Rev. Tom Rives

Pastor

A Word from Pastor Tom….. Can you believe that we are about to say good-bye to 2014? Where has all the time gone? This has been an eventful year in the life of Carrollwood Baptist Church. During the first part of the year we made plans for our 20th Anniversary Celebration and then had a great time recalling what God has done in and through our fellowship during these years together. Just like every year we had to say “See you later” to some of our fellowship. Heaven is a sweeter place because they are there waiting on us to join them. We got to experience missions first hand with four different mission projects. Our middle schoolers worked with World Changers on projects throughout the Tampa Bay area. Our high schoolers went on mission to the island of St. Kitts. Our Campers on Mission spent a week working at the Middle Florida Baptist Assembly where COM has it’s own campground. Our Adults went to Brazil to build a church. Our entire congregation was involved in raising the funds for the building supplies. After 20 years, Missions is still the focus of our church. As we continue to grow the Kingdom of God, He will continue to grow and bless Carrollwood Baptist Church. At our 20th Anniversary Celebration, I shared my intention to retire on our 21st Anniversary in 2015. Our Exit Strategy Committee has begun to make plans toward that date. We have also formed our Pastor Search Committee and they are surveying the congregation and receiving resumes as I write this article. We are in the initial stages of seeking God’s man to lead us in the years ahead. Please continue to pray for our committee and for the person God has for us. As I have shared previously, Dianne and I are not going anywhere. We own our home here, T.J., Jen and the twins are here, and our church family is here. Why would we want to be anywhere else? I have committed to our Pastor Search Committee and to you, our CBC family, that I am willing to stay beyond my retirement date if we do not have our new Senior Pastor by then. Until then my goal is to keep on keeping on. I want to close my article for this quarter by saying Thank You for all you mean to me and my family. I do not take for granted that God has given me the greatest group of people to work alongside now for 21 years. I am writing this article two days before Thanksgiving and in preparation for Christmas. What I am most thankful for is that my Savior and Lord died on Calvary’s cross to take away my sins. As we celebrate His birth and remember why He came to earth, I am reminded that He accomplished His mission and that He is not dead. He is alive and lives in me! Merry Christmas to each of you.

Yours in Christ,

“He is alive and lives in me!”

Sermon

Series

Dec 7Dec 7 Experiencing the PreExperiencing the Pre--Christmas RushChristmas Rush

Isaiah 9:6Isaiah 9:6

Dec 14Dec 14 “The Gift of Christmas” featuring the“The Gift of Christmas” featuring the

Worship Choir and Orchestra Worship Choir and Orchestra

Dec 21Dec 21 The Purpose of His BirthThe Purpose of His Birth

Luke 2:1Luke 2:1--2020

Dec 28Dec 28 Experiencing the PostExperiencing the Post--Christmas BluesChristmas Blues

Matthew 2:13Matthew 2:13--2323

Jan 4Jan 4 Pride with a Capital PPride with a Capital P

Gal 6:3Gal 6:3

Jan 11Jan 11 Sowing and ReapingSowing and Reaping

Gal 6:7Gal 6:7

Jan 18Jan 18 Helping OthersHelping Others

Gal 6:10Gal 6:10

Jan 25 Jan 25 The Marks of FaithThe Marks of Faith

Gal 6:17Gal 6:17

Feb 1Feb 1 The Good in the BadThe Good in the Bad

Phil 1:12Phil 1:12

Feb 8Feb 8 Paul’s Philosophy of LifePaul’s Philosophy of Life

Phil 1:21Phil 1:21

Feb 15Feb 15 The Path of DestructionThe Path of Destruction

Phil 3:19Phil 3:19

Feb 22Feb 22 The Cure for WorryThe Cure for Worry

Phil 4:6Phil 4:6

5:00-6:00 pm

Come & Go

Communion

6:00-7:00 pm

Candlelight

Vesper Service

Kids’ News Kids’ News Kids’ News Kids’ News

WOM: December 2, January 6, and February 3 @ 10 am.

Church-Wide Christmas Party

Join us on Wednesday, Dec. 17 from 5:00-6:30 pm for

dinner and a visit from someone special!

The children's choirs will perform, beginning at 6:30 pm.

Children's Workers’ Appreciation BreakfastChildren's Workers’ Appreciation BreakfastChildren's Workers’ Appreciation BreakfastChildren's Workers’ Appreciation Breakfast We appreciate all of our volunteers who work with our children We appreciate all of our volunteers who work with our children We appreciate all of our volunteers who work with our children We appreciate all of our volunteers who work with our children

at CBC and we would like to share breakfast with them on at CBC and we would like to share breakfast with them on at CBC and we would like to share breakfast with them on at CBC and we would like to share breakfast with them on

Sunday, December 7 at 8:30 AM in the Resource Room. Sunday, December 7 at 8:30 AM in the Resource Room. Sunday, December 7 at 8:30 AM in the Resource Room. Sunday, December 7 at 8:30 AM in the Resource Room.

Please let Ms. Kay or Ms. Kristi know if you will be able to attend!Please let Ms. Kay or Ms. Kristi know if you will be able to attend!Please let Ms. Kay or Ms. Kristi know if you will be able to attend!Please let Ms. Kay or Ms. Kristi know if you will be able to attend!

H.U.G.S. (Holy, Useful Gal Squad) Project Pillowcase!

On Saturday, Dec. 6 from 9 am-12 pm we will be making beautiful pillowcases and gift packets for the women at Created Ministries for Christmas gifts. We

would love to have anyone who can sew or iron or stuff bags join us in the Ladies Sunday School class in the back hallway!

If you have a sewing machine, we could use it, too! Sign up at the Connection Center!

Upward Basketball Upward Basketball Upward Basketball Upward Basketball Don’t miss the opportunity to serve our

Community during Upward games and practices!

Volunteer throughout January and February.

January Birthdays

01/06: John Bailey

01/10: Del Garside

01/15: Virginia DeWan

01/17: Hannah Kurial

01/25: Jane Gibson

2014 Important Dates

Thursday December 4th Christmas @ Uncle Phil’s Diner

Dress Rehearsal

Friday December 5th Christmas @ Uncle Phil’s Diner

Performance @ 6pm

Saturday December 6th Christmas @ Uncle Phil’s Diner

Performance @ 6pm

Wednesday December 10th Adult Choir & Orchestra Practice 6-8pm

Saturday December 13th Children’s Choir Practice 9:00-11am

Adult Choir Practice 10:30am-12:30pm

Sunday December 14th The Gift of Christmas Musical in AM

Worship with Music Ministry Christmas

Party after AM Worship

Wednesday December 17th Church Christmas Party

Children’s Christmas Program

Wednesday December 24 Christmas Eve Vespers

Come & Go 5-6pm

Vespers Service 6-7pm

Wednesday December 25 MERRY CHRISTMAS

Thursday January 1st Happy New Years!

Wednesday January 7th ALL Choirs & Orchestra Resume

Performances

Friday, December 5th

& Saturday, December 6th

@ 6:00 p.m.

December Birthdays

12/06: Sherlock Andrews

12/06: Judy Knotts

12/27: Dakota Nalls

12/31: Charles Fults

February BirthdaysFebruary Birthdays

02/03: Jen Singleton

02/04: Wayne Schell

02/06: Carolyn Boghich

02/08: Tricia Barnes

02/20: Brad Lutz

02/20: Karen Bistany

02/20: Aidan Jones

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Presented by Carrollwood Baptist Church Music & Worship Ministry Sunday, December 14th Morning Worship Service

Superbowl Party Join us for our annual

Superbowl party.

February 1 Life Center

It is that time again to be thinking about Upward Basketball. There are still some areas that we could use some extra coaches. Please do me a favor and be praying about your involvement in this year’s program from being a coach, assistant coach, referee, or volunteering in another way. This is such a great opportunity to make an impact. We have such an amazing group of volunteers and we would love for you to join us. If you have any

questions, please let Pastor Justin know.

Evaluations First Practice Tuesday, December 2 6:00 - 8:00 PM Tuesday, December 30 Saturday, December 6 9:00 AM - Noon First Game

Saturday, January 10

Pick Up

Basketball

Starts

January 5th

6:30 pm

Youth Christmas Party

Sunday Night, December 21 we

will be having our youth Christmas Party. If you want to

be in the gift exchange bring a gift to put in the pile. The twist is we are asking everyone to bring something

or make something from your house. Don’t spend any money for your gift. However, bring $5 for Vidya so we can help get her account more up to date.

Men! Join us on Saturdays: January 3, and February 21 from 7:30 - 8:30 am

for a great time of prayer and fellowship in Carpenter Hall.

We will be going to see...

THE GIFT at Indian Rocks Baptist Church

following our worship service on Sunday, Dec. 7.

Please sign up at the Connection Center to ride the

bus for a great time of fellowship and eating out at

CHEDDAR’S. Cost: $5 plus meal.

Joy will be going to celebrate everyone's Birthday at the Colonnade Restaurant, Thurs. Jan. 15 at 10:30 am. Cost is $5 plus meal. Deadline to sign up is Sun. Jan. 11.

TRIUMPHANT QUARTET Friday, February 20, 2015, we will be going to Word of Life to hear Triumphant. We will leave the church at 5:30 pm, cost is $20. Deadline to sign up and buy your ticket is Sunday, Feb. 8.

NEW MEMBERSNEW MEMBERSNEW MEMBERSNEW MEMBERS By Letter: Scott and Annette Keene, and Richard Smith

By Statement: Debbie McCoy and Derek Goolsby

By Baptism: Mia Mesa, Nevenka Obradovich, Joseph O’Brian Jr., and Victoria O’Brian

Dec, Jan, FebDec, Jan, FebDec, Jan, FebDec, Jan, Feb 4th Sunday4th Sunday4th Sunday4th Sunday

Volunteer NeededVolunteer NeededVolunteer NeededVolunteer Needed CoordinatorCoordinatorCoordinatorCoordinator

10:30 am 10:30 am 10:30 am 10:30 am

Karina Houck Vicki Musser Sarah Musser Beth Gonzalez

Lauren Gonzalez Jennifer Rives Steven Lutz

Wednesday NightWednesday NightWednesday NightWednesday Night

Julie Garver Valerie Layland

Dec, Jan, FebDec, Jan, FebDec, Jan, FebDec, Jan, Feb 3rd Sunday3rd Sunday3rd Sunday3rd Sunday

Joyce Jones Joyce Jones Joyce Jones Joyce Jones CoordinatorCoordinatorCoordinatorCoordinator

10:30 am10:30 am10:30 am10:30 am

Alisha Hyslop Emily Kurial

Dalia Betancourt Debbie Swindle Nichole Swindle Joe Circhirillo Teri Circhirillo Kaitlyn Swindle

Wednesday NightWednesday NightWednesday NightWednesday Night Robin Singleton Valerie Layland

Nursery Volunteers & Children’s Church Workers

Dec, Jan, FebDec, Jan, FebDec, Jan, FebDec, Jan, Feb 1st Sunday1st Sunday1st Sunday1st Sunday

Kim Koletic Kim Koletic Kim Koletic Kim Koletic Coordinator Coordinator Coordinator Coordinator

10:30 am10:30 am10:30 am10:30 am

Kim Bistany Natalie Boghich Grace Thornbury Becky Gordon Lucas Gordon Nick Gordon Emily Boyce Mark Boghich Allison Bistany

Wednesday Night Wednesday Night Wednesday Night Wednesday Night Melinda Palencia Valerie Layland

Dec, Jan, FebDec, Jan, FebDec, Jan, FebDec, Jan, Feb 2nd Sunday2nd Sunday2nd Sunday2nd Sunday

Volunteer Needed Volunteer Needed Volunteer Needed Volunteer Needed Coordinator Coordinator Coordinator Coordinator

10:30 am10:30 am10:30 am10:30 am

Heidi Barlow Erica Charles Onnika Goins Dulce Agosto Jenna Barlow Carol Smith Daniel Boyce

Melinda Palencia

Wednesday NightWednesday NightWednesday NightWednesday Night Susan Wester Valerie Layland

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FROM OUR CHURCH FAMILYFROM OUR CHURCH FAMILYFROM OUR CHURCH FAMILYFROM OUR CHURCH FAMILY The Carrollwood Baptist Church staff and family would like to express their sincere Christian love and

sympathy to the Mattox family in the death of John’s son, Shawn; to the Hall family in the passing of

their daughter-in-law’s grandfather, Arnold Combs; to the Hernandez family in the passing of dear

friends, Georgina DeSouza, Ada Alfonzo and Avilio Gonzalez; to the Betancourt family in the loss of

Dalia’s aunt; to the Rueff and Bailie families in the passing of Anne Bailie; to the Slate and Driscoll

families in the passing of Lillian’s cousin, Janet Slate; to the Boyce family in the loss of Deborah’s

mom, Alma Betancourt; to the Boghich family in the death of Carolyn’s uncle, Walter Schmidt; to the

Voorhes and Hamby families in the loss of Jean’s mother, Fannie Moore; to the Young and Coberly

families in the passing of Jimmy’s beloved wife, Frances Young; to the Bouchard and Williams families

in the loss of our precious Nina Bouchard; and to the Stoklas family in the passing of Sandy’s beloved

husband, Nev.

The Church Office will be closed for Christmas:The Church Office will be closed for Christmas:The Church Office will be closed for Christmas:The Church Office will be closed for Christmas:

December 25 & 26December 25 & 26December 25 & 26December 25 & 26 And for New Year’s:And for New Year’s:And for New Year’s:And for New Year’s:

January 1 & 2January 1 & 2January 1 & 2January 1 & 2