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A Word From the Pastor

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. My family and I would like to thank you for your kindness in remembering us at Christmas with your cards and gifts. We feel so blessed to be part of a caring and loving church. I hope you are ready to begin the New Year with a renewed commitment in your walk with Christ, a prayerful heart as you seek His face, and a surrendered will as He reveals Himself and His will for you.

This coming Sunday we will get back into the book of John with one of my favorite stories in the entire Bible. Our text from Sunday comes from John 4:1-45. In this passage, we will see the love and compassion of Jesus as He crosses cultural and racial divides to meet a woman at her deepest point of need. This is a message that will challenge us to go outside of our comfort zones to share Jesus Christ with the world around us. It is a message that challenges s to worship in spirit and truth. It is a message that humbles us as we realize Jesus sees the depths of our sinfulness, yet extends to us His love and forgiveness.

I pray that as a church body entering the New Year, we will exalt the Lord Jesus Christ, His Word and His worship. I pray that each of us would make a commitment this New Year to invite that friend or family member who does not know Christ to church with us. With the New Year come new opportunities to serve Christ. May we all be faithful in the things He has called us to do.

Pastor Tim

Many people wonder when life begins, but maybe we should consider WHERE life begins - IN GOD HIMSELF!

The Great I AM is an eternally living, the source and sustainer of all life!

God has a call on our lives too! As bearers of His image, we ought to reflect His care and concern for ALL people. We can offer our lives in service of preserving life.

For the month of January, we will be collecting all of our change in baby bottles that will be available on Sunday morning to contribute to the cause of preserving life. All donations will be given to the Pregnancy Resource Center of Statesvillle.

AWANA!

AWANA Resumes this Sunday Evening, January 4 at 5:30 p.m.

Your Commitment to Missions!

Have you taken the time to complete and turn in a "Missions Commitment Guide"? If not, please pick one up in the Global Missions display in the breezeway.

For those who prefer to fill one out online, please click here to go to the form.

Small Group Opportunities

Small Groups will begin on January 4, 2009

Please watch for more info!

"When World Views Collide"

Led by Pastor Tim (Wednesday nights)

Perhaps more than ever before, our culture is being influenced by non-Christian belief systems. Here's a new small-group study written by a former Muslim designed to develop a Christian's theology and doctrine for the purpose of building confidence in personal evangelism and engaging their culture with absolute biblical truth. In addition, it helps adults identify ways false teachings make an impact on our society and to take actions that promote a biblical worldview. Other faiths covered include Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, and Buddhist.

"Esther: It's Tough Being A Woman"

by Beth Moore

Led by Kim Rector & Manda Stegall

(Wednesday nights)

Going up against heavyweights bent on her destruction, Esther trusted God and landed a blow that saved her people. The Old Testament story of Esther is a profile in courage and contains many modern parallels for today's woman. Esther's destiny can be yours as you know more deeply the God who is in your corner. Join Beth in an in-depth and very personal examination of this great story of threat and deliverance. She peels back the layers of history and show how very contemporary and applicable the story of Esther is to our lives. If you've ever felt inadequate, threatened, or pushed into situations that seemed overpowering, this is the study for you. Just as it was tough being a woman in Esther's day, it's tough today. This portion of God's Word contains treasures to aid us in our hurried, harried, and pressured lives.

"Nurture Your Marriage"

Led by Cindy Tucker (Wednesday nights)

A study for women (married and engaged) to encourage and strengthen our role in the marriage relationship as God intended. Our main resource will be The Bible and will also include a number of solid marriage writings. Some of the topics included in this 12 week study are: Don't Follow Your Heart, Choose to Lead it, Protecting Your Husband's Reputation and Yours, Love Believes the Best, Unconditional love, Accountability and Love is a Covenant. Society is attacking marriages and families from all directions. Join us as we seek to learn godly principles we can practice on a daily basis. Please note that class size limit is 12.

"The Mind of Christ" by T.W. Hunt

Led by Don Lourcey (Sunday nights)

This 12 week, in-depth discipleship study based on Philippians 2:5-11 teaches believers how to think the thoughts of Christ or how to have the mind of Christ. This practical, thoroughly scriptural study includes topics like freedom in Christ, becoming like Christ, the servant mind, the glory of humanity, Christ's conduct among humans, living in the Spirit, the poles of holiness and love, the crucifixion, the resurrection, and the kingdom within.

"Study of Jonah"

Led by Marvin Boyer (Sunday nights)

Jonah went about as deep as he could go, and that fact becomes the challenge for us to go as deep as we can go in the study of the book named for him. We already know how things turned out in the end, but surely there's more along the way in our study that will benefit us. In addition to seeing things and people that were contemporary with Jonah, we shall draw conclusions from the text which, along with current illustrations and applications, are available to help us take a strong stand in our Christian lives. Using some questions, discussions, alliterations, humor, and puzzles, we shall diligently dig for truth in this little book.

NB Mills Needs Tennis Balls!

Would you be willing to donate your used tennis balls to NB Mills School? If so, please bring your donations to the 5-year-old classroom or give them to Norma Hellard or Judy Harwell.

Thank you!

2009 Offering Envelopes

The 2009 Offering Envelopes are ready to be picked up in the first floor of the educational building near the courtyard door.

Thank You!

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

We have an excellent start on our Lottie Moon offering for International Missions. If you have not yet had opportunity to give, please consider a sacrificial gift to help people all over the world hear about Jesus Christ. Many who have already given may want to contribute more to this wonderful cause-that ALL may hear.

News and Announcements

Do you have news and announcements for Sunday Morning? If so, please send them to: news@frontstreet.org or call the church office by Thursday morning of that week. We will insert your announcement into our slide show presentation before the service begins. Please be sure to include any clipart or photos.

A Note About This Newsletter

For optimal viewing of this newsletter, please set your email program to view in HTML, not "plain text". If you do not see pictures in this publication, you are viewing it in plain text. The newsletter looks much better in HTML.

Attention All Children's Sunday School Teachers, 1st - 6th Grade!

Please make plans to attend a Teacher's meeting on Sunday, January 11 at 4:30 p.m. We will be discussing the curriculum and the Sunday morning schedule.

Thank you,
Karen

Barnabas Project

Love in Action

Saturday, January 3, 2009

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Cross Connection Youth Ministry

NEXT WEEK:

Wednesday, December 31: New Years' Celebration!

Sunday, January 4: Youth Group, Meet in the Youth Room, 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, January 7: Youth Group, Meet in the Youth Room, 6:30 p.m.

January is Collection Month for the
Pregnancy Resource Center

We are collecting baby diapers and loose change in baby bottles this month.

Please drop off your donations at the Global Missions Collection site in the Educational Building.

Thank you!

Prayer Requests

Thank you all for praying each week for our prayer requests. Please take the time to review the list below, pray for the requests on it and advise the church office via e-mail at info@frontstreet.org if a request should be removed or if a request should be added.

Prayer Requests:

Pray for the safety of our men and women serving in the military and the families of those serving.

For Our Church:

Renewal and Awakening.

For God's vision and direction.

For Church Members:

Karrigan Gooden.

Visit Karrigan's Web Page

Holland Blohm.

Visit Holland's Web Page

Carolyn White, injuries from an automobile accident.

Margaret McGhee, health concerns.

Ida Beasley.

Mike Owens.

Justin Holt, as he recovers from a serious car accident.

Bobbie James, undergoing treatment for Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Visit Bobbie's Web Page

James Parker, health concerns.

Donald Martin, health concerns.

Hazel Estes, health concerns.

Carole Leischner, lung cancer.

Remember all of our Saints in Care and Saints at Home.

For Our Missionaries:

Norman & Debbie Cannada (NAMB - Charleston, WV)

Kit, Avery & Lucas Putrakul (New Tribes - Cambodia)

Rodney & Beth Love (Hearts of Love - International)

For Friends and Family of Church Members:

Corrine Todd, Cheryl Poplin's mother, serious health concerns.

Jessica Wentz, friend of Bobbie James and Kisha Clark, has stage 4 lymphoma.

Visit Jessica's Web Page
Hanna Holliday, friend of Bobbie James and Kisha Clark, has leukemia.
Visit Hanna's Web Page

Dave Talbert, area pastor, serious health concerns.

Debbie Funderburk, sister of James Funderburk, serious health concerns.
Vermell Bost, Dorothy Nesbit's aunt, health concerns.

Lisa Lathrop, Logan Buchanan's aunt , has leukemia and needs a transplant.

Nancy Lowrance's sister, Jane Wilson, serious health concerns.

Carl Smith, friend of Hazel Estes, serious health concerns.
Melissa Holmes' father, Phil Carlton, has cancer.

Betty Minton's sister, Nancy Mitchell (lives in York, PA), has lung cancer.

Angel Food Ministry

Orders for January 2009 will be taken until Monday, January 12, 2009 until 12:00 p.m.

For more information about this ministry or to see this month's menu, please visit the ministry website:

www.AngelFoodMinistries.com

Birthdays

January 3 Anna Gordon, Randy Morrison, Pete Jones, David Hare

January 4 Doris Harrington, Mike McLeod, Roland Paradiso, Grady Pharr, Phillip Clendenin, Sandy Boyer

January 5 Paul Isom, Lillie LeVan

January 6 Kendra Myers, Chris Wiltshire

January 7

January 8 John Simmons, Bob Cook, Samantha Hayes, Ann Kimrey, Logan Stone

January 9 Ronny Fox, Eric Swaim, Rodney James, Owen Stegall

Family Concerns and Celebrations

IN THE HOSPITAL:

Iredell Memorial Hospital:

Dwight Somers (room #414)

Paul Gaines (room #204)

Baptist Hospital

Bobbie James (Ardmore Tower, room #957)

SYMPATHY:

We extend Christian love and sympathy to:

Bob Holzworth in the death of his mother; and to

The Family of Helen Gill in their bereavement.

THANK YOU!

Dear Church Members,

I want to thank you and the others for the beautiful flowers, also each visit, card or prayer on my behalf. Continue the prayers. May God bless each of you.

Virginia Jenkins

CALENDAR

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30

No Senior Adult Choir Rehearsal

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31

No Services

THURSDAY, JANUARY 1

New Years Day - Office Closed!

FRIDAY, JANUARY 2

7:00 a.m. Men's Prayer Breakfast at Friendly Family Restaurant

6:30 p.m. Celebrate Recovery

SATURDAY, JANUARY 3

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Barnabas Project

SUNDAY, JANUARY 4 Lord's Supper Today

8:30 - 9:00 a.m. Library Open

9:00 a.m. Sunday School

9:30 a.m. Sunday School at Mision
Bautista Hispana

10:30 a.m. Worship Celebration at Front Street Baptist Church

10:35 a.m. Worship Service at Mision
Bautista Hispana

5:30 - 7:15 p.m. Awana; Youth Group, Meet in the Youth Room;

CWA Leadership Team; Sunday Night Small

Group Studies

MONDAY, JANUARY 5

7:00 p.m. Mary Cannon Group Meeting in the Fellowship Hall

TUESDAY, JANUARY 6

No Senior Adult Choir Rehearsal

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7

6:00 - 6:30 p.m. Children's and Youth Bible Drill

6:30 - 7:45 p.m. Celebration Choir Rehearsal

6:30 - 7:45 p.m. Missions and Music for Children K-6th Grade;

Youth Group, Meet in the Youth Room; Wednesday

Night Small Group Studies

7:45 p.m. Governing Council Meeting in Pastor Tim's Office

FRIDAY, JANUARY 9

7:00 a.m. Men's Prayer Breakfast at Friendly Family Restaurant

6:30 p.m. Celebrate Recovery

Service Schedule

Welcoming Committee: M/M Marshall Ross (SE Choir), M/M Mark Sampsel(SW Choir), M/M Mickey Sharpe (NE Front), M/M Donald Shea (NW Front)

NURSERY SCHEDULE - Sunday Morning Worship, January 4:

BABIES: Donna Somers, Maribeth Warren and Wilma Gooden
ONE YEAR OLDS: Rhonda Adams and Michaela Beaver
TWO YEAR OLDS: Paul and Cheri Snead
THREE YEAR OLDS: Jason and Lisa Miller

NURSERY - OTHER SERVICES:

EVENING SERVICES, JANUARY 4
(5:30 p.m.): Faye Blohm and Belinda Stewart

WEDNESDAY SERVICE, JANUARY 7 (6:30 p.m.): Jeff and Michelle Stone and Shelby Parker

SUNDAY MORNING WELCOME CENTER:
8:45 - 9:15 a.m.: David and Joyce Brigman
10:00 - 10:30 a.m. Grady and Anne Pharr

LIBRARY SCHEDULE:
Sunday: 8:30-9:00 a.m.: Roxanne Marquess 6:45-7:30 p.m.: Debbie Lang Wednesday: 6:00-7:30 p.m.: Barbara Morrison, Linda Meadors and Marcia Miller

USHERS FOR JANUARY:

AM: Brent Austin, John Rhyne, Junior Morton, Mickey Sharpe, Tim Sigmon, Keith Somers and David Stegall

PM: Gary Holland, Mickey McCollum, David Hare, Donald Shea, Matt Sharpe and Ralph Campbell

DEACONS/PARKING LOT:
Saturday, January 3: Benny Elledge (704-872-4854) Hospital Visitation Saturday, Parking Lot Patrol Sunday PM

John Wright, Sunday Night Parking Lot Assistant

Sunday, January 4: Bob Cook (704-924-8315) Hospital Visitation Sunday, Parking Lot Patrol Sunday AM

Dale Holmes, Sunday Morning Parking Lot Assistant

A LOOK AT THE RECORD


December 21, 2008 / December 28, 2008

Worship Attendance.............	427 / 303

Sunday School.........................................
Enrollment.................................................	*All Sunday School and
Members Present.....................................	Financial Information for Sundays
New Members..........................................	December 21 and December 28 will
Visitors......................................................	be published in next week's Link.
Total Contacts.........................................

Tithes and Offerings:

Total Tithes and Offerings....................
Budget Offering Required......................	$15,308.04
Budget Offering Received......................
Designated Offerings..............................
Other Receipts Received........................
Budget Needs to Date............................
Budget Gifts to Date...............................

Building Fund Totals..............................

Lottie Moon Offering Goal....................	$17,000.00
Lottie Moon Offering Received...........