a publication of First Baptist Church of Augusta

3500 Walton WayAugusta, GA 30909

706-733-2236 www.fbcaugusta.org

Interpreterthe

May 18, 2016

May 25, MENU Toasted Pecan Cole Slaw

Biscuits with Butter & JellySouthern Fried Chicken

Baked Macaroni & CheeseGreen Beans

Peach Cobbler & Vanilla Ice CreamChildren’s Menu

Chicken Legs with PancakesMac-n-Cheese PB & J’s Fresh Fruit

11 AM Traditional Worship

8:30 AM - REACHContemporary Worship

9:40-10:40 AM Bible Study All Ages

Wednesday Supper 5 PMCost:$7 for adults; $3.50 for children 12 and under. Carry outs are $7.50 each. Call 733-2236 for reservations.

May 22, 2016“Guilt and Grace”

Romans 5:6-11

Dr. David Hull

HigH ScHool graduate

college graduate

Lakeside High SchoolRiver Gracey

Georgia Southern UniversityJames Forrest Olliff

BS Construction Management

First Thoughts

Last Sunday, I preached about the miracle of the church as we celebrated Pentecost in worship together. The point of the sermon was to remind us of God’s powerful work through the Holy Spirit in the birth of the church. The church is more than just a human organization like any other group. It is empowered by God from the very beginning to this day. Pentecost gives us a chance to remember that.

Now, having said that, I also need to follow by saying that the church is still comprised of human beings. While we were born out of the miraculous work of God, we still have work to do in the church so that the church will be all that God has called her to be. We must rely on the power of God, but that is no excuse for us to quit working and say that God will do it all! Two stories from the building of cathedrals in the middle ages may provide lessons for us today.

In a sermon entitled “How Far Can You See?” United Methodist Pastor James A. Harnish from Tampa, Florida tells the story of the Christians who built the Cathedral Church in Seville, Spain. Before they began construction in 1401, they wrote a resolution, and signed it, as a statement of their dream and vision in building that church. The resolution read thus:Let us build here a church so great that those who come after us will think us mad ever to have dreamed of it.

Harnish ends his sermon with these words: “What kind of a church are you willing to build here? How far can you see?” (James A. Harnish, Tampa, Florida,12 June 1994.)What is our vision for the future of First Baptist Church? How far can we see? What do we believe about the plans that God has for us? What God-sized dreams do you have for your church?

A second story . . . “Many Gothic churches of the Middle Ages were built in the following way: a quarry site was established, often as much as 50 miles from the place where the church was to be erected. When the rocks were mined, volunteers from all over the countryside would form a living chain from the quarry to the building site. The rocks would then be passed from hand to hand all the way to the construction grounds." David Louis, 2201 Fascinating Facts, p.32 (Ridge Press, 1983)

The building of the greatest cathedrals took the involvement of all the hands that were around. The living chain brought the rocks to the construction site. Today, the living chain is composed of our service, witness, giving, loving, and sharing. When all hands are involved in the chain, we grow stronger and the church of Jesus Christ is built among us. The Kingdom of God calls for us to join the work of the Holy Spirit with challenging dreams for the future and engaged hands in the present. That is how great churches are built. David Hull

Church Wide News & Opportunities

Best wishes to Dede Maddox... After 25 years of faithful ministry and service, Dede Maddox is retiring. She has serve as the Ministry Assistant to the Pastors for these years, and has fostered many meaningful relationships with our members during that time. Her final official day with us is Friday, July 15. We will recognize and celebrate her ministry during worship and Sunday Lunch on July 17. Plan to join us in order to express your appreciation.

Our summer study, “Telling Tales Out of School - Literally!” begins Wednesday, May 18. Here are a few instructions we can remember each week.1. Bring your story to share. It can be a simple one. It can be a history lesson. It can be a tall tale. The content is up to you - as long as it’s your story.2. Come ready to listen to a story. Who knows? Something shared around the table might be exactly what you need to hear.3. Bring a friend. Bring your family. It can be amazing how the folks closest to you might not know your story.Our first “story time” will build around the question “Where are you from?” Come with a story to share about your home town.Don’t forget we will start a little earlier for our summer session. We will stay in the Fellowship Hall and begin with prayer time at 5:45 p.m. I am looking forward to all that we share with each other this summer. I can’t wait to see where our stories cross paths with each other and with the story of faith. - Chip Reeves

First Baptist Church of Augusta is seeking an administrative Assistant to the Pastors/Office Manager. This position serves as both the Office Manager for FBC Augusta administrative support and the assistant to the Senior Pastor and Associate Pastor. The ability to maintain the confidentiality (when appropriate) is critical. This position also supervises administrative assistants, managing assignments for a pool of administrative resources to provide support for all ministers. This position requires excellent organizational, written and verbal communications skills, and a working knowledge of Microsoft Office. A two-year degree or comparable experience is required. And supervisory experience with administrative staff is preferred. Go to the church website at www.fbcaugusta.org to complete an application form and for instructions on submission of a resume.

Sunday Lunch May 22Lunch served at 11 & Noon. Reservations may be made by calling the Church Office @ 733-2236 orvisiting our web site @ fbcaugusta.org. Cost:$7 adults;$3.50 children 12 & under. Carry outs $7.50. All VISITorS to our worship services are invited to join us for lunch as our guest.

Benevolence Food Drive Sunday, May 22! Items needed this month are canned fruit, pork & beans, canned meaty pastas, and diapers, size 6. Thank you.

MENUripe Melons and Berries

Garden Salad with choice of dressingsBroccoli and Cheddar Salad

Yeast rolls with ButterBeef Bottom round Braised

Idaho Mashed PotatoesBroccoli with Cheddar Cheese Sauce

Chocolate Cake with raspberry SauceApple Cobbler with Vanilla Ice Cream

Join us for our Faith@Work luncheon. Our next lunch is Tuesday, May 24 @ Noon in the Fellowship Hall. The cost is $7 per person. Email dedemaddox@fbcaugusta.org.

Welcome Jacob Waldrip! Jacob Waldrip is coming to FBC Augusta to serve as a Ministerial Resident. He and his wife, Brittani, are moving from Greenville, SC, where they have worked at the Frazee Center, a non-profit after-school program for under-resourced youth and children. Jacob is a May 2016 graduate of the McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University and a 2013 graduate of Furman University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Religion. Jacob is originally from Chester, SC, where his father, Rev. Clay Waldrip, has served as pastor of FBC Chester for 25 years. His mother teaches school in Chester, and he has an older sister, Rebecca, and a younger brother, Matthew. Jacob has a passion to see the local church engage the whole gospel and as a result, seek to effect change in people’s lives, local communities, and the world through following and sharing Christ. Jacob will begin his ministry with us on June 1. As a ministerial resident, and given our interim needs, roughly half of this position will be in support of youth ministry. Beyond this commitment, Jacob will assist in young adult ministry, pastoral care, and missional outreach as needed.Jacob & Brittani Waldrip501 Edwards Road, Apt. 20, Greenville, SC 29615

Student Ministry

Preschool/Children’s Ministry

Vacation Bible School - June 6-10! Sign up now to be involved with VBS 2016! youth helpers are still needed! Contact the Preschool Office at 731-5366 or sign up on the sheet in the Preschool Building.IT’S TIME TO REGISTER FOR VBS! All children who turned 3 by September 1, 2015 and are planning to attend VBS must register. You may register online at the FBC website. fbcaugusta.org

Weekday Education

Passport Kids Camp, all 3-5 graders, Converse College, in Spartanburg, SC July 10-13! Cost is $250; $60 holds your spot. Boy spaces still available! Contact the Preschool/Children’s Ministry Office. Scholarships available!

Summer Bible Story Hour, Fridays, 10:30-11:30 AM May 27, June 17, July 8 and 29! Themed days for preschool and early elementary with stories, crafts, snack and time to play with friends. RSVP: 731-5366

SAVE THE DATE! Youth Camp - June 12-17 - Ocoee, Tennessee - Grades 6-12

Youth Mission Trip - July 17-22Huntsville, Alabama - for all youth grades 6-12

Volunteers are needed to bring refreshments! Communities, classes or individuals can help. Contact Jane Strong at 860-0587 or cjanerun@knology.net.

KENNEDY SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION! Deadline for returning applicants is July 1. Students must complete an application and have an official transcript sent to the Scholarship Committee.

Weekday Summer Programs May 24 - July 21 Nine classes meet each Tuesday and Thursday, 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM, except for VBS week. Children ages birth-rising 1st graders are enrolled. Teachers are: Summer Playcation Days: Babies - Melanie Fealko, Susan Krouse; Toddlers: Janice Putnam, Barbara Welch; 2A: Carly Crawford, Alicia Vannier, Audra Dekle; 2B: Kathryn Braxton, Lori McPherson; 3A: Barbara Collins, Becky Jurriaans; 3B: Joy Salet, Debra Thigpen; 4’s: Jamie King, Summer Trotter, Anna Dekle; Climber’s Club, 5’s: Brittany May, Lauren rich; 6’s: Irene Hadden, Emma Tom, Emily Brooks. We look forward to a fun-filled summer with activities to help us grow and learn!

Parental Dedication May 8, 2016

James & Holly BentleyHurst Prestwood

Sean & Danielle MooresAdelind Gray

Christopher & Sonya EverettClare Georgette

Brad & Julia PowersStephen Bradley II

Adam & Allison WitheringtonBriggs ripley Congratulations Class of 2016!

First Baptist Church of AugustaThe Interpreter (USPS 191-880) is published weekly except

Masters’ week, July 4th week, Thanksgiving week, & Christmas weekby First Baptist Church, 3500 Walton Way, Augusta, Georgia 30909

POSTMASTER: send address changes toP.O. Box 14489 - Augusta, GA 30919 (706) 733-2236Periodicals Postage Paid at Augusta, GA

Brody Johnson (706-727-7808) Lynn Mann (706-727-7802)Bob Jones (706-727-7799)

Kent Highfield (706-727-7806)Clifford & Andrea Carey (706-727-7804)

Weekly Church CalendarMay 22-28, 2016

EXTENDEDSESSION

VOLUNTEERSMay 22

Pastoral Ministry Jim Walls, Interim Senior Pastor David Hull, Interim PastorR. J. Robinson, Pastor EmeritusChip Reeves, Interim Minister of Pastoral Care

Music MinistryKurt Wachtel, Minister of Music Michael Toomey, Interim Contemporary Worship LeaderClaudia Moller, Children’s Choirs Coordinator

Faith Development MinistryPatti Fowler, Minister of Weekday Education Kelly Garnto, Interim Children’s Director Jennifer Huston, Preschool Ministry Assistant Lori McPherson, Nursery Coordinator Josh Pinson, Interim Youth Director Paul Moller, Director of Senior Adult Ministry

Operations Ministry Tim Spivey, Interim operations Director

Interpreter ContactLuci Worthington lworthington@fbcaugusta.org

Prayer Pager Ministry

Minister On Call706-832-2944

SUNDAY: Jn 9:1-23; 2 Chron 6; Mal 2:17-3:18MONDAY: John 9:24-41; 2 Chron 7; Malachi 4TUESDAY: John 10:1-21; 2 Chron 8; Psalm 73WEDNESDAY: Jn 10:22-42; 2 Chro 9; Psalm 74THURSDAY: Jn 11:1-27; 2 Chro 10-11; Psalm 75FRIDAY: Jn 11:28-57; 2 Chron 12-13; Psalm 76SATURDAY: Jn 12:1-26; 2 Chro 14-15; Psalm 77

Patti Fowler May 21 and 22

Sunday, May 22 8:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship,MAC/Gym 9:40 a.m. Bible Study, all Buildings11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship, Sanctuary Vietnamese Worship, MAC/Arts & Crafts Lunch, 1st Serving, Fellowship Hall12:00 p.m. Lunch, 2nd Serving, Fellowship Hall 1:00 p.m. Council of Ministry, Fellowship Hall 5:30 p.m. Student Ensemble/Handbell Cookout at the Wachtel’s Monday, May 23 9:00 a.m. Moms’ Prayer Group, D-201 9:30 a.m. Helping Hands, Arts & Crafts/MAC10:00 a.m. Lucy Wright Parker, Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, May 24 9:00 a.m. Benevolence, MAC 9:30 a.m. There’s an App for That, Computer Lab Weekday Summer Programs12:00 p.m. Faith@Work, Fellowship Hall 7:30 p.m. Women’s Bible Study, Prayer Room

Wednesday, May 25 7:00 a.m. Men’s Prayer Breakfast, MAC Grill 9:30 a.m. English As Second Language, Adult Bldg. Ladies’ Bible Study, Sr. Adult 212:00 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room 5:00 p.m. Family Supper, Fellowship Hall Men on Mission, Fellowship Hall 5:45 p.m. Adult Bible Study, Fellowship Hall 6:00 p.m. Orchestra Rehearsal, Daniel Bldg. Landon Bible Study, A-200 Men’s Bible Study, Bloodworth Comm. 6:45 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room 7:30 p.m. Praise Band Rehearsal, MAC Gym

Thursday, May 26 9:30 a.m. Weekday Summer Programs10:00 a.m. First Family Singers, Choir Room 6:00 p.m. Pastor Search Committee, Conf. Room

Friday, May 27 7:00 a.m. Men’s Bible Study, MAC/Game Room10:30 a.m. Children’s Story Hour

8:30 AM: Carla & Bill Parker, Allyson North, Betsy Thompson, Mickie BlackburnHostess: Allyson North11 AM: Courtney Pinson, Sandra Skelton, Jo Hulsebus, rachel Partl, Diann & Lilly Giles

Attendance/Giving ReportMay 15, 2016

Sunday Worship Attendance................713Sunday School Attendance..................612Church Conversation............................187Weekly Requirements ..................$59,922Budget-Building Receipts..............$53,527Budget-Building to Date.............$943,644Budget-Bld. Requirements.......$1,198,440