first baptist church

---

FIRST

BAPTIST CHURCH

Let Us Share First With You.

Together

Vol. 28 No. 10 October 2013

A Publication of First Baptist Church, Memphis, TN

The Power of Hope

Rev. Dr. David Breckenridge, Pastor

ously married for fifty years, to a I love fall. based on the death of all deciduous plant life. Yes, our enjoyment man that was very sick the last two. I love the othThey have many kids. (Sometimes er seasons, of the beauty of fall is based in the hope that the death of the leaves is my friend can’t remember their extoo. They act order of birth, but she says noneach have not the last word, that there is more chalantly, “Oh, but I know all their their own and will be more, that we need not fear that this fall will be the end. names by heart.”) Her husband gifts to bring Paul has that wonderful double died Wednesday and I stopped by to the table. negative instructive indicative: their house Thursday. All of their But there’s We do not grieve as those withgrown up kids were there, and her just someout hope. Note it does not sughusband’s brothers, and some riff thing about the combination of cool weather gest that we do not grieve. We do raff (ie, me.) The house was filled grieve. We are human. We experiwith flowers, food, and a few of and football and long sleeves and us. My friend was in bed receiving baseball playoffs that renews my ence loss and the pain that comes visitors, telling and hearing stories soul. Those aspects being noted, with it. We know death in more the truly spectacular component of forms than can be named. Death about her husband, laughing, tearof friends and friendships, jobs and ing up, nibbling on honeydew melfall is the beauty of the changing vocations, dreams and plans, our on. While bending in low to give color of the leaves. her my biggest dancing bear hug, It is, however, a beauty that is youth and that of our children and not without its price. The leaves of our children’s children, etc. All I caused someone else to spill their of scripture affirms this experience coffee all over her beautiful sheets. change color because they are dyI was so mad at myself, but she ing, and soon they will be gone. as normal and appropriate. Recried out happily, “I hope it stains, And it occurred to me the other day member, even Jesus wept. But as people of hope we know so I can remember the beauty of that the enjoyment of the fall colthat death and loss and pain never this morning forever.” ors would really be impossible if have the last word. The promise of Wherever you may find yourwe did not know that come spring, self today, know that you are surresurrection would indeed occur, resurrection is that ours is a God not only of today but of tomorrow, that rounded by the love of God and a that those same trees would sprout community of faith. In the midst of more leaves and continue to live. there is always life and joy beyond. And it is this fact that allows us not loss, may you have the eyes to see If we truly did not know this was just to endure our pain, but be open the beauty that is within you and the case, then fall would be a seato the beauty that may be present around you, even now. son of botanical panic. Arborists even in the midst of our loss. Grace, David would be scrambling and running Anne Lamott writes: “A gortests. Our news would be filled with stories of impending doom geous friend of mine has been joyFirst Baptist Church • 200 E. Parkway N. • Memphis, TN 38112-5414 • 901-454-1131 • http://www.fbcmemphis.org

2 October Events Movie on the Lawn Bring your family and friends and join us for Movie on the Lawn, October 4 at 6:30pm. Bring your own picnic dinner, blankets, chairs, etc. In the case of bad weather, we will relocate to the gym. Invite your friends!

Children’s Sabbath Sunday, October 20 On October 20 First Baptist, along with hundreds of other faith communities around the United States, will celebrate the National Observance of Children’s Sabbath. This is a way for us to recognize children as God’s gifts and to renew our responsibility to care for, protect, and advocate for all children. The focus this year is “Beating our Swords into Plowshares: Ending the Violence of Guns and Child Poverty.” The children at First Baptist are working hard to prepare for this Sunday morning worship service that envisions a day when everyone is safe, loved, cared for, and at peace. Join us in the Fellowship Hall after worship for lunch ($6.00 per person, $15 family max) and a special project that will benefit children at Youth Villages as we work toward ending gun violence and child poverty.

Fall Festival October 26, 4-6 p.m.

It's that time of year again to celebrate fall with friends and families at our annual Fall Festival. Wear your favorite Halloween costume, adults and children alike, and join us on the church grounds for face-painting, fall crafts, bounce house, refreshments and more. Decorate your car trunks and bring your treat bags for Trunk-or-Treat. We always need more candy to hand out, so please bring candy donations to church by Wednesday, October 23. If you want to help with any of our activities or planning (decorations, set-up, clean-up, serving refreshments, greeting, leading a craft, etc.), please contact Kim Sturgill Looney or Jennifer Kellett.

World Communion Sunday, Oct. 6 We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper together with Christians all around the world, and join our hearts in prayer and remembrance.

Missions Emphasis for October The Missions Emphasis for October is Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes. Suggested items needed to fill the boxes are small toys, games, puzzles, socks, hygiene items, and brushes and combs. Please drop off donations in the church office or pick up a box to fill from the Welcome Center.

Prayer Connections We are sending out our weekly prayer requests via email on Wednesdays. Want to be included? Contact the office with your emails address.

September Events in Pictures 3

Day of Service and Neighborhood Block Party Saturday, September 14

First Baptist sponsor Levitt Shell on September 19 featuring Star & Micey

4 Memorials & Honoraria, Library Corner Memorials

Given in Memory of: Given by: Dede Rader..................................... Mr. & Mrs. Jim Rogers Ms.Kathleen Feaster Ms. Sandra Chandler Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hartsfield Joe Powell...................................... Mr. & Mrs. Jim Rogers Mr. & Mrs. HJ Weathersby Ms. Beth Watkins Ms. Joanne Sprouse Betty & Jeffrey Lucas Mr. & Mrs. Mark Smith Ms. Imogene McFadin Ms. Sandy Chandler Ms. Glenda Tarver Ms. Betty Drummond William & Shirley Mann Mr. & Mrs. Ed Myrick Jim & Charlene Allen Dr. & Mrs. David Cunningham Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hartsfield Mr. Austin Jeter & Ms. Melinda Grable Netta Sue McKnight....................... Ms. Genevieve Adams Mr. & Mrs. Mark Smith Mr. & Mrs. Marc Pendley Ms. Kathleene Sims Dr. & Mrs. W. C. Sandusky Ms. Ann Powell

Memory

Sue Batten............................. Mr. & Mrs. Kent Wunderlich Mr. & Mrs. Mark Smith Mr. & Mrs. Marc Pendley Shirley Thornton.................................. Mr. David Knowles Ken Lamkin............................... Mr. & Mrs. Marc Pendley Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hartsfield Dorothy Sheffield...............................Ms. Kathleen Feaster Ms. Katherine Schwartz Winston Dickey..................................Ms. Kathleen Feaster Joan Monday......................................Ms. Kathleen Feaster Ms. Gail S. Poole Ms. Glenda Tarver LoRene Taylor....................................Ms. Sandra Chandler Carol McCraw....................................Ms. Sandra Chandler Sarah Elder.........................................Ms. Sandra Chandler Stella Futrell.......................................Ms. Sandra Chandler Joe Layne...........................................Ms. Sandra Chandler Stephen Lea........................................Ms. Sandra Chandler Edna Phelps............................. Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hartsfield

Memory

Honoraria

Given in Honor of: Given by: Shannon Malone........................... Mr. & Dr. Mark Weaver Ray & Trudy Hatton....................... Ms. Imogene McFadin

Linda Marks Awarded Daniel Pearl Legacy Award Linda Marks is this year’s recipient of the Daniel Pearl Legacy Award. The award is given to someone who has used his/her talent and skills to foster tolerance, build bridges, and promote friendship and understanding, reflecting the legacy of Daniel Pearl, himself. Past recipients of the award include Jim Boyd of BRIDGES and Patrick Lawler from Youth Villages. Linda was chosen because of her “exemplary work with MIFA and within the Memphis community.” The award will be presented at the Harmony for Humanity Concert to be held at the University Center Theater of the University of Memphis on Sunday, October 20 at 2 p.m. The concert honors the life and memory of Daniel Pearl, a Wall Street Journal reporter, who was kidnapped and murdered by terrorists in Pakistan in 2002. Congratulations to Linda for such an honor!

Honor

MJMRC Library Corner

Children Books Goodnight Sweet Butterflies by Dawn Bentley Ten Little Ladybugs by Melanie Gerth Mommy, Please Don’t Cry by Linda Deymas I Wonder What You Do on Your First Day in Heaven by Phoebe Welsh Adult Books Dare to Be True by Mark Roberts Friends to the End by Greive Bradley Beyond the Shadows by T. C. Smith Know Why You Believe by Paul Little

Letters, Modern Vespers, Website News 5 Dear Prayer Friends,

LETTERS

We have read your notes and names to Libby each week and she is always touched and lifted up by her dear First Baptist Family. Your concern and continuing prayers have lifted us all during this most difficult time. Please accept our sincere thanks and appreciation. Linder Family Dear First Baptist Memphis, Thanks for all of the ways you support Global Women. It was so great to have Kim Sturgill Looney travel with us to Moldova. Her ability to speak Russian, her gift to work with children, and her joy were such a blessing to everyone! Also thanks for putting together the gift bags for the children at camp. The children were so excited to have a special bag for each of them from your church. Thanks. Kristin Barringer and the Global Women Staff

FBDS Update First Baptist Church member, we need your help! We are collecting plastic bags from stores like, Kroger, Target, Wal-Mart, etc… We will be using them in the classrooms to dispose of diapers in the trash cans. There will be a collection box located at the church’s Welcome Center Desk. Please feel free to drop off any bags that you are not using. We will continually be using these bags in the classrooms, so please feel free to donate throughout the year. Thank you in advance for your contribution.

New Website We’re finalizing the details on the new website. Look for updates in October for when the new site will go live! A special thanks to the ministers, staff and PR Committee for their work on this project!

Modern Vespers

Discover a Midtown worship service that is both contemporary and contemplative, that engages all your senses, that is truly family friendly, that invites your participation, that is haven for the arts, that is both relevant and rooted. Join us on the first and third Sundays at 6 p.m. in Caudill Chapel. Modern Vespers is led by Jeremy Warner, a doctoral student at the University of Memphis, who also conducts the Memphis Men’s Chorale. At the heart of Modern Vespers is the belief that worship is a creative act, so during each service an artist participates in worship by creating a piece of art connected to the service. You may hear a poem, a homily, or a dialogue. You may smell freshly baked bread, be led through a guided prayer, or see a child dancing as she sings a new song. You may experience something entirely new or centuries old. All ages are welcome. Hang around for coffee afterwards.

Game Day Mary Walters, a member of First Baptist Church over 50 years, moved to live near her daughter and family in St. Louis, Missouri at the end of September. Mary is to be commended for her many years of faithful service to First Baptist Church and will be greatly missed. Among her other achievements, Mary has been the Leader of Game Day, on the second, fourth and fifth Thursdays of each month for over eight years. The Game Players meet at 10:30, play until noon and stop for lunch. While sharing time, sack lunches and storytelling, we have achieved a very special comradeship. We will miss Mary and pray that she will be very happy in her new home and will find other friends to bless her. Merrill Varner has volunteered to fill Mary’s position as Game Day Leader. If you would like to join our fun, call Merrill at 901-382-3640.

6 Family Promise Pecan Fundraiser Family Promise of Memphis Pecan Fundraiser Family Promise of Memphis wants to help you prepare some of your best tasting recipes ever this season AND help some less fortunate in our community at the same time. We are pre-selling fresh, fancy pecan halves, just off the trees in southern Georgia. The quality is unmistakable! The taste of fresh pecans far outweighs last year’s pecans available at most grocery stores and will certainly make your recipes taste better. These fancy pecans halves are just $11.00 per one pound bag; milk & dark chocolate covered pecans and praline pecans will be sold for $12.00 per one pound bag. All pecans will be available the second week in November from Amy Barnes. She can be reached at 901-452-6446.