First Baptist Church Montgomery. Volume 67 Week of April 6, 2014 Number 14. Volunteer Opportunity: Ushers

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1 First Baptist Church Montgomery Beacon bring them in...build them up...send them out Volume 67 Week of April 6, 2014 Number 14 M.I.C. (Membership Information Class) Sunday, April 13 12:15 pm Fellowship Hall Thinking of joining First Baptist? The Membership Information Class explains what is involved in becoming effective members of FBC. The class is led by our pastor, Jay, and is an excellent opportunity to ask questions and make new friends. Be our guest for lunch and discover how to become a part of the First Family. For more information or to register, call Patty Roper at Volunteer Opportunity: Ushers Are you interested in serving at FBC? The Ushers Ministry needs YOU! Come join the team! Call Jeff Mayton at for more information. Tuesday, April 29 6:30 to 8:00 pm Fellowship Hall The guest speaker will be Ruthie Carlson. Tickets will be on sale this Sunday in the main sanctuary foyer. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Sharon Windham at Office: Prayer Line:

2 CONNEC IONS from your Pastor s Heart Joining God s Work in India and Nepal On March 11, Doug McElvy, Mark Anderson, Rick Dobbs and I began the 10,000 mile journey to India. We rendezvoused with our treasured partner Nazir Masih and began a 1500 mile excursion in the northwestern sector of India. Our First Baptist Family has joined the Lord in facilitating an indigenous church-planting movement by funding the construction of church facilities. Nazir has networked more than 150,000 believers and he has carefully crafted a systematic program for establishing churches. We dedicated FBC-sponsored churches #9, #10 and #11 to build the Body of Christ in an area where there are less than 1% Christian believers. All 11 of the churches are thriving and self-sustaining. Additionally, we identified the leaders and locations for FBC Montgomery-sponsored Churches # 12, #13 and #14! As we dedicated the churches, we shared the Gospel along the way. We rejoiced in seeing new believers embrace Jesus Christ. India suffers from a terrible worldview framed in Hinduism. The transforming truth of Christ truly sets the captives free. In addition to dedicating the churches and seeing new believers enter God s forever family, we conducted a two-day pastors conference in Amritsar, which sits on the border of Pakistan. Around 70 pastors came, and we shared eight biblical models for becoming God s Kingdom leader. God used this rich time to build His Body and train those who will in turn train others. Another highlight moment was a Saturday evening house church experience that could be called Secret Church on Steroids! The neighborhood we entered at dusk reeked with a horrific smell. But, when we arrived at the believers home, it was filled with the fragrant aroma of worship. After cordial greetings and the universal custom of sharing of food, we ascended to the rooftop of this small home, where three generations of people live. Around 50 people began to sing and pray on the rooftop under a full moon on the border of Pakistan. We shared testimonies, and I took warm slices of Philippians 4 and served it to our hungry friends like life-giving food. Our journey culminated in Kathmandu, Nepal, where we met with seven of our IMB missionaries. Our teammates are skillfully piercing the darkness with a laser-like focus on reaching the hidden people groups of Nepal. They estimate that there are over 5,000 churches and more than 900,000 Christ-followers in the region. God is doing a mighty work fueled by our faithful support. We waved at Mt. Everest as we headed west and returned to Sweet Home Alabama. We traveled over 22,000 miles and rejoice in exchanging our temporary earthly resources to make a massive eternal difference! Nazir Masih, Jay Wolf, Rick Dobbs, Doug McElvy & Mark Anderson FBC Faithfulness Sunday, March 30, 2014 ATTENDANCE Bible Fellowship Enrollment 4779 Bible Fellowship Attendance 1759 Weekly Attendance 2301 Discipleship Attendance 449 OFFERING Required Weekly $121, Received Sunday $87, Required To Date $1,577, Received To Date $1,365, Building Fund Sunday $ Building Fund to Date $12, Annie Armstrong Easter Offering $80, Under Budget $211,636.52

3 Ministry Announcements Preschool Ministry The annual Preschool Egg Hunt will take place on Saturday, April 19 from 10:00 to 11:30 am at 895 Meriwether Road in Pike Road, Alabama. Bring your basket and get ready for the fun! Please bring a friend who does not have a church home. For more information, contact Tiffany Alewine at There will be a Parent/Child Dedication on Sunday, April 27 in the 8:30 & 11:00 am worship services. To register your baby for this special dedication, please call Tiffany Alewine at or visit dedications. If you would like your baby s photo to be included in the Order of Worship that day, a high resolution photo of your baby to asmith@ montgomeryfbc.org by Sunday, April 6. Children s Ministry Don t miss the RA/GA Pinewood Derby on Sunday, April 27 from 3:30 to 5:00 pm. Cars will be available for purchase on Sundays, April 6 & 13 on the 3rd floor sanctuary foyer. Cost is $10 per car. For more information, contact Glen Leathers at or gleathers@montgomeryfbc.org. Student Ministry Graduate Recognition is Sunday, May 4. The deadline for submitting photos is Friday, April 11. Register online at If you have any questions, contact Russell McCrory at Adult Ministry There will be an Explore the Bible Preview on Tuesday, April 15 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm in the fellowship hall. Lifeway s Alan Raughton will discuss the Explore the Bible enhancements for adults and preview the new young adults, students, children and preschool resources! This event is for all Bible Fellowship Class Leaders and Teachers. Don t miss this great opportunity to preview a great curriculum! Missions Ministry Trace it back to the facts! The evidence is clear. The proof is all right here! Discover, decide, and defend the truth about who Jesus really is with the 2014 VBS Agency D3 on Monday, June 23 through Friday, June 27 from 9:00 am to noon. Volunteers are needed to serve at Agency D3! It is going to be an amazing week as we examine eyewitness reports, physical proof, and biblical accounts to uncover and defend the truth about who Jesus really is. Contact Sheila Hinds ( ) if you are interested in helping with preschoolers or Glen Leathers ( ) if you are interested in helping with children. All GIC Committee members and GIC Bible Fellowship Class Coordinators are invited to the GIC appreciation and evaluation meeting on Sunday, April Deacon Nominations Due By Sunday, April 27! Forms are available in the main sanctuary foyers. First Family Dinner Wednesday, April 9 No reservations required! (This applies to all Wednesday night meals until further notice.) Adult & Children s Meal: Chicken, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Green Beans, Salad, Roll, Dessert Adult Family Meal $5; Child s Meal (12 & under) $3 Maximum Family Amount $20 (immediate family only)

4 6 at 4:00 pm in room 443. For more information contact Brian Gay at or montgomeryfbc.org. The Amy Cooper Multifocus Mission Group will meet on Monday, April 14 at 11:30 am in the Huff Building. Tanya Birchfield will speak about Children s Hope in Haiti. Contact Faye Dewey ( ) for information. FBC Foundation Often times, we will procrastinate on making important decisions that involve creating plans for the unknown future. The First Baptist Foundation is here to offer you some assistance in making plans that involve your estate. We want to help you create a plan that best fits your needs, honors your family, and recognizes your faith. We offer free estate planning as a service through our partnership with PhilanthroCorp. You can start by filling out the Estate Plan Organizer at or by calling Alissa Irvin at Community Ministries New Members By Baptism Avery Ezelle Izzy Ezelle Marley Ezelle 211 Simmons Road Prattville, AL By Letter Mr. Heath Ezelle Mrs. Heath Ezelle (Stephanie) 211 Simmons Road Prattville, AL Mr. Curtis Hollinger Mrs. Curtis Hollinger (Earlene) 402 Green Leaf Drive Montgomery, AL Our Church Family If you would like to add someone to the prayer list, contact Carolyn Bryan at Sympathy Extended to Mr. & Mrs. Rod Nolen (Carolyn) in the death of his mother, Voncile Redding Mr. & Mrs. Buddy Ingram (Brenda) in the death of his brother, Kenny Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Cox (Jessica) in the death of his father Crowne Healthcare Berry Grant UAB Medical Center Rick Heinzman Children s Hospital Camp Hughes Josh Hallford Dylan Cox Congratulations Extended to Mr. & Mrs. Larry Dunagan (Rosemary) in the birth of twin grandsons Ministerial Staff Birthdays Kenny Hoomes (April 9) Join us for the 2014 FBC Community Ministries Golf Tournament on Thursday, April 10 at the Lagoon Park Golf Course. Lunch will be from 12:00 to 1:00 pm. Tournament begins at 1:00 pm (Shotgun Start). Register online ($100 per golfer) at event-registration. For more information, call Charles Close ( ) or Ken Brothers ( ). Celebrate Recovery begins on May 2! If you feel powerless over your life and are ready to make a change, Celebrate Recovery is for you. God needs three to four male believers who have been in recovery for several years to co-facilitate small groups. This is your opportunity to give back out of gratitude to God for what he has done in your life by pointing others to freedom. For more information, contact Jane Ferguson at or jferguson@montgomeryfbc.org.

5 Join us for a GriefShare Support Group beginning Friday, April 4 at 9:00 am in the Huff Community Ministries Building. The group leader is Marie Parma. If you have a friend or loved one who has lost someone dear to them, please encourage them to come. For more information, call Jane Ferguson at You don t have to go, just COME visit the Conversational English and English as a Second Language classes! If you are interested in teaching or volunteering in the Fall, come see us and discover what an impact you can make in the lives of students from all nations. ESL (English as a Second Language) meets Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesdays from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm. Contact Ruth McKinney at ESL also meets Thursdays from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Contact Demorah Hayes at or Carolyn Bryan at Conversational English meets Thursdays from 9:00 to 11:15 am. Contact Susan West at We also have Bible Study in English that meets on Sundays at 9:45 am! Join us in worship with many nations, tribes, people and languages now and for eternity! Churchwide News & Events Join us on Sunday, April 13 for our annual Bible Fellowship Class High Attendance Day. This year s theme is Spring Into Action and our goal is to have 2,014 in Bible Fellowship Class attendance. Begin now to pray for a great harvest and good weather. Invite prospects, friends and neighbors to come with you. For more information, contact Chuck Ashley at or cashley@ montgomeryfbc.org or your Bible Fellowship directors and teachers. Men, join us for the annual Glenn Gordy Golf Retreat on Thursday, April 24 through Saturday, April 26 in Niceville, Florida. The cost is $325. Checks should be made payable to First Baptist Church. Deadline for reservations is Sunday, April 6. Get your tee time guarantee check in the mail today. Sign up by calling Steve DuBose at or Chuck Ashley at Save the date for the Missions Auction and Cookout to benefit the Single Adult Missions Scholarship Fund on Friday, May 16 at 6:00 pm in the fellowship hall. More details coming soon! If you would like to donate to the auction, please contact Kathy Cooper at kcooper@montgomeryfbc.com. Our In-Home Ministry continues to grow, and there are lots of opportunities to serve and minister to those who are no longer able to attend church on a regular basis. Prayerfully consider serving with this ministry in the following ways: Flower Ministry: co-team Leader(s); volunteers to help arrange and deliver; and, we need flower vases (small and medium); Chemo Ministry and Tea Ministry: Team Leaders and volunteers. For more information, contact Connie Hulsey at or ecphulsey@gmail.com. There will be In-Home Ministry Team Meeting on Monday, April 14 at 5:30 pm in room 413 (Senior Adult Center). Spring 2014 FBC Discipleship Classes For a complete list visit In Awe of God s Word : Foundational Bible Doctrine Series I Sundays, April 6 May 4 5:00 pm B415 Ladies Bible Study: Discerning the Voice of God Tuesdays, April 1 June 10 9:30 am Jr. High Youth Center

6 This week at FBC Montgomery For the complete calendar, visit Sunday, April 6 8:30 Worship Service 9:45 Bible Fellowship Classes 10:00 Proof of the Cross 11:00 Worship Service 4:00 GIC Appreciation/Evaluation 5:00 Children s Missions Discipleship Classes One Heart/One Voice Choirs Visitation Malawi Interest Meeting 6:00 Children s Bible Drill 6:15 Worship Service 7:15 France Interest Meeting Monday, April 7 7:30 R.O.M.E.O. 9:00 English as a Second Language 5:00 Sanctuary Handbells 6:00 Men s Bible Study Tuesday, April 8 9:00 English as a Second Language 9:30 Ladies Bible Study MOPS 6:00 Narcotics Anonymous GROW College Bible Study Wednesday, April 9 Mission Project: Haiti 9:00 English as a Second Language 1:00 MOMs Program 2:15 Baldwin Bible Study 4:45 First Family Dinner 5:30 Tutoring Orchestra Rehearsal 5:45 Taking Faith Home Children s Choirs 6:00 First Family Prayer Time 6:30 DivorceCare Student Ministry: Powerhouse 6:35 Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal 6:40 Finance Committee 6:45 Ejamat Prayer Time Thursday, April 10 Mission Project: Haiti 9:00 Conversational English 10:00 Caregivers Support Group JOY Singers Rehearsal 12:00 Community Ministries Golf Tournament 6:00 English as a Second Language Friday, April 11 Mission Project: Haiti 6:45 Friday Morning Men s Group Saturday, April 12 Mission Projects: Haiti & Ejamat 6:00 Narcotics Anonymous In Home Ministry Member :: Mary Folds 1775 Halcyon Blvd, Room 312 Montgomery, Alabama Morning Worship (8:30 & 11:00 am) Praise, Praise the Lord Ichthus Ensemble At Calvary Sanctuary Choir I Can See Jesus In You Kerri Moore Message Jay Wolf Evening Worship (6:15 pm) Children s Sunday featuring Tommy Toombs CrossRoads Broadcast Schedule 305 South Perry Street Montgomery, AL Watch the sermon at the time below or online at Frazer Channel 13 (Montgomery & Prattville) Brighthouse Channel 122 (Elmore County) Sunday, 1:30 pm (full hour) & 6:00 pm Tuesday, 7:30 pm Thursday, 9:30 am & 6:00 pm WSFA-TV Channel 12 Sunday, 10:30 am The Beacon (USPS # ) is published and printed weekly by First Baptist Church, 305 South Perry Street, Montgomery, Alabama Periodical postage paid at Montgomery, Alabama. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Beacon, 305 South Perry Street, Montgomery, Alabama FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH montgomery