2012
A Monthly Publication of the First Baptist Church of Pelham “When things look darkest to the world, they look brightest to the Christian. Our King is coming back!” Vance Havner
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IN THIS ISSUE
A Word from Our Pastor “Dave Says” by Dave Ramsey
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Cheergivers Ministry Education Ministry The Counselor’s Corner
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Worship Ministry Student/Activities Ministry
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Senior Adult Ministry Children’s Ministry
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“In Touch with the Church Family” Our Newest Members
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March Church Calendar Ministry Weekend Rotation
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Wednesday Night Meals General Information
Sign up on-line today.
Charles Billingsley In Concert at FBCP Thursday, March 29
“Being Great Commission Christians by Becoming Completely Committed Followers of Jesus”
A Word From “ Our Pastor
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Special Concert Coming
Dr. Mike Shaw Senior Pastor
On March 29, 2012 at 7:00 P.M. we will have a special concert and worship service led by Charles Billingsley. Charles grew up in Jacksonville, Florida and came to Birmingham to attend Samford University. God began to use Charles and opened doors for him to begin a music ministry in May, 1992. He is celebrating his twentieth anniversary this year and has a new CD coming out in March. He debuted his last CD, “God of the Ages”, in our sanctuary. He called and asked me if we would like to host the concert on March 29th. After checking the church calendar
and seeing that the date was open, I gave him the invitation. We need to get the word out and invite Charles’ fans from all over the Birmingham area to be with us that night. He will sing some of his classics songs with our Celebration Choir and will also share some of his new songs. I am always glad to have Charles come and he always lifts the Lord up as he sings. I love you, I love you, I love you. God bless you and God bless America!
Bro. Mike
Dave Says Dear Dave, My wife and I bought some furniture a while back on what we thought was a 24-months-same-as-cash plan. The original purchase price was $1,600. The other day, I got a call from a collector saying that it was actually a 12-month plan, and the balance is now $2,800. We looked at the contract, and it was our mistake on the length of the plan. Still, that makes the interest rate about 30 percent. Is there anything we can do about this? Robert Dear Robert, This is one of the reasons I tell people to stay away from “same as cash” agreements. You may not have agreed to a specific percentage rate, and I’ll bet it’s something less when you factor in the time before and after the 12-month period ended. Still, I’m pretty sure that when you signed the contract you did agree to have this thing convert to a financed contract if you didn’t pay it off in 12 months. These kinds of deals are really scummy. Not only have they charged you interest since the 12-month period ended, they’ve also back-charged you interest for the entire length of the contract! These same-as-cash
Dave Ramsey contracts are a bear trap. They’re designed to mess you over big time. You can try to dispute it, but I’ve got a feeling you’ll lose and have to pay about $1,200 in stupid tax on this one. Lots of people think they can pull one over on a company with the “same as cash” deal, but stuff almost always comes up—even if you don’t misread the contract. I’ve said it a million times, Robert. If you play with snakes, you will be bitten! Dave Dear Dave, I’ve heard you talk about something you call the Legacy Drawer. What exactly is this, and what goes into it? Lisa
Dear Lisa, One of the best ways I know to tell your family how much you love them is by having your financial act together and organized in a central location. The Legacy Drawer is a collection of your essential financial documents in a safe place where they can find them when you die, or if you’re sick or disabled. All of the pieces of your financial life should be in this drawer. I’m talking about your will, living will, estate plan, investment statements, insurance policies, and property deeds. You should also include stuff like power of attorney statements, access information to lock boxes, and other instructions to family and loved ones. Make sure it’s really well-organized, too. It should be laid out simply enough that anyone who can read could open it up and find exactly what’s needed in just a few minutes. The stress of having a loved one die or become seriously ill is bad enough. You don’t want to make it any harder on them by leaving your finances in a mess! Dave *For more financial advice, you may visit www.davesays.org.
Cheergivers Ministry
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Mary Frances Coker Fortenberry was born in where the Baptist church was located on Church Street. She Lipscomb, Alabama, but moved to the Pelham area and Bobby joined the Baptist church in 1957. All five of their when she was three years old. She lived children were baptized at the same time in 1978. One near Blue Berry Hill where Home Depot is daughter died the next year. now and it was known as Keystone. Mary Frances was a seamstress She did crossThe Fortenberry family lived nearby stitch, embroidery, knitting and crocheting. She also and on September 12, 1955, she married worked for the telephone company from 1952 until Bobby Fortenberry. They had five children she retired in 1991 (taking time off just long enough (four girls and one boy). Bobby died in to have her babies). 2000. In 1952, Mary Frances became a Christian. She Mary Frances watched Pelham grow. feels blessed to have her daughter Lisa with her and She remembers walking to the Baptist all the other children near by. She has two grandchurch one Sunday and the Methodist sons, 3 granddaughters and one great grandMary Frances Fortenberry daughter. church the next because they couldn’t afford a full time pastor. Bobby’s Please pray that God will keep her in his grand-parents owned part of the land loving care. By Gerri Basic
March Birthdays
March 20 Tena Shelton March 26 193 Greenfield Lane Alabaster AL 35007
Roger Weeks March 30 Pauline Sanders Berrington on the Green 1334 Brown Circle 5008 Summer Place Parkway Alabaster AL 35007 Hoover AL 35244
Education Ministry
Celebrate Recovery
Two new opportunities
Do you or someone you know has a problem with anger, guilt, addictions, bitterness, anxiety, or depression? Do you have difficulty letting go of the past? If any of these or other worries keep you from being all you can be, you may benefit from this safe place to get real about your hurts, habits and hang-ups. You are invited to attend Celebrate Recovery, beginning Sunday, March 4th at First Baptist Church of Pelham. Contact Tom Shuhart at 601-7289.
Prison Ministry
There will be a “certification” class on Thursday, March 1 at 7:00 PM in the Annex. If you think you might be interested in participating in a ministry to those in prison, come and find out all about it. Anyone wishing to be a part of the ministry MUST be certified. You may contact Barry Hopper (664-7366 or abhopper1@gmail.com) or Mike Dickens (663-5625 or mike.dickens777@yahoo.com).
The Counselor’s Corner Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. Sometimes we are called open to recite our favorite Bible verse. It’s during those times that I come to realize there is no single verse that stands out as a favorite for all times; but rather that there are verses that speak to my heart depending upon a particular situation or event. When you think about it that makes sense, because God gives a lot of instruction and a lot of promises and He uses a multitude of words (verses) to do it with. It seems that if there is a verse to live by and one that assists you daily, it is this verse and promise: “Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established” Proverbs 16:3
(KJV). The enemy wants to keep us in a state of confusion. Just when we think we are stable in our thoughts, along comes a hindrance that causes us to doubt. We waver in our faith and become unstable in thought. God says, “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways”, James 1:8 (KJV). You know what I’m talking about. We have all been in that place where we are torn and confused, even when we have prayed and sought God for guidance. Overcoming the confusion lies in; (by faith) making a commitment of your works to God and then expecting that He
Proverbs 16:3
will establish your thoughts. Works can include decisions, a job, plans, actions, things you have made, problems, and so forth. When God establishes your thoughts, “…the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” Phil 4:7 (KJV). God says He will establish your thoughts and He always does what He says. However, this promise requires that we do something first, and that is to commit by faith with an expectation that God will follow through. —Linda Story The HOPE Center — 663-2779
Worship Ministry
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The Easter season is quickly approaching! If you’ve been absent in choir this semester, you have been greatly missed! We are looking for new voices as well to use their gift for God’s glory. We rehearse every Wednesday night from 6:30-7:45 PM in the Choir Room. For more information, feel free to call me at 663-7492 x2013 or 230-8987, or you can reach me through email at pkornegay@fbcpelham.org.
Important Dates to Remember
Thursday, March 29 Charles Billingsley Concert 7:00 PM Thursday, April 5 Maundy Thursday Service 7:00 PM Sunday, April 8 Easter Sunday 8:00, 9:15 & 10:45 AM Sunday, April 29 Praisemakerz Musical 9:15 & 10:45 AM I would also like to extend an invitation to our church family. Our son, Patrick, or as the Army refers to him, PFC Kornegay is marrying Erin Manus on Saturday, March 17, 2012. We would love to have you take part in their special day! You can find information inside this edition of the newsletter. I love you all, Paula
The church is a group of unholy people who have been declared to be holy in Christ and who represent their holy God in the world. That is the church’s defining purpose, its reason for existence. If the church loses sight of its “called out” place in the world, it will begin to be more like the world than like God. The church’s greatest challenge is to remember her identity: called to be holy. As you make your way through the world, stay aware of your place in the church as one called out of the world to be holy in Christ. We don’t go to church; we are the church. (Ernest Southcott) —taken from Today’s Turning Point with David Jeremiah, September 1, 2010
Student/Activities Ministry Welcome Betty Abbott. Betty is our new Ministry Assistant for Student and Recreation. I am excited to have Betty as a part of our ministry team. Stop by and say hello and get to know her. Please be in prayer for our Student Ministry Spring Break Mission Trips • Our middle school will be going to International Village in Doraville (Atlanta), Georgia and working with our North American Mission Board (NAMB). They will be leaving on Sunday, March 18 and returning Friday, March 23. Please pray for them as they minister to internationals from all over the world. • Our high school team will go to Tokyo, Japan. We will leave on Friday, March 16 and return Sunday, March 25. We will be working with International Mission Board (IMB) missionaries to create contacts to build relationships so they can share the gospel. A Japanese missionary will only get about two follow-up contacts out of 100 opportunities.
Refuge will not meet on Wednesday, March 21. Creative Ministries and Student Discipleship Training will not meet on Sunday, March 18 or 25.
ATTENTION, PARENTS! If you have a college or high school graduate in your home and would like for us to recognize him/her on Sunday, May 20, please call the Student Ministry Office and ask for Betty.
Senior Adult Ministry
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Dear Senior Adults, Remember the activities already planned! First on the agenda is our March meeting. It will be a covered dish luncheon. The date has been changed due to the primary elections. Our Annex is a new voting place on Tuesday, March 13, so we have moved our luncheon to Thursday, March 15 in the Annex. We begin at 11:00 A.M.. Bring your favorite dish. Second, our Senior Adult Mission Trip to New Orleans is March 18-23. We will leave on Sunday afternoon, March 18. Please get something to eat before departing; then we will stop for dinner on the way. While there, we will also be privileged to attend the first Senior Adult Conclave on the campus of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary on Friday. It will be over about lunch time and we’ll get on the road. We will return home on Friday evening. At this time, all our rooms are taken. Unless someone cancels, we can’t take anyone else. Thank you! One of our projects will be finishing the kitchen at the “Women at the Well” Center. There will be something for each senior adult to do when we arrive. We have some sheetrock hanging and finishing. We also have some painting and light repair work. I will be giving you a list of what to bring before our March 15th meeting. Begin praying for this mission opportunity; it will be a blessing. If you are not able to make the trip, you can have a vital part in what others do if you pray. On now to the work before us and remember, I love you dearly! For His Glory, Bro. Paul
Children’s Ministry It’s the end of one era and the beginning of a new one.
After five years of faithful service, Jason and Natalie Dill are transitioning away from serving as our preschool Sunday school directors. Please tell them thank you for their leadership. Michael and Jill Davis have been training with the Dills and will be serving as our new directors. Please welcome Michael and Jill to their new position of service!
VBS 2012 volunteer sign up is underway
Please prayerfully consider serving the children of our community via VBS. VBS is one of our largest local outreach projects of the year and we need your help! If you already know God has called you to service, please go ahead and fill out a volunteer form. We need volunteer forms for everyone. Again, please consider this awesome ministry opportunity.
Items need for VBS crafts
We are collecting paper towel tubes and new & used CDs or DVDs for crafts this year. Used ones with scratches will work just fine. New ones are available at local stores. Thank you for all you do to make VBS a success. If you have any questions about crafts, please contact our craft coordinator, Bonnie Elder.
Remember! Children’s Disciple Now March 2 and 3. We have a very special concert by the Jesus Geek!
Praisemakerz Choir
(for grades 1-5) Praisemakerz choir is currently preparing for an awesome musical entitled “It’s All About Jesus”. Please be sure to allow your children to participate in this wonderful worship and ministry opportunity. The musical will be presented to the church on Sunday morning, April 29.
Summer dates!
We know some of you are needing to make your summer vacation and travel plans. Here are our big dates for summer, 2012. VBS: June 4-8 Kids Kamp: July 18-21 Jr. Kids Kamp: July 17-19 WAW (What About Wednesdays): begins May 23
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In Touch With the Church Family
New dates for the next First Baptist Pictorial Directory
In just a few weeks you will be able to sign up online (February 26th) to have your photo made for a new church directory. Or you may sign up at church beginning March 4th.
Photo dates are April 10, 11, 12, 13 (two photographers) and April 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 (one photographer). We want every member to participate in this directory. Hostesses Needed Many volunteers will be needed as hostesses during those days. To volunteer, contact DeeDee Strickland (6213756), Gerri Basic (621-5735) or Betty Abbott at the church office (664-0237).
Congratulations …to Linda and John Mccombs on the birth of their grandson, Mason Hunter Starr, weighing 9 pounds 7 ounces. His parents are Mike and Michelle Starr. …to Terrie and Barry Blount on the birth of their grandson, JesseKnox Blount, weighing 8 pounds 2 ounces. His parents are AJ and Christina Blount.
Thank you dear church family for the love that you showed during my mother’s (Bobbie Franklin) recent illness and death. I am overwhelmed. You ministered through visits, prayer, emails, phone calls, gifts, flowers and food. You are such a blessing. I pray that God blesses you as you have reached out to us during this time of sadness. Lloyd and Linda Story
Together with their parents
Erin Danielle Manus 20112 Church Family Giving (through 2-20-12)
General Fund given to date $ 327,752.81 Year to Date Expenses $ 290,007.60 Debt Retirement given in 2012 $ 7,352.84 Loan Balance as of 2/15/12 $ 8,530,503.34
and
PFC George Patrick Kornegay request the honor of your presence at the celebration of their marriage Saturday, the seventeenth of March Two thousand twelve at three thirty in the afternoon 265 County Road 836 Clanton, AL 35046 Reception to follow
Betty McCormick in the death of her brother, Douglas Gaye. Danny Myrick and family in the death of his mother, Nell Banks. Erin Coram and family in the death of her grandfather. Henry Johnson and friends of Eva Johnson in her death of February 15. Audrey Kline, Frank Glaze and Mark Bedsole in the death of their sister/ mother, Evelyn Bedsole, on February 20.
In the case of inclement weather, the wedding will be held at First Baptist Church Clanton 210 6th Street North
Some voting locations have been changed in our area. Please check your polling place before going to vote on March 13th.
Our Newest Members At Left: Nathan Riley by letter At Right: Lauren Dodd, for baptism Patrick Dodd, by letter
March Schedule Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
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Thursday
1
Friday 2
Deuteronomy 5-7 5 9 AM Job Concerns Ministry
Sign Up Online or at Church for FBCP Pictorial Directory 1 PM “Crafty Chicks” 2012 Celebrate Recovery Begins (details forthcoming)
6 9:30 AM Ladies Bible Study
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9:30 AM MOPS (Quad Room)
8
3
ow D-N s 1-5 at -S de Gra ening v e Fri
7 PM Prison Ministry Training (Annex)
9 AM-1 PM 4 LifeSouth Blood Drive
Saturday
Deuteronomy 8-10 Deuteronomy 11-13 9
10
ns aco at e D tre -Sat Re ning eve Fri
6:30 Scout Troop Meeting
Deuteronomy 14-16 Deuteronomy 17-20 Deuteronomy 21-23 Deuteronomy 24-27 Deuteronomy 28-29 Deuteronomy 30-31 Deuteronomy 32-34 11
12 9 AM Job Concerns Ministry
Sign Up Online or 10 AM at Church for FBCP Women on Mission Pictorial Directory 2012 1 PM “Crafty Chicks” 7 PM Deacons Meeting Joshua 1-4 18 Sign Up for Pictorial Directory
Joshua 5-8 19 9 AM Job Concerns
13 9:30 AM 14 Ladies Bible Study Voting All Day in the Annex 6:30 Scout Troop Meeting Joshua 9-11
15
16
6 PM Quarterly Business Meeting (Annex) Joshua 12-15
20 9:30 AM 21 Ladies Bible Study
11 AM Senior Adult Covered Dish Luncheon
Japan Mission Trip Leaves
Joshua 16-18
Joshua 19-21
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17 Wedding: Erin Manus Patrick Kornegay (Clanton)
6 PM-Midnight Proverbs 31 (Quad Room)
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Joshua 22-24 24
1 PM “Crafty Chicks”
Senior High Mission Trip to Japan Friday, March 16-Sunday, March 25 Senior Adult Mission Trip to New Orleans Sunday afternoon, March 18 through Friday, March 23 Middle School Mission Trip to International Village in Atlanta Sun afternoon, Mar 18-Friday, Mar 23 No Evening Student Activities Judges 1-4 25 Sign Up for Pictorial Directory
Judges 3-5 26 9 AM Job Concerns Ministry
27 9:30 AM Ladies Bible Study
No Evening Activities Judges 8-9 28
6:30 Scouts Court of Honor Ceremony I Samuel 1-3
I Samuel 4-8
SUNDAY SCHEDULE 7 AM Prayer Team 8, 9:15, 10:45 AM Sunday School & Morning Worship 4 PM Praisemakerz Kids Choir (for Elementary) 5 PM Bible Drills (for Elementary) Faith Weavers (FW Friends for Preschool) Student and Adult Discipleship Training Handbell Choir Rehearsal 6 PM Creative Ministries Adult Discipleship Training
Judges 10-12 29
Judges 13-15 30
Judges 16-18 31
7 PM Charles Billingsley in Concert (Sanctuary)
1 PM “Crafty Chick”
No Evening Activities Judges 19-21
6:30 Scout Troop Meeting Judges 6-7
I Samuel 9-12
I Samuel 13-14
Scouts Blue/Gold Banquet (Annex) I Samuel 15-17
I Samuel 18-20
WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE 5 PM Wednesday Night Church Family Meals 6 PM Prayer Meeting (Annex) 6:30 Musicmakerz Choir (for Preschool) The C.R.E.W. (for Elementary) Refuge (Students) Celebration Choir Rehearsal Adult Discipleship Training
March Ministry Staff Weekend Hospital Rotation
March 3-4 - Paula Kornegay - 230-8987 March 17-18 - Paul Moore - Home 663-0155, Cell 913-5129 March 10-11 - Jonathan Williams - Home 663-4325, Cell 223-4277 March 24-25 - Mike Shaw - Home 663-1788, Cell 283-4749 March 31-April 1 - Donnie Sisk - Home 620-1157, Cell 567-7475
U.S. POSTAGE PAID Non-Profit Org. PERMIT NO. 7 Pelham, AL 35124
2867 Pelham Parkway Pelham, Alabama 35124-1728
Address Correction Requested
Dated Material
Monthly publications are subject to change. Please check www.fbcpelham.org for the latest information.
Wednesday Night Meals Church Family Meal at 5 p.m. Prayer at 6 p.m. Please check the First Baptist Church of Pelham web site and/or your Sunday bulletin for current menus. Prices: Adults - - - - - - - - - - - - $ 5.00 Children (12 and under) - $ 3.50 Family maximum (one household) $18.00 Reservations: Before noon on Monday (no exceptions, please) Standing reservations payable in advance monthly Serving time: 5:00-5:45 PM This is a volunteer, self-supporting ministry (non-profit) from our church cook team. (Complimentary dinner for 1st time visitors by reservation.)
What is faith?
Sight is not faith, and hearing is not faith, neither is feeling faith; but believing when we neither see, hear nor feel is faith; and everywhere the Bible tells us our salvation is to be by faith. Therefore we must believe before we feel, and often against our feelings, if we would honor God by our faith.” —Hannah Whitall Smith
CHURCH STAFF
Dr. Mike Shaw, Pastor Dr. Paul Moore, Assoc. Pastor: Ministry/Senior Adults Rev. Donnie Sisk, Pastor to Students/Activities Rev. Jonathan Williams, Preschool/Children’s Director Paula Kornegay, Worship Leader Linda Kennemore, Administrator
GENERAL INFORMATION
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00-5:00 Church Office Phone: 664-0237 Children’s Offices: 216-0028 Fax: 621-2351 HOPE Center: 663-2779 School of Fine Arts: 664-2466 Sunday School Annex: 664-0237, ext. 5020 (All phones are area code 205) Web Site - www.fbcpelham.org Pelham Vision is published one time per month. Items for publication are accepted on a space-available basis and are subject to Post Office regulations for our class of mail. Please submit in writing or email pat@fbcpelham.org. No phone submissions, please. Pelham Vision exists to inform and to show the Good News in action. Check out all our activities and read us online at www. fbcpelham.org. Editor: Pat MacKay