Vol. XXXVIII • No.

18 • September 12, 2008

“Among Friends” “Spirituality for Real Life” - Led by Sharyn Dowd
The staff returned last night from a wonderful time of
retreat, team building and looking a bit down the field Wednesday Night Bible Study Series
together. Steve and Carole Mitchell graciously offered September 17 What does “spirituality” have to do with real life?
the use of their home on Lake Lanier. What a blessing! September 24 Giving God the Keys
We were at the Mitchells’ back in January for a few October 1 Spirituality and Money
days as well, and I’d like to share some thoughts that I wrote in my October 8 Why praise? Does God have low self-esteem?
journal at that time. Perhaps they are pertinent to what we are October 15 Radical Forgiveness
experiencing these days at First Decatur. October 22 Praying Politically (not nationalistically)
October 29 Fall Festival
January 14, 2008 November 5 What’s with this “Ask and you will receive” and
“I’m sitting on the floor in Carole and Steve’s lovely bedroom. “Your Father knows before you ask”?
It’s 7:00 in the morning and I’ve been up for a while. The sunrise is November 12 “In all things give thanks.” (Who is God kidding?)
heartbreakingly beautiful. Oh, my God…you are very great. When I November 19 Walking with God (through a prayer labyrinth).
first got up I slipped into the kitchen to make coffee. It was still dark
outside but with the promise of light, as if someone had left a tiny
nightlight switched on behind the hills on the far shore. As the coffee
brewed I stood at the large window overlooking the lake and
squinted to make out the faintest skeletal shapes of the trees outside.
Impossibly tall pine trees with their solid, lincoln log trunks and
unplugged
overcoat of needles. These appear as substantial blotches against the
slate sky. Then, beside and all around them are more fragile, feathery
worshipforyouth•wednesdaysat6:30
wednesdaysat6:30
trees—naked in January with spider vein limbs. chapel
chapel
All of a sudden, as I stood watching, I thought I saw one of
the pines move. It started to sway only a tiny bit, then the movement
got more pronounced until it was rocking back and forth like a rabbi
at the Wailing Wall. Pretty soon I could make out the form of the
other pines moving in the wind and pretty soon, the spindly spider
vein trees were waltzing in the sky, too. Wednesdays at 6:30 PM
It made me think of the night when Nicodemus came to Jesus. At
2nd Floor Education Building (Rms. E212-E220)
one point in the conversation Jesus said to him, “Look at the wind,
Nicodemus! You don’t see it, do you? But when you see the trees
moving in the wind—when you see the branches bending and DO YOU LOVE MUSIC?
swaying—then you’ll know the wind is blowing. It’s the same way
with the Spirit, Nicodemus. You can’t see it moving; you can only see Do you love to sing or play an instrument?
evidence that it’s been there.” There’s something for everyone at FBC Decatur when it comes to
music ministry opportunities. Consider visiting a rehearsal soon
It occurs to me that part of our mission as leaders at First Decatur (no obligation to join). Take a look at the music opportunities
is to stand far enough back at times so as to be able to see the below!
landscape from a long-angle perspective. And then you watch the
horizon for some sign of trees swaying in the congregation—even Wednesday Rehearsals
one!—some sign that the Spirit is blowing in some particular way. Children’s Choirs: 6:30PM-7:25PM (January – May)
And then you lean into that movement with resources and energy Handbell Ensemble: 6:30PM-7:25PM
and prayer and love. (Plays periodically for worship, Sundays at 11AM)
You always want to be where the Spirit is blowing, otherwise Ave’, Adult Vocal Ensemble: 6:45PM-7:25PM
your boat ends up drifting in a dead calm, sometimes for years. And (Sings periodically for worship, Sundays at 9AM & 11AM)
like the landscape on Lake Lanier, sometimes it begins with just one Sanctuary Choir: 7:30PM-8:45PM
lone tree moving almost imperceptibly. Then the tree next to it (Sings for weekly worship, Sundays at 11AM)
begins to tremble and sway. And then, eventually even the spindly, FreshStart Band: 7:45PM-9PM
anemic-looking trees are doing a Rumba against the sky! And you (Leads worship music for FreshStart, Sundays at 9AM)
look at all of that and cry because you’re so grateful for the chance
to be part of it.” Sunday Rehearsals
Orchestra: 9:15AM-9:45AM
Ready to Rumba… (Plays weekly for worship, Sundays at 11AM)
Youth Vocal Ensemble: 6PM-6:30PM
(Sings periodically for worship, Sundays at 9AM & 11AM)
Congregational Life
Prayer Concerns as of
Deacon Election Process About to Begin September 11, 2008
It is time at First Baptist to nominate and elect new deacons who will
begin service in January. Starting this Sunday, September 14 through In the Hospital:
Tuesday, September 30, you are asked to nominate for deacon service ▪Helen Elrod, Emory.
those in our congregation who embody the characteristics of servant ▪Martha Kiser, DeKalb Medical.
leadership. Over the coming days would you please ask the Holy Spirit to ▪Ava Nell Bell, Atlanta Medical,
bring to mind particular men and women for this ministry? Look for ICU, grandmother of Ellen
inserts in your worship folder and Sunday School folders this week. Hamrick.
(Nominees must have been members of FBC for at least one year;
husbands and wives may not serve at the same time.)

New College Bible Study on Sunday Mornings

College students, there is a brand new Bible study group just for you! We meet at
10:00 in the third floor conference room (suite 304-306). In addition to great Bible Tithes & Offerings
teaching there is always friendship, caffeine and something to munch on. Teachers:
Richard Parker & Lauren Colwell. A Generous People
2008 Ministry Action Plan
Women’s Bible Study on Sunday Nights
We are an in depth, year-round, intergenerational Bible study open to all women at FBC. We meet Weekly Need: .....................$ 27,361
on Sunday nights from 6-8pm in Carreker Hall and are working straight through the Bible, doing a Received on Aug. 31 ..........$ 21,978
guided video and workbook study called The Amazing Collection. On average we spend about 2 Received on Sep. 7 .............$ 39,409
weeks per book. We also share our concerns and pray for one another. All are welcome! Y-T-D Need:.....................$ 985,007
Y-T-D Received: ..............$ 831,626
Reaching Unchurched People Through Your Education Ministry Surplus/(shortfall):............ (153,381)
Conference with Reggie Joiner—FBC folks attend for free!
Wednesday, September 17, 10-2, Northeast Baptist Church “Years of Opportunity 2007-09”
You are invited to join the pastoral staff at a 4-hour conference with Reggie Joiner sponsored by the Campaign
Atlanta Metro Baptist Association. Registration is $50 per person but FBC Decatur folks may
attend for free! Interested? Contact Sharyn Dowd at sdowd@fbcdecatur.com. Given to Date:...................$ 321,975
Bank Loan Balance:..........$ 256,443
Sunday School Leaders Team Meeting—Wednesday, September 17 Owed to FBC Fdn.:...........$ 180,000
This month, in addition to the 2008 Sunday school leaders, all adults who are interested in attending
the Sunday school leaders meeting, are invited to the monthly meeting in the third floor Missions Offering YTD ....$ 14,906
conference room at 7:30 pm on Wed., Sept. 17. This will be an opportunity for conversation with
Sharyn about any of your hopes, dreams, and concerns about adult Sunday School.
Wednesday Dinner Menus
FBC Folks are the Greatest!
You just can’t beat First Baptist Decatur laypeople. Enormous thanks to some particular brothers September 17
and sisters who’ve taken on big responsibilities and come through with flying colors: Fred & Pick one of the following menus:
Laura Palmer made and hung the beautiful new Leadership bulletin boards in the first floor Traditional Menu
breezeway. Chris Stanford, Derek Smith & Tim Pennington-Russell are responsible for the new Fried Pork Chops, Macaroni and
congregational photos along the walls of the first floor in the Sanctuary building. Dave Bennett & Cheese, Steamed Cabbage, Salad
Ron Thomas are laying the groundwork for the upcoming church workday on September 27. And Bar, Rolls, Peanut Butter Chip Pie
John Johnson created the hilarious workday posters and promotional pieces. These are just a few “Lighter Side” Menu
examples of the many, many ways in which FBC laypeople are using their gifts to make a Vegetarian Vegetable Soup, Baked
difference. Thank you! (Our office administrators, Holly Upchurch and Amy Russell, have assisted Potato/Salad Bar, Pepperoni Pizza,
with almost all of these projects. Amy and Holly are a huge blessing to our church.) Chicken Salad, Mixed Fruit

Go…Be…Do! Missions Corner September 24

Pick one of the following menus:
Ninety care packages for soldiers on the field and in hospitals were filled with Traditional Menu
your donations and mailed right after Labor Day. Thanks to Jean Sparks and Meat Loaf, Mashed Potatoes,
everyone who helped with this project! Steamed Vegetables, Salad Bar,
Biscuits, Fruit Cocktail Cake
September is our month to collect food for Decatur “Lighter Side” Menu
Emergency Assistance Ministry. Noodles, spaghetti sauce Chicken Noodle Soup, Baked
(cans are better than jars), peanut butter, breakfast cereal, and Potato/Salad Bar, Grilled Chicken
canned fruit are especially helpful. Place your donations in the indicated Strips, Cheese Pizza, Fruit Cocktail
containers throughout the church. Cake
Youth Sp•t
The back to school season is a busy one for our youth. I want to
encourage you to keep our youth in your prayers regularly. You
can pray that they will have the wisdom to make good choices, that
God will keep them safe, and that they will develop in their faith as
followers of Christ. If you would like to have a list of the names of
our youth please call the church office and request one for your
prayers.
We are excited to have Brandon
Tubbs working as a seminary
intern this year. Brandon is a
student at the McAfee School of
Theology and is following God's
call into youth ministry. Brandon
will be taking on leadership roles with our youth and around the
church this year. Please help make Brandon and his wife Charlotte
feel welcome in Decatur.
The fall youth schedule is pretty simple. On Sunday mornings we
meet at 10:00 for Bible Study. On Sunday evenings we meet at
6:00 for Ensemble with Ryan Forbes and at 6:30 for Rotisserie
with Brandon and Kurt. On Wednesday Evenings we meet for
Unplugged Worship at 6:30. The youth ministry is open to all
students in grades six through twelve. Also, if you want to be
added to the youth ministry mailing list please let the church office
know.
Kid’s Zone
The Dance Ministry of FBC Decatur
Our mission is to bring honor, glory and praise
to God through the art of dance. Our goals are:
to engage students in active learning, to assist
them in establishing a meaningful value system,
and to set high expectations for each child. To
provide quality dance education in an
environment that nurtures every child’s
self-confidence, discipline, memory, and grace.
To honor Jesus Christ in all our activities and build unity in the
body of Christ. Spots are still available! To register, please call
Dominique Fewell at 678-908-0489.
Parents Morning Out now started!
We provide loving childcare in a Christian environment for busy
parents while helping children develop social skills. We have
expanded this fall by adding an extra day and extending our
times. PMO meets on Monday, Tuesday, and/or Thursday’s from
9:00 AM-1:00 PM. You may register online or call Debbie Britt
at 404-373-1653.
Thanks again to all of our Extended Session Volunteers!

Upcoming Extended Session Volunteers:

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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