1st Connections January 2015

JANUARY 2015

CONNECTIONSFIRST

WWW.FBCGAINESVILLE .ORG

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,

F IRST BAPT IST CHURCH, GAINESVILLE , GEORGIA | 751 GREEN STREET NW | 770-534-7354

JANUARY01 Church Office Closed04 Communion Sunday 1st @ 1st Luncheon04-11 Family Promise Host Week05 Body Stewards Kick-Off07 Wednesday Nights Resume10-11 Sonlight Winter Retreat17 FLC Paren’ts Night Out19 Church Office Closed23-24 The SUMMITT Women’s Weekend30 Adults with Seniority

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

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.

Religion for the 21st Century

Amy-Jill LevineVanderbilt UniversityFebruary 13 & 14, 2015

Brenau Center301 Main Street, SW

Gainesville, GA 30501

Kick-Off January 5th at 5:30am At the Family Life Center

6 weeks: January 5-February 16, 2015Group Workouts: Mon-Tues-Thurs

from 5:40am-6:40am$75/FLC member, $95/non-FLC member

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

January 4th

January 11th

January 18th

January 25th

WORSH IP8:30am & 10:50am

Listen LIVE: WCON 99.3FM & fbcgainesville.org

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

The family of First Baptist would like to express its deepest sympathy to the following:

Second Sunday After Christmas10 Reasons to Praise God this Year

OT: Psalm 147, Jeremiah 31 NT: Ephesians 1:3-10

Music Meditation: Lydia Fields & Rachel Smith, DuetOffetory Praise: How Great Thou ArtJon Kerrick, ViolinChoral Worship: Arise, Arise and ShineIn Remembrance of MeRejoice Choir (8:30am)Sanctuary Choir (10:50am)

First Sunday after EpiphanyGod Forms

OT: Genesis 1:1-5 NT: Acts 19:1-17

Music Meditation: BlessingsJeanine Callahan, SoloOffetory Praise: Room at the Cross for YouExaltation! OrchestraChoral Worship: FaithfulnessAgape Choir (8:30am)Sanctuary Choir (10:50am)

Second Sunday after EpiphanyCuba! Can Anything Good

Come From There?OT: Psalm 139:1-18 NT: John 1:43-51

Music Meditation: Amy & Haley Hulsey, DuetOffetory Praise: Lord, Here Am IDuet: Della Ruth Johnson & Mark GreenChoral Worship: Holy is HeHope Choir (8:30am)Sanctuary Choir (10:50am)

Third Sunday after EpiphanyThe Genius Disciples -- Not!

OT: Psalm 62:1-2, 10-12 NT: Mark 1:14-20

Music Meditation: All Things NewJohn, Jeff and Carl Williams, TrioOffetory Praise: Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel?Sanctuary Ringers (10:50am)Choral Worship: How Great Thou ArtRejoice Choir (8:30am)Sanctuary Choir (10:50am) Tickets are $65 and may be purchased in the church office: 770-534-7354.

REGISTER AND PAY AT WWW.FBCGAINESVILLE.ORG

Wayne McEachin in the death of his wife Nina McEachin

Sharon Abernathy in the death of her mother Minnie Nix

Gary Kerley in the death of his motherDoris Kerley

Joe Kirkpatrick in the death of his fatherKen Kirkpatrick

Sylvia Mayfield in the death of her son-in-lawTom Fisk

Gary Kerley in the death of his motherDoris Kerley

Doris Herrin & Gail Evans in the death ofCarolyn Lee Grant Waldrep

WOMEN’S SPRING BIBLE STUDIESJoin 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 [email protected] or 770-534-7354. See a full schedule of groups that meet under the women’s ministry page at www.fbcgainesville.org.

JOIN US ON A TRIP TO FRANCE! 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 [email protected] for info or to register.

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!

THE SUMMIT

Wednesday Nights @ FBCChurchwide Dinner at 5:00pm in the Banquet Hall

Nursery5:45pm-7:15pm for Birth - 2 Years

Children’s Choir5:45pm

Children’s Missions6:30pm - 7:00pm

Students5:15pm - 6:10pm - Student String Orchestra

5:30pm - Student Orchestra6:15pm - 6:45pm - Middle School Small Group

6:45pm - 7:15pm - Combined Worship7:15pm - 7:45pm - High School Small Group

AdultsThe 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 Study6:00pm - Led by Ron Grizzle

Programs resume January 7th, 2015

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 [email protected], or Bill Wittel, Bob Hawkins, and Kurt Schuler.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE MINISTRY

JANUARY 201504

SUNDAYCommunion Sunday

1st @ 1st Luncheon8:30am in the Chapel, 10:50am in the Sanctuary

Following 10:50am Worship in the Banquet Hall.

Body Stewards Kick-Off5:30am in the Family Life Center. Register at www.fbcgainesville.org.

Wednesday Night Programs ResumeChurchwide Dinner in the Banquet Hall at 5:00pm. Children, Student, & Adult Bible Studies resume.

Sonlight Youth Choir Winter Retreat

Church Office ClosedMartin Luther King Holiday

The SUMMIT: FBC Women’s WeekendFeaturing Glennon Doyle Melton. Purchase tickets at www.fbcgainesville.org. $30 per person.

Tai Chi for Health: Registration DeadlineThis 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.

FLC Parent’s Night Out5:00pm-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.

Estes-Dozier Missions Meeting10:15am in the Parlor. Nic Johnson from Amigos for Christ will join us to talk about their work in Nicarauga.

SUNDAY GIVING REPORTNovember 23, 2014

Weekly Budget Required: $55,781.25Weekly Budget Received: $95,888.61Year-to-date Required: $2,621,718.75Year-to-date Received: $2,512,790.94Deficit: $-108,927.81

November 30, 2014 Weekly Budget Required: $55,781.25Weekly Budget Received: $51,306.47Year-to-date Required: $2,677,500.00Year-to-date Received: $2,564,097.41Deficit: $-113,402.59

December 7, 2014 Weekly Budget Required: $55,781.25Weekly Budget Received: $93,638.75Year-to-date Required: $2,733,281.25Year-to-date Received: $2,657,736.16Deficit: $-75,545.09

December 14, 2014 Weekly Budget Required: $55,781.25Weekly Budget Received: $58,279.44Year-to-date Required: $2,789,062.50Year-to-date Received: $2,716,015.60Deficit: $-73,046.90

SAVE the da t e FEBRUARY 2015

Family Promise Host WeekWe need volunteers! Learn more under the local missions page at www.fbcgainesville.org.

04-11SUN-SUN

05MONDAY

07WEDNESDAY

10-11

12MONDAY

17SATURDAY

19MONDAY

23-24FRI-SAT

Welcome New Membe r s !

WANDA CREEL ALEXANDER AMOS JON KUNKEL

Adults with Seniority: “Thanks for the Memories” Luncheon10:30am in the Banquet Hall

30FRIDAY

2.1 1st @ 1st Luncheon2.6-2.7 NOW SERVING Atlanta College Students Mission Weekend2.18 Ash Wednesday2.21 John McDermott in Concert2.25 Noon Lenten Service @ FUMC Church Conference2.27 Adults with Seniority Fernbank IMAX & Mary Mac’s2.27-3.1 Disciple Now Weekend

Church Office ClosedNew Year’s Day

01THURSDAY

DON’T MISS!John McDermott in Concert

February 21st, 2015FBC SanctuaryTickets: www.fbcgainesville.org

Deacons’ Meeting6:00pm in the Kindred Spirits Classroom

11SUNDAY

Student Ministry: Snow Tubing at Stone Mountain3:00pm -10:00pm | Cost: $20

Student Ministry: Pizza Dinner6:00pm - 8:00pm | Cost: $5

25SUNDAY

Peru Trip 2015: Informational Meeting6:00pm 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 [email protected] for more information.

26MONDAY