Special Wednesday Night New Community Feature available in the online edition...

Vol. XXXIV • No. 1 • January 9, 2009

 “Among Friends”
There’s so much to look forward to in this new
year!

New Ministries
Be sure to take a look at the New Community insert Starting this February
in the online version of this Outlook to see all of the great new
ministries and classes coming on Wednesday nights beginning Prayers & Squares is an
January 14th. Invite a neighbor! interfaith outreach ministry
that combines the gift of
I am enormously excited about two new prayer-related
prayer with the gift of a
ministries at FBC. The first is a ministry
of praying each week during our two hand-tied quilt. But the
worship services. Beth Smith responded purpose of Prayers & Squares
to God’s leading by beginning this is not to make and distribute
ministry back in November and already quilts, but to promote prayer
some amazing stories are coming from through the use of quilts.
“Calling on God’s those who’ve participated. Friends, The motto is: "It's not about the quilt; it's all about the
power during everything we do as a congregation
prayers."
worship.” depends on prayer—I cannot stress this
enough. Don’t miss an opportunity to The idea is simple. A heavy thread is used to take
see first-hand how God acts when people pray. Sign up today! stitches through the quilt layers, and the ends are left free
(see more information in the Congregational Life section) to be tied with square knots. As each knot is tied by a
member of the congregation, a silent prayer is said for
Another prayer ministry is about to begin and is someone in special need, who then receives the finished
featured on this page—Prayers and Squares. I quilt.
love the motto of this wonderful quilt-making
ministry: “It’s not about the quilt—it’s about the Jeanette Corley and Laura Palmer
prayers!” I’m grateful that Jeanette Corley and are heading up this ministry and will
Laura Palmer let God tap them on the shoulder be presenting the idea to the Missions
about starting this ministry and I am praying that Team, the Women on Mission, and
a number of FBC folks respond. Sunday School classes this month.
“ ...it’s about
the prayers” Watch for an announcement of an
New Ministerial Leadership
This Sunday we will bless and pray for new deacons as they join
interest meeting in February.
the team of lay ministers already at work.
Go...Be...Do! Missions Corner
New Messages
This Sunday we begin a 7-week romp together through the book
of Acts. Of course seven weeks will give us just about enough
time to water ski over the surface of this great book, waving at
some of the highlights as we fly by. But I’m looking forward to it
and I hope you are, too.

New Missional Focus

Author, leader and congregational coach George Bullard is
joining us in February for what is sure to be a
pivotal four days for our church. We invited
George after some of our deacons and staff
experienced his leadership gifts at Glen
Memorial UMC last spring. George’s ministry is
all about helping churches to reach their
“kingdom potential,” as he puts it. Please start
praying now for this weekend (February 20-23) and for all that
God has in store for FBC Decatur.
This is just a taste of what’s ahead. God is at work, friends!
Blessings,
Your 2009 Special Missions Offering envelope is different this year.
Instead of sending special offerings to SBC general funds (Lottie
Moon and Annie Armstrong), we will be sending money directly to
the accounts of the missionaries associated with First Baptist. Here’s
how the special offering will be divided: First, we will complete the
collection of $9,000 for continuing education for the staff of the
Upland Holistic Development Project in Thailand. After that, 15% of
the Special Missions Offering will go directly to our FBC
missionaries on the field, 15% will go to special needs here in
Decatur, and the rest will go to the CBF Global Missions Offering.
Our goal for 2009 is $30,000. Thank you for your generosity.
 Congregational Life
Prayer Concerns as of
FBC Deacon Mini-Retreat This Saturday January 7, 2008
Our deacons will gather in Carreker Hall this Saturday, January 10, from 9:00a – 1:30p for leadership
development and preparation for the coming year. Please pray for our deacons and for the team of Sympathy To:
deacon officers who will lead this year: Bill Neal, Chair; Katie Howard, Vice-Chair; and Karen Hill, •A friend of Wendy Bigbie who lost
Secretary. her 3-year old son.
•The family of Ralph Turner.
•The family of Carrie Thomason.
•The family of Frances Walton.

Tithes & Offerings

Katie Howard, Karen Hill, A Generous People
Vice-Chair Secretary 2008 Ministry Action Plan
Bill Neal, Chair Preliminary Year-End Figures
December MTD................$ 161,430
Financial Peace University (Wed. Session-E-210 and Sun. Session-Carreker Hall) 2008 YTD......................$ 1,281,787
Zeno Douglas and Mark Carter will lead this study that includes videos by radio personality Dave 2007 YTD......................$ 1,254,073
Ramsey and small group discussion and support for those who want to gain control of their finances,
eliminate debt, and learn to give generously. $110 fee. “Years of Opportunity 2007-09”
Sundays 4-6 pm beginning January 11 Campaign
Contact Mark Carter at mbcarter@smithcurrie.com or 404-805-3442. December MTD..................$ 16,008
Wednesdays 6:30-8:30 pm beginning January 14 2008 YTD...........................$ 99,853
Contact Zeno Douglas at zdouglas@kubra.com or 404-320-0600.
Missions Offering
Young At Heart trip to Savannah December MTD....................$ 6,539
The Young at Heart trip to Savannah is right around the corner on March 23-27. If you are interested 2008 YTD...........................$ 25,112
in visiting Savannah all payments are due by January 21. The cost for the trip is $399.

AARP Driver Safety Driving Class Offered Feb. 16-17

There will be an AARP Driver Safety Driving class on Feb. 16 and 17 from 9:30-1:30 here at FBC Wednesday Dinner Menus
Decatur. If you are interested in signing up please call the church office (404-373-1653) to get on the
class list. The cost is $14 and you get a discount with an AARP membership card. January 14
Pick one of the following menus:
Another Young at Heart Trip Opportunity Blue Plate Menu
The Young at Heart will take a cruise of the Greek Isles leaving November 7, 2009 for 8 days and 7 Poppyseed Chicken, White Rice,
nights on Caribbean Cruise Lines. If you are interested in going on this cruise we need a deposit of Stewed Squash, Salad Bar, Yeast
$350/person for double occupancy or $700/person for single occupancy by February 15, 2009. For Rolls, Pineapple Upside Down Cake
more information or to sign up contact Bob Williamson in the church office, 404-373-1653. “Lighter Side” Menu
Vegetable Soup, Baked Potato/Salad
FBCD Men Gather for Bible Study/Outreach Bar, Chicken Salad, “The Works”
Friday mornings at 7:00 a.m. a group of men gather for Bible Study at Dusty’s Barbecue Restaurant, Pizza, Fruit Bowl
1815 Briarcliff Road. Albert Trujillo is leading a study of Genesis. This group has two purposes:
spiritual growth for FBCD men and an outreach opportunity for men who may not be interested in January 21
“churchy” things. Come, invite others, leave when you need to get to work. For more information, Pick one of the following menus:
call Al at 404-235-7848. Blue Plate Menu
Roast Beef w/ Potatoes and Carrots,
Praying for Worship Services Steamed Cabbage, Broccoli Salad,
The people who meet in the first-floor prayer chapel to pray during Fresh Start and during the 11:00 Corn Bread Muffins, Coconut Cake
worship service are providing much appreciated support for those leading worship and for folks who “Lighter Side” Menu
bring their struggles and pain into this building every week. This is a ministry in which we can all Tomato Soup, Baked Potato/Salad
participate. Contact Beth Smith at 404-321-0508 or derekandbeth@bellsouth.net. Bar, Grilled Pork Chop, Cheese
Pizza, Light Yogurt
Organ Renovation/Repair Fund Established
Due to the sanctuary fire in 1976, a new Holtkamp pipe organ was installed in 1978. The organ
contains over 3,100 pipes with a four manual console and is appraised at over $1,000,000. Many of
the components, pipes, and parts of the organ are in need of replacement and repair, including a total
re-leathering of the instrument which will cost over $200,000. An Organ Fund has been established
to begin the process of renovation and contributions are now being accepted.
 Youth Sp•t Kid’s Zone
The Youth Ministry is looking forward to a great 2009. All of our
big dates have been set and we are now working on getting many of
the details worked out and leadership recruited. We are also in the
midst of preparing for our annual yard sale. This yard sale provides
the majority of the funding that our youth ministry operates on and
as our youth ministry has grown over the past year it makes the yard
sale even more successful, so please help us by donating the things
in your life that you no longer use or need. We will take just about
anything and we also need the donations of your friends, neighbors,
co-workers, and family members. Please know that our pickup
operation is now in full swing after a few months of operating on a 3 year olds (since Sept. 1, 2008) - 5th grade: Activities include:
reduced schedule. So please feel free to call the church office or singing, crafts for younger children, handbells and Orff instruments
email Kurt (kvarney@fbcdecatur.com) to find out more or to for older children, opportunities for worship leadership, music
schedule a pickup. education, and more!
Annual Youth Ski Retreat Melody Makers - 3 year olds Music Friends - 4 & 5 year olds
Music Makers - grades 1 & 2 Young Musicians - grades 3—5
~ January 1 – 4, 2009 ~
Upcoming Extended Session Volunteers
Snowshoe, West Virginia Jan. 11 Jan. 18 Jan. 25 Feb. 1
Visser Dalton Morris Hinkle
Palmer Smith Fisher Carter
Milton Mwangura Madden Salcedo
Hamrick

Volunteer Opportunities in the Library!

The Media Center programs are growing and we could use more
volunteers to keep things running! There are many places to fit in:
Circulation Automated cataloging
Processing new items Story times for First School kids
Repairs—books and A/V Organizing author talks
Shelving Supervising After-School kids
Bulletin Boards Book reviews for the website
Call us at 404.373.1653 ext. 2229, day or night. Thanks!

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