FBNN Report, March 2, 2008
Newscaster: Good Morning, this is FBNN (First Baptist News Network) reporting from the First Baptist Church in the City of Williamsburg, KY. This network was formed for the purpose of sharing with the church highlights of the 125th Anniversary Year.

For the celebration of Advent season in December 1991 Pastor Harold Mauney asked Marilyn Teague to create four banners to emphasize the four Sundays of Advent: HOPE, PEACE, JOY, and LOVE. Here is a photo illustrating the banners for 1991. Let's have a better look at these banners. (Parade of four banners carried by youth of FBC.)

Marilyn Teague has continued her banner ministry by making banners for the different seasons of the Church year. Her family gives testimony to the fact that she has given many hours over the years as a labor of love. She is a hidden treasure of FBC!

In what ways do these banners communicate? Let us hear from one observer, Mrs. Patricia Ramey.

Patricia Ramey: In January 2008 I participated in a Friday night worship service at Highland Baptist Church of Louisville with the Kentucky Baptist Fellowship (KBF) and 150 worshipers from the halfway houses and others in the neighborhoods nearby. There were a number of banners with mosaic designs (two feet by eight feet) in the style of stained glass windows of European church buildings. The designs were artistic, but there was only one style. I was reminded of the many different styles and themes that can be found in the banners created by Marilyn Teague.

I was also reminded of the time that many of the banners made by Marilyn Teague were hanging in the Christian Life Center. Children who participated in the Appalachian Ministries activities and who were not members of any church asked questions about the banners. Several times I was asked, "What does that banner mean?" and this gave me the opportunity to share about God and His love for each person.

Newscaster: Marilyn Taylor Teague has created 60 banners to assist in the worship of FBC, Williamsburg. She has included many symbols of the Church in striking ways. This has been a sixteen year labor of love. Recently they have been photographed, and today they are displayed on a board so that you can see the total collection. [One person will bring in the board.]

I am sure that many of you will say with me that you have seen these banners one at a time. However, you will also add that you did not realize how many she has made.

THANK YOU, MRS. MARILYN TEAGUE, for your contribution to the worship services of FBC, Williamsburg. Will you please stand? I wish to give to you the first copy of the booklet, "Banners 2008." There are also copies for Pastor Ed Talley and for the Church library.

Some of you who were aware of the preparation of this booklet have expressed a desire to purchase a copy. In a few weeks copies will be available. Please call the Church office and leave your request. The Church needs to know the quantity to be prepared.

SYMBOLS on the BANNERS by Marilyn Teague

CHRISTMAS:
Advent (four Sundays): Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love
Manger
Nativity scene with the shepherds and the wise men
Star of Bethlehem

GOOD FRIDAY:
Palm branch-Palm Sunday
Cup/chalice-the blood of Jesus Christ
Circle-eternity
Cross-During the past 2000 years this is the most frequent
symbol of the Christian Church. Marilyn Teague has
placed the symbol of the cross on 22 of the 60 banners.
Only one has Jesus on the cross (Good Friday) and 21
have the empty cross (the resurrected Jesus on Easter
Sunday).
Broken heart-with crown of thorns/with cross

EASTER: Resurrection
Easter lily and butterfly
Alleluia or Hallelujah-The English translation is "Praise Ye
THE LORD,""Praise THE LORD," "Praise Jehovah," or
"Praise Yahweh." These differences are the result of two
Hebrew language dialects.

THANKSGIVING:
Symbols of Fall harvest

PSALMS:
Shepherd's staff-"THE LORD (Yahweh) is my shepherd."

GOSPEL OF JOHN:
"I AM," ego eimi, "the way the truth and the life."
AW [Alpha and Omega]: the Beginning and the End

OTHER SYMBOLS:
Crown of Jewels/Crown of thorns-JESUS IS KING
Dove of PEACE
Angels with trumpets-JOY
XP (Chi Rho) CHRIST KING
Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the World
Chariot Wheel
Christ the Light of the World
Rainbow-HOPE

The 125th Anniversary Committee is interested in any corrections to the news releases and additional information or stories. If you have corrections or additions, please contact George Ramey (email: gramey@ucumberlands.edu) or the church office (phone: (606) 549-0280, email: fbcwoffice@bellsouth.net).