Vol. XXXVIII • No.

23 • November 21, 2008

 “Among Friends”
Thanks•gív•ing n 1: the act or occasion of giving
thanks, especially to God.
I look forward to this article all year! It’s fun
to name out loud some of the many reasons why I
regularly feel like the luckiest pastor in the world:
I’m thankful for the men in the Alert and Keystone classes
who walk beside one another in happiness and in hardship. I’m
thankful for Ginger Cheek and for the untold hours she has spent
hunched over a computer, inputting data for our new Music Library
software program. For James Smith & Pam Rountree who prepare the
music each week for the Fresh Start band. For Bob Waters who
spends virtually all of his time doing something helpful for somebody
(taking folks to the doctor; serving as a circuit-riding Sunday School
teacher; helping in the office, etc.). For Sheila Skinner’s encouraging
notes and for Bob Focht’s and Jim Stanfield’s superb coordination of
our worship tech teams for 11:00 and Fresh Start.
I’m thankful for Lauren King who goes every week—after
teaching elementary school all day—to an apartment complex in
Clarkston to help a family of refugees from Burma practice their
English. I’m grateful for the carpentry skills of Fred Palmer and
plumbing prowess of Birney Fewell. I’m thankful for Mike Haun’s
wit and Bob Woodson’s wisdom. For Marcia Poole’s kindness and
Ric Rodriguez’s candor; for Mickey Goodsen’s zeal for justice and
Ellen Jones’ joie de vivre. For Emily Gibson’s artistry and Jim
Manley’s affirming presence; for Linda Rutland’s warmth and Jackie
Durham’s way with words. I’m thankful for Ann Smith’s empathy
and Lynn Davis’s intuition; for Sarah Holt’s generous spirit and Zeno
Douglas’s irrepressible joy. For Tyler Cagle’s text messages and Julia
Fuster’s servant heart.
I’m thankful for Mark Carter’s passion for helping people
get free from debt. I’m thankful for Richard Parker, Lauren Colwell
and all of the FBC folks who are breathing new energy into our
college ministry. I’m thankful for Buck and LaRose Jones’ cheerful
(and color-coordinated!) welcome every Sunday. I’m thankful for
Katie Hill’s world-class hugs; for Charles Keown’s selflessness; for
Harold & June Zwald’s ministry of visitation.
I’m thankful for worship that connects us with God. For
colleagues who are crazy about Christ’s church. For gifted musicians,
committed teachers, everyday evangelists and selfless servants.
To sum it up—I’m deeply, truly thankful for you, my FBC
family. It would be easy to fill up all four pages of this newsletter
with names and stories of how you show me regularly what it means
to be a Christ follower.
Of course no thanksgiving tribute would be complete without
my saying how enormously, “to-the-moon-and-back” grateful I am
every day of my life for Tim, Taylor and Lucy. And I’m absolutely
giddy with thanks that—for the first time in 25 years—my wonderful
mother lives less than two miles away!
For all of this and so much more…
Dei gratias!
Service of Dedication/Christmas Fellowship
Sunday, November 30 at 6:00pm (Hanging of the Green)
On Sunday evening, November 30 at 6:00PM, we will all join
together for a brief Service of Dedication followed by a Church-Wide
Christmas Fellowship in Carreker Hall. Everyone is asked to bring
some “finger foods.” The church will provide beverages. This is the
one time during Advent/Christmas that we will all gather together in
one place for fellowship—its’ a Church-Wide event!
Parents’ Night Out -December 12; 6pm-9pm; Volunteers Needed!
Advent/Christmas Musical Worship Experiences
Sunday, December 14 at 9:00AM & 11:00AM
In both 9:00AM (Fresh Start) and 11:00AM (Sanctuary) worship,
services of musical worship are planned. Fresh Start will gather to
sing and hear about the “good news come to earth” through
contemporary songs and traditional hymns accompanied by the Fresh
Start band. Those gathering in the sanctuary at 11:00AM will join in
worship led by the Sanctuary Choir and orchestra. Music will include
songs written by Michael W. Smith, Christmas hymns, and songs in a
classical style.
Deacon’s Banquet (for all current & new Deacons)
December 16; 7pm
Please RSVP to Holly by Friday, December 12 (404-373-1653)
Children’s Christmas Craft Day - December 20; 10am-2pm
Youth Ski Retreat - January 1-4; Snowshoe Mountain
Dec 3 – Hope for Liberian Villages
Jessy Togbadoya and CBF Global Missions
While he was a seminary student, Jessy Togbadoya lived in our
missionary residence. Now he and his wife Calandra work to bring
good news of hope to the Kpelle people of Bong County, Liberia.
Come hear Jessy describe how they combine gospel witness with
community development in villages facing desperate poverty.
Dec 10 – A Church Full of Missionaries
A review of our missions involvement locally and globally and an
invitation to everyone to get in on a missions adventure in 2009.
Dec 17—A Christmas Message from our Children
The Children’s Ministry will present a Christmas program and report
on what they have learned and done about missions this fall.
 Congregational Life Prayer Concerns as of
Help us Decorate for Advent! November 19, 2008
It’s time to decorate the church for Advent and Christmas! On Sunday, November 23, (after a quick
In the Hospital:
lunch) everyone is invited to join with the Flower/Special Seasons Team to decorate the church for
▪José Edmonds, Scottish Rite
Advent/Christmas.
▪Al Buckler, Emory
Sympathy To:
No Wednesday Night Activities Nov. 26
▪The family of Helen Lisle.
New Community, our Wednesday night meal and ministries, will not take place on November 26, the
▪Sue Johnson, on the death of her
night before Thanksgiving. We'll be back in full swing the following week, December 3rd, with
husband, J.W. Johnson.
dinner from 5:15 to 6:30, followed by all of our ongoing Wednesday night ministries for all ages
▪Pauline Hicks on the death of her
including a December Global Missions Emphasis for adults at 6:30 in Carreker Hall.
daughter Mary Ellen Brown.
▪Brandon and Charlotte Tubbs on
Communion for Our Homebound Folks
the death of Brandon’s father.
Homebound communion will be on Dec. 7. Anyone that can help and is willing to serve communion
▪The family of Dorothy Bryan.
to our homebound church members should contact Bob Williamson (404-373-1653) in the church
▪The family of Ford Johnson.
office. We have instructions and a list of those wanting to take communion. This is an easy and
▪Millie Padgett on the death of her
extremely worthwhile ministry opportunity.
sister-in-law, Betty Reap
▪The family of Eloise Macpherson.
Young At Heart to see Lake Lanier Lights
▪Boyce Sullivan on the death of her
Our YAH Christmas lights trip is Dec. 11. We will load up on our motor coach at the church around
brother, Ray Dodd.
4 p.m. and go to eat at a Cracker Barrel restaurant (Dutch treat). Then we tour the Magical Nights of
Congratulations To:
Lights at Lake Lanier Islands. Your cost is only $10 person. Sign up in the church office (404-373-
▪Jeff and Wendy Bigbie on the birth
1653).
of Emily Grace!
▪Glen and Cherie Bennett on the
Blue Christmas Service – Sunday, December 21 at 4:00PM
birth of Grayson Everett!
The Christmas Season can be a difficult time for those who are grieving the loss of loved ones and for
those who may be struggling. Our prayer is that this “Blue Christmas” Worship service will be an
Tithes & Offerings
experience of hope and strengthening for all who attend.

Youth Ski Retreat A Generous People

The annual youth ski retreat will take place at Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia from January 1 2008 Ministry Action Plan
through 4. This will be a great time for our youth with great accommodations on the top of the Weekly Need: .....................$ 27,361
mountain! The cost is only $200.00 per person. This is a greatly reduced price because of our annual Received on Nov. 12 ..........$ 28,262
yard sale. Sign up with Kurt Varney; kvarney@fbcdecatur.com. Received on Nov. 19 ..........$ 19,768
Y-T-D Need:..................$ 1,258,620
Three Adult Formation Opportunities—Coming on Wednesdays in 2009 Y-T-D Received: ...........$ 1,063,930
Financial Peace University – Jan 14 – Apr 29 Y-T-D Spending Deficit (Oct. 31):
Zeno Douglas will lead this study that includes videos by radio personality Dave Ramsey and small ............................................ (64,099)
group discussion and support for those who want to gain control of their finances, eliminate debt, and “Years of Opportunity 2007-09”
learn to give generously. $110 fee. Campaign
Getting Marriage Right – Two six-week sessions Given to Date:...................$ 337,911
David and Jeanie Gushee and Tim and Julie Pennington-Russell will lead these marriage workshops: Bank Loan Balance:..........$ 240,226
Jan 14 – Feb 18 – Nearly/Newly Married (Engagement—3rd anniversary) Owed to FBC Fdn.:...........$ 180,000
Mar 4 – Apr 22 – Young Marrieds (3-10 years) Missions Offering YTD ....$ 18,317
Couples will be asked to read David Gushee’s book by the same title during the course.
Bible Studies – led by Sharyn Dowd Wednesday Dinner Menus
When the Holy Spirit “Acts” – January and February
This year our annual “Winter Bible Study” focuses on the New Testament adventure story called the November 26
Acts of the Apostles. No Wednesday Evening Activities.
The Cross and the Formation of Christians – Lenten Bible Study Happy Thanksgiving!
The oldest New Testament testimonies assert that Jesus died “for our sins.” We’ll explore what that
means and the formative experience that Paul calls our “death to sin.” December 3
Pick one of the following menus:
Go…Be…Do! Missions Corner Blue Plate Menu
Fried Pork Chops, Macaroni and
Missions Team to Sponsor Retreat Cheese, Steamed Cabbage, Salad
This Saturday, November 22, Joel Harrison of our local Baptist Association, will make a presentation Bar, Rolls, Peanut Butter Chip Pie
to all interested First Decatur folks on the demographics, needs, and opportunities for ministry here in “Lighter Side” Menu
Decatur. The Missions Team will use this information in future planning. Deacons and Sunday Vegetarian Vegetable Soup, Baked
School classes will benefit from this presentation, which will begin in the church parlor at 9 a.m. and Potato/Salad Bar, Pepperoni Pizza,
close with a light lunch. Chicken Salad, Mixed Fruit
Youth Sp•t Kid’s Zone
Big Youth Dates --- 2009 December 10, Discover Kids will go caroling at Clairmont Oaks.

March Mission Madness in Newnan, Georgia
Friday, March 20 through Sunday, March 22
Spring Break Retreat at the Beach
Sunday, April 5 through Saturday, April 11
Yard Sale
Yard Sale Week is Saturday, May 23 through Saturday, May 30
Opening Day is Thursday, May 28 at 7:00 AM
Junior/Senior Trip
Tuesday, June 9 through Wednesday, June 17
Parents Night Out—December 12; 6-9
Our Gift to the Decatur Community needs you!
This is a wonderful way we can touch Decatur. Children of all ages
will excitedly enter our buildings for a night of fun while their
parents have some time to shop, maybe a quiet dinner, or just chill
out in the midst of the Christmas season. Do not miss the fun by
volunteering today. Call the church office or Debbie Britt.
Another volunteer opportunity…
Children’s Christmas Craft Day, Dec 20; 10:00-2:00
For children 6 months -5th grade.
The cost this year will be $5.00 per child. Please preregister online.

Intown Mission Week Baby Dedication

Friday, June 26 through Wednesday, July 1
Out of Town Mission Week to Hurley, Virginia
Saturday, July 11 through Saturday, July 18
Beach Retreat
August 2 through 7
The next Baby Dedication will be December 21 in Fresh Start and/
or 11:00 Worship. Please contact Debbie Britt by Dec.7th if you
would like to participate.
Discovery Kids: Celebrate and Sing
The Children’s Choir Ministry will begin in January on Wednesday
evenings from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. We have four age groups: Melody
Makers for 3 year olds, Music Friends for 4 and 5 year olds, Music
Makers for 1st and 2nd grades and Young Musicians for 3rd – 5th
grades. All children who were 3 by September 1, 2008 are invited
to participate. Activities will include singing, instruments, crafts for
the younger children, music education, games, opportunities for
leadership in class and worship and discipleship. The older children
will also have an opportunity to participate in Handbells and Orff
instruments.

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