etidings December 18 2007

The true light,

which enlightens everyone,was coming into the world.

Merry Christmas
From the Staff of Second Avenue Baptist Church

Worship Ministry
The Worship Ministry hopes you enjoyed and were blessed by this Christmas season’s special presentations. There was a lot of effort given by many people to present the Gospel through these events. We thank all of you for your example of how to grow a church through your personal involvement.

Our best musical presentation was last night as the Youth Choir did an excellent job leading our Christmas Celebration. I have worked with larger Youth Choirs, but never with a more talented group of assembled individual singers. We will be moving our rehearsals to Wednesday nights at 5:30 PM beginning January 9. They will continue to rehearse music and drama for worship and drama events and plan for the summer music camp in Orlando.

Please reserve the last weekend of February for your time to watch this version of the Cotton Patch Gospel. Many of you missed it the last time and just heard about it from others about how good it was. This version is bigger and perhaps better than the last. Put it on your calendar this week—Feb. 22, 23, and 24 at 7:00 PM.

Many of you have expressed an interest in the Drama Ministry this year. The entire group will meet again in January to plan for the spring season. Time and place will be announced in January. Be sure to attend this meeting or let us know of your interest of participating as an actor or in some other capacity. All ages are invited to attend.

Sympathy
The Congregation and Staff would like to express sincere Christian sympathy to Ann Eckroat in the death of her cousin, William “Smokey” Holsomback.

Congratulations
Congratulations to Irma Cleaveland on the birth of her great granddaughter, Kaitlin Shyenne Keasler, born December 13, 2007, to
Timothy and Stephanie Keasler.

End of Year Giving
Remember: To include tax deductible contributions on your 2007 tax return, contributions to SABC should be made by Monday, December 31, 2007.

Office Staff Thankful
A special “thank you” to everyone who brought delicious, edible goodies for the office staff. We all appreciate you thinking of us!
Monty, Charlie, Steve, Mary Beth, and Lisa
A Note of Thanks
A big thank you to the individuals who donated items for our Fun and Fellowship Christmas project.

Thanks to your generosity, we were able to fill 25 beautiful baskets to overflowing for our very special homebound members, reminding them again of our love and concern for them during this Holy season.

Glad Tidings Schedule
The next issue of Glad Tidings will be mailed on January 8, 2008.

Wedding Invitation
John and Paula Newman welcomes their Church Family to join them in the marriage of their daughter, Amy Elizabeth to Michael Edward Jones, 2:00 PM— Saturday, December 29 at Berry College Chapel.
Reception immediately following at Ford Dining Hall.

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Family Ministry
Youth Ski Trip— Sugar Mountain, Boone, NC
January 18-21, 2008—MLK Weekend
$275 per person/$75 Non-Refundable Deposit required
*Discounts for families with more than one student attending. Two adult chaperones are needed, see Charlie if you are interested.

All Smiles at Parents’ Night Out
Thank you to everyone who volunteered at Parents’ Night Out. Great job!
Children and adults enjoyed food, crafts, and Christmas lights by Rome Transit’s trolley.

Help Deliver a “Birthday Blessing”
Our own Lizbeth Castaneda will celebrate her 16th birthday on December 19 during the time she is in the hospital in Atlanta. Please join us in showering her with birthday cards. Contact the church office for her address.

Volunteers Needed for Community Kitchen
December 31— January 4
11:00AM-12:30 PM
Volunteers are needed to help throughout the week. (Two male volunteers are needed daily for lifting, etc.) If you would like to volunteer, contact the day captain for the day(s) you are available.
Day captains:
Monday-Brenda Bennett
Tuesday-Jane Gray Collier Wednesday-Ann Pinson
Thursday-Chuck Hicks
Friday-Marsha Spota, or you may contact the church office at 706-232-3663.

Important Deacon Events Coming Up in 2008
Deacon Ordination Service
January 6, during the morning service will be the Ordination Service for Dwayne McGuire. That service will also include an installation of all new and returning deacons.

Deacon Council Dinner and Orientation Session
Tuesday, January 8 at 6:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall. This meeting combines two events from past years: Deacon Retreat and the Steak Dinner for the first Deacon’s Meeting of the year. Dinner will be at 6:30 PM along with the Deacons who have just rotated off the council. After dinner, we will do the work necessary to begin the year. Please advise the church office as soon as possible as to your availability for these dates.

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Thanks!

I am using this space this week to say a special word of thanks to all who have made our Advent
Worship and Celebrations so meaningful this year. I apologize for the blanket approach but there are simply too many of you to write personally. To all who decorated our Sanctuary; sang glad tidings of great joy; presented moving drama; provided technical support; lit candles of peace, hope, joy and love; read readings; prayed prayers, or made delicious snacks; thank you. Thank you for giving your time and talents in response to God’s greatest gift. Thank you for helping us to tell the story of the Coming of Christ to our community and remember it in a new way for ourselves. A special word of thanks to Steve for all of the hard work and planning that goes into this season of the year. Thanks to all and Merry Christmas.

Blessings and Thanks,
Monty

Homebound Members
December 16:
Swift & Joyce Fortson

December 23:
Bessie Fowler

December 30:
Nell Garrett

Giving for the Week of 12/09/07
Budget Goal to Date $634,943.
Budget Gift to Date 494,616.
Weekly Budget Goal 12,958.
Weekly Budget Gifts 22,450.
Total Gifts to Date $749,115.

Attendance for 12/9/07
Sunday School 178
Morning Worship 233

Giving for the Week of 12/16/07
Budget Goal to Date $647,901.
Budget Gift to Date 524,481.
Weekly Budget Goal 12,958.
Weekly Budget Gifts 29,863.
Total Gifts to Date $792,304.

Attendance for 12/16/07
Sunday School 171
Morning Worship 235

Total giving as of 12/16/07 for Second Century Campaign:
$252,358.29

Christmas Missions Offering as of 12/16/07: $ 5,690.68