December October October 29, 18, 2009 30, 2008 2008 First Thoughts David Hull, Pastor This Sunday is time change Sunday. Remember to fall back by setting your clocks back an hour. I always think of this as the time of year that we get an extra hour. So what are you going to do with that extra hour that you get this Sunday? In addition to what we normally experience in Bible Study and worship on Sunday, you might want to consider using your extra hour for these special opportunities this week. Sunday, November 1 Sermon: Love One Another John 13:34-35 First Fellowship - 8:15 a.m. Music by A2O Sunday School - 9:15 a.m. Sanctuary Worship - 10:30 a.m. Music Makers will sing. FBC Orchestra will play. Sanctuary Choir will sing. This Sunday after our worship service in the Sanctuary we are offering an Open House of our new television and audio equipment in the Sanctuary. You will remember that new equipment was installed this summer to enhance the audio quality in the room and to allow us to broadcast in High Definition to our surrounding area. You might be interested in seeing what some of this amazing equipment looks like. In fact, you might like to consider being a volunteer with our AV team. Don t rush off too quickly to lunch. After all, you have an extra hour! Linger for a few moments after worship this week and stay for the Open House. Sunday night promises to be a rich experience as our Orchestra leads us in an All Saints Day Concert. You will be touched by the beauty of the music. Join us at 5:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary for this special musical event. Bring a friend with you for the evening. Please see page 2 of this newsletter for information about the program. Give thanks -- we get an extra hour! I invite you to share it with your friends at First Baptist Church. Reminder: Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday, November 1.
Ministry Calendar Sunday, November 1 First Fellowship/FH 8:15 AM 9:00 9:15 AM Sunday School 9:15 AM Worship Helpers-4 swee Hall 9:30 AM 10:10-10:45 AM Sanctuary Worship 10:30 AM 11:40 AM-12:00 PM Youth Band/ Reh/309,310 3:00 PM Month-AQtr. Tm. C/St. Off 4:00 PM Youth Choir/CR,Sanct,343,140 4:00 PM Youth Choir Snacks/241 4:30 PM Men s Bible Study/115 All Saints Day Orch Concert/Sanct Monday, November 2 Women s BSF Leaders/FH 4:45 AM Hallelujah Choir/CR 10:30 AM BSF/Chapel,Parlor,3rd Floor,Chapel Deacons/118 Tuesday, November 3 Spiritual Formations Grp./Parlor Tues. Morn. Intercess./242 Lehman Bible Study/342 Ministers Mtg./Parlor Women on Mission/118 WEE Ministry/Chapel Staff Mtg./Parlor Faith Dev. Staff/Parlor Music Staff/Parlor A20 Rehearsal/FH Boy Scouts, Trp. 70/312 7:00 AM 7:00 AM 9:30 AM 9:30 AM 10:30 AM 11:00 AM 1:00 PM 7:00 PM Wednesday, November 4 Precept Bible Study/342 Tea/Fashion Show Comm/142 WEE/Chapel 9:30 AM 10:00 AM 1:00 PM 3:00 Tea/Fashion Show Comm/142 4:00 PM Young Musicians Handbells 4:00 PM Supper/FH 4:45 PM Discipleship Comm/117 M&M/2nd & 3rd Floors 5:20 PM Y.A. Small Grp/107 5:30 PM Men s Study Group/118 5:30 PM Prayer Meeting/FH 5:45 PM Orchestra/Sanct,141 Lift -Off/309-310 Youth Snack/312 6:30 PM Sanctuary Choir/CR 7:00 PM Finance Comm/Parlor 7:00 PM Thursday, November 5 Men s Fraternity Moms in Touch/Parlor Fashion Comm/316,325 ESL/1st Floor & FH Daybreak/FH Forum/107 Friday, November 6 Men s BSF Leaders/Parlor Scrapbooking/CLC Fashion Comm/316,325 Soutullo-Musgrove Reh/ Sanct,Parlor 6:00 AM 8:00 AM -12:00 PM 4:45 AM 9:00-11:00 AM Saturday, November 7 Ala. Baptist 8:00 AM-12:00 PM Keyboard Festival/227,CR,241 Soutullo-Musgrove Wedding/ 4:00 PM Sanct,Parlor Music and Worship Billy Orton, Minister of Music and Worship Elizabeth Hostetter, Associate Minister of Music and Organist Amanda Allen, Minister of Children s Music and Missions Lee Deutschendorf, Ministry Intern An All Saints Day Concert This Sunday, November 1, at Presented by the FBC Orchestra Our instrumentalists are excited about this concert! And, if you love the great hymn by Martin Luther, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, you will be excited by the concert, too. We open the concert with an incredible fantasia setting of the hymn and we will close the concert with a powerful arrangement of it. In between will be featured Mendelssohn s Fifth Symphony ( Reformation ) which is also based on that great hymn tune. Add to all this the music of our FBC Big Band and the featured presence of Ken Watters, one of the premiere jazz artists in this part of the country, and you have one fine concert certainly worth your inviting MANY friends to attend with you! Thanks for spreading the word. See you Sunday at Five. Music Ministry Dates to Note November 1 November 8 November 13-14 November 15 Music Makers Choir sings for Worship FBC Orchestra plays at Under the Christmas Tree (VBC) LCT Retreat! Young Musicians Choir sings for Worship The Youth Choir is gearing up for Christmas music. Not only will the students be involved in the Hanging of the Green (December 6 AM), but they will also share in a ministry setting that same evening at Brookdale Place. Then, on December 13 at 5 PM, our students will lead in an Advent Worship celebration in the Chapel. Rehearsals each Sunday are very important. Please note these dates and times: November 1 Youth Choir meets at 4 pm November 8 Rehearsal at the regular time of 5 PM November 15 Rehearsal at the regular time of 5 PM November 22 Likely no rehearsal at all, due to the Thanksgiving Dinner (stay tuned for confirmation) You re Invited to the Open House! This Sunday, November 1 Following the 10:30 AM Worship Service, visit the TV Broadcast and Audio Control Rooms in the Sanctuary to see our new audio and broadcast equipment.
Student Ministries Jamie Mackey, Minister to Students From Glen Adkins CBF Missionary in Pecs, Hungary: I just want you to know that we are really enjoying the newly renovated choir room. We are also having Bible Club in the room every Monday evening, because it is such a nice room. The students are also enjoying all the other renovations. Every time we walk into the school we think of FBC Huntsville when we see the students sitting on the benches in the front area. They look great and are in use constantly. I took a couple of photos at our last choir rehearsal. They are posted here to the right. I thank you again for all you and your group/ church did for us and the Gandhi School. I hope all is well in Huntsville. Sincerely, Glen Adkins Students enjoying the Corn MAiZE fellowship. Preschool Ministries Joy Moore, Minister to Preschool Youth Choir Council These students were nominated by their peers to be on the Youth Choir Council: Amanda Clark Anna Grace Eldridge Ben Carrasquillo Eric Clark Sarah Fowler Sarah Leffel Mitch McKenzie Sarah Sizemore Britney Tallent-Smith Rachel Taylor Erin Westbrook Saying "NO" is A Spiritual Challenge Some kids have a very hard time accepting no as an answer. They argue, whine, or badger to try to persuade their parents to change their minds. Parents must use several strategies to help kids live within limits and be satisfied with what they have. The solution is contentment. Contentment comes from trust in God. You may want to help children understand that their inability to accept no as an answer is really a spiritual issue. As children are able to understand, you can share with them about godliness and why you are taking such a strong stand in certain areas. One dad remembered a key turning point with his teenage daughter when he approached her problem of arguing from a spiritual perspective, Honey, I know you are just focusing on the limits I m placing on you but would you think about something else just for a minute. Our relationship is important to me and I try to say yes to you whenever I can. Sometimes I have to say no and when I do, I feel hurt because you attack me as if I m the enemy. Your persistence hurts our relationship. That s why God talks about contentment in the Bible. Contentment is the ability to be grateful for what you already have instead of complaining about what you don t have. Would you please think about my limits as a spiritual challenge for you? Children who are demanding and grow up with unchecked selfishness will have a harder time as they grow older. They won t have the character necessary to understand and accept the limits that God may place on them. As you help your children address their arguing, badgering, and whining, you will begin to prepare them for a life of contentment. We all need to learn to live within boundaries, whether they are financial limits or health restrictions. Limits are a part of life. Contentment means that we say no to things we can t afford or shouldn t eat. If children can t accept no from their parents, how will they ever learn to say no to themselves or accept limits from God? This tip comes from chapter five in the book, "Good and Angry: Exchanging Frustration for Character in You and Your Kids" By Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller. FYI Menu Wednesday, November 4 Adults Fried Chicken Creamed Potatoes Green Beans Dessert Salad Chef s Salad (Reservations for salad must be turned in by noon on Wednesday.) Kid s Meal Pizza, Fruit, Cookie, Milk STEWARDSHIP REPORT Week # 4 - October 25, 2009 Year -to-date Goal: $305,440.00 Offering: This Week $54,301.72 YTD $245,917.69 Debt Retirement: This Week $307.00 YTD $2,562.00 ATTENDANCE OCTOBER 25, 2009 Sunday School Preschool 76 Children 113 Students 115 Adults 652 Brookdale Regular Attenders 22 New Members - - Visitors 24 TOTAL 1002 Worship Services First Fellowship 333 Sanctuary Worship 736 TOTAL 1069 POINSETTIAS It is time to begin placing orders for poinsettias to be used during the Christmas season. These may be given in memory of or in honor of someone. Forms are available at the welcome centers and in the Church Office. Cost is $8.50. Deadline for returning forms with payment to the Church Office is Sunday, November 22.
TESTIMONIES ABOUT PEOPLE WHO INFLUENCED OUR LIVES Paul Nelson Written by Tom J. Owen It has been my privilege to be associated with a great group of Christian men in our Sunday School class for more than 35 years. They continue to inspire me to stretch toward becoming more Christ-like. One of the men in this group, Paul Nelson, has continued to be an inspiration to me and our fellow members. He truly lives out one of his favorite scriptures, Micah 6:8: He has showed you, O man, what is good and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly and to love kindness and mercy, and to humble yourself and walk humbly with God. Paul is a brilliant electrical engineer but he is always modest concerning any personal accomplishment or his Christian ministries and life style. He always had a Bible on his desk at work. Inspired by Ken Roberson, a former member, he has managed, delivered and nurtured a Meals on Wheels route for 20 years. Paul, accompanied by the Meals on Wheels director, delivered the first meals. He is a charter and faithful member of our church builder s group, working at the Lincoln Mill Village, with Perry County mission trips, and on FBC in-house projects. He performs countless personal ministries, in which he builds, repairs, and renders any help needed to members of our class, FBC, or acquaintances who are ill. He often teaches the class or serves as department superintendent when asked or needed. ANNE STONE Written by Lisa Greer Ceci The first time I saw Anne Stone, she spoke to my Sunday School class about the Huntsville/Madison County Christian Women s Job Corp. My first impression was, The lady is passionate about that organization. She made a believer out of me, as I m sure she has many of you. The CWJC has helped hundreds of disadvantaged women receive educational and life skills and spiritual guidance. This enables them to make a better life for themselves and their children. The CWJC is successful because of volunteers and generous donations. I believe Anne s passion for the organization helps spark that success. Anne also has a passion for teaching. She challenges others to fulfill their destinies. I don t know how many high school students and church members she has taught through the years, but God has used her to touch a lot of lives, including mine. Thank God for people like Anne Stone.
TESTIMONIES (Continued) ELLENE FLINN Written by former member Sarah Fortner During our five years at First Baptist, we made many dear friends and were inspired by many. But I would have to say that Ellene Flinn had the most impact on our lives. About 30 years ago, Ellene started Getting to Know You. We came to First Baptist in February 1998 and that fall Janice Allison showed me an announcement about Getting to Know You, and told us we should really try it, especially since we were new to town and to the church. We took her good advice. Through this group we met and made friends with many who blessed our lives...people whom we would probably never have met in a church as large as First Baptist. Ellene and Jim were two of the people we probably would not have known had we not joined Getting to Know You. Ellene was always a very gracious lady, and is a fine, sweet Christian. We enjoyed knowing her and Jim and visiting in their home. We thank Ellene for reaching out and starting Getting to Know You so many years ago. Through it she has touched many lives. We thank her for the dear friends we made because of that outreach. We were blessed because of Ellene and Getting to Know You. Consider Paul s words to the church at Corinth as he writes to them about stewardship. God. 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever. Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to Are you willing to wrestle with the meaning of this passage as you apply it to yourself and your family? Take a look at the questions below in light of the passage from 2 Corinthians. Am I aware of God s overflowing provision and blessing in my own daily experience of faith? Do I give attention and time to the outreach, ministry, and service needs of others? Do I consider making financial contributions to my church a joyful act of worship? As we give focus to our stewardship practices during November, ask God to show you His vision of how you might grow in your ability to sow generously.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED PERIODICAL 600 GOVERNORS DRIVE HUNTSVILLE, AL 35801 Family Matters CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY Syble & John Noblin in the loss of her uncle, John Fuller The MESSENGER (USPS 591-280) is published weekly except the week of Christmas by First Baptist Church, 600 Governors Drive, Huntsville, AL 35801. Periodical postage paid at Huntsville, Alabama 31801-5178. POSTMASTER send change of address to THE MESSENGER, 600 Governors Drive, Huntsville, AL 35801. Volume 61, 43, October 29, 2009 Early Adulthood Ministry Pam McDaniel, Minister to Young and Median Adults How can I learn more about FBC and her ministries? Meet FBC! is beginning a second session November 8. Meet FBC! is a class for young and median adults (average age 20s-50s) that will gather each Sunday to meet our ministerial staff and learn more about our church. This class is geared towards adults who have been visiting or are new members of our church. Angela & Mark Seanor in the loss of her stepfather, R.I. Dillard Doris Sneed in the loss of her brother, Walt Bishop Thanks Thank you notes have been received from Madelyn Bussey, Towry and Dee Jacks, and Billie and Rod Moak. These have been placed on the bulletin board across from the Church Office. However, if you are not new but are still interested in hearing more from a particular minister, please join us in room 241A beginning November 8. You can be a part of any or all the classes, although if you are still finding your way at FBC, you ll not want to miss any of the sessions! Together, we ll meet others in this same journey and learn more about the ministries of our church! Our first three ministers will be Pam McDaniel, Dr. David Hull and Mike Pearce. For additionally details, please contact the Adult Ministries Office. Women of FBC are invited to tea and a show of fashion from the past 200 years. Sunday, November 15, 2009 at noon $10.00 per guest/ticket Tickets will be sold at the East Entrance and in the Fellowship Hall on October 28; November 1 and 4; and November 8. Seating is limited - get your tickets early! WOMEN ON MISSION FBC STITCHERS Our stitching group will meet again on Thursday, November 5. 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the CLC. On Tuesday, November 3, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 118, Rodney Duncan, missionary to Malaysia, will share with us about his work there. Rodney is a relative of Jo Pryor and is on stateside assignment. You are encouraged to come hear him.