Dr.

Hayes Wicker, Senior Pastor

The English Standard Version Bible
It is my passionate desire as your pastor that every person in this church from childhood be acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:15). The scriptures, also called the sacred writings and the Bible, is the foundation of our faith-family and all that we do and say at First Baptist Church. All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). Therefore, the correct translation into the English language is not only essential, but must be essentially literal as far as possible in order to capture the precise wording of the original text. Though raised as a child on the King James Version of the Bible, my primary training in seminary was in the New American Standard Version, which has been preferable throughout the years. I diverted in the 90s for a while to the enormously popular New International Version, since most people seemed to be using it. It was more of a thought-for-thought than word-for-word translation and just not as accurate to the original manuscripts. I urged our church to go back to the NASV and its proven scholarship. In recent years, a conservative, highly readable, and accurate translation has emerged the English Standard Version. It is becoming widely used throughout the English-speaking world and noted for its readability and accuracy. I have compared the ESV with the NASV and find them quite close in translation. However, the ESV is much more accessible in various childrens, students, and study Bible versions. A number of different kinds of leather are also available. Now my preferred single column reference Bible style is being distributed. Single verses are numbered and separated from other verses, allowing for personal notes and making the verses easier to find and read. The biblical scholars took into account differences of grammar, syntax, and idiom between current literary English and the original languages. The ESV is faithful to the text, clear to the mind, and easy on the ear. The reading level is easier for younger people than the NASV, while retaining theological, exegetical, and literary excellence. In 2014, I will begin to preach from the ESV, while phasing out the NASV. A translation preference is very personal, and you are certainly free in the Lord to use a translation of your choice. Our bookstore will do everything possible to give you the best possible buy on an ESV and will have far more selections than we have ever had possible with the NASV. This is a great time to buy an ESV as a Christmas gift. Display copies will be available, thanks to our wonderful Lighthouse Bookstore manager, Rae Manchester. Many of the most respected and best known Christian leaders of different ministries have endorsed the ESV, such as Erwin Lutzer, James MacDonald, Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Al Mohler, John Walvoord, and Ravi Zacharias. May our prayer be, Give me life according to Your Word (Psalm 119:25).

Churchwide

English Standard Version Bibles

Now Available

Christmas Ministry Opportunities

Come to the Lighthouse Bookstore and choose from a variety of ESV Bibles in leather, goatskin, hardcover, compact, thinline, single column, large print, children, teen, and adult. Bible selections are now on display in the Commons just outside the bookstore and are 30% off retail.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH NAPLES WORSHIP CHOIR

THE NATIVITY SYMPHONY

New FBCN Choir CD

Enjoy our wonderful FBCN Choir with this new CD, The Nativity Symphony. CDs are available for just $10 each. These also make great Christmas presents.

On Sale Now

Your gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering are an investment with eternal impact. 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 yearly offering of undergirds the 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.

Runs through entire month of December

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Prison Fellowship Angel Tree

Prison Fellowship Angel Tree provides Bibles for the children of prison inmates. If you would like to purchase one of these Bibles, please stop by the Lighthouse Bookstore for your angel. If you havent picked up a box yet, its not too late! Pick one up today and fill it with food from the suggested food list attached to the box. Then meet us on Saturday, Dec 14 at the Collier County Fairgrounds at 9:00am to deliver your box with us, or call Chao at 353-5909.

Dr. Hayes Wicker, Sr. Pastor Dr. Todd F. Stearns, Worship Pastor

Give the perfect gift this season...LIFE! The Blood Mobile is coming back to our church parking lot. Every pint you give saves three lives! Please call 596-8600 x259 or email sgraham@fbcn.org to schedule a time.

Sunday, December 22 in the Church Parking Lot

Blood Drive

Last Weekend to Participate

Christmas Eve Candlelight Services

Join us for one of these lovely services as we worship the newborn King. All are welcome. Childcare will not be provided for these family-oriented services. Bring your whole family! 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 will be no BLGs the weekend of December 28 & 29.

Last Weekend in the Missions Kiosk

Blessing Christ Immokalee

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

Were you recently baptized at the beach?

Photo albums of individuals who were recently baptized at the beach are available at the Media Ministry counter off of the Fellowship Hallway.

Christmas/New Year Church Schedule

A gift for you from the New Member Ministry

Womens Ministry

Missions 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.

Begins Tuesday, Jan 7 and Wednesday, Jan 8

RefresHer Winter Study (1st Half)

This FBCN mission partner in Ft. Myers currently serves 66 children in 51 foster family homes. You are welcome to come to their open house on Saturday, December 14 from 1-4pm (4551 Camino Real Way). There are numerous ways to take part in their mission. Call 939-0974 for more information.

Florida Baptist Childrens Home

Single Adult Ministry

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!

Living Christmas Trees Performances

Come celebrate the birth of Jesus with us. Remaining performances of our 31st annual Living Christmas Trees Searching for the King are: --Sunday, December 8th at 4:00pm and 7:00pm --Thursday, December 12th at 7:00pm --Friday, December 13th at 7:00pm --Sunday, December 15th at 4:00pm and 7:00pm Select your seats online at fbcn.org/lct, stop by our kiosk in the Commons after worship service, or call 888-795-1559 (Monday-Friday 9am-6pm).

Student Ministry

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, Feb 25 and Wednesday, Feb 26

RefresHer Winter Study (2nd Half)

Christmas is Grand at The Strand! Get your tickets in the Lighthouse Bookstore or in any of the Singles BLGs for $40. Great food, music, fellowship, and a word from Steve Hayes.

Friday, December 20 at The Club at The Strand

Christmas Dinner Party

Other Ministries

This is a new support group for those facing cancer and their caregiver, hosted by Dr. Tom Jewell and his wife Miriam at their home in the Vineyards. For details or to register, call Tom Jewell at 821-5786 or Steve Hayes at 596-8600 x266. FBCN member Arthur McMillan passed away on November 20. We express our sympathy to his wife, Barbara, and the rest of the family. FBCN member Norma Holbrook passed away on November 25. We express our sympathy to her family. Alicia Olienick passed away on November 26. We express our sympathy to her husband, Rob, and the rest of the family. Luke Alford was born on November 24, 2013 weighing 6 pounds and measuring 18 inches long. Proud parents are Josh & Sarah.

Tuesday, December 10 at 7:00-8:00pm (once a month)

Living Hope Cancer Support Group

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.

Absent from the Body; Present with the Lord

Tuesday, December 31, 1:30pm-7:30pm

DNow Weekend for Middle School and High School Ministries

Reserve your spot with early bird lower pricing! Please call 449-4480 for information.

January 17-19, 2014

New Arrivals

Last Weekend
Baptism Dylan Vila

Decisions for Christ

Membership by Statement Maria Sanchez

November 30 & December 1

Saturday Night Sunday 9:30 a.m. Sunday 11:00 a.m. Total

Worship Attendance

First Time Guests

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, and someone at the information desk in the Commons can help you find answers to your questions, as well as guide you to a Bible & Life Group fitted just for you. Thank you for joining us today! For more detailed information about our church and ministries, please call Lou Falorio at 596-8600 x258.

Welcome to First Baptist Church Naples

996 1,391 783 3,170

$2,790,356 $2,781,068

2013-2014 Operating Revenues July 1, 2013 - December 1, 2013 Budget Actual Variance

Financial Stewardship

November 30 & December 1

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

Bible & Life Attendance

668 126 249 616 381 2,040

Debt balance as of Dec 1 $4,995,238

($9,288)

Senior Adult Ministry

If you are able to help our FBA third graders have some fun building gingerbread houses, please call Nancy Wilbanks at 597-2233 x304.

This Upcoming Week

Deacon of the Week December 9 - 15 Chad Moore & Keith Langham
If you need assistance, please call the church deacon hotline at 800-732-9573. For Spanish, call 404-7764.

Monday, December 9 at 9:00am in Room DC121

Legacy Builders Gingerbread Houses

Wednesday Family Meal

Meal for Dec 11 (4:45 p.m.-6 p.m. in the Fellowship Recreation-Gym) Baked Ham, Scalloped Potatoes, Vegetable, and Dessert `

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.

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

Weekly Schedule

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.

2013 Year End Tax Information

Stock Contributions

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 8
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 Visit our website: fbcn.org Follow us on Twitter: @fbcn @hayeswicker

Tuesday, December 10
4:45 p.m. 6:20 p.m. 6:25 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m.

9:00 a.m. RefresHer Womens Ministry: Worship Center

Wednesday, December 11

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

Family Meal: Fellowship Recreation-Gym AWANA for Kids: Education Building Band of Brothers Mens Ministry: Chapel RefresHer Womens Ministry: Worship Center High School Ministry: Student Center Middle School Ministry: Family Life Center-Gym

First Baptist Church Naples

Other events this week include: Living Christmas Trees Performances, Prayer for our Pastors, Celebrate Recovery, and Grief Share. For a full weekly schedule listing, please go to fbcn.org/weeklyschedule.