First Edition 2.4.15

FroMYour Pastor’s heart

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Welcome to the First Family

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Super Bowls come and go but the Word of God lasts forever (Isaiah 40:8). It is so amazing how excited people get over a football game, not to mention paying mega-bucks for tickets, but in the future don’t even remember who won the game. What would it take for Christians to get that excited about Jesus? Why is it so easy to talk about football but shy away from talking about Jesus?

God doesn’t expect us to know all the answers about Christ. He does call us to be His witnesses and He promises to be with us as we share the gospel (Matt 28:18-20). A good place to start is in our homes. Noah is described as faithful even though he failed to reach his world for the Lord. However, he did reach his sons - he stands as a faithful example (Hebrews 11:7). Sunday’s sermon was about an enemy who seeks to trash our homes and we close the door to Satan by opening the door to Jesus.

This month has Valentine’s Day, President’s Day and Black History Month. All of these can remind us of love, steadfastness and mistreatment. As Christians, our story has a good ending, but along the way we have signi� cant contributions to make. A tragedy would be to live our lives and never make a di� erence for Christ. What can you do to let your light shine in the midst of such a dark world?

The Prayer Conference is this Friday. Our most powerful reserve is Godly prayer. Faith always reaches Heaven with our humble requests. We have not because we ask not (James 4:2). All of us are in need of improving our prayer life. Come and see how God can show you to become prayer warriors.

The Power Team is coming to our church February 18-22...They not only share in our services, but also go to various schools in our area. Here is a place to touch a generation with the claims of Christ. Counselors and workers are needed in addition to school assemply sponsors. This event has such possibility of making an impact. Be a part of God using their testimony to touch lives.

February is sometimes known as a dismal month, but it doesn’t have to be. Get involved and see Christ do amazing things in and through your life.Your pastor,JerryRomans 8:37

Kathryn and Les WoodinKathryn by Statement, Les by Baptism114 Keplar Pl, FH 990.2526

Betty and Ray CarterJoin by Letter19750 Quali Creek Dr., FH251.210.6100

The Hargadon FamilyJoins by StatementJohn, Bobbie, Thomas, Michael201 Heather Ln, FH251.943.2530

Here on Friday, February 6@ 7:00 PM

Join us for this exciting opportunity sponsored by our Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions and Baldwin Baptist Association to encounter God as we worship, praise and lift our prayers to God with other fellow Christians from across our Baldwin Baptist Association. We are looking for Prayer Warriors who will commit to pray during 2015 for our pastors and sta� , churches and ministries of our Association throughout the coming year. If you are willing to be a Prayer Warrior and to try and attend this event, please sign up by contacting LaSha Powell in the Church O� ce (928-8685 or [email protected]).

WEDNESDAYSBREATHE by Priscilla Shirer5:00pm in MPR#2, begins February 11This 6-week study is sponsored by Ladies At First. The study focuses on the impor-tance of the Sabbath and the need to � nd space in one’s life for God to speak and for Christians to hear His voice. (Book $10) Facilitator: Debbie Tuggle

Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University6:30pm in MPR#2, Begins February 11Learn how to defeat the “debt monster” and get your � nances under control so you can be the steward God wants you to be and can relieve the stress of � nancial debt. (Book/Kit $93.00, Scholarships are available) Facilitator: Debbie TuggleNOTE: A FREE PREVIEW class is o� ered on February 4 at 6:00pm in MPR#2

SUNDAYSBreathe by Priscilla Shirer5:00pm in 201 West, Begins February 8This 6-week study is sponsored by Ladies At First. The study focuses on the impor-tance of the Sabbath and the need to � nd space in one’s life for God to speak and for Christians to hear His voice. (Book $10)Facilitator: Susan Young

NEW Adult Sunday School Classes Going on now!Next Steps-A new Single Young Women’s Class targeting those in their 20’s – 40’s will be meeting in Dr. Henry’s o� ce. Teacher will be our Christian Counselor, Angie Lewis.

Cornerstone Class-A new class for Senior Married Couples 60s-Up. They will be meeting in 201-A, West Bldg. Teachers: Bill Blackwood and Bill Sims.

prayer event

Legacy Builders for Young Adults is Back!Sundays, 5:00 – 7:00 PM // 206/208 WestAll Young Adults are encouraged to be a part of our Legacy Builders and learn from seasoned couples in the areas of parenting, marriage, and how to grow as a follower of Christ. It’s also a great opportunity to get to know other Young Adults and to grow stronger in your faith while your children & teens are also growing stronger in their walk with Christ. It’s your opportunity to impact the next generation for Christ and to help us turn the tide of our godless culture.The focus for the next few weeks will be from “THE LEGACY MILESTONE” book. Books are $5 each. Hope to see you there!The Legacy Builders Mentor Team

with Claude King and John Franklin

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Vancouver Island

Mission TripMay 5 – 11, 2015

Vancouver Island, Canada

Our team will be working with North American Missionary,

Ashely Austin, and his new start-up church, Canvas, along

with a group from Broadmoor Baptist Church in Mississippi.

Our team will be assisting his church with a Family Fest event,

prayer walking, hanging door hangers advertising the Family

Fest, and with the events of the Family Fest. Only about 3% of

the people are churched so there is a great need for the Gospel

to be shared.

If you would like to be a part of our team, please contact Brent

Shaw or Je� Ingram for more information.

Women’s Care Medical Center’s ANNUAL WALK FOR LIFESaturday, March 14 // Fairhope Pier

WE NEED WALKERS & SPONSORS! We want to have our

largest number of walkers ever and raise the most funds ever

as well. So, how can you help? We encourage all those who

Can to walk with us, but if you can’t we need lots of SPON-

SORS to help us reach our TEAM GOAL for funds raised to

help the Women’s Care Medical Center continue with their

great ministry to women in a crisis pregnancy. Here are our

2015 Team Goals: Walkers: 75+ people walking

Funds Raised: $7,500You may begin signing up next Sunday to Walk or to

Sponsor one of our Walkers.

MAJI:HOPE is Turning FIVE!

February 24, 2015 @ 7:00 PM

Pinzone’s in Downtown Fairhope

MAJI:HOPE, formerly known as “Dig Deep, Give Well” will be turning

5 years old and you are invited to come and celebrate with them

and � nd out more about how you can be involved in bringing fresh

clean water and the Living Water of Jesus to the people of Tanza-

nia. If you would like to help sponsor a solar-powered water well,

contact Clint@ (251) 609-2206.

Mission Trip Yard Sale

Saturday, April 18

6:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.

The POD Storage Unit will be on the back parking lot

unlocked during daylight hours beginning the � rst week in

February.

Please call Paula Bosarge at 510-2487 for big items to be

picked up and will be picked up Friday, April 17.

We accept items in good working condition and wearable

clothes. We do not accept magazines. Pray for good

weather for the sale. Builders for Christ

Mission TripMay 23 – 30, 2015Pratt, KansasNOTE: A $100 deposit is due

by February 25 to secure your

place. Contact Brent Shaw for

more info (928-8685 or [email protected]).

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CONNECTIONS

Outreach

Tuesday, February 24

6:00pm, Social Hall

Join us as we deliver Welcome Bags

and rresh baked cookies to those

who have been our guests in worship

or Sunday School recently as well as

those new to our area. Join us for the

fun and meet some new folks!

2014 GIVING RECAP…What a Great Year!As a result of our people’s generous giving we were able to � nish strong in our Ministry Budget. We had over $ 535,000 given to the Ministry Budget in December alone making it the largest Ministry Budget giving month in the history of First Baptist and allowing us to � nish well in the black and start 2015 with a large surplus. In addition we had $229,955 given to the Capital Fund in addition to other Designated o� erings. For the entire year, we had the following given: General Fund $ 2,460,179.22 Other General Fund Income 172,957.59 Capital Campaign Fund 545,483.65 Missions Gifts 257,446.07 Other Designated Gifts 136,385.82TOTAL Income /Giving $ 3,572,452.35To God be the Glory!

Learning Tree RegistrationIn house registration is 2/9th-2/13th.Registration is open to the public on 2/23rd. God is blessing, we anticipate a full house for the 2015-16 school year.As we continue to grow, the need for additional teachers is a possibility. If you are interested in a teaching position or substituting, please see Lynn Carroll, [email protected]

A child’s heart is God’s territory, sowing there is a sacred task.

Volunteers for Sunday Mornings Needed in Preschool MinistryThe Preschool Ministry is in need of Special Adults to help with some very special preschoolers. If you are willing to volunteer during Worship or Sunday School with children that need extra attention, please let De-lores know in the o� ce or email [email protected]. We are trying to get enough volunteers that it could be done on a once a month time frame per person volunteering. We will have a training session the middle of February to equip you with how to minister to these little ones. It doesn’t take a professional, just someone with a big heart.....you will be blessed.

February is Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief O� ering Month Sunday, February 22 in both servicesFunds given through the Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief O� ering will enable the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, in partnership with churches and associations, to support and equip disaster relief responders and response e� orts, including the purchase of needed equipment and relief supplies. 100% of your gifts will go to this e� ort. Special o� ering envelopes will be made available or you can use a regular o� ering envelope and designate it for the DIsaster Relief O� ering.

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