Disciple. First Church Newsletter. an OPEN place for ALL to WORSHIP, GROW, and SERVE. July 2013

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1 Connections First Church Newsletter July North 19th Street Birmingham AL an OPEN place for ALL to WORSHIP, GROW, and SERVE Disciple If we stop and think of a disciple, people within the church often think of people like James, John, Peter, Andrew the ORIGINAL disciples. We try to imagine in worship and Bible studies about what the disciples lives were like. The early disciples were following Jesus based on hope and faith. Life with Jesus was like being on a boat in stormy seas. There were drastic ebbs and flows, severe peaks and valleys, and then the one they were following would calm the seas. Later, they would gather together, Jesus would pray, they would remember what they were about, and they were reassured and recommitted. I imagine that one of the most exciting and frightening times was when Jesus sent them out in pairs of two, but without Him. All the rest of the time, Jesus was the lightning rod and they were supporters. When they went out on their own, Jesus gave them instructions to be wise as serpents and gentle as doves. He also told them to shake the dust off of their feet if they found the people did not welcome them. It seems important to note that Jesus sent them out, he did not tell them to build a temple and invite people in. He sent them out, which required them to have much more courage and commitment. He sent them out. He is still sending us out. Some he sends to Panama. Some he sends to SIFAT. Some he sends to people s homes. Some he sends to hospitals. Some he sends to shelters. Some he sends where labor is needed. Some he sends where leadership is needed. Some he sends where gentleness is needed. Some he sends where wisdom is needed. Some he sends where they are not yet accepted. Some he sends to a place that excites them. Some he sends to a place that frightens them. Make no mistakes, he sends out ALL his disciples. Where is he sending you? Grace and Peace,

2 THE EXCITEMENT is building with ARTS camp only a few days away! At the end of the week we will hold a celebration in the Loft! The kids will be excited to share their art, dances, and songs with family and friends. Please make plans to support our City Kids by joining us Friday night, July 19, for our Celebration Dinner and Service! BE OUR GUEST for dinner beginning at 5:00pm in the Large Dining Room, followed by a Celebration Service at 6:00pm in the Loft area. VOLUNTEERS & DONATIONS STILL NEEDED!! Donate solid blue or green light weight cloth for set design Sponsor a camper ($75.00 per child) DONATE ART PROJECT SUPPLIES Recycle your cans! We need clean 28 oz aluminum cans (i.e. - vegetable cans - we will use these as planters) Potting soil lbs needed 4 ft x 4 ft or larger canvas (can recycle previously used canvas) Drop off donations in the Education Building Lobby (next to dining room) at the ARTS camp display! Please contact Linda Underwood with any questions about the week at linda@firstchurchbhm.com or (205) ext. 115

3 Welcome to First Church LAUREN & COLIN DEAN... Colin practices law and Lauren is beginning her residency in Dentistry. TUESDAY, JULY 23, AT 6:00PM IN THE LOFT Come to a conversation about homosexuality, faith, and inclusion. Opportunities will be given for small group discussions, Biblical education, and differing opinions. All perspectives are welcome to the conversation but respect for each person regardless of their opinion is expected by all who attend. Join us for our 2ND ANNUAL float day on the Coosa River! We will plan to carpool the church and set sail down the river on Saturday, August 10, at 11:00am. The cost this year will be a flat rate of $35 per person if you plan to kayak and $40 if you plan to canoe. On our way back to Birmingham, we will stop once again in Prattville for a home cooked meal and swimming. Save the date and plan on joining us for a day of fun and fellowship! Contact Katie Gilbert at katie@firstchurchbhm.com to make your reservation.

4 FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER First Church will be one of the venues of the Sidewalk Film Festival. We will be screening films in the Loft worship space over the course of the weekend that will be in the Life and Liberty genre. We have the opportunity to welcome thousands of guests into our space and share with them our hospitality as we participate in this event. As a part of our hospitality we are looking for folks who would like to greet and welcome guests at First Church, sell concessions, and offer tours of our beautiful Sanctuary. All of these opportunities are ways for us to engage and invite our guests to come and be a part of the community and life of First Church. If you are interested in serving for any period of time over the weekend please contact Rev. Stephanie Arnold at Stephanie@firstchurchbhm.com PLEASE CHECK FOR A LISTING OF THE FILMS AT EACH VENUE OR TO PURCHASE TICKETS FOR THE WEEKEND EVENT. As we prepare for Sidewalk Film Festival at the end of August, First Church will screen a movie in the Loft each Wednesday night prior to the Festival. Each night we invite you to come watch the film and stay for a discussion of the film after the viewing. Invite someone to join you for one of the following movies at First Church!

5 STUCK August 7, 6:00pm (82 minutes) The award-winning documentary film that uncovers the personal, real life stories of children & parents navigating a rollercoaster of bureaucracy on their journeys through the international adoption system, each filled with hope, elation & sometimes heartbreak. UNDEFEATED August 14, 6:00pm (113 minutes) PG -13 The Oscar-winning 2011 documentary records the struggles of a high school football team, the Manassas Tigers of Memphis, as they attempt a winning season after years of losses. A beautiful story of underdogs showing character, determination and rising above your current situation. 4 LITTLE GIRLS August 21, 6:00pm (102 minutes) Sidewalk is sponsoring a free city-wide simultaneous screening of Spike Lee s acclaimed film, 4 Little Girls, a documentary about the notorious, racially motivated, terrorist bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama 50 years ago In an effort to bring all of the host venues and their congregations together around this theme, Sidewalk will host a free panel discussion about the film 4 Little Girls at Sidewalk Film Festival Sunday, August 25. WELCOME MARY ELIZABETH We welcome Mary Elizabeth Myatt to the First Church Staff as our new Engagement Administrative Assistant. In this newly created part-time position, Mary Elizabeth will be implementing a new system of tracking visitor and member engagement based on service, worship, and small groups. She will be responsible for inputting and maintaining member information in our church database, generating mailings and lists for correspondence, sending meeting reminders, and assisting the ministers with information about members and visitors that will help them with pastoral care. Mary Elizabeth will report to Reverend Stephanie Arnold. Mary Elizabeth is a new member at First Church and has already been involved in a number of Justice and Mercy Team projects. She was a member of our Panama Mission Team and proved to be a quite a force in fund-raising! Mary Elizabeth also leads a weekly women s Bible study at the Church of the Reconciler. In addition to her clear passion for service, Mary Elizabeth impressed us with her attention to detail and her ability to organize and maintain records. When she s not at the church helping to get us organized for ministry, she s busy with her classes and studies as she finishes her undergraduate degree. Please welcome Mary Elizabeth as our newest staff member. -Anne Cain, Chairperson, SPRC

6 You are invited to a night filled with good food and a silent auction with all proceeds benefiting Birmingham s homeless community. Tickets are $50 per person or $400 per table. Get tickets at GIFTS RECEIVED BY THE CHURCH TO THE MEMORIAL FUND In Memory of Bernice Ingram Rick Funk In Memory of Joyce Redd Berenice and Lavelle Dendy In Memory of John Rabun Berenice and Lavelle Dendy Lisa and John Taylor Methanie Allen Bea Morgan Sydney Randolph Sandra Powell Sandy and Jeanette Aiken Louise Allen Sara Baker Norma Young Bob and Pat Carroll Ethel and Marshall Lucius W.O. and Ann Powers Jerry and Mark Barry Fitzgerald Ray Mullins Megan Clyne and Alan Hutson The Monument Group A. Grace Place Richmond SPCA William Byrd Community House TO THE LIVING CHURCH FUND In Honor of Melissa Patrick Sue Kelly Judee and Scott Evans TO RADIO FUND A donation to the Radio Ministry has been received the Ecclesia-Wingard Class TO THE PANAMA MISSION TRIP In Honor of Bill, Hanna, Julianna, and Josiah Schock Lyn and Ray Grant TO THE CHOIR FUND In Honor of Sara and Robin Baker Sarah C. Jones

7 CALENDAR OF EVENTS JULY - 1st JULY - 2nd JULY - 3rd JULY - 4th ~ Church Office & CDC Closed ~ JULY - 5th JULY - 6th JULY - 14th Training JULY - 7th 6:00pm - Bridge Club JULY - 15th JULY - 16th JULY - 17th JULY - 18th JULY JULY - 19th 6:00pm - Arts Camp Celebration JULY - 21st 6:00pm - Friends and Beyond JULY - 23rd 6:00pm - Cultivate Inclusion JULY - 27th 9:30am - City Kids at WE Garden MONDAYS: 6:30pm - The Artist s Way FRIDAYS: 6:45am - Men s Prayer Breakfast WEDNESDAYS: 6:00pm - Collision Bible Study THURSDAYS: 6:45am - Muffin Men 7:00pm - Loft Band Practice SUNDAYS: 8:30am - Beginnings 9:15am - Breakfast 9:45am - Sunday School 11:00am - The Loft & Sanctuary Services 5:15pm - Collision and Collision 765

8 first CHURCH BIRMINGHAM an OPEN place for ALL to WORSHIP,GROW, and SERVE FIRST CHURCH BIRMINGHAM STAFF Senior Pastor Keith Thompson Pastor Stephanie Arnold College / Young Adults Director Katie Gilbert Youth Director Jonathan Goss CDC Executive Director Robin Pate Children s Director Linda Underwood Choir Director Jim Cook Music Director Mark Hayes Loft Worship Blake Hobbs Administrative Assistant Robin Baker Nursery Director Ginger Gambill Engagement Assistant Mary Elizabeth Myatt Wedding Director Nonna Tindal Financial Assistant Peggy West 518 North 19th Street Birmingham AL