Vol. XXXV No. 37 September 30, 2009

Joy. It’s an attitude that should pervade the church. The ingre-dients of joy are not found in earthly pursuits; they are only found through Christ. On our own, we are grave sinners, for-ever detached from God. So God initiated a relationship with us and sent Jesus Christ to be our perfect Mediator. Jesus wrapped Himself in flesh and became sin so that we might become righteous before God.

As Christ-followers, our joy is pure and true because it has Jesus as the source. Jesus removed the great spiritual buzzkill of sin and instilled in us a consuming delight for the Creator and His creation. Our joy should set the culture ablaze. When our church congregates, there should be no mistaking what we’re celebrating.

In other words, worship and party like you dig Jesus!

The apostle Paul writes in Philippians 1 that we are partners. We are not spiritual islands. We have each other. And we are more than just friends at First Baptist Church. More than a gathering. More than a family. We are partners in sharing the greatest joy of all.

Our mission is to invite the world to join us at God’s party. The celebration is all about Him. Creator. Almighty. Abba. Joy-Giver. Let the joy of the Lord overtake you. Come undone for God.

We should throw the biggest parties because we’ve got the one thing that’s most worth celebrating! May we be a people that demonstrate the joy of Christ through our worship. We stand out by celebrating. By keeping the focus on the Savior, our joyful, infectious passion multiplies.

This week I begin my first sermon series as your pastor. We’ll be covering the book of Philippians. It’s a book full of joy. But this joy is not found in pleasure. Rather, it is found in sacrifice. In this series, we’ll go on a verse-by-verse journey through the entire book. The title of the series is “Life Worth Dying For.” The theme is based on the verse "For me, living is Christ and dying is gain" (Philippians 1:21). The point of the series is to reveal how Christians find joyous living in their willingness to mirror Christ - dying to self and gaining His life.

I’m looking forward to seeing each of you this Sunday. Invite your friends and neighbors to join us this week in celebrating Jesus!

Sam

From Sam Rainer Welcome

Sam and Erin Rainer

& High Attendance Day

Sunday, October 4

Invite someone to join us for a

new beginning at FBC to welcome

our new pastor.

2009 World Mission Offering Goal $80,000

Received to Date $35,750

For You(th)

Boyd Smith

Music Notes

FBC Library

Kids First

Mrs. Amber

Children In Action for will meet this Sunday, October 4 immediately fol-lowing the children’s sermon in the early worship service.

Hey Kids! I am so proud of you all! I've never seen that many pennies in my life!! I will be busy this week counting them. Be sure to come back to Awana next week to see if we reached our goal of "One MILE of Pennies." I am also proud of you all for singing in church Sunday! That was so cool! I loved the lights you were shining for Jesus! One last thing...this Sunday is High Attendance Sunday! That means that you should all invite someone you know to church with you. I can't wait to see you all again on Sunday!

Youth News Our monthly Breakfast Club will be Friday, October 2 at 7:00 am at McDonalds. The Youth Ministry Team did a great job at the Fall/Winter Planning Re-treat. We have a lot of great activities and ministry opportunities planned for the coming months. Be watching for details in the weekly Light Reading. Boyd

What a glorious day of rejoicing we had together last Sunday. The children did such a wonderful job! We look forward to seeing you Wednesday night at choir practice at 7:30 p. m. in the choir rehearsal room next to the Chapel. We have a lot of wonderful music coming up and we will be starting Christmas music soon! Come fellowship with us and join us in this ministry of bringing glory to God and reaching people through music! Coming up: October 4 “Lord, Here Am I”

Special Music -- The Edminsters

October 11 “Call on Jesus” Special Music -- Amy Brown

October 18 “How Beautiful” Special Music -- Eleanor Spry

October 25 “Calvary Is the Sea”

Special Music -- Tapestry

Feeding Your Mind

With Good Books

There's no question that the game of life is the most important game we'll ever play. Joe Gibbs, one of the most successful sports figures of all times has built a minis-try called Game Plan for Life which fo-

cuses on teaching others how to live successful God-centered lives. You can read his "playbook" by drop-ping by the FBC Library and checking out Game Plan for Life, Your Personal Playbook for Success. Join Joe and his team of experts as they walk you through the greatest playbook for modern-day success ever written--the Bible.

The book, A Modern Girl’s Guide to Bible Study; A Refreshing Unique Look at God’s Word by Jen Hat-maker, has been given in memory of Allen Cunning-ham, Debbie Siress’s brother, by the Tender Hearts Sunday School Class.

The book, Jesus: Why the World is Still Fascinated by Him by Tim LaHaye, has been given in honor and memory of Conely Lamkin and Joe Foster, by their grandson, Adam Lamkin.

Kids First will be hosting the SHINE Family Festival on Sunday, October 25 in the FBC parking lot. There will be tons of activities and games for kids of ALL ages and food for everyone! Kids First is committing to

invite 100 families that are not currently connected to a church home. Join us as we reach out to people in our community that don't have the support and fellow-ship of a church family. Watch the Manna for more details in the coming weeks.

You are invited to the Life House Care Center’s 26th annual fund raising banquet on Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in the Curris Center Ballroom at Murray State University. Please con-tact Joyce Underhill (227-9965) or Life House (753-0700) by Oc-tober 14 to make your reservation (adults only, please).

Our Record

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Gifts Provided on 09/27/09 $12,782.75(Weekly Need $19,404) Designated Compassion $9.44 World Mission Offering $8,316.41 Total Receipts $21,108.60 Total Budget Receipts $716,846.21 (total needs to date $756,756)

World Mission Offering Goal $80,000.00 Receipts to date $35,749.71

Sunday, September 27 10:55 a.m. Worship 445 Sunday School 436

6:00 p. m. 82

The NET 50 AWANA 68 Youth Worship 12

Wednesday, September 23 Prayer Meeting 46 Prime Time 28 Children’s Choirs 40

Land Acquisitions, Construction and Improvements

Gifts Provided 09/27/2009 $516.16 Balance to date $3,990.24

Our Known Hospitalized

(as of 9/29)

James Ray Hamilton - MCCH #959 Ruth Trimble - MCCH #434 Roberta Ward - MCCH #417

Attendance

Decisions for the Lord Sam and Erin Rainer

joined Sunday, September 27 by letter.

Sam’s first sermon series will be through the book of Philippians. The title and theme of the series is “A Life to Die For.” The theme is based on the verse "For me, living is Christ and dying is gain" (Philippians 1:21). The point of the series is to reveal how Christians find joyous living in their willingness to mirror Christ - dying to self and gaining His life.

Among the items addressed at our business meeting of September 27, 2009 were: Doug Lawson, Chairman of the BFS Committee, presented the July and August 2009 financial reports. Tim Miller reported that the Lovett property purchase has been finalized. The Personnel Committee accepted Sharon Siebold’s resignation and recommended Amber Sugg as the part-time Director of Pre-school/Children. The Personnel Committee moved that Sam Rainer be officially appointed the Administrator, Corporation President and Chairman of the Church Council. Tim Miller will continue to act as Modera-tor until December 31, 2009. Darrel McFerron reported on an opportunity for FBC to reach out and help those in need due to any natural disasters. A motion was made to elect an ad-hoc committee to investigate and oversee this need.

At the business meeting on September 27, 2009, Amber Sugg was appointed as the part-time Director of Preschool and Chil-dren. Amber and Sharon Siebold had been serving as the interim directors of this vital ministry. Please congratulate and support Amber in her new role and thank Sharon for her outstanding work. and dedication to the children during this transitional period.

Kids First would like for you ALL to join us as we present the S.H.I.N.E. Family Fall Festival on Sunday, October 25. Our de-sire for this event is to reach families that are not connected to a church and to provide an opportunity for our church to fellowship together. We would like for your group or Sunday School class to help us by sponsoring an area at the Festival. There are several opportunities that require different levels of commitment. We hope you all can find one that is just right for your group. More information will be available in your Sunday School folders. You can also pick up more info in the church office.

Sympathy of the church family is extended to Tim Thurmond on the death

of his step father and

the family of Nell Cochran.

Phone: 270-753-1854

Fax: 270-753-3967

Email: fbcm

urray@fbcm

urray.org

Web site: www.fbcm

urray.org

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:

First Baptist Church

203 S. 4th Street

Murray, Kentucky 42071

THE M

ANNA (USPS#941-560) is weekly publication of First Baptist

Church, 203 South 4th Street, M

urray, Kentucky, 42071. Periodical

postage paid at Murray, Kentucky, 42071. Subscription rate $4 per year.

Mark your calendar

Serving Sunday, October 4 October 4 Van Driver - Dave Kraemer 759-1850

8:30 a.m. Worship: Ken Asher, Deacon of the Week (753-4522)

10:55 a.m. Worship: Steve Alcott, Deacon of the Week (753-7917) Max Spencer, Sam Spiceland, George Stockton, Charles Tutt, Randall Underhill

8:30 a.m. Extended Session: Maureen Hyatt, Amanda Ashlock, Beverly/Catherine Noland

10:55 a.m. Extended Session: Maureen Hyatt, Betty Lyons, Tina Myers Hall Monitor - 8:30 a.m. - Catherine Lanier; 10:55 a. m. - Staci Todd

Rev. Sam R

ainer, Pastor

Boyd Smith, Associate Pastor of Students

Amber Sugg, Part T

ime D

irector of Preschool & C

hildren

Debbie Settle, Pastor’s Secretary

Janice H

edges, Financial Secretary

Diane Jonas, Printing Secretary

Vicki Alexander, Librarian

Bill Siress, Counselor

Sunday 10/4 Worship 8:30 am Children in Action 9:00 am Mission Friends 9:00 am Sunday School 9:45 am Worship 10:55 am Mother/Daughter Tea 1:00 pm Acteens 4:00 pm AWANA 5:00 pm Evening Worship 6:00 pm Deacons’ Meeting 7:00 pm The NET 8:00 pm

Monday 10/5

Bea Walker Group 10:00 am Youth Monday Night Football 6:00 pm & Bible Study Betty Sledd Group 7:00 pm

Tuesday 10/6

Mother’s Day Out 9:00 am Ladies Bible Study 7:00 pm Esther: It’s Tough Being a Woman

Wednesday 10/7 Friendship International 9:00 am Ladies’ Bible Study 9:00 am A Study of David Mother’s Day Out 9:00 am Worship Team Rehearsal 5:30 pm Prayer Meeting 6:30 pm Prime Time 6:30 pm Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal 7:30 pm

Thursday 10/8 Community Prayer Time Noon Home Ministry Visitation 2:00 pm Chemical Dependency Group 7:00 pm

Friday 10/9

Ladies Bible Study 10:00 am Esther: It’s Tough Being a Woman

66 in 52 What are the main themes of the Bible? How do all the stories in the Bible connect? Join us on Sunday evenings as we answer these ques-tions. We’ll walk through all 66 books of the Bible in one year. We’ll hit the high points of each book, as well as discuss some often over-looked, yet fascinating verses.

Address service requested

Thank you notes have been received from Rick and Adam Lamkin and Cathy Elias.

October order forms are now available

in the Welcome Center and on our church website at www.fbcmurray.org. Monday, October 12 is the deadline to turn in orders for October. Online order ing is now available at www.angelfoodministries.com.

Needline Item for is toilet tissue. Collection boxes are located in the Welcome Center.

The Children of May Boaz Simmons invite you to

celebrate with them "Miss Boazie's"

90th birthday on Sunday, October 4, 2009

2:00 - 4:00 pm ~

FBC Welcome Center

They are deeply grateful for the love

and care shown her through the years

by her FBC family!