hettie johnson the church expanding

8/14/2019 Hettie Johnson the Church Expanding

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Vol. XXXIV No. 3 February 6, 2009


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Among Friends

Sometimes when I have a few minutes to spare I pick up Hettie Johnsons wonderful book, TheChurch Expanding, a history of FBC Decatur from1862-1987. Hettie was a terrific storyteller and Ilearn something new every time I open these pages.

ast week I found myself lingering for a while in the 1940s. Did younow that between 1940 and 1951 FBC grew by 1,500 people?!!

Anytime a church grows, it groans. Whenever there is anutpouring of the Spirit on a congregation, unless machinery is putn place (teams, committees, staff, more worship services, programs,acilities, etc.) to help facilitate the growth, pretty soon the growthhat was once exhilarating becomes irritating. Eventually theisorganization becomes discouraging and the movement loses steam.n the 1940s FBC Decatur put some new machinery in place inirect response to what God was doing in their midst:

Enlisted and trained additional Bible study teachers. Paid off the churchs staggering debt of $40,800during the

war years, no lessin order to purchase 12 acres of land onClairemont Avenue (at that time our facilities were locatedover on Trinity).

Organized FBCs first finance committee(after 80 years without one!)

Started a mens ministry called The Brotherhood with 105charter members.

Enlarged the number of pastoral and support staff. Started a second worship service at 8:30 a.m.before the days

of coffee and cinnamon rolls! Doubled the number of deacons (from 24 to 48). Enhanced the record-keeping system in order to keep up with all

of the newcomers. Established the FBC Foundation in order to strengthen the work

of missions, benevolent ministries, ministerial education, andto provide for future construction and maintenance of

facilities. Began building the facilities at our present location.

These stories from almost 70 years ago are inspiring, and theyrike me as being similar to the place we find ourselves in today.

New people are showing up every week. The Spirit is drawing peopleo Christ. Men, women and children are being baptized. Moreelievers are discovering and using their gifts. Thanks be to God!

And, as our predecessors experienced here so long ago, as wegrowwe find ourselvesgroaningjust a bit:

Parking has become an issue. We need significantly more Bible study teachers. Our 9:00 worship service will outgrow Carreker Hall by the end

of this year (and maybe by fall). Our Sunday School ministryespecially our young adult and

childrens areasneeds to create new environments in orderto accommodate growth.

We need more welcomers on Sundays and Wednesdays. We need to pay off our current indebtedness in order to be

poised for Gods next dream for FBC.

All of the above present challenges for us. But as I told somebodyecently, Ill take growing pains over dying slowly pains any day!

Grateful to be growing (and groaning) with you

Go...Be...Do! Missions Corner

Goal for Thailand Scholarships within Reach

We need just under $3,000 to complete our offering to prcontinuing education scholarships for our friends at the UpHolistic Development Project in Thailand. Use your red SpOffering envelope to contribute to this project that is truly provpeople with a sustainable way to thrive economically.

March Mission Madness 200

The youth will leave for Newnan, GA for March Mission MadneFri., March 20. This is a great time to worship God, serve othermeet with youth from across the state. We will leave the churcevening of March 20 and return the afternoon of March 22. Yshould be prepared to have fun, work hard and get dirty. Welikely be working in one of the following service projects: hrepair, painting, ministering with the homeless, clearing

cleaning, working at food and clothing ministries, and workingnursing home and rehabilitation assistance facility. We will staylocal hotel as assigned by the event coordinators. The stafcongregation of Central Baptist Church in Newnan is the host fafor gathering and worship. For more information, see Brandon Tu


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Women on Mission to Hear Carolyn Bishop

Join the FBCD Women onMission on Tuesday, February 10at 11 a.m. in the third floorconference room of the SanctuaryBuilding to hear Dr. Carolyn

Bishop, Pres ident of theonsortium for Global Education. A graduate ofurman University (B.A.), Clemson UniversityM. Ed.), and Emory University (Ph.D.), Dr.ishop leads CGE in developing andrengthening international education programsetween 45 American colleges and universitiesnd 241 overseas institutions in more than 80ountries. The WOM leadership will meet at 10m. and the groups will meet at 10:30 beforer. Bishops presentation at 11 a.m. Everyone is

nvited.

AARP Driver Safety Driving Class Offered

eb. 16-17

here will be an AARP Driver Safety Drivinglass on Feb. 16 and 17 from 9:30-1:30 here atBC Decatur. If you are interested in signing uplease call the church office (404-373-1653) toet on the class list. The cost is $14 and you getdiscount with an AARP membership card.

Prayers and Squares Prayer Ministry

rientation gathering February 12, 10:30a inarreker Hall. Interested? Give us a call in thehurch office, 404-373-1653,

For all Parents and Grandparents .... you won'tant to miss this exciting upcoming event!!

pring/Summer Children's Consignment

ale March 6-7th; 9am-3pm-church gymMost items price on Saturday. Items from

30+ moms including clothes (size 0 to Junior), shoes, toys, books, videos, bikes, riding toys,ursery items, maternity, and much more.verything a child could need at great bargain

prices!! For additional info, email Jeannie [email protected] or call 770-414-6099.

Volunteers Needed for Nursery Duty

We are currently developing the 2009 NurseryDuty Schedule for both the Fresh Start Serviceand Sanctuary Service. With a fresh crop ofbabies in the infant room and all the wonderfulnew children in our congregation...we need a

few more volunteers!! If you are interested involunteering in the nursery for either servicecontact Emily Herndon (678-431-3130 or [email protected]).

Did ya know?

that you can visit any music ministry grouprehearsal without obligation to join for the restof your life? You will be welcomed! Comegive it a go! Orchestra (Sunday, 9:15am), YouthVocal Ensemble (Sunday, 6:00pm), ChildrensChoirs (all ages grade 5; Wed. 6:30pm), AdultVocal Ensemble (Wed. 6:35pm), FreshStartBand (Wed. 7:30pm), and Sanctuary Choir

(Wed. 7:30pm).

Yard Sale News

The Annual Youth Yard Sale is approachingquickly and we need donations. If you do notknow much about the yard sale it is the primaryfunding for our youth ministry each year and itis dependent upon donations! We will take justabout anything except broken appliances andelectronics. This is a great way for you, yourfamily, your friends, your neighbors, and yourcoworkers to clean out unneeded and unuseditems from your home, garage, office, and

vacation home. Donations can be brought to thechurch almost anytime and it is also possible toschedule pickups. It seems like our donationsare down at this point so please help us out byletting us have your old stuff. We literally willt ake any t h i ng f r om c l o t h i ng t oautomobiles. Please help us spread the word! Ifyou have questions or need to schedule a pickupplease contact Kurt Varney.([email protected] or 404/219-3920)

Tithes & Offerings

A Generous People2009 Ministry Action Plan

Weekly Need:.......................$ 29,Received on Jan. 18 ...............$ 9,5Received on Jan. 25 .............$ 23,Received on Feb. 1...............$ 24,YTD Budget:......................$ 145,6YTD Received: ..................$ 102,

Years of Opportunity 2007-09

Campaign

Given to Date .....................$ 365,Bank Loan Balance ............$ 219,

Owed to FBC Foundation ..$ 180,

Missions Offering YTD........$ 2,9

Prayer Concerns as ofFebruary 4, 2009

Congratulations to:

Mark and Adrienne Howard on thbirth of Lauren Elizabeth Howard!

Sympathy To:

Vera Mack, First School Teacherthe death of her mother, Jeanette G

June Gilson on the death of herbrother, Vincent Kessler.Shannon and Zeno Douglas on thdeath of Shannons brother.

Weekend Emergency PastoraCarePastor On Call

Feb. 6-8.....................Sharyn DowFeb. 13-15...................Ryan ForbeCall the church office for the numb

Wednesday Dinner Menus

February 11

Pick one of the following menus:

Blue Plate Menu

Meat Lasagna, Steamed Veggies,Salad Bar, Texas Toast, ChocolateCake

Lighter Side MenuBroccoli & Cheese Soup, Baked

Potato/Salad Bar, Chopped Steak,Pepperoni Pizza, Lite Yogurt

February 18

Pick one of the following menus:

Blue Plate Menu

Beef Tips in Mushroom Gravy,White Rice, Green Peas, Salad BarYeast Rolls, Peanut Butter Chip PiLighter Side Menu

Cream of Chicken Soup, BakedPotato/Salad Bar, Tuna Salad,Cheese Pizza, Jello

Young at Heart ShortlinesYoung at Heart ShortlinesYoung at Heart ShortlinesYoung at Heart Shortlines

here is still time to sign up for our Greek Isles trip that is Nov. 7. See Bob Williamson by Feb. 15thor details and to register for the cruise.

Young At Heart Luncheon and program February 26th at 12 noon. The cost will be $5 for lunchnd the program is on Fraud/Scam Alerts and ALL the Documents You Need to Have At Homeaught by Chris Laws. Sign up today in the church office.

King Tut in March. We will have two opportunities to go to visit the King Tut exhibit inMarch. Sunday Mar. 1 & Mar. 15. More information will be coming soon but if you are interested

et your name on the list for a ticket now! Contact the church office.

Congregational Life


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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:

Websitewww.fbcdecatur.com

[email protected]

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

Youth Spt

It is hard to believe that it is 2009 and the Youth Ministry is alreadyhaving a great year. Our annual Ski Retreat was a super weekend ofbeing on the slopes at Snowshoe, West Virginia. Next month wewill be heading to Newnan, Georgia for March Mission Madness ---There are more details on page 2 of the Outlook. Before you knowit, the Yard Sale will be over and we will be in the midst of oursummer mission and retreat experiences. We are always looking

for ways to welcome new youth into the Youth Ministry want to askfor help in two ways. First of all pray for the youth on a regular ba-sis. Pray that God will guide us and keep us safe and that God willbring new people into our midst and that we will all encounter Godin ways that will help us be the kind of people and church that Godwants us to be. Secondly, please help direct youth in grades 6through 12 to the youth ministry. We can add them and theirfamilies to our mailing list and also extend special invitations. If youare ever interested in helping out with the Youth Ministry in otherways please get in contact with Kurt Varney through the churchoffice.

Big youth dates for 2009Big youth dates for 2009Big youth dates for 2009Big youth dates for 2009Spring Break Retreat at the Beach

Sunday, April 5 through Saturday, April 11

Junior/Senior Trip

Tuesday, June 9 through Wednesday, June 17

Intown Mission Week

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

Kids Zone

Lets take a trip to the Circu

March 7, 2009; 4:00 pm

Tickets are $21.00 each formezzanine side seating

If you are interested please let Debb

know by Feb. 12th so the tickets can bordered as a group.

Important dates

Baby DedicationApril 26th

Crocodile Dock:

Where fearless kids shine Gods light.(childrens Jekyll Island beach retreat)Completed 2nd grade completed 5th gradeMay 31-June 6

Cost $295.00

Camp E D G E:

Experience + Discover God everywhere.

(Dogwood Lodge, Chattanooga, Tn.)Completed 2nd grade-5th gradeJuly 6-10Cost $225.00

VBS Rome:Paul and the Underground ChurchChildren 6wks-5th grade

July 20-24