Church Family,

This week we get another great opportunity to hear from a worship pastor candidate! If you weren’t able to join us last Sunday night, no worries — you can catch up on our presentation and discussion.

As we keep moving forward in the search process, here are a few ways you can help and stay involved:

1. Pray.
Please keep praying — for me, for Brett, for our search team, and for the musicians and vocalists who already serve so faithfully each week. Like Steven Curtis Chapman sang, “This is the great adventure.” Let’s keep trusting God together on this journey.

2. Put on those Christian virtues.
Finding the right worship leader in a changing world takes wisdom, humility, patience, and trust. Let’s keep practicing those together — staying gentle, gracious, and open to what God is doing in our midst.

3. Keep the communication lines open.
If you’ve got questions about the process or our candidates, please reach out directly to Brett or me. Our search team and deacons are also in the loop and helping us every step of the way.

We’d love to talk — just shoot us an email to set up a time for a phone call or a coffee. We’ll share whatever we can, as soon as we can. Just remember that some details have to stay confidential since our candidates are often serving at other churches right now.

Thanks for praying, caring, and staying engaged. I love being on this adventure with you all.

Cheers,

Power House “Shark Tank”

I’m sure many of you have seen or at least heard of the TV show Shark Tank. If not, it’s a show where entrepreneurs pitch their wildest business ideas to a panel of wealthy investors called “sharks,” hoping that someone will bite.

At Power House, we do our own version of Shark Tank as part of Banner Battles. While no one walks away with a million-dollar deal, the creativity is priceless.

We always try to mix things up at Power House with games that are athletic, creative, and sometimes a little bit out there. But we also love when a game has a purpose. That’s what makes Shark Tank so good! It’s not just chaos and cardboard (though there’s plenty of both). It’s teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity under pressure.

On the first night, each team gets a mountain of random supplies: cardboard, pipe cleaners, construction paper, duct tape, and other mystery objects. They have two hours to invent a brand-new “product.” Then the teams have to figure out how to describe and pitch their item. Watching students brainstorm, build, and argue about whether googly eyes make it better or worse is one of the best parts of the night. It teaches them how to work together, communicate, and make decisions quickly…which is also good practice for real life group projects everywhere.

The second week is the big moment. Teams take the stage and present their inventions to our panel of “Sharks.” They explain their products, answer tough questions, and try to sell their ideas with confidence. It’s part public speaking, part improv comedy, and all-around great practice for life. Students grow in confidence and learn how to think on their feet and it’s amazing to see them cheer each other on.

We’ve had some truly unforgettable inventions:“Party in a Box,” so you can celebrate anything, anywhere, anytime. “Flip-Flops for Your Hands,” which was exactly what it sounds like but somehow still kind of genius. We’ve had food-cooking contraptions, backpack beds, and one mysterious table that even the inventors couldn’t quite explain, but they sure tried their best.

We do Shark Tank to give students a chance to create, collaborate, and communicate. For some, it’s the first time they’ve stood up to share something in front of others, and once they do, they realize it’s not so scary. Later, when it comes time to share a devotion or testimony, they’re ready.

At the end of the day, Shark Tank is one of those Power House traditions that reminds us learning can be loud, funny, creative, and deeply meaningful all at once.

Church Family, 

Mark your calendars for our Christmas Family Movie Night on Wednesday, December 3rd!

Join us for a cozy evening of fellowship, snacks, and a heartwarming Christmas movie as we celebrate the joy of Christ’s birth together. More details will be shared soon, but for now, be sure to save the date and plan to bring the whole family!

RSVP for movie night here: Movie Night RSVP

"And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers."                    Acts 2:42

It has been a wonderful fall season, and we have been meeting many new people. Last Sunday we presented and prayed over our new members! These new members were baptized or have requested membership in the past few months, participated in the Discovery Lunch, and served on Host team. Be sure to get to know them.

Ready to get involved and devoted?

We would love to help you find out more about First Winter Park and get connected! 

Discovery Lunch - If you have recently become a member or want to hear more about membership, our Discovery Lunch is your next step.  Join us at the next Discovery Lunch December 7 after service to hear more about what it means to be a member at First Winter Park, what members can expect from pastors, and what the church can expect from members. Please register below so we can prepare accordingly. 

Community Connect Group With Pastor Doug - On Sunday at 9:30 AM, Pastor Doug and his wife Natalie have have a small group in the Food Hall. It starts with fellowship at 9:15, then transitions into small group discussion at 9:30. This group welcomes adults of all ages and life stages—whether you're new to our church or haven't yet joined a small group, this is perfect for you! Childcare will be available starting at 9:15.

Wednesday Community Night Our Wednesdays are packed with opportunities to connect:

4:30 PM – Thriving Adult Choir (65+)

5:30 PM – Family Meal in the Food Hall

6:00 PM – Life Discipleship with Pastor Doug 

6:00 PM - Season 5 of "The Chosen" Viewing Group

6:00 PM – Kids Ministry and Power House 

Weekly Bible Studies

Ladies Bible Study – Tuesdays at 6:45 PM in the Choir Suite

Thriving Adult Bible Study – Thursdays at 10:30 AM in the Choir Suite

Just click the link below to get connected to a small group. Please let us know if you have any questions!  Let’s journey together!

Community Events

Save the Date for our Christmas Eve Family Service on December 24 at 5:00 PM. 

We’re excited to invite you to our First Baptist Winter Park Thanksgiving Meal on Wednesday, November 19th at 5:30 PM in the church gym. Join us for a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner and a meaningful time to build community together.

Get tickets online through the church website or click the link below (under the giving section) or visit our ticket table on Sunday after the church service . 

Thanksgiving Dinner Tickets

Suggested donation:

$7.00 per person

$25.00 for families of 4 or more

Save the date for our Christmas celebration on December 14th at 6PM. Join us for an evening of Christmas worship and songs, powerful testimonies, and community rooted in fellowship celebrating the birth of our Savior. 

We are ordering Poinsettias to decorate the sanctuary this Christmas Season. If you would like to donate a poinsettia, please click the link below.  The Poinsettia will be available for you to pick up after the Christmas Eve Service on December 24th.  

To donate, click the link below, choose “one-time gift," then choose poinsettia in drop down.

Poinsettia Donation

Member Corner

Meet New Members Marsha and Richard Hulette

They enjoy the host team and Wednesday night Discipleship class. 

Welcome Hulette family!

Meet Chris and Karen Cooper

They are members of the Bible Prophecy Small Group. 

This Is Amazing Grace

Gratitude

Come Thou Font

Weekly budget goal:  $21,296