FBC Newsletter May 2018 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. A Monthly Source of News and Information for Members & Friends of First Bible Church Decatur Madison Summer Night Service Schedule Sunday, May 6 marks the end of our Sunday night ministries until after Labor Day. After the evening service and children s ministries, we will kick off our traditional summer schedule with an ice cream, watermelon, pizza get together on the Decatur Campus at the Pavilion. In case of rain, we will still meet but will move to the Field House. Please bring lawn chairs. Note: The Sunday morning schedule remains the same. Sunday morning summer schedule will be published in the June newsletter. The next Discover Class is scheduled for June 3, 10, 17, 24. This four-week class is for anyone who might have more questions about Christianity, our beliefs, and the ministry of our church. If you know someone who hasn t gone through Discover FBC, this would be a great opportunity to invite them to attend with you. Discover registration is online at fbc.org. Madison Campus Discover meets at the 9:15 hour; and the Decatur Campus at 10:45. FBC Newsletter 1 May 2018
Barb Helton Decatur Campus Brian Eickholt Decatur Campus NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER May 3, 2018 Pray for America Ephesians 4:3 FBC Newsletter 2 May 2018
Looking Steve Bateman Ahead with Steve About 75% of Americans claim to be Christians, but only 30% will be in church this Sunday. Sixty-seven percent of Americans believe in heaven, which means about 7% of people who identify as Christian do not. Forty-five percent of Americans believe there are many ways to get to heaven, including 20% of evangelical Christians. Furthermore, 59% of evangelicals believe the Holy Spirit is a force and not a person, which means most evangelicals deny the orthodox doctrine of the Trinity. Taken together, we can clearly affirm that claiming to be a Christian doesn t make it so. And a lot who do, aren t. This is not a recent phenomenon. Already in the first century, the Apostle John was dealing with professing Christians who preached lies and practiced disobedience. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. (1 John 2:19). He exhorts them to test the spirits, to see whether they are from God (1 John 4:1), and then he gives them a number of tests throughout the book of 1 John. Church Family, there are challenging days ahead in our nation. I am concerned that many of our fellow citizens are sure they know God and are confident they are Christians. Biblical literacy and spiritual discernment in our churches are probably lower than ever. And many are being deceived. So as we move forward with Vision 2020 and seek to widen our ministry for God s glory, let us also go deep into God s Word and find nourishment in these ancient truths that so many today ignore or despise. For the next few weeks, we will study and pray our way through 1 John on Sunday mornings in order to better know, love, obey, and exalt Jesus Christ. See you there! FBC Newsletter 3 May 2018
Sav-A-Life Pregnancy Center is a Christian, pro-life ministry proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ and providing practical, emotional and spiritual assistance to women, men, and children who face pregnancy related issues, who are threatened by abortion or who suffer harm from abortion. It s that time of year to show our support for this life saving ministry. The Baby Bottle Boomerang begins on Mother s Day, May 13 through Father s Day, June 17. Baby bottles will be placed in the foyer and be distributed to the ABFs. Please fill these bottles with coins, bills, or checks and place in the designated box located in the foyer. You can also elect to give through the Baby Blessings program. With Baby Blessings you put your check or cash in an envelope with your information on it and you will receive a giving statement for tax purposes. If you have any questions or would like more information about how you can help this ministry, please contact Paula Burleson at 256-520-4282 or kpburleson@charter. net. Our current needs are: baby wipes, 2T and 24 month boys and girls clothes, diapers size 4, diaper rash ointment, lotion, body wash, and burp clothes. 2018 Mission Trip Schedule Considering a Mission Trip? For more information, please contact the leader listed. 1. Uganda - January 2018, Africa Renewal Ministries COMPLETED 2. Texas - February 2018, Lohrenz COMPLETED 3. Belize - June 10-17 Cronan Connell - 205-936-6648 or cronan@valleyrubber.net) 4. Italy - June 22-July 4 - Jeremy Gilbert - jeremy@fbc.org FULL 5. Taiwan - June 30-July 9 - Vance Helms - 256-353-2711 or vance@fbc.org FULL 6. N. Carolina - July 22-28 JAARS - Chris & April Lee - lirpale@gmail.com 7. Uganda - Last week of July - Sally Batchelor - 256-303-6750 or tyandsal@bellsouth.net FBC Newsletter 4 May 2018
First Bible s Thrive Ministry would like you to be aware of a Family Life movie coming out next month. LIKE ARROWS will release in theaters for two nights only, May 1 & May 3. LIKE ARROWS casts a powerful vision for parents, reminding us that nothing is more important for any family than to have God and His Word directing our lives. Through a journey that unfolds over 50 years, Charlie and Alice discover the unmistakable power of family. The film will release as part of a significant new parenting initiative called Family Life s Art of ParentingTM, which will also include a free online video series and an eight-session small group series. The movie will show in Decatur and Huntsville, May 1 & May 3, please check your local theaters for times & locations. Or - http://familylifeministries.org/likearrows/about W3 Grow & Go Opportunities Decatur Meals Ministry: SignUpGenius goes live May 7. Our Meals Ministry helps us stock the freezer for the summer quarter to provide a meal for FBC member who have a need. Sign up by using the link to donate a meal and fill our freezer. Bible Journaling: 5:30pm May 9. (We meet monthly - 2nd Wednesday, September through May. ) Nungester Appreciation Lunch Wednesday, May 9: W3 will be providing a potluck lunch for the 50 teachers and staff at Nungester Elementary School to show our appreciation for their hard work and dedication. We are asking ladies to sign up and bring a dish by 9:15 to the school for the teachers to enjoy. If you would like to participate, please sign up through this link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e44a5af2ea2fd0-nungester1 or contact Brooke Barran at 256-606-0985. Madison Women s Weekly Prayer: Tuesdays 10-11 a.m. at the Madison office. Women s Monthly Evening Prayer: May 14 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the office. Heritage Assisted Living Ministry: Saturday, May 26 31 10:00-11:30 a.m. FBC Newsletter 5 May 2018
STUDENT MINISTRY PASTOR STUDENT MINISTRY DIRECTOR DISCIPLESHIP COORDINATOR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT MATT DUBACH JEREMY GILBERT ABBI CAMBRON CHERYL VINTON MAY 2018 WEEKLY SCHEDULE Join us on Sunday mornings at 9:15 for community groups. Jeremy is teaching through the books of 1 and 2 Kings this semester. 9:15-10:30 AM 5:15-6:30 PM 6:00-6:45 PM 6:45-7:15 PM 7:15-8:00 PM MAY EVENTS We will be having an end of the year cookout on Wednesday, May 9th at the pavilion. There will be grilled hot dogs, yard games, and desserts. Join us from 6-8 to celebrate the end of school! Snowbird registration is open! The cost is $375, and you can sign up on Realm or by getting a form in the student wing. Sign up by May 20th! 2 6, 13, 20, 27 9 20 Crossings earlybird registration is open! The cost is $275 until May 20th. You can sign up on Realm or by getting a form in the student wing. FBC Newsletter 6 May 2018
FBC Newsletter 7 May 2018
May Deacons of the Month Justin Barnes Decatur Campus Spring! May 3 May 5 May 6 May 8 May 10 May 11 May 13 May 13 May 28 May 28 National Day of Prayer Outside Volunteer Worl Day Day 7:30 am-lunch at 11:30 am Church Fellowship - at the Pavilion. Elders Meet 5:30 pm Mission Committee Mtg 5:30 pm MOPS 9:00 am Mother s Day Deacons Meet 3:00 pm Memorial Day Church office closed New Arrival Leeland James Voorhees born - April 19, 2018 Parents Lance & Alea Voorhees Holy Land Trip for 2019 September 4-15, 2019 Dr. John Hannah from Dallas Theological Seminary will be the pastoral tour guide and the infamous Yuval will be the Israeli tour guide. For more information or questions please contact Sally Batchelor at SallyBatchelor@me.com Tuesdays 6:30-7:30 am Justin Knighten Madison Campus Decatur & Madison Ends May 22 for the summer Outside Volunteer Work Day ~ Family Service Day Saturday - May 5; 7:30 11:30 a.m. Grilled hotdog lunch served at 11:30 at the Pavilion We will need rakes, pitchforks, shovels, mattocks, wheelbarrows, hedge trimmers, flatbed trailers, etc. School age children and all genders are welcome. For more specific information, contact Darrel Phillips at 256-318-0405 or darrel@fbc.org FBC Newsletter 8 May 2018