FROM OUR INTERIM PASTOR Dear Church Family, Pam and I are so very excited about joining with one of the greatest churches on the gulf coast - First Baptist Fairhope! We are honored for the call to become your interim pastor. For years I have watched God doing a mighty work at FBC. You are a wonderful group of people who the Lord is using at a very strategic time in the life and history of Baldwin County! As record numbers of people are moving to our little town, you are the ones who God has deeply rooted and positioned to significantly and eternally impact the lives of hundreds and even thousands of people. We are living in an exciting time! I expect that this time of “transition” will not be one of “coasting” or “waiting” but instead will be one of purposeful spiritual growth as we fervently seek the Lord and participate in the greatest work on the planet - fulfilling the Great Commission by living out the Great Commandment!
JOE SAVAGE, INTERIM PASTOR
I love Jerry Henry and appreciate the significant influence he has had on my family. I look forward to gleaning wisdom from him as I assist the church during these coming months. I am mighty grateful for the wonderful staff that you already have in place and I look forward to supporting them in their work. While I know many of you already, there are many who I have never met. Please take a moment and introduce you and your family to me in the coming weeks. I really want to get to know you! If there is anything that I can pray with you about or help you with, please let me know. We love you and are very grateful for the invitation to officially become part of the First Baptist family! See you Sunday! Jesus First! Joe Savage Editors Note: You may reach Dr. Savage by emailing him at jsavage@fbcfairhope.org.
Welcome to the Family! Diane and Rick Rich Joins by Letter 123 Sledgefield Ave his: 404.374.8817 Hers: 404.788.5285
RICH
Help Make Our Preschool Hall Safer!
Tayleigh Lucassen Joins by Baptism Daughter of Chelsea Lucassen Rachel Dobson Joins by Baptism Daughter of Terry & William Dobson
DOBSON LUCASSEN
McLellan & Brady Allen daughters of Rosanna & Shelby Allen Joining by Baptism
We are blessed to have a growing Preschool Ministry, but that has presented us with a challenge in keeping the Preschool Hall as safe as possible until we are able to build our new Preschool Hall and make renovations. The biggest need we have at this time is for folks who DO NOT HAVE A PRESCHOOLER to not enter the Preschool Hall from the back parking lot or other entrances. Beginning Sunday, August 21, we are asking that ONLY PARENTS WITH PRESCHOOLERS enter the hall from the back parking lot or other areas on Sundays and Wednesdays in order to keep the congestion down and make our Preschool Hall safer. You may enter our buildings from the White Ave and Nichols Ave entrances thereby avoiding the Preschool Hall altogether. The exception to this for now is for those parking in the handicap spaces.
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ALLEN
Thank you for helping us to keep our Preschoolers safe!
The transition from Jerry and Susan Henry has officially begun. This past Sunday, July 31st, was Dr. Henry’s last Sunday as our pastor, and what a great legacy he leaves in place for FBC Fairhope! Through his leadership, our church has enjoyed a time of peace, growth, and stability. He and Susan truly helped the church to fulfill our mission: To Know Him and to Make Him Known. This Sunday, August 7th we embark on a new path with our Interim Pastor, Dr. Joe Savage. Joe was on the Pastor Search Committee’s radar early on and we were thrilled when he agreed to join our congregation and guide us through this transitional period. Joe will be preaching from the pulpit during our three Sunday services—both the early and late service in the morning, and our evening service as well. He has also agreed to teach during our Wednesday evening activities later on this fall. A big thank you to Dr. Richard Wash who will be handling the mid-week services during the month of August. Joe and his wife Pam have ties to our church already. Joe’s brother Phil and sister-in-law Dorothy are members; in fact, Dorothy is an accomplished vocalist and part of our 11:00 a.m. service praise team. Joe’s parents—big Sav and Carol—recently joined our church. Our church is in such a good place that the Pastor Search Committee wanted to find an interim pastor with a passion for evangelism and missions to keep our eyes focused forward and excited about our future. We believe Joe’s skill and experience and the timing of his arrival as summer winds down and school starts back are both a nice fit for us right now. As Joe starts on August 7th, continue to pray for the Pastor Search Committee. We have received over 400 resumes to date and continue to sort through new arrivals each week! As a group, we start every meeting specifically praying for discernment and humility as we truly seek the Lord’s choice for our next pastor. We are using the April congregational survey as a reference point as we launch out into unknown waters. The church should be commended for nominating and selecting such a great team! A recent Harvard Business Review article shared some research that many of you must have known as you selected our committee. The study found that a team’s intelligence increased as more women were added! Amelia, Genie, and Sharon are making this come true! Pray for us and our church during this transition! Jeremiah 29:11! Kerry Flowers, Chairman
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RE:Sound NEWS
New time for student choir, Sunday afternoons 4:15-5:15 pm. Room 204/205 W. For students in grades 6-12. Starts August 28.
Selah Auditions August 21 @ 3:30pm
Selah is an auditioned ensemble made up of students in grades 9-12. They rehearse once a week and sing regularly in worship services throughout the school year. Auditions will be in room 204/205W. Audition packets will be available in the church office.
CHILD PICK UP REMINDER
Parents please remember to pick up your children each first Sunday immediately following Sunday School from you child’s Sunday School Classroom. Our incredible volunteer teachers are very important to us and we can’t serve the children at FBC without them. Please help us by honoring their service each First Sunday of the month by being prompt in picking up your child immediately following Sunday School. Thanks so much in advance! (This Sunday, August 7th is Family Together Worship)
“Green Card” Bible Drill Party Super Splash Party @ the Park Auigust 28 | 5:00pm-7:00pm
On Sunday evening August 28th all kids 1st-5th are invited to a “Green Card Bible Drill Party” at Fairhope kids park from 5:00-7:00 pm. Kids are to be dropped off and picked up at park this night. We will not transport kids on bus. Kids will enjoy Pizza, drinks, outdoor lawn games, splash pad and park during this night of fun and fellowship. Carla Trull, and Bro Kevin will also introduce kids to the Bible drill program in a short orientation during the night. Please make Bible Drill a priority in your kids schedule this fall. It is one of the absolute best things our church does for kids and families. I believe in this program and look forward to what I pray is our largest drill group ever. There is no cost for this fun night. We look forward to seeing your kids at the “Green Card Bible Drill Party” Bring towels… you will get wet! Pick up your kids by 7:00 pm at the park. Questions? See Kevin
The Learning Tree News
Plans are underway for another fun filled school year at TLT! We are excited with the growth of our preschool. Our staff is preparing to meet the needs of over 100 families. We covet your prayers as we soon kick off the 2016/17 school year. If you or someone you know is interested in substituting, please apply in the TLT office. Lynn Carroll, Director Laurie Jensen, Asst. Director
Children’s Sunday School Promotion
On Sunday, August 21st, all kids 1st-5th are invited to visit their upcoming Sunday School classes for the New Year. Kids will visit during the final 15 minutes of Sunday school with their current teachers this day. Kids will officially move up to their new Sunday School classes on Sunday, August 28th.
Kid’s SS Help Needed 4TH Grade SS
The children’s ministry is in need of volunteer teachers for 4th grade Sunday School to serve on a month-on, month-off basis. All children’s Sunday school leaders must be FBC members or regular attenders for at least 6 months They must also submit to a background check. Please contact Kevin ASAP if you are interested in serving the Future of FBC by teaching Children’s Sunday School.
Blessing of the Backpacks Sunday, August 21
All kids are invited to bring their backpacks to either Morning Service for a prayer of blessing for the upcoming school year on Sunday, August 21st. Please have your child’s backpack on the stage steps 15 minutes prior to the service you will be attending. The church will join together in prayer this day for all kids, parents and educators as the new school year begins. Please plan on joining us for “Blessing of the Backpacks” on this day. (Remember to pick up backpack after service.)
For 1st-5th grade Children AUGUST 11 | 9:30am-1:30pm
August 11th, all kids 1st-5th grade are invited to a Kids Day Out for lunch and a movie. Cost is $15.00 and covers transportation, movie ticket at Carmike in Daphne and Five Guys for lunch to follow. We will depart the church at 9:30 am and head to the theatre to see “Secret Life of Pets” with lunch at Five Guys following movie. We will return to the church for pick up around 1:30 pm. Come join us for a Totally Awesome Thursday on August 11th. Look forward to seeing you there! Sign up online ASAP! Questions? See Bro Kevin
August 14, 4:30pm-9:00pm
On Sunday evening August 14th all kids entering 1st-5th grade are invited to an end of Summer Kids night out at “The Factory” in Gulf Shores. We will leave the church this afternoon at 4:30 pm and head to Whataburger and Chick Fil A in Foley for dinner. (Kids simply bring their own money for meal). Prizes will be awarded for the craziest shoes or socks this night! Be creative and join us for an awesome night of food, fun, fellowship, and FEET! Cost for this event (in addition to your child’s meal money) is $12.00 (TO BE PAID ONLINE) and includes Transportation, 90-minute ticket at “The Factory” and a surprise “treat stop” on the way home this night. I guarantee your kids will LOVE this awesome night. So get your crazy feet ready! Get online, and sign up for The Factory KNO! Space is limited! See you at KNO. Questions?, see Bro Kevin!
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Let Us Help You Create Your Legacy Story!
Have you ever taken time to think about not only the story that your life is telling, but also the story your life will tell after you have left this earth? God’s Word makes it clear that we are to be good STEWARDS of all our resources; not only our income stream, but everything that makes up our estate (house / property, insurance, real property, etc). Legacy Estate Giving allows us to leave a lasting legacy for God’s kingdom and our local church long after we have gone to be with the Lord. We want to also help you discover the power of your story of God’s faithfulness in your life and the impact it can have on future generations. Through our partnership with The Baptist Foundation of Alabama and their partnership with PhilanthroCorp, an estate planning firm, we can offer you FREE estate planning. This service has been used by a number of people in our church to make sure they leave a lasting LEGACY STORY here are First Baptist. For more information, visit our website at www.fbcfairhope.org and click on the top menu item “Leave a Legacy” to go to the PhilanthroCorp link. For more info, contact our Administrator, Rev. Brent Shaw at 928-8685 or bshaw@fbcfairhope.org.
Certain Living in Uncertain Times
SUNDAY SCHOOL LEADER TRAINING
August 28, 4:00 – 7:30 PM Jubilee Baptist Church Sponsored by Baldwin Baptist Association 3:30 PM Bus leaves FBC 4:00 PM Age Group Training Sessions (Preschool – Adult) 6:00 PM Baldwin Baptist Worship Rally w/ keynote speaker, RON PRATT All Sunday School teachers and leaders are encouraged to join us for this annual time of training with some of the best conference leaders in the Southeast. NOTE: Sign up online or with LaSha Powell in the Church Office (928-8685 or lpowell@fbcfairhope.org).
Looking for some ringers!
The Southern Bells are always on the lookout for new ringers. You do have to be able to read music, but nothing too complicated. Rehearsals are Wednesday afternoons at 4:30. This is a multi-generational group. Anyone from 7th grade on up is welcome! For more information contact Sandy McKinney at (251)504-4657 or smckinney@fbcfairhope.org
This December will mark the end of our 3 year “A FUTURE WORTH THE SACRIFICE” Capital Campaign. As we approach the end of this campaign we want to encourage you to fulfill your pledge. If you aren’t sure where you stand in your giving, please contact Kay Chatham in the Financial Office (928-8685) and she can help you. If you are a newer member and did not make an initial pledge, you can still help us as we reach toward our goal of $2,400,000 by making a significant contribution as well. This current campaign was designed to help us pay down our current Sanctuary building debt, help put funds aside to help with our future Preschool / Children’s Building / Renovation project, help with major repairs, equipment needs and upgrades to our facilities, and to help fund more missions projects through our Acts 1:8 Challenge. As a result of our people’s faithfulness we have been able to accomplish many of these goals and we look forward to seeing how much we will have on hand to help when our 10 year Note for the Sanctuary comes due at the end of this year and how much we will have to put toward our future Preschool / Children’s Building project. The Budget Committee will be meeting this Fall to look at how our campaign has done, what to do concerning our current building note when it comes due, and what to do concerning our future Preschool / Children’s Building project along with our Preschool / Children’s Building Team. Please be praying for them as they look at all these important financial matters for our church and watch for more information in the coming months.
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