8/14/2019 Rev Karol Eubanks Vellines
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Among Friends
By the time you receive this edition of The Outlook Election Day
will have come and gone. Buttoday, as I write this column, a new
U.S. Presidenthas not yet been elected so I continue to pray for
bothcandidates and for our country. I confess that Ivebeen fairly
exhausted by this seemingly endless campaign season.One of the
wonderful things about being the Church together is thatat the end
of the day we put all of our chips on God (and these chipsare
neither red nor blue!).
We are in an election season of our own at FBC Decatur,though
considerably quieter than the national hoopla. For the pasteight
weeks we have been in the process of calling out new
deaconleadership for our church. Some of you who are new to
FirstDecatur might be interested in knowing how our deacons
aretapped for service. This years process was the same as in
yearspast:
1. The congregation nominates men and women for a 3-year term of
service.
2. The Deacon Nominating Team meets to pray and to consider
together which of the nominees to ask to move forward inthe
process. (This year 10 deacons are rotating off and therewere 41
people nominated. Part of the DNTs task is to
present to the congregation a slate of deacon candidates as
broadly representative of the FBC body as possible.)
3. The Deacon Nominating Team members contact thenominees.
4. The Congregation votes by ballot on the slate of candidates
presented by the DNT.
This year (and last year) we added a step in the process.
Eachdeacon candidate was asked to participate in a
candidateconversation with members of the nominating team. The
purpose
of these 30-minute gatherings was to give each candidate the
chanceto share his or her faith story and to talk candidly about
the natureand responsibilities of deacon service at FBC. I thought
it wouldinspire you to read the questions that each candidate was
givenahead of time for prayer and consideration:
Please talk about your faith journey and about your relationship
now with Christ. What do you perceive to be your areas of
giftedness? Part of deacon ministry involves serving people and
coming alongside them in their need. Are you willing to be a
servant in your areas of giftedness? Part of deacon ministry
involves leading people; helping tomobilize the congregation to
fulfill its mission. Are youwilling to be a leader in your areas of
giftedness? An important aspect of deacon ministry involves
engaging the whole congregation in ministry; helping others
todiscover and use their gifts. Are you prepared to be involved at
a significant level in this endeavor during your three-year term of
service? One area in which the deacons serve as leaders and
encouragers in the congregation is in the area of
stewardship. Are you willing to commit to lead in theChristian
discipline of stewardship by giving sacrificially of
your financial resources?
In addition to ministry involvement, you will be asked to
participate in monthly deacons gatherings and occasionaleadership
training events during the next three years. Because oneimportant
ministry that First Decaturs deacons undertake is that of
group discernment, it is extremely important that deacons be
present at all meetings. Are you able at this moment in your life
tomake the time and energy commitments that deacon ministry
willrequire?
Will you take the time to read the biographical sketches of
eachof the deacon candidates and to pray for these brothers and
sistand for all of our deacons? And be sure to participate in
thcongregational vote this Sunday.
The stakes have indeed been high in this national election. But
at theend of the day the Church is still Gods best hope for the
wor
Never doubt it, friends.
Blessings,
November: Trusting God with "Wild Abandon"Last Sunday we began a
month-long season of declaring together with Wild Abandon our
commitment and gratitude to God,specifically with our financial
resources. If you have not yet takenthe opportunity to offer your
commitment card for the mission andministries of FBC in 2009, you
may do it at any time during themonth of November.
November 23 rd is Gratitude Sunday . On that day we are
askievery family or individual to bring a gratitude gift to Goda
giftover and above your regular tithe or offering. These gifts
together will help us to catch up with our 2008 giving goal and
enable usto end this year strong and ready for all that God has in
store for 2009.
8/14/2019 Rev Karol Eubanks Vellines
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Congregational Life
ongregation to Vote on Deacon Candidates This SundayAt First
Baptist Church deacons give spiritual leadership in a variety of
ways. This Sunday,
November 9, the First Baptist family will vote by ballot on ten
deacon candidates. The Deaconominating Committee (Shannon Carter,
Molly Fowlie, Betty Gresham, John Johnson, Bill Neal &om Seim
[John Hamrick & Julie Pennington-Russell, ex officio])
recommends the following mennd woman to serve as deacons: Dottie
Aiken, Merlene Benson (1-year term), Mark Carter, Fredavalli, Zeno
Douglas, Karen Hill, Priscilla Meek, Roger Ozaki, Molly Turner and
Bob Woodson.
Pictures and biographical information about these candidates are
appearing in the emailersion of this Outlook . If you receive print
version at home you may view the candidates picturesnd bios in the
poster frames on the first and second floors of the Sanctuary
building.
Women on MissionNovember 11he next meeting of Women on Mission
will be November 11 in the 3rd Floor Conference Room.eadership
meeting at 10, Group Meetings at 10:30 and a program at 11. Rev.
Karol Eubanksellines, Executive Director of the Andrew P. Stewart
Center, will be our guest speaker. All areelcome to join us!
Two Guest Preachers on November 16 FBC Members David Gushee and
Peter Rhea Jones will preach onSunday, November 16, while Pastor
Julie is away. David will bring themessage in the Fresh Start
service at 9:00 in Carreker Hall and Peter Rhea,at the 11:00
service in the sanctuary. Pray for Peter Rhea and David asthey
prepare to lead us.
abyrinth Prayer Walk November 20 and 21ome people find that
walking while they pray helps to focus their praying. For
centuries, Christians
have walked a circuitous path called a labyrinth while seeking
to center themselves in the presence of God. During the Wednesday
night study period on November 19 well learn about this type of
prayer. Then all day the
following Thursday and Friday, we will have an opportunity to
walk alabyrinth in Carreker Hall . We will be borrowing the
portable labyrinth that
belongs to Piedmont Hospital, thanks to Larry Connelly. Plan to
attend thestudy session and to take time out between 7 a.m. and 7
p.m. on Thursday or
Friday to try this form of prayer for yourself.
o Wednesday Night Activities Nov. 26New Community, our Wednesday
night meal and ministries, will not take place on November 26,
theight before Thanksgiving. We'll be back in full swing the
following week, December 3rd, withinner from 5:15 to 6:30, followed
by all of our ongoing Wednesday night ministries for all
agesncluding a December Global Missions Emphasis for adults at 6:30
in Carreker Hall.
GoBeDo! Missions CornerVisitors from Thailand November 16On
November 16, Rick Burnette and two of the workers with theUpland
Holistic Development Project, Tui and Jamlong, will
ring a brief report during Fresh Start worship in Carreker
Hallnd in the Verdery Class. Between now and then, lets completeur
gifts to the scholarship fund for continuing education for
UDHP staff. We have given $2,000 but we need $7,000 more.ust
mark your check or envelope for Thailand Scholarships.
Tithes & Offerings
A Generous People2008 Ministry Action Plan
Weekly Need: .....................$ 27,36Received on Oct.
26............$ 19,87Received on Nov. 5 ............$ 34,29Y-T-D
Need:..................$ 1,203,89Y-T-D Received: ...........$
1,016,100Surplus/(shortfall):.... ........ (187,797
Years of Opportunity 2007-09CampaignGiven to
Date:...................$ 335,45Bank Loan Balance:..........$
246,99Owed to FBC Fdn.:...........$ 180,00
Missions Offering YTD ....$ 17,560
Prayer Concerns as of November 4, 2008
Sympathy To:The family of Clem Sansone.The family of George
Stark,
brother-in-law of Molly Fowlie andformer minister of music.The
family of Dr. Bruce Ott,son-in-law of Ruth Connell.
Wednesday Dinner Menus
November 12 Pick one of the following menus:Traditional
MenuMexican Bar, Taco/Taco SaladFixings, Black and Refried
beans,Rice, Nachos, CookiesLighter Side MenuTomato Soup, Baked
Potato/SaladBar, Chicken Salad, Cheese Pizza,
Cookies
November 19 Pick one of the following menus:Traditional
MenuFried Chicken Tenders, PotatoSalad, Green Beans, Salad
Bar,Biscuits, Strawberry CakeLighter Side MenuVegetable Soup, Baked
Potato/SaladBar, Pepperoni Pizza, Mixed BerryYogurt
Spirituality for Real Life - Led by Sharyn Dowd November 12 In
all things give thanks. (Who is God kidding?) November 19 Walking
with God (through a prayer labyrinth).
Global Missions EmphasisDecember 3, 10 and 17
