Have A Knack For Wrapping?

If wrapping gifts is something you're good at....put your talent to good use this coming Monday December 22nd.

Shop With a Cop is a phenomenal program put on by Smyrna's Fraternal Order of Police.

Children in need are given $100 each and are required to purchase a coat and shoes for themselves but can spend the remaining money any way they wish. On themselves or to buy gifts for thier family members.

Kids will be shopping this coming Monday at 7am at the Smyrna Walmart in the layaway department.

They will need gift wrappers that night at 6pm at Rocking Chair Cafe located at 208 Jefferson Pike in the Gilsville Shopping Center.

You don't have to do anything but show up.

Take your family, or invite your small group and friends.

Thank you for all you do here in our community!

Share The Joy Of Serving With Your Entire Family

This Sunday is the day all of our church Angel Tree gifts will get delivered.

This wonderful program is led by Ray King. Over 200 kids were adopted by our church members & this Sunday, December 21st, all the gifts will need to be delivered to the home of these kids.

Here's how it will work. In appreciation for everyone's efforts there will be lunch provided at the church around 12:45. From there, you and your family will grab a big bag of gifts and deliver them directly to the home of the child in need.

Depending on the number of volunteers, there may be an opportunity for you to go to 2 or 3 homes but that is only if you choose to.

This is a wonderful way to show your kids what serving is all about. So bring them along & let them be apart of the experience. Let them see first hand how amazing it is to see a child's eyes light up this Christmas season.

COMMUNITY NEED

I received an email from a lady who lives in Jameson Downs telling me that her sister & 2 young girls lost all their belongings Saturday night in a house fire. Fortunately, no one was injured and they are staying with family but they are without all material possessions. Please let me know if you have any hand-me-down clothes in a donation pile or tucked away in a closet that would fit a tall 4 year old girl who is a bit of a tomboy (nothing too frilly..lol) or for an 11 year old wearing a size 14/16. I wouold be happy to pick items up or for those of you who attend FBC Smyrna, I could meet up with you at church on Sunday & deliver them to this family. I’m sure any other items would also be greatly appreciated. (toiletries, toys, food/gift cards, etc)

Email me if you can help. krystal-brown@comcast.net

Thanks so much

A Doctor In The Making

A friend of mine who works for the city of Smyrna told me a story about an extraordinary young lady who has had a very difficult life. This young lady has experienced things in her life that many of us couldn't even bear to hear much less experience ourselves. Thankfully, her injustices were finally brought to justice in the court of law as the man who stole her childhood was found guilty. She was able to come forward and finally escape her nightmare.

She is now ranked #9 in her senior class of high school after missing several years of school. She was accepted to college and is planning on studying to become a doctor.

During the investigation this young lady's laptop computer was confiscated and is now evidence in the case and due to the material on it she will never be able to get it back. This is a computer that she saved her money from several holidays and birthdays to purchase and now she is faced with the opportunity to go to college but has no way to purchase a new one.

Within hours of emailing this need I had someone from FBC offering to donate their laptop to this sweet child. She will get it next week just in time for Christmas.

Again....changing lives & this community one need at a time.

Thank you Jesus for the amazing blessings you allow through so many at FBC!

A Splish-Splash Birthday Bash

A police officer driving through a local park noticed a family of 6 sitting under a tree snacking on crackers. Turns out the father had been laid off at work, bills got behind & they were ultimately evicted from their home. The father found a new job but had not received his first paycheck so they were living in their car until that paycheck came in. From there they would find a hotel or temporary housing until they could locate a permanent home for the family.

I shared their situation with our small groups and within hours I had a knock on my door and an envelope in my hand with $300 cash so that this family could get shelter immediately.

When I met with the family I discovered their day in the park was the oldest child's birthday celebration. Thanks to the generosity of this individual & his small group members, this family spent the night in a warm hotel, had a hot meal & the kids got to celebrate the birthday with a night of swimming in the hotel pool.

I wish I could share with you the tears of joy these parents shed and the enormous smiles on the faces of their children.

FBC is making a huge difference in the lives of so many here in our community.

One man's trash is another man's treasure

I received an email from a city official indicating a young boy had been struck by a car while riding his bike. Luckily he was not hurt badly but they spoke with the parents about the importance of wearing a helmet at all times. The mother indicated that they just didn't have the money to purchase helmets for the children.

I sent out a quick email to our small group leaders & within 30 minutes I had 2 helmets for both boys in this family. They were helmets that their children had grown out of.

Thank you for your quick response. We all have small simple things in our homes that we don't need or use that can make a huge difference in someone else's life.

Restoring hope to a mother of 4

Another FBC small group recently made a big difference in the life of one Rutherford County family. Through a contact & friend, they heard about a story of a mother who had to file for an order of protection against her husband and is now going through a divorce. This mother of 4 has always been a stay at home mom and has been struggling financially due to the nature of the situation.

This group put together a collection of goods for the family including outfits for the children, toiletries & groceries. The mother began to cry when she saw the amount of offerings left for her from this group of strangers.

A neat part of this story is that this act of kindness was all done through a third party so the family and small group never met. Sometimes the love of Christ is demonstrated anonymously but nevertheless can restore hope to someone in crisis.

Are You Taking Your Deodorant For Granted?

Chris & Aundrea Berkey's small group recently reached out to serve their friends, Shanna & Brandon, that are new missionaries in Guatemala. This couple was living the American dream in Atlanta and a couple of years ago felt the Lord calling them to serve full-time. They sold everything and moved in 2007. They are part of a ministry called Hope for Guatemala. They serve under-privileged children in Guatemala City. http://www.hope4guatemala.org/ Shanna is in charge of child sponsorship and Brandon serves several roles, including coaching two organized soccer teams. They managed to get uniforms donated, but they only have enough shin guards for 1 team to play at the time. They serve 25 kids through that alone. Brandon gives them breakfast every Saturday morning and then they start practice or have a soccer match.

Realizing what a blessing this family is to the children of Guatemala, The Berkeys and their small group decided to pamper them a bit with a box of "homesick" supplies. Things like their “brand” of deodorant, contact solution (it’s $13 a bottle in G.C.) American candy, “anything” written in English (old magazines, children’s books), safety pins. Just little stuff that we take for granted here.

This is a wonderful example of how small group here at FBC are serving the needs of others. What a great display of love through works as Christ has called us all to do.

No Weariness at Wherry Housing

Amanda & Jansen Lee and their small group spent a Saturday working at the home of a single mother who had a water pipe burst inside her home. They all pitched in to get her furniture moved outside so that she could have her new carpet put in. From there, several of them began doing some touch-up painting inside the house while others worked in her yard.

They were made aware of a house down the road that was being renovated for a retired missionary couple so they spent the rest of their afternoon pitching in there. "We scraped drywall putty off of the floors, put down baseboards, and did some calking work", said Amanda.

What a blessing you all have been to these families. Way to go guys!