Dr.

Hayes Wicker, Senior Pastor

The Mystery of the Manger
For centuries, cultures, people groups, and religions have sought to explain questions of origin and meaning. They have often woven together stories of gods and goddesses. Every mystery cries for an explanation, because humans find it hard to allow questions to remain unanswered. But Christians have discerned the mystery of the manger. God with skin on, God in the flesh in a human body. God so clothed Himself in order to explain how the Creator can also become our Savior and Friend. He had to be a Man Who could experience the suffering of sin-bearing. As God entered the world as a baby, born in Bethlehem, laid in a feeding trough called a manger, the virgin birthing of a child initially seems to raise more questions than answers. We cannot fully understand how Jesus could be both God and Man, but it happened. The incomprehensible became comprehensible. Divinity became humanity without losing deity. When Jesus burst in upon our sin-darkened and doomed world, the great drama of Gods redemptive plan for the human race was personified. From the time that His birth rocked our planet, the human calendar has distinguished B.C. from A.D. When you accept Him as your Lord and Savior and not just as a baby in a barn, it will rock your world. There is no better time to come to Christ than during this Christmas season, just as I did in 1965. I urge you to attend one of our Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Services, truly the most wonderful time of the year. Singing carols, the Birthday Party for Jesus with the children, the biblical message, and lighting the candles will be an unforgettable celebration. We are going out in the courtyard this year for the climax of the service with the candles. Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you (Isaiah 60:1, ESV). Have a blessed and meaningful Christmas. Janet and I love you and thank God for you as our Forever Family.

Churchwide

Christmas Eve Candlelight Services

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

Christmas Ministry Opportunities

This weekend and next weekend are your last opportunities to give to this offering this year. Lottie Moon offering envelopes are in the Worship Center chair pockets. Every penny of this offering goes directly to the International Mission Boards overseas budget. This annual offering undergirds 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. Going anywhere is a long way when you do not have a car. Our Single Parent ministry is looking for donated cars to give to those without. Instead of trading, consider donating to us. Call Jim Hill at 596-8600 x242.

Runs through entire month of December

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

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 are no Bible & Life Groups the weekend of December 28 & 29. We have a ministry for everyone in the family...AWANA (Education Building) for the children, Middle School (Family Life Center) and High School (Student Center) Ministries for the teens, RefresHer Bible Study (Worship Center) for the women, and Band of Brothers (Chapel) for the men. All begin at 6:30pm. This is always a very special and moving worship service. Everyone is invited.

Christmas/New Year Church Schedule

Join us for one of these services as we worship the newborn King. Childcare will not be provided for these family-oriented services. Bring the family and celebrate together.

Wednesday Evening Ministries Resume January 8

Help a Single Parent Family This Christmas

Sunday, January 12 at 6:00pm in the Chapel

Deacon Ordination Service

Student Ministry

Womens Ministry

Kristin Yeldell will teach us from the book Gideon, by Priscilla Shirer. When we hear the name Gideon, most of us think about his 300 soldiers or the fleece he laid out under the evening sky. Gideons story is so much bigger than that...bigger than one man and his mark on Israels people. Join us Tuesday at 9:00am or Wednesday at 6:30pm in the Worship Center as you are encouraged to recognize your weakness as the key that the Lord gives you to unlock the full experience of His strength in your life. Janet Wicker will teach us from a study she has written titled Trustworthy: A Study of the Letter to Titus -- What to Do When you Wait! This study will employ the inductive Bible study method in personal verse by verse examination of its important doctrinal themes and life instructions.

Begins Tuesday, Jan 7 and Wednesday, Jan 8

RefresHer Winter Study (1st Half)

Food. Fire. Jesus. Be at the Taylors house and bring your friends and we celebrate the end of 2013 and the beginning of 2014!

High School New Years Eve Campfire Worship Tuesday, December 31, 9:00pm-12:00am

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, 2:00pm-6:00pm

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!

Begins Tuesday, Feb 25 and Wednesday, Feb 26

RefresHer Winter Study (2nd Half)

Senior Adult Ministry

Open registration now available through January for anyone in 6th grade - 12th grade. You can find the link at fbcn.org. Connect with other students and grow in your walk with God.

January 17-19, 2014

DNow Weekend

Music Ministry Opportunity for Senior Adults

Join our New Legacy Singers

Living Christmas Trees Decisions

Praise God for 114 first time professions of faith in Christ during our Living Christmas Trees performances. It could not have happened without the hundreds of volunteers who made it happen. Many thanks to all of you!

Mens Ministry

Decisions from Living Christmas Trees

Chip Ingram is Coming to FBCN Again

Chip will be speaking in the Sunday morning worship services on Sunday, January 19. He will also do a special marriage and parenting service on Sunday night, January 19. Please watch future First Words for more information.

These are available for purchase in our Media Ministry or in the Lighthouse Bookstore and both make great gifts.

2013 Living Christmas Trees DVDs & FBCN Choir CDs Both On Sale Now

New Seasonal Bible & Life Group

The Spiritual Decline of America

Decisions, Decisions Making Good Ones, Overcoming Bad Ones Come join other men as we learn, share, and pray around our tables in small groups. This study is presented by Dr. Hayes Wicker and our staff teaching team. For more information, contact Terry Cole at 572-3316 or tcole@fbcn.org, or Sherrill Woods at swoods@fbcn.org.

Winter/Spring Study Begins Wednesday, January 8 at 6:25pm in the Chapel

Band of Brothers

Legacy Singers, the Senior Adult Choir led by Dr. Todd Stearns, will begin rehearsing Thursday, January 9 in the Choir Room. We will meet each Thursday afterwards from 10:00am-11:00am. Our purpose is to provide an opportunity for Senior Adults to sing, fellowship, and share with others at Assisted Living Facilities. These presentations will also be from 10:00am-11:00am and transportation to the facilities will be provided. Please contact the Music Ministry office at 596-8600 x229 for further information.

Other Ministries

Volunteers needed to prepare and distribute Bibles at the Collier County Jail. Work will be performed in the Chaplains office. There is no inmate contact. This is a vital part of the jail ministry and the need is critical. Please call Chaplain Bob Beyer at 597-6796 or 537-2032. This is a four-week class for children who are in 1st-4th grade and would like to get baptized. Please contact the Childrens Ministry Office at 596-8600 x350. This is a special community of mens and womens groups where you can find safety and support for dealing with lifes hurts, habits, and hangups through a 12-step program. For details, call 596-8600 x266.

Jail Ministry Volunteers Needed

Begins Saturday, January 18 at 7:30pm

First Steps Class

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Mark Your Calendars

The spiritual decline of America has been a gradual turning away from God and the Bible. What has happened since the founders establised this nation with a reverence for Christianity? What is the history of these changes? How has the decline accelerated in recent years? What does the Bible tell us about continuing on this downward path versus turning back to God in a national revival?

Begins Sunday, January 5 at 11:00am in Room WC117 Taught by Steve Plaster

Thursday Nights 6:00pm-8:30pm in Room DC121

Celebrate Recovery

Last Weekend
Baptisms Adeline Dorvil Katie Griffin Membership by Statement Adan Monsalvo

First Time Guests

December 14 & 15
Saturday Night Sunday 9:30 a.m. Sunday 11:00 a.m. Total

Decisions for Christ

Membership by Letter Kelly McClenthen Ashley Rooks

Worship Attendance
1,131 1,355 857 3,343

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 that you may have. Thank you for joining us today! For more detailed information about our church and ministries, please call Lou Falorio at 596-8600 x258. Visit the information desk in the Commons. The helpful volunteers there can guide you to a Bible & Life Group fitted to your needs.

Welcome to First Baptist Church Naples

2013-2014 Operating Revenues July 1, 2013 - December 15, 2013 Budget Actual Variance
$3,124,585 $3,117,750 ($6,835)

Financial Stewardship

December 14 & 15
Saturday Night Sunday 8:15 a.m. Sunday 9:30 a.m. Sunday 11:00 a.m. Home Groups Total

Bible & Life Attendance

712 126 344 525 509 2,216

Visit a Bible & Life Group Today...We Will Help You Find One!

Ask...Seek...Knock...(Matthew 7:7) See what God is doing.

Debt balance as of Dec 15 $3,959,361

2013 Year End Tax Information and Stock Contributions

To ensure your contributions qualify for 2013, checks must be delivered or mailed (post-marked) on or before December 31, 2013. Checks placed in the church offering in 2014 will not qualify for 2013, even if the check is pre-dated to 2013. Please do not file your 2013 tax return until you have received your 2013 contribution statement from the church. Stock contributions in transfer form must be received into the churchs account no later than December 27, 2013. Please contact Conard Wrightsman at 5968600 x257 for more information.

2013 Year End Tax Information

This Upcoming Week

Deacon of the Week December 23 - 29 Don Bell & Mark Shaw
If you need assistance, please call the church deacon hotline at 800-732-9573. For Spanish, call 404-7764.

Wednesday Family Meal

Meals Resume on Wednesday, January 8
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.

Stock Contributions

First Baptist Academy

Saturday, December 21
5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Weekly Schedule
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 Romanian Worship Service: Modular 4

Sunday, December 22
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. 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! Like us on Facebook: FirstBaptistChurchNaples

Mrs. Crossans second graders experienced harvesting worms with Mr. Georges seventh graders. FBA is a K-12 school which allows for students of all ages to experience learning together. Everyone benefits when the older student is given the opportunity to lead the younger in an educational experience. FBA is preparing students for life, learning, and leadership.

Harvesting Worms

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

Tuesday, December 24

Church Campus Closed 4:00pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service: Worship Center 6:00pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service: Worship Center

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

Wednesday, December 25

No Church Ministries This Evening Church Campus Closed MERRY CHRISTMAS! For a full weekly schedule listing, please go to fbcn.org/weeklyschedule.