THE CELEBRATIONS

  Vol. 56, No. 58                                    July 9, 2008

Vision Statement

We are building on our heritage and approaching the future with a vision relevant to our changing world while creating an atmosphere where Christ can bring healing, hope, and joy to all.

Thank you for the youth and Adults who were part of the Middle School Mission Tour. They rolled up their sleeves, got a little dirty, and made a big difference. I had the opportunity to work with them as they worked to trim bushes, wash windows, clean gutters and paint. I was also grateful for their willingness to come to the Huffsmith home and help to jumpstart a few of the projects that Joanne and I needed to work on.

This week the High Schools and YAUT (Young Adults Under Twenty-something) groups are traveling to Indian Creek Baptist Camp to “Rock the Camp”. This is not for a personal retreat, although we hope all those going have a special encounter with God, but a time to do some work at the camp so it can have a greater impact on the campers, counselors and staff in the name of Jesus Christ.

I am so glad to be part of a church that recognizes that Christianity is not a self-serve but other-serve organization. Beginning with children there are the S.P.R.O.U.T.S. (Serving, Praying, and Reaching Others Uniquely Through Service) and continuing through adults, First Baptist Church is a place to find Salvation in Jesus Christ and a place to find service in the name of that same savior.

The mission of First Baptist Church is to help people find new life in Jesus Christ; another part of our mission is to live the principles of God’s Kingdom making an impact in the world around us. Christianity at it’s best is not an either/or proposition, but a both/and, and while we need to continue to strive for excellence in both areas, we have a nice balance that make life and ministry exciting here at First Baptist Church of Evansville.

We are God’s mission on Fourth and Cherry streets in Evansville, and I am so glad to be in ministry with each and every one of you.

                              Grace and Peace,

                               Pastor George

FAMILY LIFE CENTER . . . Due to your generosity, to-date we have collected $2,160toward the $7,000 debt for the A/C unit. Your help is still needed, please feel free to write a check and place it in the offering plate or mail it, annotating “FLC A/C Unit”.

FOOD PANTRY TABLE . . . Support FBC by providing non-perishable food items each time you come to the church for a donation to Patchwork Central to help those in need.

 KOFFEE KLATCH

                        July 20^th Challengers &

                      Come Double

NEW CHURCH DIRECTORY COMING THIS FALL . . . Mark your calendars now to attend one of the photo sessions for our new FBC Directory!   Sessions will be held Sept. 18, 19, 20, 2008.  More details to come.  Any questions, see Sarah Bloss.

VIRTUAL CEMETERY . . . I’m working on a "Virtual Cemetery" for First Baptist Church.  There will be a link to it on the church's website.  It will include a short biography and pictures of the person if available and since it is a cemetery, it wouldn't be complete without a picture of the person's headstone or memorial plaque.

It’s a work in progress, so I need your help.  If you have a loved one that you would like to have included in our website, please forward me their biographical information along with pictures or anything else you would like to have included.  The host website is called www.findagrave.com.  Postings are subject to their rules and regulations.  I have been following this website since the early 1990's and am very impressed with the dignity and care the people who started it have shown over the years.

This is definitely a labor of love.  I hope you join me in memorializing our loved ones in this way.  Please forward any information and/or pictures that you wish to have included to hbloss58@aol.com.  I prefer to have it sent electronically, but if you are not able to do that, just see me at church.  Any pictures that you give to me will be returned.                                 Hal Bloss

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL NEWS! - - Power Lab will be July 21-23 from 9:00-Noon.  There will be classes for all ages from 2 to those entering sixth grade.  It's time to register the children.  You can do that on Sunday morning at the table in the hallway, online at the VBS website, or by calling the church office.  Please register your children, grandchildren and friends!

We still need workers!  We need teachers and assistants for 4th & 6th grades, and we need bus drivers and bus aides.  You can also help by donating snacks and offering prayer support.  Pick up your prayer tent reminder for your desk or table.

Please come and help us invite neighborhood children to VBS.  We will leave the church in teams at 6:00pm on July 14th and be back before dark.  If you have never joined us in this endeavor, you are missing a great blessing.  You'll get your exercise and serve the Lord all at the same time!

If you have signed up to help in VBS and were unable to attend the meeting, please see Denise Farmer to receive your materials.

Here's why I love Angel Food Ministries and I hope you will too.

1.  Basically everyone qualifies!  There are no applications or forms.  You just need to want to save money!
2.  It helps me (and hopefully you) save money predictably every month.
3.  The food is excellent in quality.  Restaurant quality only.  No "seconds".
4.  There are no monthly fees and no membership fees-it's completely voluntary.  Like what you see this month?  Order it!  Don't like it...well there's always next month's menu.
5.  No extra taxes...they're included in the listed prices.
6.  No delivery costs.  They're included in the basic cost each month.
7.  Angel Food Ministries is spreading quickly all over the continental U.S.
8.  Unlike "shopping" you never touch the food till you take it in your home.  Local Angel Food Ministries volunteers pack your products in an "assembly line" fashion to get your order ready literally in minutes.  Your only wait is if there happens to be a line ahead of you when you arrive.  I normally take the food to my car myself, but at our local site the volunteers normally take it directly to your car!  This is very handy for the elderly or just folks who need some help lugging stuff around.
9.  The Friendly People at the Host Site!  These folks are volunteers serving their community once per month out of the goodness of their heart.  They do a great job.
10.  Another thing I like about Angel Food Ministries is that it lets people help themselves.  Instead of a handout, it's a way for people to begin the process of bargain hunting, budgeting, and planning.  It's a hand up!
11.  It just makes me happy to tell folks about how to save money!  (It's the way network marketing should be, but there's not a company with price values this good and, no, it's not a network marketing company!)

We need "You" as a First Baptist Church Angel Food Ministries Volunteer on Saturday July 19th at 8:00 a.m.  If you are able to help, please call Joanne Huffsmith (303-4146) or e-mail (jhuffsmith@gmail.com).

ROCK THE CAMP” MISSION TOUR

“Rock the Camp” has been a wonderful experience with 18 people showing up on the 7^th and working thru the 11^th.  We’ve cleaned, weeded, painted, water treated, constructed benches at Indian Creek Camp that serves over 500 youth each year.

A big “THANK YOU” to all who prepared food, supported us financially and also supported us with prayer. I’m sure there will be lots of stories to share upon our return.

FREE MOVIE NIGHT

Our next free movie night will be August 2^nd at 8:30pm with “Walt Disney’s College Road Trip” showing. Free popcorn and cokes. Bring family and friends for a night out at no cost.

END OF SUMMER PARTY

Our  “End of Summer Party” for youth will be August 2^nd with a picnic and laser tag. More details to come.

CALLING ALL YOUNG ADULTS

All young adults out of high school are invited to attend our new Sunday School Class at 9:30am in the class room beside the elevator upstairs.

Church Staff:    Dr. George Huffsmith - Reverend,  H. Posey Gaines - Pastor Emeritus, Julie Lauer - Music Director, Olivia Yates - Organist, Marge Baker - Pianist, Beth Bloss/Sarah Bloss - Nursery Attendants,Tom Kinner - Sexton,  Rhonda Wilson - Financial Secretary, Vada Chrockrem  - Church Secretary, Donna Waller - Saturday Secretary, Nelya Palamarchuk - Custodian