THE CELEBRATIONS

First Baptist Church

Evansville, Indiana

  Vol. 56, No. 52                                                         April 9, 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.

The first thing I would like to do is to invite you to attend the Installation Service here April 19^th at 3 PM. The plan is for this to be an exciting time of worship and celebration. Following the service there will be a catered banquet that will be held in the fellowship hall. There will be several special guests who will be here to celebrate with us and we hope that one of the guests that day is YOU. 

This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend the region mission conference in Alexandria, IN. It reminded me of one of the many reasons that I am proud to be an American Baptist. Rev. Tim Long, missionary to Baja California area of Mexico shared the story of the work he and his wife Patti are doing there. Angela Sudermann, who is director of volunteer missions, lead a workshop to let folks know how they can GO and share themselves in Christ’s name in countries all over the globe. It was both exciting and inspiring time that I spent learning about the missions that we support.

 There will be an opportunity for you to hear first hand about a mission encounter. Sunday morning April 20^th during the 9:30 Sunday School hour, Tasha Huffsmith will be sharing the story of her recent trip to the Good Samaritan General Hospital in La Romana, Dominican Republic. There Tasha, and her aunt, my sister-in-law, Karrie O’Brien, worked among some of the poorest people in the world. There they worked to bring healing and health to these people and to share God’s love with them. She will share her first hand experience and answer any questions that you may have. This presentation will be in the fellowship hall. Maybe you will find that God is calling you to some type of mission experience.

 If God is nudging you to step out of your comfort zone and do something challenging and exciting then there are those who are able to help you make that challenge a reality, and at least one of those is me. I would love to hear what God is asking of you and I would then love to see how I can help you make that a reality.

                                                                                                               Grace and Peace,
                                                                                                                Pastor George

       PLEASE CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE TO RSVP FOR THE DINNER THAT WILL FOLLOW  THE INSTALLATION SERVICE (425-8296).

FOOD PANTRY TABLE

If you’re coming to the church for any reason through-out the week, bring a non-perishable food item and put it on one of the tables in the Sanctuary. The food items are taken to Patchwork Central which distributes it to those in need. Hunger is not a seasonal or random thing, it’s an on going thing.  FBC CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!

REMINDER

April 24^th ABW Spring Assn. Meeting

Registration & refreshments at 9:30am

Meeting at 10:00am

Carry-In Luncheon to follow meeting.

Session to end around 2:00pm.

APARTMENT FOR RENT – FBC has the apartment which was rented for Pastor Dixon until the lease runs out in Aug.  It rents for $500 a month with utilities at $105. Call the church office (425-8296), if you are interested in renting it.

Our sympathy to Ann Yates and family on the death of Icy Herron.  

to MATT DILLON for grooming the church property.  It’s looking really nice.

PRIMETIME WEDNESDAYS

All children and youth are invited to join us on PrimeTime Wednesdays. Children from Kindergarten to 5^th grade are welcome in our Children’s Choir as they begin work on their spring musical. Middle School, High School, and College aged youth have a choice between basketball or youth choir. Dinner is served at 5:00pm and programs begin at 5:45pm. (When EVSC is closed, our  youth activities are cancelled.) Adult choir, as always, begins at 7:00pm. Everyone welcome!

Summer Camp

As summer time draws near, so does our camping season!  Indian Creek Baptist Camp in Bedford, Indiana offers camp sessions all summer for children and youth of all ages.  Beginning with a first timers camp that is very short to a week long Senior High Camp that includes 2008 high school graduates, there are camp sessions for everyone.  MAD camp is the first week of the summer, June 1-7 and is attended by many First Baptist youth.  We send campers and counselors!  To find out more about camp you can check out their website at www.campindiancreek.com.  Brochures and registrations are available upstairs on the Youth bulletin board.  Call Joannie at 985-7555 if you have questions.

SUNDAY MORNING BREAKFAST
FOR CHILDREN

APRIL 13        eggs, sausage, toast, fruit & juice 20        dry cereal, fruit, milk & juice 27        oatmeal, toast, fruit & juice

Playtime for Me

Parents and guardians of 4 years olds and younger are invited to this new group as they gather each month to play, fellowship and share. They will meet the first Thursday of each month from 9:30-11:00am. For more information call Jessie at 471-8702. 

“BE KIND TO PEOPLE LOVERS, YOU MAY BECOME ONE TOO!”             

CONCERT

Hawk Nelson will be performing at Newburgh First Christian Church on April 17th.  Tickets are pretty cheap ($10-$12) and are available ahead of time, or at the door.  If you're interested in going as a group, give Joannie a call at 985-7555.  They're a great band! 

Middle School POW

All middle schoolers are invited to our POW on Friday, April 25th.  We're going go-carting at Kart-World!  Bring $2 to chip in and we'll get pizza afterwards!  We'll meet at the church at 6:00 p.m. and be back at church around 9:00. 

Soccer Shak Season

It’s time for the spring Soccer Shak Season. Our youth group provides concessions for the soccer teams that plan on Vann Avenue each Spring and Fall. The 6-week season begins on April 7^th. We need volunteers to help us staff the Soccer Shak each day. Volunteers can sign up on the poster in the lobby. This is a great way to support the youth group and have fun!

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