Volume 68 | Week of November 22, 2015 | Number 47

First Baptist Church MontgomeryBeaconbring them in...build them up...send them out

www.montgomeryfbc.org | Office: 334.834.6310 | Prayer Line: 334.834.4585

FBC Goal: $6,525,000Victory Day Report :: To God Be The Glory!

At publication, the total pledge was $5,580,394.00. This is 85.52% of the 2016 Budget. We express heartfelt thanks to our faithful stewardship campaign

workers and to ALL who participated. Remember, it’s never too late to give!

FBC Faithfulness | Sunday, November 15, 2015ATTENDANCEBible Fellowship Enrollment 5051 | Bible Fellowship Attendance 1807Weekly Attendance 2376 | Discipleship Attendance 1215

OFFERINGRequired Weekly $123,557.69 | Received Sunday $103,433.80Required To Date $5,683,653.74 | Received To Date $5,358,748.74Building Fund Sunday $225.40 | Building Fund to Date $44,749.10

Under Budget | $324,905.00

On November 30, Jared and Sarah will begin serving as Executive Directors of Children’s Hope. They are both natives of Alabama, with Jared growing up in Auburn and Sarah growing up in Mobile. They moved to Montgomery in 2003 and joined First Baptist Church. A few years later, they began to sense the Lord leading them to serve as international missionaries. They recently completed five years of service with the International Mission Board in South Asia, focused on discipleship, evangelism, and church planting training with local believers in a South Asian megacity. During their time overseas, they remained closely connected to FBC and stayed in the FBC mission house last year on their stateside assignment. Having sensed the Lord leading them back to the U.S. this fall, they are excited to be joining the Children’s Hope team and serving the Lord in this new role. They are passionate about seeing the church fulfilling Christ’s commission to make disciples of all peoples, and are thankful to be joining a ministry committed to the Great Commission and the Great Commandment to love God and love others- especially the orphans and children that are so dear to the Father’s heart. Jared has an undergraduate degree from Auburn University in Building Science and a Master’s of Divinity from Southern Seminary in Louisville. Sarah has an undergraduate degree from the University of Mobile and a Master’s degree in counseling from Troy University. They have two daughters — Ella (3rd grade) and Lainey (1st grade). Welcome home and we are excited about your leadership with Children’s Hope!

Children’s Hope Welcomes

Jared and Sarah McCrory!

Jared, Sarah, Ella and Lainey McCrory

Ministry AnnouncementsPreschool Ministry

All preschool children are asked to Help Decorate the Christmas Tree that will be at the preschool registration desk. We want to fill it with socks, so please bring a new pair (or bag) of socks to cover our tree. The socks will be donated to the Caring Center to help children keep their feet warm this winter. Please bring your present to your SS Class on or before Sunday, December 13.

Student MinistryAll students are invited to join us in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee for the Strength to Stand Conference on Monday, December 28 through Wednesday, December 30. This conference is designed to challenge your students to go beyond the surface of casual Christianity and bring them into a lifetime commitment to Jesus Christ. There are 48 spots available, so make your reservation by Sunday, November 22. The cost is $175, which can be paid online at www.montgomeryfbc.org/event-registration. For more information, contact Russell McCrory at 241.5163 or rmccrory@montgomeryfbc.org.

Senior Adult MinistryThe annual Senior Adult Christmas Banquet is Tuesday, December 15 at 5:00 pm in the fellowship hall. Cost $8 per person. Our special guest will be Michele Lott. Purchase your tickets in your Bible Fellowship class or call Mary Virginia at 241.5180 by Sunday, December 6.

Music MinistryDon’t miss our Children’s Choirs Christmas Presentation as our first through sixth graders lead worship and share the beautiful message of Christmas in song

Hope Peace Love Joy

Sign up for the 2015 Advent eDevotionalSign up today for the 2015 advent eDevotional. Send your email address to Amanda Smith at

asmith@montgomeryfbc.org or visitwww.montgomeryfbc.org/adventdevotional.

Angel Tree 2015Angel Tree 2015 begins Sunday, November 22! The angels will be on the Christmas tree located in the main sanctuary foyer. Simply choose an angel and provide the requested information on the sign out sheet. Please bring your Angel Tree gifts unwrapped, in a bag with the child’s name securely on each gift, to the reception area at the Scott Street entrance on or before Sunday, December 6. Thank you so much for providing a happier Christmas for a prisoner’s child.

Operation Christmas ChildNational Collection Week :: November 16-23

For more information call Ben Hulsey at571.527.9794 or stop by the reception desk

at Scott Street to pick up a brochure.

on Sunday, December 6 at 6:15 pm in the main sanctuary.

Children’s HopeChildren’s Hope is in need of child sponsorships! For just $35/month, you can provide a child with housing, clothes, food, education, and a place to learn about God’s love. To sponsor a child, you can go to www.childrens-hope.com, make a check payable to Children’s Hope, or contact Ann Amster at teamamster@mac.com.

FBC FoundationHave you considered that resources such as the equity in your home, life insurance and retirement plans will need to be stewarded after you leave this earth? PhilanthroCorp can help you identify this unknown treasure and create a plan to ensure it is transferred to the best next steward for greater impact for your family and the Kingdom for generations to come. To learn more, contact Alissa Irvin at airvin@montgomeryfbc.org or 334.241.5127.

Churchwide News & EventsThere will be a WorldCrafts Christmas Gift Market on Sunday, November 22 from 3:00 to 6:00 pm in room B112. The First Baptist WMU invites you to learn about WorldCrafts and purchase unique gifts made by artisans from all across the world. All items will be sold at 10% off during this special event. For more information, contact Viki Brant at 467.4449.

Our Church FamilyIf you would like to add someone to the prayer list, contact Carolyn Bryan at 241.5120.

Sympathy Extended toMs. Heidi Richardson in the death of her mother, Kitty ElrodMr. & Mrs. Bob Howard (Libby) in the death of his mother

Baptist SouthThomas Hancock

Baptist EastConnie Moore • Al Wheeler

Crowne Healthcare & RehabJohnnie Powell

Hillview TerraceVivian Peeks

Central Alabama Veterans HealthcareChad Lynn

For more information, visit www.thelivingchristmastree.orgor call the LCT ticket office at 241.5156.

Living Christmas Tree :: December 11-13Order your LCT Tickets online at www.thelivingchristmastree.orgTicket requests may also be returned in the offering plate on Sunday, or one of the LCT boxes located in the sanctuary foyers, near the receptionist desk, or in the fellowship hall. Ticket request forms are available on the tables in the main sanctuary foyers.Tickets may be picked up on Sunday, November 29 in the main sanctuary foyer from 9:15 am to 12:30 pm and from 5:00 to 6:00 pm in the Stakely Sanctuary Foyer.

Promotional Materials are also available in the main sanctuary foyer. Please help us get the word out by taking posters or cards to businesses you frequent in Montgomery and the surrounding areas. If you would like a large quantity of posters or cards, please contact Donna Haney at 241.5150 or dhaney@montgomeryfbc.org.

Year-End GivingThe Church Business Office is here to serve you as we approach the end of the year. All gifts must be postmarked by Thursday, December 31 in order to go toward your 2015 giving record. If you are gifting appreciated assets, please make the business office aware of those gifts and the designation of the gifts. Please contact Patti Shoemaker at 241.5181 or Gwen Keene at 241.5185 for more information.

Christmas is about giving!

Because God generously gave to us, consider giving generously to our Lottie Moon Christmas Offering® for International Missions. In giving, we help advance God’s ultimate goal “That All Peoples May Know Him.” Your gift will fuel our global missions work. As givers, you become partners with Southern Baptist missionaries in 160 countries who are effectively sharing the Good News of King Jesus with a vast array of people.

WMU invites you to join us from Sunday, November 29 through Sunday, December 6 in praying for International Missions. For more information, contact Brian Gay at 241.5131.

FBC Goal: $220,000

On Sunday, December 6, we will hear from Duane Ostrem, Affinity Group Strategy Leader for Southeast Asian Peoples for the International Mission Board. Duane holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from Limestone College and served in the corporate world as a VP and later as founder and CEO of his own company. Duane and his wife Jeanne have served in mission service in South East Asia since 2003. They are the parents of three children and have seven grandchildren.

Schedule of Events:

Monday, November 30 | 9:30 amWhere: Oak Grove Inn3801 Oak Grove DriveHostesses: Betty Bridgman & Maureen ParksSpeaker: Goodson McLemore (France & North Africa)Prayer: Linda Haigler

Tuesday, December 1 | 9:30 am to 12:00 pmESL International Christmas BrunchWhere: Home of Jane Burdeshaw6251 Henley Way

Wednesday, December 2 | 9:30 amAssociational WMU MeetingWhere: Montgomery Baptist Association Office 20 Interstate Park Drive

Thursday, December 3 | 9:30 amWhere: Home of Eleanor McElvy5600 Woodside CircleSpeaker: Ann Amster & Sarah Denney (Haiti)Prayer: Kelly Treadwell

Friday, December 4 | 9:30 amWhere: Home of Lou Phillips100 Cherry Hill PlaceSpeaker: Laura Saucer (Turkey)Prayer: Sharon Windham

Duane & Jeanne Ostrem

This week at FBC MontgomeryFor the complete calendar, visit www.montgomeryfbc.org.

Tuesday, November 246:00 Narcotics Anonymous

Wednesday, November 25 No Evening Service or Activities

Thursday, November 26 Happy Thanksgiving! FBC Offices Closed

Friday, November 27 FBC Offices Closed

Saturday, November 286:00 Narcotics Anonymous

Sunday, November 228:30 Worship Service 9:45 Bible Fellowship Classes11:00 Worship Service International Worship Service4:00 Reflections Ensemble3:00 WMU WorldCrafts Sale4:45 Thanksgiving Meal and Worship Service6:35 LCT Choir/Orchestra Rehearsals

Monday, November 2310:00 JOY Singers5:15 Sanctuary Bells5:30 Men’s Bible Study Recovery Support Group

The Beacon (USPS #046-620) is published and printed weekly by First Baptist Church, 305 South Perry Street, Montgomery, Alabama 36104-4292. Periodical postage paid at Montgomery, Alabama. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Beacon, 305 South Perry Street, Montgomery, Alabama 36104-4292.

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Morning Worship (8:30 & 11:00 am)

Worthy of Worship | Sanctuary Orchestra

God of Grace | Sanctuary Choir

Offertory Solo | Sharon Cleveland

Message | Kenny Hoomes

Evening WorshipFirst Family Thanksgiving Meal & Worship in the fellowship hall. Serving lines open at 4:45 pm.

In Home Ministry Member :: Betty AndersonPO Box 241227 | Montgomery, Alabama 36124-1227

CrossRoads Broadcast Schedule Watch the sermon at the time below or online at www.montgomeryfbc.org.

Frazer Channel 13 (Montgomery & Prattville)Brighthouse Channel 122 (Elmore County)Sunday, 1:30 pm (full hour) & 6:00 pm

Tuesday, 7:30 pm Thursday, 9:30 am & 6:00 pm

WSFA-TV Channel 12 | Sunday, 10:30 am

Volunteer Opportunity:

Living Christmas TreeThe Living Christmas Tree is a wonderful opportunity to share Christ with others

in a beautiful and powerful way. Join us in this church-wide effort and don’t miss God’s blessing of helping on the LCT team! Opportunities include tree

construction, wire and greenery, tree lighting, decorating, ushers, greeters, parking, prayer and decision follow-up, and ticket office. For more information, contact

Donna Haney at 241.5150 or dhaney@montgomeryfbc.org.