Hurdling Towards Gomorrah
Our culture and nation It is also a vehicle that takes us further
are not only “slouching
towards Gomorrah,”
as Justice Bork put it,
but we are hurdling
toward a moral Dead
Sea. Recently, a major
gay-rights law was
passed and signed
by the President – “The Matthew Shepard
and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention
Act.” It was an amendment to the Defense
Authorization Act. What conservative
lawmaker would dare come out against the
military or want to sound bigoted? Passing
under the radar of most conservatives, it is
a major step forward for the liberal agenda.
It makes it a federal hate crime to assault
people based on sexual orientation, gender,
or gender identity. None of us would
argue with the evil of such an act, though I
thought such assaults were already against
the law and punishable. Every Christian
must adhere to this command: “Let love be
without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling
to what is good” (Romans 12:9).
Malcolm Lazin, founder of a gay advocacy
group, remarked: “This is really the first
Federal gay-rights bill. This is America
acknowledging homophobia as a social
problem.” He also noted that it is “the
beginning of a process” of making change
throughout the schools and the culture.
Though 17% of the 7,624 hate-crime
incidents in 2007 were based on sexual
orientation, I believe that this law is really
a Trojan Horse to promote acceptance of
alternative lifestyle and same-sex marriage.
Guest Reception
There is a guest reception in the Commons immediately following the
Saturday night and the 11:00 a.m. Sunday morning service. Come and meet
Dr. Wicker.
down the slope toward the persecution
of Christians by using such legislation as a
club if a church school or ministry will not
hire an openly gay person or if a preacher
speaks against it in the pulpit. Though the
car has not plunged over the cliff, the front
two wheels are now dangling over it! The
next step will be lawsuits against pastors
like me and ministries like our’s. If they
cannot break us financially, they will try
to silence prophetic truth with jail time.
Politicians make change incrementally,
but culture makes politics. The cultural
seepage of the earlier part of the 20th
century became a rushing torrent that
swept our nation beginning in the sixties
and climaxing today.
We are facing an unrelenting assault on
our moral convictions which leads to
numbness then resignation to an adaptive
response. Sociologist, Neil Durkheim, saw
a limit to the amount of deviant behavior
any community can “afford to recognize.”
As cultural standards and behaviors
worsen, people adjust and become more
tolerant. But also behavior that was once
thought normal is now identified as radical,
blameworthy, or even criminal – “defining
deviancy up,”as Charles Krauthammer terms
it. Therefore, preachers of righteousness are
now called “Redneck Taliban.” So, get ready;
stand firm, keep praying and speaking out.
Let’s put the car in reverse as we repent
and seek to travel “the highway of holiness”
(Isaiah 35:8).
 Continue to Connect with your
Great Commission Connection Missionaries in Prayer!
Missionaries are like soldiers on the front lines of a fierce battle. These prayers will help you
intercede more specifically and effectively for your Great Commission Connection missionaries.

Intimacy with God. Lord, keep __________ close to You. Cause them to love You with all their
hearts, souls, and minds. Draw them into Your Word each day, and fill them with thankfulness.
(Mt. 22:37; Col. 3:16)

Language. Help __________ to learn well the language of the people they serve so that they may
present the gospel clearly. May their speech always be seasoned with love. (Acts 2:11; 1 Cor. 13:1)

Cultural sensitivity. Dear Father, enable __________ to understand and appreciate the local
customs. Help them to be humble, wise, and respectful as they interact with others so that they will
not offend their neighbors or sin against You. (1 Cor. 10:23-32; Jas. 3:17)

Evangelism. Great God, equip __________ always to be ready to give an account for the hope that
is in them. Teach them how to do so with gentleness and reverence. (1 Pet. 3:15)

Discipleship. Lord, help __________ to make disciples who also can teach others so that Your
kingdom will expand. (2 Tim. 2:2)

Protection. Lord, I praise You that You do not slumber as You watch over __________. Grant them
good health, and protect them from physical danger. Shield them with Your armor so that they can
stand firm against evil. Remind them that You have not given them a spirit of fear, but of power, love,
and self-discipline. (Psalm 121; Eph. 6:13; 2 Tim. 1:7)

Support. Father, supply __________’s financial needs fully. Lead others to contribute even before
they are asked. Stir up individuals and congregations to be zealous for __________’s well-being, to
rejoice and mourn with them, to encourage them while they are in the field, and to refresh them
when they are on home leave. (Phil. 4:19; 2 Cor. 7:6-7)

Peace. God of all peace, remind __________ not to worry but to commit all their concerns to You.
Comfort them when they are homesick. Help them to rejoice in You whatever their circumstances.
(Phil. 4:4-7, 11)

Marriage. Cause __________ to honor their marriage and remain faithful to each other in every
way. Help them to love one another as You love them so that their relationship will point others to
You. (Heb. 13:4; Jn. 13:34-35)

Singleness. Enable __________ to enjoy undistracted devotion to You. Provide __________ with
godly companionship that will give encouragement, support, and a sense of belonging.
(1 Cor. 7:35; Ps. 68:6)
 Operation Christmas Child
On June 24, 1948, all roads and rail
links between Berlin and the West were severed.
June 26, 1948 was the beginning of the airlift in
the support with Great Britain, France, and the
United States, and it became the most massive
use of air power for humanitarian reasons that
the world had ever seen before.
As a small girl, I vividly remember
seeing little parachutes coming from airplanes
with all kind of goodies in it and we scrambled
over the ruins to salvage as much as possible
and shared them between us. I shared my first
piece of chewing gum with my little playmate
for one whole week. I figured out that I could
revive it by storing it overnight in sugar water.
In my opinion it worked. One day, I picked up
a ball that came out of sky, but to my dismay, it
didn’t bounce - you guessed it - a softball. I had
no use for that but traded it for chewing gum.
Before Christmas, my mother received
a care package from America. A big chunk
of cheddar cheese, cookies, chocolates, and
a little Mickey Mouse. The latter I kept with
me until I came to Naples in 2002. I recall my
1. Pick up a shoe box (or two or three) from the Kiosk
in Fellowship Hallway or the Missions Kiosk in the
Commons. Fill it up with goodies, toys, and clothes
and bring it back by November 15th.
2. Go shopping (lists are at the Kiosks) and bring in
items to help supplement boxes that might not be
completely full. Donated items can be placed in the
bins on either side of the Kiosks.
3. Make a postage donation. It costs a lot of money to
send these boxes all around the world. Make checks
payable to Samaritan’s Purse and give them to any of
the workers at the Kiosks.
4. Donate zipper close sandwich or snack size baggies.
(All candy and soap must be placed in baggies inside
the shoe boxes, so we need lots of baggies.)
mother cutting the cheese in thick slices and
using cookie cutters to make beautiful cheese
cookies (her exact words) which we shared with
another family. Last year, while in Berlin, I got in
touch with some of my playmates and we were
laughing and crying at the same time going
over our stories .
The reason I am telling you this story
is that little presents like the ones I mentioned
above, will make a long lasting impression on
children and might change their life forever.
It happened to me, and I am grateful to our
church with this beautiful mission of Operation
Christmas Child and that I am able to contribute
to this heartwarming mission. The children will
love you. And maybe, many years from now,
you will receive a letter that tells you that your
present saved this child. Maybe you will meet
them in Heaven one day because you gave a
shoe box.
So, please, pick up a shoe box and fill it up.
Thank you and God bless you.
5. Plan to come and help on Packing Day, Tuesday,
November 17, in WC117 starting at 1:00pm. We will
be packing the shoe boxes in shipping cartons and
sending them off to Samaritan’s Purse. We need lots
of help on Packing Day!
6. Pray that God will bless Operation Christmas Child
this year and that many children and their families
will come to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ
through receiving a shoe box gift.
ONLY ONE WEEK LEFT. DEADLINE FOR RETURNED
SHOE BOXES IS NEXT WEEKEND - NOVEMBER 14-15.
For any questions, call Jody Statile at 239.591.1895.
 Living Christmas Trees 2009
“The Christmas Post”
It’s early on Christmas
Eve, 1947, in mythical
Homesboro, Indiana.
Hattie McGee’s
“newsies” are
hawking the morning edition of
The Christmas Post and Herzog’s
Department Store is about to open.
Maxwell Seldon, sales manager, is
bracing for his biggest sales day ever.
Elliot Herzog, Jr., owner of Herzog’s,
can smell money in the air. Brother
Sam and his carolers from the tiny
Central Avenue Community Church
are hoping for enough donations
to keep their soup kitchen open.
And Alice Garfield is on a collision
course with a disaster. A young
widow whose faith and pocketbook
are both stretched to the limit, Alice
is desperately trying to find “a little
more Christmas” as a commission
salesperson at Herzog’s this
Christmas season. (Unbeknownst to
Alice, her daughter, Katie, is secretly
attempting the same, working in
disguise as one of Hattie’s “newsies.”)
However, when the final sales day
of the season ends that afternoon,
Alice is still short the funds she
needs to buy presents for her kids,
and it seems that Christmas is
certainly ruined for her.
Then in a good-hearted attempt to
help a late-arriving customer, Alice
secretly re-opens the store, only
to have an uncontrollable mob of
shoppers suddenly and disastrously
descend on her from everywhere.
When the dust settles, Alice has
lost her job, all her Christmas
earnings, and is about to lose her
last bit of faith. But then, with the
encouragement of friends, she takes
a bold leap of faith and confronts
her “by-the-book” boss, Mr. Herzog.
As her fellow sales people, Brother
Sam, and the mob of shoppers
come to her rescue, Alice realizes
that she had been focusing on
her problems, instead of focusing
on God. As the last strains of “A
Little More Christmas” close the
show, Alice rediscovers that faith in
Jesus is the true key to believing in
Christmas.
 LivingChristmasTrees2009
Tickets are on sale now!!
Tickets may be purchased online at www.fbcn.org,
in the Commons before and after each service,
or by calling 1-888-795-1559. This is a great opportunity
to invite our community to hear the gospel presented
through music and drama . Order tickets today!!

Living Christmas Trees

Performance Dates
Friday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 6, at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sun., Dec. 13 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Thurs., Dec. 10, at 7 p.m.

Holiday Outreach Banquet

November 11, 2009 is your last day to
purchase your Banquet tickets!

“…And Still There is Joy”

“You have shown me the way of life and You will fill me
with the joy of Your presence” Psalm 16:11

Featuring: Anne Wright

Friday, November 13, 2009
6:30 --9:00 p.m. In the Worship Center

Tickets are $15 and will be sold during RefresHer and after
weekend services at the Information Desk, next to the
Bookstore.
 Living Christmas Trees Needs YOUR Help
We are looking for items from the 1940s: hats, coats,
dresses, sporting goods, toys, dolls, etc. Please call Lori at
596-8600 ext. 226 in the music office if you have items to
contribute!

Lighthouse Cafe
Don’t forget some of our
seasonal favorites
Right now, try our Eggnog, Pumpkin Spice,
Gingerbread, or Toasted Almond Lattes.

       


       
    

     
    
     

 Attend the next Women’s Self Defense - 101 Class
Saturday, November 14
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
The cost is $50.00 per person
Members of FBCN receive a 20% discount.
This class will be limited in number and
should fill up quickly so reserve your
place now - Call 239-353-1303.

This class will be held in ROOM DC121.

Sports Outreach will potentially begin Lacrosse this winter for all who are interested!
We will need coaches who have experience and skills in the game to help develop
more “Young Champions for Christ”. The season will run January-February. For
more information on coaching or being a volunteer, please contact Matt Jansen at
596-8600 ext. 210 or Pastor Van Duser at ext. 203 as soon as possible!
 Hey Single Parents - Can you
RELATE

► to your kids?
HeytoSingle
► Parents - Can you
your family?
RELATE
► to the people you work with?
► to people you don’t like?
► to your kids?
► to your family?
Life
► toisthe
allpeople
about relationships.
you work with?
► to people you don’t like?

Single Parents
Come join Cindy (Sirk) and Dave
Starkweather as relationships.
Life is all about we study “The
Relationship Principles of Jesus”. We
New Bible
Single & Life
Parents
will
Come
►
learn:
join Cindy (Sirk) and Dave
Jesus placed
Starkweather as the
we highest value on
study “The
Group
New Bible & Life
relationships.
Relationship Principles of Jesus”. We
►
willTo love as Jesus loves you.
learn:
Jesus
► To placed the highest
communicate from thevalue on
heart.
Starts
GroupSaturday relationships.
► As you judge, you will be judged.
► The
To love as Jesus loves you.
Nov. 14th in room ►
► Treat
greatest
To communicate
are the servants.
from thethem
heart.
Starts
DC212Saturday
► others as you want
► As you judge, you will be judged.
treat you.
to

Nov. 14th in room ► The greatest are the servants.

► Treat others as you want them to
Jesus on
DC212 treat you.

Jesus on
Relationships
Relationships
 
January Bible Conference
with Ray Vanderlaan
“Walk as Jesus Walked”
January 15-16, 2010






Conference led by:

Dr. Gary Chapman
Best Selling Author of
The Five Love Languages





Conference led by:


Dr.
Gary Chapman

Best Selling Author of
The Five Love Languages






 Dr. Hayes Wicker
and the membership of
First Baptist Church Naples
cordially invites you to attend
A Retirement Celebration
in honor of
Dr. William Roy Fisher

Sunday, November 22, 2009

4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
First Baptist Church Naples
3000 Orange Blossom Dr.
Naples, FL 34109
In the Commons
 Kids
orner
Hearken unto the time! Forsooth, it’s time for KidzTown as we
continue our adventure at the castle located in DC120. In our adventure this
weekend, I am sure that King Earl will have another problem that can be easily
solved by living out God’s Word. KidzTown Worship is a great opportunity for
all children in 1st through 4th grades to worship the Lord “Kid Style” while
having a lot of fun. Have you told your parents your new knight name or
your lady name, if you are a damsel? Why not come and worship together
with your friends at KidzTown, where children have a great time singing,
studying God’s Word, and worshiping the Lord “Kid Style”? KidzTown can be
experienced Saturdays at 6:00 pm or Sundays at 9:30am. You won’t want to
miss one minute of the fun.

New Patterson Baby

Sarah Katherine Patterson was born on October
24th, 2009 to John and Jennifer Patterson. Sarah
weighed 7 pounds and 13 ounces, and measured 19”.
She has an older brother named John Robert, and an
older sister named Hannah Mae. Congratulations to
the family!

First Baptist Academy

Since 2007, First Baptist Academy has published a Master Plan. The Master
Plan serves as a “blueprint” for aiding the school in achieving its mission
of “developing students with Christian character and a biblical worldview,
equipping them for life, learning, and leadership”. To view the Academy’s
Master Plan, please visit our website at www.fbalions.org. and click on the
Master Plan PowerPoint icon.
Did you miss the service last week and would like to catch up? Watch it online
at www.FBCN.org. It is a great way to stay informed and see what is going on at
First Baptist Church Naples.
Upcoming Events
Saturday, November 7
6:00 p.m. Worship Service/Worship Center
6:00 p.m. KidzTown Children’s Worship/DC120
6:00 p.m. Hispanic Worship Service/Chapel
7:30 p.m. Bible and Life Groups/Various Rooms on Campus
Sunday, November 8
8:15 a.m. Bible and Life Group for 60+/DC107
9:30 a.m. Worship Service/Worship Center
9:30 a.m. Bible and Life Groups/Various Rooms on Campus
9:30 a.m. KidzTown Children’s Worship/DC120
10:00 a.m. Romanian Bible Study and Worship/Modulars 3 & 4
10:00 a.m. Vietnamese Bible Study and Worship/DC220
11:00 a.m. Worship Service/Worship Center
11:00 a.m. Bible and Life Groups/Various Rooms on Campus
12:30 p.m. Hispanic Worship Service/Student Center
4:50 p.m. FAITH/Worship Center
5:00 p.m. Romanian Baptist Mission/Modulars 3 & 4
5:00 p.m. Project56/DC220
5:00 p.m. Lightforce/Choir Room
5:00 p.m. PraiseKids/ED132
Tuesday, November 10
9:00 a.m. Women’s RefresHer/WC100a
6:30 p.m. Dave Ramsey’s Series/DC121
7:00 p.m. The Vine College & Career Service/Student Center
Wednesday, November 11
4:45 p.m. Wednesday Night Family Meal/Gym
6:20 p.m. AWANA Children’s Ministry/Children’s Wing
6:25 p.m. Men’s Ministry/WC100c
6:30 p.m. Women’s RefresHer/WC100a
6:30 p.m. Middle School Ministry/Gym
6:30 p.m. High School Ministry/Student Center
6:30 p.m. Worship Choir Rehearsal/Choir Room
7:00 p.m. Hispanic Bible Study/Modulars 2, 3, and 4
8:00 p.m. Worship Orchestra Rehearsal/Worship Center
Thursday, November 12
6:00 p.m. Celebrate Recovery/Student Center
6:30 p.m. DC4Kids/DC221
6:30 p.m. Divorce Care/DC107
6:30 p.m. Grief Share/DC110

Children’s Clothing Needed

Needed: Children’s undies and elastic waisted
shorts or pants, sizes 2T through size 6.
If you have any hand-me-downs please drop
them off at the Preschool desk or Preschool
office.
Last Weekend
Decisions For Christ Worship Attendance
Membership by October 31 & November 1
Statement of Faith Saturday Night Total 763
Clairmane Cipnus Sunday Morning 9:30 1,743
Dual Membership Sunday Morning 11:00 810
Jerry Garland Total 3,316
Profession of Faith
Melinda Garland
John Pooler
Membership Bible & Life Attendance
by Letter
Lori Loper October 31 & November 1
Saturday Night 621
Financial Stewardship Sunday 8:15 27
Sunday 9:30 334
2009-2010 Operating Revenues Sunday 11:00 806
July 1, 2009 - November 1, 2009
Home Groups 199
Budget Actual Variance Total 1,987
$2,132,159 $2,034,909 -$97,250

Next Week
Deacon of the Week Dr. Wicker on the Radio
November 9-November 15 You can hear Dr. Wicker every day at
Jim Allen & Eldon Loveless 1:00 p.m. on 91.5 Kingdom FM WJYO.
If you need assistance, please call the church Dr. Wicker is also on WSOR 90.9 FM
at 8:00 p.m. on Sunday evenings, and
deacon hotline at 800-732-9573. on Praise FM 89.5 at 1:30 p.m. Sunday
For Spanish, call 601-6051. afternoons.
Wednesday Family Meal
Roasted Pork Loin, New Potatoes, Vegetable, Dinner Roll, Dessert
Tickets may be purchased at the Lighthouse Cafe during regular business hours or at the
door for $5.50 each or $22.00 for a family (please, immediate family residing in home).
Alternate choices include grilled chicken breast, hamburger, pizza, or a grilled foot long hot dog.

Bookstore Hours
Monday Closed
Tuesday & Thursday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday 12:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday Closed
Saturday 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sunday 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Cafe Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday Closed
Saturday 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sunday 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Sermon Notes
 Led by Senior Pastor Hayes Wicker and Senior Associate Pastor Forrest Head, this is a
very informative dinner seminar for those who are new to First Baptist Church Naples,
those who want to join the church, or those who would like more information about
our church and ministries. Please RSVP by calling 596-8600 x679.
Childcare is available by reservation only by
calling 596-8600 x360.

Pastoral Staff
Dr. Hayes Wicker....................................................................................................... Senior Pastor
Miguel Cruz.....................................................................................Hispanic Congregation Pastor
Greg Davidson....................................................... ......Associate Pastor/Evangelism & Discipleship
Beverly Day................................................................................... Director of Preschool Ministry
Nathan Dooley.......................................................................Associate Pastor/High School Ministry
Dr. Roy Fisher................................................................................ Associate Pastor/Pastoral Care
Nathan Gaddis............................................................................. Worship/Creative Arts Associate
Steve Hayes....................................................................... Associate Pastor/Single Adult Ministry
Forrest Head...............................................................................................Senior Associate Pastor
Jim Hill........................................................................ Director of Single Parent Family Ministry
Lewis Howard......................................................................................Associate Pastor/Education
Shannon Moore............................................................................... Director of Women’s Ministry
Doug Pigg...................................................................Associate Pastor of Church Administration
Tom Rider..........................................................................Associate Pastor/School Administrator
Larry Rigley......................................................................... Associate Pastor/Children’s Ministry
Dr. Todd F. Stearns................................................................Associate Pastor/Worship and Music
Kevin Van Duser........................................................... Associate Pastor/Middle School Ministry

Church Office
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
Church Website..........................................................................................................www.fbcn.org