FBC July 2018 Newsletter A Monthly Source of News and Information for Members & Friends of First Bible Church Decatur Madison Six Sundays of Family Worship Begins Sunday, July 1 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. The Field House worshippers will join us in the main auditorium (10:45). Preschool High School students will not have regular classes but will attend service with their parents. In Decatur Regular programming for Nursery 1-Nursery 5, and in Madison at 10:45 only for Nursery toddlers. ABF s will go on break July 1 August 5 is offering a Co-ed Bible study at 9:30 a.m., July 1 August 5, 9:30 10:30, Being a Disciple: Counting the Real Cost. There is limited childcare available for infants and toddlers only, please register at fbc.org. Regular morning schedule resumes on August 12th. FBC Newsletter 1 July 2018
Sing to the Lord, Praise His Name; Proclaim His Salvation Day after Day Psalm 96:2 Every day at the Neighborhood Christian Center we stand in awe of the mighty work that God is doing to build up His Kingdom. We have watched Him transform people s lives, and we are thankful that He allows us the opportunity to watch Him do glorious things and witness His saving grace in the lives of those we serve. We continue to give God the Glory for the fruit blooming through the Educational and Discipleship classes and programs. We teach 40-50 classes weekly on-site at the Center, off-site at two jails, one prison, North Alabama Work Release, local re-habs, our transitional home for women, in partnership with the judicial system, and local at-risk children and youth programs. Over-joyed, blessed and humbled to participate in the baptisms of 34 inmates at the Morgan County jail who have placed their trust and faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior. God continues to open doors for us to serve our neighbors in need through our compassion ministries by providing food, clothes, hygiene, household items, and financial support to those in our community who are struggling. The Summer Youth Leadership Program is underway for the 23rd year. We are excited to have 13 young men and women participating in the program this summer as we train them to be urban missionaries. We desire to teach these young people leadership skills, valuable work ethic, and expose them to the concept of Christian Community Outreach. Areas intended for growth include: knowledge and application of God's Word studying the book of Galatians service to those in need developing friendships strengthening community relationships and so much more! To help in this ministry contact The Neighborhood Christian Center at 256-351-7633 or Glenn Byrd 256-318-8670 or gbyrd2123@gmail.com. $5,055,483.00 pledges as of 6/10 $1,876,620 received as of 6/10 Groundbreaking November 2018 FBC Newsletter 2 July 2018
Looking Steve Bateman Ahead with Steve Every July I look forward to our children joining us in morning worship. For most of the year, our young children through elementary school age receive age-specific instruction in our exceptional children s ministries on Sunday morning. This also allows me to address some deep, sometimes controversial, topics from Scripture concerning today s complicated and morally confused society that are not appropriate for little ears. There are advantages and disadvantages to this approach, and pastors and theologians continue to debate the practice. Many of us had no choice growing up. We went to big church with our parents and learned to sit still (or try) and listen and take it all in. Probably most of it was over my head, but I absorbed more than you might expect. And I learned to sing the songs of the faith, even if I didn t understand all the theology packed into them. So since we see the value of both approaches, we do both. In the heart of the summer, we bring our children into the worship service and I craft the sermons so they can grasp some of these great truths. Actually, I find that when I deliver a sermon that an 8 year old can understand, most adults enjoy it themselves. Finally, said one middle aged man last summer, a sermon I can understand! So beginning on July 1, we begin our Summer Family Worship with a new series: Six Ways to Love People: Forming the Foundation for Future Happiness. Bring your Bibles, your children, your grandchildren and prepare to feast on Exodus 20 and Commandments 5 through 10! FBC Newsletter 3 July 2018
W3 Grow & Go Opportunities Decatur Bible Journaling Summer Workshop: The Bible Journaling class meets on Wednesday, July 11th from 10am until 2pm to learn art techniques for illustrating. We each bring a lunch dish to share. This is an open-house format, so drop in anytime between ten and two. Self Defense Class - Sun, July 22 5:30pm-7:30pm in the Field House Join us as Pastor Andy Wisner, a black belt in karate, teaches us basic self defense principles. The first half of the class will focus on situational awareness while the second half will focus on learning self defense movements. There is no cost for this class. Please register by sending an email to diane@ fbc.org. Madison Madison Summer Suppers - Join us Wednesday, July 18 6:30 p.m. at Buena Vista. THRIVE First Bible s marriage ministry invites you to a concert by Nashville-based recording artist, Out of the Dust. Chris and Stephanie Teague make up the husband and wife duo. Concert Youth Wing Friday, July 6, 2018 7:30 9:00 pm Snacks & Hang Time begins at 6:45 pm Their story of downfall, divorce, and miraculous redemption and remarriage is woven deep into the fabric of their music. The passion they share is to tell of God's beautiful and majestic redemption through music that is stirring, thoughtful, and uniquely their own. This concert will be FREE (paid for by Thrive FBC). Space is limited, in order to plan accordingly, we will need you to sign up on Realm. Childcare is not available. FBC Newsletter 4 July 2018
News continues STUDENT MINISTRY STUDENT MINISTRY PASTOR DIRECTOR MATT DUBACH JEREMY GILBERT JULY 2018 DISCIPLESHIP COORDINATOR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ABBI CAMBRON CHERYL VINTON We will have Bible study on Wednesday nights during the summer. Locations will vary each week, so make sure to read the emails and social media posts to get all the details. WEEKLY SCHEDULE 9:15-10:30 AM Postcards with our fall schedule will be going out at the end of this month. If you do not usually receive a postcard and would like one, email abbi@fbc.org to make sure you get one this fall. 5:15-6:30 PM 6:00-6:45 PM 6:45-7:15 PM 7:15-8:00 PM Our GO Days are scheduled for July 17th-19th. More information and finalized plans will be sent out and posted closer to that week. JULY EVENTS June 22 - July 4 We have a lot of unscheduled activities that occur throughout the summer. Make sure you utilize student announcements through email, text, and social media to stay informed. June 30 - July 4 11, 18, 25 17-19 FBC Newsletter 5 July 2018
Ryan & Hannah Clark Nic & Shana McRae, Levi Roy & Sharon Oddi Aaron & Gina Lumsdon FBC Newsletter 6 July 2018
Eric & Sadie Miller William & Megan Taylor Ellie Korotky Marcus McCain Amanda Hampton and Colton Ord Decatur) Campus Audrey & Sophie Batchelor FBC Newsletter 7 July 2018
Deacons of the Month July Wade Blevins Sean Conway JuL 4 Independence Day Jul 6 Out of the Dust Concert 7:30-900 pm Jul 8 Deacons Meet 1:30 pm Jun 28-Jul 8 Taiwan Mission Jul 10 Elders Meet 5:30 pm Jul 12 Mission Committee Meeting 5:30 pm Jul 15 Churchwide Pool Party, Hartselle 6:30 pm Jul 28-Aug 5 Uganda Mission Sympathy Pray for these families and their extended families: Jim Bramlett daughters: Allison, Prestley, Kendall and Mackinley (in the death of iwife and mother, Ginger Bramlett) Connie White (her mother, Vernon Willingham) Raye Thibadoux (her mother, Shelby Dowling) 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 Picture: Waterfall at En Geti Ere a child is reared to 7 Teach him all the way to heaven. Better still the work will thrive If he learns before he s 5. C. H. Spurgeon 1834 1892 FBC Newsletter 8 July 2018