Welcome

Guests!
Please see page two
for important information
about today’s service and
how to get the most out of
your visit with us.
4801 FRANKLIN AVENUE DES MOINES, IOWA 50310 515.255.2122 WWW.FIRSTFEDERATED.ORG

A Special Christmas
By Joe Lightfoot, Pastor of Adult Ministries
As fall turns to winter each year, living rooms across America are filled with families
cozying together to watch heart-warming holiday stories. Hallmark and CBS regularly
produce touching tales with Thanksgiving and Christmas themes. In past years you
may have watched The Christmas Box, Boyfriend, Blessing, Card, or Gift.
You may have even viewed The Christmas Shoes, a story of a young boy deter-
mined to buy his dying mother a prized pair of special shoes. The boy—Nathan,
ends up $5 short of the money needed to buy the shoes. As the story goes, Nathan
crosses paths with a man who gives him the money needed to buy the precious
gift for his mother.
This Christmas you have the opportunity to be part of a story like that.
FFC’s major Christmas outreaches is to purchase shoes for the children of the
Oakridge housing complex.
Because of your heart and hard work, this past August we were able to join
with 5 other area churches to provide more than 200 backpacks filled with
school supplies for the Back to School Bash.
This December you can continue to minister to these children by taking
a paper shoe cutout from the tree in the foyer and purchasing a much-
needed pair of shoes for an Oakridge child. (In place of purchasing the
shoes you can also make a $15 contribution to cover the purchase price.)
Then, during our December 21st Federated Family Christmas Celebration,
we will invite the children of Oakridge to join us for worship and a reception
in the foyer where we will distribute the shoes! This is a wonderful opportu-
nity for you to meet a real need and bless a child with a small portion of the
blessing God has entrusted to you. Enjoy making this a special Christmas!

Christmas Shoes

This We e k! for Oakridge

 Pick up a tag with a child’s
name and shoe size in the
foyer.
 Either purchase tennis
shoes yourself ($15 or less)
or simply donate money for
us to purchase shoes for the
child.
 Return shoes to the church
by Monday, December 15
(in the shoe box, but NOT
gift wrapped please
 Following the 10AM service
on December 21 the shoes
will be distributed at a
reception for Oakridge
families

Volume 10 Number 28 First Federated Church 1 Sunday, November 30, 2008

 WELCOME TO FIRST FEDERATED CHURCH!
Thank you for choosing to worship with us this morning!
Have Questions?
If you have any questions, simply ask someone wearing a Guest Welcome Children’s
name tag with “Here to Help” on it or visit the Welcome Center
in the foyer.
Reception Center Registration
Guest Reception North Parking Lot Station
If you are visiting with us for the first time or have just
recently started attending First Federated Church, we cordially
invite you to a reception in the foyer immediately following the
service. We would love to have the opportunity to meet you, get Resource 115

Center
119 117

to know you better, and answer any questions you may have. WEST GYM EAST GYM

Fill Out the Care & Communication Card

A B

114
AUDITORIUM
If you have never completed a Care and Communication Card,
please take a moment to do so. This allows us, as a church family,
to better know your needs and how we can serve you. The Care 111C

and Communication Card is located inside this newspaper. Just fill PARISH 1164
111B

out the card completely and leave at the end of your pew, give to an NURSE➤ 111A

109
1165

usher, or hand it in at the Guest Reception. 1125

1132
R

Thank you for taking the time to visit First Federated Church.
If you are not presently a member of a Bible teaching church, we Guest
invite you to join our church family. Reception
If You Have Children Visit the Children’s
Ministry Registration Station KZ Church
Trust your children to the care of our dedicated, loving A.E.D.
SW Entrance

2nd Floor
Children’s Ministry staff. Our children’s programs provide qual- M Men Restroom
W Women Restroom

ity care and learning for kids of all ages.

If your child has not already been enrolled in our Children’s
Ministry, a quick visit to the Children’s Ministry Registration
Station will provide you with temporary security tags and give us
the information we need to effectively minister to your child.
Infants & Preschool Children
Childcare and teaching are available during the 9:15 hour and 10:45 worship services
in the Nursery and Preschool Departments.
Kindergarten–4th Grade
During the 9:15 hour, K–4th graders meet in graded classroom groups for Bible
learning and fun.
K–4th graders attend the first part of the 10:45 worship services with their families
and then are dismissed to attend their own age-appropriate children’s church, called
KZ Church. Parents, we encourage you to go with your children the first time they visit
KZ Church in Room 240.
Xtreme AM (5th & 6th Grade)
Our preteens meet in their own Xtreme spot, Room 205, at 9:15 for a time of Xtreme
learning, Xtreme prayer and Xtreme relationship-building, then join their families for
the 10:45 worship services.
Youth (Grade 7–12) & Adults
Groups for ADULTS and activities for YOUTH begin at 9:15AM. Stop by
the Welcome Center to find out about each of the groups and how to get there.
Cellular Phones & Pagers
Thank you for turning off, or muting, your cell phone, pager and other electronic
devices during this morning’s worship service.
Assistive Listening Devices (Auditorium Only)
ALS devices are available for check-out at the Resource Center in the foyer.
AED (Automated External Defibrillator)/First-aid
Facilities for guests needing first aid, health counseling, and blood
pressure checks are provided by our Parish Nurses located in the
west hallway in Room 1117, Sundays, 10:30AM–Noon.
Please contact an usher if you need immediate assistance.
Lost and Found
Lost items may be reported or claimed at the main office of the church during
regular M-F office hours. Lost and found items are kept for 30 days.
Safety
First Federated Church regards your safety as our highest priority. If you have any
concerns, please inform one of our ushers or staff. If a building emergency arises,
directions will be provided over the public address system.
Recordings of Today’s Message
CD recordings of the morning message can be picked up immediately following the
service at the Resource Center in the foyer for $3.
You can also listen to the message for free at www.FirstFederated.org.
Prayer Team Up Front
If you would like to pray with someone today, please come to the front of the
room following this morning’s service. Members of our church leadership stand
ready to serve you.

First Federated Church 2 Sunday, November 30, 2008

 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6
6:00pm
A Southern Gospel
Christmas
Journey Bound Quartet, The
Chosen Ones, Phil Hague
(Harmonica) & FFC Bell Choir
Auditorium
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21
10:00am
Combined: Federated
Family Christmas
9:15am Fellowship Reception
10:00am Do You See What I See?
Auditorium | Nursery & Preschool
Invite your friends and
neighbors to join you to
celebrate the birth of Jesus
at First Federated!
First Federated Church
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24
6pm & 9pm
Christmas Eve Service
Highlights by Candlelight
Franklin Hall
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28
9:15am Groups for all ages
Year-end Worship Service
10:45am Combined Worship
Auditorium
(Nursery, Preschool, KZ Church)
SUNDAY, JANUARY 4
9:15am Groups for all ages
2009 Kick Off
Worship Service
10:45am Combined Worship
Auditorium
(Nursery, Preschool, KZ Church)
3 Sunday, November 30, 2008
VOLUNTEER
OPPORTUNITY
Deck the Halls
We need volunteers to stay
after worship service today
to help “deck the halls” in the
auditoroum. Any and all vol-
unteers will be appreciated to
set up a Christmas tree, hang
wreaths or garland, and per-
haps help with the set for the
Federated Family Christmas.
The more the merrier… Thank
you so much!
Coming in January!!
Kingdom Club at Hillis
We’ll be back “in session”
at Hillis beginning January 13.
Kingdom Club at Hillis is an
after school Bible club at Hillis
Elementary School. The club
will meet on Tuesday after-
noons, 3:30-4:30. Activities
include games, crafts, songs,
snacks and a lesson from God’s
Word. This is a great opportu-
nity to have an impact on kids
and families here in our own
neighborhood. It’s only one
hour – but one very important
hour!! Want to get involved?
We need teachers and helpers,
as well as volunteers to provide
snacks and crafts. If you are
interested, call Sherri Stuffle-
beem, 255.2122. This might be
just the ministry opportunity
YOU’VE been looking for!
Federated Family
Christmas Choir
Rehearsal Schedule
Sunday, Nov. 30, No Rehearsal
Sunday, Dec. 7, 1:30–3:30PM
Saturday, Dec. 13, 9AM–Noon
Sunday, Dec. 14, 1:30–3:30PM
Saturday, Dec. 20, 9AM–Noon
Sunday, Dec. 21—8:00AM
 ADULT GROUPS
Sunday Mornings | 9:15–10:30AM Other Groups
Adult Bible Fellowship (ABFs) Experience, investigate, build and grow in your faith. We have
Once you’ve joined us in worship, our Adult Bible Fellowships are opportunities available during the week that include:
a great next step to connect with others and grow in your faith. We Women in the Word
have a variety of opportunities available that include: Life Principles from the New Testament Men of Faith
The HUB (ages 18-24) | Room 244 Tuesdays | January 6–April | 9:00–11:00AM | Rm 100 & 131 (Library)
STUDY: Life applications from God’s Word On break now until January 6, 2009
The Channel (ages 25–35) | Room 149 MOPS—Mothers of Pre-Schoolers
STUDY: Life applications from God’s Word Second and fourth Tuesday of each month | 9:00–11:00AM | Fellowship Hall
Connections (born in the 1970s) | Room 220S
$6 per meeting | Facilitators: Miriam Hager, 251.6964, & Lisa Rhodes, 274.0832
STUDY: Core Christian Beliefs
Wednesdays | 6:30–8:00PM
Homebuilders (born in the 1960s) | Room 1250–1251 Join us in prayer, fellowship and fun as we connect with others
STUDY: Passionately Committed Christian Character
and grow in our faith. We have a variety of opportunities avail-
Cornerstone (born in the 1950s) | Room 1240–1241 able that include:
STUDY: Pillars of the Faith The Way of the Master
Koinonia (all ages) | Room 1252–1253 September 10–December 3 | Rm 1254-55 | Facilitator: Terry Stark
STUDY: “One Another” series For Men—Quest for Authentic Manhood
Ezra (all ages) | Room 1118 September 10–December 3 | Rm 1250-51 | Facilitator: Allen Peterson
STUDY: Verse by verse study of Titus For Men—Winning at Work and at Home
Galilean (born in the 1930s) | Room 1244–1247 September 10–December 3 | Rm 1252-53
STUDY: I John For All—Prayer Community
Immanuel (born in the 1930s) | Room 1105 Ongoing | Rm 1244–1247 | Facilitator: Pastor Mike Rose
STUDY: Revelation
For Moms—Moms’ Prayer Group
Friendly Fellowship (born in the 1920s) | Room 1254–1255 Ongoing | 5:30–6:15PM | Rm 100
STUDY: One anothers
For Women—Falling in Love with Jesus
W.H.O. (born before the 1920s) | Room 1116 Began October 29 | 6:30–8PM | Rm 1240-41 | Facilitator: Sharon Johnsonx
STUDY: The New Testament Community
Card Ministry
Women (all ages) | Room 208 1:00-3:00PM | Rm 139
STUDY: Having a Mary Spirit or Beyond the Masquerade
Men (all ages) | Room 210 Men’s Basketball League Tuesday, December 2
STUDY: Wise Men Still Seek Him 6:30 Bulls—Rockets 8:00 Lakers—Celtics
Worship Team | Room 1125
STUDY: Facing Your Giants Women’s Association
Prayer (all ages) | Room 100 December 2008 Board Meeting
Ecclesiastes | Room 1238–1239 | Biblically Measured December 4 | 9:00AM | Lois Grove, 3921 Mary Lynn Drive, Urbandale, IA. 254.1141
STUDY: Learn about life and faith from the
wisest man who ever lived.
Perspectives on the World Christian Movement

HUB
SINGLES AGES 18-24
The HUB (ages 18–24)
Sundays at 9:15AM—Meet
Monday evenings running January 12–April 27 at Johnston Evangelical
Free Church, 6:30–9:00PM. In 15 lessons, you’ll engage with a wide range
of dynamic speakers. Weekly readings and study will help you dig even
deeper. Cost: $250 Certificate/Audit, or $470 College Credit.
in the HUB for breakfast, worship 1. Biblical Foundation: See new meaning throughout God’s Word in
and fellowship with a great lesson light of its primary theme. Learn why God blessed His chosen people

HUB
thrown in for good measure!
Monday at 7:00PM—Bible
GirlsAGESmeet
studies.SINGLES 18-24at Friedrichs
Coffee, 4632 86th, in Urbandale.
and why He blesses us today.
2. Historical Progress: See how God used key events and people to expand
His Kingdom. Learn from the successes and mistakes of our past.
3. Cultural Distinctives: See how the Gospel is understood and received
Dec. 14, 6:00PM: HUB versus
by people of other cultures. Learn how this affects our witness of God’s
HeirBorn in dodgeball Sunday!
Time to exact revenge from our last truth.
battle! We need all of you to round up 4. Strategic Involvement: See the vital role you can play in God’s
friends, family, professional ringers, global purposes. Learn how to use your gifts, skills, and passions for
random people off the street. Well God’s glory.
you get the idea! Special prize to
whoever takes out Howie! Possible college credits. Assistance from Missions council for registration. www.perspectives.org

First Federated Church 4 Sunday, November 30, 2008

FFC Ensemble Group NOTES
Christmas Performances Sunday, November 30, 2008
The FFC Ensemble Group has combined with musicians from 8:00AM Traditional & 10:45AM Celebration | Pastor Mike Rose
the Iowa Health Ensemble to create a twelve member music The Road to Renewed Relationships: A Rock that Blocks God’s Blessing
ensemble. For the most part, we will be performing in quartets or 10:45AM The River | Pastor Curt De Graaff
trios. After many weeks of practice we are now beginning to go Got Questions? Can We Really Predict the Future by Looking at the Past?
out and perform this music at different venues between Saturday,
Nov 29 and Christmas day. We have lined up 19 different events
at which we will be performing and many of these performances
are public. We cordially invite you to attend and enjoy the music
of the Christmas season. We do not charge anything for our
musical services and consider them a Christian outreach to the
community.
Current members of our combined group:
*Esther Wright (Flute) Jessica Cronk (Flute)
Melissa King (Flute) Jill Vicker (Violin)
*Justine Leinen (Violin) Jill Moore (Violin)
Emilie VanDis (Violin) *Travis Wilkins (Viola)
*Robin Phillips (Viola) John Keller (Viola)
*Dave Blake (Cello) Sybil Nelson (Cello)
* First Federated Church
Free Public Performances
11/29 | 3-6PM | Scooter’s Coffee House
7450 Bridgewood BLVD, WDM. Across the street from Jordan Creek Mall on the west
side of Jordan Creek Parkway. (Jess Cronk, Justine Leinen, Robin Phillips, Dave Blake)
12/2 | 6-8PM | Merle Hay Mall
We will play in the food court of the Mall by Kohl’s and Dunhams. (Esther Wright, Jill
Vicker, Justine Leinen, Jill Moore, Travis Wilkins, Dave Blake, Sybil Nelson)
12/5 | 7-8PM | Wellspring Christian Resources
10465 Hickman Road, Urbandale.
(Esther Wright, Justine Leinen, Travis Wilkins, Sybil Nelson)
12/6 | 8-10PM | Friedrichs Coffee
Corner of 86th and Meredith Dr. Just north of the corner Walgreen’s.
(Jessica Cronk, Justine Leinen, Dave Blake)
12/8 | 12–1PM | Iowa Methodist Plaza (Food Court/ Atrium)
1200 Pleasant St., Des Moines. (Robin Phillips, Dave Blake, Sybil Nelson)
12/18 | 11:30AM–1:30PM | Iowa Methodist Plaza
(Food Court/ Atrium) 1200 Pleasant St., Des Moines
(Melissa King, John Keller, Dave Blake, Sybil Nelson)
12/19 | 6-8PM | Valley West Mall
We perform on the upper level in the middle of the mall. Enter at Jimmy John’s
(Jill Vicker, Justine Leinen, Travis Wilkins, Dave Blake)
12/20 | 8-10PM | Friedrichs Coffee
Corner of 86th and Meredith Dr. Just north of the corner Walgreen’s.
(Jessica Cronk, Justine Leinen, Robin Phillips, Dave Blake)
12/22 | 11:30AM–1:30PM | Iowa Methodist Plaza
(Food Court/ Atrium) 1200 Pleasant St., Des Moines
(Melissa King, Justine Leinen, Robin Phillips, Dave Blake, Sybil Nelson)
Our other musical events include: five nursing homes, three company Christmas parties
at Iowa Methodist and Iowa Lutheran, one charity event downtown Des Moines and a
live nativity in Urbandale.

First Federated Church 5 Sunday, November 30, 2008

 PRAY FOR
ONE The contents of this page have been removed to protect the
ANOTHER privacy of those in our congregation.

Printed copies of this page can be obtained at the church.

Items found on this page include:

Pray for Those Who Grieve
Happy Birthday!
(Birthdays are listed for Federated members & missionaries)
Pray for those with Physical Needs
(In the Hospital, Upcoming Surgery/Procedures, Partial List of the Ongoing Needs of Our Members &
Regular Attenders)
Pray for Those Who Serve our Church
Our Encouragement
“For to me, to live is
Christ, and to die is gain.”
Philippians 1:21

First Federated Church 6 Sunday, November 30, 2008

 MISSION ONE Reaching others for Jesus Christ
Mission One: Reaching Others for Jesus Christ
Focus On: The Afghan Persian of Iran
Language: Eastern Farsi
Trade Language: Farsi
Population: 2,187,000
“Rural Persians live in villages where populations vary from
a few households to more than a thousand people, depending
primarily on the availability of farmland and water. Many still
lack regular access to clean drinking water.
“Urban Persians are divided into five well-defined social
classes. Unskilled laborers, who flocked to the towns between the
late 1950’s and the early 1970’s, comprise the lowest class. They
live in densely populated communities located on the outskirts
of larger cities and serve as local market craftsmen. The priests
and other clergymen make up a class known as the ulama. At the
top of the strata are real estate investors, merchants, and other
commercial and industrial businessmen.
Prayer Points:
• “Pray that the Holy Spirit will soften the hearts of the
people toward Christians so that they will be receptive to the
Gospel.
• “Ask God to call willing people to share the love of Christ
with Afghan Persians. For security reasons, European,
Asian, and Latin American teams are especially needed.”
Quoted from CALLED TO PRAY: Frontiers Guide to Praying for the Unengaged.
Steve & Rhonda Schwarze
Mission Board: FEBC/Faith
Academy
Location: Manila, Philippines
What do they do? Steve serves
as Deputy Superintendant &
Director of Development for
Faith Academy, the largest
missionary boarding school
in the world. Faith supports missionary families serving
throughout Asia by providing quality care and nurturing in
the school’s boarding homes. Rhonda assists Steve and is
Alumni Coordinator for 7000 alumni.
Praises:
• For the recent dedication of the new Classroom/Auditorium
Complex (10 years of work).
• For the salvation of workers whose lives have been trans-
formed. Out of it has grown a church, Barracks Bible
Church.
Prayer requests:
• For Rhonda’s parents in ill health in the States; wisdom for
the future.
• For the completion of a new science wing to be ready for the
2nd semester in January.
• Wisdom for Steve as he works with the supervising team.
First Federated Church
Dave & Pam
Location: Wisconsin/Closed Country
What do they do? The government of the country where Dave
and Pam served for 14 years asked them to leave. Now living
in the States they are helping refugee families settle in their
area and have weekly worship and teaching meetings for
them. Dave leads the work overseas and they both travel to
visit the team, church leaders and participate in ministry
projects. Christians there face intense intimidation and
threats of death.
Praises:
• For the persecuted, but growing church inside this closed
country.
Prayer Requests:
• For believers who are arrested and severely persecuted;
many have been tortured and some have died.
• For believers who have gone into hiding, some to flee and
others to continue to take their stand for Christ.
• Strength for local believers and church leaders to be able to
stand.
• For ways to resource the Church with New Testaments and
Bibles.
• For the team inside the country; for a breakthrough in fi-
nances.
• For visas to return there soon.
Sarah Decker
Mission Board: InterVarsity
Location: Nice, France
What does she do? Sarah co-leads a ministry
team. She is responsible for leading, training
and mentoring new team members. Her team
serves on two university campuses, Liberal
Arts and Medical, and also links with Group Bible Universi-
ties (GBU) to plan activities and outreaches. Her team also
works with a local church and a large number of young
women who attend Bible studies.
Praises:
• Many people have shown an interest in coming to Café
Grace, 4 meetings that address questions people have that
may keep them from believing in Jesus.
Prayer Requests:
• For God to guide preparations and facilitate discussion at
Café Grace.
• For helpful discussions that will open hearts and lead to
salvation.
• God’s strength and encouragement for new team members,
Catherine, Philippa and Rachael.
• For wisdom in time commitments as Sarah fits in a corre-
spondence class.
7 Sunday, November 30, 2008
Hangtimes In December
Nov 30—Howland Home—FOOTBALL! 7th–12th Grades Guys’ Night Out December 14 | 6:30–9:00PM
Dec 7—SMT Meeting We’re going to play dodgeball vs. HUB in the west gym!
Dec 14—Guys’ Night Out
Christmas Parties
TODAY: JH | Friday, December 12 | 6–9PM
Come hang at Howie and Julie’s for food and football! Arrive SH | Friday, December 19 | 6–9PM
at 3PM eat some food, catch the game and we’ll wrap up by 6PM. Hard to believe it, but the Christmas parties are only a month
Address: 1009 W. Hackley Ave, Des Moines. away! We’ll meet at the Backdoor. Be thinking about white
elephant gifts to exchange, plus caroling, Christmas goodies, hot
Have You? chocolate & cider!
The clock is ticking for those of you who have NOT Senior Ski Trip December 27–31
done the following: Hey there, class of 2008! You’ve spent up to six years in the
 Turned in your $50 deposit for Senior Ski Trip. youth group trenches and now comes a really cool payoff. Come
join us for this year’s Senior Ski Trip to Wausau, WI. Consider par-
Don’t miss this great event, gang!
ticipating in the work projects to earn your way there. Information
What’s Going On? is available in the Backdoor. Ten Bible studies on life after high
school are incorporated in this exciting trip. Cost: $400.
Acquire the Fire Feb. 20-21
It’s coming to First Federated this year!!! Come hear awesome Upcoming
bands Kutless, Building 429, Everyday Sunday, and Phil Joel
December
leading worship. Not to mention the amazing speakers: Joel SMT meeting ................................................................................................................7
Johnson, Casey Johnson and Ron Luce! Cost: $43.50 only until JH Christmas Party ...................................................................................................12
Dec. 17. After that date the price goes up to $63.00. Reserve your Guys’ night out..........................................................................................................14
tickets now! (JH, SH) SH Christmas Party ..................................................................................................19
Dodge Ball Mondays | 6:30–8:00PM Senior High Trip ................................................................................................. 27-31
It’s back! We have weekly match-ups on Monday nights,
6:30–8:00PM. Parents and youth leaders are welcome too! (basi-
cally anyone who loves dodge ball). Look for Heirborn vs. Hub
match-ups during the school year!
For Moms—Moms’ Prayer Group
Wednesdays | 5:30–6:15PM | RM 131 (Library)
Facilitators: Lori Blake & Julie Harper
If you are a mother of a senior / junior high youth, this is a
wonderful opportunity for you to get together with other moms
for encouragement and to pray for our youth. You can pick up a
meal in Fellowship Hall and join us in prayer.
Turn in Your Schedules
Parents and/or teens please turn in, email, or call Howie
with fall event schedules. The Howlands want to see your ball
games, show choir concerts, etc… but we need to know when
the events are, MHowland@FirstFederated.org
Wednesday Night Study | It’s Not About Me
No Meeting 11/26
WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Teens may purchase their own copy of It’s Not About Me: Regular Submission Deadline: Tuesdays by noon
Teen Edition for $8. See Howie or Julie to purchase the book.
We prefer that items be submitted electronically!
This is our study on Wednesday nights, beginning Oct. 8. We
make every effort to summarize the book to students who do not E-Mail: NEWSPAPER@FirstFederated.org
purchase them, but the study is all the more valuable if the teens All submitted items are subject to submission guidelines and editorial review by
participate on their own as well. the church staff. FFC reserves the right to edit submissions for length.
Disclaimer:
First Federated Church does not claim to own any copyright privileges on items
printed in this newspaper, unless otherwise stated. All items published are
quoted in good faith and believed to be free for circulation or public domain.

First Federated Church 8 Sunday, November 30, 2008

 CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
KZ Church Parent/Child Dedication
Today in KZ Church we talked about things that are eternal Parents desiring to have their baby
and things that are not. Psalm 119:89 tells us how God’s Word dedicated to the Lord will be given this
fits into this discussion. “Your Word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands opportunity during the combined wor-
firm in the heavens.” Have a discussion with your children about ship service on January 4, 2009.
things that are eternal and things that are not. You just might be First Federated does not baptize in-
surprised by what they know! fants. We believe that baptism is a step
of obedience made by a person who has
All K-4th graders are invited to join us in KZ Church, whether put his faith and trust in Jesus Christ for
your family is attending the Celebration Service or The River. salvation. Baptism is an outward expression of what has already
Follow the colored footprints up the stairs to Room 240. occurred in the life of a believer. In Parent/Child Dedication,
parents and church make a public commitment to “train up a
Do You See What I See? child in the way he should go,” as God instructs in Proverbs 22:6.
There are NO rehearsals today for the Christmas program. We give thanks for the gift of life and ask God’s blessing upon
Children should be picked up after Sunday parents and children in the hope that each child will trust Jesus
School and will then be dismissed from as Savior and Lord someday.
the Celebration Service or The River to go Please contact Mary in the Children’s Ministry office at
to KZ Church. 255.2122 by Monday, December 15 to be included or for more
information.
Who are you inviting to this year’s
special Christmas celebration on Shoes for Christmas
Sunday, December 21?
Remember to stop by the tree in
the foyer and select the name of an
Come Oakridge child who could use
on Now that the Thanksgiving holiday a new pair of shoes this
and that big turkey dinner are just
Back! memories (and an extra pound or
Christmas. Make it a
family project to shop
two on the scale), come on back this for shoes and then to
Wednesday night for Federated Family pray for that specific
Night. Have supper together and then child and his/her family.
head off to Puggles, Bible Buddies,
AWANA, Xtreme PM, youth group or
adult classes at 6:30. Don’t miss out! New Arrival
Brian and Kori Gunst are the proud
parents of Lisette Nichele Love Gunst.
Lisette was born on November 19 and
joins big sister Aunya and big brother
Jaeden in the busy Gunst home. Welcome to our Federated
family, little one!

First Federated Church 9 Sunday, November 30, 2008

 UPCOMING EVENTS OTHER NEWS
Wednesday Night Meal Sympathy
Fellowship Hall | 5-6:15PM Our sympathy is extended to those in our church family who
Children (age 2-12) $2 | Adults $3 | Family $10 have lost a loved one recently:
Make reservations on the Care & Communication Card or call the
church office before noon on Mondays. Conrad Maggard at the death of his mother, Doris Maggard,
Dec 3: Pizza, Tossed Salad, Dessert on November 18.

60 Plus | Tuesday, December 16 Christmas Food Boxes

10:30AM Program (NOTE: earlier start time!) Christmas food boxes are available again this year. Members,
12:00PM Lunch | Fellowship Hall
regular attendees and those recommended by members and
Our special Christmas program regular attendees are eligible. This project is available because of
will be students from Des Moines your donations to the Deacon Fund. Please call the church office
Christian School. The pre-schoolers, at 255.2122 with your names no later than Monday, December 15
under the direction of FFC member at 4:30PM. No names will be accepted after that date. Boxes
Priscilla Reynolds, will bless us must be picked up on Saturday, December 20, between 8:00AM
with Christmas carols. We are also and 9:00AM in the church foyer.
privileged to have Des Moines Christian’s “Victory” choir sing Please note that those recommending someone for a basket
Christmas music for us. You will not want to miss it! In order are asked to pick up the basket and deliver it to the recipient.
to accommodate the students’ schedule we will be starting at Offering Envelopes
10:30AM. Don’t be late! Offering envelopes for 2009 have been received and will be
The meal will be ham and sweet potatoes with all the holiday available for pick-up in December. If you do not currently use
trimmings! numbered envelopes, please consider doing so. The accuracy and
To make your reservation check the appropriate box on the efficiency of recording financial gifts is much greater and you
Care & Communication Card at church or call Colleen at the can save yourself the bother of writing your name and address
church office, 255.2122, no later than 4:00PM on Friday, Dec.12. on the outside of the envelope. Please call Karen or Cindi in the
Congregational Meeting church office to request that a number be assigned to you so that
Sunday, December 14 | 6:00PM | Franklin Hall your box of envelopes will be ready along with the rest.
Agenda: Debt Reduction, Church Constitution
Board Nominations
December Our constitution calls for a period of time near the end of
Journey Bound Quartet Southern Gospel Christmas (Auditorium | 6:00PM) ........6 each year when the current board leadership solicits congrega-
Congregational Meeting (Franklin Hall | 6:00PM) .......................................................14 tional recommendations of individuals qualified to serve on the
No Regular 9:15AM Sunday Activities.................................................................21 church boards. We will be accepting your input on this between
Fellowship Reception (Auditorium Foyer | 9:15–9:45AM) ................................................21 now and December 1 in preparation for next year’s election of
Combined Christmas Celebration (Auditorium | Combined Service 10:00AM) .............21 board members.
No Regular Wednesday Night Activities (Christmas Break) ................................ 24
If you would like to recommend someone for consideration,
Christmas Eve Services (Franklin Hall | 6PM & 9PM) ...................................................... 24
Building Closed (Christmas) ....................................................................................... 25
please submit their name, in written form, as well as the position
Combined Year-end Worship Service (Auditorium | Combined Service 10:45AM) ...... 28 you believe they are qualified to serve. These may be submitted
No Regular Wednesday Night Activities (Christmas Break) .................................31 to Tom Hefner in the church office. You may also e-mail sugges-
tions to THefner@FirstFederated.org.
January
Building Closed (New Year’s) .........................................................................................1
Combined 2009 Kick Off Worship Service (Auditorium | Combined Service 10:45AM) .........4

Deacon of the Month

Financial Report Larry Harker, 255.2122 ext 139
Attendance 11/23/08 General Fund Offering Our Deacons stand ready to help with the physical needs of the
10:45AM .................................... 1,002 Last Week members and attenders of this fellowship. Should you have a
Budgeted Missions: Weekly Need ........................ $34,419 short-term, emergency need, do not hesitate to call the church
Year to Date: 9/1/08–present Offering ...............................$28,542 office and leave a message for the “Deacon of the Month.” This
Need .....................................$65,077 Shortage.............................. ($5,877) ministry is made possible by your gifts to the Deacons’ Fund.
Offering ................................$60,425 Year to Date: 9/1/08–present
Need ................................... $413,028
Deaconess of the Month
Shortage.............................. ($4,652) Cyndi Murphy | 277.2040
Mortgage Offering ............................. $377,546 Our Deaconesses are available to the women of the church in
Current Balance ...................$337,328 Shortage.............................($35,482) areas of encouragement and spiritual support. If you need a
Next Payment November 25 listening ear and someone to pray with you, please call Cyndi.

First Federated Church 10 Sunday, November 30, 2008