August 29, 2016

Preparing for Worship

Church Leadership
Our ministers and lay leaders are available
to answer any questions you may have to
help you connect with the ministries of
First Baptist Church.

September 4, 2016

September 4
One Service at
10:45 a.m.

Rev. Matt Sturtevant

Senior Pastor, x.202
matt@firstbaptistlawrence.com
Rev. Cheryl Harader
Associate Pastor of Adult Spiritual
Formation, x.204
cheryl@firstbaptistlawrence.com
Tim Bonner
Intern of Adult Spiritual Formation
x.205
tim@firstbaptistlawrence.com
Jenny Purvis
Office Manager, x.203
jenny@firstbaptistlawrence.com

Mark Robinson
Chancel Choir Director
mark@firstbaptistlawrence.com
Christy Miller
8:30 Worship Instrumentalist
christy@firstbaptistlawrence.com
Susan Pauls
Digital Outreach Liaison
susan@firstbaptistlawrence.com
John Pauls
Moderator
jphawk@yahoo.com
Buddy Langford
Custodian

10:45 a.m.
sixteenth Sunday after
Pentecost
Rev. Matthew Sturtevant

(Labor Day Holiday Schedule)

Mid-Week Meal & Fellowship
returns Sept. 7 at 6:00 p.m.

Holly Grassy
Bookkeeper, (785) 917-9622
holly@firstbaptistlawrence.com
Evelyn Falen
Organist
evelyn@firstbaptistlawrence.com

One Worship service at

New this year to our menu line-up will be the pot-luck dessert! As you are able,
please bring a SMALL dessert to share each Wednesday. (Some weeks well be
ahead and let you know when to turn the oven off!)
Adult Spiritual Formation: Pastor Matt will be leading a session every Wednesday
night called Two-way. It will be a sermon talk-back and envisioning session, and
offer an opportunity to share thoughts following the previous sermon, and to add
thoughts and insight prior to the next weeks sermon. Please consider engaging in
this conversation about our faith and the power of the Scriptures to speak to our
lives.
3rd through 8th graders are invited, along with their friends from school and the
community, to participate in the Sacred Music Academy. This remarkable group
of kids will continue to build on their skills in leading worship through vocal and
handbell choirs. Led by Evelyn Falen.
And for older youth, the Wednesday night Bible study will also resume. This is a
group suitable for senior high students and mature middle school students. (For
middle schoolers this is not necessarily an alternative to other Wednesday night
activities or meant to give you too many choices. *This would be a great option
for those who have not already found an activity that meets their needs.) Students will "go deeper" in their study of the Bible and in their own spiritual formation. Sessions will include reading Scripture (last year they read the entire book
of Genesis), prayer, discussion, and journaling. Led by Christy & Bryan Miller.
Wednesday Evening schedule:
6:00Meal (as you are able, bring small dessert to share)
6:30Childrens Sacred Music Academy
6:40Adult Spiritual Formation
6:40Youth Bible Study

On August 20, 2016 the Spiritual Leadership Team (SLT) met to form the committee that would lead our congregation in the graceful engagement of our churchs response to the LGBT issues. In addition to the members of the SLT,
there were at least 20 members of our congregation that participated in the discussion. The purpose of the meeting was
not engage in a debate on the issues, but we did allow people the opportunity to express their opinions on the issues
that we plan to discuss. We also attempted to answer questions as to why we think it is important for our congregation
to engage in this discussion.
Five members of our congregation expressed the desire to be part of the engagement committee. There were several
others at the meeting that expressed a desire to be part of the committee. I will initially lead the committee which will
be made up of approximately 10 individuals who have varied voices within our congregation. The committee will not
include any members of the pastoral staff.
This is a difficult conversation for our congregation to have as our membership is emotionally divided over these issues.
I would encourage everyone to participate in the discussion. Our church has existed for over 160 years, because we
have chosen to be honest and committed to each other, despite the thousand controversies that have threatened to
splinter us such as slavery, the civil war, the great depression, and the civil rights movement. Any of these issues could
have caused us to close our doors. But we said that we are family and we will worship God and serve together as
family. This is my hope as we gracefully engage in this discussion, as well.
In Christ,
John C. Pauls
Moderator

Northeast Area Meeting, September 11

The annual meeting for the Northeast Area
will be held at West Side Baptist Church,
1008 S.W. 4th St., Topeka, Kan., on Sunday
afternoon, Sept. 11, 2016. Registration (no
cost) will start at 2:30 p.m., and the program will begin at 3:00 p.m.
This time of fellowship, business and music
will also be an opportunity to hear from
Associate Executive Minister, Rev. Nathan
Marsh, as well as join in conversations
around topics of interest to the local
church. In lieu of an offering, participants
are asked to bring baby wipes and/or diapers (size 5) for the churchs baby closet
ministry.
There will be separate programming for
newborn-K, children (grades 1-6) and youth
(grades 7-12). As a fund-raiser, West Side youth will provide an evening meal
for a free-will offering. Advance registration is needed. For more details or to
register, please contact the church office, 843-0020, ext. 203 or office@firstbaptistlawrence.com. Wed like to know who is interested in going by Monday, Sept. 5.

Thank you!
I want to thank members of my
Parish Project Group (PPG) for
their input prior to the August 28th
sermon. This group has been
formed to provide feedback and
engagement around three of my
sermons over the course of the
year, as a part of my requirements
for my Doctor of Ministry degree. The PPG was tremendously
creative and thoughtful about the
passage in Mark that we explored
together, and I thank them for
their commitment to this sermon
(which will be submitted as a part
of my DMin) and for their ongoing
commitment this year. The members of this years PPG include:
Matt Reimer, Betty Colbert, Brent
Lamb, Stacy Lamb, Chad Johnston, Sherry Bernhardt, John Robinson, Lindsay Huffhines, Micahela
Schenkel, John Mathis, Tim Herndon, Ray Hiner, and Laverne
Hiner. Thanks for their wisdom
and willingness!
~Pastor Matt

The Naonal Alliance on Mental Illness of Douglas County would

like you to know the following support group opons:
Every Saturday1-2 p.m.Aimees Coeehouse, 1025 Massachuse,s St.
Every Wednesday6-7 p.m.Plymouth Congregaonal
Church, 10th & Vermont. (North entrance on Vermont)
Contact Informaon:
nami.dgco@gmail.com
www.namikansas.org
www.dbsalliance.org
(Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance)
Facilitators:
Charlie Ross: 766-2512 (785)
Annie Neri: 218-8848 (785)
Bill Wood: 840-5889 (785)

Childrens Corner
September 7: Sacred Music Academy resumes. Open to
all 3rd through 8th graders, their friends and the community. Rehearsals are every/most Wednesday evening from
6:30-7:30 p.m. $20 payable at first rehearsal. If you would
like to take advantage of scholarships that are available,
please contact the church office (843-0020,
office@firstbaptistlawrence.com) or Evelyn Falen (3124114, edfal13@gmail.com)

Jesse Boeth has worked as an FBC Lawrence nursery

attendant for five years. August 21 was her last Sunday
in that capacity. She has had to resign because of other
jobs she has. We certainly hope that she will keep in
touch with us in the future, because she has become a
part of our church family.
Thank you, Jesse, for five years of service to our
youngest members!

Remember in Prayer
International Ministries Missionary: Mercy Gonzales-Barnes, serving throughout Latin America. (New! When we have room we
will share a short bio for each of our international missionaries.)
(www.internationalministries.org) Mercy has been serving
as a missionary with International Ministries since she
was commissioned in 2000. Fifteen years later, her ministry has entered an exciting period of transition as Mercys role has evolved from one of local mission work in
Mexico to one of regional work. She will now take the
experiences and skills accrued through 13 years of
teaching, mentoring and walking alongside men and
women who have felt the call of God and apply them
to a wider ministry of responding to diverse educational
and theological needs in Latin America. In addition,
Mercy will be part of a team walking alongside the ministry of Cuban Baptists.
Regional Minister: ABC or Central Pacific Coast, Rev. Miriam
Mendez, serving in Portland, Oregan
Local congregation: Peace Mennonite Church
You are invited to send prayer requests to:
(E-mail coordinator) Betty Colbert, bchilder@ku.edu
(Telephone Prayer Chain Coordinators) Hazel Nitcher,
843-5302; Annie Merriam, 841-1384.

Sunday Youth Group Schedule:

September 4 No ABY
(Labor Day weekend)
Upcoming dates to remember:
Sept. 7Sacred Music Academy resumes, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 7Youth Bible Study resumes, 6:40 p.m.
Sept. 25-Youth Fundraiser Breakfast & Mentor Night

Youth Sunday School News

Seven adults have agreed to teach the Middle School
and High School Sunday School classes this year.
They met August 21 for a 2-hour training session and
to make plans for the coming year. The theme will be
getting to know your faith and beliefs more deeply.
Teaching the middle schoolers will be Emily Reimer,
Julie Pierce, and Kimberly Sturtevant. Teaching the
high schoolers will be Lindsay Huffhines, Christy Miller, Susan Pauls, and John Robinson. Winston Heilman and Bryan Miller will be substitutes.

Sunday Morning Volunteers

September 4
First Baptist Church
1330 Kasold Drive
Lawrence, Kansas 66049
785/843-0020
785/843-0021 (fax)
www.firstbaptistlawrence.com

Life of the Church

Thursday, Sept. 1
6:00 p.m.Yoga with Nancy (Rm. 149)
7:30 p.m.Chancel Choir rehearsal
Sunday, Sept. 4, Holiday Schedule:
One Service
9:30 a.m.Sunday School
10:45 a.m.Single Worship service
(No ABY)
Looking Ahead:
Sept. 7: Wednesday Night meals & activities
resume
Sept. 13: Friendship Square
(location: Ginger Boring)
Oct. 9: CROP Walk

Nursery 9:15-12:00 p.m.Amy Munsterman

Extended Care 9:15-12:00 p.m.Becky Ellison
Sunday DriverNeal Purvis (785) 766-2849
Sunday A/VKen Hite

SoundTravis Cooper

Wednesday Menu
Sept. 7: Tuna, chicken, and ham salad sandwiches
-Salad bar
-Dessert
Sept. 14: Taco Buet (tacos, torllas, salads, and all the xns)
-Dessert

By the Numbers
as of August 20, 2016
GENERAL OPERATING
Weekly Receipts:
$5,214.11
YTD Receipts:
$193,540.59
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
Weekly Receipts:
Cumulative Giving:

The Leaflet newsletter is a weekly production of First

Baptist Church. If you would like to receive the newsletter by E-mail, along with other weekly announcements, please contact the church office:
jenny@firstbaptistlawrence.com.
You may receive a hard copy in the mail by request:
843-0020. Copies are available for pick up each Sunday.
Church Office:
785/843.0020, ext. 203
office@firstbaptistlawrence.com
www.firstbaptistlawrence.com
@1stBapstLawrence
(dont forget to like it!)

$2,810.00
$505,717.86

CHAIR FUND
Purchased to Date:
Needed: (@61.90)

224 chairs
26 chairs

If you would like more detailed financial information, please contact

our bookkeeper at grassyclan@att.net, 917-9622.
Thank you for your generous giving. Your generosity helps to make
our many ministries possible. Offering envelopes are available each
Sunday or you may choose to give at www.firstbaptistlawrence.com
Look for Simplegive tab.