ISSUE 02.07.2013firstbaptistnashville.org loving God, loving people

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CHURCH FAMILYTuesdays Men @ PrayerThursdays TBLFridays Celebrate RecoverySundays Service of Word & TableFebruary 10 LCU BeginsFebruary 11 – 17 WMU Emphasis WeekFebruary 16 Mountain Movers HikeFebruary 20 First Women Prayer begins Business Meeting Red Cross Blood Drive February 21 Oklahoma! Dress Rehearsal Ministry DinnerFebruary 22, 23, 24 Oklahoma! PresentationMarch 3 – 10 Week of Prayer for North American MissionsMarch 4 Deacons MeetingMarch 7 First Women Dinner

CHILdRen February 10 Children’s Activities resumeFebruary 15 Parents Night OutFebruary 27 Older Children’s Choir Parents NightMarch 1 – 2 RA Lock-InMarch 2 – 3 GA Sleep Inn

StUdentSFebruary 10 Youth Choir/Discipleship resume February 12, 28 CWJC Childcare February 17 Youth to Nashville Food Project March 2 Youth Choir Sing at Belmont Basketball Game

StAFF AnnIVeRSARIeSFebruary 15 Sam Sanders 25 years

COMING UP...

CD SDiscover Connect Serve

Dinner TheaTre anD YouTh Choir WinTer Galaby Sam Sanders, Minister of Senior adults and recreation

DaTe Meal TiMe PerforManCe CaST

friday, february 22 6 p.m. 7 p.m. Youth

Saturday, february 23 12 p.m. noon 1 p.m. Youth

Saturday, february 23 6 p.m. 7 p.m. adult

Sunday, february 24 12 p.m. noon 1 p.m. adult

first Baptist nashville Dinner Theatre presents the musical, oklahoma! - one of the all-time great Broadway shows. it will be presented on friday, Saturday,

and Sunday, february 22, 23, and 24, on stage in our fellowship hall, with meals served at 6 p.m. and at 12 p.m. noon for matinees.

If you liked the first fifteen years of our shows, you’ll love this one! This is a product of our recreation Ministry and will involve two casts featuring adults and youth. our director is Pam raney, a veteran of both acting and directing in our theater. We are currently sold out of tickets for the four performances, but adding one’s name to our waiting list—615.664.6015—might produce a ticket closer to show time. Tickets are $20 for adults, $12 for children through Grade 6. Childcare is available for friday night, Saturday noon, and Sunday noon. reservations for childcare are essential. Call the number above if you did not take care of this when you got your tickets. free parking is available for all performances. You may park on the church side of 7th Avenue, using Lot D as first choice, then Lot C.

Prior to the performances, we’ll have our Winter Gala—a silent auction benefitting the 2013 Youth Choir Mission Tour to new York City. an hour before our meals are served, come and peruse the great list of items and services that will be auctioned, and bid on whatever you want. i will be up for auction again this year to come and play piano for your dinner party. (I’ll go pretty cheap.) But there’s also some really good stuff. envelopes for contributions to the Youth Choir Mission Tour will be on each table.

b y D r. Fra n k R . L e w i s , s e n i o r p a s t o rFrank & to the Point

There is a positive spirit in the air at First Baptist Nashville as we

roll into February and we praise God for the way He is blessing and leading His church! I want to express my thanks to every member of FBN for

the way you support your church with your tithes and offerings each week. We

ended the year on a strong note exceeding our budget for the first time in over ten years.

Thank you for being faithful and generous! It matters as we move forward in the days to come.

The First Leadership Rallies on Sunday mornings have been very encouraging as well! It has been a true inter-generational conversation as students, foundation, median, and legacy adults have shared a table to respond to questions about where we have been and where we sense the Lord leading us as a church. Your hopes for our congregation’s future have indicated a strong desire

to continue an excellent tradition in worship, yet a willingness to try something new to reach people we may be missing. You have expressed a strong and dynamic commitment to be on mission in our city serving those within our reach. A commitment to prayer and a sense of urgency to move forward with our campus Master Plan has also been expressed each week. If we can unite behind these commitments with a clarity of purpose, I think we are in store for some very exciting days ahead marked by personal growth that comes from stretching new faith muscles. I’m in, your staff is in, and we hope you are in too!

We take a break in February from the iWonder sermon series (Questions Our Students Ask) to examine in depth the last week of Jesus’ earthly life and ministry. This study from Luke’s gospel account of the events leading to Jesus’ death and resurrection will take us through our Easter celebration this year. You will discover how ancient prophecy, humanity’s greatest need, and God’s heart meet at the cross as we examine The Last Week.

T H E L A S T W E E KA Sunday in Jerusalem -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------February 17Monday in the Temple ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------February 24Tuesday and Wednesday: Authority Questioned ----------------------------------------------------------------------------March 3Thursday: Passover and Arrest ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ March 10Friday: The Day Jesus Died --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- March 17Saturday: The Day the World Stood Still -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------March 24Sunday: The Day That Changed Everything -----------------------------------------------------------Easter Sunday, March 31

Finally, I am asking each of you reading this Evangel to pause right now and pray for your church. We are entering a time of discernment where we desperately need to hear from the Lord about the opportunities that are before our church with regard to our campus and the Master Plan. We have a promising future

with lots of opportunities, not necessarily a right or wrong choice. Discernment is a spiritual discipline that we can practice and in doing so, we will move forward together! Pray for wisdom and pray that we will honor God with the commitments we make to be Nashville’s First Baptist Church!

You are a Blessing!

First Women T-Shirts Are Here!

First Women t-shirts have arrived! Shirts may be purchased beginning Sunday, February 10, following morning worship at the First Women

table in the Foyer. They will continue to be on sale through March 2. We’ll wear them at all our events! Cost of each shirt is $10.

( Becky Clay, rebeccaclay@bellsouth.net

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CWelcome to the Family!

Jonathan Hagewood Rodney Muse

Elliott Payne Tammy Lynn Arnold Wesley Boling & Claire Boling

Katie & Mike Gentry Katelin, Amber & Tony Rankin Tatum Rodriguez Baby Dedication

Sara Owens

Celebrating Grace Hymnal

The day when we will be able to sing from our new Celebrating Grace Hymnal is well within

sight. We need funding for 100 more hymnals, approximately $3,500. Every family is encouraged to contribute to our Hymnal Fund by placing copies in memory of or in honor of individuals at a cost of $25 per designation. You will find available throughout our facilities specially designed envelopes for you to make your contributions. You can also make contributions utilizing a credit card via our website. We hope to unveil our new hymnals on Easter Sunday and produce a Hymnal Dedication Service and Hymn Sing on the evening of Sunday, April 21.

Thank you for investing in the future worship of the First Baptist Nashville Family of Faith. A new and very exciting opportunity is on the horizon as we together celebrate God’s abundant and enduring grace through the vibrant singing of timeless hymns and new expressions of the Christian faith all to the glory of God!

Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Colossians 3:16 S Red Cross Blood Drive

The Red Cross Blood Drive is Wednesday, February 20, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. in Room 150.

February is “Build a Better Blood Supply” month at the Red Cross and they are counting on us to meet our past record and maybe even surpass it. All participants in the blood drive will be entered to win a $1,000 gift card to a home improvement store.

Recruiters in your Sunday School department can sign you up, or you may look for Ruth Kuzur in the Foyer after worship each Sunday morning.

Thank you for your faithful participation during our past drives, and thank you for continuing to donate your life’s blood. You are saving lives.

( To schedule your appointment, contact Ruth Kuzur at 615.377.3254.

First Women DinnerThursday, March 7 | 6:30 p.m. | $10

First Baptist Nashville ladies, if you missed the Women’s Retreat last fall, you have another opportunity to hear Marie Armenia. She will be with us Thursday, March 7, helping us know how to care for one another. The evening begins with dinner at 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Cost is $10. (No child care available for this event.) Mark your calendar and invite a friend to join you! Tickets may be purchased beginning Sunday, February 10, in the Foyer or online.

( Contact Becky Clay at rebeccaclay@bellsouth.net for information on the dinner and tickets.

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The Ultimate Triumph“The Ultimate Triumph,” an Easter theatrical production, will be performed Wednesday, March 6, at

6:10 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. The play describes the complete conquest of the Lord Jesus Christ over Death, Hell, Satan, and the Seven Deadly Sins, based on John 17:1 and 1 Peter 3:18-19. Dr. Betty Hassler will direct the performance, adapted from a play by William L. Hendricks. ( Betty Hassler, bettyjhassler@gmail.com

Kingdom Man by Tony evans

“Tony Evans challenges men to recognize and claim the standard of greatness that God has set forth in His Word.”• 7 Sessions (began on January 23)• Audience: Men• Cost: $10• Facilitator: Noe Garcia• Location: Chapel, Second Floor

financial Peace university

Learn God’s way of handling money with Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. • 9 Sessions, beginning February 10• Audience: Adults• Cost: $90• Facilitators: Louis Boyte,

Josephine Miller• Location: Room 150, First Floor

Servant Warriors

A men’s class created and led by our pastor and designed to help men develop a healthy lifestyle of exercise, prayer support, and Scripture recall to equip them to live fully as a Servant-minded Warrior-Protector in their homes, church, and community. • 12 Sessions, beginning February 10• Audience: Men• Cost: FREE• Facilitator: Frank Lewis• Location: Room 145, First Floor

Prayer is Good Medicine by Darry Dossey, MD

“Dr. Dossey delves into such questions as why doesn’t prayer always work; does prayer simply create a “false hope”; is a physician’s decision not to recommend prayer akin to medical malpractice?”• 7 Sessions, beginning February 10• Audience: Adults• Cost: $11• Facilitator: Dr. Gena Edwards• Location: Room 150D, First Floor

nehemiah: a heart That Can Break by Kelly Minter

“Nehemiah will inspire you to listen to what God has put in your heart to do. Let God break your heart for the hurting, because he often uses a breaking heart to restore the broken.”• 7 Sessions, beginning February 10• Audience: Women• Cost: $13• Facilitator: Judy Latham• Location: Room 360, Third Floor

adult Bible DrillAre you an adult that wishes you could learn what our Bible Drillers know? This class teaches techniques for memorizing Scripture and provides encouragement and accountability to memorize Bible verses and key passages in the Bible.• 7 Sessions, beginning February 10• Audience: Adults• Cost: FREE• Facilitator: Kyle Meadors• Location: Room 340, Third Floor

Dealing with Grief

We will gain awareness in our grief journey discovering who are we, and why are we here, as well as chart a personal history of our loss and grief. • 5 Sessions, beginning February 10• Audience: Adults• Cost: FREE• Facilitators: Dr. Norma Gabhart & Nancy Ryals• Location: Room 151, First Floor

Slaying the Giants in Your life by David Jeremiah

“There’s a breed of giants lurking in the shadows, keeping Christians from standing on the promises that accompany their salvation. Join Dr. Jeremiah as he pulls back the curtain and exposes giants for what they are.” • 12 Sessions, beginning February 10• Audience: Adults• Cost: $10 (additional cost for book)• Facilitator: TBA• Location: Room 140, First Floor

Christ-Centered Coaching

Participants will discover how coaching is a specific process that helps believers apply the Lordship of Christ to transform personal and relational goals. • 4 Sessions, beginning April 7• Audience: Adults• Cost: FREE• Facilitator: Sim Hassler• Location: Room 370, Third Floor

Funny, You Don’t Look Sick

Let’s talk about diseases you can’t see—especially autoimmune diseases. Your body’s immune system protects you from disease and infection. But if you have an autoimmune disease, your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by mistake. • 5 Sessions, beginning April 7• Audience: Adults• Cost: FREE

• Facilitator: Dr. Gena Edwards• Location: Room 150D,

First Floor

( Lori Towns, 615.664.6001, lori.towns@firstbaptistnashville.org

Severe Weather Season Has Arrived

In case of severe weather conditions, a decision will be made by the Senior Pastor and Executive Pastor if scheduled church

activities and/or services will be canceled. Decisions regarding cancellation of Sunday and Wednesday evening activities will be made as soon as possible. Sunday night closures may be announced during morning worship. A message will be placed on the main church office number, 615.664.6000, and the church website, firstbaptistnashville.org. Weekday activities other than Wednesday night activities will follow the Metro Nashville School System schedule. The church office will be open during regular office hours, and Thursday Business Lunch will proceed as scheduled.

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Sam Sanders Retirement Celebration

On Sunday, March 3, our church will have an opportunity to celebrate with Sam Sanders as he begins his retirement years. Sam has served the Lord through his ministry at First

Baptist Nashville for twenty-five years.

We will honor Sam and Barbara during the morning worship service and again in the afternoon as we offer Sam our congratulations on his retirement, express our love for him and Barbara, and enjoy our time together as Christian friends.

The reception will be from 2:00 – 4:30 p.m. on that Sunday. We will visit with Sam, Barbara, and their two children, Mike and Julie, as well as Sam and Barbara’s grandchildren, Brett and Krystle from California (Mike’s children) and Emily and Caroline (Julie’s children).

Join us as we celebrate this wonderful occasion in the life of a man who has served the Lord through his ministry with us for the past 25 years.

( Judy Latham, judy_latham@bellsouth.net

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Harvest Hands

Did you know that our Student Ministry volunteers with Harvest Hands and Preston Taylor Ministries (PTM) in

their after-school care programs? We currently have 2 – 3 students volunteering in each location, but we need more help!

Harvest Hands is a catalyst for Christ-centered, holistic community development in South Nashville. We need 6 – 12 volunteers each Wednesday afternoon from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. until the end of the school year.

This organization glorifies Christ by empowering Preston Taylor children. PTM was founded in 1998 to confront many of the problems present in the Preston Taylor public housing area—problems such as drug use, gang involvement, teenage pregnancy, illiteracy, poor school performance, and crime. We will serve alongside PTM on Tuesdays from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. each week.

Interested in volunteering or learning more?

( Brandon Owen, brandon.owen@firstbaptistnashville.org

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News from the Library

No need to go visit Redbox or Netflix because the Library has added over 25

family friendly DVDs. We also have a number of new memorial books such as Proof of Heaven. We look forward to your visit!

The Library is located on the second floor between the Main Office and the steps coming from the south entrance. It’s one of our most valuable resources! Hours are Sundays (4:30 – 7:00 p.m.) and Wednesdays (4:30 – 7:03 p.m.).

( Deloris Foust, 615.373.5978

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Youth Choir Mission Tour 2013New York CitY | JuNe 21 – 30, 2013

Support our students’ efforts in NY this summer through the Winter Gala/Silent

Auction February 22 – 24, 2013, during the performances of Oklahoma!

If you have items you would like to contribute to the auction, contact Laurie Hall in the Music Office, 615.664.6030 or laurie.hall@firstbaptistnashville.org.

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Crow’s Cornerby Tom Crow, executive pastor

THE POWER OF A GREAT GREETING

When a newcomer enters our campus for the first time, the importance of his/her first experience

cannot be overstated. It is similar to the importance of a tee shot in golf, or the opening of a speech, or the overture in a symphony.

The first impression is critical, like that of a new relationship. It is a “make or break” moment.

First Baptist Nashville, help us put our best foot forward. It begins with the moment a newcomer drives onto campus. The convenience of our Holy Roller, especially during cold winter weeks, is one of those first impression moments. Our job at First Baptist Nashville is to love God and love people. We can do this by helping our guests feel welcome and loved. Share a warm handshake, a smile, be a listener, introduce the guest to a friend, remember the names of newcomers and maintain eye contact. These are all reasons we put great energy into greeting and assisting newcomers!

So, let me introduce our new “Chief Greeter” who assists our greeters in putting forth our best foot. Welcome to Robbie Hunter! Robbie and her husband Kevin have been active in First Baptist Nashville for 23 years. They have served in a number of positions with the church. Should you like to volunteer in our Greeter Ministry, please contact Robbie directly or my office (615.664.6020) and we’ll link you to her.

And a big thank you to Llew Chapman who has led our greeter team for more years than I know! Llew has done a phenomenal job and will continue being on the team. God bless you!

JuLy 4 OuTREACH

July 4th—already? Well, not quite but it is time to begin preparation for a great evangelistic and outreach effort. One hundred thousand people will be around that day to celebrate Independence Day and we want to share an encouraging word about Jesus Christ with them.

Becky Clay, co-leader for our First Women ministries, is our team leader for July 4 efforts. We would love to welcome you on the planning team—our first meeting is Wednesday, February 6, at 5:00 p.m. in Room 150F. You may email us your desire to participate or simply attend the meeting. Contact us at rebeccaclay@bellsouth.net and volunteer today.

We hope to share the Gospel and our First Baptist Nashville hospitality with thousands this year.

NATIONAL DAy OF PRAyER

The National Day of Prayer is coming! On Thursday, May 2, First Baptist Nashville will organize and primarily sponsor this local expression of the National Day of Prayer during which millions of Americans pause to pray for our country, our cities, government leaders, and citizens of the United States that we may each know Jesus personally.

Make plans to attend and bring many friends. You will see details of this event in the March and April Evangel issues.

First Women Prayer

First Women will begin coming together in the bond of prayer each Wednesday

from 5:30 – 6:00 p.m. in the Bride’s Room beginning February 20.

It will be simply prayer; no fluff, no food, but just fellowship in prayer.

“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in

the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20

( Contact: Sharon Herrera, sendsjh@yahoo.com

Lofton Missionaries

Will and Grace Anne Lofton

and their daughter Priscilla (age four) have just returned from serving three years in China with the International Mission Board (IMB). The Loftons were living in Northwest China amongst Hui and Salar Muslim UPGs. On their way back to the States, the Loftons added an adopted Chinese daughter Karis (now 18 months old) to their family. Prior to their time in China as a couple, Will and Grace Anne met in 2001 at an IMB meeting in Thailand while living in two different cities in China as singles serving with the IMB.

Will is from Brookhaven, MS, and holds a BS in Business Administration with a minor in international business from Mississippi College. Grace Anne grew up in Dallas, TX, and went to college in Los Angeles, where she received a BFA in Acting from the USC School of Theatre. Between their years in China, the Loftons lived in Fort Worth, TX, where they got married and attended Southwestern Seminary. During that time, Will worked in inside sales for Thomson-Reuters, and Grace Anne used her acting degree on the side doing commercials in print and on camera. The Loftons are in the process of settling in the Nashville area as Will returns to the business world. They are passionate about connecting with people and seeing individuals live in the freedom of knowing their God-given grace and place.

Will and Grace Anne will be in our missionary residence until May. Help us make them feel welcome!

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Children’s Ministry Teacher Appreciation WeekHelp us celebrate all the men and women who serve our children through the week of February 10 – 15.

A Letter to My Teachers,

I like Sunday School very much. It is a lot of fun.

My teachers are nice and fun. I really enjoy small group time. I learn something new about Bible stories every week, even though they are stories I hear every year. I am able to understand them better each time my teachers tell me about them. Another thing I love about my teachers is that they send me mail. I love to get mail. My parents always get mail and I usually do not, unless it comes from my Sunday School teachers.

I also love seeing my friends at Sunday School.

I hope I will have enough time to be a Sunday School teacher when I am a grown-up.

Christian McIntire 4th grade, 9 years old

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First Kids Summer 2013 Save-the-Dates

VBS and VBS Plus June 10 – 14

CentriKid Camp (Grades 3 – 6) June 22 – 26

Thrilling Thursdays (Grades 1 – 6) June 27, July 11, July 25 August 2 (Friday)

Parents Day Out (Birth – K) June 27, July 11, July 18, July 25, August 11

Music Arts Camp July 15 – 19

Family Mission Trip July 11 – 14

February 15 $15, one child; $25, two children; $30 max, per family

Parents Night Out is available for families who have children ages birth – sixth grade. Children will be provided with dinner, activities and a fun-filled night with friends!

Check-in at 6 p.m. Pick-up at 10 p.m.

rSVP and payment are due to Marissa Moore by 12 p.m. noon on the Thursday before Parents Night Out.

you may register online at firstbaptistnashville.org or email Marissa at marissa.moore@firstbaptistnashville.org.

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D GA Overnight Sleep Inn

Part camp out, part sleepover, all fun! All girls in Grades 1 – 6 along

with their mom, aunt or other female chaperone, are invited to our GA Sleep Inn on March 2 – 3 at Montgomery Bell State Park. We will enjoy grilling hot dogs, roasting s’mores, and hanging out at the campsite before we head inside for swimming, prayer, devotion, and a good night’s sleep!

( For more information contact Renee Matthews at reneematthews10@gmail.com.

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POSTMASTER: PlEASE dElivER On OR bEfORE fEbRuARy 7, 2013.

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FIRST BAPTIST NASHVILLE108 7th Avenue Southnashville, Tn 37203615.664.6000firstbaptistnashville.org

PubliCATiOn infORMATiOnThe Evangel is published once a month by first baptist nashville. layout design by Jennifer Tramel, edited by Sandra Gentry and laurie Hall.

update your subscription information by calling 615.664.6000 or emailing evangel@firstbaptistnashville.org.

artwork by Alan Farris