802 South Caswell Street La Grange, North Carolina 28551 www.lagrangefwb.org

Ronnie V. Hobgood, Pastor Joshua T. Hobgood, Youth Pastor

Christ-First • Bible-First • Ministry-First

Christ is First at La Grange First Church.Everything we do grows out of our shared commitment to

Jesus Christ as Lord.

Bible is First at La Grange First Church.We believe the Bible was inspired by the Holy Spirit and is

God’s revealed word to man.

Ministry is First at La Grange First Church.

Our calling is to nurture and serve the people of God.Welcome to Worship & Celebration

Welcome to La Grange First Church as we gather as part of the family of our heavenly Father. We invite you to join in as we worship the Lord and celebrate the salvation we have in Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Lord of our lives. If you are visiting, please be sure to introduce yourself and we hope you will return again to worship with us.________________________________________________________________________

Opportunities for Service and GrowthSun. Jan. 1 First Sunday After Christmas

9:15am Partners in Prayer 9:45am Sunday School11:00am Worship & Celebration 6:00pm NO Sunday Night Live (All Ages)

Tue. Jan. 3 7:00pm Packing up Christmas at the ChurchWed. Jan. 4 7:00pm Bible Study - RevelationSat. Jan. 7 5:00pm The CRIB Clean Up Night

Sun. Jan. 8 First Sunday after the Epiphany 9:15am Partners in Prayer 9:45am Sunday School11:00am Worship & Celebration - Baptism 4:50pm Choir Rehearsal 6:00pm Sunday Night Live (All Ages)

Mon. Jan. 9 7:15pm Sunday Night Live Band PracticeTue. Jan. 10 7:00pm Deacon’s MeetingWed. Jan. 11 7:00pm Bible Study – Revelation

Branded Kids Team MeetingFri. Jan. 13 6:00pm Leadership RetreatSat. Jan. 14 Leadership Retreat

6:30pm NO CRIB (Grades 6 and up)

Sun. Jan. 15 Second Sunday after the EpiphanyLeadership Retreat

8:30am Men’s Fellowship 9:15am Partners in Prayer 9:45am Sunday School11:00am Worship & Celebration 4:50pm Choir Rehearsal 6:00pm Sunday Night Live (All Ages)

Mon. Jan. 16 7:15pm Sunday Night Live Band PracticeWed. Jan. 18 7:00pm Church Conference (Business Meeting) Fri. Jan 20 7:30pm Lock-in: The BlitzSat. Jan. 21 Lock-in: The Blitz

AnnouncementsRetirement Homes – Ministry Focus for January

Known as “A Caring Ministry for the Retired,” the Retirement Homes offers community-based homes or apartments, placement services for retired families who need supervision, and cash payments for those who continue to live at their own location. Support for the ministry is based on two main sources: residents of the homes, and Free Will Baptist Churches and related organizations. Our church budgeted $1,250.00 for this ministry.

Annual Giving StatementsIf you would like a copy of your 2016 giving statement, contact Virginia Holmes by January 31st. You need to give her an advance notice of when you need your statement. Remember, statements can only be given if you gave by check or church envelope.

Leadership RetreatLa Grange First Church will have its first “Leadership Retreat” January 13-16, 2017. Those attending will be our pastors, music leaders, and youth leaders. This will be a time prayer, reflecting and visioning. We ask that you keep this retreat in your prayers.

Church Business ConferenceThe Church Business Conference will be Wednesday, January 18 th @ 7:00pm. All written reports need to be turned in to the church office by Sunday, January 15th.

Convention Choir Ensemble ConcertThe Convention Choir Ensemble will be at La Grange First Church on Sunday, February 26th @ 6:00pm. Refreshments will follow the concert. Sherwood Shivar of our church family is a member of the Ensemble.

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In the Word for January 2017 Old Testament: Genesis 1-50, Exodus 1-26

New Testament: Matthew 1-20

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Attendance for December 25 , 2016 Worship & Celebration......................................................................................145

La Grange Kids & Studentslearning • growing • serving

La Grange First Church reaches out to all ages of Kids and Students. Youth meetings focus primarily on building the youth's knowledge in Jesus Christ through Bible Study and relevant activities, music, and fellowship.

January 2 – 4 2017Josh and our college students will be leaving on Monday, January 2 for the 2017 Passion Conference. Remember them in your prayers as the travel and attend the conference. The following are attending: Josh Hobgood, Ben Brann, Jackson Grant, Mary Chase Grant, Joseph Harrison, Travis Harrison, Madison Hines, Carrie Letchworth, David Letchworth, Marshall Letchworth, and Luke Wiggins.

The Ministry of The CRIB CRIB on January 7th @ 5:00pm

Hey everyone! On January 7th at 5:00 p.m. we will be having a CRIB set up day for the Spring semester! If you are able to come that day to help us set up for 2017 we would love to have you. We need to clean the rooms up, re-stock the pantry and medical kit, check on the status of the sports equipment (volley ball net, basketballs, volleyballs, etc.), assemble two new tv stands for the game room, and wash all the dishes. We will not be having normal CRIB that night. We will kick off the CRIB on January 20th with our "Blitz" Lock-In! Information about that will be posted below! Thanks and have a great day!

Lock In • “The Blitz!”To kick off 2017 the CRIB will be having a Lock-In on January 20th! This years Lock-In will be a little bit different. Traditionally, the students come and we “lock in” the CRIB building for a night while eating, playing hide and seek, laughing, singing, and worshipping God. For this Lock-In we are going to change things up a bit and go on a “Blitz!” After the students arrive to the CRIB we will set out on an all night journey. We will start with dinner and then head to several different places that are to be determined. The students will need money for dinner at Pizza Inn in Goldsboro and some pocket money in case they want to play any arcade games or buy additional snacks and drinks. As soon as we have the destinations nailed down we will let any parents know that wish to know. However, we are trying to keep it as a secret adventure for the students! We will leave the CRIB at 7:30 p.m. that night to head out and will return to the

CRIB at 5:00 a.m. Pick up for the students will be at 7:00 a.m. The Blitz Lock-In is for middle school and high school students.

WE WISH YOU A HAPPY BIRTHDAY!1- 3 Christy Smith 1- 4 Tina Letchworth1- 5 Kim Hipkiss 1- 5 Julian Fields1- 9 Heather Creech 1-10 Stephanie Taylor1-12 Brynlee Taylor 1-13 Bethany Jones1-13 Hilda Sutton 1-15 Jean Suber1-17 Joey Harrison 1-18 Logan Sullivan1-19 Travis Harrison 1-19 Dallas Mayberry1-20 Chris Singleton 1-21 Abigail Westbrook1-21 Stephen Killette 1-23 Matt Wade1-23 Terri Pridgen 1-24 Grayson Sullivan1-26 Clifton Harrison 1-26 Conner Craft1-28 Ted Harrison 1-29 Luke Taylor1-30 Brent Herring

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Deacon of the Month: Clifton Harrison Ushers for Worship

Head Usher – Jimmie D. Herring 1- Joseph Harrison, Ted Harrison, Travis Harrison, & Jerry Mills 8- Brent Herring, Greg Herring, Jimmy D. Herring, & Royce Holmes15- Coburn Bigler, Logan Bigler, Scot Cody, Tyler Holmes22- Allen Sutton, James Sutton, Ronald Johnson, Caleb Johnson29- Bruce Bannister, Carter Daniels, Jamie Daughety, Clifton Hardison

Greeters for WorshipNorth Vestibule South Vestibule Gathering Hall

1- Ushers Sue Shivar Harold & Annie Ruth Herring 8- Ushers Kendra Sullivan Asa & Tiffany Creech15- Ushers Tanya Craft Wilbur & Linda Taylor22- Ushers Edna Johnson Jamie & Laura Beth Daughety29- Ushers Fran Gibbons Robie & Eloise Killette

Candlelighters 1- McKinnon Wade 8- Ainsley Taylor 15- Charlie Taylor22- Luke Taylor 29- Riley Craft

Children’s Church1- Vicki Bannister & Christina Creech 8- DeeAnn Maready & Bradley Taylor15- Guy & Janet Hines 22- Kendra Sullivan & Kim Wade29- Bonnie Kornegay & Avery Mills

Infant Nursery (Birth – age 1 ) / Toddlers Nursery (Ages 1-2) 1- Morgan & Sheila Harrison 8- Kim Wade & Emily Daniels

15- Pam Thomas & Judy Parrott 22- Ashley Holland & DeeAnn Maready29- Joyce Harrison & Cassidy Hipkiss

Prayer MinistryPRAISE…Praise the Lord for the great and mighty things He has done! SICK…Jeannie Bannister (Mother of Bruce Bannister), Bill Barwick (Brother of Virginia Holmes), Delores Bonham (Mother of Sheri Carlyle), Mike Bowen (Chuck Wackerman), Scott Braswell (Uncle of Sara Maxwell), Doris Britt (Pastor’s Mother), Jeff Carruth (Father of Kim Wade), Jean Crace (Mother of Susie Harrison), Estelle Creech (Mother of Pat Creech), Laura Beth Daughety, Kari Lee Elwart (Friend of Marian Kennedy), Riley Fielding (Friend of Jimmy Jones), Esther Flowers, Brenda Foss Garris [Brian Center (Bannister family)], London & Millicent Godley (Friends of Caitlyn Grady), Barbara Sue Gray, Donnie Harrison, Helen Harrison, Henry Heath (Father of Jennifer Sutton), Ronnie Henderson (Brother of Curtis Henderson), Pat Hinson, Holton & Mary Margaret Harrison, Jennifer Holmes (Great Aunt of Caitlyn Grady), Virginia Holmes, Jessica James (Friend of Caitlyn Grady), Carol Jones (David Letchworth), Clifford Jones (David Letchworth), Elosie Killette, Robie and Sybil Killette, Ronnie King (Sandra Rouse), Gary Kornegay, Karen Kozel (Sandra Rouse & Gale Yarborough), Dixie Letchworth, Fay Letchworth, Cindy Lewis (Mary Gresham), Dot Lockamy (Sister to Ruth Scott), Jean Long (Friends of Guy & Janet Hines), Mike O’Hare (Brad & Angela Taylor), Asef Quader (Darlene Creech), Chuck Roman, Vernon Roman (Brother of Chuck Roman), Joey Sanders (Caitlyn Grady), Marjorie Shirley (Edna Johsnon), Robert Sorrell (Brother of Vernon Sorrell), George Strickland (Brother-in-law of Holmes/Johnson family), Jean Suber, Trish Tanner (Sister of Fran Gibbons), Carolyn Sutton (Friends of Guy & Janet Hines), Colby Tucker, and Crystal Wackerman.HOMEBOUND…Nan Fields, Martha Harrison, N. C. Holmes, Stan Rouse, Enzie Singleton, Lou Woodard (Eloise Killette).CHURCH AND DENOMINATIONAL…First Church, Pastor, Youth Pastor, Deacons, Sunday School Leaders/Teachers, College Students, Convention of Original FWB, Denominational Ministries, Ronnie V. Hobgood (Convention President), Josh Whitfield (Convention Vice-President), Rev. Donald Fader (Director of FWB Minister’s Program & Church Finance), Rev. Chris Singleton (Stop Hunger Now), the Lost, and all Christians.SPECIAL CONCERNS…Our military & their families: Daniel Rectenwald [Friend of Madison Hines (Iraq)], Josh & Holly Sutton Ballance, Revival in the church.CIVIC LEADERS…US: President Obama, Vice-President Biden, Cabinet, Congress, and the Supreme CourtNC: Governor Cooper, NC Senators and NC Representatives.La Grange/Lenoir County: Mayor Gurley, Town Commissioners, County Commissioners, County & Private Schools, and Lenoir Community College.

802 S. Caswell Street La Grange, NC 28551 www.lagrangefwb.org Ronnie V. Hobgood, Pastor Joshua T. Hobgood, Youth Pastor

Worship & Celebration

January 1, 2017 The Lord’s Day Eleven O’clock

“For we have seen His star in the EastAnd have come to worship Him”

PREPARATION FOR WORSHIPPrelude MusicianWelcome PastorQuiet Reflection with God PeopleLighting of the Candles Acolyte

CALL TO WORSHIP“Majesty”............................................................................Number 74

Majesty, worship His majesty. Unto Jesus be all glory, honor, and praise. Majesty, kingdom authority Flow from His throne unto His own; His anthem raise. So exalt, lift up on high the name of Jesus. Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus the King. Majesty, worship His majesty- Jesus who died, now glorified, King of all kings. (First Church # 2057646 CCLI # 1527)

INVOCATION Pastor

CHRISTMAS CAROL“The First Noel”................................................................Number 136

(A time of Fellowship for the family of God.)

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN

OFFERTORYOffertory Prayer Laity

Giving His Tithes and Our Offerings People“Doxology” People

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Ashlyn HinesPsalm 72:1-2, 10-17

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.People: Thanks be to God.

TIME OF PRAYERSharing our prayer concerns PeopleMorning Prayer

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Colby CreechMatthew 2:1-12

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.People: Thanks be to God.

ANTHEM“Beautiful Star of Bethlehem”..............................................Ensemble

MESSAGE FROM GOD’S WORD“How Far Will You Go for Jesus?” Pastor

TIME OF INVITATION AND COMMITMENTThe altar of the Lord is always open at First Church for those who desire to receive Christ as Savior, rededicate their lives, pray, or transfer their church membership. Our prayer is that you follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit in your life.

“We Three Kings” (verses 1 & 5).........................................Number 166We three kings of Orient are; Bearing gifts we traverse afar- Field and fountain, moor and mountain- Following yonder star. O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading still proceeding, Guide us to Thy perfect light.Glorious now behold Him arise: King and God and sacrifice: Alleluia, alleluia! Earth to heaven replies. O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading still proceeding, Guide us to Thy perfect light.

ALTAR PRAYER Pastor

CHORAL BENEDICTION Pastor“Jesus We Crown You with Praise” (sing twice)

Jesus, we crown You with Praise, Jesus, we crown You with Praise. We love and adore You, bow down before You; Jesus, we crown You with praise. (First Church # 2376035)

POSTLUDE Musicians

Worship the Savior!