December 23 2014

Church Leadership

Preparing for Worship

Our
ministers
and lay
are available
Our
ministers
andleaders
lay leaders
are
to answer to
anyanswer
questions
may haveyou
to
available
anyyou
questions
help
you
connect
with
the
ministries
of
may have to help you connect with
First Baptist Church.

the ministries of First Baptist Church.

Office: 843-0020
Rev.
Matt Sturtevant
Sturtevant
Rev.
Matt
Senior
Pastor,
Senior Pastor,x.202
x.202
matt@firstbaptistlawrence.com
matt@firstbaptistlawrence.co
Rev. Dr. m
Joe Kutter
Interim Associate Pastor, x.204
joe@firstbaptistlawrence.com

Jenny Purvis
Rev. Cheryl
Harader
Office
Manager,
x.203
Adjunct
Minister
of
Adult
Spiritual
jenny@firstbaptistlawrence.co
Formation, x.201
m
cheryl@firstbaptistlawrence.com
Jim
Davidson
Cody
Knapik
Intern
for
Youth
Spiritual
Formation,
Chancel Choir
Director
x.205
jamesrdavidson@ku.edu
cody@firstbaptistlawrence.com
Holly
AmeliaGrassy
Lawson
Intern for Childrens
Spiritual Formation
Bookkeeper
x.205
grassyclan@att.net
amelia@firstbaptistlawrence.com

John
Jenny Pauls
Purvis
Moderator
Office
Manager, x.203
jenny@firstbaptistlawrence.com
jphawk@yahoo.com
Jim Davidson
Evelyn
Falen
Chancel
Choir
Director
jamesrdavidson@ku.edu
Organist

edfal13@gmail.com
Evelyn Falen
Organist
edfal13@gmail.com
Buddy Langford

Custodian

Holly Grassy
Bookkeeper
grassyclan@att.net
Church
Office:

785/843.0020
John Pauls
office@firstbaptistlawrence.co
Moderator
jphawk@yahoo.com
m
www.firstbaptistlawrence.com
Buddy Langford
Custodian

December 28, 2014

Worship at 11:00 a.m.

Wed., Dec. 24, 7:00 pm

Christmas Eve Candlelight

Service
Worship Service with Communion and
Candlelighting
Rev. Matthew Sturtevant preaching

First Sunday after Christmas

Rev. Matthew Sturtevant

Scripture: Luke 2.22-40

Dezo Update
Three years ago, Dezo came to us with a dream of returning to
Haiti and opening a clinic for children that would care for their
medical, emotional, spiritual, and educational goals. Today, we
remain in support of that dream and that goal, but the plan for
getting there has changed. Instead of finishing her degree from
Avila University in nursing, Dezo has been enrolled at Central
Baptist Theological Seminary to begin work toward a Masters of
Divinity degree in entrepreneurial ministry. After what has been
a difficult semester of discernment and prayer, Dezo has come to
the realization that God is leading her to accomplish her dream through this different degree. In many ways, the MDiv will offer her a different and perhaps more crucial set of skills,
helping her to understand the needs of vision-casting, missions, administration, supervision,
and preaching. We believe that she will graduate from Central with a keen understanding of
leadership in the midst of Gods work in Haiti, and a formidable set of skills to face the formidable challenges that await her.
Financially, our shared partnership with supporters in Oregon, New Jersey, and now First
Baptist Church in Kansas City, Missouri will continue. While this change actually takes some
of the immediate financial pressure off of us, we will need to continue to give and to raise
funds for Dezo in the coming three years through her time at Central. The plan is for her to
continue to stay with her host Sarah in Kansas City. Her connection to Sarah, Pastor Steve,
and FBCKCMO has been a significant one, and they have helped her with considerable grace
and understanding as she has struggled to make this decision.
Our congregation has been incredibly supportive to Dezo during this time of transition, and
welcomed her with open arms on Sunday when she officially joined the congregation (though
she has been a part of us for some time now!) We have supported her and her dream, regardless of the program or path that it has taken, and I invite you to continue to do so during
the next stage of her journey!
~Pastor Matt

2015 Garden Getaway Women's

Retreat
We are looking for someone to add to our team of drivers. If
you would be able to bring a few folks to church on Sunday who
lack transportation, please give me a call. This is a 1-Sunday per
month commitment.
If you have additional questions or are ready to volunteer, please
contact:
Travis Cooper at 785-221-2884, travis@ccb.kscoxmail.com

January 9, 10 and 11
Heartland Center in Parkville, Missouri
Cost: $165 per person
(5 meals and 2 nights lodging)
$85 is due now
Sign up by calling or texting April 865-0985.
For a look as last years retreat, check out this
fun video!
hps://www.ickr.com/gp/126653849@N07/6478BJ/

Altar Flowers
A new 2015 altar flower calendar is located
in the Christian Education hallway. You are
invited to honor or memorialize a loved one
by sponsoring flowers on the Sunday of your
choosing. You will receive a reminder card in
the mail. $25 may be placed in the offering
plate or sent to the church office. Pease call the church office if
you have questions.

Sacred Music Academy Resumes by Re-Enrollment

Vocal and hand bell ensemble training and fun!

Wednesdays, beginning Jan. 14

3rd through 8th graders

6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

under the direction of Evelyn Falen

Tuition $20 (scholarships available)

Please contact the church office to enroll by Jan. 12, 843-0020;

office@firstbaptistlawrence.com

Sacred Academy Singers at Brandon Woods Rerement Home, 12/14/14

Great News!
The church pictorial
directory draft is in
the mail! After several long months of
battling software
issues and time constraints, we now
await a sample proof
to come back from
Lifetouch Photography. The proof will get one last
look-over by Membership Ministry and then sent away
for final printing. We hope this wont take too long
and well keep you posted!

Remember in Prayer
International Ministries Missionaries: Anne & Bruce Borquist, serving in Brazil
Regional Minister: ABC the Great Rivers Region: Dr. John
Grisham, serving in Springfield, IL
Local congregation: 9th St. Baptist Church
You are invited to send prayer requests to:
Martha Gage, msgage@sunflower.com.
(E-mail prayer chain)
Hazel Nitcher, 843-5302, Annie Merriam, 841-1384, or
Judy Stuart, 856-1782 (Telephone prayer chain)
The church office: 843-0020,
jenny@firstbaptistlawrence.com
Memorial announcement
A memorial service for Eva Edmands, former volunteer
office assistant at First Baptist, will be held on Dec. 31,
10:30 a.m., at the Lawrence Baptist Temple, 3201 W.
31st St.

CHILDRENS MINISTRY UPDATE

In November, the Spiritual Formation Committee hosted
a parents and teachers luncheon, where we discussed and
outlined Childrens Ministry strengths and weaknesses.
Based on parent/teacher input, the Committee has identified three areas of immediate focus for maintaining and
improving the Childrens Ministry at FBC:
1. Sunday School Liaison to coordinate security and
safety, attendance, student records, etc.
2. Enhanced Fellowship Opportunities for play dates,
missions and other child interaction.

January 4 Blood Drive

Please share your gift of
life with local hospital
patients by donating
blood at the next Community Blood Center blood drive. The blood drive
will be held at First Baptist Church, Sun., Jan. 4,
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
You can make an appointment at the church or
online:
Www.esavealifenow.org - sponsor code: firstbaptistlw

3. Media and Technology Practices that enhance communication and planning.

Moving into 2015, The Spiritual Formation Committee
will support the work of Childrens Intern Amelia Lawson, Youth Intern Cody Knapik, the FBC Pastorate and
our Sunday School teachers to update our direction in
these areas by this spring/summer.
Thank you for your participation and for your concern
and love for the kids in our church family.
~Pastor Joe

American Baptist Youth (ABY)

Next meeting: Stay Tuned!

2014 Ministry Chairs

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

Its not too soon to send your year-end reports for our Annual meeting to be held
January 25. Please gather notes from each of your quarterly reports and put together
a one-page, or less, document that highlights your ministry activities for the year.
Send it on to jenny@firstbaptistlawrence.com. Thank you!

Life of the Church

Sunday Morning Volunteers

Wednesday, Dec. 24
7:00 p.m.Christmas Eve service
Thursday, Dec. 25
Church office closed
Friday, Dec. 26-Jan.2
Church office closed
Sunday, Dec. 28
9:30 a.m.No Sunday School for children.
Adult classes by preference; please consult
your class leader for confirmation.
11:00 a.m.Worship Service

December 28

Looking Ahead:
Dec. 28One service at 11:00 a.m.
Jan. 14Resume Wed meal/programs

New Years Eve

Gathering

Nursery 9:30 a.m.Amy Munsterman

11:00 a.m.Amy Munsterman
Extended Care 11:00 a.m.April
Hite

See you again

for Wednesday
meal on
January 14!

Staff Whereabouts
Pastor Matt will be in town through December 28, then will take some vacation time
with his family to Kentucky.
Pastor Joe will return from family time in Florida on January 5.
Pastor Cheryl will be spending time with family, but will be available by email & phone,
Cheryl@firstbaptistlawrence.com; 316.680.3533
Cody will be available by email & phone, cody@firstbaptistlawrence.com;
785.633.7041
Jenny will be taking vacation time Dec. 26-Jan. 2
In case of emergency, please call 766-5244.

All are invited!

RWR, 4:00 p.m. ?
Bring snacks and board
games.

Our January selection is Behind the

Beautiful Forevers, by Kathryn Boo. This
book is the result of three years of study in
the city of Mumbai, India. Copies are
available at the Lawrence Public Library. The meeting will
be on Jan. 10, 7 p.m., at Lee & Carolyn Carlson's home,
1905 Crossgate Dr.

By the Numbers...as of Dec. 14

GENERAL OPERATING
Weekly Receipts:
$5,112.75
YTD Receipts:
$310,940.09
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
Weekly Receipts:
$5,314.25
Cumulative Giving:
$324,496.11
If you would like more detailed financial information, please
contact our bookkeeper at grassyclan@att.net.
Thank you for your generous giving. Your generosity helps to
make our many ministries possible.