From the Pastor s heart...

Transcription

1 MAY 2015 From the Pastor s heart... April showers bring May flowers! I like the Scottish term for rain, the softness. God is good that way; sending us the softness just when we need it so we can enjoy the beauty of spring. Another thing that blooms in the spring is the First Baptist Church calendar. There are 5 Sundays in May and every Sunday will be special indeed. > Check out... firstbaptistcumming.org SCRIPTURE OF THE MONTH For He has satisfied the thirsty and filled the hungry with good things. Psalm 107:9 If we want revivals, we must revive our reverence for the Word of God Spurgeon DID YOU KNOW? The Light of Hope Award is presented by the CASA Program to recognize the contributions of people who promote the well-being of children with their work and time recipients from FBC: Kathy Jolly, Adam and Whitney Rodes Scott Carpenter is preaching on May 3 as we focus on our student ministry. May 10 is Mother s Day. Graduate recognition is May 17 as we honor those who have hit this major milestone. On May 24 we remember our military heroes from the past and we honor those who serve us today with a special morning worship and Brother Bob s BBQ in the afternoon. May 31 will be a sentimental day in the life of our church as we honor Dr. Darel & Susan Robertson. Darel will be retiring with plans for the two of them to move close to family in Texas. I cannot say enough how much this couple means to our church and me. We pray God s blessings on them during this transition. Just as April showers bring May flowers, today s witness brings tomorrow s convert. If we want to see the baptismal waters stirred in the future, we must share the good news of Jesus today. Are you praying for a lost person now? Are you actively pursuing a relationship with someone who needs Jesus? Are you inviting family, friends, neighbors and colleagues to worship and other activities at church? When you witness a new believer s baptism, remember it all started with a witness. Progress on our children s building annex continues at a good pace. Your faithful giving is helping us maintain financial health for our mission, our ministry, and our growth. The lost are being saved. The saved are being called. The called are being sent. The gospel is being spread. Thank you for being part of a Great Commission Church. Your Pastor & Friend, Bob

2 > d i s c i p l e s h i p Service. In today s culture, nobody wants to serve someone else. We mostly want to serve ourselves. But the Master called us to something different. As Jesus washed His disciples feet, He instructed them to follow His example and serve one another (John 13:12-17). It is said that we are never more like Jesus than when we serve. Many say they didn t really begin growing in their faith until they began serving. This month pray and ask God how He wants to use you in the lives of others at FBC. Then watch & listen for God to provide opportunities. For assistance (including lists of opportunities, spiritual gifts discovery tools, and the like), simply contact your Minister of Discipleship. Together, let s strive to serve the Lord in a way that is faithful to Him & in keeping with all that He s done in our lives. He set the supreme example, so let s live it out together til we re just like Jesus. SOME TOP CURRENT FBC MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES: Vacation Bible School helpers - multiple roles available big and small. Can help before, during, or after VBS. Contact Laura Nixon (Laura@firstbaptistcumming.org). Bob s BBQ helpers - various small roles available on May 24. Contact Cole Wilkins (cole@firstbaptistcumming.org). Preschool helpers - multiple roles available. Contact Edna Bridges (edna@firstbaptistcumming.org) Adult Bible Fellowship Group Catalysts - men and women who plant churches at FBC by attending and invite others to new BFGs. Contact (cole@firstbaptistcumming.org) College Ministry - multiple roles sought. Contact (cole@firstbaptistcumming.org) The National Day of Prayer will be recognized here at FBC Thursday, May 7. During this special prayer time from Noon to 1pm we join others across our nation in prayer for our country. If you can t make it, stop and take a few moments throughout the month to pray for our country and our leaders. God has greatly blessed our nation. We must humble ourselves, call on Him, and seek His face, so He will heal our land. Lunch provided. Childcare available by RSVP only. Register at national-day-of-prayer-2015/ A Few More Dates & Happenings... May 3 Surprise Sunday May 10 Mother s Day! May 17 Graduate Recognition May 24 Brother Bob s BBQ May 31 Explore First - Room 11am Cole Wilkins Minister of Discipleship & Young Adults Pray with me for our High School AND College graduates as they begin the next chapter in their journey with Christ as young adults! > w o r s h i p a r t s Memorial Day Weekend services are at 9:30 and 11:00 am on May 24. Invite friends and family to these very meaningful services. For information about how you can serve in Worship Arts, feel free to call Gwenn Fox or Darel Robertson at the office at for further information or to ask any question. Blessings, Darel

3 > e v a n g e l is m & m i s s i o n s Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27) FBC Cumming has a new Orphan Ministry Team that encourages Christ-followers to get involved in adoption and foster care. There are 2 main purposes of the FBC orphan ministry: Support and Service. (1) SUPPORT for current and prospective adoptive parents There is a huge need for encouraging and connecting with adoptive and foster care families. The support purpose includes raising church-wide awareness, promotion, offering financial assistance, equipping, and holding intentional fellowships within our church family. (2) SERVICE in our community and around the world This purpose promotes acts of service that minister to orphans locally and globally. Orphan ministry is and should be an important component of our Acts 1:8 missions strategy. You can join us in our efforts to care for orphans around the world. For more information, please stop by the Orphan Ministry table in the Atrium. To learn about how you can be a part of FBC s orphan ministry, please contact Mark Wethington at mark.wethington0@icloud.com or Morgantown, West Virginia (June 22-28) On June 22 June 28, FBC member Bob Rorke will be leading a trip to the Chestnut Mountain Ranch for Boys ( The cost is $500 per person. This trip is designed for families with children over 12 as well as couples, single folks and/or empty nesters. There will be construction projects, painting, and other team chores for all levels of capability and energy levels. If you want more info, please contact Bob Rorke: bob.rorke@gmail.com. New York City (October 2-5) FBC will be taking a trip to Long Island City, NY to help New City Church with their 2nd annual LIC Community Carnival. In 2014, they had close to 1000 people in attendance. The team will go with a planned activity, supplies, and a booth for giveaways (such as candy, etc.). Please contact Kyle Connell (kyle@firstbaptistcumming.org) if you want to know more about this great opportunity. Michael O Neal Minister of Evangelism and Missions > m i n i s t e r i a l s t a f f Dr. Robert Jolly, Senior Pastor Robert@firstbaptistcumming.org Dr. Darel Robertson, Minister of Music Darel@firstbaptistcumming.org Dr. Michael O Neal, Minister of Evangelism & Missions Michael@firstbaptistcumming.org Cole Wilkins, Minister of Discipleship & Young Adults Cole@firstbaptistcumming.org Scott Carpenter, Minister of Youth Scott@firstbaptistcumming.org Kyle Connell, Minister of Middle School Kyle@firstbaptistcumming.org Brian Weaver, Minister of Children Brian@firstbaptistcumming.org Laura Nixon, Children s Director Laura@firstbaptistcumming.org Edna Bridges, Minister of Preschool Edna@firstbaptistcumming.org Ken Danuser, Director of Senior Adults Ken@firstbaptistcumming.org Tom Hayslip, Church Administrator Tomhayslip@firstbaptistcumming.org Andy Hall, Church Planter - Redemption City Church Andy.hall@firstbaptistcumming.org Kevin Mansoori, Church Planter Intern (NAMB) Kmansoori@palasys.com Mokhles Bekhet, Church Planter Intern (NAMB) mokhlessaed@gmail.com

4 1597 Sawnee Drive Phone Address Service Requested TOP OF LABEL >outreach events June 8-12, 2015 VBS for ages 5 (by Sept 1, 2015) thru 4th Grade 9 AM - Noon VBX for 5th Grade 6 PM - 9 PM Register NOW Firstbaptistcumming.org/elementary Sunday, May 24 4 PM FBC Campus TICKETS available in the Atrium $6 - ADULTS $3 - CHILDREN Guests - Free Bring a side dish, appetizer, or dessert to share. Chicken, bread, and drink provided. Featuring Bro. Bob s FAMOUS BBQ Chicken! Children s Inflatables Rock Climbing Wall Music being led by: The Rosson Family Band Sounds of Sawnee Community Band Don t miss this opportunity to introduce your friends, neighbors, and new residents to the First Baptist Family.

5 Regular Sunday Activities 9:30 11:00 12:00 3:00 5:00 5:00 6:00 AM BFG & Contemporary Worship AM BFG & Worship PM HS Band Rehersal PM MS Band Rehearsal PM Handbells Rehearsal PM Orchestra Rehearsal PM Winter Discipleship Classes Regular Wednesday Activities 5:00 5:30 6:30 6:30 7:15 7:30 PM Family Dinner Tutoring PM Middle School Dunamis PM High School Acts 2:42 PM Discipleship Classes PM AWANA PM Pastor s Bible Study PM Celebration Choir Rehearsal PM Orchestra Rehearsal PM Worship Band Rehearsal

6 > ne w m e m b e r s Welcome To The Family Beth Brock 1775 Peachtree Road Gideon & Rebecca Castleberry Son-Isaac 8200 Old Mill Drive Gainesville, GA Caytlyn Cooley Daughter of Cindy Crowe 5830 Nobb Hill Drive Gainesville, GA Eric & Stacie Crisp Son-Dalton Crisp 3130 Corsair Curve Charlie & Sarah Durden 4040 Silverthorn Trace Cumming, GA Rett Folsom Son of Russ & Lana Folsom 3880 Pinewood Court Jim Hopper 4395 Cadmium Drive Ovie Hughie 2715 Lions Gate Drive Sonny Hughie 2715 Lions Gate Drive Sarah Hunt 8938 Carroll Manor Drive Sandy Springs, GA Jordan Laubler 6115 Quail Mountain Trail Gainesville, GA Tyler Lavin Son of John & Laura Lavin 3905 Thorntree Court Eddy & Christy McIlvain Daughter-Annabel McIlvain 7415 Colony Drive Stephen & Valerie Patrick Daughters-Keeley, Kenna & Mikayla Patrick 2810 Lions Gate Place Chad & Noelle Smith Children-William, Kathleen & Elizabeth Smith 7075 Summit Ridge Chase NEW MEMBERS IN 2015 Total - 61 (YTD through Apr 26) By Letter/Statement - 36 By Baptism - 25 BFG avg attendance through Apr > f i n a n c i a l s Figures YTD through April 26 Weekly Ministry Budget Needed $ 55,865. Average Weekly Offering $ 48,246. ACTS 1:8 Offering $ 59,217. Greater Things $ 243,618. > s e n i o r a d u l t s Dear FBC Senior Adults, Thanks again for sharing the love of Christ with words and actions. We are learning to be the Bride of Christ. Keep it up! Here is what we will be doing in May. 50+ Supper Club will meet on Thursday the 7 th. (This is a change of date because of pre-school graduation on the 2 nd Thursday). We will eat in the Sanctuary where tables will be set up. Ladies Rejoice will be our entertainment so bring food and friends and enjoy. We begin at 6pm We will tour Chick-Fil-A headquarters on Tuesday the 19 th. Leaving the parking lot at 9:30am, we will arrive for a scheduled 11:00am guided tour. We will then go to the Varsity for lunch and return home by 4 pm. The cost is $5 to reserve your seat on the bus and lunch money. Sign up in your BFG and please pay your bus money at that time or call the church office. Much Love, Ken