First Baptist Church Sulligent, Alabama

REACHING SULLIGENT - TOUCHING THE WORLD
JANUARY
1,
2015
WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
SUNDAY
8:30 AM - EARLY WORSHIP
9:45 AM -SUNDAY SCHOOL
A
11:00 AM - LATE WORSHIP
P U B L I C A T I O N
O F
F B C
S U L L I G E N T
5:00 PM - KINGS KIDS CHOIR
5:00 PM - YOUTH CHOIR
6:00 PM - WORSHIP CELEBRATION
6:30 PM - SMALL GROUP STUDIES
WEDNESDAY
6:30 PM - BIBLE STUDY/PRAYER
6:30 PM - MISSIONS GROUPS
7:25 PM - CHURCH CHOIR
REHEARSAL
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
125th Anniversary
1
Pastor’s Corner
2
Notes from Bro. Jeff
3
1890
First Baptist
Church Sulligent
2015
In Our Prayers
Notes From the Church
4
Office, Teams & Committees
Calendar
5
Women’s Ministry
YAH News
6
Mission & Ministry
7
Opportunities
Youth Ministry
Youth Column
Our Record Speaks
8
First Baptist Church Sulligent
PO Box 217, Sulligent AL 35586
PHONE: 205-698-9610
FAX: 205-698-8037
Email: firstbc1@centurytel.net
Website: sulligentfbc.org
It is the mission of First Baptist Church to worship
and honor GOD with all our being and equip ourselves
with the word of GOD, not only to better serve our church,
but to reach out to our community, state, nation, and
throughout the world with the message of CHRIST.
PAGE
2
Pastor’s Corner
Wonderful Church Family,
It has been said that confession is good for the soul. One
meaning of confess is to admit to something. Here goes.
I want you to know that I did try. It started back at Thanksgiving. I didn’t intend for it to get this far. It was like I was being
called further into this savory moment of life. I admit in one
sitting I devoured a sizable portion—I better not reveal just
how much- of the sweet potato casserole! I wish this was a
single offense. It is not!
Obviously I really like sweet potato casserole. Those creamy
potatoes and that wonderful butter, brown sugar, and pecan
topping. I don’t even have to warm it up. I take my knife and
begin to sliver away at the cold casserole. Before you know it
the damage is done.
Before you get all judgmental let us remember that sweet
potatoes are healthy for you. I should know. I am from Mississippi. My dad grew up in Derma just miles from Vardaman
and my aunt lives close to Vardaman in Calhoun City. So,
there are some sweet potato roots in my family lineage!
I know a thing or two about sweet potatoes. They are high in
Vitamin A, B5, B6, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, carotenoids,
and fiber. Being low in sodium and fat free is an extra bonus!
Please notice that I am an honest pastor—I did not try and
convince you that everything about a sweet potato casserole
is good for you. I admit it—so much brown sugar and butter
are not good for you—but they sure are good.
At this very moment we have a large box of Vardaman sweet
potatoes just waiting to be made into nutritious and delicious
casseroles, etc. Did you know that George Washington
Carver developed 118 products from sweet potatoes! In the
coming year I have many more things to try. Uh oh, that also
means more potential temptation and failure!
I admit it—over the last 6 weeks I have been a sweet potato
glutton! Please pray for me to be able to better resist the
temptation to devour anything sweet potato in my sight!
On to my second confession. Many years ago I found that I
was taking sports too seriously. If my team didn’t win I was
downright depressed. God said to me, “Byron, is your life
really impacted by the win or loss of your team? The only
people directly affected are the players, the coaches, the
owner / university, and perhaps businesses in the city. Yes, a
win or loss affects those and in some situations others, but
the lives of most fans are not directly affected at all. The win
or loss has no real bearing on my life.
Therefore, years ago I started holding on more loosely to
wins or losses of my teams. I thought I was doing pretty
good. In 2013 I watched the Bulldogs make it to the College
World Series Championship only to lose to UCLA. I got down
and God reminded me, “It is a game, Byron.” I also reminded
myself that State has a history of good baseball and one of
these years we are going to win it! As you can see I am a
great rationalizer. Do you also see how I was soothing my
sorrow with the hope of a future championship? Was I really
remembering it is just a game??? Hmm.
When State lost in football to Alabama the loss didn't affect
me too badly. We could have played a better first half and we
only lost by a respectable 5 points.
The final game of the regular season proved to be too much
for me. State played their worst game of the year (in my opinion) against Ole Miss. We are a better team than that. In the
end we had to walk out of that stadium in our gold shoes
(which I do not like) - like whipped pups.
I admit it—I was not happy on that night. I was down. I was
frustrated. It had been the greatest regular season in State’s
history—ended on a bad note. In the midst of my pity party
God had to take me out to the dog house and give me a good
talking to. “It is a game, Byron!!!” Don’t you hate it when you
think you have got a sin licked in your life only for it to come
back and bite you when you least expect it?
Pray for me to remember—it is just a game. The outcome of
my life and the quality of my life are not directly impacted.
There are so many more important things that really do matter in life! What do you think? Is it okay for me to still dream
about ringing my cowbell for you when the Bulldogs do finally
win a national championship?! Okay, okay I hear you. I admit
it— I have still got a ways to go.
To confess also means to declare and to agree with. I want to
declare some things to you as we begin a new year together:
I will, by God’s grace, continue to seek God, love Him,
and obey Him with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength.
I will continue to study, trust in, and obey God’s word—
which is His absolute inspired inerrant truth.
I will preach and teach God’s word as He teaches me.
I will continue to stand on God’s word and what I believe
God reveals as His heart, values, and purposes.
I will be on mission with God that others may confess
their sins and confess with their mouths that Jesus is
Lord and believe/trust in their hearts that God raised Him
from the dead—that they may be saved (Rom. 10:9-10)!
I will continue to encourage and challenge you to be on
mission with God.
I will continue to ask God to pastor His people through
me for His glory and the strengthening, maturity, and
growth of this local body of Christ.
I will continue to serve my Lord Jesus Christ and to
serve you as led by His Spirit.
I will continue to love each of you as God has loved me.
Looking forward to another great year with each of you!
Byron
PAGE
PRAY FOR OUR...
3
Church Family: Marcelle Gilmer, Sue Brown, Macie Chaffin, Frank Rhudy
Christian Sympathy goes out to: Philip Brown and family in the loss of his step dad, Mike Gunter.
Mrs. Ora Mae Woods and family in the loss of her father, Mr. Lyndon Tooke.
Paul Chaffin and Hattie Mixon in the loss of their brother, Banks Chaffin.
Homebound: Jake & LaGeita Gothard, Frank Buckley, Ted Boyett
Nursing Home Patients: Ola Mae Edwards, Irene Box, Bernice Karr, Bobby Joe Irvin,
Robbie Knight, Joan Crump, Hattie Mixon, Shirley Weeks
Our Military: Praise! Luke, Wade &Hunter are all back home. Please continue to pray for them as they readjust to being back home.
Notes from Bro. Jeff
2014 was quite a year. As a family we walked through
some difficult things this year, as many of you did. You
know what I found? That God is there in the midst of
every circumstance and that He is always faithful. No
matter what, no matter how things turn out, He is faithful.
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail. They are new every
morning, great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:2324 And you know what? I imagine that I will find that to
be true in 2015 too. Happy, God-filled New Year!!
A few Christmas thank yous……
Special thanks to our Decoration Committee for
organizing our Hanging of the Green Service. Can’t tell
you how much I love that service and this years was no
different. The sanctuary was beautiful during the holiday
season and I believe that beauty around us actually
helps us to worship. Thanks ladies! And thanks to Jim
Rogers for playing and Janet for singing, what a talented
couple.
Thanks to Anna Sandlin and Autumn Buckley for leading
during our offertory times in December. It’s always good
to hear from our piano students. Great job!
Thank you for every card, gift, visit to our home and item
of food you gave to our family this Christmas. You
always make our holiday so meaningful and so much
fun. We count all of you when we count our blessings.
You will see elsewhere in the Hi-Lites a Invitation for a
Retirement Celebration for Mary Alice Maddox. Mary
Alice has had such an impactful ministry through the
years here at FBC. She has decided the time has come
for her to step down from that ministry (even though we
disagree!!) and we want to show her how much we
appreciate what she has given to her church and the
music ministry here. Watch for details in the coming
weeks.
Church Choir…I don’t think I have ever had as much
fun directing a Christmas musical as I did last month.
What a joyous time of reflection and worship. It was nice
to have a full house and to hear everyone singing on the
congregational songs. Thank you to Mary Alice, Dawn
and Carol for helping us to learn our parts. Soloists, you
all shared beautifully which added so much! Thanks to
Karen Thomas for doing so much more than just reading
a narration, you really made it come alive Karen! Thanks
to Billy Maddox and John David Egger for taking care of
the technical end of things. Choir, what a tremendous
journey it has been preparing this music with you. To be
honest, I am going to miss singing these songs on
Wednesday nights with you. Please do not ever
underestimate the power of your surrendered talents
when you sing! For me it was one of the best parts of
Christmas 2014. Can’t wait to head into 2015
worshipping alongside you all.
Youth Choir...You were a wonderful part of our Hanging
of the Green service. You sang beautifully on both
pieces and they added so much. I’ve had many folks
who have said how great it was to see you all up there
singing. Be ready to begin again in January!!
Kings Kids...I don’t really know what to say about your
sharing “Back to the Manger” this year. It was absolutely
incredible! And another over packed crowd, we had
around 250 here. You led us back to the real meaning of
Christmas and you did it beautifully. The choir, soloists,
actors, choreography; everything was great. Leigh,
Molly, Amy; and all other who assisted, we can’t thank
you enough for teaching and leading our children. You
are having an eternal impact. Thanks Kings Kids for
helping to make this Christmas so special! Get ready for
next year.
PAGE
4
Notes From the Church Office, Teams &
Committees
DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING
WATCH FOR
CLOSED
NEW CLASSES
THAT WILL BE OFFERED
EARLY LEARNING CENTER WILL BE CLOSED
THRU JANUARY 1ST.
IN JANUARY 2015.
CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED
JANUARY 1ST.
QUARTERLY CONFERENCE
SUNDAY, JANUARY 25TH
AT 6 PM
CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING
THURSDAY, JANUARY 22ND
AT 7 PM
MEET IN THE CLC
Proposal of an amendment
to our Bylaws concerning
Administrative Committees and
the ELC Advisory Board.
DEACONS MEETING
SUNDAY, JANUARY 18TH
AT 4:30 PM
Please join us as we
honor and thank
MEET IN THE CLC
(WALKING WITH GOD CLASSROOM)
Mrs. Mary Alice Maddox
for her many years of service
in our Music Ministry.
PLEASE TAKE NOTE
To insure the deductibility of your church
contribution, DO NOT file your 2014 income
tax return until you have received your
contribution statement from the church.
Some of your contributions may not be tax
deductible if you file before receiving a
written acknowledgement from the church.
In order for your contribution to count for 2014,
they must be received in the office by December 31st
or be postmarked by December 31st.
RETIREMENT CELEBRATION
Sunday, January 25th
Christian Life Center
Be sure and check in
your Sunday School
room for your 2015
offering envelopes or
come by the Church Office.
Frances Harrison ............ 1
Cindy Kerr ....................... 2
Cindy Otts ....................... 2
Laketa Mosley ................. 3
Frances Turman.............. 7
Blake Gilstrap.................. 8
Emmett Nolen ................. 8
Colin Williams ................. 9
Madalyn Moore ............ 10
John Knox Crawford ..... 14
Dean Wilson.................. 15
Johnny Rogers .............. 16
Laura Ashley Dean ....... 17
Nathan Kerr................... 17
Tommy Price ................. 17
Sylvia Eastman ............ 19
Ted Boyett .................... 20
Wanda Hughes ............. 21
Traci Austin ................... 22
Janet Rogers................. 23
Brylee Nolen ................. 26
Derek Burnett ................ 27
Charlotee Hattaway ...... 27
Dorothy Alexander ........ 28
Jaxon Bradford.............. 28
Cole Merchant............... 29
Joey Sandlin ................. 30
Payton Frye................... 31
5
12
19
26
11
18
Sanctity of Human Life
10:30 am - 1 pm Youth
Soup & Spud Fundraiser
4:30 pm Deacons
Meeting
25
Retirement Celebration
honoring
Mrs. Mary Alice Maddox
6 pm Quarterly
Conference
Building
Responsibility
Ralph Harrison
Adam Heath
Mon
4
Deacon of the Week
4th- Ralph Harrison
11th- Blake Gilstrap
18th- Adam Heath
25th- Glenn Noe
Sun
6:30 pm Reg Sched
7:25 pm Church Choir
Rehearsal
28
6:30 pm Reg Sched
7:25 pm Church Choir
Rehearsal
11 am Morning Glory
Widows
Support Meeting
(CLC)
27
21
14
9:30 am YAH
Generations Trip
6:30 pm Reg Sched
7:25 pm Church Choir
Rehearsal
7
11:30 am YAH SOUPer
Bowl Lunch (CLC)
6:30 pm Reg Sched
7:25 pm Church Choir
Rehearsal Resume
Wed
20
9 am Soul Care
Group Meeting
(Office Classroom)
13
6:30 pm Women On
Mission Meeting
(at Janet Roger’s
Home)
6
Tue
29
7 pm Church
Council Meeting
22
15
8
Church Office
and ELC Closed
1
Thu
30
23
16
9
2
Fri
31
24
17
10
Prison Ministry
8 am Food Prep
10:15 am Depart for
Jail
3
Sat
PAGE
FBC Women’s Ministry
6
FBC Women’s
Ministry Team
Leaders:
Touching the heart of the home, by reaching the hearts of women,
through missions, spiritual growth, and fellowship, while reflecting on the heart of Christ.
Emily Crawford
712-9507
WOMEN ON MISSION MEETING
TUESDAY, JANUARY 6TH
AT 6:30 PM
MEET AT JANET ROGERS HOME
Sylvia Rhudy
712-4201
Kim Weeks
712-5253
MORNING GLORY WIDOW
SUPPORT GROUP MEETING
TUESDAY, JANUARY 20TH
AT 11 AM
MEET AT CLC
BRING A SACK LUNCH
SOUL CARE GROUP MEETING
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13TH
9 AM
MEET IN OFFICE CLASSROOM
Ladies please join us in ministering
to the women within our church family
and our community. Meetings are
held monthly on the second Tuesday.
WOMENS BETH MOORE BIBLE STUDY
LADIES IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN US!
Video Sessions will resume on
Wednesday, January 7th
at 6:30 pm
WOMENS DAY OUT
WATCH FOR DETAILS!
YAH News
All adults 50+ and your spouse are welcome to join us…
YOUNG
S
RT
A HEA
FBC Young At
Heart Ministry
Team Leaders:
Linda Batchelor
Beverly Waller
SOUPER BOWL LUNCHEON
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7TH
AT 11:30 AM
IN THE CLC
If you did not sign up to bring soup,
please bring something to go
with soup (toppings, sandwiches,
crackers, bread , dessert, etc.)
We will remind those who signed
up for soup just in case you forgot!
GENERATIONS NURSING HOME MINISTRY
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14TH
AT 9:30 AM
MEET IN OFFICE PARKING LOT
FOLLOWED WITH LUNCH
Each month we go to Generations Nursing Home in
Vernon. We sing and visit with the residents there.
Then we choose a restaurant and eat together.
PAGE
Mission & Ministry Opportunities
LOTTIE MOON OFFERING GOAL $8,500
RECEIVED TO DATE: $5,529
Our RA’s have raised $955.25 thru RA Mail.
Our GA’s raised $200 at the GA Cookie Tasting.
Women on Mission raised $135 by RA Mail Labels.
Thank you for your generosity! We are only $2,971 away from our goal.
We’re praying that our cookie jar will be overflowing!
Designate your offerings to “Lottie Moon”.
HOW DOES OUR GIVING MAKE AN IMPACT?
When our church partners with IMB and gives to the Lottie
Moon Offering, missionaries are able to share the gospel
with unreached people groups, train believers to start new
churches, assist in the planting of new churches, show
Christ’s love to those in distress, and, most importantly,
work to spread the kingdom of God. According to IMB’s
2013 Annual Statistical Report, our missionaries shared
the gospel with 1.7 million people, trained 23,000 nationals
to start new churches and helped plant 6,200 churches.
While those statistics are exciting, there are still 4 billion
people who remain lost. More giving will allow IMB to send
more missionaries so that more people are reached for Christ!
Youth Ministry
SOUP & SPUD FUNDRAISER LUNCHEON
SUNDAY, JANUARY 18TH
10:30 AM UNTIL 1 PM
IN THE CLC
$8 PER PLATE
(SOUP, POTATO, BREAD AND DESSERT. DRINKS FOR DINE IN ONLY)
SEE ANY YOUTH TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATION BY JANUARY 15TH!
PROCEEDS WILL HELP SUPPORT OUR YOUTH 2015 MISSION TRIPS.
PRISON MINISTRY
SATURDAY, JANUARY 10TH
8 AM FOOD PREPARATION
10:30 AM DEPART FOR JAIL
MEET AT CLC
PRISON MINISTRY
Our greatest need for our Prison Ministry is funds
to prepare and take them a meal each month.
SANCTITY OF HUMAN
LIFE SUNDAY
IS JANUARY 18TH
National Sanctity of Human Life Day is an observance
declared by several U.S. Presidents who opposed
abortion. President Ronald Reagan designated
January 22, 1984 as the first National Sanctity of
Human Life Day. The date was chosen to coincide with
the 11th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme
Court case that first recognized the constitutionallyprotected status of abortion in the United States.
Reagan issued the proclamation annually thereafter,
designating Sanctity of Human Life Day to be the third
Sunday in January, which represents the closest
Sunday to the original January 22 date. His successor,
George H. W. Bush, continued the annual proclamation
throughout his presidency. Bush's successor, Bill
Clinton, discontinued the practice throughout his
eight years in office, but Bush's son and Clinton's
successor, George W. Bush, resumed the
proclamation, and did so every year of his presidency.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Sanctity_of_Human_Life_Day
7
FBC SULLIGENT STAFF
FBC SULLIGENT
PASTOR: BYRON A. PICKERING
MINISTER OF YOUTH & MUSIC: JEFF CHAFFIN
MINISTRY ASSISTANTS:
CAROLYN TRENTELMAN & SYLVIA RHUDY
NON PROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE PAID
VERNON AL
PERMIT NO. 22
P.O. BOX 217
SULLIGENT, AL 35586
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
FBCELC INTERIM DIRECTOR: LINDA RYE
NURSERY COORDINATOR: CINDY KERR
OUR RECORD SPEAKS
SUNDAY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
DECEMBER 7TH - 172
DECEMBER 14TH - 180
DECEMBER 21ST - 167
DECEMBER 28TH - NA
WORSHIP ATTENDANCE TOTALS
DECEMBER 7TH - 184
DECEMBER 14TH - 188
DECEMBER 21ST - 176
DECEMBER 28TH - NA
BUILDING FUND OFFERING
NOVEMBER 30TH - $7,387
BUDGET NEEDED TO DATE
$ 319,863
BUDGET RECEIPTS TO DATE
$ 333,166
FINISHING IN FAITH PLEDGE
RECEIPTS TO DATE
(5 YEAR CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON
APRIL 1, 2012)
PLEDGED GOAL - $ 494,840
RECEIVED TO DATE - $ 311,552
PRISION MINISTRY BALANCE
$ 702
YOUTH MINISTRY STUFF
“Always keep on praying” Ephesians 6:18
Absolutely love going caroling at the
Care Center with you guys each year!
Thank you for giving that little bit of time.
Surely you were able to see how much it
meant to those residents. They would
come to their door, sing with us, even
follow us down the hall! Know that God
uses every little thing we do in His name.
Thanks also for giving to sponsor one of
the children from our elementary school
for Christmas. You helped to supply a
young man with clothes and gifts for the
holiday. I know you will never miss the
money but it was used to bless on of
your schoolmates. If you haven’t given
yours yet get it to me as soon as
possible.
Our Shop Til U Drop was insane! Too
bad there weren’t more people shopping
that day. Yow! Loved just hanging
around with you guys and how cool that
God opened the door for us to carol at
the apartments in Hamilton. Another
opportunity to give back at Christmas.
Thanks to PGosa for going to help drive.
We just haven’t been able to get
together again for our Discipleship
University. We have the test results for
your Spiritual Gifts and we will share
those at our next meeting. Then we will
take a couple of weeks to talk about
how you can use your individual gifts in
our fellowship and our community.
We will be unveiling the destination for
this years summer mission
experience this month. Watch for
details and then make sure that you get
your reservation in quickly. We will be
limited in the number of reservations
that we will have to be ready to reserve
your place. And begin praying now for
what God will do in and through you.
Our first fundraiser of the new year will
be on Sunday, January 18th. We will
be sponsoring our “Soup & Spud”
Luncheon. Your sign up sheets are
available now so get one and get to
selling! Gotta have the sheets back by
Thursday, January 15th.
Sign up for parts for Valentine Dessert
Theatre is on the YBB so get your
name up soon. We will be assigning
parts by late January.
Working on a little fun trip for later this
month too, so watch your txt and youth
bulletin board for details.
Love you guys! ~Jeff