Guide by First Baptist Church of COlumbus Ga

Victory Mission Pageant, Carolers, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Services

First Baptist Church 212 Twelfth Street Post Office Box 828 Columbus, Georgia 31902 - 0828

to the ministry of Columbus’ First Baptist Church Family FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY Januar y 8, 2023

JANUARY EVENTS

MESSAGE 8:30 A.M. Service

In Your Hand or Your Heart?

Exodus 4:1-17 Dr. Jimmy Elder

New Year’s Day 11:00 A.M. Worship Service Only

No Wednesday Evening Activities

MEDITATION 11:00 A.M. Deacon Ordination Service

Please join us in the sanctuary Sunday morning, January 8, at 11:00 for the ordination of our newest deacon, Joseph Colwell. ‘

This will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the ways God is blessing our church! READ THE BIBLE THROUGH READINGS FOR JANUARY 8 - 15, 2023 8th Exodus 19:16 - 21:21 Matthew 23:13-39 Psalm 28:1-9 Proverbs 7:1-5

10th Exodus 23:14 - 25:40 Matthew 24:29-51 Psalm 30:1-12 Proverbs 7:24-27

12th Exodus 28:1-43 Matthew 25:31 - 26:13 Psalm 31:9-18 Proverbs 8:12-13

14th Exodus 30:11 - 31:18 Matthew 26:47-68 Psalm 32:1-11 Proverbs 8:27-32

9th Exodus 21:22 - 23:13 Matthew 24:1-28 Psalm 29:1-11 Proverbs 7:6-23

11th Exodus 26:1 - 27:21 Matthew 25:1-30 Psalm 31:1-8 Proverbs 8:1-11

13th Exodus 29:1 - 30:10 Matthew 26:14-46 Psalm 31:19-24 Proverbs 8:14-26

15th Exodus 32:1 - 33:23 Matthew 26:69 - 27:14 Psalm 33:1-11 Proverbs 8:33-36

Web Address: www.firstbaptistcolumbusga.com / Like us on Facebook

MENU D JANUARY E C E M B E11R 7 NO EVENING MEXICAN FIESTA NewACTIVITIES pricing for suppers:

Exodus 4:1-6 Dr. Jimmy Elder

SANCTUARY FLOWER CALENDAR HAS OPENINGS JANUARY 15 AND 22 If you would like to provide flowers on either of those Sundays, please call Glynn Tomblin in the church office (706.322.4468) or email her at gtomblin@firstbaptistcolumbusga.com.

ENJOY THE TIME WITH FAMILY Adults: $10.00 Family: $30.00 AND FRIENDS.

Remember to call the FBC office Regular Wednesday (706.322.4468) to make or activities resume cancel reservations by noon November each Tuesday. 30.

Phone: 706.322.4468

Fax: 706.324.7422

View the 11:00 A.M. service live on WTVM News Leader 9 or on the internet by clicking the "Watch Live Streaming" link on the church website (www.firstbaptistcolumbusga.com).

Youth Council Retreat

Deacon Ordination 11:00 A.M. in the Sanctuary

Mission Action Meeting and Lunch 11:00 A.M. in Fellowship Hall

Monthly Bible Study for Children in Grades 1 - 5 at the Home of the Elders

Caregivers Group Meeting Noon in Room 113

Hand on Tomorrow

18 months - 5th Grade: $5.00

6th Grade - College: $7.00

7-8

Regular Wednesday Evening Activities Resume 12

Young in Heart Lunch and Meeting Noon in Fellowship Hall

14 - 16

Youth Winter Retreat

Church Facilities Closed

Church in Conference

27-28

PLACE Spiritual Gifts Class and Assessment 6 P.M. Friday and 9 A.M. Saturday in Room 113

Loving none more than Christ and loving others as ourselves, we strive to reflect God’s love to all.

Happy New Year, 2023! Where has the time gone? Another year has dawned, and the work of First Baptist is moving forward in the hearts, minds, efforts, and commitments of our people. I said in Sunday’s message that I believe this will be an amazing year. I once read a story about a little boy who asked his dad, who was the preacher, about a story his dad told in the sermon. The way he asked the question was telling. Dad, was that story true or were you just preaching? I have always been insistent on making sure that what I say is both true AND preaching. It is also the truth that I fully believe, with all my heart, that this will be an amazing year. God has so many exciting opportunities cued up for the year. I do not believe the challenges that lie ahead during this year are burdens but rather are exciting opportunities to stretch our faith and our spiritual muscles in service to the Lord. One of the surest indicators of the Lord’s optimism about this year and His belief in the commitment and potential effectiveness of First Baptist is in the way He continually raises up leadership from our midst. On this Sunday we will have a first, I believe in the history of the church, when we ordain a new deacon in the 11:00 morning worship service. Joseph Colwell has been called to serve as a deacon of First Baptist. He is a young man with a young family who has distinguished himself as a Christian attorney, as part of our Church Family, and as a family man. I believe he represents the future of our church, as young men and women are committed to the work of the Lord.

Yes, First Baptist Church has served the Lord and this community for almost 194 years; but even as the sun rises each morning and has for thousands of years, it is fresh each morning. Every year we ordain someone new to the diaconate. This is God’s belief in tomorrow, even as the birth of a child is God’s belief in the future of His world. I hope you feel the energy and excitement of this moment. This will be a service that is a blessing to participate in; and you are a blessing as you participate. We affirm the new deacon and build community as we serve the Lord together in this place. There are a number of things that I want to share about the weeks ahead, and I will include those in upcoming articles. There are several transitions that are taking place right now. I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Mr. Brad Clements, who has served as our Deacon Chair for the last 3 years. Brad has guided us in a brilliant way through the COVID crisis, helping our church family to be nimble and responsive. He is both a wonderful friend and a tremendous leader. I speak for the whole Church Family in offering gratitude to Brad for his God-guided leadership and support of the church - and especially of your pastor. I will always be grateful that God gave our deacons such strong leadership during trying times. I will write more about this, for time and space both limit my article, but I want to welcome Mrs. Laura Haygood as our new Director of Victory Mission. I also want to welcome Mr. Nico Moyer as our new City Minister at Second Story. I will have much more to say about these two wonderful people in the future, because I want to introduce them fully to you. I cannot conclude these words without saying a special thank you to Brandon, Sara, and Abel Strozier for their groundbreaking leadership at Second Story. With Brandon’s transition taking place during Christmas, we have had to wait to say a formal thank you; but that is coming as well. What an exciting, amazing year we have ahead. God is at work; and I hope we can keep up with all that God is moving us to do and be during this year! Your Pastor, Jimmy

FAMILY MATTERS

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY (pthompson@firstbaptistcolumbusga.com)

MISSIONS MINISTRY

Weeks at a Glance

IN MEMORY OF Mrs. Beverly Corcoran Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Miller

(hhooper@firstbaptistcolumbusga.com)

God is the author of knowledge. Everything we know to be true about the world is because of God. And while we may never know all there is to know ABOUT God, there are lots of ways we can get to KNOW God. We can know God best through Jesus, who showed us how much God loves us and demonstrated the importance of knowledge. The more we know God, the better we can live God’s way each day.

Happy New Year! I always love a new year… it’s out with the old and in with the new. Starting fresh. Well, 2023 promises to be a great year in missions at First Baptist. Keep your eyes open for opportunities to serve and share. We are excited to introduce Laura Haygood as our new Director for Victory Mission. God has truly sent us a blessing by giving us Laura. I hope you will pray for and get to know her as she begins her ministry to South Columbus through Victory Mission. #firstonmission #lovewhereyoulive #heartformissions

January 8 - 14

Mr. Richard Hagler Ms. Callie Bryan Columbus Association of Occupational Nurses Dr. and Mrs. James Hagler Judge and Mrs. Frank Jordan, Jr. Judge and Mrs. William Smith Mr. Wayne Hardy Judge and Mrs. William Smith Deborah Wilson and Jan Holland Mr. Tom Jeter Mrs. Rebecca Jeter Mr. Earl Ward Mrs. Dot Ward IN HONOR OF Dr. and Mrs. Jimmy Elder Mrs. Beverly Gross

Dr. Jimmy Elder Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Cartledge Mrs. Charlene Ellison Mrs. Tamlin Fortner Mr. and Mrs. John Thomas First Baptist Staff Ms. Sally Rotunno Jack Hendrix on His Birthday Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Hendrix Ms Ksenia Kurenysheva Mrs. Nancy McKee Mr. and Mrs. Dickie Saunders Mr. and Mrs. Ben Smith Mrs. Beverly Gross THE FOOD CLOSET NEEDS HELP Please bring peanut butter, jelly, canned fruits and vegetables, bite-sized candies, and fabric bags with handles to the church office Monday - Thursday 9 A.M to 4 P.M. PLEASE ASSIST WITH 2023 A NIGHT IN BETHLEHEM 2023 is the year for the drive-thru A Night in Bethlehem for our community. This is a major undertaking, so we are starting early. The first "chunk" will be working on the costumes (repairing, cleaning, and sewing new ones). We will meet at 10:00 A. M. Thursday, February 2, at 2312 Lancelot Place. If you can assist (you don't have to know how to sew), please call the church office (706.322.4468) as soon as possible.

CITY MINISTRY (nicojaymoyer@gmail.com]

Happy New Year and blessings to you all! We enter the new year with gratitude and God in our hearts. We finished the year by celebrating the birthday of Leon Rivers, a long-time beacon of light at Second Story. Whether at Second Story, Columbus State, or anywhere his bike will take him, Leon has remained a dedicated member of our family. We have also begun planning for the return of students in a few short weeks and have shared much time in thought, reflection, and prayer as we enter 2023. We look forward to the return of our students, to fellowship with one another, and to all God has in store for us. As a Second Story family, we remain grateful for each of you, for one another, and for God our father in Heaven.

MUSIC MINISTRY (kfranklin@firstbaptistcolumbusga.com)

I want to thank everyone who participated in the giving toward the purchase of the new sanctuary piano. We have now received the full amount for the piano, and we will be going to New York in April to choose just the right one for our church. Nancy McKee and Ksenia Kurenysheva, along with a few others, will travel to the Steinway factory. They will play up to five different pianos to choose the one best suited to our needs. Thank you all again for your generosity and support for the music ministry of First Baptist.

EDUCATION MINISTRY YOUTH MINISTRY (dpotter@firstbaptistcolumbusga.com)

Welcome to 2023! Things are off with a bang for FBC Youth. This weekend, we're taking time away with our Youth Council, a group of self-selected leaders who want to shape our youth family and mentor their peers. Then, next weekend (January 14-16), we're off to Gatlinburg, Tennessee for our annual Winter Retreat and the opportunity for fun, fellowship, and growing in our faith. Later this month, we'll host our Bring a Parent WNL - Summer Missions edition - in which we outline our big plans for the summer. Each of these exciting things (and those that follow) are made possible by our generous church family. AND, they are realized with the help of so many who donate their time and energy to be part of what we do. We have a space for you to plug in this year. Call/email/text me, and we'll get together to help you see how you can be part of this thriving, vital ministry.

(mdouglas@firstbaptistcolumbusga.com) Did you make any New Year’s resolutions for 2023? Are you trying to remember your resolutions from 2022? Either way, here is something to consider: how has God gifted you and what are you doing with those gifts? There are opportunities to exercise your talents and be a servant of and for God. If you are uncertain where your strengths and gifts lie, there is a way we can help. Friday and Saturday, January 27-28, we will share the spiritual gifts analysis, PLACE. This survey tool helps the participants explore their gifts by surveying five areas of their personality and life experiences. They then have an opportunity to compare their gifts with the needs around them. Space for PLACE is limited, so contact me as soon as possible. There is an old G. I. Joe cartoon series that ends with “Now you know and knowing is half the battle.” We want you to know how God has gifted you. Then it is up to you. Blessings.

SUNDAY YOUTH COUNCIL RETREAT 8:30 AM WORSHIP SERVICE (Sanctuary) 9:15 AM Victory Mission Sunday School 9:45 AM Bible Study 11:00 AM WORSHIP SERVICE and Deacon Ordination (Sanctuary) MONDAY 9:30 AM Food Closet 11:00 AM Mission Action Meeting (FH) 5:00 PM Finance Committee (FH) 6:00 PM Deacons’ Meeting (FH) TUESDAY 10:00 AM In His Presence Prayer Group (111) 5:00 PM Victory Mission 5:30 PM Bible Study for Children in Grades 1-5 (Elders’ Home) WEDNESDAY 7:00 AM Dan Ross Study Group (Panera BP) 12:00 PM Caregivers Group Meeting (113) 5:15 PM Fellowship Supper (FH) 6:00 PM Prayer Around the Tables (FH) 6:00 PM Preschool Choir (110) 6:00 PM Children’s Choir (206) 6:00 PM MOPS/Mothers of Preschoolers (113) 6:00 PM Ladies’ Drop-In Devotions (118) 6:30 PM Pastor’s Bible Study (FH) 6:30 PM Youth Wednesday Night Live! (YAB) 6:30 PM Adult Choir (Music Suite) 6:45 PM Preschool Mission Friends (109) 6:45 PM GAs for Girls in Grades 1-5 (213) 6:45 PM RAs for Boys in Grades 1-5 (209) THURSDAY 7:00 AM Men’s Bible Study (SafeHouse) 7:00 AM High School Prayer Breakfast (Chick-fil-A Midland) 7:45 AM Middle School Prayer Breakfast (Chick-fil-A Midland) 9:30 AM Food Closet 12:00 PM Young in Heart (FH) FRIDAY High School Prayer Breakfast (Chick-fil-A Manchester Expressway) 7:45 AM Middle School Prayer Breakfast (Chick-fil-A Manchester Expressway) SATURDAY Youth Depart for Winter Retreat 7:00 AM

January 15 8:30 AM 9:15 AM 9:45 AM 11:00 AM

SUNDAY Youth Winter Retreat WORSHIP SERVICE (Sanctuary) Victory Mission Sunday School Bible Study WORSHIP SERVICE

PIANO FUND DONATION UPDATE: We have reached our goal!