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

Newly elected deacoNs

Larry CreechEd CulpepperJohn Gordon

Eugenia GravesDick HollowayBill Lunsford

Debbie McDanielGeorge MerrittDru MurphreeDennis O’Dell

Ken SmithRoss Ward

Young Adult Girl’s Gathering (YAGG!)

Friday, September 306:00 p.m. - until!

Susan Wessinger’s Home Who: Young adult girls (20s-mid 30s)What: Supper and Fun! The meal is being provided. If you have a snack/dessert you want to bring, you may -

but not a requirement.RSVP: pam@fbchsv.org

Did you attend a YAGG at Susan’t house last year? If so, you know how much fun we had! Crafts in various

corners, our names inscribed in special ways, laughter around a fire pit, lots of conversation....Hope you can attend!

Called Business Meeting

Wednesday, September 28Voting on Nominating Committee

Recommendations

Volume 62 / Week Number 35 / September 15, 2011

September 18, 2011Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Sermon“Live Worthily”

Philippians 1:21-30

First Fellowship - 8:15 a.m.Music from the First Fellowship Band

Morning Bible Study - 9:15 a.m.Bible Study for all ages

Sanctuary Worship - 10:30 a.m.Sanctuary Choir AnthemWalk Worthy - J. Martin

Praise for Two Trumpets and Organ, Op. 26Werner Smock and Bruce Zeiger, trumpets

Music written by Tom Guffin

Evening Activities - Foundations for Life

Groundbreaking Ceremony9:00 - 9:10 a.m.

Front of CLC, St. Clair side

FirST ThOuGhTSDavid hull, Pastor

i found this paragraph in our church history (Leading the Way for 200 Years, by Bruce Gourley) to be very helpful in understanding our history and our present situation as a church.

The Building Committee worked diligently on land, code, financial, and various other logistical issues. December 1960 witnessed tangible progress. Groundbreaking took place at the Governor’s Drive property on December 18, 1960. That same month

contract negotiations began with Daniel Construction Company, and contributions to the Building Fund reached $310,000. however, progress then stalled as the Finance Sub-committee ran into difficulty securing a loan for the additional five hundred thousand dollars needed to begin construction. Following hundreds of fruitless inquiries to mortgage companies (a result of economic uncertainty hanging over huntsville in the early days of the Marshall Space Flight Center), as well as countless prayers, in May 1961 First Federal Savings and Loan Association of huntsville agreed to finance the project. indicative of the commitment to the church, some members took out second mortgages on their home to make certain the project moved forward.

We have faced challenges before in constructing buildings for the ministry of our church. The move to our current location involved financial obstacles, unexpected delays, and great commitment and sacrifice on the part of church members. Through it all God guided us forward as a church. it was not always according to our timetable or plan, but we were shown the way forward by the God who owns the future.

What happened on a cold December day in 1960 can happen again this Sunday as we gather to break ground and begin the construction of a building that will be a place of ministry for many years to come. i hope that you will join us at 9:00 a.m. this Sunday morning for a very brief Groundbreaking Service before Sunday School begins. First Fellowship will move to the site on the St. Clair side of the CLC in time for the Groundbreaking and will complete worship there.

The hymn that we sang together in the Memorial Concert on Sunday night is a hymn that draws us forward to Sunday morning. “O God our help in ages past, our hope for years to come!”

Fall PicnicOctober 16, 2:00-7:00 p.m.

Monte Sano State Park LodgeBBQ Dinner @ 4:45

Tickets go on sale September 24$5 Adults / $3 Children under 12

fbchsv.org

ministry calendar

knowing, lov ing, serv ing Christ...together

Wednesday Night Dinner MenuWednesday, September 21

Dinner and a Testimonywith Executive Chef Jean-Claude Mille

Slow roasted Prime ribNatural Au Jus and horseradish Cream Sauce

Baked Fresh Blue Water Atlantic Salmonroasted red Pepper-Citrus Coulis

Candied Garlic-Buttermilk Mashed PotatoCaesar Salad, homemade dressing

Vegetable Medley with Garlic and Fresh herbsFresh Baked rolls

homemade Vanilla-Berries Crème Brule

Children’s Menu: Chicken Fingers, Mashed Potatoes, Fruit

Milk, BrowniesChildren will gather in room 118

STEWArDShiP rEPOrT

9/11/11

Year-to-Date Goal $4,042,500.00

Offering

This Week $65,916.12

YTD $3,863,126.35

Debt retirement

This Week $350.00

YTD $52,321.50

Faith Steps to the Future:

This Week $14,262.51

YTD $2,161,884.50

To Date: $2,348,363.80

www.fbchsv.org/give

ATTENDANCE

Sunday SchoolPreschool 82

Children 88

Students 123

Adults 645

Brookdale 16

Visitors 41

TOTAL 979

Worship ServicesFirst Fellowship 362

Sanctuary Worship 694

TOTAL 1056

ThANk YOuThank you notes have been received from Brenda Beck hicks and Don and Joyce royston. They have been placed on the bulletin board across from the

church office.

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

FAMILY MATTERS

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHYTim and Karen Anderson in the loss of his father, Lauren and Amanda Anderson in the loss of their grandfather, James Anderson

Bill and Maureen Lokken in the loss of his mother, Frances Mary Lokken

Family and friends of our member, Ernestine Caudle

Family and friends of our member, Ruth Record

Construction UpdateWe are excited that contracts have been executed, groundbreaking ceremonies planned, and bulldozers are on the property! Woodward Construction will begin our Christian Life Center renovation on Monday, September 19. Their plan is to first complete the site work on the front of the building. What this means is that the parking lot in front of the sanctuary and daycare area will be inaccessible for approximately four weeks – until October 17, weather permitting. There will be no access to this area for the entire four weeks, including Sundays. If you typically park on the Governors Drive side of the church, you will have to move to another area of the campus for this four-week period. The covered drive in the front of the daycare/preschool area will not be accessible at any time during this period.

For the duration of the 13 ½ month construction period, the portion of our campus west of the driveway separating the CLC and the main building will be an active construction site and thus will be off limits to anyone other than authorized construction personnel. The driveway will be closed to thru traffic; in fact, the driveway will be removed once demolition begins. For your own safety and the safety of others, we must insist that you stay away from unauthorized areas.

We, of course, will keep you informed of our progress. The Building Committee is excited and looking forward to working with Mr. Woodward and his construction team of subcontractors. Pray that we form a cohesive working relationship with open communication, mutual respect, and a spirit of cooperation.

Sunday, Sept. 18 First Fellowship 8:15 AM

Sunday Morning Bible Study 9:15 AM

Sanctuary Worship 10:30 AM

Stephen Ministry/118 3:00 PM

Youth Choir 5:00 PM

Foundations:

Women’s Bible St./111 5:00 PM

Pastor’s Class/FH 5:00 PM

Youth Fun night

Monday, Sept. 19Letter Writing/242 9:00 AM

Hallelujah Choir 10:30 AM

Tuesday, Sept. 20Student Prayer Breakfast

Tues. Morn. Intercess./242 7:00 AM

Faith Comm. Nursing/118 11:00 AM

Grief Share/Parlor 6:00 PM

Forum/118 6:30 PM

Adult Handbells 7:00 PM

Wednesday, Sept. 21Writing Your Life/118 11:00 AM

Dinner and a Testimony 4:45 PM

Music and Missions 5:00 PM

Partnering to Remember/111 5:00 PM

5 Love Languages of Children/229 5:30 PM

Orchestra Masterclass 6:00 PM

Lift Off/309-310 6:00 PM

Sanctuary Choir 7:00 PM

Thursday, Sept. 22SILK/107, 108 12:00 PM

Experienced Adult Fall Trip Sept. 24 to Oct. 2, 2011

Middle School Fall retreat Sept. 23-25, 2011

The 9.11.01 Memorial Concert was beyond our expectations! Long before the start of the concert, crowds very quickly filled the sanctuary with people sitting in the extra seats and on the balcony steps. Spilling outside the sanctuary were gathered groups watching live via the building’s TV monitors. Truly this event captured the positive spirit, affirmation of faith, and pride in our country intended. One out-of-town guest from the Birmingham area wrote: “The concert was magnificent, spectacular, awe-inspiring - actually beyond anything words can express. I don't recall feeling such emotion and pride for our country and know everyone was blessed who attended. I praise God for Huntsville First Baptist Church’s touch on the Huntsville community. Thank you, all of you!”

Never before have we heard in this place so many singers and orchestra members performing music of such profound texts wedded to equally significant music. It was more than a concert. One had to be present to know the majesty of the quietness as the Honor Guard solemnly carried in our country’s and the Christian flags. That same hush came over the audience again as all stood in profound silence to reflect on those whose lives were lost both on 9/11 and subsequently.

Our Sanctuary Choir and FBC Orchestra all went the extra mile in dedication to hours of extra rehearsals to make this event one that we will remember. Along with the hard work comes an added dimension of joy for all those who were privileged to live with this music for weeks. It seeped into our souls and nourished us in ways that we were then able to share with the audience. In addition to the performers, many others gave hours of their time in unseen ways to make this possible. Thank you, First Baptist Church, for your support for this gift to our community.

9-11-01A MeMoriAl ConCert

The CenTuryMen in ConCerT aT FirsT BapTisT

Wednesday, October 12, 6:00 p.m. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear this auditioned 100-voice men’s chorus of

professional Christian musicians! Invite friends to join you. (They will thank you afterwards!)

fbchsv.org

ministry calendar

knowing, lov ing, serv ing Christ...together

Wednesday Night Dinner MenuWednesday, September 21

Dinner and a Testimonywith Executive Chef Jean-Claude Mille

Slow roasted Prime ribNatural Au Jus and horseradish Cream Sauce

Baked Fresh Blue Water Atlantic Salmonroasted red Pepper-Citrus Coulis

Candied Garlic-Buttermilk Mashed PotatoCaesar Salad, homemade dressing

Vegetable Medley with Garlic and Fresh herbsFresh Baked rolls

homemade Vanilla-Berries Crème Brule

Children’s Menu: Chicken Fingers, Mashed Potatoes, Fruit

Milk, BrowniesChildren will gather in room 118

STEWArDShiP rEPOrT

9/11/11

Year-to-Date Goal $4,042,500.00

Offering

This Week $65,916.12

YTD $3,863,126.35

Debt retirement

This Week $350.00

YTD $52,321.50

Faith Steps to the Future:

This Week $14,262.51

YTD $2,161,884.50

To Date: $2,348,363.80

www.fbchsv.org/give

ATTENDANCE

Sunday SchoolPreschool 82

Children 88

Students 123

Adults 645

Brookdale 16

Visitors 41

TOTAL 979

Worship ServicesFirst Fellowship 362

Sanctuary Worship 694

TOTAL 1056

ThANk YOuThank you notes have been received from Brenda Beck hicks and Don and Joyce royston. They have been placed on the bulletin board across from the

church office.

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

FAMILY MATTERS

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHYTim and Karen Anderson in the loss of his father, Lauren and Amanda Anderson in the loss of their grandfather, James Anderson

Bill and Maureen Lokken in the loss of his mother, Frances Mary Lokken

Family and friends of our member, Ernestine Caudle

Family and friends of our member, Ruth Record

Construction UpdateWe are excited that contracts have been executed, groundbreaking ceremonies planned, and bulldozers are on the property! Woodward Construction will begin our Christian Life Center renovation on Monday, September 19. Their plan is to first complete the site work on the front of the building. What this means is that the parking lot in front of the sanctuary and daycare area will be inaccessible for approximately four weeks – until October 17, weather permitting. There will be no access to this area for the entire four weeks, including Sundays. If you typically park on the Governors Drive side of the church, you will have to move to another area of the campus for this four-week period. The covered drive in the front of the daycare/preschool area will not be accessible at any time during this period.

For the duration of the 13 ½ month construction period, the portion of our campus west of the driveway separating the CLC and the main building will be an active construction site and thus will be off limits to anyone other than authorized construction personnel. The driveway will be closed to thru traffic; in fact, the driveway will be removed once demolition begins. For your own safety and the safety of others, we must insist that you stay away from unauthorized areas.

We, of course, will keep you informed of our progress. The Building Committee is excited and looking forward to working with Mr. Woodward and his construction team of subcontractors. Pray that we form a cohesive working relationship with open communication, mutual respect, and a spirit of cooperation.

Sunday, Sept. 18 First Fellowship 8:15 AM

Sunday Morning Bible Study 9:15 AM

Sanctuary Worship 10:30 AM

Stephen Ministry/118 3:00 PM

Youth Choir 5:00 PM

Foundations:

Women’s Bible St./111 5:00 PM

Pastor’s Class/FH 5:00 PM

Youth Fun night

Monday, Sept. 19Letter Writing/242 9:00 AM

Hallelujah Choir 10:30 AM

Tuesday, Sept. 20Student Prayer Breakfast

Tues. Morn. Intercess./242 7:00 AM

Faith Comm. Nursing/118 11:00 AM

Grief Share/Parlor 6:00 PM

Forum/118 6:30 PM

Adult Handbells 7:00 PM

Wednesday, Sept. 21Writing Your Life/118 11:00 AM

Dinner and a Testimony 4:45 PM

Music and Missions 5:00 PM

Partnering to Remember/111 5:00 PM

5 Love Languages of Children/229 5:30 PM

Orchestra Masterclass 6:00 PM

Lift Off/309-310 6:00 PM

Sanctuary Choir 7:00 PM

Thursday, Sept. 22SILK/107, 108 12:00 PM

Experienced Adult Fall Trip Sept. 24 to Oct. 2, 2011

Middle School Fall retreat Sept. 23-25, 2011

The 9.11.01 Memorial Concert was beyond our expectations! Long before the start of the concert, crowds very quickly filled the sanctuary with people sitting in the extra seats and on the balcony steps. Spilling outside the sanctuary were gathered groups watching live via the building’s TV monitors. Truly this event captured the positive spirit, affirmation of faith, and pride in our country intended. One out-of-town guest from the Birmingham area wrote: “The concert was magnificent, spectacular, awe-inspiring - actually beyond anything words can express. I don't recall feeling such emotion and pride for our country and know everyone was blessed who attended. I praise God for Huntsville First Baptist Church’s touch on the Huntsville community. Thank you, all of you!”

Never before have we heard in this place so many singers and orchestra members performing music of such profound texts wedded to equally significant music. It was more than a concert. One had to be present to know the majesty of the quietness as the Honor Guard solemnly carried in our country’s and the Christian flags. That same hush came over the audience again as all stood in profound silence to reflect on those whose lives were lost both on 9/11 and subsequently.

Our Sanctuary Choir and FBC Orchestra all went the extra mile in dedication to hours of extra rehearsals to make this event one that we will remember. Along with the hard work comes an added dimension of joy for all those who were privileged to live with this music for weeks. It seeped into our souls and nourished us in ways that we were then able to share with the audience. In addition to the performers, many others gave hours of their time in unseen ways to make this possible. Thank you, First Baptist Church, for your support for this gift to our community.

9-11-01A MeMoriAl ConCert

The CenTuryMen in ConCerT aT FirsT BapTisT

Wednesday, October 12, 6:00 p.m. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear this auditioned 100-voice men’s chorus of

professional Christian musicians! Invite friends to join you. (They will thank you afterwards!)

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

Newly elected deacoNs

Larry CreechEd CulpepperJohn Gordon

Eugenia GravesDick HollowayBill Lunsford

Debbie McDanielGeorge MerrittDru MurphreeDennis O’Dell

Ken SmithRoss Ward

Young Adult Girl’s Gathering (YAGG!)

Friday, September 306:00 p.m. - until!

Susan Wessinger’s Home Who: Young adult girls (20s-mid 30s)What: Supper and Fun! The meal is being provided. If you have a snack/dessert you want to bring, you may -

but not a requirement.RSVP: pam@fbchsv.org

Did you attend a YAGG at Susan’t house last year? If so, you know how much fun we had! Crafts in various

corners, our names inscribed in special ways, laughter around a fire pit, lots of conversation....Hope you can attend!

Called Business Meeting

Wednesday, September 28Voting on Nominating Committee

Recommendations

Volume 62 / Week Number 35 / September 15, 2011

September 18, 2011Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Sermon“Live Worthily”

Philippians 1:21-30

First Fellowship - 8:15 a.m.Music from the First Fellowship Band

Morning Bible Study - 9:15 a.m.Bible Study for all ages

Sanctuary Worship - 10:30 a.m.Sanctuary Choir AnthemWalk Worthy - J. Martin

Praise for Two Trumpets and Organ, Op. 26Werner Smock and Bruce Zeiger, trumpets

Music written by Tom Guffin

Evening Activities - Foundations for Life

Groundbreaking Ceremony9:00 - 9:10 a.m.

Front of CLC, St. Clair side

FirST ThOuGhTSDavid hull, Pastor

i found this paragraph in our church history (Leading the Way for 200 Years, by Bruce Gourley) to be very helpful in understanding our history and our present situation as a church.

The Building Committee worked diligently on land, code, financial, and various other logistical issues. December 1960 witnessed tangible progress. Groundbreaking took place at the Governor’s Drive property on December 18, 1960. That same month

contract negotiations began with Daniel Construction Company, and contributions to the Building Fund reached $310,000. however, progress then stalled as the Finance Sub-committee ran into difficulty securing a loan for the additional five hundred thousand dollars needed to begin construction. Following hundreds of fruitless inquiries to mortgage companies (a result of economic uncertainty hanging over huntsville in the early days of the Marshall Space Flight Center), as well as countless prayers, in May 1961 First Federal Savings and Loan Association of huntsville agreed to finance the project. indicative of the commitment to the church, some members took out second mortgages on their home to make certain the project moved forward.

We have faced challenges before in constructing buildings for the ministry of our church. The move to our current location involved financial obstacles, unexpected delays, and great commitment and sacrifice on the part of church members. Through it all God guided us forward as a church. it was not always according to our timetable or plan, but we were shown the way forward by the God who owns the future.

What happened on a cold December day in 1960 can happen again this Sunday as we gather to break ground and begin the construction of a building that will be a place of ministry for many years to come. i hope that you will join us at 9:00 a.m. this Sunday morning for a very brief Groundbreaking Service before Sunday School begins. First Fellowship will move to the site on the St. Clair side of the CLC in time for the Groundbreaking and will complete worship there.

The hymn that we sang together in the Memorial Concert on Sunday night is a hymn that draws us forward to Sunday morning. “O God our help in ages past, our hope for years to come!”

Fall PicnicOctober 16, 2:00-7:00 p.m.

Monte Sano State Park LodgeBBQ Dinner @ 4:45

Tickets go on sale September 24$5 Adults / $3 Children under 12