October 2013 - First Baptist Church

STAFF .......................................................................... 984-7500 Office: (864) 984-7500 ................. Family Life Center: 984-0531 Email .......................................................... [email protected] Rev. Rickey Letson ............................................. Senior Minister Rev Adair Rogers ..................... Minister of Music/Senior Adults Rev. Tommy Cox ...................................... Minister of Education Rev. Chuck Peek ........................ Minister of Youth and Children Joe Greer ..........................Director of the Martha Franks Singers Brenda Garrett ............................................... Financial Secretary Tana Adams .................................................. Ministers’ Secretary Heather Rogers ......................................... Kindergarten Director Ali Langford ..................................... Interim Recreation Director Kathy Chamlee, Counselor ................................ 1-888-293-7585

MINISTER ON CALL: One of our ministers will be on call every weekend, so if you have a need, please don’t hesitate to call us! The minister on call schedule is: Sept 30-Oct 6 Chuck Peek ................. 706-975-0031 Oct 7-13 Rickey Letson ............. 678-230-8341 Oct 14-20 Tommy Cox ................ 864-684-7424 Oct 21-27 Adair Rogers ............... 864-923-1631 Oct 28-Nov 3 Chuck Peek ................. 706-975-0031

OFFICE HOURS Monday-Thursday: 8:30am-4:30pm, Friday: 8:30am-1:00pm

USHERS Stan Coleman, Chairman .............Johnnie Bolt, Assist. Chairman Randy Garrett, Assist. Chairman Steve Hobbs, Monthly Chairman ................................ October Bo Carlay.......................... Jeff Field ......................... Don Franks Jimmy Garrett ................... Jon Henderson ........... Sandy Johnson T Langford ........................ Barry Lynch ............ Robbie O’Bryant Jeff Owings....................... Will Prescott ................... Brent Smith Jeff Thompson

THE TIE

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

First Baptist Church 300 West Main Street Laurens, SC 29360

U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 70 Laurens, SC 29360

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

NURSERY ASSIGNMENTS October 6, 2013 (1st Sunday) Van & Keri Tumblin, Vicki Coleman .................................. Bed Babies

JP & Claire Pratt .......................................................... 1 year olds Jeff & Jamie Field ....................................................... 2 year olds Alan & Miranda Langston ........................................... 3 year olds Kris & Robin Hornberger .....................................4 & 5 year olds Coordinator: Jeff & Anna Brink October 13, 2013 (2nd Sunday) Linda Yarbrough, Cynde O’Rear ............................... Bed Babies Neill & Kimberly Martin ............................................. 1 year olds Merry Chandler, HELP NEEDED .............................. 2 year olds Gary & Wanda Allen ................................................... 3 year olds Matthew & Meg Turner........................................4 & 5 year olds Coordinator: Heath & Ashley Coggins October 20, 2013 (3rd Sunday) Will & Blakely Prescott, Ed Prescott ......................... Bed Babies Andrew & Keri Burroughs .......................................... 1 year olds Kevin & Elizabeth Franklin ......................................... 2 year olds Jimmy & Cindy Chandler ............................................ 3 year olds Andy & Courtney West ........................................4 & 5 year olds Coordinator: Richard & Heather Coggins October 27, 2013 (4th Sunday) Marion Lynch, Jean Deason, Cindy Chandler ............ Bed Babies Janice Wynn, Margaret Ellison ................................... 1 year olds Debbie Lynch, Cathy Sherer ....................................... 2 year olds Jeff & Marlene Owings ............................................... 3 year olds Jeff & Kim Mitchum ............................................4 & 5 year olds Coordinator: Aaron & Emily Dasher

OFFERING TOTALS As of September 22, 2013 YTD General Fund Goal General Fund Receipts

$702,716.52 $725,805.81 As of September 22, 2013 Total Number of Commitments To Date: 235 Total Committed to Date: $1,443,905.41 Contributions Received To Date: $1,519,837.71

Deaths Benjamin "Joe” Jackson ............................ Member 1977-2013 Truitt Banks ............................................... Member 1957-2013

Correction to New Arrivals: Weston Avery Dasher Son of Aaron and Emily Dasher Grandson of Eddie and Laurie West Weston’s name was listed incorrectly in the September issue of The Tie. We regret the error.

Taking a Risk… Do you remember the Costa Concordia cruise liner which ran aground in January of 2012 off the coast of Italy? The horrific accident killed 12 people. The disaster left the three football fields-long ship resting in the water on its side. At the same time, the wreckage also created a monstrous eye sore off the otherwise picturesque Italian coast. In recent days, the Costa Concordia has been in world news headlines again as a major effort has been underway to raise the ship from the ocean depths. The plan was to try to turn the vessel upright so that it could be sailed away with the aid of another ship. The hope was also to at least salvage as much of the ship as possible and to return the coastline to a more pristine state. One reason that the salvage work garnered so much attention is that the engineering method used for raising the ship had never been tried before. It involved new thinking, risky maneuvers and at least some speculation that since such ideas had not been tried before, they would never work. In the end, though, the plan worked almost to perfection and now the Costa Concordia is sitting upright in the Italian water for the first time in 20 months while waiting to be sailed away never to be seen or heard from again. What strikes me in the story of the Costa Concordia is the reminder of how quick we are to write off new ideas, visions or ways of doing things simply because they have never been done or tried before. Most of us are creatures of habit and routine, which leads us to doubt new ideas and become pessimistic toward different ways of doing things. At the same time, as people of faith, we also know that the New Testament reminds us that the Spirit of God is as mysterious as the wind. We do not know where it comes from or where it is going. It blows this way one moment and the other way the next. Our job, in light of this mysterious Spirit, is to be attentive to God’s voice and be prepared to follow wherever it is that we are led. Sometimes, this means continuing to do things the way that we have always done them. At other times, though, it means heading off in new direction or utilizing different methods and means than we ever have before. When this happens, risk certainly also enters the vocabulary of our everyday lives. At the same time, this is exactly what it means to be people of faith. That is to say we are people who are willing to follow God and God’s direction upon our lives-even into uncharted territory. …Rickey

Lessons Every Child Should Learn & No Adult Should Forget Sunday Morning Worship Fall 2013

September was a fantastic month at First Baptist as all of our choirs got back into the swing of things! If you, your children, or your grandchildren aren’t plugged in to a choir, please call me. I’d love to help you get involved! Here’s the line-up for the fall: AGE

Day/TIME

LOCATION

TEACHER

1st-5th Grade Choir 5:45-6:30 Wednesday

Children’s Choir Room 3rd Floor

Adair Rogers/Jennnifer Allen

2-3 Year Old Choir

6:00-6:30 Wednesday

Kindergarten Room 203

Elizabeth Franklin/Meg Turner

4-5 Year Old Choir

6:00-6:30 Wednesday

Kindergarten Room 204

Monica Taylor

October 20 Seek the Truth, Acts 11:1-18

Adult Choir

7:00-8:15 Wednesday

Adult Choir Room

Adair Rogers

October 27 Fall Back on the Truth, Acts 26:12-18

6th-12th Grade Handbells

4:45-5:30 Sundays

Handbell Room

Adair Rogers

6th-12th Grade Choir

5:30-6:30 Sundays

Adult Choir Room

Adair Rogers

Adult Handbells

6:00-7:00 Mondays

Handbell Room Begins October 7

Adair Rogers

1st-5th Grade Handbells

3:00-4:30 Tuesdays

3rd Floor Handbell Room

Adair Rogers/Monica Taylor

October 6 Speak the Truth, Acts 2:14-26 October 13 Hear the Truth, Acts 6:8-15

November 3 Prioritize Service, Acts 9:36-41 November 10 Find Your Fit, Acts 13:1-3 November 17 Let Your Life Speak, Acts 28:23-31

The Senior Adults will be enjoying the Senior Adult Retreat to Gatlinburg the first week in October. It’s a perfect time to enjoy the fall leaves and to hear great speakers and singers like Charles Stanley, Johnny Hunt, Sandi Patty, Mark Lowry, Guy Penrod, Larnelle Harris, Wayne Watson, The Inspirations, Greater Vision, and The Perrys.      

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CWA (Comfortable with Age) meets the 4th Tuesday of every month. We provide the meat and drinks; please bring a dish to share with the group. October 7: Baptist Association Picnic At Rabun Creek Baptist Church. Leaving at 10:15am. October 15: Apple Trip, leave the church at 8:00am October 22: CWA, 11:00am, Peterson Family Quartet November 7: Bishopville Trip to Pearl Fryer Topiary Garden and to the SC Cotton Museum with lunch at a great “home cooking” restaurant between Bishopville and Hartsville. Leave the church at 8:00am. November 19: CWA, 11:00am, Jeanisa Moore. The meal will be catered! Jeanisa is a paraplegic whose injury in 2003 resulted in paralysis. She will share with us the details of her injury and the wonderful events that happened to her when she was moved to Atlanta to begin her rehab. Jeanisa’s humor and outlook will lift your spirits and allow you to see how God changed and Obstacle into an Opportunity to Minister. December 13: Christmas party at Adair and Alex’s home, 6:00pm

Fall is in full swing at FBC with numerous opportunities for Children and Youth to participate in Bible Study, Choral and Handbell Choirs, Missions Education, Accountability Groups, and Recreation! If you or your child are not plugged into one of these important ministries please contact Chuck or the church office for scheduling details.

CHILDREN FBC’s Children’s Ministry is making the most out of the student holiday this month by holding a hotdog roast the night before at the home of Carroll and Nancy Thompson. After dinner we’re going to have a game of glow-in-the-dark capture the flag. Bring a flashlight, a big appetite, and a friend to this free event. The event will begin at 5:30pm and we will wrap up around 9:00pm. Call the church or email [email protected] to sign-up! Our annual Trunk or Treat will be held on Thursday evening, October 31st. Supper is at 5:00pm (signup required), with trick or treating from 6-7pm. Join us for a safe and fun place to take the kids for candy, costumes, and fun walk or ride to the First Baptist parking lot this Halloween! Guests are welcome, so help us spread the word about this event!

YOUTH Upcoming Youth Events for the Fall include two retreats for Middle and High School Students, as well as our “First” Fifth Quarter on November 1st. The “First” Fifth Quarter, which is open to all Youth, will begin after the conclusion of the Laurens/JL Mann game and will take place in the FLC. The event will conclude at midnight. The Fireside Room will be set up with a free meal for any JV and Varsity Football players or Cheerleaders in attendance. Cost for this event is a refreshment contribution: cookies (for last names beginning AH), a bag of chips (for last names I-P), or a 2-liter drink (for last names Q-Z). Friends and community members are invited! Our Middle School students are returning to Awanita Valley Christian Retreat Center on October 25-27th for their annual Middle School Fall Retreat. Cost of the trip is $120 per student, with all meals and activities included. Extra spending money is only needed for meals in transit and any souvenirs or snacks students wish to purchase at the camp store. Email [email protected] or indicate on the pew pad this Sunday to sign up! High School students are going on their annual Ski Retreat to Winterplace, WV from December 28-31st. Cost per student is $225. A $75 deposit is due by October 31st to reserve a spot on the list. Because of some generous donations to the Youth Fund, scholarships are available for anyone needing financial assistance for this trip. Please contact Chuck or Brenda to inquire about these funds or to sign up for the ski retreat!

EVERY WEEK FOR CHILDREN AT FBC Sundays  9:30am Sunday School  10:30am worship  6:00pm 1st-5th Grade Activity Tuesdays  3:00pm 1st-5th Grade Handbells Wednesdays  5:00pm Family Night Supper  5:45pm 1st-5th Grade Choir  6:00pm 2-3 Year Old Choir  6:00pm 4-5 Year Old Choir  6:30pm 2-3 Year Old Kids on Mission  6:30pm 4-5 Year Old Kids on Mission  6:30pm 1st-2nd Grade Kids on Mission  6:30pm 3rd-5th Grade Kids on Mission

EVERY WEEK FOR YOUTH AT FBC Sundays  9:30am Sunday School  10:30am Worship  4:45pm Handbells  5:30pm Youth Choir  6:30pm Sunday Night Live Wednesdays  5:00pm Supper  6:00pm Youth accountability Groups

SAMARITANS PURSE CHRISTMAS SHOEBOXES: One of the best ways to help our children learn about missions is to let them prepare a shoebox for a child at Christmas! This year the boxes have been provided for us, so you will not need a shoebox or a plastic storage container. Just stop by the church and pick up a box, fill it with goodies, and return it to the church. You may also give a cash donation to Samaritans Purse and we will do the shopping for you. The boxes are due Sunday, November 10 so start your Christmas shopping now!

SC BAPTIST DISASTER RELIEF TRAINING: OCTOBER 11 & 12: This fall’s training for anyone interested in helping with SC Baptist Disaster Relief work will be October 11 -12 at White Oak Conference Center. The cost is $35 for returning volunteers and $40 for first time volunteers. One of the most outstanding ministries of Baptists is our response to people all over the world in the midst of largescale disasters. Anyone interested in attending or with questions may contact Rickey or email him at [email protected].

OUR FALL DAY OF SERVICE will be Saturday, November 9. Mark your calendars now to join us as we go out and serve in the community. More specific details will soon follow!

Our Sunday and Wednesday night schedule is now in full swing, and it is never too late to get involved! There is something for everyone-children, youth, and adults. For the schedule of events, check the website at www.fbclaurens.org. Sunday School is an important part of our spiritual growth, and provides an important connection point for everyone in our congregation. FBC Laurens offers a wide variety of Sunday School classes for people of all ages. If you would like more information on one of our classes, pick a Sunday School information sheet located on the table in the Rotunda. If you need help deciding which class to attend, contact Tommy by calling the church office or by email at [email protected]. SOMETHING NEW! We will be starting a Men’s Bible Study on Sunday, October 6 at 6pm in the Conference Room. The 6-week study, A Man and His Design, introduces God’s clear design for authentic manhood. Each man will discover a biblical definition of manhood, learn its four “faces,” and how to anticipate and transition through the specific seasons of life. The cost is $10, which covers the cost of the training guide. The study will be led by Tommy Cox. To register, simply sign up on the pew pad or contact the church office. Attention Adult Sunday School Leaders! Our next leadership meeting will be Sunday, October 27 at 8:45am in Bobo Hall. Please make plans to attend!

BIRTHDAYS OCTOBER 2013

CALENDAR OCTOBER 2013 Tuesday, October 1  1:00pm Norton WMU Wednesday, October 2  10:00am Patterson WMU Sunday, October 6  8:30 Blood Pressure Checks  2:00pm Ping Pong Tournament Monday, October 7  10:00am Senior Adult Game Day  3:00pm Drop-in for FBC Members/Martha Franks Residents  4:00pm Prayer Team  6:00pm Adult Handbells Tuesday, October 8  11:00am Staff meeting  3:00pm Children’s Handbells  5-8pm FLC open Wednesday, October 9  Wednesday Evening activities

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3:00pm Children’s Handbells 5-8pm FLC open

Wednesday, October 23  Wednesday Evening activities Friday, October 25-27  Middle School Retreat @ Awanita Monday, October 28  10:00am Senior Adult Game Day  4:00pm Prayer Team  Adult Handbells Tuesday, October 29  11:00am Staff meeting  3:00pm Children’s Handbells  5-8pm FLC open Wednesday, October 30  No Wednesday Night Activities Thursday, October 31  5:00pm Supper & Trunk or Treat

Every Sunday: 9:00am Prayer Time Classroom B 9:30am Sunday School Friday, October 10-Saturday, Oct. 11 10:30am Worship  Disaster Relief Training 4:45pm Youth Handbells Monday, October 14 5:30pm Youth Choir  10:00am Senior Adult Game Day 6:00pm Adult Bible Study 6:00pm Opportunity for Children  4:00pm Prayer Team 6:30pm Sunday Night Live for Youth  6:00pm Adult Handbells Thursday, October 10  5-8pm FLC open

Tuesday, October 15  11:00am Staff meeting  3:00pm Children’s Handbells  5-8pm FLC open Wednesday, October 16  Wednesday Evening activities Thursday, October 17  5-8pm FLC open Friday, October 18  School Out: Children’s Activity Monday, October 21  10:00am Senior Adult Game Day  4:00pm Prayer Team  Adult Handbells Tuesday, October 22  11:00am Staff meeting

Every Wednesday: 5:00pm Family Night Supper 5:45pm Children’s Music & Missions 6:00pm Preschool Music 6:00pm Adult Bible Studies 6:00pm Youth accountability Groups 7:00pm Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

1 Daisy Kinney Miriam Templeton Jean Patterson Kim Fridy J.D. Price Carson Todd

7 Carolyn Reid Adair Rogers Mike Sharp Heath Coggins Amanda Addy

16 Phyllis Metz Joe Herndon Bill Finley 17 David Craig Jeff field

8 Julie Hobbs 2 Sally Thompson Caroline Lancaster

9 Zella Kennemore Jeff Brink

3 Ann McDowell Dean Youmans Peyton Robertson

10 Chris England

4 Margie Madden Ed Wells Christy McCall

12 Charlie Chalmers Johna Finley

5 Kristin Werts Ashlyn Lynch 6 Randy Allen

11 Cathy Martin

13 Tom Hardy 14 Lois Simmons Julia Johnson Sarah Craft 15 Mary Kate Bobo Bo Carlay

PAIRS & SPARES (a lively and welcoming Sunday school class for married and singles in their 20’s and 30’s) will start a new series in October: FATAL DISTRACTIONS by Ed Young. This study takes an in-depth look at some of life’s most deadly sins  pride anger • envy • lust • slothfulness • greed • gluttony  and will show us that, ‘through the power of God as we apply His Word to our lives, we can avoid the destructive, downward spiral of sins and live above the level of life’s FATAL DISTRACTIONS’. Please call Beth Holmes at 864-5530950 if you are interested in joining our class for this study so we can make sure we have enough books (only $4)! Hope to see you October 6th at 9:30am!

18 Ed Prescott Jonathan Burns 19 Betty Vaughn Tony Underwood Jeff Johnson Alli Horger 20 Tommy Burns Laurie Munden 21 Jim Davis Mike Lindley Jan Craft 22 Samantha Davenport Morgan Marlett

23 Jane Smith Meg Turner 24 Betty E. Cox Barton Holmes 25 Nancy Crow Terri Freeze Josh Black 26 Jane Cain 28 Jimmy Maye 29 Don Franks Ali Rogers Tyler Reid 30 Nick Hammond 31 Paul Thomas Betty Coggins Jan Franks

Presented by The Laurens Baptist Women’s Ministry Team Friday Oct 25th @ 6:00PM & Saturday 9:00AM until Noon Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church Laurens, SC Contact Deborah Adams at 864-984-0123