Choose the Christ Way - First Baptist Church

JANUARY
JANUARY 2015
01 Church Office Closed
04 Communion Sunday
1st @ 1st Luncheon
04-11 Family Promise Host Week
05 Body Stewards Kick-Off
07 Wednesday Nights Resume
10-11 Sonlight Winter Retreat
17 FLC Paren’ts Night Out
19 Church Office Closed
23-24 The SUMMITT
Women’s Weekend
30 Adults with Seniority
CONNECTIONS
FIRST
W W W. F B C G A I N E S V I L L E . O R G
Choose the Christ Way
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness, and all these things shall be
added unto you.” - Matthew 6:33
Dear Church,
Suppose you were to make a decision
to order – or re-order – your life around
a guiding principle; to organize your life
around acting purposefully rather than
reacting to events and circumstances.
Emergencies happen, of course, and any
given day’s plans can be interrupted by the unexpected happenings
and the surprises of life. But even so, we can mostly choose how
we respond to them.
What would you select as your guiding principle? I am
more and more convinced that the one Jesus chose and the one
he urges us to choose, is the single best way to live: “seek first the
kingdom of God.” Seek first to be under God’s rule. This means
your actions and reactions would be based not on feelings or
emotions but on your determination to follow after Christ. He is
called the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and his first followers were
known as “the people of the Way.”
The average life span of an American has now reached
the all-time high of 78.8. That’s nearly 79 years to live on this
earth. Will you live most of those years with clutter or simplicity?
With anger or gentleness? With a harsh spirit or a kind spirit? You
get to choose. You decide how to order your life.
Choose the Christ way. I’ve never known anyone who did so
and regretted it. And why not make that choice now? Why wait
until 2018 or 2020? If it’s the best way, it’s the way for 2015,
starting with the very first day. And believe it or not, you’ll actually
have a lot of company.
Your friend & pastor,
Some Goals for Our Church in 2015
• Our best worship, our best service
• Build a Habitat House
• Help as many others as possible
• Strengthen our youth ministry
• Welcome a new Minister to Children
• Use wills, bequests, and gifts to eradicate our debt
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, GAINESVILLE, GEORGIA | 751 GREEN STREET NW | 770-534-7354
WORSHIP
8:30am & 10:50am
Listen LIVE: WCON 99.3FM & fbcgainesville.org
January 4th
Second Sunday After Christmas
10 Reasons to Praise God this Year
OT: Psalm 147, Jeremiah 31
NT: Ephesians 1:3-10
Music Meditation: Lydia Fields & Rachel
Smith, Duet
Offetory Praise: How Great Thou Art
Jon Kerrick, Violin
Choral Worship: Arise, Arise and Shine
In Remembrance of Me
Rejoice Choir (8:30am)
Sanctuary Choir (10:50am)
WOMEN’S SPRING BIBLE STUDIES
Join us as we journey through “The Amazing Collection.” With a variety of meeting times to
fit your schedule, feel free to join a group and go deeper into God’s word with community! For
more information contact Elizabeth Burnette at ebburnette@gmail.com or 770-534-7354. See a
full schedule of groups that meet under the women’s ministry page at www.fbcgainesville.org.
The family of First Baptist would like to express
its deepest sympathy to the following:
Joan Smith in the death of her husband
Byrd Smith
Phillip Sartain in the death of his father
Joe Sartain
Kat Long in the death of her brother
Parker McClure
Friends and Family in the death of
Dr. Malcom Tolbert
Carol Wentworth in the death of her husband
Stephen Wentworth
Judy & Johnny Martin in the death of her
brother-in-law Travis Brannon
January 11th
God Forms
OT: Psalm 139:1-18 NT: John 1:43-51
REGISTER AND PAY AT
WWW.FBCGAINESVILLE.ORG
January 25th
Third Sunday after Epiphany
The Genius Disciples -- Not!
Music Meditation: All Things New
John, Jeff and Carl Williams, Trio
Offetory Praise: Didn’t My Lord Deliver
Daniel?
Sanctuary Ringers (10:50am)
Choral Worship: How Great Thou Art
Rejoice Choir (8:30am)
Sanctuary Choir (10:50am)
Sylvia Mayfield in the death of her son-in-law
Tom Fisk
Gary Kerley in the death of his mother
Doris Kerley
Doris Herrin & Gail Evans in the death of
Carolyn Lee Grant Waldrep
In short this program includes:
• morning group work outs
• accountability
• nutrition coaching
• exercise coaching & classes
• a before & after evaluation
• weekly check-ins
• your personal log book
Religion for the 21st Century
Music Meditation: Amy & Haley Hulsey, Duet
Offetory Praise: Lord, Here Am I
Duet: Della Ruth Johnson & Mark Green
Choral Worship: Holy is He
Hope Choir (8:30am)
Sanctuary Choir (10:50am)
OT: Psalm 62:1-2, 10-12 NT: Mark 1:14-20
Joe Kirkpatrick in the death of his father
Ken Kirkpatrick
Group Workouts: Mon-Tues-Thurs
from 5:40am-6:40am
$75/FLC member, $95/non-FLC member
Music Meditation: Blessings
Jeanine Callahan, Solo
Offetory Praise: Room at the Cross for You
Exaltation! Orchestra
Choral Worship: Faithfulness
Agape Choir (8:30am)
Sanctuary Choir (10:50am)
Cuba! Can Anything Good
Come From There?
Gary Kerley in the death of his mother
Doris Kerley
6 weeks: January 5-February 16, 2015
OT: Genesis 1:1-5 NT: Acts 19:1-17
Second Sunday after Epiphany
Sharon Abernathy in the death of her mother
Minnie Nix
Kick-Off January 5th at 5:30am
At the Family Life Center
First Sunday after Epiphany
January 18th
Wayne McEachin in the death of his wife
Nina McEachin
Amy-Jill Levine
Vanderbilt University
February 13 & 14, 2015
Brenau Center
301 Main Street, SW
Gainesville, GA 30501
EMW Lectures is proud to announce that the 2015 Religion
for the 21st Century lecture, sponsored by Brenau University,
First Baptist Church, Grace Episcopal Church, and other local
churches serving Gainesville and Northeast Georgia, will feature
noted teacher, author, and speaker Professor Amy-Jill Levine.
Professor Levine currently holds the E. Rhodes and Leona
B. Carpenter Professorship of New Testament Studies and
Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt University and is a member of
Cambridge University’s Woolf Institute: Centre for the Study
of Jewish-Christian Relations. Professor Levine has authored,
coauthored, and edited numerous critically acclaimed books
and articles addressing Christian and Jewish religious issues
and the relationships between them. The February 2015 event
will include three lectures, coffee/water service, a presenter’s
reception, and on site lunch. Friday, February 13 at 7:00 pm,
and Saturday, February 14 at 10:00am and 1:15pm.
Each of the lectures will address topics related to or
discussed in her latest book, Short Stories by Jesus: The
Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi and each session
will be followed by a structured Q and A. Copies of Amy-Jill’s
books will be available for purchase.
Tickets are $65 and may be purchased in the church office: 770-534-7354.
THE SUMMIT
FBC Women’s
Weekend
A Conversation with Glennon Doyle Melton
Join us on January 23rd and 24th as we host our fourth annual women’s weekend
at First Baptist Church. This time together is devoted to empowering women by raising
awareness of issues that are global in nature and yet profoundly personal. The 2014
Summit: FBC Women’s Weekend will be “A Conversation with Glennon Doyle Melton”.
Friday night we will gather and hear from Glennon herself. She is the author of the inspiring
and hilarious New York Times bestselling memoir, Carry On, Warrior. She is the founder of
Momastery.com, an on-line community where hundreds of thousands of readers meet daily
to experience her shameless and laugh-out-loud funny essays about marriage, motherhood,
faith, addiction, recovery, and serving the marginalized. She is also the creator and
president of Together Rising, a non-profit organization that has revolutionized on-line giving
through “Love Flash Mobs” and has connected countless families in need with hundreds of
thousands of dollars in critical resources. Glennon became a sensation when her personal
essays, which give language to our universal (yet often secret) experiences started going
viral. Her hilarious and poignant observations have been read by millions, shared among
friends, discussed at water coolers and have now inspired a social movement.
Glennon will be exploring the topic what forms our image and how are we created in
God’s image. We will continue the conversation on when we will hear from a panel of
diverse women about their own journey towards reconciling society’s expectations of what
women should look/act like with God’s vision for what their lives should look like.
Purchast tickets at www.fbcgainesville.org!
JOIN US ON A TRIP TO FRANCE!
Wednesday Nights @ FBC
Programs resume January 7th, 2015
Churchwide Dinner at 5:00pm in the Banquet Hall
Nursery
5:45pm-7:15pm for Birth - 2 Years
Children’s Choir
5:45pm
Children’s Missions
6:30pm - 7:00pm
Students
5:15pm - 6:10pm - Student String Orchestra
5:30pm - Student Orchestra
6:15pm - 6:45pm - Middle School Small Group
6:45pm - 7:15pm - Combined Worship
7:15pm - 7:45pm - High School Small Group
Adults
The Parables of Jesus
6:00pm in Room 239 (Seekers Class)
Led by Dr. Coates and Will Dyer
Learning the Story:
An In-Depth Look at the Bible
6:00pm in Room 208 - Led by Mark Todd
Banquet Hall Study
6:00pm - Led by Ron Grizzle
On May 6-14, 2015, Dr. Coates will lead a
group through Normandy, Brittany and
Chateaux Country this Spring.
Registration ends in February.
Please contact Liz at elizabethcts@yahoo.com
for info or to register.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE MINISTRY
As a caring church, we strive
to support each other and our
community in times of personal,
family, and community needs.
Therefore, we find it important to
prepare for possible climate, accidental, terrorist, cyber,
or other events that threaten our safety.
The mission of our Emergency Response Ministry
is to be proactive in providing information on how to
prepare in time of disaster. If we are prepared, we will
have the opportunity to serve our community if first
responder resources are overwhelmed.
How do you become a part of this ministry? Go
to the FBC website, “Connect” tab, and access
“Emergency Response”. There you will find links to
valuable preparedness information from local, state,
and federal sources. We pray that you will consider
joining our new ministry by downloading and completing
the website form that specifies how you are willing to
serve. For more information, contact Kent Murphey at
kentmurphey@gmail.com, or Bill Wittel, Bob Hawkins,
and Kurt Schuler.
JANUARY
2015
01
THURSDAY
04
DON’T MISS!
John McDermott
in Concert
Church Office Closed
New Year’s Day
February 21st, 2015
FBC Sanctuary
Tickets: www.fbcgainesville.org
Communion Sunday
SUNDAY 8:30am in the Chapel, 10:50am in the Sanctuary
1st @ 1st Luncheon
Following 10:50am Worship in the Banquet Hall.
04-11
SUN-SUN
05
Family Promise Host Week
We need volunteers! Learn more under the local missions page at www.fbcgainesville.org.
Body Stewards Kick-Off
MONDAY 5:30am in the Family Life Center. Register at www.fbcgainesville.org.
Tai Chi for Health: Registration Deadline
This exercise is particularly helpful for those with arthritis. 10:00am-11:00am in the FLC. Thursdays: January 8th - February 26th (8 sessions).
Cost is $50 for FLC members, $60 for non-members or class cards may be redeemed. Please register by calling 770-535-0478.
07
Wednesday Night Programs Resume
10-11
11
Sonlight Youth Choir Winter Retreat
Deacons’ Meeting
WEDNESDAY Churchwide Dinner in the Banquet Hall at 5:00pm. Children, Student, & Adult Bible Studies resume.
SUNDAY
6:00pm in the Kindred Spirits Classroom
12
Estes-Dozier Missions Meeting
17
Student Ministry: Snow Tubing at Stone Mountain
MONDAY 10:15am in the Parlor. Nic Johnson from Amigos for Christ will join us to talk about their work in Nicarauga.
SATURDAY
3:00pm -10:00pm | Cost: $20
FLC Parent’s Night Out
19
5:00pm-9:00pm at the Family Life Center. Ages 2-10, bring a sack supper and drink. Cost: $10/first child, $8/sibling.
Must register by calling Amy Mercer at 770-533-2794. Space is limited.
Church Office Closed
MONDAY Martin Luther King Holiday
23-24
FRI-SAT
The SUMMIT: FBC Women’s Weekend
Featuring Glennon Doyle Melton. Purchase tickets at www.fbcgainesville.org. $30 per person.
25
Student Ministry: Pizza Dinner
26
Peru Trip 2015: Informational Meeting
SUNDAY
6:00pm - 8:00pm | Cost: $5
MONDAY 6:00pm in room 241 (Seekers). Dr. Coates is leading a trip to Machu Picchu from August 3-10, 2015. Join us for an
informational meeting if you are interested. Contact Liz Coates at elizabethcts@yahoo.com for more information.
30
Adults with Seniority: “Thanks for the Memories” Luncheon
FRIDAY 10:30am in the Banquet Hall
SAVE the date FEBRUARY 2015
2.1 1st @ 1st Luncheon
2.6-2.7 NOW SERVING Atlanta
College Students Mission Weekend
2.18 Ash Wednesday
2.21 John McDermott in Concert
2.25 Noon Lenten Service @ FUMC
Church Conference
2.27 Adults with Seniority
Fernbank IMAX & Mary Mac’s
2.27-3.1 Disciple Now Weekend
Welcome New Members!
WANDA CREEL ALEXANDER AMOS
SUNDAY GIVING REPORT
November 23, 2014
Weekly Budget Required: $55,781.25
Weekly Budget Received: $95,888.61
Year-to-date Required: $2,621,718.75
Year-to-date Received: $2,512,790.94
Deficit: $-108,927.81
November 30, 2014
Weekly Budget Required: $55,781.25
Weekly Budget Received: $51,306.47
Year-to-date Required: $2,677,500.00
Year-to-date Received: $2,564,097.41
Deficit: $-113,402.59
December 7, 2014
Weekly Budget Required: $55,781.25
Weekly Budget Received: $93,638.75
Year-to-date Required: $2,733,281.25
Year-to-date Received: $2,657,736.16
Deficit: $-75,545.09
JON KUNKEL
December 14, 2014
Weekly Budget Required: $55,781.25
Weekly Budget Received: $58,279.44
Year-to-date Required: $2,789,062.50
Year-to-date Received: $2,716,015.60
Deficit: $-73,046.90