Vol. XXXVIII • No.

3 • February 15, 2008

Our Team:
 Finance Committee
“A Giving Word” by Aubray Abrams (Chair), Judi Belcher, Mack Bowers, Wayne
Beth Neal Smith Gresham, Liz Hackney, Don Hammonds, John Hamrick, Philip Holt
Jason Leeth, Jonathan Milton, Fred Palmer, Tom Seim, Beth Smith
Growing Strong—A Generous God (Vice Chair), Galen Swint
Keep watch in 2008 to catch up on the challenges
before us and to join us in prayer and renewed Financial Gifts:
commitment to our Lord and His mission for First Baptist Decatur. If you would like to make a financial gift to First Baptist Church
Decatur, please give online at www.fbcdecatur.com or contact Beth
Did you know that last year, through your faithful giving, FBCD Thompson in the church’s finance office at 404-370-7694 or
was able to partner with God to: bthompson@fbcdecatur.com
• Serve over 900 sack suppers prepared by the Women on
Missions,
• Give more than 80,000 to missions, and Pardon Our Dust—
Dust—Lenten Sermon Series
• Involve as many as 400 people in Bible study on Sunday
mornings?
What will 2008 bring? Please pray about your role in our God- February 10 : Pardon Our Dust: Saul—Acts 9:1-9
sized opportunities this year. February 17: Pardon Our Dust: Mary Magdalene
2007—A Generous People Mark 16:9
Gifts were strong in 2007, outpacing 2006 gifts by almost 15%, February 24: Pardon Our Dust: Job—Job 27:1-6
while spending, as a percent of budget, was down by 10%. In all,
nearly $1.5 million was given toward our budget and indebtedness, David Gushee Preaching
funding 95% of our 1.47 million 2007 budget. Through our March 2: Devita Parnell Preaching
increased giving and watchful spending, the year ended with a net
income of 88,900. Our mission partners were supported at the March 9: Pardon Our Dust: Sarah
percentage given to our total unified budget. Genesis 16, 17, 21
2008—A More Generous Way
Your prayerful and generous support last year enables us to begin a HOLY WEEK
new and exciting year with the real sense of optimism and
anticipation for ministry and missions. March 16: If These Are Silent—Luke 19:28-40
(PALM SUNDAY)
2008 Budget and Pledges:
2008 Unified Budget:..............................................$1,422,788.00 March 20: Maundy Thursday Service, 7:00p
Pledges of Support Received: ....................................$996,510.50 March 23: Surprise! John 20:1-18

Gifts of Tithes & Offerings: (EASTER SUNDAY)

Weekly Budget: ...........................................................$27,361.00
02/03/08 Received .......................................................$31,147.00
Year-to-Date Need .....................................................$136,807.00
Year-to-Date Received...............................................$112,570.00 Mission’s Corner
Year-to-Date Over (Under) ............................................ ($24,236)
Upcoming Missions Activities
Free the Dream & Year of Opportunity Campaigns: Assistance Greeter Training, February 20—7:30 pm, Parlor
Total Receipts (both campaigns).............................$7,949,250.00 Mission Team to Thailand, February 22 - March 4
Total Interest Paid (both campaigns) .........................$798,764.00 Mission Team Meeting, February 27—7:30 pm, Parlor
Decatur First Loan Balance........................................$274,116.00
FBCD Foundation Loan Balance ...............................$180,000.00 Looking Ahead...
Total Loan Balances Due...........................................$454,115.00 March is DEAM Month for
our church.
A Call for Questions -Volunteers are needed at the
What questions do you want your finance committee to answer? DEAM office: M-F: 9:00-
What information are you interested in receiving from this group? 12:00.
What do you need to know to make decisions with your March 11 - Women on Mis-
co mmittees? Send your top fo ur q uestions to sions - Fellowship Hall -
financecommittee@fbcdecatur.com 10:00-12:00
March 16 - Dedication of the
Habitat House
March 30 - ING Marathon (Look for time changes in our services
that morning)
April 17 - New Orleans disaster relief
Congregational Life Prayer Concerns as of
February 12, 2008
“Unpacking” the Upside-Down Church—One More Wednesday Night Session
We will conclude our series on “Unpacking” the Upside-Down Church on February 20 during The Sympathy To:
Gathering at 6:30 in the Fellowship Hall. ▪ Elaine Sakas on the death of her
aunt on 2/8 and her father on 2/10.
Upcoming Wednesday Night Series— ▪ Rita Bowers on the death of her
“The Six Hottest Moral Issues of Our Time” mother.
Dr. David Gushee, the Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics at ▪ The family of Elizabeth Crow.
McAfee School of Theology, will be leading our Wednesday Night discussions ▪The family of Clarence Peeler.
starting February 27 through April 9. The schedule of issues to be discussed: ▪Nita Hogan on the death of her
Feb. 27 – war Mar. 19 – euthanasia sister, Frieda Clarke.
Mar. 5 – marriage & divorce Apr. 2 – reproductive technology ▪The family of Imogene Willis.
Mar. 12 – ecology Apr. 9 – terrorism & torture ▪Alice long on the death of her
husband’s nephew, Bob Rogers.
New Ministry Opportunity ▪Drew and Nita Meadows on the
The Missions Ministry Team, in conjunction with the new Welcoming Ministry initiative, is death of their 2 1/2 yr. old son.
working to put together a group of volunteers who can help Sunday and Wednesday evenings in ▪Gail McKnight on the death of her
greeting and assisting those who come into our church looking for assistance. Training will be sister-in-law, Shirley McKnight.
provided for volunteers. The remaining training date is Wednesday, February 20th at 7:30 In the Hospital:
p.m. The training session will be held in the church parlor. Please contact Katie Howard at ▪Carolyn Chastain, Emory, ICU.
katiephoward@comcast.net or (404) 210-6170, if you are interested in participating.
Tithes & Offerings
February 24th Guest Worship Leaders
Bob Lawrence will be our guest music worship leader for the 11:00AM worship A Celebration of Gifts
gathering. Bob is the Chaplain of Woodward Academy here in Atlanta. He holds a 2008 Ministry Action Plan
Masters of Divinity degree from Candler School of Theology and is an ordained
elder with the United Methodist Church. He has served as Pastor of several Weekly Need: ...................$ 27,361
churches with the metro Atlanta area. He and his wife, Tyice, have two children, Received on Feb. 3: .....$ 31,147.00
Kim and Robby. Bob has shared his musical gifts with us in the past and we look Received on Feb. 10: ...$ 20,252.41
forward to his worship ministry. Y-T-D Need:..............$ 164,167.85
Y-T-D Received: .......$ 132,822.86
FBC Decatur member, David Gushee, will bring the message in both worship services on Surplus/(shortfall):....... (31,344.99)
February 24 while Pastor Julie is in Thailand. Prior to coming to Mercer 6 months ago, David
taught at Union University in Jackson, TN, for 11 years. Beyond his work at Mercer, he is the “Years of Opportunity 2007-09”
president of Evangelicals for Human Rights, a columnist for Associated Baptist Press, and a Campaign
contributing editor for Christianity Today. David is married to Jeanie, a homemaker, poet, and
nurse, and they have four children–Holly, David, Marie, and Madeleine. Given to Date:.................$ 259,389
Bank Loan Balance:........$ 281,364
Fitness Boot Camp to start 2nd Session Owed to FBC Fdn.:.........$ 180,000
If you missed our first session of fitness bootcamp you can sign up for session number two! It will
start on Monday February 25 and will run for four weeks. This is a great way to keep that new
year’s resolution or to jump start fitness for summer. The bootcamp meets four times a week, Wednesday Dinner Menus
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, at 6:30 in the morning) so you still have plenty of time
to get to work. If you have any questions or would like to sign up please contact Kurt Varney in February 20
the church office or go to www.thedecaturbootcamp.org. Fried Pork Chops, Macaroni and
Cheese, Chopped Collards, Salad
New Fresh Start Bible Study Bar, Buttermilk Biscuits, Frozen
Beginning March 2 we will have a Fresh Start Bible Study class called “Seeking the Kingdom” Strawberry Pie
that will meet in the parlor from 10:15—11:00 on Sunday mornings. This class is for folks who Kid’s Menu
are not involved in an existing class and is for adults of all ages. David Gushee will be leading Hot Dogs, French Fries, Corn,
this bible study. Cookies
February 27
WorshipING Together on Sunday, March 30th Spaghetti w/ Meat Sauce, Salad
The ING Marathon route runs directly in front of FBC Decatur Bar, Garlic French Bread, Fruit
again this year on Sunday, March 30th. This race has become Cocktail Cake
one of the premier marathon events in the nation—and presents Kid’s Menu
a premier outreach opportunity for our church! We are planning Spaghetti w/ Meat Sauce or
something very special for that Sunday…Stay tuned! Alfredo Sauce, Salad w/ Ranch
Dressing, French Bread, Fruit
Cocktail
Youth Sp•t
Did you realize that they annual youth yard sale is less than four
months away? The yard sale helps fund the youth ministry for
the year and in order for it to be successful we need your help ---
and the help of everyone you know! We need your
donations. We will accept donations of almost any kind but we
do stray away from broken electronics and broken
appliances. We really can move just about anything you might
have in your home or office that you no longer use or need. We
really would like to have a another boat this year, a few cars, and
our first RV. We will be happy to come and pick up your
donations or you can bring them to the church. If you have any
questions or would like to schedule a pickup please email
(kvarney@fbcdecatur.com) or call Kurt at 404/373-1653.

Youth March Mission Madness

The youth will be participating in a Missions weekend in Augusta
Kid’s Zone called March Mission Madness. This is a great event with youth
from all over the state who come together for a weekend of
Extended Session Schedule missions and good times. We will leave the church on Friday,
Sunday, February 17 Sunday, February 24 March 7th around 6:00 PM and we will return around 4:00 PM on
Stanford Eargle Sunday, March 9th. We are looking for a few adults who might be
Hayes Perry interested in going along as chaperones and drivers. If you would
Fewell R. Leeth like to sign up or get more information please contact Kurt in the
Duke Henderson church office. The cost for the weekend will only be $25.00 for
each youth and they will also need a little meal and spending
Please contact Debbie if you are money.
interested in participating in the Parent/
Child Dedication on Sunday, March 9. Youth Ensemble has Moved!
The youth ensemble has moved to Sunday evenings at 5:30. This
Also on Sunday, March 9, we will is led by our own Ryan Forbes and is always a good time for
celebrate First School and After School everyone who attends. If you have not been a part of the youth
Ministries. music program or have taken a break please consider joining
Ryan on Sundays at 5:30 in the Choir Suite. You can stay for
Rotisserie at 6:00 after ensemble ends.

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
Ryan Forbes.....................................404-370-7690
Julie Pennington-Russell.................404-370-7684
Kurt Varney......................................404-373-1653
Bob Williamson ...............................404-370-7687

Computer Connections:
Website—http://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