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Christmas 2007 Report

Everything started out normally in December of 2007.  The sanctuary had been decorated beautifully Thanksgiving weekend and was ready for the holiday season.  We had a great Advent Workshop as we filled the Fellowship Hall with crafts, music and fun on December 2.  Then, the weather began to change.  On December 9, an ice storm hit Northwest Ohio and we had to cancel our Christmas Potluck and Program.  It seemed another storm was around every corner which canceled one of our Night Light services - but in between storms we did manage to hold our annual Christmas Breakfast at the Holiday Inn sponsored by Men's Fellowship.  However, a huge storm was imminent and it hit with a vengeance on Saturday night into Sunday.  Services were canceled and our Living Nativity program had to be postponed one week.  Finally, we recovered from the storms and had a relatively peaceful, albeit windy weekend where we held a reconfigured Living Nativity and then had a great Christmas Eve service.  Despite everything, we had a wonderful Christmas season and we are looking forward to the new year!

Christmas 2004 Report

The advent workshop kicked things off with a wonderful time of Fellowship and craft-making galore.  We had a packed Fellowship Hall as everyone participated in a great inter-generational experience.

On December 4, the Men's Fellowship raised $368.26 for the Salvation Army when they stood in the cold and "rang the bell."  It was said that this was an "enthusiastic performance by the Men's Fellowship."  We would like to congratulate the volunteers who took the time to help raise money for the Salvation Army on a JOB WELL DONE!

The Music, Drama & Art board presented their annual Christmas program on Sunday, December 12, with an original drama and musical by Scott Weaver called "St. Paul's Peppermint Stix Variety Hour."  It was an old-time radio variety show. It gets better every year!  Over 135 people were in attendance.

The next Sunday, the church presented the annual Living Nativity. It was a cold and snowy night, the roads were very lonely, few people venturing outdoors, yet over 140 cars drove through the Living Nativity in a two hour period. We are very grateful for all those who stood against the wind and portrayed the various scenes.

The Christmas breakfast was held again this year at The French Quarter. We enjoyed a breakfast buffet, sang carols and were led in a meditation by Dr. Bert Lucas. 58 members and friends attended.

Then, there was Christmas Eve. There was over 8" of fresh snow on the ground and it was the second coldest Christmas Eve on record, the temperature remaining in the single digits, yet 254 people made their way to the church for the Christmas Eve service. It was, as it always has been, a beautiful service of candlelight and communion, celebrating the birth of Christ.

May all those who in so many different ways volunteered their talent and time, know our deep gratitude for the wonderful Advent and Christmas season and memories they gave to us.

Christmas 2003 Report

Another great year!  

Our Christmas program had a huge turnout as we enjoyed "This Just In...From Bethlehem" featuring our own Mark Suffron as a harried anchor attempting to keep things under control with some strange news from the city of Bethlehem.  Our Women's Ministry helped organize our annual Potluck and we had another wonderful meal of great creations from our congregation.

Men's Fellowship received a letter from the Salvation Army explaining that $756.12 was collected at their kettle in front of the Target store at Spring Meadows Shopping Center on December 13.  The Men's Fellowship would like to thank ALL of those who so willingly participated in helping to "ring the bell" in the cold winter weather.  We greatly appreciate each of you giving of your time and talent to make this such a huge success!

Another record for our Living Nativity as more than 200 cars drove through our constantly-improving displays.  Everyone cannot be thanked enough for their time and effort as we presented this annual tradition.

Our advent season and Christmas services were as inspirational as ever.  Our chancel choir, handbells and the wonderful Christmas sermons from Pastor David contributed to another great season!

Reflections on the Advent Season 2002 at First Baptist
By Becky Spencer

December is a wonderful month at our church. We are busy, but it is the kind of busy that is rewarding. Our choir had several extra Saturday morning rehearsals to prepare for the Christmas Concert and for the Christmas Eve Service. Gentlemen from our church took time from their Saturdays to build the Manger and set-up the scenes for Living Nativity. Songs and scripts were written, and back-up sound tracks developed for the Christmas Program. Wooden animals were cut and painted, promotional materials were sent to the media and local churches. These are just a few of the tasks accomplished to make our month a success.

I particularly want to thank my husband who was always there to keep the home fires burning while I was at the extra practices, making calls to volunteers and away from home. Larry is great. He keeps telling me, “Whatever you need me to do, Becky, just let me know.” What reassuring words for a woman who takes on tremendous amounts of responsibility. The support is always there.

On another note, our Living Nativity has turned into a First Baptist reunion. The individuals who first started our Living Nativity are now young adults who came back to fill the last 14 cast members that we desperately needed. Living Nativity is a tradition that hopefully will keep our past tied to the future for years to come.

Finally, thank you to everyone who donated time, talents, and donations, promoted programs, cooked, rang bells, sang, acted, wrote, read, danced, invited visitors, coordinated, directed, drove, hammered, painted, cut and showed-up!

Our Christmas at First Baptist is busy but in the heart of the activity is to focus on the Birth of Christ. Lauren Clarke sang in the Christmas program: “Jesus is the heart of Christmas.” As we move into the new year and our 150th Anniversary of our church and to maintain the busy schedules that are inevitable, if we keep Jesus in our heart, think of the spirit and love and joy that can be shared not only in December, but throughout the year.