The Focus

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
800 Thompson Street, Ashland, VA 23005
(804) 798-9014
Fax: 804-798-9043
Email: info@firstbaptistashland.org
Website: firstbaptistashland.org
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH STAFF
Josh Hayden, Senior Pastor
josh@firstbaptistashland.org
Dr. Bill Ellis, Interim Associate Pastor
bellis0929@hotmail.com
Sean Hamon, Pastor of Admin & Missions
sean@firstbaptistashland.org
Betty Stadnick, Parish Nurse
captgws@hotmail.com
Crystal Hopper, CCDC Director
Surviving The Holidays
Grieving or know someone who is?
When you are grieving a loved one's death, the holiday
season can be especially painful. Our Surviving the
Holidays seminar helps participants prepare for the
holidays and even discover hope for the future. Come join
us on Sunday, November 15, 2015 from 2:00 - 4:00 PM in
Ellis Hall. If interested in attending, please call Joyce
Parsley at 798-4118.
Wednesday Night Program
“Pumpkin Party”, October 28, 2015 in Ellis Hall. All ages
invited! Bring your favorite pumpkin dish to share with
others (but come even if you don’t have a favorite pumpkin
dish), and we’ll teach you how to build others for Christ by
sharing the gospel using a pumpkin!
crystal@ashlandccdc.org
Joanie Tompkins, Ministry Assistant
joanie@firstbaptistashland.org
Lisa Reckley, Ministry Assistant
lisa@firstbaptistashland.org
Ken LeFevre, FOCUS Editor
ken@firstbaptistashland.org
Quick Reminder from the Parish Nurse
It’s that time of year to obtain your Flu Vaccine. We will not
have a flu clinic because the vaccine can be obtained in so
many places and there is no shortage. Please get the vaccine
NOW and check to see if you need the pneumonia vaccine or
booster.
Greg Dean, Interim Organist
gdean@farmersagent.com
Gabe Fowler, Part-time Youth Council Asst.
fowlergabell@gmail.com
The Manger Build event is scheduled for the morning of
Saturday, December 12, and we hope to fill Ellis Hall that day
with dads and kids from First Baptist, the CCDC and the
Ashland community. Please call the church office or email Bill
Ward at bward@provenancehealth.com.
Prayer Concerns
Our Members: Jackie Bunn Gray - Memorial Reg.; Betty Brunton, Hilda Wickham, Bill Ager (Please call before
visiting), Rob Wait, Carol Moyer, Evelyn Castle, Sally Stone, Marilyn Ellis, Greg Bulkley, Jim & Eleanor Smith,
Durwood Stone, Opal Dyke, James Holmes, Mary Williams, Tom Herbert, Fran Slater, Catherine Painter, Mary
McLean, Forrest & Frances Stairs, Gwen Bennett.
For Our Relatives and Friends: Stephen Hicks (Elaine M allory); Boggs family (T om pkins); Leroy Waggett (Betsy
Marks); Luther White (Grace Robinson); Julie Kent & Wess Gray (Gay Blankenship); Lillie Griffith (Bill Ward); Fred
Hodnett (Brenda & Larry Gilm an); Frank Hague & Margaret Oberholtzer (Gail Hague); Christian Cozens (Barbara
Robertson); Frances, Steve & Scott Hazelwood (Glenn Davis); Shelby Carter (Cecil Clemons); Libby Gregg, Christian Cozens
& Hailey Lane (John Irby); Harry Whitlock, Arnold Layne & Ronnie Dougan (L enny Dean); Peggy LaFoon (M arie
Cassell); Jimmy Poates (Jackie Lee); Julie Tremblay; Betty Jane Elliott (Wendy Farmer); Joe and Pat DeLuke, Richard
Beverly, Dennis & Shane Polasky & Carlos Hileman (Charolette DeL uke); Martie Chidsey (Sharon Chidsey);
Margaret Shultz (Faye Page); Angie Deffenbaugh, Vanessa Wagner & Heather Shelton (Donna Flournoy), Katrina
Viruses & Rodney Fitzgerald (Jennie Pegram ); Jacquelyn Booth Bowles (Booth Fam ily); Conde Palmore Hopkins
(Linda Bateman); Judy Viernes (Judy & A shley Pierce); Norman Gotthardt (Nancy Barnett); Donald Petri (Deborah
Mason); Jim Martin (Sarah Gardner); Dana Rucker (Joe Monroe); Chuck Cannon (Mary Stone), Laura Bowman (Kay
Boggs); Kenneth Johnson & Richard Bagby (Betty Ellis); Bill Glave (Marti Glave); Andy and Estee Summers & family &
Dorothy Ferguson (M ick Outten); Anna Guthrie & Billy Fox (Eleanor Jones); Nola DeStephen (Mary Dale Barry);
Robert Hart; Nancy Scileppi (Joe Scileppi); Anne & Mike Saettel (R oy Saettel); Kellie Tousinau (Chancellors); Alan
DeBoer (Sarah DeBoer); Lauren Truchsess (Lydia Collins); Anna Harmon (Dorothy Busic); Harland Stairs (Frances &
Forrest Stairs); Don McLean (Mary McLean); Don Fritsch & Shirley Harrell (Susan Glisson); Kenny Terrell, Bill
Medlin, Dylan Dillard & Dick McGrew (Peggy & Bob Dillard); Harriet Bledsoe (Jennifer Thompson); Larry Horner
(Mark Horner); Cathie David, Steve Doane, & Arlene Hayes (Pat Ross); Chanel Hobbs (Tricia Duvall); Scotty & Dottie
Scott (Ginger Collison); Karen Snyder (Beth Mallory); Tommy Clemons (Alison Clemons); Our military and country.
The
Focus
“Transforming people for Christ in Ashland, in the world, one person at a time”
October 25, 2015
Yeah Everybody!
Local Honey Donated to
the FBC Shoebox
Ministry!!
For a $7.00 donation, you
will receive an 8 oz. bottle
of raw honey bottled by
Andy and Pam Stiles.
Quantities limited. See
Pam if interested or call
798-1875.
OPERATION
CHRISTMAS CHILD
SHOEBOXES
Items needed for the
month of October are:
Toothpaste and Crayons
Thanks, Debbie Haley
Noteworthy News of the Week
3rd Quarter 2015 Business Meeting
TODAY at 7:00 PM
1. Call to Order – Larry Gilman
2. Scripture and Prayer – Josh Hayden
3. Reports
a. Minutes – Carol Outten
b. Enrollment Report
c. Treasurer Report – Ashley Pierce
d. Deacon Report – Max Haley
e. Sunday School Report – Elaine Mallory
f. Building and Grounds – Travis Edwards
g. MCC – Lydia Collins
h. Pastor’s Report – Josh Hayden
4. Old Business
5. New Business
a. Nominating Committee Report
b. Motion concerning Worship Consultants
“The Leadership Committee moves that First Baptist Church-Ashland would approve the
hiring of worship consultants to help our church be on mission in the community”.
c. Stewardship and motion to approve the 2016 budget - Wayne Diehl
6. Adjournment and Prayer – Larry Gilman
REMINDERS:
 Please have all motions presented to the clerk in writing so as to insure accuracy
 1st Quarter 2016 Business Meeting – January 24, 2016 at 7:00 PM
SHOP & SHARE
When shopping this week,
consider buying an
additional item for the
Food Pantry. This week
the pantry needs
Spaghetti sauce. You can
place your items in bins
located by the sanctuary
and the church office.
Deacon’s Corner
God is Positive:
YOU say:
“I feel all alone”
GOD says:
“I will never leave YOU
or forsake YOU”
(Hebrews 13:5)
October 25 - 31, 2015
Sunday - 25
9:45 a.m. Sunday School
10:45 a.m. Deacon-Led Prayer Time
11:00 a.m. Worship
2:00 p.m. GriefShare (227)
4:00 p.m. Women’s Bible Study (208)
6:00 p.m. Youth Activities
7:00 p.m. Quarterly Business Meeting
Monday - 26
6:00 p.m. MCC Meeting
7:15 p.m. Deacon’s Meeting
Tuesday - 27
6:00 a.m. Men’s Prayer Group
7:00 a.m. Men’s Early Bible Study
6:00 p.m. Women’s Bible Study
at Tricia Duvall’s
Wednesday - 28
9:15 a.m. Women’s Bible Study (208)
5:00 p.m. Wednesday Night Supper
5:30 p.m. KidExpress Supper
6:00 p.m. Praise Choir Rehearsal
6:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
6:15 p.m.
KidExpress Music
Preschool Choir/Music
Knitting, Crocheting, Etc in
Parlor Room
6:15 p.m. OK Chorale Choir
6:15 p.m. Youth Bible Study
6:15 p.m. Pastor’s Bible Study
6:30 p.m. Missions (K-5th)
6:30 p.m. KidExpress Missions
6:30 p.m. Preschool Mission Friends
7:00 p.m. KidExpress Drama
7:30 p.m. Sanctuary Choir
7:30 p.m. Personnel Meeting
Thursday - 29
7:00 p.m. Men’s Bible Study at Lynch’s
house.
Friday - 30
5:30 p.m. Trunk or Treat
T HE FO C U S
PAGE 2
T HE FO C U S
A Word From The Pastor
This Sunday marks the beginning
of a sermon series called: The Art
of Neighboring. Over the next few
weeks heading into Advent we
will explore what it looks like to
live out the Great Commandment.
The Great Commandment is to
love God and love our neighbors,
and is the central aim of what it
means for us to be church here at
First Baptist.
This Sunday we will be asking the
question: who are my neighbors?
We will be taking a look at the
"Chart of Opportunity" and be
thinking about ways we can live
intentionally into the mission of
God. If you want to dive deeper
into the series between Sundays,
pick up the book The Art of
Neighboring: Building Genuine
Relationships Right Outside Your
Door by Jay Pathak & Dave
Runyon.
In the coming weeks we will also
be connecting themes of
stewardship, motives, giving and
receiving, forgiveness and letting
go of fear. I'm really excited to
share with you some of the things
God has been putting on my
heart, and even more importantly
to connect on Sundays with
conversations about
“neighboring” that I've had with
many of you for the first 8 months
that I have been here. We'll have
different voices sharing
throughout the next few weeks,
sometimes in song, sometimes
from the pulpit.
If you've been looking for a time
to invite a friend or neighbor to
church, to be intentional in your
relationships with others, this
sermon series could be a great
help. Hope to see you soon!
Peace,
December 6th we will have a
new member Sunday and
would love for you to join
our day of celebration! If you
have been interested in
joining the church or getting
baptized, please contact
Pastor Josh at
josh@firstbaptistashland.org or
call 804-798-9014) and set
up a time to discuss
membership, or come down
the aisle one Sunday
morning during worship and
Josh will help you take the
next step in connecting to
FBC Ashland.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Join us on Friday,
October 30 for lots of
Halloween fun!


5:00-6:00 PM Hot Dogs,
Chips & Beverages in Ellis
6:00-8:00 PM Trunk or
Treat, Bounce House,
Bouncy Slide, Apple
Cider, Popcorn and more.
Women’s Craft Morning
October 31, 2015
10:00 AM to Noon
Come for a fun morning
of Show and Tell Crafts.
Bring a craft you have
done or just come to get
ideas.
If you would like to help by
decorating your trunk &
filling it with candy please
contact Crystal at
crystal@ashlandccdc.org or
sign-up sheet at church office.
Are You Ready?
Interested in joining First
Baptist Church, Ashland? On
WED-NITE SUPPER
Menu for October 28
Other Mission Opportunities this Fall: 1) Fill Blessing Buckets
(need towels, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo, toilet paper, Bibles
(Dollar Store). We have filled 75 buckets and only have 25
more to go to meet our goal of 100 buckets.
SAVE THE DATE: PASSPORT - July 17 - 22, 2016
For additional information, please call Susan Robertson (310-0012),
Susan Gerhart (837-1730) Jackie Gray (798-9753 / 874-8460) or
Gabe Fowler (607-316-3040) with any questions!
Let's go to Eagle Eyrie (west of
Lynchburg) for a fun overnight
sponsored by Women's Missionary
Union of Virginia. Enjoy great
speakers, good food and wonderful
inspiration. The Get Away begins
with dinner and concludes the
following day with lunch. The cost
is $71.50 and includes lodging and
three meals. Contact Nora Hall at
874-6357 or
wbnahall@comcast.net with any
questions.
“We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.” - Sir Winston Churchhill
CCDC News
Bible Study on Wednesday nights: 6:15-7:15 PM. Call us if you need a ride!
Women's Get Away
November 6-7 or 7-8
Grace Sightings . . .
Pastor Josh
Sunday, October 25: 9:45 AM Sunday School
Sunday, October 25: 6:00-7:30 PM Activities & Devotion (Gabe)
Sunday, November 01: 6:00 PM Hayride (Free)
PAGE 3
Spaghetti, Garden Salad
French Bread, Pumpkin Cake
Child’s Special: Chicken
Tenders, Green Beans,
Applesauce
All meal reservations and cancellations
must be made by Monday at Noon,
unless an emergency occurs after that
deadline.
Pastor’s Bible Study: “Acts”
Bring your Bible! Read Acts 4 to find
answers to: What happened to Ananias
and Sapphira when they lied about the
amount of money they brought to the
apostles from selling their house?
What advice did Gamaliel, a Pharisee and
teacher of the law, give to the Sanhedrin to
do with Peter and John when they kept on
preaching Jesus?
The children are anticipating our
Dress Up Day here at CCDC on
Friday. We will also visit the
Ashland Convalescent Center and
Hanover Manor to show off our
costumes!
Please visit our van during Trunk
or Treat on Friday, October 30.
Dinner will be served from 5:006:00 PM and Trunk or Treating
will be from 6:00-8:00 PM. See
you there!
Crystal Hopper, Director
MOSAIC News
Thursday, November 12
Marine Museum in Quantico
Eat at local restaurant
Sign-up NOW!
Thursday, December 10
Quarterly Luncheon
“4 The Lord Quartet”
Menu: TBA
Our deepest sympathy and
love to Ryan and Elizabeth
Rafferty and family in the
death of his father, Wayne
Rafferty.
STATISTICS: Financial Information - Attendance
As of Sunday, October 18, 2015:
Other Gifts This Week:
Weekly Budget Gift $ 16,250.00
Shoebox Ministries
$ 775.00
Weekly Budget Goal $ 15,732.75
World Hunger
$ 165.00
YTD Budget Gifts
$ 667,412.94
YTD Budget Goal
$ 631,258.25
\
WEEKLY ATTENDANCE
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Worship:
8:30 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
Total
No Service
249
249
Sunday School:
Members
Visitors
Total
216
23
239