FALL AT FBCTLH
With the official beginning of fall just days away, I wanted to make sure you’re aware of some of the special events that we have coming up. Please keep in mind that this is just a sampling, and you can check our website for additional opportunities to connect and serve and for more information about each of these activities.
This Sunday, September 18, is Wear Your Colors Sunday. We began this tradition several years ago as a way of welcoming our college students with a showing of our various collegiate allegiances. While I personally hope to see plenty of you wearing garnet and gold, all school colors are…acceptable. To keep the day festive, we’ll have several food trucks in our Duval parking lot serving a wide variety of lunch options — and even dessert — from 11:00AM until 1:30PM.
On Saturday, November 5, we’ll have our 14th annual First Love. Our church will come together to go and serve in Jesus’ name throughout our community at dozens of project sites. Whatever your skills or gifts may be, we’ll have a place you can serve in a meaningful way. Be ready to sign up promptly so we can accept and properly plan for as many projects as possible, and be sure to invite others to serve with you.
Operation Christmas Child provides shoeboxes filled with small toys, hygiene items, and school supplies to millions of children around the world each year as a means of reaching them with the gospel. On Sunday, November 20, we’ll collect these gift-filled shoeboxes to send to children affected by war, poverty, natural disaster, famine, and disease. Get more information on how to pack a shoebox, as well as gift ideas, on our website.
When the city gathers downtown on Saturday, December 3, to celebrate Winter Festival, First Baptist Church will literally open our doors to our community. We provide restrooms, a baby comfort area for parents who wish to feed, change, or rest their children, and a hospitality area where folks can rest and get warm. As always, we’ll need plenty of volunteers to be a smiling face to welcome guests and direct them where they need to go.
Lastly, our annual Christmas musical will be on the evening of Sunday, December 11. This year’s theme will be “Almost There.” Our music ministry does an amazing job every year, and you’re also welcome to take part in the Christmas choir and orchestra. Mark your calendars now for what promises to be powerful evening and a great opportunity to invite others into the life of our church.
~Josh