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.
office: 256-428-9400
weekend minister on call: 256-428-9457
24-hour prayer line: 256-428-9460
The Messengerfbchsv.org
firsT bapTisT hunTsville
this sunday
knowing, lov ing, serv ing Christ...together
First Baptist Church
600 Governors Drive
Huntsville, AL 35801
this sundaySunday, February 13, 2011
• Sermon: “Healing the Angry Heart”
Matthew 5:21-37
•First Fellowship 8:15 a.m.
Music from the First Fellowship Band
• Sunday School 9:15 a.m.
Bible Study for all ages
• Sanctuary Worship 10:30 a.m.
Evening ActivitiesSome Foundations for Life classes will meet with the
exception of the Pastor’s class
Joint Worship Service at First Missionary Baptist Church
3509 Blue Spring Road
6:15 p.m.Mini-Concert by our instrucmentalists
6:30 p.m.Worship Service
David Hull, preaching
Directions to FMBC:From North Parkway,
turn west onto Sparkman, then north (right) onto Blue Spring.
Church will be on the left.
Called Business Meeting February 20 at 6:15 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
See First Thoughts for more details.
FirSt tHougHtS David Hull, Pastor
Volume 62 / Week Number 6 / February 10, 2011
Family MattersWELCOME NEW MEMBERSSaeed Zamini1000 Airport RoadCountry Club ApartmentsApt. H24Huntsville, AL 35802
CHRISTIAN SYMPATHYJudy and David Chandler in the loss of her father, J. C. Montgomery
Mi Suk Chappell in the loss of her mother, Kim, HoNan
Chuck and Jana Clark in the loss of his father, C. G. Clark
Faye and Jim Reed in the loss of her brother-in-law, Wayne Dees
Angela and Mark Seanor in the loss of her cousin, Belinda Brestar
Betty Wheeler in the loss of her sister-in-law, Lois Foster
Fellowship ClubThe Fellowship Club has been
rescheduled to Friday, February 11 at 10:00 a.m. Myra Haythron will be speaking about her Ukraine mission
trip. If you are a first time guest, contact Kay Gover for seservations
at 256-536-8317
Santuary Choir Mid-Winter Retreat
Friday, Feb. 11, 7:00-8:30 p.m.Saturday, Feb. 12, 9:00-11:00 a.m.Guest Clinician—Dr. Erin Colwitz
(Director of Choral Activities at UAH)Becoming a Better Choral Musician and
Preparation of Easter MusicCome and sing!
John RosemondParenting Seminar
February 27, 2011. Tickets are $10.00 person/$15.00 per couple.
Tickets may also be purchased on our website at
www.fbchsv.org/johnrosemond. Childcare reservations must be made in
the Childhood Ministries Office by February 20. Please call 256-428-9411
for more information.
Grief Recovery Support GroupFind comfort and care to help you heal from your loss.
Tuesday evenings, 6:00-7:30 PMFor more information contact the Adult Ministry Office 428-9403
Whether you are in the Hospital, Assisted Living, a Rehab facility, or at Home and unable to attend church, you are invited to attend this weekly telephone Sunday School class, designed for those who are unable to get out. This class is led by Kennie and Len Worlund. For more information and instructions on how to be a part of this class contact the Adult Ministry Office at 428-9403.
Share in laughter with “America’s Funniest Professor”, Carl Hurley, Thursday, February 10, 2011. 6:30 p.m. F.B.C. Big Band. 7:00 p.m. Carl Hurley. $5.00 Tickets. Contact the Adult Ministry Department for more information.
eXPeRIeNCeDADULTmINIsTRYmarkseanor,ministertoexperiencedAdults
AirborneSundays from 9:30-10 a.m.
First Baptist Church has a wonderful group of Deacons. We met on Monday night for over three hours. Much of the meeting was given to discus-sion about how we move forward with our building program. Many different ideas, hopes, concerns, fears, and dreams were shared in an open, honest discussion. I am most grateful for the spirit of the discussion, as well as the content of the conversation.
So what were we talking about? To be honest, when we voted to move forward with our building
program almost three years ago we projected that we would be able to raise between six and eight million dollars in a capital stewardship campaign. (This amount was 1.5 to 2 times our annual budget receipts which was the standard expectation for church capital campaigns.) That was before September 2008 changed the economic picture in our world. In reality we committed over five million dollars in our campaign this fall. While that amount is more than we have ever committed to a capital campaign, it still is less than what we had hoped we would have going into a building program.
How do we move forward given this new reality? There are different opinions within our church about this. Some make the point that we should change the building plan that we have previously adopted and reduce the cost of the build-ing. Others say that we should continue with the building plan and adjust the long-term debt limit that we have approved. Whatever we do, we will need to change something that we approved three years ago. That is what the discus-sion is all about.
Soon it will be your turn to join in the discussion. On Sunday night, February 20, we will have a Called Business Meeting for the purpose of talking about this as a congregation. The Messenger next week will carry a recommendation that will be presented for your consideration on that night. We will not be voting on the actual building proposal until we receive bids and know the cost of the project. That vote will likely be in May. We will be voting on some financial recommendations that will allow us to enter into the bid process and move ahead with the building.
We are having good and healthy discussions with the leaders of our church. I am most grateful for the time, energy, and prayerfulness that have been a part of these meetings. Now I encourage you to join in the conversation.
fbchsv.org
ministry calendar
knowing, lov ing, serv ing Christ...together
Library Hours Sunday 9-9:15 AM | 10:10-10:45 AM | 11:40-12:00 PMtuesday 10:00 AM-12:00 PMWednesday 4:00-5:00 PM
MiSSioNS AND outreAcH Mike Pearce, Minister of Missions and outreach
Sunday, Feb. 13FirstFellowship/FH 8:15Am
sundayschool 9:15Am
sanctuaryWorship/sanct. 10:30Am
Girlscouts/333 1:00Pm
Boyscouts/343 1:00Pm
YouthHandbells/329 4:00Pm
FoundationsforLife/Parlor,
111,114,141 4:00Pm
FoundationsforLife/107,108,229
YouthChoir/CR 5:00Pm
Youthsnacks/241 6:00Pm
JointWorship/FmBC,
Bluesprings 6:30Pm
Monday, Feb. 14mOPs/241 9:00Am
LetterWriting/242 9:00Am
HallelujahChoir/CR 10:30Am
HCCA/CR,241.242 4:00Pm
BsFClasses/Parlor,Chapel,
3rdFloor 5:00Pm
CODA/140 6:30Pm
tuesday, Feb. 15Tues.morn.Intercess./242 7:00Am
“LivingWell”/118 9:00Am
BethmooreBiblest./342 9:00Am
ministerialstaffmtg/Parlor 9:00Am
Gen.staffmtg/Parlor 10:30Am
musicstaff/Parlor 1:00Pm
Griefshare/CLC 6:00Pm
BsFseminars/3426:00Pm
Forum/118 6:30Pm
BoyscoutTrp.70/343 6:30Pm
AdultHandbells/329 7:00Pm
BarbershopGrp./108 7:00Pm
Wednesday, Feb. 16PreceptBiblest./342 9:00Am
WritingYourLifest./118 11:00Am
YoungmusiciansHandbells/329 4:15Pm
supper/FH 4:45Pm
m&m/2nd,3rdFloors 5:00Pm
BuildingComm/Parlor 5:30Pm
Trustees/117 5:30Pm
QuarterlyBusinessmtg./FH 5:45Pm
Y.A.m&m/107 5:45Pm
Liftoff/309-310 6:00Pm
sanctuaryChoir/CR 7:00Pm
Personnel/Parlor 7:00Pm
thursday, Feb. 17momsinTouch/Parlor 8:00Am
ClarionWinds/242 7:30Pm
Friday, Feb. 18BsFLeaders/Parlor 4:30Am
The Beulah Neece Ware Music Education Scholarship
The Trustees of First Baptist Church have established a music education scholarship fund with proceeds from the estate of Beulah Neece Ware, longtime organist at FBC. The scholarship is available to FBC members studying music with preference given to full time students pursuing church music ministry.
Qualifications for scholarship award, in order of importance, are the following: pursuit of a music education, preferably in church ministry; membership at First Baptist Church for a minimum of two years with preference given to those who have been members longer if otherwise equally qualified; and financial need.
Scholarship awards will be made for one year, with renewal for additional years after reap-plication and evaluation of the student’s progress. Annual awards may be made to the same student through completion of graduate degrees. One or more yearly awards in the amount of $1,000 will be made as funds are available. The deadline for filing an application is March 1, 2011. Application forms are available in the music office and online at fbchsv.org.
SILK (n) a. The fine, lustrous fiber produced by silkworms. b. Thread or fabric woven from this fiber. c. Stitching In Love for His Kingdom - A new stitching ministry at FBC Huntsville.
In this ministry we are given the opportunity to share God’s love and care with oth-ers through our “stitching”. Many interesting and much needed projects await will-ing hearts and hands to bring them to completion. All skill levels are encouraged to participate. Two time frames are provided, allowing flexibility in personal scheduling. (12:30-3:00 or 5:30-8:00) on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month.
Beginning date is February 24th in Room 108. If available, bring basic supplies, such as sewing machine, thread, scissors, needles and pins. Material/fabric and project instructions are provided. For more information contact Susan Keene 256-881-6533.
recreAtioNchris Sims, christian Life center coordinator
cHiLDreN’S MiNiStrieScindy russell, Minister to children
Wednesday Night Dinner MenuWednesday, Febraury 16
AdultsLasagna
Saladgarlic Bread
Dessert
SaladFriedChickensalad
(ReservationsforsaladmustbeturnedinbynoononWednesday.)
SteWArDSHiP rePort
2/6/11
Year-to-Date goal $1,664,145.00
offering
ThisWeek$103,381.58
YTD$1,689,256.70
Debt retirement
ThisWeek$775.00
YTD$26,096.00
FaithstepstotheFuture:
ThisWeek$60,529.05
YTD$1,583,376.60
ToDate:$1,769,855.90
GlobalmissionsandLottiemoonOffering:
Total $32,848.33
AtteNDANce
Sunday SchoolPreschool 80
Children 119
students 121
Adults 698
Brookdale 15
Visitors 45
totAL 1085
Worship ServicesFirstFellowship 364
sanctuaryWorship 670
totAL 1034
Thanks
Thank you notes have been received from Margie Webster, Joanne Wall, Libby Yancey, and Peggi Deleuil. They have been placed on the bulletin board across from the church office.
Eight quick devotionals for your familyby Crystal Bowman, Tricia Goyer Use these quick devotionals at the dinner table with your family for lively discussions about the Bible! Each file can be easily printed.
Soul Food http://www.focusonthefamily.com/downloads/parenting/mealtime_moments/24.pdf
"Bible" for a Hundred, Alex http://www.focusonthefamily.com/downloads/parenting/mealtime_moments/25.pdf
True or False? http://www.focusonthefamily.com/downloads/parenting/mealtime_moments/36.pdf
Be a Bookworm http://www.focusonthefamily.com/downloads/parenting/mealtime_moments/53.pdf
Go Ahead, It's Good for You! http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/spiritual_growth_for_kids/family_meal-time_devotionals/wisdom_from_the_bible.aspx
Wanted: Map Readers and Travelers http://www.focusonthefamily.com/downloads/parenting/mealtime_moments/91.pdf
King on the Mountain http://www.focusonthefamily.com/downloads/parenting/mealtime_moments/92.pdf
Simon Says — God Says! http://www.focusonthefamily.com/downloads/parenting/mealtime_moments/107.pdf
If you enjoy these devotionals, try the others listed in this article series. There's one for each week of the year! From Mealtime Moments, a Focus on the Family book published by Tyndale House Publishers.
Blood Profiles
Come by the CLC to pick up forms for blood profiles this month. We are partnering with Huntsville Hopsital to give you the opportunity to have blood tests done at a reduced cost. The profiles start at $30 for the Executive profile, with an additional PSA test for $5 and a cardiovascular test for $10.
Forms are now available at the CLC desk. You must pick up forms and have blood drawn in the month of February.
A new semester of Grief Share has be-gun. If you are going through the grief of losing a loved one, you are invited to attend.
When: Tuesday evenings at 6:30. Where: Patio Room
Possible New Ministry to our Community Along the lines of serving our community, we have a new way to do that. For the first time in Serving the City we will be using our new beverage backpacks. I have two back packs that will be filled with a beverage and we will go to public places and offer free coffee, free hot chocolate, free apple cider, or some other suitable drinks. The list of places to offer free drinks is almost unlimited, such as parks, running/hiking trails, sports fields, in busy parking lots, and even as people stop at traffic lights.
But I am already thinking of how awesome it would be to offer free coffee, regular and decaf, to people who drive by our church. I would love to see a regular day where we offer free coffee to people who are coming down Governors Drive. We would have free coffee signs directing them into our parking lot and then out the back way to St. Claire. In order for this to happen we would need volunteers to take the lead of this effort, others to hold the signs, additional volunteers to pour the coffee, some to be greeters, and others to direct the traffic.
If this is something you would like to be a part of contact Mike Pearce at 256.428.9448 or at [email protected]. Watch for an interest meeting after Serving the City.
fbchsv.org
ministry calendar
knowing, lov ing, serv ing Christ...together
Library Hours Sunday 9-9:15 AM | 10:10-10:45 AM | 11:40-12:00 PMtuesday 10:00 AM-12:00 PMWednesday 4:00-5:00 PM
MiSSioNS AND outreAcH Mike Pearce, Minister of Missions and outreach
Sunday, Feb. 13FirstFellowship/FH 8:15Am
sundayschool 9:15Am
sanctuaryWorship/sanct. 10:30Am
Girlscouts/333 1:00Pm
Boyscouts/343 1:00Pm
YouthHandbells/329 4:00Pm
FoundationsforLife/Parlor,
111,114,141 4:00Pm
FoundationsforLife/107,108,229
YouthChoir/CR 5:00Pm
Youthsnacks/241 6:00Pm
JointWorship/FmBC,
Bluesprings 6:30Pm
Monday, Feb. 14mOPs/241 9:00Am
LetterWriting/242 9:00Am
HallelujahChoir/CR 10:30Am
HCCA/CR,241.242 4:00Pm
BsFClasses/Parlor,Chapel,
3rdFloor 5:00Pm
CODA/140 6:30Pm
tuesday, Feb. 15Tues.morn.Intercess./242 7:00Am
“LivingWell”/118 9:00Am
BethmooreBiblest./342 9:00Am
ministerialstaffmtg/Parlor 9:00Am
Gen.staffmtg/Parlor 10:30Am
musicstaff/Parlor 1:00Pm
Griefshare/CLC 6:00Pm
BsFseminars/3426:00Pm
Forum/118 6:30Pm
BoyscoutTrp.70/343 6:30Pm
AdultHandbells/329 7:00Pm
BarbershopGrp./108 7:00Pm
Wednesday, Feb. 16PreceptBiblest./342 9:00Am
WritingYourLifest./118 11:00Am
YoungmusiciansHandbells/329 4:15Pm
supper/FH 4:45Pm
m&m/2nd,3rdFloors 5:00Pm
BuildingComm/Parlor 5:30Pm
Trustees/117 5:30Pm
QuarterlyBusinessmtg./FH 5:45Pm
Y.A.m&m/107 5:45Pm
Liftoff/309-310 6:00Pm
sanctuaryChoir/CR 7:00Pm
Personnel/Parlor 7:00Pm
thursday, Feb. 17momsinTouch/Parlor 8:00Am
ClarionWinds/242 7:30Pm
Friday, Feb. 18BsFLeaders/Parlor 4:30Am
The Beulah Neece Ware Music Education Scholarship
The Trustees of First Baptist Church have established a music education scholarship fund with proceeds from the estate of Beulah Neece Ware, longtime organist at FBC. The scholarship is available to FBC members studying music with preference given to full time students pursuing church music ministry.
Qualifications for scholarship award, in order of importance, are the following: pursuit of a music education, preferably in church ministry; membership at First Baptist Church for a minimum of two years with preference given to those who have been members longer if otherwise equally qualified; and financial need.
Scholarship awards will be made for one year, with renewal for additional years after reap-plication and evaluation of the student’s progress. Annual awards may be made to the same student through completion of graduate degrees. One or more yearly awards in the amount of $1,000 will be made as funds are available. The deadline for filing an application is March 1, 2011. Application forms are available in the music office and online at fbchsv.org.
SILK (n) a. The fine, lustrous fiber produced by silkworms. b. Thread or fabric woven from this fiber. c. Stitching In Love for His Kingdom - A new stitching ministry at FBC Huntsville.
In this ministry we are given the opportunity to share God’s love and care with oth-ers through our “stitching”. Many interesting and much needed projects await will-ing hearts and hands to bring them to completion. All skill levels are encouraged to participate. Two time frames are provided, allowing flexibility in personal scheduling. (12:30-3:00 or 5:30-8:00) on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month.
Beginning date is February 24th in Room 108. If available, bring basic supplies, such as sewing machine, thread, scissors, needles and pins. Material/fabric and project instructions are provided. For more information contact Susan Keene 256-881-6533.
recreAtioNchris Sims, christian Life center coordinator
cHiLDreN’S MiNiStrieScindy russell, Minister to children
Wednesday Night Dinner MenuWednesday, Febraury 16
AdultsLasagna
Saladgarlic Bread
Dessert
SaladFriedChickensalad
(ReservationsforsaladmustbeturnedinbynoononWednesday.)
SteWArDSHiP rePort
2/6/11
Year-to-Date goal $1,664,145.00
offering
ThisWeek$103,381.58
YTD$1,689,256.70
Debt retirement
ThisWeek$775.00
YTD$26,096.00
FaithstepstotheFuture:
ThisWeek$60,529.05
YTD$1,583,376.60
ToDate:$1,769,855.90
GlobalmissionsandLottiemoonOffering:
Total $32,848.33
AtteNDANce
Sunday SchoolPreschool 80
Children 119
students 121
Adults 698
Brookdale 15
Visitors 45
totAL 1085
Worship ServicesFirstFellowship 364
sanctuaryWorship 670
totAL 1034
Thanks
Thank you notes have been received from Margie Webster, Joanne Wall, Libby Yancey, and Peggi Deleuil. They have been placed on the bulletin board across from the church office.
Eight quick devotionals for your familyby Crystal Bowman, Tricia Goyer Use these quick devotionals at the dinner table with your family for lively discussions about the Bible! Each file can be easily printed.
Soul Food http://www.focusonthefamily.com/downloads/parenting/mealtime_moments/24.pdf
"Bible" for a Hundred, Alex http://www.focusonthefamily.com/downloads/parenting/mealtime_moments/25.pdf
True or False? http://www.focusonthefamily.com/downloads/parenting/mealtime_moments/36.pdf
Be a Bookworm http://www.focusonthefamily.com/downloads/parenting/mealtime_moments/53.pdf
Go Ahead, It's Good for You! http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/spiritual_growth_for_kids/family_meal-time_devotionals/wisdom_from_the_bible.aspx
Wanted: Map Readers and Travelers http://www.focusonthefamily.com/downloads/parenting/mealtime_moments/91.pdf
King on the Mountain http://www.focusonthefamily.com/downloads/parenting/mealtime_moments/92.pdf
Simon Says — God Says! http://www.focusonthefamily.com/downloads/parenting/mealtime_moments/107.pdf
If you enjoy these devotionals, try the others listed in this article series. There's one for each week of the year! From Mealtime Moments, a Focus on the Family book published by Tyndale House Publishers.
Blood Profiles
Come by the CLC to pick up forms for blood profiles this month. We are partnering with Huntsville Hopsital to give you the opportunity to have blood tests done at a reduced cost. The profiles start at $30 for the Executive profile, with an additional PSA test for $5 and a cardiovascular test for $10.
Forms are now available at the CLC desk. You must pick up forms and have blood drawn in the month of February.
A new semester of Grief Share has be-gun. If you are going through the grief of losing a loved one, you are invited to attend.
When: Tuesday evenings at 6:30. Where: Patio Room
Possible New Ministry to our Community Along the lines of serving our community, we have a new way to do that. For the first time in Serving the City we will be using our new beverage backpacks. I have two back packs that will be filled with a beverage and we will go to public places and offer free coffee, free hot chocolate, free apple cider, or some other suitable drinks. The list of places to offer free drinks is almost unlimited, such as parks, running/hiking trails, sports fields, in busy parking lots, and even as people stop at traffic lights.
But I am already thinking of how awesome it would be to offer free coffee, regular and decaf, to people who drive by our church. I would love to see a regular day where we offer free coffee to people who are coming down Governors Drive. We would have free coffee signs directing them into our parking lot and then out the back way to St. Claire. In order for this to happen we would need volunteers to take the lead of this effort, others to hold the signs, additional volunteers to pour the coffee, some to be greeters, and others to direct the traffic.
If this is something you would like to be a part of contact Mike Pearce at 256.428.9448 or at [email protected]. Watch for an interest meeting after Serving the City.
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.
office: 256-428-9400
weekend minister on call: 256-428-9457
24-hour prayer line: 256-428-9460
The Messengerfbchsv.org
firsT bapTisT hunTsville
this sunday
knowing, lov ing, serv ing Christ...together
First Baptist Church
600 Governors Drive
Huntsville, AL 35801
this sundaySunday, February 13, 2011
• Sermon: “Healing the Angry Heart”
Matthew 5:21-37
•First Fellowship 8:15 a.m.
Music from the First Fellowship Band
• Sunday School 9:15 a.m.
Bible Study for all ages
• Sanctuary Worship 10:30 a.m.
Evening ActivitiesSome Foundations for Life classes will meet with the
exception of the Pastor’s class
Joint Worship Service at First Missionary Baptist Church
3509 Blue Spring Road
6:15 p.m.Mini-Concert by our instrucmentalists
6:30 p.m.Worship Service
David Hull, preaching
Directions to FMBC:From North Parkway,
turn west onto Sparkman, then north (right) onto Blue Spring.
Church will be on the left.
Called Business Meeting February 20 at 6:15 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
See First Thoughts for more details.
FirSt tHougHtS David Hull, Pastor
Volume 62 / Week Number 6 / February 10, 2011
Family MattersWELCOME NEW MEMBERSSaeed Zamini1000 Airport RoadCountry Club ApartmentsApt. H24Huntsville, AL 35802
CHRISTIAN SYMPATHYJudy and David Chandler in the loss of her father, J. C. Montgomery
Mi Suk Chappell in the loss of her mother, Kim, HoNan
Chuck and Jana Clark in the loss of his father, C. G. Clark
Faye and Jim Reed in the loss of her brother-in-law, Wayne Dees
Angela and Mark Seanor in the loss of her cousin, Belinda Brestar
Betty Wheeler in the loss of her sister-in-law, Lois Foster
Fellowship ClubThe Fellowship Club has been
rescheduled to Friday, February 11 at 10:00 a.m. Myra Haythron will be speaking about her Ukraine mission
trip. If you are a first time guest, contact Kay Gover for seservations
at 256-536-8317
Santuary Choir Mid-Winter Retreat
Friday, Feb. 11, 7:00-8:30 p.m.Saturday, Feb. 12, 9:00-11:00 a.m.Guest Clinician—Dr. Erin Colwitz
(Director of Choral Activities at UAH)Becoming a Better Choral Musician and
Preparation of Easter MusicCome and sing!
John RosemondParenting Seminar
February 27, 2011. Tickets are $10.00 person/$15.00 per couple.
Tickets may also be purchased on our website at
www.fbchsv.org/johnrosemond. Childcare reservations must be made in
the Childhood Ministries Office by February 20. Please call 256-428-9411
for more information.
Grief Recovery Support GroupFind comfort and care to help you heal from your loss.
Tuesday evenings, 6:00-7:30 PMFor more information contact the Adult Ministry Office 428-9403
Whether you are in the Hospital, Assisted Living, a Rehab facility, or at Home and unable to attend church, you are invited to attend this weekly telephone Sunday School class, designed for those who are unable to get out. This class is led by Kennie and Len Worlund. For more information and instructions on how to be a part of this class contact the Adult Ministry Office at 428-9403.
Share in laughter with “America’s Funniest Professor”, Carl Hurley, Thursday, February 10, 2011. 6:30 p.m. F.B.C. Big Band. 7:00 p.m. Carl Hurley. $5.00 Tickets. Contact the Adult Ministry Department for more information.
eXPeRIeNCeDADULTmINIsTRYmarkseanor,ministertoexperiencedAdults
AirborneSundays from 9:30-10 a.m.
First Baptist Church has a wonderful group of Deacons. We met on Monday night for over three hours. Much of the meeting was given to discus-sion about how we move forward with our building program. Many different ideas, hopes, concerns, fears, and dreams were shared in an open, honest discussion. I am most grateful for the spirit of the discussion, as well as the content of the conversation.
So what were we talking about? To be honest, when we voted to move forward with our building
program almost three years ago we projected that we would be able to raise between six and eight million dollars in a capital stewardship campaign. (This amount was 1.5 to 2 times our annual budget receipts which was the standard expectation for church capital campaigns.) That was before September 2008 changed the economic picture in our world. In reality we committed over five million dollars in our campaign this fall. While that amount is more than we have ever committed to a capital campaign, it still is less than what we had hoped we would have going into a building program.
How do we move forward given this new reality? There are different opinions within our church about this. Some make the point that we should change the building plan that we have previously adopted and reduce the cost of the build-ing. Others say that we should continue with the building plan and adjust the long-term debt limit that we have approved. Whatever we do, we will need to change something that we approved three years ago. That is what the discus-sion is all about.
Soon it will be your turn to join in the discussion. On Sunday night, February 20, we will have a Called Business Meeting for the purpose of talking about this as a congregation. The Messenger next week will carry a recommendation that will be presented for your consideration on that night. We will not be voting on the actual building proposal until we receive bids and know the cost of the project. That vote will likely be in May. We will be voting on some financial recommendations that will allow us to enter into the bid process and move ahead with the building.
We are having good and healthy discussions with the leaders of our church. I am most grateful for the time, energy, and prayerfulness that have been a part of these meetings. Now I encourage you to join in the conversation.