FBC Newsletter. Anniversary Celebration. November 1 & 8, FBC Mission Statement. FBC Vision Statement

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1 FBC Newsletter A Monthly Source of News and Information for Members & Friends of First Bible Church Decatur Madison October 2015 FBC Mission Statement Our mission is to glorify God by helping people know, love, obey, and exalt Jesus Christ FBC Vision Statement Our vision is to present Christ to Decatur, Madison and the world in a contemporary and creative way through equipped and mobilized believers who make disciples. November 1, 2015 Guest Speaker Dr. Mark L. Bailey President Dallas Theological Seminary Anniversary Celebration November 1 & 8, 2015 Dr. Mark Bailey serves as president and senior professor of Bible Exposition at Dallas Theological Seminary. Dr. Bailey received his Bachelor of Arts from Southwestern College in Phoenix, Arizona in 1972; his Master of Divinity and Master of Theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon in 1975 and 1977, respectively; and his Doctor of Philosophy in Bible Exposition from Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas in In December 2006 he was awarded a Doctor of Divinity degree from Dallas Baptist University. For over 35 years, his career passions have been theological education and pastoral ministry. In addition to his 30 years at Dallas Seminary, he has pastored various churches in Arizona and Texas and authored such texts as To Follow Him: The Seven Marks of a Disciple and Nelson s New Testament Survey. He has also led numerous tours to Israel and the Middle East. His board service includes Insight for Living, Jews for Jesus, Bible Study Fellowship, and Walk Thru the Bible Ministries. Dr. Bailey s passion for leadership is best displayed in his home. He and his wife, Barby, have been married for over 40 years. They have two sons and five grandchildren. FBC Newsletter 1 October 2015

2 FBC Newsletter 2 October 2015

3 Looking Ahead with Steve Thirty years ago this month, on a beautiful, crisp, sun-soaked day in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Lori and I made a public promise, exchanged rings, and sealed it with a kiss. We were looking forward to better days, richer days, and days of health, together. But in those thirty years there have also been the worse days, poorer days, and days of sickness. No one said it would be easy, and sure enough, it hasn t been. We are two people who think and feel and look at things in such different ways. That is by design, I think. If we agreed on everything, I suppose one of us would be unnecessary. There is strength in our diversity and our children have been the beneficiaries. I think they needed both of us. But the differences have been a challenge. An older couple gave us this advice right before our wedding: Never go to bed angry with each other. Okay. Sounds like a plan. After a year of that, it seemed like we could do more good for our marriage if we got some good sleep. Some of the problems didn t seem such a big deal in the morning light. Some of them did, and we worked on them. Some of them, we are still working on. Being a Christian does not guarantee constant marital bliss. Being a Christian means you keep your promises even when it s hard. And being a pastor of a great church does not mean you have the perfect marriage. Forgive me if I ever gave that impression. Our marriage, like our sanctification, is very much a work in progress. Let marriage be held in honor among all, says the writer of Hebrews 13:4. God made marriage and gives it to us for our good. And for our own good, he commands us to honor the institution of marriage. For those who are called to it, he has much to teach through welding together two lives. We can dishonor marriage by partaking of its sensual privileges before we are married. We can dishonor marriage by going outside of it to satisfy our appetites in an adulterous affair. We can dishonor marriage by redefining it as most of our nation and five Supreme Court justices did this summer. We can dishonor marriage by being harsh with our wives. We can dishonor marriage by disrespecting our husbands. But Christians must not succumb to the prevailing cultural winds. Christians must hold marriage in honor. Our wedding ceremony featured the great hymn, Great is Thy Faithulness, and that has been our theme song these three decades. Inside my wedding ring, Lori had inscribed these words: Lamentations 3: If you look it up, you will find this confession: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. While our love for him and for each other has wavered at times, he has indeed been faithful. And here we are, thirty years later, exploring a new season of life and growing older, together. In giving me Lori, God gave me a good thing, in the words of Solomon (Pr. 18:22). And so this October, Lori and I happily and gratefully celebrate thirty years of God s faithfulness to us. To God be the glory! FBC Newsletter 3 October 2015

4 The ministry of Refuge of Grace would like to thank FBC for its heartfelt support of its October 7 Beauty and Strength Luncheon with Angela Thomas. Without the support of FBC, this event would not be possible! The Refuge of Grace ministry continues to grow! Since our last newsletter update, Refuge of Grace was able to host a Mother s Day Lunch at the Morgan County Jail for twelve inmates and their children. We were so grateful to have the lunch provided by an FBC Titus group. What a blessing to be able to share the love of Christ with the women in the Morgan County Jail in such a tangible way. Currently, we are ministering through weekly Bible study in the Morgan County Jail to over thirty ladies. This ministry allows a team of six (including three FBC members) to open God s Word and develop relationships with the women who take part in our studies. We are currently studying Angela Thomas Stronger study. Since the last newsletter update, our are so thankful to have three residents, as Ashley s two children! We are so providing an excellent employment reached Season Two, and was deemed still living at the Refuge of Grace. The warmly welcoming them to Tuesday night Bible study and AWANA. FBC for one of our residents as well! number of residents has grown! We Ashley, Ashlee, and Lolita as well thankful for a local businessperson opportunity for Ashley when she ready to enter the workforce while ladies extend thanks to FBC for evening Bible study as well as Sunday has provided a volunteer opportunity The ministry has immediate needs for men to help with periodic small home repairs and odd jobs. Additionally, the vans being used by the ministry are well loved, and Refuge of Grace would gladly take any operating vehicle that could be used by our residents and graduates who are employed and traveling to their jobs each day. We continue to seek Christian work environments for our residents as they reach Season Two. Finally, we covet your prayers for the jail ministry as well as the ministry that occurs day in and day out at the Refuge of Grace home. Beauty and Strength Luncheon featuring author Angela Thomas to benefit Refuge of Grace. The event will be Wednesday, October 7, from 11:30am to 1pm at First Bible Church (Decatur Campus). Angela s books include Choosing Joy and 52 Things Kids Need from a Mom along with numerous Bible studies including Brave, Stronger, and Living Your Life as a Beautiful Offering. Refuge of Grace is a local ministry that leads weekly Bible studies in the Morgan County Jail and follows with an 18 to 36-month program providing a home as these women seek a new path to freedom in Christ. Tickets are available for purchase in the church office or online at www. therefugeofgrace.org or by calling FBC Newsletter 4 October 2015

5 Letter from Board of Elders September 7, 2015 Dear First Bible Church Member, I am writing on behalf of the Board of Elders here at First Bible Church regarding an important change in our Helping Hands ministry. As some of you know, we designed Helping Hands years ago to help keep our children safe by providing adequate supervision. In addition, this ministry also protects those who serve in the nursery on an ongoing basis from becoming overburdened. The leadership of the church has decided to make an important change to this program. As we move forward, all FBC members will be placed on a rotation to help serve in Helping Hands. Thankfully, with the number of members we have, it will spread the load more evenly. Enclosed you will find more information and details from our Nursery/Preschool Coordinator, Kelly Martin, who organizes and oversees this ministry. We are grateful that God has placed Kelly in her role here at First Bible, and we are also thankful for people like you who help make this ministry possible. Please know that your willingness to participate in Helping Hands is vital to sustaining the ministry to our children. In Christ, Cronan Connell Chairman, Board of Elders Enclosure from Kelly Martin Once again I want to thank you for commitment to our children s ministry. We appreciate your willingness and dedication to helping our workers/teachers minister to our children. This ministry is designed to keep our children safe by providing adequate supervision in the nursery, preschool and elementary. The primary role of Helping Hands is to assist the paid workers/teachers with games, snacks, reading books and playing with the children (no preparation, just show up on Sunday at your assigned time)! Beginning this fall members will serve on the Helping Hands team on a rotating basis approximately twice a year. The rotation will work such that people serving in a leadership/teaching role fulltime will be eliminated from Helping Hands list. A Helping Hands schedule will be made and mailed to you that will have the date, service time and location where you will be serving. If the date or time that you are assigned does not work with your schedule, please swap with someone and let us know of the change (notify Telete for elementary and Kelly for nursey/preschool). If you are scheduled to work 1st hour please be there by 9 am and 2nd hour by 10:30 am. If you have further questions please contact Kelly at ( ) kelly@fbc.org or Telete at ( ) telete@fbc.org! FBC Newsletter 5 October 2015

6 October Events Madison Bible Studies: began 9/28 on Mondays, 6:00-8:00 and Thursdays 10:00-11:30 am beginning 10/1. Both these studies meet at the FBC Madison Office, 20 Main St, Suite A. Angela Thomas Stronger: Finding Hope in Fragile Places, 7 week study, $15.00: Through biblical teaching and practical daily application, Stronger will help you realize you do not have to live in weakness. God is stronger than every struggle you will ever face. Because of Jesus Christ, your life has been hidden in Him, made alive in Him, filled in Him, brought near to Him, and blessed with every spiritual blessing in Him. Forged Prayer Time: October 25 4:15 pm Room 201 SATURDAY WITH THE SISTERS OCTOBER 3 ~ noon Room 202 ~ Decatur Campus Would you like to be a better communicator? Be able to resolve or prevent conflicts? To appreciate the differences in others? Increase unity? Come join us as we use the DISC Personality Styles and discover the biblical character most similar to us in personality. The Workbook is - $10.00 Register by ing: dianehubbard@charter.net Common Thread: next meeting is Saturday, October 10 from 3-5 pm Room 202. We will continue knitting dishcloths for gifts to Presbyterian Towers. Long time knitters as well as beginners invited. Bring size 10 needles. Yarn is supplied. Student Ministry Sunday Morning 9:00-9:30 - Doughnuts and Juice/Hangtime 9:30-10:00 - MS-Small Group/HS- Large Group 10:00-10:30 - HS-Small Group/MS- Large Group Matt Dubach, Asst. Director of Student Ministry Wednesday Night 1:8 MS Worship 6:00-6:45 MS/HS Dinner 6:45-7:15 HS Worship 7:15-8:00 FBC Newsletter 6 October 2015

7 Christmas Candlelight Service December 20, 2015 Choir Rehearsal Schedule for Madison and Decatur folks who would like to take part! Sunday evenings beginning Nov. 6:30 immediately following the evening service (except for Nov. 29 Thanksgiving) Wednesday evenings beginning Nov. 7:30 (except for Nov. 25 Thanksgiving) All rehearsals will be at the Decatur Campus (Decatur Campus Choir will continue meeting at 7:00 on Wednesdays) Please contact Bruce Ellsworth bruce@fbc.org or Lori Bateman lori@fbc.org Outside Volunteer Service Day Saturday,October 17 7:30 11:30 a.m. Projects: mulching, tree pruning and general clean up inside and out. This is of specific importance in light of our 50 Year Anniversary celebrations that will be held November 1 & 8. Contact: Darrel Phillips, A hotdog lunch will be served around 11:30 FBC Newsletter 7 October 2015

8 October Deacons of the Month Marvin Grimm Decatur Campus Joe Woodson Madison Campus Men s Prayer Breakfast Tuesday Mornings 6:30 Decatur Campus Oct 3 Oct 8 Oct 9 Oct 10 Oct 11 Oct 12 Oct 13 Oct 17 Oct 25 Oct 25 Oct 31 Oct 31 Nov 1 Nov 8 THIS MONTH Saturday with the Sisters Mission Committee Mtg 5:30 pm MOPS 9 am Common Thread 3:00 pm Deacons Meet 3:00 pm Columbus Day Elders Meet 5:30 pm Volunteer Outside Service Day 7:30-11:30 am Reformation Sunday W3 Forged Prayer Time 4:15 pm Reformation Day Halloween COMING 50th Anniversary of First Bible Church - Dr. Mark Bailey, Pres. of Dallas Theological Seminary, Guest Speaker 50th Anniversary Cont d. Newest Additions Sophia Clair Bucrek born Sept. 16, 2015 Parents: Ian & Chrissy Bucrek ~ Mary Evelyn Grunschel born Sept. 25, 2015 Parents: Jeff & Catherine Grunschel Sympathy Pray for the following in the loss of family members. Laura McWhorter (her father, William Fenner) Laura Moore (her mother, Virginia Boros) Laurel Hammons ( her father, Richard Hartman) Mike & Paula Schopp (their son s father-in-law Philip Clements) Jerry Namie (his mother, Christine Namie) Jane Warren Ellen Casale (their cousin, Pamela Lariccia) Jay Reichmann, Blake & Alec (wife and mother, Jarman Reichmann) Joyce Hood, (her daughter, Jarman Reichmann) Byron & Lisa Hood, (his sister, Jarman Reichmann) FBC Newsletter 8 October 2015

9 November 7, 1965 Bulletin 1st church meeting place, Avenue h t 5 g ldin 1st Bui SE 2nd Build ing on Ca rridale 3rd Building Spring Avenue Our History First Organzational Meeting October 28, 1965 First Service held November 7, 1965 Certificate of Incorporation signed December 31, 1965 Called first pastor. Hampton Keathley arrived in May 1966 First church building dedicated October 22, 1967 Second church building dedicated 1977 Called Pastor Steve Bateman 1992 Present Decatur location dedicated 1997 Eductional Wing added and dedicated 2004 Madison Campus began September 2013 FBC Newsletter 10 October 2015