THE CELEBRATIONS

 First Baptist Church                        Evansville, Indiana

  Vol. 56, No. 49                                                         February 27, 2008

Vision Statement

We are building on our heritage and approaching the future with a vision relevant to our changing world while creating an atmosphere where Christ can bring healing, hope, and joy to all.

Since Joanne and I have moved to Evansville there have been tornado warnings, ice storms, snow and about every imaginable type of weather (no hurricanes yet). The Pulpit Committee promised me that Evansville had a lot to offer, that has proven to be true. 

Many of you are very generous and have contributed substantially to First Baptist, and for that I want to thank you. I also want to highlight the Fellowship Fund. This is money used to help folks with special needs. Just so you have an idea of the type of things this could be used for here are a couple of examples.  

A young man has a heart attack and is hospitalized. His parents from out of the area come to see him. I receive a call from the parent’s pastor that they need support. They are visited, prayed with, and given financial support from the Fellowship Fund.

 A middle aged homeless man is living at the United Caring Shelter and is getting some counseling to help get his life back on track. He has no funds to pay the modest cost of the counseling. He agrees to help with some clean up chores around the church in exchange for some of the counseling fees being paid from the Fellowship Fund.

 These are just a couple of examples of how the Fellowship Fund is making a difference in peoples lives as we reach out with Christ’s love to the community. Thank you for your gifts to the Fellowship Fund.

 Easter comes early this year, March 23^rd. It is a great time to invite friends and family to join you in church. There are also going to be several special worship opportunities for Holy Week. Monday, March 17^th, there will be a “Cross Walk” beginning at 12:05pm at the Civic Center and proceed to the river. Thursday, March 20^th, we will have a Maundy Thursday service here at First Baptist at 7:00pm. Good Friday, March 21^st, the Downtown Ministers Association will have a community service beginning at 12:05pm. This will be a half hour service and I will be bringing the message. So mark your calendars and prepare to celebrate the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

                                     Happy Easter, Pastor George

Weight-Loss Group

Our FBC Weight-Loss Group meets for the first time on Thursday, February 28^th. Anyone interested in becoming a healthier eater is invited to participate. Men and women are welcome. We focus on a change a week and increasing our personal devotional time with God. New members are always welcome!

March Madness

Don’t miss the big game this week!  The “Old Timers Basketball Game” is Saturday, March 1st at 1:00 pm in the Family Life Center. Everyone is invited to cheer on our two teams of aged 55+ players.  All ages are encouraged to participate in the free throw contest at half-time.  Lunch and concessions will be available by the youth at Noon.  Come and cheer on your team!

LEADERSHIP COUNCIL MEETING

Monday, March 17^th

6:30 p.m.

QUARTERLY BUSINESS MEETING

Sunday, March 30^th

6:00pm dinner

7:00pm meeting

REGION MISSION CONFERENCE

Saturday, April 5^th

Alexandria First Baptist Church

Alexandria, Indiana

Registration forms are in the church office.

Our sympathy goes out to the following: 

Doris Harris’ brother-in-law, Robert Stuckey Simmons, passed away Feb. 20^th  

Jeremiah Landrus’ grandmother, Rebecca Landrus, passed away Feb. 24^th 

Bill Klenck’s mother, Viola Klenck, passed away Feb. 25^th

Food Pantry Table

At one time there was a designated Sunday to bring food items for the food pantry table. We no longer have a designated Sunday; it’s just been at random and the table has been sparse. Let’s designate every Sunday food pantry Sunday; in fact let’s designate every day as food pantry day and if you’re coming to the church for any reason through out the week, bring a nonperishable food item with you and put it on the table in the hall (main floor) on the forth street side of the church.

Where it is difficult to see the difference that one person can make, it is much easier to see or realize the difference when we all join together to feed the hungry in our own community. We take the food items to Patchwork Central who then sees to it that they are distributed to those in need. Hunger is not a seasonal or random thing, it is an on going thing. LET US MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Children’s Choir

Children's Choir for Kindergarten thru Grade 5 will be starting up again on Wed., Mar. 5 from 5:45-6:45 (right after supper).  Come join us as we explore our newly redecorated room, make some new friends, and learn to praise God through our music.

Chili Cook-Off Date

Thanks to all who participated in the annual FBC Chili Cook-Off. Our Silver Ladle awards went to Docia Lee for the Judge’s Choice and Doris Hollis for the Popular Choice. Congratulations ladies! The Seeker’s Sunday School Class raised over $400 to help with class mission projects. This money will be used to support youth projects, Christmas families and others in need throughout the year.

Pork ‘n Beans

First Baptist is going to help the Evansville Rescue Mission to provide Easter dinner to area families by collecting cans of Pork ‘n Beans. We will collect them through March 14^th. Please place your cans on the table by the elevator. Let’s show our community that we care about them.

Sanctuary Choir

The Sanctuary Choir is delighted to welcome our new and returning singers.  We'd like to invite anyone who enjoys singing and is willing to practice from 7:00-8:15pm on Wednesdays to join us.  Our Wednesday rehearsals include not only vocal preparation for upcoming anthems, but also a healthy dose of prayer, caring, laughter and fellowship. Come give us a try. 

The choir will be presenting the Easter cantata, "Once Upon a Tree" on Palm Sunday morning, March 16^th.  Dr. Huffsmith will again narrate as Luke.  This is a unique and beautiful retelling of the events leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, and is a sequel to the cantata shared this past Christmas.  Invite your friends and neighbors to come and share this powerful message of Christ.

 Easter Egg Hunt

First Baptist will host the annual Easter egg hunt this year with Forest Hills Baptist Church children as our guests.  The hunt will be March 22^nd.  Time and place will be announced later, but you can begin now to donate candy to fill the eggs.  Please bring individually wrapped, non-chocolate candy. (Chocolate melts sitting in the sun after the eggs have been hidden!).  There will be a basket in the Koffee Klatch area to receive your donations. 

Tuesday Work Nights

The Tuesday work crew has been diligently working on completing the upstairs renovations – even through the ice storms of the past couple of weeks. The rooms are looking great, but we still have a bit more to do. If you’re handy with a hammer, paint brush, sand paper, or putty knife – we need you! Join us on Tuesday evenings at 6:00pm.

PrimeTime Wednesdays

Join us on Wednesday evenings for dinner at 5:00pm and then “Videos that Teach” at 5:45pm. The middle schoolers are meeting with Scott and the Senior High and YAUT are meeting with Joannie. We’re taking a look at scenes from some current movies and seeing how the Bible can help us apply them to our daily lives. Bring your friends and join us!

Church Staff:    Dr. George Huffsmith - Reverend,  H. Posey Gaines - Pastor Emeritus, Julie Lauer - Music Director, Olivia Yates - Organist, Marge Baker - Pianist, Beth Bloss/Sarah Bloss - Nursery Attendants,Tom Kinner - Sexton,  Rhonda Wilson - Financial Secretary, Vada Chrockrem  - Church Secretary, Donna Waller - Saturday Secretary, Nelya Palamarchuk - Custodian