ROMANS 16:27 TO THE ONLY WISE GOD BE GLORY FOREVERMORE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST! AMEN. ie 7 ae CHURCH NAPLES3 Waa Raa SENIOR PASTOR oa NAR UU LeNaaliy Aswe prepare for Christmas, | am sure that many of us are still in the process of shopping to find he right gifts for others. Of course, many rail against the commercialization of Christmas. They tend to forget that Christmas is about God's great gift. “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son" (John 3:16). It is a gift that defies description and transcends superlatives. This is why Paul exclaimed, “Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:15). This is also why Charles Wesley sang, “Oh for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer's praise." What if you were given the largest diamond ever found - the flawless, brilliant 500-carat diamond called the Cullinan? It came from Premier Mines in Transvaal, South Africa. But that stone is nothing compared to the Savior. This Christmas Eve and Christmas Day we will offer worship services allowing us to say "Thanks be to God.” We will sing of our great Redeemer with beloved carols, hear the teaching of the Word, minister to the children, and hear from the Word of God in one of the three Christmas Eve Candlelight services. A little hint - we will be using special battery-powered candles this year and hopefully be done forever with dripping hot wax! | also urge you to attend the Christmas Day worship service when we will once again sing about Christ's birth, hear my message from the scripture and have a family celebration of the Lord's Supper. Tables will be placed at the front. You can do something that most Christians have never done - remember Christ's death and birth on Christmas Day and give Him thanks, because we have been “enriched in every way, which through us produces thanksgiving to God" (2 Corinthians 9:11). After all, the best gift to Christ is your love, life, and worship. “O come let us adore Him." / Gaeee ee aS aE [| NEW YEAR UU ae - ‘ CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES 3pm, 4:30pm and 6pm in the Worship Center. Childcare will not be provided. NEW YEAR KICK-OFF Jan. 4 at 6:30pm in the Worship Center. Time of worship and prayer with a devotion from Pastor. FBCN COOKBOOKS Gift certificates available this weekend in the Bookstore. Great for Christmas! IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS | CHILDREN’S MINISTRY No TownSquare Worship or BLG for 1st-4th grade on Dec. 24, 25, 31 and Jan. 1. Families are encouraged to worship together. Childcare will be provided for infants-PreK except on Christmas Eve. CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS SCHEDULE One service on Christmas Day at 9:30am. No Wed. night ministries on Dec. 21 and 28. No Bible and Life Groups on Dec. 24, 25, 31 and Jan. 1. The church offices will be closed on Dec. 23, 26, 30 and Jan. 2. JOY COMES IN THE MORNING Widows, join us on Saturday, Jan. 7 at 11:00am in DC109. This ministry meets on the first Saturday of each month from 11:00am-1:00pm. 2016 YEAR END STOCK GIFTS Stocks must be received in our brokerage account by Tuesday, Dec. 27. For further information, please contact Carmen Rodriguez at 596-8600 x255. HOME BLGs Winter/spring semester will begin the week of Jan. 22. Sign-ups will begin on Jan. 7 at the Connection Point in the Commons. These BLGs will fill up fast! 2016 YEAR END CONTRIBUTIONS To be included in 2016, donations must be received on Dec. 31 by offering or drop box. Donations that are mailed must be post-marked by Dec. 31. 11AM WORSHIP SERVICE We will resume the 11am service in the Worship Center on Jan. 8, 2017. QUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY We would like to offer our condolences to the family of Ralph "Tommy" Ray for his recent passing.LAST WEEK'S ATTENDANCE WEEKLY SCHEDULE Worship Sat. 6:00 PM, Band-Led Service Bible and Life Groups Sun. 9:30 AM, Choit/Orchestra Service Midweek Activities Sun. 11:00 AM, Band-Led Service WEDNESDAY DINNER IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE? December 21 - No Wednesday Dinner December 19 - December 25 Call the Deacon Hotline (800) 732-9573 Ourdeacons of the week: Steve Richart and Lou Falorio LEGACY BUILDERS - BROADWAY PALM THEATER DECISIONS FOR CHRIST Jan. 12 - Phantom’; cost is $47. Tickets must Baptism: be purchased by Dec. 22 and are available at | | Benjamin Savoie the Media Ministry Window, or contact Vada at 596-5600 x268. FIRST BAPTIST ACADEMY SERVICE PROJECTS This February, FBA eighth grade students will be involved in service projects in our community. They will be giving a helping hand to St Matthew's House, the Florida Baptist Children’s Home in Fort Myers, and Harbor Chase of Naples, Florida. This is a great opportunity for students to express Christ's love through service. People of the community enjoy seeing these young, cheerful faces coming their way to bless them in Jesus’ name. FBA places a high value on giving service opportunities to ourstudents as part of a well-rounded educational experience. NEED HELP WITH SPIRITUAL MATTERS? | MeertNetcarten Mia iad | P @INT Email: FBCN@focn.org 3000 Orange Blossom Dr., Naples, FL34109 Main Office: 597-6057 Office: Mon - Fri, 8:30 AM to 5 PM Extensions: 596-8600 ext____ First Baptist Academy: 597-2233 FBCNaples 24-hr Prayer Line: 597-PRAY (7729) G68OB Lighthouse Bookstore: 449-4488 visit focn.org for more