Vol. XXXVIII • No.

21 • October 24, 2008

 Family Night Supper—5:15-6:30

Wednesdays at 6:30 PM
2nd Floor Education Building (Rms. E212-E220)

Giving Back to God Is an Act of Trust unplugged

There is a fundamental difference worshipforyouth•
worshipforyouth•wednesdaysat6:30
wednesdaysat6:30
between giving to charitable or nonprofit chapel
chapel
organizations and giving back to God through the
Body of Christ, the church. We give to nonprofits Music on Wednesday Nights
because we have a friend on the board or because Handbell Ensemble—6:30-7:25 (Sanctuary Balcony)
we have a special interest in the helping activity of Avé-Adult Vocal Ensemble—6:45-7:25 (Music Suite, S226)
that agency or in the group of people or children Sanctuary Choir—7:30-8:45 (Music Suite, S226)
that are being helped. Fresh Start Band—7:45-9:00 (Fellowship Hall)
But we give through the Body of Christ
because giving is an integral part of who we are. Nonprofits have
“donors,” but the Body of Christ has “body parts.” When even one
body part is not functioning, the whole body is unhealthy.
We give, not because we have more than we need and therefore
can “afford” to give. We give because we can’t trust our greedy
hearts to recognize “enough,” and we know that we can’t afford not
to give, not without losing our grip on our very identity.
We give, not so much to pay our utility bills and meet our
payroll as to express our trust in the God who has always been
faithful to us. When an Israelite farmer gave to God the “firstfruits”
of the grain or fruit harvest and when an Israelite shepherd offered
the firstborn of the flock, they were expressing trust in God that
there would be other lambs and goats born that spring and that the
other 90% of the harvest would be enough.
That’s why we give our tithe (10%) or offering off the top of
each paycheck. We are expressing trust in God that the rest will be
enough because God has always provided for the covenant
community, even when all we could see around us was desert.
If we have learned nothing during the last six weeks or so of
insanity in the world financial situation, it is that none of the realities
that we thought were solid are worthy of trust. Trusting the One who
made us, who loves us, and who can be depended upon to provide is
the only thing that makes any sense.
Congregational Life Prayer Concerns as of
We're havin' a Hymn Sing! October 22, 2008
This Sunday, we will gather in the Fellowship Hall at 6:15 p.m. to sing a ton of
In the Hospital:
old, familiar hymns from years past. Sure, we're gonna' sing, but we also will
▪Clem Sansone, DeKalb Medical.
have desserts to eat! Please plan to bring your favorite dessert. Beverages will
▪Kathi Roberts, friend of the
be provided. Why not bring a friend along as well? Also, if you are one of the few who still make
Gilmore’s, DeKalb Medical.
home-made ice cream, bring a churn or two!
Sympathy To:
▪Jean Wright on the death of her
Women’s Ministry Fall Luncheon—November 1
father, Charlie Randall.
Women, join us Saturday, November 1, for a luncheon with well-known
▪Paul Blackledge on the death of his
Christian author, Ginger Garrett, in Carrker Hall from Noon-2:00p.
brother.
Tickets are just $5. Free childcare and transportation available upon request.
▪The family of Nelle Bridges.
▪Kimberly and Charles Maner
“Simply Christian” Study Begins November 2
(daughter of Carolyn Jones) on the
The Pilgrims Class will begin a study of the book Simply Christian by N. T. Wright on Sunday,
death of their infant daughter,
November 2 at 10:00a. Interested? Call Jackie Durham (678-714-2158) or Don Hammonds
Christina Rose.
(404-284-3398) for more information and directions to the classroom. All are welcome!
Congratulations To:
▪Tony and Shannon Balloon on the
Election Week Canned Food Drive
birth of Maddox Dean Balloon!
Bring a canned food item to worship on Sunday, November 2! On Election Day those voting at our
building will be invited to bring canned food as well. All food collected at FBCD will be donated to
Decatur Emergency Assistance Ministry (DEAM).
Tithes & Offerings
Can you drive the church bus?
The church is compiling a list of people who are qualified to drive church vehicles. Qualifications A Generous People
include age 25-70, valid Georgia drivers license and proof of safe driving record. If you are 2008 Ministry Action Plan
interested please contact Amy in the church office. Weekly Need: .....................$ 27,361
Received on Oct. 12............$ 15,270
New Adult Bible Study— Christos: God’s Transforming Touch—Has Now Started! Received on Oct. 19............$ 20,148
This is a systematic, chronological study of the ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus the Y-T-D Need:..................$ 1,149,175
Messiah. Led by Margie Williamson. Meets in the First Floor Conference Room (S-123). Y-T-D Received: ..............$ 961,386
Surplus/(shortfall):............ (187,789)

“Years of Opportunity 2007-09”

Campaign
Given to Date:...................$ 330,998
Bank Loan Balance:..........$ 246,993
Owed to FBC Fdn.:...........$ 180,000

Missions Offering YTD ....$ 16,175

Deacon Election “Spirituality for Real Life” - Led by Sharyn Dowd
Wednesday Dinner Menus
Sunday Nov. 9 Wednesday Night Bible Study Series
October 29 Fall Festival
November 5 What’s with this “Ask and you will receive” and October 29
“Your Father knows before you ask”? Come join us on the front lawn for
Both Worship November 12 “In all things give thanks.” (Who is God kidding?) loads of fun at the Fall Festival!
November 19 Walking with God (through a prayer labyrinth).
Services November 5
Pick one of the following menus:
Go…Be…Do! Missions Corner Traditional Menu
Pot Roast w/ Potatoes and Carrots,
Missions Emphasis – Thailand Scholarships Steamed Cabbage, Salad Bar,
Every other year, First Decatur sends a team to provide free medical treatment for Cornbread Muffins, Peanut Butter
the tribes people in the hills of Thailand, a group served by Cooperative Baptist Chip Pie
Fellowship field personnel Ellen and Rick Burnette. We will continue to take a “Lighter Side” Menu
special offering to provide scholarships for three members of the staff of the Upland Holistic White Bean Soup, Baked Potato/
Development Project, which is working with the tribes people to develop sustainable food Salad Bar, Grilled Pork Chop,
production and economic stability. Pictured here is Wichunee (Maew) Pawkham who coordinates Supreme Pizza, Fruit Bowl
UHDP’s work with women. She needs to further her education in Political Science.
Youth Sp•t
It is the time of year when we start dreaming about breaks from
school at Thanksgiving and Christmas. One of the ways that the
youth will be able to make this break great is by being a part of the
annual youth ski retreat. This year we will head to Snowshoe
Mountain in West Virginia for a couple days on the slopes. We
will leave the church early on Thursday morning, January 1, and
return in the early evening on Sunday, January 4, 2009. Snowshoe
is the best ski resort on the east coast and this should be one of our
best ski retreats of all time. The ski retreat is a great time for youth
to bring a friend along. Youth and parents should receive a ski
retreat package in the mail soon. Please be sure and let the church
office know if you would like to have a youth ski retreat package
for a friend or relative who might be interested in going along.
The Weekly Fall Schedule for Youth is…
Sunday
Breakfast and Bible Study at 10 am
Ensemble at 6:00 pm
Rotisserie at 6:30 pm
Wednesday
Dinner from 5:15 pm
Unplugged Worship 6:30 pm
Kid’s Zone
Candy for Fall Festival
Individually wrapped candy is needed for Fall Festival on Wed.
Oct. 29. Please bring your donations to the main office
New Christian’s Class
There will be a 4-week new Christian’s class for children on
beginning on Sunday Nov. 2 from12:00-2:00pm. Please contact
Pastor Debbie for more information or to register for the class.
Children’s Fall Retreat
The Children’s fall retreat is coming up soon. It will be at
Dogwood Lodge in Chattanooga, TN. We will leave around 4PM
on Nov. 21 and return on Nov. 23. A $25 deposit will reserve
your spot. You may sign up with Debbie Britt
(dbritt@fbcdecatur.com) call the church office, 404-373-1653.
Parent’s Night Out—Dec. 12 (date correction)
Parents’ Night Out will be Dec. 12 this year NOT Dec. 5. We
need as many volunteers as possible to make this night a success.
Invite all your friends and family to enjoy a night out on the town
while their children are taken care of in a safe environment. There
is no charge for this event. To sign up to volunteer call the church
office at 404-373-1653.

Summer Readers Break Records!

The Media Center’s annual Summer Reading Program was a BIG DEAL this year! The Children’s Development Center classes (and
enthusiastic teachers) became officially enrolled in the program for the first time this year, and really WOWED us with their great
participation. The readers went through anywhere from 5 books to 71 books in the one-month period.
All participants received bags, bookmarks, reading logs, and small prizes at the end of the program. They deserve applause for their
reading achievement in the summer of ’08.
We do give special awards to those students in two age groups who read the most books this summer…and the winners are:
Pre-K through 2nd Grade: Gabriella Salazar and Will Stephens, Runner-Up; Grades 3 through 6: Jason Castleberry.
Congratulations to all the participants!

The Outlook, a publication of the First Baptist Church of Decatur,

Georgia, is mailed to members and friends of the First Baptist family.

Main Office......................................404-373-1653
Finance.............................................404-370-7694
First School ......................................404-370-7688
Activities ..........................................404-373-2442
FAX ..................................................404-370-7692
Debbie Britt .....................................404-373-1653
Sharyn Dowd....................................404-373-1653
Ryan Forbes.....................................404-370-7690
Julie Pennington-Russell.................404-370-7684
Kurt Varney......................................404-373-1653
Bob Williamson ...............................404-370-7687
Computer Connections:
Website—www.fbcdecatur.com
E-Mail—fbcd@fbcdecatur.com

The Outlook, USPS 600-320, is published bi-weekly, except

Christmas week, by First Baptist Church Decatur, GA

Postmaster: Please send address changes to First Baptist Church,

308 Clairemont Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030