon offering envelopes are in the chair pockets in front of you. This week is also the week of prayer for Lottie Moon, so grab your prayer guide in the chair pockets as well. Your gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering are an investment with eternal impact. Every penny of this offering goes directly to the International Mission Boards overseas budget. This yearly giving of Southern Baptists undergirds the thousands of missionaries sent from our churches through IMB, and all for a single eternal purpose: making disciples in the name of Jesus. This is what it means for all of us, together, to be totally His.

Prison Fellowship Angel Tree

Prison Fellowship Angel Tree provides Bibles for the children of prison inmates. If you would like to purchase one of these Bibles, please stop by the Lighthouse Bookstore for your angel.

Continues through December 8

Christmas Eve Candlelight Services

Join us for one of these lovely services as we worship the newborn King. All are welcome. Childcare will not be provided for these services. Please note that the church offices will be closed on Tuesday, December 24 and Wednesday, December 25, as well as Tuesday, December 31 and Wednesday, January 1. There will be no BLGs the weekend of December 28 & 29.

Tuesday, December 24 at 4pm and 6pm In the Worship Center

First Family Christmas

This is an important ministry to financially-challenged single parents in our church. Pick up a card with a childs gift request at our table in the Commons, and make his/her Christmas a merry one. For more information, call Debbie at 992-7242.

Going on Now

Christmas/New Year Church Schedule

Volunteers Needed

Blessing Christ Immokalee

Pick up a box or sponsor a box for $40. Fill the box with food (the box has a suggested list of items). Have your kids color or decorate the box. Write letters of hope and blessings to the family. Return the box to church on December 7th or 8th by placing it behind your car and we will pick it up.

Two assistants are needed on Wednesday nights to interact with three and fouryear-old children in AWANA Cubbies. For more information, please call Beverly at 596-8600 x351.

Missions Kiosk This Weekend

Single Adult Ministry

Christmas is Grand at The Strand! Get your tickets in the Lighthouse Bookstore or in any of the Singles BLGs before December 2nd for $30. After that, they are $40. Great food, music, fellowship, and a word from Steve Hayes.

Friday, December 20 at The Club at The Strand

Christmas Dinner Party

Senior Adults

Student Ministry

If you are able to help our FBA third graders have some fun building gingerbread houses, please call Nancy Wilbanks at 597-2233 x304.

Monday, December 9 at 9:00am in Room DC121

Legacy Builders Gingerbread Houses

Guest Reception
There is a guest reception in the Commons following the Saturday night and Sunday morning 11:00am worship services. Pastor would love to meet you!

First Annual Golf Tournament

Saturday, December 7

Other Ministries

Living Christmas Trees Performances

Come celebrate the birth of Jesus with us. Performances of our 31st annual Living Christmas Trees Searching for the King are: --Friday, December 6th at 7:00pm --Sunday, December 8th at 4:00pm and 7:00pm --Thursday, December 12th at 7:00pm --Friday, December 13th at 7:00pm --Sunday, December 15th at 4:00pm and 7:00pm Select your seats online at fbcn.org/lct, stop by our kiosk in the Commons after worship service, or call 888-795-1559 (Monday-Friday 9am-6pm).

We invite you to join our first annual student ministry golf tournament located at the Golf Club at the Everglades. For $100, you can enter this four man scramble tournament with lunch provided. Proceeds go to supporting mission trips for students this spring. Hole sponsorships and donations are also available. Call 449-4480 for more information.

Surviving the Holidays can be hard for those going through a divorce. Help and hope will be offered for you at these two classes. Call Jim at 596-8600 x242.

Saturday, Dec 7 and Saturday, Dec 14 in Room DC209 at 7:20pm

Surviving the Holidays

Middle School New Years Eve Strike & Hike

Deadline to register for this fun event is Friday, Dec 27. Call the Student Ministry for details at 449-4480.

Tuesday, December 31 1:30pm-7:30pm

This is a new support group for those facing cancer and their caregiver. Hosted by Dr. Tom Jewell and his wife Miriam at their home in the Vineyards. For details or to register, call Tom Jewell at 821-5786 or Steve Hayes at 596-8600 x266. Going anywhere is a long way when you dont have a car. Our Single Parent ministry is looking for donated cars to give to those without. Instead of trading, consider donating. Call Jim at 596-8600 x242 for more information. George Wright passed away on November 15. We express our sympathy to his wife, Nancy, and the rest of the family.

Tuesday, December 10 at 7:00-8:00pm (once a month)

Living Hope Cancer Support Group

Donate Your Car

DNow Weekend for Middle School and High School Ministries

Reserve your spot with early bird lower pricing! Please call 449-4480 for information.

January 17-19, 2014

Absent from the Body; Present with the Lord

Last Weekend
Baptisms Bridgette Minutillo Greg Wain Sara Wain

Decisions for Christ

November 23 & 24
Saturday Night Sunday 9:30 a.m. Sunday 11:00 a.m. Total

Worship Attendance
1,177 1,463 873 3,513

First Time Guests

$2,649,793 $2,655,035

2013-2014 Operating Revenues July 1, 2013 - November 24, 2013 Budget Actual Variance

Financial Stewardship

November 23 & 24
Saturday Night Sunday 8:15 a.m. Sunday 11:00 a.m. Sunday 9:30 a.m. Home Groups Total

Bible & Life Attendance

797 130 343 608 567 2,445

We are glad that you came to worship with us today. Our worship services are intended to give praise to God and reveal how Jesus gives hope for all who call on His name. We hope that you feel at home here! Greeters at the doors can help with immediate needs which you may have, and someone at the information desk in the Commons can help you find answers to your questions, as well as guide you to a Bible & Life Group fitted just for you. Thank you for joining us today! For more detailed information about our church and ministries, please call Lou Falorio at 596-8600 x258.

Welcome to First Baptist Church Naples

Disaster Relief for the Philippines

This Upcoming Week

Deacon of the Week December 2-8 Keith Langham & Carleton Case

Debt balance as of Nov 24 $5,003,550

$5,242

Florida Baptists are praying for the survivors of the deadly typhoon. Assessors with the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief and Baptist Global Response are being staged to respond. Relief donations by check can be sent to: Florida Baptist Convention, Attention Philippine Disaster Relief, 1230 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32207. You can also give online at https://netcommunity.imb. org/SuperTyphoonHaiyan.

Wednesday Family Meal

First Baptist Academy

Meal for Dec 4 (4:45 p.m.-6 p.m. in the Fellowship Recreation-Gym)

If you need assistance, please call the church deacon hotline at 800-732-9573. For Spanish, call 404-7764.

Saturday, November 30
5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Weekly Schedule

` Tickets may be purchased at the Lighthouse Cafe or at the door for $6 each or $25 for a family (immediate family residing in home). Alternate choices include grilled chicken breast, hamburger, pizza, or hot dog.

Southern Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Vegetable, and Dessert

Celebrate Recovery Over the Holidays

Celebrate Recovery

The FBA Fine Arts Department presented a Holiday Kick-off concert on November 12th in the Chapel. Ten ensembles presented classical, Thanksgiving, & Christmas themed selections. The grade finale, Christmas Serenade, encompassed the entire department. It is a powerful moment when all are united to sing and play about the birth of Jesus!

Bible and Life Groups: Various Rooms on Campus Worship Service: Worship Center Spanish Worship Service: Chapel Bible and Life Groups: Various Rooms on Campus Bible and Life Groups: Various Rooms on Campus Haitian Bible Study & Worship: ED207 Vietnamese Worship & Bible Study: DC221 Worship Service: Worship Center Bible and Life Groups: Various Rooms on Campus Romanian Bible Study & Worship: Modulars 3 & 4 Worship Service: Worship Center Bible and Life Groups: Various Rooms on Campus Spanish Worship Service: Student Center Resonate (Student Center) Romanian Worship Service: Modular 4

Sunday, December 1
8:15 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 12:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m.

Ways to Connect Online with FBCN

Live streaming Saturday at 6:00pm and Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am at fbcn.org!

Celebrate Recovery is a special community of mens and womens groups where you can find safety and support for dealing with lifes hurts, habits, and hang-ups through a 12step discipleship and recovery program. For more information, please call 596-8600 x266.

Thursday nights from 6:00pm until 8:30pm in DC121

Visit our website: fbcn.org Follow us on Twitter: @fbcn @hayeswicker

Tuesday, December 3
4:45 p.m. 6:20 p.m. 6:25 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m.

Like us on Facebook: FirstBaptistChurchNaples

9:00 a.m. RefresHer Womens Ministry: Worship Center

Wednesday, December 4

Family Meal: Fellowship Recreation-Gym AWANA for Kids: Education Building Band of Brothers Mens Ministry: Chapel RefresHer Womens Ministry: Worship Center High School Ministry: Student Center Middle School Ministry: Family Life Center-Gym Choir Rehearsal: Choir Room

Contact Us
3000 Orange Blossom Drive, Naples, FL 34109 Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Church Receptionist...................................................................597-6057 Enter ext. # for direct connection 596-8600 Lighthouse Bookstore. ................................................................449-4488 First Baptist Academy Naples 597-2233 24-Hour Prayer Line......................................................597-PRAY (7729) Church Email...................................................................FBCN@fbcn.org

First Baptist Church Naples

Other events this week include: MOPS, Prayer for our Pastors, Celebrate Recovery, Grief Share, and Living Christmas Trees Opening Night Performance For a full weekly schedule listing, please go to fbcn.org/weeklyschedule.