First Baptist Fairhope Vol. 10 No. 8 | 04.20.16
Friday, April 29, 2016
5:30 -11:30 PM | Student Center | Cost: $10 During this year’s Secret Church, Dr. David Platt will be helping us to explore the claims of Christ in the Gospel and consider how these claims inform the way we understand other religions and cults in the world and impact the way we
live when surrounded by people with diverse belief systems. SIGN UP: Sign up online, through the church app or with LaSha Powell in the Church office (928.8685/lpowell@ fbcfairhope.org).
From your Pastor’s Heart
What a beautiful way to close our a gorgeous Sunday! The service at the bay was just what it should have been - a group of believers enjoying Christian fellowship, singing about God’s amazing grace, seeing the glory of God’s setting, hearing God’s Word, and eating hot dogs (not to mention Krispy Kreme Donuts). It was a worship service in God’s beautiful creation that included all ages (babies to nineties). The Preschool and Children’s Team did a great job of showing us their blueprint for our future structure. The “makeover” they propose includes the elements of security for the preschool and children, more room for students and adults, and added features for the music program. This team represents a good composite of our church and it has been my delight to see the Lord work in and through our meetings. May we go forward in faith to see this dream come alive. A glad thank you comes from Susan and me for the recognition of 15 years of service. The check will be used to buy a new GPS, so we won’t get lost on our retirement trips. We consider it a high honor to serve God’s people at FBC Fairhope. Thank you for the blessing each of you are to us,. April is ending, but there are ways to serve the Lord and be involved. This Saturday is the Jeff Ingram Memorial Golf Tournament. Jeff loved and believed in missions! The money made from the event will go to help finance the various mission trips form our church. Saturday, April 30, is also an opportunity to help Elizabeth Ketchem - a wife and mother with a rare form of cancer. The treatment is so expensive and the financial needs have piled up on this family. Read about “Grilling for Elizabeth” and respond as the Lord leads. My sermons in the coming weeks will deal with stress fractures in the areas of defiance and holiness. Bring your Bible and hear God’s voice speaking to you as we gather in worship. Have a good two weeks. May God bless each of you. Your Pastor, Jerry Hebrews 10:24-25
Welcome to the First Family!
Kristi Rozum Joins by Baptism 9303 Morphy Ave 928.3354 FIRST EDITION | 2
Brooks Brasfield Joins by Profession of Faith son of Linda and Davy Brasfield
Karen and Kenny Hanak Join by Letter 202 Camden Way, FH 928.4761
Emma Caddell Joins by Profession of Faith Anabelle Steininger (shown here with her mother, Joins by Profession of Faith daughter of Jennifer Steininger Melanie) and Jason Steininger
Dear First Baptist Family,
I just finished composing a letter to this wonderful church family here at Beech Haven Baptist in regard to our May departure. They have faithfully and consistently loved, supported and encouraged us during our 15 years of ministry here in Athens, Georgia. We love them dearly! I also included in that letter the undeniable JOY and PEACE present in our hearts as we set our sights on serving our Lord at First Baptist Fairhope. While we (particularily Deb) are not “overly thrilled” about the physical part of moving, we are truly passionate about what God has planned for FBC Fairhope, and are genuinely excited about being a part of the team. Thank you for the Godly process that you so faithfully employed, which resulted in bringing us together. I pledge to you my love, my devotion and my energy as I faithfully and joyfully fulfill the responsibilities of the ministerial position to which you have called me. Longing to be with you Debbie and Asheton “Bubba” Sawyer NOTE: Bubba and Debbie’s first Sunday with us will be May 15. Around May 1, his email will be active for his “fbcfairhope” email. If you want to shoot him a welcome back to Fairhope email you may do so, after May 1, addressing it to: absawyer@fbcfairhope.org
National Day of Prayer May 5, 2016
Noon Service in Sanctuary and Lunch following in the Fellowship Hall.
May 15 is Henry Day! We will be honoring Dr. Henry and Susan in a Retirement Celebration and a Special Service on Sunday, May 15. The service will begin at 5:00pm. Are there some people you want to make sure are invited? You may pick up invitations at the welcome center to address to friends you feel would like to be present for this special evening of honoring two people dearly loved by this church and this community. Or you may contact the church office with the name and address. Also note, if you are willing to let us video a “Henry” story or blessing from you or your family, we would love to and need to hear from you asap; contact Sharon in the church office 928.8685 or spippin@fbcfairhope.org. FIRST EDITION | 3
PASTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE
UPDATE
Pastor Search Congregational Survey
The Pastor Search Committee would like for the church family to complete a survey pertaining to the pastor search. The survey may be done online (preferred, scan code below). A sample survey is included in this issue of First Edition. On the dates of April 24 and May 1, the surveys will be taken around to Sunday School Classes to complete, if you are unable to complete it online. Thank you for your valuable input in this process. Please have your survey completed by May 4th.
Church Security Team Meeting Wednesday, May 11 @ 6:00 PM Multipurpose Room #1
We are in the beginning phases of putting together a Church Security Team to help insure we all have a safe experience on Sundays and at other times. If you are a current or former law enforcement official, serve or have served in the military, have EMT or paramedic training, a volunteer or full-time fireman, etc, then we want to invite you to attend this initial meeting as we explore the next steps in putting together this ongoing team to serve our church family. For more information contact Brent Shaw in the Church Office at 928.8685 or bshaw@fbcfairhope.org.
R.O.M.E.Os
Retired Old Men Eating Out Friday, April 29 11:30
Meet at the Half Shell Oyster House in the Eastern Shore Center (where Wintzells used to be).
Jubileer Travels continue... May 26 - travel to Destin to sail out and see the dolphins. Lunch included and some shopping at Silver Sands. Cost is $109 ea July 14 - travel to Hattiesburg to Shady Acres and lunch (included) at Crescent City Grill operated by famous chef Robert St John. Visit the Treasure Mall, $89 per person.
Approximate time frame for each trip is 6:30am - 6:30pm Contact Carolyn Hammill 990.6773 if you are interested in going.
First Class
Wednesday, May 4 | 5:45 -7:30 PM in Choir Room
FIRST CLASS is for anyone who is considering becoming a Church Member or for those who have recently joined First Baptist. At FIRST CLASS you will have the opportunity to meet our Pastor and Ministerial Staff, learn more about our mission and key scriptural beliefs, learn how to get connected, where things are located and more. A FREE MEAL is included (begins serving at 4:45 PM) and children and students may join in the regular Wednesday activities. NOTE: Please SIGN UP by May 3 by contacting LaSha Powell in the Church Office (928-8685 or lpowell@fbcfairhope.org) or online at www.fbcfairhope.org.
FIRST EDITION | 4
E L
A S
P M
SA M
PL
E
The Jeff Ingram Memorial
Missions Golf Tournament Saturday April 23 at Quail Creek Tee off at 1:00pm
Cost: $50/per person and includes golf and a Chick-Fil-A lunch at noon. To sign up contact Wes Stapleton at 610.2380.
Missions Yard Sale
Friday, April 29 at 2:00 p.m.
and Saturday, April 30 at 5:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
on the back parking lot of First Baptist Church Fairhope. Pick ups will be made on Friday, April 29 in the morning. Call Paula Bosarge to schedule your pick up at 251.510.2487. There will be a POD Storage Unit on the back parking lot of the church at the beginning of March for you to bring your items for the sale and will be unlocked during daylight hours. We accept anything but magazines.
Grilling for Elizabeth The Brazil Team is collecting...
hotel/travel size soaps, lotions, shampoos, toothpaste and hand sanitizers, toothbrushes, pencils and gallon size ziplock bags. We need 2000 of each. There is a box in the church office for you to drop off your donations.
Saturday, April 30 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM 3 Circle Church
Join the crew at Fired Up, Inc as they light up the grill and cook delicious brown sugar and honey spareribs to help raise funds for Elizabeth Ketchem. Elizabeth is fighting a rare form of bile duct cancer and all proceeds will go to help her continue her treatment. Each rack of ribs cost $30.00 NOTE: Preorder is required. You may place your order at: grillforelizabeth@gmail.com or 251.377.6633. Please make checks payable to Ketchem Medical Expense Fund.
GOAL Annual Uniform Drive EXCEEDED! Preparations Begin
Annie Offering Update Goal: $35,000.00
First Hope is collecting donations for the School Uniform Give-away. The cost of two sets of uniforms is approximately $35.00. We are also accepting new uniforms and gently used uniforms. Our greatest need is for larger sizes. Please make your donations by June 15 to the box at the Welcome Center. Questions? Call First Hope at 586.5889.
Given: $37,615.34 Stay in touch as the summer months approach! Sign up for the general church text group (age level ministries have text groups as well). See the info at the left. Another way to stay up on things is to download the First Baptist Fairhope Church App from the app store on your device. It’s free and all activities from the website as well as sermons, menus, etc are right there. Be sure to turn ON push notifications, because we will communicate thru this avenue as well. And online, be sure to “like” our Facebook Page, and Join our group First Baptist Fairhope on facebook too. You may also follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
FIRST EDITION | 5
see you at the Races! Right here in Fellowship Hall THIS SUNDAY NIGHT! Its’ the RA Pinewood Derby and Church wide fellowship. Sunday April 24, 5:00pm in the Fellowship Hall.
Join us for hot dogs and great fellowship!
For Girls Only
All Girls 1-5th grade are invited to a Lock-In here at FBC (Children’s Worship Room) on Friday April 29th from 6:00 pm Friday until 7:00 am Saturday. There will be food, fun, games, and movies throughout the night. Plan on being a part of this awesome night led by Jenny Bramblett and her amazing girls missions leaders. Remember this is a NO BOYS ALLOWED event. Questions? See Jenny Bramblett. Admission this night is a food item to be donated to FBC Fairhope food pantry. Drop off Bins will be located at preschool entrance this night. See you at the lock-in.
Baby/Child Dedication will be on Mother’s Day Sunday, May 8 in both morning services. If you would like information concerning this event or you want to sign up, please contact Jennifer Warren at jwarren@ fbcfairhope. Please sign up by Sunday April 24th. There is a Legacy Meeeting concerning dedication on Wednesday, April 27 at 6:00pm in MPR1. Attendance is highly encouraged in this meeting before dedication on May 8th.
First Baptist’s VBS is for children, completed K through completed 5th
NEW THIS YEAR!!!!
Launch Day is SUNDAY June 5 from 4:30-7:30pm!! You don’t want to miss this FAMILY OUTING! David Garrard, Illusionist will be here for an awesome and thrilling kickoff event; ALL services June 5, and then the launch event that night. VBS will be held 9:00am – 12:45pm Monday through Thursday. Preschool VBS is only for workers children. If you want to work in VBS, please contact Delores Lund (dlund@fbcfairhope.org) and she will put you in contact with VBS Director, Marcy Smith. T-shirts may be purchased FROM LIFEWAY. The link to purchase them is contained within the sign up area.
In five weeks our school year will soon come to a close. We’ve had incredible growth the past two years. Currently there are only 3 openings in our baby room for the 2016/17 school year, all other classes are full and have a waiting list. We praise God for our dedicated staff of teachers who go above and beyond their calling.
FIRST EDITION | 6